Yesterday I did my first Open TT event, the Dysynni 10 at Four Crosses. I was hoping that the 107 miles on Saturday wasn't still in my legs. I've not ridden since, so hoped all would be okay. I'd driven to the HQ the night before and driven the route but not had the time to ride it.
I arrived in good time and did a few small bits to the bike. I used my Secteur rather than my new TT bike as I don't feel confident that I'm quicker on that yet. I took my saddle pack off as well as my drinks cages thinking that seconds might count. I cleaned it up slightly as it was a bit of a mess from the weekend. I got the cadence sensor working again and refitted the Garmin holder on the aerobars.
I rode off gently to check I had remembered the way to the start and then I came back, and signed on. I was number 48 and last to set off as Andy Bason had cancelled. I asked Dave Fletcher to pin my number on as I had my new (well second hand) skin suit n and didn't want to take it back off to fit it.
I tried to relax for a while and take in some liquid. Soon enough it was time to warm up and I did about 6 miles at various speeds. I lined up in good time and chatted to Dan, a Junior who had won the last Wrekin Sport TT. I was admiring his black stealth TT bike and comparing it with my bike - with aerobars about 6 inches higher due to my stem raiser!
Soon I was off and settled into a rythym. I was worried I'd gone too hard in the first minute but got my breathing under control. My plan was to try and maintain an average of 22mph until the turn point and then try and step it up. I was beating this, with an average of over 23mph, so I backed it down very slightly.
I negotiated the turn at the roundabout okay and appreciated the cheers and encouragement from a few watchers. My average was down a but but still above 22. It steadily clicked upwards as I did the return leg and got back to 23.1mph with about a mile to go. I tried to put the hammer down but then came the rise just before the end. I pushed hard and then got out of the saddle, my breath was rasping now and it was a hard finish.
I checked my clock and made it around 26:20 (official time 26:21) and was over the moon with this. I'd written my targets down:
Beat personal best and VTTA time - 27.33
Average over 22mph
Beat 27 mins
Come 36th or better
I comfortably beat all of these targets which I was really pleased with. The results are below and I noted that I beat two riders by 2 seconds - so maybe taking those few bits off made the difference!
Back to the title - Dennis Milsom is 83 and wins most of the Age related competitions he enters (VTTA). He was one of the riders I beat by 2 seconds....... but he beat me by 8 minutes in the age adjusted competition (which he won of course).
So, another PB for me - I know it is going to get much harder from now on!