Too hot to handle. Too cold to hold.
Motivation can come in many forms and at disparate times
Take for instance an exceedingly long winter: training intervals in the dark; tactical conversations, because maybe we should get organised this time, or simply try something different; add to this a healthy pinch of snow and the disconent of being so close, and yet so far away from reaching what we all know we’re capable of. Yup, that about sums up the start of our 2016 season. But there is hope.
We always hang in a Buffalo Stance.
The Wild Bunch
A whisper here, and a conversation there, and before we know it, we have our first top 4 race result of the season – and not just from our youth-development squad either – thanks Ollie and Ash!
The wheels are set in motion and the first of our club Individual Time Trials (ITT) is born. On Sunday 1 May, at 7am we took to the road and enjoyed smashing ourselves and each other up, in the presence of the sun and through the truth of time.
We have the contestants; all we need now is a comissar with a stop watch and we’re good to start. DC took the commendable task of organising the event, and with his magic (smart phone) stop watch we were off!
DC on the clock.
Rock this place
There’s the usual anxiety of not knowing ones form, and suspecting everyone around you is racing-fit and is out to bury you. Then there’s the things you just can’t prepare for – people forgetting they’ve got a wedding to rush off to, or a mehcanical that rears it’s ugly head right about now.
But this is all erased after a few pedal strokes: as you turn the bend and your fellow competiors are out of sight; your breathing gets into a rhythm, and the road is finally yours. You put it all behind you as you race against the clock. Yet in the pit of your stomach, fearing that the rider setting off just a minute behind will come hurtling by you.
Suffice to say, we were the rudest people on the day.
Race Results – here it is:
Yes, there is a reason for everything. Even for a DNS.
The Low Down
Heading down to the races to compete against strangers isn’t for everybody – what with so many variables, such as fighting for position, and often, the imbalance of racing experience amongst the field. So a club ITT is a good way to discovering form and racing against the only consistent ‘truth’ set against all comers – time! On the other hand, having the likes of the ‘Bear’ breathing down your neck takes some courage too. Well done to everyone who took part. To those who couldn’t make it, and will be taking to the starting blocks this week, bon velo!
PS. Here’s a friendly reminder…
…it happens to all of us.
