Last weekend saw my official comeback to cycling for the CRC Marathon Series at Llandovery, South Wales, after nearly 2 years since my last marathon (June 09′ in Kirchberg). As it had been a busy week getting bikes sorted, and getting a bike rack made in my (newly purchased for Euro 11′) Van, I was massively in debt in the sleep bank – to the point that only a pay day loan broker could be proud of.
Saturday was the road sportive – and i was very thankful for the fact that I had replaced my headset. Well at least that it was working. The week before I had hurriedly purchased one, only to realise upon installing it that my bike (Yorkshire built no-less) was fitted with an Italian Standard 1″ headset, as opposed to the more popular English standard. I had also drilled out the stem bolt, so some major surgery had to happen there in order to replace it. At times like these that i am glad i have a machinist friend!
Back to the riding, i had decided to treat the sportive as a training exercise in order not to nail myself for the marathon, and what a location for it – 90 miles on secluded Welsh laneways – with feed stations. Although it was a little challenging when the wind, rain, and 25% hills set in. Thank god i had mudguards – for which i had copped massive ridicule just 10 mins prior. Those that were without them were soaked, with some even in need of an emergency reflective blanket. With the training put away it was pasta party time – all i can say on the matter is that they cocked up their fusion cuisine – they have a thing or two to learn from their continental cousins before they can start toting the ‘past party’ name.
Sunday morning 10 Am and it was time to go. I opted for the classic – ‘better looking for it than at it’ strategy, but perhaps i took it a little far starting a few hundred back ( and taking 2:30 to cross the actual start line from the gun). This would not be a problem in continental races, but here on laneways, and with punters more focused on filming the experience than riding, things were a little challenging.
All in all it took about 2 1/2 hours for me to get moving, where i started to reel in those that had not bothered to take the 10 seconds to feed. Experience is worth something after all. Getting further in things got a little more technical with more roots – always a good thing for the experienced – however i found myself languishing like a punter roadie when things got going at a little more speed.
Coming home to the finish, i had plenty left in the tank, just what i was hoping for with the first race back. Oh, and I ended up 7th, but there may have been some dubious ‘local knowledge’ going on with a rider finishing the 88km course sub 3 hours…. But hey due to British law regarding competitive events on public rights of way, this was only a timed event legally – I’ll take it as a good days training then. However, it is an odd loophole that these events are left in with the law…
So there were a few take home messages from the weekend – I’m doing better than expected, but i’m going to need to put a few technical rides in if i want to carry any kind of respectability with me to Europe. I also discovered that it is possible to exceed my tents 3000 mm static pressure rating in a welsh rain storm, and that it is never a good idea to give ones partner a second rate second hand sleeping bag when you have just purchased a new down job – the fallout is just not worth it. The sleep sure was though!
As a postscript, I meant to include event pictures, but was let down by a false signal from my canons battery. I can however show just how much hair is left behind after shaving my legs for the first time in around 18 months.