On the ride to Port Melbourne I had very heavy legs from the MTB ride yesterday.
The St Kilda Club was running Team Trials prior to our 'C' grade race so we had to wait. The cold made it very uncomfortable. I think I need to do some adjusting to the cold weather.
I took off my layers, working the fact I'd warm up once the race started.
Three laps in and I was warm. The legs by now had also loosened up.
I was riding amongst another 30+ riders, one of which (Ryan) is in the same club as myself. I sat on Ryan's wheel for as long as possible. The two of us riding well, keeping out of the wind.
At one point a rider rode past hoping for a break away. I sat on his wheel and quickly found myself in 2nd place. I wasn't keen to stay there as break aways here don't work. As he tired I fell back into the middle of the pack.
Three laps to go was called. The pace really heated up. Myself and Ryan both had some close calls.
The last lap and the group broke up. Myself and Ryan were in the top half.
With one corner to go I shifted up two gears, made my way to the outside and hoped for a quick exit out of the last corner.
I came out of the corner, head down, pushing as hard as I could. The guys in front of me where slowly pulling away.
I finished ninth, which I was very happy with. Only four weeks ago I was dead last.
Author: Tim Harman
