Iona at Peterborough Crit

Iona at Peterborough Crit

Sunday 11 May 2014

Bedford Classic (Off-road challenge)



I really like this course, a few short hills and some good downhill sections.  Five laps, totaling 40 miles, so it was a good distance for me at this stage in the season.  My aim for this race was to ride nearer the front, I wasn’t sure how my legs were going to be because I hadn’t eased up training prior to the race.  The Sunday ride was a good 4 hours with some efforts up hills (you know who you are...Jim)!

 


So the race went to plan, I rode off the front at one point, right into a head wind and then was left there (as is only right if you attack).  It was good fun and I was feeling strong throughout, I even enjoyed the hills...well as much as you can...

I'm going for some really interesting (!) photos in this post, and I took this picture (not on my bike I might add) but because this was hill to the finish.  I had been riding near the front on the 3rd and 4th laps, there were a few attacks but no one kept away.  On the last lap I was about 15 back, everyone trying to get the best position, we all went for it up the hill, I was coming up for 3rd when a rider next to me tumbled, I did a bit off-roading on the verge but stayed upright.  The group went by I clipped in and rode to the finish, a bit disappointing but still really pleased with my performance overall.  Definitely my best road race so far. 

Well done to the rest of the team in the team series race, thanks to Steve as always and a big thank you to Physio Trevor for easing our aching limbs. :-)

 

May 5th 2014

Linda