Chelmer CC RR - 7th April 2013
Mon 29 Apr 2013
Frank Rawlins, Paul McGrath and myself started the Chelmer Road Race on Sunday 7th April. It was another very cold start of minus 2 which caused a brief delay to remove ice from the circuit. Only 20 mins later than planned we finally rolled out and started the neutralised section. I was so cold I decided to try and warm up with a quick attack a few hundred meters out of the neutralised section. I was joined by another rider and we spent a brief 10 mins holding the bunch at about 15 seconds. We were finally reeled in but I felt warm at last.
There were a few miles with not too much action and then another group of 5 riders tried to get away. They were only given about 10 seconds and finally brought back before it could turn into a serious move. After about 15 miles, on one of the very minor rises on the circuit a group of six including Paul started to move clear. I saw another rider trying to get across to the move which was only at about 10 seconds at this stage and I followed him up to the group.
This looked like a good move with only a few clubs missing from the move. Over the next 5 miles we were joined by another couple of riders which only left Cambridge and Finchley missing. We were all working very well together and this continued until about 10 miles to go. Behind the majority of the chasing was being done by Cambridge and Finchley and a few others that weren't represented.
As we were coming into the last 10 miles a few people started to try and miss their turns at driving the break on and a few tired legs meant we weren't fluid and the bunch was getting closer. As fewer people started to work there was a lot of looking around. As we slowed I tried to get away with another rider but we were brought straight back. No one was going to be able to get away.
With about 4 miles to go the bunch finally brought us back. It was going to come down to a sprint. It was getting very twitchy and everyone trying to get to the front of a narrow road meant there was lots of contact in the bunch. Unfortunately with about 3k to go someone slammed on his brakes just in front of Frank and he came down heavily. We later learned he dislocated his collarbone.
The closer to the line the more unsettled everyone became but myself and Paul were in quite good positions. About 600m out someone in front of me swerved right and I had to do the same to avoid him. This took me close to ending up in a ditch and ended my chances of sprinting for any places. Paul using his size to good effect held his position well and finished 20th in a blanket finish where there was less than a wheel between 10th and 20th place.
There were a few miles with not too much action and then another group of 5 riders tried to get away. They were only given about 10 seconds and finally brought back before it could turn into a serious move. After about 15 miles, on one of the very minor rises on the circuit a group of six including Paul started to move clear. I saw another rider trying to get across to the move which was only at about 10 seconds at this stage and I followed him up to the group.
This looked like a good move with only a few clubs missing from the move. Over the next 5 miles we were joined by another couple of riders which only left Cambridge and Finchley missing. We were all working very well together and this continued until about 10 miles to go. Behind the majority of the chasing was being done by Cambridge and Finchley and a few others that weren't represented.
As we were coming into the last 10 miles a few people started to try and miss their turns at driving the break on and a few tired legs meant we weren't fluid and the bunch was getting closer. As fewer people started to work there was a lot of looking around. As we slowed I tried to get away with another rider but we were brought straight back. No one was going to be able to get away.
With about 4 miles to go the bunch finally brought us back. It was going to come down to a sprint. It was getting very twitchy and everyone trying to get to the front of a narrow road meant there was lots of contact in the bunch. Unfortunately with about 3k to go someone slammed on his brakes just in front of Frank and he came down heavily. We later learned he dislocated his collarbone.
The closer to the line the more unsettled everyone became but myself and Paul were in quite good positions. About 600m out someone in front of me swerved right and I had to do the same to avoid him. This took me close to ending up in a ditch and ended my chances of sprinting for any places. Paul using his size to good effect held his position well and finished 20th in a blanket finish where there was less than a wheel between 10th and 20th place.