Hillingdon Evening Road Race - Tues 17th June 2008

From Tristan Emptage 

It’s thirteen years since my last competitive road race and it feels like a lot has changed.  I remember chatting to fellow club mates at the time about what seemed to be the imminent decline in road racing due to the lack of new blood entering the sport and increase in road traffic.
Last week I went to the Hillingdon Evening Road Race, where they have a purpose built cycle track with dedicated club house, photo finish facilities and best off all, races run for all abilities and age groups with dozens of children on miniature racing bikes all geared up to race.
 
I wasn't in the kids race! I was racing in the in the fourth cat race over a distance of 25 miles and 25 laps.  The race started slowly but soon heated up with endless attacks which on the whole came back within half a lap. About half way through I thought I’d have a go and ended up riding off the front for 5 laps before being caught.  After sitting in for the final three laps I felt good for the sprint where I managed a respectable second place narrowly missing first by half a wheel.
 
All in all I had a great evening at a well organised race which I’d recommend to all and will be attending again soon.