Paul Simon Homes Road Race - Sun 4th Apr 10

Paul Simon Homes RR (Finchley RT), ERRL –  Tewin/Panshanger circuit – Sunday 4th April 201071 miles

2/3/4 cats

Typical Easter Sunday conditions awaited the riders on the start line as the rain started and the wind picked up. 

9 laps of a testing circuit were to be completed and a flurry of activity on the first two laps saw the pace stay at quite a healthy speed. 

I put in an effort on the finishing hill on lap 3 and looked behind to see quite a healthy gap, so put my head down and worked with 2 other riders to stay away. We were joined by 4 other riders over the course of the next 2-3 laps and the 7 of us worked fluidly to get almost a minute gap and stay away for approx 40 miles until the break was caught with just over 2 laps remaining. 

At that point the pace went through the roof and I hung on with all the remaining strength in my legs I could muster. 

Two riders attacked the last time along the B1000 and just about stayed away from the bunch which was closing in as they sprinted for the line. I grovelled to the finish within a splintered bunch, narrowly missing a pile up as we turned off the B1000 for the final time, satisfied with my breakaway attempt even though it didn’t succeed. David Vaughan rode in Shorter Rochford team colours and rode strongly during the race, managing to clip off the front of the bunch within the last two miles only to be swamped by the pack as we turned onto the finishing hill