Having smashed (been smashed) some National B road races the last couple of weeks I was on some pretty good form. Leisure Lakes RR is a level down and considering my current results I was truly fancying myself for a win. The race was only 80km or so, with just one long but shallow climb and a long shallow descent back to the start.
As usual attacks went from the gun but I let everyone else work to chase them down while I remained rested. My plan was to wait for everyone to tire themselves out attacking each other before I laid down a full on attack to split the field. I was hoping that I’d either get into the right move and end up in strong break, or if I missed it, try to bridge with 1.5 laps to go.
As we approached the main climb for the second time I got myself right to the front so I could have an easier time, either to drop back if it kicked off and I was struggling or to make it easier to follow moves.
As expected, people started to attack and I merely followed, not wanting to be this aggressive this early. Alas as we were about halfway up we were closing a gap to a break of 4 riders. I said to the guy attacking to drill it as soon as we caught them and I did just that. I pushed a big gear and railed it as we caught them. I went hard so they wouldn’t be able to respond quickly enough to follow me. I was hoping someone strong from the peloton would come with me but no one did.
I checked behind me and saw some riders bridging but I never eased the pace and they never made it to me. I really thought they would but when I checked back next time the gap just went out and out, so much so they were out of sight by the top.
Once I got the gap I wanted to commit to it, so I had a hard 5-10 minutes (around 400w for 5 mins and 360w for 10) to establish the gap, before settling into a more sustainable pace for the rest (around 300w). According to strava, I was 40 seconds faster than the bunch up the main climb.
It was all going well, I was up the road and out of sight so I ate a gel to keep on top of nutrition. Either I would make it all the way solo or a proper break would establish and catch me. Either way would suit me but the break would be easier. It was all going well until I began to struggle to corner. And I mean really struggle, my back wheel felt proper slippery and I had to really concentrate to turn. Initially I thought it was due to the damp course in the rain, but as I bounced the bike to check, I had indeed flatted.
Bloody gutting. The rear flat vastly reduced my speed and soon enough I was caught by an escape group of 8. I tried to sit on but as we cornered I was sliding all over and couldn’t hold the wheel. It was a nightmare really, so I put up my hand to get a spare from the neutral service to discover that there was no neutral service. Bloody hell.
So I was now dropped and riding a flat wheel back to the HQ. It was such a shame, I was on good form and had my race ruined by a flat tyre. I don’t actually know how it happened but that is the third puncture I’ve had in a race this year. All in the rear wheel. I haven’t punctured in a single training ride, only races. I know you’re on the limit racing but I do train pretty hard. I’ve ordered a new set of tyres and I’m going to check the wheel for any defects as I don’t want this happening again.
Good legs bad luck. Something something cruel sport, something something better luck next time eh?
Note the deflated rear tyre
As usual attacks went from the gun but I let everyone else work to chase them down while I remained rested. My plan was to wait for everyone to tire themselves out attacking each other before I laid down a full on attack to split the field. I was hoping that I’d either get into the right move and end up in strong break, or if I missed it, try to bridge with 1.5 laps to go.
As we approached the main climb for the second time I got myself right to the front so I could have an easier time, either to drop back if it kicked off and I was struggling or to make it easier to follow moves.
As expected, people started to attack and I merely followed, not wanting to be this aggressive this early. Alas as we were about halfway up we were closing a gap to a break of 4 riders. I said to the guy attacking to drill it as soon as we caught them and I did just that. I pushed a big gear and railed it as we caught them. I went hard so they wouldn’t be able to respond quickly enough to follow me. I was hoping someone strong from the peloton would come with me but no one did.
I checked behind me and saw some riders bridging but I never eased the pace and they never made it to me. I really thought they would but when I checked back next time the gap just went out and out, so much so they were out of sight by the top.
Once I got the gap I wanted to commit to it, so I had a hard 5-10 minutes (around 400w for 5 mins and 360w for 10) to establish the gap, before settling into a more sustainable pace for the rest (around 300w). According to strava, I was 40 seconds faster than the bunch up the main climb.
It was all going well, I was up the road and out of sight so I ate a gel to keep on top of nutrition. Either I would make it all the way solo or a proper break would establish and catch me. Either way would suit me but the break would be easier. It was all going well until I began to struggle to corner. And I mean really struggle, my back wheel felt proper slippery and I had to really concentrate to turn. Initially I thought it was due to the damp course in the rain, but as I bounced the bike to check, I had indeed flatted.
Bloody gutting. The rear flat vastly reduced my speed and soon enough I was caught by an escape group of 8. I tried to sit on but as we cornered I was sliding all over and couldn’t hold the wheel. It was a nightmare really, so I put up my hand to get a spare from the neutral service to discover that there was no neutral service. Bloody hell.
So I was now dropped and riding a flat wheel back to the HQ. It was such a shame, I was on good form and had my race ruined by a flat tyre. I don’t actually know how it happened but that is the third puncture I’ve had in a race this year. All in the rear wheel. I haven’t punctured in a single training ride, only races. I know you’re on the limit racing but I do train pretty hard. I’ve ordered a new set of tyres and I’m going to check the wheel for any defects as I don’t want this happening again.
Good legs bad luck. Something something cruel sport, something something better luck next time eh?
Note the deflated rear tyre
