PTW

Two hardy PTWCC Road Race (Davey C and charleifummi) members travelled ‘up north’ to take part in the above race, a 80km event over the rolling roads of the west midlands. Fortunately, at the course’s highest point one could catch a glimpse of the Welsh border, so that eased the home sickness!

The course as I’ve said was rolling with a few drags and alone stonking hill in at the end, which we had to climb three times. After our disastrous start to the season at the Betty Pharaoh it was time to make amends.

Indeed it is ‘grim up north’ as they say, while South Wales basked in glorious sunshine, we set off with cloudy skies and a car thermometer reading 5 degrees. Nevermind, a quick lap soon warmed us up, and so it was we hit the hill the first time. I was pleased to discover my legs weren’t too bad going up the steeper sections, although lack of racing meant I suffered a bit over the draggy parts at the top. However I managed to get myself into a promising looking break shortly afterwards and spent a good few miles working well, only to be brought back by a strong effort from promoting club Wolverhamption Wheelers. Charles did well getting over the climb and fighting his way to the front each lap and was keen to get involved in proceedings, jumping off the front a few times and generally making his presence felt.

As we hit the last climb I got over the top in 3rd place, only for my undertrained legs to pack in with 1km to go, leaving me hanging on what was now the front group, the race having split. I rolled in 18th place, thinking I am capable of more, but happy to have got a ride. Charles came in shortly after me, again, happy to have completed our first road race of the year.

The PTWCC rode well, covered most moves and stayed near the front. Good team work and skills from the ‘Squadra Rosa!’

Link to the BCF report and gallery:

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/EventReports2009/20090419_2_counties_rr.asp

We are easy to spot, the white shorts give us away!

Yeah cracking sundays worth of riding, after beeing coaxed up to the black country by disco on the instruction it were a pan flat course !!!, (you wind up mofo).. Yeah that littleish kick of a climb wasnt tooo pleasurable, so as i knew i didnt have a snow balls chance in hell of battling for a win coming over it on the last lap i made them all suffer on the more flater parts of the course !!!!.. pleased tho finishing just off the back of the lead group about 30 secs down on dave, in about 35 ish out of a 80-90 man feild.. i do think a more suitable name would be "squdra bianco" dont you think my fellow white short friend !!!

Nice write up there lads, sounds like you both enjoyed and gave more than a good account of ya' selves, Ardderchog!. "Squadra Lliw draig".