It soon became apparent though that Wyndham was only there to offer support and was not going to ride, With apologies from Rod Hicks also it meant that only three riders were going to start.
First out of the blocks was myself and and with the wind on my back on the outward leg I went through 5 miles in 11:06. Steaming on I went through 10 miles in 22:26. Now this was a worry, I have never done a 10 in less sthan 23 minutes so just what was the wind going to be like on the way back.
Through the tunnels and into the lumpy back road section of Mitchell troy you could feel the wind in your face, this combined with the little climbs meant the heart was pumping and the legs were burning, and this was just the start. Harder now as you got onto the dual carriageway and climbing up the the services....... I was creeping........ Sweep started 4 minutes behind me... Would he catch me? had to Dig in..... next five miles, 13 minutes PLUS..... Tears now and just before the usk interchange, my legs just wouldn't turn. Don't let Sweep catch me in the last mile..... Keep going.....
In the end I returned a time of 1:1:43. Sweep arrived about a minute later recording a time of 58:34 (Awesome ride on the day) with John Stroud recording a 1:5:36.
Its been a long time since I rode on a tougher day so all in all it wasn't bad but bear a thought for Dave Wall who won the event in 50 minutes dead......What is he going to do on a good day on the Bank???????
Till next time
