Persistence: SERRL champs report

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
-Calvin Coolidge

Photo courtesy of Dave Hayward

Today was the SERRL Championships held on the testing Bells Yew Green course near Tunbridge Wells over a short 90km. This meant that being under-distance and without Elite riders there were only fifteen points up for grabs for the winner. Never mind, that would help and more importantly there was a chance to get that elusive win.

A very small field signed on, with the low points availability and the fact that many riders are hanging up their Sidi’s after a long season racing probably the reason. Thirty or so riders set off, and there was a sure chance of winning with only a couple of other 1st Cat riders in the field. You can only race who turns up, and even if you are one of the favourites on paper nobody is going to just let you ride off into the distance.

After a slow start I launched the first attack of the day on the back end of the circuit, but it was clear I was going to be watched in this race. The legs were not quite playing ball at this stage, with the constant punchy climbs feeling a little harder than they should have. A number of moves broke clear, stayed out for a bit and were then counter-attacked bringing things together. Thankfully the legs started to feel better and better with each passing minute.

With a couple of laps to go, Dave Seager (San Fairy Ann) and Pete Wager (VC Meudon) attacked and got a healthy lead. Wager had looked strong on the climbs so this was one to watch. With a lap and a half to go, on a part of the circuit with several climbs and false flats the small bunch started to fracture. Ishmael Burdeau (Agiskoviner) and I started applying the pressure and after persistent hard riding four of us broke clear, Burdeau, Malcolm Davies (Kent Cycles), a lad in blue Pinarello kit (sorry didn’t catch your name- will check on the results!) and myself. Up the finishing climb we caught the two leaders and became a good group of six. This felt like the winning move and with a bit of cajoling everyone started to work well together.

Coming into the final 6km or so, I had marked a point in my head I was going to make a devastating attack and solo to glory. Wager was savvy to me sitting at the back waiting to launch it, and before I had the chance Davies went solo. There were a couple of chase effort from myself and Burdeau, but Davies dangled off the group by a couple of hundred metres going into the final climb to the finish.

Playing it cool, I drifted to the back of the break, and waited to go. As the climb flattened out I wound it up and attacked from the rear, bridging to Davies with a one minute effort and putting more than enough distance between us and the chasers. On catching him, I could see his early attack had taken it’s toll, so after sitting on for a few seconds to catch my breath, and with 300m to go I sprinted for home, crossing the line with arms pointing skyward. You can tell I don’t win much as I made the decidedly unprofessional error of not doing my jersey up for the photo!

To get a win is a huge relief. I set clear goals for the year including at least one road win. Other bonus rewards have come my way such as becoming SCCU Champion and the overall winner of the Surrey League TT series, but nothing beats actually winning. It makes all the miles worthwhile! It seems daft to stop racing now just shy of an Elite license, and that would be the icing on the cake. By my reckoning I need another nineteen points…

The data shows that this was a tough couple of hours- the shorter distance meant intensity was up a bit from normal. Normalised power of 337watts and av HR of 172bpm shows that winning ain’t easy!

RACE:
Duration: 2:10:31
Work: 2143 kJ
TSS: 214.2 (intensity factor 0.992)
Norm Power: 337
VI: 1.23
Pw:HR: -9.28%
Pa:HR: 1.9%
Distance: 84.938 km
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 1254 274 watts
Heart Rate: 104 192 172 bpm
Cadence: 31 231 99 rpm
Speed: 9.3 73.3 39.0 kph
Pace 0:49 6:27 1:32 min/km
Crank Torque: 0 188.2 26.5 N-m

I got home to watch the World champs on Eurosport, with Sean Kelly’s ‘I’talians and other such idiosyncrasies putting me to sleep. I’m glad I woke up for the last two laps, and was impressed by Evans’ solo attack to win- not such a wheelsucker now! Chapeau.

Finally, thanks to the SERRL organisers, motorbike outriders and helpers who make their events so good to ride in. Today was the last race of their summer season and if you’ve never done a SERRL race I recommend them!