WKRC Vets RR - 02-08-2010
Hollow victory, part 2.
"I didn't know Terry had a problem. I attacked and never looked back". A famous quote from one Tour winner, and nicked for my own winners speech.
Thursday, 29th July was the date set for the annual tussle of the West Kent road racing Vets. All two of us turned up again, and we even had some much appreciated support from Gary, Ed and Paul. Mick Hardy came along to race, but a two hour journey through the night-mare traffic put paid to that, so He offered support too with his wife.
My journey was nearly futile, arriving at the circuit at 3 minutes to 6 for a 6 o'clock start. Fortunately, Paul saw me in the car park and got my bike ready for me, while I did a quick change. My warm-up consisted of a frantic dash to the start line, chucking my money and license to Trevor the organiser, and getting lined up. A quick hello to my fellow gladiator, and he was off with the C's and D's for their half lap head-start. As my group set off, someone asked if we had to catch them up, and I pointed out that we always do, so there was no need to rush off. It fell on deaf ears, they were off, hunting for old men in lycra. We did catch them of course, and normally we all sit together and trundle round for another half-hour before the real racing begins. Not this time. Straight through them and out the other side, hang on if you can. Terry and I didn't need that for our first race of the season. but, hang on we did, even time for a brief chat, then Terry was gone. I didn't think re-roofing one's shed could be so tiring (Terry's reason for not racing sooner) and wondered where he had got to. Another lap and I got my answer. He was stood forlornly track-side with a puncture.
As Terry pointed out earlier, "if you see him lying there, ignore him and carry on". So I did!! I did do my best not to finish by going off the circuit and on to the dirt trying to dodge some back markers on the last lap, but I somehow managed to keep upright and get back on the track. That ended any remote chance I had of finishing with the bunch on top of the hill, and I eventually dragged my weary legs up to the finish. My bike looked like El Presidente's war-time aircraft under-carriage, back from a low level, tree-top height bombing run, covered in greenery as it was.
But, finish I did, and a hollow victory again for the Vet's trophy winner. I have no doubt that if Terry had not punctured, then .......well, who know's what might have happened?
As a foot-note, and joy to everyone who has had their train cancelled. Terry left the circuit for an early bath, saw the doors close on his train at Chadwell Heath before he got on and then sat there for 45 minutes after the next three trains were cancelled. Must have been tacks on the track!!
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