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wplatt · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 21:48 Post subject: Kitsmead Lane tomorra

Hi all,

Tomorrow is the Kitsmead lane handicap run by Charlotteville RC. I am aiming to be there, to show just how unfit I have become and also cos it doesn't have many hills so I can hope fully hang on.

WHos in?
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2008 Planet-X Superlight pro carbon Dura Ace
ex-felgen, ex-doctorjames, now wplatt
'the other RPCC founder member', the other James Platt for that matter, too

Andy L · Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 520 Location: Mortlake

My last day before 2 weeks of sun, sea and sand in, er, Wales and Normandy - so, will aim to be at Kitsmead, but suspect work won't allow.

Good luck if I don't see you on the line.

Dave Ladkin · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 517 Location: Surbiton

How long are these on for as times running out for getting points!

Andy L · Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 520 Location: Mortlake

Fresh from ranting about amateur doping, onto a happier tale...

Kitsmead Lane tonight saw a big turnout, with 3 Wheelers - me, a chap called Josh (sorry, didn't catch second name) who is a 2nd cat, and a new member - Harry Springall. Good to see new KW racing faces.

We were set off in larger groups tonight and I was in the 3rd group of 3rd cats, along with Harry and about 18 other riders. Behind us, the scratch group contained a strong Sigma presence (Wouter, Gary Dodd and Andy Betts), so we knew we had our work cut out.

Large groups don;t always work well in handicaps, but tonight we did, and we had hoovered up the 2 groups in front by halfway. I felt sluggish after 3 weeks with no racing, but did my share and gradually found some legs.

At the bell, we were still a largish group although with no idea how far behind the scratch group was. It turned out we'd held them off and, as we approached the final turn, 30 or so riders were in contention.

I started my sprint too far back and came in just outside the top 10 (I thought 11th, but they had me down as 14th - ho hum), but our new member - Harry Springall (remember the name) - timed his sprint to perfection and took the win! In his first road race.

He told me afterwards he's a triathlete who's just getting into cycling. Hmm... the last triathlete who joined the Wheelers and won his first race was a certain Mr Andrew Bye and look where he ended up. Anyway congrats to Harry, who seemed a little surprised at the dodgy videocam being used to determine the result - all a far cry from your average triathlon.

With my 11th/14th I'll probably escape the dope test, but I think Harry can expect a knock on the door around 6am tomorrow...

andyedwards · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 354

Great stuff Andy!

Make sure you are in the top 5 coming out of the final corner on that circuit.

Glad to see another KW win. Looking forward to meeting Harry.

I nearly rode myself last night, but had five hours of motorway hell driving back from a meeting in Manchester so was feeling pooped ... getting a lot of miles in at the moment (on the motorway, sadly).

James B · Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 1873 Location: Geneva

Nice one!

nickhussey · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 3132 Location: Wimbledon

Harry was defo going to do something quickly, he's the complete package. He'll rise the ranks fast. Nice one Harry!
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Dominic · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 405

Well done Harry! If you find the hilly races I am sure you'll be even better!

Well done Andy too! And a nice write up - thanks!

Damien Breen · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 260 Location: London W6

Well done Harry!

Good report Andy. We'll have to get you out doing some sprint practice - start turning all those 11th, 12th, 13th... finishes into top tens. You'll be racking up the points in no time.

Is it the case that in every Kitsmead handicap this year the scratch group hasn't caught the 3rds and 4ths? Either Keith is giving too generous time gaps, or the standards of the earlier groups is better than expected? But either way, it's great that us mortals get a chance to take on the likes of Wouter, Dodd and Betts, and win!
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Andy L · Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 520 Location: Mortlake

maryka · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 1197 Location: Kingston

Nice work Harry (who I haven't met yet). Feel up for Hog Hill tomorrow? Smile

Andy I think you and I have the same issue there regarding the final sprint (for me in women's races). So much of it is nerves/balls to stay in the front 5-10 and hold that position no matter what. I find myself backing off the minute someone gets aggressive and pushy and stupid around me as the risk of a crash is so much greater to me than the reward of keeping my position. I almost always lose many spaces on any final corner due to not wanting to dive down under people and/or go off my line (which is what a lot of people seem to do) to hold people off. If it's a straightaway then I tend to get swamped and cut up. Sad

Not sure how to fix that exactly except for just coming across "bigger" and being more aggressive myself. Anticipating it and preventing it somehow? Maybe some work on the track would help?
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Matt T · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 15:01 Post subject:

Harry has been coming out on our mid-week wednesday night rides, meeting us in Cobham.

Maryka - I think you rode with him last wednesday evening? Harry was in a Sigma Sport gilet and on a Cervelo.

nickhussey · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 3132 Location: Wimbledon

He rode with is today. Said he was feeling a bit achy. Twonked us anyway. Rolling Eyes

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maryka · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 1197 Location: Kingston

wplatt · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 22:08 Post subject:

Nice work!

I didn't make it (unsurprisingly) - hopefully I will make one soon!
_________________
2008 Planet-X Superlight pro carbon Dura Ace
ex-felgen, ex-doctorjames, now wplatt
'the other RPCC founder member', the other James Platt for that matter, too