... Singin' In The Rain ed.
What I expected to be a loaded month of hot racing ended up being a bit of a wash out…….the summer weather isn’t playing its part across the race calendar!
Words: James “The Boss Man” Smee. Edit: Adam Coppard.
4th July – RCR Summer race series #1 - Goodwood
Jon L racing in the 4-cat race was well into the race when the rain really came in. As the track became more and more waterlogged Jon pulled out and headed home for a hot shower, good move.
Skinsuits aren’t waterproof…
Meanwhile under the shelter of my car boot along with Sam and Adam, we ummed and arrghed at the prospect of racing, at that moment the rain got heavier, Adam took that as a warning and got back in the car (wise man), Sam (young and foolish) stated his intent to ride and I felt the need to roll out with him stating, I’ll give it a few laps and see what it’s like…... It was hard and fast from the start, ploughing through standing water with my shoes filling up with water. We tried a few moves, but it came together for the ‘sprint’ finish. Tipping into the last corner before the chicane I felt my bike loose traction underneath me, trying to stay calm I eased it upright and looked at a straight line through the chicane, Sam just behind me, we looked to start winding it on, only to have a rider slide off in front of us, across the track and into the grass. Riders dodging the mayhem everywhere, I almost came to stop missing the fallen rider whilst Sam was on the grass keeping it upright. We cruised across the line thankful no one was hurt.
Not to put anyone off, but it doesn’t always go to plan!
6th July – SDV Summer series finale – TTT Goodwood
The only sunny day of July? We made the most of it!
Just a couple of days later back on the track in the sunshine! The format: teams of 4 riders on road bikes had to complete 12 laps against the clock. Under BC rules this was a race, in Time Trial format. The time was taken from the 3rd rider crossing the line.
CCR had two teams in the event with Michelle, Karen and Jen (+SDV) and Adam, Larry, Sam and me. The CCR ladies rode well, keeping it tight to the line and finishing 3rd Great job!
A great showing from some of our CCR Ladies.
We rode hard as well, keeping the rotations going all the way, I did get a bit excited coming down the back and went through too hard, but good communication got us back together and we finished 6th overall (don’t mention the 13seconds!) Both teams were in the points and looking sharp, flying the CCR colours. (It was my highlight of racing this year! [and mine, AC])
9th July a3crg – P881/10 TT
Larry was back in action on his TT bike, laying down another scorching time of 20:00 dead on this course along the A3. Another stunning performance, Larry has really dialed in the TT, refining his rides.
12th July – Portsmouth evening circuits - Mountbatten
Chasing around in circles, Adam, Sam and Rich (back from his mighty tour) set about their tactic to get a rider in the break. Sam was the man seeing him ride off with two others for company and finishing up with a nice 3rd position. Successful evenings racing from the trio.
Rich was smiling ‘cos it wasn’t 225km, on a 40kg ladened bike…
18th July – RCR Summer race series #2 - Goodwood
Jon and Mark featured in the Cat 4 race, Jon used some of his race smarts he’d picked up along with his coaches tips, when the race came back together into the last corner Jon went for it out the chicane and cross the line first…..! A win, 10 points and promotion to Cat 3 – excellent result Jon, the first win for CCR this season as well! Mark finished as well despite nursing a chest infection, just outside the points.
A decent showing for CCR at the races with 5 riders in the 2/3 race as well. Always looking to have one in the break we worked well covering each other, even getting Larry, Sam and Myself into a break with 3 others but no one wanted work with us despite Larrys encouragement ;) On the last lap about a third of the way around there was coming together taking down half the field – about 30 riders involved. Sam and I went off onto the grass bouncing off riders to stay upright, Adam managed to avoid running into the pile up, but meant race over, as Larry found himself in the front 30 riders tearing away up the track. All CCR riders finished safely but had no chance to place due to the incident.
21st July – Portsmouth Circuits – Mountbatten
On a half decent evening Mark got himself into the spin cycle at the outdoor track, using some of that race season fitness, getting some points with a 6th place… few more and you’ll be into the Cat 3s Mark :)
25th July – RCR Summer series #3 - Goodwood
Mark on the hunt for points!
Last one of the series, Mark was in the Cat 4 action, a solo rider went off the front early on and stayed away, the rest of the group ended up staying together and getting into the sprint finish.
Larry, Sam, Rich and I suited up and went in the 2/3 race, pretty fast paced from the start and despite trying to get in breaks from all of us at some point, certain teams kept chasing it down to set up the sprint finish. Rich hit the front on the last lap and worked with a couple of others to try and stop the overlap, as the other’s weakened Rich was out there alone until the final straight as the sprint for the line came over the top. All riders in safely again and closed an eventful 3 race series.
30th July - PNECC – P821/25 TT
Larry rode this lumpy TT course on a blustery Sunday. Featuring some long drags, a sharp climb and the ‘stickle brick’ road Larry finished with a time of 59:52 and 3rd place. This was without the use of the top two sprockets on the hills so with 56 tooth 1x set up, very impressive!
Whilst the circuit racing will be reduced in August, there are a number of local Time Trials and racing at Mountbatten to get stuck into still. Have a browse online and get your entries in, and here’s to hoping for some fairer weather!