So 2 results this week, one from the perennial racer Pat trying his hand at something new, a Gravel Bike Race and Stassi riding for St Pirans Ladies racing a crit. Unfortunately a local TT was cancelled due to late road works, frustrating for the riders. I can see there's a lot of entrants over the next couple of weeks in various events so it looks like the racing season is fully in swing, just keep the roads dry and the wind on our backs!
Sat May 25th Pat Ellerbeck BMCR Wibtoft Griterium Gravel Race 16 miles 36th overall and 2nd in his category
Pat's Race report:-
Sat saw the inaugural BMCR griterium gravel race. Having entered thought I’d better get a gravel bike so a search on eBay resulted in the purchase of a Boardman adv 9.4 1 year old hardly used at half price. So equipped with this high spec weapon I arrived at Wibtoft Leicestershire. Issued with number and timing chip and off for a practice lap, but no gravel to be seen! The course was a rolling course with some technical turns, descents and climbs a rough in places track round some farmers fields, about a mile a lap. Race started in age group I was last away in the efgh group, as usual struggled to clip in so got left at the start, gradually got into the swing and gradually overtook others , approaching half distance passed the first of the elite riders in my age group (he usually beats me in road races) continued on strongly to the end and as you can imagine pretty hectic with loads of people racing on a mile circuit, did manage to beat my road race opponent by 2 mins, average speed 13.5 mph so pretty tough course, finished 2nd in my age group. Loved it and can't wait till the next race.
Mon May 27th Stassi Bowler St Pirans WRT Loughborough Crit 22 miles 23rd overall (24 laps)