Selbourne VETs
A high paced race (for me) at Selbourne VETs today. The race today was a handicap race so everybody had a chance to win as first across the line won. 1st place was also issued for each grade. I got a nice little 10km warm up today which was good. Given it was a handicap the pace was high from the start. Not my day today as I was struggling a bit in ‘C’ Grade to keep in the front rotation during the first lap.
I had a few rest rotations but I was a bit flat today. The average speed was 37kmh+ and regularly we were sitting on 44kmh on the flat sections making getting to the front an energy drain. Once the ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade went past us we held onto them but the average pace immediately jumped another few kmh. I dropped off the back with about 2km to go and went into the red zone for quite a while to get back on again. That was the end of my race as about 250M after getting back on my body gave up and they spat me out the back with only 600M to go on the last climb, I ‘bonked‘.
A few others got spat out on the last climb and we toured in to the finish line. I still averaged 37.6kmh for the whole ride. I am hoping the Devon 80 at Deloraine next Saturday will suit me better with some hills and a longer distance. Sharon will also be racing the last round of the womens only super Chix races on the same course.
When I got home the weather was so fantastic and Sharon had gone out on a girls only bunch ride with Rowena Fry so I fueled up and went for a White Hills recovery ride to wind the legs out, we can’t waste this awesome weather. Nasty head wind on the way out but a nice pace on the way home. ended with 100Km for the day, 271km for the week and 3,649M of climbing. Not to bad a week.


You have jumped in at the deep end for sure. It would have been better to have ad a few races in D grade and have a win or two. It is better to ride with the higher grades as the bunches are smother. I really enjoyed my time in B grade a couple of years ago before I got sick.
I will now have a couple of months away in the Mazda and I intended to recharge my batteries and get back on the bike and start racing again.I will try and get a few runs while away and see If I can build some fitness.
Bloody 70 on Tuesday but I am not going to let age become a excuses while there is young people out there to beat.
No use doing it easy, takes ages to get better when you are not extending yourself a bit. ‘C’ grade at VETs and ‘E’ Grade at CA is where I should be. VETs is just training really as I’m not really into the sprint format, I like longer events. I might win some day, even if I don’t I’m getting fitter and stronger on the bike.
Have a good trip and birthday.