A quick nip down the cycle path with BSCC team mate Mark and Kieran from VC Bristol for Bath Cycle Races Round 2, this time organised by Sommer Valley CC.

At last I got some points on the board.  Even if it was a solitary, lonely, single point.

The atrocious weather forecast seemed to reduce the numbers with a field of 41 starting in Cat 3/4.  Aformentioned weather was not forthcoming during the race.  With a damp course but nothing worse.  The briefing from the Commi made specific reference to which part of the finishing line was the finish, after the incident in round 1, just to ensure there was no further doubt for anyone.

As with last week, the pace was furious.  Splits formed from the off and having learnt from then I started in a much more advanced position (with no water bottle).

Again my weak point was coming into the two corners at the bottom of the hill, damp ground made my cornering even worse.  I’m sure its just a confidence thing and I can push my bike a lot further, I just need to MTFU!

After around 3 or 4 laps I had a look around and was in a group of around only 15 people. I made all the splits and rode more advance in the pack.  Bath Uni CC did a great job of controlling the race with superior numbers, sitting on the front, keeping the pace high and letting their guys go if they fancied a breakaway.   Coming round the corner into the climb I chased down one of these efforts and proceeded to go instantly backwards at the top.  I just sat on the back of the group to recover, as it was so small anyway I was not to worried about not being able to move up again.

This time on the final lap bell I did move up in the pack (again learning from last week) and was sat around 8th wheel coming out of the hairpin.  When the sprint went I did not have the legs to go with it and came across the line in no mans land for 10th spot.  7 seconds from the first guy and 7 seconds from the person behind me.

Though the specatator numbers were reduced from last week, it was a much more enthusiastic bunch.  A group of people on the hairpin banging pots and pans and in the same location a dude with a Dirk Hoffman Motorhomes sign.  Great stuff.

I was also encouraged by a few shouts of ‘come on Bristol’ and ‘keep it up Bristol South’.  Despite not having a clue who was shouting out it does really help having even the smallest bit of encouragement.  So thanks for that, whoever you were.

The worst part of the night was riding home in the pissing rain down the cycle path and getting absolutely sodden.  Grim.

Goal for next week is to finish in the 10 again, only 9 points to go….