Slightly quieter week for member participation in TTs and Road Races. Although a number of riders did take part in the final Tour of Cambridgeshire Sportive and there was even the odd Audax completed.

Frances Lammyman Milton Keynes Bowl Summer Series 1/6/23 5th

The marshals switched the direction of the race and moved the start line to the bottom of the circuit for a flatter sprint finish. I hadn't raced this direction for several years but I remembered that the approach to the corner is faster due to the down hill beforehand, and it tightens quite quickly. I tried to get as many warm up laps in as I could to re-familiarise myself.

For any of you who have read my reports or ridden with me, you'll know about my cornering phobia. After several crashes (with poorly chosen tyres) I've just never quite trusted my bike since. Honestly, it's been a bit of a battle trying to get back into racing this season, a week after I fell off going round the S bends in Waresley. But each race I do, I gain a little bit more confidence. Going round the corners in this circuit at speed is absolutely terrifying for me, even though most would say they were sweeping bends. But repeating the corners, lap after lap is a great way to desensitise.

In the race this time I really had to tell myself not to brake, not to slow down and that I would make it round the bend like all the other riders. I channelled all the cornering tips that I've learned over the years. "Looking ahead at where you want the bike to go" is my favourite, it helps take my mind off how much the bike is leaning. Every lap was terrifying but I got better as the race went on.

However, it wasn't my finest race performance overall as I was too preoccupied with giving myself space on the bend (which I got better at) and often found myself at the back. I missed a few mini attacks but fortunately the group generally stayed together. I'm hoping next time to get in front and control the speed of the race as we go round the corner. There were a few riders who dropped off the back of the group but I was strong enough to hold on for most of the race.

In the final quarter of the race there was a break that stuck. Four girls up ahead, with myself and another girl just behind. We worked together to keep a good pace, but the other four got away. With less than two laps to go, we caught up to one of the four who had dropped back. She stuck on our wheel for a little while but in the final half lap, my new found teammate made a surge. I clung onto her wheel but I knew she would have the advantage as we approached the final corner. She had a second or two ahead of me as we exited the corner and I knew I would have to fight to get these back in the final 50m.

The finish line was in sight. She was pushing hard but I also love a good sprint! I gave it my everything. There were spectators at the finish line getting louder and louder to warn her that I was closing in. She just pipped me to the line, with 13 milliseconds between us! It put a big smile on both of our faces as we rolled over the finish. 5th place. 

Pat Ellerbeck Tour of Cambridgeshire Jun 3rd TT (3rd) and Jun 4th Road Race (12th)

Productive weekend at the Tour of Cambridgeshire, a strong ride on Saturday on the 16 mile TT course a 40:12 good enough for 3rd place, a minute and a half clear of 4th, and qualified for the UCI amateur world championships in Glasgow at the beginning of August.

Sunday saw a competitive 65+ road race, made a few attempts to go off the front, but to no avail, last effort with a mile to go, was in 3rd entering the show ground but got outsprinted to finish in about 12th. Still good enough to qualify for the UCI amateur world championships in Glasgow at the beginning of August, just got to persuade the Mrs that she needs a holiday in Scotland with 2 bikes 😜😜If anybody interested in actual performance see Strava or the results link below.

Sam McDonald Tour of Cambridgeshire Jun 3rd TT (12th) 

Conditions were kind for the final running of this fantastic event, although our riders did have to save a little energy in reserve for the headwind on the return. I was up against some very high-quality opposition in my age group, and a time of 35:42 got me 12th place, just 2 seconds shy of also qualifying for Glasgow.

Full results at https://www.tourofcambridgeshire.com/results