I'll hold my hands up and admit that I was pretty anxious about my first attempt at doing a large open TT.  It wasn't the dual carriageway nor the 120 other riders it was more that feeling in my gut "am I going to mess this up?!"

It had been on my mind for a while and the build up was long due as the entry form needing to go in so early. This didn't help matters... Andrew B from one of our neighbouring clubs (Chronos) was able to assist getting to grips with the form and giving some tips about what to do and where to go when I got there. Very kind.

I was a pain that morning and not totally sure how my wife put up with me, the tension was getting the better of me and smashing my mobile after my daughters swimming lesson in the morning exacerbated my mood.

So we got there, well organised and lots of people very focused. I could not help noticing the pain on the riders faces as we drove up to the start.  The wind was very gusty and the threat of rain lingered around the air.

The SNCC club TT has been an excellent experience for me and training would helpfully serve me well. But the scale of the TT felt quite impressive in comparison and the course far far less technical.  Out and back!

The sports hall had a huge projector screen with all the times coming in live and being updated - cool!  I was greeted by Richard Hancock and Tom Stead, both had competed a two-up TT just a little earlier and managed a really impressive time. A quick exchange of encouragement and I needed to get ready.  Shoes on, tyres pumped etc - warm up!

Moved to the start line and I felt suddenly very calm and relaxed. 30... 10... 5... GO!

Moved quickly off the start and down the slip road, going well.  Moved up a gear and bam out of the sheltered junction headwind and serious side winds. Very hard work for the next few miles.

I was then greeted by Richard and Tom in the layby cheering me on. They didn't have to do this and I appreciated it. I kicked.

Gaining fast on my minute man, I had just approached him and passed when I was overtaken the next rider. A heavily sponsored Planet X rider.  Boy this was hard.

Continued to push on and more encouragement, this time from Dan Baxter taking pictures and bellowing from his lungs "GO ON BIG DAVE". Again really appreciated so I kicked again.

Hammered around the roundabout and pushed on, wind still crossing me but the rider that overtook me was struggling as well so I tracked as much as I could.

At this point I looked down, 6 miles in. Seriously in pain already. Then the tailwind added a helping hand, much needed and the average mph creeped up (it needed to!). Then about a mile to go after a period of cruising over 30 mph the drag up to the finish started. Now I was in the red, almost totally empty. Speed fading very quickly I was in very dark place so it was all or nothing and I kicked again for the line. Finished.
One of the most enjoyable but painful experiences ever.

I was woozy for sometime after, I had totally emptied the tank - I knew I had given it everything. It's a funny feeling that... I struggled even riding back to the car.

Happy with a time of 23:40ish and position 39th /120 for the first race I've done. I know I can do better but there is no doubt that the support, encouragement and consistent hammering of the club TT had helped.

Next one will be booked near Bedford for the 7th September.

I would encourage more members to give this kind of racing a go.