My report from Day 1.
Hog Hill is a fantastic facility and it was a perfect clear day, great views over London and Essex from up there. The circuit though, is an absolute bastard! They obviously picked the biggest hill for miles around and thought cyclists would enjoy slogging their guts out over it, repeatedly. Very bendy too, although once you've got your confidence up you can wang it round most of the bends at break-neck speed if you like - for my first event, the 10 mile time-trial, I was able to stay mostly on the aero bars. I haven't seen the official final results but my time was posted up at 27.04 - handicapped to 17.30! Which I think put me 1st in the handicap competition.
I've only just started racing and after this festival I'm sure my handicap will be reduced to something more sporting, so I might as well enjoy it whilst it lasts!
I also elected to do the 26 lap, 52km cat. 3/4 bunch race in the afternoon, which with hindsight was well ambitious. It was cut to 20 laps because earlier events and gone over the scheduled time, and I was relieved about that, but even 20 laps was too much - my legs gave up after about 3! I went out the back of the bunch and eventually got lapped. I think I might have actually been the last person over the line.
So, onto day 2. I'm doing the 25 mile TT this afternoon on a local course - the E91/25, near Chelmsford. It's looking a bit grey and windy out the window at the moment but at least my legs don't ache too much from yesterdays effort...
