KingstonWheelers.com

[Damien Breen]

The forecast for today had been pretty dire all week, so it was disappointing but not surprising to wake up to very dark skies, heavy rain and low temperatures.

Myself and Andy Lack were representing the Wheelers, and lined up with around 60 other riders also undeterred by the wet conditions. Many may have reconsidered this decision after riding the very sodden 100km of the race.

In the drive to the race, me and Andy had talked tactics; we'd hit them with about 30km to go with a strong move and hopefully get both of us in the break. Unfortunately I forgot all about this, and attacked after just 30km. I was cold, wet and getting impatient. I was also starting to feel pangs of regret as I realised the next 70km could be very painful indeed.

Fortunately I was joined by a chap from the Bigfoot team, and we started to work well and opened up a nice gap of around 45 seconds. A third rider (Dan Henchy from PBScience) bridged across, and we then set about extending the gap. At it's peak we had 2mins 40sec on the bunch.

Unfortunately, still with another 30km or so to ride, Bigfoot punctured and we were down to a breakaway duo. I was now unsure whether we could maintain our lead - it was starting to feel like a very long day in the saddle.

However intermittent time checks showed that the gap wasn't dwindling too quickly - on the last lap we were told 3 riders were chasing us but they were still a minute behind. But with only a few km still to race, we pressed on. I put in a little dig on one of the short climbs to test my legs and that of my companions - my legs felt rubbish, and he was still glued to my back wheel. So then coming into the final climb and the finish line I was sure I would be out sprinted. Leading things out through accident rather than design, I was just waiting for him to leap from behind and snatch victory. I was still thinking this as I crossed the line - no time for celebrations, just genuine surprise that I'd won.

A very big thanks to Andy Lack who single-handedly marshaled the bunch and marked any moves. He looked absolutely wrung-out by the finish, but had still managed a very respectable result on what was a very tough day.

An extremely long and cold ride back to HQ followed, where we were offered endless cups of tea to stop us shaking from the cold. It was difficult to hold the cups without spilling them we were shaking so much.

So now home and after thawing out thoroughly, I am now off to celebrate and get quite drunk.
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IN THE SADDLE - a blog about racing bikes on the roads of London, Surrey & beyond...

[James B]

Nice one, winning in style too after a long attack.

You make it sound easy

[adam]

Well done Damien, great result! An early move was probably the ideal tactic today, as i'm sure the weather made for a lethargic and unmotivated bunch - time gaps of 2+ mins would have disheartened them further!

[steve saunders]

Good skills! As Adam says, bad weather often means the early break stands a good chance, chapeau!
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www.theroadcyclist.com

[Andy L]

Well that was truly an epic race - not sure if Benenden/Cranbrook 3rds/4ths is an obvious contender for Hell of the South East, but it felt like it today.

As Damien says, we were full of ideas on the way to the race, but in retrospect we were probably trying to distract ourselves from the appalling conditions.

Surprisingly a nearly full field of c.50 riders lined up and Damien and I both made sure we were near the front in the early stages. I was in the middle of a long turn at the front on the 3rd lap descent when Damien shot past, and I realised this was his move. The Bigfoot guy followed him and I then resolved to mark as many other moves as I could.

With no other Wheelers, I couldn't control the bunch, so basically made sure I was second wheel to anyone who tried anything. Bigfoot had a big team out, but for some reason didn't fancy controlling the bunch. After a couple of laps of jumping onto people's wheels and making myself thoroughly unpopular I began to feel the cold. Really, really cold.

Legs and arms shaking on the descents and the flats, and just about holding my body still on the climbs. I wondered whether it was dangerous to continue, but figured I'd plough on.

My heart rate dropped dramatically so that it never got above 144 for the last 30 miles. Any sports scientists out there know if that's linked to falling core body temperature?

As the race wore on, I contemplated bridging across, or at least getting into a second group, but the time gaps we were given were all over the place (2.40 became 1 minute, then 1.15 etc...) and I didn't want to drag the bunch back to Damien's group.

So I stayed at the front for long spells, riding tempo and trying desperately not to think of my nice warm car that was only 5 miles away... At the bell, the bunch was down to barely 20 riders as the conditions/fatigue took their toll. On the climb to the finish, I'd hoped for top 10, but the legs were gone and, as I crossed the line I had complete tunnel vision and could barely stay upright.

Damien was there looking pleased if a little surprised - but he shouldn't be, it was a great ride. The race was actually over 110k and he was away for at least 75 of those.

As he says - back at HQ, it was foil blankets and lots of tea for many riders and I spent at least a minute trying to get a teaspoon of sugar into my mug of tea - so badly was I shivering.

2nd cat soon for Damien - a hot bath for me.

[Steve Irwin]

Well done, Damien, I'm impressed you had the willpower to even take part in today's weather, let alone put in such a terrific performance.

[wplatt]

Good stuff Damien a win in style and a veritable plethora of points this week!!! (20 or so at my estimation) so surely another second cat promotion for KW is in the offing. As for Andy Lack, you are becoming a real team stalwart and the selflessness which I read about again and again (and indeed I have benefited from myself) should be repaid in either sports drink or beer or something else suitable!

I am really looking forward to getting back into things myself as it seemsthere will be a few more 2nd category team mates by then
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2008 Planet-X Superlight pro carbon Dura Ace
ex-felgen, ex-doctorjames, now wplatt
'the other RPCC founder member', the other James Platt for that matter, too

[Ali]

Nice one Damien!

[nickhussey]

Way heh! Done in Epic style. I look forward to your next blog, where you'll have to ditch the self-effacing style and go for all out I Am The Lord arrogance. Awesome result and brilliant selfless determination from Andy. I was just walking the dog in the grimness and I was shaking. Chapeau.

And good to hear from you Ali!
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Oh well.

[Andy L]

[nickhussey]

Any photographers brave the weather? Would be great to see pics.
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Oh well.

[Chris Jenkins]

Cracking effort, chaps.

[wplatt]

[Wes]

Well done mate... Fully deserved. Sounds like a really tough race from you both

Proper hardman riding from KWs
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The hill always ends, so man-up and get on with it...

[JimLey]

Great result Damien!

Andy L, sure you don't want an early morning ride up to Bedford? I need someone to police the bunch :)