After the Time Trial on Saturday,Sunday's race was with the Hume Veterans Cycling Club. A 52km handicap race starting in Benalla.I was riding in the block group for only the second time,which consisted of 4 riders.Riding out of Benalla we had quite a strong cross head wind to contend with before turning into the rolling hills around Lurg.
Not long after the first climb,in fact I think it was on the second climb,Tully Lyster from the following scratch group passed me.I had been expecting them but was surprised the other 2 riders were not with him.Jumping onto his wheel with the rest of my group we continued riding hard slowly making up time on our competitors.
Laurie Lyster whom was riding in my group was riding very well and doing strong turns on the front swapping off with son, Tully. I did turns when I could and had the occasional rest on the back just to make sure I didn't get dropped myself.By the time we turned back onto the main road to head back toward Benalla we had passed a couple of decent size bunches.
We had a few riders hanging on the back so every time we hit a rolling climb the hammer went down.I was hanging in there but could feel the effects of Saturday's TT.Sweeping up more riders from the front groups I was thinking we must be close to the front of the race.
When Tully attacked with Laurie, I found myself a little caught behind one of the other riders who didn't respond to the attack.By the time I realized what was going on and jumped myself I had missed the boat.Trying hard to TT across the gap with Ashley O'Farrell joining in we couldn't bridge.Time to put the head down and not lose to much time. I figured maybe I could get 3rd.Rolling turns with Ashley for the last few km we also had Chris Wilkins sitting on.When we hit the overpass with about 1km to go I hit it with all I had left.Getting a gap there was about 1km of pain left.I was holding about 42kmh and had probably
stretched my lead over the little chasing bunch to 150meters.It was hurting and I was pleading for the finnish line to come. It seemed to be moving further away rather than getting closer.Head down,keep pushing,not long to go,surely,gap still there,relief over the line,3rd? no 5th 2 of the Limit riders crossed before the Lyster train.
April 29th, 2012
Location: BENALLA
Race Title: n/a
Race Distance: 52 km
Weather: Cool, Strong S.W. Wind
Total Riders: 26entries (DNS 0 : DNF 1)
1 – Rick Anderson (22.30) – 1.41.12 (30.83kph)
2 – Mick Cathie (22.30)
3 – Laurie Lyster (3.30)
4 – Tully Lyster (scr)
5 – Anthony Reeckman (3.30)
6 – Ashley O’Farrell (6)
7 – Chris Wilkins (16)
8 – Colin Stokes (11.30)
9 – Mark Currie (scr)
10 – Peter Gottschling (scr)
Fastest Time: Tully Lyster (scr) 1.19.53 (40.05kph)
Not long after the first climb,in fact I think it was on the second climb,Tully Lyster from the following scratch group passed me.I had been expecting them but was surprised the other 2 riders were not with him.Jumping onto his wheel with the rest of my group we continued riding hard slowly making up time on our competitors.
Laurie Lyster whom was riding in my group was riding very well and doing strong turns on the front swapping off with son, Tully. I did turns when I could and had the occasional rest on the back just to make sure I didn't get dropped myself.By the time we turned back onto the main road to head back toward Benalla we had passed a couple of decent size bunches.
We had a few riders hanging on the back so every time we hit a rolling climb the hammer went down.I was hanging in there but could feel the effects of Saturday's TT.Sweeping up more riders from the front groups I was thinking we must be close to the front of the race.
When Tully attacked with Laurie, I found myself a little caught behind one of the other riders who didn't respond to the attack.By the time I realized what was going on and jumped myself I had missed the boat.Trying hard to TT across the gap with Ashley O'Farrell joining in we couldn't bridge.Time to put the head down and not lose to much time. I figured maybe I could get 3rd.Rolling turns with Ashley for the last few km we also had Chris Wilkins sitting on.When we hit the overpass with about 1km to go I hit it with all I had left.Getting a gap there was about 1km of pain left.I was holding about 42kmh and had probably
stretched my lead over the little chasing bunch to 150meters.It was hurting and I was pleading for the finnish line to come. It seemed to be moving further away rather than getting closer.Head down,keep pushing,not long to go,surely,gap still there,relief over the line,3rd? no 5th 2 of the Limit riders crossed before the Lyster train.
April 29th, 2012
Location: BENALLA
Race Title: n/a
Race Distance: 52 km
Weather: Cool, Strong S.W. Wind
Total Riders: 26entries (DNS 0 : DNF 1)
1 – Rick Anderson (22.30) – 1.41.12 (30.83kph)
2 – Mick Cathie (22.30)
3 – Laurie Lyster (3.30)
4 – Tully Lyster (scr)
5 – Anthony Reeckman (3.30)
6 – Ashley O’Farrell (6)
7 – Chris Wilkins (16)
8 – Colin Stokes (11.30)
9 – Mark Currie (scr)
10 – Peter Gottschling (scr)
Fastest Time: Tully Lyster (scr) 1.19.53 (40.05kph)
Allan Thrum wouldn't be dishing out pain today.Just directions.
No shortage of bike bling at the Vets. Greame Neilsen with his Di2 Trek complete with Team Millram Lightweights.
Mark Curry would not be texting a victory message today.I love that old plane.
Part of the Vet's crew watching the presentations.
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