So last night was the Smithfield Nocture, and I was out racing the penny. I was well down on prep an was down with a cold a few weeks back, so hadn’t even been doing many commute miles recently.<\/p>\n
This year we where riding in the opposite direction this year, which made for an interesting downhill hairpin into Snow Hill. The race started with a processional lap and then a rolling start, so I had the chance to get a few lower speed attempts to get the idea of the line. But I knew that I was going to waste a lot of effort slowing down as I approached the corner. Then it was into the wind and back up the hill to the start \/ finish line.<\/p>\n
So how was it, once we got started the pace was high, I was hanging on to the back of the second group on the road about 11 places back, but with in 4 laps they had split off into 2 groups and I was getting dropped. But that still left 16 riders behind me..
\nAll I could do is dig deep and just keep pushing myself and hope that I could hold off everyone who was behind me.
\nThe race was 20 minutes and then 3 laps, which is a very long time to push yourself at maximum effort.<\/p>\n
I know that I was over taken by 2 more people during the race, but I was doing everything that I could to keep them in sight but they were sitting about 200 yards ahead of me. When I had the chance I would glance back but couldn’t see anyone following me, so I was out in the no man’s land between groups. Which is one of the hardest places to maintain your pace, as you have no one to slipstream.<\/p>\n
With two laps to go, I was lapped by the leading group of 4, which is when I really started to lose count as to my placing. I know that I overtook 9 other riders, but it was very hard to tell if they were back markers or people dropping back from the leading group.
\nIn the final lap I was aware that someone was behind me, and in the last 100 yards he pushed past, and even at maximum sprint I couldn’t keep up.<\/p>\n
The crowd seemed a bit down this year on previous, but they still produced a huge wall of noise, which made for a great atmosphere, and a great race.<\/p>\n
I think I was about 12th, the official placings say 17th. Which strikes me as a little low, but I didn’t crash and had fun, so I was a good night out.
\nIf I am going to do better I will have to do more training and get a bigger wheel. To that end I had a ride on one of the new racing machines made by Unicycles.com and I was amazed at how much more power it felt like I had on the bigger wheel.<\/p>\n
While I was getting the feel of the machine I recognised a chap walking up towards the race circuit. He shouted a hello and asked a question about the bike. He was Michael Hutchinson ex pro rider and time trial rider.
\nAfter expressing an interest in the penny I was riding, I naturally offered him a go. So I can now claim that I have given someone truly famous from the world of cycling an holder of multiple time national champion his first lesson in how to ride a penny farthing.
\nHe is currently writing a book about the history of cycling and bicycles so wonder if I will get a mention.
\nAchievement unlocked.<\/p>\n
Race stats:
\nDistance: 6.5 Miles
\nAverage speed: 14.5 MPH
\nTop speed: 19.5 MPH (which is down on my best ever top speed of about 22 MPH).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
So last night was the Smithfield Nocture, and I was out racing the penny. I was well down on prep an was down with a cold a few weeks back, so hadn’t even been doing many commute miles recently. This year we where riding in the opposite direction this year, which made for an interesting … Continue reading [push] 30 minutes in the red zone<\/span>