IS Race - Tallington 2008

It amazes me that the British Forces has so many people with the ability to balance work, family, OOA commitments and training/racing, yet still be able to produce such a high level of competition. I would say that the IS race at Tallington must be as high if not very close to National Champs level. Its fantastic to see so many people at a race that are all from the services both military and civilian. So how did the race go? For me personally I had a fairly good race, I exited the water on about 24 1/2 mins with Debs and Jase (I think) and then started the 3km run to transition or at least it felt that long. I had opted to put my shoes on before getting on the bike due to the gravel after the timing mat, I didn't want stones in my shoes on the bike. I passed Jase struggling with his shoes after about 10 meters or so and started the bmx course doing my best not to destroy my carbon wheels. Finally we got onto the main road and I could get down on the tri bars and start racing. Jase came past after about 3 miles and I kept the gap of around 10-12 meters before having a go back at him. I passed him but he passed me later on and we were starting to close in on Andy Reardon just as I got to the road works. I had to stop at the red light. This is where I got angry and frustrated at the Army cheats who all went through the red forcing cars to swerve out of the way. Jase also went through (bad man) I expressed my disgust to Andy whilst we sat there for about 20 seconds. The lights changed and I was off again, eager to close the gap on those that had wronged me. I passed some of them on the small climb and then eased up on the decent for the dangerous corner. I watched and cringed as a Navy guy flew past still in his tri bars and then he realised and grasped for his brakes locked the back wheel and went straight across the wrong side of the road and scrubbed his wheels along the kerb narrowly missing the Army bloke who was picking his bike up off the floor (idiots!). I closed in on Jase again and passed him on the fast part of the course that had the tail wind with some 53-11 action. On lap 2 Andy passed me again and I was sitting about 15 meters back when lucky Daz was stopped again at the lights. This time it was for longer and yet again the cheating Army riders went through the red light. Jase came up behind and was slowing down as the light went amber so got through without a stop. I had to pass him again, this time more effort up the hill got me a bigger gap over Jase and Andy and I made up some more places on the fast bit back. I closed right in on Pete Norris as we entered transition and passed him over the timing mat. The run was the worst part of my race that day Greg Macdonald was about 20 seconds up the road and I was hoping for a re-run of the last time we raced. It wasn't to be as I could not do anything to close the gap and on lap 2 he extended the gap. I made a bit of an effort to stay ahead of Pete and crossed the line about 40 seconds down on Greg and about 4 or 5 seconds ahead of Pete. All in all I was happy with my race, it was great to see everyone and great to see Dale back on the circuit despite his injury. I am happy that I had both the integrity and more importantly the sense not to be tempted to cheat my way further up the field by jumping the red light. No race is worth risking you life over! The day after I had to take the MT car back to work and then complete a 12 hour day shift, this meant all I had to do was gentle 40 mile ride home off the North Yorkshire Moors back to Bridlington finally arriving home at 9:40 p.m. I might have a rest day today (Friday) maybe?