Having recently splashed some cash on a disc wheel upgrade for my TT bike (nothing to do with the ever decreasing time gap between me and a certain Mr Clarke!), I was browsing the web for a change to give the new hoops a try out, and found a two man team TT organised by Kettering Cycle club on the Lamport/Rothwell course.
I immediately thought that I would invite Sean (Bown) to ride it with me. We have spent a lot of time riding track sessions together, so I thought he would be the perfect partner for a fast blast riding within 10 cm of each other’s wheels with no immediate possibility of braking in a hurry (just like on a track bike!). What could possibly go wrong?
So on Saturday (24th) we set off with high hopes (just a field of six teams), having done a car-based recce of the route the day before. “Looks pretty flat and fast”, we thought. How wrong we were!!
On the day, one team had withdrawn so there were only five. The day was coolish, but bright with a brisk northerly, which looked hopeful. We were last off, and immediately discovered the first quarter was basically uphill into the wind. We dug in and held on; second quarter was fast and downhill to the Rothwell roundabout and then we were heading back. Uphill for a quarter, and then downhill with a tailwind where we flew along into the final three humps and the drag to line, guaranteed to have the legs screaming.
It was a great ride; nothing beats riding fast and hard, right on your partner’s wheel. Even when he shouts “I’m coming through” while travelling at 60kph with your eyeballs out and your lungs on fire. We had a blast, and came plum last :))
Doug Tincello
PS Although the photo isn’t of Sean and Doug, I bet they looked this good!
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