Wet Worcester

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BY: Matthew Lewis

Published: 1st May, 2012

It's such a thankless task standing in a saturated, muddy field in what has turned out to be the wettest April since 1910 or something silly like that. So hats off to the Back on Track bunch for putting on such a well organised race in biblically wet conditions.

I did think about side-stepping this one but I get such a rare opportunity to race (last race I entered was that race in Crickhowell organised by those individuals from extreme something or other) these days that by the time the bike was strapped onto the back of the car I was actually looking forward to it! Like Phil though I decided against a pre-ride so as not to trash my bike before the start. Instead I shivered around the cafe chatting and laughing at the ducks on the lake. It must've been like being in the middle of the Atlantic for them. There were waves on that lake!

The race start was frantic and I was soaked after the first 10 metres. Like every other race I enter I surged into the lead only to be overtaken just as quickly! One of these days I'm going to take it easy and not burst a blood vessel to lead a race for 15 metres.

The course in the wet was tricky and to be honest in the dry I reckon it must be pretty quick but for me the uphills quickly became an awful spectacle of me dragging my bike up the short, muddy inclines and then sliding down that nasty drop on my arse. Shameful isn't it?

It wasn't until my last lap that I caught sight of Mr Evans from Builth Wells and gave chase and I think I was gaining albeit painfully slowly! Most of the race for me was tussling with some speedy veterans from Worcester Cyle Centre.

Riding around that lake wasn't easy. If it wasn't for watching the ducks bobbing up and down on the now quite sizeable waves I would've grown quite tired of it!

I really enjoyed racing again and hopefully should be able to squeeze a few more in in May. I was happy with 4th but must try harder in my next race. I an't believe that Dan Fleeman, an ex-Cervelo pro was in Masters and he romped away with an overall win.

Apparently though we're still in a drought. I on the other hand am about to start building an Ark ( a carbon one) since this rain just isn't stopping down here in South east Wales.

Excellent venue and so well organised. Thanks Back on Track bikes. Any chance of an evening race series next year?!

Matt Lewis

XCracer.com

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