TLI Cycling Report: TLI National Circuit Race championship Taster Race #2

TLI Cycling Report: TLI National Circuit Race championship Taster Race #2
by Michael Bell

Photos by Tracie Brannan.

Saturday 17th saw the second of three ‘taster’ races on the UCLAN circuit, giving the riders the chance to familiarise themselves with the course in advance of the TLI National Circuit Race Championship later this month. Not that I needed any further familiarisation, I’ve done about 200 laps there this year. Though, whenever a bike race breaks out somewhere, I’m always up for it.

Thirty three riders lined up for the age-related handicap race with the sole senior (18-39) rider, Weaver Valley’s Sam Taylor joining the ABC vets, followed 80 seconds later by the 55-59 D’s, who had 20 seconds on the E+ categories. In effect, the A/B/C’s had to lap everyone to get to the head of the race.

When this was explained on the start line, I looked back at the riders behind and pondered how this might be a challenge.
In amongst that group of (aged)60+ riders there were some very tenacious guys that would be hard to escape from. It had me thinking “E’s are good, E’s are good” as per The Shamen.

The flag dropped and the A/B/C’s + Sam set off. 1:20 later myself and fellow D’s were released. The A/B/C’s+ Sam soon caught the E+ guys, they just needed to gain another 1.1 mile lap now! The whistle blew to notify our group of a prime on the next lap. Paul wound the speed up along the back straight and crossed the line ahead of myself, we had a gap and we were joined by Colin ‘Faster’ Foster, Julian Vescovi just failing to latch on to the back, he was a matter of 10 metres or so from crossing to us for a whole lap. We settled into a rhythm of turns on the front.

I’ve spent more time with Paul in various races and breaks this year than I’ve spent with some members of what’s left of my family so I knew exactly what to expect but Colin is still a ‘new boy’ in TLI races but is demonstrating how strong a rider he is in every race. Our trio continued at what seemed to me to be an infernal, relentless pace, neither catching the groups ahead nor being caught by the A/B/C’s.

In our own little bubble, hardly exchanging a word, not seeing a soul. Other than an occasional pedestrian on the track, making their way to watch the various kids football matches. A shouted warning of our approach usually prompted a reaction similar to a star jump from the startled parent as they quickly took to the grass.

A stray football apparently landed amongst the bunch, somewhere far ahead of us.

After what felt like a lifetime of ‘through and off’, I started to struggle and missed a few turns. I was glancing at my watch more and more, willing the hour away, the 5 laps to go board duly appeared. I was third man, studying the rear derailleur of either Paul or Colin when I noticed a rider on his back at the side of the track, then another, and yet another two.

Evidently a touch of wheels in the group resulted in two riders with broken collarbones, the other two with broken bikes, all with torn kit and lacerations. The bell sounded for the last lap and the first inklings of discord amongst us. Nobody wants to be stranded on the front on the last lap and the pace dropped.

I decided, after trying to work out how many were ahead, weighing up what position we’d be going for and the fact I’d missed turns, to ride the last lap on the front. Colin went first and got a gap with Paul hunting him down as we again sped past the riders from the earlier pile-up, thankfully upright but looking a bit bedraggled.

Paul crossed the line in 7th place ahead of Colin, meanwhile, some way ahead, John Crook won the race ahead of Steve Davies and local rider Graham Payne. Those E’s.

Once again, it was a great race, a tough workout, all the while thinking: “this is going to make my legs hurt even more than normal in tomorrow’s race“ but I knew I wouldn’t be alone in a double race weekend.

The usual post race analysis then took place over a doughnut, including concern for those that came down. Another great TLI race promoted by Geoff Rawlinson and assisted by Debbie Crook with the timings and another ‘Sam’, ever present this year, who manned the lapboard and brandished the chequered flag. 🏁 Great photos as always by Tracie Brannan.

Just another 60 laps or so to go at UCLAN this season 😀

Results from the Handicap Race are as follows
1st John Crook
2nd Steve Davies
3rd Graham Payne
4th Chris Towart
5th Brian Pearson
6th Geoff Rawlinson
7th Paul Thursfield
8th Colin Foster
9th Nigel Shannon
10th Mike Bell

4 x Primes
– Robbie Lawton x2
– Paul Thursfield
– Mike ‘The Prime’ Bell

Presented by https://www.tlicycling.com/ | Age-Related Cycle Sport For All | Supporting Grassroots Cycle Racing for 35 Years