It was with some trepidation that I met Team Pink at Liverpool Street station on Saturday. Together, armed with sandwiches, coffee and Nellie, we travelled out to Redbridge cycling centre where I'd be taking part in my first race and also the first race of the season. The sun was shining and there was a great turnout for the womens' race with a field of 33 riders - more girls on bikes than I've ever seen before!
Helen R, Deborah, Vikki and I lined up at the start in our pink racing kit, received a quick briefing and then we were off. The pace was fast and from my position in the front third of the group, I could see Vikki, Helen and Deborah holding position for the first few laps. One rider was unfortunate enough to clip a wheel as she drifted across the track and did a commendable airborne somersault before landing on the grass but luckily was fine, didn't take anyone else out with her, and was back on her bike soon after.
About 20 minutes in, there was a surge at the bottom of the hill followed by the climb and I watched as my pink-clad teammates disappeared with the group and I was left with a smaller bunch. Realising that we had no chance of getting back on with the leaders, we agreed to work together and spent the remainder of the race picking up the others who'd been dropped, managing to keep behind the main group and thankfully not getting lapped. We picked up Vikki just before the final 3 laps began and the pace picked up again, finishing with a sprint up the hill and over the line. Helen came in at an impressive 9th, while Vikki finished ahead of me, both of us towards the back of the field (although there were a number of drop-outs!).
All in, a great first race and I'm looking forward to many more!
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