Going solo

Newest member of Team Pink, Anna, reports on the Richmond Park TT...

This Sunday the London Women's League threw us a curveball. Not only was their latest fixture a Time Trial (hold the gasps), but it came with a start time of 6am. Seeing as the rest of the club were up and out early doors that day for the London to Brighton and back ride, it was probably only fair that we joined in with the sunrise salutation. So, myself, Debs, Steph, Charmaine and Nicole took on the Richmond Park TT. 

Now, I've never done a TT before. I had an inkling I might enjoy it, and confess I was just a weeny bit overexcited when the alarm went off at 4.30am. A quick whiz down Twickenham high street (past the man covered in vom with a kebab in his hand - I'm not joking), into the park and I was onto the start line. For me, the start was an epic event in itself .... "Number 21, you're on the line" - err, who? Sorry, me? What line? Oh I see, that one on the floor. Right- yah. Got it. Smooth McNuff, very smooth... Having my bike held was also a novel experience. I have no doubt that onlookers were mightily impressed as I executed the (soon to be trademarked) 'zig-and-wobble' to begin the 10.4 mile journey down the course.

The next 30 minutes passed in a blur in the struggle to find that fine line between a solid sustainable pace and overcooking it entirely. I can't really remember much else except that the incline up to Richmond gate wasn't particularly conducive to my speed, and that roundabouts in a TT course are just plain inconvenient. 

As I made it across the finish line I took a cheeky look back. I was expecting to see the Twickenham rider who'd set off 30 seconds behind me, but instead Debs came powering up the hill. Free from the shackles of the usual crit and road race shenanigans, we had a feeling she might be in her element on a TT... and we were right. She smashed it! 29:10 - a time worthy of 2nd place in the women's TT category, but counted for 5th in the stronger road bike field. The rest of us weren't (too) far behind and piled in at 9th, 10th, 14th and 18th. In our midst was also a damaged Nicole - fresh from her 'hardnut' crowning at the Velojam, but sporting a severely bruised wrist. All in all, a solid result from the Pearson Pinkies, and one that should serve to maintain our second place in the London Women's League. 

Once the hard work was done, all that remained was for us to toddle off to Nikki's place to catch the Nocturne coverage on TV. All over a civilized protein feast of bacon, eggs, toast & tea, of course. And I was back in bed by 11am. Now that's a real Sunday.

Oh yeah, there were some Pearson boys participating as well. Andy Berridge came 4th with a cracking time of 26:15, only 30sec behind the winner, in what was also his first TT. Chris Rees thought he might have won the "most improved" award after doing last year's TT on his cross bike, but alas, they didn't seem to be giving out this prize this year. Richard Thomas also put in a sub-30 time. Great work by all.