Good things that happen at races ...

[LuckyPierre]

After an embarassing thing or two, then an annoying thing - finally, a good thing - the mighty girlie bike stormed to her second victory in tonight's criterium at Stromlo Forest Park.
No smiles as I rolled out this time, as the rider who should have taken second place crashed at the line. We're not sure of her final position, but it won't be a DNF - Tracey tumbled across the line. Minor bike damage, some skin gone from knees and elbows, fractured helmet and big holes in the back of her jersey. Currently she holds first place in the ACT Vets 'injury stakes' at Stromlo.

[mikesbytes]

Sorry to hear about Tracy's fall.

Congratulations on your win.

[LuckyPierre]

Yeah, but ... now I will have to race in E grade with Peter (531db).
He did well on his super Superlite. I don't know how well, we talked about just about everything else after the event.

[mikesbytes]

Peter, what vet grade are you in? How does the ACT vet grades compare with NSW vet grades ?

[531db]

peterjleach said:

"now I will have to race in E grade with Peter (531db).
He did well on his super Superlite. I don't know how well"

Ahem, I was a mere 3rd in 'E Grade', - yup, the anything but standard Repco Superlite could not quite manage a win this time. In 3 outings at Stromlo, it's had a 2nd, a 6th and now a 3rd. Probably needs a better rider to win a crit, but it has won a Road Race at Tarago.

[LuckyPierre]

Which Peter?
I am (until they publish the results) in F grade - the 531db Peter is in E grade (where I'll be next week). He is better placed to answer, as I have no way of comparing because I've only ever raced here in Canberra. ACT Vets goes all the way down to H grade (which has very few regular riders). I'm still only mid-pack on the road, but I was staying with them better on Sunday until my chain went. My average was 29.2 km/hr until then, but I still had the worst climb to go. I think that I've got the better of the regular criterium riders over the last three weeks, so it's time I went up a grade.
If it helps, here's the average speeds of the winners from Sunday A 36.7km/hr B 34.3 km/hr C 33.2km/hr D 32.4 km/hr (over 55 km) E 31.9 km/hr F 28.7 km/hr G 24.5 km/hr H 21.2 km/hr (over 48 km). There's about 900 metres of climbing in the 55 km course and 650 metres in the 48 km course - which are about average amounts of climbing for our road races.
Most of the F grade riders are older than me - several of them are in their 60's, but they still beat the pants off me. The guy who came second in F grade on Sunday is over 70 and averaged 28.5 km/hr!

[LuckyPierre]

Glad you made it home OK, Peter - I'm off to bed!