The Waratah VCC held racing at the eastern creek raceway today. I went to watch the races a couple of weeks ago and I was very impressed so I decided to rock up today and have a go. I signed up to ride in D Grade, being only my second race, and was told I'd have to race in C Grade. So I thought to myself ok, have a go and dont worry if you get left behind, just enjoy it.
We got underway and a group of about 10 guys established their positions up the front of the pack. I felt more comfortable riding with these guys as they seemed to be more predictable and safe to ride in close proximity with. The plan was to not get any further back than about 8-10 riders so I stayed focussed and managed to stay with the front group for the entire race. I dont really know what panned out at the rear but Hey, Who cares? I kinda realised who were the better guys to sit behind and it was great, I found my self on the brakes often, being tucked behind some guy while he's pedalling like mad down the straight and I'm just sitting there rolling
. But I certainly didn't bludge and made sure they saw my number in front and often. Once at the inclines at the back I noticed all the guys out of the saddle while I had no difficulty putting down a little extra power while seated. Half way and a couple of guys made a big effort for the sprint but the rest sat back and kept the tempo up. Next few laps saw the speed fluctuate a lot with some big efforts on the inclines, I'm presuming it was to drop some guys, but I wasn't taking any of it. With two to go I was with the front three all the way around. One lap to go and the pace slows and we get around the first corner and at the first hill I get out of the saddle and made a gap of about 50 meters, sit down go steady to the next couple of inclines and then went hard again to the big right hander. I had made quite a gain and was alone in front by about 100m but felt like crap and knew I'd pushed too hard up the last hill, so i'm thinking do I slow a little and try to recover while the bunch will be pushing hard or go for broke and come a feeble dead last rolling down the straight while about 40 guys pass me
Anyway I remember what sandman said to me about the other guy hurting as well, so I decide to go all out
though my output was diminishing alarmingly
At the top of the straight I see that I've still got a gap of about 50m, give it a go to the line wishing I'd had a little extra in the tank but got done by another rider by half a wheel. So I was quite chuffed with a second place coz I was happy to just stay with the bunch when we started. A nice voucher for my troubles and a lil more experience
Great place to race
The Waratah VCC really put on a good show, Great mob.
Saw Bmxbandito kickin butt aswell
