Well yesterday was my time to make my second visit to the SCCU '100'  I had intended to ride the Hounslow '100' based around Bentley as it is a much faster course and very local. Unfortunately the event was cancelled due to a horse show on one of the roads to be used. On the day the weather was kind, at 6.30am (My start time) it was about 15degC and rose gently to 18degC by 10.30am. There were 3 light showers on the way round but they had a welcome cooling effect. I started hard as I was aware that 'in form' David Shepherd was off 3 mins after me. The route circles several roundabouts  and on each one I caught glimpses of David chasing hard to catch me. He finally caught me at the dreaded (As they are on the course and marshaled, I was stopped here for 2mins last year!)  West Grinstead traffic lights. This year I was lucky and was only stopped for about 10 seconds. It had taken 2 and 1/2 hrs for David to catch me.

All was going OK until about 75 miles where my efforts produced a huge cramp in my left quad. I was completely unable to pedal for about 2 mins as I tried desperately to release the muscle. Finally the cramp subsided and I rode on, a little gingerly to start with but stronger as my ride finished. Keith Coffey caught me for 8 mins early on the second finishing circuit so I knew the damage the cramp had done. In the remaining 1 and 1/2 hrs David had taken another 8 mins out of me. 

All in all it was a bitter-sweet ride. I got a new PB but was left wondering what might have been but I guess that is the nature of time-trialling!

1.    Rob Pelham             Lewes Wanderers    3:52:40

2.    Keith Coffey              Bec  CC                      4:00:41

3.    David Shepherd      GS Stella                    4:00:51

............

10.  Jon Lewis               Charlotteville CC        4:11:41     PB