No, not that one, Moscow Ayrshire. Despite the best efforts of the rain the weather was significantly more pleasant than its namesake! For the first time in who knows how many years, I was too hot in the Moscow APR - kneewarmers were definately overkill - this may have been due to the workload of riding in the Scratch Group (in probably 8 rides on this course I've never managed to sneak any further forward than the 2nd scratch group!).
Our 11 man group was giving away 7 minutes over 35 miles to a 20 strong lead group, and another 2 groups with some pretty strong riders - so getting up to the front was always going to be a big ask. I was pretty glad to be in a small group though, as the state of the roads following the hard winter made riding in a big bunch a bit sketchy.
I usually get into trouble for not waving, or even smiling at Anna & Fin when I am racing, but this time I really did have to concentrate on not hitting the massive potholes as I passed them - I think I did smile though, as I was having fun!
Our 11 was soon 8, but everyone was working well - the 2 young lads from Glasgow Wheelers were almost too strong though - no-one wanted to be on their wheel on the climb as they accelerated through! The way the wind blew meant only a short cross-wind section on the main road, and then a block headwind all the way to the finish. We caught group 3 on lap 3, and that added a couple of strong riders to the chase (although a few scratch group boys had a rest then!), and with just over a lap to go the gap was down to 55 seconds. It was clear things were going to come back together, but that didn't stop a few riders from jumping across the gap.
When the junction was made in Moscow on the final lap, there was the usual scramble as 40 riders topped the climb and made off into the cross-winds. Despite a split on the main road, everyone came back together, and with the headwind on grassyards road, a sprint was always going to happen. The jockeying for position was entertaining to watch from the back - no way was I getting messed up in that when I knew it would open up at the end!
I'd been cramping on the last couple of laps - so figured I might as well cramp in the sprint when in the lead, so went for it with 100m uphill to go, before the inevitable happened! I managed 8th, and even won some money - which I've been told is going towards a pony for Finlay and No.2, who is due any time now!
Neil Walker
Our 11 man group was giving away 7 minutes over 35 miles to a 20 strong lead group, and another 2 groups with some pretty strong riders - so getting up to the front was always going to be a big ask. I was pretty glad to be in a small group though, as the state of the roads following the hard winter made riding in a big bunch a bit sketchy.
I usually get into trouble for not waving, or even smiling at Anna & Fin when I am racing, but this time I really did have to concentrate on not hitting the massive potholes as I passed them - I think I did smile though, as I was having fun!
Our 11 was soon 8, but everyone was working well - the 2 young lads from Glasgow Wheelers were almost too strong though - no-one wanted to be on their wheel on the climb as they accelerated through! The way the wind blew meant only a short cross-wind section on the main road, and then a block headwind all the way to the finish. We caught group 3 on lap 3, and that added a couple of strong riders to the chase (although a few scratch group boys had a rest then!), and with just over a lap to go the gap was down to 55 seconds. It was clear things were going to come back together, but that didn't stop a few riders from jumping across the gap.
When the junction was made in Moscow on the final lap, there was the usual scramble as 40 riders topped the climb and made off into the cross-winds. Despite a split on the main road, everyone came back together, and with the headwind on grassyards road, a sprint was always going to happen. The jockeying for position was entertaining to watch from the back - no way was I getting messed up in that when I knew it would open up at the end!
I'd been cramping on the last couple of laps - so figured I might as well cramp in the sprint when in the lead, so went for it with 100m uphill to go, before the inevitable happened! I managed 8th, and even won some money - which I've been told is going towards a pony for Finlay and No.2, who is due any time now!
Neil Walker
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