Lammermuirs ESCA RR

[AidanMc]

The second edition of this race was run off under absolutely superb conditions of around 25 degrees blazing sunshine, with organisation of an equal standard!  The revised route took in 5 1/2 laps of the Gifford circuit and a final stretch of hills finishing atop the fearsome redstone rigg.  Alistair was on the attack right away going with the first break which quickly gained around a minute as the bunch strolled along, splitting now and again under the pressure of Evan Oliphant and Ben Greenwood trying to escape.  Ross and Callum were riding very strongly, every time I found myself in the front splits they were always present. Eventually a small group of 4 containing Oliphant and Greenwood went clear as the race turned out of Gifford towards the Rigg.  I was in the next group of about half a dozen riders with Ross and Callum with various groups littered across the climbs.  Climbing the Redstone Rigg, I had to remind myself where I was as the temperature on the climb was so high my arms were shining with sweat, something I have rarely experienced racing in Scotland.  I cracked as we hit the savagely steep section, my lack of endurance evident, not helped by Lee suggesting that I put it in the big ring!  I got the amusement of watching Ross and Callum riding neck and neck up the climb, Ross taunting Callum to the point where he eventually turned green and sprouted huge thighs to outsprint Ross to the line.

Great day, great race! (for the winner at least)

[calumm]

Aidan has beaten me to it - with a much more succinct and funny report than I could have done!!  Alasdair was away with a break of only 2 or 3 really strong riders (incl Callum Wilkinson) which stuck for ages before 1 by one they were brought back - Callum staying away right to the last 5 miles, when that final fierce attack from Evan and Ben broke my ability to stick on their wheels.  Ross, Aidan and I all stayed fairly close, and as Aidan decribes, Ross and I were riding neck and neck as we tackled the final climb.  Ross's fatal mistake was to ask me if I was feeling tired yet (which of course I was, but being a stubborn so and so, I wasn't about to admit it!)  so we had a rather mad parallel struggle up the final straits of Redstone Rigg - and while there was a healthy dose of intra-club competition in those last yards - I was also desperately trying to catch the rider in front (thanks Ross for being so magnanimous too after the event).  In this final race of the Scottish season, I can honestly say that ERC did itself proud - and a good, fair, and good spirited race from all of us - with great support from the marshalls onlookers et al.  

[Scott]

This so reminds me of the clip in American Flyer, where its the US riders vs the bearded USSR muscleman head to head on the climb?  

Congratulations on your ESCA title Callum

[RossC]

What an epic race!

As we turned right out of Gifford towards the fearsome Redstone Rigg the showdown really started!

Evan Oliphant's break was already up the road but me, Callum and Aidan were still up there in the remaining bunch. I was in second wheel on the difficult drag out of Gifford. A pedal power guy was setting a tough pace. I glanced round and there must have been about twenty guys lined out behind chewing the bars. After that there was a difficult plunge down then up. The group had splintered already. It was great to see that me, Callum and Aidan were still there but so were 2 Musselburgh guys if we wanted the ESCA title.

Another down up and then even what looked flat was a struggle. I got stuck behind a blowing rider and lost a few lengths. I got back with some canny riding. The heat was unbearable, it was worth using precious energy to take off my glasses and mitts just to get more of a breeze.

Aidan blew up and so did the Musselburgh guys. So the lovely ESCA trophy should go to ERC, great!, but who?

Riders were spread everywhere, but me and Callum were together approaching the Rigg. Callum had been looking better than me since Gifford and I didn't fancy my chances but the masochistic side of me was relishing the way this finale was shaping up like the epic image of Jacques Anquetil & Raymond Poulidor.   The tension was building so I thought I would make a joke by saying "are you tired yet - I'm glad I've a 27t". He didn't answer...

http://www.bikerconnection.de/joomla/images/zoom/TourdeFrance/Jacques_Anquetil_&_Raymond_Poulidor.jpg

So side by side we slogged up the ramp. The pain was turned up to eleven but we were still locked together putting each other through agony. The steepest part and I could barely turn over the 27t standing up. Callum inched away at that point then extended the gap.

As the road turned downwards there still seemed half a mile to go. He had maybe 50 yds by now but I thought never give up. I dug in and started to close the gap fast...the road went up again before the finish and he managed to hold me off. Aaargh!

I thought I would explode with the heat and the pain, but somehow I was still really happy with such a bonkers race and lay down in the shade of a parked car to cool down.

Some very good riders walked up or didn't even attempt the Rigg and turned round. However I can confirm the views across all Fife and the Bass Rock were well worth it.