WNRW Nocturne 4

[Marco]

DNS - Marco  (@work - FFS!!!)

[Les R]

WNRW 4 – The Night of the Six Man Breakaway

As no one else has taken up the mantle, here goes.  Please don’t expect the same level of literary excellence as displayed by Mark over the past few weeks.  

Last night saw a good turn out of 25+ riders, a few new faces and a number of the regulars missing, most importantly Mark was not there!!  Lots of junior riders out and they made their presence felt.

Our leader was back from his holidays and we headed off on a fine evening along the coast.  First sprint being the 30 sign on the way in to Aberlady, Eric Easton took this one, showing his hand early.  We then headed over to Haddington, up the climb of the Tuesday summer run.  Ola set the early pace, then Lee took charge before being swamped by a number of juniors and a few other riders, some big gaps formed on the climb but we all regrouped before heading off over another climb, regrouping again on the outskirts of Haddington.  

We then headed out towards Garvald, our first and only mechanical a broken chain for Ayrton.  This was swiftly dealt with by Colin/Tam and we were rolling again back towards Gifford, the second sprint of the evening, a downhill spring to the 30 sign, some confusion amid oncoming traffic but somehow I managed to pip the mighty Eric at the post.  Through Gifford and on towards East Saltoun, the pace steady to begin with as the miles took their toll on a few but the pace picked up as we neared the village for the next sprint.  Some early attacks on the slight drag up to the village, Sean Noon and another Junior (apologies I am not sure of all your names) went early but were marked by Eric, I was in the big mans wheel and was able to sneak round and grab the spoils on the line.

We then head through Pencaitland towards Tranent, Sean Noon and a few of the juniors were a bit over eager and sprinted for a 40 sign (they will learn) and found themselves off the front.  The rain was beginning to fall and the pack was fragmenting a little, a surge saw a couple of riders trying to catch Sean who was the lone man up the road.  We ended up with six of us off the front, Ross Middleton, Marek J, Oliver B, Ayrton P, Andy (I think) and myself as we went through the streets of Tranent.  We were working well but this was early for an attack and with some luck at the lights we exited Tranent just in front of the pack.  We fully expected the powerhouses of Messers Wilkie, Allan, Whitlaw, Russell and Easton to drive the pack on to our wheels but we were pulling away.  Driven on by a desire to get out of the rain we worked hard to Wallyford roundabout and then continued to work down to the race course.  As to who won the final sprint I am not sure either Oli or myself?  

A good evening with no punctures, long may that continue.

Les