edinburgh rc cycling club

Another sunny day, and a reasonably successful race for team ERC in the luscious landscape of Angus - just near Carnoustie.

The race was 3 laps of a fairly fast course, with only one hill of any significance.  Around 70-80 riders started, and lap one was a remarkably relaxed affair - we even had enough time to admire the view over the rolling fields down to the coast and sea beyond. 

On lap two there was a short break away attempt by a couple of the pedalpower riders, but the bunch was very soon onto it, so we eased up and set off as before.  Somehow, and I think it must have been an incramental process, another breakaway formed - perhaps it didn't have my 'recognised riders' in it, for certainly I made no effort to chase the first few riders down, and nor did anyone else.  It was the surprising but telling move of the race however, and the break that formed was sufficiently sizeable to stay away.... Eventually a couple of attempts were made to go across to the break, but it was a solo race too far for anyone who tried (myself included) and so in each case, the rider decided to save energy and rejoin the bunch.  

As for the bunch - they were an indolent lot - totally unprepared to do any work at all, even though there must have been at least 15 people up the road.  Crazy!  Eventually Ross, Ali and I (Calum) decided that if no-one was prepared to do anything, we only had just over a lap to catch the break so we'd have to do something - along with a strong rider from Stirling Bike Club - Eddie Cowle.  We had a few miles of 4 or 5 up time trial -and Ross and Ali certainly gave it their all - a great effort. 

At this point I must mention Georges Avraam.  In all honesty, I would say he was THE rider of the day.  He probably did more than anyone to catch the bunch, and worked himself into the ground for the benefit of other ERC riders - and I doubt that any of us would be celebrating any placings if it hadn't been for his tireless and strong efforts at the front.  Between his sterling efforts and our 5 up TT efforts, we eventually caught all but two of the break away (So, hopefully one of us will do the same for him sometime). THANKS Georges.

As we approached the last hill, Georges led out once again, and then the inevitable sprint came from pedalpower who had been hiding for so many of the last miles.  I had desparately hoped I would not be the first up the hill, but despite my stated intentions, that it what happened - a bad place from which to sprint for the flat finish in the last 400 yards.  So I slowed up, and sat poised for the final inevitable sprint for third place (2 Spokes RT riders having stayed away to the very last for a deserved first and second placing - will it teach the bunch not to sit back though??).

No 52 Brendan Milliken from Pedal power stared to sprint, and I managed to persuade myself out of the saddle (I knew being in it at all at this stage was a mistake!) to chase him down, - and was just getting hopeful of a 4th place when in the last inches literally, I was pipped to the post.  Still - happy with 5th, and Alastair Easton got 7th - cursing himself for not having sprinted out earlier.  In fact - he, Ross and Georges would have certainly finished higher placed if it hadn't been for the need for SOMEONE to do the work to catch the break - so all credit to them, and thanks too.

On a sad note - news came through today of our latest star rider, Colin May, having been brought down in a severe crash in the Drummond Trophy RR in Renfrewshire - one of the toughest and most vicious races in the Scottish calendar.   This is really bad luck for him, as he has been shaming us all (except perhaps Tim) with his incredible fitness and race ability of late.  Get well soon.