Heffron 3rd May 2008

[mikesbytes]

See you there

[othy]

Where were you Mike??

[Adrian E]

how'd you go?

[mikesbytes]

Where were you Mike??

I had to do some things before the race and ran overtime. Never mind...

[Toff]

Turnout was a rather low from DHBC this week. Only saw Tim (Othy) who had a ride in E grade, and then me and the other Chris were the only two who showed up for a 3 O'Clock start in D grade.

D grade pace started fast. Lots of punchy attacks, with riders trying to get a jump on the field. Most attacks were gobbled up pretty quickly, owing to a fierce headwind down the finishing straight. One rider managed to stay away for just over a lap, but when we caught him, around lap 6 or 7, the pace dropped right back. I think most people realised it wasn't going to be a good day for a breakaway, so we settled in to a rhythm... There were still occasional surges off the front, but the pack had them covered. All we had to do was leave the breakaway riders hanging out to dry off the front of the bunch until the finishing straight, by which time their legs were gone, and they would be brought back into the bunch hanging their heads in shame...

Just as we got to the the bell lap, B grade came past us, but they never went clear. Into the final sprint, we had B graders spread out right across the road. Why they couldn't just ride down one side in two neat lines I don't know... Anyway, we faced the prospect of sprinting through them to try to claim a place. I saw a couple finally break through on the right, and another guy skimming over dirt down the left, while I was stuck in the middle with B graders left and right of me, and another C grader in front of me blocking my path.

In the end, Chris G got his best result ever with a 2nd place. The guy skimming the dirt took out 3rd. I got 5th, and wasn't happy about the lack of respect from B-grade, who should have been more considerate... Oh well, that's bike racing! Chris G probably has a more favourable take on the day's racing...

[Adrian E]

I don't know Chris G, are you sure its not Chris R = Rissel? (blue vivente).

Either way well done to both of you! A great result.

[Toff]

Sorry Adrian, Yes, Chris Rissel. I thought it was Grissel. Apologies.

[micklan]

go the Toff and Chris, outstanding riding, you must be over the flu.

[williamd]

Good on you Toff, Chris and Tim too.

[Toff]

Still coughing atrociously, but trying to do some road k's on the bike throughout the week. The twice weekly ride to Chatswood is helping, as is riding home with Mike, who pushes me hard up the hills...

[micklan]

I think that is Chris' first podium finish. 2nd well done

[mikesbytes]

I think that is Chris' first podium finish. 2nd well done

Well done Chris.

[williamd]

Chris must have been pumped up more than his 145 PSI tyres after going into the sand trap last time.

[Toff]

I took a pic of Chris on the podium on my mobile phone. Only trouble is that I haven't worked out how to upload it from phone to PC. It's a Blackberry, and when I plug my phone into the PC, it lets me access some files but not all. Pic files can't be accessed.

[geoff m]

Here we are with the official RBCC photo anyway...

Can't believe you guys did so well. Congratulations. Chris R will not be so stroppy with me advising the organisers that he shouldn't be able to contest the sprint in in his first E grade race about 6 weeks ago. I was right Chris!!!!!


Chris Toff - you've come along way! Well done. A podium awaits you!