Inter-Club League
~ Gareth Syms
My 1st experience riding in the Inter Club League was at Corkagh Park. The weather had been fine all week and Wednesday evening was no exception. Blue skies, with a 10kmh north easterly breeze. Perfect conditions we were told. The practice circuits from a week back had allowed for an element of perspective, but now 30 minutes from the start, the adrenaline was pumping. So too was my bladder, but that’s just a sure sign that the nerves were where they should be!
Signed on, a few practice laps, quick catch up with club mates. Another tell tale sign of normal nerves: feeling knackered in the warm up.
Race briefing. Ride for 40 minutes, then for 3 laps. Off we went.
Middle back of the group. Riders all around. Jostling for position. Gaps opening. Unable to respond with riders in the way and the frequency of bends in the road preventing a safe passage through. Closed gaps where possible, felt it in the legs and mirrored by spiking heart rate. Back with the pack, feeling energy return. The finishing strait seemed wider. Power applied here allowed for a decent progression up the field. 10 laps in, was irritated to see my Wahoo wasn’t on. Powered it on.
Seemed like a consistent interchange of 10 riders at the front. Still middle to rear of the pack. Telling myself this is my 1st race experience. Get used to the movement, the dynamics of racing in a group, and see what happens at the end.
Clock saying 35 minutes. Not long to go. Still feeling ok.
Heard the bell go. I figured this was the last 3 laps but not sure. Tried asking someone if it was the last lap. “What the f*** are you doing?!” was his reply. Obviously the last lap. Final bend approaching before the finishing strait. A quick glance to the left, and peddled hard into the inside line of the bend and flat out up to the line. Passed a number of riders to finish in 11th place. Congrats to the winners. Well earned. I felt my confidence grow as the race developed, and wasn’t completely spent at the end so a valuable learning experience. All in all very enjoyable and a great introduction to the racing scene.
