RTTC 2013 - 10 Miles National Championship - Saturday 25th May 2013

Joe decided to enter the National Junior 10 this year but we failed to realise that the first year A level exams had been brought forward and basically clashed with this event which meant that there was virtually no real training before the event, and only one club TT on the Wednesday to test the latest bike and wheels before setting off 48 hours later.

So on Friday we set off (somewhat ill prepared) for Hingham in Norfolk and for the B10/18 course. The journey up was a nightmare taking over 5.5 hours to travel some 150 miles. It was queuing on the M25, M11, A11 and the rain was nonstop. Anyway, we did manage to get to Hingham and the rain finally stopped. Time just for a quick drive around the route then for Joe to cycle it.

An open course where wind was going to be a problem  The first turn saw a metal drain cover right in your way which could prove nasty in the wet or dry. Further along there were some corners where mud was on the road and also needed care, plus half way round a nasty long drag of a hill and then straight into the wind for the rest of the course until the finish. In it's terrain and lay out the course was very similar to the Tenterden 10. So not exactly a fast course with wind being the main problem.

Saturday morning proved to be dry, cold and very windy. The event started at 08.31 with the Womens race with the Juniors starting at 09.51 and the Men at 11.01. So it was nice to have a bit of a lay in !!!!

The Juniors comprised of competitors from all over the UK and from small clubs to young men and women who are knocking on the door of pro riding with the support of some serious professional teams. So it was into this mix that Joe found himself and as rider number 104 went off at 10.14 to have ago and do his best. He said the ride was ok although halfway round his seat moved forward and dropped down at an alarming angle which did not help and apparently it was murder into the wind for the last half of the course. But he posted a time of 25.36 which bearing in mind the lack of training etc was very good and put him into 41st place.

The Junior event was won by British Cycling Olympic Development Programme rider Chris Lawless who clocked 20.49.

The Mens race went to Michael Hutchinson of InGear Quickvitt Trainsharp with 19.20 and Pete Tadros was 8th with 20.36.

The Ladies race was won by Julia Shaw of www.drag2zero.com with 22.19.