23\06\13 - ECCA 100 (E2/100)

Trying to get 15+stone of underpowered lard up a hill and into Sunday's strong headwind really didn't work for me and if I didn't have non-racing cycling goals this year I wouldn't have turned up.  As it was, many others didn't start including most of those that I would have been competitive with.  There were some good times but mine wasn't.  It was OK heading north on the A11\A14\A11 but it was very hard southbound.  Into the wind the uphill slopes seemed like mountains and finding any shelter was impossible.  And you had to do all this twice!  This time I was prepared for the difficult, last ten miles on smaller roads.  I'd taken some gels and drink and was ready.  So what happens?  After exiting the A11 for the slip road (A505) my rear tyre punctured.  Because of my size, it did not seem right to sit on the saddle and pedal hard so I took it a bit easier and stood on the pedals.  Whatever was hurting me before, was certainly more painful by the end.  My time was 5:05:29 which probably made me the Lanterne Rouge.  Without the puncture I may have moved up another place or two.  On the plus side I managed to ride for 100 miles in very difficult conditions.  All good training.  PW