Lea Valley 25m TT 2up - 10th Mar

Brian E and  Richard C rode this event on a course near Ugley - Richard's first 25 mile TT. Many congratulations to both of them for racing in such tough conditions. Here is Richard's account of their race.
" It was a day of first's - my first 25 mile TT, my first Open event, my first 2up, and my first time on my new bike....and it was snowing!  
Brian and I arrived early for our 9.39 start time and it wasn't long before I realised I had not packed enough base layers; one t-shirt and a skinsuit was not going to cut it with the temperature showing as 0.5. Brian was kind enough to lend me his gillet, which just about squeezed under my suit. 
No doubt the clash with mothers' day had kept many away, and the weather meant that there were a few "no-shows", but I was surprised how many did turn out in such bad weather. I recognised one of the riders starting a minute behind us. Coincidentally he had started a minute behind me on a club 10m TT last summer and had posted a 19:42. Brian informed me that he was the slower of the 2 riders! My fear of them overtaking us early was soon wiped away when they pulled out of the race whilst sat at the start - you've got to be in it to win it! 
Brian and I were indeed "in it" but, unfortunately, we didn't win it either. The ride was wet with a cold wind from the North and, following a steady start, we soon settled in to steady pace - not quick, but quick enough for someone with little pre-season training and wary of having to last for 25miles. Despite the conditions the ride was going well with some relatively smooth change-overs and me starting to get used to riding just inches from Brian's back wheel, with the only hiccup being a short detour all the way round a round-about just after the 12.5m turn. With the wind now behind we upped the speed slightly on the way home and, aside from a spell of a couple of minutes, (when I was knackered) we shared the work roughly 50/50 and managed to catch a couple of 2up teams ahead of us. 
We finished 6th, in a time of 1 hr 7 minutes 15 secs. Not blistering, but we were content with our first event of the season. Having not done a TT for some 6 months and despite the terrible conditions (I think I had mild hyperthermia when I stopped) the event has got me well and truly fired-up for the season ahead!  For those who have not yet done any TT's, I would thoroughly recommend it, and thanks to Brian for his coaching, shot blocks and gillet! "