what a great night out! it started not so well when a moped rider rode into my rear wheel on my way to smithfield (i was so furious at that moment!). wheel buckled, but luckily the bike was still rideable with rear brakes undone.
once in the smithfield - the cycling party atmosphere as usual. signed in, many familiar faces from last years race, amusing penny farthings (and their owners), lean&mean elite racers. heat one went ok, made it to the final. then watched penny farthings racing, support race, women race etc. the folding bike race time came, and i could feel adrenalin in the air - it is very competitive! went to the start line, flag down, mad dash to the bike, unfold, off i go. first! i know my abilities well, and having accomplished racers behind i knew i'll have a hard time to maintain the lead. cheering crowds (StuAff, Aperitif, Tim H, User10571 among them!!), motorbike camera crew in the front, peloton catching up steadily.. i was enjoying my moment of "glory" as long as i could. then at the last third of last lap the leading peloton sailed past me and i finished 8th, exactly as last year! David Rees finished first, Germain Burton second (some were expecting Germain to win).
well, the message is clear - i need to get much stronger if i want to go for the win. anyway i have immensely enjoyed the event and will definitely be there next year!
