So round 1 of the Penrith Cycling Clubs Winter Racing Series was held on Sunday 28th. As mentioned it’s the focus series for the year. I followed through with the approach of riding down, racing, then riding home.

On arrival I was pretty sore. With the pensioners loop on Saturday, then I was coach of Lachlan’s soccer team in the morning followed by referee for Aidan’s game in the afternoon. By the time I hit the lounge Saturday night I was really sore and it took me a bit to work out why. 2 hr ride, 1 hour as a referee [running around] + coaching had me sore.

I still rose and made descent time to the race start/sign on. The weather was amazing a little bit cool but nothing extreme. I signed on and didn’t really need to anything apart from get ready to start the race. I took off and road a good race I feel for my first Road Race in about 8+ months.

I went off the front a couple of times, once to try and chase down a break away, another time with another rider who ended up lame and rolling back into the bunch which left out on my own. Not long after this three did get away, another two followed but we all came back together because the riders off the front ended up caught up in A-Grades main bunch and had to drop back or they would have been disqualified. I had a last stab over the bridge but nothing left in the tank meant the main front runners road past and sprinted to the line as I finished happy but only in the mid pack position.

I have started a smaller document with DO’s and DON’Ts for my racing. I need to sort a bit of stuff out and should document everything after a race so I can go into the next one with a better knowledge and solid race plan.

Loved it all though. I just need to get a little more serious