Bike Hut Ras De Cymru Stage Race

Background Info
Ok so back in Feb/March this year Paul Richards (Mosquito Bikes) asked if I fancied doing a five day, 6 stage Road Race in Wales. I must have said yes at some point but to be honest I can’t remember. So Team Han was formed. Adr Rocco (Rapha Condor), Phil Murrell (Finsbury Park), Paul Richards (Mosquito Bikes) and of course me, Toks Adesanya, (Addiscombe CC). So that was it. A four man team of fair- middling 3rd cat racers in a 2, 3, 4, Women and Juniors stage race. None of us were pulling up any trees race result wise so it was gonna be interesting but hopefully not embarrassing.

Phil kindly sorted out the administration side of things so on Tuesday 1st of July we all travelled down to Newport University, the race base, in South Wales. In much the same way riding the Etape gives you the chance to play pro at the TDF for the day this stage race would do the same sort of thing but over five days. Simple really, starting on Wednesday - Go Race, Go eat, Go sleep and repeat till Sunday. We all had our own accommodation - rooms in Newport University – and would travel out to the various race HQ’s everyday and then return back to our University digs after the race. The meals and accommodation were also part of the deal - £ 200 for each man or woman. A bit like on you're first day at College or Uni we were given a briefing in one of the sports halls, we handed in our licences, received our race numbers and our goody bags.

Stage 1 (Prologue: Llangybi-Llanhennock)

Description: a 4.3 mile rolling course ending at the top of nasty 8-10% kilometre climb.

So Team Han: Paul.R (Mosquito Bikes), Phil. M (Finsbury Park), (Adri (Rapha Condor, and me - Toks. A. (Addiscombe.CC) got going at around 3.45pm and like most TT’s we were separated by one minute intervals.
I wasn't particularly psyched about this short TT effort (11-14mins with ya tongue hanging out) but nevertheless was full of nervous energy. I kept telling myself not to go too hard at the beginning so of course that’s exactly what I did. It wasn't helped by the fact you rolled down a short descent then came up a short draggy bit which immediately had the heart panicking to match the oxygen requirement from my legs.

With a minute gone I quickly realised I'd pushed things too hard and but trying to control the effort was proving to be futile. Yes despite a fairly aerodynamic position on my road bike I was puffing and panting like a 50 a day smoker. 2 mile in I had other worries. The dark clouds that had loomed all afternoon couldn’t contain themselves any longer and in full on power-shower mode came down the rain. Oh and just to spice thing up a bit more, lots of painful hailstones. I couldn't see at one point so panicked a bit; a slight loss of balance due to the swirling wind and the fact my wrists were on the bar tops and I was nearly a goner.

I reached the turn off for climb suffering slightly and quickly found on the climb my rhythm wasn't what it should be. The night before during a recon myself and Adri had attacked the climb and felt pretty good ‘big ringing it’ to the top. During the actual event things weren't the same. Regardless I arrived at the finishing point in a disappointing 13.04. Not having all the TT kit made things a little harder, sure; but coming 57th out of 66 riders certainly wasn't good for my morale. Phil came in 20 secs ahead of me, Adri a few secs behind and Paul about a minute behind me.

Stage 2 AM (Abergavenny-Raglan-Usk…Abergavenny)

Description: 53miles; Bitch Hilly


We rolled out from Abergavenny Tennis club for a short Neutralised section and Stuart Stanton the race commentator was in full passionate vocal action - name checking all the racing pros - local girl Nicole Cooke, Emma Pooley, Jo Rowsell etc. On route we rode past lots of school kids who had lined up near their school to cheer on Nicole.

The pace in the bunch was as you'd expect in your average 2/3 cat race fairly steady’s but pretty lively up drags and in response to attacks. Just as we hit the most significant climb of the day I saw Emma Pooley (Team GB) pull over with a puncture. The climb was a real stinker, I was mid bunch when riders started to loose wheels, gaps formed and those with the better power to weight ratios took full advantage. The climb wasn't too dissimilar to Toys hill out the Kent. The road surface was a little rougher however but in length and steepness they were almost identical.

So what do long climbs create? Tension? yeah of course, suffering no doubt. But most importantly - a split. There were around twenty guys in the front group and it contained the GC contenders, Cwmcarn Paragon boys, most of the Bike Hut girls and Team GB. The last man at the back of the front group was Dave Andrews (London Dynamo) I was sat just behind Dave when there was a slight surge in pace.

At this point the sensible thing would've been to jump out the saddle and hammer it across the gap. Oh no sir. I had one of my infamous knuckle head moments - trying to close the gap by spinning a low gear. Doh! Oh dear bad move. The gap grew to 40 metres and I was now in the land of no men. Jo Rowsell who had been alongside me for a good chunk of the climb was now no where to be seen. It was time to get my act together so I chased for around a mile and a half by myself; once the bunch had crested the hill I rejoined on the descent. A few miles later Rowsell and some other also crossed the gap.

The damage had already been done for at least half the field and no amount of bunch magnetism would be bringing them back. After the long descent the course had numerous wet twists and turns. Now I'd rather eat two jars of marmite (I absolutely hate the stuff) than descend in the wet. I don't know how Nicole Cooke feels about that brown salty gooey mess some people love on sandwiches but like me she was being overly cautious and also started slipping back through the field.

Once at the bottom of the slippery climb (Phew!) typically I was last bloody wheel. There was no chance for bunch safety because things became seriously stretched out and your safety line was the wheel right in front. Slowly but surely though I began to haul my skinny arse back up front. Shit!!Once again things headed skyward and in my out of the saddle dance I could almost lick the words Cateye off my cycle computer. I was chilling 2/3rds back close to Jo Rowsell again. I made some remark about Palace and she proffered a polite smile. No question about it this course had more lumps in it than a bowl of milk deprived porridge.
One more kick up shook off the hangers on and Jo Rowsell went AWOL with around five others. Things eventually flattened out and I asked if there were any escapees upfront. Nicole Cooke’s calmly told me that three were away with around a minute and a half on the bunch.

As we headed back to Abergavenny on the A472 a truce appeared to be called and we seemed to riding at club run pace into a head wind for around 5-6 miles. Nevertheless two guys gave it large and slipped off the front and one other also tried to get across. I too was tempted but sadly hesitated. Out of nowhere the 1k to go sign appeared and we all put the hammer down for the bunch sprint

Stage Winner: Joe Hemmant (London Dynamo)

Stage 3: PM (Abergavenny/Raglan)

Team Time Trial;

Description: gentle rolling 15 miles

Unlike the morning (stage 2), the TTT stage held in the afternoon morning was lovely and sunny. Each team went away at 3 minute intervals. Only Phil had the full TT regalia, Paul had Tri bars so myself and Adri would be spending the best part of 35 mins on the drops. We lost Paul within the first few miles and managed to take fairly regular turns right up to the roundabout which was the half way point.

However it was quickly apparent that Phil on TT bike etc was much stronger than Adri and I so being a genuine tester on the return leg he took longer pulls. I continued to take pulls but not for as long and Adri took even fewer turns at the front. The rules stipulated that the clock would be stopped after the 3rd man so it was important to stick together. Interestingly most four man teams finished with only 3 guys. We knew we weren't gonna set the world alight and we didn’t. 18th out of the twenty teams.

Stage 4 (Usk/Raglan/Charthouse)

Flat (apparently) 60mile

After two days of racing I felt pretty good despite fairly poor sleep. The stage had a very long 7 mile neutralised section which in terms of a warm up was just what was needed. It was a pretty testing course and flat it certainly was not. There were three loop of the 16 mile course to be negotiated each featuring a draggy 2 mile climb.

The first time up the climb some nutter upfront really forced the pace and that blew away a few backmarkers. Adri had a major mechanical where his wheel was rubbing along the inside of the frame and had to eventually get neutralised help. In the bunch there wasn't too much action although some peeps eventually got away. On the last lap I was up near the front watching in awe as Emma Pooley pulled the bunch. I attacked twice: once came to nothing but the second time I bridged across to Jonathan Ellis (Team Certini/Felt Racing) who had been dangling at the head of the bunch. We started working but only had around 20 secs for maybe 3/4miles before we were sucked back in. I think four managed to stay away and I finished in the main group behind the leaders.

Stage 5 (Storey Arms/Brecon/Fedynnog)

Description: Rolling with a Bitch Climb

I’m sure like me, if you'd planned a training ride with the weather like it was on this stage you'd definitely have cancelled it and got out the turbo. Despite it being the first week of July the day was cold, windy and very very wet. The race started at the top of a 2 mile slope and was essentially rolling but for the beastly 1k Defynnog climb. So for the first fifteen minutes the pace was effortless we cruised around the course. Shit! event the rain had stopped, things were warming up and the sun was out. Nicole Cook soon had her hand up and was talking to her director Sportiv - Julian Winn. She then slipped to the back of the bunch offloaded her gillet and was back up front. Each day she was giving a valuable lesson on how to remain in the top 15 of the bunch without ever putting her nose in to the wind. Classy Stuff!

Lots of concentration was required on this stage especially as two guys went down right in front of me. Yikes! The first time we rode up the Defynnog climb it was like trying to walk in a muddy field whilst wearing flip flops. 18% feels like 18% whether you’re a racer or club rider. 39/23 was engaged and most of us were twisting ourselves inside out just to get up the climb. The gurning, grunting and gulping was not pretty.

Weighing in at around the 90kg mark I don't know how Damian "The Fridge" Sharp (PSUK Cycling) managed to get himself at the climb, and in a good position each time. Like I said most of us were struggling. There was however one person who made it look like the proverbial walk in the park.

Yes indeed Ladies and Gents can I introduce you to the climbing phenomenon that is Emma Pooley (Team GB). Oh my goodness! Now don't get me wrong Nicole Cooke, Tim Wallis (Red Kite Cycles) etc and a few other climbed really well but they make the Defynnog look as hard as it actually was. Emma Pooley floated up the climb. Its all clear to me now R Kelly was obviously talking about Pooley when he wrote his RB hit believing he could fly a few years ago

The descent off the climb was extremely fast and the roads were twisty; having a clear view ahead was paramount. A poor line into any blind bend and your race would end at Gwent Hospital. Back on the flat we hit a fast road and we were strung out at 40mph. I can remember at one point the GB girls (Jessica Allen and Emma Pooley) cruising past me on either side like it was a Saturday club run.

Quite a few peeps had tried to get away but I think the break slipped away on the second time at the climb. On the 3rd time up the climb Emma Pooley comfortably pulling the bunch along as we approached the climb; Damian 'the Fridge' was on her wheel (it looked almost cartoonesque but I guess you had to be there!). To take advantage of slipping I got on the front and led our penultimate visit to the 1k torture chamber they call Defynnog

On the final lap Gordon Kenneway (London Dynamo) fancied his chances and jumped a way for a mile or two. He was always in sight and was soon brought back. The Fridge jumped clear at the base of the climb and was given a big cheer. Another hellish brutal final effort up the climb and the pain was over. I think the bunch sprint up the climb was won my Nicole Cooke. I rode back the 8 miles to the HQ and arrived looking like a drowned rat (oh yeah the sun wasn’t out for long). Race commentator Stuart Stanton bought me a hot cup of tea. “Welcome to Wales and some proper racing”, he teased.


Stage 6 (Abergavenny/Three Cocks/Llangynidr)

Description:
56 miles rolling with 4 mile mountain top finish climb

Another long neutralised section through the town of Abergavenny - everybody was in good spirits I guess knowing the pain would finally be over. Phaarrr..kin...hell!! When the flag dropped those Cwmcarn Paragon boys attacked immediately. Now I don't like sprinting at the best of times. At the beginning of the race in particular. It must have been 30 secs at least in the red zone before things relented... There were lots of narrow lanes for people to sneak off the front so we spent lots of time chasing down the attacks. As the GC stood, all the leader Tim Carter (Team GB) needed to do was not to concede 1.40mins and he had it in the bag. 2nd on the GC Tim Wallis (Red Kite Cycles) had other ideas naturally and throw in those crazy Cwmcarn Paragon with internal scores to settle amongst themselves this was gonna be a rough ride.

At one point a large group of 10 got away but with the bunch speed very high we soon had them in sight... What with mechanicals etc, my team mate Adri had had a tough few days racing and was determined to finish well. On one of the fast A roads I could see Adri struggling to hold a wheel so I pushed him forward. His recovery wasn't complete before there was another attack so I gave him and even lengthier push to stay with the bunch. Sergeant Jim Northway (PSUK GB Cycling) who'd been giving me a lift to some of the stages was now in a police chase of different kind. A chase to stay in touch with the bunch. He’d been riding well really but attacks are attempts to getaway. And sadly eventually we got away from him.

Kurt Green (Velo Club Montipilier) was one of the bunch entertainers; on some stages and he would often start singing when we were approaching a big climb. Today however he seemed to have ants in his pants, constantly shifting and turning around adjusting his gillet, shorts etc. Sat on his wheel I was getting a bit nervous and really I didn’t fancy a tarmac sandwich at 35mph… More rolling hills; more attacks snuffed out and eventually we got to the toughest and final climb of the whole race. Naturally there were a few surges as people scrambled to attach themselves on to good wheels.

THE FIRST ONE TO THE TOP IS A POOLEY!... I'd decided to just spin in 23/39 and whatever happened happened. On the lower slopes I was soon alongside the London Dynamo clan. Quickly G. Kenneway and M. Bridge pulled away and so did my team mate Phil Murrell (Finsbury Park) later forming a group of 8 riders.

I caught up with Dave Andrews who had initially surged past everyone and then I rode past Joe Hemmant. A hundred metres later Joe returned and give me a friendly nudge as I weaved across his path. I couldn't help laughing but Joe wasn't amused. I caught up again as he pulled away and then had a 30 metre lead on him by the two mile mark.

He then came back and rode past and this time I had no reply so resigned myself to some time alone in the pain zone. Those of you that have or will be doing the Tour of the Black Mountains will experience this climb in the next few weeks. Good Luck!

With 200metres to go up pops fellow Crystal Palace racer Jo Rowsell. She's pursuit team world champ, less than half my age and oozes class. I once won at Palace a couple of years ago so we're clearly a good match. Jo pulled away spinning a low gear. Call it male pride but I was determined to beat her to the finish. No chance Dave Povall (Cwmcarn Paragon) who'd been bobbing and weaving like a tipsy boxer just in front of me challenged Jo to a sprint finish. Jo duly obliged and kicked Dave's proverbial and beat me to the line by 12 secs. So that was it the race was officially over. I'd finish 36th on the G C

Stage Winner: Emma “I believe I can Fly” Pooley

Later on after the award ceremony I saw Nicole Cooke and she smiled at me. I wanted to say good luck in Beijing but it came out as a head nod and a big smile back. A great event, met lots of great people. Chapeau to Simon Bray and his team, the marshals, helpers, Police, Outriders etc. It was a fantastic event which was flawlessly well orgamnised. Well done to all the racers. Maybe I’ll see you all again sometime


http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/EventReports2008/20080706_RasdeCymru.asp