Hard Day @Surrey League Alfold

Both Surrey League races at Alfold yesterday tested the metal of VCM riders who braved cool temperatures, wind and rain. (Thanks to Terry Morgan who comissaired the 3rds)

In the 3rd Cat morning race Darren Franklin and Colin Addison joined a full field on the rearranged Alford circuit (as Kirdford was flooded). From the off it was flat-out with riders getting dropped before the race reached Dunsfold village. The pace remained high and the field lined out until things got even faster on lap 3. That finished the hopes of many, as riders slipping to the back of the field found themselves unable to rejoin on the back. Thankfully the pace relented once a few breakaways started to establish and with 2 laps to go both Darren and myself found ourselves in a slower moving bunch with 8 riders having merged together 2 minutes up the road. With both London Dynamo and Addiscombe CC fully represented ahead there was plenty of blocking behind. It came down to a bunch sprint and, with both of us having recovered from a opportunist effort back in Plaistow on the last lap, Darren took 6th in bunch sprint for 14th overall to my 18th.

In the afternoon race the tales of woe continue
From Duncan who finished 15th ...
"Did I enjoy it? NO!!! but glad to finish.
windy, sunny, Rain, Sleet we had it all, not quite sure what happened i think it was all a war of attrition, there was a group away from early on and rumor had it was about 20 strong, and i think Martin was in it, we were just surviving, then found myself without pushing into it in a 10 up group, went for it 1 lap to go with Dulwich and Rapha, then died a thousand deaths 5 km from home, but finished none the less. Horrible!!!!"

and from Ben
"We set off into pretty strong winds with Marin Hulbert attacking from the neutralized zone and taking 4 others with him. After letting them go people start trying to get across and both break and bunch are lined out and 10 are out the back before the end of the first lap. Quickly work out I'm having one of those "are my brake blocks rubbing?, do my hubs need servicing" days, feeling on the limit most of the time. Then it pissed down heavily for half an hour. By now my arms and hands are numb and I can't feel the gear paddles at all. Start drifting out the back of what's left of the bunch (which is starting to fall apart) and crawl to the changing rooms. Where half the bunch and about 4 of the break are also shivering and relieved to be inside again. As I leave who should appear in a small group chasing the break but tough Scottish person Duncan Hards..."

Who are these people who keep turning up and winning races like this ?
not even Rob Hurd could contain a London Dynamo 3rd Cat - doesn't stack up?