Well what I day I had! I had my first win and managed a second as well. As we all know I hate the Handicap Race and I just do it to collect my points for strating but winning the scratch race was a great feeling. I rode off the front with about 3.5 laps to go and only had 1 rider catch me through the last turn for just a second, but i gave an extra kick and won the race buy about 15-20 mtrs.

The second race for us was an elimination and i think the other E grade riders thought i had no legs left and was going to be an easy beat but how wrong they were. I did go out kinda strong then let them all come over the top with a lap to go before the first elimination, but i had a plan. My plan was to be first over the line for the eliminations and try and jump ahead on the bell lap so they would not chase. But i din't expect one of the girls to really give my plan a flog when i tried to recover for a second, she jumped away and i had no legs left to chase her. That was my second place and a hard fought one as well. Sprinting over the top of those Juniours lap after lap is really hard work.

Good by E Grade and up to D grade now.

Go Nathan!

Well today we has to race inbetween rain but still got a few racers in.

I came Second in the combined Handicap which is a real achievment for me as i am not know for my ability to recover after a hard start. I managed to get a great start (Big thanks to Carl) and managed to get into rythum quickly. I found myself at the back of the pack but quite protected for most of the race. The last lap dash is always interesting with the younger riders but i picked my through and took my second place.

Then we had a combined points race with C/D grade and I knew I wasn't going to be able to do much there. With the rain there was a real rush to try and get some racing for everyone so I hadn't quite recovered as much as I would have liked. There were a few surges from the Carl machine and i tried to go with him on the first sprint for points, but failed and the spent the wrest of the race on the back making up numers.

So things for me to remember : I can win a scratch race when i apply myself and remember I am a Sprinter (no more going out off the front yet) and I can do well in a Handicap If I remeber to find my rythum and sprint hard at 100 to go.

Keep on trucking Nathan, you're getting stronger every week.  Not long before you take some wins in D grade, I'll bet!

and then it will be C grade and then B and then ....Well done Nathan. You are truly an inspiration for masters cyclist returning to cycling. It's been hard work hasn't it.and you know cycling it's gonna get tougher. Watch this space soon I reckon.

But I remember looking at you, on the big chain spring at aboc's ergo sessions sprinting away on a very fast cadence, thinking...bloody sprinters... grrrr. Won't be long when you can sit in at the fast bunches at Glenvale and watch all the idiots do the attacking and come the end, just sprint away!!! You are obviously getting fitter and stronger and it's great to see. I will know when I ride against you in a road race, to make every effort to get u dropped.. don't want the sprinters as the finish line (joking- wouldn't do that to you -or would i)

Again well done and keep up the good work (very envious of sprinters because I can't sprint - and i mean this literally!

Nick Bird