PeteLeonardLVRC 23_05_12

Peter Leonard makes a Road Racing Comeback

Don’t know what made me look at the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists website but I managed to spot that there was a road race for vets on the 20th May nearly on my doorstep. As I was now 60 and could ride in the 44 mile over 60’s race I thought this might be a good opportunity to give time trialling a rest after last taking part in a  road race in 1994.

So after joining the LVRC on the Net and ringing the organiser to see if I could enter on the line there was no turning back.

With all my road bikes having compact chain sets I hastily purchased a new block with a 12 sprocket which I calculated would give me a big enough gear. I knew the course would be flat as a pancake having ridden the roads weekly for many years, so no fears there but how would I cope with the jumping around and change of pace I asked myself.

The day dawned dry with little wind and turning up at the HQ in Out Rawcliffe I spotted a number of familiar faces including British Cycling’s President -Brian Cookson. After a brief neutralised section the race was underway with a spate of attacks which came to nothing and this continued throughout the race. I had a couple of tries but to no avail. The last 11 mile lap was pretty much a procession with all the riders working out it was going to be a bunch sprint.
With a 2 mile dead straight finishing straight this was a sprinters finish.

With about a mile to go I was third in line, just behind Brian Cookson, and lucky enough not to be boxed in. Just as the finish came into view somebody jumped and it was eyeballs out. With 100 metres to go I hit the front and hung on to win. I was chuffed to say the least. Must remember to get some more of those pills

Peter Leonard Posted 23/05/2012

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