Watching the North Road Club time-trial
Posted on Wednesday 27 February 2008 by Camille Savory
Fuelled by The Big Chef’s toast and marmalade, those following the basic plan broke out of suburbia and shot north. By Potters Bar there was a steady trickle of early competitors and spectators heading home, and once onto the B158 and course proper, a vast array of bikes and riders to distract us. The drag at Essendon made an ideal spot to watch others suffer, and meet up with those doing their own thing, while the secretary socialised with other spectators.
Competitors hauled themselves up the last but not only climb of the 20km circuit, irregular gaps between them proving the course had taken its toll. Solid sprinters powering the rumble of disc wheels to wierdly-shaped tri-types on aero-bars to whippet roadies spinning dementedly. But the tip to win your category - the one and only racing trike, complete with aero wheels (which made Nick’s day).
Action over, those inclined retired to Panshanger Aerodrome for brunch in the sun, a few less made it on to Walkern for lunch, and a last handful all the way to a train at Hertford. So the next time you face Essendon Hill, be glad it’s not against a stop-watch.