Swift racing
Posted on Monday 8 June 2009 by Camille Savory
A bunch of us met up at Smithfield to have a beer / coffee and watch the evening’s racing. The folder races were good fun for both spectators and participants – we spotted more than a few clipless pedals and lycra shorts hidden by innocuous office attire. The fixie-skid event was obviously for aficionados only. It was good to see a women’s race - a high attrition rate amongst the club riders testament to the skill and sheer speed of the leading bunch, the winner flying round the last two laps. And then as dusk fell, the elite men’s race starring European pro rider Ben Swift, along with Britain’s best. Again, an aggressive pace shed riders quickly until about two dozen were left snaking round the market in a long and sinuous line, one then another trying to launch themselves off the front but never quite managing to get away. It came down to a sprint for the line, Russell Downing, Tony Gibb and Swift fending off the rest. A great evening of racing right on our doorstep.