Legs for hire

DBR attempted tour, Stage 2

After a good meal post ITT

and a decision that I would try and get to the end of the tour, I offered to help the Suzuki girls. I had nothing at all to lose and if I had something to do I was more likely to focus on the race.

I was duly factored in to the race plan and given my instructions. Easy enough- watch for breaks and cover the front. The first 10km of the race was some of the sketchiest time I have spent in a bunch. I am sure the gusting head winds were not helping our cause. I was also quite bored. Normally when I get bored in the bunch I will try and go off the front. That wasn't part of the instruction so I stayed where I was (boo!).

Things started to split up was we headed down the 2nd sister and even more as we went into Uriarra Crossing. I misjudged where I was in the bunch and ended up much further back than I would have liked. After working very hard out of the crossing and half way along the false flat I was back in the bunch.

Straight to the front I went where Bron was doing an excellent job patrolling. There was an attack from VIS and another rider to cover and then I was left on the front. Not a bad place to be at that point. That is largely where I stayed until everyone started to line things up for the descent back into Uriarra. I drifted to towards the back to take the descent at my own pace (long story).

Allison was just in front of me as we came across the bridge and the poor thing had thrown her chain off. Not knowing what the problem was I swiftly jumped off, offering wheels or whatever was needed. We got the chain back on just as the spares car got to us. A push up the hill to get us going, started well for me, but about half way up my legs just wouldn't shut up and I had to let Allison go on her own.

For me that was my race done. I kept up a reasonable tempo but couldn't bridge back to the bunch. I spotted a rider up the road and set about catching them. That was Skye-Lee, a fellow trackie, she had punctured and was just cruising back to SFP. So we had a nice ride back in with a taily to help us a long!

Allison finished 4th on the stage and was still in the lead at that point so I was happy! Job done!

I didn't start the last day due to an elevated heart rate and a slight sore throat. Rules are rules, and that was my ride done. I watched some phenomenal riding in the women's race, well done to Grace Sulzberger for absolutely dominating the event. Congratulations to all the girls who got through the weekend.