Round 1 of the Cycling Scotland Ingliston Criterium season was my first proper race on a road bike. I had a fair idea of what to expect; 45 minutes, riding a road bike, in a bunch on tarmac. As advertised really. I was riding in the support race, which meant that I shouldn’t take too much of a beating, but could still look on it as good training.

I was riding the support race along with 58 other riders. For the most part we sat at as a bunch, chasing down the few attempts at breaks. I tended to sit in the middle of the bunch, and stay out of the headwind that was hurtling down the back straight. Towards the end I came to the front to chase breakaways, sitting comfortably with a small group of riders on the last lap.

Somehow I lost the wheel in front of me on the last hairpin, and could do nothing to catch the 3 riders in front. I came in fourth, with a good gap behind me judging by the lack shadows in front of me. I was pretty chuffed with my performance, and am certainly looking forward to the next round in two weeks.

Pic was by Dave Moran, and can be found in the ERC Gallery. Full results for the support race can be viewed on the Stirling Bike Club forum, with full results hopefully appearing on the ERC Ingliston information page soon.

The gallery for this will be back soon.