My big athletic goal of the year was to qualify for the Gran Fondo Time Trial World Championships in Glasgow. I never really had an expectation of qualifying other than perhaps by accident if I found an event with few enough participants. The two UK qualifying events are Cambridge and IoM with the latter being much more hilly and hence favouring me as a lighter rider.
A drive down to Heysham for the IoM ferry across. Not at all impressed by the ferry company - seemed very disorganised and not a great boat for the longish journey. Nice hotel in Ramsey.
TT day saw OK weather with the threatened rain holding off for us. Some serious competitors and bikes on show. The check in guys had a laugh at me being the only competitor with a bell on the bike. Every gramme counts! It was a tough enough climb of about 10 km and 400 m ascent following IoM TT motorbike race mountain course. First 6km or so was typically around 7-8% with an easing to lower slopes near the top and then a short -1% km to the finish. Full on effort with HR above 160 all the way. Don't think I could have done any better. 152% of the winning time which I'm pretty pleased with. 61st of 73 competitors. 7th of 7 in the M55-60 category. The old guys are still very fit and fast with the winner in this category second overall.
Enjoyed the event and the experience of trying to perform on the bike.
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