YPRUK#5 – Hillingdon Cycle Circuit
So with the likely decision to enter into the L2P, I thought I’d try to get some more kays under my belt and set off riding with Hay this (Sat) morning. The destination was Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, a custom build road cycling course where there was a winter series being held.
The plan was to get there pretty much all along a bike path which ran by Grand Union Canal. It was actually interesting to see that these canals housed quite a few boats very similar to what you see in Amsterdam. Sorry, no photos as it was still rather cold in the morning and I didn’t want to stop. Having said that, I was forced to stop about 5km into the ride anyway because of a piece of glass that (ever too easily) wedged itself deep into my front tyre (another reason why I hate bike paths as well). Took my time changing the tyre as fingers were still numb, but seriously guys, I am getting better/quicker at changing tyres especially since this one is just so easy to rip off the rim!
Anyhow, Pocket Rocket gets another use (I think I want to buy a canister for the next one) and we’re on our way again. Being a shared bike/foot path, it was slow going as one would expect. About 15km into it, it started to look muddy so we left the canal/bike path and tried to find our way there via the roads. This is where we decided to take a 1.4km detour as by chance we were near Keith’s old place.
So we head towards Keith’s old ‘hood’, and Keith I hope that this is the right place:
I did notice while I was out front that there was a bike leaning against the fence and a Chinese character hanging on the front door, but it was only when I got home that I noticed that there’s a freakin huge Chinese flag hanging in the window. Maybe they have a guy in there who’s a doctor and likes to ride as well??? Spooky….
Detour over, another 10km or so more and we arrived at the circuit. We just got there before a race was starting so we managed to sneak in a few laps. Not a bad course. Has a few undulations, and a back straight that was quite windy. I think it’d be a challenge for 35mins plus 5. The Cat 4 (D grade equivalent) race soon starts and we pull over to the side to watch. This (old) lady starts chatting to us and it turns out that she was the nurse for the day as well being a coach for some of the riders. Supposedly she has about 80 riders that she coaches, with a few racing in the Cat 1/2 races yet to follow. She provided a lot of useful information, including how to get a license, where the rides/clubs were, etc. And to my surprise, she asked the organiser for me about whether my bike was ‘raceable’ to which it was a ‘yes’. Looks like I might be back next week 
(Although realistically I know I should prepare a bit more first as I know I’ll get dropped in 10mins in my current condition).
The ride home was relatively uneventful, except for the fact that once again I feel that I need to buy a mask as we took the main roads and every breath stank of pollution. Otherwise not a bad morning/afternoon for 60 kays!