Rode first race of season yesterday. I was a bit apprehensive,
having not raced this year or rode any distance over 60 miles for
9months. And going into a hilly 85mile against guys that have
several races under their belt including a 3 day stage race (Tour of
the Girvan) I was sure i'd be shelled straight out.

Race itself wast too bad. It bucketed it down for the last 45 miles
and the wind picked up to make it a bit of an epic. But i just stuck
to my plan - and that was to finish without getting dropped by the
bunch. We were out of contention at the second prime of the day -
the Dukes Pass at 40 miles gone. I wasnt really bothered about the
weather, just wanted to get to the finish without the miles telling
on me. I was last over the line of my group of about 10 riders and
possibly last of the race itself - 24/25th?? but about the same
number again had packed so nothing to be ashamed about. Roll on the
Aberdeen 2 day in a fortnights time!

The story of the race can be viewed n message posted at 18 Apr
2004 : 12:33:33 on the following site :

http://scuonline.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1479