Southern Sportive with Team Shutt – 14th September ’10

As Team Shutt’s “directeur sportif” (I once mentioned a vague interest in racing, which somehow qualified me), I’d arranged with some other Team Shutt sportivistes to meet at Trail Break’s 5^th edition of the Southern Sportive. We agreed a 9am start, which was the latest time we could start while doing the long route of 155km. Even so, this meant that the alarm went off at 0630 on a Sunday morning but after a large bowl of cornflakes and a double-shot cappuccino I was ready to head off to Petersfield.

Bragg Minor

Bragg Senior

By the time I got there, found a car park, registered and attached the timing chip to my bike, it was 0845 – exactly the time we’d arranged to meet before the start. Turboman was already at the start point and shortly we were joined by the rest of the Shutters: Pete Bragg in prototype/limited edition Shutt gear, his brother Simon and Team Squadra Donne’s Sarah Maidment.

©David Hayward

What with Turboman’s legendary hill-climbing skills and an actual racer in the squad, there were some serious wheels to follow.

0900 duly arrived and Team Shutt duly set off with Sarah doing an early pull and the rest of us warming up behind her. After 15 minutes riding together we came across an early leg-breaker of a hill – 4km of climb, with sections of over 13% gradient. Featherweight Sarah and powerhouse Turboman were immediately out of the saddle and heading off upwards at a rate of knots, and it was all I could do to keep them in sight. By the time we got to the top, unfortunately Pete & Simon were nowhere to be seen. Two down, three to go…

The first feed stop arrived, and fed, watered & relieved we set off again at a cracking pace. Sarah and Turboman did most of the work for the hillier first section of the route, so I got into diesel-engine mode for the middle section and did a big pull over the flatter bits. We were chugging along at about 35 km/h for most of this stretch – great going, given that a 28 km/h average would get us the “18-39 Male” Gold time we were chasing.

Somewhere after the second feed stop and the climb to Goodwood racecourse we started to get a bit tired, but we eventually made it to the third and final feed stop and there was only about an hour or so’s riding ahead of us to the finish. I got onto the front as we approached a long, steep, narrow & gravelly downhill section which the organisers had helpfully labelled with “Slow!!” signs. Going around a slight curve on this hill and feathering my back brake, the back wheel stepped out of line a bit. Oops – near miss, better reign it in a bit. Apply the brake again: even more stepping and skidding from the back end. It seemed that I had a puncture as I was screaming down a dangerous descent at 50 km/h. I just about managed to slow down and get to the side of the road, just as Turboman came flying past saying “you’ve got a puncture!” Thanks for pointing that out, mate – I’d never have known…

As Sarah and Turboman carried on to keep the flag flying for Team Shutt, I changed the tube, got going with the mini-pump (and kept going, and going) and eventually got enough pressure in the tyre to ride on. Right, 32km to go: time to dig deep and time-trial to the finish. An hour at threshold pace passed in a blur of red mist, lactate and decreasing mental faculties and I crossed the finish line with absolutely nothing left in the tank, or even in the brain. After a few seconds of spinning around, I finally realised that the rest of Team Shutt, Bragg brothers included, were right in front of me. My computer said 5:49:12 – 8 minutes within Gold standard for MAMILs, and only 9 minutes outside 18-39 Male Gold pace. The puncture had cost me 15 minutes to fix…

DS Darren and Turboman

It was great to meet the others at the end and shoot the breeze over tea & cake – thanks to all of them for making it such a great day out. I’ve enjoyed doing sportive events solo before, but doing them as part of Team Shutt really adds another level of enjoyment to the experience.

Honourable mentions:

My Shutt Pro bib shorts performed really, really well today. In combination with shaved legs and chamois creme, today they gave me by far the most comfortable sportive ride I’ve had. Several people at feed stops would have heard me saying loudly “these Shutt bib shorts are fantastic”. You can send me the cheque later, Pete.

Thanks to the random guys hanging out of a white van as it passed us going up Duncton hill, proffering food and water. Made us feel real pro.

Thanks to Sarah Maidment & Turboman who made a great group to ride with all day -  they gave me a great pair of wheels to follow.

Thanks to Pete & Simon Bragg for taking the mid-length route and hence being there at the finish for everyone.

The next ride, the last of the season for me, is Ride 101 setting off from Thame, Oxfordshire on 10th October. More details here: http://www.justracinguk.com/event/clone-ride-101-cyclosportive

Anyone else up for it?

Thanks, Darren

Tags: Bikefood, Sportive, Squadra Donne, Team Ride