Distance: 5.1 miles approx
Elevation Profile: Downhill
Weather: Cool, favourable westerly wind, 10 mph+

Weedley a popular viewing spot for those who can brave the long grind from Cottingham via Eppleworth Road, often combined with the prevailing westerly puts it in “never ‘eard of it” kind of place. For the lucky ones who have made it up there, they’ll be often gifted with great views of Flamborough Head, the Vale Of York and even Emley Moor mast.

Today is Prologue, today is HTRC’s TT day, and the just about all the way descent from Weedley to near bottom of Skidby Mill hill is the route. Throw in that prevailing westerly today is going to be a blast. Arriving at Skidby Mill car park, road bike ready, upgrades from the winter’s toil installed, time for some fun. One slight problem with today, it’s the wrong one. It’s Hull City Road Club’s meeting. Hull Thursday’s Prologue is tomorrow. Aaargh!!

With that out of the way and back the the correct day of the Prologue, here’s a short account of proceedings.

Signing on at Skidby car park was carried out, time to catch up with a few old foes and eye up new kit in the ranks. Some nice looking kit, some very shiny kit and even shinier legs come to think. Twenty six riding the course the most I’ve personally known at a TT (this being only my fourth and first time riding the course). A great turnout.

From signing on, the ride up to Weedley via Eppleworth is a steady climb but gave us time to recce the road and profile. I had an ex Cat 1 rider on a fab looking Cervelo TT bike for company up to Weedley I picked his brains for tactics and tips, “keep it smooth”, “keep it fast”, “arch your back to catch the wind”, easy really. Having read Dr Hutch’s recent book Faster he simply states it’s all down to whoever can press the pedals the hardest. I’m not going to argue, I’ll try my best.

Once the start point was reached riders to began to queue, get to start position, clip in after being held up by the official release technician 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go and off you go.. Pressing as hard as I could in a nicely chosen gear, I was soon into position and happily soon hitting around 30 mph (downhill with a stiff breeze remember).

I soon began to struggle I think I’d forgot to breathe, I remembered my regular breathing exercise and to start watching my cadence which was feeling OK at around 100 rpm. A few minutes later of roller-coaster hills I was finding a nice rhythm and then an uphill but as soon as it went up it was back down again, time for a tiny rest.

The breeze wasn’t causing any steering issues, it had dropped from the planned recce carried out on the night before (ahem), I could hammer the pedals as hard as I liked. I hit the Riplingham junction feeling pretty good, stewards doing a great job waving me on to go faster.

Then came the section I was looking forward to, the Raywell descent and left turn on to Eppleworth, still feeling good, no smell of Wild Garlic at the top of Raywell just a nice downhill on a familiar piece of tarmac. More good stewarding and I was beckoned on again to get going some.

The final run down Eppleworth is around -1 to -2% and pretty smooth tarmac. Perfect. I was feeling good and as I hit Five Arches I was feeling there was still a bit in the tank. With a few hundred metres to go my average began to drop below 30mph and a bit of lactic began to bite but I got home safe and sound, and feeling happy with my effort. My time 10:15 nearer the bottom of the pile rather than the top, but I felt great and had a laugh catching up with everyone.

I hope this encourages anyone thinking of doing a TT, they’re fun, convenient, you don’t need a super-duper fancy TT bike (you can always use the excuse of not having one for a lowly result).

Mike McAllister