Miltonduff Road Race- Elgin
Words by Madeleine Bell (8th August 2021)
Race report- Miltonduff Road Race, Elgin.
A few weeks ago I set my heart on heading up to Tomintoul to climb The Lecht on 7th August. Accommodation booked and a route planned, then I discovered there was a road race only 1.5 hours further North on a flat course, with a combined mens/womens race open to E,1,2,3,4 cat women. What could go wrong. The weather looked like it was going to spoil the plan, but somehow the sun managed to shine through the clouds and the temperature soared to 22 degrees. There was no way I could back out now. I've been wanting to do my first road race since March 2020, but we all know what happened next. Here was my chance- so I seized the opportunity. With no neutralised section and a race full of 60 odd men, let's just say the start was a tad fast- not helped by a start line on a sharp left hand bend (!?!). There were 15 women in total and I spent the first 3 laps of the 13 lap course on my own unable to go with the 28mph pace we were maintaining on the first lap! I knew that it was not sustainable and had to believe in my endurance and ability. I knew there were a cppl of riders behind me, but I didn't know how many. After around 4 laps I caught sight of another rider and managed to latch on. For the next 3 laps we rode together and managed to catch 2 more riders. From then on it became so much easier. We rode together as a 4, going through and off all the way round the 2nd half of the race. The pace was comfortable and my heart rate dropped. It was hard to know how hard to push given the distance still to go, and how much harder it would be going it alone rather than sticking with the bunch. I decided to stick with them, knowing that I would end up going slower if I tried to push on by myself into the wind. At one point the mens bunch came past us and we sat on the back- my god it was easy!! The benefits of sitting behind were unreal...until we reached the next corner and then the pace they rode out of it explained how they were going so much faster overall. We rode together as a 4 and crossed the finish line together. I had a great day, I got round in one piece, and I am signing up right now to my next race in September and can't wait. I crossed the line 9th out of 15 women, with an average speed of +20mph on a flat course, and hopefully a few points on my licence. Add in a few hills, and the experience I have gained, and hopefully its onwards and upwards from here. I can fully recommend the race for anyone keen next year, with the added bonus of climbing the lecht on your way home.