Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

I can't resist a challenge and although until a couple of months ago I'd never had a 'proper' road bike, I've always admired the Tour riders.ΜύSo, when I was told about Clifton Cycling Club's 'have-a -go' Tour de France Prologue Time Trial I had to enter.

This year the Tour will cover a total of 3,550 kilometres in 22 days. Here was my chance to see how I measured up to the elite over the first 7.9 kilometres - the same distance as the Prologue held in London just 6 days earlier -but there was no way I was going to put on a tight skin suit and pointy hat.

It has to be said that Stockton on the Forest village hall on a soggy Friday evening may not be as glamorous a location for an Event HQ as Trafalgar Square, but as 40 of us signed in and got our numbers there was still a level of nervous tension.

Following instructions I made my way down to the start and slotted in to the numbered start sequence. Then it was me on the start line, held up by the starter, whilst the time keeper counted down the seconds.

I soon forget about the rain, tackling each corner and little rise as it hit, head down, legs pumping, just trying to drive myself on.ΜύSuddenly, before I knew it I was back at the village hall and the finish to the cheers of my fan club - and I didn't even have to bribe my kids to come along!

I finished the course in 14:10 seconds - an average speed of nearly 21 mph - 30 people went faster than that. Even the fastest time that evening was about a minute more than the time recorded by the slowest 'Tour' rider in London, but I wonder if they got free tea and home made cakes after the London Prologue?
So Fabian Cancellara has a lead of 5:20 on me (the 26 year old Swiss rider won the London Prologue in 8:50) - I'm sure I can make up the time once we hit the mountains.

When do we do the 'have-a -go' Mountain stage?

Tim Williams

Editor's notes - Race Statistics:

• Fabien Cancellara won the Tour de France London Prologue in 8:50.
• Mike Rennison won Clifton Cycling Club's 'have-a-go' prologue in 11:05.
• Fastest newcomers were Andrew Holloway and Richard Reynolds who tied with 12:32 - coming joint 8th overall.
• Fastest juvenile rider was 13 year old Bradley Smith who clocked 16:41 (in his first race).
• Matt Shipley, who is 17, won the Junior category and was 3rd overall in 11:26.
• Another newcomer was 70 year old Tony Smith who recorded 15:45.
• Two female riders took part, Fiona McDonough 15:58 and Teena Smith 18:18.