Pippa Handley Road Race

(For misdirected Youth Update, please click here.)

ERC Past And Present On The Podium

By Charlotte Beaton.

Charlotte podiumed, with Lulu taking top spot, resplendent in her Scottish Champs jersey. Here Charlotte recounts the days events.

Last year the Pippa Handley was my first ever road race - I really enjoyed it but the weather was horrendous so I was keen to try it again in better conditions!

I still don't feel like I have very good racing tactics but I learn something each time. After not anticipating a break forming quite so early during the Gifford road race in March I was keen to not let the same thing happen. We were about 2/3rds of the way round the first lap of the Pippa Handley when a break went and I managed to stay with Rebecca and Madeleine while Lulu raced off. We worked together as a 3 before Izzy managed to bridge back to us. We were quite evenly matched and it really all came down to the final sprint finish.

I wasn't sure how that would go as I was pretty tired but I managed to secure third place which was very unexpected! It also means I've gone up to a Cat 3 which is quite exciting.

I have a gravel 'race' coming up this weekend - the Dalby Grit - but I'm not too sure whether I'll properly race it because I'm a massive wimp when it comes to gravel descents and it's my first ever gravel event.