I've been having my doubts over my abilities the last few weeks. The mixture of endurance and speed needed to break 9 hours for the record is incredible and as yet I haven't really proven myself to myself as anything other than a reasonable cyclist.

The training has been immense, and I haven't skipped a session. Yet I don't feel any better than before.

On Sunday, I did the SCCU 25m Time trial. I wasn't expecting much, in fact getting in under an hour would have done me. The illness of the previous week was still in the back of mind.

I turned up in plenty of time and felt relaxed. I warmed up on the turbo, and actually thought I feel good.

Once off, I was immediately up to the top of zone 4, and cruising. The course was such that no hill required standing, so you could maintain the postion on the bars and keep a good rythmn. The roundabout caused a few problems, and I had to stop for cars a few times. But otherwise, I was in a zone, concentrating on smooth pedalling. Unfortunately, I went straight on at a roundabout instead of going all the way around. Obviously my fault, but the marshall could have signalled to me.

Anyway the result was, I lost a few minutes. I tried not to let it get to me, after all this is my hobby and it is for training really. With about 5 mile left, I caught and past the man who had started a minute behind me, and then another rider I had already past previously.

My time was 57.36. At least I broke the hour! The man who started a minute me after me finished 3rd with 56.??. As I cought him, I can only assume I was over minute ahead of him when I we off piste, and as I caught him, I think I can assume I lost over 2 minutes. That small detour cost me the win!

I broke the news to my wife, she was her usual sympathy, 'typical, you always manage to lose a win, rather than get beaten.'

But the important thing is, I'm in some shape. I can ride 25 miles at an average of 28 mph, and to be honest not feel to tired afterwards. Next race is a 50, lets see if I can maintain the speed for that distance.