Dare Devil Descending

Reduced numbers at the start on Saturday, presumably due to the club sportive the following day. Time was a turnout of 20 would have been huge, now it seems paltry. The A group started off nine strong but was whittled down to just five after White Down as people were saving themselves for Sunday's events. The rest of us headed south via Leith Hill, Horsham, Warninglid, Wineham and Twineham and Fulking. Quick photo opportunity there - I wasn't allowed in the group shot as I wasn't in club kit but had a solo pic looking clapped out at the end of Clappers Lane.

Then we rode up Devil's Dyke for the climb and the view. The place must be worthy of its name because the devil seemed to enter Parky up there as he announced he was taking the direct route back to Fulking - straight down the hillside on his best Scott road bike! The rest of us thought he was crazy as we descended by conventional means but he beat us down by five minutes and was chatting to someone outside the pub when we arrived.

After a snack and cold drinks all round (not a cup of tea in sight for once) we headed back through Steyning, Maplehurst, Horsham, Rusper, etc etc. The constant headwind made it hard work but Alan did sterling work on the front. After a gel en route I perked up enough to do a few turns and the last climb of Juniper Hill before heading home, another 110 miles under the belt.

Duncton Sportive and Tour of Wessex

Three weeks ago I agreed to meet a friend Duncan Manuel who I am riding the CCC with in september to do the Duncton Sportive together. I thought that with the Tour of Wessex coming up I would ride down to the start.So, leaving home at 6,15am on a sunday morning I met a mate,Gavin, in Kingston and we followed one of our usual routes down to Petworth.It was very quiet ! It was a little disorientating to be riding through Petworth at 9.15 am . SHPW (Sabin's harem Petworth branch ) would hardly have even opened by then.


We arrived at the start at 9.29 with the last riders able to leave at 9.30 so ,after filling up the bottles it was straight off.


The route runs essentially east and west in a loop -which gave me the chance to see some of the roads that we ride across at best on our north and south routes from Cobham. Even as the ride progressed the roads were very quiet.I recognised a few of the climbs from the Highclere sportive and to add to those there was a stiff climb towards the end of the route to the top of Goodwood .Duncan was also riding the ToW and wanted to use the ride for some training so we went round the 85 miles in a good pace .This was entirely down to Duncan who towed me round the whole way with the ride down rushing to get to the start in time telling in my legs. Five and a half hours which meant the 136 miles I rode in total was at an average speed of 17.5mph. One rider from Dynamo ,John, not only rode down he rode home as well to clock up 170 miles.


It is a very pretty ride with more than enough hills to be interesting and is recommended.





Over the bank holiday I rode the Tour of Wessex which was a first for me. After some bad weather in the last few years we had superb weather every day -save for about 10 minutes drizzle as we climbed to the top of the Quantocks when it was quite welcome.


ToW is put on by Pendragon which is run by Nick Bourne who I rode with last summer in the Alps( " rode with " is a bit misleading ,I rode with him in the same way that I rode with Gary Dodd in Mallorca, respectfully at a some considerable distance).Nick is a big chap but likes a challenge ,notably some years ago running the equivalent of almost 2 marathons a day for 6 months in an epic run from Cape Town to Cairo. So it was good to see him again and support the event.





It is one of the very best events I have ridden.This is due to a combination of riding 330 miles over 3 consecutive days which forces you to deal with recovery in a way that does not arise on a one day ride however challenging .But also the 3 days are in strong contrast with each other .


The event is based in Somerton in the neck of country between the Isle of Purbeck on the South Coast and the Bristol Channel to the north west.So the event traces something of a clover with the first day comprising an inland loop with climbs of Cheddar Gorge -long but dramatic and not too bad and Alfred's tower which is a bit of a beast and with a 20%+ section. I rode most of this day on my own but after about 80 miles got in a group which with us taking it in turns kept up a good speed to get back in 5.5 hours ,enough for gold.


At the end I met up with Matthias -who some of you may remember from last summer when he spent a couple of months in London and rode with SWRC.He has now returned to Belgium but came over with a mate Cyriel for the event.They were both in very good form.Cyriel is the power sprinter ( he says he has no choice as he has a weakness for Belgian beer and chocolate ) and Matthias tho about 6 feet weighs in at 64kg and is climbing like a demon.











Matthias (L) and Cyriel who responded to an ad from Hi 5 and for an interview of a few minutes received bundles of goodies.



They stayed in the same B&B as me and it was great to meet up and ride with them on days 2 and 3.







Day 2 goes south to Lulworth cove and over the Purbeck Hills.A group of about 12 of us started together and managed to stay together for the whole 112 miles. The last 30 miles or so were undulating without any proper climbs.It was all going ok until we were joined by 4 very strong riders who got to the front and then towed the rest of us along.For the last 20 miles I was stuffed and desperately trying to keep in the middle of the group as we were going fast out of the bends and junctions and sprinting to keep in the group was killing me. Result of all of that was an average speed of 19.8mph and me wanting to lie down as soon as possible.

I had already noticed that there were far more club riders on this event than seem to be normal on sportives;Plymouth Corinthians, Gregorius, Portsmouth North End,Norwood Paragon ,Hambelton ( of Halifax) ,Pendragon,Haslemere VC,Dorset Rough Riders , Addiscombe were a few of the shirts that I can remember.Reflecting the quality of the event I reckon.



Day 3 is the hardest day and goes north west over the Quantocks on to Quantock Moor which is spectacular with superb views and 2 tough climbs.You then drop down to Minehead and climb 1462 feet to the top of Dunkery Beacon.This is a proper climb and with 2 20%+ stretches at the bottom and most of the way up -after about 60 quick miles was a good test.The climb starts in trees and then gradually these thin out until you come out (eventually ) on top of Exmoor with stupendous views in all directions.We were in essentially the same group as the day before but sadly had been joined by the 4 roulers after about 20 miles which was not part of my plan.By the way Matthias was first to the top of Dunkery and then got away and stayed away with 2 other riders ,who finished 2nd and third fastest overall to the finish.A very good effort.He needs to eat more chocolate and drink some more beer.



Then with about 25 miles to go disaster struck.We were joined by the guy who would finish fastest overall James Richardson of Fred Baker cycles and also by a member of the Pendragon team.This was not what I wanted.After 90 miles I was really struggling as the speed continued to increase.With only 5 miles to go, in the village of Langport , there was a short ramp- they all sprinted up it -at the top I was 20 metres behind,round the bend I was 150 metres behind and round the next one -they had disappeared. That last 5 miles for me and the other guy who was dropped were very painful.They were also without the motorbike outrider who had stayed with us for about 80% of the ride,marking junctions and giving us the all clear. A real treat.I found at the end that Cyriel had won the bunch sprint for the finish -a very good effort with those riders.That chocolate paid off.



Overall ,I came 3 rd in may age group ( Sabin would not be in it but he would have been very recently ) ,17th overall out of 209 riders who rode all 3 days ,and got gold each day and overall.Iwas very pleased and had not ridden that fast before.

It would be great to get a good group of us from SWRC there next year. You can camp right at the start and there are lots of B&Bs in Somerton and it really is a top event that is well worth riding for at the very least 2 if not all 3 days.
Beautiful countryside,views of the north and south coasts ,quiet roads and not that many riders at all.Excellent food at each of the 3 stops each day.There was even a road race on a circuit round Somerton on the sunday for non riders to watch.




I am pale not because of the sun tan lotion but because this is the end of day 2 and I am stuffed and already thinking of day 3............Matthias feels fine.

Something Doesn’t Feel Quite Right!

I thought I’d better paste these two pictures and admit my lack of mechanical skills just before anyone else had the satisfaction of doing so for me. Things really didn’t feel quite right today on the B+ route to Barns Green – When I change down it’s supposed to get easier but it didn’t – I wonder why? In fact I am amazed it worked at all!

On my arrival home I thought I’d better have a closer look at things, this has revealed another problem and the source of my feelings that things were moving about a bit more than usual in the saddle department of late!

I'll spare you the details of the problem I have with the carbon chainset, sufficient to say that's another disaster in the making.

There is a moral to this: Check things carefully and frequently (I should know better following my “stem” incident!), and the 2nd one is a reminder to me: Make and appointment with the optician!

Mayday Madness - Inter Club / National '10'

Michael Hutchinson an impressive winner of the National '10'

Alan and I set out at 11.00am Sunday for my first National 10 mile Championship, Bank Holiday traffic on the M25 caused us to miss the Women's event but we drove down the course from the Stockscross Jct. of the A34. Brought back memories of the clubs Open '25' and '50' which used to start in this lane (in the 80's) at the top of Speen Hill on the Old Bath Road which was the venue of so many the clubs events and its participants efforts from its earliest days.
A bit of a rolling course but with a good surface with plenty of tree cover on a glorious sunny day with little or no wind. I went for a warm up around the course which was 15 minutes ride from the HQ at Woodlands St Mary, some riders were already on their turbos warming up but I prefer to get a feel for the day and the course and my rollers stayed in the car. Alan mingled with the elite of the country's short distance riders and their helpers. The course felt not so bad and I went around non-aero in 24 minutes (25mph) thinking that the race itself would be allot faster when kitted out & psyched up to race
Start order was in descending order of time done in the last 12 months, the first riders were beginning to return as we rode to the start, my start position (No 59) a minute behind Peter Dickerson (RT 316) we are old foes from schoolboy days when he was in the Surrey Roads CC. No 56 Adrian Lansley from the local North Hant's RC zipped passed late for the start (see video) but later we were to find he must ride like that all the time!

Cresting the climb after 2 miles


I had planned to go out as fast as possible try and get my minute man in sight by the turn at 5.5 miles and then reel him in on the harder second half but as we were only a second apart on actual PB I thought this slightly unlikely. There was an incline a Km after the start climbing 30m in 1.5 Km (1:12 steepest) and I was 12 secs up at the top of here (Alan shouted) which gave me encouragement as climbing (let alone in a TT!) not my strong point. I settled down for the body of the race but to be truthful in a '10' there is not much let up when I checked my PR was over 160 which only ever happens at the start (if at all) in any other race.
I was behind two cars going through the 30mph zone in Stockscross so backed off so as not to take pace and gave the turn my best criterium style effort and recorded 11.41 (28.72mph) at this point I was 36 secs up on Dickerson but only a hard 4.5 miles to go. I think my pacing went a bit awry here and my lack of practice (and age) got the better of me, I only closed another 20 secs by the finish and that was with an all out effort in the last mile to finish in 22.05 four seconds short of the catch. 10.24 (25.09mph) for the second half
I rode back up the course to the top of the hill to watch the final hour of riders with Alan and Martin Kostler, some of the riders using massive gears to very little effect on these moderately fast road, three of the last ten (seeded) riders were DNS which was a disappointment as this left some big gaps in the 2 minute intervals but Dangerfield (Shorter RT) was impressive only a few weeks back from Australia and already some speedy performances in his legs seemed to float along the surface but only good enough for 3rd on the day 20.14 (9.21).

Tennant


Fastest to the turn and 2nd overall young road man Andrew Tennant (Halfords) 20.04 (10.24) but pre-race favourite Dr.('Hutch')Hutchinson pulled out 40 secs on the young pretender in the last 4.5 miles 10.34 (31.95mph) to the turn for a final 19.34 an incredible 29mph, 2mph faster than Tennant.

Dangerfield


Supprise of the day was local rider Andrew Lansley in 5th place (from a place outside the top 100 on time!) with 20.27 (10.52) pushed more fancied riders out of the picture. I was 4th fastest in my age category (45-49) won by Charles McCulloch (Shorter RT) 20.47 (11.07) so can I blame age? in 8th overall also part of the winning team with Dangerfield and Mark Holton 20.55 (11.06)

The women's event was won by defending champion Julia Shaw (Utag Yahama) 21.49 from Lynn Hamil (Team NCA) 22.39 (12.06) and Sarah Storey (VC St Raphael) 22.50 (12.15) fresh from her gold medal at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester
Junior event won by Joseph Perett (Glendede CC) 20.47 (11.05) from 16 year old Conor Dunne (Hemel Hempstead) 21.34 (11.38) and Tom Yeatman (Glendene CC) 21.47 (11.40)
I was supposed to ride the Brighton Mitre MG '10' on the BH morning but after two efforts in two days my body failed to respond at 5.30 in the morning, mind I'd only got to bed at 3.00am after a night on the tiles, sometimes you have to know when there's nothing more to give


Podium Tennant Hutchinson Dangerfield

My effort good enough for 67th The Full Result Here

As a bit of preparation I had a bit of pre-championship practice at the Inter-Club on the Saturday morning. There was a full field of 25 (any more and the time keeper cannot get to the finish in time) getting up before five was not the best but the morning was and we all gaterered in Rusper lane by the A264 on the Horsham bypass to test ourselves now that the season was well into its stride.
I was riding a fixed wheel of 96" so as not to overdo it on my ride to work bike (Summer) with some aero's fitted, and did 20 minutes on the rollers as I watched the others away as I was penultimate rider. The (not gift) hill at the start I had to attack with gusto to keep my momentum, I could feel my breathing restricted when I got over 100rpm which was my top whack in the slightly restricted position. Put in a bit of a spurt at the finish catching Jerry just before the final roundabout and spinning out down to the finish
It's always bad to loose by a few seconds but I crashed to third in 21.45 only 11 and 2 seconds behind Epsom pair of Emmerson and Malloy but the SWRC packed the next four places with a top ride from Simon in 22.41 handing out a beating to Jon in 23.19 and Martin Kostler 24.04 (on the comeback trail and training hard we hear) Tom only 10 seconds off a PB with 25.57

The full Result

Etape du dales

Last May we rode the Fred Witton Challenge and had a great day's cycling, so this year the A team riders headed to Yorkshire for the Etape du Dales sportive. This event starts in the south of the National Park in Grassington, heading northwards in an anticlockwise loop.
We all planned to start at 8am and with me Trevor & Niall staying at the YHA in Kettlewell, we had to shovel down our breakfasts and drive the 5 miles to the start, then put our bikes together. Mark & Sabin were staying in a local B & B so only had to ride 2 minutes to sign on and they were waiting as I turned up to get my number. The other member of our group was new member Richard Gordon who had the support of his wife Kristiana, so was there waiting aswell.
As we stood at the start line, all were wearing gillets as rain had been predicted and local riders had said the fast descents can make it freezing.
The event is in aid of the Dave Rayner fund and Dave's dad was there to wave us off, together with "super" Sid Barras, ex pro rider from the 70-80s. I had a quick chat but no video as the dammed thing seem to be a bit temperamental these days. Time for a new model I think. By the time I catch the others, Trevor has stopped to get some full finger gloves and Richard has sped off, looking to be the first home. We left Grassington and immediately headed northwards up Wharfedale, feeling fast, but I think that had more to do with the fact we had a tail wind than anything else. Moving swiftly through our overnight stop at Kettlewell, and on past Buckden, we reached the first big climb of the day, Fleetmoss. Soon after this we were descending at some incredible speed towards Hawes. I clocked 84Km/hr – 52mph as the wind blew us straight down the valley. Luckily the road was straight and car free, otherwise we would be in trouble.
Soon after this Trevor & I joined a group of local riders, the majority in Richmond cycling club colours. These guys were riding at a good pace and we stayed with them through Swaledale, Low row, and all the way to the second timed point. They did’nt, but we did stop at Tan Hill Pub high up in the Yorkshire moors for coffee & cake. We had ridden 48miles and were still in good humour.
From here on we were heading south and that can only mean one thing, a head wind. Not your usual Surrey wind but a Yorkshire headwind with no trees or walls to hide behind. Then turning northwards again towards Nateby we had another fast section and again my Garmin was recording 50mph+. Heading south into the wind over Mallerstang I was glad I had Trevor for company as we both took it in turns to battle the headwind. The second feed stop at Moorcock couldn’t come quick enough and it was here we caught up with both Richards. Richard Gordon was feeling a little worst for his fast start and was refuelling. After a couple of sarnies and cake we all left together, but not for long, as not long after we hit the coal road. A monster of a climb, section of it around 20% which by this time of the day we were all getting use to. The descent into Dent is fast with hairpins at the bottom. The section to Ribble Head viaduct was super fast. Then to Stainforth, into wind but pretty quick.Last feed was by-passed after dibbing and straight into the last climb. The first bit out of Stainforth is horrible! It goes on and on after that, never too steep but with 90 miles in the legs it hurt!. "Job done" as we descended to Halton Gill. Fast as we could go all the way down the remaining 10 miles. Mentally I thought we were closer to the finish than the reality. It was a long 10 miles!
Me and trevor called a truce to being first home but that was where we went wrong because we missed the Gold time by less than a minute. You all know what that means!



I tried to work out how we all got on by producing this chart of all the split time we took. Can anyone make out what went on and then tell me?

Now for the statistics. 176km. = 110 miles. 3126m of climbing = 10,000ft. Average HR 141; Max HR 173. Average cadence 89rpm. 7300 calories used.

800 entries; 621 Finishers. Fastest time 6:04min; slowest 12hrs.

Niall said "Hitting 52mph on the descents you start to wonder if there will be much left to resuscitate if a sheep wanders out. Climbing Garside in the driving rain had me questioning why we do this. Spinning over the rolling moors with the wind at your back reminds us why we do. Never again, (until next year, that is)"

Mark said "A hard hard day, the usual process of attrition from the constant climbing speeded up by the relentless headwind for the last 50 miles, not to mention the rain for the last 20. Felt sprightly up to the checkpoint at Tan Hill, then the tiredness began to kick in as we turned back in to the wind. Crucial encouragement from Sabin at the 70 mile mark got me over the 25% Coal Road climb and then I knew I was on the last leg (and my last legs). Very glad to get to the finish for Silver medal time of 7.50. Good rides from the rest of Team SWRC, especially Rich Gordon who got up the hills on 39/25 - respect, no Compact for him. "

Trevor said "Fantastic day – the weather held – the roads were dry (mainly) – the descents were fast – the climbs were bearable and the company was great.."

Richard said "Well it was my first 100+ mile Sportive - and I was very much focusing on training for etape du tour - however wasn't ready for the major blow-out that saw me finished off before the 3rd food station...perhaps the 39x25 gearing was a bit much for the climbs but it would be funny to see some of the video that Alan took - I don't think I could stand straight let alone talk."

Nat. 10 warm-up

As a taster of how Colin did in the National 10mile TT championship this weekend I thought show a bit of him riding to the startline.

There will be a full report coming out sometime this week, so keep your eyes peeled.

Fulking Cocking

The first regular club run for weeks what with illness, coast rides and last week's Etape du Dales, and at last a day warm enough for shorts and jersey and a bit of sun cream. We made an impromptu decision to go to Cocking and followed a traditional route out to Cranleigh, Dunsfold and Gospel Green. Then up and over the south side of Black Down, across to Linchmere and down into the beautiful Milland bowl. Out over Woolbeding Hill and south towards Elsted, before taking the small road along the foot of the Downs through daftly named Didling, Bepton and finally Cocking.

Lovely cafe there and over tea we analysed the EdD ride, argued about the pronunciation of Niall Clutton's first name, and wondered why no one has shaved their legs yet this season. I also had to thank the proprietor Steve for saving M on Monday when she rode down there with her brother only to find the place closed. Seeing how desperate they were for cake he opened up especially for them and they demolished several of his finest specimens.

Back on the road the hammer went down as Trevor had to get back in less than two hours. He, Simon and Alan drove it along and there was very little conversation as we went through Lodsworth, Lickfold and Lurgashall (where do these names come from? If only we could have gone via Fulking to make this title work), Munstead and Unsted, then to Coombe Bottom by which time I had become detached. Going steady, I rejoined the guys at Cobham where some refuelling was going on and we rode together from thereon.

Sunday - National '10' mile Time Trial

At a loose end over the Bank Holiday? Then perhaps a spot of spectating at the National '10' on Sunday promoted by the Newbury RC and London West DC. Starting in the morning with the Women and Juniors at 10.00am and Senior (Men's) event starting at 2.00pm later in the day, Your current Club '10' Champion (that's me) is off number 59 at 2.59pm with another 101 (faster) riders to come with the final 10 riders at two minute intervals and the reining Champion Michael ('Hutch') Hutchinson the final man away at 14.40pm. The course H10/3A is a testing one (apparently) on the B4000 between Shefford Woodlands and Junction 4 of the A34 (the turn) HQ is the Woodlands St Mary's Village Hall (RG17 7SL) I've never ridden the National '10' before so a new experience for me.

Back to Back - Back to Black

Another tedious weekend of high winds and driving rain and hail only tempered by the fact that it was from the mild South West rather than the bone jarring North East, I'd had a recovery week in anticipation of a hard back to back events but these are compounded by atrocious weather conditions and I headed out to the Swift '50' on the A1 out near Tuxford. I had the chance to drive down the course and thought the event might be cancelled as there was allot of spray from the heavy and frequent showers but eventually the first riders came along.
Local Retford resident Paul Austin was standing outside the HQ when he should have been on the road saying he "didn't fancy it" and another 30 were of the same opinion from a nearly full field. I determined not to make it too painful after last week as this race had a near 25 mile pull into the wind on the outbound leg so I kept my gears down and tried to keep my revs up in the mid 80's, I'd forgotten to put a magnet on my front wheel so I had no computer which as it turned out I did not get too worried about my slow progress to the turn. I was about level with my 10 minute man Paul Dring (Echelon) although the new turn at Gonnerby Moore made that difficult to judge with the wind and two roundabouts to negotiate just as another dose of stinging rain deluged the A1.
The return was an altogether more civilised affair and I was able to get a bit more into my stride as I passed through the wind tunnel which had seen my speed drop dramatically at Long Bennington on the way out and then Newark a bit of a climb but much easier with a bit of a tail wind. For the second week in a row I was caught, last week Marc Mullender (Walsall RCC) for a minute and here a week later by Anthony Nash (Scunthorpe Poly) for two minutes, a fast local short distance man stepping up to fifty miles (once in a blue moon he told me later) it's all very well starting in a fast slot you have to be able to walk the walk and in the last couple of weeks I'd been found wanting but on both occasions by classy talent (I comforted myself)
Nash and I found ourselves in a bit of a tussle as we passed and re-passed each other on the way to the finish, I would peg him back on the drags and he would press his advantage on the faster parts as I kept to my high revving target, he was often out the saddle as he urged his bike forward with a swaying torso and pounding legs, I was able to pull away at the tough finish as we mopped up several infront I had to be careful not to take pace as I was the caught rider, at the finish we compared rides and I apologised If I had interfered with his 'effort' but he had done enough for 4th on the day with 1.52.27. Winner was Andy Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Whs) 1.48.14 from Joel Wainman 1.49.08 and Carl Ruebotham 1.50.29 both from the promoting club, I'd beaten Dring by a mere 3 seconds for 8th place.
I did not get home untill after 8pm and out the door again at 8 the next morning after a brief leg rub and sleep for the Stratford CC round of the LVRC Percy Stallard National series at Shipton-on-Stour. Clouds looked ominous once again and Dave Worsfold and I sat in the changing room layering on waterproof clothing until we looked like the Sunday joint ready for the oven.

Leading the bunch in the wet - Some take it more cautious than others

The A and B age groups raced together and sure enough as we rolled away the heavens opened and the bunch was soon soaked through, I was one of the few with winter overshoes (still in my kitbag) but there was no stripping off arm warmers and gilets as the race wore on they stayed for the duration as the rain lashed down for the first 3 of this 5 lap (75 mile!) race. I think a combination of the distance (several said it was there longest race ever) the rain and the strong winds (still) made the race an unusual one, two riders got away in the first mile and stayed away for the duration, no matter what people tried the race never got going it just spurted to life every now and again like a mis fireing engine and we see-sawed our way through the race leaving the escaped duo to a maximum lead of 2 minutes. But you had to give them their due, I would not have wanted to stay out front for over 70 miles


I took it easy for the first hour to let my legs recover from yesterday, I kept well up on the hills but I have to say my legs were OK and keeping away from the big gears had saved my legs. I had a few efforts to get away or get in a working group but they all came to nothing and then on the last lap it was just a waiting game for the finishing sprint up the hill which I coped with but you know I'm no good I'm just not fleet enough (or light enough!) to get up the front in this sort of finish made for the Judges and the bunch was well spread out. No cramp either, if it was going to happen it would on a day like today. As it turned out we averaged over 22mph to finish in 3 1/4 hours on what is a pretty tough course with lots of twists and turns, the results (& some pics) can be found on the LVRC website

Final Gallup for the finish as the road flattens out - I came past most of these riders by the line apart from the one in red, I had no idea how far infront of the rest of the bunch in the distance




Dirt Sir!

NB Just looked at the result and found I was placed 6th in the B race (12th o/a and both the escapees were 'A' riders Geoff Giddings (Raleigh RT) winner and Dave Kirby (Coventry CC) 2nd so we were sprinting for the outright win in the 'B' race. Andy Webb (Kenilworth Whs.) winning the bunch sprint from Roy Sumner 'A' (Port Sunlight Whs - second one to beat me this w/e) Jon Stephenson 'B' (Endura) 2nd and Graham Payne 'B' (Whitfield RT) 3rd. Dave Worsfold 7th in the 'E' race one place behind the legend Les West 'F' (Afford) in the E/F/G/H race won by Alan Kemp 'E' (Weaver Valley)

WARNING!

Beware there's been a spate of manhole nicking over the last couple of years as the price of iron and steel increases but it has got to epidemic and dangerous proportions here in the Midlands. Just over the border in Warickshire the road planners had the idea to use narrow manholes on the Fosse road. I can't think I've seen them elsewhere - I cannot think why not!



Their plan has spectacularly misfired as (unlike the usual square ones which are hinged and hard to nick) these just lift out and Hey Presto! an instant bike (death) trap. Currently there are about thirty missing in a five mile section and with the winds of late best to make a wide berth



Their replacements are a non too clever combination of mild steel which is turned into a lethal roadside trap by less determined thieves

SWMD

The Alpha group has perhaps been going a bit faster this year.One of the reasons for this is SWMD as seen here.
Simon's Weapons of Mass Devastation.

He blames his mother for them ,by the way.

Nick A

This saturday saw a depleted Alpha group with most of us riding in the Etape du Dales so it was just Matt,Mark W and me .When I suggested to Simon we would stick to the North Downs to do some hills (with me wanting to get some climbing in before the Tour of Wessex next weekend) he then cried off with some dodgy excuse about needing to go to work.

We met in Richmond Park at 8am so did 75 miles and were home before 1.30 .We stopped at Tanhurst and met the C group who were just arriving as we left. No beans but very good cake and proper coffee.

Is a rather alarmed Matt thinking

a) I told Joyce that I had to work today she had better not look at the blog? or

b) Mark had better give me a turn with that bloody blanket in a minute.?

I hope none of the C group used the blanket that Mark and Matt wrapped themselves up in.

Nick A

Testing Times - May Edition

Star of latest edition of Testing Times the Time Trialling Fanzine yours truly
http://issuu.com/planetx/docs/testing_times_may
Editor Ian Cammish has a swipe at continued Non coverage of the TT'ing scene by the mainstream cycling press and covers recent racing including the 'Old Skool' series and interviews with Ex World Champion Mandy Jones, Four times BBAR winner (from My dad's era) Ken Joy. Other topics such as current BBAR Nik Bowdler training methods (sample text "I restricted myself to the 57 chainring on the South Downs" will have club members weeping into their porridge) and other minority interest "My favourite pieces of tarmac in the UK!" and the mixed feelings of being s 'slow man'
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Windy Weekend

Another week battling fierce wind in the midlands, I (and the weather forecasters) had expected a let up at the weekend. I'd ridden at Mallory Park on the Thursday and the Ploughman Craven 'boys' were out in force having a bit of a get together before the Lincoln GP up the road on Sunday. In the end they carved up the field taking the first five places while I hung on in the bunch & finished in a group off the front in 12th but there were plenty of retirements in the worst (windy!) conditions I can hardly remember racing in.
Saturday did not bring any restbite for the South Pennine '25' on the A50 up at Uttoxeter, some riders had travelled a distance (88 returned entries for this popular course) but what they got was a windy welcome and a spit in the eye for their efforts. With Thursday's ride still in my legs I felt OK but unlike the BDCA the block headwind to the turn did not allow me any time to get into my stride and I battled all the way - with very little effect, I was supprised to keep up 25mph but the return was not the panacea it promised and although I averaged 30mph+ I ended up with a 54.53. I'd gone back a bit (-one & half mins) on some of my rivals although nearly everybody was slower than three weeks ago. Winner Bottrill (De Rosa) on a new Argon TT bike 49.30 (-only 4 secs!) Stuart Dangerfield (Shorter RT) making a comeback (from Australia) 2nd 50.03 from James Perkins (Zenith CC) 50.06 Top roadman Andy Tennant (Halfords) 4th 50.31 a foray into TT'ing to get a time for the National '25' and Barry Charlton (Lyme RC) 5th 51.28 (-one min 13 secs)

On the Sunday I rode over to watch the Lincoln GP as I'd had my entry back from the LVRC Alford RR (Late!) the sun was out from early I set off just after 8.30 as the race started at 10.00 and its shorter these days (only 86 miles) so as not to close the roads all day. I went the long way past Ragdale Hall (health spa) and along the Vale of Belvoir (Belvoir Castle) to Grantham and then past the numerous military air bases that dot this part of the landscape Londonthorpe, Cranwell & Waddington with a row of AWACS early warning aircraft lined up on the runway. 70m at 19mph on my winter bike (it usually rains, I've learned form years of riding to the event!) But today the arm warmers come off as I ride around the course, the field is pretty split up by this stage with a group of 10-12 off the front from which the winning trio will spring on the final lap.



One weekend you ride with them and the next their leading the Lincoln GP - John Tanner (Winner 1997 and 2nd no less than four times) only 15th today




Winner for the third time Russell Downing (Candi TV - Pinarello) from Ian Wilkinson (Halfords) and third Chris Newton (Rapher - Condor)

I then rode the 55 miles home straight along the A46 (Fosse Rd) with a bit of a tail wind as the heat went out of the day getting home at 5pm (at 21mph) 130 miles all told and my legs are a bit stiff, It's my first '50' next weekend so I'd better get them in shape, this is where the BBAR begins

Coast ride to Worthing

With most of the A team going to Yorkshire to ride the Etape Du Dales next weekend, Trevor has taken the club ride to the coast on two consecative weeks. This week the route was down to Worthing, then along the coast to Arundel, before heading home. I started with Arm warmers on but by mid morning the sun was out and the lanes were beautifully lush & green. At the coast we had to walk along the beach at Kingston Gorse

8 riders made the trip which by the time I got home, had covered 135miles and 2000m of climbing.

Good bye Mallorca

After resting up on a wet penultimate day we decided to finish our training week in Mallorca with as long a ride as we could fit in between breakfast and dinner. Heading past Esporles we then turned south along some beautifully quiet lanes before stopping for lunch in Andratx. The afternoon was wonderful riding as we took the coast road along the entire length of the island.



The only thing that spoiled it, was the occasional motorbike that shot past, as it was a Saturday and the locals were enjoying this bit of road as well. So next year we'll have to do this earlier in the week!
135 miles & 3500m of climbing.

Club evening Time trial

Last Wednesday some of the time triallist turned up for the first evening club event of the season. This series takes place on the first Wednesday of the month, with 2 laps of the Hungry Hill circuit near Ockham. OS ref TQ 05870 55258.

Here is Vicky finishing her first time trial, fresh back from a week's training in Mallorca.

Simon & Johnathon rode as a 2-up team. Dominic did a PB of 33min 52Sec.

April Survey

Running and streching came out on top as the most popular alternatives to cycling. Both of which I have been doing more of over the last 6 months. Remember to start off very easily and don't over do things. You may be quite fit but trying something new, can put a huge strain on part of you body thant aren't use to it.

Danny MacAskill

More photos

A view of Deia on the road into the town. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones' house just out of shot...........




After lunch on the last day on the rolling road which follows the coast from Andratx to Deia which is a non stop series of climbs and after about 80 or 90 miles( and with the 14kms climb still to come ) are rather sapping but the scenery and quality of the road are so wonderful that they take your mind of any fatigue


Alan at the top of the climb above Esporlas on the road to Andratx, which features a series of climbs from one village to another and was perhaps the most scenic part of the trip


We had agreed the night before that we would each make sure that we had our team kit on for the last day's ride . Note to Simon Neave -the shirts look really good in the sunshine and were comfortable as well -well done!



( Apologies that these photos are out of order)

A great and memorable trip -thanks to Gary S for organising ( and to Gary D for those tows into the wind).
Nick.

This is us leaving the hotel for our big day -all the way across the island to Andratx along the bottom of the mountains and then back along the coast and over the top of the mountains.135 miles in all for a superb day.

Sabin in Soller outside the local bar which we found in a quiet street to avoid the 385 cyclists in the square ,when he has just been told that if he eats 10 oranges he will be able to beat Gary to the top of the 15 kms climb we are about to start .

He responded that if we just let him consume the dubious substance in the phial in his right hand then he wont need the oranges.

Mallorca Photos

Andy genuinely happy outside out hotel for Gary,Sabin,Alan and me to be riding off to Deia and back through the mountains for a superb day out while he spent the day by the pool doing the crossword -honestly.

Sabin,Andy ,Gary Dodd and me half way down the descent from the top of Randa on the back road.Hairpins all the way down and the road is only open to cyclists .The south coast is visible in the background.The ride to Randa comprises about 40 miles through fields of wild flowers then a climb of 5kms rears straight up out of the plain.It was here that I thought Andy and I were riding up together -albeit quite quickly -when he suddenly thought it was a LVRC race and he suddenly sprinted away after 3kms .I managed -with no little difficulty to hold his wheel to just before the top -when he slowed right down and rode to the side of the road .I thought poor bugger he must be knackered.He then sprinted again so the two of us sprinted towards a metal chain preceded by a decidely gravel strewn patch skidding to a halt about a foot away from the chain.Much to the amusement of Gary who was sitting watching under a tree having -strangely- got to the top some time earlier...........I did ask Andy about that slowing down tactic and he calmy said that Cliff Dent had taught him to do it.

Alan outside the deli in Deia owned by the family of Vincente ( the pro who is a mate of Roger Hammond -and now best friend of Sabin) who having ridden about 85 miles is now so delirious that he is surprised that you can also buy bananas in Mallorca .

Rocky rode 2 Randa

The A group headed off to Randa monastery for a flatish 3rd day's ride in Mallorca. After a leisurely ride through the local forest, it was hammer time once we all had reached the main road and Gary had decided to stretch his legs. I have been using my Garmin 705 to navigate around and here it was very useful as this route can criss-crosses around the fields of the southern half of the island. I only managed to take the group along a long /shortcut once on the way out, but for me it was just standard mountain bike riding, but with our road bikes instead. After a quick coffee and cheese cake stop in Sencelles, it was full steam to Randa and the climb/race to the top of the climb. As always Gary took the honours, by a country mile.

After another lovely lunch of Ham & Cheese on a bed of bread with olives, Gary noticed on his map an alternative route off the hill which none of us had been down before. With a little help from the Garmin we found the turning and were soon heading down a series of sharp hairpins towards Llucmajor. At the bottom we headed along another beautiful lane with no traffic whatsoever. Later on I realised why, as the tarmac ran out and we were all riding along the gravel. This got progressively worst and by this time there was a blank screen on the Garmin indicating we were at least a mile from the nearest road. After Sabin fell off at 5mph, we did eventually reach the tarmac and had a great burn-up with a local 14year old German lad, who we eventually managed to displose of along the road to Petra.

Unfortunatly not long after this I made a mistake, trying to avoid a main road, and lead the group down a minor road towards the coast with no turns off of it. This was fine for a while but after Can Picafort the coast road passes the ugly hotels & restaurants that boarder the road south of Alcudia which is quite depressing after such a lovely day in the countryside. (Note here: Avoid this section at all costs next year)

Mallorca, Day 2

Day 2 of the SWRC / Blobby tours spring training camp and the A group deciced on a medium hilly 85mile route that took in the climb to Orient, then over another climb to Bunyola and then up over the tough climb to Soller. I slipped up here as I had fogotten to take anything to eat and I blew big style on this climb. I was feeling fine in Bunyola but should have known better as these climbs are slightly longer than those in the North Downs, plus I had missed a bit of training over the last month. After lunch we rode up through the lemon groves around fornalutx to join the biggest climb on the island, the Puig Major which tops out at 850m above sea level. We all met up again at the Escorca viaduct for an orange and a coke, before heading home.

Mallorca, Riding with the Pros

Ex-SWRC member Roger Hammond who rides for the Cervelo test team met some of the club during our spring training camp in Mallorca, and spent a few hours riding with us. Roger spends quite a bit of time here in Mallorca, now that this parents have a holiday home in Port de Pollenca, where we too base ourselves during the week. After a couple of hours riding we met up with fellow Pro and Mallorca local Vincent Reynes/ Columbia highroad, and stopped for an early lunch, where we had time to chat about all things cycling. This was the day after Andy Schleck/ Saxo bank, soloed to victory in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Ardennes Classic.



With just Roger for company it was much like any other club run and we all spent a bit of time chatting to him, but after lunch and with two pros at the front it became more of a training session, and as soon as we hit the climb out of Selva I went straight out the back. Only Gary Dodd(Sigma Sport) & Paul Holdsworth(Houndslow & District) managed to stay with the Pros to the top.
Myself & Sabin called it a day soon after this and headed off to another Vincent, the pretty seaside resort of Cala de Vincenc where we had another lunch, and basked in the late afternoon sunshine. Surprisingly neither of us had been there before and it was only a handful of miles from our hotel. For us it was only a 60mile ride while Andy Hicks spent the whole day out, clocking up an impressive 90miles with Mr. Hammond & Co.

ZENITH CC - Nigel Measom Memorial 2 Day Stage Race

Let the battle begin!

Stage 1. Sat (am) 2.7m Time Trial - Lutterworth - Kimcote
Bright sunny and little wind promised a fast start to this my annual trip with the top roadmen, my first road event of any sort this year short of Mallory Park where I took a pasting in the rain on Thursday preferring (risking) that to another turbo session (Ahhhhhhh!) Over twenty first cats including the Doncaster mafia this year (Sportscover & Planet X) both with teams of five, doing less racing these days now there all vets (or nearly!) with family's (a family day out for them of sorts!)
They didn't have it all their own way in the opening stage and it was local boys Matt Bottrill 6.31 (De Rosa) and James Perkins 5.46 of the promoting club sandwiched Kevin Dawson 5.40 (Sportcover) in the Prologue with me half a minute down (but 20 seconds faster than last year) in =9th 6.03 with several others.

Stage 2. Sat (pm) 63m - Gilmoreton - Kimcote - Bruntingthorpe
This stage just a glorified criterium on flattish roads around Bruntinthorpe aerodrome run off at 27mph the judges lost track of the laps and we did an extra (7m) lap, not to the advantage of a group off the front as we were 30 seconds down at the time


In a Yorkshire sandwich between Dawson (winner) and Tanner (3rd) Bottrill in Yellow (4th)

The bunch kept splitting under the pressure of the constant attacking and the Yorkshire 'boys' put pressure on Bottrill in yellow a bit isolated with only one team mate, at one point a combine of East Midlands riders got together to pull back a big break as they stuck to their task the rest of the bunch got an easy ride and the other Sportscover/Planet X riders kept a close eye on the front but did not try and break it up. We all came together in the last mile apart from Mark Lovatt (Planet X)1st and C. Hyumphrey (Sportscover)2nd and A. Bird (Team Echelon) 3rd and I managed to get up in the finish sprint for a top 15 place Tim Lawson (SIS) winning the bunch sprint (he will be one of my opponents in the Masters Pursuit later in the year I feel) from Bottrill

Stage 3. Sun (am) 80m Gilmoreton - Bruntingthorpe - Walton - Peatling Magna
Using half of yesterdays circuit but a bigger loop to take the lap over 11 miles of rolling countryside and a wicked wind had developed overnight which made the days racing hard as hell. Same pattern as yesterday with the Yorkshire 'boys' ganging up on Bottrill who had hung on to his lead overnight, but this time he could not relie on the help of others which melted away under the constant attacking. It was all I could do to stick near the front of the bunch and work to pull back the various groups that went up the road, my legs just do not have the explosive power to cope with all the starting and stopping but when I get in a smooth moving group I'm OK and I sat making the tempo on the hill to give myself an easy ride and deter anybody from attacking a couple of times. After sixty miles there was a general re-grouping just as Lovatt, Dawson and Tanner went away on their own to take the stage win (& the major honours) a group of nine formed from the bunch and I could not quite get with them penultimate time up the hill and dropped back to the bunch and we paraded around for the final lap beaten men although by this time over 20 had retired (one crash). I came in at the front(ish) of the bunch 3 minutes behind the winners but satisfied I'd been in the race and given it everything, my final place 21st. Lovatt won both road stages but lost out to Dawson in the overall due to a poor prologue Tanner 3rd and Bottrill 4th after gamely chasing all day my enduring image is of Lovatt attacking up the big hill on the big ring with a big cheeky grin on his face looking at the man in yellow as if to say " Get some of this" Yorkshire 3 Leicester 1
I was tring out Carbon bars (and stem) for the first time after getting pins and needles in my hands in several races over the past couple of years and I can say that It seems to be a big improvement as I was definitely gripping them bars for all I was worth on occasions over the weekend, It gives the bike a bit of a different handling but I think that also has something to do with deep carbon wheels that I have only been using for half a season and they are disconserting on windy days.
I did not have a recurrence of the cramp which blighted my road racing last year, maybe I'm just fitter but my legs felt OK (up until the last hill) but It would take a lifetime of racing to match those guys in the attacking style that they like to go all out until the opposition quits.

This man can sell your energy drink?

Result Here