Balcombe.

Balcombe comes out as belching in my spell check option, which is quite appropriate as this was how we all felt after polishing off rather too much food at the tea room there today. Heavy overnight rain must have put some club members off as the carpark was only full enough for two groups. The A's where heading to Balcombe and the rest to Southwater. As it turned out the rain held off for most of the day, with us only having to cape up as we left the lunch stop for 15 minutes.

The Ups & Downs of Bike Racing, by Andy Hicks

At the final LVRC - MS Tina (Southern Area)series Andy was made to look a "right Charlie" by a couple of Horses. This is what happened.

This is the sorry tale of my last LVRC race of the season on the Ockley circuit finishing at Walliswood:



It was a beautiful morning and I was fired up and ready to go, having missed the bug that seems to be going round. This was the last of the MS Tina series, and if I had won the race I would have won the series. My closest rival, Barry Jones had already completed 7 races and was only 4 points ahead of me, while I had completed 6 races, out of 7 (best 7 count). The first 2 laps passed without much incident and were not very fast. We started to see some action on lap 3 out of 5 and I chased down several attempts to break away, and was about 50 yards away from the bunch with 2 other riders when it happened. We came round a corner and saw 2 horses riding 2-abreast in the road. We were obliged to brake hard, locked up our back wheels, but managed to stay on. After much swearing by one of my fellow escapees we managed to get past and carried on.



This was my downfall, as during the braking, skidding, swearing and getting past we also passed the Lead Car. This is not allowed, although it had not registered with me at the time. The three of us carried on, and then I dropped the other 2. The Lead Car had been quickly back in front and seeing this as my chance to win the race and the series, I decided to make a major effort to stay away. I had 1 and one half laps to go, but dug in and used the Lead Car as a kind of object to keep aiming for, although I never got closer than 50yards. When I finally got to the finish I was ecstatic and raised my arm in a victory salute. I then waited for the bunch and saw the sprint, won by Terry Devine, come in about one minute down.



As the riders came up to me, one of them congratulated me on a good ride but said I would be lucky not to be disqualified. I was shocked! The others came past and it soon became clear that I was not a popular guy. Ecstasy turned to despair!



At the Village Hall, the Lead Car, driven by the Race Organiser, apologised for not informing me that I should have dropped back, but said that I would be disqualified as I had passed the Lead Car. The other two riders who passed the Lead Car were not disqualified, (but were unplaced).



At the Prize Giving afterwards, the Event Organiser announced me as “the Race Winner who had a horsey problem and was disqualified”. I received a bottle of wine as a consolation prize.



It was a very upsetting experience, but having slept on it, I see that it was the right decision for the race. I do not know for how long the bunch was held up, but apparently the race had been stopped. I do feel upset that I was not informed while I slogged it out over the remaining lap and a half, with the Lead Car right in front of me. However, the driver is a friend, and “hey” it is only a bike race. Nevertheless, from being the ideal close to my season, it became about the worst.



C’est la vie! There is always next year!

Bec Hill Climb featuring SWRC championship

Today 4 members rode the Bec CC open hill climb event staged on White Lane "Titsey", near Westerham in Kent. The 2pm start meant I could get a few things done at home, before heading off with Judith to the event. 104 riders had entered, with some that had already ridden the Catford hill climb earlier in the day.
First up was Simon Howard in a time of 2 min 34 sec

Second was Dave Ellis in 3 min 26 sec

Third was Matt Berry who recorded 2 min 57 secs

Final rider was Alan who just managed to beat Simon with a time of 2 min 24 sec, and one second quicker than my 2009 time.

Best ride of the day must go to 15 year old Germain Burton who beat the lot, including current course record holder and Raleigh Pro Dan Fleeman. His time of 1 min 45 sec was the 3rd fastest of all time just a second behind Gary Dodd's time set in 1995 that was fastest for 12 years.

2010 champion Germain Burton Team de Ver

Cycle show

If you've got a few hours to spare this weekend, why not take yourself along to the Cycle show at Earls Court exhibition centre. Entry is £15 to look at all the latest bits of kit. I managed to find something to put on my Christmas wish list, so why not pop along and see what take your interest.

SWRC / Surrey League RR

Last Sunday 25 SWRC members met at Alfold Crossroads village hall to help run the annual Surrey League Road Races. In the morning there was a 3rd category race, which Jo Frend took part in, and he rode well to place 7th position. Luckily the previous nights down pour had subsided and we were all able to stand/sit at our marshalling point without getting too wet. The winner was Colin McDermott of the Festival Road Club who together with a couple of others had jumped off the front of the bunch earlier in the race to win by over a minute.




Jo Frend hitting the finish line






In the afternoon 2nd/3rd category the club was represented by Simon Howard who had started the season as a 4th cat but was now mixing it with the big boys.

Simon rode well and like Jo, finished in the bunch, managing to put in a sprint for the line that placed him a very creditable 10th. Again three riders had slipped off the front earlier in the race and Marcus Brueton of the Norwood Paragon CC came out as the winner.


Simon Howard as he crosses the finish line after a hard 75 miles. Well done to both riders and a big THANK YOU to all those who helped run the event.

Miller - Silver -- Cancellara - Gold -- Martin Bronze