TT's again.

We put one over the Epsom at last, with a one - two, Jonathan taking 1st place followed by myself in 2nd place, on the sporting G10 -46 course, based at Oakwoodhill. To be fair the Epsom did suffer some mechanicals and map reading issues that strangely didn't seem to bug your SWRC racers.

Anyway, next Wednesday is the 1 st of the evening 2 - ups, no one has registered any interest yet , so please do so by responding to this Blog or e mailing me directly otherwise I will not be there but out training ! 

Thanks again, train hard and be safe,

Martin

Mallorca day 3 - Wednesday

Wednesday looked like being the best day so far, weather wise. Our group had dwindled to 4 riders which soon reduced even further after Domonic headed off on a straight bit of fast road while we stood along another road shouting across a field to try and attract his attention. The route was to be the flat(ish) ride to Randa monastery where we knew they served a good lunch. However the same thing happens every time we go, and that is deciding how to get there. Andy had a route downloaded on his Garmin and so did I, but we stuck with Andy’s which lead us to a short cut we have taking once before that goes along a bumpy un-surfaced farm track. (I think Nick will remember this track from a couple of years ago). It wasn’t too bad and we were soon back on the smooth stuff and making good progress towards the town of Algaida just before the climb up to the monastery that sits high up on a hill in the middle of a very flat countryside. As many times before we had to endure swams of little black flying insects that stuck to my sweaty head as I climbed the 5km to the top.

Lunch was the usual Ham & cheese sandwich but which I never seem to tire. All other riders there were none English speaking (mainly Germans) , so I thought we must be a long way from home (Port de Pollenca) for this to be the case. The route back was going to be along a quiet lane, so quiet that it ends in another dirt track, but I really should have known better. All the signs were there. The insects were the biggest clue and as soon as we desended out the back of the Monastery the heavens opened and we were looking for some shelter. We found a derelict stable by the side of the road just in time and as the rain and hail came down. Just as quickly as it arrived, the storm finished and we headed off. This is where we encountered the gravelly road and although it was only a few km long both Andy and myself got impact punctured. So a good lesson learned. Don’t try and ride a road bike where only a MTB should be. While we were over this side of the island it would be a shame not to have a coffee in Petra so we stopped there but just as last time we found it pretty deserted and were quite lucky to get anything. The coffee did it’s magic because although the day was slipping away we managed the last 40km faster than any other during the day.

Saturday's TT is moved

Everyone,

As you may already know Saturday's scheduled TT is cancelled due to roadworks.

As an alternative we are running an event on the  G10-46 with a start time of 09.30 

Course details.

Start at Oakwoodhill village, just by the village hall/ green.

Proceed west to Walliswood Green where left, on the Horsham Road, proceed south to turn left just before the brickworks , follow road up and down to the next left signposted Oakwoodhill and Dorking, sharp left(take care)  into Honeywood Road, follow Northwards back to start village, straight through, past the Punchbowl pub, keep left down steep incline then join the main A29 still going northwards. Proceed to Ockley where turn left B2126 to Forest Green. At Forest Green tun left southwards to Walliswood Past the Scarlet Inn on your left then turn left into Oakwoodhill road, proceed east to finish near start point. The course is really quite easy to follow, although worth a ride around beforehand.

Hope to see you there,

Regards

Mallorca day 2 - Tuesday

We had been promised better weather for Tuesday but as we headed out through the lanes to Campanet you wouldn’t think so as it was trying to rain. Domonic decided to call it a day and turned around leaving the other 9 in the group to carry on. The first climbing was over the road to the Orient, which I always think sounds very exotic, but which is infact just a small little town with a couple of restaurants nestled away from the rest of the island in it’s own little valley. Chris Stone (Redhill) was keen to show his form and towed me all the way up the first climb, after which I sprinted to claim the Col sign at 500m altitude, after which I thought I would carry on as we had agreed to meet up a Bunyola for a coffee and cake. Here we met up with Gary and his group together with Paul Holdsworth and his group from the Hounslow and district who were staying on the island. Here the group split with the Paragon group heading back while 5 of us headed over the zig-zags of the Soller climb. A quick decent into Soller and our lunch spot for the day in Fornalutx.

It was 13:45 but at least the sun had come out. With the village nettling amongst orange and lemon groves it had to be fresh OJ with our lunch and as we were already at 200m elevation we were aleady a quarter of the way up the Puig major climb. After lunch we all set off and it wasn’t too long before we were all split up, Andy Hicks and Chris Stone (Redhill) leading with Andy Ellis (Epsom) and myself next. Alan Mallarky (Addiscombe) not too far behind.
As I reach the tunnel and the top of the climb there was only Chris and I wondered if Andy had carried on. It was not the case and he had decided to do a bit of scrambling to go in search of his windproof gillet that had blow off the viewing area and down the scree slope.

Mallorca day 1 - Monday

The weather didn’t look great for our first day’s cycling in Mallorca this year. I hadn’t done my usual ride to lighthouse after arriving yesterday, as it too had been less than perfect. Especially after experiencing temperatures of 26°C back in Surrey over the last few days.

Norwood Paragon's Caroline and Richard Prebble

Sometime local resident and Past British national TT Champion at 10, 25, 50 & 100 miles, Richard Prebble met us outside the hotel and was going to join/lead us for the day. There was no way any of were planning a ride up into the hill so we headed off on a tour of the flat lands. The group consisted of a large range of south London club riders.

Lunch was at Sineu and what a surprise, we all ordered a ham & cheese sandwich washed down with a coffee. At the stop Richard talked a little of his cycling career, which has slightly been curtailed, when in 2007 and aged of 40 he had developed diabetes and had not been able to perform to the same level as before. After lunch we finished off the loop back to Port Pollenta with Richard continuing on the front as with those long legs of his that is were he feels at home, and we were all grateful for the tow.

Jakob's first bike ride

Taking advantage of the long weekend, Kris, Jakob, and I returned to my native New Forest area and thought it would be a good idea to introduce Jakob (an A group recruit!) to riding. So with mountain bikes (I know!), and what can only be decribed as an armchair for Jakob, we headed off into an enclosure up the road from my parents house....

Clearly the little fella loved every second of it, but I have to say it seemed awfully hard work compared to road riding and we were only on the flat and it was only a couple of Kms!

Next job is to find some similar routes near Guildford so we can make it a more regular event.

P.S. - Those with good eyesight will see Jakob has his hand on my wallet!

Try something new he said...

So making use of the wonderful weather I decided to see if i could get some mid-week miles in by doing a 1/2 commute (which was my wife's cunning idea!). This is where I drove from Guildford to work in Brentford, ride home in the evening and then back in the morning and drive home that evening. So armed with my Garmin, a bottle of drink and my Allez I set off. I let the Garmin do the thinking, but unfortunately it took me through the delights of Hounslow and Feltham before my more familiar Walton, Weybridge, Guildford. A fairly direct route though:

Not being used to the commute by 1/3 of the way home I was beginning to suffer from all the stopping at lights etc. but soon I was on my way out into Surrey - what was noticeable on the speed trace was just how much stop/start there was to begin with:

I chose a different route back in the morning through Esher, Kingston, Ham, Richmond, Kew which I found to be more my style. All-in-all not a bad idea and perhaps a good way to get those extra miles in...

Wales

Just like two years ago, we had a beautiful warm sunny Easter break in Snowdonia with spring in full flow. The legs got a rest from the bike but not from the hills. Good Friday saw us do Y Garn and the Glyders, the following day the Nantlle ridge (or part of it as the cloud was down that day), and Easter Sunday one of my favourite walks, Aran Fawddwy from Cwm Cywarch. The hills are beautifully shaped in this part of Wales and look as though they are covered in green velvet.

Our B&B was so cheap it had a cardboard grandfather clock and had stinted on the bedroom doors.

Interclub TTing comps are starting.

Hi testers,

The interclub series of events starts next Saturday - road works willing.

So assuming no roadworks, be ready at the end of Rusper Lane for a 10 mile TT starting at 07.00 on Saturday.

Please mail me directly by Wednesday evening if you want to ride, if I think the roadworks remain unfinished by Friday and thus make the course unridable then I will notify everyone via this blog on Friday evening.

Be there or be square, train hard but ride safely,

Martin

Please note my new mail address.

koester.martin@gmail.com

C Group 23 April – Head for the Hills

Woodland near Plough Lane, Downside, Cobham. 23 April 2011.

After the C’s successful away day ride in the Kennet Valley, Berkshire, last Saturday the group returned to their more familiar domain of the Surrey lanes. With Paul and Linda having a shift off from leading the group Bob Waller stepped in offering a hilly no-café-stop venture around the North Downs. Nine other riders joined Bob and Maggie and the first climb was the Staple Lane rise to the top of the Downs just south of East Clandon. Once at the top we headed east and downhill only to climb up again via Crocknorth Road and onto Ranmore Common. We swooped down hill again via Ranmore Common Road and Chapel Lane heading for Westhumble then across the A24 to the top of Box Hill via the Zig Zag. From there we cycled towards Headley then took the Headley Road back towards Juniper Hall, then Westhumble and back up to Ranmore Common via the Ranmore Common Road. We continued west along the Ranmore Common Road then turned right, north bound for Effigham via Critten Lane and eventually Cobham. It was a great ride and the weather was perfect. 59 miles in total once back to Kingston and home where a fresh copy of Cycling Weekly and SWRC's Bottom Gear club magazine was waiting for me.

SWRC open 10mile Time trial

The weather was hot for the clubs first open TT in many a year. 60 riders were on the start sheet which included current male and female TT "Best All Rounder" BAR, Julian Jenkinson (Utag-Yamaha.com) & Julia Shaw (Drag to Zero).
There was only a handful of none starters as they lined up at the start lay-by along side the A31 at Bentley for the straight out and back course.
Julian off number 10 was the early leader with a time of 20:44.
Half an hour later his time was beaten by number 40, Simon Tout (VC St. Rapheal / Waites Contracts) who clocked 20:12.
It was down to the last man off, fastest on paper, number 60, Stephen Whitewick (Utag-Yamaha.com) to put down the fastest ride of the day when he passed the finish timekeeper in a time of 19:32.


It was no surprise that current 10,25,50 & 100 mile champion Julia Shaw was fastest woman which also placed her 6th O/A with a time of 21:20. Second woman was Joanna Rowsell who took a break from winning world titles on the track to record a time of 22:11.

Organiser Dudley Luciano Samuels being pushed off by Paul Alderson
Thanks go to marshalls Jonathon Thomas, Tom Nason & Richard Williamson. Sorting things at the HQ was down to Martin Koester, and Steve Mac. Colin for doing the result board.
Best bit of the day has to the delicious tea and cakes that were made by Martin's wife Julia and which was most appriciated by all who were there.

Tanhouse farm

Nick, Howard & myself are sitting in the sun at the farm. Lovely.

Short back and sides

I suppose you have to start a new season somewhere, and although this season started several weeks ago there has been no action on the blogging front
I'd ridden the Melton Hilly 20.5 on the 27th of March on the B6047 between Gt Dalby and the A47 a course that defines the word 'Hilly' with hardly a flat in this flattest of counties. Its one of those roads that attracts bikers and men in bobble hats driving Morgans and Caterham 7's but on this day a long line of Lotus Elise's streamed along the course making everybodys life more difficult, it only gets used once a year and yet cyclists cannot get one to themselves so we have to avoid the racers as well as the muck spreaders and horse boxes and other rural obstacles
I finished 13th of 28 who managed to make it on a typical spring day, cold and sunny I never removed my leg warmers after riding out and my time while 2 minutes slower than last year but in my defence I had ridden five events and although I never go well in these type of events it provided part of my training
Skip a few weeks with a head cold thrown in last weekend I missed the local CDCLA '10' not the best on a wheezy chest, and so to this weekend and my first proper outing on my 'Parlee' others having been done on the spare (52/39). The BDCA '25' always a fast early pointer to who is going well and where i did my PB & my seasons best last year, no chance of that today although the conditions were pretty good with a SW wind making for a fast return in the sunshine and all the new bike bling out on show. Matt Sinclair an Ex Footballer (footballers not known for their fitness, that Giggs only just discovered yoga and he's been at it for 20 years) Matt already a formidable short distance TT'er but with more miles in his legs and sporting 5Kg less weight looking the business on the turbo for an hour taking things seriously.
Even more extreme an unrecognisable Stuart Dodd minus 12Kg (difficult to tell what riders are like behind the visors but the Lycra is pretty unforgiving) Instantly recognisable however and stylish with it Ian Cammish (Planet X) came in with the first 50 minute ride of the day 50:42 after a string of good performances but Sinclair (Lutterworth RT) a 26 sec beating of his PB for 50:10 looking like the ride to topple. Baz Charlton (Lyme RC) and Derek Parkinson (Cleverly RC) came in tied 50:32 Derek my 5 min man was almost upon me 30 seconds behind me at the finish where I managed a creditable 55:06 loosing most of it on the way out as my return was still +30mph. "Definitely a power PB today" says Derek as he saunters along next to me like the cat that got the cream, he was looking for an actual PB but would have to be satisfied with the scientific equivalent as I eyed his 60+ carbon behemoth chain wheel. Last years winner James Wall (Echelon) ran Matt close but could only manage 50:19 and Matt was looking good for the win until the new slimline Dodd (Drag2Zero) came in with 48:42. You think a rider sponsored by a wind tunnel would have worked out that slimmer objects go through the air more swiftly well here was proof if needed that we could all do with a bit of a trim

The race of truth.

Hi Guys and Girls,

The season is now in full swing, there are personal records to break, targets to meet, miles to accumulate, and with the spring weather being so kind to us all, we have few excuses not to be fit and flying.

Anyway all that be so, his Saturday we have our club Open 10 on the Bentley course as you will have seen from Parky's post below, complete with a star studded field.

The following Sunday we have our first interclub 10 m TT. On the following Wednesday the 4th May there is the Club's 1st two up TT, so select your partners, get out doing hard bit'n bit and get that speed up.

The 2nd of the 2 ups is on the 1 st June and for that I politely request some help as I will still be away, having completed ( hopefully) LeJog. If you can offer to do the timekeeping - its best to bring a friend... please mail me or respond to this post.

Thanks, be safe and I hope the training is progressing well for you all,

The Trackie. 

Uuppers en Doowners

With the wishes of Graham Collins I left last week for Belgium and Holland to represent the Club in the Dutch version of SWRC's 'Uppers and Downers' aka the Amstel Gold Race. Well I couldn't have had better weather for a warmup ride in French Flanders over the small hills in the vicinity of Kemmel and a visit to the local micro-brewery - all part of the training regime. I had just managed to secure a place so had a start number well into the 11,000's so I wasn't going to be alone. The weather continued just as fine for the amateur and pro races over the weekend. It was a different experience to the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix - no cobbles this time but just as memorable in its own way.

I'll post an account later this week with a version for the next edition of Bottom Gear in due course with photos.

Hailsham Venta 300km Part 2

There was a choice of starting this event at 3am, as I had done last year, but all three of us opted for the 6am start, this time. Nick and I met Paul at Hailsham car park just north of Eastbourne where there were about 20 others getting ready. We didn’t hang around, just sorted what we needed for the day and away we went. If you have read any of Paul’s recent posts you might get the impression that he doesn’t hang around and he was planning to finish in about 12hrs. I had taken 15hrs last year and told Nick that is what I was expecting to do, this time around. As we headed out of town, Paul on the front, it felt, a bit like a race, and after a few miles I just let Paul drift away up the A22, knowing that we each had our own agenda for the day.
Nick had kitted his lovely titanium Seven with a canvas Carradice saddlebike and so was looking more like an tourer than normal while I had my usual Topeak bag with a frame that cantilevers off the seatpin. What I had forgotten from last year was that the first 100km was all along the A272 which is quite a main road but which we thought Paul would have enjoyed, his chin probably just a few inches above the stem as he motored along.
Everything was going fine with Nick and me until we reached a roundabout in Billingshurst. I was leading and felt my wheel skid as I steered and realised there was a patch of diesel along the surface. Unfortunately it was too late for me to warn Nick and as I turned around Nick was already on the floor. His new Jacket and favourite shorts not looking great, now with a few extra holes, and his hip with a bit of road rash to boot. Picking himself up, he was not too shaken, more annoyed with the state of his clothes than anything else. We followed the trail of diesel for quite a few miles before it petered out and we were soon back into the dull rhythm of the A272. It wasn’t until we passed Petersfield that we got into the lanes and what a delight it was too. The speed may have gone down, but who cares when the scenery was this good. We climbed up onto the Downs near East Meon and followed along the ridge with spectacular views and fields of rapeseed giving off that lovely sweet smell you get at this time of the year. We stopped here to eat our sandwitches and admire the views over the surrounding countryside, as I knew the same could not be experienced from inside Tesco’s Costa coffee checkpoint at Winchester. Even so we decided to stop there too and have a sit down, coffee & cake. Paul would have defiantly not approved. We were half way in 6 ½ hrs, so up on last years schedule and ready for the return leg back to Hailsham. The organiser Dave Hudson together with some friends puts on a lovely teastop at the 200km mark and we arrived ready for another round of eating and more drinks. I had both a mug of tea and a mug of coffee together with a delicious bowl of rice and tinned peaches. The setting down a deserted lane was idyllic and we sat chatting to other riders, most of which were just riding the 100km event that Dave was also running, based on the surrounding lanes and which had this as their feed every 34km.
Soon it was time to leave and head back for the final couple of legs. Along the lanes we usually crisscross on the club runs to places like Wiston and Cocking. These long days in the saddle means you get to ride in the evening when the sun is low in the sky. Just for an hour but still lovely to ride along these quiet country lanes with out any cars to annoy you. Then before we realised the sun had disappeared and it was time to put the lights on for the last bit down the A22 and back to the carpark where we had started 14 ½ hrs ago.

Hailsham 300

As part of my training for PBP and more imminently, The Bryan Chapman 600 in Wales, I entered Dave Hudson's Hailsham 300 on Saturday. I opted for the 6am start instead of the 3am start - getting up at 1am for a race just isn't natural, even 4am is a struggle. At the start Alan and Nick were both getting ready, so we started off together at about 6.05. It was a little chilly - only 6 or 7 C, but the forecast was for temps of 18C, so it meant starting in arm and leg warmers with the idea of stripping off later in the day.

I had my own aim of completing in under 12hrs and after 5k's it was obvious that Alan and Nick were planning a nice leisurely day out, so we parted company. The first two stages involved two long stretches on the A272 towards Winchester, so it was fairly easy to maintain a steady 29km/h and I reached Winchester (146km) in just over 5hours. I reached Dave's food station (208km) at just before 2pm - so less than 8hrs for the first 200k's. So now just 100k home - easy 4 hours ride... Got to the penultimate stop - a garage in Pyecombe (267km) at 4.32pm, yep this sub 12hr ride is on - but then I did my usual bit of Audax wandering, a wrong turn near Ditchling meant I got hopelessly lost and added on an extra 19k's! I had to back track quite a way to find my mistake, but finally I was back on the right roads. I finally go to the last Petrol station at 6.42pm, 11hr55 min of riding, 12hr37 on the bike (cos we left 5 minutes late), still not bad. The best thing is I have no aches or pains, so all the miles I've done so far this year must be helping.

This has to have been one of the nicest rides I've ever done, the South of England in Spring is truly gorgeous. Apart from getting lost, it was almost perfect.

Now looking forward to the SevernAcross 400 on the 30th, should be a nice ride - fairly flat, less climbing over 400k's than the Hailsham 300. All going well, I'll be trying for a sub 16hr ride (plus an extra hour for the mandatory wandering).

Coast

It was the traditional A group April ride to the coast today. A good but fairly uneventful ride. The highlights.

Mile 48 - new cafe spotted in Amberley village. Worth a visit.

Mile 58 - reach the coast at Climping. Possibly the most unattractive part of the entire south coast - grey sky, grey sea, grey shingle, grey concrete. We didn't hang around.

Mile 75 - tea stop at Petworth. Not the "young man" cafe but a nice little place just tucked away in a corner of the town square.

Mile 95 - Horseblock Hollow. Thank God for Compact chainsets.

Mile 100 - Coombe Bottom. Ditto.

Mile 113 - home. Average speed 17.3mph.

SWRC Open '10' Saturday 23 April 2011

Not a bad line up for an Open, both the current Men's & Women's Best All Rounder Julian Jenkinson (UTAG Yamaha) and Julia Shaw (Drag 2 Zero) respectively and a current Olympic (& Ex World) Champion Joanna Rowsell (Horizan Fitness - Prendas Cicilsmo) it should be a good showdown as riders hone their skills for the shortest of the National titles in a months time in Teeside. First man off and only SWRC representative is Keith Garbutt at 2.01pm and last man (fastest) is Stephen Whitewick (UTAG Yamaha)

Current BBAR Jenkinson

Start Sheet

Paris Roubaix Challenge April 9th 2011

I was lucky enough to get the chance to take part in the inaugural Paris Roubaix Challenge (138 km with 30km divided into 15 cobbled sections). Clearly, I wasn't looking forward to my "Weekend in Hell". During the preceding weeks I prepped my bike, the A group had already witnessed my "chunky" 24mm tyres, in addition I had double wrapped my bar tape and tightened everything down.

On Friday afternoon I arrived in St Quentin, signed on and then managed to get roped into to working on the Rapha stand in the exhibition area. Subsequently by the time we shut up shop all the local restaurants were closed so my tea that evening was Chicken McNuggets and a Caesar Salad, maybe not the best pre-sportive meal. On the day itself, we woke at 5am to leave at 6am. The weather was looking good; a dry and sunny day had been forecast - phew! My workmate Steve and myself arrived in St Quentin, set up our bikes had a cup of tea and a banana and then assembled with the other riders for the off. Bernard Hinault was there to see us on our way. The pace over the first undulating 50km was fast and then we hit the first cobbled section. I'd been advised to hit it hard and keep a loose grip of the bars ......... I did but maybe I hit it too hard - it was a slow and uncomfortable progress. Luckily we had the chance to take a breather at the first food stop. Next section I went down a few gears and found my technique (possibly something still in development mind you .......), I flew ........ though some flew faster. As much as I could I stuck in the gutter - occasionally hopping on to the crown of the road either for a smoother passage or to pass a slower rider. A Tip - don't wheel-suck on the cobbles - I did and almost came a cropper as the rider I was following strangely slowed down at the end of a section. Another potentially dangerous moment on the cobbles occured when a strange man dancing to Boney M drew my attention away from the treacherous pave. The final section was possibly the worst; it was such a relief to see the finish looming in the distance. 5 hours riding and an hour recuperating at the plentiful food stops .......

The following day we watched the Paris Roubaix for real on a cobbled section near the village of Mons-en-Pevele. We were lucky enough to be with the Rapha mobile Cycle Club complete with big screen to follow the race on. The atmosphere was fantastic, a drunken Belgian party tent up the track, flags and people everywhere. The excitement whenever a vehicle went by spewing a huge cloud of dust - and then came the 1st bunch of riders - the Junior Paris Roubaix. How impressively they rode fast, battered and filthy ..................... following up were the broom wagons; a van containing the riders that had been disqualified looking dejected in the back. Next the caravan and then the helicopters in the distance signalled that the race for real was drawing near. The lead bunch sped through - how could they ride so fast on a surface so horrible? Then it was rider after rider, team cars and dust ....... I got dirtier watching the race than riding the course the day before. One rider passed by on a rattling bike minus a saddle, Geriant Thomas a pre race favourite passed by alone and well behind the lead riders. The field was quite spread out and took a while to pass; each rider eliciting a cheer.

A fantastic weekend - The Paris Roubaix Challenge; the dread beforehand - the relief and pride afterwards (even the enjoyment during.......). The Paris Roubaix Race for real -the huge sense of anticipation; searching the sky for the helicopters. The thrill of the race - the racous crowd - the dust - Fabian looking huge and handsome.

I'm doing it again next year - and if it rains then that should make it all the more fun!

Tuesday ride - othg

Today was a new destination for the othg. The people who own the cafe at Four Elms have opened a new Cafe in Hartfield. Today's ride was brisk but steady, John rode on the front most of the way and he was flying :)

Strange but true related fact - Hartfield is where Brian Jones was found dead floating in his swimming pool, also strangely enough it's the home of the invention of 'Pooh Sticks' - a game that involves floating sticks .......freaky!!

I guess this is how it must have happened -

'What is it Pooh?'
'Dunno, it's something floating in the water'
'Gives me a good idea for a new game, but we could use sticks instead of stones'

PROV02 MAXIFUEL LONGEST DAY SPORTIVE

This weekend I decided to stay closer to home. So I entered the PROV02 MAXIFUEL LONGEST DAY 180km SPORTIVE. I decided to ride out to the start at Dorney Lake, a great setting for the Olympic rowing next year.

As always I got a bit lost getting there, and ended up doing 48ks before I'd even started. All was well until Marlow, where some fools had removed the signs, which uptil then had been very good. A marshal then directed me to a different road where I was told it would rejoin the course, but he didn't tell me or anybody else that it was a 12k diversion! So there were groups of people cycling all over the place, some just seemed to be turning around and heading home.

Anyhow, eventually I did rejoin the course and for the next 80k's or so it was all fine, with some lovely views over the Chilterns. I managed to get my riding average back up to 30km/h, but the stops to discuss where to go had knocked my time back. I also got joined by one chap who I'd started with, but dropped in the first 10k's, he had the course on a garmin, so hadn't got lost at all. Unfortunately, he wasn't too great on the climbs and I dropped him on every climb. In hindsite I should have stayed with him, as I again proceeded to take another wrong turn where a sign had been turned right instead of straight on.

After all this I got back to Dorney lake after 190k's, in 6.25. Just to show how messed up the times were, the winner did 3.22!! The chap who I started with, did finish ahead of me, but impossibly nearly half an hour quicker than me - impossible, although there was a 6km loop that I think he might have missed out ;-). With no marshals out on the course and no timing check anywhere except the start, it felt like a free for all. Don't think I'll do it again, although the feedstops had loads of energy bars, gels and drinks. Bring on the 300 next weekend.

Cornwall Tor Sportive

Four of the SWRC A group headed to Bodmin to take part in the Wiggle Cornwall Tor organised by Kilo to Go this Sunday. Simon and myself camped nearby on Saturday night with Trevor and his family who were down here for a few days. We were up early on Sunday and ready for the short ride to the HQ which was at the Bodmin Leisure centre. There we met up with the Simon Howard for the traditional start photo.

Alan, Trevor, Howard & Simon, but what will be the finish order?

It was still a bit chilly at 8am so I had arm-warmers on but we hoped for a sunny day not unlike the previous day.

A lot of riders had already left as we went through the start timer which for this event was a high tech sticker for your hat. What will they think of next!

We left the town and straight away hit the hills and the climbs were steep, 25% was not uncommon and I was keen to get some miles under my wheel. I felt good and rode with Simon for the first hour. But Simon is riding well at the moment and it wasn't too long after that Simon headed up the road spinning the pedals. We were heading for the north coast and hit it at Port Issac, where we turned northwards for the best section of roads and scenery of the whole day. Photos can't do justice to this beautiful coast road

We passed Tintagel, Boscastle & Crackington Haven before turning south wards toward the south coast. Half way was time for a a bite to eat and there was a great selection of drinks (energy and plain water) plus plenty of various cakes and bars. I couldn't eat quick enough as we were keen to get going but I managed to find time to take off my vest and store it in by jersey pocket. This turned out to be the best desision I made today as it was getting hot and I was over heating. by this time we had joined forces with a couple of friends of Nick Allen as they had all ridden the cent cols event together a few years ago.

Dave was strong and rode at the front of the group but Curtis did his turns too. We all reached the south coast at Looe together and had a couple of flat miles as we followed the river down towards the sea. After this it was a long slog of a climb as we headed back north and the last section of the circuit. I could feel my legs tiring and was getting dropped on some of the climbs until my legs completely cramped with 10 mile to go and I had to let the other ride off into the distance.

I reached the finish and can't remember climbing to the line in any event in bottom gear before. Simon was there a so was Trevor and family. I then got a call from Howard who hadn't had much luck, puncturing descending into Looe, and lucky not to come a cropper, & finishing the event in a recovery vehicle.

la primavera

Today was our yearly ride from the North downs to the south Downs on the mtb's It's the third year in a row that this weekend been wonderfully sunny, though not as warm as last year. we headed over the North downs to the Downslink at Cranleigh and then right at the bottom across the south downs. We stopped for tea at Wiggonholt (sp) in the bird sanctuary. Then we spin back on the road via West Chiltington, Warnham and Rusper. A good 130km, most of it off road.

this was our last long ride before we race in Ibiza at Easter. So, no more LSD for us , just a bit of speed next week.

Compton

The special spring weather called for a special ride today and the A group decided on a trip to a newly discovered cafe at Compton in the South Downs. Spotted recently by M&M on a cake scouting mission, it offers good nosh in very pretty surroundings plus an excellent route out and back. Bolstered by two new guys, ten of us set off on the well worn path to Coombe Bottom, Shalford and Godalming, Hambledon, Lucas Lane and Gospel Green. We interrupted the southward course by taking the tough climb up Black Down and round its southern end to drop down just outside Haslemere. Then over to Linchmere, down into Milland and out of the bowl via Borden, followed by Rogate, South Harting and up the big hill for a lovely roll down the other side to Compton, a very pretty downland village. Like I said it was our first visit here and Sabin immediately swung into action. Turning on the world renowned Basque charm, he found the owner (female, needless to say), got her name (Elaine), established that she was going on holiday to San Sebastian (where he himself has a holiday home) and within just two minutes had penetrated her inner sanctum (as the photo shows). Not only that, he was served at least ten minutes before anyone else and later had the the cost of his egg on toast waived. The man is a marvel and a great credit to the club. The rest of us simply watched in admiration. We left to find that new guy Michael had one of those mysterious punctures that happen while you are inside the cafe. Quickly fixed, we rolled along the narrow downland lanes to East Marden, Chilgrove and West Dean, the countryside and villages looking sublime in the sun with the springtime growth really taking hold now. Finally heading back north we picked up the pace to Cocking and Woolbeding, up the long draggy climb there to drop down through Redford (where we noticed a little cafe at the Post Office that would be a good club run stop) to enter the Milland bowl again. Exiting by the Hollycombe climb we went through Liphook and, after some faffing, found the turning for Headley and Churt, after which it was Elstead and familar roads back home. It was a brisk pace all the way back, despite the headwind, courtesy mainly of Barry who must get the strong man of the day award, at least for efforts on the bike. 120 miles for me, a fair bit more for the Wandsworth crew.

Betchworth Alphas

Highlight of the A Group ride last week was tea served by a genuine cycling legend, no less a figure than Sean Yates' kid sister Oriana. The delightful Miss Yates kindly agreed to a team photo with the Alphas, and has promised to pass on the club's best wishes to her illustrious brother. Sadly a prior appointment with a crane meant that our president was not in the picture, and we look forward to seeing him turn green with envy when he sees it

Clean, Clever and Competitive - add this one to your ipod playlist

A little ditty about being clean, clever and competitive by the Willems-Accent team,





I vote to bring back doping instead :)

Latest News

Seen in tonight's Evening Standard.

SWRC Open 10m TT - 23 April

Hi everyone, I hope you are all fit and well, I am just back from glorious sunny Spain enduring mountains that no self respecting aging trackie should attempt but they were there.....so I went up them.

Anyway I am on the look out for some signs of life to help Dudley and I with the Open 10. Please mail or respond to this blog post if you can help.

Many thanks

Martin

3 DOWN AUDAX - PART TWO

After Alan and Nick's lengthly trip to the New Forest and back, I was a little worried about the severity of the route - I mean 17hrs for 300k! Come on guys.

Anyhow, a nice day was promised and apart from the wind on the way out, a nice day was delivered. A lovely tailwind helped blow me back and I was first man back in just over 12hrs, closely followed by a bloke who was second in last year's 24hr tt. A few wrong turns and confusing directions on the way back saw me clock up 315ks. My riding time was 11hr15 - I've been trying to speed up any feed stops by simply just not sitting down at all, seems to be working for these shorter ;-) events. Feeling very bruised and battered this morning though - good day to relax and watch the Tour of Flanders. I think I just saw Parky in Kingston on his bike, that's good, he obviously needs to get in a few more miles before BC ;-)

Hailsham 300 in two weeks - just time to recover, then a 400 at the end of the month... aaargh

C Group 2nd April 2011 – Balcombe

Eleven set off for Balcombe from the usual first-ride-of-the-month Betchworth start. The group made their way south at a brisk pace into the warm Southerly breeze. The signs of spring time were evident – bird song, hedgerow flowers, and cycling-wise the appearance of best bikes, shorts, arm warmers ready to be rolled down, and even suggestions of carrying on down to Brighton (not taken too seriously). The group included Bob and Maggie, Aubrey, Stevie Mac, Mandy, John Major, Peter, John, David and Veronique.

It’s a “lumpy” ride to Balcombe and ‘B group regular’ Veronique was leading strongly on the uphill drags. The arrival at the popular Balcombe Tea Rooms after 25 miles was welcome and the food and friendly service was spot on. Barbara, who used to be a C group regular, had cycled over to the tearooms and was waiting for us. Other B group rides that included Alan and Toby arrived later.

A slightly shorter but equally brisk return ride took us back towards Dorking where the group split for those returning to cars at Betchworth and the remainder who were riding all the way back home. Thank you to the combined leaders on the day – John Major, Bob, and to Stevie Mac for the ‘tow’ back over the final miles. Technical note : total out and back ride to Betchworth 47.4 miles at 14.7 mph. Total calorie burn – probably not as much as consumed at the tearooms.