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For your diary - The Cycle Kingdom Classic - 29th June

Craig's excellent road race is on Sunday 29th June at 11.00. This is an all hands on deck event for club members - only funerals of close relatives should keep you away. Speak to Craig a couple of weeks before to let him know you will be there. This will save him having to ring round. 

From our "OZ" reporter.

I shudder to think how long ago it is since I sent a despatch from the land of the long weekend.
I write to you from the V C Meudon Consulate in Australia - well we had Malcolm and Georgina here in January and Richard and Sue Kidd arrive on Monday so I feel the title is justified. (just checked my 'sent' items and note I wrote in January so don't feel so bad).

Spoke to Malc not long ago and he told me that Richard has had flu and due to the job he was working on had done little bike riding. This was music to my ears as I'd just come in from a training ride (on my own fortunately) where I'd been really grovelling and as I was struggling up one of the hills (and there's only two on the particular ride) the thought kept going through my mind that I'd be spending time on every ride telling Billy that "I'd see him at the top" and that perhaps the thing to do would be to put really heavy tyres on the bike he's going to borrow.

However, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that as old age beckons (I refuse to admit that it's here), it's really only the hills that present a problem and to this extent have now fitted a compact chainset 50/34 to my Olmo training bike. This also has a double bonus in that I can bring it to Europe and fit it on the Alan that I leave with Tony Mills (last year I found that the old campag 52/42 didn't give anywhere near the low gears that my physique required and the 34 v 42 is a lot more beneficial than the 50 v 52).

We had our usual trip to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under. The organisers were very pleased for it to be part of the Pro-Tour - the first one outside Europe. The racing was certainly much better, although it was noticeable that apart from the Aussies most of the big hitters from the teams were not present. To early in the year for them no doubt. The usual terrific cycling atmosphere was present in the city and it was nice to get out each morning in warm weather, thankfully not in the heatwave conditions of a couple of years ago when the temperature was 30-35C at 9.00 in the morning!!. Bit of a perk was a criterium for veterans on the final day's circuit in the centre of Adelaide a couple of hours before the Tour Down Under 'performed'. Only for 4 x 5kms laps, which seemed a bit of a waste of time, but the race was 'full on' and I was glad when we finished. I like to think I was respectably placed in the front half of the bunch but that may have been wishful thinking. Still it was nice to perform in front of a crowd of about of 3,000 (much bigger of course when the stars turned up) and another experience to notch up at an age when I didn't expect it.

Almost coming to the end of our summer criterium season out here. One more month and we're back out on the open road and hilly courses. Have stayed in D grade most of the season. Tried C grade three weeks ago, as an experiment to see if I could still handle it, and did finish - albeit at the back. However, it must have been beneficial as the following week, on reverting back to D, I won !! As I've often said before it was all down to experience. The Goodwood type course we race at on a Thursday evening has one slight hill, on the last lap I was quite pleased to be sitting near the middle of the bunch as we got near the top with no more thought than at least I'd be finishing ok. It was at this point that a guy in front of me, who would double as the jolly green giant, changed gear for no apparent reason other than he looked like he was going to 'have a go'. As he jumped I was on his back wheel and thereafter it was like sitting behind a motor bike. With about 800m to go he looked round and I told him to keep going as I was more than happy with second. Up the finishing straight, into the wind, we were well away but with 200m to go the bunch were coming back like an express train. With one effort left in my legs I sprinted as he died (I even apologised as I went past - we were brought up proper in the Meudon). Result was I won and he came fourth. I did give him some of my winnings and am now considered a 'true gentleman' plus I won't feel so guilty if I ever get the chance to do this again.

Can I claim the first VC Meudon win of the year ?? I guess it will be my only one.

From the various emails that I get being on your distribution list the club seems to be going from strength to strength, not just with racing but cyclo-sportif type events as well. Have to admit to being a bit envious as I always enjoyed these. We do get the odd one out here but not on the scale of the big ones in France. Moves are afoot to rectify this, although we will never have them on such a grand scale. Cycle Sport Victoria organised one last week and as Board member I somehow got talked into it at a track meeting the night before!! Fortunately it was only 80kms (50 miles) so would have been classed as a reliability ride in the UK. Still it was far enough for me having got to bed at midnight and then up at 3.45am for a 130kms drive to the 7.00am start. I had been taking organisation lessons from Geoff Hartman and arrived at the start just as they were being told it was a ride and not a race (falling on deaf ears as per any cycling event) and by the time I'd registered and pinned my number on a deserted road lay ahead of me. Fortunately, but unknown to me, they were doing a ceremonial ride around the part of Geelong City that was being used for the UCI Ladies World Cup race later in the day. Result was that as I pedalled along thinking I was in for a lonely ride they all started to come past - there is a God after all. Only 80kms but with a very strong wind blowing in off the Southern Ocean - bloody hard. Plenty of hills but in some places it was just like northern France - dead flat, no hedges, boring scenery and the wind. Possibly people around me thought I was a bit suspect when I complained it was just like Paris - Roubaix without the cobbles. Innovative use of transponders to time each individual and pleased to say I eventually finished 19th fastest out of 104.

Sitting down having a coffee at an outside table and watching a world class ladies race go by later in the day made it all worthwhile.
Sadly no Nicole Cooke this year, as she had become something of a crowd favourite.

Nothing definite fixed yet but we still hope to come over to Europe this year - subject of course to the pound not dropping any further against the Aussie dollar and the Euro.

New Members for 2008

Although Tim and John have joined Justin at FELT for the big races I'm pleased to say that they have both stayed as valued members of the club plus we have aquired a few new recruits for this season....Both Ken Prince and Gianluca Capello have moved across from Pearsons...Ken is better known for all the hard work he and Mel do on behalf of the Surrey League as well as his mighty sprint and Gianluca will bring his Italian pedigree to the racing. Welcome also to Gaz, No 10 and James who are regular clubrun riders (the racing will be easier believe me!) who will be riding in Meudon kit this year.

Preseli Teifi

Go to Preseli Teifi in the news section of www.cyclosport.org and you will see stills and video of Bob and myself. You wont see me at the end of the video!..............oly

Or see the video in YouTube by following the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llJ9l0FYeO4

Early Season Training rides

Clubruns will start on 6.1.08 with the traditional Winchester opener all start at 0900 sharp from Craig’s shop

10.2.08
Goodwood

17.2.08
Petworth

24.2.08
Petersfield

Cheers


Warren Jesse
Excel Technical Resourcing Solutions
Tel 0845 230 2728
Fax 0845 230 2829
www.excelresourcing.co.uk

Bournemouth Weekend

Bmouth weekend has been booked and the following have confirmed, sorry for any incorrect surnames, I tried.The Plan is to leave Cycle Kingdom 09.30 for a gentle amble across to Bmouth, with cafe stop on route.We have booked 20 places which have been taken - although their is scope for more- if anybody else wishes to join.Confirmers areJamie NewallJim OrrDave CreganJo EdsonNick AllenWarren JesseHannah BusseyAndy DilkesTim CostelloColin AddisonAndy MilnerSteve Ferris Keith JarratTerry MorganKeith BrooksRussel ScottTony MottPhil MastersPete ConnolyLyndsey RoccoIf your name is down and you can't make it please drop me or Jim a line All the best, hope to see you out on Sunday- Box Hill I hear- beauty!!Jamie
JAMIE NEWALL EXTRA UK MOB 07899 894 964EXTRA SALES OFFICE 01933 672170

A riders view of the World Cyclo Cross Masters Championship 19th Jan 08

World Masters Cross Champs....

Morning gents… The following is my take on the weekend just gone. It serves to illustrate what a brilliant event it was and to inspire you for next year.

Well now…. Where to start!

It was based at the Belgian equivalent of ‘Centre Parks’ so the accommodation was very close to the course and was of good quality. Entry on the line at a cost of €12. The course was fantastic and unlike anything I’ve ridden here in the UK. Fast single-track sections through forest with a long section of road through the start/finish and a mad plunge down a beach to the shoreline which our European cousins seem so fond of. 200m around the waters edge before taking to the trees again for more tight sinuous tracks. A couple of sand bars with varying entry speeds and a couple of man made stepped run ups forcing a dismount.

The trip over was a nightmare!! 11 hours to central Belgium is not fun. Up at first light for a recce of the course. 3 good laps and off to the digs for food and water. Back at the course I run around the forest taking photos of the other 2 racers waiting for my 3pm start time. This is far from ideal preparation!

5 mins to the off and I still have a number to pin on and my helpers are nowhere. People are being called forward! Shyte! I’m gonna miss it… The clothes are coming off and I’m dumping them somewhere obvious for them to find. I accost an English speaker to do my shoulder number. Neuf, Nine. Andrew Dilkes, Grand Britannia… I push my way through. Pushing seems to be compulsory here… Gridded at the back (randomly picked from a hat) surprise, surprise!! The race MC is waffling on in Flemish and then “less than 30 seconds” Now ‘that’ I understand… A few deep breaths and I’m thinking “’kin hell we’re well packed in here” “please clip in first time” and “if you just drift slightly to the left I’ll be through that gap”…

Silence………….

BANG!!

It’s picking up fast and I’m soon in the 12 following the wheels down the road. 20 secs gone and it’s HARD left on very soft tyres and a wet road and into the beach. bodies, sand and bikes all over the shop, people running, falling and trying to ride. We just need some razor wire and land mines for the carnage to be complete. I’m off and running pretty soon as I’m not heavy enough or carrying enough speed to get through. Go wide and make up a few places. Remount and stamp on it along the shore… Off the beach and into the trees and I’m constantly on the brakes waiting for people to clear the way. It’s frustrating as I’m quite fast through this stuff… Take people where possible and try to stay neat and tidy through the corners. The needles and tree debris is looser than the damp track worn into the floor. The bikes riding well shooting out of the corners even under my input and the deep section carbons have their first outing with the Dugast silks…. Mmmmm. Feels good. The heart is banging away at 180 beats, right on the money and I feel OK given the travelling and the mornings practise laps. The bike’s sliding and squirming about and I’m carrying as much speed as I dare through the forests. Things are settling and each person I come across is carefully sussed as to where best to “have them”. Some in the sand. Some in the single-track and some on the road. I’m making big efforts in the last sections of single-track to bridge to riders before the exposed road section and their draft is used to full effect before the beach sections where I’m running OK… I’ve even figured out how to hold the bike properly! It’s going well considering and the sand and stairs ain’t too bad given my lack of experience. 2 to go and I’m still with the French bloke I’ve been battling for the last 2 laps. I take him in the technical bits and he claws his way back on brute strength and my inability to locate and engage my feet into the pedals. This is really starting to tick me off and it’s costing me time. Off the beach again and were both running and I’m thinking “right, you’re gonna get it” at the next sand section which is short and I’m clearing each time… I’m readying myself and speeding up to get the run on him round the corner tight against the tree and drop the front wheel of the shelf and down toward the sand…

BOOM!! Ouch. I’ve somehow got what is a pretty easy bit wrong and have pitched it over the bars at a 'drop off' so I’ve come down hard into floor from height and I’m struggling… It takes me a few moments to figure out where I am, what I’ve just done and what I’m s’posed to be doing. I don’t feel too clever and my arm is causing me concern cos it doesn’t seem to be working properly. After a bit of flailing it about I’m pretty sure it’s not broken so it’s off with the sand filled glasses and emptying my mouth of the stuff and I’m off in hot pursuit of the riders that have just passed me. 11 in all have checked the results. Boooo :o(

The next half lap is a bit of a mental blur suffice to say it was a bit scruffy, too much speed into the corners, too much braking and too slow an exit speed, off line and generally sh*te. I’m settled by the time the road comes round and the bell is ringing frantically. I’m holding the lines again and the beach section is the best yet!! Approaching the section that had me off and I’m conscious not to back off. Into, through and out no problem… and on with the lap. Approaching the pits I can hear people shouting for a fellow Brit that must be closing me down so I’m even more focussed for the last few corners. He is not having me back this close to the line and the last 180 is nailed and it’s 50 metres of dirt now before the tarmac drag to the line. It’s nearly over so down through the gears it goes for one last big effort. The bloke that’s kicking back short of the finish is most displeased to find me doing him on the line but that’s racing. And relaaaaaax.………….. :o)

That was the most fun I’ve had on a bike in a long time…

A night out in Mol with Belgian beers and a steak followed by frites, mayonnaise and braadworst in Hoogerheide on the Sunday completed what was a brilliant weekend. You would not believe how fast the pro’s can ride a cross bike!! :oo

I have a sore shoulder and some very sore ribs, but a big grin every time I think about the race. Oh and the pleasure of telling you all about it whilst trying to avoid doing some very dull work!!

Ciao for now and see you around.

Andy

Old Portlians CC Reliability Trial

On Sunday 10th February.

Entry is £5.00 with challenging 100k and 68Km routes on offer. It is
a great social way to get some tough base miles in for the season
ahead.

The HQ is Halstead Village Hall in Halstead Kent, with first riders
off around 9.00am.

Refreshments will be available at the hall.

Route details and further info is available on the Old Portlians CC website:-

www.oldportlianscc.

co.uk/reliability2008

For more details : Andy Green - Event Secretary
sayandy40@yahoo.co.uk