Welcome to VC Meudon News pages

No Seale Sunday runs from now on.

In the spirit of Christmas, goodwill to all men, one love, world peace etc. the Seale and Fleet clubruns will now come together in one big happy clubrun from the shop at 9.00. The slower ride will not now go from Seale. However there will be the option for a  slower group to form and make its own way while those wishing to get some training miles in at a faster pace carry on.


As some of you will know, Andy Milner (who has been organising the Seale clubruns) has had a lucky escape from the Grim Reaper but won't be doing any organising for a while. Plus with various riders going on training camps and other stuff, two separate clubruns will probably spread things a bit thin. So 9.00 at the shop.

Xmas extra rides

If you're looking for more riding over Christmas there will be rides on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Since these are Wednesdays they'll both start from the shop at 9.00 as per normal. Ken "Big Ring" Ruffel should be offering one of his mystery tours on the 24th and Craig Wilson is keen to ride on the 31st (so expect this one to start a tad after 9).

09 Clubruns

With the end of the year fast approaching everyone is asking "In the new year where will I be able to find a slightly more demanding clubrun on a Sunday with a traditional but exciting destination each week?"


Well thanks to Warren and Craig W the answer is 9.00 sharp at Cycle Kingdom. Destinations and leaders as follows:

28th December Lapland S. Claus
4th Jan Winchester Craig P/Warren
11th Jan Henley Warren
18th Jan Petworth Craig W
25th Jan Chichester Steve R
1st Feb Stockbridge Ciclisti Vecchi
8th Feb Perfs   tbc
15th Feb Dorking tbc
21/22nd Feb Brighton w/e (tbc)   Jamie

The 9.30 ride from Seale will continue as normal.

Finished by Mario Vaz

After two trips to deepest, darkest south-east London, Brooks and Addison managed to furnish themselves with matching track bikes courtesy of the enigmatic Mario Vaz of Vaz Finishes.



Operating from a curious workshop near Lewisham, Mario's trade goes back several years and includes spraying frames for a roll-call of cycling luminaries over the years. The resurgence of single-speed riding and retro frames has been good for business and Mario is very busy.



With a track appointment at Newport already arranged, Mario pulled out all the stops to get our frames ready quickly and the results were fantastic. Colin's sad looking all steel affair that had languished un-loved in the loft for the past 15 years was returned resplendent in pseudo Banchi liverey, while Keith's Dolan track frame also looked the part in matching Sky Blue.



Mario can be contacted via his webpage at http://www.cycle-finishes.com/

Winter Hillingdon Placings

Eager 4th Cats looking to move up to 3rd Cat status and race with the big boys on the open road next year would be well advised to follow the path of Mark Ottaway.
Mark raced the 2nd round of the winter series at Hillingdon at the weekend and secured a fine result in horrendous conditions.



Mark told us he came 5th but the offical results have him listed as 4th - Ssshh - I'd keep quiet if I were you Mark..

Next round of the series is on Saturday 20th December
Series information here http://www.cycleweb.co.uk/newsite/n_imp0809.htm

The South East Champs De Crown

The crown has gone but this will only make me hungrier for next year.

After a cool night and hoping for a dry fast/frozen course.
When arriving to the course in Dartford - the conclusion was not quite a shit fest - more clag mile. Look after the equipment, don't use big gears tickle the changes. Mud tubs straight away. It's great going to a race with a Jetwash - borrowed from Andy Dilkes (cheers mate). Two bikes - 5 pairs of wheels, 2 children, 1 wife and the dog. Try and get that lot in a Porsche!!!

Keith "Pitbitch" and I were discussing the team tactics - maybe a bike change every couple of laps. Luckily I have a loud tone so was able to instruct Keith on my intentions through the race.

The race started well I put the hammer down from the gun - Eelmore style.
The only way. My first lap was my fastest 6 mins 11. Had I gone to fast to - err yes.

Good gap on main rivals from Artic. My main buddy Jody Crawforth chooses not to enter or I "forget" to tell him when the closing date passes.
A tactic I had learnt when I rode elsewhere- he is terrible in entering races!!
So I had Matt Holmes and Darren Barlclay (last years silver medal) to race instead for the title.

Matt seemed to be a little off the pace - but Darren was going well. I heard a rumour he was riding a bank where I was choosing to run. I should brush up on my skills - no doubt!!!

I had a good 20 sec gap. Then a stumble - Darren catches up. Then as I try to get back on terms. A rear puncture - luckily tubs - you can ride on rim ok and the pits are only a few seconds away. Keith was blasting the crap off my spare bike when I "enquired" about a change of machine.

I few seconds lost on the slow speed of the puncture was all the motivation Barclay needed. The hammer went down my legs screamed this was it- race on.

Cross races are only 1 hour and they are full on - No gentle "I will pick off rivals later" - you go as fast as you can, blow and then hope you get to the finish.

Darren was holding me at 20 secs - I was giving it everything. Keith was doing a wicked job looking after me in those pits. Cross is a two man race - rider and bitch. The guys with only one bike and no helpers are at such a disadvantage when it get shitty!!


I could not get back on terms. The time was running out and my legs were exploding. Where was third? - just don't look round. The title was gone - silver does not look as good! That's the best I can get today.

Thanks to all - Keith did a great job, although I hope he comes back from France - the jeans are wrecked and the boots - well trodden!!.
Jules for letting me get away with the 3am feed sunday so I could "rest up".
Andy for the jetwash - we need to work on a dustbin with a plug!!!

Cross its great - I am going to do another one this weekend in the midlands, you should try it!!!!

Jamie
- ex South East Cyclo Cross Champ 2005 and 2007 - maybe 09 could be my year again

Thanks to London Cycle Sport and John Mullineaux for the pictures. (currently at www.cycleweb.co.uk)

Latest Winter News

Details are still sketchy but Jamie was narrowly beaten into 2nd place in the South-East Cross Championships on Sunday after a puncture in the 2nd half of the race cost him the lead and vital seconds.

On the track there were two forays over the weekend to Newport on friday night where Keith showed three other VCM newcomers how to ride the boards and to Calshot on saturday where Andy Grant and Bob Moore represented. Bob had a nasty high speed crash unfortunately and may have a broken rib - more news as it comes in....

Liege-Dunsfold-Liege

Ben's Liege-Dunsfold-Liege Sunday club run (starting at 9:30 from Seale) is re-scheduled for Sunday 14th Dec after yesterday's frosty roads scared away all but the hardest revellers.