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KB 12th in over 60's National Champs

Keith's report ...

With 90 kms around the hilly Portsdown circuit on a hot day it was hard from the start. With over 4 miles of climbing each lap including a 200mtr 39x23 section in the last 2k and the drag up Portsdown it was a case of who could hang on the longest. Over 40 starters, it was down to just 25 after a couple of laps, then with 2 laps to go a group of 4 attacked on the steep section and although were held by the chasing bunch, now down to 14, they stayed away. Last lap bell and the break were 30 secs up, the bunch down to 10 and then 8 by the top of Portsdown. After 80k of “hiding in the wheels” I took a crafty attack of the front only to be caught on the steep section and to trail in last of the bunch in 12th place. Under 10stone by the time I got home!!

Goodwood Reports

From a bunch of races at Goodwood yesterday we have several views of the action in the different events

4ths - Nick Upshall
Had an interesting race....80 strong 4th CAT race..is their any chance of a separate 4th CAT novice race in that circumstance? Lots of first timers meant an interesting a twitchy bunch, I was doing my usual sheltering from the wind and twice took to the grass, cyclocross style. Tried a break (as planned) at lap 5, gunned it, took the lead for half a lap then blew totally to just about hang onto the back of the bunch for two laps recovery. Then tried my second big effort with 4 to go up the slight rise at the back of the circuit...I lasted about 500 metres with zero support....blew again. Sat in then to recover for the sprint. With half a lap to go I was moving up aiming for a big dig, when major 4th CAt wobbles all around me (me included) took me and a few others to the grass with 400 to go....got back on the circuit at the back to see a pile up in front of me. So, packed at that point to help the injured rider on the deck. He was well beaten up, fortunately the chap who took to the grass with me was a police medic and took full control of the situation (on-track first aiders were about as qualified as me). He lived anyway. So, all in all another tall story of woe ending in another DNF! Bring on 2010.

3rds - Colin Addison
Confusion and lack of ambition defined the 3rds Race at Goodwood on Sunday. Nobody seemed to know what time the race would start and the lap board remained on "3 to go" for 3 consecutive laps towards the end, but far worse was the current 3rd Cat trend of urgently chasing down any semblance of a break. Frustrated was how VCM's participants of Addison, John Aldridge, Andy Grant, Deano and Jim Orr all felt whilst strong riders of other clubs consistently sat on the front dragging the bunch back to togetherness without ever chancing a spell off the front themselves. Credit to triers like Graham Wood who was also relentless in trying to get away. The end result was a fast 2 hours followed by the inevitable hairy sprint ( Oh yeah we had grass riders too, including one who tried to rejoin across the chicane rumble strip). Bring on some hills and crosswinds!

from John Alderman
About 3/4's of the way down the back straight a swarm of riders, most of whom I'd not seen the whole race, appeared & it just got too silly for me to want to get involved.
It is always difficult to get away at Goodwood & even more so when windy but my feeling is it was a typically frustrating 3rd Cat race where no one wanted to give it a go & as usual it turned in to a final lap thrash for the line by those who'd sat in for 2 hours on a Sunday bunch ride. At least we Meudon boys tried to ignite it a few times along the way.

E/1/2 - Ben Macland
Murder for me. Small field full of Es and 1s, attack, attack, attack, close a gap, then someone attacks over the top and I'm group three, 6 of us 14 laps to go, through and off till the end. My legs hurt today, really hurt, not normal. Ken Prince was out the back early, Craig Wilson(12ish) managed to get in the second group with Pete Wager (going strong, 8thish) and Keith Jarrett was with me. Dave Creeggan was in the break and just blew and stopped. A painful day out.

Ken enjoys the downhill section at Goodwood!



Keith not quite so pleased with affairs

Medal for Martin in National Champs

Martin Hulbert won the Bronze medal on Sunday in the LVRC National Vets Road Race Championships

Race Report:
Nearly 60 "C" category vets (over 50) lined up for the 10am start

I just did a soft attack on first lap of 6 to see if they were awake! 4 others joined me and that was the race winning move.
(Reminded me of Dunsfold the other week, flat out for 50 odd miles in the wind and echelon's, so this practice came in useful )

The race was interrupted by three tractors towing great big trailers of hay, the break probably coping better with this, the lead car eventually stopped the break on commissaires orders to allow the bunch to catch back up. There was complaints from the break when we were told they would give us 30 seconds gap on the race re-start, when of course we thought the gap was much more.

Anyway we stayed away, last time up the finish hill all 5 of us were together, 2 dropping back on the climb and I was assured of a medal, could not match the other 2 in sprint though. No shame in loosing to Simon Day & Phil Thomas, both ex professional riders of the ANC Halfords team.

Bob Moore also did an excellent ride to get second in the bunch finish for 7th overall position.

Another Summer - Another Dunsfold Series for Jamie

In a fast and full-on handicap, 90 riders contested the final event of this year's Dunsfold Park Series. No-one had any answer to Lee Smith's power surge to the line, while Jamie and Dave rode well up to maintain their 1 and 2 overall.
Nick Allen held on through the melee of the final curves to take second in the sprint for the second week running.

Thanks to Glyn, Kristen and others for organising and judging. Let's hope we will return again next year or the midweeks will feel pretty barren.

Top 3 pictured below celebrating with a ReGo at the White Horse, Hascombe.

Report from our Old Pro in Spain

From Martin Rutherford in Spain - That's him on the left - looking mean!


Phew. The heatwave in this part of Spain has been here since the middle of May, 34 degrees. We are now end July and in the 40’s with temperatures of 50 being talked about for August!! The Murcian Regional Government has been giving out warnings. It’s a good job I love the weather, walking around in t shirts and shorts all day and training with the minimum of race clothing. The only slight drawback is the water in the bottles, after 10k you can make tea with it!

I did send loads of photos of tour of Murcia but for unknown reason, nobody is allowed to see them?

I have missed out one report as we had a number of friends and relatives over to stay and not had a chance to write it, so I will do a condensed version up to date.

I am back to good fitness now and able to put in some good rides, but two and a half months ago it was a different story.

May 17th. Roldan, Nr La Manga. 26 degrees. Flat, 70k, 183 riders, unable to hang on in last 15k as speed was up to 55kph (pictures of sprint finish attached).




May 24th. Torre Pacheco, 32 degrees, flat(ish). 75k, 175 riders. Able to hang on until the last small climb of the day so finished with a small group, 2 minutes back (so getting better).

May 30th …Pozo Estrecho, 70k, 195 riders, 1 big lap so it will be a bit of a Tour of South East Murcia. After last weeks race I felt a little fitter but still I reckon only about 75% fit. In all these races you have to be 100% fit and to get anywhere you have to have some form. So before the start I am on a hiding for nothing but I have to go through this to get any sort of race fitness. We are on the start line waiting for about 10 minutes. Then we’re told the ambulance had to take one of the riders to hospital before the start. The arrival of the ambulance signals the start. All OK for the first 20k because it’s flat, still fast but I can cope with it. No one able to get away because all the big teams are trying to consolidate their positions. This late in the Series I’m hanging in there but after about 40k we ride into a small town near La Union. Unfortunately for me there is a 2k climb, nothing steep but I’m a bit concerned as the speed is 40k at the bottom of the small climb. I ran out of gas about 100m before the top, this was good enough for me to be on my own until 2 other riders catch me on the long descent to the coast. We were going well and picked up 5 other riders on our way back to the finish. At the finish line we’re 8 minutes down (at least I finished with other riders so could be getting better).


Spanish Cup race next. Los Alcazares. June 7th. The course has changed from the last 2 years. It normally incorporates a very long hard climb of 5k at 10%, but this year because of roadworks, it had to be changed (what a disappointment…not). Lots of big teams from all over Spain in this one and with the temperature in the 30’s and a strong wind building up, this flatter course will be hard and fast. Just before the off we’re told the 75k is on 2 circuits. The first one is a 10k loop, taking in the town and coast road. The first lap is just fast with a few riders trying to move away. We go through the finish to start the second lap, on the fast section with a tail wind, 5 riders have 300mts. At this point I go off the front and put my head down to catch them. I know there are some riders behind me but I wanted to test myself. After going up with the leading 5 I ease up and look round. We only have 50mts on the bunch at this point. There is another attack which takes 4 riders away. The rest of us are joined by the peleton. The other 4 stay away until passing the finish for the 2nd time. Another 20 riders come out of the peleton and join up with the leading 4. With 2 laps done on the small circuit we turn onto a 50k lap, taking in some small climbs. Not too difficult but the side wind puts us in the right hand gutter in one long line all trying to hold position. The 24 rider front group stayed away for the sprint. Our main peleton came in 3 mins down with all the prizes gone.


June 21st. 5.30pm, 34 degrees. We are in Mazarron, my home town, for the Regional Championships (similar to divisional championships in UK). I was bronze medal over 50s last year when we had our own separate race, but this year the race is going to be raced as one for all category riders and sorted out at the end. Sounds a nightmare, but with video and photo equipment, they find it easy.The 85k started fast and on a small rise 7 riders move away. My team mate is in this group along with 2 ex master world champions and some good elite riders. Everybody knows this group is going a long way in this race so the chase is on. It’s not a hilly circuit of 6 laps but there are a few long rises (its very strange racing on roads I normally just train on, with the added bonus of the police stopping all traffic to make it a unique situation). Most of the race we are in one long line at 50kph but on one rise on the last lap a rider jumps away. I see Graham Baxter go with him. My other team mate gets on Baxters wheel. I’m in the right position to join up. Also we start to make some progress but with the peleton still on 50kph tempo we are taken back after 4k. Coming into the last 5k, the lead group have 20 seconds on us and looks like we are going to catch them. It’s an uphill finish, not steep but hard after 80k They just hold on in the sprint with the bunch at 2 seconds !! We have to wait for the results to be sorted out. My team mate in the break was 4th in the race and 4th in his category, my other team mate was nowhere in the under 30’s and I was 4th in over 50’s so in our home town it’s the results that count and we came away with nothing!

19 July. Algorfa, near Ora. 10.30am, 38 degrees, 60k, 75 riders. The circuit is on a small 3k lap with a little tricky section through a roundabout. It’s not dangerous but will have to take care as there is only room through for one rider at a time. After one lap “parade” around, we are away to a fast start. A few attacks by various riders. These riders pull away, 2 from my team, 1 from an Alicante club. With 4 laps left, the 3 have 25 seconds from the main peleton, because of all the attacks and speed of the race, there’s only 35 riders left to finish the race. A good day for our team. 1st and 3rd in the break, 15th and me 19th in the final sprint (we are all in the prizes). No races in this area until mid August so back to the beach to cool off in this very hot summer.

PS Photos attached, not only of the races but a couple from our Team Presentation, which was held in the Town Hall with the Mayor, to publicise the formation of our new club in Mazarron.

June ROTM is......

KB writes:

"It’s been a close battle for June’s rider of the month mostly fought out on the Eelmoor circuit in the 3/4 category where a few Meudoners have been fighting for points to get their upgrades. At the end of the month though, Dan McCarthey made sure that he got his points by riding another really aggressive race, making all the moves and burying himself to get a convincing win and to show that he absolutely deserved his up grade to 3rd cat…..now, encouraged by his victory, he is well on his way to 2nd (and a hard time with the E/1/2s next year!). Well done Dan."

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 12 Results


Races held Wednesday 5th August 2009

CYCLE KINGDOM SERIES - Overall Classifications - UPDATED


Don't forget the Prize Presentation and BBQ after this week's final races



1 - Paul Pickup - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
2 - Tim Elverson - Felt Racing - E
3 - Simon Ernest - AWCycles - 2
4 - Justin Hoy - Felt Racing - E
5 - Lewis Atkins - Agisko Viner - E
6 - Lee Smith - Felt Racing - 1
7 - Martin Smith - AWCycles - E
8 - Darrell Pembroke - www.agiskovinor.com - 1
9 - Boyd Roberts - Planet X - 1
10 - Nick Abraham - PM - 2
11 - John Wager - Felt Racing - E
12 - Tom Smith - AWCycles.co.uk - E
13 - Pete Wager - VC Meudon - 1
14 - Robert King - Reading CC - 2
15 - Gavin Spiers - Reading CC - 2


Youths Races
1 - Charlie Fawke - Fit For - A
2 - Lawrence Carpenter - Hillingdon Slipstreamers - A

1 - Louis Fawke - Hillingdon Slipstreamers - B
2 - Jason Brown - VC Meudon - B



3/4 - Result
1 - Glenn Duffy - PM - 3
2 - Andy Hibberd - Pedalon.co.uk - 3
3 - Darren Franklin - VC Meudon - 3
4 - Max Harris - VC Meudon - 3V
5 - Kevin Sparks - London Dynamo - 3
6 - Pete Connelly - Team Quest - 3
7 - Cameron Fraser - LA Fuga - 3
8 - Joshua Butterick - Charlotteville CC - 3
9 - Chris Day - VC Meudon - 4
10 - Jonathan Heal - FCCC - 4

VC Meudon/Felt Club dinner

Guys, I know summer hasn’t arrived yet but I’ve provisionally booked the Pride of the Valley for Friday November 20th…..usual format of no speeches, Cycle Kingdom raffle, foxy dress code, and stumbling home.

There is a max of 60 so don’t delay in emailing me how many places you need…..there is accommodation available for those who’d like to stay, see www.prideofthevalleyhotel.com/


KB

Race for 35+ - Older Man's RR

The Older Man's Memorial RR takes place on two circuits near Ellen's Green on 15/08/09, start time 12.45. It's a slightly complicated race in that it's a BC race with points rather than an LVRC race and you have to be a 2/3/4th category rider over 35 or any category over 40. There are currently plenty of places available.

http://tinyurl.com/nfo8ng

Dan takes top spot in FRF Mazda Duathlon

Dan McCarthey reports from the FRF Mazda Gower Duathlon, in Swansea, Wales:

Taking in some running in addition to the usual biking was always going to be an interesting one having not competed in a duathlon in almost two years. However, it was to prove a successful day with a victory by almost 4 minutes over a good quality field, including some regular GB competitors. Historically my cycling has always been inferior to my running (honest!!), although the first season of racing for VCM seemed to have paid off as I came in 1:30 clear of anyone else on the bike (over 21 miles), with a further 2:30 taken from the two runs (5mile and 3 mile). Off to Geel, Belgium in a week to compete in the Powerman World Series event over a longer distance of 10km run/60km bike/10km run, where competition will be tough against the South Africans, Spaniards, Aussies, and of course the Flemish!

6 do the Downs

Warren reports back from a big day out:

Myself, Steve, Dave C, Craig, Dave L and Gabriel road the South Downs Way MTB ride on Sunday 26th July, for anyone that doesn’t know it is a brutal test of climbing and descending starting in Winchester and ending in Eastbourne 101 miles later. The aim was to set off from Winchester at 7am and aim to get to Eastbourne in around 10hrs where we were to be greeted by Mr Larcombe’s brother Paul (who kindly picked us up and dropped us off at silly o’clock in the morning)

The weather was kind mainly overcast but with a tail to cross wind all the way down. The initial section before you reach Queen Elizabeth Country Park is the most tricky in terms of navigation, luckily Craig had a Garmin sat nav plus a good sense of direction! There are a few sections of road early on and the signs are not the best but we made it to the QEP without making too many errors. Once there we had our first proper decent down towards the A3. After stopping for a natures break in the park Dave L discovered that his camel back (which seemed rather heavy) had in fact been sabotaged by his work colleagues and discovered some weights had kindly been placed in there. Once he had lightened himself and the weights we headed off as by now we were approx ¼ distance.

The one problem with this ride is you need to carry an enormous amount of food/drink and spares so the svelte MTBs suddenly feel very different under such load, also there are a lot of gates that require opening and closing along the route which can disrupt your rhythm. The middle section is probably the best part of the route passing South Harting and onwards through to the Devil’s Dyke, the hills are enormous and surprisingly tough and seem to come one after the other, along the route there are a couple of places where you can fill up with water via taps, in a way the weather played into our hands as we never seemed to require vast amounts of liquid.

Around this part of the ride everyone was starting to flag slightly (some more than others) but with constant eating everyone managed to ride through it. Also being roadies the main area we felt it was in the arms and hands with my hands cramping constantly from the bumpy descents and the long climbs. The ride was going well with no mechanicals or issues. When you get past Ditchling the route does become slightly monotonous with large open views and the chance to see the next monster hill looking in the distance. At this point we had our first puncture but were quickly on our way again just as the wind and rain picked up, by the time we had descended into the last village on the route the weather had improved and we stopped to re fuel (on cream cakes mainly). The ride was nearly over but we still had two more big climbs to go. The cream cake I had made the first of these climbs rather hard but it had kicked in nicely for the final climb.

We all made it to Eastbourne as a group and had done it in a time of 8hrs 58mins riding time and a total of 3300 metres of climbing, next time we’ll ride there and back!

All in all a recommended ride and I’m sure we’ll do it again next year once the memory of the pain has passed.

Free kids' Condor bike loan

Message from Chris Day:

Dom has grown out of his little Condor race bike now! I don't want to sell it but make it available to club members for any kids that want to give racing a go!

01252 543 555