If you're thinking of doing the evening chaingangs and want to try some proper lights then club sponsor Del Coppola is offering to bring some of his Four4th lights along to the sessions for you to try. You can read about them and contact Del through his website (click on title above or cut and paste link below):
After all the rubbish weather and a rapidly approaching racing season it's time to do some training.
The first pic I had a large piece of crap fly into my eye so I fished it out- me Camera Shy - it loves me!!
I was quite pleased with the ride.
I had the "Billy THE Kidd" pit bitching with the lovely Hannah yesterday.
They were an excellent team.
(Ed - Andy Dilkes also rode, finishing a lap down - as did half the field in this fast race)
Great start of the race into the top 10 first greasy corner.
A couple of rude Belgians wanted to overtake on the wrong side of me, unfortunately my elbows don't move so I twatted one straight in the bush. He came past me and said Excuse me when he went past after that, NICE. he finished 3rd eventually.
If only Xcross races were two/three minutes long I may win.
I was holding top 15 for a few laps but I changed bikes and I must of hit a rut and rear flatted.
A great change by Billy kept me in the top 20 - lost a few places but towards the end gained a couple.
10th Brit and 17th on the day.
My worst finish in the Trophy on the day - but by god those Belgians showed us how to really race.
I finished 8th overall in the National Trophy and I was aiming for top 10 this year so although I am happy I am now thinking maybe I could get in the top 5 for next season.
Thanks again for Craig /John/Des at the shop for keeping my bikes Tip Top.
Cheers for Keith/Hannah/Andy and Billy for helping at the races too
National champs in 3 weeks time after the change of date.
7th of Feb Sutton Park - I am hoping for a top 10 there too.
Maybe come along if those Hampshire lanes are still a bit dirty for the Dura Ace Electronic/Campag 11 that all the VCM club members use it would be a great day out and cheer me on in my last race in VCM colours for a while...........
Jamie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
If you're looking for some TDU coverage this page has links to highlights and extended video highlights.
Look at that weather, roll on summer .....
Great pictures on this link from the weekend's Cyclo Cross National Series round at Rutland Water.
- what was Jamie thinking in that first one of him?
There's also a nice video review of the Elite race on this link, but only a brief glimpse of Jamie at the start. Jamie finished 17th but discounting all the Belgians who turned up, that equated to a 9th place out of the British riders and securing 8th in the series overall. Nice one!
"A lone cyclist battles up a hill past snow-blanketed vehicles during a snow storm in Fleet, Hampshire" from this weeks Independent newspaper.
Someone who wasn't nursing a hangover come New Year's Day was Dan McCarthy. Here's his report from the A31:"Farnham Road Club, New Years Day 10 mile Time Trial - 1st Place
New Years Day - cold, very very cold. So cold in fact that I donned practically the entire wardrobe to race, with the new VCM kit looking a little bit Michelin Man'esque (let's say that the lean racing look certainly was not visible!). I planned on incorporating the 10 mile time trial within a longish ride in order to maintain the training preparation ready for the forthcoming spring stage racing season. I had a nice and early start time and caught the first two riders very quickly, just riding a calm, controlled race - trying to keep good cadence and aero position. Having done just base miles since September, with no specialist intervals/speed work, 23:19 was about as expected. Overall I won by just under 2 mins from Simon Kidd (Farnborough and Camberley).
Keep up the snow riding all, including Jamie this weekend - best of luck!
Dan"
The snow was never going to get in the way, so Jamie gathered up whatever stray children he could find on the street and set out for a set of resistance intervals.
He reported on the day's events ...
its a split session today.
I had three screaming cold children resisting sledging as they were too cold so I had to pull all the buggers home.
I am due for another turbo session later - maybe Julie will send pics too.
The MTB trails will be calling tomorrow STAY OFF THE ROAD!!!
It's the National Cyclo-Cross Champs this weekend (snow permitting) and we've been keeping tabs on Jamie as he prepares for an assault on the top ten in the Elite race. Competitors will include several talented star riders ... Roger Hammond, Jodie Crawforth, Ian Field, Nick Craig, Rob Jebb and Andrew Dilkes. In the vets races look out for Colin Summerfield in the Vet60 race and compatriates Tim Costello and Chris Remnant (Vet45) plus Andy Roberts (Vet55)
According to the BC website, the organisers are working hard to make the course safe for spectators and vehicles - if they fail the event may have to be postponed - let's hope not.
The Ladies Race (Helen Wyman, Gabby Day and other delightful coureurs fille) starts at 11:15 with Jamie on the start line at 2:15pm. According to Google, Farnham to the race venue is just 2.5 hours - you could leave after a leisurely breakfast and still cheer the boy on - it's a great day out - Come On!
To whet your whistle here's a pre-Champs report from Jamie covering his latest rides ..
Is anyone coming up to watch my mate (JodyC)finally beat Hammond this Sunday it will be a good ding dong.
I will be hoping for a top 10 - we have 100 riders so its going to be a bun fight.
I raced yesterday in Colchester - nice 4 hour drive a local one !!
I took Jody, so on paper I was looking at 2nd place straight away.
Nice frozen course a chance to get the dry tyres out again - they had dust on.
Its been pretty wet before Xmas.
Just before I went down with a bug - so rather than race in the cold I cycled in the garage (new box set of 24 - season 2 and 3) and played on my MTB much safer than racing in the red.
With a few of the Eastern region monkeys to play with it was always going to be catch up with Jody GB (Golden Balls).
Rubbish start as some old gimmer just walked around the front line and secretly blew his whistle, god quick clip in , missed the pedal and try again. First corner GB gone and I am in 6th - right lets be having you.
Humpries/Miller/Aldas - out of my way the Newall is coming through my elbows are legendary in races!!
Into 2nd after 2 mins or so and just catch a glimpse of Jody riding a bank I could barely run- the difference is incredible - like Nick Allen and Justin Hoy sprinting! I had a little trouble with Naythan Miller - he designed the course and it was the first time I was putting myself in the red since 20th December when I was beaten by a couple of muppets in Reading.
I had him company for a couple of laps - and the most biast commentator in the world
"He is catching Newall - come on Naythan" No bloody way I was not coming third today I thought.
Big money today - maybe could walk away with at least £20!!!
I slipped the bike into big gears and rode him off my wheel and dropped him over the slippy stuff.
I rode the rest of the race - practicing good clean dismounts and letting the bike "hang out" it was greasey but no bike changes needed today - It was just getting to that stage and I thought only one bike to clean later!
2nd to Jody so happy with that.
The bastards printed the result and the time gap.
2 mins 20 secs I was going to tell anyone who asked he took me in the sprint - I guess not now ;o)
I have a steady week planned - I could update later on in the week.
My tip for next few days - MTB only or in the garage
Jamie - looking for a top 10 Sunday 2pm Birmingham - come on it will be a classic race to watch - get involved !!!
From Martin Hulbert ...
I am looking for a 2nd hand Mountain Bike. About a 17inch Frame
Consider anything.
obviously he's been prevented from getting out on the road for too long and now needs to venture offroad - or perhaps he's getting one of the kids a birthday present ...
contact Martin Hulbert [madcyclist99 (at) hotmail.com]
If you'd like to race somewhere different for a change you could try just the other side of the channel. CC BRIMEUX have sent us details of some of their races and helpfully translated into English. The one word you might find confusing is 'prices' I presume means primes (if only they'd left it in French):
We are a cycling in the North of France (Nord Pas de Calais - 1:10 from
Calais).
You will find below the dates of our races for 2010:
For all these races, riders from UK are welcomed under this condition:
- for La Cantonale and Beaurainville: Categories 1 to 3 + Juniors
- for the other races: Categories 1 to 4 + Juniors
- Sunday 28/03/2010: Montreuil sur Mer
* Mountain prices
* 23 laps of 3,8 Km (87,4 Km)
- Sunday 11/04/2010: Airon Notre Dame
* Mountain prices
* 21 laps of 4,765 Km (100 Km)
- Sunday 09/05/2010: La Cantonale (start at Douriez)
* Mountain prices - Sprints prices
* Lap of 88 Km + lap of 32 Km
- Saturday 29/05/2010: Merlimont
* Sprints prices
- Sunday 13/06/2010: Beaurainville
* 6 laps of 20 Km
* Mountain prices - Sprints prices - Team prices
* Entry fees paid by CC Brimeux for the 10 first subscribed teams
* Between 7 and 9 riders per team
We would be very happy to receive you in our races!
Contact: contact@ccbrimeux.com
Mark Ottaway is looking to gain that elusive 1st cat licence - and obviously the free pair of shorts and jersey that comes with it - this year and has started the season quite early. Here's his update:"I have raced all the Hillingdon winter series, first race was not good finished 26th, 2nd race came 14th and 3rd race 5th, 4th race -15th, I wanted to improve at Hillingdon but I was not happy with Saturday's race. Race broke up very early and lots of little groups but I did not commit, thought it would come back together, and just waited for the sprint, but could not get by Owen Lake, if only my nose was a fraction longer would have got 14th. Hog Hill on Saturday was very fast in places, felt good even after slogging up the hill time after time, and on the sprint Owen Lake was once again in front, and I finished 4th. Back at Hillingdon on New Years day and maybe Hog Hill Saturday, have not done much training apart from rollers, weather has not been too good Im getting soft lately, but I figure if I do 4x races in a week that's good interval training. Upavon starts 9th Jan hoping to race there and then get to Hillingdon in the afternoon then race at Fowlmead on Sunday !!!!!!!! I am looking forward to racing at Dunsfold this year and doing more Surrey league events."
