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Scoop Specialized Preview

Insider sources have brought us a sneek preview of the new prototype Specialized AsymHub frame, planned for 2012 release

Rob: ridden one. Won one.

Picture from Deano

Rob McCarthy (Dan's brother) reports from the Gorrick Mountain bike series Round 1 Tunnel Hill

"The first round was well supported by club members in various categories
For results go to:

http://www.timelaps.co.uk/assets/uploads/EventReport.aspx?eventID=113TunnelHill14/02/2010

Today was the start of my 2010 season. After a winter doing some cyclocross racing, many road miles and countless hours on the turbo trainer I was eager to race, to see if the winter miles had paid off.

The course was a fairly fast and technical one with great flowing single track.

I rode in the Sport category (4 laps) race. After getting a pretty good start, I entered the first section of singletrack in third position feeling very easy. After about 2 miles into the race I took the lead going up a short steep hill, I pushed hard on the twisty descent trying to open up a gap. I rode out front for 3 3/4 laps crossing the line with my first win for the club, opening up a lead of 2 mins 30 secs.
Next race I hope to step up to Expert category (5 laps)
I hope to transfer this form to my first season of road racing.

Its time to get some hard training in and visit the chiropractor !"

Ottaway finishes fast @ Fowlmead

Mark Ottaway reports from the SERRL where he recorded his first win of the season:


"It has been a interesting weekend, I raced on Saturday at Hog Hill national B race came 10th improving on hill climbing, wish I could of said the same for Wednesday with Dave and Dan on the Pirbright circuit !!!! but this Sunday at Fowlmead was my best race it went to plan.

I had given plenty of thought after listening to the other VC boys at Hillingdon who have been giving me much help, cheers, the race started very fast decided to go with everything that moved, got a puncture had a lap out while waiting to re join noticed a break of 4 riders had appeared, so knew i had to bring it back together, which i did then took time to recover the race stayed together until the last 2 laps and 4 riders were out on there own, but it was so windy we caught them on the last corner before the best part which was the the sprint, and I gave it every thing I had straight over the line on my own, and managed to throw my hands in the air to show off my new VC mitts, and yes my hands were cold, but kept looking at them wanting to wear them, I now am 2 points behind Shaun Duffield for the winter series, just hope there is a big turn out of riders on the 21st Feb."


The 7th event in the South East RR League Winter Series held at Fowlmead nr. Deal on February 7.

2/3
1 Mark Ottaway. VC Meudon
2 Marco Coppola. Gemini. BC
3 Leon Camier.. Private
4 Thomas Sutherland. Twickenham CC
5 Sean Duffield. Active Cycles
6 Alex Camier. Team Toachim
7 Mark Simmonds. Kingsnorth International
8 Phil Cloke. San Fairy Ann CC
9 Tim Ramsden. VC Deal
10 Roger Todd. Private


Top 10 in Nationals for Jamie

Jamie, Andy Dilkes and Colin Summerfield all rode the National Cyclo-cross champs at Sutton Park, Birmingham this weekend. The course was dry and fast - almost road race conditions according to Jamie who started well in the 99 up field. Andy didn't have the same privileged grid position, so had a much tougher challenge fighting through the field.
By the end, a lead group of five contested the final lap with Ian Bibby winning from Jody Crawforth and Paul Oldham. Jamie finished a brilliant 10th, while we're still waiting for the official results to see how Andy fared. Credit too goes to Hannah and Billy for manning the pits.

No photos of the Elite race yet but looking forward to some classic Larry Hickmott shots on his Flickr page

Pics are already there of the Vets races, where I managed to find a shot of Mr Summerfield resplendent in his new VCM kit.

Callous Wilson leaves friend for dead

Retired banker and Twitter enthusiast KB spotted this and thought it might be of interest to retro/scientific training fans:


The importance of quality rest in your training programme:
It hasn't always been this way; Way back in the winter of 1984 Cobbleshock (Matt Scott), Retrophoenix (Craig Wilson) and I (Robert Kennison) were students in Eastbourne. Cobbleshock was a fresher and RP and I were third and second years respectively. It might be an understatement to say that RP and myself were somewhat competitive; We were both First Cat racers and our competition often continued over into training.

On this particularly miserable January day the three of us set off in bitter conditions to do a "long one", RP and I set the tempo on the front as we braved the biting wind and occasional sleet and hail storms. Up and over Beachy Head we pushed, each turning the screw a bit tighter as we tried to half wheel each other into submission. This punishment continued for an hour or so, neither of us prepared to submit to the will of the other. Finally having turned into the wind to head North through Piddinghoe RP turned to me and spoke his first words for an hour "Matt's gone" I looked around, Cobbleshock had indeed "gone" he was nowhere in sight.

We pottered on for a mile or so to give him the chance to catch up, nothing. We turned around and retraced our tracks for a mile or so, still nothing. We decided he'd had enough of the cold and wet and binned it, feeling slightly guilty we pressed on, our ride truly becoming a "big one" of five hours or so. Returning to Eastbourne, we thought that it would be nice to check that CS was OK so we pulled by the halls of residence and popped up to his apartment. His roomie was in; "Hi Brad, seen Matt?" "Er, no wasn't he out with you two?" We explained how we'd lost him, but assured Brad he'd be back shortly, (it was getting dark after all), and we were feeling genuinely guilty, remember?

RP and I rode down to our flat for showers, and dinner before deciding that we really ought to check on CS again. So off we went back across town to his halls. Here we found the shell of the man formerly known as "Cobbleshock" Still kitted out in the full 80's winter regalia from the tip of his Duegi overshoes to the top of his peaked winter hat, he was crashed out on his bed, fast asleep just the way he'd stumbled incoherently into the room. Brad elaborated, "He wobbled in here, fished an old Mars bar from the bin, scoffed it and passed out"

Eventually we roused him and over a cuppa he recounted his tale of woe. " Lads, I was so tired. We've done so much training this month and it was so cold, when we turned at Newhaven I'd had it, I shouted but with the wind must have been deafened you both. I stopped and went onto a pub to try and buy chocolate. Then I decided to shelter from the weather in a bus shelter, I must have dozed off for a moment or two. When I woke up I was really concerned I'd still not have the energy to get home when, by pure chance Robin's mum drove by and gave me a lift." Clearly Cobbleshock's learned from our mistakes! Cobbleshock, is this how it was?

Peter Rigby RR moved

Peter Rigby Memorial RR


The Peter Rigby Memorial Road Race promoted by Fareham Wheelers has been moved from Saturday 20 March to Sunday 18 April because of difficulties with the course which would have affected the earlier date.


Other details remain the same – this is a 77 km Regional B road race open to 3rd and 4th category riders (inc juniors) and to women of any category, on the Portsdown Hill circuit between Fareham and Portsmouth in south east Hampshire (see online on the Racing Calendar on the BC website). Race entries are £16.00 to the organiser Neil Dayus at 51 Wykeham Field, Wickham, FAREHAM , PO17 5AD (cheques payable to Fareham Whs CC).

Any rider inadvertently entering for the 20 March date because of the entry in the printed Racing Calendar distributed earlier in the year will be contacted by the organiser Neil Dayus and can have their entry fee refunded, or their entry transferred to the new date if preferred.

Neil can be reached on 07977 221663 (evenings and weekends only please) or by email to np_dayus@yahoo.co.uk for further information.