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Race 3 - Eelmore Cycle Kingdom Circuit Series

Results from Race 3 of the Cycle Kingdom Eelmore Circuit Series
held 27th April 2011

YOUTHS
1 - William Colegate - P.Park Velo - E Boys

1 - Joe McGuinness - H S S - D Boys

2 - Jay Allen - P.Park Velo - D Boys

1 - Damon King - Palmer Park Velo - C boys

1 - Lucy Colegate - Palmer Park Velo - C Girls

1 - Cormac Scully-King - V.C.Meudon - B Boys
2 - Sam Oliver - P.Park Velo - B Boys

1 - Rachel Ansell - Palmer Park Velo - B Girls

1 - Joe Crolla - Palmer park Velo - A boys
2 - Jamie Fry - CCB - A boys
3 - Josh Ansell - Palmer park Velo - A boys




3/4 RACE
1 - Jared Spier - LA Fuga-Sigma - 3
2 - Declan Higgins - Twickenham CC - 3J
3 - Ross Muir - LA Fuga-Sigma - 3
4 - Karl Norfolk - Pedalon.co.uk - 3
5 - Kevin O'Neill - VC Meudon - 4
6 - Phill Bowley - Owens Cycles - 3
7 - Scott Oatridge - CC Basingstoke - 3
8 - Bruce Karsten - Prestige Velo - 3
9 - Richard Unwin - VC Meudon - 3
10 - Leigh-Roy Macfarlane - Cycleworks - 4



E12 RACE
1 - Richard Mardle - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - 1
2 - Allan Ridler - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 2
3 - Anders Christensen - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
4 - Tim Elverson - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
5 - Paul Pickup - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
6 - John Wager - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
7 - Robert McCarthy - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 2
8 - Pete Wager - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - 1
9 - David Creeggan - VC Meudon - 1
10 - Justin Hoy - Felt-Colbornes Racing TeamvE
11 - Daniel Duguid - Sigma Sport - 1
12 - Stephen Bradbuny - AWCycles - 2
13 - Jamie Newall - Corley Cycles - 2
14 - Matt Gittings - AW Cycles co.uk - 2
15 - Jamie Caldwell - St Ives - 2

Race Report, TLI Sandie Radford Memorial RR


Race Report from Adam Herridge

Another hot April day, well into the mid 20’s, saw the Sandie Radford Memorial road race take place at Nomansland in the New Forest. It was a TLI race so there were no points up for grabs, and had it been further from home I probably wouldn’t have bothered with such exertions on a sunny bank holiday weekend!
The race consisted of two larger loops of around fourteen miles, followed by two smaller five mile loops for a total of 38 hilly big ones, with a nice 15% lump up to the finish line. There were forty four riders at the start line, so not a massive field, but quite a mix of abilities; including what looked like your typical pub cyclist up to a couple of Elite guys from Cannondale Racing.
The pace car set off and so did the riders. It was only my second race of the year, so the legs were still untested to a certain degree, and with no juicy BC points in the running I wasn’t pressured into pulling a top performance out of the bag. So I thought I could have a bit of fun!
Owing to the mix of abilities, the back of the peloton didn’t seem like a sensible place to be, so I made haste for the front and sat in for a bit behind one of the tall figures of Cannondale Racing. There were a few random accelerations but nothing much happened for the first half lap until a guy from Antelope RT went for a break. I think he was only testing people as his effort seemed half-hearted when he was reeled back in. When we began the second loop I decided it was my turn to shoot off the front and he decided to follow. We worked together and stayed away for a few miles but before long the peloton were chomping at our heels.
The effort of these accelerations seemed to have dropped the weaker riders and the peloton now only made up around twenty. I decided to have a second dig about 2/3rds into the course and was on my own for a couple of minutes until two riders bridged the gap. I jumped on their wheels to recover but the two boys from Cannondale racing obviously didn’t want us to stay away so before long they’d bridged the gap too, joined by another two riders.
By now we’d well and truly left the others behind and the seven of us were setting a pretty decent pace...so much so that after my previous efforts I was melting my face off to try and maintain this, and after jamming the brakes on for a sharp left-hander I simply couldn’t match their acceleration out of the corner. Rather than use up every last ounce of blood sugar I opted for easing off and letting the group behind catch me.
By the time the chasing group caught, another rider had dropped from the lead group and so I knew a good sprint up that last hill would catch me Sixth place. I sat in for the last little lap, taking on the last of my water and conserving energy for the finish.
We rounded the last corner a mile or so from the finish line and the pace really dropped...everyone was sussing each other out. Then the hill gradually started to kick in and the breathing got heavier. I was waiting for someone to go but no one did, so I kicked and hoped I hadn’t jumped the gun. The gradient really started to build on the switchback and glancing behind I could see painful faces lapping at my back wheel. The finish line came into view from behind the dense vegetation and slowly the hill levelled off to reveal an abundance of cheering spectators. With my legs burning and my heart rate nudging 210 luckily I didn’t have far to go and made it across the line first (well, 6th!!) by a bike length, before lying in a sweaty heap on the side of the road.
Not a bad result considering I hadn’t gone out to set a staggering performance, and with my earlier efforts pushing me into the red several times, I was surprised I’d made it up to the finish line just outside the top five.

More Spring Classic photos

Howard Gadsby was also at the race taking photos:

Howard's photos

WELL DONE & THANK-YOU

Well done to both Craig Peter and Terry Morgan for putting on more great races on the Herriard circuit over the past 2 weeks. Quiet roads and great weather all helped but so did the all the people who assisted in one way or another.

Big thank-you to everyone who gave up time (and resources) to help and support the racing - we even managed to field plenty of our own riders too. (They'll get their chance to help later - see below ...)

Racing at Eelmore continues through the summer, so please help Craig where you can.

The next big date for your diaries is our Surrey league Promo on the Cutmill circuit - Sunday 11th Sept.

VC Meudon Spring Classic - Results

Official Results

25th April VC Meudon - Spring Classic Road Race E,1,2,3 Results
Total riders 66

1 - Steven Allen - 2 - Team Coventry Cycle Centre
2 - Ian Knight - 1 - Team Corley Cycles
3 - Allan Ridler - 2 - Cycle Kingdom race team
4 - Russel Falder - 1 - Mammoth Lifestyle RT
5 - Anders Christensen - E - Cycle Kingdom race team
6 - Nick Abraham - 2 - Private
7 - Paul Crook 1 - Beyond mountain Bikes
8 - Roy Chamberlain - E - Team Corley Cycles
9 - Martin Ford - E - Mammoth Lifestyle RT
10 - Jamie Caldwell - 2 - St Ives
11 - Paul Pickup - 1 - Cycle Kingdom race team
12 - Ian Alexander - 2 - Cheltenham &County CC
13 - Justin Hoy - E - Felt-Colbournes R.T
14 - Gary Dodd - E - La Fuga Sigma Sport
15 - Andy Betts - E - La Fuga Sigma Sport
16 - Rob McCarthy - 2 - Cycle Kingdom race team
17 - Ian Paine - 1 - London Dynamo
18 - James Fox - 2 - CC Luton
19 - David Larcombe - 2V - Cycle Kingdom race team
20 - Matt Myers - E - Pasta Montegrappa-Zheroquadro
21 - David Swan - 3J - Asfra Racing
22 - Mike Wragg - E - Python Racing Team
23 - Dan Duguid - E - Sigma Sport Specialized
24 - Andrew Udall - 1 - Mammoth Lifestyle RT
25 - Mark Holt - 2 - Pasta Montegrappa-Zheroquadro
26 - Jamie Newall - 2 - Corley Cycles
27 - Steven Richards - 3 - Cycle Kingdom race team
28 - Simon Healey - 3 - Andover Wheelers
29 - Nigel Williams - 2 - Python RT
30 - Douglas Coleman - 2 - Anders TMG Horizon RT
31 - Antony Buchan - 3 - Team De Ver
32 - Chris Snook - 2 - Banjo Cycles
33 - Harold Evans - 3 - Private
33 - Ben Marks - 3 - Cycle Works.co.uk
35 - James Holland-Leader - 3 - Agiskoviner Cycling Team
36 - Henry Peacock - Team Zappi's
37 - John L McClelland - E - Agiskooviner Cycling Team
38 - Darren Parker - 2 - Python Racing Team
39 - Steve Dring - 1 - Team Echelon-Rotor
40 - Claire Galloway - 2 - Team Zappi's
41 - Gabriel Martinez - 3 - VC Meudon
43 - Lee Smith - E - Felt-Colbournes R.T
44 - Roger Morgan - 2 - VC Meudon
45 - Henry Furniss - Wyndymilla Maxifuel

King of the Mountains - Martin Ford
1st 2nd Cat Rider - Steven Allen
1st 3nd Cat Rider - Dave Larcombe

Josh's blog

Josh is now blogging his training and racing at:

Josh's Blog

VC Meudon Spring Classic - Photos

VC Meudon Spring Classic

Contact me via www.colinaddison.com
or
Follow casebycase on Twitter
for copies / prints.

MEUDON SPRING CLASSIC HQ CHANGE

There has been a slight change in the HQ location for the MEUDON SPRING CLASSIC event on Easter Monday.

The new HQ is approx 400m north of the old one at The Pavilion, Herriard.
Postcode is RG25 2PD

See event webpage for details


View Meudon Spring Classic in a larger map

Craig wins at Norwood Hill

Good day out at the LVRC at the weekend with lots of Meudons/Vecchis and Cycle Kingdoms and great weather. The ABC race (40-55) was won by Craig Peter with Craig Wilson 3rd over the line as part of a four man break who timed it perfectly to just scrape home before the bunch. Only non-VCM or ex-VCM rider in the break was Richard Hallet so here's a nice (more objective?!)report (from his LVRC blog) on the Craigs' acting abilities:

"Last year I finally gave in and joined the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists. I also rode a road race under LVRC rules. It was exceedingly hard, as everybody familiar with LVRC races said it would be. But then, aged 49, I was at the oldest end of the possible age grouping for the event, which put age groups A and B, 40-44 and 45-49, in one race and C/D in another with E and so on in yet another race, all running at the same time with a staggered start.

It was in expectation of the same arrangement that I recently entered the LVRC Epsom Spring Road Race, which took place yesterday. Newly elevated to category C, I was looking forward to being at the youngest end of the age range in my race.

On reading the start sheet, however, I got a nasty shock; there would be just two races running concurrently, a 50-miler for categories A, B and C and one over 40 miles for categories D, E, F and G. This was even less favourable than last year's event. The race circuit, around Norwood Hill, didn't look like helping, including as it did a long steady drag and a short, sharp lump as well as the usual Surrey undulations.

Fact is, of course, that this is not really the way to look at LVRC races. There's a separate prize list for each category, so although I was in a race ridden by three of them, I would only be racing for a prize against members of my own. Which made a big difference on the day.

For some reason I have never found road racing quite as straightforward as time trialling - or track racing , for that matter. Infuriatingly, something usually seems to happen to impede my chances of winning. As often as not, it's the eagerness of my fellow competitors to do the winning themselves, of course; its just so hard to beat the bunch...

This time, however, I got it just about right. The first of five laps was a lively affair, the bunch splitting and reforming several times as attacks were nullified. Then, as we started the second of five laps, the bunch eased off, as it does, and spotting a lone rider dangling 100m off the front I accelerated up the outside. Joined by Craig Wilson, we quickly rode up to Ashley Holding. Looking back, there was a sizeable gap and we set about increasing it.

On the steep climb to Norwood Hill cross roads, we collected Craig Peter and had a four-man break. With a 30 second lead and about 35 miles to go. How hard were those miles? Hard enough; the race distance of 52 miles was completed in about 2h 08', which is knocking 25mph...

The break worked reasonably well, AH driving hard while CP, who looked strong throughout, tried to convince us that he was on the limit at all times. With two laps remaining we were informed that we had a lead of just over a minute, which then began to tumble. By the start of the last lap, it was back down to 30 seconds or so and we were obliged to push hard if we were to stay away.

Until this point I had seriously - if optimistically - pondered the tactics I might use to win the race, but with the bunch breathing down our necks there was no point in fencing - and besides, I was the only category C rider present. Which meant that, if we stayed away, I would win. Time to give gas - and some.

Once over Norwood Hill for the last time, we had just one small lump to climb - just outside Leigh - before the last mile or so to the uphill finish. Unfortunately, my legs were about to give out and I lost contact on the lump. There was just enough left to claw my way back to the three ahead, behind whom I stayed put until CP and AH began the sprint with the former rolling out the winner. CW, who had taken a few turns out, was gentleman enough to stay behind me until, looking back, he saw the bunch closing fast and felt compelled to surge past. Cramping up, I could do no more than creep over the line a matter of three or four seconds ahead of the winner of the bunch sprint - but it was enough to secure me the cat C win.

And fourth place in the actual race, of course. And it still has to be said that racing with those young chaps is very, very hard."

Read more: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/richards-blog/a-wins-a-win/6564.html#ixzz1K92BuooK

Eelmore Circuits - Race 2 - Photos

Eelmore Circuits 20april2011

Photographs available - contact via email link on the album

Race 2 - Eelmore Cycle Kingdom Circuit Series

Results from Race 2 of the Cycle Kingdom Eelmore Circuit Series
held 20th April 2011

YOUTHS
1 - Jake Epps - V.C.Meudon - E Boys

1 - Joe McGuinness - H S S - D Boys
2 - Jay Allen - Palmer Park Velo - D Boys

1 - Damon King - Palmer Park Velo - C boys
2 - Danny Griffith - Palmer Park Velo - C boys

1 - Sam Oliver - P.Park Velo - B Boys
2 - Cormac Scully-King - V.C.Meudon - B Boys

1 - Ross King - Velo Schils Interbike - A boys
2 - Jake Norman - Wyndymilla - A boys
3 - Josh Ansell - Palmer park Velo - A boys

1 - Anna-Mark Hughes - HSS - B Girls
2 - Toni Griffiths - Palmer park Velo - B Girls


3/4 RACE
1 - Mike Laborero - CycleWorks.Co.Uk - 4
2 - Joseph Laborero - CycleWorks.Co.Uk - 3
3 - Nick Allen - VC Meudon - 3
4 - Richard Unwin - VC Meudon - 3
5 - Jon Harris - CCB - 3
6 - Phill Bowley - Owens Cycles - 3
7 - Ian Black - Norwood Paragon - 3
8 - Henry Peacock - Team Zappis - 3
9 - Nils Gustafsson - Inverse RT/Cyclaim - 3
10 - Karl Norfolk - Pedalon.co.uk - 3


E12 RACE
1 - Pete Wager - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - 1
2 - Justin Hoy - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
3 - Lewis Atkins - Twenty 3C Orbea - E
4 - Robert King - AW Cycles co.uk - 1
5 - Anders Christensen - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
6 - John Wager - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
7 - Lee Smith - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
8 - Paul Pickup - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
9 - Robert McCarthy - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 2
10 - Allan Ridler - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 2
11 - Tim Elverson - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
12 - Joe Harris - Reading CC - 2
13 - Henry Furniss - Wyndymilla - E
14 - Waulter Sybrandy - Sigma Sport - E
15 - Richard Mardle - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - 1

Eelmore Parking allowed inside circuit tonight

Update on tonight's Eelmore - Parking is back inside the circuit again - Phew, much easier for everyone...
Get there early is going to be a cracker!

Three generations of VC Meudon.....


....kit. In one outfit. As modelled by Phil M.

Lee's Charity L2P24 appeal

"I will be taking part in cycling as an individual from london to paris in 24 hours….
I will be fundraising for Scope - disabled children.


http://www.justgiving.com/leemead/


The event is:-

London to Paris 24 is a tough but achievable endurance cycle challenge with a simple concept – get to Paris in less than 24 hours! It’s not a race and up to 400 riders cycle the 300 mile route setting out from Blackheath, before speeding through the Kent countryside and on to Dover where a ferry to Calais awaits. Once in France we head south for Paris, cycling throughout the night until sunrise, followed by an earlymorning dash towards the French capital where we re-group on the outskirts of the city for the final push to the finish line under the Eiffel Tower - allwithin 24 hours from departing the UK!

Every donation no matter how big or small would be gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks

Lee Mead"

Josh's Junior Tour of Bristol

If you were wondering what Josh was up to, he decided to choose a national series event for his first ever (non-circuit) road race. Here's how he got on jumping in at the deep end:

"Day one consisted of 8 laps of a 13km circuit around a lake. It was a relatively flat course with one notable, but short climb. I did not know what to expect, as it was my first road race, and have never ridden with another junior rider :(
A field of around 80 riders turned out. The race started very fast, with the first two laps averaging about 32mph. There was a break away, but with the peleton moving at such high speeds, it was not going to last. I felt very comfortable throughout the stage, trying to keep a good position near the front.
At one point of the course we came down off the only hill, where our legs were spinning out at 40mph with the gear restrictions. Someone hit a catseye and flipped over the bike, whilst we were all lucky to avoid him, his bike was demolished.

The pace really picked up for the final lap, as a break group had just shot off the front and quickly gained 30 secs with no one really wanting to chase. I was in the perfect position, around three back for the final lap. The sprint opened up and I finished in the top of the main bunch, with only a 30 sec defecit to the break four. All in all a good day.

Day 2:
The second day was a very different type of course. Including 5 very demanding climbs. All night I had not felt well, did not get a good sleep. The stage was to consist of 80km ( shortened at last minute) in the Mendip hills. I was experiencing slight stomach cramps just before the race and it did not get much better. I managed to stay with the lead group until 20km to go, where I got blown off on a climb. I did not feel good, and threw up twice, on the move.

Managed to haul myself round once more, and up the climb before almost passing out. Not what I had planned, and still do not know the cause of all this.

Really good race though, and am even hungrier thanks to it."

Richard Unwin at Hillingdon

Last of the Magic Homes crits at Hillingdon saw Richard Unwin the best finisher of several Meudons as he makes his way quickly to second cat:

"I raced in a cat 2/3/4 circuit race last Saturday at the Hillingdon circuit and managed to finish 10th which I was very happy with. A few other VC Meudon's also raced but I think they got baulked on the final corner as there was a large field on this tight circuit. I was pushed wide on the final corner and spent some seconds on the grass but managed to get past a big bunch up the finishing straight who must have run out of steam. So far this season I have finished in top 10 in all the 5 races I have entered so I hope this trend can continue. I look forward to the Eelmore series where hopefully a few more from the club can take part. I did a couple last year with a best of 9th place."

Which of these riders tried the hardest?

And which is Craig Wilson? (Spotted by Keith)


Eelmore Circuits - Race 1- Photos

Eelmore Circuits 13april2011

Photographs available - contact via email link on the album

Race 1 - Eelmore Cycle Kingdom Circuits

Results from Race 1 of the Cycle Kingdom Eelmore Circuit Series

YOUTHS RACES
1 - Jake Epps - V.C.Meudon - E Boys

1 - Jay Allen - P.Park Velo - D Boys
2 - Joe McGuinness - H S S - D Boys
3 - Zac Elverson - Felt Racing - D Boys

1 - Danny Griffith - Palmer Park Velo - C Boys
2 - Charles Page - H S S - C Boys

1 - Liberty Hards - VC Meudon - C Girls

1 - Sam Oliver - P.Park Velo - B Boys

1 - Toni Griffiths - Palmer park Velo - B Girls

1 - Jamie Fry - CCB - A Boys
2 - Ross King - Velo Schils interbike - A Boys
3 - Joe Crolla - Palmer park Velo - A Boys



34 RACE
1 - Nick Allen - VC Meudon - 3
2 - David Barnaurice - Felt Colbornes - 3
3 - Michael Laboren - Cycleworks - 4
4 - Mark Taylor - VC Meudon - 4
5 - Nils Gustafsson - Inversert/Cyclaim - 3
6 - Andrew McCombe - CCB - 3
7 - David Farmer - Cycle Works.Co.Uk - 3
8 - Matt Wakeford - Wyndymilla - 3
9 - Mark Lawn - Inverse RT/Cyclaim - 3
10 - Rich Pyne - Army Cycling Union - 4

Another win for VC Meudon's Nick Allen, his 3rd of the season and an impressive ride by new VCM member Mark Taylor in a very large field of 53 riders.
UPDATE - some debate about the result now - we'll check the start sheets and photos and update if required!

E12 RACE
1 - Justin Hoy - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
2 - Jamie Newall - Corley Cycles - 2
3 - Paul Pickup - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
4 - Pete Wager - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - 1
5 - Tim Elverson - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
6 - Andes Christensen - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 1
7 - Robert McCarthy - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 2
8 - John Wager - Felt-Colbornes Racing Team - E
9 - Allan Ridler - Cycle Kingdom Race Team - 2
10 - James Bracey - VC Meudon - 2

A bit of "as you were" at the first E12 race, with Justin Hoy taking the spoils and the Felt-Colbornes team looking dominant again but possibly seeing some more challenges from the strengthened Cycle Kingdom RT.

VC Meudon Likes Geoff's video

We Like Geoff's video shot at The 2011 Hell of the East, the Dengie Marshes Tour
Follow Geoff on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/thewarhead

(high quality video so go fullscreen)

VC Meudon Spring Classic Update

This event takes place on Sunday 25th April on the Herriard Circuit.

I have added additional race details and a current list of entries on this page
http://www.vcmeudon.com/meudon-springclassic2011.html

Emperors of Thruxton II

With final official results still to come in, this week's report comes from Richard Unwin who rode the thirds. Naturally this was won by Nick Allen with Ben Marks 3rd and Richard Unwin 5th. So a quite good result all round then.

"When I realised how may riders were in the race, something like 100,
I thought no way am I going to get in the top 10 so I decided to give
myself a good workout instead. I covered almost every break and even
helped a 3 man break to see if we could get away, alas we were caught
by the pack. It was really enjoyable to be up the front working so
hard. In the last 3 laps I was in the top 5 or 6 and covered a lot of
short lived breaks. I felt a bit tired coming up the hill on the final
lap but just gave it a final effort. I saw Nick in front of me so
tried to follow him but had to break hard in the chicane when another
rider cut in front of me. I lost a lot of speed so I stood up and
began to sprint again but I was in too high a gear so it took a while
to get back up to speed. I was very wide on the finishing straight but
managed to pass the bunch and very pleased with 5th place."

Half-wheeling to be outlawed on VCM rides.

Here's the latest top tips from Ken Ruffell in his etiquette series:

"REAR WHEEL QUICK RELEASE

Younger riders differ to the grizzlies on this important safety factor. They now have the quick-release lever on their rear wheel pointing backwards. Most of us grizzlies have it pointing forward, for good reason. If a group of riders stop suddenly, perhaps because of a crash immediately in front, then bikes will come into contact - for example, front wheels pushing into rear wheels. When a quick-release lever is pointing backwards, there’s a good chance that it can be flipped open by another wheel, and when the racing gets going again, someone’s bike will be dangerously insecure! I know what you’re thinking...this is just a grizzly thing. So take a close look at the pro teams’ bikes at the Spring Classics and see how the team mechanics have set them up!

HALF-WHEELING

When we are training as a group, in two lines, the two guys up front set the ‘tempo’, which should be brisk and constant. If the two front guys keep their front wheels parallel with each other, then the two lines of riders behind stay parallel also. If an inexperienced rider on the front feels he needs to prove a point to the rider next to him, the two lines will become eratic and unbalanced, and the response from the guys behind will be to either get pissed off or take the piss. The result will be that the weaker rider will pull off before the ten or twenty minute interval has been completed. The average speed of the completed ride will also drop."

Ken