Welcome to VC Meudon News pages

Our man at Goodwood reports....

Goodwood commissaire Keith Brooks reports:

"Lured out by sunshine a number of Meudoners rode the Surrey League Goodwood races on Sunday…..in the fourths Tom Hicks looked very comfortable and put in a few hard bursts before finishing in the bunch just behind Luke Harris riding his first ever race and having no problems at all. Luke said he “bloody loved it”.

In the 3rds there were 7 from the Meudon; it was a pretty negative affair with a few half hearted attacks until three guys (all vets!!) got away with a couple of laps to go and held off the bunch by a handful of seconds at the end. I think we need to get our “team caps” on for next week and try to enliven the race and get our strong riders away instead of waiting for the bunch sprint lottery. We need some more riders to help, there must be loads of thirds in the club who would be capable of winning next week.

In the E12 event Paul Pickup went from the gun and that set the tone of the race which was flat out…a small field of less than 30 it soon broke up into two groups with the strongest in the front and it seemed all over but the bunch of just about 12 riders really got themselves organized and it regrouped. Didn’t last long and they were off again with a group which could have left from the shop on a Sunday morning club run consisting of Paul, Anders, Jez, Dave C, and Roger went again. Roger’s lack of racing this year took its toll and just when it looked like it was coming together he dropped back to a chasing group only to see his mates take off again. Come to think about it, just like a Sunday clubrun. They stayed away and Mr Hoy got his win number 18 of the year just in front of the Cycle Kingdom duo. If only the 3rds race was as active as that, real racing and a pleasure to be in the following car.

Thanks to Jamie and the Corley team for organsing the days racing…Jamie, if you ever need some helpers I know a good club!

Next week there is more at Goodwood, 4ths @ 9.30, Ladies 9.31, 3rds @ 11.00 and E12 at 12.45.Full details on the SL website. If you are preparing for La Picard or the Meudon race on the 11th then its a good opportunity to get some fast safe miles in and earn valuable Surrey League points for the club."

Like gadgets? Want to be on the telly?

Bullseye Productions are currently looking for people to take part in a brand new SKY1 HD Series all about technology & gadgets. The show will feature a team of gadget experts, ready to address every day people’s technology based problems, queries and desires.

For one of our episodes we’re specifically looking for a group of cyclists (3-4) to help us test out some of the latest cycling related tech on the market. There will be two days filming involved one early September and another during September or October. It will be great fun, so please get in contact ASAP!

If you want to hear more about the show and to be sent an application form, please email Matt Tiller at - gadgets@bullseyetv.co.uk - with CYCLING TECH in the subject. Remember to include your names and numbers.

VC Meudon Surrey League road races 11/9 details

VC Meudon Surrey League Promotion: 11/09/11, Preston Candover

Each race would ideally have around 10 Marshalls, plus assistance with line judges, catering and those in safety cars, so please commit to assisting with at least one race and have a bash at racing the other! Please let me know A.S.A.P @ mikel142@btinternet.com

Entries:
Entries via the Surrey League website – www.surreyleague.co.uk

HQ:
Preston Candover Village Hall,
Old Basingstoke Road,
Preston Candover,
Basingstoke,
Hampshire,
RG25 2EE

Races:
09.30: Cat 3, (Regional B), 50 miles
13:30: E/1/2/3, (National B), 75 miles

Lap Length: 9.7 miles (rolling)
Finish (Blue Marker): On Berrydown Lane just before left turn onto Green Lane (slight drag, flat run-in)

(Blue marker at bottom of map): HQ, Preston Candover Village Hall

Neutralised from the HQ, turn right onto Berrydown Lane; continue for 1.7 miles until left turn onto Green Lane (climb, long but shallow gradient and good surface) towards Ellisfield; continue onto Northgate Lane towards Hackwood Lane ( CAUTION on downhill and following lane) then Church Lane to t-junction at Cliddesden; turn left onto B3046 up climb (steep, but short...ish) and then downhill for 2.5 miles to Axford; left turn back onto Berrydown Lane to complete lap.


View VC Meudon Surrey League - Preston Candover in a larger map




Good coaching opportunity with Pickup

Top local rider Paul Pickup is setting up a coaching business and this is your opportunity to get some quality guidance at a preferential rate while he's setting up - VCM juniors can get some training for free:

"Calling all cyclists – would you benefit from some cycling coaching? Do you know anyone that could do with some bespoke Personal Fitness Training?
Following a lifetime interest in cycling and general sports, I have recently set up my own Personal Training and Coaching business, focusing on all levels of fitness and abilities, and am able to offer my services to VC Meudon and Surrey League members and their friends and family at a discount for a limited period.
Coupled with over 15 years racing experience, including all disciplines of the sport from Mountain Biking to International stage races, I also have a Diploma in Personal Training, am a qualified British Cycling Coach and a member of the Register for Exercise Professionals.
Having won several National races and time trials and the overall Surrey League season-long competition 5 times, I have a wealth of competitive level cycling experience which has enabled me to coach more junior members of cycling teams, along with friends and school groups. On the Personal Training front, I have experience in both gym-based and outdoor training.
I am happy to advise or coach anyone, regardless of discipline or ability and can offer bespoke training packages suited to your particular needs and fitness/performance goals.
So, if you want help trying to improve your PB in a time trial, move up a category in your road racing or just want some training or racing advice whilst heading out for a ride please get in touch.
Please contact me on 07734 111747 or pug50@hotmail.com and I will be happy to talk through the options with you."

4ths don't score @ Dunsfold shocka! Quick report.

Ian reports:
Only Tom Hicks and Colin Stevens for this event. Tom getting in a couple of breaks which got reeled in and Colin trying to get away but without success. Another bunch Sprint with Colin and Tom 11th and 16th.


Ian Franklin
07973 828408

LVRC vets race at Dunsfold report

Ian reports from 7th August:

With 3 of the 8 laps remaining in the 51 mile race Geoff Wiles (National Pro road champion 1976) broke away with our Keith Brooks for company. By the time I saw them with one lap to go they had a lead of some 20-30 seconds, with Dave Williams and Ray Palin trying to bridge the gap. Come the finish and two riders crested the hill, the white and mauve jersey of Wiles in front of Keith's Vecchi jersey and that was how it remained at the finish line. Bling ride Keith.
Anyone want to know more about Geoff Wiles go to http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki?search=geoff+wiles

Ian Franklin
07973 828408

Handy new bike box hire website

For those of you who prefer something more sturdy than an old Specialized box and don't want to spend a million pounds on a new Sci Con, a friend of member Grant Pretorius has set up a new bike box hire service based in Churt:

http://www.bicycleboxhire.co.uk/Welcome.html

Bronze for Martin at nationals

After months off the bike through injury, consistent performer Martin "twenty hours a week" Hulbert proved he's back on top form with a great ride in the British Cycling national championships for the F cat vets. There's a particularly fetching picture of Martin in an old vest on the podium at the bottom of the velouk report:

Report

3rd for the 4ths at Dunsfold

Ian Franklin reports:

"Only Colin Stevens lined up for this race, number 10 of 12. His recent performances have been somewhat disappointing but sensible riding produced a fine third place in the sprint. With two races left he only needs a seventh place (or better) to get his 3rd cat. He's still riding his compact chainset from London - Paris - Time for the 53 to be re fitted!"

An Evening At The Races

A sunny evening at Goodwood, a proper handicap Glyn sez, so off go the 4th/ladies and we wait what seems like ages to go. Eventually were off and amazingly for a large group of 3rds it gets organized and all of us, about 30 riders, are going through and off; the commissaire comes up on the Moto and asks if I’m OK as he’s never seen me on the front before!.

The talk is that we’ll stay away if we keep this up and we catch the 4ths after just a couple of laps, but then its chaos and the organisation withers. A lap of hesitation and we are caught by the scratch group.. I sit on Jason’s wheel as they go straight past and to the front but a lack of confidence and concentration sees me at the back just as a group of 5 clip off. I see “Cav” Allen “ you know I’ve hardly touched my bike since Cutmill” going across, and am convinced Dean was with them as he had a couple of hundred metres on the bunch as we got caught. “Cav” starts to come back but another small group go across and he manages to go with them and reach the break which then includes all the stars like Chaingang Dave, Killer Costello, Toby, Jay, Chris Mac, and one of the Yates family.

Well it seems like it’s over but surprisingly the bunch actually keep going hard and keeps the break in sight. “The Prince” has a word with Agisko’s Holland –Leader and they make an unsuccessful attempt to get across; Dean, James Graham, Tom and Josh keep plugging away and at 3 laps to go the gap is down to about 20secs but the break realize and speed up.

So last lap and after Dave has towed the break around a figure in plain kit (I forgot me club kit) zooms past and takes the sprint…another impressive win for Mr Allen. He was almost as quick packing his bike in the car and leaving the premises as the “where did he come from” questions were being asked.

Only three more Goodwoods left but if you want some fast miles its worth the £15.00.

KB