Welcome to VC Meudon News pages

How's training going? - A few videos to inspire you ..

Gilbert putting the miles in


Cancellara prepares for Roubaix


HTC in Mallorca


Sky in Mallorca

MTB Orienteering - 28th Dec - Eelmoor

Fancy something different between Xmas and new Year?
This is a local event, based at Eelmoor and taking place Wednesday 28th December
Organised by the British Army Orienteering club but open to civilians too

Can't read the image below?
Download pdf file here 


Team Kit Bags Anyone?

Last year we spoke about getting some personalised team kit bags. 

Attached is a graphic for VCM bag with side pocket. This is without current sponsor logos so that the bag would be suitable for an extended period of use.

3 sizes available, with or without side pocket option, made in Italy.
Price from £27.00+vat (personalisation and delivery included).
We would need a minimum of 12 bags made.

If you are interested let us know via a comment on the blog (include your name) or contact either Keith or Ben.




Thinking about racing?

Then Ian Franklin would like to hear from you:

Hi all, and that includes ladies.

Have you been riding sportives this year, or attending our club rides? Would you like to take it a step further and give road/circuit racing a try in 2012?

If so, there is a wealth of experience available within the club: Just ask and we will advise you on getting started and how to obtain a racing licence. 4th category races are where you will start to gain experience of riding in a bunch of riders and hopefully progress to cat 3 and up. At this stage I just want to get an idea of numbers and to be able to let you know what events are coming up. Also to answer any questions you may have. 

We had a great 2011, 4th cat wise, in the eleven Surrey League evening events at Dunsfold circuit this year: A total of  15 top ten placings including 4 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds. Most of our 4th cat riders are no more having achieved their 3rd cat (and in some cases 2nd cat) licences. 

It's a great opportunity for the club to win points for the Season long Surrey League competition but we need more 4th cat riders for 2012. In addition to Surrey League there are also some early season events at Thruxton and Goodwood. It has to be said however that the Dunsfold events have smaller fields and are easier than Goodwood and Craig's Eelmoor crits.

If you haven't raced before and are thinking of doing so it's a good introduction on a flat (but sometimes windy) circuit. Subject to the Surrey League (SL) the races should run from late May until mid September.

You can reach me at ianfranklin@ntlworld.com Please put “4th cat racing” in the subject line.

Ian Franklin

Ian's close shave

Ian Franklin talks blue moustaches and close shaves

"You may have noticed me sporting a moustache and that recently it has become blue. Purely by chance, back in October, I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer, albeit not an aggressive type. This came as a complete shock to me, after all ignorance is bliss! So much so that I took part in “Movember” where participants grow a 'tache for the month to raise funds to help raise awareness, offer support, and sponsor research into men's cancers.

Subsequently I agreed to keep the 'tache a further two weeks and dye it blue if donations reached £500. Thanks to generous friends the £500 target has been passed but my donation page at http://uk.movember.com/mospace/2023734 is still open should you wish to donate. The 'tache is due to be shaved off this Sunday evening (18 Dec) It will have been a close shave on two fronts.

Finally, men often seem reluctant to go to the doctor or talk about health issues
“one man in this country dies of prostate cancer EVERY HOUR, of every day..” Do yourself, your wife or partner, and family a favour: Please, if you are 50 or older see your doctor about a PSA test which can be a indicator of prostate problems."

http://uk.movember.com/mens-health/
http://uk.movember.com/about/beneficiary1

Terry and Craig's chalk chase Saturday 31st December

The annual event of the year and the official unofficial VCM off road championship.
This year 9.30 start from Seale tea rooms heading east to Surrey Hills. Make it as hard or as easy as you like. The route will be marked by Terry and Craig with a brief stop at the 2 hour point. After that a flattish return to Seale. Mostly off road with some great single track and descents. Come and work off the Christmas excess or help yourself to justify the New Years Eve blow out.
All standards welcome-- cross bikes, mountain bikes- follow the trail and regroup at the stop.

Dancing on ice with Ken R

Some more timely advice from Ken Ruffel on how to ride when the icy weather arrives:

Group training in icy weather
Keeping fit during the winter is something we all need to do. A complete lay-off should not be an option! If you can fit into one of the Meudon training rides on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, then you’ll keep fit.
But when the icy weather comes, you’ll need some special skills. Training in a group on icy stretches requires special attention. The group rides on any one of these days will differ in ability, skill and overall safety.
Our elite groups might go a bit faster, but the safety element will always be to a maximum. It’s a bit like F1.........you can always trust the wheels in front of you! Some of our other groups of novice or lower category riders may not feel as confident in the wheels in front of them, so a few tips here might help:
• THREE MAIN RULES FOR RIDING ON ICE IN A GROUP!
1. Stretch out! - ride at least a bike-length gap from the rider in front of you.
2. Do not even think about touching your brakes.
3. Ride on the tops of the bars with more body weight over your rear wheel.

• Riding on icy road stretches can be a bit daunting. You will still be riding in two lines, at tempo, and the safety of the whole group will depend on the judgement of the leading pair. Their eyes will see what’s coming up. They should verbally warn the group behind of an icy road ahead, just as they do for holes and gravel.

• Always be aware of your situation on the bike and in the group. Pay attention to where you are in the group. Be alert at all times. Keep your eyes focussed ahead. The more you know about any possible danger, the more in control you are.

• React appropriately to any warning signs from the front pair riding tempo. Don't overreact. How you react can have a major impact on what happens to you and your club-mates with you. Your goal is to enjoy the ride and get home in one piece. If you panic, you won't be able to help yourself.

• Of course, it’s still partly social and we all want to chat as we ride, but stay vigilant!

Richard's video clip of the month...

MTB Skills
"Time to put away the TT bike, get out the knobblies and try to emulate Danny Hart’s downhill MTB skills. Apologies for the commentary, it’s not exactly Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen."

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/216258/

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2011-reader-poll-hart-becomes-first-downhill-mtb-poll-winner

Richard Unwin