Reliabilty Rides

Hi Chaps,

I attach some flyers with details of V C Sevale Reliabilty Rides on 10th January 2010. I'd be grateful if you would post the details on your web sites/let your fellow riders know/add to dates in your diary. The more the merrier :-)

Many Thanks
Eric Gorton
VC Sevale (Malvern)




Choice of 2 routes – Circuit of Bredon Hill, 52 miles
Tewkesbury Circuit, 35 miles

HQ - Barnards Green Cricket Club
North End Lane
Malvern


Sunday 10th January 2010

Sign on from 09:00
First Group Departs 09:30

Timed Rides with Certificate for Finishers

Further Details from EK Gorton 01684 568015 or ekgorton@tiscali.co.uk

Result from the last few weeks and more, including Vintage Tankard, it's a biggy + AGM NEWS

Welsh Hill Climb Report

Having decided to put an elite team into the Welsh Hill climb, things soon turned Pete Tong, when Will broke his wrist in the Aber & Back. Not a major problem, till work took over for Jerry so then it was down to Cookie and my good self to tackle the climb up from Llangynidr towards Ebbw Vale, a personal favourite of our man Jwooooones.

Weather was good to the point of the sun being too hot. The reccy ride gave me a good coating of sweat before I had even turned a wheel in anger! Anyways, what I remembered about the hill from 3 years ago went out of the window. It was steeper than I remembered. At the hairpin, just over a ¼ of a mile to go, the hecklers stood.

I was lucky; I still looked good going past them, a very important thing in my opinion. Having finished I returned back down to hecklers corner. Earl of the Forest came through next looking composed, but not at the same speed as the hill whippets. Earl likes the hills! Cookie was last of our lot to come through. He did not look good. Eyes bulging pain etched on his face. To top it off, I had to slow the speed of my camera down just to give the effect he was actually moving. Even worse still, the eventual winner was seconds behind him. How does it feel to get passed? Ha, now you know how we all feel. Times were the winner 11:00, Earl 12:04, Cookie 12:05, and myself 15:55. Bear in mind, a lot of those riding were hill whippets, who you never see during the rest of the season.

Vintage Tankard
Again things had been looking good for a good close battle of the Tankard. Then with some key players being unavailable, doom was on the cards. Closer to time, the team became in flux, I was not even sure we had a full team. Not only the unavailability but also several with illness, things were looking bad from my point of view. Some wheeling dealing on the phone secured maybe 8 players. Sunday morning came and another had failed his medical. Doomed was booming through my head. James saved the day, dragging “The Animal” Clive to the rescue, out with him. Graham Carter got up from his deathbed, halleluiah we had a team!!!!!!!

Meeting at the Fountain, my job of psyching the team up and everyone else down started in earnest. It was cold, and I didn’t fancy cycling up to the start, so a nice warm car for me it was. Temperatures at Boys Grave were considerably warmer on the top of the hill, as opposed to the bottom. John Linden and Matt deployed Marshals for duties, Coach getting the best spot studying the lines and styles of the riders descending Speech house, and Dave measuring the speed past the Beechenhurst entrance. Julie did Speech House itself, enjoying the smell of the sheep dung. Bart was at Parkend, and Papa Dobbyn (don’t know your name, apols) at Cannop cross.

Being circuits it was inevitable some rider would be starting as others were starting their second laps. This I think motivates better performances from everyone.
What can I say about the results? For the end of the season there were a lot of really good results, including a few PB’s . Alan “The Annihilator” Cook destroyed the course record making proceedings look like a walk in the park. Earl was the fast man from the Forest team a minute and a half off The Annihilator’s time. Richard Lawton led his compardres for the Phoenix. Bottom line was we lacked sub 50-minute riders meaning we ended up 2nd some 15 and a bit minutes down.

What it really means is the tankard should be nice and clean when we win it next year. Both Cookie and myself got full marks off the hill judges for style and effort hitting 50mph down the bank. It was also nice to see some youngsters out and a couple of ladies. Will tell Mary, Colleen and Julie to start their next years campaign this year……

Just checked the split times, they make very interesting reading. James - explain the last lap!??!
Ross Hill Climb
Good weather conditions this year saw 9 warriors turn up for this legendary event. Every year Siz boy turns up to eye everyone up. Siz held the record (still has the Ross record) for 30 odd years, so he turns up to see if anyone can even come close to his old time. Hill climbs are definitely a specialist event, and we weren’t disappointed this year. Matt in a motor vehicle (pimp wagon) accompanied his troops from the forest, and surprisingly they just about managed to keep up. Will pitched up in his cast looking meaner than a snake, planning to do battle with the hill on his mountain bike. I put him off directly in front of me, thinking it would be a good idea to have someone to chase. Best laid plans never go as intended, he took off like a scolded rabbit, once at the top rueing what could have been had he not broke his wrist and me some ways back wondering why he was already at the finish.

Earl was next up, a miniature powerhouse but looking like it was hurting bad. Bill Reay decided to dress for the occasion wearing his polka dot hill climber’s jersey. I could tell he’d psyched a few out before he’d even got his number on. The man even smiled and called his number out as he went over the line.

Forest Man Will Latchem was next off. Not seen much of him this year, but he too made it look like hard work. The Cookmeister was next up, travelling quick but, we knew it was not enough especially as his eyes started to bulge out of his head again. Is this a trait he gives when he’s on the limit?

Young Alistair was next off, I really thought he would fly up the hill, on reaching the finish, he could smile, but not as big a smile as Bills. Breaking himself back into cycling Adam Horswill crossed the line only to be told he was half way. I got half a rye smile for my efforts. I put him off last as my money was on him; Jerry climbed the hill soaring like a hawk (or should that be climbing like a cat?) to win the coveted title of hill climb champion 2009. According to bottom of the hill timekeeper Julie, he went like stink off the line. As he approached the finish, he again accelerated, this was the point he won the event in my humble opinion. He also said it was a hard day, which I had to agree with, especially for the early starters.

Rider of the day was Adam of the Forest for a big improvement in performance since the Vintage Tankard. He will be fast next season if I’m reading the signs right.

AGM
Don’t forget the AGM is on the Monday 19th of this month at the Larruperz in Ross. Please make every effort to attend. It is imperative that the Club has the views of as many members as possible so that together we can make the Club truly unique and successful in the coming years.

Next Sunday there is a trip to the Brechfa Forest Mountain biking. Absolutely awesome stuff, Let either myself or Deano know if you fancy a jolly to that neck of the woods.

Jwooooooones has had his op. Pioneering techniques with seven incisions. He described it as a painful experience, and Amanda really does not like doing the dressings He’s got a few months of doing nothing ahead. Hoping he has a speedy recovery, and will be part of the backbone of our Vintage Tankard win next year.

Paul

Hill Climb
Julie timing at bottom, Audrey & John at the top. Derek Hill pushed off.

Abergavenny & Back

Well, I was set up like a kipper. Julie asked Taff on Friday night, “Where’s a nice walk for me and my hunky man Paul?” Giving the question a ¼ hour to think about, up the side of one of the black Mountains came the reply.

It was just one of them weekends, the alarm set for 6:35 (ok so it was 6:45), it failed to go off, did I turn it off and go back to sleep or did Julie fix it for Taff, were they conspiring against me when I went to the WC? I just about managed to get there for 7:28, only to see 18 smiling faces, not the sort of thing I like to see at that time of the morning. I somehow managed to get a mid field start knowing all was not well; maybe I could bluff the first half out!

Conditions were good, with only a light breeze to contend with. Cookie back up to full fitness (gave him a real work out on the hills during the week), absolutely annihilated the course record covering the 47.5 miles in a time that only he will probably be able to beat for the next couple of seasons. Dave Constance, in a bid to capture his times of yester year put in a good steady controlled ride, starting gently before enjoying the flatter sections on the return journey. Jerry started quite quickly, but reined himself in after assuming he’d started far too fast. He seemed still in a state of shock after the event at both the point and the speed at which Cookie had passed him.

Matt put in another good performance, which must make this season one of his best to date. Dave tried the same experiment as Cookie with a new streamlined water bottle. Alas, his too disappeared from its cage during the event. If seen please return to Dave. I reckon it’s down the hill after the downhill from the St. Owens cross public house.

Martin had the disappointing news he’d failed to get into the PTW 25, but was pleased he still had an option “B” for the day – our event. In his first ride on the course, I’m sure he was happy with it as it suited his style (hills). Alistair told me via e-mail he was going to give me a good whooping, if I had not been sabotaged the day before I would have been closer to 2:10 I think!

Alan’s first go at this course, resulted in a good ride, and is another I expect to remove some sizable chunks off his times next season. John saved the best of his season till the end. John’s another who likes the uphills; will he be a threat at the Vintage Tankard?

Wobbly Bob found the ride hard work, but once he’d seen everyone’s times was happier, with Graham on the new TT bike not far behind. I watched as Graham’s legs buckled in the last 4 miles, the last climb up to Pencraig doing a fair bit of damage.

Next up was that scarab Lavington knew what he was doing sending me up that mountain, just squeezing home in front of me. I’m still hurting badly today.

Young Alistair showed a lot of guts attempting this event, as it’s most definitely not an easy course. He decided to take the scenic route home through the centre of Monmouth, which did put a look of concern on Matt’s face as some of us had not overtaken him but had already finished. I could see Matt’s look of relief as he came into sight.

Bill put in a really good time, as he was not far off his Walford 10 speed but on a much harder course. He was one of the few who was really sociable chatting for about 10 minutes on course whilst I was side by side with him.

Unfortunately Will failed to finish with a small technical problem, but was going really well prior to that.

Thanks to John & Audrey for timing marshalling etc, and to Paul Fallon who got most riders up to Everstone before they had to turn a pedal.

Rider of the day this year is Cookie for smashing a record with such style. Dave Constance was very close contender for getting so close to when he was 18. I think another season might get him up to that point.

Clive did get in to the PTW 25 recording a time of 1:02:09

Deano has reported they had a cracking time at Dolgellau.

This was one great trip. Thanks to all for coming.Good weather was a Brucie bonus, and the fact that there were noequipment issues and only one puncture was, well, unusually lucky.And with only a few off's, pretty much injury free as well.Cracking.For those who like to know the details of the rides. Here’s the info offof my computer.Saturday's figures

Altitude Total climbed 4298 ft, Max alt 1835ft, Avg climb 5%, Max climb 17%, Total dist 39.84 miles, Ride Time 4.05, Avg spd 9.7, Max spd 33.2
Sunday

Total climbed 2624 ft, Max alt 1143 ft, Avg climb 6%, Max climb 18%, Total dist 25.86 miles, Ride time 2.36, Avg spd 10 mph, Max spd 28.5 mph

RDFCC's 2009 Forest of Dean Mountain Bike Enduro.This Sunday, Sep 27th, see's the 4th staging of the RDFCC MTB Enduro. Already race secretary Trevor Hyde reports 250+ riders have signed up forthe event who can tackle one, two or four laps of the challenging 10 milesingle track circuit based in the Sallowvallets area of the Forest. The course building is now complete on a slightly amended route to 2008 and has been ridden and tested by Club members who enjoyed the circuit. Spectators are most welcome and if anyone wishes to help marshal please call Matt Heaman on 07765 404709 or turn up on Sunday morning at 8.20am to Pedalabikeaway,Cannop to the marshal’s briefing. The action kicks off at10.30am.Entries officially closed on September 23rd any late entrants can call Trevor Hyde on 01531-822889 to check if acceptance to the event is still permissible.

practice wasted, no unicycle section!

Don’t forget, The Vintage Tankard is on the 4th October Let me know if your riding. The Forest are running the event and the menu’s attached if you want food to go with our winning cask of beer afterwards.

Weyhill Weekend

Well 4 brave souls from Ross CC traveled down to Andover for their Weyhill weekend, a lumpy but supposedly fast 10mi on the Saturday and a lumpy with a big hill in the middle 25mi. Mind you the 25 still didn't have as much climbing as our Old Gore 10 does!

Got a quick snap of the Ross kit, old and new as Paul Stephens and Alan Cook were warming up



If anyone wants to look at the course details, route and climbing etc links are below:

Weyhill 10mi TT
Weyhill 25mi TT

Now I will hand you over to Paul for the race report :)

So here the rest of the weekend’s story

Once upon a time, someone (Cookie I think) suggested a trip to ride what supposed to be a fast 10 course with a 25 on a lumpy thing thrown in. Deciding a weekend was the way to go, we had to work miracles to get the weekend passes from our she who should be obeyed (x 4 of us).

Cookie drove, in fuel economy mode, at the same time we checked the course out. Initial reaction was not good!! Very lumpy and open to a strong wind. Will was off first being a youngster in the kid’s race. Yes it was hard, but he was very happy, as he'd smashed his old PB. He returned a time of 22:12, which I suppose was ok.

Cookie was next out in the Vets 40+ cat, followed 9 minutes later by my good self. The wind was not nice; the undulations were horrid, but reasonably quick. I got to the turn at an average speed of 27mph, cool I thought, looking forward to the tail wind home.

Ha, where was that wind?
It never kicked in so had to settle for a 24:03, 3 second slower than my PB. Cookie on the other hand just won the event in a time of 19:36 and his new PB. He was happy and £50 notes richer. Paid for the room, but getting a beer out of him was a very different matter. Clive was last to go in the over 50’s section. Clive battled through to do a time of 24:55. Clive actually seemed happy to be on old turf chatting to old friends from racing down there many moons ago. This meant it was it was 7:45 before we got to the digs for the night. A quick shower from a spray can (only kidding), and Will and me were ready to hit the bar. A tap on Clive and Cookies door to let them know we had gone down saw Cookie bolt from the traps to join us.

Shock Horror followed, ordering the drinks from the bar, the bar man said of Will & Cookies drinks, “there’s the ladies drinks, what do you 2 want?” Imagine me having to say their honed athletes whilst trying not to laugh! One had lime soda the other a shandy. Clive restored my faith a little later by at least sampling larger.


Anyway we went for our meal, not bad I must say apart from Cookies curled up fish thing, never worked out what sort of fish it was meant to be. Only one person had the pudding, which I thought was quite delicious, then straight to bed. Will accused me of snoring, how could I, I was awake because he was tapping on his computer.

Early next morning came around far to fast. We had to be on the road for 7:30. Will again in the kid’s event!

As Will set of for the 25, the world was good. Clear skies, no wind, perfect. Half a hour in and the clouds rolled in to the point it was almost dark, the wind picked up, not good. An hour later and Cookie was on his way. The skies had now started clearing with the sun just starting to come through. I started 9 minutes later. Clive was still in bed, how lucky was that.

Pre race I told Cookie he needed to do a 52 dead. As I joined the main strip Cookie was just coming back from the first turn. Crikey I thought, he’s10 minute up on me already, and I’ve only been riding for 4 minutes, how dose that work? The head wind felt the same as the day before, but I felt strong. The tail wind off the turn was a little better. As we passed the slip road for the finishing leg, the road started going in an upward direction, not steep, just long. I felt at home on it! Once over the top, there’s a nice down hill off at the next slip before retracing back up the other side of the hill. It now had the character of a mountain. Still I enjoyed it. Once over it was the 10-mile course again. A 4x4 thing held up cookie at the turn, I was as well until I overtook it going into a roundabout. A quick blast back to the finish and it was all over. I did see Clive just starting, as I was finishing. I thought to myself that hills going to hurt him!

At the HQ Clive had to apologies to the photographer for keeping him wait to photograph him. John and Audrey came down for a dirty weekend and to support us.

Time were Clive 1:05:48, Paul 1:02:48, Will another PB with 58:46, and Cookie 3rd overall and in the vet section with 52:21

Cookie lost out on the £100 prize for best placed rider for the weekend by a mere 1 second, that’s ruff!

Did tell him at the start he needed to do a 52 dead!!






Few more pictures below, unfortunetly I didn't get any of Clive or myself(Will).

Picture & more news

Picture on the front page is Cookies little fellow, James aged 7.

Whilst on holiday in France they ventured across this jolly big hill called Alp d'Huez. As it stood in their way, there was only one thing for it. They would have to go up it. Cookie tried to drop James several times but to no avail!

I'm sure dad bought James a beer and ice cream at the top before the descent. This was the bit James enjoyed the most, but in Cookies words, " he scared the c%*p out of me" showing no fear on the descent hitting 30 MPH plus on his little mountain bike.

Do we have another Cookie in the making but fast on the hills?


AGM

AGM will be held on the 19th October, with everyone encouraged to come. It's a club, our club so it need everyone input. Any nominations for office, and proposition need to be in to Audrey by the 5th October.

On the night there will (depending on if the nomination goes through) a chance for every one to (secret ballot) to vote for their rider of the year, with that person getting a nice cup.


At the committee meeting this week we decided to go mob handed to the Welsh championship hill climb. If your interested let me know ASAP how to enter if you fancy a bash with everyone who thinks their hill whippets.

A date for the diary 27 November. This could potentially be the date for a skittles match between Ross, Glos Velo & the Royal Dean club. Families welcome. More info to follow

KM sprint - Thursday night rides

KM sprint

My money was not on this year’s winner. I knew he would have a good ride, but maybe not that good. With 2 past champions the odds were not good, however, after Will's dodgy start, crunching gears off the start line he was gone. At no point did he look fast, but it must have been a good controlled ride off an even pace all the way to the finish. KM specialist Steve had my money riding on him, under normal circumstances would have won. Steve always looks the smoothest rider during a sprint.

With the wail of a neutered sheep off the start line, everyone with in no doubt as to Taff’s intentions. He was up for the job! In his first KM he only, and I mean only, just took the Race Secretary’s scalp. I seem to be stuck on 1:17 this year, as it’s the second one I’ve done. Note to self:- must try harder. (Or drink less beer on Thursday nights! – Julie)

With all that untamed raw power, also in his first KM Clive showed the power events are his thing, again pulling the front wheel clear of the ground at the start. Old saying “less haste more speed” just a little steadier off the line, more power for the finish at 30+ mph as opposed to zero from start line.

Wobbly Bob found seven seconds from last years time, and I sure he was happy with that result. I had Dave down for a time that would be challenging for top spot, but alas, it was not to be. Dave used his road bike, which in hindsight would say that’s a mistake. Next year!

We’ve found Martin’s weakness, sprints! After such a good year improving by substantial amounts at everything there was only a small improvement from last years time. Tim touted himself the man to beat, delusional I think comes to mind, but not bad for his second ride of the season.

Wayne in only his second KM just beat last years time, I’m sure if the course went up slightly, the results would be very different in Wayne’s favour. What can we say about Bill that ain’t already been said. You can’t race and have a great smile on your face all the way down the course!!!!

Mary Mary Mary, just been through the archives, was sure you had done a KM in the past. Took a lot of looking for and guess what…. in the year 2000, you did a 1:30. We have some work to do with you this winter. You will get back there, but don’t worry because you did have 3 scalps for the mantlepiece this week. Peb thought he was going to get out of riding by pushing off. That didn’t work as Graham did the launch control. Peb and Siz both own some of the Presidante’s scalp this year. Mind you, the Presidante did knock 10 seconds off last year’s effort. Is he going to turn the tables next year?

In his first race Young Fallon junior, Matt, enjoyed his first ride. Although on this occasion he came in lantern rouge, it was not by a lot. Matt rode his mountain bike. When dad said go flat out for the last bit of the course, even dad was surprised at his burst of speed, crossing the line at 22 mph.
Rider of the night this week was again tied, between Will and Clive, both putting in mammoth efforts.

Tuesday night rides still happen leaving the Rowing club gates at 7:30 on Tuesday

Thursday nights start again this week, meeting at the rowing club, leaving 7:00 prompt. You will need lights, getting back to the rowing club for about 8:30 for a social beer..


Time keepers Julie & Audrey. Graham Carter launch control.

Long Hill Climb by Madmen

It comes to something when a long hill climb attracts as many people as a 10 would, there again there were some different faces. It must also be noted there were more spectators than usual. Audrey & John did the timing at the top of the hill, Julie at the bottom. Steve Millard begged me to let him ride when he saw how much fun everyone was going to have. I had to be firm and tell him he was pushing off. Just to add insult to injury, Dave Giles realised he was in the wrong gear, lifted the rear wheel and proceeded to attempt to castrate Steve who was stood with the back wheel between his legs. Hope the swelling’s gone down….

Earl set the pace putting in a really good effort, one could tell he had tried just by the ghostly look on his face as he crossed the finish line. Jerry once again put in a sterling ride being the fastest Ross rider; we really need to feed that boy up. Will put in another corker of a ride where did that come from? Martin has put in some really good rides this year; this proves he’s not a one-event rider.

Leyton was my tip for the win, but in his own words, he’d had a poor season, meaning the legs were not as willing as the mind. Dave Harwood carries on going from strength to strength, the 3 stone lost since last year appears to have paid dividends. Alistair may have found his forte, not quick yet on the flat, he’s certainly playing with the big boys on hills.

Is Taff on drugs? Another who’s gone mad up hill compared to the flat. Just got the feeling he will put some really good 10 times in next year. Dave Giles used his mountain biking legs for the climb, another one who prefers the hills.

Mike the scalp hunter grabbed several this week; looks like several of us will require new syrups. James had a 13 second late start as his chain came off, then put in a blinder of a climb, under 12 next year? Graham used the TT bike and was on the extensions up the last part of the hill. I had a really pleasant ride; not hurting myself too much and can say with hand on heart I was the fastest and most unruffled as I went over the line. Hopefully I might be able to get my hands on Kevin’s pic’s of everyone coming up the hill to prove it.

Clive showed once again brute strength works, again pulling his front wheel clear of the ground as he gave it large over the line.

Robin seemed happy with his ride as he’d had a couple of weeks off, holidaying, no I mean working over in South Africa. Next weeks hot favourite Tim crossed the line in 13 minute dead, this was his 1st event of the year. Not spoken to Wayne, but I’m sure he’s not happy with his ride. I would expect him to be some where near my time if not faster. Was there over training or a problem? Last over the line was Chris who only intended to watch. Some light persuasion and he had a go on his mountain bike. He seemed to enjoy it so hope to see him out again, as he has a new bike coming.

Rider of the night this week, once again was not an easy choice. Listening to the votes and looking at the performances still did not help. So this week I’m going to call it a 3-way tie. Will (punched well above his weight), Clive (improvement from last year) and James (improvement from last year).


Next weeks event is The Kilometre Sprint at Much Marcle.

If you drive out, don’t use the pub car park unless you buy some drinks! Parking considerately in the village if driving out. If cycling, think about lights as it will be getting dark quite quickly now.

Forest event is their hill climb up Speech House Hill. Only 2k of pleasure.

Wills and the boys ride today http://connect.garmin.com/player/12155587 Will maybe putting a library of rides on here. Put your responses on the forum at http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=142018&threadid=2103040 about his idea. Sounds good to me.

Message from Monst at the Forest Club/ Glos Velo

Hi all

As part of the Royal Dean Forest Cycling Club celebrations this year, we have booked the BBQ events area at Beechenhurst on Saturday the 12th September 2009, from 5pm to 9pm.

All are invited from the RDFCC as are Glos Velo and Ross CC.

Please bring your own food and booze!!

We will also be setting up a short race circuit for the kids.

The BBQ will be after the final trail building for our ever successful Enduro, which will be held the following weekend. Even if you can't help with this, please attend the BBQ and celebrate the ever increasing success of Forest and District Cycling.

Please Reply to andrew.lock@virgin.net so that we can gauge numbers attending.

For Sale

Talbot Swift Royale 540 Motorhome,
1994 L,
4/5 berth, 2.5 diesel, 50, 000 miles,
taxed, MOT 11 mths, PAS,
cooker, fridge, shower, toilet, heating, electric hook up, cd player, bike rack, ladder, top box, good condition for year, well loved and looked after

£9, 000 ono

Can email photos on request

Tel: 07738626864 or 07738687118
neil@turner53.screaming.net