Boxing Day 10

Good conditions greeted the enthralled masses at the meeting point before the traditional Boxing Day 10. Due to a landslide on the course, a change of start and finishing point was needed. Kerne Bridge was used for this purpose, which meant the length of the course was reduced to a mere 6.9 miles. Even reduced, it still felt hard, as there was a light breeze on the return leg, with large amounts of cold air just to hurt the system even more.

We had a few riders from around the district, even one from as far afield as Japan. We obviously have an international appeal! Fastest rider of the day this year was not a Ross rider.

Ian Rivers from Hereford came along on his best TT machine to set the pace this year. Even with the roads clear Ian was having trouble getting the power down, reporting he was having traction problems. Colin took second spot on his winter hack giving an impressive sprint over the line at the finish. Talking of a Parry, I hope Papa Parry’s problem heals up soon……

Our international rider Keith managed to get into the top 3. When I was e-mailing him I did suggest he would not like our cold winter roads, to which he replied they had cold winter roads over in Japan complete with snow on them, so it would be a home from home. Another Hereford rider came next, again on TT bike. In fairness at the finish Dave did look like he had tried, blowing like a good un at the at the assembled group of spectators.

Another fast finisher over the line was Gordon from Gloucester, in his 3rd go at the Boxing Day 10. Every year he has just pipped me. This year was no exception. With the pre race hype (had been going on for a few weeks) the battle between Will and myself was going to be close (whilst the cat was away, we knew there was going to be a different winner). All season there was a bit of nip and tuck, with Will just coming out on top. I have to thank Will for the loan of his Turbo after my accident, which did the trick of knocking him into second Ross rider. I rode my old Giant with drop bars, which felt good uphill but not very aero dynamic on the flat. Will on the other hand did use his winter hack with mudguards.

James had made up his mind he wanted to get inside the 20-minute bracket, just failing, leaving him slightly disappointed. Personally I think it was one of James’ best rides. We need to follow it up in the new season, maybe even investing in a new TT bike, failing that a set of tri bars.

Clive the Animal had let his fitness drop off slightly, but I’m sure he will be pushing James in the new year, whilst looking over his shoulder for the ever improving Fletch, who has a lot of potential for spoiling everyone’s parties next year if he works on his speed. New man Neil put in an excellent time for a first go at time trailing. His mountain biking background helped, and I’m sure were going to see more of him. Alistair did his first Boxing Day 10, finding his lack of fitness became a bit of a lung buster. More winter work required as I think his result in the new season will improve greatly. At the post race de-brief, I’m afraid yours truly got the accolade of rider of the day.

Thanks this year to Julie for time keeping, Paul Fallon for launch control, and at the turn including signing Steve Millard & brother in law with John & Audrey backing them up.

Don’t forget the Ross and District Cycle Club Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony taking place at the prestigious Wilton Court Hotel, on Saturday the 30th of January 2010. Get your order off to Taff A.S.A.P. Information and menu on the link off the web page.

Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Ross and District Cycle Club Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony
I am very pleased to bring you the menu choices for the Annual Dinner, taking place at the prestigious Wilton court Hotel, on Saturday the 30th of January 2010.

Places can be booked by sending a cheque payable to Wilton Court Hotel, for the full amount, to:

Mark Lavington
22 North Road
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 5LZ

Please do not send cash …. and don’t make the cheque out to me!

Please list the full names and menu choices of all on the back of the cheque.

Here’s looking forward to a great evening on the 30th.

Regards

Taff

The Menu

£20.00 per head

Chicken liver parfait with a red onion chutney and walnut bread


Homemade leek and potato soup


Smoked salmon with pickled beetroot and a horseradish dressing


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Braised blade of beef with horseradish pomme puree and caramelised carrots with braising liquor

Slow cooked pork belly with fondant potato, Savoy cabbage, apple puree and a cider sauce

Lemon and herb crusted fillet of Pollack with celeriac and potato Boulanger with a watercress veloute

All served with a selection of braised red cabbage, cauliflower cheese and carrot and purple sprouting

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Brioche bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream and crème Anglaise

Sticky toffee pudding with toffee ice cream and a caramel sauce

Dark chocolate tart with a dark chocolate sorbet

Selection of local and continental cheeses accompanied by grape

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Freshly brewed coffee and mints

The Veggie option is now Here

Good afternoon all.

And in particular good afternoon to any of our vegetarian contingent.

Fear not - you have not been excluded.

Wilton Court have added a Veggie main course of Butternut squash roulade ricotta and spinach with tomato suce.

Apologies for the initial ommission.

To keep the menu cost to £20/head we have agreed to stick to a limited and set menu and to order in advance.

Please note down your menu choices for me when paying.

I will pick up any special dietary requirements in the New Year once this Christmas maddness is out of the way.

Cheers for now.

Happy Christmas.

Taff

(aka Mark .. or the Chairman .. )

a blast from the past

Four winners in one year!

Too many beers?

The Hill Climb Champion resting

The Vice Sec has spoken about The Holly Run

HOLLY RUN
Sunday 13th December 2009

Start: 10am from Ross

Lunch: from noon at the Neville Arms Abbeydore

Cost: 3-Course Carvery £9.95
Children’s Menu about £5
Vegetarian Option available

Thank you, James, Will, Tim, Ryan, Wayne & Paul F. for letting me know already.

Everyone else, please let me know by the 10th.

Phone: 01452 830633
E-mail: bill.reay@btinternet.com

Words from the Secretary

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

Service resumed

Your Web drone is back from his around the world trip and the results, profiles and BAR pages should now be up to date. Let me know if you see any mistakes.

We were in New Zealand to see my sister Marie and her family. Marie is a former Ross club member and sends her best wishes.

The family live in Invercargill on South Island where the national indoor velodrome is situated. It's a great facility with lots of open access. The Junior World Chamionships will be held there in 2012. The photo shows Marie leading out my first attempt at riding the 45 degree banking. I later managed a flying 200m time which barely matched my speed for 25 miles on the road (not good).

Marie is riding the National Masters TT champs in a few weeks and her daughter, Jen, is aiming for the national youth road race championship. Here's hoping that they do well.

Handicap 10

Firstly an apology to Bill for last week, I had his results wrong by 1 minute! All corrected now and the Bill and Mikey battle can continue!

Many thanks to Audrey for doing the timing, Mary and Robin for pushing off (and then Robin riding!), and lastly to Mr Jones for stepping in at the last moment and doing the turn.

With Paul back now this is the last time this season to have to put up with my dreary posts :) anyway.....

Another great turn out with 19 brave souls heading out onto the last yet windy Walford for the season, yet not a normal one, the favourite Handicap 10!

A new course record of 20:34 was set, smashing an incredible 1 minute off Alan Cook's previous best time round the course, oh wait, its a handicap time and it doesn't count!

Colin Parry set the pace for the night and even with the wind many people improving on their previous times at the last Walford!

Another 2 PBs set, Mark Lavington knocking off a few more seconds getting incredibly close to that 25 minute bracket so no doubt next season he will get there! Will (me) knocking off over a minute from his previous best Walford time putting himself into the middle of the 24 min bracket.

I would wager there was a possibly a 3rd, or at least the fastest ride on the Walford course in the last few years by Steve Millard putting in an incredibly low 25, almost getting into the 24s. Faster than any rides on the course that I can find on the Club website. I do think he is ramping getting ready for the kilo sprint in 2 weeks time!

Full list of results below, first by Handicap then by actual time





Rider of the night was Will for knocking off over a minute from his PB.

This week's Thursday event (27th August): Long hill climb, first rider off at 7pm

Forest clubs Tuesday event (25th August) : Cannop Kilo Sprint, first rider off at 7pm

Old Gore - WCA 100 - Dragon Boat Racing - COB Hill Climb

Final Old Gore of the season!

A good turnout for the last Old Gore of the season with 18 riders. Almost all riders putting in a better time than the last outing a couple of weeks ago!

Cookie even on his road bike still managed to come third, and two Ross riders setting new personal bests that I'm aware of(Fallon with a course best, Will(me) with a 10mi best)




EDIT : Results updated as Bill's result was wrong, sorry Bill!

Next Weeks Thursdays Event : The last Walford of the season! Handicap 10, be early for a Handicap in case I have to work them out. Paul is away for the week so I've been left with the list of Handicaps he has already worked out but just in case an early sign on would be helpful.

First rider off at 7PM with sign on outside the Walford school in the lay by as usual. Please sign up no later than 6:45PM.


Dragon Boat Race

It’s that time of year again, Ross Regatta and the Dragon Boat races! Crew of 10 needed for this good fun event, great fun last year with crews dressed up. Two that stick in my mind from last year was Smurfs and even one crew rowing naked (What a startling sight when you first look sideways at the boat!)

Lets get a team together, bring the families and have a good day.

Sign up in the forum here:

Dragon boat on the forum

Details of the Regatta here:

Ross Rowing Club Site


WCA 100

Alan Cook put in a great time at the WCA100 with a time of 03:45:19 unfortunately missing out on first by under a minute!

Paul Fallon put in a real solid time that I would love to do at 04:30:36 and Paul Stephens taking off almost 4 minutes from last year with 04:36:51.




Full Results:
http://cyclingtimetrials.janet0102.co.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=MoeMaZhZdmGPSYuQ8onYwr5VtT1MpzEe2fhLDMJ2raIcqkycJrweT-tOSegOH8lwmOeiNAntwA1eq0ryEwdX_w&ge1246__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=54337&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109


1st annual Tony Hickling Memorial Hill Climb

Climb on Bikes CC are running the 1st annual Tony Hickling Hill Climb up Caplor near Fownhope on the 19th of September.

A meagre 551m of pain to climb 69m with a tremendous record set my Tony Hickling in 1963! Works out at around a lovely 12.5% grade but don’t that fool you as there is a signpost going up for the hill for 17%!!

Sign on from 4PM, first rider off at 5PM. Followed by a BBQ!.

For details of the start point, race HQ etc see the flyer below:

Walford 10 plus news of welsh 100

As promised, good conditions greeted us this week; the only thing I got wrong was the lack of sun, which made the air a little denser. Mike stepped in to do the turn for which I was very grateful.

A nice ask, if not riding can you let me know so if I am in need of assistance to run the event I can call on you for help.

Once again the Cookmeister was quickest, saying he thought it was a hard night. Always complaining that boy! It’s actually a pleasure to watch him as he does make it look as if there’s no effort being put in.

With Falllon out of the equation, Dave must have thought he could back off, not so. Jerry pushed him all the way to the line to steal the delights of second spot by a mere second. I love close battles. As predicted, I say it every week, Steve Millard has again improved on his last Walford performance, so am expecting to see him in the 24 next outing (no pressure). I borrowed Taff’s bike this week, even with no telemetry, could tell I was going much quicker, enough to remove the smile off Wills face as we to are having a good close battle. What does he do? Turns the wick up himself to beat me by 2 seconds. Not impressed!

Clive now with a set of tri bars impressed the turn marshal with his brute power off the turn, every power stroke pulling the front wheel off the ground.

Wayne expecting rain was kicking himself for not bringing the fast bike out. A still very respectable time on a road bike, but it would have been interesting to see what he could have done on the fast bike.

Alistair made the trip over from the Forest to ride our course for the first time, noting it is definitely easier and faster from the forest end. What can I say about Paul, he had his game plan to get inside the 30-minute barrier on his new bike just failing by 12 seconds. Next time it will happen.

Bill was more motivated this week, with a later start slot than usual, which for a change made him the hunter not the hunted. He took full advantage, grinning like a Cheshire cat afterwards. Gerald had the same experience, also very happy to be a chaser rather than the chased.

Who remembers the bit in the film the “Wicker Man” where Britt Ekland dances around naked at a fire? Well Mary reminded me of the scene, dancing around most happy with her performance this week. At this stage I must make it clear Mary was fully dressed!!

The warmer weather had brought the wrinkles out of hibernation. In their own little battle Siz boy and el presidente locked horns for a titanic battle set to last for at least 35 minutes. At the end of their bout Siz boy came out triumphant beating his chest like the dominant gorilla of the tribe, pushing the presidente into last spot, but they did get value for money eking it out to 36 and 37 minutes.

Thanks this week to Julie for timing, Mike at the turn with Audrey and Bob, and Earl Smith for pushing off.

Rider of the night was unanimous vote going to Clive for knocking 3 minutes and 10 seconds off his best so far.

Don’t forget it’s a 7:00 start, not signing on up till 7:00. Please sign on by 6:45pm.

Breaking new just in

Our Jerry rang me to let me know he set his fastest 10 time in the Pontypool 10 Saturday so was like a dog with 10 tails. Well done on the 21:32, lets hope it doesn’t take another 8 years to beat this one (not a BAR counter).


Welsh Champs 100

With near perfect weather conditions, team Ross entered the event (why can’t we get Harwood out for this little sprint?). In the Cycling weekly comic, they reckoned Carl Ruebotham would just beat our Cookie. Unfortunately this prediction proved to be right, but Cookie didn’t go down without a fight. According to the groupies at the roadside, Alan was closing him down at a fast rate of knots at the end. Carl’s time was 3:44:23 with our Cookie 3:45:19.

I think it was one of his best rides to date and is a new PB for him. Fallon also set himself a new PB. Having been away for 2 weeks with his bike training and eating pies did a 4:30:36. Hot on his heels I managed a PB too in 4:36:51, blowing up a little in the last 4 miles, but I now have a nice sunburn rings around my arms.

Next weeks event are an Old Gore 10 at 7:00 and the Forest event is a Hill climb at Bigsweir.

Vintage Tankard is the 4th October for whoever asked me

Another reminder, if free for the 12 hour the organiser would love some help in some way for anything from a couple of hours to all day. Check your diaries.

Old Gore 10 30/7/09 And Cardiff 100milers 50 result

This week’s weather conditions were reasonably good. We had a strongish breeze but it turned out it was a side wind, which helped greatly on the return leg by not being in your face.

Cookie once again won but not by as much as usual, as he looked positively ill coming over the finish line. Andrew on the other hand put in a really good ride, which I had initially dismissed until I had seen his results from last year.

John Barnes edged Matt out for 3rd with a very strong finish up the hill. Matt in the process took 3 minutes off his PB from yesteryear. As predicted Steve M. is just getting stronger, pushing the ever improving Will down a spot, come to think about it he’s pushed me down too. Looks like a good battle brewing in this section of the results. John Batts on a road bike lost out to me on this occasion so we’re at one a piece at present this year. Taff’s strength always shows on Old Gore, won’t be long before we see it on Walford.

The Wayne and James battle is still close and I hope it goes all the way to the end of the season. Wobbly Bob although looking tired looked far more relaxed than usual, I think he will start to improve again before very long. Clive’s animal strength gave him a good time, looking very fast as he came up the finishing straight.

The Mike and Bill battle is another that’s raging on with Mike just edging Bill out. Was it because Bill said of their little wager, “last man home gets the beers”?

Rider of the night this week was Matt for the 3-minute improvement.

Julie timed, Peb pushed off and John & Audrey did the turn.

Cardiff 100 milers 50 today

As per the norm, Cookie 1:48:30 just won the event by a mere 4 ½ minutes so it was quite close. Jerry Roberts did a 2:01:02, Dave Constance 2:01:11, Clive Chappe 2:15:20 and I punctured!

In the process we won the team prize as well, well done boys!


Next week’s event is a very fast, warm, and no breeze Walford. Forest event is 1 lap of Cannop circuit.

Wanted Some photos to add onto the Blogg to make it look more intresting. Readers wives are ok but I may not be able to put them on here!

Also Wanted, your date of births for Will's New calcalator. You can keep your ages a secret, not intrested in that... email them direct to me

Paul

Walford 10 Results.... Course Record Smashed again

Walford 10 23/7/09

I predicted a good night for racing last week. Once down at Walford I was not so sure. Cookie said it would be fast, I still was not sure! The evening temperature was ok but there was definitely a strong breeze blowing.

Cookie obviously failed to notice the breeze once racing as the old course record (set recently by him) was smashed, this time knocking another 11 seconds off. Well done! I think having me start right behind him spurred him on…….

Dave Harwood set himself a new PB in an attempt to move clear of Paul Fallon who was stuck in the 24:30 rut. That was last week; this week he to moved his performance on, just failing to get into the 23’s. What a good battle the two are having.

Gordon Johnston from Gloucester last rode the course Boxing Day came back for a second go putting a very respectable time up. Martin again put in a quality ride (and came back the Rowing club for a swift lemonade studying the art of a social club after an event) a little slower than his best from a month ago.

An ever improving Will has now got under the 26’s and seems really motivated since the Don Woodman 25. He’s also snuck into the lead in his category in the 753 table, with the help of his solo effort last week. I have work to do.

Steve Millard as predicted is starting to come good removing huge chunks off this season’s results so far. I think there’s more to come as he prepares for his KM sprint effort. I performed badly, note to self – must improve.

Taff looked to be having gear problems coming over the Courtfield, but was happy with his effort still setting up his position on what at the moment is feeling a very alien riding position.

James must be very happy with his PB knocking a big chunk off his best to date leading the way just in front of Clive and Wayne who also set a new PB. Another good close battle, which should keep them focused and interested. Rumour had it Wayne was on a new bike, will check it out next week.

Bill looked very determined this week appearing to be giving it "large". Has he peaked too early showing his hand before the handicap 10?

Paul Cooper made his return to competition only 14 seconds away from his PB. Gerald grumbled about his tail end start but it must have helped as it was his fastest ride this year. Working life must be hard as Jason felt tired even before the off. The cycling back and forth to work will pay dividends before long. Mary took top spot of first lady home, a little off her seasons best. This week’s event was timed by Julie, John & Audrey did the turn with Mike and Peb doing the pushing off.

Rider of the night this week was another hard choice due to the fact there was some special rides by numerous people. But because of the course record moving on again, I have to give it to Cookie to share with James who may even have surprised himself.

At the rowing club later Will demonstrated his new program to make my life easier, impressing Martin with the technology. Everyone seemed impressed, as I may have sold the first copy of it to the Forest club. Just the odd hitch to iron out before the big lunch, I mean launch.

Make a note Old Gore next week at 7:00 (earlier start…)

Forest event is a Lydbrook 10 - Lindsay Venner Memorial Trophy (road bike) 7:30

Other news just in, Cookie failed to retain his WCA 10 title just losing out by 11 seconds, but still a very good time of 20:40 in conditions that were a little windy and wet. Me & Clive had a calmer wind but a very wet course. Our time were 24:42 and 25:06.

Results service

I'm going on holiday for a month so the results pages (753,profiles, BAR etc.) will not be updated until late August / early September I'm afraid. The results themselves will still be available here on the blog.

Have some great races. I look forward to catching up with all the news when I get back.

Lance

Jack Morgan 10, Don Woodman 25 and Old Gore 10

Sorry for the delay

What a busy week I’ve had, still a bit more to do as well!

I’ll start with the Jack Morgan 10. It seems like ages ago! If my old rememberer is remembering, poor Julie was ill so it was a case of trying to find a timekeeper at very short notice. Thank you Mary for indirectly volunteering, I’m in your debt. With John and Audrey away as well Peb said he would do the turn. There was a cool breeze making progress tough on the return leg. With a pot up for grabs, Cookie decided he wanted to hang onto it, but only winning by a mere minute this week. At this point it must be mentioned that Taff had a hand in this time. Whilst holding Cookie at the start, Taff used his brake to hold the bike still. After struggling to hit 20 mph, a check of the bike was necessary, finding a brake was stuck on! Sounds like poor maintenance to me.

Dave H. put in a spirited final section, finishing just 1 second behind him on the run in, setting himself a new PB for Walford. Paul Fallon came home third, struggling to get out of the 24:30 rut (he managed a 23:06 on the Ludlow on the Saturday before the DW 25 so he could be out of the rut now). Jerry was defiantly not on form. Too much work? not enough play?

Graham bucked the trend, not slowing for the conditions, could be the one to watch for some of us for the rest of the year. Will also put in a good performance, stealing points and seconds off me. Can’t let that happen too often.

Steve M. with all the time in the world on his hands is starting to move through the field and will be another to keep an eye on. Clive looked a little tired as he crossed the line, finding the evening had not been to his liking. Martin and Jenny brought the tandem out for the first time this year at a Ross event, then showed Bob, Peb and Cookie how to do a 3 point turn at the turn. Fletch was happy to improve but had targeted the sub 29, ah well only a second away. James now has another person to play with only losing out to Robin by 4 seconds.

Of the just over the half hour section Bill led the way destroying usual sparring partner Mike by a minute and half. Jason found the evening hard, having started his new job that week taking the edge off his performance. Colleen managed a PB to hold Mike off for 4 seconds, with even Gerald closing in on him. Can only assume he was also tired. Rider of the Night this week is Dave for re-catching Cookie, and I hope there was no slip streaming!

Don Woodman 25

Thanks to everyone that helped, you made the difference!

Wayne say a big thank you to Lorraine for me, according to my mummy she was brill.

Result here http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/donw09r.htm and what the nice people said here http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34800 There was one negative, but that is now sorted and he knows the error of his way.


Old Gore 10

With what turned out to be a grotty night, several rang me to find out if the event was on. My answer was yes if you really fancied getting wet. Just make sure you had a backlight. Several decided to bail out, possibly very wise!
With my good self deciding to time, Paul Fallon pushing off, John & Audrey doing the turn, Cookie being a loud spectator, Will Bevan decided he wanted the points for the 753 comp. He did ask if he could have the points for just turning up. No everyone said. Needless to say, not only did he win the event, he came last as well, and also got the rider of the night.

We did see if we could disqualify him for drafting the presidential car. As it turned out he had been going faster than the president.

Next week’s event is a Walford10 starting at 7:30; don’t be late as the evenings are closing in. Forest event is 2 laps of the Cannop circuit also at 7:30.

Paul

Don Woodman 25m TT results

The results are here.

Don Woodman 25m TT start sheet

The start sheet for Sunday's event is here.

Marcle circuits, and a change of winner!!!!!!!!!

Fallon spotted celebrating afterwards with a curry & a couple of cool ones

The conditions for this year’s 3 laps of the Marcle circuit (19.5 miles) were very warm but still. With a field of 15 riders, one thing was for sure, Cookie wasn’t going to win. Instead he decided to save himself for his weekend’s activities up at Cricklade. An ever-improving Earl set the standard for everyone to chase, looking super smooth and very strong up the climbs. I see touches of Cookie in the lad! In the Harwood and Fallon battle, the title of fastest Ross rider was all to play for. Dave looked fast, climbing well past the Royal Oak public house. Paul was on a high from his Tuesday night effort on the Lydbrook 10. Both appeared to have given all the beans, in the end Fallon taking what appeared to be sweet revenge for the drubbings he’d received the last couple of weeks. Looking at the stats, Paul started steady with his last lap being his fastest. Dave’s in comparison was fast getting slower.

Too many pasties on holiday sir?

Local rider John Barnes turned up having threatened to do so for a while, with his own support crew. John put in a good ride, which he appeared to have enjoyed; hopefully we will see him again! Martin again had a good ride, with the little rises being in his favour. I managed a PB, and at the same time opened the gap back up from Graham, looking at the stats, we were very similarly matched.

Taff had a hard one, wondering what had gone wrong. I would say he’d gone off a touch too fast from the gun. Clive put in what must be his best ride this year, again possibly starting a touch too fast, but once settled down in the zone. Wayne looked very broken after he finished, having to have a lie down as soon as he had finished. James selected the spin cycle option on his legs again; he was another who looked shattered afterwards.

Postman Mike is really getting serious now. This week he took the saddlebag off his bike, for what is/was one of his favourite events. Bill kept him honest losing most of his time to Mike on the first 2 laps. Colleen put in a really good ride showing she was the most consistent person of the night. Jason struggled home lantern rouge, finding the 3 laps tougher than he thought.

Rider of the night this week is Colleen for a well-controlled ride. Thanks this week to Steve on turn 1, John & Audrey on turn 2, and the Cookmeister on turn3. Peb did the pushing off & Julie sat enjoying the quiet and sun in her deck chair whilst timing.

Don’t forget its the forest club’s 60th birthday on the 17th July. It should be quite a social event, with a ride planned over that evening. Matt has asked to let him know if you’re planning on going for numbers.

Sunday is a trip over to Rhayader mountain biking across country. Let me know if you fancy something different.
Volunteers, Cakes, still wanted for the Don Woodman 25. We have a full field of 120 riders, which means we will definitely be putting a few quid into the club’s coffers.

RAAM ends with transcontinental record after brave ride.

Taken from CTT web page

RAAM - Ann Wooldridge

Ann completed the 3,000+ mile Race Across America but is classed as DNF as she was outside the time limit.
After a nasty crash around the 1,900 mile point and an 18 hour break

(trip to hospital etc) Ann bravely continued to acheive her aim.
Below is an extract taken from the Official RAAM site
The Briton, a long-time member of Gloucester RC, fought tooth-and-nail to stay in the race after sustaining several injuries crashing into a drainage ditch in Montana. Unfortunately, she narrowly lost out to the time limit, being ruled an official DNF in Rouzerville, PA, a mere 140 miles from the finish.
Despite this, Wooldridge fought on to finish “unofficially” in Annapolis and to secure the fastest crossing for a 50+ woman.
In this whole race, from all the categories, her story has been one of my favourites. I admired her quiet tenacity and focus while riding, while the fact she is a fellow Brit also helped to endear her to me; I was really hoping she would make the finish, against the odds after her nasty tumble. After coming so close to an “official” finish in Annapolis, we dearly hope she returns in the future to banish any unfortunate memories from this year’s race!

Also this:-
Ann Wooldridge could teach the world a lot. She rode to the city docks in Annapolis, MD last night and was cheered by about 150 supporters from the USA, Brazil, the UK and many other places. Team Can Be Adventures was there with both Daniela Figueiredo Genovesi and Janet Christiansen, who applauded and hugged this bike warrior Ann Wooldridge.
There was a lot of awe and many tears. Ann appeared frail in the least, shy and overcome. In all my years of involvement with RAAM I have never witnessed such a moment. I was alarmed at her state, but with time she spoke, she had a megaphone but was barely audible and a little time later she smiled, she knew she had accomplished something very special.
In RAAM, it is always a thrill to watch the first place finishers cross the line, but a deeper appreciation and understanding comes with the back of the pack. Ann was an official DNF in RAAM, but she still set a transcontinental record for women 50+ and she accomplished so much more than finishing what she set out to do. She inspired millions; she rode the good ride, the toughest race and then some.
To Ann Wooldridge I say thank you for demonstrating what is important and what can be accomplished with true grit, a gigantic heart and an unstoppable spirit.
Photographs HERE

Walford 10 25/6/09 & News

Welsh Champion for 50. Has he got one leg shorter than the other?

Tired of his picture, send me any you think suitable for blogs.

A warm but slightly breezy evening greeted the 18 riders taking part in this week’s Walford 10. I seem to recall saying last week it would be a fast night, and as per usual I was right. Cookie brought out the fast wheels covering everyone with cobwebs. He found the return home a little hard in the end having to settle with being 10 seconds off his record. Highlight of the night was the smile on Jerry’s face when he got back and the announcement

“the daddie’s back”, amazing what a little training does for some people!

Fallon seems to be stuck in the 24:30 bracket. Maybe a slower out will give him more horsepower for the return leg. Martin set himself a new PB this week on what is a harder course than the Forest’s same course but in reverse. I thought I might cut into his advantage this week (well I did, but not by much), my superb aerodynamics closed the gap from last weeks road bike 10! Its now my turn to have the bad neck, looking around to see Graham closing in to within 1 second. That Aero wheel and helmet must be doing the thing.

Will had a couple of practice launches at the start with his chain coming off twice. Alan Crowley appeared happy with his 1st ride on the Walford course from our end. Clive appeared to struggle a little this week, is it the over training? Wayne put in a really good ride, and is a good gauge of the differences between Old Gore and Walford as he uses a road bike on both.

The 27-minute club is being a little elusive for James, again just outside it. Robin improved from the last Walford and has now put his gun sights on James. Bill & Mike look to have resumed their battle from last year. Mike must now be serious, as he took the front mudguard off and put in his fast front wheel. Jason turned up on a borrowed road bike saying he was going to knock 10 minutes off his time. Well blow me, he almost did it! His new bike is on order.

Gerald also improved and has been steadily knocking time off all year. Colleen thought her training the night before had taken the edge off her performance, but still set herself a new PB. Mary was also a happy lassie with her best performance this year. Rider of the night this week is Jason for such an improvement in time.

Next week is 3 laps of Much Marcle Circuit. If driving out park safely, and don’t use the village hall.

Forest event is a very fast Lydbrook 10.

Our man Cook this week won prize monies from the Worcester St John 10 miler. Dangerfield failed to turn up when he heard Cookie was riding, so Cookie ended up with a nice big trophy. This is going to cost him a fortune, as he will need an extension for a trophy room. To round the weekend off, he struggled like crazy in a Hirwaun wheelers 50 with what can only be described as a tough day to win that one as well. Beers on him tonight (Sunday)

Don’t forget, next Sunday is the epic. A cross-country endurance mountain biking trip up at Rhayader. All welcome including the Forest Boyz. Dean’s done the route. Give me a bell for more info.

And there’s more,

Message from Matt Heaman

The Forest club is celebrating its 60th anniversary in July and to mark the occasion we would like as many of the Ross club as possible to join us at the Fountain on Friday 17th July from 7.30pm onwards. There is nothing formal planned beyond a few words and a toast for our birthday.

It will be a good chance to catch up with club mates and friends from local cycling clubs. You never know the Forest might even buy you a drink!

No need to respond but if you feel like dropping me a line it would be helpful to gauge numbers.

Please could you pass onto your rabble. I have already spoken to John and Audrey.

Hope to see you there

Regards

Matthew Heaman
Chairman
Royal Dean Forest CC

We could do a late Friday night ride not forgetting lights for the return ride