Monday 27 July 2009

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.

Saturday 25 July 2009

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

Sunday 19 July 2009

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




Thursday 16 July 2009

Monday 6 July 2009

Don Woodman 25m TT start sheet

The start sheet for Sunday's event is here.

Friday 3 July 2009

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.