Record turn out for a Walford 10

A record turnout this week, we must be doing something right. Just think, if the regular 6 who were missing had turned up poor Julie would have had an even bigger turn. Already stressed being slightly late getting down, signing on took the best part of 20 minutes. With so many riders a second time keeper was necessary, at this point I’d like to thank Matt Parker stepping in to push off and play time keeper, until Tim Milnes and Brian Amsdell also stepped up to the breach. I hope you all said thank you also to Audrey who did the turn as well!

No big write up this week as there were just too many people to get around and have a chat to. Andrew Jones must have been happy been really happy with his ride, knocking quite a big chunk off his best on here this year. Earl used the ride as a training ride using his power tap wheel not a million miles behind Andrew.

Best of the Ross candidates was Dave only 4 seconds away from his PB on Walford. Sooner or later Fallon is going to go a lot faster (new 30 degree stem this week’s mod to bike), especially as “The Destroyer” is now taking a shine to Fallon’s fine scalp.

Will’s progress has halted this week. At this point I should note it was a little cooler than previous weeks, with a stiff breeze, which seemed to be swirling making it a hard night for most. Fastest road bike of the evening was John Barnes. How embarrassing is that for those of us with TT bikes, when he’s banging in performances like that. He should be one to watch on the road bike 10 later in the year.

Martin Green obviously found conditions to his liking moving in the right direction, towards the front-runners, as was Wobbly Bob. Alan Taylor has also made a big jump in time, maybe fancying Wobbly Bob's syrup. Simon Burke has now found the way to better times, spend lots of money on kit!!!!

Andy Parker looked a broken man, already having done 2 spinning classes earlier in the day. What a martyr suffering for all those leotard-clad lasses. Steve Reynolds was very happy to have found the turn this week. Steve up till this week had never found the turn always turning shy of the mark (about ½ mile shy). Clive Chappe graced us with his presence; expect Clive to knock some big chunks off his time in the next month.

Tonight’s winner of The Face of Pain was young Thomas. I reckon he must be burning the candle at both ends to look that bad after a ride.

Young Alistair is looking a lot happier over the last couple of weeks, as he’s starting to get his race fitness back. James is continuing to dominate the green category, but Wayne is chasing hard whilst he’s not working. Once young Bazzer Bailey has got into a certain time zone, poor ol dad has said he can have a new bike. He’s not far away. Tony was again happy with another new PB. Is Paul Cooper a ringer? A blue cat rider mixing it with the green cat riders. Will I have a mutiny on my hands?

It was good to see Bill back after his forced early season lay off, just edging Mike the post out. Buzzer Beard (that was his nickname 60 years ago) made his first appearance in 18 months, showing that even being close to being an octogenarian is not slowing him down. Gerald was in his element, having been the last rider for the last few weeks, made amends by passing three others, on route to a new PB this year.

Come try it rider Penny put in an impressive first show, just pipping our own fair Mary, who did the Brit Eckland dance afterwards being elated having smashed her times this year and stolen the tribal elders’ scalps in time passing them as well on the road.

Last but not least The Club Elders. Their own in house battles and tactics made good listening to afterwards, the stories on pacing and who made the most effort at which point. In the end, Peb stole the march over Siz boy, who in turn left the President to bring up the rear. This Week’s Rider Of The Night, was an easy choice for the panel of experts although there had been many good performances, of who in the running were Andy Jones, John Barnes, Wobbly Bob, and Alan Taylor. But in the end Our Mary Munchkin won for knocking over 2 minutes off her other times this year. No wonder she was dancing around. There was a rumour she had been off cycling in the woods with Mike the post chasing her. Would this account for his improvement this week as well?

Results of the 753 can be found on the results page at the bottom http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/res10.shtml

Next week is the Ledbury & Back. Meet at Old Gore Crossroads. Park well off the road if travelling by car

Sunday there is a group going to Brecfa mountain biking. Leave from mine at 8:30. On the trail for 11:00

Old Gore 2 up 10

The Old Gore 2 up is a good tough course to find out how good your partner selection was. The fast out, mountain type terrain finish needs team work which means 2 out right fast riders will suffer on the hill, likewise 2 hill climbers are going to suffer like dogs on the flat bits. There is however an exception to this rule! It goes by the names of Earl & Leyton. Earl may be very fast on the flat but his natural habituate is courses that undulate. Leyton also loves the hills, which ensured their first team win taking the prize money. Oh sorry, spent it already on my wheels!

Hot on their heels was The Cookmeister and Dave H. If ever there was a teaming that looked out of kilter, this was it. On the positive side, I have revived an old award for Dave. Yes folks, tonight’s winner of “The Face of Pain” goes to Dave Harwood. I seriously thought I was going to be riding through his stomach contents up the hill to the finish.

Next pairing through also looked a little ragged around the edges. Apparently, Fallon had forced the pace out to the turn only for Will to light it up the hills. This was the point at which Will heard a little squeaky voice politely asking him to just ease it off very slightly. The pairing of Sammy the Missile and myself also had slight issues, with Sam not quite as brave down the hill, then finding he couldn’t get top gear as I dragged him out to the turn at 30 mph average. At this point I may have overstepped the mark by then inducing him to make the same sort of squeaky noises Fallon had been making. WobblyBob and Alan sounded like they had enjoyed their experience with Alan’s quote of the night being “that boy’s an animal! “.

The teaming of Simon & Andy was disorganised chaos! Prior to the start they had already worried Earl by telling him how they were going to wash the floor with him. Everything was going to plan until Andy was running late with no petrol, struggled to find the start. Then it went from bad to worse for them. They failed to go fast enough. I think you boy’s owe Earl an apology…..

I was expecting big things from “The Animal” and James “The Spin Dryer”. The plan should have been Clive did the work out, James home. The problem was later tracked down to Clive’s back tyre, or the lack of it. It would appear James did not want to ride behind with the amount of canvas showing and whipping him in the face. I must mention at this point, even Mike said he would not have used such a worn tyre.

The Destroyer blagged the easiest ride of the night looking fresher afterwards than before starting. On the other hand, his partner Sharky looked messy. How can anyone sweat that much?

Dream team pairing of Mike and Gerald worked well. Gerald was in charge of the speed, Mike the climb to the finish. They seemed the happiest of all the pairings.

Mark “Taff no Mates” Lavington decided to do a solo, not wishing to drag, or was it slow anyone down? In the process he managed to do a PB and was very pleased with his effort. Well done, you got a couple of votes for team of the night. This now leads me into Rider, Team of the night. This was close between the winners and Sam & myself. Over many beers later, the consensus was Sam & I were "The Riders of the Night", primarily down to the time we knocked off our best times for the course.

Thanks this week to Julie timing, Mary & Peb for scaring everyone pushing off, only joking!, and Bill at the magic roundabout.
Next week we’re back to Walford. Note 7:30 start. Wanted, a turn marshal. I have one but if I use him it means I will have to sell my soul.

Forest event is their 15-mile hilly meeting at Shortstanding

For those that have not heard, Ross won the team prize at Ludlow. Wobbly Bob also scooped prise money there. I told you it was a fast course.

This Weekend we were again close to the team prize money. If Cookie had done a 48, it would have been ours for the taking. As it was Cookie won the event, which made him all emotional and happy.

Walford 10 13/5/10

A wee slightly chilly breeze out to the turn failed to slow many down this evening. There was a buzz in the air, expectations high. Fresh from dragging The Ginger whinger around the Forest 10 in 22:55, I seem to have fired him up. So much so he put in a cracking time showing we’re not to write him off yet. Not a million miles behind Dave H has dropped his sparring partners of the last few weeks perhaps aiming for “The Ginger One”.

Paul F this week used his size advantage to regain his scalp he lost to Will the week before. Will looked a little disappointed with his result, and looked in a bad way out on course during the event.

“Get Carter”, my current mission statement. I figured with the effort I put in, I should have just beaten “The Destroyer”. Maybe next time!

Sam “The Missile” Walker again made massive leaps and bounds closing in on the front-runners. How long before he’s up to the next level?

First of the visiting riders was Alan Matthews. For those that don’t know Alan – he was the Cookie of his day. I fully expect to see him in the long 21’s before long or short 22’s. Andy Parker in his first year is now showing the training with Earl has really been paying off. Expect big things of him next year. This is his learning year.

Wobbly Bob lost a few seconds this time out possibly due to the wind, or perhaps saving himself for the weekend. Likewise Martin may have suffered with the wind too losing 14 seconds from his best effort this year. Once again Terry Gray was first man home on a road bike. I wonder if he’s going to do the Road Bike 10 this year?

Best turned out rider again this week was Taff. I need to see your lungs on the handlebars as you go over the line not waving to your fans. Simon B must have some form of secret training going on we don’t know about. If he carries on at this rate he’ll be in the 19’s by the end of the year….

Alistair looked happy with his ride, only losing 6 seconds from his best ride this year. Because there was no Clive this week, I think James backed off just a little. I don’t think you can afford to do that as Fletch has locked onto you as a target and is closing in. Tony P was a very happy chappy. This was his first ride inside evens, which is always a special moment when you beat such a large milestone. If he had had a tail, I think he would have won the waggiest tail competition.

A surprise outing by Sharky was good enough to do evens dead. Not bad for some one who’s not been on a bike in a little while.
Mike “The Post” really does mean business now. Not only did he remove the front mudguard last week, but also this week he’s removed the saddlebag. This has netted 28 second gain in performance. Let this be this week’s Tip Of The Week. Gerald may be at the bottom end of the field, but every week he has improved, which is helping in the 753 competition.

Talking of which, I/we had a tough time this year as to who was in which groups. That is now sorted. If you are unhappy with your group, come have a chat before I put you up another group! Table at the bottom of results page. http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/res10.shtml

Rider of the night was a tight decision between Tony and The Missile. With a couple more votes, the Missile gets it for being in the shout every ride this year and that 45second jump this week.

Thanks to Earl for pusher off duties, and Bill, John and Audrey at the turn. Julie was watch operator.

Next Tuesday is Speech House 10 starting at 7:30

Our event is a 2 up 10 at Old Gore. Don’t forget my message about parking. There is a space just before you get to Woodredding that has space for 7 cars only 250 metres away.

Thanks to Paul F for running the Cross Ash Hilly. I don’t think I’m riding it next time as it hurt so much this time. Results can be found in the Blog section of the home page.

Open Hilly 25m TT, Cross Ash - RESULTS

The results are here.

1st Old Gore 10 of the year

The first Old Gore of the year was eagerly awaited, being a far different challenge to the Wallyford 10 course. A head wind out and tail wind home felt good, so there were some surprises with the times as they came in.

There were a few suggestions for new awards on the night by some e.g. best marshal etc. The best of which was bravest person of the night! This one had to go to Wobbly Bob. Parking (in my opinion with plenty of room to spare) covering the access road to the lane at the start, gave his car keys to The President to move. Apparently for those watching it was amazing to see how many reverse gears your car has, before trundling down the road on a jolly at 3mph. We need to park sensible, not forgetting the lay-by on the straight before the start.

Back to business. Winningest ride of the night was Cookie fresh back from the doctors, only allowed to use 80% effort (not sure how you measure that) going quick but not looking quick. Andrew Jones on the other looked very quick but had to settle on 2nd spot. Surprise of the night had to go to Fallon; finding Will had got his scalp. Could this one be down to Fallon’s very large frame & Will’s minuscule proportions (apart from the belly) on the hills?

The Wobbly one proved last weeks ride was no fluke again putting in a really good ride, and again stealing my fine scalp in the process. Martin Green looks like he too has designs on what scalp I have left - has his performance curve just changed?

What’s this, another person for everyone to look out for? Sam the Missile Walker with his new shiny helmet has again made ground up on the front-runners. I’m sure he’s going to be playing with the front-runners later in the year on some courses. Alan Taylor’s another whose times are tumbling in the right direction. His Quote of the night was “It won’t be long before I’m in the 56’s.” Not sure if he meant on a 10 or a 25…

Simon from The Vorest has again impressed me; you must have been training at some point. You’re going faster now than when you used to try. Another Quote this time by Reynolds, “That’s the slowest I’ve ever done in 20 years of racing, apart from the time I got a puncture.” In fairness he had done several days riding that week, but even so, it should have been in the 27’s, Fletch said you were pinging on the way out as you passed him. The James and Clive show still goes on. James must be very pleased with his winter work; Clive was producing the effort that gave him the name “The Animal” tugging the bar like a kid eagerly after sweets in a sweet shop.

Pete Mumford chose a tougher course for his first appearance of the year just going over evens. He looked happy with his time though. Tom, what can I say? I have never seen someone who has such a variation in times each week, I think you need more rest time between rides and possibly more beer drinking to improve your times. Robin may have chosen the wrong bike this week but, on the positive side, it’s good preparation for the Road Bike 10 later in the year. Tony has eyed Mike up as his sparring partner this year. Mike has even removed the front mudguard now; wait till he’s taken the saddlebag off. Tony could then be in trouble. Gerald again was last man home but unbeknown to him, will have a fan club out supporting him next week. Thanks this week go to Julie timing, Taff launching riders, and Bill & Audrey at the turn.

Rider of the night this week had 3 names come up, but by a large majority it has gone to Will for the large jump in performance, also seeing the look on Fallon’s face when he realised you were holding his scalp. “Wait till I start the speed work” was Will’s quote later on in the bar. I’m sure he wasn’t drinking tho!

Next week we’re back to Walford, always wanting someone at the turn, volenteers?

Forest event is 2 up at Lydbrook.

Sunday (tomorrow) is the Cross Ash Hilly. If you can lend a hand Paul Fallon would be very grateful. Please let him know!

Sunday 30th May has a MTB day pencilled in at Brechfa forest. It is one of the best places I’ve been to for mountain biking. Contact me if interested

Paul

Open Hilly 25m TT, Cross Ash

The start sheet is here.

2nd Walford 10 ,of the year

Another Walford 10 and what a difference in conditions! I thought it wasn’t as windy as last week but everyone has now corrected me. It was a little cooler but it did not stop Dave Evans winning another week running. Dave likes our end of the course doing anther personal best. The sub 22 minute on a good night is on the cards. Our Cookie once again was the best Ross rider, but Fallon only losing 2 seconds this week is closing the gap. Dave H. was another to go slower with the gap between his and Fallon growing.
“The Destroyer” managed to only lose a few seconds from last week’s time. The Destroyer is a good gauge (actually for everyone -no pressure Graham) of performance, as he manages to be one of the most consistent riders every week.

The 24-minute barrier will I’m sure be broken next time Will tackles Walford. Would be very impressed if he manages it on Old Gore. Wobbly Bob pulled the rabbit out of the bag to set himself a new personal best knocking 33 seconds off his best time. I think the mind set is now set for the rest of the year.

Not so Big, Big Bob Parry is usually a front-runner, but not this week. Instead he chose to ride his £5. 47 fixed wheel scrap yard addition special to just beat my good self by a mere second. As predicted, Sam’s now starting to show some speed, riding with his head, using a strategy that will see him get even faster over the next few weeks. Old Gore could be an Achilles heel for him though. Last week saw Taff Boy just get the better of Sam, even with the new handlebar set up it was not close this week. More work required….
Martin Green rode his road bike this week, but was closely followed home by Simon Burke, who’s managed to hide his fitness till this week. Impressive first outing. James held station, another only losing seconds from last week. Alistair had a good ride crossing the line with a great huge smile on his face, setting a new PB for himself. Fletch had what I initially thought was a new bike but he assured me it was the same bike as last week also improved his time. Clive, Clive, Clive, what happened this week? I take it you had a hard day at work. Tony P. must have listened to my advice to not use the good bike on the recently gritted surface, bringing his other bike, again another knocking time off his PB.
Mr Murphy did his training in the bar last week, but that didn’t stop him improving his time this week as well. Gerald had the honour of being last man home, opening his account a whole month earlier this year than normal. I think he means business this year.

Thanks this week to Mary who was in charge of lunch, sorry, mean launch control, and Bill at the turn. Bill feels very confident of retaining his 753 title, feeling he can do the turn 2 weeks in a row and still keep the trophy.

We had a thank you from the couple that had the incident at the start. I know who stopped the traffic, but apparently some of you helped them out. Below is their thanks.

Dear RCC

We would just like to extend our thanks to those members of the club that helped my husband last night when he took a tumble off his bike. We had just finished our ride and were seconds from home when "something happened" and Rod came crashing down onto the tarmac. Several club members came to his aid and reacted very quickly to the situation, including stopping traffic. We do hope we didn't disrupt your time trial. Don't know who this email is going to, but we would be grateful if you could please pass on our thanks to those involved. Such a small tumble yet a lot of pain - it has been DVD's and plenty of painkillers for him today!

Kind regards
Catherine

Next week we’re out at Old Gore. It will be cold. It will be windy. If you’re driving out, please park sensibly, leaving space for our timekeepers and access to the lane is required through where everyone parks. You can find additional parking on the straight before the start and at Old Gore cross roads.

Rider of the night this week was a tough choice because Sam made a massive improvement over last week, but I feel sure there is a lot more to come. By a majority vote, Wobbly Bob is the man! His performance and mind set impressed all this week.