Don Woodman Open '25' - 2010 - Result

The result sheet is here.

Ye Old Gore & Walford 10

Next Weeks start time is 7:00

What a fool, forgot to put the link on last week. Still you all know the procedure by now!

Old Gore

On a wet and wild windy/rainy night I was expecting next to no one to turn up for the Old Gore 10. I thought to myself there are some very easy points here in the 753 tables. How wrong I was. Every man and his dog turned up with the exception of Wobbly Bob and The Missile still fresh from his first 22 minute 10.

The rain started about 7:00, and then just slowly started to get worse and worse. The wind was coming from all directions, which once up and running never seemed to be a severe headwind anywhere, but at the same time managed to slow proceedings down. Cookie having said if he managed to do a sub 20 minute 10 Saturday (19:18) he would buy a set of rotor rings. Anyway with them now fitted, tested them out the first time in the process had the quickest time of the evening. He was the only one who didn’t notice there was a wind out there.

With Paul Fallon’s Mojo fresh back from the cleaners, the signs of a return to form could be on the way, securing second spot on the podium this week. Will’s magic failed this week, a course that works for him. “The Destroyer” fearing his holiday would lose him his lead in the 753 was in a determined frame of mind, just doing the bizz. This week’s Rider of the night goes to Taff, stealing the fine scalp of the racing Sec along the way. I hang my head in shame. Well-done Taff.

Dave Pearce back on his TT bike was a little slower than anticipated. After a scorching ride in a road bike 10, I expected a little more. Position on the TT machine may require some re working. James now has a new machine, unfortunately, it’s not allowed out in poor conditions. Tony looked good on the bike but, the time suggested he may have struggled over the last 4 miles. Dennis brought up the rear, questioning himself as to why he ridden.

Thanks this week to Bus pass Taylor for pushing off, John & Audrey at the turn and good ol Julie at the finish.

From Gareth at Newport

Alright mate after coming up to your no TT gear TT I thought it was a good crack so I have managed to talk our club in to doing one. Its on the 10th of August if you fancy coming along and you are welcome to ask if anyone up with you would be intrested. Feel free to pop along. Dave H or Cookie can give you details for contacts or e-mail him on "bean_rees x hotmail.com" (take the spaces out and change the x for a “at” sign)

Walford 10

What a difference to last week’s event. With skies that looked like they were getting ready to dump their load upon us, several key players failed to pitch up. The Yellow group turned out in force last week and got soaked. With the thought of getting soaked again most failed to turn up this week. Now the truth. This is how it really played out. Everyone felt guilty about stealing point in the 753 off “The Destroyer” whilst he was on holiday.

With his form most definitely coming back “The Terminator” (actually T1000 model) popped in the fastest performance of the evening. At this stage, must say the course was shortened to 9 miles due to traffic lights right outside Walford School.

This may affect the Forest event on Tuesday forcing them to relocate or shorten their course. Top Ross doggy was young William. This week he turned up with ballet tights around his calves, trying to convince us they were compression socks. The Missile now has him locked in to his sights only 30 seconds behind.

Taff again put in a really good effort. Where is he suddenly finding this speed? Dave Pearce this week looked happier on his TT machine. This week I did the pushing off. You get to look at everyone’s bike etc; he’s a big strong lad (in the nicest possible way). Am guessing he does triathlons.

James still hasn’t brought the new machine out, but the thought of riding it has improved his time this week. At last, Chris has turned up for his first TT. As he left the start line, you could see the power as he smoked the back tyre for the first 20 metres. He may have gone a little too fast off the line out to the turn leaving not quite enough to get back. Am expecting far better times off him once he learns the art of pacing himself.

Tony came over the line like he’s done a CTC event. I want to see blood and guts, not a big friendly smile! If it had been the full distance, I reckon Bill would have just slipped under the half hour for the first time this year. Mary had a lovely red glow as she crossed the line, with young Matt Fallon only 9 second behind. Was she blushing about being chased by a young man? Matt obviously enjoyed chasing Mary, but was also very happy with his ride, already planning how he’s going to attack the event next time. Rider of the night this week is James. That 26 minute 10 would have happened this week if it had been the full fat 10 miles.

Helpers were Me launching you. Julie adjusting your time if you question her, John, Audrey & Alan Taylor at the turn.

Don Woodman Open '25'

Sunday 18th July. Start sheet here.

Walford Record Altered

What a night!

There were a few kicking themselves once they had seen the time and the number of new PB's being done. Conditions were just about as good as they get, warm with no breeze.

Pre race hype was apparent from the word go, with many checking other peoples scalp prior to racing. With Cookie out of the picture, and Dave H not around, the pothunters gathered like flies around a horse dump!

Fastest on the night was a determined Dave Evans, who just managed to shave 2 seconds off Cookies course record. Well done!

Time keeper preparing for her racing debut

Fastest Ross Man this year was Jerry keen to get his hands back on to the Jack Morgan Trophy. I may have inspired him to go that bit faster as I had already inspected his thatch. He looked very happy with his time as well. Jason out on the TT machine put in a respectable time in, not so far in front of me with another 27 seconds off my PB.

"The Destroyer" thought he had done enough to have my scalp draped over his handlebars, but now knows he has more work to do! This was the battle royal of the evening with "The Destroyer" only just holding off a flying Fallon, with Wobbly Bob feeling he needed to be in on the act as well. "The Destroyer" and The Wobbly one both had a PB.

The Wobbly One looking puckered

Martin Green's legs are just starting to kick in from our French trip with a PB on our end I think (The route in France and stats here. Press forward to advance a day for the next stage http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39064674 the only thing lacking was a temperatures gauge, which at times were up near the 40’s C.)

Taff always looks the part warming up, tonight he was a happy chappy as this was his first time into the 25’s bracket. Bazza Bailey was another Frenchy who also was happy his times were moving in the right direction. Jamie looked a little warm when he finished. I assume he found it hard out there!

Still not spoken to Dave Pearce properly, but looking at his times so far, they have been tumbling for the last few weeks. James was a happy bunny as well, his first outing into the 27’s. What I could see was he was on a much bigger gear than usual. Well done, you looked very happy afterwards!

Another moving into new territory was young Alistair, finally getting into the 27’s club. Tony P has been out training with Taff, which Taff has happily taken the credit for in Tony’s big improvement in time removing a hefty 1-minute off his best. Young Bazzeling put his French training to good use also knocking 53 seconds off his best. He also looked the most stylish crossing the line! Wayne’s time are moving in the right direction, if there was a prize for most stylish peddling action then Wayne would have won it.

The Mike and Bill Battle rumbles on, with Mike Just coming out on top. Dennis even with tired legs from his mammoth 12 hour ride (Ross 12 hour champ this year http://www.welshcycling.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124:12hrchamps&catid=36:welshchamps&Itemid=110 ) managed to improve, The wily Silver Fox potentially spoiling his handicap time later in the year! Gerald has chipped away all season, another to improve. Willing to bet he never thought he would be going so quick this year.

Mary Munchkin improved locking onto Gerald as a target. Will she catch him before the end of the year?

Bringing up the rear we had the old school avant-garde. Siz this time out had the upper hand, with the president getting one over Peb.

Thank you’s this week belong to Will doing the turn and wishing he had rode, Julie timing, and Matt Parker pushing off, with Andy his bro organising him in the back ground.

Rider of the night, what a difficult one. We really struggled to chose as there were so many special performances. Runners up were (not that it’s a consolation) Dave Evans, Wobbly Bob, Taff & James, which means this weeks rider of the night Is Tony Price for that whole minute

Next week is an Old Gore 10

Forest event is the Lindsay Venner Memorial 10, which I’m positive, is a road bike event. No Aero!

Don’t forget, The Don Woodman is on the 18^th. Still wanting volunteers, cakes etc. Give me the nod if you can help out.