Old Gore 2 up 10

Julie makes Max suffer

The riders chose suitable partners to take on the tough Old Gore 10 course, the time of the second rider crossing the line stopping the clock. The lead riders cuts through the wind allowing the second rider to rest before they go to the front for their turn, this theoretically keeps the speed high.

Oldest riders of the night Steve Millard (108) and Paul Stephens (think Max just pips me) teamed up to show the youth that experience pays dividends, winning the event on what was a warm but very breezy night in a time of 25:35. I did feel sorry for Steve as I moved across to let him through only for him to feel the full force of the wind....

Favorites for the win in my opion were Graham Carter & Neil Hughes Hutchings who had to settle for second place. Neil from London had never seen the course before so lacked confidence on the fast downhill section in the first 2 miles which may have cost them the win, oh and the up hill finish, finishing in a time of 25:58. 

Father & Son pairing Paul & Matt Fallon just failed on second spot by 4 seconds. Robin Hill & James Wilson finished in 27:55, which both were pleased with as they had gelled as a pair. 

Simon Burke dragged Craig Fletcher around riding for the Forest cycling club finished in 29:10. It was like watching the Chuckle brothers at work, to me, to you....

Last team home was Max & Julie Suff in 30:14 satisfied with their efforts. Like the rest of us, planning on how they will tackle the event next time. 

There were 2 spare riders who rode solo. It was a little unfair to put them together as It may have written Richard off for the rest of the year. If the stories right Will lost half a minute to us on the way out but pulled back a minute just up the finale climb. 

Thanks this week go to Tony The Tiger & Mary Munchkin for the push to the turn, Bill The Sec sending everyone back and Julie for timing the proceedings.

Riders of the night were me for dragging Steve out to the turn before he dragged me home causing wheeze like an asthmatic up the final hill .

 Next week we’re back to Walford for our fast 10 mile course. 

Any Volunteers welcome for next week

Walford 17 may

With “Will” on another rest night, Fallon had the opportunity to stand on the top step of the podium, but them days could be numbered with an ever improving “Destroyer” chasing him down hard.  Seems everyone improved on the night, but conditions were certainly not conducive to good time being cold with dense air to cut through. “The Racing Snake” took the final position on the 3rd step with Max homing in fast wanting a piece of the action.  Not a million miles behind him was “Taff the Chair” looking like he has far less aches and pains this week from the circus training. 

Nigel giving it some on the old hack

Forest Rider Ant Pollard enjoyed the experience from our end for a change doing what he thinks was one of his best rides on the river course. Tourette’s appears to have been passed down in the Fallon family when Matt crossed the line, the joy was too much to contain the odd phrase that made grown men shudder in disbelief…..

James was far happier this week, now getting to the point he should have been nearer the start of the season with his second best ride on the course. An ever improving Kerry will keep James honest! Nigel brought the good bike out for an airing, which saw him take a huge chunk off his PB, I’m expecting even more next time on Walford, no pressure.  

 Ziggy decided to get his lazy ol Butt into gear, with no training surprising even himself with his ride. Virgil also has a good one knocking just over half a minute off his last effort, another who looked happy.  Neil B must be another happy with the result, I think that’s his first race, which always looks good on the CV just getting under the 30 minute barrier. 

Having swapped bike with Max, Julie again was top lady, not sure if she knows but that’s 25 seconds quicker than herr best to date, so that would make it a new PB on Walford. Bill’s got wise to the fact that I’m watching him and know he was sand bagging for the handicap 10 later in the year, this week  putting down the performance I know he could do. I’m expecting another minute faster yet!

Richard is getting closer to the golden half hour mark, but this is where it starts getting harder to find the seconds, but that too was another PB knocking over a minute off the last ride here. Justine, a tad late turned up looking like she’d already just done 10 miles from her haste to get to the event, but the reward was a good one knocking 2 minutes and 40 seconds off  last time. Wobbly Bob’s coaching tips are paying off.  Gerald rounded off the bottom end, with his result being by far his best this year so far. 

Thanks this week, (you’re all making my life easier volunteering) Tony the Tiger at the turn, Will pushing off, and her indoors on the watch.

Rider of the night took a lot of studying; it was like something out of CSI, recreating the scenarios, special mentions were needed to be made in recognition of several good rides, those were “The Destroyer”, Matt, “James the Spinner”, Nigel, Neil, Julie and Richard. But drum roll, Rider of the Night this week was Justine for such an improvement. 

Next week/ this week depending when you read this is the 2 up at Old Gore. You pick your partner, realistically it really should be about the same performance as yourself. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a partner, there’s always spare on the night. The idea is 2 can go faster than 1, taking it in turns to do the work on the front then having a rest behind the first rider. 7:30 start time

I know a few from the forest are coming, and I also know the Tourette’s twins have teamed up. Will “The Destroyer” destroy “Tony The Tiger” again? Tune in next week to find out

I caught someone out  secret training this week. Would be good to see them back in the fold mixing it towards the front of the field. I know he will be reading this and smirking…..

Thanks for not warming up past the start. It made it far safer.

Forest event this week is a Lydbrook at 7;30 if anyone’s interested.

Old Gore 10/5

Sam trying to get over his sore neck

 

Once again, Will Bevan left the door open for the other riders in from Ross-on-Wye & District Cycling Club; instead choosing to rest for this weekend’s events and taking on the role of timekeeper. With the rain having gone through 30 minutes prior to the start the ground had just about dried out with what can only be called a most fierce maelstrom. The tail wind out saw the riders nowhere near 100% effort getting to the turn in under 10 minutes which was well over 30mph average. The ride home was a totally different story, with the race secretary remembering the struggle back being harder only once before. An in form Paul Fallon topped the time sheets only losing 20 seconds to his best time this year doing a time of 26:23. Graham Carter seems to improve every week to take second spot and Max Suff third gaining large amounts of time on the final uphill climb finishing in 27:52. Mark Lavington came close to winning the rider of the night award for his improvement in time with 28:14, but in the end it went to Steve Millard in 28:20 for such a good performance first time out this year. Paul Stephens 28:34 was chased down by another of the big improvers Sam Walker 29:01. James Wilson just beat Matt Fallon 29:51 and 30:02 with Nigel Skyrme bringing up the tail end of the gents in 31:27. Last on the evening was Mary Middleton who normally has a smile regardless, but failing to smile this time declaring it the toughest event she’d ever done.

Will Bevan raced Saturday doing a Ludlow 10 mile race where he finished in second spot in a time of 21:17, then back on his bike the next day down in Usk for a 25 mile event. This time he ended up third doing a time of 52:29. Julie Suff also rode the event, looking very pleased with herself as she managed to knock almost 4 minutes off her previous time on the course in 1:12:34.

Thanks this week to Will timing, Bill and Sam at the roundabout

Rider of the night this week was a toughie at first till someone said it’s Millie’s first ride of the year, so this week  Millie, it you.

Next week we have a Walford 10 & the forests are going to do their hilly 15 which is being used for the Vintage Tankard this year.

Sorry for the cop out blog but short of time this week.

Some of the other club results found here http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=68453  &  http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=68457

 

Cross Ash Hilly pained 25

After last year’s shenanigans, I was willing to bet someone wasn’t going to make the same mistake again of riding through the gravel at the start (for those watching, he did!).

Looking good at this point

The annual running of the Cross Ash Hilly 25 with a trophy up for grabs draws the real men/women of the sport for what I can only describe as purgatory. This year there were 6 gladiators up for the challenge. 

Somehow 2 of them were prepared to marshal/time keep, but were somehow coerced into riding. Was it because the conditions were not too bad with the sun out? With the seeding fixed, sorry I mean doctored, no I mean carefully planned, the mental preparation started with the old fashioned mind games. With the field split 50/50 between road bikes and TT bikes - which was the right choice?

One thing was for sure, Turbo Will made the right shout with him having passed everyone before hitting the back road to Monmouth. Having checked his data, he did not make that much if anything up in the first 5.4 miles, but then the climb up the Skirrid made an enormous chunk into everyone’s times. What was more impressive was the last 5 miles to the finish, serious power output, which in turn helped him smash the old club record for the course by 4 minutes.

 

First road bike home was Fallon senior, who did not look fast but soon disappeared into the horizon using a high cadence technique. Just wish I could spin my legs that quick.

Max was out full of enthusiasm. His 7 stone wet frame ready to bloody the noses of those with more brute horse power on the flat. Sure enough he floated past on a TT bike to claim the third spot on the podium. I must say, I was expecting to see a far higher cadence as he went by, but if that works for him then all well and good posting what can only be described as a very respectable time for a first outing on The Hilly.

As every event, “The Destroyer” and I locked horns. I chose the road bike, Graham the TT bike. I was willing to sacrifice some of my outright speed just to have a hope of getting up the climbs without making it look like I was doing a track stand. At the golf course, a glance over the shoulder showed “The destroyer” as very close, up the hills I just opened the gap slightly till we were

slowed because of traffic at the foot of one of the climbs. This gave us both the opportunity to see which was the best option up the climb, “I’ll see you soon” I said as I left him up the climb. About a minute later he went passed like I was stationary, “hasta la vista” I thought. As the next climbs came along, his poor legs were grinding to a halt, at about the same time as Fallon was going by. 

At this point the cycle shoes were getting some extra wear as he pushed up the hill.  Just to compound things he decided to go a bit further than the turn to have a straighter approach to the fork back up to the finish. This was the point where all my suffering seemed insignificant as he was off pushing again. Problems with dissipated power/the chain/block (Will & Cookies school of maintenance?) meant his fight with me was over.

That Broken look

“Wobbly Bob” brought up the rear on his first outing of the year, another not sure if he really wanted to ride, but did.  With lots of encouragement had to work hard to keep “The destroyer” at bay. Bill said “he’s on the way looking pretty red in the face”, this was half a mile away. As it turned out it was another cyclist in a red top. I think Bill’s glasses need a little check..

At the end of the day were still undecided whether a road bike or TT bikes were the way to go.

Thanks to Sammie for timing, it meant some of us had no excuses, Bill at the first junction, and young Fallon spotting.

Rider of the day has to be Will, with both Max & Fallon getting a mention.

Walford 10 3/5/12

WallyFord 10

Gerald, first man off acting as pacer

With the Cat away, Fallon did play! This week’s Walford had a fortunate break in the weather, cold and damp on the ground, but at least dry.  “The destroyer” & I are closing the gap on him though. Amazing what a difference the terrain can make on some riders……..

Max had a lonely ride in 4^th spot but the times are coming down. Johnny Webb made a guest appearance, seeming to turn up a couple of times a year. Must be our good company. “Taff the Chair” had a mare. Circuit training the night before not advisable, but it did amuse Brooko the trainer when he saw him afterwards. 

With almost 1:30 minute improvement Fallon Junior on his new TT machine was very happy as was dad proving the investment was worth it. Won’t be long before he’s closing the gap on courses like the Old Gore. “ The Missile “ appeared to have a sore neck, having spent so much time looking behind him for closing riders, then not having the fitness to hold them off yet…..

James is now starting to fire again on all cylinders; will that 27:30 be a barrier again this year?

Nigel too had his best ride of the year, with a titanic battle for the finish with young Matt, but has to be careful of drafting, which is frowned upon. 

That sick feeling getting closer for The Missile

I somehow failed to chat to everyone at the end, Rich was one of them (also forgot about the secret party, sorry),  but I’m sure he was happy with his effort this week with his adoring fans cheering him through the finish. Bill’s first outing gave him the same sort of time as The Boxing Day 10. I know Bill’s fitter than that so am inclined to think he’s sand bagging for the handicap 10 later in the season.

Justine’s first attempt at a time trial was I’m sure a good experience for her, as she looked slightly apprehensive before the start, but was glowing by the finish. I think after another couple of events, the time will improve greatly, as pacing is learnt and potential speed is found. 

Mary Mary quite contrary, oh how your smile grows. How many people do we know who smile all the way around a race? Concentrate. Aim for the person in front and nail them, easier said than done, so aim to have covered way points in a certain time ie the next rider not passing within 4 minutes, the turn in 15.5 minutes. Keep it realistic….

Last but not least putting in the effort as everyone else was our Gerald. I suspect he has Mary in his sights.

Thanks this week goes to Julie timepiece operator, Timmy mallet pushing and Sam accessing turn technics at the half way point.

Rider of the night this week was Fallon junior for a second time this year.

Rich focused

Politely put, can all riders refrain from riding near the start whilst warming up, as it was creating a bottleneck near the start, which had the potential to upset motorists. 

Next Week is everyone’s favourite, An Old Gore. Park sensibly please with a prime spot for your time keeper, offers for a turn person more than welcome..