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| Paul Jones tensed like a coiled spring |
Another year on, seems like only 360 days since the last
Ledbury & Back . Nice warm air greeted the 19 starters. As per several
events this year, the question of which was harder, out or back crept up by
several people. I think everyone agreed it was a head wind out, but as to which
direction was toughest it was pretty split. I know at least 2 of us burnt
ourselves out on the outward leg, one said it only got easier from Woodredding
climb. A tad late to play catch up.
 |
| Wobbly Bob chomping at the bit |
Anyways, Jonny foreigner took the 1st 4 steps in
results. Paul Jones had a cracking ride, forcing me to check the course
records. Afraid the record’s safe for at least another 12 months, Cookie can
sleep easy, the record being 36:11. Paul’s bro Jonah also had a good un, just
missing out on the sub 40 and blowing up….
 |
| Ian Humble with a new fly trap system on his tongue |
Mr. Humble you sandbagger “I don’t do fast or hills”,
anything under 42 is what I consider good for this course. It’s the type of course
that shows strengths and weaknesses, it also tests the people that only race 10
miles, that little bit outside the comfort zone has a profound effect coupled
with the extra hills. Mr T extracted revenge on me this week just squeezing
under the magic 42.
 |
| Ant P giving it some, you impressed |
As I mentioned, I had a screamer out but was a sitting duck
for Ant P. on the return, all those Audax rides giving him superhuman strength
home. Max was second Ross rider home just pipping an ever improving Radders by
4 seconds. Pushing that pram around must be good training.
 |
| is that a smile? |
Quad dominant James C. (we have a lot of riders called James
have just decided) was if my memory serves me well the first road bike home,
with usual first road bike Jonny a distant 49 seconds behind. Too much racing
on a Tuesday night and a long drive to our event probably blunted him.
Fresh from the costa del Majorca was Dave H, the last 2
miles being his favourite bit, threatening to get his TT machine out soon. That
could throw a spanner into the 753 front runners…
It appeared on the result sheet Wobbly Bob had stopped at
Colwall for a coffee judging by his time on the results sheet, normal service
was resumed when the timekeeper had merely put the workings in the wrong
columns.
 |
| Young James, watch him get faster and faster in the future |
Fitness is coming back fast for Adam, he looked really pleased with
his ride, just edging young James. James, you need to maintain the aero
position into the wind a little more, sit up more on a tailwind. The wind can
be your friend as well as your enemy.
Marcle straight expert Phil Hill turned in a much improved
effort this week. The ride to work each day and the secret training up Betws y Coed paying dividends. For his next challenge,
feel free to support Phil, as he’s going straight in to do the 12 hour along
with Dennis on the 21st down
at Usk Raglan. He’s going to need as many cheering faces as possible.
 |
| no good smiling at the camera |
Tom "the Power" didn’t look 100% tickety boo, almost as though
the race to the start had already burnt him out. Jon Airey this week put in a
massive effort for the last mile and a bit, if only the hills were flatter, but
on the positive side (for him) he scalped "the spinner". What on earth happened
there? I shall set the Spanish inquisition up to find out what went wrong, very
unusual.
 |
| Phil about to show Jon how to do hills |
Paul C, target was sub hour, done easily, in reality, I think this
could have been one of your best rides to date Paul.
Thanks this week go to Julie timing, Bill & Mike Dunsby
at the roundabouts, and Richard & Tony pushing off. Also worth noting Dave (Bailey)Hall
& Richard (Bailey) Harrington provided the snap shots.
This week/next week depending on when you read this, is a
Walford 10, traffic lights have gone, Julie is one of the timekeepers, and we will need a second at the start , Dave
Hall’s kindly doing the turn.
Talking Marshal, pencil in the opens – Will and I can’t do
it all on our own, Will will need 2 on the road and people at the HQ. I will
need 4 on the road and people at the HQ
 |
| Rider of the Night |
Rider of the night this week is Adam, a fantastic effort!
|
1
|
Paul Jones
|
36:57
|
Severn Valley Cycles
|
|
2
|
Lee Jones
|
40:05
|
Severn Valley Cycles
|
|
3
|
Ian Humble
|
40:32
|
Gloucester City CC
|
|
4
|
Adam Taylor
|
41:56
|
RDFCC
|
|
5
|
Paul Stephens
|
42:20
|
|
|
6
|
Max Suff
|
43:12
|
|
|
7
|
Mark Raddenbury
|
43:16
|
Shutt VR
|
|
8
|
Antony Pollard
|
43:34
|
RDFCC
|
|
9
|
James Coull
|
44:05
|
|
|
10
|
Jonny Webb
|
44:54
|
Gannet CC
|
|
11
|
Dave Harwood
|
45:10
|
|
|
12
|
Robin Hill
|
45:33
|
|
|
13
|
Adam Spector
|
47:01
|
|
|
14
|
James Hall
|
47:10
|
Newport Olympic
|
|
15
|
Phil Hill
|
47:34
|
|
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16
|
Tom Knight
|
48:03
|
|
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17
|
Jon Airey
|
50:19
|
|
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18
|
James Wilson
|
50:31
|
|
|
19
|
Paul Cooper
|
55:06
|
|
