2 up @ Old Gore 21/5/09 Race across America

Ann Wooldridge



An accident marred the first running of a 2 up on Old Gore. Unfortunately Paul Cooper touched the rear wheel of teammate Wayne Mason, leaving him travelling on the grass verge before ending up in a drainage ditch. An ambulance was called and Paul was carted off to Hereford A & E, before being released later that evening. A big thanks to Wobbly Bob and Paul Fallon for helping out, and keeping Wayne calm.
Also thank to Mr.& Mrs Barns (also cyclist & pshysio) who helped out, (sounds like took charge) who were spectating at the time and saw it all happen. Spoke to Paul today, Friday, only to find he was in a cycle shop looking at new kit, obviously not put off too much.


Back to the race – Cookie and young Jones just about went fast enough to win. Young Jones whinged about the speed Cookie tugged him along on the flat stuff; only for Cookie to whinge for what seemed like hours about the pain Andrew put him in coming up Woodredding. I told you he was weak up hills!


Dave Harwood and myself had a good ride, with Dave showing great caution down the hill before showing me on the return leg how to go up the hill, making me possibly feeling worse than Cookie did. Dave’s definitely a smooth rider.


Graham was convinced only 5 minutes before the start he wanted to ride, when we told him Martin didn’t have a partner. Martin’s legs were numb from a day mountain biking, however the 2 put in a really good ride with both looking pleased with their time. Will dragged James around, and I am assuming he was pleased with his performance, with everyone voting them, team of the night. Paul and Wobbly forfeited their rides to look after Paul, but they didn’t look fast on the cross over!!!!!!!


Mary bust a gut to get to the start ready to race with Bill as arranged the week before only to find Bill had not shown up, Can you imagine the disappointment Mary went through?


Bill you need to buy Mary flowers as an apology.


Next week’s event is a Walford 10. Note start time from now on is 7:30. Steve Millard has volunteered to time, so is going to be tough on latecomers, with Will backing him up and doing the result in my absence. Mr President’s doing signs and turn.

753 table will also be available from the web page along with our new Blog feature, check them out at http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/index.htm


Forest event next week is 2 laps of Cannop starting 7:30, and the Newport event is a 10 on the A48 with a 7:00 start.


A couple of us are entering the Corinium 25 on the 7th June, and the Welsh 50 the week after. You need to get your entries in if doing them.




RAAM



During my conversation with the district secretary this week, she told me about her adventure which is going to be happening. Her challenge is RAAM in a couple of weeks, or for those who have not heard of it Race Across America. Gloucester City rider Ann Wooldridge is doing the 3000-mile trip from coast to coast. Starting on the 17th June it’s not just about going fast, it’s a mental challenge as well. Riders aim to ride non-stop, only taking sleep as and when they really need it. Temperatures soar during the day, the dessert sections done in darkness because of the heat. Ann has a team of 8 helping her out, with husband Toby overseeing her and team, monitoring what she’s eating and drinking. It takes a lot of preparation to do, and Joe public can’t just enter, they have to qualify. Ladies solo record for the journey is 9 days, 4 hours and 2 minutes, that’s an average speed (including sleeping, rest stops, and any think else) of 13.23mph. To put it into perspective, when I did the 24-hour, my average was16.16 mph, which I was glad to have finished at the end of. To find out more go to http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/subwebraam/raam.php?N_webcat_id=7 From this page go to or download Google earth where you can see the route by pressing turns and time stations 2008 link. During the event a dot of Ann’s progress will be displayed on a map. Good luck to her and her team, and let us know how you get on, with all the stories when you get back.


Alan Cook
Andrew Jones 23:32 RDFCC

Paul Stephens
Dave Harwood 26:10

Graham Carter
Martin Green 28:20 RDFCC

Will Bevan
James Wilson 28:42

Paul Fallon
Bob Hill DNF

Wayne Mason
Paul Cooper DNF

Timing - Julie Stephens & Mary Middleton
Pushers off - Dennis Beard & Mike Druce
Turn - John & Audrey Hall

Cook's joy

Elated Alan Cook went out Sunday night to celebrate his double victory at the weekend. When asked to use some of the prize monies to contribute towards a round pulled this strange expression.

Alan Cook wins Cheltenham CC 25

On a day with a lot of weather Alan Cook rode to a 53:07 and a win by 2 seconds from James Heaton (Leisure Lakes RT) in the Cheltenham CC open 25m TT on the U46b course.

Alan Cook wins Ludlow CC open 10m TT

Alan Cook won the Ludlow CC open 10m TT on Saturday 16th May with a time of 20:52, over half a minute clear of the second placed rider.

Paul Stephens came in with a 24:56 and Clive Chappe recorded a 25:29.

The full result is here.

A Wet Walford '10'

The event (Thursday 14th May) went off swimmingly. Light precipitation just to keep everything and everyone, just on the wet side of moist. Mr Fallon had texted earlier in the day to let me know he was going to do the turn. Bill Reay rang up expecting the event to be cancelled, only to be told Paul was going to do the turn so he had to ride.

Cookie now appears to be over the worst of his infection, looking very fast and strong. Prize money on his mind for the weekend methinks. With Paul marshalling Wobbly Bob made his way up to the second step of the podium appearing not to notice the inconspicuous breeze on the way home that several other had found. Will lost out on the third spot by 3 seconds to me [Paul S] on my backup bike, better luck next time!

Taff had the dilemma, which bike to ride. The new TT or the new Carbon, in the end going for the carbon. James was happy to beat evens again, but looked very burnt out by time he finished. Bill put in a time between his two previous rides, but having finished had already started thinking about next week's event: the 2 up 10. Being quick of mind, he blagged Mary, so that means there should be at least one team.

Rider of the night this week is Taff, for his performance, being the first event of the year for him having been having a jolly in China, so had not been on the bike for 3 weeks and still getting in the 27s on a road bike.

Full result here.

Next Week is a 2 up 10 at Old Gore starting at 7:00, don’t be late.

Forest event is a Lydbrook 10 at 7:30.