Long Hill Climb by Madmen

It comes to something when a long hill climb attracts as many people as a 10 would, there again there were some different faces. It must also be noted there were more spectators than usual. Audrey & John did the timing at the top of the hill, Julie at the bottom. Steve Millard begged me to let him ride when he saw how much fun everyone was going to have. I had to be firm and tell him he was pushing off. Just to add insult to injury, Dave Giles realised he was in the wrong gear, lifted the rear wheel and proceeded to attempt to castrate Steve who was stood with the back wheel between his legs. Hope the swelling’s gone down….

Earl set the pace putting in a really good effort, one could tell he had tried just by the ghostly look on his face as he crossed the finish line. Jerry once again put in a sterling ride being the fastest Ross rider; we really need to feed that boy up. Will put in another corker of a ride where did that come from? Martin has put in some really good rides this year; this proves he’s not a one-event rider.

Leyton was my tip for the win, but in his own words, he’d had a poor season, meaning the legs were not as willing as the mind. Dave Harwood carries on going from strength to strength, the 3 stone lost since last year appears to have paid dividends. Alistair may have found his forte, not quick yet on the flat, he’s certainly playing with the big boys on hills.

Is Taff on drugs? Another who’s gone mad up hill compared to the flat. Just got the feeling he will put some really good 10 times in next year. Dave Giles used his mountain biking legs for the climb, another one who prefers the hills.

Mike the scalp hunter grabbed several this week; looks like several of us will require new syrups. James had a 13 second late start as his chain came off, then put in a blinder of a climb, under 12 next year? Graham used the TT bike and was on the extensions up the last part of the hill. I had a really pleasant ride; not hurting myself too much and can say with hand on heart I was the fastest and most unruffled as I went over the line. Hopefully I might be able to get my hands on Kevin’s pic’s of everyone coming up the hill to prove it.

Clive showed once again brute strength works, again pulling his front wheel clear of the ground as he gave it large over the line.

Robin seemed happy with his ride as he’d had a couple of weeks off, holidaying, no I mean working over in South Africa. Next weeks hot favourite Tim crossed the line in 13 minute dead, this was his 1st event of the year. Not spoken to Wayne, but I’m sure he’s not happy with his ride. I would expect him to be some where near my time if not faster. Was there over training or a problem? Last over the line was Chris who only intended to watch. Some light persuasion and he had a go on his mountain bike. He seemed to enjoy it so hope to see him out again, as he has a new bike coming.

Rider of the night this week, once again was not an easy choice. Listening to the votes and looking at the performances still did not help. So this week I’m going to call it a 3-way tie. Will (punched well above his weight), Clive (improvement from last year) and James (improvement from last year).


Next weeks event is The Kilometre Sprint at Much Marcle.

If you drive out, don’t use the pub car park unless you buy some drinks! Parking considerately in the village if driving out. If cycling, think about lights as it will be getting dark quite quickly now.

Forest event is their hill climb up Speech House Hill. Only 2k of pleasure.

Wills and the boys ride today http://connect.garmin.com/player/12155587 Will maybe putting a library of rides on here. Put your responses on the forum at http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=142018&threadid=2103040 about his idea. Sounds good to me.

Message from Monst at the Forest Club/ Glos Velo

Hi all

As part of the Royal Dean Forest Cycling Club celebrations this year, we have booked the BBQ events area at Beechenhurst on Saturday the 12th September 2009, from 5pm to 9pm.

All are invited from the RDFCC as are Glos Velo and Ross CC.

Please bring your own food and booze!!

We will also be setting up a short race circuit for the kids.

The BBQ will be after the final trail building for our ever successful Enduro, which will be held the following weekend. Even if you can't help with this, please attend the BBQ and celebrate the ever increasing success of Forest and District Cycling.

Please Reply to andrew.lock@virgin.net so that we can gauge numbers attending.

For Sale

Talbot Swift Royale 540 Motorhome,
1994 L,
4/5 berth, 2.5 diesel, 50, 000 miles,
taxed, MOT 11 mths, PAS,
cooker, fridge, shower, toilet, heating, electric hook up, cd player, bike rack, ladder, top box, good condition for year, well loved and looked after

£9, 000 ono

Can email photos on request

Tel: 07738626864 or 07738687118
neil@turner53.screaming.net

Service resumed

Your Web drone is back from his around the world trip and the results, profiles and BAR pages should now be up to date. Let me know if you see any mistakes.

We were in New Zealand to see my sister Marie and her family. Marie is a former Ross club member and sends her best wishes.

The family live in Invercargill on South Island where the national indoor velodrome is situated. It's a great facility with lots of open access. The Junior World Chamionships will be held there in 2012. The photo shows Marie leading out my first attempt at riding the 45 degree banking. I later managed a flying 200m time which barely matched my speed for 25 miles on the road (not good).

Marie is riding the National Masters TT champs in a few weeks and her daughter, Jen, is aiming for the national youth road race championship. Here's hoping that they do well.

Handicap 10

Firstly an apology to Bill for last week, I had his results wrong by 1 minute! All corrected now and the Bill and Mikey battle can continue!

Many thanks to Audrey for doing the timing, Mary and Robin for pushing off (and then Robin riding!), and lastly to Mr Jones for stepping in at the last moment and doing the turn.

With Paul back now this is the last time this season to have to put up with my dreary posts :) anyway.....

Another great turn out with 19 brave souls heading out onto the last yet windy Walford for the season, yet not a normal one, the favourite Handicap 10!

A new course record of 20:34 was set, smashing an incredible 1 minute off Alan Cook's previous best time round the course, oh wait, its a handicap time and it doesn't count!

Colin Parry set the pace for the night and even with the wind many people improving on their previous times at the last Walford!

Another 2 PBs set, Mark Lavington knocking off a few more seconds getting incredibly close to that 25 minute bracket so no doubt next season he will get there! Will (me) knocking off over a minute from his previous best Walford time putting himself into the middle of the 24 min bracket.

I would wager there was a possibly a 3rd, or at least the fastest ride on the Walford course in the last few years by Steve Millard putting in an incredibly low 25, almost getting into the 24s. Faster than any rides on the course that I can find on the Club website. I do think he is ramping getting ready for the kilo sprint in 2 weeks time!

Full list of results below, first by Handicap then by actual time





Rider of the night was Will for knocking off over a minute from his PB.

This week's Thursday event (27th August): Long hill climb, first rider off at 7pm

Forest clubs Tuesday event (25th August) : Cannop Kilo Sprint, first rider off at 7pm

Old Gore - WCA 100 - Dragon Boat Racing - COB Hill Climb

Final Old Gore of the season!

A good turnout for the last Old Gore of the season with 18 riders. Almost all riders putting in a better time than the last outing a couple of weeks ago!

Cookie even on his road bike still managed to come third, and two Ross riders setting new personal bests that I'm aware of(Fallon with a course best, Will(me) with a 10mi best)




EDIT : Results updated as Bill's result was wrong, sorry Bill!

Next Weeks Thursdays Event : The last Walford of the season! Handicap 10, be early for a Handicap in case I have to work them out. Paul is away for the week so I've been left with the list of Handicaps he has already worked out but just in case an early sign on would be helpful.

First rider off at 7PM with sign on outside the Walford school in the lay by as usual. Please sign up no later than 6:45PM.


Dragon Boat Race

It’s that time of year again, Ross Regatta and the Dragon Boat races! Crew of 10 needed for this good fun event, great fun last year with crews dressed up. Two that stick in my mind from last year was Smurfs and even one crew rowing naked (What a startling sight when you first look sideways at the boat!)

Lets get a team together, bring the families and have a good day.

Sign up in the forum here:

Dragon boat on the forum

Details of the Regatta here:

Ross Rowing Club Site


WCA 100

Alan Cook put in a great time at the WCA100 with a time of 03:45:19 unfortunately missing out on first by under a minute!

Paul Fallon put in a real solid time that I would love to do at 04:30:36 and Paul Stephens taking off almost 4 minutes from last year with 04:36:51.




Full Results:
http://cyclingtimetrials.janet0102.co.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=MoeMaZhZdmGPSYuQ8onYwr5VtT1MpzEe2fhLDMJ2raIcqkycJrweT-tOSegOH8lwmOeiNAntwA1eq0ryEwdX_w&ge1246__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=54337&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109


1st annual Tony Hickling Memorial Hill Climb

Climb on Bikes CC are running the 1st annual Tony Hickling Hill Climb up Caplor near Fownhope on the 19th of September.

A meagre 551m of pain to climb 69m with a tremendous record set my Tony Hickling in 1963! Works out at around a lovely 12.5% grade but don’t that fool you as there is a signpost going up for the hill for 17%!!

Sign on from 4PM, first rider off at 5PM. Followed by a BBQ!.

For details of the start point, race HQ etc see the flyer below:

Walford 10 plus news of welsh 100

As promised, good conditions greeted us this week; the only thing I got wrong was the lack of sun, which made the air a little denser. Mike stepped in to do the turn for which I was very grateful.

A nice ask, if not riding can you let me know so if I am in need of assistance to run the event I can call on you for help.

Once again the Cookmeister was quickest, saying he thought it was a hard night. Always complaining that boy! It’s actually a pleasure to watch him as he does make it look as if there’s no effort being put in.

With Falllon out of the equation, Dave must have thought he could back off, not so. Jerry pushed him all the way to the line to steal the delights of second spot by a mere second. I love close battles. As predicted, I say it every week, Steve Millard has again improved on his last Walford performance, so am expecting to see him in the 24 next outing (no pressure). I borrowed Taff’s bike this week, even with no telemetry, could tell I was going much quicker, enough to remove the smile off Wills face as we to are having a good close battle. What does he do? Turns the wick up himself to beat me by 2 seconds. Not impressed!

Clive now with a set of tri bars impressed the turn marshal with his brute power off the turn, every power stroke pulling the front wheel off the ground.

Wayne expecting rain was kicking himself for not bringing the fast bike out. A still very respectable time on a road bike, but it would have been interesting to see what he could have done on the fast bike.

Alistair made the trip over from the Forest to ride our course for the first time, noting it is definitely easier and faster from the forest end. What can I say about Paul, he had his game plan to get inside the 30-minute barrier on his new bike just failing by 12 seconds. Next time it will happen.

Bill was more motivated this week, with a later start slot than usual, which for a change made him the hunter not the hunted. He took full advantage, grinning like a Cheshire cat afterwards. Gerald had the same experience, also very happy to be a chaser rather than the chased.

Who remembers the bit in the film the “Wicker Man” where Britt Ekland dances around naked at a fire? Well Mary reminded me of the scene, dancing around most happy with her performance this week. At this stage I must make it clear Mary was fully dressed!!

The warmer weather had brought the wrinkles out of hibernation. In their own little battle Siz boy and el presidente locked horns for a titanic battle set to last for at least 35 minutes. At the end of their bout Siz boy came out triumphant beating his chest like the dominant gorilla of the tribe, pushing the presidente into last spot, but they did get value for money eking it out to 36 and 37 minutes.

Thanks this week to Julie for timing, Mike at the turn with Audrey and Bob, and Earl Smith for pushing off.

Rider of the night was unanimous vote going to Clive for knocking 3 minutes and 10 seconds off his best so far.

Don’t forget it’s a 7:00 start, not signing on up till 7:00. Please sign on by 6:45pm.

Breaking new just in

Our Jerry rang me to let me know he set his fastest 10 time in the Pontypool 10 Saturday so was like a dog with 10 tails. Well done on the 21:32, lets hope it doesn’t take another 8 years to beat this one (not a BAR counter).


Welsh Champs 100

With near perfect weather conditions, team Ross entered the event (why can’t we get Harwood out for this little sprint?). In the Cycling weekly comic, they reckoned Carl Ruebotham would just beat our Cookie. Unfortunately this prediction proved to be right, but Cookie didn’t go down without a fight. According to the groupies at the roadside, Alan was closing him down at a fast rate of knots at the end. Carl’s time was 3:44:23 with our Cookie 3:45:19.

I think it was one of his best rides to date and is a new PB for him. Fallon also set himself a new PB. Having been away for 2 weeks with his bike training and eating pies did a 4:30:36. Hot on his heels I managed a PB too in 4:36:51, blowing up a little in the last 4 miles, but I now have a nice sunburn rings around my arms.

Next weeks event are an Old Gore 10 at 7:00 and the Forest event is a Hill climb at Bigsweir.

Vintage Tankard is the 4th October for whoever asked me

Another reminder, if free for the 12 hour the organiser would love some help in some way for anything from a couple of hours to all day. Check your diaries.

Old Gore 10 30/7/09 And Cardiff 100milers 50 result

This week’s weather conditions were reasonably good. We had a strongish breeze but it turned out it was a side wind, which helped greatly on the return leg by not being in your face.

Cookie once again won but not by as much as usual, as he looked positively ill coming over the finish line. Andrew on the other hand put in a really good ride, which I had initially dismissed until I had seen his results from last year.

John Barnes edged Matt out for 3rd with a very strong finish up the hill. Matt in the process took 3 minutes off his PB from yesteryear. As predicted Steve M. is just getting stronger, pushing the ever improving Will down a spot, come to think about it he’s pushed me down too. Looks like a good battle brewing in this section of the results. John Batts on a road bike lost out to me on this occasion so we’re at one a piece at present this year. Taff’s strength always shows on Old Gore, won’t be long before we see it on Walford.

The Wayne and James battle is still close and I hope it goes all the way to the end of the season. Wobbly Bob although looking tired looked far more relaxed than usual, I think he will start to improve again before very long. Clive’s animal strength gave him a good time, looking very fast as he came up the finishing straight.

The Mike and Bill battle is another that’s raging on with Mike just edging Bill out. Was it because Bill said of their little wager, “last man home gets the beers”?

Rider of the night this week was Matt for the 3-minute improvement.

Julie timed, Peb pushed off and John & Audrey did the turn.

Cardiff 100 milers 50 today

As per the norm, Cookie 1:48:30 just won the event by a mere 4 ½ minutes so it was quite close. Jerry Roberts did a 2:01:02, Dave Constance 2:01:11, Clive Chappe 2:15:20 and I punctured!

In the process we won the team prize as well, well done boys!


Next week’s event is a very fast, warm, and no breeze Walford. Forest event is 1 lap of Cannop circuit.

Wanted Some photos to add onto the Blogg to make it look more intresting. Readers wives are ok but I may not be able to put them on here!

Also Wanted, your date of births for Will's New calcalator. You can keep your ages a secret, not intrested in that... email them direct to me

Paul