Vintage Tankard on 2nd October

Well done the Team for staying fit and focused for the Vintage Tankard! Still working on a venue, manager for Walwyn has gone walkabout, not due back till Thusday/Friday. Will E-mail our start point as soon as poss.

I needs confirmation your all still ok, so let me know this week ASAP. It's the fastest 6 that count, but all club members are welcome as we need back ups incase of problems. I have Bill penciled in to marshal but will need another 2 people. Also does anyone want food, afterwards?

Noticed whilst updating record books the results from the last time we used the circuit a blog was never done so lets see if people can improve on their last outing

	1st lap	2nd lap	3rd lap	Time
Alan Cook	14:49	14:52	14:57	44:38
Paul Fallon	16:43	16:53	16:47	50:23
Robin Hill	17:10	17:15	17:08	51:33
Paul Stephens	17:15	17:23	17:03	51:41
Steve Millard	17:17	17:38	17:28	52:23
Dave Pearce	17:10	17:43	17:35	52:28	RDFCC
James Wilson	18:49	18:54	18:41	56:24
Max Suff	18:57	19:24	19:40	58:01
Clive Chappe	19:22	19:53	19:28	58:43
Tony Price	19:33	20:24	20:44	60:41
Mike Druce	20:46	20:58	21:56	1:03:40
Ollie Hales	21:25	22:09	22:11	1:05:45
Jon Airey	21:37	22:05	23:04	1:06:46

Aber & Back

Aber & back

Heavy rain may have put a few off the Aber & Back this year, but in reality the rain had stopped about 20 minutes before the event which was bathed in sunlight for the majority of the event. A strong breeze was felt on the way out giving a good push from Aber to Raglan. With a quality field of 4 Max led the proceedings off. 

As I dropped down from Broad Oak you can imagine my surprise to see Max cycling the other way. His Watch/heartrate monitor had come off his handle bars which needed a quick look to see where it had gone, which failed to yield a result. At the top of The Dawn of Day Nick P. was right behind me on his road bike, but this was where the TT bike now took over and the chance to gap him. We had Cookie, Tony, Bill and “The Destroyer” all out on course marshalling and time checking (I assume they did the same for everyone (I couldn’t actually hear with my head faring on after 18mph!)). 

I knew I had a good advantage, just as well as I had to stop for 2 minutes going under the dual carriageway for a herd of cows to be moved, then I had Ivor Mc Giver “The Sunday driver” who had a procession of 10 cars behind him at Mitchel Troy halting my progress with their 20Mph procession, then to add insult to injury having to stop at the lights at Monmouth with the “Ginger One” on his way to Neath sticking fingers up at me laughing at the fact I’d been stopped. 

A check over my shoulder going up the hill said I still had plenty of time. Imagine how horrified I was to see first Nick Philpot only a minute and a half behind at the end with Max only another four seconds behind. Both must have had a brilliant ride for the last 10 miles. Could have been a very different story but for Max’s Garmin Hunt! 

That leaves a mention for Tom. Well I can tell you all, Tom started at an easy pace, but he was going like a train towards the finish and this year he looked like he had thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to all that turned up to help, Sam P, John H, Cookie, “Turn marshal Tony”, The Destroyer, Bill R. & Mary Munchkin for the Timing.

Rider of the Day Nick P not far off the pace on a road bike!

Vintage Tankard team  is looking good so far. Let me know if you’re riding. The date is 2^nd October

The Hill climb is the week after that at Hoarwithy starting at 10:00. Has anyone got a spare oxygen cylinder, as I may need it afterwards

This week sees the start of the Thursday night rides from the rowing club, 7:00 prompt. Bring lights, then back for a social lemonade

If anyone fancies viewing the Tour I go on most years across Europe, there’s an evening deciding where to go this year on 23September. Contact me for more info

1	Paul Stephens	2:22:40
2	Nick Philpot	2:23:56	N-Tec Racing
3	Max Suff	2:27:00
4	Tom Knight	2:44:06	C-on-B’s

KM Sprint

KM Sprint

Good conditions greeted the warriors of brute power for this year’s Kilo Sprint. My predictions were correct with “Turbo Will” just sneaking the win from the “Ginger One” who looked stronger at the finish than the start. Will on the other hand thought he was held up by traffic at the far end, anyway they were in a class of their own…..

Fallon just squeezed in for a bronze medal ahead of Millie a past champion, with me miles off the pace this year. Max’s first go produced a good result, with “Typing Tony” showing there is power in them legs over the shorter distances. Does this mean he will fly up the hill climb? 

Apologies must go to Clive “The Animal Newey” who’s first run’s time was not successfully recorded and to make things worse looked like he was having a stormer. Julie’s very sorry. 

Young Matt must have been happy as he took 21 seconds off his PB from 12 months ago. Gerald normally known for bring up the rear had his best placing this season which made him smile. The Ladies couldn’t have been much closer. Julie Suff just edged out Mary Munchkin by a second (got to check the official results sheet when I get them back, a typewriting error from Typing Tony). I think it would have been even closer if Munchkin hadn’t played with her gears with 120 metres to go. First time on the race bike after 5 years also put a smile on Sam’s face just edging out the old guard with Siz this year being the best of the Musketeers from Peb then “The Presidante”. Last man home was young Tom on his mountain bike. In years to come I can see Tom being the man to beat, as he’s already quicker than dad on the down hills.

Timing thanks to Bill for starting, Julie Stephens for finishing, Mike D for pushing off and Bob The Boat at the crossroads.

Rider of the night was Sam Phillips for an inspired return to stamping on the pedals.