1st Walford 10 of the year

Once again the machine that is the Ross-on-Wye & District Cycling Club rumbled into life. Six months of hibernation, secret training, open training evening rides and the very popular Sunday rides have led up to what looked to be a wet and windy start to 2012. As it turned out, apart from a little dampness on the ground, conditions were very good. No wind. No rain, plenty of attitude. 2012 saw several new faces out for the first event, some having never ridden before, so PB’s guaranteed.

A flying Fallon

I must admit I was a little surprised by some of the results, expecting better from a few, some excelled, meaning there was secret training…….

A “Flying Fallon” senior took the honours in this 1^st Walford of the season, clear of his nearest rival by just over a minute. Those cold lonely Saturday afternoons have paid off for now!

Last year’s closest protagonists appeared to be at it again for this season “The Destroyer” and “The Racing Snake” came in 2^nd and 3^rd separated by seconds. Might have been even closer if I had not got stuck behind slower cars and Taff had not inspired more effort out of The Destroyer…..

International coach Jamie (ladies VC St. Raphael team) took the 4^th spot, watch him get faster as the weeks roll on. 

Taff has been accused of having all the gear, no idea! Not this year! He’s looking up for a good season, starting very quickly. I’m expecting him to be in the 24’s this year, no pressure.

Tom The Face of Pain

I’m sure Tom (“The Boonen”) looking at the results now would be happy with this result. Walford’s never been his favourite for some reason, but a top 6 finish is sure to make him smile in this company. The man to watch “The Missile” is firmly locked onto Tom, but I’m sure he will make several top riders uncomfortable later in the year. It only a lack of miles at this stage holding him back.

First of the major surprises for me was “The Spinner”. In fairness he looked at the weather and rode his old hack, but those legs with carpet stuck to them cannot have helped in the aero dynamics department. When mentioned, Alice (James’s daughter) looked around deciding possibly dad needed the Immac treatment. 

Nigel was my next surprise. I know having ridden with Nigel how fast he is. Am going to assume he took my advice of start slower to last the 10 miles not just the first mile. My guarantee with Nigel is he will be doing fast 26’s very soon. Rumour mongers have suggested he has new kit waiting to come out in clean dry conditions.

A winter’s worth of training, club rides and mountain biking sees Fallon Jnr  pop a new PB in first time out. The 6 Ps come to mind (can’t put them on here for fear of being seen to be rude) but the gist of the 6 Ps is to prevents poor performance. Matt put undue pressure on himself needing to change a puncture before the start. Not good mental prep, but could make it onto the Entertainment trophy awards.

“Save of the Day” had to go to “Tony the Tiger”. Too fast on the wrong line into the monument corner saw him have to pull a rear end slide back into line. Being just behind him at the time, gave me the perfect view of his correctional skills at work. I’m just grateful for no paperwork so early in the season. I don’t like paperwork!

My biggest surprise of the evening was Chris. He’s like a human dynamo normally, he too could have just been finding out how to tackle the Walford course. He did carry around a bike rack, saddle bag full of sarnies and lights. I will expect him to be a good match for Nigel soon.

Mark Herriot was one of the best surprises of the evening. He has only been cycling since January, first time out beating evens (20mph), and his enthusiasm afterwards was great, so a real well done. His mate Mike also had the same time, one had to assume they were either too polite to beat the other or they trained together.

Richard, also new, had his first taste of time trailing. I’m sure he too is happy with his ride as it was far quicker than his self-timed effort. Having looked at the photos, a little lower on the bars would create less drag, and no one smiles as they cross the line at the finish….

Mary in full flow

Our Very Own “Mary Munchkin” took her first scalp of the season first time out. I suspect there has been some sort of secret training having occurred passing Gerald who ended up almost last man on the road.

Last was the favourite. “Turbo Will”.  Will put the all singing, all dancing glasses on to check bodily functions whilst on full chat. In fairness, he was flying as we passed in opposite directions, but as he approached Vention lane his instruction in his ear piece said move slightly over to the right to avoid that gigantic piece of glass. The rest is history as they say. What could have been? Do we run a book on how many punctures Will has this year?

Thanks this week go to “Bill the Chair” and “Sam the Man” for signing and organising the turn, “Mike the Post” for the signs at the start, “Tiny Tim” for lunch control and my sweetie Julie for the timings.

Thanks also to Bill & Mary for the chip butty supper they organised later. As they know my body is a temple so I had to go without, but it was like feeding the 5000, with groups of vultures swooping in from all angles. Thank You both!!!
 

Another to thank is Mark Raddenbury for the photos. A slight cold stopped him riding so instead electing to capture your images. Catch Marks deals at http://www.fetishbikecompany.com or speak personally to him, his arm can be twisted. There’s 10% off online to Ross riders or 15% in store. An interesting internet sight for those who want a challenge, either to yourselves or against others in the area is http://www.strava.com Mark is current record holder for Yat Rock. It has the ability to break rides into sections so you only do certain parts not a full ride, go for it; you know you want to…

Rider of the Week was almost forgotten about as a topic down the club but fortunately we did have a quorum to discuss this important subject. Mark H was near the top of the list as well as Matt F with his PB bashing ride, but in the end Fallon Snr wins the converted "Rider of the Week".

Next week is Old Gore. We require one turn Marshall. Don’t forget, if getting there by car, leave a space for the timekeeper and don’t block the driveway down to the farm. Better still, ride up as  a warm up. It only takes minutes to get back to Ross 

 from there.