Walford 26th July

it's old whats his name

d feelings for the conditions this week. Some thought it was fast, some slow. Personally it felt slow. Cracking times, look at all them there 23’s.  Now the disappointment…… it was a short course due to roadworks outside the school. This should not take away from a couple of people who would have smashed the Evans target of 20MPH by a country mile.

Cant remember who won off the top of my head, just gotta check. Ah “The Destroyer”. A very popular unassuming winner if ever there was one. We did the mathematics over a beer or six afterwards and decided he would not have done a 23 which he thought was close. Jason on China’s finest carbon put in his best performance for many seasons rounding off a good week for him. Jwooones the steam run out of still recovering from his record 24 hour ride of 406.579 miles. (Will enjoyed it more than Hef from all accounts. Got the feeling Hef’s retired for time being from 24hr events). 

Harwood must be aero dynamic on a TT machine as he’s still nowhere near 100% fit. Max pulled a flanker. French holiday miles now kicking in. Millie just held off an improved Mr Raddenbury. The potential new TT machine may be paid for before long. Taff also pulled a blinder, French miles as well? 

The club’s biggest shock of the night was The Missile’s time, the tarot cards had said a better performance was on the cards. A  very very happy Nigel moved his game up another notch. Trev’s first outing looked painful, a bit rotten of me putting him in with the fast boyz, but then again what better way to get back up to speed.

 Mike where did that time come from? Have you been sneaky training? Well done fella! Equal to Mike was Clive. Having started a minute after Mike must has been slip streaming him for the whole 10 miles. Amazing the tow you can still pick up from a minute behind….

Mark H. would have liked the full course, on my reckoning it was about 41 seconds quicker than the full distance. Tony also would have loved the full course; this must be one of his best rides so far. Funny how some people really went well when some suffered. That would almost definitely have been Richard’s sub 30 minute. Next Walford you’ll smash it properly.

 Julie looked a little disappointed after her ride, but I think she looked to be going really well when I saw her. Captain Enthusiasm Jon always looks in a mixture of pain and pleasure at the same time during the race. I hope he rides the KM sprint. I think he’d surprise a few people on a shorter distance. 

The clubs favourite postman took a night off from his busy schedule to put a time that was  well up to what he would normally do if he’d ridden all season. Well Done! Gerald has also pulled a blinder. Willing to bet he was happy with that time.

Thanks this week go to Julie on the watch, Bill on the turn, and Timbo pushing off.

Rider of the night this week is Richard Harrington. May not have been a proper sub 30 but had it been a full fat course it almost definitely would have been sub 30

Next week is an Old Gore

Forest is a Lydbrook 10.

Times keepers and marshals required for the Old Gore 10 on the 16^th  & the Handicap 10  at Walford (last 10 of the season) on the 23^rd . The Walford may require 2 people timing if there are large numbers. Hopefully Will will be around to do handicap times, which I will supply him prior to. I have one time keeper so far, for one event, but I need to find out which he can do.

 Please let me know ASAP if you can help. No help, no event!

 

Last 2 weeks in 1

Been a very busy couple of weeks, this one’s no exception, so it’s going  to be very short for the last couple of weeks week adventures of Ross CC…

In the days of hair on the Col de Old Gore

Walford

Wills jinxed as far as we can tell. He had a wee fall whilst looking for a suitable gateway, in the process giving himself a good bruise to the face and hip, also breaking a carbon front wheel (I see there’s a cone in the hole now).

Fallon had an easy  win, with Jwooooooones the steam putting in a good first effort in 12 months. Conditions were monsoon with Richard on a mudguarded bike commenting on the fact he could feel the drag of water going through the mudguard and the tire. Sarah’s first effort produced a very good time for the conditions.

Thanks to Bill for the turn.

Rider of the night was Jwoooones simply as he’d not raced in such a long time period.  

 

Old Gore

After the outing 2 weeks prior to with perfect conditions, this week was going to be a little tougher with a gentle side wind.  Turbo Will set the bar, with Sam from Aber just squeezing into the 24’s. (do they come because were so friendly or because they  want to rid our hardest courses?).

 The Destroyer was not a million miles in front of me, with Max cursing the new machinery. Mr Raddenbury looked more aero this week, losing less time than most from 2 weeks ago.

Ooooh I hate little Fallon. Having passed him, seriously stuffing him back only to find he’s closed it all back down on the last hill. Look out when he learns to ride the flat bits. That gives us until next season then!

I think I spotted a fix for James' fortunes, lets see how it pans out as he’s suffering with his back on his TT machine. Nig was very animated at the club afterwards.  Another new PB on Old Gore, the hills are defiantly where he likes to be.  

Clive watched number 1 go then watched number 3 go before working out he was number 2. This tested a brand new timekeepers skills and patience ("I think he's trying to screw me up" ). Virgil managed a PB as well, looking very good ascending the final climb. 

Last home was Gerald, who’s not been out for a little while. He did try to do the Forest event Tuesday but roadworks had forced them to cancel the event. Check the forum next week to make sure we have no problem as well. The Old Gore will be the alternative…

Thanks this week go to Mary, Dennis, & Bill at the turn. Can’t remember who pushed off! And special thanks to Dave H timekeeping for the first time. “is it really that easy?” he asked.

Rider of the night this week is Nigel. The man was like a dog with 10 tails afterwards.

Next weeks Walford, don’t forget to check the forum for any updates. Wanted turn person!

 

Open Events - Start Sheets Available

The start sheets for our open 10 and open 25 (Don Woodman Memorial) are available at links below:

14th of July - Open 10 on R10/17 - Start Sheet

15th of July - Don Woodman Memorial (Open 25) on R25/7 - Start Sheet

See you all at the event!

5/7/12 Old Gore 10

The good one

Whooo hooooo, perfect conditions for an Old Gore 10. In all the time I’ve ridden Old Gore over many years, I’ve never had such good conditions. Zero wind out which did give a slightly slower  time to the turn also meant nice return leg home which was by far quicker than usual.

Looking the part, Mark Raddenbury

Only a quick one this week, lots to do before the opens next weekend!

Fallon went fastest, not sure how we’re going to catch him. He must be absolutely flying up the last hill. I was very happy to get into the 25’s, not sure if that’s a PB for me. Milly couldn’t make it two wins in a row being 2 seconds behind me, with Max anther 2 seconds back, a definite PB for him. I was expecting those mountain miles to kick in, maybe next week. 

Aero Mark expected good things this week, but having given it the beans out may have been disillusioned by the gaps on the return leg. Fastest again on a road bike was Terry. When interrogated about not riding a TT bike, was told “I’ve got one, but want to get into 25’s on the road bike before I get it out” (I think that was what he said, or I may have just dreamt it). 

Fallon jnr had a good one, another new PB for the boy. He did look very happy afterwards. I’m sure he’s going to do a race report for his activities last weekend, as I’ve not heard how he got on. Nick, although he enjoyed his ride looked slightly off the pace this week. James, the position looks fine, we might have to get you spinning again, to see if that helps…..

Nigel was like an excitable puppy afterwards, buzzing. Obviously happy with his result this week, another with a PB. Wobbly Bob was on the money on the way out, like a man possessed,  but on the return leg blew up big time. Virgil almost ended up last man on the road, late signing on, but I’m sure he too was pleased with his new PB, 3: 20 faster than his last attempt. PB city this week, Richard also knocked a chunk off his previous, having seen him giving it large, I think this was his best ride so far, that 30 minute 10 is not far away.

Mr Reay lost Kudos this week, having passed young Mark, lost his scalp on the last climb as Mark screamed past him. Those French cols failing to kick in this week. Every week, someone has to be last, this week was Mark’s turn. Dad escorted him around; not finding the bike that comfortable struggled with back ache. Once on the hill to the finish he found the sweet spot, first Mr Reay, then Pap’s encouragement to go faster as I was approaching gave it real large. As I passed him, he really dropped the hammer down, almost retaking me over the line. The link is my Garmin trace for the race (for Richard), you will see that we were doing 21/22mph over the line, and my heart rate going through the roof. Well done Mark, the time trialling will make you stronger on your preferred down hilling! If you’re lucky, I may take you to Afan for some real down hills which do need power for the 15 minutes it takes to get down some of them

The Strava link is the race, but broken up into sections, which shows who’s doing what around the course. There’s the downhill, the flat sections, and the uphills. Anyone who can download GPS (phones, or Garmin type device) can see who’s doing what where, and that’s not just us in the race but anyone who has ridden that road and saved their rides on Strava. It gives it in a table with your position. A bit of harmless fun that also includes all the hills around here.

Back to business,

Thanks this week go to Mary & Dennis at the turn, Julie pushing you off and timing with assistant time keeper Sarah Cullis

Rider of the night is Virgil for such a large improvement.

 Don’t forget, next weekend is the open. Help, cakes much appreciated.

Tuesday night is the Forests Hilly 15. This is the course they will be using for the Vintage Tankard this year. Meeting at Short Standing Berry Hill (can’t remember the name of the pub) with chips after. It is a road bike event-no aero!

Our event is The Jack Morgan 10 and a Pot up for grabs.

 

http://connect.garmin.com/player/196300149

 http://app.strava.com/rides/12644485

 

Road Bike 10

The Race of true truth! 

The Silver haired Fox

This week’s Walford was a zero aero event, and by Jove, everyone came in the spirit of the event. That meant no aero frames, no aero handlebars, no aero wheels, no aero helmets and no aero skin suits. Looking at the results, it shows who bought wisely for their aero products. It also shows a couple of people that having aero kit would undoubtedly move them up the pecking order.

Once again the wind was windy making itself felt as a side wind on the first/last section of course. Milly showed he was the man on a mission stealing the top step of the podium by a mere 2 seconds off Fallon, I feel the pain. Fallon did note there was less wind for the early starters……

Fallon was only 2 seconds clear of third spot with Mr Raddenbury looking like he’d just swallowed a wasp when he learnt how close it was, thinking he could have gone a smidge faster. Maybe next time.

Having working kit would I’m sure help The Missile. Only anther 3 seconds behind Mark, this week’s misadventure was his rear block rattling around on the free hub. Lock ring was tight, but all the sprockets with more play than Tigers on Vaseline.

Road bike star Terry was not a million miles from the best of the evening. Wonder what he could do on a TT machine. I was rather disappointed with my ride, as it had felt quite good, how deceptive. Nick managed to hold the gap to me as it was about even at the turn, I was sure he was going to reel me in on the way back.

Anthony looked pleased with his ride, not sure if he has a TT machine, but was almost a clear minute ahead of our very own James the Spinner. I know James was ticking all the right numbers at the start of the season, which is confusing me now with his times. Must find out if he’s still doing the velodrome stuff, mind you he did see off Fallon Jnr this week. A good example of the aero kit doing its job for little (almost 6 foot) Matt.

Dave Hall was another pleased with his ride, this week choosing a shirt that didn’t flap around in the wind, which must have helped pip Nigel by 1 second over the line. Richard was very quiet this week, don’t think I got my usual report of how he found it this week, but the times are dropping, so it can’t be all bad. Tony Morris came down as a come try it. With a triathlon event approaching he wanted  to see how he’d do on the night on his bike that was not his usual mountain bike. Third week’s the week the times start to improve dramatically.

Buzzer Beard pitched up for his first event of the year, always impressive when you consider his age, already looking forward to next week’s event. I think I’m right in thinking this is young Mark’s first 10, accompanied by dad around the course. I suspect he will be very quick on the lumpier courses if we can hold his interest and he enjoys it.

Thanks this week goes to The Wobbly One for doing the turn, and Julie time keeping. Sam and Peb were in charge of launching.

Rider of the night this week has to be Milly for riding just outside the box.

Next week’s event is an Old Gore 10, don’t forget to park sensibly and We Will Need a Turn Marshal