The Hill Climb Results

Sarah's first attempt at a hill climb

Hill climbs come, Hill climbs go, but this was as close to club/course records as has been for many years. Conditions were cool but not cold with a slightly cross  tailwind towards the finish. Talking records, we had 15 riders go for the challenge, the most for quite a few years.

With several changes of bike “Turbo Will” gave it some beans coming out with a cracking time of 1:36 (sorry no hundredths) just clear of Young “Humming Bird legs Fallon”. Now if ever there was a smile Matt  had it all the way home afterwards. 

Once again Nick showed how strong he is on hills tying with Markus. The sight of him finishing, trying to chase little Tom down for the line will stick with me for ever. When shouting to Tom to sprint up the hill, he started to pull away from Mark in the last 100 metres. Sorry Mark, couldn’t resist it……

Fallon uses the zig zag method after the wheelie start

"The Destroyer" now with a hen house of training partners monstered a ride 9 seconds faster than last year. Where did that come from? I suspect he’s been training his lad up for the race only for him to go to the bike show. 

Hereford Dave undertakes a car holding him up

Talking of improvements, Adam found 18 seconds over last years effort. I suspect he’s been training just for the hill climb!

We may have a champion In “The Missile”, but he has the same problem as me, sprinters don’t go up hill. He did however bring his own supporters to cheer on the hill. I was expecting Max to fly up the hill, but looking back through the history, this was his first  attempt at the course. Next year could see a different story. 

Jeniffer faster than the shutter speed

James having already escorted Tom up found 4 seconds over last year’s ride to tie with yours truly. First lady home this year was Sarah in her first go at a hill climb. She at first didn’t think she’d done that well, but on the way home the penny dropped that she was only a hand full of seconds  behind me, making  her effort all the more special.  

 Paul F rode up the hill on his winter hack, starting with a monster wheelie as he put the power down, even surprising himself. Jen was a little disappointed with last year’s ride so came with a bit more gusto this year knocking 19 seconds off last years’ time. I’m sure there’s more to come. 

The Missile  on what looks like a children's bike, note mudguards and lights

Next up was little Tom. We have a real star in the making, what with his exploits in mountain bike races, I think I’m right in thinking he’s down the velodrome and showing Mr. Raddenbury how to sprint up hill, sorry, didn’t mean to mention that again. Last man home David wanted value for money. Hope he enjoyed the company and the course.

Thanks this week to Julie at the start and Bill at the finish. Also thanks to Paul Fallon & Clive "The Animal" Newey for pushing off. 

Rider of the Day was a tough decision for many different reasons, but after much thought it would be wrong not to give it to Will. That course record is now so close!

Vintage Tankard is next week. The team is looking good. If you want food please contact Martin Green, info on the previous e-mail tonight.

 

Hill Climb Sunday

Don't forget its the Hill climbs Sunday, guaranteed good weather and a 25-35 mile ride afterwards(at Julie's pace).

This will bring the hill whippets out 

Meet at the bottom of Alt Baugh, Hoarwithy at 10:00

pics that never got into a blog (or got categorized) this year, see if you in there!  

There's also a champion in here, see if you can spot him

An old fashioned club run where you take your own drinks to a cafe

The best time for maintenance is 5 minutes before the start

Monkey see Monkey do

Graham wondered why with all the effort he was putting in failed to get anywhere

Grown man puts his mascot on

Harwood caught racing children in a drunken moment, deny it if you can

Tour of Britain winner (yes really!)

Couldn't resist this one of Tom relaxing after a grueling 10 miler. Your mates will thank you!

Will knew he had a problem but could not quite work out what it was!

The Aber & Back

It was touch and go as to whether we run the Aber & back this year. With the Coco the Clown construction company putting power cables in underground causing untold mayhem for many people, we had have a plan “B” as the dual carriage way was down to one coned lane. On top of that we needed a timekeeper. A plan B was formulated, with Paul Fallon stepping forward to time keep. Top Bloke! We had The Destroyer turn up for pushing off duties, roll on the contestants. With the exception of Will, I think we all knew the results were going to be close. 

Max inches perfect on the apex

We had a slight headwind out which grew stronger as the day went on. it appeared very good towards the end.

I personally gave Will the benefit of years of experience to tell him to just ease of till he’d got past where the Old Everstone  garage was, which he took. As he passed me he looked to be on the pace for a cracking time but not busting a gut. Needless to say he won! Quote of the day “didn’t notice the first 20 miles, well actually I didn’t notice the last 20 either”.

Well the even money was for Max to be next in the pecking order, but instead Nick P popped a quick one in. As I remember, he had a good one last year, looking slightly surprised to have beaten Max. Max was not that far behind, but looked exhausted with a fair bit of sweat dripping off him. I like to see effort dripping...

Johnny must love us; he’s travelled 33 miles just for our company and maybe to do the event, took 4^th spot. The distance held no fear for him, but being a road racer meant he was more used to sitting in a peloton rather than having to cut through the air all the way. Bet he wishes he lived closer to Ross, as he has done a few events already this year with us.

Now I bet you’re all wondering what of I? A pinch puncture at 40mph made it game over for me, with a 3 mile walk before Andy of Climb-on-Bikes lent me his phone to call the AA. Thanks Will for the offer of his spares, but I was close enough to get home, which would have left him with nothing for the rest of the ride. 

Rider of the day from a personal perspective was Will. As he actually stopped before a climb to offer me a phone (could not call too early as Julie enjoys her beauty sleep) and spares, and still caught everyone by the top of the Dawn of Day.

Thanks again to Paul & Graham for your time & support

The Vintage Tankard team is looking very good now. We have five big hitters, one who’s legs look like a humming birds wings on the climbs, and 2 possibles waiting to see if their  fitness is going to still be good in a few weeks’ time. We need a couple more so the team is strong in depth and numbers. 7^th October  is the date, give me  a reply if you can ride.

 

To keep the fitness up, don’t forget we have a Tuesday Evening every week, and the main Thursday night ride followed by a social lemonade glass at the rowing club afterwards. All welcome.

Next event is the Hill Climb in Hoarwithy up Alt Bough on the 30^th September. 10 for 10:30, followed by a ride afterwards 

 

KM Sprint

Perfect conditions for the KM sprint this year was the cue for the course record to fall, and fall it did. 

Gerald giving it large

Will popped a swift one in banging 38mph down the course, complaining he was dying over the line. From where I was stood at the finish, I could hear power still happening through his rear tub. Yours truly took the first losers slot just pipping Millie & the Missile who both looked surprised after!

Taff’s Circuit training has paid off matching Fallons pace down the course. A mere second later was The Destroyer who tied with Nick (who was on a road bike I think). Harwoods 40 mile warm up failed to pay off, taking off and trying to do the course in a spinney gear all the way down. Still not a bad time for a spinney gear…

Tony for 2 years running did a 18, just scalping Humming Bird Legs Fallon who has yet to develop the monster power of the front runners. The Spinner and The Animal are locked in their own little battle, on this occasion coming out equal. 

The first of this seasons new comers was Richard who’s getting stronger every ride, with Wayne keeping him honest. Now unless I’m mistaken, Wayne obviously wants a good season average on his certificate at the end of the year (26:6 mph), crafty! 

Young Mark managed to knock 16 seconds off his previous best, but I’m sure if he’d had a second go could have possibly gone faster. Come try it rider Martin (Will, Julie got his name wrong) enjoyed the experience, sounding disappointed it was the end of the season. Hopefully we will see him again in the future.

Gerald found the evening hard running out of speed with 400 metre left to go. Tom knocked a large amount off his best escorted by dad down the course, with Felix also having his first outing with his dad rounding off the riders.

Thanks this week to Mary for the start, Julie the finish. Steve Millard, Paul Fallon & Richard for pushing off. Apologies for the lack of hundredths, as Julie had inadvertently given Mary the watch with the hundredths who did the start.

Rider of the night this week has to be Turbo Will, what a time, what a new challenge for the rest of us to beat… 

Vintage Tankard team looking good so far, stay fit and focused so we retain it again. Keep the 7^th October free.

Next event is the Aber & Back on 16^th September. Keep an eye on the forum as this may have to be cancelled due to road works at Pencraig. Alternatively we may shorten it and finish at Whitchurch. Any volunteers to hold a watch if it goes ahead?

 

Long Hill Climb Plus other news Item from this week

Retro thing happening. LHC from 2006, Sharky Testing the presidents Hack, it never been the same since

Only 9 riders turned up for the long hill climb this year, but in fairness we had the biggest number of spectators ever! 

 Harwood & Millie were cursing as they’d already been out, having forgotten about the hill climb; instead Steve volunteered to push off. Julie loved the fact Will took charge of proceedings and set the signing on & start order, well all except Rich who turned up a tad late.

Now he’s probably been fretting since he won, “where are the results and the blog?” to himself.  Been a bit busy this weekend, but if you’d not heard, young Matthew “Humming Bird Legs” Fallon won the long hill climb outright. Seems like only last year dad was accompanying him in the races. With legs spinning faster than the spin cycle on the best spindryers he swept all before him.

Visiting riders took the next 3 spots with Mr. Raddenbury rushing to get to the start on time (poor Penelope) must have fancied his chances had to settle with the second spot on the podium.  Nick had a stormer of a ride for 3^rd place.  

Antony likes the hills if I remember right, and pulled out a good ride, but must have been worried about the steam roller coming up the hill behind him in the form of “The Missile” on full chat tearing up snorting and growling. I did like the fact he left a mudguard on to give everyone a chance. 

I was happy with my effort only 6 seconds off my best, maybe I’ll surprise a few next year as I’m getting the hang of this uphill lark. Virgil in his first uphill event just held off young Mark, who really lit it up for the last 200 metres. 

Last man to sign on, and last place up the hill was Rich. Don’t be disappointed with the result. Look back to where you were at the start of the year and where you are now. That’s a good time, check the past results to see who had similar times in the past, that will give you a base line for next year.

Thanks to Julie starting at the bottom, Steve for the rude jokes and pushing off, and Will timing at the top.

Rider of the night was a close run thing, “The Missile” got several votes for a cracking time, but in the end Humming Bird Legs Fallon was Rider of the night for the first of what we hope (and I bet he hopes) will be outright wins. Well done Matt!

As some will know, we had a team of 4 in the Welsh Championship 12 hour. Am pleased to report all finished within I thought we all could realistically do.  

 Dennis included a fall, but after a bit of treatment carried on for the full 12 to do (roughly at this time as results are not finalised yet) 177 miles. Paul Fallon was close to 230(think it will be a PB) with Graham at about 232PB. I managed 234.6 and a PB. The weather was as warm at 6 in the morning as I’ve ever known it, but the wind was unpleasant right from the word go. 

Well done guys, damn good team effort. The pains will be gone by Wednesday. The only serious thing to report was Graham found he could not drink beer Sunday night as it would not go down………

Will seconds from Launch

Elsewhere Will rode the British Time Trial Championship up at Leicester against the country’s best. Will rode well, (plagiarism I’m afraid, ripped this off his coach Dave Evans’ F/B post) Firstly, let me say that this was a very tricky course. Following the start was a technical and unnervingly bumpy descent with wet patches of water AND mud coupled with a sharp bend or two. On my scout of the course, one rider was already down and out with a broken collar-bone. I believe there was another incident whilst Will was out. In addition to this, the course was peppered with tractors shipping silage and I believe Will got held up by a trio of Landrovers and had to stop at a junction for cars. He managed to finish in the top 10 (about 6th) with a time of 50.22 (winner long 46?). Will lost time on the descent which was totally understandable, but he showed great form by gaining time on the flats and climbs. Unfortunately, I feel the descent was a deal breaker and no doubt cost Will at least 3 places. It was great to see Will out there showing off everything he has worked hard on for the past couple of years. He looked confident, worked exhaustively, and gave a great performance. Well done Will! Results at http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge1246__geka=WMj5FrnM8xg2AtWi73DtcDFPYGf2w4V4DqQq15p888nDTjdNcTZI2ZL0WxIK-6D7&ge1246__gevi=d5s6PWCfWaJT6GTmyocJca0xLl71NOBHhe2yAjq6CFs&gv484__gvac=2&gv484__gvff0=57757&gv484__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=109

 

Even more to throw at you

 

The Vintage Tankard "Inter-Club" Time Trial competition is just one month away...on Sunday October 7th RDFCC - Ross & District CC & Newport Phoenix will do time trial battle over the Forest  Hilly 15 course(Lydbrook/Ross/Shortstanding)...fingers crossed for fair weather and no roadworks...

The team from 2006 More Retro pics. Run out of new stuff apart from the stuff that will make people cringe later in the year, Muhahahahaha

We have permission to use the car park at the New Inn, Shortstanding for parking but where possible please car share to allow some room for Pub Clientele...As for their catering on the day, it being Sunday choices are limited to "Sunday Roasts"....with Vegetarian options available. Prices are £6.95 for main only...£9.95 for 2 courses or £12.95 for 3 Courses...portion sizes are usually generous in line with cyclists’ appetites. There is generally always Beef available + Pork or Turkey.

It would be useful to know numbers of people planning to dine to let the pub know...please e-mail me by return by Thurs October 4th latest.

The New Inn's postcode for Sat Nav wallers is GL16 7NT ...or Grid Reference GR SO572134, which is also the Finish Line.

Let me know if you want to enter, we need a team of 6 minimum, better more than less. The Ladies are more than welcome, both the other teams will have lady representatives.

If you want food please e-mail me, and I will pass on Martin's e-mail address.

 

Finally the last Thursday night event is this week, the 1KM sprint at Much Marcle.  Just over 1 minutes worth of full power, what could be easier? Signing on 6: 30, don’t park in the village hall.