The Hill Climb, AGM news and Vintage Tankard impotant stuff

This is easily the hardest event of the year, the one that makes every part of the body hurt after such a short distance. This event most definitely suits the lighter bodied individual -  that’s it, got my excuses in early. 

Days of Pain for our Jerry, a blast from the past

A very short club run went out from Ross through Whitchurch, Harewoodend down to Hoarwithy. This event seems to get as many spectators as riders, all ready to battle the Col de Alt Bough. With little Fallon kicking butt in the Forest enduro (so I’ve been informed ,3^rd in class) and Jerry probably working, this gave Turbo Will an easy win. That said, he looked like he was blowing bad at the ¾’s stage, but managed a slight smile as he crossed the line. Adam the mountain biker on his nice new road bike had a cracking ride. 

Every now and again, you see someone special, Sunday we saw 14 year old Thomas hit the hill hard, just getting the better of dad Jeff who also put in a fantastic 

time, both looking very pleased afterwards. 

He’s a sly ol Fox That Destroyer. Says he’s not been on the bike all year, and then pulls a 14 out of the bag!

Man on Fire Lavington looked smooth as he approached the finish line; time reflected how his form has come on over the last few events. I watched Tim blast out of the traps, very fast over the first section up to Peb & Siz (Siz turns up every year to see if anyone can beat his club record) expecting him to blow up bad, but looking at the times  he was still there at the end, also looking pleased with his ride. 

Sarah had one mission, that was to beat The Racing Snake, which she just about managed. She did look a little disappointed not to have had the chairman’s scalp though. Gazzer found the challenge tough, commenting afterwards about how it had hurt. Having ridden to the event and afterwards with Vergil, am wondering if he blew up as he was on the money on all the other hills. I have no excuses. For next year I will be getting rid of the little spinny gears and hitting it on the big ring – Power shall rule!

Wobbly Bob must have thought he was still on the club ride, a whole second behind me. Nick the builder/decorator saw us at the start and decided to dust his bike off and have a go. Talk about an impromptu decision- work or ride the bike? Hope to see him out again when the work’s finished. 

Every event has to have a lantern rouge, this went to Bill, we had to put the stop watches away and get the calendar out. Not 100% sure he was trying as hard as he could have been. If he had time to heckle the cheering crowds at the finish, he had too much air left.

Thanks to Sammie for starting everyone, Steve Millard pushing off, with Julie at the finish.

Rider of the day is shared this week. There were 2 really good rides, Young Thomas & Adam both put in awesome performances, both in their first race.

Only 2 events left this year The Vintage Tankard on the 6^th of October & the Boxing Day 10, on Boxing Day…

We have a nice team for the VT, everyone more than welcome - better to have too many rather than lose due to a technical problem with a mechanical or puncture.

This year Phoenix are the host club and the event will take place on Sunday 6th October, starting at 10.30 AM, on the current 15 mile TT course starting from the Pump house but including an additional loop around the

Goldcliff circuit. Very Flat J  The event HQ for the day will be the Rose Inn, Redwick where there will be a get-together following the Vintage Tankard. (Matt are you riding, and can we have the Tankard Back). More info here http://rdfcc.org.uk/wp/ai1ec_event/vintage-tankard-%E2%80%93-uc612-hilly-lydbrook-15?instance_id=

 If you’re eating

 Not on the attachment is a Vegetarian option which is Lladenny Bake,
Glamorgan Sausages, Cheese and Brocolli Pancakes, and Welsh Rarebit
These meals will come with all the vegetables listed on the attached menu
without the meat for the same price.
Further details of these vegetarian options can be obtained by ringing the
pub on 01633 880501

Please could all meal orders be returned to Dave Kealaher   (dave.kealaher@uwclub.net) by midday on the 28^th September and he will make up a spreadsheet with names and choices to supply
to the pub.   

Pub will open at around 11.50 with food served around 12.30 and they will
give us the one whole room if meal orders sufficient
This can be a great social event even if you are not riding as Marshalls
will also be required, so come along and support and also book a meal, as
this event has been running quite some years now with the Phoenix also in
it's 60th Year!!!

  The AGM date is now the Booked for Thursday 17^th October at the Larrupers centre Ross for 8:00pm, so no ride that night. Everyone should make the effort to turn up, this is your club, help steer it in the direction you’d like in the future

1	Will Bevan	1:45
2	Adam Matchette	2:08
3	Thomas Goulding	2:09	Come Try It
4	Jeff Goulding	2:11	Come Try It
5	Graham Carter	2:14
6	Mark Lavington	2:19
7	Tim Newland	2:23
8	Sarah Cosker	2:25
9	Gary Downs	2:31
10	Mark Herriot	2:39
11	Paul Stephens	2:40
12	Bob Hill	2:41
13	Nick Le ray	3:02	Come Try It
14	Bill Reay	3:33

Aber & Back

What can we say…

Adams about to receive a real good blow home

Weather was pretty damn good, slightly chilly start, little breeze to mention, and so it was we had as many officials as riders this year. Unfortunately we were lacking a Ross rider to pick up the trophy. Turbo Will pulled out 2 hours before the start, possibley looking at the welsh skyline from the comfort of his bed.

That left a Forest verses Climb on Battle. Tom Knight set off first with Adam Taylor following 5 minutes later. I stayed behind chatting to The Destroyer, who at this stage was wishing he was riding. 

20 minutes later and the rain began to fall. I set off for Aber, low and behold I past 2 dry cyclist, rain nowhere near that part of the country. Adam had past Tom “The Power” knight at this stage on Dawn of day. Tom was winding the big ring up the hill with a classic face of pain, Adam spinning gracefully. From Hardwick they said there was a slight headwind to Raglan before the winds really picked up. Now “The Power” was in the zone, both riders feeling the effects of the wind on the front wheels, Adam once again appearing to float up the hill out of Monmouth, to take the victory by time he got to the finish. Tom lost it up the hill really, deciding a road bike with TT bars may be the way to go next time. I did ask why he was straining on the big ring to be told, the little ring was to easy. Well done both, and you both stayed dry, and both have a new PB

The Powers only weakness - uphills

Next week is the short hill climb, especially for the hill whippets. I’m sure Sarah wants a piece of me this year, still reveling from the long hill climb. Jerry will be the sly fox in the ointment if he turns up, oh and lets not under estimate Fallon Jnr.

Thursday night rides leave 7:00 prompt, only had 9 this week!

Vintage Tankard Team coming along very nicely, still need 2 more!

Paul

1	Adam Taylor	2:16:00	RDFCC
2	Tom Knight	2:39:22	Climb-on-Bikes