Vintage Tankard

The Team

Not sure how but ended up team manager for the Vintage Tankard Team. As I chased up volunteers, kept some motivated after the technical end of season, and with key players away, I knew we had a fair team. First blow came when Jerry phoned to apologise, work had got in the way of play. 

I also looked at the opposition and thought it was going to be real close this year. No closer than that. Their “T thousand Terminator” had his name down (alias Alan Matthews), I’d caught him out training hard. Every time I spotted him he’d say “Only done a couple of miles, first time in 3 weeks”. In the end a family commitment kept him out of the equation. 

Clive & Chris watch on as Sam waits patiently for everyone to smile

The rest of the Forest team looked really good on paper, Jared currently flying, Adam’s becoming an all-rounder, and Digby’s never happier than when he’s spinning like a madman. I know Richard and I are a match from the Newport, but was not sure about some of the names I’d not met before. Well you could have knocked me sideways when the Newport scalped the Forest, more about that later…..

The motivational talk must have paid off; Will took glory with the win, first blood to Ross. The course suited us well being so flat. I did think Will would have gone a smidge quicker especially as he’d taken Sarah down for an inspection, with Sarah testing out my clip on tri bars (things I do for the win). 

The Missile landed in second spot, not bad for someone who’d been off the bike for a little while. The Destroyer became Ross’ third counter. Another on paper lacking miles this year, but the month prior, had taken his place on the squad seriously putting a few rides to work and back in. amazing what 2 miles a day can do. 

Next was the surprise, Wobbly Bob taking some good scalps. I knew he was going well as he’d been like a man possessed on every outing recently. I was going to give him the rider of the day, but alas Bob came clean to say there was a technical with his time, and he’d not gone that quickly in reality. More about what I think happened later, but he does get the Honesty Cup award, well if we had one…

Humming Bird legs Fallon, probably found a flat course more of a challenge, lacking any hill. He was however equipped with dads best race machine, still putting in a fantastic ride. 

Hard to believe Millie was so far down the field, having annihilated all comers at some points of the season. I got the impression he was feeling tired, but every bit helped. 

Next up was Richie, what a fab ride if you do the workings. Over 10 miles, Rich is down about 5 minutes over the winner. Over 21 miles, he’s not lost a lot at all. This will now have him thinking and looking at his S.W.O.T. analysis. Interesting to see how many email back to know what I’m on about. 

Last of the Ross finishers was Sarah. I could see some disappointment in her face afterwards. Fear not young maiden, as with little Fallon, flat courses require lots of stomp, a different variety to the one that helps you leave everyone up the hills. It all comes with power, technique and plenty of the Monday night sessions. 

Anyways, as most know, I was side swiped, failing to finish, and for a second year fail to make the team, and that’s why we always need more people for such eventualities and things like punctures. 

What I think happened with Wobbly Bob’s time was, as I got back to the finish my injuries distracted Sammie who was helping Gareth to time. She much preferred along with Joey to cut my skin suit and scrub at my wounds, telling me I needed to go to hospital (along with everyone one else). 

Thanks to Wobbly Bob  & The Destroyer, they helped me afterwards to get changed. They thought my lucky underpants were class, if only I’d been wearing them prior to.   

Hungry

Knowing what I know about hospitals, I was going to have my piccy taken with the team before enjoying a good Sunday roast. I knew I would starve to death in a hospital.

A cracking day, that aside, the Phoenix did a fantastic job of hosting. Got the feeling it’s our turn next year.

Rider of the day ended up being riders, as Will couldn’t make his mind up who deserved it more, so put your hands together for The Missile & The Destroyer, neither having done very much this year.

Well done all.

1)W.Bevan                      Ross-on-Wye CC              00:48:00

2) S.Walker                     Ross-on-Wye CC              00:51:11

3) R.Lawton                    Newport Phoenix              00:52:26

4) G.Carter                      Ross-on-Wye CC              00:52:56

5) R.Hill                          Ross-on-Wye CC              00:53:04

6) D.Rusling                    RDFCC                             00:53:21

7) M.Fallon                      Ross-on-Wye CC              00:53:25

8) A.Taylor                      RDFCC                            00:54:10

9) J.Batts                       RDFCC                             00:54:43

10) S.Millard                    Ross-on-Wye CC              00:55:00

11) A.Hodgson                 Newport Phoenix              00:56:59

12) D.Kealaher                 Newport Phoenix              00:59:01

13) R.Holtham                  Newport Phoenix             00:59:08

14) J.Linden                     RDFCC                          00:59:10

15) S.Burnett                    Newport Phoenix            00:59:12

16) G.Snowball                Newport Phoenix              01:00:05

17) R.Harrington                Ross-on-Wye CC            01:00:20

18) S.Cosker                    Ross-on-Wye CC             01:03:16

19) A.Pollard                    RDFCC                           01:03:16

20) R.Newth                     RDFCC                          01:03:22

21) G.Pinder                    Newport Phoenix              01:03:56

22) C.Aberdeen                Newport Phoenix             01:04:27

23) C.Davies                    Newport Phoenix             01:10:29

24) P.Gray                        Newport Phoenix            01:13:29

25) P/Stephens                 Ross-on-Wye CC              DNF