Hill Climb & AGM

Warm & windy conditions greeted the bravest of the brave with Dave H electing to avoid the hill climb at all costs by leading the Sunday ride out past the event just to taunt the people who may be close to changing their minds about riding. Cookie was weak, instead favouring a vantage point high in the hills along the course to also cheer (taunt some!) the riders as they passed him. Siz Boy the Ross record holder for the last 40 years (at least) stood at the halfway point cheering everyone up.

Can’t believe Steve Millard didn’t ride instead choosing to time the finish, in the process stopping the watch, having to come back down to restart it to have to ride back up. This is the sort of stuff that gets put in the entertainment awards ceremony!

I hung the start out as long as I could for Jerry to show up to give Will a run for his money but a DNS was lodged by his name (Did Not Showup). In the end Will put in a Tour de force with one of the quickest times of all time, but only just ahead of the rest of us…

“The Destroyer” on his heavy weight winter hack turned up the gas to put in a very respectable time. Steve was obviously upset with having to ride the hill twice with me laughing at him on his second run; it caused a nervous twitch which stopped the clock early on “The Spinners” run which saw him beat me by 14 100^th. Very mean. Cookie did report his legs were going around so fast that every leg rev saw both wheels leaping off the ground in a tigger fashion all the way up to the finish.

Not 100% convinced Adam S had ever done a hill climb before as he looked very apprehensive before the start. I think it hurt! Transcending Tony said nothing before the start; he said nothing at the finish. He looked quite ill when I arrived at the finish. Young Jenifer on the other hand looked full of beans raring to go. You appeared happy when I saw you next so will assume you enjoyed it. Youngest rider was Tom. I think he may have had too many beers the night before as his time was a tad slower than last year, or was it dad trying to slow him down?

Thanks to Sammie and Steve Millard timing, with Steve diligently checking the course twice, and Julie at the bottom shoving everyone up the hill.

Rider of the day was Turbo Will. Still got a second to go to beat my best, there’s your challenge for next year!

17^th October is the AGM. Your presence is required.

Vintage Tankard 2011

What can I say about the weather? That was one very hot morning, which produced sweat (not the ladies, they merely perspired) by the bucket load.

Grumpy the landlord, grumped about the number of cars, so we put a plan (sort of plan) to disperse them around the village into action.

A little friendly banter ensued before the start which was very calm, before turning into a tough little breeze for the tail end riders. Well done all that rode, the circuit has a little something for everyone, so I hope you all enjoyed at least one part of it if not all of it!

Thanks to Wobbly Bob Hill on Junction 1, everyone said you were very enthusiastic and did a fab job. John & Audrey on the Roundabout, with probably the happiest face on the day Bill Reay directing everyone at the pub junction. Thanks to my timekeepers for their efforts, especially to Sammie for the hard sums (I only found 4 mistakes on the split times…)! Thank you All!

There has to be a winner and this year it was the Ross. I did say to the team stay motivated and fit, so they did please me by doing as I said for a change. I was quite surprised as I had pencilled in a few of their scalps.

Ross is in Orange, Forest in Green and Phoenix in Mauve. Fastest laps are in Red, slowest in Blue. Congrats to Will, your pacing looks spot on with only 5 seconds difference total for all your laps.

Ross time 04:53:33

Forest time 05:14:50

Newport 05:41:08

The Hill climb is Sunday. Everyone welcome if you fancy your chances at a 500 metre sprint. You could just do what I do and just pretend to look fast over the first half till out of sight then blow up at leisure, just to make the hill climbers have to give it all. I know who my money’s on, but it should be very close. Anyone got a spare oxygen bottle handy for the finish?

Ross AGM is the 17^th October, everyone should make the effort to be there, it’s your club, help shape it for the future. It’s also your chance to vote for The Riders Rider presented at the club prize giving on the 29^th January so put that in your diary as well.

Vintage Tankard on 2nd October

Well done the Team for staying fit and focused for the Vintage Tankard! Still working on a venue, manager for Walwyn has gone walkabout, not due back till Thusday/Friday. Will E-mail our start point as soon as poss.

I needs confirmation your all still ok, so let me know this week ASAP. It's the fastest 6 that count, but all club members are welcome as we need back ups incase of problems. I have Bill penciled in to marshal but will need another 2 people. Also does anyone want food, afterwards?

Noticed whilst updating record books the results from the last time we used the circuit a blog was never done so lets see if people can improve on their last outing

	1st lap	2nd lap	3rd lap	Time
Alan Cook	14:49	14:52	14:57	44:38
Paul Fallon	16:43	16:53	16:47	50:23
Robin Hill	17:10	17:15	17:08	51:33
Paul Stephens	17:15	17:23	17:03	51:41
Steve Millard	17:17	17:38	17:28	52:23
Dave Pearce	17:10	17:43	17:35	52:28	RDFCC
James Wilson	18:49	18:54	18:41	56:24
Max Suff	18:57	19:24	19:40	58:01
Clive Chappe	19:22	19:53	19:28	58:43
Tony Price	19:33	20:24	20:44	60:41
Mike Druce	20:46	20:58	21:56	1:03:40
Ollie Hales	21:25	22:09	22:11	1:05:45
Jon Airey	21:37	22:05	23:04	1:06:46

Aber & Back

Aber & back

Heavy rain may have put a few off the Aber & Back this year, but in reality the rain had stopped about 20 minutes before the event which was bathed in sunlight for the majority of the event. A strong breeze was felt on the way out giving a good push from Aber to Raglan. With a quality field of 4 Max led the proceedings off. 

As I dropped down from Broad Oak you can imagine my surprise to see Max cycling the other way. His Watch/heartrate monitor had come off his handle bars which needed a quick look to see where it had gone, which failed to yield a result. At the top of The Dawn of Day Nick P. was right behind me on his road bike, but this was where the TT bike now took over and the chance to gap him. We had Cookie, Tony, Bill and “The Destroyer” all out on course marshalling and time checking (I assume they did the same for everyone (I couldn’t actually hear with my head faring on after 18mph!)). 

I knew I had a good advantage, just as well as I had to stop for 2 minutes going under the dual carriageway for a herd of cows to be moved, then I had Ivor Mc Giver “The Sunday driver” who had a procession of 10 cars behind him at Mitchel Troy halting my progress with their 20Mph procession, then to add insult to injury having to stop at the lights at Monmouth with the “Ginger One” on his way to Neath sticking fingers up at me laughing at the fact I’d been stopped. 

A check over my shoulder going up the hill said I still had plenty of time. Imagine how horrified I was to see first Nick Philpot only a minute and a half behind at the end with Max only another four seconds behind. Both must have had a brilliant ride for the last 10 miles. Could have been a very different story but for Max’s Garmin Hunt! 

That leaves a mention for Tom. Well I can tell you all, Tom started at an easy pace, but he was going like a train towards the finish and this year he looked like he had thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to all that turned up to help, Sam P, John H, Cookie, “Turn marshal Tony”, The Destroyer, Bill R. & Mary Munchkin for the Timing.

Rider of the Day Nick P not far off the pace on a road bike!

Vintage Tankard team  is looking good so far. Let me know if you’re riding. The date is 2^nd October

The Hill climb is the week after that at Hoarwithy starting at 10:00. Has anyone got a spare oxygen cylinder, as I may need it afterwards

This week sees the start of the Thursday night rides from the rowing club, 7:00 prompt. Bring lights, then back for a social lemonade

If anyone fancies viewing the Tour I go on most years across Europe, there’s an evening deciding where to go this year on 23September. Contact me for more info

1	Paul Stephens	2:22:40
2	Nick Philpot	2:23:56	N-Tec Racing
3	Max Suff	2:27:00
4	Tom Knight	2:44:06	C-on-B’s

KM Sprint

KM Sprint

Good conditions greeted the warriors of brute power for this year’s Kilo Sprint. My predictions were correct with “Turbo Will” just sneaking the win from the “Ginger One” who looked stronger at the finish than the start. Will on the other hand thought he was held up by traffic at the far end, anyway they were in a class of their own…..

Fallon just squeezed in for a bronze medal ahead of Millie a past champion, with me miles off the pace this year. Max’s first go produced a good result, with “Typing Tony” showing there is power in them legs over the shorter distances. Does this mean he will fly up the hill climb? 

Apologies must go to Clive “The Animal Newey” who’s first run’s time was not successfully recorded and to make things worse looked like he was having a stormer. Julie’s very sorry. 

Young Matt must have been happy as he took 21 seconds off his PB from 12 months ago. Gerald normally known for bring up the rear had his best placing this season which made him smile. The Ladies couldn’t have been much closer. Julie Suff just edged out Mary Munchkin by a second (got to check the official results sheet when I get them back, a typewriting error from Typing Tony). I think it would have been even closer if Munchkin hadn’t played with her gears with 120 metres to go. First time on the race bike after 5 years also put a smile on Sam’s face just edging out the old guard with Siz this year being the best of the Musketeers from Peb then “The Presidante”. Last man home was young Tom on his mountain bike. In years to come I can see Tom being the man to beat, as he’s already quicker than dad on the down hills.

Timing thanks to Bill for starting, Julie Stephens for finishing, Mike D for pushing off and Bob The Boat at the crossroads.

Rider of the night was Sam Phillips for an inspired return to stamping on the pedals.

Hill Climb

Only 8 people turning up for the hill climb this year but some strong performances put in.

New chap Keith and Max using there size advantage to take 1st and 2nd with Fallon not far behind.

Graham having a moment of maddness (sorry Graham but its true) decided a pull TT bike, disc and all would be the way to go!

Young Matt put in a great ride beating many that are are much faster over 10 miles, just wait till he gets some clip on bars for his road bike!.

Handicap 10 - This season's last 10mi

Very sadly this was the last seasons 10. The evening had a little wind but for me personally felt pretty hard. Someone no doubt will point out that the boxing day 10 is actually on this years schedule!

Being that this was a handicap, every year there is a ringer!

I can say this without hesitation as I've been one of them in the past. Changing out box rim wheels for a disc and a deep section come the last race of the season.

Now this years winner, did it even better. He went to a full TT rig and aero helmet and but in a bloody good effort! (Okay no disc, only semi aero wheels). Fair play to Max who managed 19:56 on handicap! No doubt some fast times from Max next season.

The handicaps working pretty well as most people coming within a minute of each other.

With the usual timers away other people stepped in.

Many thanks to Tim and Sam for doing the turn, Fallon for pushing off and Sammie for doing the timing and working out the handicaps at the end.

Tomorrows event is the long hill climb up Cat's hill. Remember we don't meet at walford for this, its at the Bishopswood village hall. Heading out of ross on the Walford course, after kerne bridge take the next right (please dont try and turn into the bus stop!). We park in the public car park just outside the hall. Sign on at 6:30ish for a 7pm kick off. Oh and when i say long hill climb, its not that long, as it takes about the same time as getting to the turn at Lydbrook when doing the 10 from Walford :)

We won't be retiring to the Rowing club, so I expect we will end up in the Prince of Wales. Check with the people at the event to be sure!