Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Hilly 12 - start sheet

09:06 6 Lisa Colombo 15-00
09:07 7 Andrew Hewett 4-00
09:08 8 Florence Hallett 6-00
09:09 9 Tony Tugwell 12-00
09:10 10 David Croggon 4-00
09:11 11 Jake Dodd 6-00
09:12 12 Ann Bath 9-00
09:13 13 Peter Edwards 0-45
09:14 14 Andy Avis 2-00
09:15 15 Rachel Croggon 5-00
09:16 16 Grant Pyke 7-00
09:17 17 Brian Powney 1-00
09:18 18 Jackie Morgan-Smith 5-00
09:19 19 Jen Mitchell 6-30
09:20 20 Simon Mitchell Scr

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

ECCA 12hr - Thanks

What I forgot to mention on any of the previous posts is:

Particular thanks to Pete & Jackie for helping at least 3 of us all day.

Also to Simon & Jen, Ron & Michael, Andrew (& Neil), and Steve.

It is possible to do a 12hr (or even a 24hr) without help, but as was mentioned by someone on the TT message board: "your helpers allow you to get the best out of yourself".

One of the nicest things about the 12 hour is how sociable it is because you keep seeing the other riders and lots of helpers during the day. It is nice when there are a number of riders from your own club, because you get to see their helpers as well as your own. It was also nice having support from our friends in the Addiscombe and other varied folk who either knew me or seemed to be cheering us on because we had a women's team riding the event.

Lisa

Brian Powney in the 12hr


Picture by Andrew Hewett

Monday, August 28, 2006

ECCA 12hr - split times


Photos of the result board, showing the split times for the entire field - not sure how readable it is though, you might need to save to your own PC and enlarge with an image editing program.

Rider 50 100

LC 2:50:27 6:05:52
AB 2:44:32 5:47:56
JD 2:42:27 5:21:18
BP 2:23:49 5:22:35
GP 2:43:06 5:49:00
AA 2:30:11 5:08:25

Lisa

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Phoenix Training Rides Anniversary

This sat will be one year since the training rides begun!
I hope as many of you as possible will join us for the anniversary ride this sat.
I will be giving out chocolates to everyone who comes!
Spread the word that everyone is welcome, as there are slow rides as well as fast, and the mountain bike section has really taken off !

Also, there has been a lot off interest in the Majorca trip: Jake, Gary, Peter, Andrew, Jen and Simon, Florence, Rohan, Andy, Jackie, Rachel and Chrystal (the star wrestling duo) and Dave Matthews. So I shall need forms in soon to post off.

See you at hilly 12. We are going up to London by train to see tour and have drinks with Kingston Wheelers.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Festival RC Roadman's 10

FESTIVAL ROAD CLUB "ROADBIKE" 10

SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2006 - 2PM

Course : Popular G10/42 (Nr Dorking)

For the third year running, there will be an optional prize category for " Road Bike Riders" as well as standard TT bikes. To qualify its quite simple, No Tri-Bars, NO Discs & No Aero Helmets (standard hard shell preferred).

MINIMUM £200 PRIZE LIST!
· How fast are "Testers" without all the aero kit?
· Can you beat the Road Bike event record - 21.58

Entries on CTT forms to:

Colin McDermott,
Flat 2,
77a London Road,
Ewell,
Surrey,
KT17 2BL

Tel 07775555449

Email: mcdermottcolin@tiscali.co.uk

Entry Fee £6.50 Closing date 12th September

Women’s Road Riding Coaching Day – Hillingdon Cycle Circuit – October 15th

www.SheCycles.com and the Surrey League have joined forces to offer a series of women’s specific cycle coaching sessions throughout the winter.

The first of these women’s sessions will be held on Sunday 15th October from 9.30am to 4.30pm and will feature a full day of coaching and advice, based at the Hillingdon cycle circuit, which is closed to cars and will be used exclusively by SheCycles for the day.

The aim of the sessions is to give women both the knowledge and technical skills to make them comfortable riding a road bike for commuting, training and potentially even racing.

At the first session there will be an opportunity to meet a range of female friendly experts who will help you get the most out of your bike and your body, these will include:

· John Leitch, a fully qualified BCF coach, who will provide coaching for the ride sessions. John has worked tirelessly to encourage women of all standards, ages and backgrounds to improve their cycling experience and ability

· CycleFit the best human to bicycle fitting service in Europe will give you a free mini consultation to check your position and set up and give you advice to improve your ride comfort and efficiency

· Mel Alwood a qualified female bike mechanic will show you how to look after your bike so that it looks after you!

· Karen Burt a specialist yoga instructor will demonstrate essential stretches that will help stay strong and ease any post riding aches and pains

· Steve Ellis, a qualified sports masseur, will show you how to look after yourself after riding and give you a feel for how the professionals are treated

· Helen Ellis, the membership secretary of the WCRA, who support women in all disciplines of cycling, will talk to you about training and how to get into racing

· Helen Biggerstaff from the CTC will be on hand to talk about what they do to make enjoyable, safe and welcoming for all

The day will include sessions both on and off the bike and there will be plenty of time to get to know the other riders, enjoy a healthy lunch, chat informally to the experts and meet the SheCycles team.



Summary of the day:
Date/Timing: Sunday 15th October from 9.30am to 4.30pm
Where: Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Springfield Road, Hayes, Middlesex (parallel to A312 Hayes By-Pass which links Junction 3 on the M4 Motorway and the A40/M40)
How much: £10 to include lunch, tea/coffee and cake
Why: To meet other cyclists, improve your riding skills and earn cake

What are the dates for next sessions:
Sunday 5 Nov: location TBC
Saturday 11 Nov: 11.30 am to 3pm from Newchapel Village Hall, 4 miles east of Crawley
Sunday Nov 19: 11.30am to 3pm from Brockham, Dorking

Places will be limited so please book in advance by emailing editor@shecycles.com

The Women’s Coaching day is brought to you by SheCycles.com in conjunction with the Surrey League www.surreyleague.co.uk who aim to provide a full year’s cycle racing for all categories of riders, especially at grass root level.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Tour of Britain - for the spectators

I have received the following kind offer from the Kingston Wheelers:

"Hi Lisa

I work at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) HW on Parliament Square and they have agreed to open the bar and cafe on the day of the Tour of Britain finale Sunday Sept 3rd.

I and the Kingston Wheelers would be delighted if any of the Phoenix wanted to join us and make use of the facilities. It's much nicer and more comfortable than standing by thre roadside all day and is opposite St James Park where the pros will be doing a 20 lap finish.

Regards
Lindsay"

If you are going up to London, and might take Lindsay & the Wheelers up on this, contact me and I will let you know how Phoenix members can take up this kind offer, as oppose to anyone else who comes across this blog posting.....

Lisa

12hour Riders



Wednesday, August 23, 2006

My first 12-Hour

Several people asked my during the preceding days about how I felt about the event. I am afraid that my answer may not have been what they were looking for. There were no sleepless nights or panics. I tend to just put these sorts of things out of my mind until I get to the start line.
After all you have done the training (err no) and all you have to think about is the food (lummy what do you take?).

So I arrived on Saturday night with half a supermarket of food and still forgetting to pack my usual breakfast.
Lisa had thoughtfully booked us in to a Motel so that we did not have to drive up that morning and we would all be together. Something the 24-hour team didn’t do.

All I can say about the start is that it was dark and early. But at least it was not raining.
I watched the others set off ahead of me. Brian wishing me luck and shaking my hand before he to headed off into the gloom. According to the Handicap he was favourite and he had done plenty of training to ensure that he would win the event.
My only team order was to ensure that I got to the finish circuit. Ahead lay a long road and what comes after 100 miles is a great unknown because I have only ever ridden that far.

The first leg was a never-ending dual carriageway. And it was a long lonely ride. At one point I wondered if I gone off course, but was soon reassured by a Cycle event warning sign.
The strong head wind made me glad that I chosen to start the event on the Lo-Profile bike with a Disc Wheel. There were a few raised eyebrows at the start but this set up works for me when it comes to a head wind.

Fifty miles passed very slowly but I figured that what ever I did was going to be a PB so I just kept an easy pace. Then the Heart rate monitor went down and I had no idea if I was going too hard. (For the benefit of several readers I set this up and was trying to not go higher than a certain figure.) I became more concerned when I started to catch other riders including all of the KPRC except Brian who seemed to be pulling out a gap as I sighted him at each turn. But I felt fairly comfortable so I maintained the pace.

As I left the first circuit there was a little confusion as the marshal shouted straight on. I think he meant left so I had to stop and check to see if I was on the right road. Just ahead were Pete and Jackie with a spare bike. I had planned to change from the Lo-Pro to a road bike at 80miles and just as well too because the chain was jumping off some of the gears. Something had stuck to the rear block.
At the changeover Pete said that I was not far behind Brian and it occurred to me that I might be able to catch him. One lap later saw the 100-mile board and I felt so comfortable that I upped the pace a bit. What ever I did now was unknown and all I have to do is get to that finish circuit. When I passed Brian I got a real lift. Sad to report that he was suffering with his back. Obviously my plan to change bikes and positions was a good one.

The next circuit was awful, and I wish that I changed back to the Lo-Pro because it was on a never-ending leg into a head wind. I could feel it dragging me down and my shoulders and back were really aching from the strain of it. Just before the turn Jackie and Pete handed up food. Pete pointed out that I should have used the inner ring on the hill.
Thanks Pete, I had actually forgotten that I could do that.

The next circuit saw me sail past Duxford Airdrome several times. Interesting things were flying around. At the start of the circuit more food awaited and the supporters club were comfortably located at a Pub on the far side of the circuit.

Finally, finally we get to the finish circuit. I look at the watch and realise that there are still two hours or so to go. There are plenty of helpers offering sponges and bottles, unlike Lisa I decline.

At 11 hours I puncture!
The traffic on the short section of the A11 that we were using was worrying me. Lisa had said that she had no problems riding on the inside of the rumble strip, so I was doing the same. I am not happy doing this, as first you are effectively riding in the gutter and it is full of rubbish. Secondly traffic on the main road will try to stick to its lane and come even closer. I often felt like I was going to be sucked under some of the Arctic’s.
Anyway I punctured and lost three or four miles. Seeing the some of the other riders coming past caused me concern that I may lose the club championship. I got just enough air into the tyre to get to the car parked about a mile up the road. Where it could be attacked with a track pump.

Then I was off again to try and recapture the lost miles. I can’t recall how many laps I did. I tried to make a note of the timekeepers, as Lisa’s instruction was that you have to go to the next timekeeper after you run out of time. Now there were some places where there was loads of people shouting of numbers and reassuring beeps that made it pretty clear that this was a time check. One check had a number by it and that was also clear. But there were people out there who writing things down that were not timekeepers. And there were also uneven gaps between each position.

“Eight minutes” was shouted out.
I thought that I had only four or five. Another timing post flashes past. I look at the watch. The next comes past, was that seven or eight minutes. I try to catch the timekeeper’s eye but he doesn’t look up.

I go on.

The edge of the road is empty for what seems like miles.

I see Lisa and Pete parked up. They shout out “we are here”, I shout back “where is the timer?”
But my words are lost in the wind.

I ask the next marshal, he shrugs.

Someone is standing by the road with a watch and a pad.

“Are you a timer?” I shout,

“No keep going”

Ahead is a guy with a car. Beyond him is Lisa. Beyond that is another two miles or so before the large group of people with the bleeps and shouting of numbers.

“Are you the timekeeper?”

He looks at me startled.

“Yes, yes you can stop”

Thanks to all the marshals, the timekeepers and of course the helpers.
As I sit here writing this 3 days later, my legs still ache and certain other parts are non too comfortable. I have done it now. I don’t have to do it again. But I wonder, that if I did it again could I go that little bit further….

As the bike was getting loaded on to the car for the short trip back to HQ, two Spitfires flew overhead. Perhaps it was a victory salute, or like us they knew that it was time to head home for tea and a Bacon Sandwich.

ECCA 12Hour TT


Monday, August 21, 2006

ECCA 12hr - Provisional Result

215 Andy Avis
212 Jake Dodd
204 Brian Powney
195 Grant Pyke
187 Ann Bath
175 Lisa Colombo

How hard was that?
Well we had a hard day for it alright. The wind was very strong, although the rest of the weather wasn't too bad with warm sushine in between the occasional heavy showers. At the start they were handing out a second set of numbers to those riders that wanted an extra number to put on the rain-gear.......

Actually the HQ was positively buzzing at 5am, with someone making tea for the riders (and anyone else) before the start - not something I think I've ever come across before, even last year at this event. The morning was not overcast enough for there to be a delay so we were off on time. Well I - and probably everyone else - felt really good for the first 25 miles. And then we turned into the headwind! 22 miles back into quite a strong wind knocked the stuffing out of many of us.

Brian was the first to catch me, coming by before we'd even left the A14 on the northern leg, he was going well and taking full advantage of the tailwind - and holding it for a pretty strong 2:23 for 50 miles. Ann came by immediately after Brian, but then she didn't actually go away from me and I was intrigued at the way she seemed to be fidgetting all over the bike - the sort of thing I was doing 10 & 1/2 hours later when I had run out of comfy spots on the saddle. I was settled on the tri-bars and felt smooth and had no trouble going back past her again, but obviously - if she'd caught me for 2 mins - she would come by again shortly, and so she did. She certainly seemed to be trying a lot harder than I was - that's probably why she goes faster than me!!!
An hour later and Jake came steaming past, riding smoothly and strongly into the headwind. Down to Fourwentways and what a relief to turn with the wind behind again for the long hike North. (O.K, and East!). Somewhere along here Andy came past with a much too cheerful comment and I tried hard to keep the speed up with the benefit of the wind. Onto the A14 and then I'd swear I saw the A11 signed and followed the left lane off. Round the stupid helper's car stopped in the way and "hang on a minute, this isn't the A11! ********* (fill in your own expletive), now what?" It didn't look like a straightforward up-and-over junction so I hopped off the bike and legged it back down the grass and back onto the A14. Grant came past while I was doing the cross-country bit. Why? I'd been up there only 3 hours earlier. I think "away with the fairies "covers it. Ask any of the 6 of us what we were thinking about for 12 hours yesterday.

The car was checking us through at the Red Lodge turn - good stopping spot to feed - and I got the bottle that I'd declined earlier. So I was already drinking less than anticipated.....
Oh joy! another 22 miles into the teeth of a headwind. 4 hours done and 70 miles covered. Ah yes, and another 16 miles to go till I join the Six Mile Bottom circuit. The relief to turn at Fourwentways again, over the level crossing and onto the circuit with 86 miles under the belt.

Oops the car is the wrong side of the 100 mile point, but it didn't matter on this circuit. Pass the 100 mile timekeeper for the first time - 88 miles covered and a 12 mile lap to go to get the 100 mile time. By now my rear mech was very sluggish - I assume a new gear cable had stretched. Problem: I like to try to ride to 100 miles without stopping, for the split times; but the car has the spanner to allow me to re-tighten the cable and they are just before the 100 miles point. I won't be doing another lap of this circuit, so I need to fix the gear now. The climbing, going north on the circuit is helped by the tailwind, the south-westerley diagonal is a battle with the wind, and then some respite as we turn east and finally descend to the start of the circuit. Andrew H is there with the camera, a pleasure to see a familiar face.
Approaching 6 hours for the 100, I succumb and stop by the car for the spanner. While I'm there I massage the legs with Deep Freeze gel as the pre-cramp spasms have already started in the thighs. Simon digs out some sausages for me and I take bites from the packet in his hand whilst still massaging my legs - taking care not to bite his fingers! Perhaps I should have fed myself and got him to massage the gel in!!!!
The rain had been occasional spots (for me at least) up to that point, but whilst at the car it tipped it down briefly. Now sodden, I put on Simon's club gilet over my racing vest - borrowed so that the number could be seen from under it - and on my way again.
Another stagger round that circuit and then the bit I didn't relish: back south to Fourwentways and beyond - around 5 miles - and then a right turn onto the A505 and around 10 miles to the Royston turn - all into the wind. By now the sun was out, and the day warming nicely - however there were still to be some heavy showers on the unlucky riders and helpers. Not far along the A505 Simon & Jen were in a layby with the chairs out enjoying a coffee. I stopped. "Is there anything you want?" "Yes, I want to stop."
Trouble was I was committed to making up the team for the Ladies Team Record. All we needed to do was finish 3 Ladies - in the same 12hr event. The club's been around 70 years, it's about time we set a 12hr Team Record. All I had to do was get to the finishing circuit. Once all three of us were on the finishing circuit we had the record, but for me that was still best part of 30 miles away.
I sat down, I stretched my legs, I drank some of Jen's coffee, I dumped my sleeves on them and then I got back on the bike. As I rode on, I thought of a comment made on holiday earlier in the year. Some of the group did an evening detour, with an extra 500m of climbing in about 5 miles to a ski station - with a 12 mile descent back down and then on to the hotel, afterward - 8 of us did it, most of the others frantically offloading panniers to their partners to limit the weight. I rode up there with my full holiday load. I met most of the others on their way back down while I was still clambering up. I anticipated climbing up until I met our friend PeteH on his way back down and then turning round. When I finally got there, there were two bikes left: PeteH's and Terry (Terry from the Midweek Section). My line was "I thought you'd have moved off by now". The reply - "Well, I knew if we waited here long enough you'd turn up"
Those words rang in my ears as I staggered toward Royston - it's not easy trying to freewheel into a headwind on the flat. I think I was doing about 10mph along there. Over the motorway junction, past Duxford airfield - they've built a hanger for the Concorde there, shame I was looking forward to seeing her - and on, and on. Past the layby where I expected Pete to be - although someone else's helper WAS there. I was getting more and more tired and demoralised because the car was not where I had expected them to be. Finally I stopped and dug something else to eat out of my pocket, before the final stagger up the hill and then the drop to the RAB at the Royston turn. I got on again and there was the ****** car at the top of the hump. (Note to 12/24hr helpers - you will ALWAYS get something wrong in the eyes of your rider - somewhere during the day!)
I rolled up and stopped again. The answer to the inevitable question was the same: "I want to stop, pack, give up and go home. I've had enough. I'm not enjoying this."
Another sit-down. More of Andy's coke (thanks for bringing so much, but next time I don't think you actually need to empty Tesco), some quiche, more gel rub - on my back this time, and off again. Obviously refreshed after the stop, a nice freewheel to the RAB, a slight shock that the marshals have gone - O.K., by now it was 14:15 and I'd seen the last of the field headed the other way 20 minutes or more ago - I knew it was the turn, no question, even though the turn sign had been blown in on itself and was pretty unreadable. It was more of a shock to turn and see no.1 coming the other way - turns out he'd inadvertently taken himself off to the finishing circuit somewhat too soon and done ~5 miles of course, and it was his helper waiting patiently where Pete was supposed to have been - not knowing if he'd ridden the course before I frantically made turn signals at him as he went the other way and shouted "no marshals", although I don't suppose he heard. The lack of marshal didn't bother me too much, but I was concerned that we would be missing from the check that proved we had made it to the turn.
Revitalised by the tailwind I bombed along back toward Duxford - 22mph rather than the 10mph the other way.
Onto the afternoon/Fowlmere circuit, another brief stop by the car - I'd unloaded my pockets a bit too much at the previous stop. I knew I would only be doing the one lap of this circuit, but Pete was unconvinced and trying to keep track of 4 riders. Another nice descent, coming onto very wet roads - I'm glad I missed the downpour that caused that - and sadly another left turn into the wind for the long diagonal of the circuit. Jake came by again, still steaming along. Past the gang sat at the table outside the pub, I caught a flash of the Phoenix tops there and spotted Andrew's brother Neil; past the campsite that Ann, Steve, Simon & Jen stayed at. The Shaftesbury CC were providing water & sponges on this stretch and as I battled into the wind I thought that there wasn't much need for them to run to hand bottles & sponges as the riders probably weren't going too fast here.
Another left turn and back onto the A505 with the tailwind. It struck me that this time it was much harder to steam along this bit. Stopped at the lights outside Duxford again. Grant caught me here, again. Over the motorway again. Past the left turn into the Fowlmere circuit - actually I didn't plan to turn down there again, whatever the marshals indicated - fortunately they indicated straight on and I nodded gratefully. 150 miles covered and I was heading for the first timekeeper on the circuit (timekeeper 0!), with about 2 hours to go.
That first timekeeper is the golden target, get to him and you are guaranteed not to be DNF whatever happens after. As it happens, on this course, you actually join the "finishing circuit" before you reach timekeeper 0, so you pass timekeepers 6 & 7 before you are officially on the circuit. Timekeeper 6 smiled at me as I passed, I imagined him amused that I was freewheeling on this slightly downhill stretch with the wind behind. On to timekeeper 0: that's it I will definitely finish now, I've made my contribution to the Team Record. I have a big smile on my face. Are the other two on the finishing circuit yet or still lapping on the Fowlmere circuit? I pass the Addiscombe crowd and shout out: "are the other 2 girls on the circuit yet?" but Linda isn't sure.
The Phoenix are in the same place as last year on the finishing circuit, near the top of the Little Chesterford leg. It is a good spot as they see us going down and then coming back out again. Last year Ann & I both finished at the timekeeper just before the car, and it's very handy for the HQ after. On the first time past I stop for more massage cream. They have seen Jake on the circuit, but not Ann yet - that would be ironic after all of this if Ann had a problem and didn't get to the finish. As I come out of the leg I cross with Ann going down: that's it, we've set the record - now we are just taking it higher until we run out time and settle on a total.
There are people handing up water and sponges around the circuit, I usually take whatever is offered - on principal - if they are standing helping I will make use of their efforts, but this year I am too knackered. I am torn between wanting it to end and - now looking at the possible distance from my mileometer - trying to cover at least 175 miles. That is beginning to sound a respectable distance.
I pass timekeeper no.6 again, freewheeling with the wind behind again, over the railway bridge and on to no.7. Rosemary has come out after work to cheer us (mostly brother, Brian) on and is stopped in the layby where no.7 timekeeper is. I shout to her that we have finally set the Team Record (this has been in the planning for 20 years, since Rosemary's day - we just couldn't manage 3 of us in the same event until now). Over the hump, that has now become a mountain, before the A11 junction, past timekeeper 0, on past the Addiscombe, where Linda shouts that all three of us (girls) are on the circuit and I reply "Club Ladies Team Record."
I'm lapping slower than last year and I'm beginning to think that I will finish on the opposite side of the circuit to the support team. I pass them again - without stopping for a change - the end must be in sight! It's suddenly occurred to me that I'm not sure how accurate the mileometer is and that I need to do more than 175 on that to be safe. There is a tailwind back past the car, and then a mile or so going North. I have less than 10 minutes to go, I plan to stop at timekeeper no.5 who is sited just to the left of the RAB where I have to turn into the wind again: but no, I have cocked it up I didn't start at 05:30, it was 05:34, there is four extra minutes for me to turn into the wind and climb toward the small RAB before the motorway. I clamber over the railway again, trying harder than I have for some hours, desperately trying to reach the next timekeeper. Time runs out 30 secs before the turn and then I sprint downhill with the wind behind to timekeeper no.6. I wonder if that amused him - if I'd tried a little harder when I passed him previously I would have reached him as I ran out time, rather than after. As I sprint I catch sight of my car, loaded with bikes as it has been all day, coming the other way.
I sit up for the final yards past the timekeeper - who I recognise from last year, but who doesn't have a number by his car - and give him the thumbs up and he nods to me. Gratefully I coast round the corner and then swing up the road to the left, Joe finished here last time we helped him in a 12, and we know there is somewhere to stop safely and load up.
I drop the bike and stagger across the road to the central refuge so that Pete can see as early as possible to turn in, I assumed that he wouldn't know that I had seen them coming the other way. He turns in and a black car goes left after him, I look at the traffic and stagger back across the road. Pete is hesitating before finishing the virtual 'U' turn into the parking spot, I assume he has got the gear wrong as he doesn't drive it that often, but it turns out that as he swung wide to make the turn to the left the black car has shot past on his inside and ALMOST caused an accident.
Pete is desperate to ride somewhere and offers to ride the bike back to the HQ, Jackie is encouraged to join him - leaving me with space in the car for ONE of the other riders - the car is so stuffed with food and wheels that they wouldn't have had room to scoop any of us up during the day if necessary.
While we unload Jackie's bike, Andy goes the other way so we shout to him, he gesticulates back - I'm not quite sure whether he hadn't quite run out time, or was just very confused by the fact that not all the timekeepers had numbers on display and not all of them necessarily looked like timekeepers if you didn't ride last year. On the other hand he has won the ticket for a lift back to the HQ, as he came along before I went looking for Grant.
We get back to the HQ and I am relieved to see that Grant and Jake are already there, sparing me the need to go looking for them.

I reckon all 6 of us deserve a pat on the back for finishing on a hard, windy day.

There was further good news at the result board. Jake won the prize for fastest woman. Grant came second in the event handicap. And the 3 VTTA members (Ann, Jake & Grant) won the award for the vets team on Standard. (And the Addiscombe were celebrating winning the team award in the event from API).

Next year has got to be easier......


Lisa


Thursday, August 17, 2006

ECCA 12hr - start

05:34 4 Lisa Colombo 45m
05:36 6 Ann Bath 30m
05:38 8 Jake Dodd 25m
05:42 12 Brian Powney Scr
05:44 14 Grant Pyke 55m
05:48 18 Andy Avis 22m

Sunrise is officially 05:53, so we will all need to start with lights. Last year was a very overcast morning and the start was delayed by 10 mins because of it - lights still required.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Tour of Britain Stage 6 Support Races

This years final stage of the Tour of Britain will once again be finishing in London, but this year there is a difference. The stage will be starting in Greenwich and will then make its way to St James's Park where it will complete 20 laps of a brand new circuit based on The Mall.

Here's your chance to race on the very same circuit that the Tour of Britain riders will be racing on. Full details with map of the circuit here...

Thanks to the generosity of Transport for London, Bob Chicken, The Royal Parks, Sport England and the Mayor of London, the Surrey League have been asked to run 4 support races before the Tour of Britain arrives in St James's Park.

Sport England Youth Grand Prix starting at 10:00 - Youth A Girls & Boys - Entry fee free. £500 prize list. See advance entry list here...

TfL Junior Grand Prix starting at 11:00 - Entry fee £10. £500 prize list. See advance entry list here...

TfL Women's Grand Prix starting at 11:00 - Entry fee £10. £500 prize list. See advance entry list here...

Bob Chicken London Grand Prix starting at 11:45 - E/1/2 - Entry fee £20. £2,000 prize list. See advance entry list here...

Advance entries will be held open until September 2nd. There are still plenty of spaces for all events.

We can't guarantee that we will be able to take entries on the line this year due to security issues. Get your entry in now if you want to ride!

Entries on BC entry forms to:
Keith Butler
115 Foxley Lane
Purley
Surrey CR8 3HQ

Make cheques payable to "Surrey Cycle Racing League".

For more details contact:
Glyn Durrant
Surrey League Administrator
glyn@surreyleague.co.uk
www.surreyleague.co.uk

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Anerley 50 start

06:31 1 Lisa Colombo 35m
06:33 3 Jackie Morgan-Smith 22m
06:36 6 Ann Bath 25m
06:39 9 Paul Day 15m
06:42 12 Ray Dare 9m
06:55 25 Andy Avis 3m
07:12 42 Simon Mitchell Scr

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Another Wedding

The new Mr & Mrs Biggs.


However I understand that Florence has elected to stay Florence Hallett.

Whatever - we wish them many years of health and happiness together.

Lisa

South Bucks DA's Golden Beeches Weekend


Evening 10 #8 - August 9th

24:20 Andy Avis
24:27 Simon Mitchell
25:06 Peter Edwards
25:47 Paul Day
26:49 Ray Dare
26:50 Chrystal Sheldon
27:31 Jackie Morgan-Smith
27:32 Jen Mitchell
27:33 Jake Dodd
27:46 Pete Mitchell
28:23 David Croggon
29:03 Grant Pyke
29:41 Mark McNamara
29:45 Lisa Colombo
30:42 Tony Tugwell

Well, the evening was deceptive, with most, but not all, of us recording our fastest 10 of the year. Tony finally finished a 10 - perhaps it was his reward for putting the signs out for us.

Frank had his work cut out with the Kingston Wheelers finishing more like a road race than a TT - the one problem with the 30-second-spaced starts. Apologies to the Wheelers for not having their results worked out on the night - you try doing maths to base 60 when there is a crowd clamouring for the results, not easy! The full result should appear on the main website in due course - and yes I know most of the other results for this year are pending too.

Someone mentioned the Ladies' Team Record: it's 1:19:37 - 3 x 26:32, so we're not quite there yet, but it's on the cards.

Lisa

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Website updates

Right: have spent the remainder of the day (after the 25 this morning) updating the website.
So the
Best Times
Ladies Championship
Mens Championship
Mens Points
Ladies Points and
Handicap Points are all up to date to the best of my knowledge.

I ran out of steam halfway through the Open Results page, so it's not up to date and the Bec 25 still says WLCA 10!!

Feel free to fill in any of the blanks.

Night, night.

Lisa

Aug 6th - Latest Results

Alton 25 - 30th July (H25/8)
John Beer: 1:9:08
Jake Dodd: 1:15:19

WLCA 10 - 8th July (H10/2)
John Beer: 27:21

WLCA 25 - 6th August (H25/2)
Lisa Colombo: 1:15:44

a3crg 10 (Medium Gear) - 15 July (P881)
John Beer: 27:37

WTTA 100 - 6th Aug (U46/100)
Ann Bath: 5:16:56

Ray Dare is entered in the Anerley 10 next Saturday morning.

Lisa Colombo
Jackie Morgan-Smith
Ann Bath
Paul Day
Ray Dare
Andy Avis
Simon Mitchell
are all entered in the Anerley 50 on Sunday morning. Paul will be doing his first 50, and if I'm not mistaken it's also Jackie's first ride at the distance.

Finally, it looks like the ECCA 12hr will qualify as a Club Event as 6 members have claimed to have entered: Ann Bath, Jake Dodd, Lisa Colombo, Brian Powney, Andy Avis & Grant Pyke.

Anything I've missed....??

Lisa

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Eve 10 #8 (Aug 9th) - start sheet

19:31:00 02 Pete Mitchell 5:00
19:31:30 03 Mark McNamara 8:00
19:32:00 04 Ray Dare 3:30
19:32:30 05 Grant Pyke 4:15
19:33:00 06 Jake Dodd 4:45
19:33:30 07 Heather Basley 7:30
19:34:00 08 Peter Edwards PTT
19:34:30 09 David Croggon 4:15
19:35:00 10 Jen Mitchell 4:30
19:35:30 11 Tony Tugwell 7:00
19:36:00 12 Andy Avis 1:00
19:36:30 13 Paul Day 2:45
19:37:00 14 Jackie Morgan-Smith 4:15
19:37:30 15 Lisa Colombo 7:00
19:38:00 16 Simon Mitchell 0:45
19:38:30 17 Chrystal Sheldon 2:45
19:39:00 18 Rachel Croggon 4:15
19:39:30 19 Ann Bath 5:30
19:40:00 20 Joe Bertorelli Scr


AWARDS:
1st, 2nd & 3rd Handicap
1st & 2nd Fastest
Fastest Woman