Saturday, August 31, 2013

Hilly 12 - status

Frank has checked the course and although there is still a small section where the surface has been removed and not yet replaced, the course has some nice, new, smooth tarmac in places as a compensation, so the event will go ahead as planned.

When riding from the car park to the start, please take great care at the left turn into Lodgebottom Road (the road in which we start) as the road surface is bad at that point and Frank reports a 'trench' to be negotiated at that point.

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Raid Dolomites



I've been wanting to do this ride for a long time.  It's the longest - and the hardest - of the classic French long-distance 'Raids', going over the edge of the French Alps, through the Swiss Alps and then the Dolomites on the way from Thonon (near Geneva) to Trieste, on the Adriatic.  The format is the same as all the others - it's organised by a local Audax Club - Thonon les Bains, in this case.  You apply to the club for a 'carnet' and a route card, you get the 'carnet' stamped at the control points listed along the way, and they'll give you a medal if you succeed.  It's 1180 km over 38 cols with 21,384 meters of climbing.  Roughly Lands End to John o' Groats, but with rather more climbing.  Well, a lot more.

The problem with the trip was getting van support.  Baxter's had done it every few years until about 2008, but had then stopped, and for the last few years no company has done it at all.  Obviously, you can set off with panniers and so on, but it would be a slow old ride, so I wasn't keen.  Then, doing the Raid Alpine last year, I had a spot of luck.  James Thompson, of Marmot Tours, said that he was planning to run the Raid Dolomites as a route this season.  In the event it was so popular that he ran three trips.  I got my carnet and booked a place.

So it was that on the 20th of August I stood by the lake in Thonon, carnet in my pocket, ready to go.




Marmot Tours weren't hanging about on this one -  the trip was nine days from end to end, so we put the hammer down right from the beginning.  191 kms and over the 2000 meter Simplon Pass at the end of the run to get to our hotel for the first night.  It was very hot on the Simplon, with some tedious (and quite dangerous) road works in the tunnels, but everyone made it in good time for dinner and the show was on the road.

I find it best to make an early start on these runs, to get as many miles in as I can in the cool of the day. The second day wasn't too bad - some climbing in the heat, ending at San Bernardino, but day three, going to St Moritz, was quite tough.  Switzerland, then Italy, then back to Switzerland, with three big passes, the smallest of which, the Maloja, at 1815 meters I found the hardest. 30 kms up a hot valley followed by a big climb on steep hairpins.  But it was followed by a blast along the lake to St Moritz and beers on the terrace of our hotel.

The next day was no easier, with four decent passes ending on the top of the Stelvio, where we spent the night.  Thunder and hail in the late afternoon, which I missed by my 'do it early' policy.  Not everyone did.  Overnight it snowed.

In the morning, one of the vans went off early to check the road for ice (it was fine), and after another long and hard day we got to Selva Val Gardena in the Dolomites.  194 kms and a lot of climbing.  Grinding up the Passo di Pinei in the late afternoon I was passed by a local woman racer, out for her evening training run.  'Salve', she said, a normal courtesy amongst cyclists.  Then, taking in the situation and my Raid Alpine tag she said 'Courage'.  Yes indeed.  I made it in time for a beer before dinner; the last bikes were in after 2130, pitch dark and raining.



A couple of easier days - plenty of climbing, but not so long - were helpful to rest a bit.  I deliberately took it easy, with decent cake and lunch stops.  That left me in good shape for Day 7, which was very tough.  Over the Passo di Giau, well known from the Giro, then up to the Refuge at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, again a Giro classic.  The Giau was OK, and I got up it well, but the descent was wet, treacherous and freezing.  I was very cold when I got to Cortina, and warmed up with hot chocolate and cream cake, before setting off up again to the Tre Cime.  Another very hard climb, but I got up OK and in a decent time.  A great lunch in the refuge then down again by the same road, with words of encouragement for some of the party who were still on the way up.


Although there was plenty of riding left, if you had got over the Tre Cime then you were set for Trieste.    The run of the country was down, interspersed with climbs, of course, and the pace rose steadily.  The last fifty miles were fast indeed, with 'Trieste Express' line-outs vying to be first into town.  Under the town sign, champagne and pizza at the Bar California on the front, and that was that.  Another Raid done, and great fun it was.




I know it's not about the bike, but most people paid a lot of attention to their mounts, as did I.  The steed of choice was the lightest piece of carbon fibre you could find, with a good saddle and a reasonable spread of gears - you can't go too low as you won't be able to keep the speed up on the climbs.  I took the Condor that I had made for the Alps last year.  SRAM Rival Groupset, with the 'WiFli' Climbing Group, a Fizik Aliante carbon fibre saddle, Mavic SL wheels and Continental Grand Prix tyres.  Spot on, and trouble free.

And if it's not about the bike, it is about the logistics.  Marmot Tours are top at the long-distance Raiding game, with a well-established system of two custom vans carrying food, spares and clothing, good hotels and your bag in your room by the time you get there.  Good people and good to deal with.

Mark


Hilly 12 - 1st September 2013 - start sheet

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB
37th CLUB HILLY 12 MILE TIME TRIAL (GS/281)
incorporating the
CLUB HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP
SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2013
START SHEET

 No  Name                 Hcp               Start
  1  Peter Mastenko    Kingston Wheelers    08-01
  2  Ray Dare            6-15                  02
  3  Andy Avis           7-00                  03
  4  Mike Morley         7-30                  04
  5  Alice Lethbridge  Kingston Wheelers    08-05
  6  Simon Waller        4-00                  06
  7  Philip Deacon     Kingston Wheelers       07
  8  Jake Dodd           4-30                  08
  9  Jamie Wasley      Kingston Wheelers       09
 10  Steve Hillier       1-30               08-10
 11  Reade Harfield    Blazing Saddles         11
 12  Andy Hudson       Kingston Wheelers       12
 13  Lee Jardine         4-30                  13
 14  Dominic Trevett   Kingston Wheelers       14
 15  Philip Burgin       5-30               08-15
 16  Damien Breen      Kingston Wheelers       16
 17  Alex Kew            Scr                   17
 18  Andrew Snook      Kingston Wheelers       18
 19  Nick Hostler        4-00                  19
 20  Phil Ember        Kingston Wheelers    08-20


Report on the course: Road works on final bit - the hill climb. Road is closed, they are resurfacing. Should have been finished yesterday (Wednesday). I got through but had to walk past where they're still working, which is near the top. So hopefully should be finished by weekend.

Watch this blog for further information as to whether the event will run as planned on the 1st, or have to move to the backup date of Sept 15th.

Awards: (Kingston Phoenix club members only):
Hilly 12
1st Hcp
1st Fastest

Hill Climb
Men’s Champion
Women’s Champion


We meet at the National Trust car park at Headley Heath on B2033. This is a Pay & Display car park

Do arrive in plenty of time to sign the disclaimer form, pay your £3 entry and pin your number on and arrive at the start for your allotted time.


EVENT RISK

Care should be taken riding to the start (Especially If Wet) as the road descends sharply and there are sharp bends.
Don’t let me say “I told you so”.

There are speed humps on the Zig Zag of Box Hill
There are speed humps on the very fast descent after the Clay Lane fork, be very careful.
You Will Not Miss Them.

Hilly 12 Course

START at power pole 10 in Lodgebottom Road (unclassified) 250 yards south of B2033 near Headley.
Proceed south-westwards to T junction with B2209 (near Mickleham).
LEFT and take next LEFT up the Zig-Zag of Box Hill to junction with B2033.
LEFT (care) onto B2003 past HQ but straight on (leaving B2033) at Headley Common.
Proceed through Headley to junction with Clay Lane. LEFT fork into Clay Lane and continue to A24 Leatherhead By-Pass where left (CARE) to next RBT (Beaverbrook) where LEFT into B2033 to
FINISH at oak tree on left side of road, 43 yards before Give Way sign and 125 yards before Headley Common Road.

HILL CLIMB Course
(The Last 825 Yards of The Hilly 12 Course)

Do not stop, but the time starts as you pass the GREEN FLAG. At the junction of Lodgebottom Road were you turned into to get to the start, at fire hydrant cover, by hydrant sign 4/30, Continue for 825 yards to finish at Hilly 12 Finish.

Frank

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A pictorial representation of the course can be found here


Sunday, August 18, 2013

Saturday 10 - result

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB
10 MILE TIME TRIAL G10/42
Saturday August 17th 2013
RESULT SHEET

No Name               Time     Hcp    Vets  Scr/Hcp   Awards
16 Marcus Edwards     22-17   22-17   +4-24   7/6    1st/2nd Hcp
10 Russell Williams   24-59   22-29   +1-37   6/5    2nd/3rd Hcp
13 Alex Kew           25-00   22-45   +0-59   5/2
 7 John Beer          25-33   22-48   +2-18   4/2
 4 Simon Waller       27-19   22-34           3/3
 6 Anna Stedman       27-45  Charlotteville CC
11 Adrian Feasby      28-03   22-33           2/4
14 Brian Powney       29-28   23-58   -2-43   2/2
15 Philip Burgin      29-39   23-09   -1-55   2/2
 5 Mike Morley        30-10   22-10   -0-56   2/7    1st Hcp
12 Grant Pyke         31-24   23-39   -0-44   2/2
 1 Deborah Hurst      33-58   24-28   -5-05   5/2    1st Woman
 9 Helene Grinsted    38-01   27-01   -8-10   4/2
 3 Mark McNamara      44-42   33-42  -10-35   2/2
 2 Patrick Ryan        DNS
 8 Wayne Mahoney       DNS
17 Florence Hallett    DNS
   Tony Tugwell        DNS

Acknowledgments:
Brian Powney: Handicapper = 10 riders within 1min 41sec
Ron Powney: Number Steward
Rob Cervelo: KW Pusher Off
Ken Williams: Assistant T/K
Judy Margery: Number Taker

Ron & Doreen Powney: For taking me back to the A3

Frank Cubis
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Saturday, August 17, 2013

Eve 10 #9 - result

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB
10 MILE CLUB TIME TRIAL G10/42
Wednesday August 7th 2013
RESULT SHEET

No Name               Time   HcpTime  VetStd  Scr/Hcp  Award
18 Marcus Edwards     21-59   21-59    +4-42    7/2    1st Fastest
10 Simon Trehearn     23-31   22-16             6/2    2nd Fastest PB
11 David Watt         23-52   21-37             5/2    PB
15 Russell Williams   23-57   21-27    +2-39    4/5    =3rd Hcp  PB
 5 Bob Smith          24-10   22-10    +1-54    3/2    PB
14 Richard Addis      25-28   20-58             2/6    2nd Hcp
 2 Simon Waller       25-58   21-28             2/3    PB
16 Steve Hillier      25-59   22-29    +1-10    2/2
 9 James Roberts      26-02   21-32             2/2    PB
 3 Ray Dare           27-18   22-03    +7-38    2/2
17 Brian Powney       27-23   22-23    -0-38    2/2
 6 Gavin Hughes       27-48   23-18    -1-21    2/2
 1 Rick Opie          28-20   20-20    -1-48    2/7    1st Hcp  PB
 7 Mike Morley        31-07   24-52    -1-53    2/2
 8 Deborah Hurst      31-29   22-29    -2-36    4/2
 4 Angie Launder      32-27   21-27    -1-56    3/5    =3rd Hcp  PB
12 Joe Bertorelli      DNS
13 Philip Burgin       DNS

Marcus would have had a PB but did 21-54 in the Redmon club event the week before.

Acknowledgments Many Thanks To:

Brian Powney: Handicapper
Ken Williams: Timekeeping

Ray improved his Age Related Record for an 86 year old (again).
Marcus knocked 3 of my Age Related Record of the book.

Frank Cubis
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Saturday Afternoon 10 - 17th August - start sheet

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB
10 MILE TIME TRIAL G10/42
Saturday August 17th 2013
START SHEET 

No  Name              Hcp    Vets     Start Time 
1   Deborah Hurst     9-30   28-53      14-01
2   Patrick Ryan     10-00   27-44         02
3   Mark McNamara    11-00   30-07         03
4   Simon Waller      4-45                 04
5   Mike Morley       8-00   29-14      14-05
6   Tony Tugwell     11-00   28-42         06
7   John Beer         2-45   27-51         07
8   Wayne Mahoney     7-00                 08
9   Helene Grinsted  11-00   29-51         09
10  Russell Williams  2-30   26-36      14-10
11  Adrian Feasby     5-30                 11
12  Grant Pyke        7-45   30-40         12
13  Alex Kew          2-15   25-59         13
14  Brian Powney      5-30   26-45         14
15  Philip Burgin     6-30   27-44      14-15
16  Marcus Edwards    Scr    26-41         16
 
17  Florence Hallett  7-30

I haven’t given Florence a start time as she will be pushed for time getting to the start (working). But as the Wheelers follow us immediately with 25 riders there will bound to be a non starter I can fit her into.

Awards:
1st, 2nd & 3rd Hcp
1st & 2nd Fastest
Fastest Woman

Frank Cubis
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Monday, August 12, 2013

12 Hr Championship

 Simon Waller getting encouragement to get back on the bike after cramp!
 Magic sponge works wonders.
 Off for lap 3 of circuit 3.
 Finishing circuit after 11 hours. Looking good back up the hill Waller.
Simon Trehearn also looking good up the hill.

A very windy, warm day. Simon Waller did 194 miles in his first ever 12 hr, he was going for 185 and was very pleased. Trehearn did 231 in his 2nd 12 an improvement on last year which had no wind! Jake, Brian, Dave, Lisa, Ron & Doreen from the club and Lucy from Simons work came out to help and had a very enjoyable day. Ron's car battery went flat at one point and a nice chap jumpstarted it, and then realised he knew Ron, it was Keith Dorling, an old member from the club. Simon Trehearn had a puncture early on and went off course at one point. We handed up sponges, drinks, melon etc and rubbed sore legs and necks.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

ECCA 12hr - 11th August

This year the event is a National Championship and we have two riders: Simon Waller off no.19 at 05:19 and Simon Trehearn off no. 54 at 05:54.

Start list can be found here: ECCA start list

I hope to be tweeting updates again here: https://twitter.com/KingstonPhoenix

This link should include any messages sent to the account, but not sure if it will also show my posts: https://twitter.com/search?q=%40KingstonPhoenix


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Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Evening 10 #9 - 7th August - start sheet

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB
10 MILE TIME TRIAL G10/42
Wednesday 7th August 2013
START SHEET

No  Name              Hcp        Start Time
 1  Rick Opie         8:00        19:31
 2  Simon Waller      4:30           31:30
 3  Ray Dare          5:15        19:32
 4  Angie Launder    11:00           32:30
 5  Bob Smith         2:00        19:33
 6  Gavin Hughes      4:30           33:30
 7  Mike Morley       6:15        19:34
 8  Deborah Hurst     9:00           34:30
 9  James Roberts     4:30        19:35
10  Simon Trehearn    1:15           35:30
11  David Watt        2:15        19:36
12  Joe Bertorelli    4:30           36:30
13  Philip Burgin     5:30        19:37
14  Richard Addis     4:30           37:30
15  Russell Williams  2:30        19:38
16  Steve Hillier     3:30           38:30
17  Brian Powney      5:00        19:39
18  Marcus Edwards    Scr            39:30

Awards:
1st, 2nd & 3rd Hcp
1st & 2nd Fastest

Might I suggest a rear light be fitted.

Brian Powney
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Monday, August 05, 2013

Riding the London-Surrey 100




The ride across London to the start was the beginning of the experience.  The nearer you got to the Olympic Park the more bikes there were, joining the column from every side street.  For the last couple of miles along the A11 there was a solid phalanx of bikes filling an entire carriageway, moving quickly, but considerately of each other.  Cars stayed well clear, which was interesting of itself.  At the park smiling and helpful games-makers directed the crowd to one of the two start areas, and then the rather regimented process necessary to deal with so many people began.  There were more than 16,500 starters on this the inaugural year.

First you had to show your number to get into the start area.  Once there - there was plenty of space - you could wander around, go to the loo, watch others starting off, buy some food, check your bags for collection at the finish or just pass the time of day with other riders.  Then you were called to wait to be assembled into a 'wave', which was about a thousand riders at a time; then you entered the 'wave' pen, exactly on time; then the 'wave' moved to the start line and finally, exactly on time again, you set off along a two-mile run-in to the start itself.

I had been a bit worried about this bit - a large number of cyclists close together can be difficult, but it was absolutely fine.  A slow roll away, an easy turn onto the A12 (closed to traffic, of course), with the speed gradually building over the next couple of miles on the large road, allowing sub-groups of similar performance to naturally form.  Crossing the start line I was part of a peleton of fifty or so, which soon accelerated up to about thirty mph.  Hard to do by yourself, but easy enough as part of a peleton, and we kept this speed through Canary Wharf and on towards the Tower of London, where narrower roads brought the pace down.  Still over twenty mph, though, so we were flying along.  Having the entire road to yourself is plenty of space for a group of bicycles, so slower (and faster) riders were easily accommodated.

The run through London was splendid.  No traffic, no hold-ups, traffic lights didn't matter and helpful marshals signalled every turn and corner.  The London Eye, St James' and Harrods passed in a jiffy, and we were soon heading over Chiswick Bridge into Richmond Park.

Here some of the gritty reality of cycling interrupted the dream.  The familiar sinking feeling told me that I had a puncture.  It took a few minutes to fix, during which time about a thousand bikes passed.  A kind lady walking her dog offered to help, but puncture-fixing is a solitary pleasure, so I thanked her and got on with it.

A couple of miles down the road I saw Graham Hill and gave him a wave, then Kingston, Walton, Byfleet and out into the country, heading for Newlands Corner.  This is the first of the hills of the route, and I had wondered how it would work out.  Not bad, was the answer.  There were some slow riders, and even some walking, but the bike-jams of the London to Brighton didn't materialise, mainly because, once again, the full width of a road is a lot of space for a group of bicycles.  I did see Boris as I was riding up, progressing steadily on his flat-bar commuter bike.  Even at this point it was obvious that he wasn't going to make a great time, but equally obviously he was cycling well within himself and would be sure to finish without difficulty.

At the top I made the mistake of going in to one of the service 'hubs' to buy a replacement inner tube.  I had patches, and would have done better going without, as it was packed with cyclists refuelling.  Queues for everything and it took an age.  Large numbers of people are always a problem.

Back on the road and fast riding again; Abinger Hammer, Holmbury St Mary and then Leith Hill, the second of the challenges.  Pretty slow going here, as the road is in any case narrow and numbers of walking cyclists made it more so.  But no real problems, and over the top and on to Dorking.

Dorking was terrific.  There were barriers down the High Street, and large crowds banging them and shouting encouragement at the cyclists.  This is what it must be like for Mark Cavendish.  Excellent.  Then Box Hill, Leatherhead, Cobham (where I saw Colin, doing duty as a marshal) and we were on the home straight.  The pace began to rise again.

At Wimbledon I saw Dave, Graham and Gill; Putney High Street was quite an experience at 34 mph with crowds roaring the bikes on; over the bridge, the Embankment and then it really was head down for the finish line.  Parliament Square, Admiralty Arch and there it was.

There seemed to be two approaches to the Mall.  Some slowed down, waved to friends and family; others got their heads down and went as fast as they could.  I went for the latter, and was very pleased with myself crossing the line.

A medal and a handshake, I didn't bother with the 'goody bag', a left turn by Buckingham Palace and that was that - all over.

All in all, a great day out.  Impeccable organisation, pleasant and supportive staff and fellow riders, and perfect weather for cycling.  Car free riding is great, they should do it every Sunday.  My time was 5:55, just inside the six hours I had estimated.  End to end average 16.7mph; moving average 17.8mph with 45mph being exceeded several times.  So quite a quick ride, with the peleton speeding up the flat and the downhills, but the crowd slowing the uphills.  And a great experience.

If you fancy it next year, the ballot opens on Monday.

Mark

PS:  Ken Williams had a great day, too.  His ride description is in the 'Comments' section here:  http://kingstonphoenix.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/im-riding-100-miler-on-sunday-as-is-ken.html


Saturday, August 03, 2013

Sunday 100 road race

The mountain bike group plan to meet Leatherhead Railstation at 12 and ride off road to Abinger Hatch Pub in Abinger for a drink and then work out where to watch the race. It comes up Leith Hill for the first sprint at 3pm. Any road riders are welcome to join us at pub and watch race. We then intend to ride to Wetherspoons in Leatherhead for food. All welcome!

Friday, August 02, 2013

Prudential Ride London 100










I'm riding the 100 miler on Sunday, as is Ken Williams.  My number is 20087, I don't know Ken's, but we're both starting about half past seven.  I'm rather vague on timings, as closed roads will certainly make it quicker, but 20,000 odd other cyclists may not ...  But, all being well, I expect to be at Kingston Bridge at about 0900 on the way out and 1330 on the way back; Newlands Corner about 1030; Leith Hill about 1115; Box Hill before 1200 and finish about 1400 on the Mall.  All this may be totally wrong, of course.

So if you're out for a ride, (or if you're trapped in your house by the road closures), be sure to give me and Ken a wave.  We're easy to spot -  a black bike and a white Ride London jersey.  Just like all the others ...

Thanks in advance to the marshals - these things won't work without you.

Looking forward to the ride - there's plenty of info on http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk


Mark