New Years Eve Party

The Phoenix New Years Eve party is at Jake and Garys again. All members and partners welcome. Bring food and drink and dancing shoes for later. 7.30 till 3ish.  Room in garage for bikes and locked side gate for overflow. Hope to do the Pete picture board game to break the ice at 9pm then onto the food. Then music 11onwards. Feel free to leave early or arrive late! Email me for address if you dont know it. Anything that needs warming up your in charge!

Faster sat rides

I propose meeting at 10 to 10 to leave at 10 on the dot for longer faster rides to 11s starting this sat. Will see how it goes. Garcons farm this week. Come along for the ride!

Rawson Trophy Winners 2014

So after a full season of time trialling, the Kingston Phoenix Road Club won the SCCU Rawson Shield for the first time. It has been a truly magnificent effort by the racing members of the club, with 26 riders contributing to this win. Every entry gained one point towards the club's total and this shield is usually won with around 40 points, but we have absolutely smashed it this season with a total of 80 points; 41 points more than the second placed club, Addiscombe CC. Well done everybody.

Mike Morley, as the only KPRC member to ride every single event (that's a total of 326 racing miles by the way) he received the Shield with Brain Powney last Sunday at the SCCU  Prize Giving Lunch, held at the Copthorne Hotel.

However, this was a true team effort, so thank you to all the members who entered and raced in order for us to win this. I am hopeful of two things next year. Firstly, that a couple of other clubs might challenge us and that secondly, we win it again anyway.

Here's to next year.

Rawson Shield KPRC riders

Chrystal Sheldon, Jake Dodd, Joe Bertorelli, Steve Hillier, Brian Powney, Simon Trehearn, Mike Morey, Alex Kew, Helene Grinstead, Deborah Hurst, Grant Pyke, Russell Williams, Simon Waller, Richard Addis, Stuart Pearce, Simon Mitchell, Angie Launder, Ken Williams, Rick Opie, Gavin Hughes, Phil Burgin, Ray Dare, Lee Jardine, David Watt, Marcus Edwards, Rachel Watkins.

2014 AGM Notification

Kingston Phoenix Road Club
Hon President: B E Powney, Esq

Notice of the Kingston Phoenix Road Club
2014 Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the Kingston Phoenix Road Club will be held on Wednesday December 3rd at the Worcester Park Athletic Club, Green Lane, Worcester Park, Surrey; commencing at 8pm sharp.

All motions for inclusion on the agenda and any early nominations for Officers or committee Members, must be lodged with the Honorary General Secretary at least 14 days prior to the AGM – no later than 19th November 2014. All motions shall be in writing and signed by both proposed and seconder. Any advance nominations shall also be signed by the nominee indicating their willingness to stand. Proposals & nominations by email will be accepted.

Annual Reports, Agenda and other information will follow closer to the date of the AGM.

Frank Cubis
Honorary General Secretary

Current Committee                            Other

Hon President         Brian Powney           Club Dinner Organiser
Hon General Sec       Frank Cubis
Hon Time Trials Sec   Alex Kew
Hon Road Race Sec     Simon Mitchell
Hon Treasurer         Steve Hillier          Holder of Club Clothing
Committee Member      Dave Brentnall
Committee Member      Jake Dodd
Committee Member      Andy Pearce            MTB Sec
Committee Member      Grant Pyke

Co-opted to the committee in 2014:
Florence Hallett & Chrystal Sheldon to assist Secretary
Ian Davies, Open 10 organizer
Lisa Colombo to remain in touch with committee business

Press Secretary:      Dave Brentnall

Auditors:             John Bellamy
                      Ken Williams

Club Subs for 2015 are due as of 1st November 2014 --- ie Now!

See Steve Hillier to pay at the AGM—don’t forget wallet or cheque book!

Senior, 1st claim membership is £15: Cheques payable to Kingston Phoenix RC


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More from SCCU

It seems that MHM was the only guy that entered all SCCU events according to a cross toasting by Tony Alston. It also seems from the prize presentation program that I also proped up from the bottom the BAR? Also got 4th in the age related standard time table beating Paul Tunnel of Addiscombe into 5th.
The photos below show the Rawson Trophy (in my dinning room - wait for the S H one T to hit the fan when my wife sees it!
I enjoyed the lunch it was very good and thanks to all the KPRC members that attended it was a very good turn out and forgive me for saying so Garry & Jake but you looked absolutely fabulous!

KPRC SCCU Triumph

Thanks to the sterling efforts of Brain Powney we not only won but we annihilated the opposition pushing Addiscombe into second place 39 points to KPRC 80 in winning the Rawson Trophy. Well done Brian you motivated our club to do this! So next year let's not only go for the Rawson but one or two more SCCU trophy that no full team competed for. I attach some pictures the first of which is the array of splendid trophy's that the SCCU had to present. Sadly many of the winners were unable to attend!
Tony Alston did a fantastic job in organising the event and I felt that the food was really go. See my picture of the pudding course - 3 in 1.

Member Profile - Ray Dare

Quite simply, Ray is a club legend. At the age of 88 Ray has set Age Related Records at 10 and 25 miles this season and is still competing and riding regularly. He has been a member of KPRC for 63 years.

 

What’s your bike ownership history or what do you currently ride?
My very first bike was an 18 inch Goodley Chater when I was about 12 years old. I have had a number of bikes since and I currently own seven, of which I class four as tourist and three as racing bikes. My favourite racer is the Boardman Team  and the other two are a Gios and a Carlton. The Carlton has lasting memories for me as I mainly raced with sprints and tubulars and is still a delight for doing short local rides. It is necessary to carry spare ‘tubs’ which are quick to change in the event of a puncture.

In my Scottish tour this year I used my Evans Pinnacle in favour of my old 1981 Evans but it may well be my Enigma taking over for touring and the other bikes for general riding.

 

How did you start cycling?
My parents were keen cyclists and were CTC members before and during the 2nd World War and during the war I did one tour with my father. However during the war my first long ride was with my eldest brother doing 165 miles to Caerphilly via Gloucester as the Seven Bridge did not exist then. It took us 18 hours, leaving at 3am and arriving at my Aunt’s at 9pm. We returned a week later but in less time, as we were fortunate in having a tail wind. I particularly remember the outward journey starting in steady rain, being stopped by a policeman at Henley wanting to know where we were going early in the morning and my brother said Abingdon, where in fact we had a welcome stop for breakfast. I have always thought since that the ride to Wales and back has been the foundation of my urge to ride 100m  and 12hr TT’s, but not 24 hour time trials as 18 hours was enough for me.

 

What made you join Kingston Phoenix?

Through riding with the Cheam and Morden section of the CTC in 1948 and enthused by other C&M members I joined the Kingston Phoenix in 1951.

 

What has been your most memorable cycling experience?

For the most memorable ride, I would say that described above on my first ride to Caerphilly South Wales.

 

What has been your worst cycling experience?

The accident I had with a police car at the end of Ruxley Lane before there were traffic lights and when I lived at Worcester Park some 37 years ago. The police car did a right hand turn in front of me into Ruxley Lane when I was on the way to Ewell on a training ride. Fortunately, having been thrown over the side of the car and landing on the roof I escaped with abrasions of the chest and shoulders and apparently concussion. The latter I was to discover when a policeman bending over me at the bed I was in at Epsom Hospital who was asking me where I lived got three addresses before getting the right one! Fortunately I had two following motorists who were witnesses at the scene of the accident and I was told by a policeman visiting me at home that the culprit would lose his job if I made a case of it, so I accepted financial expenses only.

 

What cycling/sporting achievement are you most proud of?

This is a difficult one to answer being a member of the Phoenix for 60 odd years. However it was in 1951 that I rode my first 100 TT doing it in under 5 hours and I can now compare it with a 100 I rode at the age of 81, which was also slightly under 5 hours and therefore the distance I am most proud of.

 

What are your plans for the rest of this season or next season?

In terms of racing there are no plans as I am retired but I will continue with the enjoyment of riding a bike and the company of fellow cyclists.

 

Do you have any particular cycling or Sporting heroes?

Tony Doyle, Chris Braser, Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

 

Sum yourself in three words.

A consistent trier.

Paul Bishop - Spinning in Walton & Tadfworth

Hi club-mates! Just to let you know Paul Bishop is starting spinning classes. He has invested in 10 high spec Spinners and for the foreseeable future he will be conducting classes at the Cricket Club Mill Rd. Tadworth (Off the Dorking Rd. opposite the Blue Anchor pub) at the following times.

Monday, Wed, Friday 9.15am
Tuesday, Thurs. 6.30pm & 7.30pm.
Saturday. 8.00am

Cost is £7.50 per session or book 10 lessons in advance for £65. His contact by mobile is 07958 620762, either text or phone.

I have booked my first session for 7.30pm on Tuesday 4 November and will let you know how I get on. Paul is well known to a number of KPRC members and is a fully qualified sport physio. He has put a lot of time and money into setting up this venture and I hope that those who can will give it a try

Saturday winter rides rota

Now the clocks have changed we drop the ride to Ockham Bytes as it is cold there. The Vinerys takes its place as follows;
1st sat in month Garcons Farm Esher
2nd The Vinerys garden centre Lower Bookham
3rd West Horsley garden centre
4th Polesdon Lacey
5th Stoke Dabenham garden centre
If it is chucking it down the ride will deviate to Stoke Dabs for a shortened ride.
Click on sat rides on home page as this should now sit there.
Sun runs start at 9.30 for winter and are shorter especially if its cooold!

Tattenhams Indoor Market

An unapologetic and shameless plug here for the Tattenhams Indoor Market this Saturday, 1st November 2014, as Mel (and I) will be there with a stand. It's a chance to have a look at her bags purses etc and buy those Christmas gifts or at least get an idea. Bring your family and friends.

It opens at 10 and closes at 2pm but the café is open afterwards selling teas and homemade cakes.

Venue is The United Church of St Marks, Great Tattenhams, Epsom Downs. KT18 5RD.

ps Mel has also booked a table for the December fair as well so you can collect any orders that you made this week. :-)
See you there.

Andy

Redmon 2 -up Missing Photo's

Don't ask me how it happens but following photo's were uploaded but not launched!

Redmon 2 up Gentlemans

I enjoy riding this event as it is based on Vets Standard Time. Mike Wakely did his usual excellent job in organising this annual event and at the presentation in Bear Green Village Hall said that next year will be a special occasion as it will be the 40th anniversary! I am sure that along with me all KPRC members will wish him and Redmon a highly successful event.
This year as ever we had our own amazing, indomitable Frank Cubis as finishing time keeper along with Tony Alston at the start.
It was a notable occasion for KPRC associates as the Fricker family got 3rd father & son! The event was won yet again by John & Eddie Allen from the promoting club. Had Tim been around to pace me we may have got second father and son! As it was had my pacer Helen been my daughter we would have been second family. So the challenge to Tim next year is lets go for it in the 40th anniversary.
In terms of outright winners well Andy Hicks had it all the way with a + 5:23 until Hutchinson came in dragging David Pollard into first place with a + 6:46, Mad Hatter Morley could only manage a - 1:06.
Pictures below:
The Allen's, MHM + Helen and Hutch

Sat and Sunday rides

Now the racing season has finished lets have more out on the sat and sunday rides! Click on the rides list to the left of the home page to see where they go. The sunday runs start at 9am at the moment but will change to 9.30 when the clocks change. Horton country park start. This week we are going to Westerham  cafe then some of us going on to see the Bec Hillclimb at Titsy hill. A group will ride straight home. 45 miles hilly, but we will wait at top of each hill. Please have a go as it is nice to meet everyone out of racing mode and very sociable. If enough are out we can have a slow and fast group. Will try and post on The Forum whats happening so check up every sat eve. Last ride this sat to Ockham Bytes as next month it changes to winter mode The Vinerys where it is warmer! We are a soft lot!

Rons 85th Party at the club room

 Congratulations Ron you have been the Rod and the leader of our club for so many years and your mantle has now been taken by your proud son! Thank you very much for inviting all KPRC members to celebrate your 85th tonight and an even bigger thank you to Doreen for supporting you so well and keeping your health going in recent times. I know now that it's the fairy cakes that have done it! KPRC is a family club and it has taken me some time to appreciate that but I have to say overall it has been a good cycling club over the years and through your good offices has contributed to so much in the cycling community of Kingston! I wish you and Doreen many,many happy years together and I wish to put on record support for our current President who is doing an excellent job in promoting our club and finding ways of encouraging our club to rise to challenges like the Rawson Trophy! I am looking forward to the next annual dinner at the Burford Bridge and even the SCCU Lunch!

Celebrate with Ron

Ron Powney is 85 this Thursday and he would like KPRC members to help him celebrate, so if you are free this Thursday then please come down to the Worcester Park Athletic and Social Club in Green Lane, Worcester Park. Ron has very kindly offered to buy KPRC members a drink on the night. It would be great to see you down there from 9pm.

Member Profile - Alex Kew

Alex suffering in the SCCU 21

Alex Kew has been a member of the Phoenix for four years and is the current Time Trial Secretary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s your bike ownership history or what do you currently ride?

The usual back catalogue of a Raleigh Grifter in the dim and distant past with my first road bike being a Clements Reynolds 531 tubed bike. My current bikes are a Van Nicholas Euros which I have used for training, sportives time trialling and commuting. This year I took the plunge and have bought myself an Argon E-80 tt bike, which has helped me knock a few seconds off my pbs.

 How did you start cycling?

I’ve always cycled or done some triathlons of some sort but in the last few years I have found it harder and harder to stay injury free when running, so cycling has become a more important way for me to keep fit and keep the belly at bay.

 What made you join Kingston Phoenix?

I wanted to improve the cycle leg when I was competing in triathlons. I always seemed to be going backwards when compared to other competitors and I decided that I wanted to do some time trialling to improve my bike speed and I saw that the Phoenix did their evening 10 time trials. I came along to my first one in 2010 and have not looked back since.

 What has been your most memorable cycling experience?

This year I competed in the Alpe d’ Huez short course triathlon which took in the 21 hairpins of the mountain climb. It was a fantastic day and I couldn’t stop grinning the whole way up. It helped that my swim leg was so bad that I was able to overtake a lot of other riders on the ascent. The run at the top of the mountain was a different story altogether but it was still a day I will never forget. In a completely different vein I supported some of our riders in the National 24 hour Time Trial and it was a complete hoot. I spent most of the time eating while watching my club mates suffering on their bikes. It was a great 12 hours.

 What has been your worst cycling experience?

I have the usual stories of being caught in biblical weather or getting my nutrition wrong and suffering the consequences.  A couple of years ago, Simon T convinced me to take part in the Pearson Sportive, a  100 mile ride out to Brighton and back, when my longest ride in the preceding 3 months had been a 10 mile commute. I spent the entire ride slumped over the bars trying to hang onto Simon’s wheel, trying to convince myself that it was all ‘miles in the bank’. I had a similar experience this year when I took part in the SCCU Sporting 21 and I got up late so didn’t have a proper breakfast, but I decided to bulk the morning out by cycling to the start and back to make a 60 mile ride. By half way through the tt I knew it was going to end badly. This time it was Brain’s wheel that I was trying to hang onto as we cycled home. How I was able to cycle so slowly and still stay upright is beyond me. I’m pleased to say that the vast majority of my cycling experiences have been good ones.

 What cycling / sporting achievement are you most proud of?

Winning the Pete Mitchell Trophy last year for the Hill Climb Championship was a real honour. Racing the Forestman Triathlon in 2011 was a great experience and I was really pleased with my cycling fitness at that time. I felt pretty bombproof and was the lightest and fittest that I had been in 20 years. This season has been a good one for me with personal bests at 10 and 25 miles and over a Half Ironman distance at triathlon. I seem to be getting faster as I get older, which is nice! So if I can keep that going for a few more years then I’ll be pleased with that.

 What are your plans for the rest of this season or next season?

I really want to go sub 60 for 25 miles next year. It’s such a bench mark for a cyclist and it’s a badge of honour I want. My current pb is 60:56 which I achieved this year on fairly patchy training, so with a solid winter under my belt I hope that I should be able to take a fair chunk off of that and get that sub 60.  I suppose I should do my first 100tt and 12 hour next year. We’ll see. Other than that, I just want to keep enjoying it by getting out regularly with my friends and enjoying the sport.

 Do you have any particular cycling or sporting heroes?

I suppose Chris Boardman was the first cyclist who I took real notice of, when he won the individual pursuit gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics. I remember going up to Lilywhites in London to see his Lotus bike which was such a modern piece of engineering at that time. Nowadays, the people I most admire are those people like Ron, Doreen and Brian Powney, Lisa, Frank, Ray Dare, Ann Bath and many others who have done some amazing things in this sport and also given so much to the club over the years. I am very proud to be a small part of that and to know these riders.

 Sum yourself up in three words.

Usually off course.

 

Alpe d' Huez Triathlon 2014

 

National championship winning time trial bike for sale

For those of you who are thinking of doing a 12 hour time trial here is the 2008 winning bike on ebay just waiting for you to bid. It's so very different to what is ridden these days and the advert has an interesting report on what Ian Cammish thinks of the event.

Click here to see advert

The Cycle Show

Maggie and I went to the Cycle Show today, to see what's going on.  It was pleasing to see that the show is a growing success; some of the earlier ones in Birmingham had seemed a bit flat after Earls Court, but there is little doubt now that it has found its footing and is growing steadily.

The major trend I would pick out is that it's all about the road.  Mountain bikes are still there, but fewer in number.  The trade is still banging the drum for e-Bikes, but I'm not sure if the UK is listening.  Utility bikes are there in numbers, but the emphasis is on fancy, high-end road-bikes.  That's what's selling, as five minutes on Box Hill will confirm.

The Trek stand was worth visiting - the Emonda lightweight showed what you can get for a lot of money - c. £10,000.  A bike, with a warranty, that weighs less than four kilos - eight pounds or so.  Less money gets you more weight, but you still get a very light bike.  That's real progress.  The Trek stand also illustrated the other major trend - disc brakes are here.  Many models, from many manufacturers, could be had in either rim brake or disc brake versions.  As far as I was able to tell there was no difference in weight or handling between them - it was just your choice.  I'd take the discs every time.

Perhaps of interest to Wayfarers is that Condors also follow this trend, and their Heritage and Fratello Touring/Audax frames can be had in disc versions.  £699 for the frame, if I recall correctly, so a very good basis for a solid - and handsome - all round bike.

Interesting stuff from Campag - electronic is the way ahead, they say, and they had a captive bike where you could experience the joys of EPS shifting.  But for 2015 there's also a new range of Super Record,  Record  and Chorus that are entirely mechanical (and substantially carbon fibre).  Bets well hedged at Campag.  The other handy bit on their stand was a climbing version of their very widely used Bora carbon wheels.  Made for Nairo Quintana, and in the shops in November.

It was good to see that Chris Boardman was on the Boardman stand, and that he'd brought his Lotus bike with him.  More than twenty years old, but still unbeaten.  The queue for autographs snaked into the distance.

And blow me if Van Nicholas didn't have a Rohloff version of their Yukon on display.  I ordered one of these a couple of years ago when it was first announced, but it never turned up.  Normal availability now, apparently.  Have to think about that one.

Lastly, a novelty item that I thought was a good idea.  It's a rear light, made of bright LEDs, about 6" by 4".  It displays, flashing red, the speed of the bike.  The intention is that if drivers, or fellow riders, have an idea of your speed, then they can behave appropriately.  It will only work, of course, if the following car realises what the numbers mean.  It certainly draws attention, which is half the battle. www.velocitylight.com.

A good show, with lots to see, and we enjoyed our day out.  

Mark

The 12 Hour TT - A helper's perspective

This year we had Simon Trehearn and Simon Waller riding the Kent CA 12 Hour, fighting it out for the 12 Hour Trophy and more importantly, the Club Championship.  Whoever cracked first could hand the Club Championship to the other.

Sunday starts with a 3am alarm and I pick up Simon Trehearn at 4am from Leatherhead and then drive 60 miles to Bethersden, south of Ashford in Kent.   The early morning was very misty, such that the organisers delayed the start by 30 mins to 6.01 first man.

Simon Waller’s girlfriend Jeni travels with me, with food and drink for all four of us, and both Simon’s spare wheels and early on we are confused by which Simon is where as they both wore black skin suits and the main difference was Simon T’s white overshoes.

Eventually the mist clears and we start to tell who’s who.   After some 60 miles both Simons are close on the road making handing food and drink quite interesting!  Is Simon Waller pushing too hard or is Simon Trehearn not going well?  By late morning the Sun is up, it’s getting quite warm and SW needs a clothing change.   A different crash hat also confuses us as we now can’t remember what colours to look out for.  Jeni found it very amusing when I tried handing up the wrong drink to the wrong Simon.

By lunchtime ST is feeling sick and having his 2^nd stop, longer than the stops I used to have! and is complaining that he can’t drink enough and doesn’t think his food is going to stay down.  Then SW rolls in and lies out flat on the grass and complains that he has been sick and doesn’t think he can eat anything else.   Oh what joy!

Mum and Dad Powney arrive and our intrepid Simon’s are off for two more laps of the afternoon circuit and they both return for another break.  This time SW needs a full leg massage and the discussion starts about who is going on and where can they finish.   After a bit of cajoling from the “older Pownies” and a few long distance cycling stories, I’m thinking that’s long enough, Simon T decides it’s time to head for the finishing circuit, and catches Simon W out by promptly disappearing up the road.

Simon W decides to head off as well with the clear intention of calling it a day at Time Keeper no 3 on the finishing circuit, or did he say Timekeeper no4?   Once we’ve sorted ourselves out we head off in two cars with Ron and Doreen dispatched to collect Simon W when he stops and Jeni and I to Timekeeper 1, the start of the finishing circuit.

On route we pass Simon W looking “one shade of grey” clearly not enjoying the afternoon sunshine!  We make it to TK 1 and stop.  Simon T has already arrived and is on the circuit, Ron and Doreen go through and then Simon W joins the finishing circuit.  Great we’ve got both our riders to 160 miles!  Now the fun started.

After a while Simon T finished his first circuit and pulls up and gets in my car.  Not looking his best and certainly not keen!   “Am I ahead of Simon W?” he asks.  “Yes and he was talking about packing” is the reply.  After about 30 minutes Simon T has decided my car seat is one of the best and he’d like to stay.

Then Jeni spots Ron and Doreen pull up and Simon T is suddenly alert and the questions fly.  Simon W is not with them and they have waited for half an hour at TK4 and not seen Simon W.  Neither have we and if Simon W arrives at TK1 now he’ll be on the same distance as Simon T.

Simon T then says “Oh no, if Simon turns up I’m gonna have to get back on that bike and do another lap.”  “Well it’s all about where you two can pack and still remain a winner.”  This conversation was one of the strangest periods I have known in a 12 hour.  The past 3 hours was about who could get away with the shortest distance!

Having decided we have lost Simon W (we worked out later that he had packed at TK3 and then cycled to the HQ – off the course – and Ron and Doreen had been waiting at TK4), Ron and Doreen go round the finishing circuit to HQ and Jeni and I go the wrong way round, also to HQ.  This meant we talked Simon T back onto his bike to start another lap as technically he was still racing as he had not yet packed.

The two cars miss Simon W and arrive at the HQ only find him propped up against the wall inside the HQ, under some blankets looking worse than before.  After making sure Simon W is generally ok, I head back to the circuit to find Simon T.  Stopping at TK 3 to be told he’s 15 mins up the road I move on and same again at TK 5.  Surely he can’t be riding at the same speed I’m driving at!

Eventually after completing one full lap of the finishing circuit, I find Simon T at TK 4 having completed his 12 hours and amazingly he declares, “Sorry Brian I was feeling a bit better once I got going again so I kept going!”  Yeah yeah whatever.

Anyway they both recorded a distance, down on what they would have liked but they finished and we made it home for 9pm.   So if you think their 12 hour distance is beatable, get training for next year’s event.

 

By Brian Powney

Cranks - do you have the correct length?

I'm on holiday for a few days at home so I thought that I would share something with you.

A few weeks ago one of my brake/gear levers broke, so I decided to check the rest of the bike before I ordered replacements. I found that my chain had stretched so it needed to be replaced. The teeth on some of the gears had become hooked in shape due to wear so I decided that the cassette and two of the three chainrings needed replacing. I then thought about whether I should change the lengths of the cranks rather than just the two chainrings. Well after doing some research I found a very thorough explanation prepared by a bike fitter which provided me with some useful guidance and recommendations for the correct crank lengths in respect of different height riders. His article includes the results from several researchers and also feedback from Graeme O'Bree. I hope you find this useful too together with the case studies as it will give you something to consider when you next change your chainrings.

Click here to read the article: Fitting Guide for cranks

So I have now shortened my cranks from 170mm to 165mm. Clearly the saddle will need to be heightened as the maximum distance from the saddle to the pedal is now shorter. This will affect my riding position as the saddle is now higher than the handlebars so I will let you know over the next few weeks if I find it more or less comfortable and if I now fly up the hills more easily.

If anyone has any opinions please comment below.

A new lighting system

I found this product on the web. It is a prototype designed by a couple of American cyclists who are now using Kickstarter to find funding to put it into production. They are inviting people to make an advanced payment of $40 plus $10 delivery to the UK. The payment is only taken if they receive funding which exceeds their target. 

So for less than £35 you could have a water bottle which holds just under pint of liquid with your front and rear lights built in. To read more and see their video click on this link: aqualight-water-bottle

Consolation 25 (Ten) Photo Finish

Well a photo finish for Philip again but not this time by Rachel but a very well deserved win by Lynda in Sundays final club event of the year. At first Frank had computed that Philip was beaten by a mere 4 seconds but later found out that Lynda beat him by the narrowest of margins "1 second!" Well Philip the moral must try harder and you have been improving at the end of the season. Maybe the beard should come off!

nn

Good to see Jake who was resting her knee, sharing a laugh with Lynda and also great to see Amanda, we have missed you so much I hope you will be able to race next year!

Consolation 25 - start sheet

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB

CONSOLATION 10

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21st 2014

G10/42

START SHEET

No  NAME             VetStd   START
1   Tony Tugwell      32-00   09-01
2   Angie Launder     33-18      02
3   Ken Williams      33-50      03
4   Lynda Gale                   04
5   Samantha Pickup   27-33   09-05
6   Rick Opie         27-07      06
7   Mike Morley       32-46      07
8   Matt Schutz                  08
9   Steve Rigby                  09
10  Jim Burdett               09-10
11  Mark Cawood                  11
12  Rachel Watkins    30-16      12
13  Joe Bertorelli    28-12      13
14  Jake Dodd         29-48      14
15  Phil Todd         26-06   09-15
16  Steve Hillier     28-52      16
17  Simon Trehearn    25-30      17
18  Philip Burgin     30-16      18

Awards:
1st, 2nd & 3rd Hcp - All Sealed Handicap
Winner on Hcp to hold the Consolation Trophy (subject to not having won any other Club Trophy this year)

Excluded:
Simon Trehearn - Club Champion
Jake Dodd - Ladies Champion
Rachel Watkins - Women’s 25
Mike Morley - Handicap Trophy

Frank Cubis
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Reminder that Pebblecombe is closed to traffic for those planning their route out to the start.

David Millar to ride Bec HC

Details on the CTT website

Apparently Millar plans to finish his career off with a club level event - the Bec Hill Climb.

No doubt Garry Beckett's persuasiveness has something to do with it. :)

Will be interesting to see how Millar compares with the record and Gary Dodd's time(s).


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Kent CA 12hr - provisional result

Kent CA 12hr

Club Event

Sunday 7th September 2014

PROVISIONAL Result

No  NAME             Dist    HcpD    Hcp  Plus  VetStd  Scr/Hcp
37  Simon Waller     163      193    30m                 3 / 4
41  Simon Trehearn   183      183    Scr  -42m  225m     4 / 3

Not only are the distances provisional, but Frank had a very early start yesterday morning to time the 25, and the result he issued for the 12hr has at least some of the information transposed between the riders, so I am guessing that it was all of the info and assuming that Simon T was the faster of the two riders.

My information is that despite it being a good day for the 25, the start of the 12hr was delayed by 30 minutes due to mist/fog on the course and that both our riders were sick during the event (both of them????) and that they both made it to the finishing circuit to be assured of a distance credited to them, but both packed before running out their full time.

I look forward to hearing more about the event from the participants - remember both you and future long distance riders can learn from when things go horribly wrong.

Congrats to both Simons for finishing despite their problems.

Lisa
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SCCU 25 - result

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB

Southern Counties Cycling Union

25 Mile Club Event

Sunday 7th September 2014

G25/53E

Result

No  NAME            Time     Hcp/T    Hcp    Plus   VetStd   Scr/Hcp  Award
37  Joe Bertorelli 1-05-12  1-01-57   3:15   +7:31  1:12:43   7 / 2  1st Pl
59  Rachel Watkins 1-06-56    55-56  11:00  +10:15  1:17:11   4 / 7  1st Hcp
19  Simon Mitchell 1-07-14    59-14   8:00   +3:53  1:11:07   6 / 4
11  Mike Morley    1-07-58    58-20   9:30  +15:46  1:23:44   5 / 5  PB
64  Jake Dodd      1-08-13  1-01-58   6:15   +8:24  1:16:37   3 / 2
108 Philip Burgin  1-09-56    56-56  13:00   +7:49  1:17:45   4 / 6
34  Lee Jardine    1-14-31  1-02-31  12:00   -4:58   1:9:33   2 / 2
29  Grant Pyke     1-23-22  1-01-22  15:30  +11:43  1:27:35   3 / 3  TRIKE
39  Ken Williams   1-25-30  1-02-30  23:00   +0:47  1:26:17   2 / 2
77  Alex Kew         DNS              Scr            1:7:30

Frank
---

Thanks to whoever provided our marshalling commitment to the SCCU - let me know who you are and I will update this post for the records.
Lisa
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September 7th - start sheets

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB

Southern Counties Cycling Union

25 Mile Club Event

Sunday 7th September 2014

G25/53E

Start Sheet

No   NAME               HCP     VetStd     START
11   Mike Morley        9-30    1-23-44     7-11
19   Simon Mitchell     8-00    1-11-07     7-19
29   Grant Pyke        15-30    1-27-35     7-29
34   Lee Jardine       12-00    1-09-33     7-34
37   Joe Bertorelli     3-15    1-12-43     7-37
39   Ken Williams      23-00    1-26-17     7-39
59   Rachel Watkins    11-00    1-17-11     7-59
64   Jake Dodd          6-15    1-16-37     8-04
77   Alex Kew           Scr     1-07-30     8-17
108  Philip Burgin     13-00    1-17-45     8-48

Awards:
1st Hcp & 1st Fastest

Kent CA

12hr Club Event

Sunday 7th September 2014

Start Sheet

No  NAME              HCP     VetStd    START
37  Simon Waller     30mls              06-06
41  Simon Trehearn    Scr     225mls    06-10

Note: I think the organiser has printed a slight error in the start time by one minute.


Frank
---

The Phoenix does it again 24hr Nat Champs

Well done one and all who helped and supported all our riders. The official result after much effort by Mick Kilby landed through my letter box today. Simon Trehearn, Paul Day & Ann Bath did a total of 939.01 miles to gain second team place in the Championship. A credit to our club and just reward to Brian Powney and all his team in marshaling so much effort to support us over the weekend and particularly through the night. Jules gets recognition for her sterling work through the night to help us through that trying night circuit and my agony in particular.
The result sheet also mentions that all finishers will receive a plaque also donated by Ann and I think that is very generous of Ann.
I also get full recognition and although I am a DNF I am officially credited with a 199.3 mile 12hr distance. To that end I thank Frank if in any way he helped here and I would ask if the KPRC committee can formally credit me this year with that 12hr distance as due to family commitments on 7 Sept I was unable to enter the KCA 12 hour as I had intended to do and with my present form would expect to have gone over 200 miles.
If anyone has an opinion on this and would care to post a comment either way I would be grateful!

On another subject I went to the grand re-opening of the Burford Bridge last night and it all looks very splendid. Access to the Barn is now from the hotel and subject to no more floods I expect our club dinner next year to be a resounding success and I am sure that Brian will make sure that it is so! I may post some pictures of the refurbishment at least of the angel that played the harp.
Best regards to all MMHM

Hilly 12 - Result

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB

36th Club Hilly 12 Mile Time Trial (GS/281)

&

Club Hill Climb Championship

Sunday 31st August 2014

Result

Name              Time    HcpT    Hcp      Points    Awards
Alice Lethbridge  35-35   Kingston Wheelers
Simon Trehearn    36-17   36-17   Scr       7/2    1st Place
Matthew Whitaker  36-45   Kingston Wheelers
David Watt        37-03   36-03   1:00      6/2
Steve Hillier     39-26   33-56   5:30      5/6    2nd Hcp
Joe Bertorelli    40-08   34-08   6:00      4/5
Rohan Dubash      41-06     PTT
Phil Todd         42-15   37-15   5:00      3/2
Mike Morley       42-23   34-53   7:30      2/3    PB
Andy Avis         43-47   34-32   9:15      2/4
Stuart Downie     44-31   33-31  11:00      2/7    1st Hcp
Jo Whiting        44-45   Addiscombe CC
Steve Rigby       44-46   Addiscombe CC
Chrystal Sheldon  45-32   36-32   9:00      2/2
David Vine        46-59   35-59  11:00      2/2

DNS: Gavin Hughes, Alex Kew (Apol), Ann Bath

Simon Trehearn to hold the Pete Mitchell Trophy

HILL CLIMB

Matthew Whitaker    1-51.84
Alice Lethbridge    1-55.02
David Watt          2-03.71    7  Men’s Club Hill Climb Champion
Steve Rigby         2-04.21
Simon Trehearn      2-05.10    6
Steve Hillier       2-13.01    5
Joe Bertorelli      2-24.96    4
Jo Whiting          2-26.28
Mike Morley         2-29.76    3  PB
Rohan Dubash        2-32.01
Phil Todd           2-34.11    2
David Vine          2-47.54    2
Chrystal Sheldon    2-50.35    4  Women’s Club Hill Climb Champion
Stuart Downie       2-52.84    2
Andy Avis           2-58.73    2

Acknowledgments
Many thanks to the following for making this a safe event

Marshals:
Mickleham - Judy & Nicholas Margery.
Into Box Hill - Carolyn, Iain & Ben Margery.
Headley Grove - David Margery.
Clay Lane - Frank Powney.
A24 - Russell Williams.
Beaverbrook Rbt - Deborah Hurst
Hill Climb Start Timekeeper - Doreen Powney.

Frank

Our last club event of the year is the Consolation on Sunday 21st Sept. Due to road works for our 25, this year it will be10 miles on our usual course starting at 08-45. Entries to Alex as usual.

---

Back Across The Pyrenees

Like all my high mountain rides, this one came from winter dreaming.  In the grey days of February I was casting around for something suitable when I chanced upon a tour called the 'Pro Strength' Coast to Coast, offered by a company called Pyractif.  The route is from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean taking in many classic cols linked by decent road mileages.  Not as hard as last summer's Raid Dolomites, but a good ride nonetheless.  Internet reviews were good, and for me it had the advantage of being an entirely commercial offering.  So if I were to get a bit lazy and hitch a lift in the van on a hot day then I wouldn't be disqualified, as you would be on a proper Raid.  An exchange of emails, a deposit paid and the deed was done.

A week ago I flew to Toulouse where I met Henk, Sam and Craig, three of my fellow riders. We were picked up by Helen in one of the support minibuses and taken to Pyractif's base at Bertren.  We assembled our bikes, picked up Peter, another member of the support team, and drove to Biarritz.  Here we met Chris, the ride leader, and the rest of the party.  Substantially British, but with Australian, Canadian, Dutch and New Zealand riders, there were seventeen of us.  The rest of them looked unreasonably fit, and unreasonably young too.  All were experienced mountain riders and all had ridden in the Pyrenees before.  Hard ride coming.

Next morning we set off to the seaside for a departure snap, then the ride began; 103 miles and about 9000 feet of climbing on the first day; more to come as we hit our stride.  In all I clocked about 450 miles and 48,000 feet of climbing before we arrived at the Mediterranean on Friday morning.  We did most of the classic cols - Marie Blanque, Aubisque, the Tourmalet-Aspin-Peyresourde 'Circle of Death', Portet d'Aspet, Port de Pailheres and plenty of others.  A very good ride, and good weather too.  We had a bit of drizzle for a couple of hours on Wednesday morning, but otherwise it was a blue sky ride, which is a blessing in the Pyrenees.

Support arrangements were good, as I have come to expect on these trips.  Two vans, mechanical support, a lead rider on many of the passes and convenient and enjoyable alfresco lunches.  Decent enough hotels - truth to tell, there's not that much choice if you're crossing the Pyrenees.  If you run a hotel that's good for cyclists you'll have plenty of custom in the summer season, and I've stayed in several of them before.  They know their business.

My riding companions were a great bunch and touchingly considerate of an old man; I had a great time. There were some very fancy bikes, but few problems.  One set of carbon rims repeatedly caused punctures - mainly heat blow-outs on the descents - but another pair (Zipp 404) were trouble free.  There were a number of sets of electronic gears, Campag and Shimano, no problems with them, and most people were running 11 speed.  All frames carbon, all light builds.  I took my Condor and all I had to do was wash it.  Great bike.

So, if you're looking for a hard ride in the mountains that's a little out of the ordinary, give this one a shot.  You won't be disappointed.

Mark

Hilly 12 Pictures

Hilly 12 - start sheet

KINGSTON PHOENIX ROAD CLUB

Hilly 12 & Club Hill Climb Championship

Sunday August 31st 2014

START SHEET

No  Name                Hcap          Start
 1  Mike Morley         7:30          08:00
 2  Phil Todd           5:00            :01
 3  Steve Rigby                         :02
 4  Gavin Hughes        8:30            :03
 5  Alex Kew            2:00            :04
 6  Ann Bath           13:00          08:05
 7  Rohan Dubash        PTT             :06
 8  Joe Bertorelli      6:00            :07
 9  David Watt          1:00            :08
10  Chrystal Sheldon    9:00            :09
11  Jo Whiting          PTT           08:10
12  Stuart Downie      11:00            :11
13  Mark Cawood         PTT             :12
14  Matthew Whitaker   Kingston Whrs    :13
15  David Vine         11:00            :14
16  Natalie Gentry      PTT           08:15
17  Alice Lethbridge   Kingston Whrs    :16
18  Simon Trehearn      Scr             :17
19  Steve Hillier       5:30            :18
20  Andy Avis           9:15            :19

Alex Kew
---

Phoenix hit the £100 in SCCU 100

Having returned from York & the Birthday Rides via Derbyshire & Nottingham it seems like I have been away for ages and the Pru - 100(curtailed to 86) a distant memory! So much to my surprise on my return I open a brown paper envelope with a £50 cheque inside from the SCCU.
Don't suppose it's a record but I won 1st H/C and Richard Addis got £30 for 3rd H/C. To add to the glory Jake got £20 for second fastest lady with a very good time of 4:56:17. Richard did 5:06:24 and me 5:08:41

So all in all on that day KPRC members won £100 - Well done!

Member Profile - Lisa Colombo

Lisa has been an active member of the Phoenix for over 30 years and until recently was the club's secretary with many years' service on the committee. She has developed the club website and blog and keeps the results and competitions tables up to date for us.

 

What’s your bike ownership history or what do you currently ride?

At last count there’s over a dozen bikes, a couple of tandems and a trike.  Unfortunately all of them require at least basic maintenance at the moment and since life dumped on me I don’t have the room to do the maintenance nor even find or access the necessary tools/parts from wherever they are stored.

None are modern, whizzy or especially lightweight, but they include the custom built race bike that I persuaded my parents to buy me for my 21^st birthday instead of jewellery – and which still sports the chainset that my club friends bought me for that same birthday. 25 years on it holds the enduring memories that a 21^st birthday present should.

How did you start cycling?

I liked riding my bike as a kid and did some moderately adventurous stuff – at least by my parents’ standards. My English master at school rode a bike and he was a member of the SWLDA, so he introduced me to the world of clubs and organised cycling in my early teens. I started with the Family Section, but was dismayed to find that although they were friendly enough they seemed to meet outside of the advertised gatherings and I felt excluded, so I tried the Cheam & Morden Section and never looked back.

What made you join Kingston Phoenix?

In the summer of 1982 I went into Richmond Cycles with my parents to buy some ‘proper’ cycling kit. They asked if I had ever considered racing, to which my answer was that I was a “confirmed tourist”. By spring 1983 I had made friends in, and joined, the Kingston Phoenix - because of the link to the Cheam & Morden - and when they all rode the Medium Gear 25 it was natural that I should do it with them. I didn’t give a second thought to riding a 25 as my first event.

What has been your most memorable cycling experience?

There have been many, so it is difficult to pick one. I have especially happy memories of cycle touring all over Italy; of a tour in Scotland where the group fell out with each other and went our separate ways for the day – I remember a beautiful sunny day all alone in the wilds of Scotland and the feeling of freedom of being all on my own and self sufficient, with everything that I needed with me in my panniers. I have many strong memories of riding and helping in TTs as well.

And then there’s the night of the Great Storm in 1987, it was a Thursday and a club night, riding home with a roaring tailwind, it was obvious there was something different happening that night. We went to Crockham Hill Youth Hostel in Kent two days later, a trip which required a lot of cross country travel as we navigated the bikes around roads blocked by fallen trees.

What has been your worst cycling experience?

That tends to be things like being knocked off the bike, something that fortunately hasn’t happened often in 30+ years of riding. I spent one Christmas on crutches in the late 80s when a car came out of a side road and hit my leg. Having things thrown at you from moving cars is not pleasant either, it happened once riding home from club many years ago, when the same car kept buzzing me, and also more recently riding from the car park to the start of the Consolation 25, a few years ago, when someone threw a full 500ml bottle of water at me from a passing car – you could see the ridges of the bottle in the resultant bruise on my backside.

Pete’s funeral rates as something of a best/worst experience too, it was amazing having so many people turn out for the procession, but it was his funeral...

What cycling / sporting achievement are you most proud of?

Again, so many to choose from. Finally completing a 12hr on the tandem with Pauline Casey for 220 miles rates highly – as a pair we were much better than the sum of the parts – even though beating the then Comp Record of 236 miles proved a lot harder than we imagined. Winning a Tandem 100 against actual competition is another – I have a trophy for that! I am also pleased that I managed to beat Pete in a race just once when I did 209 in a 12hr to his 202.

What are your plans for the rest of this season or next season?

No plans for anything. Life has taken away all my plans, hopes and dreams at the moment. I just need to get through this dark time and hope that there is a new life awaiting me after.
When anything bothered Pete he always went off on his own on his bike – I could never have imagined how painful that would become for me now that I can never go for a ride with him again – so even that has been stolen from me as an escape from my current problems.

Unfortunately not riding brings fatness & unfitness which makes group riding hard – it’s going to be a long and difficult return to life when I finally get the chance again.

Do you have any particular cycling or sporting heroes?

I loved Miguel Indurain, but was he on drugs too? – the whole drugs scandal has soured me somewhat on pro sport. Not so much because they were taking drugs, but because of the whole hypocritical action of the governing body that claimed to be trying to do something about it – and now we know they weren’t. I can understand the mentality of the riders – in the closeted world of pro cycling events if it’s something everyone else is doing then it doesn’t seem like cheating, or even doing anything wrong - but I don’t condone it. I also hope that my experience of amateur TTing is correct, that very few try to cheat by using drugs.

Sum yourself up in three words.

I am me.