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
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
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 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 2nd
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
Thursday, September 25, 2014
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.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
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
Monday, September 22, 2014
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!
Saturday, September 20, 2014
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.
Monday, September 15, 2014
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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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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Monday, September 08, 2014
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
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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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Saturday, September 06, 2014
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
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Tuesday, September 02, 2014
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
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.
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