Willesden Cycling Club

At last night’s club meeting Gladys reported that Meurig James had completed the Etape de Tour in a highly respectable time of 7 hours 22mins. His good form continued when he came close to breaking the club record in the National Championship 100 mile event in Bedfordshire recently, posting a 4:05:10.

Rocco still holds the record (he did a 4:02:59 when he was 60!), but for how much longer …………….?

Details of the 2007 edition of the PBP can be found on the following web site

http://pbp.star-warz.net/FR/index.php

The 16th PARIS BREST PARIS Randonneur, organized by the ACP, is scheduled to take place from 20th to 24th August, 2007

The site has only just gone live on 29th July, so at present the content is a little sparse. However details of the route are shown, as well as changes to the controls from 2003. At the top right hand side of the banner is the number of days remaining until the start. Scary!

Our Audax Officer, Gavin Gilbert, has advised that the dates for the qualification rides should be taken from the AUK sources as they are different to those on the French site.

John Davies

The annual Willesden Cycling Club picnic will be on Sunday 6th August, Langley Park, Bucks (off the A412) from 12:30 pm onwards. Those joining straight from the club run can be assured of a free shower.

Please join us for fun, frolics and water fights. Bring a picnic, a family, weapons of mass drenching, a towel and a sense of humor.

Miles Back

Martin Lucas’s ride in the Mersey Roads 24hr Time trail proved to just a little leg stretcher for his 1000km New Forest ride the following weekend! Martin reports that –

“The NF1000 was good one with a terrific lanely route, excellent route sheet, good base and organisation. Three visits to El Supremo on the 1st stage as well to save the ££s at the service station controls. Riding at good pace and not dawdling at the controls was the key. The weather on Saturday night was cruel to tail enders but was good otherwise. Recommended if it happens again, seems like some other ride in France will take precedence next year.”

Well done Martin!!

Paul Stewart was also in action on his trusty fixed gear bike. He and Mel and rode the Ruislip Randonneur 300k last Saturday, “with just three other hardy souls”. His report follows

“Mel’s 415m on the Mersey 24hr didnt seem to be slowing him down as after a late start [ de rigour, apparently 🙂 ] he caught me at the first control and soon after disappeared down the road. I was on a kinda slow day assisted by not much sleep and sunny weather (31C at one time according to my Polar 720). I stopped in St Neots (150km) before the official control to stock up at Waitrose, had my lunch and then somehow managed to fall asleep on a park bench [ 🙂 ]. It cooler in the afternoon but we had a stiff headwind most of the way home which made it hard work. The wind dropped by the last control (Thame, 250km) but it had taken its toll, and it took me ~3hr to cover the last 50km. So, not home before dark but at least home before it rained!”

So a hat full of points for the WCC over the weekend.

Viva la Squadra Verde.

John D.

In the London Vets 10 at Billington on Wednesday afternoon Brian Moon returned in 26.52 and Ron Purdy 30.06 on a very hot ,but blustery,afternoon.They would have gained the team award if Gill Reynolds had been able to get the time off work to ride!

On Saturday again a third team member was missing when Brian and Ron rode in the South Bucks 25 mile event. Brian finished in 1.08.49 and Ron in 1.15.29 just before the rain came down.

Gill rode in the Crawley Wheelers 10 early on Saturday morning and was the 3rd fastest lady in 24.34. She rode again yesterday in the Alton C.C. 25 miles at Farnham and won the fastest lady award with 1.07.58. Fiona Lawrence also rode and returned in 1.0 9.08. Again the 3rd member of the team did not start!

Vets seems to be hogging the results as Tony Woodford rode in the National Masters Road Race Campionships at Hilling and finished 9th in the over 50’s event .His son Roger rode at Welwyn Track on Friday and won the 10 lap scratch event and finished 3rd in the 10 mile race. Must be in the genes!

Cheers for now Gladys

… or the Gent 6 day track event.

This year the event is held on 21-26 November 2006. Cycling, belgian beer and chocolate combine to produce a great night out.

The Willesden will be there on Saturday 25th November. Tickets can be purchased on line, but I have always booked them over the telephone (the ticket clerks speak excellent English).

More details on phone numbers and seat plans can be found on details can be found on www.sport.be/z6sdaagse/2006/nl/tickets/

Highly recommended.

John Davies

On Saturday four club members went down to Bentley to ride in the North Hampshire Road Club 10 mile time trial. Unfortunately a terriffic thunderstorm prevented a third of the field from starting, among them were Gill Reynolds and Ron Purdy.

Surendra Patel and Brian Moon were able to ride after the storm had passed and Surendra improved by 21 secs on his previous best time to record 25.15, a good ride after coming back from injury. Brian came home in 26.24.

Rain also swamped the Mersey Roads 24 Hours TT. The winner was Nik Gardiner with 504.2 miles completed. Willesden riders included Mel Kirkland (22nd – 415.51 miles) and Martin Lucas (26th – 407.8 miles) Gavin Gilbert unfortunately had to abandon at 18 hours. More detils to follow on this gruelling event.

Paul Stewart is leading the club tourist points competition

AUK have confirmed PBP qualification dates as follows:
200s: 1st.January to Sun. 22nd. April
300s: Sat. 7th April to Sun. 20th May
400s: Sat. 28th April to Sun. 3rd. June
600s: Thur. 17th May to Sun 17th. June

First 200km Audax
Jim Mears, Wendy Earl and Hilary Pandya have all completed their first 200km event as part of their PBP preparations. Hilary crashed mid way through hers, practically knocking herself out, still completed the course in sub 10 Hours! Impressive stuff!

Well, I made it! Dragged myself across the line half an hour before the elimination time and despite virtually collapsing on the roadside, I was absolutely delighted.

Spent about 36 hours from Friday lunchtime on coach and ferry, stopping for the night at Reims, although I barely slept. Arrived at our hotel an hour from Gap late Saturday night. At registration on Sunday I ran into Rocco and Liz who were really helpful, minding my bike whilst I signed up and providing me with food and drink. Had to rise at 3.30am on Monday to make it to the start on time, which was bad enough in itself, but France’s participation in the World Cup Final meant there was non stop din until well after midnight.

Got to the start in plenty of time and set off under the banner at 7.20am. The road to the first feed station was reasonably flat, and then the fun and games started on Isoard. It was warming up at this point and there was a clear blue sky. This climb was no picnic, but I felt OK at the top until I learnt that the water station had run out due to a break in. The descent was fine aside from the regular popping of inner tubes and the nagging thought that I would be next – fortunately, my bike held up really well all day.

I reached the first elimination zone in Briancon with about 40 minutes to spare but the food station there had descended into near anarchy. It was hopelessly inadequate in terms of size and provisions and looked like a scene from the end of the world. Although I didn’t see it, I was not surprised when I later heard from a few people that punches were thrown over bottles of water.

The climb up the Lautaret was long and hot, with the sun high in the sky. All I could see for miles ahead was the progression of cyclists like ants marching up the mountain. I was worn out and a bit nauseous at the summit, but felt a lot better after a short break and two visits to a wonderfully cold water trough.

A long descent followed to the base of Alpe D;Heuz featuring several long, dark and fast tunnels. The first of these was badly lit and as I was reluctant to remove my prescription sunglasses I was riding in complete blackness for about 100 metres.

The second elimination zone at Bourg D’Oisans was chaos, water again being virtually absent. Fotunately, I again met up with Rocco and Liz who had very kindly stashed me a couple of bottles – and I needed them where I was about to go.

By the time I got onto Alpe D’Huez it was complete carnage. People were being helicoptered to hospital and medics were administering intravenous drips by the side of the road (I am not making this up). Throwing up and passing out were de riguer. I was on the verge myself but stopped and clung onto a rock face until I regained some composure. I stopped on a further 2 occasions, but refused to walk.Somehow I made it to the top and collapsed clasping my medal after 10 and 15 minutes. I later learnt that it was 39 degrees on the climb and 3000 out of 8500 people did not finish. It was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever done – the London Marathon was a walk in the park in comparison.

Just about recovered now following a long coach journey back yesterday. Got in at about 1am and dragged myself into work this morning, but have an easy day so can’t complain.

Despite all the pain and suffering it was a fanstastic experience, although I am in no hurry to repeat it at present! I can’t wait to watch the Tour ride it next week, although after that I am more convinced than ever they are all doping.

Micheal Dunne

Gladys Joy Purdy, the Willesden CC’s ace Time Trial reporter has just filed her report

“On Saturday Chris”Jumbo” James rode his first Open 10 of the season on the eve of his 60th birthday and recorded 26.59 in the West London C.A. 10 at Maidenhead. Gill Reynolds was out of the medals this time although she returned in 25.31 and was the fastest lady vet on Standard.

Ron Purdy recorded an identical time as last week with 29.46.
Today (Sunday 9th July 2006) the West London Combine held a 50 mile event on the Amersham Road and the lone rider for the Willesden was Mel Kirkland, who in spite of the rain, returned in 2.22.36.

Chris celebrated his birthday early by getting to the start of the 50 and pushing off the riders before returning home for his party. I can tell you it was chilly as well as wet at 7.30a.m. this morning as Ron and I were marshalling in the 50!”

Further to Gladys’s report, Willesden CC’s Audax men Mel Kirkland, Martin Lucas and Gavin Gilbert will be taking part in the Mersey Road 24 Hour Time Trial over 22/23 July 06. Willesden CC coach Simon Doughty will be their Director Sportif, so they are in very capable and experienced hands.

What’s your favourite cycling quote?

“Pain is a big fat creature riding on your back. The farther you ride, the heavier he feels. The faster you spin, the tighter he squeezes your chest. The steeper the climb, the deeper he digs his jagged, sharp, claws into your muscles.” Scott Martin

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous,\nwhen hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, January 18, 1896

“If you want to, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

“I won! I won! I don’t have to go to school anymore.” — Eddy Merckx, after winning his first bike race
“All bikes are equal. Some have better engines”.

“Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.” – Grant Peterson

“Tequila tonight….tomorrow we ride!

“There is something uncanny in the noiseless rush of the cyclist, as he comes into view, passes by, and disappears.”–Popular Science, 1891

“Ride lots.” Eddy Merckx

“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair or the future of the human race.” – H.G. Wells

“There is more to life than increasing it’s speed.” — Ghandi (a life-long cyclist)

“Cycling may not add days to your life but it WILL add life to your days!”

“It never gets easier, you just go faster” Greg Lemond

“I picked my head up during an interval and saw an enormous ostrich zigzagging in the road. I swung wide to get by – and just as I did he started chasing me. These guys can motor. I had to sprint to drop him.” — Tyler Hamilton

“I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn’t it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft… As for me, give me a fixed gear!” — Henri Desgrange

“France could be invaded by Mars, but if it happened during the Tour df, nobody would notice”

“There’s someone in my socks”

“Absolutely unbelievable!” Frequently heard from Paul Sherwin

“Every time I ride, I become more machine and my bike becomes more human. I am the fuel my bike burns to run” – Author unknown

“Ride up grades – don’t buy upgrades.”

“I relax by taking my bicycle apart and putting it back together again.” Michelle Pfeiffer

“The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.” — Ann Strong, Minneapolis Tribune, 1895

“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” – John F. Kennedy

“Eat before you are hungry.Drink before you are thirsty.Rest before you are tired.Cover up before you are cold.Peel off before you are hot.Don’t drink or smoke on tour.Never ride just to prove yourself.”Paul de Vivie, aka Velocio

And then there is the unique David Duffield ……

“The mountains look black and white. The white is snow because the snow is still up in the sky.”

“This is not for the lads back there who have any problems with their ticker-tockers!”

“If I wasn’t grey already, I’d go even greyer.”

“He’s ridden himself into the cobbles.”

“He crashed out through injury.”

“It could be all over bar the shouting, or until the fat lady sings.”

“And the streaker gets his organs caught and thrown out of the finishing straight! He nearly won by a short head!”

“2, 4, 10, 20: there must be 100 photographers here on the line!”

“Air-conditioning wasn’t invented when they built that hotel in 1821 – no, I’m exaggerating!” (describing a hot night passed in a beautiful old hotel).

“There’s nothing but huge sparse bits of green up there.”

“My French colleagues are going absolutely over the moon because this is the moonscape!”

“err….arghhhh….eh?”

and finally my personal favourite..

“He looks like the rough end of a rag and bone man’s trumpet” on seeing a exhausted rider

An Audax arrow is a team ride that can start anywhere in the UK, but finishes in York. The aim is to see how many kilometres you can rack up in 24 hours. Willesden CC’s Martin Lucas and Mel Kirkland were joined by Steve Abraham last week end for the Summer Arrow. Here’s Martin’s update on their adventure –

“Completed a summer arrow with Mel and Steve Abraham over the weekend on a near repeat of the easter arrow route. We settled for 506 km in the end, made King’s Lynn at 245 km in 9 hours and decided during the night that we didn’t fancy/couldn’t be bothered to push towards the upper limit on distance (575 km). We found a nice comfortable bank lobby in Beverley @ 434 km to rest in and then had a steady ride to York via Howden. Mel had some luverly go faster campag wheels but the speeding bullet style was slightly hindered when his tribars fell off on the way to King’s Lynn (a nice fatigue failure). Steve rode very impressively on his 80″ gear. I tagged along behind them! Lots of cyclists in York for the CTC rally. Martin”

The WCC Road race and spectacular is now set for 20th August 2006.

Newbie WCC organiser, Jon Johnson, is putting a lot of effort in to attracting a top class field for this event. He will need a good number of marshals for this event so can you volunteer your services asap via the WCC email link willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk.

Not only will you be helping make this event a success but you get to wear a dorky tabard and eat free cake afterwards.

Michael Dunne joined the WCC earlier this year to train for the Etape. He has not had much previous cycling experience and has made remarkable progress. Last week he was featured by Charlie Chute in the Willesden & Brent Times. Here’s Charlie’s report

The world’s top professional cyclists struggle to make it round the Tour de France, so what chance does a schoolteacher have? Michael Dunne hopes to ride a 117-mile course starting at Gap, in south west France, climbing three gruelling mountain passes, and finishing on the summit of Alpe d’ Huez.

The 33-year-old is participating the Etape du Tour on July 10, which is a replica of stage 15 in this year’s Tour de France. He will ride with about 8,500 amateur cyclists from around the world. Michael, a transition teacher at St Mary’s RC Primary School, Canterbury Road, Kilburn, said: “I have always been a fan of the Tour de France and after running the Flora London Marathon last year I was looking for a new challenge.

To sponsor Michael visit www justgiving.com/michaeldunne.

http://www.bikereader.com/contributors/Levermore/roadlife.html has an amusing analysis of the various species we share the road with.

Today’s club run to Wendover Woods proved to be a scorcher, both in pace and in temperature.

At Denham some 25 riders gathered for the club run including a few newbies. The group broke up into two groups, with the slower group getting to the excellent café stop first!

The café was built during the winter and has only recently opened. I enjoyed one of the best bacon sarnies I have ever had on a club run. So I am already salivating at the prospect of returning. Service was a little unsure but attentive, but to be fair they were suddenly descended upon by two dozen hungry and very thirsty bikers
After an hour or so basking in the sun we headed back to Denham at an impressive pace. Despite this the group held together well and only split in the last five miles following a vary dramatic puncture. The p*ncture fairy’s intended victim was Willesden newbie, Richard, whose suddenly deflated rear tyre slewed his bike in a most alarming manner. Thankfully he ground to a halt, still in the vertical position.

Can’t have put him off too much as he said he will be back!

The following cycling story was featured on Radio 4’s Home Truths programme yesterday morning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hometruths/20060612_cycling2.shtml

Seasoned Audaxers and Willesden ledgends, Karl Hrouda (above) and Jack Eason (right)set off for Sicily today to take part in the 1000km Audax. This event is run every two years and follows the coast road around the island.



This year the route takes them the scenic way to avoid the traffic chaos in Catania…..it goes up Etna!! Jack and Karl joined the rest of the Willeseden on the same event in 2004. However they had to pack at the half way point as they ran out of time.

Karl was recently featured in the local paper, the article was as follows

“CYCLING 1,200km in 90 hours and rolling across the finishing line with four broken ribs is an impressive feat for any athlete – let alone a 76-year-old grandad. Long-distance cycling specialist Karl Hrouda is not the sort to let a little crash get in his way.

He is preparing for a 1,000km ride around Sicily, despite being knocked unconscious by a car just a month ago. He was cycling to Cambridge to visit his son, when he stopped at a junction. Karl said: “How it happened, I do not know. I do not remember it. I was knocked out until the ambulance arrived, possibly up to 20 minutes.” He suffered cuts to his head and legs and most of his upper teeth were knocked out, making it hard to talk. But Karl is determined to fly to the Mafia’s homeland, on June 11, to compete in its ultra cycling event.

He said: “I am gradually recovering. I am definitely going to go to Sicily, and should be OK by the time I get there.” Karl will be joined by his cycling partner, Jack Eason, an 80-year-old, who helped ease him back into the saddle last week, with an `easy 300km training ride’ to Somerset and back.

Karl and Jack, who are members of the Willesden Cycling Club, will have 75 hours to complete a circuit of the Mediterranean’s largest island when the race begins at 8am on June 13.

Karl said: “We will have to average a minimum of 13.6 kmh to finish in time. Hopefully, we can go a bit faster than that to give us time to grab some food a little kip.” He knows it’s important to get some rest during ultra events all too well. He is one of only three Britons to complete long-distance cycling’s blue ribbon event, the Paris-Brest-Paris, six times.The 1,200km race from the French capital to the coast of Brittany and back again is run every four years.

Karl finished in every event since 1983. It was lam on the final day when Karl crashed in 2003, 100km from Paris. He said: “I had’t slept enough and crashed, but I got up and finished just inside the 90-hour limit. Only later I found out I fractured four ribs in the fall. I suppose it was quite an achievement to finish in that condition.”

Karl, who took up cycling in his 50s, does not plan to stop any time soon.He said: “If I was sat in an armchair every day watching TV, then I would not have the same fitness level. Cycling has its downsides and accidents do happen. But overall, it has been great to me.”I lost my wife last year and I have been depressed, but the cycling kept me going. We have not got that many years to do this, so while we still can, let’s get on with it.”

Forza Giacamo and Carlo!

See http://www.sicilianostop.it/

Sunday Club Rides

June – July 2006

L= Long ride – circa 50 miles – Average 14-15 mph
S=Short ride – Circa 25 miles gentle pace

11 June
L – Wendover Woods

18 June
L – Marsworth

25 June
L – Henley-on-Thames
S – John Morris Charity ride – Starting Fulmer (Donantion required)

02 July
L – California Country Park

09 July
L – Leighton Buzzard – Pages park

16 July
L – West Wycombe Garden Centre

23 July
L – Aldbury

30 July
L – Wokingham Holme Grange
S – Maidenhead


Important information:
All club runs start from Oxford Road, Denham (outside Shane’s Garden Centre) at 9.30 AM.

We recommend that you wear a hard shell helmet, in the interests of safety.

In bad weather please use a bike with mudguards and a rear mud-flap to help keep you and other riders clean.