By Martin Lucas

The 13th edition of the Willesden CC organised Nyctophobic 100 km and Anfractuous 200 km audax events starting from Chalfont St Peter took place on 14th October. Good autumn weather had been requested and duly delivered for the events with over 90 riders enjoying the autumn colours and quiet roads. As usual on audax events there was good cross section of bikes from lightweight carbon frames to tourers and a few fixed wheel machines, plus a tandem and a fast looking recumbent.

The Willesden’s commitment to laying on great audax events has been recognised by Audax UK.  The Squadra Verde has won the Organisers’ Award for 2017 which goes to the club which is responsible for the most rider points. Simply put, more people rode further thanks to the Willesden last year than with any other club!

The award is based on the number of points earned by riders on events organised by a club.  A 200km ride – the minimum distance for this award – gives 2 points per rider, 3 points for a 300km ride and so on. Willesden has a regular program of 2, 3, 400km events from which it has accumulated 1,489 points over the season.  Second place was taken by Audax Club Mid Essex, with 1,475 points and BlackSheep CC, who organise a string of 200km events in Tewkesbury were third.

The news will come as no surprise to followers of the long distance scene.  For many years Willesden’s popular Willy Warmer 200km and 3Down 300km events which run in the Spring, and the Autumn Anfractuous events have attracted  strong fields. Members have added new events to the Audax Calendar such as the London Ditchling Devil 200km organised by Paul Stewart and a revitalised 7Across – now known as the London Wales London 400km – organised by Liam FitzPatrick. With a regular field of 350+ riders, the London Ditchling Devil is the largest Brevet Randonneur (200km+) event in the AUK Calendar, and with 150 riders already signed up for 2018, London Wales London has joined an elite group of Audax events with a waiting list!  Anne Mograby and Ian Oliver also run 50k and 100k Brevet Populaire  events from Maidenhead. These popular shorter events attract a steady flow of riders, many of who go on to ride longer events.

Audax riding is undergoing something of a renaissance and is appealing to a new generation of cyclists. In particular it is winning-over riders from sportives who are looking for a more sociable challenge.  The fact that events are run by volunteers who give up considerable time planning, marketing and organising rides adds to the appeal.

The Trophy will be presented at the AUK Annual Reunion in November and Willesden organiser Paul Stewart will be on hand to raise the cup for the Club.

The following message came from John Jones, the Central Region Treasurer via Jayne Payne:

“I have always been interested in the activities of the Willesden, in my young days Paul (Digger) Baulch was one of the countries top time triallists, I think he was second the day Ray Booty first broke 4 hours.  But my best memory of Paul is standing in a group of other cyclists in a field at the finish in Pangbourne Lane and someone asked him how he recovered after a 12.  He said, go and see my Doctor, he will see I am fatigued and will sign me off work for a week!  I often thought of that comment when I finished a 12 but always went to work the next day.   The other good Willesden rider of the time was John Blunsden.”

It is always lovely to receive these anecdotes of our past members.

The following email was sent to us and anyone in the club are welcome to attend:

The Regional Board and Committee warmly welcome you to join us on the 14th Sept at the Hillingdon Circuit from 1900 until 2200 (approximately) for the 2017 AGM.

Agenda to be finalised shortly, but in this meeting we will be voting for the Board, Committee and National Council members who will represent the region at the British Cycling National level; a great opportunity to see how the process works and to meet the team!

All are welcome so please pass to your club members.

Kind regards,

Martin Merryweather

General Secretary, Central Region

Martin Lucas requires some help on the October Audaxes – Saturday 14 October.

There are volunteers to help with route checking and the morning start but assistance in the evening would be very welcome, so if anyone can spare a couple of hours between 18:00 and 20:00 please contact Martin Lucas on 07981 810657.

WIllesden October Audaxes

Saturday 14th October brings the start of the new Audax season, kicking off with the Nyctophobic 100km and Anfractuous 200km from ride HQ at Chalfont St Peter near Denham with wooded Chiltern lanes and rolling downs galore.

The routes head west to the Waterside Café at Benson via Christmas Common, then whilst the Nyctophobic turns for home the Anfractuous heads west to the rolling downland of Wantage and Lambourn before heading home. In fact there are two versions of the Anfractuous, the regular route and an extended and officially hilly AAAnfractuous.

Full details and online entry, available to everybody via the Audax UK website.

Anne Mograby, with the help of Mick Hill and John Tipping put on a very enjoyable ride last week, along with the weather.

“Wednesday, August 16th was a dry and mostly sunny day, unlike the previous Wednesday, so all looked good for Riverside to Riverside Audax ride from Maidenhead to Benson.    47 riders set off from Jenner’s cafe, which was great for a mid week event.   All but one finished well within the time allowed.

Good to see a dozen or so Willesden members riding the event.  A big thank you to Annie and Ian Birch who persuaded some Hillingdon Triathletes to forgo running and swimming and stay on the bike.  Thanks also to Graham Haysom for persuading several of the Redhill CC to join us.    Anne Mograby”

Thanks Anne, Mick and John for once again organising such a brilliant day.

REMINDERS FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS HAPPENING THIS COMING WEEK

Riverside to Riverside Ride – Wednesday 16th August  and

Willesden Fun Day – Sunday 20 August.

Details below

Riverside to Riverside Ride – Wednesday 16th August

WILLESDEN FUN DAY – SUNDAY 20 AUGUST