Hi folks
A friendly reminder that our Pub Run will be next Thursday, 19 November. Hope to see you there! Full details below.
🙂
CZ x
Event: Pub Run
Date: Thurs 19 November 2015
Time: 8:00pm onwards
Venue: Coach and Horses Pub, 1 High Road, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8LJ
Enquiries:Â social@willesdencyclingclub.org.uk
The Andy Mears Octet with vocalist Matt Walker, trumpet star Enrico Tomasso, and Syd Lawrence tenor saxophonist Mike Hope will be celebrating the music and life of Frank Sinatra on what would have been his 100th Birthday.
Venue: Â Â Ickenham Village Hall, 33 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, UB10 8DG
Date: Â Â Â Saturday 12 December 2015, Doors open 7.45 p.m.
Tickets: Â ÂŁ15.00 are available from Prop Music International, Swakeleys Road UB10 8DF,
or on the door on the night, or at www.tootsmusicmanagement.co.uk/news-events
or by contacting Wendy and Jim Mears if you would like tickets.
A selection of hot and cold snacks are included in the price
Licensed bar serving excellently priced beers, wines, and soft drinks
Here are a few photos from Derek Reynolds with Gill competing in the rttc,can you spot a
world champion?
The WCC race season finished on the 31st of October so it is time to return your trophies won in 2014. Â Return them to Jim Mears at the club meeting on Friday the 6th of November but please no later than the AGM on the 6th of December.
Please contact me to make arrangements for collection if you cannot make these meetings. email: james.mearswcc@btinternet.com or telephone: 01494 862 372.
To determine the trophy winners for 2015  please send your results to,    james.mearswcc@btinternet.com.
Information required would be total points acquired between 1/11/14 and 31/10/15Â for road racing or audax. Â For time trials send the fastest times ridden with date and the course. Â If you have ridden sportives, mountain bike events, or have taken on any epic cycling adventures this year please let me know. If you are under 18 please let me know your age and date of birth to determine which category you will be in.
Who might be up for ‘Mug of the Year’, please send in a suggestions with details.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Jim
Monthly meeting to be held in the Club House of Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Minet Park this Friday 6 November at 8.00 p.m.
Please come along to the meeting to air your views and present positive ideas towards the growth and running of your cycling club.Â
STOP PRESS: Â Don’t forget, cycling on the track from 5.30pm and Turbo at 7.00pm (sharp). Bring lights for the track and turbo, bike etc for the turbo session. Ray Kelly
Here is what members have been up to over the last few months.
Last weekend Hannah Gunn, Rebecca Pressner, Simon & Mark Passey and Sam Grant went all the way down to Plymouth to take part in the Bontrager Twentyfour 12 mountain bike race as a
mixed team raising ÂŁ1,186 for the British Heart Foundation in memory of Brian
Wright, who as President and Coach of the Hillingdon Slipstreamers and Chairman
of Willesden CC inspired them to ride and are now undertaking coaching
exams.
Gill Reynolds maintains her award winning ways when she won the age
group award in the CTT Championship 25 held on a hilly course near Buntngford in
Essex recording 1.19.35.
On Tuesday night at Hillingdon in the BC West Thames event Daryl Lusardi took
21st place, Connor Woodford 25th and Sam Grant 32nd.
On Thursday afternoon in the London & Home Counties VTTA 10 Gill Reynolds added another medal to her collection taking the 3rd on Standard award with an Time of 25.57
Jayne Paine was at Reading Track on Saturday riding in the Women’s Omnium. She won the 2km pursuit, was 5th in the 500m time trial, 8th in the sprints and 10th in the points race.
Gill Reynolds recorded 1.07.26 in the Hampshire Road Club 25 mile time trial also on Saturday.
This weekend was the start of the Paris/Brest /Paris event which is only run every four years.
Several of our members are taking part and Stuart Birnie has already covered 449km of the 1200km since leaving Paris on Sunday afternoon.
This week our Audax riders have been in action. On Wednesday 13 members took part in the 110 km event from Boulters Lock
All 12 riders who tackled the Paris/Brest/Paris succeeded in completing the 1230km in the time allowance of 90hours.
Martin Lucas 58.56
Stuart Birnie 69.20
Richard Jennings 76.51
Jane Moore and Mark Brooking (on a tandem trike) 83.19
Peter Turnbull 84.22
Mel Kirkland 86.46
Andrew Deaner 86.48
Jocelyn Chapell 87.04
Marcus Jackson Baker 87.18
Ray Kelly 89.24
Akiko Kawchi 89 35.
Gill Reynolds rode in the EECA Vets 10. Mile event recording 25.07 finishing in 9th place from a field of 50.
Yesterday disaster struck the club run! On their way back from Aylesbury the heavens opened and although they took shelter under some trees they arrived in Chesham to find it flooded and they all came back by train.
Our club championships were held at Welwyn Track yesterday. Results as follows.
Jayne Paine (Ladies), Connor Woodford (Men’s), Darryl Lusardi (Youths), Lucie Woodford (Girls) and Josh Copley (boys)
Yesterday the club was organising the annual John Walker and Dulcie Walker road races at Little Milton in Oxfordshire. The Dulcie Walker for 3rd and 4t category riders was held in the morning and was won by Luke Souter from Shutt Velo. The John Walker for Elite and 1st and 2nd cats which covered 85 kilometres was won by Tristan Robbins from Madison Genesis.
Last weekend saw Rich Cooper taking part in the 12:12 Torq in your sleep mountain bike event at Minley Manor and in spite of an early puncture the team he was in “scrambled Legs” finished in 16th place. It also was the debut of his son Bradley, aged 2 as he completed the 1km on his balance bike to gain a medal and a chocolate bar.
Gill Reynolds gained another 1st lady prize in the Bozzard Wheelers 10 mile time trial recording 25.11. Brian Moon also rode returning in 29.18.
Sixteen years old Josh Copley riding in the GHS Final finished in 11th place in the country when he rode the 10 mile time trial in 21.46. He also lowered the club’s Junior 10 record which he established last year.
Gill Reynolds was very active In the Charlotteville 10 returning in 25.26 she took the fastest lady vet and the 3rd fastest lady prizes. Brian Moon also rode finishing in 29.58.
On Saturday in the East Anglian Vets Association, on a very windy day and with a field of 150 entries, Gill’s time of 26.28 gave her the 4th fastest lady vet award.
Rich Cooper riding in British Cycling’s Rampage XCSeries race 1 at Checkedon in the Vets 40+ category took 14th place gaining 7 points on his racing licence.
Jayne Paine rode in the National Womens’ track Omnium at Stratford on Saturday finishing 2nd overall. She took 1st place in the Scratch Race, 2nd in the Points Race, 3rd in the 2000m individual pursuit, 5th in the Keirin and 6th in the 500m time trial. She is hoping to ride the World Masters in October.
Gill Reynolds recorded 25.18 to gain 3rd fastest lady in the Northampshire 10 TT at Bedford on Saturday and then rode at Marlow in the Westerley C C 25,on a foggy and chilly morning,to finish in 1.6.59 to be the 4th fastest lady and to gain the London and Home Counties lady vets age record.
Abdul Wasay made his debut to time trialling when he finished in 30.29 in the West London Combine 10 mile TT on the Amersham Road course.
Jayne Paine won the 2000m individual pursuit in the 50/54 category at the World Masters Championships at Manchester on Sunday with a time of 2.36.068. She now can wear the rainbow jersey!
Stuart Birnie set a new club record when riding in the Leo R.C. 30 mile event on Saturday. His time of 1.00.47 beat the previous record by over 4 minutes.
The trikes were also out this weekend. In the Eastern section of the Tricycle Association event Mark Brooking took 2nd place and 1st handicap with a ride of 1.22.21 and Jane Moore was 3rd in 1.23.29
Gill Reynolds finished off her time trialling season with yet another medal winning ride. In the RTTC National Circuit Championships at Thruxton she covered the 5 laps of the track,a distance of 11.7 miles, in 30.31to win her age group award.
Rich Cooper did not have such a good result in the Night of the Knobbly Tread,a mountain bike event organised by the West Drayton Mountain Bike Club at Black Park. He was in 4th place on the first lap but then hit a tree stump,broke a spoke and couldn’t continue.
A short digest of the club’s activities for the last few months compiled from posts on the Blog and Facebook. I hope you find it interesting.
Vyv Baker
Earlier this year Gerry McManus had a great spring training week at a bike hotel in Riccione on the Italian Adriatic Coast. He had such a good time that he intends to return for the week of 23rd to 30th April in 2016 and he is throwing open an invitation to all his Willesden CC clubmates to join him.
Gerry will co-ordinate the bookings with the Hotel, but you will need to arrange your own travel out there, either by plane, car, train or even possibly ……by bike!!??
Hotel Details
The hotel is called the “Gambrinus” and for the past 14 years it has run early season training camps along the lines of those in Majorca and also other hotels in Italy.
The hotel is rated as a 3 Star and is close to the sea front in Riccione (see map below).
The Rooms
There are three kinds of rooms available, Olympia, Sport Quality and Family suite.
The “Olympia” rooms are situated at the front of the hotel. They are more spacious and have been recently renewed.
The “Sport Quality” rooms are situated mainly at the sides and rear of the Hotel.
The “Family-Suite” is made up of two rooms with sliding doors and a bathroom with bath. One room is bigger and has a double bed, the other one has two sofa-beds.
All rooms have direct-dial telephone, SAT-TV, independent air conditioning system, a safe, hair-dryer, private balcony, bathroom with shower-box or bath.
The prices below include a 5% discount if we book early and are per day, per person and on a SUPER HALF-BOARD basis. The SUPER HALF-BOARD includes:
The buffet breakfast is served on the veranda. There is a choice of three evening menus with fish dishes every day and a generous buffet of starters.
The hotel is air-conditioned throughout and also has a garden.
Olympia double room – €52.25 pppd
Sport Quality double room – €48.00 pppd
Single room – €57.95 pppd
Included in the above prices is :
1. Free transfer from Riccione railway station to Hotel Gambrinus.
2.  Romagna wine and water served with dinner; water served with the “Big Snack”.
3. A special dinner with fine wines tasting.
4. Free admission to the municipal Olympic swimming-pools (covered and open air).
5. Access to all the facilities of a Fitness centre (sauna, Turkish bath, Technogym equipment).
6. Exclusive Cycling Guides (for road and MTB) will accompany us during our rides out into the Romagna countryside. Guiding is available six days a week (except Saturday). The cycling groups differ in their speed and in the length of the routes to suit all levels.
7. Laundry service for your cycling clothes.
8. Secure and equipped bike store room.
9. Garden area for bike washing and repairs.
10. A Welcome Drink with information on the weekly programme (every Saturday at 19h00).
11. Brochures for the cycling routes and small maps.
12. Arrangements with a workshop and with a specialized shop in repairing bikes.
13. Internet point and Free WiFi.
14. City-bicycles for guests use locally.
15. A beach cabin (100 mt. from our Hotel).
16. Free parking in the Hotel’s car park.
ON REQUEST (for an extra charge):
1. A physiotherapist for sports or relaxing massages in the hotel.
2. A meal at the Country Holiday Farm during one of your daily rides.
Tourist Tax is not included in the above prices
It amounts to €1.50 per person, per overnight stay, for a maximum of 7 overnight stays. Children under 14 years of age are exempt. The tax is to paid in cash.
Cycle Hire
The Hotel Gambrius is offering us a 50% discount on the hire of their Fondriest Carbon bikes. The discounted price is €49.00.  All are equipped with Compact crank set 50/34 front and 11/28 cassette. All them have a basic computer and a puncture repair kit.
Cycle Guides
The Gambrius has four guides to cater for all levels of cyclist. They all have an in-depth knowledge of the routes of the beautiful roads of Romagna and Marche. The Guides are –
Lucca
A professional cyclist from 2005 to 2010 with team Acqua e Sapone. For the  last three years he has provided guests with all the training expertise that you can expect from a former professional.
Paolo
Both a cycle guide and singer! He has been a cornerstone of the Gambrinus for some time. When not cycling Paolo plays the guitar and apparently has an amazing voice.
Ivan
Both a cycle guide and dancer! He is one of the most experienced guides. Ivan can lead groups of all levels. All without neglecting his other profession as a dancer.
Roberto
Roberto is my kind of guide! He is the darling of cyclists who do not have to rush, who want to take pictures and find out more about the the medieval villages his routes will take you too. Roberto is also a lover of mountain biking
Hotel Gambruis guides with Maurizio Fondriest (in centre)
Getting there
The nearest Airports are either Bologna or Ancona (Ryanair).
From Bologna Airport
Bologna airport is served by Easyjet, Alitalia, British Airways and Ryanair. You will need to get the shuttle bus from the Airport to Bologna Station, this will cost €6 and take about 20mins. From Bologna station you will need take a train to Riccione, about 80-90mins, costing between €9.00 and €15.00 depending on the train service.
The Hotel Gambrius will pick you up from Riccione station for free.
From Ancona Airport
Ancona airport is approximately 12 km (6 NM) west of Ancona. It is served from the UK (Stansted) by Ryanair. There is an hourly bus service (7.45 to 23:15 Mon to Saturday. Limited service on Sunday). Alternatively take a taxi transfer to the station (about 20 minutes, cost unknown). From Ancona station the train trip to Riccione is about 50-70 minutes and cost is between €5.90 and €11.00 (depending on train service).
The Hotel Gambrius will pick you up from the Riccione station for free.
For further information contact Gerry on  gerry@gerrymcmanus.co.uk
This year’s Willesden Cycling Club AGM is on Sunday 6 December 2015 to be held at Ickenham Guide Hut, Community Close, Ickenham, UB10 8RE starting at 2.30 p.m.  All members are welcome to come along and have their say.
If you would like Alterations and/or Additions to the Rules and Handbook then please submit to me in writing by Thursday 5 November latest mears.wendy@btinternet.com.  I can then include on the AGM Agenda which will sent out to all members before the AGM.
Can officers send me a written report for the year 2014/2015 so that I can also include with the Agenda to be posted to all members, otherwise you will have to give a verbal report at the AGM.
Hi folks
A friendly reminder that our Pub Run will be next Thursday, 15 October. Hope to see you there! Full details below.
🙂
CZ x
Event: Pub Run
Date: Thurs 15 October 2015
Time: 8:00pm onwards
Venue: Coach and Horses Pub, 1 High Road, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8LJ
Enquiries:Â social@willesdencyclingclub.org.uk
The Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony combines a fabulous night of fine dining and with a celebration of the club’s achievements made throughout 2015! Please find below full details about the event.
All members should receive a formal invitation by post over the coming weeks. If you do not receive this, then please contact social@willesdencyclingclub.org.uk to check your details.
Jayne Paine World Masters Pursuit Champion!
How does that sound!!
Jayne secured her World Masters Gold Medal at Manchester on Sunday afternoon. She has another three events over this coming week, so more medals will hopefully come her way. Jayne has really put in lots of hard miles for this week and fully deserves the fantastic start to the week.
To see the podium presentation click below
To see the race for the Gold and Silver unfold then click below – it’s a bit of a nail biter!!!
Monthly meeting to be held in the Club House of Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Minet Park this Friday 2 October at 8.00 p.m. after training.
Once again, we welcome club members to come along to the meeting.  You can then air your views and present positive ideas towards the growth and running of your cycling club.  Please come along and support your club.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce your latest club runs list. Please give this list a warm welcome, and make sure you come out on a club run soon.
The 2015 WCC competition season ends on  31st October when it will be time to claim your trophy.  If you have been taking part in one or more events, ie road, track, time trials or audax etc. please submit your results to james.mearswcc@btinternet.com.
A list of trophies to be won can be found on the Willesden web page under “ABOUT -TROPHIES”.  The more information that can be provided the better! Information from the secretaries would also be helpful.
Please submit your results by 15th November so that the 2015 trophy list can be compiled and agreed upon.  I can then start work on getting trophies engraved and medals made.
Jim Mears – Trophy Secretary
Hi folks
A friendly reminder that our Pub Run will be next Thursday, 17 September. Hope to see you there! Full details below.
🙂
CZ x
Event: Pub Run
Date: Thurs 17 September 2015
Time: 8:00pm onwards
Venue: Coach and Horses Pub, 1 High Road, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8LJ
Enquiries:Â social@willesdencyclingclub.org.uk
Report by Phil O’Connor (Digital Keystone / Shutt VR Racing Team)
Photos: John Wheatley (Flickr)
Marshalling is such fun
After it looked like summer had deserted us early this year, riders arriving at Little Milton village hall this weekend were treated to a perfect day for racing. Dry roads, clear skies, light winds and cool temperatures made for a good atmosphere as the riders signed on and made their final preparations. I love this part of the day, the inevitable pre-race butterflies always fade away as I pin on my number, get organised, warmed up and share a joke or two with friends and strangers.
Digital Keystone Shutt Velo Rapide had 3 riders in this race (Luke Souter, Timb Hiscocks and myself). The race was organised very well by Willesden CC in honour of former characters in their club history and there was a notably warm friendly atmosphere about the place. The route was just under 4 laps of a 25km circuit with flat or rolling roads apart from Claire Hill. While this isn’t a very challenging climb, it is the only decent lump on the profile so you do need to manage your effort carefully on it. I came 13th in my very first road race on this circuit back in April so had a half-baked plan I hoped to put into action. Luke also had an idea about where and when the opportunity for a result might come, so we began with something akin to a team strategy.
The race began at a fairly easy pace as riders warmed up in the still chilly morning. A couple of early solo attacks off the front were brought back without any great effort and the race settled down before tackling Claire Hill for the first time without any drama. As we began the second lap a few comments and jokes about the pace started bouncing around the bunch. I noticed that no-one on the front is ever complaining it’s too slow, only those free-wheeling in the bunch! An injection of pace on the second descent from Claire Hill finally got things moving and strung out. Eventually a solo rider went off the front and established a decent gap. There didn’t seem much appetite for work in the bunch and just when it looked like he might get away Luke went up and put in a big effort to bring him back. I was holding station toward the front and focussing on positioning myself well around the lap. My plan meant saving as much as I could for the end and I was able to use my knowledge of the course from April (and the Met Office weather app!) to stay out of the wind and keep as fresh as possible. Timb was also up the front of the pack for most of the race, doing a few turns and looking comfortable.
After the third time over the hill another solo rider managed to get away and built up a solid lead. With about 20km left the lead car pulled in behind him and I started to wonder if we were all going to be sprinting for 2nd as he was looking strong. No-one in the pack seemed to want to chase however all his efforts were for nothing as some farm traffic had blocked the road as we came into Little Milton village and the race had to be neutralised. Lots of sympathy for the loan rider who looked pretty down-heartened as we all regrouped behind the lead car. And so onto the last climb of Claire Hill and a small split at the front of the bunch with 5 riders, including Luke pulling clear. It looked like they might get organised so I put pushed my way through and put in an effort to get across the gap. No-one came with me and the 6 of us were off down the hill. With 10km left I didn’t expect us to stay away but I thought that it’s better to be up front on these narrow lanes as everyone starts to get nervous in the run-in. In any case, just as we were picking up speed we turned a corner to see yet another huge piece of farm machinery blocking the road and moving at walking pace. This time the race was stopped as the road ahead was cleared. Everyone together again and waiting in the sun for quite a long pause. Certainly long enough to feel the dreaded café-legs when we got going again.
With everyone bunched up and well-rested it looked like a big sprint was inevitable – but I had other ideas. I’d spent the race picking the spot to go, working out how far it was from the line and the landmarks that would be the cue to attack. The most important thing now was staying near the front without expending too much energy and not getting boxed in. I’d learned a lot from my race here in April and this time I stayed away from the roadside and managed to jump onto the right wheels as riders came up from the back. Then the rider in front of me pulled across and it was time to go. I jumped clear with everything I had and got what seemed like a big gap with 800m to go, Swinging to the right to get as much shelter as I could from the trees I sneaked another peek back as I neared the top of the climb – big mistake as I nearly lost it riding into the gutter! Heart in mouth time but I got it back on the road and pushed hard to keep my speed up. The bunch were gaining but not massively and I turned to focus on the line (and keep it on the road!). I shouldn’t have looked back again but couldn’t resist and saw two riders bearing down on me and the bunch spread across the road not far behind them. Please don’t let me be swamped by them! The first rider caught me with 30m to go and my disappointment evaporated when I saw it was Luke, with 3 or 4 bike lengths on the other chaser. A shout of encouragement to each other as he passed gave me the extra lift needed to hold on to the effort and finish in 3rd, around 10m ahead of the sprinting pack.
My best result in a road race so far and it felt great to be part of a strong team result. Congratulations to Luke for his second road race win of the season. He picked his moment perfectly and hopefully the points won will help put him back where he belongs next season, racing as a Cat2.
