2013 Hounslow & District Wheelers 100 – 100mi TT on the A31

Hippy bags a 4:01:07 in his latest 100 miles TT,  knocking a mere 17 minutes off his PB. Here is a copy of a posting on his blog (http://bit.ly/11t9d6M )

2013 Hounslow & District Wheelers 100 – 100mi TT on the A31

A whole 17 minutes knocked off my 100 mile TT PB and about bloody time too! Still not quite under 4 hours for this distance but given this ride I know it’s doable.
I was the second last rider off, just before last year’s winner Adam Topham (he did a 3:37 last year!) so I was expecting to be caught quickly and Tops didn’t disappoint, riding past me yelling encouragement after only 10 minutes. Thanks for the yell, Tops. He was the eventual winner, riding a 3:41, on a borrowed bike after an accident on his own some weeks earlier!

After last week’s Norfolk 100 where I missed second place by 1 second to Westerley’s Andy Halliday, this race was going to be an interesting grudge match. Andy was off just 2 minutes before me! I wasn’t going to worry about it though as all I had to deal with was pacing and ensuring nothing hurt too much like last year’s glute problem. I think it was 45 minutes in and I caught Andy. We high-fived which was a nice tough and then I carried on, keeping a sharp eye on my power meter to ensure I didn’t blow up and crumble like I did in the Norfolk 100.

I was baulked a few times at the top roundabout – once by some bikers and another time by a stream of cars. Coming to a track-stand mid-race sucks! I tried not to let it phase me as every time I get angry my pacing goes out the window. I was on track for a sub-4hr ride each time I checked my computer so was happy with my pace but I wanted to lift it on the final headwind leg, knowing I’d be all out for the final tailwind leg. The roar from Scherrit and Mal from the other side of the road raised a smile on my dial which was a cool lift. But..

The 100 is still cursed. I knew this as I eeked out the last of my energy and rolled past the finish line. “Why?” You ask. Well, I’d already sat up when someone sitting behind their car said “finished”… only it wasn’t the finish line. I had sprinted for the wrong ‘guy behind a car’ and it wasn’t until I soft-pedalled past the chequered board I realised what I’d done. Angry? Much? I was so freakin’ angry with myself!

Never stop until you see the REAL FINISH LINE!

Anyway after ranting about the brain fail on my part to my team I calmed down a bit and was pretty happy with my new PB. It was roughly where it should be, given my 25 and 50 mile times. Knowing how ‘easy’ most of this race felt to me, relative to the horrible Norfolk ride, at least, it seems pretty clear that on a good day I should be able to do a sub-4hr. So I think I might put the 100s away for a while and focus on 24hr training again.. oh wait.. I’ve entered the Icknield 100 next week. 🙂

Thanks again to Mal and Scherrit for the cheering and flawless handups.

S.B.
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Youth Riders get some great results

Some great results from our Youth Riders last week

Monday 13th at Reading a win for Kye Lewis in the under 10 sprint.

Friday 17th at Welwyn a win for Connor Woodford in the 6 lap under 16’s handicap.

Saturday 18th National Omnium series at Welwyn. Kye Lewis wins the 200m time trial, the sprint and the scratch race and finished 2nd overall in his age catergory.

Saturday 18th National omnium series at Reading. Kirsten Savage wins the 2 lap time trial and finished 4th  overall in her age catergory. Connor Woodford finishes 11th out of 27 in the under 16’s boys catergory.

Monday 20th at Reading Connor Woodford wins under 16’s 10 lap scratch race.

 

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Brompton Urban Challenge

Vyv and Mark took part in the Brompton Urban Challenge yesterday afternoon. They were part of 100+ strong force of  Bromptoneers tasked with getting answers to questions and getting photos of their steeds taken in specific and unusual places.

The event HQ was in the Look Mum No Hands cafe in Old Street. From there they scuttled across to the South Bank, up to Hackney, down to Earls Court, across to Knightsbridge and back to Look Mum’s. There was plenty of practice in curling and uncurling these well thought out machines, and I was pleased to see all returned with their fingers in place.

 

BUC 3

BUC 2 buc4 BUC 1





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Change of date for Club track champs

Due to the Willesden Road Race now being booked for the 1st September I have changed the track champs date to the 8th September start time 10.00 am at Welwyn.

 

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Sky Rides – Advert

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Welwyn track 10th May

Connor Woodford was in the results again for the under 16 races at Welwyn. 3rd in the elimination race. 2nd in the block handicap and 1st in the 6 lap handicap race.

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Local Charity Ride – June 23rd 2013

The Wembley Road Club 30 mile Charity Ride 9.30am sign on at The Plough, Winchmore Hill. Bucks.
In aid of Sue Rider Care Homes and Afasic which is a charity for children with acute speech difficulties.
The Willesden always fields a large squad at these events so please come and join us.
John Morris, the organiser always puts on a great event. You have two stops to look forward to en route.
Lunch at The Huntswood Golf Club and an afternoon stop at The Feathers Public House at Chalfont St Giles before returning to The Plough.
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Song for Jayne

image001 (2)Jayne Paine’s competitor and friend in Australia, Joanne Troutman, has penned the following poem about Jayne on her return to Blighty.

Joanne (or “Trouty” as Jayne calls her) said “She does talk of the club a lot and I love hearing about your annual Fryathalon races. We are so sad to lose her, especially me, but we are hoping she might be back.”
“Anyway – I thought it would show her fun and ever competitive spirit and how much us Aussies will miss her.”

Thanks for that Joanne – you’ve got a place on the Willesden CC’s 2013 running of our internationally famous Fryathlon.

 

“Ode to Jayne” to the tune of “I’m A Believer”.

I thought “Old Girls” were only fast in fairly tales
Speed for other girls, but not for me
Jayne was out to get me (do do do do),that’s the way it seems (do do do do)
Her win’s disappointed all my dreams

Because I saw her race, and she’s an achiever
She’s got some pace, she’ll leave you behind
She’s so fast, ooooo, she’s an achiever, you couldn’t catch her if you tried (guitar riff )

I thought 2nd was more or less a given thing
It seemed the more I raced her, the more I lost
What’s the use in trying (do do do do), cos even when you train (do do do do)
It’s hard to get a victory over Jayne

Because I saw her race, and she’s an achiever
She’s got some pace, she’ll leave you behind
She’s so fast, ooooo, she’s an achiever, you couldn’t catch her if you tried (guitar riff )

Now she leaves us yet again the 3rd time around
Another farewell dinner so it seems
We will all be crying (do do do do), we will all be in pain (do do do do)
As there will be no sunshine without Jayne

We’ll never see her face, now she’s gonna leave us
Not a trace, of the Pom in our minds
She’ll be gone…ooooo, were gonna miss her, she’s gonna leave us far behind
She’s an achiever yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
She’s an achiever

 

Joanne Troutman

 

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Isle of Bright

Last year, it was the Isle of Brown.  This year, people were complaining that the support vehicle had not shown up to stow their arm-warmers away.   24 Willesden and Minet Ladies had descended once again on the Isle of Wight for the annual randonnee.  Enough of us to fill the St Michael’s Hotel, run by Mark Spencer, and the Ocean Deck pub/restaurant, run by Cap’n Birdseye.

Some of this year’s group had not ridden the 100k distance before, and the ride is challenging with numerous climbs and descents.  Every rider finished the course.

Next year we will make sure we get to the Castle Inn by 8.30pm on the Sunday, for the Pub Quiz.  No beer festival there this year, but Max the beermat catching Labrador did put in a late guest appearance.  Which US state is known as the Potato State? That’s £200!

 

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Connor Woodford finishes senior 20k Race

On Monday night at Reading Velodrome Connor rode in the senior 20k race. Although riding on his youth restricted gearing Connor stayed in the main pack despite many senior riders losing contact. After 44 laps of the track Connor finished 10th in the race and first in the under 16 catergory.

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The Severn Across, Saturday 11th May

The 400K Severn Across is a ride that takes you to Chepstow and back.

Crossing some of the finest scenery in Southern England the ride is mainly flat – but with a couple of decent hills to keep it interesting. The outward route takes in Blenheim, Tewkesbury , Newent and Yats Rock before hitting Chepstow. Then it’s over the Severn Bridge to return via Inglestone Common (check the map contours!), Malmesbury and Membury before heading towards Henley and then home.

Riders will travel through the night and many will see the dawn before they get home.

A 400k ride is a bit of a rite of passage for ultra-long distance riders. There isn’t normally a night stop for most participants but it does test your will power and mental stamina. Even a simple route like Severn Across throws up challenges – most of which are in the head rather than in the legs.

This year, Liam FitzPatrick has taken over from the long serving Chris Beynon. He’d welcome offers of help – particularly at the 6 am start where tea needs dispensing. As this is a Willesden ride, it’s great when we have a strong presence from the club.

Go to the Audax UK site here to enter or drop Liam an email at lfitzpatrick at agendacomms.com if you want to know more or if you’re an insomniac with a talent for making tea

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Cycling for All – Friday Nights @ Hillingdon

Every Friday night starting at 5:30pm Ray Kelly is running training sessions at Hillingdon Circuit.

Everyone is welcome to join in.

Adults £3 – Youths £1
Refreshments Available
Location

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Tony Willard’s Breast Cancer Care Ride – 22nd June 2013

Sam

Willesden’s Tony Willard is organising a 50 and 100 mile ride to support Breast Cancer Care. Tony’s daughter Samantha was diagnosed with the disease in January this year, since then she has undergone surgery and is currently in chemo treatment.

Breast Cancer Care is Sam’s choice of charity and it would be great if we could have as many Willesden riders (of both pink and green varieties) as possible to support Tony and Sam.

The rides are on Saturday 22nd June 2012 and will start/finish in Oakley (just to the SW of Basingstoke). This is wonderful cycling country  and Tony has cleverly designed the routes to give us a choice of either two 50 miles rides or you can do both routes in an epic 100 mile ride. Also there is nothing to stop you doing routes as many times as you want (that would be impressive!).

The first 50 mile route encircles Basingstoke with a total ascent of 300m. See http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/188072492 for full details

Tony Willard - 50 mile route 1

The second route heads to the South West of Basingstoke towards Winchester. This is a slightly more challenging ride with 400m of climbing. See http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/188205832 for all the information.

Tony Willard - 50 mile route 2

Donations can be made to directly via www.justgiving.com/Tony-WillardSams100miler

Tony would like some idea of numbers attending. He can be contacted via Facebook on the Willesden CC facebook page or tonywillard272@gmail.com.

Miles Back

 

 

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Isle of Wight Randonnee – 4/5th May 2013

One double room still available for the IOW Randonee – get in touch with Jim or Wendy if you would like to join us on this enjoyable trip.  The weather will be superb!

wendywearl@aol.com

 

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Well done Kye Lewis

Kye had a tough race on Sunday in his first National of the year at Hog Hill, he stuck with the pack which split up going up the hill to the finish line, waiting for confirmation but think he finished 18th

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Connor 3rd in Archer race at Hillingdon

Connor Woodford  finished 3rd in the Archer under 16s race at Hillingdon on Saturday from a strong field of 35 riders. The race split after 4 laps and a front group of
ten pulled away from the rest, in a fast race the front group worked together
and stayed away . One rider broke clear on the last lap and Connor finished
second in the group sprint.

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Ray Tucker won Silver at The National Duathlon Championships

ray tuckerThe National Duathlon Championships were held in Cambridgeshire and Ray Tucker won  a silver medal in the O/70 category behind Britain’s no.1, Brian Grierson.  Here is a brief report:

The weather was very warm, reaching 21C which made the final run very gruelling. There was also a 30mph wind blowing from the south and in places and Ray had great difficulty staying on the bike during the cycle phase – and he does not have disc wheels!!  20 competitors didn’t complete the course, 3 or 4 for mechanical reasons. The medals were presented by James Cracknell, the double olympic rowing gold medallist, who also competed in the race and finished 2nd O/40. James Cracknell has now been selected in the British Team for the World Champs in Ottawa in August.

Well done Ray –  now you can do the sprint or shorter duathlon race for GB in Canada.  Go Ray, Go!

 

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Brent & Kilburn Times – Press report

Brent-Kilburn Times 2013 04 19

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Reading track Monday 15th April

The first meeting of the Reading track League in 2013 and good results for the Willesden Youths. Kye Lewis was 1st in the under 10s 200 tt and 2nd in the Hare and Hounds. Connor Woodford was 3rd in the under 16s Hare and Hounds.

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Sydney Cycle Races – Spot the Willesden jersey!

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