Willesden Cycling Club

The Willesden have gone International !.
Paul Doel, a 2nd claim Life Member of the club went to Majorca to ride in the Vuelta Mallora, a week long International Masters event.
In the 4day event consisting of road racing and a time trial Paul was placed 5th, 7th, 11th and 19th finishing in 12th place overall and was the 1st placed English rider. Riding in the 2 single day road races as well meant he finished 5th in his age group (50 plus) for the week.
The attached photo shows him with the trophy he won when placed 5th in one of the road stages. Paul is the 2nd on the left in the front row..
At home Pete Cookson finished his racing for this year in the Brighton Mitre 25 and in very windy conditions recorded 1.08.16.

Background information for you!
Paul is the manager of The Bike Shop, North Harrow and they have a club called Team Quest, The Bike Shop. However, his racing licence shows he is a member of Willesden C.C, and he was listed on all the start sheets as a Willesden rider. He is also married to my daughter Susan!
Nepotism?

Cheers ,
Gladys.

Mike is recovering from his broken hip but hopes to be at January’s Dinner and Dance to show off his legendary 1970’s dance moves.

I have been in touch with the ever cheerful Mike and here is his update.

“The recovery going as well as can be expected and expect to be fit
for D&D. Got withdrawal symptoms about not being able to ride the bike.”

The bone-heal time is supposed to be around 8 weeks so I should be
able to start putting some weight on the leg by now.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

In any event I don’t expect to get back on the road until the new year.
Got to go slowly to make progress quickly.

May be able to make November monthly meeting depending on results of
next appointment.

Should definately make the AGM. “

Mike’s accident happened in Douglas on the Isle of Mann. A good place to break a hip as I guess, as they are good at patching up bikers there. Here is Mike’s account of his accident –

“The promenade in Douglas has got tram lines. Now, we all know how dangerous they can be so I was being extra careful.

A chap went to open the door of his parked car. When he saw that it would block my path he immediately closed it and stood in close so that I would not be obstructed. As I moved out slightly to give more room I waved to thank him, and in the instant I took my eyes off the road it happened.

As you will appreciate I went straight down with no chance to do anything about it. I think my injury was more unfortunate than predictable. After all many riders fall off but very, very few break a hip. I landed on just the wrong point of the greater trochanter and it produced just enough force to snap the bone. Had my body been a couple of degrees either way I would probably have escaped with road rash and bruises. These things happen.

I have now been discharged from the fracture clinic but still have to attend physio. The prognosis, as I understand is general for broken hips, is that I can start to put weight on the bad leg but should expect it to take a further six to eight weeks before I can get off the crutches altogether.

I have been given the go-ahead to ride a trainer bike because that is not a weight-bearing exercise although I have been told to take it easy and do most of the pedaling with the good leg. Fun, fun, fun!

Under these circumstances I do not contemplate getting back on the road until the new year and then only in good weather, at least for the time being. I want to get in as much healing time (bone-hardening time) as possible before risking another fall.

Give my regards to anyone you see in the meantime.

Mike”

It’s great to hear from Mike and we wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Miles Back
31 Oct 09

I’m not in the market for a Winter bike! But if I was, I would seriously consider the Santos SRR05. With a Rohloff 14 speed hub gear and a belt drive it means no mess and simple maintenance.

The bike is just a proof of concept exercise at the moment and I understand that it isn’t in production yet. I believe Santos are considering marketing this very sensible machine as a Sportive bike. I think this could be a mistake as it ‘s not mainstream and sexy enough to appeal to sportive riders.

However a set of m/guards (it has eyes) would transform this into a perfect Winter bike or even an Audax machine. It’s only draw back is the rather awkward looking gear selector mounted at the bar end. This is a compromise as Rohloff gear selectors are not designed for drop bars.

I’ve no news on price, but a Rohloff hub costs £840 alone, so £1500+ would seem to be the likely point for the complete bike.

A more detailed write up on the Santos is available on Road CC’s web site at http://bit.ly/3YEIbe

Miles Back
31 Oct 09

SATURDAY, 21st NOVEMBER 2009
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Hillingdon Cycle Circuit
Minet Park,
Springfield Road,
Hayes,
Middlesex,
UB4 0LF

Open to 3rd & 4th Category & Novice Male & Female Riders.
BC membership/licence not required

An ideal opportunity for riders who are planning to compete in
Road or Circuit races or Team Time Trials.

PROGRAMME

• Sprinting, Echelon and Fast Group Riding,
• 2-Up & 4-Up Team Trial
• Specific Fitness Sessions
• Talks on race related subjects
• Content will be chosen to suit the majority of riders attending.
• Training provided by BC Qualified Coaches
• Light refreshments available

Helmets must be worn, no mudguards or Tri-bars.
Fee £12
(A limited number of places will be available for youths 12 -16 yrs at £8)

To register for the event or for further information contact David Lambourne at lambourne2@talktalk.net

Over the past two Sundays we have had enough riders to form two club runs.

I joined the “Tourist Pace” club run to Wendover Woods today with Vyv, Kel, Wrighty, Sue, and Yoshi. It was a steady run up there where we joined a long queue for food. The “Training Pace” Club Run put in a large loop and arrived around the time we did. That group was well supported with around a dozen riders present.

So the two runs are are working well, allowing riders the flexibility of doing a Training pace ride out to the cafe and a Tourist run back if they should want to.

Hoping to see even more members out on the Club runs in the future.

Miles Back
25 Oct 09

Many of us in the Willesden know Mark Doel. Ian Why has written in to announce that Mark has been appointed by British Cycling as their Regional Event Officer for the Central region.

Mark (pictured above in the white shirt in the centre of the group) is one of nine freshly minted REOs for British Cycling. Over the next few months, the officers will carry out an audit of their regions to assess current event structure, identify gaps in provision and areas of opportunities. Working with regional boards, British Cycling will develop individual event programmes tailored to the regions, aimed at growing capacity and improving the quality of events.

Each programme will be supported by training courses for volunteers, race officials and commissaires that will equip them with new skills and improve their experience of hosting competitive cycling events. As more and more people are attracted to recreational cycling events such as Skyride, the appetite for competitive cycling will grow. The REOs are there to make sure British Cycling can meet this demand and to establish exciting competitive events across their regions.

So we will expect to hear a lot from Mark in the future and how he can help us stage and run our events.

Miles Back

25 Oct 09

If you are interested in how the website is going, please see the attached pdf.

It looks like the site is getting between 40 – 100 visitors per day.

If you would like any further information please let us know.

Richard & Rich.

Wow, the Willesden communication lines are cracking today!

I’ve just received the following update on the Hill Climb from one of the Willesden All-stars, Simon Wicks. Simon says three Willesden riders finished in the top six. He went on to say that

“We three finished within a few seconds of each other and not far shy of the winning time. The winner was 1.58; Hippy second in 2.02; two guys tied on third at 2.04; me 5th at 2.05 and Tom London 6th at 2.07. A little further back, Pete Dixon rode a 2.12 and Richie Jerome a 2.19. Lance, sadly, didn’t make it to the top!”

“It was absolutely freezing – Windsor Hill is a real frost-pocket – and we were all shivering madly before the start. The climb itself was fairlly gruelling and I just wanted to climb off the bike from about halfway but kept going purely because I would have been too ashamed had I stopped. But I’d pretty much given up by the time the finish line came in sight! My legs were like concrete at the top. Horrible.”

“The guys did really well and we should be right proud – anything around 2 minutes is a good time for that course, apparently.”

Simon is dead right – well done one of the club’s best performances in a long while.

Miles Back
19 Oct 09

Hippy’s report, featuring assorted Willesden riders is now available on his blog. The Hill climb has done him a power of good as he can know tell his Ron from his Jumbo…..Jumbo is now a very relieved man!

The full pedal stroke by pedal stroke report, including pix on –
http://thehippy.net/nucleus/?itemid=1380

Miles Back
19 Oct 09

Ian Why emailed me to say that planning permission for the new Hillingdon Club Room has been granted.

This is subject to an ecology report and the CCTV being of a standard suitable to be connected to the council system The proposed club house will be painted with anti-graffiti paint.

The next stage is a meeting on 5 November to revue the tenders and assess what can be achieved within the grants available.

The velodrome will be subject to a separate planning application in the future.

Miles Back
18 Oct 09

Hippy finished in 2nd place in today’s West Drayton Hill Climb. His quote on Twitter was worth a million dollars – “Take that sober, skinny people”. Excellent result Stewie.

Brian Moon appeared on the club run after taking part in the Hill Climb, saying that there was a good WCC turnout.

Continuing with Hippy news, he has updated his blog with news of a powertap upgrade to his Condor Pista fixie commuting bike, see- http://bit.ly/rMuKI
for all the detail.

Miles Back
18 Oct 09

Our apologies for not seeing our Willesden mates this summer.

Trace and I have missed our WCC friends and plan to
rectify that next year. We leave for our winter in the US
this Friday (me) and 29 Oct. (trace).

We want to be involved again with WCC and and have missed you all.

We are fine, just had a very busy summer here. I worked
most weekends which made things more complicated.

sending love,

Diane and Trace

Stewart Birnie proves that training is a complete waste of time! After a long layoff after riding in the Pyrenees he posted a PB of 24:55 on last weekend’s Westerly CC 10 mile two-up.

See Hippy’s full report at http://bit.ly/PlinC

Well done Stewie.

Miles Back
13 Oct 09

The mornings are getting a little chilly but our time trialists managed to produce some personal bests on Sunday.

Riding in the Hillingdon C.C. 25 at Maidenhead , Peter Dixon recorded an under the hour ride in 58.59 improving on his ride on the Amersham Road in September by over 4 minutes. Pete Cookson finished in 1.01.59 and Lance Woodman 1.03.37 whilst Joe Foley having started late was credited with 1.13.13.

Stuart Birnie, not having ridden much since his tour of the French Alps in July, took part in the Westerley C.C. 10 at Great Missenden rode a personal best in 24.55 and Mel Kirkland after his epic ride from London to Lands End and then on to John O’Groats finished in 26.57.

All for now,

Regards- Gladys

Death Ray Kelly and his Acme whistle of doom will be waiting for you each Tuesday night from 13th October. As always his winter torture chamber will be at the Willesden C.C.’s Club Room, London Road, Wembley.

Arrive at 7:45pm to set up your bike and turbo. The Turbo Torture starts at 8pm and lasts for an hour… though it will seem a lot, lot longer! Bring a towel, water bottle and a good sense of humour.

A few spare turbos are available for club members on a first come – first serve basis.

Sessions cost £2.

Light refreshments available afterwards.

Miles Back
10 Oct 09

For those interested in the famous L’Eroica cycle race in Tuscany, I urge you to visit Dan Patitucci’s site at http://ow.ly/t6v8. It’s a treat.

Miles Back
07 Oct O9

A quick summary of the news highlights from last night’s WCC MGM …

• Turbo training starts 13th October. The club may purchase two additional turbo machines for use by club members
• John Williams is the new Road race Secretary, taking over from Jumbo
• A new organiser has been chosen for the Reliability Trial, he will be informed shortly!
• Plans for the new Club House and track at Hillingdon will be presented to the council’s planning department later this month. The proposals also include a new judges hut and street lighting on parts of the circuit. Ian Why, Ray Kelly and Brian Wright have been closely involved in this development. I have a copy of the Feasibility study if you would like it, please email me at willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk.
  
• The WCC Quiz Night will be held on Wednesday 18th November at the Westerly CC Club Rooms.
• The Annual WCC Dinner and Dance will be held at the Uxbridge Golf Course on 23rd January 2010. £25/head
• Recruitment of new members is going well and three new members have signed up for a life in willesden green.
• Sick Parade. John Tipping is off his bike for a few weeks following a pace maker fitting. Mike Ellison is at home with a broken hip. Some say this was following a fracas with some tram lines on the Isle of Man. Others are adamant that it happened on the Isle of Skye. Finally Kirsten Savage is nursing a few wounds following a recent stack up. I am sure we wish all concerned a full and rapid recovery.

Miles Back 07 Oct 09

Hello Fellow WCC members,

Westerley CC is holding their Club 10 mile 2-up at Great Missenden this Sunday, and WCC riders can join in. First rider off will be at 09.00. After the 2-up, you can recover at the Deep Mill Diner and then move onto the Hill climb if you wish to enter it.

If you do not have a partner, then do not worry, as there may be other riders who you maybe able to ride with and you may also be able to ride as solo. There is a nominal fee to enter the race, and I think it is around £4.00, but I am not sure. This is payable on the Day to The Westerley CC.

If you want to enter, then please let me know. You can also enter on the line if you wish. The meeting place is at the usual Great Missenden Car Park.

Regards

Suzz

Jayne Paine (Bunty to her mates) continues her string of 2009 achievements by being awarded 1st Cat status yesterday.

What more is there to want?

Miles Back
07 Oct 09