Willesden Cycling Club

It seems Christmas comes early in Watford, namely September.

Ron Purdy was out on his bike when he snapped this scene in a quiet Watford street. Apparently they were filming a commercial.

Thanks for that Ron. Do you ask for a freebie?

Miles Back
28th September 2009

I’m having an end of season clear out.

I’ve recently switched from using Look Delta pedals and cleats. If anyone would like 3 or 4 sets of well-used Look pedals (various models), please get in touch. Note that these pedals are NOT compatible with the newer Look Keo cleats.

I’m also looking to shift my old low profile time trialling bike. The frame was hand built by former Willesden CC member Ian Piper. It’s 56cm centre to top. The paintwork is quite worn, but I do have a new set of Ian Piper transfers if you would like to badge it up. The bike has a Shimano chainset, seat pin, brakes and front changer. The chainset is in need of some chainring bolts!

I’ve whipped the old rear changer off it, so you’ll have to find another from somewhere. The base bar and brake levers are almost new. The bar-end gear levers can be used in friction mode or for Shimano SiS 8 speed changers. The SiS mode works well with the 7 speed, screw on block (12-18) currently fitted.

The white Zipp disc wheel is fitted with a well-used but sound tubular. It’s an old disc, but I have recently replaced the bearings. It’s threaded for a block on one side and fixed wheel on the other. The front wheel has a tubular V-section rim. I may be able to include a spare tubular rear wheel.

The bike has no saddle or pedals.

If you’d like more details, pictures or a chance to see the kit, get in touch via http://www.lancewoodman.co.uk/contact.htm

Lance Woodman

Another club record was broken by Meurig James this weekend. He rode in the Port Talbot Wheelers 25 and covered the distance in 50.27. This was his last ride in England this year as he is off to work in the U.S at the end of the month. Let’s hope he returns before too long.

Lesser mortals rode in the North Hampshire Road Club event on Saturday on a changed course from usual Pete Cookson finished in 1.06.39, Lance Woodman 1.09.02, Chris James 1.10.39 and Brian Moon 1.11.41. On Sunday on the Amersham Road in the West London Combine 10 Peter Dixon was the fastest club member in 24.44 (also gaining 1st handicap) Richard Jerome and Rich Cooper, taking a break from circuit racing, recorded 25.30 and 26.41
Also riding were Lance Woodman 26.14, Chris James 27.23 and Brian Moon 30.17.

Jayne Paine continues to chase points for her licence. She rode at Herne Hill on Saturday finishing 2nd in the 2 lap dash, 20Km & 10 lap scratch and 1st in the points race.

Attached in a different photo of Meurig- The Man in Black!
Best Regards Gladys

A bright, cool morning with a slight headwind out to the turn.

Willesden times…

Peter Dixon 24:44

Richard Jerome 25:30

Lance Woodman 26:14

Rich Cooper 26:41

Chris James 27:23

Brian Moon 30:17

Fastest ride…

Geoff Powell (High Wycombe CC) 22:52

Lance

This was a float day but the course had been changed because of road works. The alternative was not that fast.

Willesden times…

Peter Cookson 1:06:39

Lance Woodman 1:09:02

Chris James 1:10:39

Brian Moon 1:11:41

The winner was Tejvan Pettinger (Sri Chimnoy RT) 55:25

Lance

Well I thought it was interesting.

The Sunday Observer’s cycling correspondent, William Fotheringham write a good article on the thinking behind BC’s boot camp for road racers.

See http://bit.ly/EoUhk

Miles Back
22 Sep 09

Unless otherwise stated, all runs meet at 9:30 am in Denham (on the A40, just outside Shane’s Garden Centre)

20 Sep 09
100k WCC Audax – Autumn Assortment
Ruislip 09.30 am

27 Sep 09
Dinton Pasture

04 Oct 09
Henley Riverside

11 Oct 09
Waddesdon Plant Centre

18 Oct 09
Wokingham Farm Cafe

25 Oct 09
Wendover Woods

01 Nov 09
Marsworth Black Barn

08 Nov 09
Marlow Sports Centre

15 Nov 09
Stokenchurch (Studley Green)

22 Nov 09
Ivinghoe Tea Rooms

29 Nov 09
Stoke Mandeville Goat Ctr.

06 Dec 09
Wokingham Holme Grange

Early in the race the group stayed together, but not for long

Let out for the day!

John , Ray and Jumbo pose for the camera

I bet he was pleased to see that finish line, after almost an hour out on his own.

Marcin Bialoblocki receives his winner’s trophy from Jumbo

The only thing that can beat Marcin are his shorts!

Photos by Suzz Patel

Insults by Miles Back

James Martin has published an apology on his website. It reads:

Regarding the The Tesla Roadster Article…
May I take this opportunity to apologize [sic] for any offence I have caused through the article in last weekend’s Mail on Sunday. It was never my intention to offend the many cyclists who share our roads across the country. What was intended to be a humorous piece was clearly misjudged. Further more I do not condone any form of reckless driving.

Once again, I am sincerely sorry for any upset caused in relation to this article.

James Martin

By the way an anagram of his name is Mint Arse Jam.

Miles back 15 September 2009

Yesterday’s Willesden Road races proved to be a great success with big fields signing up for both races.

The Cat 3/4 race had a strong green hue with five of the Squadra Verde’s finest lined up at the start. Our seasoned racers of Rich Cooper, John Williams, Peter Dixon and Lance Woodman were joined by new Willesden signing, Tom London ,in his first ever race. Our boys had a plan and did their best to make it work. Highlight of the day was the sight of Willesden team gloriously leading the peleton in the final stages of the race.

Lance metamorphosed from racer to roaming camera man and has posted a race video and a frank account his day on his web site at – http://tinyurl.com/mt839g. His sequel, featuring the E123 race, is scheduled to debut later this week.

In watching the race I was impressed by how comfortable the Squadra Vs were looking in the race. They handled themselves well and finished the ride well up amongst the wheels. Hats off to Tom London who was the first green back across the line. What a start to his racing career!

Next up was the Elite race, featuring an interesting strategy by Marcin Bialoblocki of the SportBeans-Wliler team. He went off the front in the first 30 minutes of the 90 minutes plus 5 lap race – surely madness! But no, he steadily built up a substantial lead of 35 seconds. His teams mates assisted by covering all the breaks from the peleton. In the dying minutes Marcin was fading, but he held on to win the race, with his loyal team mate crossing the line in second place.

Full results of both the John Walker and Dulcie Walker road races can be found here – http://bit.ly/ZLM4v

The only person whose worked rate exceeded Marcin’s was Jumbo James. In his role as chief organiser Jumbo was to be seen everywhere on a variety of hastily commandeered and inadequately sized bicycles. Legs turning at turbine speeds and Willesden jacket flapping in his slipstream, Jumbo gave 100% to make the race a success. Well done that man!

Miles Back
14 September 2009

Anthony Stanton has two bikes for sale. They are a Giant TCR carbon for racing and a good Ribble from Audax and Winter training. click on the picture for a enlarged picture of the bikes, the tech. spec. and Anthony’s contact details.

Happy shopping.

Lance Woodman was in action on the circuit earlier this weekend.

His tweet reported “Just to confirm: still rubbish at circuit racing. Managed to finish the day with 3 less BC points than I started it with.” This must be a unique achievement, but I suspect Rocco’s probably got a trophy to cover it.

Good luck to Lance, Richard, Rich and John in today’s WCC road race. See you all at the circuit in a couple of hours time. (Sorry if I have forgot anyone, but I don’t have a start sheet).

Miles Back 13 Sep 09

Willesden CC updates are now available straight to your moby via the technological marvel that is Twitter.

Our Twitter presence will not replace the established blog/web site, but will supplement it (not that type of supplement!) with brief toothsome nuggets of Willesden centric news and information. By joining (or “following” in Twitter speak) you can Txt short 140 character messages from your moby directly to the internet.

Some suggestions for using twitter is to quickly and easily let the club know –

– Your results from Road Racing, Time Trialling and Track.
– Update us where you are on an interesting Audax and where on earth Mel might be!
– Keep in contact during your tours and expeditions.
– Let others know what rides you are thinking of doing.
– Who won the sprint for the town sign during the Sunday club run.
– Who winning the argument at the club’s monthly meeting
– Reminders for upcoming events and deadlines
– Etc.

We already have a few “early adopters” but it would be great to have more.
Just go to http://twitter.com/Miles_Back and “Follow” us there.

Miles Back
10 Sept 09

A busy weekend for the time trialists this weekend.
Meurig James broke another club record on Sunday when riding in the Welsh National Championship 12 hour event. He covered 272miles 367 yards to beat the previous record held by Digger Baulch by over 10 miles. He finished in 4th place some 2 miles behind the winner and took the novice award for a first ride at the distance.

Gill Reynolds was 2nd fastest lady in the Reading 10 on Saturday finishing in 26.23. Pete Cookson recorded 24.17 and Brian Moon 28.40 in the same event.

On Sunday in the West London Combine 25 on the Amersham Road Pete Dixon was the club’s fastest and handicap award winner. Chris James recorded 1.08.53, Lance Woodman 1.08.46 and Brian Moon 1.13.47 Richard Cooper and Richard Jerome, taking a break from Hillingdon Cycle circuit, rode a 2 Up and finished in 1.03.19.

Jayne Paine rode at Scunthorpe Track in the last of the National Women’s 0mnium Series. She won the Pursuit, was 2nd in the Points, 4th in the 500m T.T., 5th in the Scratch and 7th in the Sprints to finish in 4th place overall for the meeting. She has 3 more meetings at Herne Hill and hopes to gain the necessary 14 points to gain her 1st cat licence.

Twenty-six longtime members of the club met for a lunch at Aylesford. The oldest member present was Nick Tidmarsh, aged 99, who joined theclub in 1927.
All for now,

Rick is an Audax rider Mark Brooking and Ray Kelly met on the Mille Miglia last year. He also happens to be the same rider who crumpled his titanium bike into a ball on this year’s LEL. After a trip to hospital he finished the ride on a borrowed bike.

Rick is the proud owner of a WCC jersey and sported it on a two back-to-back 246km Audax rides in Maryland last week. The two days composed of 306 miles, and 20,000 feet (6100 meters) of climbing. Rick rode with his buddy, Bill Beck , and has posted a load of pictures on –