Racing Tonight

Tonight the Willesden CC are promoting the races at Minet Park, Springfield Lane, Hayes UB4 0LT.

Race program is as follows –

18:45 Youth races for U16/U14/U12/U10/U8

19:15 4th Cats – 45kms

19:15 Elite, 1st, 2nd, 3rd -70kms

Be there to support your club and cheer on your clubmates.

Wear your Willesden Kit with pride and passion, Forza squadra verde!

Jumbo James
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Glad’s Tiding – w/e 14/15 June 08

Road Racing
The road racers have been back in action this week. On Tuesday evening at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit John Williams gained his first placing(10th) in the 4th cat. race. Wednesday saw Richard Jerome in action in the Surrey League event at Elmore taking 4th place in the 3/4 cat event.
Richard gained entry to the 1st cat. event at the Minet Park Festival on Saturday ,and after riding strongly,finished in 9th place. This Tuesday it is the club’s turn to promote the racing at Hillingdon and we are hoping for some good results.

Time Trialing
The time trialists were in action in a club event down on the Amersham Road and Simon Wicks, riding his first solo time trial, finished fastest in 1.06.05 followed by Jayne Paine who took first handicap with a 1.07.12, Chris James 1.14.12, Brian Moon 1.16.01 and Mick Jerome 1.19.40.
Brian had been riding the previous day in the Farnham Road Club 25 and returned in 1.09.01. Gill Reynolds also rode in this event and was the 4th fastest lady in 1.05.05.
Ed Packard, who last weekend rode the Paris/Roubaix Sportive in France(read all about it on his blog if you have the time!) has a cold and but still rode the 26 miles to the start of the Plomesgate 30. He was disappointed to finish in 1.18.30.

All for now,
Cheers,
Gladys

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Race News- Richard Jerome 9th in 1st Cat race!!!

Hi Miles,

Richard Cooper, Jumbo and myself all took part in the Minet Park festival. This was a 1st cat race, I got 9th just behind Colin Roshier.

The race was split up by Colin with 4 laps to go and I followed him but coudn’t get to his wheel, I looked behind me and there were no chasers so I just had toget my head down and hope for the best. About 4-5 riders leap-frogged me toget to Colin and I was caught by the first few sprinters from the bunch but held on for 9th. Couldn’t beleive it!

Richard and Jumbo both packed up during the race with Richard Cooper onlygiving up with about 5 to go.

Richard Jerome

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Go-Ride Taster Event to celebrate the Olympics

The Sports Development Department of Brent Council are organising a fortnight of open club sessions to mark the end of Beijing Olympics and the start of the countdown to the London 2012 games. They have invited the Willesden CC to be part of these celebrations as we hold Go-Ride and Club Mark Status. The aim of this initiative is to help us attract new members to our club and to publicise cycling throughout the borough.

Ray Kelly has organised an open Taster session for youngsters as part of these celebrations. It will be open to children aged between 9 and 13 and will be held on Saturday 6th September between 13.00 and 16.00 at King Edwards Park, Willesden, NW10 3AG.
More details to follow.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Recruiting now – Tandem Captain

Super Stoker Angus Huntley is seeking a tandem captain for purposes of a touring/Audax nature. Since finishing the WCC turbo season Angus has riden his first 200 k Audax ride up in the Scottish borders and has also hauled a camping trailer on a 100 miles tour.

Basically he is looking for a body double of Elle Macpherson, but he may be willing to compromise. The tandem is a doors super galaxy that would fit a rider of who 5 Ft 7 tall.

Anyone interested in riding with Angus should contact him at

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Mud, Sweat and Beers

Ed Packard tested his bike and nerves to near breaking point on the Paris-Roubaix Cyclo 2008 held earlier this month. Ed + Cobbles + Belgian beer = !!!!!!

Caution – Ed’s article contains a number of gratuitous song puns which some readers may find amusing. (Song Pun? Didn’t Tracy Horsman cycle through there on his Vietnam tour?)

Read on at

http://omcoc.blogspot.com/2008/06/paris-roubaix-cyclo-2008-my-sunday-in.html

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

STOP PRESS

More Racing Good news!

Richard Jerome snatched 4th place in last nights Surrey league 3/4 cat race at Eelmore. The winner went off the front with a lap to go and the bunch did not react. Richard said he might try that trick next time.

Miles Back

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Tuesday Night’s Racing – Richard Jerome’s Report (10/6)

Both John Williams and Darlene Rini were successful in the 4th cat race at Hillingdon on Tuesday night.

John got his first placing, finishing in 10th place. Whilst Darlene finished in 4th in her very first race at Hillingdon! John is still claiming the lead-out.

Great results for both of them and hopefully they can repeat their success at the club event next week (17/6).

Richard Cooper and myself did not take part last night, Richard is feeling the effects on a mid-season two week holiday and I was saving myself for a race tonight.

Well done to both of you!!!

Richard Jerome

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Calshot Track Training Day – 19th July 08



The Willesden CC are holding a track training session at Calshot Velodrome on Saturday 19th July 2008 from 13.00hrs until 16.00hrs.

This is open to all riders (not just Willesden members) of all abilities. All the coaches are British Cycling qualified for track.

The cost of the session will be £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for youths (15 and under). Riders must have a well maintained bike and helmets and gloves must be worn.

Recommended gearing for a training session at Calshot is 81″ maximum. Hire bikes are available from Calshot at a cost of £6.30 for adults and £2.80 for youths.

Places may be limited, so please contact Keith Wilmot to book your place on

WillesdenCyclingClub@Yahoo.co.uk, with “KW Track” in the subject box.

Keith Wilmot

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Willesden CC – Road Race

On Tuesday 17th June the Willesden CC are promoting the races at Minet Park, Springfield Lane, Hayes UB4 0LT.

Race program is as follows –

18:45 Youth races for U16/U14/U12/U10/U8

19:15 4th Cats – 45kms

19:15 Elite, 1st, 2nd, 3rd -70kms

Please be there to support your club and cheer on your clubmates. Wear your Willesden Kit with pride and passion, Forza squadra verde!

Yours in sport, Jumbo James

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Glads Tidings

The Vets have been in action this week.

On Wednesday in the London and Home Counties 10 at Fifield Gill Reynolds was the fastest lady in 27.22 and with Ron Purdy recording 32.59 they were the 2nd team on Standard. On Saturday they were joined by Brian Moon and rode the Spirit Racing Team 10 at Leighton Buzzard returning in 25.51(Gill) 27.17(Brian) and 31.18.(Ron). Gill took the 2nd fastest lady award and was also the 3rd fastest vet on Standard in a field of 90 riders.

Gill continued racing on Sunday and went down to Petersfield to ride the Hantspol.C.C. 25 mile and with a time of 1.07.26 was the 3rd fastest lady.

Ed Packard seems to be riding in local events. During the week he rode the Polesgate Club 15 miles in which he recorded 37.07 and the ICA Crowfield 10 retuning in 25.05. I think as a student he finds getting to events in this area either costly or involving too many miles on the bike.

Cheers Gladys.

P.S. I don’t know if you understand how the Age Standard works but you are given an allowance which increases as you get older. Gill’s in a 10 mile event is 31.30 and Ron’s 34.06. So if Gill records 26.00 her plus on Age standard will be 5.30.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Smithfield Nocturne

This Saturday evening (7th June) road racing returns to the centre of London. You can be a key part of the Smithfield Nocturne as well as getting a grandstand view of the racing by becoming a Marshall.

Join Ian Why and Ray Kelly who know a good freebie when they see one. Marshalls assisting on the night will receive £10 cash for travel expenses, a goody bag to include a ‘T’shirt, plus free food and refreshments.

It’s not too late to volunteer, just contact Tony Cosstick (his details are t.cosstick at blueyonder dot co dot uk). See http://tinyurl.com/5d7u5c for more details on the nocturne.

See you Saturday night.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Track Coaching Day

For Novices, Intermediate and Experienced Riders

No Licence Required

Welwyn Track
Gosling Sports Park
Stanborough Road
Welwyn Garden City Herts
AL8 6XE

Dates: Saturdays 14th June, 28th June, 05th July. 2008

Arrive at Track at 1-30 pm for Briefing and Warm Up
Sessions: start at 2 pm; finish approx 4 pm

Bring Your Own Track Bike, which must be in a good safe condition.
Track Bikes can be hired at a cost of £2 on the day.

Helmet Required.

Refreshments Available.

Youths £5; Adults 16 and Over £ 10

Payment on the Day – you can just turn up, but it would help us in knowing numbers in advance.

Contact: Brian Wright (willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk put Track Day in the Title)

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Twickenham CC Womens Team Series Race

Twickenham Cycling Club are pleased to promote the inaugural Twickenham CC Womens Team Series Race to be held under British Cycling technical regulations

Womens National Team Series – Round 3

Sunday 22nd June 2008, 11:00am, 53 Miles (85Km)

Windlesham, Surrey

Race Headquarters: Valley End C. of E. School

Highams Lane, Valley End, Chobham, Surrey . GU24 8TB

Even though it’s a team event, we can put individual riders in the Twickenham Team or in the Impsport Composite team.

Entries normally close on Sunday 1st, however contact Graham Macnamee at gmacnameewcs@aol.com ASAP

It’s not often we get a local girls only race – so it’s an opportunity not to be missed!

A race for all levels of ability.

Ray Kelly

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Motorbikes in Buslanes

Boris looks set to wave two fingers at his fellow cyclists, by allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes.

According to the London Cycling Campaign “London Assembly Conservatives say that the ‘wheels are in motion’ and the Mayor will ‘rubber stamp’ the decision after technical requirements are met“.

A poll in the Evening Standard is showing a significant support to make the change.
Help support the London Cycling Campaign stop this move. Please sign their petition at

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

The marketing people at Camelbak know a good rider when they see one. For their recent advertising campaign in Pro Cycling magazine they feature one of the stars of the Willesden CC from the 1950s. Ray Kelly, who spotted the advert, believes the rider to be Ken Mitchell of the Willesden CC taking part in the Tour de France.
Ken was a world class rider, just take a look at his palmarés –
1950
2nd Place in National Pursuit Championship
1953
National Pursuit Champion
Selected for World Championship

1954
World Championship Pro Pursuit Representative
1955
2nd in “Tour of Britain.”
Member of 1st British Team in the “Tour of France.”
Does anyone have any further information? We should be proud of our history.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

More PBP Pictures

Ian Oliver wrote to me saying that thePBP organisers, Audax Club de Paris, have trawled the web and cataloged a heap of pictures from last August’s epic. See their work online at –

Ian mentioned that if you type his frame number (4145) there is a picture of a group of Willesden riders at the finish.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Hillingdon GP – Support Race

Saturday! Cold, grey, damp and windy. Not a day you would choose to go and watch a cycle race at Hillingdon. However Richard Jerome’s performance in the Cat 3/4 Support race to the prestigious Hillingdon GP made the trip worthwhile.

I joined a knot of Willesden supporters to witness Richard ride a mature and calculated race, where he was constantly near the front of the group looking lean, keen and mean. The new squadra kit looks really fresh and sharp in the peloton, which must give any Willesden rider a psychological boost. To me Richard looked to really dominate the race and he was looking a very real threat.

At the bell Richard was in a good position as the peloton swished past and disappeared from our view. We waited expectantly for them to round the final bend. As they did we spotted Richard, still in a winning position. It was a long slog up to the finish line, directly into the teeth of a nagging headwind.

Still Richard was looking good; could this be a podium position? Suddenly Richard disappears from the outside edge of the track. Had he blown? Where was he? A few seconds later he reappeared on the inside of the track with good space all around him. He had a clear line to the chequered flag. “Push Richard, push, push, push” we all urged. In the last 100 metres his opponents just had that ounce or two more of energy and our man finished just a second or so behind the winners. It was close and a highly creditable 6th place.

Well done Richard. It going to be even more exciting when you have a few more Willesden team mates to join you. What a great summer of Willesden racing it is going to be.

Forza Squadra Verde!!

Miles Back

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

More Bike Abuse?

Ian Oliver has sent in this story of inappropriate bike usage from Sweden (contains mildly adult themes). See http://tinyurl.com/5d5sf6

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Dunwich Dynamo

Mark Brooking is keen for some company on this years Dunwich Dynamo. The 16th running of this 120 mile/192km event will take place on Saturday, 19th July 2008.

The ride is free to enter and you have to make your own way back from Dunwich. The FAQ for the 2007 event tells you all you need to know about this marvellous event. See http://tinyurl.com/5raxvv

Email Mark Brooking at WillesdenCyclingClub@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to be part of the WCC team.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment