Ian Why has volunteered to be a Marshall on the Smithfield Nocturne to be held in central London on Saturday the 7th June.
Ian says volunteers assisting on the night as marshalls and support staff will receive £10 cash for travel expenses, a goody bag to include a ‘T’shirt, free food and refreshments.
If you would like to volunteer then contact Tony Cosstick ( his details are t.cosstick at blueyonder dot co dot uk)
See http://tinyurl.com/5d7u5c for more details on this event.
This enjoyable family weekend was organised by Jim and Wendy Mears and included the top level teams such as Cycling Wheatley (John, Lynne, Robert and Nathan), Team Brooking (Mark, Wendy and honorary Brooking, Lynn Cobb), Tandem Team Kelly (Ray and Jan), plus Brian Moon, Vyv Baker and Miles Back.
The IoW Randonnee follows a 100k signposted route around the whole of the island taking mainly minor roads and lanes. The course is quite hilly and involves around 1100 metres of vertical. A 55 kilometre route is also offered, which follows a lovely quite cycle lane through the centre of the Island. Both routes enable riders to enjoy the tranquillity of the island and its wonderful scenery. This year over 1,600 riders took part, with honour of youngest rider going to WCC’s Nathan Wheatley who at the age of eight completed the 55km route. Chapeau Nathan!
John Wheatley, Director Sportif of CW, takes up the story …..
The tandem hit 28 mph on one of the descents between Cowes and Bembridge, but still Nathan (8) was vanishing into the distance. I remembered that his braking technique usually involved destroying trainers by dragging them along the road. And the week before on a trial ride it had emerged that left and right were still interchangeable concepts in his young mind.Still, we’d always have the memories, of him demolishing half a jar of ‘Cheeky Monkey’ chutney
1644 riders had evidently started the 24th Isle of Wight randonnee www.cycleisland.co.uk, laid on by the Wayfarers Club, with volunteers to sign the hordes on, serve up mountains of rolls and cakes, stamp the cards and sell the marvellous badges to finishers. All this and no entry fee, just an ice cream tub with a note asking for donations towards the hire of the hall.
The 55k ride was the one for us this time rather than the 100k round the island. We left that to the rest of our party, and the 1600+ others, and joined the few on the short one. From Alverstone our route followed national cycle route 23 all the way up to Newport and then Cowes, along a disused railway converted for cycling and walking.
Our hotel (carefully selected by Jim and Wendy) lacked some of the comedy of previous years. Vegetarians have previously enjoyed cauliflower and carrots (the meat eaters side veg) covered in the gravy. We have been asked to select orange juice OR cereal for breakfast. Our keys were waiting for us on a table – except for Jim and Wendy, who had a key ring but no key.
Nathan survived the 37.69 miles (thanks to Lynn (not to be confused with his mum Lynne) who helped him up hills) and is keen to return again soon. Robert wants a double chainset.
John Wheatley
Having spent hours training and perfecting their bike set up, cyclists don’t like to admit that their personal best times often have much to do with course choice and the weather. Yesterday, PBs fell up and down the country on a still, sunny day which was ideal for riding bikes. The Shaftesbury CC 10, held on the E2/10 near Cambridge, attracted a superfast field of 120 riders, half of whom ended the day going faster than they had done in the previous 3 years.
I didn’t quite know what to expect, having not ridden this course before, but I did make sure I was well-hydrated and warmed up before starting. Once onto the dual carriageway, it was straight into a 26.5-28.5mph cruising speed. Even on the few uphill bits, I didn’t go below 23.5mph. I’ve never known 10 miles to pass so quickly and this was one of the most comfortable races I’ve done, despite the heat. As I approached the finish I checked the clock: I was well on for a new personal best, the question was by how much. Knuckled down, and crossed the line in 21:50, knocking 51 seconds off my previous best effort. Afterwards was fairly shocked that this constitutes an average speed of 27.4mph! My mum’s Clio doesn’t go that fast. Had a bacon sandwich to celebrate, then, as ever, went to catch the train home.
It’s been a while since I last recorded a personal best – last August in fact – and I was beginning to think I was going backwards rather than forwards (which, I guess, would be an impressive feat on a bicycle). The quality of the field meant I finished 56th out of 120, the event was won by Michael Hutchinson who did an incredible 18:26, the fifth fastest 10 time since 1998, and a new course record. Though that is a superhuman effort, I was left wondering what I could’ve done with a proper TT set up. Can’t be many months away now!
Ed Packard
An email exchange between John Williams and my self about the Primavera cycling race next weekend ended with the immortal quote from “Breaking Away”. It’s exclaimed by the character Dave on leaning that Team Cinzano are coming to his home….
“Mama, the Italians are coming, the Italians are coming!”
This quote is followed by the most wonderful five minutes of cycling film. So to celebrate the film and the start of the Giro d’Italia this weekend, here it is.
Miles Back
The current club runs list ends on the last Sunday in May. We have a number of regular venues that we use, but it would be good to explore some new destinations, or possible link up with an event such as a road race, or meet up with the South London WCC contingent.
Also would anyone like to lead a run?
If you have any suggestions, then either add them as a comment to this posting or email the WCC at WillesdenCyclingClub@yahoo.co.uk, with “Club Run” in the title
John Wheatley
Club Captain
More importantly, on Sunday, Willesden put in a good showing at the Hillingdon 25 near Marlow. Richard Jerome, riding his new 57-tooth chainring, clocked a 59:00, for his second fastest time ever (and 34th place) I did a 59:11, having cycled 30 miles out to the start in a mutinous mood, which is also my second fastest time ever (35th place) Stuart Birnie, somewhat hungover and also having cycled 30 miles out to the start, did a remarkable 1:01:29 in his first ever 25, moreover, he wasn’t using aerobars or a silly hat (42nd place). Chris James did a 1:08:38, and disappeared off to watch a road race that afternoon (62nd place).
What all this means is that Willesden CC, while not winning the team prize, nonetheless managed to get a sub-3 hour team time for Richard, Stuart and my time (2:59:40) – I can’t recall this happening since I’ve been a member of the club, so this is an achievement which must be celebrated by allowing Stuart to get in a round of beers, seeing as these obviously have a performance enhancing effect when combined with kebabs.
Mick Fountain had a crash near the finish, so Richard and Stuart manned the electronic scoreboard with great aplomb, while Mick got patched up. Best wishes to Mick for a speedy recovery, and many thanks to Hillingdon CC for a top event.
Ed Packard
Ed Packard would like to borrow a bike bag between 6-9 June for his large Condor road bike. He is off to ride the Paris-Roubaix sportive and needs the bag to take his bike on the Eurostar.
Dear All,
Just a quick reminder about three upcoming events.
Audax
Mick Hill is running the riverside to riverside 118km audax starting from Jenners at 9am on Sunday 4th May, halfway is at Benson.
More information from him at WillesdenCyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk (Put Mick Hill in the Subject)
Club Run
The shorter club run is going to Windsor Great Park on Sunday 4th May 9.30 from Denham. The longer one to Stokenchurch.
Coaching
Prime Coaching are holding a Novice Cycle Training session at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit (Springfield Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0LF) on Saturday 24th May 2008 from 1.30 to approx. 5.30 PM.
The event is for new and returning adult cyclists and the cost is £12, payable in advance.
NB. The coaches for this session are Willesden CC members.
The numbers are strictly limited, so to reserve a place contact Nick Hobbs by email at: WillesdenCyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk (Put Nick Hobbs in the Subject)
Regards
Lindsey Hobbs
The club has been very active this week.
On Tuesday evening down at the Hillingdon Circuit, Rich Cooper finished in 10th place in his event. Whilst Richard Jerome and Chris James finished in the main bunch of a very large field of riders. John Williams took part in one of his first road races at Hillingdon and finished a creditable 12th place.
After returning from his trip to Italy, without his bike, Ed Packard rode in the Cambridge University BUSA 10 and his time of 23.42 means he is the 34th fastest student in the country! He likes to get the miles in as the following day (Sunday) he rode 24 miles to the start of the Colchester Wheelers 50 mile event and his time of 2.12.13 placed him in the top 30 of the finishers.
Saturday also saw Gill Reynolds taking 2nd fastest lady award and 3rd fastest Vet in the Oxford City R.C. 10 mile at Kingston Bagpuise with a ride of 25.19 and Ron Purdy recorded 30.33.
Riding in the Newbury R.C. 25 miles at Aldermarston, Brian Moon finished in 1.08.00 and Chris James in 1.10.06.
Yesterday saw Willesden CC club members taking part in 100 Km Bluebell ride, organised by Liz Creese. The starts from Ruislip and went on a tour of the hillier parts of the Chilterns. Over 80 cyclists started but a few were deterred by the heavy downpours and the flooded roads and took the shortest way home.
Richard Jerome rode in the Reading Spring Road Race and although he managed to break away on the 2nd lap was caught before the finish but still managed to finish in the first 20 riders.
Gladys Joy Purdy
WCC Press Secretary
The following race programme is provisional and may be subject to change.
Schedule
17:00 – Welcome
17:05 – Halfords Cycle 2 Work Folding Bike Race – Heat 1
17:20 – Youth Challenge Roller Race – Heats
17:45 – Halfords Cycle 2 Work Folding Bike Race – Heat 2
18:00 – Regional A Support Race
18:55 – Youth Challenge Roller Race – Semi-Finals
19:05 – City of London Challenge
19:35 – Presentation and interviews
19:45 – All Star Race
20:10 – Youth Challenge Final
20:25 – Halfords Cycle 2 Work Folding Bike Race – Final
20:45 – National Circuit Series Elite Criterium
21:55 – Prize Giving on Main Stage
22:10 – FINISH
Full details on http://www.smithfieldnocturne.co.uk/index.html
Forza Squadra Verde!
fields all around. Half way up the notorious Sector Lane climb I had to take some of the rain gear
off.
I was Last Man in. Plum Sponge & custard hit the spot. I realised that I would not be enjoying a four course feast in the Hotel as dinner stops at 21:00. SHAME !!!
See all of the Audaxers there next year – after all it will be my 30th!
Mark Brooking
Mark Brooking’s camera has thawed out enough to send a few photos of the Willesden’s brave assault on the 2009 Easter Arrow. The photos were taken at the pub some 50km and three hours from the start…. and explains why they packed.
One of our team was so concerned, he threw himself from his bike the week before. “Cycling Wheatley“, managed to break the smallest of bones in his hand but it meant that he had to scratch from the event. We all thought, “lucky sod”.
Martin Lucas and Peter Turnbull who were members of our other team, decided to join Mark Brooking’s elite squad as some of their team had shown a modicum of sense and pulled out of the ride.
The start for us was from Mark’s house at 10.00am on Good Friday. It was to be Mark, Me, Jim, Wendy, Martin and Peter. That was until Jim and Wendy saw the light and volunteered for back-up support duties.
Alison Brooking provided hot drinks and most importantly, bacon rolls before the start. All duly fuelled and after the obligatory photo shoot, off we went.
It was a bright morning. No rain and even some blue sky. Unfortunately, there was also a 1000mph headwind that we had to surge into.
Three hours and 45 kms later, Peter had the good sense to puncture. It was at this point that we decided to adjourn to the nearest hostelry to review our situation.
Peter had been riding with verve and determination. Martin was content to sit in, I was just about hanging on and Mark was doing a spot of hanging off. Mark was also the only one of us that knew the way. This was another challenge for Peter or Martin at the front. We all had difficulty hearing each other because of the noise of the wind.
Anyway, we found this really cosy pub/restaurant. Open fires, low beams. You know the look. After some splendid food , we headed back to Mark’s. At one point, I was doing 29kph on a straight flat road without pedalling.
Martin drew our attention to the black clouds bearing down on us from behind. We tried, but couldn’t out run the sleet, hail and rain that eventually enveloped us.
Peter was already drinking tea and eating a hot cross bun when the remaining three of us arrived at Mark’s. We thought that he was lost but his homing instincts had kicked in.
For once, we had done the sensible thing. A night ride in the terrible weather conditions of the Easter weekend could have been dangerous let alone mildly uncomfortable. We had decided from the onset that we would start and see how it went. We did that and so all targets achieved.
Ray Kelly
