Willesden Cycling Club

75 Gill Reynolds (L) Willesden CC DNS
76 Alys Mathew (L) Willesden CC 29.42
77 Ludovica Bruno (L) Willesden CC 28.00
78 Christopher James Willesden CC 28.17
79 Ron Purdy Willesden CC 36.00
80 Edward Packard Willesden CC 24.07
81 Richard Jerome Willesden CC 24.16
82 Mike Eddleston Willesden CC DNS
83 Jayne Paine (L) Willesden CC 27.39
84 Claire Beckwith (L) Willesden CC DNS (app)
85 Brian Moon Willesden CC 30.34
86 Joanna Austin (L) Willesden CC 29.21
87 Surendra Patel Willesden CC 26.32

Finchley Criterium – March 1st 2008 , Hillingdon Circuit

Blimey girls, it was windy… and frankly so was I – my previous four races (and a trophy!) were no preparation for a day like this. So there was me, Ed Packard and Richard Jerome, all with the new Willesden kit on. With legs freshly shaved, we really looked the part. Although only a spectator, Richard Cooper also looked the part; he, too, was sporting the new Willesden kit and had also shaved his legs. It’s possible to sustain quite nasty injuries waving a white hanky from the side-lines, apparently.

Richard Jerome was nowhere to be seen for the pre-race pep-talk, however. He’d gone up to fiddle with the photo-finish camera, looking evil and sniggering like Muttley. All the racers lined up for the three o’clock start like a flock of exotic birds in coloured lycra. The De Ver boys looked like big yellow canaries; remind me not to join their club. And off we went – down the hill, round the sharp bend, up the other hill, round the other bend… then the wind hit us like a sharp smack in the face. We all but stopped dead. The big canaries fluttered about a bit and the Cambridge Schoolboy Team choked on their gobstoppers. We huddled together for warmth and shelter. This was how it was for the whole race – up, down, up, down, SMACK.

To make the hour zip past that little bit quicker, there was a side competition to see who could be the quickest and hardest on the brakes. Any significant speed could also be lost through heavy swerving. Our own Ed Packard was particularly good at this manoeuvre; “Willesden!!!” they shouted, admiringly. I soon got the hang of it all, and on one lap braked so hard I was out the back before you could shout “Mine’s a large one!”. I had a job to catch up with everyone else and hang on, but I lifted my game a little when I heard Chris (“Jumbo”) James shouting encouragement. I was glad he wasn’t on his bike and able to give physical help (NB: the last time Jumbo gave me “physical help”, I almost ended up in hospital).

The last lap was odd: a group in the middle of the bunch went for a lie-down. I was too surprised to stop and join in, and I’m not sure I would have been welcome. With six boys writhing around on the grass, however, I knew I wouldn’t be last and decided to make a final push (I couldn’t call it a sprint ) for the line. I’m pleased I did because I beat compulsive trainer ,Mike Diggins.

YES….I BEAT MIKE DIGGINS! I DID!

Then it was back to the green hut for tea and cake and clapping and cheering and admiring the grass stains on various riders’ lycra pants. Richard Jerome had sneaked back up to have a look at the photo-finish camera again. Ed said how Richard enjoyed helping with computer-based electronic equipment. We all looked the other way.

The prize-giving was a masterpiece of Willesden cunning and contrivance: Richard managed to make himself 4th and copped £15; I embarrassed the Finchleys into rustling up a First Lady prize of a lovely white base-layer AND a kiss. It looks lovely on . Thanks Finchley ! Ed got the best prize of all, however, because I let him ride down the Uxbridge Road with me. So, apart from the injured cyclist who was carted off in the ambulance , we all had a really jolly day!

Jayne (AKA Bunty B.)

My grateful thanks to all members of the Willesden Club run on the way to Wendover Woods who found me feeling sorry for myself after falling off outside Denham Golf Club Station on the way down the hill. I was all set to give up and get in the team car, but the support and encouragement of club members including Suzz, Mike the Bike and Martin the Unstoppable helped me continue on. True club spirit.

I reported later to Stoke Mandeville where an x-ray revealed a broken metacarpal (in the right hand) and I am now plastered up.

John Wheatley

The Willesden CC members picked up a number of awards at the prestigious British Cycling Awards earlier this month. The awards dinner was held at the Reebok Stadium near Bolton. Guests included UCI President Pat McQuaid and during the night nearly 100 awards were presented to cyclists and volunteers from around Britain.

Steve and Julie May were presented with the Volunteer Recognition Award. Ray Kelly writes
“Steve and Julie May are both involved as Club Coaches at Hillingdon Slipstreamers, whilst also involved with Willesden Cycling Club. They initially joined with their two sons helping out at the Saturday morning Go-Ride sessions at Hillingdon Circuit, Minet Park, Hayes. Their daughter is still an active Slipstreamers member.
Steve often manages the coaching sessions in Brian Wright’s absence and takes responsibility for the older youth riders when sessions top 80, as they often do these days.Both Steve and Julie are mainstays of Prime Coaching, Steve being in the role of Chair until very recently. They both organise and coach at the adult focussed Prime Coaching sessions, including those on Calshot track.In addition, Steve takes the role of Road Race Secretary for Slipstreamers, so liaises with British Cycling in that capacity. They often manage youth teams at races, including at Sutton & Guildford Town Centre events.
Julie plays a very important role in co-ordinating the catering for many training sessions at races, meetings and other events including young riders at the New Year’s Day Parade in London. She also plays a key role as Treasurer for Slipstreamers. Without this formidable, but highly approachable couple, the fundamental elements of club life just wouldn’t run so smoothly and efficiently.”

Sean Bannister also picked up an award for his Derny Rider services for Victoria Pendleton. Page through the pictures on the BC web site to see Sean receiving his award. http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/eve/ImageGallery.asp?gid=3228

Roads more akin to paths from the Somme, a howling wind scraping at your flesh, the mercury freezing in the thermometer… all these things have come to represent the gruelling Ely Hardriders start-of-season event, the 2008 edition of which was held on Sunday 10 February. Imagine my disappointment when I woke up to a magnificent sunrise, a vast blue sky and not a breath of wind! I was even able to ride in a skinsuit, rather than a parka and scarf.
It is nearly five months since I last rode a bike in anger, and my winter training involved more pints than pedal strokes. I was therefore a little nervous at the start in the picturesque village of Little Downham – I had never gone faster than 1:10 around the 25.2 mile sporting course before, and wanted to show a definite improvement to kick off the year, given the vast number of time trials I’d ridden last year and the experience I’d gained from this. Gill Reynolds was also riding, so the Willesden was well represented, and Derek shouted his usual encouragement from various vantage points around the course.
Set off at a reasonable pace, but within a few corners found myself losing control and slipping out towards a car approaching on the other side of the road … I managed to regain vertical positioning, but was wary from that point onwards. On balance, backing off was probably sensible – another rider came a cropper on the ice and messed both himself and his bike up.
Rode well within myself, trying to get back in the swing of riding TTs again. I’m not great on sporting courses, owing to my lack of bike handling skills – far better to put me on a dual carriageway where I just have to worry about turning my legs fast, and only changing direction at the occasional roundabout.
Also experienced the usual rude awakening as to the gulf in class between myself and proper TT riders when Tony Stott effortlessly passed me at halfway (he’d started 4 minutes behind me) and vanished into the distance. I’d wanted to finish between 1:06 and 1:08 and so I was reasonably pleased with 1:06:13, which was good enough for 15th place out of 32. I’d knocked over four minutes off my previous best on this course, and finished 5 places higher than I did last year.
Still, I was left with a nagging feeling that I could have gone a bit quicker had I not been so focused on a specific time. I was nonetheless happy with my rhythm and potential to go faster as the year progresses, and am looking forward to the hardriders ’10’ I have entered for next weekend.
Gill did a 1:17:05 and was, thus, I think, fastest lady. I think she enjoyed her first Ely Hardriders, especially the notorious hundred foot drain.
Full results are here:http://www.elycyclingclub.com/hrresults08.htm
Pictures of the Willesden contingent-
http://www.elycyclingclub.com/photos/hr2008/hires/epackard08.jpg
http://www.elycyclingclub.com/photos/hr2008/hires/greynolds08.jpg
Ed Packard

The Willesden CC hold a Monthly General Meeting (MGM) on the first Tuesday of each month. It is held at the Wembley Club rooms from 9pm afterwards. It is a good chance to find out what is happening in the club and to help shape its future. You also get to eat cake and drink tea.
The main points from last Tuesday’s MGM were as follows –

Subscriptions.
IMPORTANT – There are a number of members who have forgotten to renew their membership for 2008. Please contact Gladys Purdy ASAP to ensure your continuing membership.

Track
The WCC Track Championships will be held at Calshot on 21st September 2008. 10:00am to 1:00pm. Organiser – Keith Wilmot

Road Racing
The Willesden Road Race will be held on 14th September. All WCC members are expected to attend with either with a number on their back or sporting a Marshall’s tabard.
Organiser Jumbo James

Audax
The Willesden are organising 19 Audax events this year.
The first of these took place at the end of January, namely The Willy Warmer (215km) and The Little Willy (125km). It attracted over 65 riders and raised over £120 for the club. Well done Paul Stewart.
Two teams are entering this years Easter Arrow. This is an interesting team event finishing in York. Teams start from all over the country on Good Friday with aim of seeing who can rack up the greatest distance in 24 hours. The minimum distance is 360 kms. The two Willesden Teams are captained by Mark Brooking and Paul Stewart.

Reliability Ride
The Willesden round of the Chiltern Classics will be held on Sunday 24th Feb 08. Start will be at 10:00am from the Scout Hut, Community Close, Ickenham.
Organisers: John Williams/ Giovanni La Brummi

Social
The Isle of Wight 100km Randonnee will be taking place on the first May Bank holiday. Exact details to be announced.

Coaching
The Willesden have an impressive number of coaches in the club who are very active across all areas in cycling. There are some very interesting developments about to take place that will raise the profile of the Willesden CC coaching squad. So watch this space and support your coach.

John Davies

The Willy Warmer (215km) and Little Willy (125km) on the 26th January are the first events of the year from the Willesden calendar of events. This was the second year for the Willy Warmer ,and the first time out for its young friend, The Little Willy.

The Willy Warmer took much the same route as last year although we swapped the frosty Chilterns in favour of a more direct route to Pangbourne through Marlow and Henley for some Jolly Good Coffee before heading off across the rolling Newbury Downs to Hungerford. Then on across the flatlands of the Test valley before heading home for that final climb back to Chalfont.

The Little Willy followed the same fast route down to Pangbourne but came back over the Chiltern hills of Turville Heath and Fingest. The Little Willy was somewhat over distance and mindful of possible bad weather conditions (and riders who might not yet have reacquired their sleek racing form after their Christmas breaks) the route sheet allowed for Turville Heath to be bypassed for a fast ride home. Happily we had a balmy January day and as far as I know only one rider took the short cut home (and that was by mistake!).

32 riders completed the Willy Warmer route, a similar number to last year, with 35 riders on the Little Willy which was a great success in doubling the number of riders on the day. I’d also like to offer thanks to Peter Turnball who helped with the route checking, Phil Chadwick of AnotherCyclingForum for manning the Hungerford Control.

Paul Stewart
WCC Audax and Touring Secretary

Hillingdon winter series 26/1

After winning the Willesden Road race trophy at the club dinner I thought it best to do the decent thing and actually race. I’ve had a few weeks away from racing to get some miles in my legs so whilst I wasn’t expecting to be very sharp I was hoping my fitness level would be OK.

It was a very mild January day although very windy, and there was a huge turnout of riders (60+) for the 11th race of the series.

The race started off as it was to continue with several of the top riders trying their best to get away from the bunch. I was trying save my energy for when it mattered, so I tried to keep at the front but out of mischief. This went very well until I got caught out down the back straight and into the wind. I’d not managed to find shelter behind anyone and was losing places quickly. I noticed that Sigma Sport super star Andrew Bye was looking to make a move so I had a split second decision to make! Either try and follow Andrew Bye’s wheel and see if I could get a tow to the front, or stay where I was and lose places all the way down the long back straight.

I decided to follow Andrew who made his way to the front of the pack and was trying everything he could to split up the race. His team mate Steve Golla repeated the move, which left me hanging on for dear life! After taking some time to recover for the finish I moved to the front with15 mins to go. I used loads of energy hoding my place and this was wearing me down for the last 5 laps.

I was in a reasonable place for the finish but by this point two riders, Paul Pickup and Clive Nicholls (who recently won the Willesden CC Cat 3/4 road race) managed to get away and the rest of the bunch was strung out for the finish. I was placed badly for the sprint and had to settle forcoming in 34th place.

I see new member Richard Cooper has starting riding the 4th cat races, if Richard or anyone else would like to get involved with more racing please contact me on richiej1979@hotmail.com

Richard Jerome

This first reliability trial is the well-known Harp Hilly Hundred starting and finishing also at the Hemel Hempstead CC clubroom. This starts off following a similar route as the Hemel event through to Chesham then it takes on its own character taking on the hilly bits of the northern Chilterns through Berkhamsted, Whipsnade (the infamous Bison Hill) then onto Aston Hill near Halton and tracking back through Tring, Ivinghoe Beacon, Whelpley Hill via White Hill to the clubroom for a well earned rest.

With a whole 4 hours sleep under the belt, I woke up feeling.. um.. rough. My eyes were shot – dehydration does this. Coffee and Vegemite toast to the rescue. Prepped the bike (riding the Ribble as I’ve not finished tweaking the S-Works) and packed some muesli bars, a gel, sweets, the GPS (which had the Hemel club room added as a waypoint and a route hastily copied from Google Maps using GMapToGPX), my multi-tool, spare batteries and wet weather gear (although the forecast was good, you never know). I had planned to leave all this in my bag at the club rooms but this didn’t happen.

I left the house around 7am after printing a Google Map route sheet. 32k to ride start. Rode through Greenford, Harrow, Watford and then.. got lost. I took the wrong exit in some messy friggin’ round-a-bout system in some stupid piddly friggin’ town and headed the wrong way for a while before realising. Now I’m running behind schedule! Angry. Didn’t want to up the pace too much as I’m trying to get miles in and not explode my legs too soon.

I met a guy on a bike and he knew the club rooms so we rode together for a short while, until we spotted some more cyclists who it turned out were doing the Harp Hilly 100. These guys had already started and suggested I should just start. So I did. I didn’t really think it through but it meant that I saved £4 (sarcastic woo!) it also meant I had no map and I was carrying my bag full of crap and still had my lights on.. um.. oh well, too late now. Hang on! One of the guys had a new Pinarello, picked up the day before. I don’t think he liked that I’d left my day-old machine at home and he was on his. Turns out they had taken a wrong turn almost straight away (hippy gets lost #2) and we carried on alone until a junction where we could pick up some other bunches.

Once ‘on’ it was quite good rolling along in a group of 20 or so at reasonable pace. The bunch strung out at the first big climb. No idea what it was called or where it was but it was reasonably steep. To keep the HR down I was in my lowest gear (39/25 I think). Rejoined bunch and repeated this process a few times – there’s some nice climbs around this part and the weather was sweet.

Riding up the steep Bison Hill I passed Willesden CC’s ‘Mike the Bike’ and said g’day or something. I was probably a bit vague at that point. He said there were big bunches up ahead so I pushed on, grabbing a muesli bar when my HR had dropped at the top. Rejoined a bunch that had some familiar people in it and at some point here I was dropped, I think? I’m not actually sure but I remember passing two women riding together and then stopping as my back was hurting so much I had to stretch my hamstrings and then the two women passed, asking if I was okay.

No one was coming along the road so I basically chased down the bunch the women were in and tagged on. These guys ride for an MTB club and were training for the Marmotte. We ended up riding up Ivanhoe Beacon, only to get to the top and realise we’d taken a wrong turn somewhere! (lost hippy #3). The consensus was that we’d cut out 1/4 to 1/3 of the course, including Aston Hill but at the top of Ivanhoe you don’t really want to ride back the way you came just to do it all over again later. A pox on the riders near us that failed to mention our wrong turning! Ah well, we continued on.

We did some more map checks and more climbs along the way while I started to suffer a bit – my back again and tiredness. I was sitting on the front though, with another mtb’er bloke, with the two women o’ Marmotte behind so it wasn’t like I wasn’t working with the group. I’d pass them all going up hill but I’d suffer on the rolling/flat (very odd for me! I usually power the flat and suffer up hill). The guy pretty much knew the way back so with a few close calls with Sunday driving buffoons in European saloons we made it back to the Hemel club rooms.

I bid my bunch farewell and decided that the option of returning to Ealing by train was too painful and as it only saved me 10k it was hardly worth it. So, I turned around and cycled back home. This added another 32k to the clock and saw me arriving home in a bit of a state. Ouch. 🙂

144.2k for the day (supposed to be 100k) and it was actually closer to 100k on Saturday although it should have been 60k according to my program :S How do you spell ‘burn out’?

The Team Quest Reliability ride starts much closer to home and will be more like a club run for me.

Hippy (AKA Stuart Birnie)

(Full article appears on Hippy’s Blog Site – http://www.thehippy.net/nucleus/?itemid=967.)

The Uxbridge Golf Club survived another onslaught from the Willesden CC on 19th January for our annual Dinner and Dance. As usual there was a last minute flurry in ticket sales and around 60 of the WCC finest settled down for an evening of prize giving, dining, raffles, dances, speeches, toasting, wine tasting, beer tasting and on occasions Sambuca tasting.

Our Guest of Honour this year was John McMillan. John gave an excellent speech that recounted many of the clubs achievements during the year. He also presented all of the trophies to the club’s champions. Well Done John!

A big thank you must also go to Gladys and Hilary who organised the event. Unfortunately Hilary had to return to her work in deepest Siberia, so was unable to attend. Jim and Wendy did a great job with the raffle and there was a vast array of prizes to be won.

Mike celebrating his lofty new status as a Willesden Grandee, or Life Membership as it is officially called.

Ian and Pauline Why also become Willesden “Lifers”, following 21 years of continuous membership.

After 21 years of stealth membership Nigel Haselden broke his cover to receive his Life time Membership.

The Sash of Honour was awarded to Ray Kelly for all his work for the club during the past year.

Gladys gave a very warm speech welcoming all non-members to the evening’s proceedings.

L to R John McMillan, Jimmy Love (Club President) and Janice Kelly (Mrs Sash-of-Honour)

John presents Sean Bannister with a CTC award for the best passing impression of Bruce Forsyth.

Ron Purdy scoops the Marshalling trophy

Richard Jerome accepts the Mens Road Race Trophy. Well done Richard and keep those race reports coming through.

Peter Turnbull is the WCC’s Audax champion and also has retained the UK’s Audax championship for a second year running. An impressive achievement.

Brian Moon is always a trophy winner at the D&D. This year he collects the Veterans Time Trial Championship

Chris James, known to all of us as Jumbo James receives his award.

Ed Packard wins a sack full of trophies for –

Mens Time Trial Champion (24.72 mph)

Dunning Cup (Fastest 25 mile TT)

Alf Peyton Cup (Fastest 50 mile TT)

Palmer Trophy (Fastest 100 miles TT).

Another trophy for Ed

Darlene Rini gets the Ladies Audax trophy for the most number of points in a season. She also received the Audax Merit trophy for completing the Paris-Brest-Paris within 80 hours even though operating mainly on Pacific Coast time!

Jayne Paine won the Ladies Road Race Championship, retaining it from the previous year.

Exhausted (Ed-huasted?) by the weight of his trophy haul, Ed is supported by the Purdys

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Members of the Middle Earth Wheelers??

Paul Stewart has supplied me with a list of all WCC Audax events being run this year. Ivo Meisen in Holland is also organising a couple of events. In total we have over 3,200 kms of organised rides across the UK and in the Netherlands.

Click on “Whats on with the Willesden CC” for a full list of all WCC Events.

Miles Back