Surrey League, Barcombe - 3/4 cats (25/03/07)
Ian Lowe writes: “I decided to ride the Surrey League race at Barcombe at the weekend after asking the organiser what type of course it was and informed it was a rolling course. Good, I thought - rolling courses suit my style of riding/racing and I also thought it would be good to ride a new course.
I arrived early to drive the course but got a bit lost. I probably recce’d about 3 kms of the 12 km course and this was as expected - rolling, country lanes. So pushed for time, I decided to drive back to HQ.
There was a good turnout of around 50 riders and what I had noticed that most of the others were a lesser build than myself. This should have been a warning sign that something bad was going to happen, but I was pre-occupied with the pre-race prep for this really to sink in.
The race got under way and I started at the back and slowly move up towards the front where I like to ride. The pace was fast and consistent and I ensured that I was in the top 25% of the bunch so as to stay out of trouble. Half way round one rider shot off the front and no one chased. I thought ‘well maybe everyone was asleep’ and being 3rd Cats not wanting to chase, so like a shot I chased after him. Another rider - a London Dynamo rider Rob who I knew with came with me and soon we were away. We work together to chase the lead rider down but we weren’t making much of an impression. It was evident that he was a lot stronger than the two of us working together – impressive stuff!
Suddenly we came around this bend and the rolling course dramatically became a hilly one!! This took me be surprise and I really struggled to stay with Rob as he is hill climber and I am not. He then started to ride away from me and the bunch were closing. About 200m from the top of the hill the bunch had caught me and were chasing down Rob when another rider shot off the front a break neck speed. I decided to hop in to the bunch and recover. When we crested this hill I was glad that it was all over and the pace increased. However, 5 minutes later I was treated to another punishment of a short steep hill and again the younger lighter riders shot over this with no hesitation. I lost about 100m up here and had to work hard to get back on.
My race plan – thus amended (!) was to stay in the bunch to survive this race, moving to the front before each of these 2 hilly climbs and hanging on afterwards to get back on.
We were to do these 2 hills 8 times. After 5 times and on the 6th time my legs started to cramp which made my task harder. This happen again on the 7th time and I was nearly on the verge of opting out. However, I dug deeper – determined to finish the race and not bale out.
The two that got away stayed away stayed away and were 3 minutes ahead by the end of the race. The rider that went away initially, eventually won. There was a bunch sprint for the 3rd to 10th places up the dreaded hill for the seventh time. I finished at the back of the bunch, but finished. About 25 riders completed the race – reflecting the tough course that I have now made a mental note of! Ultimately, I was happy with that for my days work.
Stats: Max speed 65kms, average: 35.4 kms, distance 96 kms, time: 2 hours 45 mins.
Hounslow Road Race, Lyne - 3/4 cats (25/03/07)
3 of the Velo at Lyne, Surrey on Sunday, Andy Fowkes reports: "Mr Broadbent, Mr Monk and myself did the Peter Young near Chertsey. What a fantasic course (almost as good as ours but not quite!) Apart from one section of about a km, the roads were in very good condition and some sections were just newly tarmaced! The main lap (of which we did 5 circuits) was pretty 'friendly' - just 2 or 3 short, sharp climbs. The shorter, finishing lap had a draggy type hill to finish on. (Actually, let's face it, that last finishing hill was a bar-steward!).
Within the neutralised zone some clown made a break for it, failed, came back and exclaimed 'is anyone *@*&$%£" racing or what?!' When someone pointed out we were still neutralised and the race starts when we pass the union flag he asked for the bill, paid, got his coat and left!
Anyway, my aim was to just finish in the bunch. The race couldn't have been anymore typical 3rd Cat if it had tried! Lots of little flurries - all of them coming to nowt! I felt ok just sat in the bunch and nearing the completion of the main laps decided to move up and watch! We got onto the smaller circuit (3 laps) and being a cunning little fox I clocked the last corner before the finish - it was very sharp, probably 110 degrees. I thought 'Fowkesy, with communications down between legs and engine room, you gotta be one of the first round that corner'. And so I was - third to be precise! I did my best to ramp things up forthe sprint but I was finished! I guess I managed to hold on to a top 20 place in the end.
A very enjoyable race on a great course - I'll be back next year."
Omega Circuits, Thruxton - 3rds (25/03/07)
Gary Bullock at Thruxton: "Compared to last week the wind had totally changed direction as well as severity, although it was still a stiff breeze - it was now creating a tailwind up the short climb to the finish and and what felt like headwind and crosswinds the rest of the way round.
I sat just off the front for the first couple of laps and watched several attacks dissappear up the road only to be brought back, the commissares warning about a massive crash in the earlier 4th cat race obviously went unnoticed as a crash coming up the hill took out a few riders and split the bunch, luckily I was in the front group.
With about 8 to go I noticed two guys had decided to attack into the wind, I was well positioned and thought what the hell, as I bridged up to them I noticed the pack wasn't really chasing and at the same time a VC St Raphael rider was trying to get on my wheel, I managed to get upto the leading two just as we hit the hill, by this time I was on or near my limit and thought about dropping back to the bunch - but a quick look back and we seemed to have a good lead, so head down and deal with the pain.
We held this lead for a fair few more laps until mysteriously the bunch caught us up?? How the hell did that happen. As the group caught us I noticed yellow numbers on the riders backs - the 3rds bunch had hopped onto the back of the E/1/2 race and caught a free ride back up to us!!!!
Consequently, the last couple of laps were a farce. To add to the comedy the commisaire came out in the car to get the groups to split - but the 3rd cat wunderkinds were having none of it. He should have stopped the race, split the fields and restarted. So down to a mass bunch sprint and it was messy - I managed to just miss out on the points and got 11th place."
West Drayton Crits, Hillingdon - 2/3/4 (24/03/07)
Mike Inder rode the 52km Saturday afternoon crit at the weekend. A monster turnout of riders in cold and windy conditions rolled out for around 35 laps of the circuit. However, conditions weren't tough enough for any breaks to stay away - as splits in the field only lasted a lap or two. There were plenty of close shaves within the peleton, to be expected on this circuit with the mix of rider abilites involved.
Mike wasn't far up enough to contest the sprint, so rolled in with the bunch behind.
Mike said: "The pace was too high for anything to get away and I admit to ducking out of the mad scramble for top ten. I prefer a higher quality field, harder conditions and fewer riders on this circuit. Av. speed was around the 26mph mark."
Omega Circuits, Thruxton - 3 and 4/J (18/03/07)
Ian Lowe reports:
"Jeremy, Gary and Ian made the journey down to Thruxton circuit. Ian was pretty pleased that there was a strong wind which usually gave plenty of opportunities.
Jeremy raced in the earlier Cat 4/J race with 75 starters and felt the going really tough as he was not able to keep up with the others down the back straight on restricted gears. This allowed a gap to develop and then having to cycle out of the bunch back into the very strong wind. Jeremy completed 3 laps before deciding to pull out. This was certainly not a day to lose the wheel and even riding within the bunch was most difficult due to the wind conditions.
Ian and Gary raced in the Cat 3 race with 65 starters. This was also going to prove a very tough race and Ian and Gary decided to stay in the bunch for a while to play the waiting game and see what might happen. A few attempts to form a break away were quickly brought back which basically set the race up for a bunch sprint. But on the 4th lap 2 riders got away and the bunch allowed them to get a good gap as they were too confident they would close it. A few riders attempted to close the gap and both Ian and Gary were involved with these attempts. It soon became evident that this might not happen if something serious was not done.
Then six riders hopped off the front into the wind and up the hill and Ian attempted to get on - working extremely hard and eventually get the sixth wheel with a gap of about 250 metres opened between them and the bunch - but Ian was hurting. The six put the hammer down on the flat and with Ian still recovering from the jump, could not go with them so drifted back to the bunch - who were now up for the chase. This was too much for Ian who was feeling rather tired and heavy legged and eventually lost the wheel of the rider ahead of him. Gary kept on pushing strongly and stayed in contention. Ian decided to bail out with 2 laps to go as he was no longer with the bunch and hurting.
Meanwhile, Gary moved up towards the front runners. The bunch had now caught the six riders who had skipped away leaving only the earlier break away of the 2 riders up the road. These two riders stayed away and the bunch sprint was on for the minor places. Gary moved up to sprint up the last part of the climb into the wind and was leading the bunch into the final finish straight to be greeted by that great enemy of many riders - the wind. Although passed by a couple of riders, Gary eventually claimed a deserved 10th place in what was a very tough race with the wind conditions. Well done Gary."
Glendene Early Starter LVRC - (18/03/07)
Mike Inder made his first foray onto the road for the 2007 season, in a five circuit loop 50 mile event based at Thaxted, Essex. The course was rolling with two hills with a very gusty wind but at least conditions were dry and not too cold.
"A big turnout for this early season race saw plenty of familiar faces - and big team entries from the likes of Finchley RT and others.
Mistake No.1 for Mike was not to recce the course, as he was completely caught out when the first break of 5 riders went clear first time up the hill. The next split happened on a flat and exposed section of the circuit and really shouldn't have been - as it was a case of wheels not being followed. Too far back, Mike's mistake No.2 was to not read this right and instead of jumping across, rode in the wheels "assuming" others to bring it back - WRONG!
The 2nd break quickly joined the front runners to make a lead group of 12 riders - with the bunch riding with not a whole lot of interest behind. Our group split again in the wind, which again I missed - but jumped across to with one other on my tail (at least he thanked me when we got across).
The last time up the hill I tried to get away from the group, but got pulled back with 1km to go. I managed to get a good wheel, but couldn't get round so settled for 4th in the sprint.
A hard but enjoyable ride given the conditions, but plenty to work on in the "paying attention" department!"
WDMBC Crits, Hillingdon - 2/3/4 (17/03/07)
Andy Fowkes reports: "It was the two Andys at the races today - myself and Andy Broadbent. I finished in the bunch, in dry but very windy conditons. Happy with that - it's called progress! There were 85, yes 85 starters! One got away, two joined him and that was the podium completed. There were two others sandwiched between the front three and the bunch. By the end, the bunch had been whittled down to 40 ish I guess. It was all I could do to stay in the bunch though. I closed a few gaps but I was at my limit!
The speed is returning!
49km......1hr 12mins......40.6km/hr
Think Mr Broadbent took a lap out, due to the conditions, then got back on.
Spring Chicken RR - 3rds & 4ths (10/03/07)
Gary Bullock and Andy Fowkes were at the Spring Chicken support race on Saturday, who both unfortunately failed to finish in the points.
Gary knew that he was in trouble early on when he found it hard to breathe effectively, so he climbed off with only around 9 miles completed. He has since been diagnosed with a chest infection, so no wonder he was suffering.
Andy started well but lost contact with the main bunch after the first lap. He managed to get into a group of 5 riders who worked hard but didn't make the junction back to the main race. Towards the end the group was whittled down to 2 riders (Andy and his brother - who rides as a private member), who both finished the event.
Andy said that he was pleased with his early season performance despite getting dropped early on. Don't worry Andy - we've all been there!
Finchley Crits, Hillingdon - 3rds & 4ths (03/03/07)
Present from Thames were me (Gary) and Ian Lowe. Andy Fowkes had apparently overcooked himself in Spain and so gave it a miss and Mike was still in pain from his previous weekends spill.....
72 riders lined up for the 3/4 event which was run in a mix of sunshine, showers and a stiff breeze down the back straight. I'd been suffering from a chest cold the whole of the week and thought if I made it to the finish in the bunch I'd be happy.
So off we started with Ian on the front for what seemed an age - fair play to him, it was an effort just to watch him ploughing away on the front for long periods of time, the odd attack went off the front but due to the wind nothing really stuck. I was always keeping myself near the front and trying to keep out of trouble and it was just as well as just as we were sweeping round the bend after the finish line with three laps to go I heard a loud crash of carbon and concrete coming together, I looked round and noticed several riders on the floor, even more surprised was I when I noticed Ian was caught up in it again, this time thankfully he had managed to stay upright albeit ending up in the grass. With that, I thought I'd have a go not wanting to be involved in the lottery of a sprint finish, so down the back straight I opened up about a 200 yard gap and just started hammering the pedals, I got to the finish line and noticed that the gap was still there and with two to go I felt like I could maintain the speed, however it was not to be and half a lap later the bunch came flying by.
So it would be a bunch sprint again - I noticed a rider from Finchley who I knew could sprint and attached myself to his back wheel, however down the back straight I managed to lose it and drifted back a bit. Coming up the finishing straight again riders eager for the glory made silly mistakes and three went down right in front of me, I braked hard and managed to avoid them, I started sprinting about half way up the finishing straight and managed to claw back a fair few places. As I crossed the line, I counted 14 riders in front of me so 15th place.
Overall I was happy with the effort, even more happy that the season for me had officially started !!
There are some good photos on Dennis Sackett's site here
Gary Bullock