Max's Busy Weekend

All photographs are of Max riding the cyclocross (you probably worked that out for yourself)

Last weekend I raced twice, one each day, interspersed with a rather dry (for me at least) works Christmas 'do'.

On Saturday, I had my first experience of the Odd Down cycle circuit, just south of Bath. I was really struck by how great the venue was! A proper, dedicated cycle-racing circuit with spectator areas, a little signing-on booth and access to the adjoining rugby club's changing rooms -  a welcome change from 'baring all' in car parks and peeing in bushes. There had been races going all morning, from under 8's right through to my race - category 2's and 3's thrown in together. I even heard that there were dedicated training/orientation sessions for newbie ladies/girls earlier in the morning. It sounds like Somer CC (who hosted the event) have got a great grasp of inclusive, grass-roots racing.  

I wasn't expecting much from my performance, and so it was! I've not done a circuit race for a good while now, and all my experience seemed to go out of the window - I went with an early break which didn't stick, kept finding myself on the front of the bunch in the wind and was always trying to go with little breaks. My fitness wasn't great on the day, and it really showed by the closing laps. We crossed the finish line with one lap to go, and it felt (to me at least) that the pace went through the ceiling, and I was scrabbling to hold on. Come the final sprint, it was all I could do to hold the group. I didn't come last, but I was far from the front... They only give placings up to 10th, and was obviously outside of that, but don't know exactly where.

For reference, the course basically consists of three big sprints. There are two hairpins and one tight 90 degree left-hander which opens onto an uphill - all three require a big sprint to get back up to speed. In the dry (and if you're feeling brave), you don't need to brake for any of the corners but there's a natural concertina effect if you're in the middle/back of the group. Saturday was greasy and cold so the slow-and-sprint effect in-and-out of the corners was amplified. Otherwise, it's fairly open and exposed so, as always, important to keep your nose out of the wind. They're running a Winter Series all through the, er, winter, so plenty of opportunity for more.

Sunday was the 10th and final round of the Welsh Cyclocross League. It's a great, privately-organised league which focuses on the kids and grass-roots racing, as well as accommodating some top, elite riders. The venue was just outside of Cardiff, so very much my stomping ground. The weather was pretty poor when I got there, but only got worse up to, and into, the race itself. The course is set out over an old golf course so is mostly grass, with sandy bunkers, a gravel car park and a small woodland section. Come the main race, which was preceded by 5 other category races, the course was an absolutely quagmire, and only got worse with 124 senior riders churning it up! Some sections, which were barely ride-able at the beginning, were completely impossible by the end - I think I shouldered the bike and ran for 1/5th of the final lap! However, I really relished the conditions, and I think mountain biking experience really played its part. There were quite a few abandons and even more mechanicals - indeed, my brakes had completely worn down by the last lap - but I was lucky and managed to finish with no forced stops. I placed 31st of 111 finishers and 124 starters. My bike is still suffering though - even after 2 washes, there is grass and mud everywhere. I've really enjoyed racing CX this year though, and it'll definitely be something I focus on next winter.

News Roundup

Saturday Club Ride

Four members rode to The Canteen at Nailsworth on Saturday. I understand the return leg involved a bit of a loop out through Kemble, which took the mileage up to around the 50 mark.

My riding plans for the weekend were to watch Max racing at Odd Down, Bath on Saturday afternoon and then to complete the 65 mile course on Sunday morning as part of Performance Cycles' winter mini-sportive series. A poorly behaved starting motor, which the garage couldn't replace until Monday, meant a quick rethink. So as not to completely waste my £8.50 entry fee, I did the ride with George on Saturday instead. 

The route comes through Malmesbury and so was easily joined. Over mostly flat terrain, it was an absolute pleasure to ride, apart from the last hour or so when with the sun sinking, the temperature plummeted and I lost all feeling in my fingers and toes. I had hoped to thaw out at the cafe attached to the Bell Hotel at Sutton Benger. It looked inviting inside, but the dreaded closed sign was on the door. The next opportunity arose when we reached Sherston, but with just 5 miles of the ride left, it didn't seem worth stopping.

Short route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3859755
Long route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3881143

Wednesday Evening Training Ride

If anyone fancies an evening mid-week training ride in a safe environment, then this could be for you. Up until the end of February 2015, you can ride on closed roads around a 800m circuit at Hoburne, South Cerney for just £3. The sessions run from 6.00 to 8.00pm. No new registrations after 7.00pm. There is street lighting, but all riders must have lights. Turn up, register and do your own thing or with a few of us, we could ride as a group, but we don't have to.

Holiday Snaps

I'm going to set up a holiday snaps section in the gallery featuring members wearing their club kit. Simon Barnes has kindly sent us this recent picture of him outside a temple near Chiang Mai in Thailand. It doesn't matter whether you're at Bognor or Bombay, we'd like to see you proudly wearing our club colours.

The Unbeatable Record

In 1939 Tommy Godwin set what has become known as the 'unbeatable record' by cycling 75,065 miles in a year. On 1st January 2015, Steve Abraham will start his attempt to beat Tommy's record. To do so, he will have to ride an average of more than 205 miles every day for a whole year. Steve is taking a year off work and has committed £6,000 of his own money, but needs a lot more to fund the project. A donation of £10 will buy him two feeds out on the road and £70 will cover his expenses for a day. Steve also needs people to put him up for the night.

Raleigh, who also sponsored Tommy, are providing Steve's bike. Schwalbe are equipping Steve with his tubeless tyres and sealant. There are other sponsors to accurately record his mileage and provide his jerseys, but there's no huge injection of cash, as yet, from big businesses. This means that Steve will have to rely on cash from cycling enthusiasts like us. This might change when the record starts to look as though it could be within Steve's grasp, but there's no way of knowing.

It's not every day that you get a chance to play a part in cycling history. Below is a link to Steve's website with details of how you can help financially or by being a host.

http://oneyeartimetrial.org.uk/

Club Ride Saturday 6th December 2014

Unlike in an email I received that morning from Phil claiming that he and Steve were ‘looking forward to the ride’, I was entirely sceptical. Having earlier cleared the car of frost and driven to Swindon and back at a sub zero temperature, and with the current 10am temperature hovering around 2 degrees, the one thing on my mind was ice. Never-the-less, I cycled to the start where there were already 8 others waiting for the off.  

Enough riders to form 2 groups and 4 opted for the longer circuit. As both circuits stay together for about the first six miles the bunch of 9 set off together. Once Malmesbury was cleared a blistering pace was set along the Tetbury Road for as far as Long Newnton. At that point the pace maker blew up completely and was, almost, not seen or heard of for the rest of the ride. 

We turned right at Long Newnton, then right again on to the road that snakes back to Crudwell  and there things started to get interesting, or in my view, scary. This road had sections covered in white hoar frost. To me it looked like a skating rink. The only way I can cope with those conditions is by going dead slowly or even getting off and walking! Also, I prefer a lot of room around me and preferred to be right at the back. I could only marvel at the skills of all the other riders who barely slowed down and soon left me far behind. All the evidence was that the road surface was not bad at all, but to me it looked terrible. Soon the bunch was out of sight and I rode the rest of the way alone. In this instance I preferred it that way. 

In the end I was first to the Angel Café having avoided what I thought would be the worst roads. The group riding the shorter circuit arrived as I was locking my bike and we were soon in the café placing our orders. The Angel had done us proud by providing us with the sole use of their lounge having been briefed by email that we would be going there, (thanks Tim W). It was too cold to linger for long and we left and went our separate was without seeing the other group. 

A final embarrassing moment was added to my somewhat ignominious ride. I was about 15 minutes away from the Angel when I suddenly realised I hadn’t paid for my coffee and cake! I could have paid on Thursday, but a bird in the hand etc etc so I turned back and made my confession and apologies. As far as I am aware there is no police action being taken at this time and the clubs good name is intact!! 

Apparently the other group did make it to the café but were later than expected due to an ongoing puncture situation.

Howard