So quite a few updates ranging from the TTs (including the Inter Club) to the odd Criterium around the country. Just a reminder if you do a race, long event, meaningful event then please send a report to the club and we will include the content for our members to read.
MK Bowl BM Criterium 11th Jul Pat Ellerbeck 1st in age group 17 miles
NDCA Race 7 of 8 12.8 miles NC13C 15th Jul
Report by Norman King
We had 3 riders out on a "sporting" and tough course. An unusual 12.8 miles and only the second time I'd done an Open TT this year. A small field held at the wonderful Rockingham Forest Wheelers HQ which was also part of their Festival weekend. Ahead of the event we were warned of high winds and rain, neither appeared but it was breezy. Chatting to Pat and Sam, Sam warned me not to go off too hard. Pat was off first, I was fourth, Sam I think was second last off. It was downhill. Yep I went off too fast, got to Ashley and averaging 21mph and could see my minute man (woman). Then the hills started, and I started going backwards, people were overtaking me. Then on a second big hill a lady was wobbling and slowed dramatically and I was catching her, but once she got to the top she took off. Spoke to her afterwards and she'd scared herself with a crosswind. So not my best but I took part. Nice sausage roll and tea afterwards. Sam had finished 2nd ( so close (8 secs) to his nemesis Paul Pardoe)), Pat finished 10th (2nd Road Bike) and I was 26th (and last).
Additional comments from Pat - a tough course with a few climbs, 2nd road bike 1st age group 10th Overall with a 34:55 on road bike.
Sam McDonald 2nd 29.17
Pat Ellerbeck 10th 34.55
Norman King 26th 48.22
I understand we were the third team - so with one more decent rider we would have challenged first. There is one more event this season on 19th Aug, a 10, please consider entering it.
VTTA LHC 10 miles F11/10 16th Jul
Men
Adam Williams 24th 20.24
Women
Frances Lammyman 6th 24.19
Ruth Stapleton 7th 25.20 Road Bike (riding for Harlow CC)
Inter Club 16th Jul CCA 25 miles F14/25
Seven members of the club rode for SNCC, would have been nice to see a few more but this is the best turn out of the season. Some excellent results and we finished 2nd team, Sam won the event on a tough day, excellent result from Mark Redwood in coming 2nd and also to Dawn gaining an excellent 20 points. Well done to Simon Winter in entering his first Inter Club, crashing, finished and still averaged 20mph. This was cycled in tough conditions, involving a 4.5 mile tailwind (twice) and then a 4.5 mile headwind (again twice). Next event is our own SNCC 10 mile on the Abbotsley Course, even with the volunteers engaged on their duties we hope to have a good turnout for that event, every point counts for this friendly league, please check the Weekly Bulletin/Website for more details.
Men
Sam McDonald 1st 53.46 26 points
Mark Redwood 2nd 55.45 25 points
Mark Greenhow 8th 61.12 19 points
Simon Richardson 17th 68.38 10 points
Simon Winter 20th 75.01 7 points
Norman King 25th 86.42 (not last) 2 points
Women
Dawn Donaldson 2nd 71.12 20 points
So we were 21 points behind Ashwell as they do turn out in numbers. Three more events to go, please try to enter as it is great fun.
Pat Ellerbeck BM Stallard Criterium Race at Hetton Park Jul 16th 6th
Sunday saw a 3 hour drive to Newcastle for BM Stallard crit at Hetton Park, led the race and reduced the leading group to 8, so put in a big sprint in at the end and just failed to hold on, finishing 6th. A great undulating Mile circuit, very pleased with my ride hour and a half with a normalised power of 317 watts.
Anastasia Bowler rode for her team the Dudley GP on 14th Jul and the Lancaster GP on 16th Jul, a great effort and this is the highest standard to ride at on the UK scene.
Friday night: Dudley GP. A wet town center crit is risky business! I managed to get myself in the chase group behind a break of 10, a really great position for myself at the National circuit series. But sadly with 6 laps to go a girl crashed in front of me, and just like that the group was gone. 5 laps solo and caught at the line by the second chase group behind me. Looking forward to the final round of the circuit series!
Sunday: Lancaster GP. A very hilly course, so not really one to play to my strengths. Unfortunately my right hood came loose, and I was unable to pull on my bars up the hills. I made it around in a small group off the back until we got pulled with a lap and a half to go.
Not a great weekend of racing, but luckily I had an evening summer cx race to look forward to, in the hope of raising my spirits, which it did!