VC10. Cycling for everyone 

Rob,Dave and Leon 3upTTT at the Antelope TTT

This weekend, High Wycombe’s Audio electronics engineer Richie Davies broke into the top 20 at the Newbury Road Club’s 25 at Aldermaston in Berkshire. Almost unaffected by his disability, and nearly breaking the hour, he was 19^th in 1.00.23. International triathlete Julian Jenkinson flew round to win in 53.35. In the same race, Chris Grieg – “Tall Chris” – was unable to use his great stature to overcome a mechanical which tightened his front wheel up so much that it refused to go round! Chris was forced to get a lift back to HQ. On the plus side, the lift was in the new Audi Q7, which he enjoyed very much! At least he was able to start his race. Club leading man Greg Lewis travelled to Manchester, only to find his race cancelled due to a car crash, so he drove home again.

On Sunday, the events of the day before, plus an ill-timed rainstorm, put Chris Grieg off riding the Team Milton Keynes 21 mile time trial, where Aylesbury’s Dave Johnson, VC10’s training mentor, took 8^th place and was awarded the best veteran’s prize for his 49.52. The race was won by St Albans Student, Luke Clarke, in 46.48

And finally, in a long running race through the centre of the capital, VC10 rider Simon Oxenham, from Amersham, produced 3.44.33 for the venerable London Marathon. He says, “wheels came off at 19 miles and had to dig REALLY deep to get under 3.45”.

Simon, you got under. Chapeau to you!!!

Regards

Dave Johnson

Press Liaison

Members of the newly formed VC10 club have been producing some impressive performances over the last few weeks.

Headed up by Aylesbury’s Ed Clemens(pictured above at Calshot velodrome), a recently-joined 16year old who is combining two of the world’s toughest sports in Rugby and Cycle Racing; Ed has already taken two wins and a second place in short, fast circuit races at the tracks at Milton Keynes and Hillingdon.

Aylesbury based IT Consultant Pete Lawrence, mainly a mountain-biker in the past, has, after a season of time-trialling last year, made huge bounds forward over the winter, and has already achieved one of his major season goals: On a chilly and windy night on the Andover bypass, Pete achieved his dreamed-for sub-22 minute 10 mile personal record, with 21.58. Pete, also, has taken a win this year, in the West London Combine 25 in early April.

Pete Lawrence on his way to breaking his personnel best 10TT time

Also riding at Andover in the 10 mile time trial were Greg Lewis and Richie Davies. Greg clocked a 22 minutes and 46 time with Richie not far behind in a time of 23 minute 42 second. A great team showing by VC10.

VC10 organised it’s first national event last weekend. Riders enjoyed 66 or 106 miles Cyclosportive routes in the Chilterns, taking in gorgeous views as well as tough climbs. First back was High Wycombe’s Simon Jackson, showing superb fitness despite the pressures of holding a senior position at Sky TV.

The event also saw 60 disability riders take advantage of the Princes Risborough School grounds to take rides in especially adapted bikes provided by Quest 88.

College Sports student Joe Holloway has impressed, to, with fine performances in the first two of High Wycombe Cycling Club’s Evening League races. Joe’s light weight makes him more suited to climbing steep hills rather than thumping along flat-windy roads at nearly 25 mph, but he has overcome the disadvantage of his slight build to record a 4th place in 24.31

Richie Davies at speed on his TT bike

Other club time-trialling stalwarts Rich Davies, a National track medallist in the C4 disability category, Dave Johnson, last year’s veteran’s 10 mile Time trial Champ in the 50-59 y.o. category, and High Wycombe’s Chris Grieg, have yet to hit top form, but are moving steadily towards fast times as the warmer weather settles over them.
Perhaps it is the disgraceful state of some of Buckinghamshire roads that has kept Personal Trainer Rick Fetherstone, Veterinary Surgeon Iwona Szmyd and Mobile vehicle technician and birthday-boy Nick Calkin on their Mountain Bikes, but it’s been a good move, with all three taking wins in Navigator races (Cycle orienteering) this season

And finally…….

In the Antelope 3-up team time trial, VC10 teams had varying fortunes:
Having never ridden together before, Dave Johnson, Rob Fletcher and former National medallist Leon Wright were pleased with 12th place in 1.10.02

Richard Davies, Andy Colsell and Mark Wakely surpassed at least Mark’s expectations with 34th, in 1.17.33

New to racing, the team of Kev Wilkinson, Richard King and Matt Hided towered above their expectations, and, despite a crash and two mechanicals, finished with a speed greater than 20 mph, 1.29.38 for 58th spot. Having got up, brushed down and helped the team to the finish, Rich spent the next day assisting at the VC10 Sportive. Only after this did he go to hospital and be diagnosed with a torn quadriceps. Dedication to duty!!

Father and Son Kevin and Joe Holloway teamed with super-junior Ed Clemens, but were attacked by potholes. Kev was unable to finish, but the two lads blasted on to a time of 1.16.13. Most impressive!

Combo team of Sigma’s Jim Mahoney, Wycombe’s Steve Rouse and VC10’s Colin Fury suffered the same fate, but were unable to finish
Greg Lewis, Chris Starling and Pete Lawrence were unable to start, as the Icelandic volcano had pinned Chris to the Canary Islands.

Kind regards

Dave Johnson
VC10 Press Officer

Matt with his new road bike

Matt Hide joined VC10 just before Christmas. Under the coaching of Dave Johnson from Aspire Holistic Coaching Matt has now decided to take on the challenge of riding from Paris to London for charity.

Over to Matt for the full story.

On the 10th of June 2010 I will be cycling from Paris to London to raise money for Children’s Hope Uk

At the end of March this year I was given the opportunity to take part in a charity bike ride which involved cycling on a road bike from New Look’s Paris head office to the New Look head office in London.

In a moment of madness I agreed to taking part with out even thinking about what was involved.

Then it dawned on me that I have never rode a road bike before and that my level of exercise at that time involved walking the dog and doing the school run.

I needed help and was put in touch by a mum at my son’s school with a cycling club (www.vc10.org.uk) upon talking with them I decided to join and soon found myself taking part in there turbo core training session’s on a weekly basis.

Which is where I was given lots of advice on what bike would be good for me along with a training program that would quickly build my fitness levels.

Since then I have purchased a bike and have been training for 6 days a week, which has been a necessity as most people who embark on a challenge of this nature would train for 6 months before the cycle ride.

I have 12 weeks.

As I am sitting here writing this I’m thinking of the weekend that lies ahead of me.

A 30 mile 3 up time trial on Saturday and on Sunday a 60 mile Sportive event.

I hope that my training so far has put me in good stead to complete both within a reasonable time.

I have now done the 30 mile time trial in a time of 1 hour 27 min and also covered my greatest distance so far of 66 miles on one ride.This is a link to a photo of me in the time trial. http://www.sarahbrookephotography.co.uk/photo4798829.html#photo

As part of my training regime I have now entered two more sportive events one 60 mile in Reading and one 80 mile event in Northhampton. They take place on the 2nd and 9th of May.

This Saturday I will be setting off at 7.30am to ride to Oxford and back a mere 42 miles, so I have decided to make it harder and ride a mountain bike for this, instead of the road bike.

Thanks to the Bucks Free Press for running my story.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/localnews/risborough/8114099.Dad_faces_mammoth_bike_challenge/

Please read the information below about the charity’s great work.

In Bangladesh a family of 5 live in one room of less than 18 sq ft. They share one bed and have no running water. Education is their life line from poverty. To qualify for the program, family income is less than £20 per month.

The charity provides education from age 11 through to University, along with additional support for the family by way of medical care and vitamin supplements. All for approximately £1000 per child !!

Funding confirms a comprehensive education and healthcare programme for 50 poor but bright children for the next 3 years. 14 of them already receive CH-scholarship (known as TG) for their outstanding results. Many are inspired by the opportunities given to them and are already aiming to reach the postgraduate level of education.

Malnutrition is the most common cause of illness amongst children, and also an important factor for underperformance in schools. Fashion Peddlars contribution has resulted in the introduction of the Nutrition Program for the first time.

40% of illnesses in Bangladesh are preventable. Most families cannot access the healthcare systems. Children’s Hope provides a comprehensive healthcare program; over the years this support programme has also saved many lives.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Matt

The official photographer has now download all the photos.

They can be found on:

http://www.petewardphotography.com/

Some great pictures.

Regards

VC10