Round 9 only started after a quick vote from the riders on whether or not they felt it was safe to to ride. Heavy clouds and the odd spot of rain could have put paid to the event.

Everyone wanted to ride and it turned out to be the correct decision as conditions improved as the event unfolded.

After the 9up TTT the night before at Weston on the Green airfield there were some heavy legs amongst the riders. No surprise then that a well rested Pete Lawrence took more time off his course pb with a 21.51.

Showing that youth really is an advantage Will Dixon had no tiredness from the night before taking almost three quarters of a minute off his course pb with a 24.45. Will beating some high quality riders toa 5th place overall on the night and moving up to 5th in the championship.

Damien Cahill’s riding is improving each week. After a fine performance at the 9up TTT. Damien set a new pb for the course setting a time of 26.08. Only a few seconds off his season best set on a much faster course.

As the gloom descended again the results showed Pete had beaten his coach Dave Johnson into second with Rob Fletcher in third.

Round 9
1	Pete Lawrence		21.51	25
2	Dave Johnson		22.25	24
3	Rob Fletcher		22.37	23
4	Mark Wakely		24.33	22
5	Will Dixon		24.45	21
6	Richard Stanton		25.27	20
7	Colin Fury		25.33	19
8	Damien Cahill		26.08	18
9	Ralph Dadswell		26.13	17
10	Terry Hammond		28.03	16
11	Eddie Page		28.38	0

Championship Table
Position	Name		Rd 1	Rd 2	Rd 3	Rd 4	Rd 5	Rd 6	Rd 7	Rd 8	Rd 9	Total
1	Pete Lawrence		D	25	24	24	25	25	D	25	25	173
2	Ralph Dadswell		D	19	19	20	21	22	D	20	17	138
3	Ed Clemens		22	24	D	22	22	D	0	24	0	114
4	Nick Calkin		21	21	21	19	D	D	0	22	0	104
5	Will Dixon		D	D	0	17	19	23	0	19	21	99
6	Mark Wakely		D	20	18	18	20	D	0	0	22	98
7	Chris Starling		D	22	25	D	23	24	0	0	0	94
8	Rob Fletcher		25	23	D	23	D	0	0	0	23	94
9	Dan Clemens		18	18	D	15	18	D	0	17	0	86
10	Damien Cahill		17	17	16	D	D	0	0	17	18	85
11	Dave Johnson		D	D	0	25	25	0	0	0	24	74
12	kev Holloway		24	D	23	D	0	0	0	23	0	70
13	Richie Davies		D	20	20	16	D	0	0	0	0	56
14	Joe Holloway		D	D	22	21	0	0	0	0	0	43
15	Iwona Szmyd		D	D	15	12	0	0	0	0	16	43
16	Chris Greig		20	D	D	0	0	0	0	21	0	41
17	Terry Hammond		D	D	0	13	17	0	0	0	0	30
18	Colin Fury		D	D	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	19
19	Anna Holder		D	D	0	0	0	0	0	18	0	18
20	Simon Oxenham		D	D	17	0	0	0	0	0	0	17
21	Andy Lane		D	D	0	14	0	0	0	0	0	14
22	Rich King		D	D	0	11	0	0	0	0	0	11
23	Alan Jones		D	D	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
24	Matt Webb		D	D	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
25	Simon Baker		D	D	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
26	Eddie Page		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

A bumper edition of results for the club championship this week.

Round 6 was a 25 mile TT. Again riders were greeted with good conditions. Holidays and other events meant the turnout was lower than normal. So good points were going on offer for the riders who could make the start.

Riders were also timed over the 10 mile course to see how the race was going.

VC10′s current speed merchant Pete Lawrence was having a battle royal with Chris Starling. Passing the 10 mile point Pete had a 12 second advantage. Chris riding his single speed TT bike managed to claw a second back over the remaining 15 miles to finish second within 11 seconds of Pete.

Will Dixon continued to impress with a new 25 mile pb to follow up his 10 mile pb the week before on the F20/10. Will taking two minutes off with a 65.55.

Ralph continued to build a healthy points total with a steady 64.08.

Round 6
	Name		Time	Comment	Points		10 Time
1	Pete Lawrence		57.22		25		22.38
2	Chris Starling		57.33		24		22.50
3	Will Dixon		65.55	PB	23		25.35
4	Ralph Dadswell		66.08		22		25.36

Round 7

There was no round 7. Finally our luck ran out and the weather broke. A heavy thunderstorm 5 minutes before the start caused the round to be called off.

Round 8

Lady Luck brings good weather. Despite a conversation with Ralph who was in Bristol and dashing through the rain to get to the station. The weather was perfect for fast times.

Preparations for the Bicester TTT series continued with Rich Davies and Mark Wakely doing a 2up. Producing a speedy 24.07. Crossing the finish line in perfect position. Looking very professional.

Anna Holder made her VC10 Club TT championship and despite heavy legs from her pb on Saturday on the Newmarket 25 course . Anna managed a 26.37 to show some of the guys a clean pair of heels.

Overall the standard was high with no time slower than 28 minutes which for a club event is exceptional.

Pete Lawrence without his main competitors Dave Johnson and Chris Starling continued his fine run of form with a winning time of 21.57. Not bad consider Pete rode a 10 the night before.

Junior Ed Clemens continued to show the seniors that he is a force to be reckoned with by posting a 23.18 for second place. Not far behind and fresh from success in the National MTB XC Championships Kev Holloway’s 23.36 was good enough for 3rd.

15 year Will Dixon again improving on his course pb with a 25.25. Will is moving up the leader board fast and has a chance of a podium finish in the championships. Will just needs to enter all the remaining events and hope some of his main competitors take holidays. 

Round 8
1	Pete Lawrence		21.57		25
2	Ed Clemens		23.18	Jnr	24
3	Kev Holloway		23.36		23
4	Nick Calkin		24.12		22
5	Chris Greig		24.30		21
6	Ralph Dadswell		24.42		20
7	Will Dixon		25.25	Juvenile	19
8	Anna Holder		26.37		18
9	Damien Cahill		27.09		17
9	Dan Clemens		27.09		17

Position	Name		Rd 1	Rd 2	Rd 3	Rd 4	Rd 5	Rd 6	Rd 7	Rd 8	Total
1	Pete Lawrence		0	25	24	24	25	25	0	25	148
2	Ralph Dadswell		19	19	19	20	21	22	0	20	140
3	Ed Clemens		22	24	0	22	22	0	0	24	114
4	Nick Calkin		21	21	21	19	0	0	0	22	104
5	Chris Starling		0	22	25	0	23	24	0	0	94
6	Dan Clemens		18	18	0	15	18	0	0	17	86
7	Will Dixon		0	0	0	17	19	23	0	19	78
8	Mark Wakely		0	20	18	18	20	0	0	0	76
9	Rob Fletcher		25	23	0	23	0	0	0	0	71
10	kev Holloway		24	0	23	0	0	0	0	23	70
11	Damien Cahill		17	17	16	0	0	0	0	17	67
12	Richie Davies		0	20	20	16	0	0	0	0	56
13	Dave Johnson		0	0	0	25	25	0	0	0	50
14	Joe Holloway		0	0	22	21	0	0	0	0	43
15	Chris Greig		20	0	0	0	0	0	0	21	41
16	Terry Hammond		0	0	0	13	17	0	0	0	30
17	Iwona Szmyd		0	0	15	12	0	0	0	0	27
18	Anna Holder		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	18
19	Simon Oxenham		0	0	17	0	0	0	0	0	17
20	Andy Lane		0	0	0	14	0	0	0	0	14
21	Rich King		0	0	0	11	0	0	0	0	11
22	Alan Jones		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
23	Matt Webb		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
24	Simon Baker		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

 

 

Pete Lawrence has finally cracked the 20 minute barrier! The elite short-distance time triallist took just 20.23 to better his personal by over half a minute in the Whitewebbs event on the vaunted F20/10 on Saturday evening.  Pete is now the fastest club member over 10 miles this year. Conditions were good as he lined up for the long drag uphill at the start, and Pete knew that he had a chance to do yet another pb, but his delight at his actual finishing time was all-consuming! He took 14^th place in a star-studded field. Perseverance pays for Pete! He’d been to the course the previous Tuesday and “only” managed 21.13!! Chris Grieg also produced a fast time, clocking 22.35, though he said: “I don’t get on with the course – the drags are a bit too long for someone my size.” It’s off to the P613 for you, then, Chris!

 

Belper 25

Greg Lewis and Dave Johnson went course-hunting up to the Derby to Stoke-on-Trent road, only to find the potentially super-fast A25/11was doing what it is often prone to do; blowing a hooley. The long drive was wasted, and the lads found their speed was down to less than 20mph on some of the exposed drags on the course. Johnson had vowed never to return some years back after suffering the same fate in a 100 mile tt – his slowest ever. Lesson learned! To add injury to insult, he turned one roundabout too early, and was disqualified. Greg did better with his route finding, and passed the timekeeper with 59.01. Not bad – he came back from the turn at an average of over 30mph!

 

Icknield 12 hour

Ralph Dadswell competed in this madness, riding his trike as far as he could in 12 hours – surely a long day in the office, and made tougher by that strong wind. Ably assisted by Chris Grieg, whose

long arms made him the ideal man to hand up food and drinks every hour throughout the event, Ralph commented that the definition of his tan lines had improved, though that of his muscles had not. All this before starting a brand-new job placement the next day, Ralph’s distance for the race was 234 miles.

 

Shaftesbury 50

Another personal best to report! Richie Davies produced a storming 1.58.37, his fastest ever 50 mile race by over a minute and a half. Richie reports: “I nutted myself good and proper. I posted 22.37 for the first 10 miles, and 55.40 for the first 25. I knew I was on for a Pb with an hour still to go! I had to lie down shortly after the finish, but recovered after a couple of minutes”.

 

Crabwood 10

Barry Watkinson blasted to his fastest 10 mile event for many a year with an excellent 21.58. The track rider was delighted to get under 22 minutes.

 

High Wycombe Firth 30

Chris Starling bested a small but select field buffeted by the strong wind on the Thame road. Starling, starting a minute behind Dave Johnson, slowly reeled in the older man, but Johnson put in a burst towards the finish to hold Chris at bay.

Chris ran out the winner in a rapid 1.8.15, with Johnson’s 1.8.31 good enough for 2^nd. Alan Simmonds excelled with 1.13.22 for 5^th place. Mark Wakley, whose previous night’s curry was causing him to suffer more than most from the hot and windy conditions, still got round his first ever 30 in 1.18.30. He had to leave very soon after the finish, but no-one knows why……..

Southern Sportive

Rich King, despite ongoing thigh injury troubles forcing a curtailment of training, got round this very hilly event, with its 1200m of climbing at a stately 23kph. Good determined riding on half a leg, though!

 

HWCC Evening League 22

Another windy old race to report, covering 2 laps of a rural 11 mile circuit near Thame in Oxfordshire, where Dave Johnson had set himself a target of 50 minutes, but the wind on the Haddenham Straight pushed him outside that as he tired on the second lap. Dave managed the fastest time of the night, however, with 50.18 (first lap 24.59). Stewart King, a pure track rider, impressed with 55.38 (27.36), though he may have been preoccupied with thoughts of moving house to Kent the following day. Ralph Dadswell finalised his preparation for the weekend’s 12-hour with 57.45 (28.47), but was, no doubt, still feeling the effects of his 100 mile tt of just 2 days before. Rich King, in his first ever attempt at this race, scored 1.3.23 (31.13)

 

Dave Griffiths Memorial Road Race

Ossie Assem continued his campaign of road racing at the weekend. As his comments indicate, he is rapidly turning into an indispensible Super Domestique for his team, working to get a man in the breakaway, then tirelessly chasing down any attempts by others to bridge up to the leaders. Last week he got his leader the win, and this week, their man was third. Ossie says: “We got our man in the key break of the day, and then worked to stifle the pack. Our man got a good third, despite cramping near the end. It was a tough race with guys springing attack on attack. I finished in the pack, coming 33^rd.” Hope your boys are sharing their prizes with you, Ossie!

Dave Johnson

davidrmjohnson@gmail.co.uk

 

Track Star, Punk Rock Star and now it’s official Mountain Goat as well. Joe Holloway winter training on the track now paying dividends

Surely it’s getting boring – VC10 riders taking honours, personal bests and strewing sunshine everywhere they ride!

 

High Wycombe CC Aston Hill Challenge

Despite the presence of champions, or perhaps spurred on because of it, the awesome climbing attack brought by the Holloway family swept all before it last Thursday – The Hill climb is about 1.5 miles and around 8% gradient, ascending the Chiltern scarp alongside the M40 up to Stokenchurch. Cooled by its woodland setting, it is nevertheless a significant challenge.

Engineer and super-supportive dad Kev blasted his ultra-lean body up the slope in Five minutes exactly to eventually take third, less than half a second behind second-placed ex-national XCMTB champ Paul Lazenby.

Student and rock guitarist Joe, however, could not be beaten. He exploded up the ramparts of the col to take the win by just over a second in 4.58! Stew King, just off a series of night shifts, took a more leisurely approach and surfaced in 5.50

 

Hertfordshire Wheelers 10

 

A sizeable contingent from the team nipped round the M25 and up the A10 to Hoddesden to compete on this super-rapid 10 course. All were just a little disappointed to find an unhelpful wind blowing across the track, but spirits undampened, some excellent times ensued – Anna Holder, showing that she is developing real talent  on a restricted training program, was just outside her pb for the distance in 24.08; Chris Grieg was pleased with his rapid 22.34; Greg Lewis’s 22.00 was just a little frustrating – couldn’t that finish line arrive a tiny bit sooner?; Rich Davies’ 22.26; Dave Johnson was even grumpier than normal with 21.02, his fastest time in the last 3 years, but those tiny 3 seconds…..;Pete Lawrence was equally frustrated with 21.11 as he produced yet another personal best – surely a 20 minute ride will come this season?; Rob Fletcher hit 21.16 to provide VC10 with a superb, though virtual team win with a highly creditable 1.3.29. Not too many clubs can boast a team time of that calibre! When the second squad can produce 1.07.00, then the strength in depth in VC10 is bordering on the utterly splendid!

Hemel Hempstead 25

 

3-man team of Pete Lawrence, Chris Grieg and Dave Johnson attacked this time trial on the A41 between Bicester and Aylesbury. Legs deadened by the previous nights desperate attempt to get personal best 10’s in Hertfordshire, our heroes felt that just getting round would be an achievement. As it turned out, prizes were attained, showing strength in depth envied by many of the competitors. Dave Johnson showed his many years of riding experience, and led the trio home with 56.08, good enough for 3^rd place and 2^nd veteran on age-adjusted times. Pete Lawrence showed that he had tried rather harder the previous night, fading a little, but holding on to 6^th place with 57.51, taking some good scalps in the process. Tall Chris was totally empty, but still produced 1.3.44. The boy’s efforts earned them 2^nd team, too.

ECCA 100

“One hundred miles in the heat?” Easy for mileage-man Ralph Dadswell, who this time swapped 3 wheels for two, and sends this report:

“On Sunday, starting at the rather early time of 0551, Ralph Dadswell rode the Eastern Counties CA 100 in Cambridgeshire.  On this occasion, Ralph left his tricycle at home, and was on two wheels for a change.  Conditions were generally good; although rather warm by the time the finish was reached.  His time was a modest 4.18.36, with split times showing an evenly-paced performance. 

With plans for a much longer ride later in the summer”, (The Road Records Association 24 hour record – Paul Mace on the back – Pembroke – London – Great Yarmouth and finishing up in the Fens. Ed), “this race was just the first of three hard weekends of serious preparation.  Next week he rides the Icknield RC 12 hour in Bedfordshire, followed a week later by the National Championship 100 mile TT in Norfolk.

My 25 and 50 mile splits were

1.4.55

1.4.40      2.9.35

1.3.55

1.5.06      2.9.01”

Awesome pacing!

San Fairy Ann Road Race

 

Second Claim member, Ossie Assem sends this fabulous report:

“Hi Diesel Dave!

Our aim was to maximise the Finchley RT numbers by working out a strategy for the race. It was agreed Dermot Kealey would be our team leader, with the rest of us working to set him up. The plan was for Dermot to go in a break.

The race was 80kms over 8 laps of a rolling course, with several narrow sections, a short steep climb and a few long drags.

The race started with Finchley RT on the front, on the first lap or so and any breaks were kept in view of the peloton.

Thereafter, breaks started to gather impetus, and so began my work. Dermot got in some of these, and while he did so, I remained vigilant near the front of the pack.

Paul Burgoigne from Finchley became very active, starting to spring a few attacks. This caused the peloton to be stretched as they worked to pull him back.

Seeing this, I took my chance, driving down the outside line to push out ahead. After a while, I looked back to see if anyone had joined me, and though no one had, Dermot told me when I was caught that these attacks were whittling down the energies of our key rivals he had identified. He said if I could repeat such an attack it would further break the competition down.

The racing continued in this vein, with Paul once more attacking, followed by Dermot. Knowing who our main rivals were made a big difference, I marked one rival in particular whenever he attempted the chase.

After another such chase and regroup, at a momentary lull, I saw an opportunity and put my head down and attacked hard off the front. Mistakenly, I looked at my HRM as I did so and it read 175bpms and was continuing to climb. Knowing the effects the attacks had been having on our adversaries made a significant difference, I was inspired to drive on hard for a long time. I was off the front and with a good gap for several minutes.

Eventually I was caught by the chasing peloton, pleased this had once again forced the chase.

I’d put in some big efforts, but in spite of these, I felt I was able to recover well enough and quickly enough to resume my marking role. Dermot went up ahead with a couple of other riders, and seeing one of our main rivals charge after him, I was able to close him down. As Dermot’s effort started to stick, so the counters continued to build. I drove hard to stick like glue to the key chasers.

Eventually, Dermot’s break ahead got away, our key rivals stifled in their attempts to get up there. Coming into the last .5km, one rider commented to me that we’d done a very good job in protecting Dermot; it was good to hear this.

So it came down to the bunch sprint for me, and while I was inevitably swamped, especially by riders who hadn’t shown themselves all day, I pushed over in a respectable position finishing in 19th.

When I crossed the line, I heard Dermot had won, this was the best thing I’d heard all day, and it was truly immense!!

I’d worked my socks off good and proper for our team leader, attacking hard several times to take the sting out of the opposition, and playing a hard marking role on some of the key competitors identified. And bingo did it all come off to perfection, our leader bagging the win in a breakaway that the key competition simply couldn’t close because of the job done on them.

Top news too was that I bagged a very princely 19th place even after all of my super tough eyeballs out efforts! 

This was my best race to date, tactically and physically! With each race, it gets better and better, I feel I have so much more I can offer.

I am well aware I still need to work on my sprint; I was so focused on getting Dermot away that I didn’t switch my attentions to my own finish when the time came. I know I can multi task and that as we cross the finish line in the latter circuits, I should be able to hatch a plan for my own finish.

Another aspect I feel I would like to explore in more detail is my own breakaway: sprinting is not my natural game, and since I was able to get away a couple of times on Sunday, I think with some focus I could give breakaways a reasonable shot with a view to making one stick to the finish. I feel I could have this in me.

Overall stats 80kms. Avg HR 158 (83%) Max HR 180 (94.7%). Time in Zone 4 (87% – 92%): 43mins. Time > Zone 4:  6 mins Overall time 2:10 avg speed 36.4kmh.

This was my fourth road race, I’m sure there is plenty more I can bring!

Cheers

Os”

HWCC 22mile circuit tt

Last and least this week was last night’s 22. In windy and warm conditions, Rich King impressed with a first-time ride of 1.3.23. No relation Stewart King svelted his tanned, sprinter’s frame past the timekeeper with 55.38, just besting Ralph Dadswell’s 57.45. Dave Johnson stomped round with legs still as heavy as Ralph’s from a tough weekend’s racing, just managing to hold off the opposition, but failing to beat his target of fifty minutes, in 50.18

A busy and impressive week for VC10 riders. There’s a load more to come!!

Dave Johnson

david.johnson@aspireholistic.com