Central CXL Round 3 Hemel Hempstead

As above it's racing in Hemel today, quite literally a drive down the road. But when we go off at a tangent I don't question it. You see Miles is driving and clearly the rules of 'magical mystery tour' apply to he's driving. I suggest that if Miles is leading club rides in he's eighties you take a packed lunch wrapped in a paper map.
Anyway we arrive at the venue Gadebridge Park, the hilly one! You can see the course from the road and the sight of the main hill brings on an involuntary 'chinny reckon' We're early despite Mile's detour. So after getting kitted up and signing on we roll over to watch Emma B and Alice in novices. They're having fun and Alice comes away with a Bronze gong.
We go for a warm up prior to the Vet 40 race. God I feel pants. My throat is getting sore and my breakfast can't make up it's mind which way to go, up or down. On top of that the course is an 'old skool' slogger. Feeling hot and sick I settle trackside to watch Jules, Andrew and Colin slug it out.
Watching them get tired each lap I decide I'll just have one warm up lap and wing it.
Anyway Jules and Andrew are neck and neck and going for it. Colin shouts puncture as he passes! The racing looks different today, teams are together Luton, Corley's and LBRCC, and the faces on the front aren't the same. I watch from the same spot to see Jules and Andrew lap consistently and wheel to wheel. Colin doe's have a puncture but presses on regardless.
However this week Andrews bad luck is behind him, and he go's on to take LBRCC honours in the V40 race.
I'm up next with Miles and Darren in Vet 50. This week I'm honoured as I get front row gridding. Though I'm gutted I feel so bad that I'll probably blow the advantage.
We're going to get sent off PDQ like other weeks, fifteen seconds then go. The whistle goes and we're off.
The start as usual is on the only flat straight and after a few metres we'll tackle the main climb. A climb that elevates you so the course can wind it's way back down.
I lose places on the climb and Darren goes past. I keep him in check and we reach the top with a string of good riders. How strong is Darren? I stay behind uncertain. The course drops to the hurdles and Darren falls letting me past. I complete the lap just ahead, but Darren passes on the climb again. The climb is clearly Darren's strong point, again I follow his wheel until I see an opportunity to pass him on a tight turn. I take the lead again and pass the line ahead, but again Darren passes me on the climb. I think I have a plan to beat him. I decide I need to get ahead to make him chase, meaning he'll have to chase and put the extra effort in on the hill each lap. With three laps to go I'm hoping he doesn't have enough to keep attacking on the climb?

Last climb ahead

An opportunity arises just after  Darren passes. Mark Eidem is just ahead, a far faster rider than both of us. I put on a sprint and pass Mark. This wakes him up and he chases meaning that Darren is behind with a rider in between us. Mark is pressing me and a large gap opens up. Looking at the gap I get I think that this will be enough to take LBRCC honours even with this and two more laps to go!However the race isn't over until the fat lady sings. I clear the hurdles and kick my own chain off re mounting. I squat trackside undoing the wedged chain, thinking it's on I set off. But it's not on and comes off again. Darren goes straight past. I'm still there this time calmly re fitting the chain.
Darren's gone and I have two laps to catch him. I make little inroads until the climb, where this time Darren is a little slower he is still ahead. We both get in good laps, but Darren remains ahead. Bizarrely my malfunctioning gears are helping, I can't get my easy gear for the climbs so I have to press hard meaning I'm going quicker uphill.

At the bell I'm on Darren's wheel. I match him on the climb, but for the first time all race I get to the top first. At the top I reach for the drops and hurt myself to make a gap. Now it's a case of executing a perfect lap and not slowing. I'm still ahead as we reach the last little climb before the course descends to the chequered flag. I make a bold statement to myself and choose the big ring for this last climb in readiness for a fast descent.
Job done LBRCC honours taken. Darren's right behind me and Mile's follows in soon after. I look at Darren and think I've woken a sleeping giant and that my days are about to get a little harder.

Seniors next. Neil, Ross and Mitchell. A good course for Neil a superb all rounder, nice hills for Ross. For Mitchell? not much to write home about.
As expected Neil takes an early lead. Ross is second with Mitchell third. Mitchell closes each lap, but the hill where Darren and myself fought doesn't suit him.
Neils lead grows, really grows so all of us spectators assume he has it in the bag. And our attention turns to Ross and Mitchell. Can Mitchell make it up on the technicals? Over the course of the race he comes close, but Ross manages to stay out of reach.

10/10 for style

At the bell Neil flies through. Then Ross and Mitchell.  Green corner develops to see Neil grab the win for honours. In the distance we see the distinctive flash of LBRCC green, here he comes. But hold the front page it isn't Neil it's Ross. Ross takes honours, Neil has 'gone' big time and comes in second ahead of Mitchell. Neil tells me later that he just went, as if he wasn't moving which just goes to show how much effort you put in during a race. I do feel for him, but like my race it's the big picture that counts.

Without a doubt great racing today. Emma B out for the first time. Alice also racing for the first time and coming home with a medal. Andrew and Jules really having a go. Colin racing an entire race on a flat. My ding dong with Darren. Miles racing while his body and mind were still in Holland. Neil's supreme effort. Ross's LBRCC win and Mitchells first year courage on a course that didn't have his name on it.    

Central CXL Round 2 Milton Keynes

Round two marked the first of three visits the Central League would make to the Bowl this season. And like the week before the weather was playing nice, meaning LBRCC attendance was good, though at the time of writing this (3am) I'm having trouble recalling exactly who was there! I do know that Ross and Mitchell rode seniors, Jules, Andrew and Colin were in Vet 40. And Miles, Darren, Kevin, Steve Judd and myself were in Vet 50. And hats off to Steve, one novice race and straight into the vets.
The first wave of LBRCC racers were off in V40. I literally arrived as they were getting ready to go. So before getting into my warm up routine, I loitered around to watch the early race unfold. The race order was the same as last week at RAF Halton, Jules just ahead followed by Andrew and Colin. As I said last week, it's hard to say what exactly happens in their race as all I can see is them passing me lap after lap. I can say that the race order didn't change. And I must confess I was having a little shout at Andrew watching he's re mounts. Though as it turned out he was having issues with the pedals.
Jules went on to take club honours in the category. And after the race whilst chatting with Jules a smiling Andrew came over to say he's pedals were playing up. Jules and myself looked down at the offending Eggbeaters, and I know Jules was thinking the same as me, that they weren't playing up....they were totally shagged. Seems Andrews run of bad luck wasn't going away.

So to my race, grand dads, silver surfers...oldfarts! That said it's a pretty nifty lot, probably because by the time you hit your mid fifties, most of the lets say slower boys have jacked in this racing lark. And it probably goes some way to explain why we have the Vets World Champion resplendent in he's Rainbow jersey amongst us. But hang on, one Rainbow jersey.......two Rainbow jersey's......three Rainbow Jersey's.....three Rainbow jerseys are in my race! Slightly confused, do we have three current age category World Champions here or three guys that have been World Champions?  Never mind, I'm racing with three guys that are or have been World Champions, I guess that's a top three out of the question then. On top of that throw in a few guys with international experience and I think you could call that having the ante well and truly upped.
I get a second row gridding, the others are right behind me. This seasons starts are far quicker, as in the organisers don't have you hanging about. The first key words I hear are 'you'll get the whistle in 15 seconds'. No countdown or anything fancy like that. Whistle, tear off, second foot in and hustle for the corner just metres away. It's a very tight corner that won't be used for the rest of the race, give absolutely no quarter here. Off down the only straight, a baked hard affair that you have to go hard on, your bike bounces about, but it won't break. You then hit the first climb, nice it is and topped by a bend with a hurdle thrown in. From now on we'll go up and down, straights or 'the' straight will give way to tight turns, 180's, steps and wicked off camber twisty descents.
About a third into the first lap Miles passes me, and a glance back lets me know Kevin isn't far behind. When this happens to me in a race I have to assess. Are they strong today or am I weak? are they simply being hot headed? Whatever you don't panic. Miles soon fades and I regain the LBRCC lead, Kevin however is staying at a relatively consistent distance behind. I've assessed and decided how I'll race. It's going to be about getting it right at every twist and turn. And I'll tempo up every little climb. Only the short bumpy straight and short tarmac section before the loamy climb will get my full attention. After two laps my plan has worked, the only thing I need to check on is Darren's race as he's gone past Kevin and is now the closest LBRCC rider to me. However Darren will have to do the chasing. And to make he's life harder the course is drying and my lines are getting better each lap.

Steady on the climb, coached by Keith!

I manage to keep the LBRCC lead. And soon the Rainbow jersey passes me to mark the dying seconds of the race. I go under the chequered flag feeling chuffed. Darren, Kevin, Steve and Miles come in. Darren is going to gunning for me next week.

So to seniors. Ross and Mitchell are head to head. With nowhere on this course for Mitchell to stretch his legs he is going to have a hard time keeping up with Ross, whom for 2015 it's been all about the hills. During the course of the early laps they stay fairly close to each other, but then the constant ascending takes it's toll. Ross opens up and Mitchell starts to labour, he's track style position not looking at home on the grassy slopes. It stays at about 30 seconds +/- a few. Then to my surprise Mitchell is back on Ross's wheel. It's clear though that Ross has slowed, and in fact looks in trouble. Mitchell passes and Ross actually seizes with cramp. Race on!. They disappear and we wait to see who comes out of the tree line first, it's Ross.  Ross has recovered and Mitchell can't produce another effort. Ross takes LBRCC honours.

A good finish to the days racing for the LBRCC riders. So everyone pack up and go home.

Central CXL Round 1 RAF Halton

That's entertainment

So here we are at last, at the start of the long awaited cross season. And what a turn out. Central CX League has grown both in quantity and quality, and LBRCC was in keeping with that upsurge. Thirteen LBRCC members have arrived at today's venue. Probably because this was the opener and that it had rave reviews last year. The course at RAF Halton was is a peach, and sort of has that feeling that her Majesties forces have had a hand in it's build and up keeping.
So who was there? Emma, Steve and Steve Judd in novices. Jules, Andrew, Fraser and Colin in Vet 40. Darren, Kevin, Miles and myself in Vet 50. And finally Neil, Ross and Mitchell in seniors. Present and correct and racing in that order.
Until the point Miles and myself arrived I had been feeling ner vous. However seeing so many friendly faces put me at ease. I sign on and spend and age chatting with old friends, guys I go head to head with for forty minutes, cutting and barging each other only to shake hands with afterwards. It makes me a little late until I realise my start is later than I think, new start times you see.
Miles and me pin on numbers and go for a warm up. Realising we have a while to go, we set off to watch the vet 40's racing. The guys are looking good. Jules leads, Andrew is next and Colin follows as third LBRCC rider. Fraser has had a start line issue, though at the time I thought he was living up to his own motto 'business at the front, party at the back' a mullet reference. The guys finish in that order, though Andrew hadn't been gridded as he should have, don't think he was too pleased.

We're off next, so here's my version of events. Gridding goes well as I get called up early. The other guys are called up soon after. I look over my shoulder only to see them all grinning right behind me, the course is wide so they've ended up right on my wheel. The commissaire doesn't bugger about and we soon get a fifteen second call, on the whistle we'll be off.
It goes and we're off. I get a quick clip in and get away fast, handy here as it's right hander, left hander, left hander and singletrack bang bang bang bang. It's up to the other to catch me now, still that's some pressure with forty minutes to go. A rider from behind hits my wheel and then my leg, but it's him that goes down and I hold firm, bit like riding in Belgium.
For now I concentrate on making ground, and I won't have a clue how the others are going until we complete a lap and I can judge the gap on the switchbacks.
The course is a piece of cake in these conditions. Okay a few exceptions like the deep gravel drive up to the mess, and the blast trench, a technical drop in and out that only requires you not to fall off.
One good clean lap in and it's only Kevin that I see behind me.
And so it goes. Another lap and Kevin is roughly at the same spot when we hit the switchbacks. I'm a little pressured, but then it's him that will have to do the catching up and then pass, but I have a plan already for that scenario.
Now what sounds like something from my dreams turns into a short nightmare. I find myself in the company of two fast women. They hoon past on the straight, but slow me on the turns and dips, acutely aware of Kevins mountainbike skills I expect him on my tail at any moment. Thankfully once shown the open track the two ladies are off, they're F1 and I'm smoky diesel.
He isn't upon me, in fact he's dropped back. Feeling slightly....okay, I decide to bury it on the next lap. High lines on the off cambers, in the drops in the fields, out of the saddle through the mud and dig hard on the gravel.
The bell and finish line is soon after the exit from the woods so when the bell sounds I have to wait to get to the first switchback to see if the hard work has paid off. I conclude it has. I push on realising that even if I finish a minute or more ahead it's placings that count, so I lock in on two riders to put between the two of us. Nice to fill the the gap with two Team MK riders. I get the flag, and pull over to wave the guys in. Kevin arrives, Darren follows and Mile concludes the proceedings with what looks like a XC foot race!
It's a good showing so far.
Next up are seniors. Neil, Ross and race virgin Mitchell. These guys race for twenty minutes more than us, but I couldn't give a toss I raced the hour for years, now it's their turn.
From the off Neil is away and away by a country mile, and on Colins new bike.  Ross and Mitchell are neck and neck, then Mitchell seems to get away lap by lap.

Trouble on the terraces 

The course doesn't have the terrain to suit Ross's strong points, and he struggles with his mojo. Neil is still away and carefree in the technicals. It's easy to tell he's done harder stuff during his time riding fat tyres. Mitchell has that air of a newbie that hasn't raced long enough to know what can go wrong.
And the technical's suit him. The race finishes as it had started, Neil grabs honours with Mitchell second and Ross third.

Overall a good turnout from LBRCC. Next week Steve Judd is stepping up to vet 50. And Ross I expect will be after revenge. It should be good. Andrew will have to get over his gridding cock up, it happens now and then sadly. The guys will have me in their sights, but I'll be on my home ground. Bring it on.

LBRCC Race Experience Day

How is today going to pan out? I must admit I'm a tad concerned and have to ask a youngster if one still calls 999 to get peeled off the tarmac. I'm talking about the long awaited LBRCC race experience day. A day for those that have never pined on a number to have a go. A brainchild of the committee and delegated to Neil Green to sort out, That's delegate spelt D U M P. Also cunningly dumped upon Neil to sort whilst the rest of us are on holiday, so the day before we ask each other what we're doing?
Then I realize who we have on board to help on the day. Dave Brown, resident MK Bowl race winner.  Then the new generation Tom Duprez,  Andrew Martin and Dave Allan all well respected racers earning their spurs the hard way and not through half hour point grabbers. The old guard Miles Walker with whom I raced  here back in the early nineties and myself a winner here back in 2013. And of course Mr Green our latest MK Bowl Vainqueur.
So with these guys it wasn't far off one on one, phew. And on top of that it dawned a bright and sunny day. A little look up and a thank you God.
So here we are, about 23 of us plus Ash on photographic duties. And a host of riders families. Oh and an out of action Chris Wren waving flags and countdown numbers.

To get things rolling we literally get rolling. Off anti-clockwise we roll down the hill! along the flat and around the ever so slight dog leg to go up again and repeat.  We do this again stopping this time to point out the dangers of sloppy riding at speed on the corners and how best to tackle them. Then up the drag, pulling over we explain how attacks will often come here, maybe one two three on the bounce. We go around again letting it sink in.
This time when we stop Tom takes us through a few do's and don't's when it comes to pedaling (or not) and getting out of the saddle, or rather the chaos it can cause.
I then rattle out a few basic tips, painfully aware that Dave Brown is listening with a good decades worth more experience than me. So guys, if your bike plays up don't look down and don't faff while you're racing. Don't keep looking at your Garmin. Remove and replace your bottle without looking down, keep it's lid open ready to sip in the split seconds you'll get and no sudden braking.

Basics done, one on one time now

Next we peel off into groups of seven for  multiple laps and Q&A time with the racers. We set off gradually upping the pace. Here it's just like a club run, but intensified a hundred times. We start to see how every little thing you do or don't do has a positive or negative effect. Like grabbing a wheel or not means staying in the race or not.  What it feels like to move out into the wind. How to corner without scaring the group to death. When to brake. When to change gear. How to get out of the saddle without throwing the bike back. And just about every little thing that makes you a good rider.

See me, when I were a lad being a good and respected rider was more important than being a fast one. Okay be fast, but be good first and foremost. I remember being told how to sit in the saddle, how to hold the bars depending how we were riding, position vision and pace were all taught. More art than stats.

However I must say I was impressed by the general standard of riding, I'd be happy to sit in with any of the guys. And after explaining that they didn't have to shout and point at everything as done on club runs. And failing to explain when friend becomes foe during a race we were ready to go.

One last briefing to explain the race duration, the laps to go, the bell and the flag. And asking them all to look out for each other I sent them off. Thirty minutes and five laps.

Dave Brown and myself slowly wind things up, not the usual race day 25 to 36MPH though. I warned them I'd bark instructions so when Mitchell has a pop I point furiously at his back wheel, it falls upon Steve to grab the wheel which he does and I slot back in behind him. This is how it goes. We pull off some playful attacks, but this starts to break things up so Andrew and Myself ease off to gather in those stranded out there alone. We form little groups, races within a race. Up ahead Tom, Dave B and Dave A put the stronger riders to the test.

They're out of sight. Myself and CPF tap out the last few laps, both picking up riders and dropping them at the same time. The bell sounds and there's one last push. Then pain gives way to smiles it's over.

The day has passed without incident. Everyone has learnt something that'll prove invaluable on club runs and that's made me very very happy. I hope some do go onto race. I know that the following week Mitchell pinned on a number and raced seniors at the RAF Halton cyclocross. Steve Judd raced novices at the same event. 

I'd recommend a day like this to any club, and I'd like to see it rolled out to more members of all abilities.

Thanks Neil. cheers for the support from the families and Ashley for the great images.

Grand Master Dave Brown and Master Dave Allan 

  

Andrew Martin giving away trade secrets

Grandad being playful

Neil (handsome Neil) Green 

Tom (Leighton Loco) Duprez

  

LVRC MK Bowl Circuit Races (the final 3 rounds)

I'll just summarise here. After missing a huge chunk of racing during August it was inevitable that it would be tough there after. And it was, life and that had got in the way of racing and training. And on top of that the field had become unusually fast.
So the final three rounds were much of a muchness. Good starts. Managed to do more than hang on, but ended up being dropped towards the end each and every time, once on the bell lap.
Still, you can't do anything on nothing and that's what I had tried to do.
Otherwise very happy.

Thank you to Trudie and her team for some great and safe riding.

2016 it is then.

Omloop Van Der Drie Dorpen 2015

For this unusual yearly road race I partook in some unusual pre race preparation, unusual for me and down right horrifying to my team mate on the day. A slight cock up in my calender meant that Saturday was, arrive in Euston for 11am and drink until about 2am the next day, this being the big summertime piss-up with the customers. However as we're not sixteen any more I was allowed to slip off at 7pm to try and sleep off eight hours of boozing. Before putting my head down I checked my messages to see when Andrew was picking me up.....6am......great.
True to his word 6am saw us loading up and before you knew it we were up in Flecknoe getting ready to race.
So the Omloop? It's an unusual race as I've said. It's super short and super tough. About 60% road and about 40% stony doubletrack. It is though without a doubt a road race.
The conditions bring out an eclectic mix of bikes. Top end carbon race machines, 90's steel Colnagos and cyclo cross bikes, all present. My choice this year was the CX bike fitted with 28c road tyres, 25 and 28c tyres are de rigeueur for this one. The stony sections have to be ridden to be believed, pictures don't do it justice. The stones are embedded in the baked hard soil, they don't give. Pick your line and stick with it....or else.
At the briefing we see the great trophies, cobbles with engraved plates Paris-Roubaix stylee. We then get our race briefing, and cautionary note come warning. We are reminded that bones get broken on this one and that trying to change lines on the sectors could easily see you on your ass. It's Andrews first Omloop and I'm sure I hear him gulp.
Then we are assembled outside where the race lead car then escorts us to the start. We set off is age groups, I think this is mainly for safety. Did I mention how narrow the tracks were and that some are lined with barb wire fences?
My group is off, it's all downhill to the start of the sector. I make the decision to hold back to avoid the chaos when the group hits the stones. I think it pays off as I don't have to stall and I can choose a line rather than risk being forced into a ropey line. Yes it pays off and I find a line past many riders.
It's bone jarring, but you can't look for anything better as it's all rough. Loose grip, steer with the knees, float on the saddle and most of all big ring it.  Then your out. It's a few hundred yards reprieve and then its into the head wind. I'm already riding solo which is another odd feature of this race, you'll see many doing this as it's hard to strike up a mutual partnership here. Ideally a team mate would be best.
Whilst on the road a rider I passed on the stones storms past me, my crosser is a little under geared. We take a left and turn out of the wind, only problem now is that it's all climbing to finish of the lap.
I catch my man on the climb and descend towards the sector again, and again he passes me. End of lap one.
I can see him slow on the stones, so I pass him thinking I might bury him and stop him passing me on the flat. No, he comes past again. I sprint out of the saddle fighting the headwind and keeping my foe in sight. Again I pass on the climb and he again then passes on the descent. I dig deeper on the stones and fly past my man. I exit onto the tarmac ahead, but once again he comes flying past. This time however he really fly's and drops me. To my horror he is ahead on the climb and seems to have found his off road legs as well. Still never say never.
I'm alone I fall into my drops on the stones and TT it. I fight the wind and push a bigger gear on the climb. I'm passed at this point by a Corley pairing, Carl from Corley's shouts encouragement. He tells me that a lot of riders have pulled, crashed or retired with mechanicals. With that info I lift myself out of the saddle and push out of the stones. I'm heading for the flag now so pain isn't much of a problem. Stones done, headwind beaten it's just the climb, and nearing the climb is my foe. I can see him labouring. This is where months of training and working on the front over all those club rides comes to fruition. I select a big gear and and push, I pass him and honours are mine.
I'm just chuffed to bits to have finished.
I'll later find out that I was 4th in my age race and Andrew was 5th in his. I'll take that.

LVRC MK Bowl Circuit Races Round 10

I wasn't feeling it today, despite it being the best race conditions of the year. Somehow Sundays G1 ride was still lingering  in me old pins. Probably all that rain, wind and relentless climbing....even though there wasn't a hill in sight? One of those club runs that amass more altitude than those where you go looking for pointy roads.
In warm up I felt dreadful, and despite the warm weather I had to go back to the car and dig out my cyclo cross winter oil, and try to burn my legs into submission.
My mind was still in 'oh bugger it' mode by the time we were called up to the starting grid.
Then we had a small presentation for the Divisional Champs...I think as I couldn't hear over all the gassing. Dave Brown was called up to get his gong.
[ Just want to say/mention/point out something. How come when there's a BC race even if it's a 30 minute Cat 4 effort. The next day, nay the same night there are about a million images of that race posted up, countless videos and results down to the very last man.  Yet when it's us lot, there's nothing. Not even on a hot summers day and your men are picking up metal ware]
Anyway well done Dave, and thanks for your efforts in the LBRCC's club colours.

Gold, Silver and Bronze stashed away and we're sent off. As usual it feels okay, I settle into a nice spot determined to be as selfish as possible to save my weary legs. And I keep an eye on the man in front whoever he is at the time, or I should say any gaps between him and the front of the race. If he slows I pass and grab a better wheel, being careful not to 'accidentally' go to the front. I think I see a Velo Equipe rider go taking a Corley man with him. There's no way I can do anything, and the bunch seems to feel the same. So it seems we're all racing for third place.
So far so good. However next it's the gates onto the extended circuit. Going out of the gates the first time my position isn't too good, but either I have found my legs or the group slowed up either way I'm back in.
From my position it looks like no one can get away, and I'm determined not to go out of the back. Attention to position saves my legs and I'm three quarters through. Then there's a short lull, I mean very short, just enough seconds to draw breath and have a quick think. Then we're off again, willing to let anyone take the front and me to the bell I stay put.
The bell goes, three laps. Now the tricky bit. Go to early and everyone will thank you. Go to late and you'll be last man through the series of bends that lead to the flag. Compromise.  That's what I'll do, some cheeky movement to get 'near' the front is all that's required, success. I have contact with the wheel in front on the way to the line.
Now it's time for a schoolboy error. In full flight for the line I focus on passing the guy that's ahead of me. Which I do, only to be passed by about five riders left and right of me. Focus on the line.....FOCUS ON THE LINE you fool.
Still happy with that and on a night I felt so tired, I can only assume it was the tiredness that made me a bit more canny than usual.
No more Bowl races for a few weeks due to concerts, so no more news from the man at the back putting the 'M' into mediocrity.