SPORTZMAD 25M TT - Hirwaun S Wales - 3rd June 2018

6th Overall / 2nd Vet - 48.00mins Records Galore!

Neath Valley Speedfest (Gratuitous) – The Return
“They” rolled their eyes, when they sensed my disappointment with my recent crazy 49min-08secs 25 mile TT – I knew it could have been faster….as insane as it sounded, I knew

So, 3 weeks later, an unexpected quick return to the quietest dual carriageway in the UK (or one of them) in the gorgeous South Wales on a very still warm Spring midday, there was unfinished business.

Unusually for me I was tense before, I felt not too brill on warm up, this reflected in my first 2 miles where the planned “sitting on approx 335watts” executed so well on the previous attempt....was more like 390w, nervous energy - slow down you tw@t -you’ll blow!

Fortunately soon settling down to plan A - but it seemed tougher this time round....and I had the return subtle uphill to contend with, had I set off too fast?....it did get very tough, but I retained the target speed and even on the uphill last 2 miles, where I was so desperate for the finish line, this was friggin hurting, but actually pushed my power further up - a quick glance at my computer and with 400m to go, the clock was still at 47 mins something - 47??? WTF!.....go go go

I gave that last 400m everything...crossing the line I slumped over the bars for a short time to recover....and seeing that my computer had stopped at 48 minutes dead (like me), averaging 31.25mph....just an insane time...but one second, one bloody second! 

Jubilantly and ecstatically returning to the HQ - my request for a second to be knocked off my time was politely refused with a smile and then discovered I was 6th overall (and 2nd vet - O40) in serious company (as this always attracts) - extra bonus....and extra money

The records tumbled again....Sheffrec club, North Midlands TT and now 2 mins off what was a long standing National Age Record....nice bit of work....and although not quite up to date...the UK fastest ever 25 TTs makes amazing reading, climbing up the charts - pure madness, it’s just one step beyond

So that’s the end of “time chasing” and certainly for “25’s” for the moment - back to basics and local league races next with the Bolsover 10 on Saturday....and then a well earned break in Mallorca....

They aren’t rolling their eyes now, and even those (certain) begrudging “old schoolers” surely must have raised an eyebrow on that one, or was it just more wind

(Oh, the hens, that’s Molly and Gertrude from my regular digs in the village of Clydach - I promised them )

BIRDWELL 5M TT CHAMPIONSHIPS - Park Springs - 22nd May 2018

1st - Club Record
Pleasing win (as a guest) at a rather breezy Birdwell 5m TT Champs - recording 10m 31s - a third Sheffrec club record in 15 days...but missing my target of the Birdwell course record by 12 seconds...but I’ll be back ....first ever “5” - really enjoyed the controlled dash, especially the tailwind return 🚴‍♂️💨💨

Thanks to the Birdwell club for organising 👍

SHEFFREC 25M TT - Hatfield Woodhouse - 19th May 2018

2nd Overall
Hoping to make it 3 consecutive victories in 3 weekends, but “failing” by 15 seconds - although the fvckwit of an artic driver who firstly cut me up then blocked me in as he got stuck behind a slower moving cyclist on the return from Crowle certainly didn’t help

That’s the risk of racing on rural single carriageways (as well as the appalling road surface)

But no shame in being beaten by ex semi pro Team Giant bod, Liam Bromiley, now with Sheffrec - so a club 1-2....with the “podium” made up by Andrew Whiteley, just 7 seconds adrift....with a substantial gap to 4th....

Next a rather different challenge and arguably in some ways a harder effort...Birdwell’s rarely raced five miler on Tuesday evening, target club record, Ive a feeling that’s going to hurt

SPORTZMAD 25M Tt - Hirwaun S Wales - 13th May 2018

AINSWORTH AND LETHBRIDGE BATTLE WINDY CONDITIONS FOR VICTORIES IN SPORTZMAD 25
Published: 13 May 18
Written By: Frazer Snowdon
F | T | G+Keith Ainsworth

A week after competition records were broken on the A465 dual carriageway towards Neath, windy conditions slowed times as Keith Ainsworth (Sheffrec CC) and Alice Lethbridge (Drag2Zero) took victories.

Lethbridge, 33 and from Epsom in Surrey, had set a personal best of 50 minutes and 10 seconds last weekend on the R25/3H but blustery conditions on both the outward and homeward leg saw her clock 51.39 for victory on this occasion.

The R25/3h is renowned as one of the fastest 25-mile courses in the country and was the scene for Marcin Bialoblocki’s competition record of 42.58 last weekend but riders faced tougher conditions on this occasion.Alice Lethbridge

Veteran rider Ainsworth, who won the Rossington Wheelers 10 last weekend, thrived in the windy conditions setting a winning time of 49.08 to win the men’s event by nine seconds.

He beat Paul Jones (Primera-Teamjobs) into second with a 49.17 while Andrew White (BPM Coaching) completed the podium a further three seconds behind.

In the women’s event Lethbridge’s time was easily enough for victory finishing over four minutes ahead of Charlotte Boothman (ABC Centreville) in 55.56 while Danuta Tinn (Maidenhead & District CC) took third clocking 57.19.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

1 Keith Ainsworth (Sheffrec CC) 49.08

2 Paul Jones (Primera-Teamjobs) 49.17

3 Andrew White (BPM Coaching) 49.20

4 Duncan Mullier (Harrogate Nova CC) 49.50

5 Philip Jones (Transition Race Team) 49.55

6 Peter Watson (Harrogate Nova CC) 50.01

7 Dean Ware (Team Backstedt Bike Performance) 50.05

8 Gavin Hinxman (Drag2Zero) 50.19

9 Luke Cornish (Cwmcarn Paragon RC) 50.31

10 Jeremy Ponting (VC Godalming & Haslemere) 50.36

Women:

1 Alice Lethbridge (Drag2Zero) 51.39

2 Charlotte Boothman (ABC Centreville) 55.56

3 Danuta Tinn (Maidenhead & District CC) 57.19

VTTA NATIONAL 10M TT - Aylesbury - 7th May 2018

1. 
   

8th Overall / 3rd on Standard (National Bronze)
“LET THE SICK FEST BEGIN....”

So, to complete the weekend exploits, a quick drive down to Aylesbury for the National 10 TT Champs (VTTA flavour)...using the undulating Tring by-pass under a baking sun.

Targeted top 10 finish, and pleasingly secured 8th amongst the relative young guns.....recording a rather satisfactory 19mins 29 secs.....which also secured a bronze 3rd “Championship Medal” (separate age adjusted award)...

Although felt that I’d thrown any previous good work on the final stretch....at one point feeling quite nauseous, no blame on the heat probably more to do with poor pacing on the rolling course....and then discovered in fact that most others had clearly suffered too, as that final Strava segment, appropriately named “Let the sick fest begin” , I was actually quicker than my final 8th placing - but what a great name for a segment, how apt?

The 19-29 also knocked a lump off the National Age Record (20secs); Sheffrec Club Record and a new slot on the North Mids Record books....not bad for only a “fairly quick” course

Biggest challenge though was 2 hours later, sitting outside the Bedford in Balham - necking some cold Moretti, trying to avoid the burning sun....but we possibly can’t complain!

Thanks to Kimroy for the photo and note the results have not yet been officially published.
Off to Wales next for some downhill TT - must pack mi wings

ROSSINGTON WHEELERS 10M TT - Hatfield Woodhouse - 5th May 2018

1st Overall

So, the 4th race into the season, the Rossington TT 10 (on the unforgiving Hatfield course) ....the body should by now start to take control, with an element of enjoyment, perhaps?

That nice man the organiser,
Richard Lunt , gave me the scratch start....favourite as a consequence so no pressure....but knowing in fact, on paper, I wasn’t quite the fastest....targeting a sub 21 mins to at least give it a go....however, a typical unforecasted fresh southerly, put paid to any relatively quick times...

With no expectation, belatedly walking in to the HQ post warm down, to pleasingly discover that I had actually won,🥇 with a modicum of comfort....of course well pleased....and a little surprised .
More spondoolies, a nice winners plate and best of all some “craft” beers (I never knew Leffe did a fizz version) - think there should be a precedent there for future race prizes! 🍺

Thanks to Rossington Wheelers for a great event and Richard in particular and also Kathleen for presenting the prizes

BIRDWELL WHEELERS 25M TT - Hatfield Woodhouse - 28th April 2018

6th Overall

Personally, I don’t “do” Strava segments per se, what counts, in performance, is only when you have a number on your back....so, when the two combine I’ll then accept....

In today’s Birdwell 25 at Hatfield (6th overall TBC) - on loading my race file, I got a notification from Strava...”Uh oh...you just lost your KoM.....”

It was for the first 7 miles....don’t these 22 year old professional riders have some respect for near OAP time trialists....come on Connor, give your elders some slack ...😝

(Btw Connor broke the course record)

MIDLANDS VTTA 10M TT - Stone Staffs - 21st April 2018

3rd Overall / 1st on Standard
Scrapping around trying to find events to speed up the race fitness in this early season - found myself in a pleasant village called Weston, south of Stone, Staffs - however nothing pleasant about the Midlands VTTA 10 organised by Walsall CC - a challenging fairly hilly out and back, recording a passable 21-19 to take 3rd overall and first on “standard” (age adjusted)....completely bollixed (technical jargon) at the end, typical (usually 🤪) of the first few races - eased though by picking up some spondoolies 😎

END OF SEASON REPORT 2017

Appreciate it greatly to be awarded by the Group (regional) VTTA at their recent annual presentation dinner with some cracking silverware - a combination of a specific race win, fast times across the disciplines and subsequent significant housekeeping in their Group records (with reference to National age records) was recognised....

Although this my 3rd full season, was certainly initially a slow burner, progressing to mid season mediocrity- before a July significant performance hike with progression into the last two months beyond even my own expectations.

Already stepping on the appropriate gas for 2018, on the eve of a short (and warmer ) sojourn in Mallorca - confident I can progress yet again next year...

I’ve thanked before those that positively influenced the season, so for the final time big cheers to Dan Bigham, John Morgan, Andrew at Langsett Cycles and coach Richard Simmonds.

Roll on 2018

[April 2020: Interesting season, bought new Trek Concept TT bike, top of the range, and for several races I was going no quicker (at same power output as 2016) but knew in training it felt so much smoother and faster! Lost my mojo, dropped Richard my coach, but just before I met up with Dan Bigham at Derby Velodrome for aero testing - in the "lab" conditions Dan found nearly a 40w increase...which outdoors proved to be about 20w...immediately my performances improved....including the 19-11 '10' and a 50-01 '25' - however the latter was done on a low average wattage, coaching myself it was identified by a pal's coach, John Morgan, that I was doing too many HIIT sessions, and neglecting the basics i.e. losing my base / strength (which showed in the longer races)....John also noticed my high racing cadence, and suggested I drop into the 80's RPM. 

This made the second big change (after Dan) - more watts with big gears (and big legs) took me to another level...last few races of the season really set the stall out for 2018....getting so close to certain guys, but beating comfortably certain others....I really did not want the season to end!

Most pleasing performances - both in the second half of September, significantly? 

• breaking the hour for the 30mile Leo '30' - and taking a great lump off the National age record and numerous other records, local and regional
• 3rd in the N Mids VTTA 10 just behind two top guys and a significant gap from quality 

The-End]

NATIONAL RTTC CLOSED CIRCUIT CHAMPS - Thruxton - 15th October 2017

30th Overall & 2nd Age Cat (National Silver)

Last race of the season, and a little below par from recent performances....without doubt there is a learning curve on racing on a closed race circuit, with the sharp bends particularly, did not ride it too well although power was just below 350w....excuse though to be darn sarf and then shoot over to Tooting and Gaston's for some end of season beers and the start of that fattening process! 🍺🍔

LEO 30M TT - Newmarket - 7th October 2017

10th Overall & 2nd on Standard
And so....the penultimate race of the season, the "Leo 30mile TT " on the fast E2 course, to the layman, the A11 and the A14 in Cambridgeshire. Hesitated in making the drive as the forecast was blustery to say the least....main targets were two fold: break the National Age record and also break the Sheffrec CC club (agreed to represent by all parties ) record to finally rid the club record books of a suspended rider 💉

Tailwind out - plan was to take full advantage, going through 10 miles in 19-06 and hit the turn and half way in 29-02 - so on for an incredible and unexpected sub hour? Could I keep it going?

At 10 miles to go I'm hit by a power shower, thankfully short and sweet - passed the 25 mile mark in 49-09 (an unofficial PB) but that extra 5 miles notoriously catches riders out - dying with 2 miles to go, normally smashing the average power on the home stretch, but just holding the average, will it be enough?

The chequered flag is welcome relief, I stop my Garmin, look down and see 59mins 45 seconds - I've broken the hour, exceeded 30mph ....reports of a mad Lancastrian on the A11 punching the air, and whooping like a demented dog are totally true, and no apologies 😜

Super chuffed - achieved my objectives, broke the Sheffrec record by 3 mins 25secs the National Age record by 2mins 45sec; broke all age records in my Group and finished 10th overall in a top class field (also taking 2nd in the age adjusted gubbins)....

So a happy dash north to Nottingham to meet pals for a gig, banging out the excellent Soul and Funk show on 6 Music with Craig Charles - followed by some Cream Anthems - but then a mega contrast to endure over two hours of gratuitous Prog Rock with Focus (I'm only joking, but I'm def done with drum solos for the decade)

On to the final race (unless I can find anymore) at Thruxton race circuit for the National Circuit TT Champs next Sunday - a TT race with no traffic? How will I cope??

[April 2020: very rarely raced this distance, and this is THE fast one...so one chance in a season..breaking the hour is the target (30+mph essentially) - so no exaggeration with the description of how pleased I was when I crossed the line, and to rid the club of a druggy record holder added to the euphoria!]

NORTH MIDS VTTA 10M CHAMPS - Staveley - 30th Sept 2017

3rd Overall / 1st on Standard (N Mids VTTA Champ)
Another "crazy" performance this afternoon - taking 3rd overall in the North Mids TT 10 at Staveley and winning the standard competition (age adjusted).

Broke the course record in 21-06 until Ian Guilor (21-03) and Daniel Barnett (20-54) further improved it - really pleased to be so close to those guys....

Must credit John Morgan with identifying I needed to race at a lower cadence, hit a different level in the last few races and power again at 349w - nearly 20w greater on what was my norm for a 10 miler

A gratuitous celebratory beer on return home (although don't read the small print, it's all there was in the fridge )

Proper celebration with a curry very imminent

Until the next race, I don't want the season to end!!

WELSH 50M TT CHAMPS - Abergavenny - 24th Sept 2017

4th Overall & 1st on Standard (National Welsh Gold)

So, stage 2 of the weekend - the Welsh 50m TT champs at Abergavenny - just missing out on the podium with a 4th place, should be super delighted mixing it with the youngsters, but me being me....

Second half was particularly tough but actually held it fairly well....losing just 40 seconds....

Later in the day though, received a searing pain right though the heart, nothing to do with bike racing, found out the Owls result against the "not so" Blunts - devastation on an otherwise glorious weekend

[April 2020: This was my first of 3 x 4th places in the Welsh 50m Champs....but interesting that this was 2 races in 2 days, in my early days I didn't like that...nor did I like doing any sort of interval session inside 2 days of a race...this is a running legacy, where typically racing would be 2 in 3 weeks, and certainly no hard training close to the event...but I eventually trusted Richard and illustrates that cycling is easier on the body and therefore allows quicker recovery!]

RUTLAND CC 10M TT - Hatfield Woodhouse - 23rd Sept 2017

3rd Overall
Well chuffed with 3rd at the Rutland CC 10m TT today, just 3 seconds from Dan T and Darryl W on the top podium - peak 20min PB by 17w too (348w - for the cyclist geeks ) - stage 2 of the weekend: National Welsh 50m TT Champs at Abergavenny - should I have rested?

[April 2019: This was milestone result...the combination of Dan Bigham's aero resting with John Morgan's advice for me to drop my cadence, gave me approx 25-30w more...it took a few races, but to get so close to Dan and Darryl was quite significant (and so far ahead of the other guys)]

VTTA NATIONAL 30M TT CHAMPS - Abergavenny - 17th September 2017

4th Overall & 3rd on Standard (National Bronze)
From Chris M's FB Page:

VTTA National 30 mile champs - gold on standard, win on scratch, national age record and course record (my first) for me; bronze on standard, 4th on scratch and national age record for Keith

What a day. This wasn't a fast course and it certainly wasn't a float day, so we are two proud old buggers...😝

[April 2020: Cannot remember much about the race except Chris and I went down together and stayed in a farm house in the middle of the sticks! Oh! And met up with Richard (coach) at the HQ]