WELSH OPEN NATIONAL 25M CHAMPS - Hirwaun - 5th May 2019

14th Overall & 1st on Standard (Welsh National Gold)
WELSH OPEN NATIONAL 25m TT CHAMPIONSHIP
With a combination of an open National Championship and the added attraction of arguably the fastest 25mile TT course in the UK, it’s understandable that in S Wales on Sunday the event was eagerly anticipated and fully subscribed.
However any hope of a plethora of PBs were dashed by the cold conditions and the consensus in the HQ afterwards that we all seem to experience a permanent headwind - how does that happen? 🤔
The times reflected this with the men’s winner, a young pro Tom Ward recording ‘only’ 47-15 and last years ladies all round champion Alice Lethbridge not even breaking 53 minutes.
So in that context my 3rd sub 50min 25mile TT @ 49mins 41secs was commendable and encouraging for the target of a PB, later in the season....the only disappointment was that I hoped for a top 10 finish overall, but just missed out....although it was very tight at that sharp end.
Supplementary bonus was recording another National Age Record and taking home the Welsh National Age medal 🥇
Back to regional basics for the next two weekends on the lovely windswept potholed course at Hatfield Woodhouse, I can’t wait 😎and then a well earned mini break!☀️

[I would've killed for a sub 51mins 3 years ago, and now "knock sub 50min efforts out" for fun, almost, putting 3 mins into the UK's top female time trial lists...and still fvckin moan.....😝]

VTTA NATIONAL 10 CHAMPS - Surrey / Sussex - 28th April 2019

2nd Overall / 1st on Standard (National Champion!)
NATIONAL VTTA 10mile CHAMPIONSHIPS - SUSSEX / SURREY
So, the two previous races on the Lincolnshire Wolds were (inadvertently) perfect preparation albeit without strategy. For some reason assuming a course in Sussex would be flattish, it was rather a surprise when I drove the course the night before to discover it rather gnarly and rolling. ⛰
Suffice to say, it went well – a sub 21 mins that I hoped for would be outstanding, on that course, so seeing 21-07 when I crossed the line was near as damn it and pleasing, and I knew could well be a winning time. 🤔
And so it proved, after a series of close calls in 2018 , at last I won a National VTTA Championship, probably a “10” is the hardest distance for me (with age, endurance ability declines slowest, so the longer the event , relatively, the performance improves) – of course the plan is to now target the longer races later in the season – and hope to collect more Champion jerseys - why not? 😉
An added bonus was the early start which enabled me to drive up to Tooting (through leafy Surrey, and not so leafy sarf London) to hook up with my old mate, Mr Charlett, and hit some celebratory beers, up town. 🍻🥳
Chatting with genuine interest to some marathoners but not daring to mention that I’d earlier only done a piffling 20 minute bike race - I didn’t wish to explain 😎
Welsh Open 25 next on the agenda on “that” fast course…young hitters out though, so top 10 would be nice – with a super fast time…. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Thanks to Kimroy Photography for the action shot, about three miles from the finish, hence the pained look and the presentation photo was, believe it or not the best of about 20 photos 😜

[Long way to drive (although I did plan the Tooting visit and long term Uni pal, Gaston), inadvertently the two Lincolnshire Wolds races were perfect preparation - very confident that if I raced even slightly below par, on 'standards', who could beat me?..and so it proved..but did genuinely think I would win at least a couple more National titles in 2019...but it just did not happen...a divisive world though are 'standards'....with Trikes and aged men, (I have) no chance 🙄]

SLEAFORD WHEELERS 10 - 20th April 2019

2nd Overall - Bl**dy Youngsters!
And the TT season roars (and that was the sound of great personal pain 🤪) into action with two visits to the scenic but challenging Lincolnshire Wolds – a very chilly 🥶 Barton (on Humber) ‘10’ firstly, followed by a sweltering ☀️Sleaford ‘10’ over Easter. 

Those that time trial will probably be aware that early races, no matter how well your training is recording, are friggin ‘orrible, you simply would not continue if it persisted….my expression is that “the body has not woken up yet”…..takes a few races, and something clicks, to make it more comfortable (relatively), smooth, quicker (hopefully) and in control.

Despite these visits to purgatory - the start of the season has been rather promising recording a 5th overall at Barton followed by a frustrating 4 seconds gap, but commendable 2nd place overall at Sleaford.

Bl**dy youngsters 🙄(just look at the podium photo – looks like Dad with his kids 🚸on a day out to Cadburys )

Next stop National Vets (040) 10 mile champs in Sussex…it’s looking good🤔😉💪

BARTON WHEELERS 10 - 13th April 2019

5th Overall / 1st on Standard
And the TT season roars (and that was the sound of great personal pain 🤪) into action with two visits to the scenic but challenging Lincolnshire Wolds – a very chilly 🥶Barton (on Humber) ‘10’ firstly, followed by a sweltering ☀️Sleaford ‘10’ over Easter.
Those that time trial will probably be aware that early races, no matter how well your training is recording, are friggin ‘orrible, you simply would not continue if it persisted….my expression is that “the body has not woken up yet”…..takes a few races, and something clicks, to make it more comfortable (relatively), smooth, quicker (hopefully) and in control.
Despite these visits to purgatory - the start of the season has been rather promising recording a 5th overall at Barton on a great Wolds course, although the 1 mile ascent start (HR pushing 190) was not ideal for a first race of the season....🤪 Pleasing for a kick start...up there at the sharp end 💪

END OF SEASON REPORT 2018

“Reyt”, a very belated end of 2018 season report.

Currently navigating the awards and presentation season, the most recent: thanks to JE James Cycles for continuing to support the North Midlands TT League and for hosting the 2018 awards on Monday night at their Chesterfield store. Particularly very proud to have won the overall individual TT championship for the region, as five years ago the JEJ series is where it all began for me…”having a go” with clip-on bars on my road bike, aspiring to try and get in the first 30 and break an hour for a ‘25’ 

Concluding a rather ‘satisfactory” season (an understatement I know, but that’s me ) – recently collecting a generous display of silverware from various orgs as a consequence of breaking every Sheffrec CC club record from 5 miles to 100; all N Mids records available (improved at age or outright owned) and 8 National Age records. 

Also recording four top 4 overall National Championship placings (3 x VTTA (UK over 40s) & 1 x Open Welsh), wielding some seriously decent times for all distances from 5 to 100miles. Finally, currently awaiting the National (VTTA) placings what are termed the “short BAR” & “3 Distance” - it’s looking hopeful wish they’d hurry up! 

However relief was had after the final race…this “Mr All or Nothing” went rather typically “Ricky Hatton” (Operation Weight-gain - Guinness Method) resulting in a face dive and A&E after 6 weeks in an attempt to ride off a hangover - it gave me the wake up call required to remind me of what I was planning of throwing away, even at my old age ….with a milestone birthday in less than 3 months and (aaaagh!) into my 7th decade (is that easier than saying the actual age, not sure which sounds worse?) – but giving added impetus to get out at least for one more season and set some more even quicker insane times and performances, and as a consequence to set a legacy for ‘that age’….watch this space!

Seriously, thanks to those that have supported me (those again from last year that contributed and continued the progress into 2018, Lord Dan Bigham of Derbados, and John Morgan) but especially my coach Richard Simmonds – the skill of the coach is not particularly exploiting ones DNA by “training hard” but actually training “appropriately”, and Richard has clearly got it spot on....he also predicted correctly what my abilities could achieve a while back (although I surprised him at my 3h-42m 100mile debut time - LOL) – cheers mate! 

Thanks also to Tony W for allowing use of his photos and Alex for all her multitude of tasks in keeping the TT wheels nicely lubricated and in motion

Merry Christmas all and have a super fit 2019 (if that’s your bag)...remember train “appropriately” not necessarily “hard”, of course it may at times be both

SHEFFREC CC

NORTH MIDS VTTA AWARDS

NORTH MIDS 10M TT - On the A1!! - 7th October 2018

Cancelled! Confirmed N Mids TT Champ 🥇
Rather bitter sweet that yesterdays weather caused the cancellation of the North Mids 10 TT, the last in the regional series for 2018. Leading the overall individual competition (5 best performances from 10) but under immense pressure from realistically just one other competitor...alas the training change to sharpen up was unpredictably not necessary, and therefore by default I retained that lead and proud to have captured the JEJ North Midlands TT Championship.

Proud in particular as this is where it all started (in fact I reminded Marc Etches that in my first race he made me 7th reserve in an oversubscribed Sheffrec event “priceless” was his response ) and steadily through the 4 seasons climbed up the results board.

Arguably better performances elsewhere this season....but overall consistency through the series is key, although I did have a win in the Rossington 10 and 2nd in the Sheffrec 25.

So instead of thrashing it up and down a dual carriageway yesterday morning I dug out my cross bike and back to my cycling roots offroad....however a puncture in the most exposed part of the ride on Stanage Edge caused me to make the shortest route back home, and do what I should have done initially and hit the celebration beers in town (thanks Paul Y) for a fine afternoon and evening....🍻

WELSH 50m TT CHAMPIONSHIPS - Abergavenny - 30th Sept 2018

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

Penultimate race of the season...the Welsh Open National 50m TT Champs - 2 challenging circuits from Abergavenny.

Continued the solid consistency especially in these longer events.

Recording a decent 1-46-04 good enough for 4th spot overall (miffed I didn’t make the podium photos, but that’s me )....also picking up 2nd vet (O40) and gold medal for ‘standard’ (age adjusted).

So that’s another Championship meal, certainly won’t be starving this Winter

Last race for the season next Saturday, back to those ‘orrible ‘10’s and hopefully defend successfully my current leading position in the regional JEJ series individual comp, it won’t be easy

[N.B. Unexpectedly this was the final race of the season]

BDCA (Burton & District) 100m TT - 1st September 2018

5th Overall & 1st Vet (O40)

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND...
Driving back from my pals in S London last week, I noticed that I hadn’t yet reached 100 miles and was nearly at Leicester, it made me think: who in their right mind would want to race 100 miles, in full aero “tuck” position as hard as possible on a TT bike....affectively Tooting to Leicester, some perspective, huh?

So 5 days later I’m on my 2nd lap of 6 on the A50 south of Derby, on my debut “100” thinking sh*t, I’ve still got over 70 miles to go and my neck was already aching and my a@se wasn’t happy too - even if my fitness was ok, psychologically I know I’m usually strong but suspected physically my body may just give way....after all, I had hardly done 50 miles before in full TT position.

Halfway was a mental fillip - met in exactly one second under 1hr 50m - but then I started to struggle, not with fatigue as such but with severe neck and back issues (I actually have a trapped nerve in my spine from an ice fall back in Jan, it usually stays quiet )....sporadically standing to stretch or freewheel in tuck, and stretch that way....but I persevered, but this was so uncomfortable , no joy here

All that discomfort predictably lost me over 2 mins in the 2nd 1/2, but still finishing with a pretty pleasing 3h 42m 20sec (a 2nd ‘50’ of 1-52-21) averaging over 27mph....immediately relaying though that one ‘100’ would be enough for a lifetime (in rather more colourful language )....but then I noticed on the results over 20% DNFs, and then it started to filter through from the diehards on what a super tough day it had been for a number of reasons but high temperatures and winds didn’t help....oh! and the 48 bloody roundabouts...I was reassured “100s” aren’t normally that hard, the question is: will I ever find out?

So....5th overall, 1st vet (O40), 1st age cat and new Sheffrec CC (completing the “full house” of every record from 5 to 100 miles) and N Mids records, but missed National Age Record by over 2 mins....not bad for a first bash, with much to learn too....including how to fuel ..........

Some 11 hours later and it’s 4am, I’m bolt upright in bed, wide awake with a cuppa, no way am I sleeping - considering perhaps those 12 energy gels and 1.5L of carb solution was a little fuelling overkill? May be I took some advice a little too extreme

Thanks again to Joe Le Sage (who actually did a sub 3-50, not as stated) for the invaluable wise words and to Alex for roadside fuel support 👍

VTTA NATIONAL 15M TT CHAMPS - Newbury - 25th Aug 2018

5th Overall & 2nd on Standard (National Silver)
Last chance saloon to win a coveted National Champion’s jersey, VTTA flavour - on the rarely raced “15” miler, just east of Newbury on the A4 (if there was an argument FOR dual carriageways being more safe than single this was one )....

Not giving myself a chance prior, due to me having to make up nearly 12 minutes (VTTA Champions are age adjusted, kind of handicap)...on the perennial champion, 87 year old Ron Hallam....yes 87!

Finished in 30mins 41secs inside my expectation of sub 31....but what had Ron done? Well, over 42 mins in actual time but in the age adjusting, 4 seconds, 4 bloody seconds better than me....so another silver, to add to previous silver and bronze for the season.....concluding, I must do another season, to try for that small step up....maybe

And in the real world (no disrespect) the 30-41 was quick enough for 3rd vet (and 5th overall) and broke the Sheffrec, N Mids and National Age records - a fairly decent day after all at th’office

Special recognition must go to the organiser and co-presenter of the prizes, Rachael Elliott (see picture)....Rachael was one of the top lady time trialists in the UK in 2017, in fact, an amazing rider, and had a serious cerebral haemorrhage whilst training in the Spring, Rachael now is on the long road to recovery, it was good to see her and hoping she makes a speedy and full recovery

Unknown territory next, a debut 100 miler next weekend, much trepidation on a number of levels.....pacing, fuelling becomes key too.....hoping that nice man

Joe Le Sage will give me some good tips 👨‍🏫

VTTA NATIONAL 25M TT CHAMPIONSHIPS - Newark - 28th July 2018

4th Overall & 2nd on Standard (National Silver)

Super windy conditions (come back Summer) at the National Vets (O40) 25m TT Champs - struggling to hold 25mph into the headwind, but spinning out at over 35mph average on way back with a top speed of nearly 50 - recording 52mins 30secs giving 5th overall but shaded on the National Champion gold medal (age adjusted) by 11 seconds - but no complaints in losing to Simon Beldon who recorded a remarkable sub 50 mins in those conditions ....chapeau!

That’s National bronze and silver now this season, with one opportunity left....hoping of course for a complete set. 

Kicking myself though for not reading the lowdown (see photo) on special guest, Mick Ward....belatedly learning Mick was both an outstanding cyclist and then runner (2-45 marathon at 60 ) as myself but in reverse, would have been interested in his experiences and comparisons....between the two sports.....Rest time now and back to basics 😴👨‍🎓

SHAFTESBURY CUP 50M TT - Newmarket - 22nd July 2018

17th Overall & 1st on Standard
Although a semi insomniac, I wasn’t enthralled by the thought of a 0725 start time for my first season step up to a hopefully fast “50” miler at Newmarket. Leaving my lovely AirBnB with a belly full of porridge and honey, consumed an hour later than I would normally choose....and even the pre setting of “Wake Up” on the car music player didn’t work, have you tried banging out Rage Against The Machine at 6 in the morning? Waking up was an issue as was a grumbling oat filled tummy.

Apathy is not a great mental state is this context, but bumping into Rutland’s effervescent Joe Le Sage at the warm up area, made me book up, and some of Joe’s optimism seemed to fortunately rub off...however the warm up was very sweaty, no fun.

Still a novice at this distance, this being my 4th attempt....pacing is key, not short enough to go out too hard, but short enough where you really need to be working from the start and not lose time, but you mustn’t blow....a contradiction?

Felt better racing than the warm up...some air movement....got into a rhythm and “sat” on the planned power output....hit the 25mile half way in 50-34, “fine, that’ll do” and felt comfortable....it didn’t last (I don’t think it does for anybody) - struggled but dug in, especially the last 12 miles and lost just a minute on the return - but hell, it was tough...recording a stomping 1-42-05.

Taking chunks off the Sheffrec club record.... N Mids and National Age records - however not quite as fast as former World Tour Pro, Marcin Bialobocki who set a new UK best....see the results


Four hours later and I’m wandering around Tramlines in Sheffield checking out some bands...but the legs aren’t interested.....this is friggin mad: just 2 days a go I was eyeing a possible debut at a late season “100” miler....but after that experience today, that’s not really an attractive idea, perhaps after a few sleeps, in fact make that many many sleeps 🤪

VTTA LONDON & Home Counties 10M TT - Aylesbury - 15th July 2018

4th Overall & 1st on Standard

A second marauding exercise in 4 days, darn sarf - this time Aylesbury for the London & Home Counties VTTA ‘10’ - 4th overall and 1st ‘on standard’ - 19-21 taking 3 secs off the records set on Thursday night...really felt quicker than Thursday, but the clock doesn’t lie....😊

A good four days work after the recent apathy, now with some deserved beers and the WC final, just think IF Harry had kept his shooting boots on in that Semi, IF IF IF - should’ve could’ve would’ve 🙄

ECAA VTTA 10M TT - Newmarket - 12th July 2018

5th Overall & 1st on Standard

Yep, “back on it” after some recent indifference and mojo searching....the Eastern Counties TT 10 miler at Newmarket....5th overall, 1st “standard” (gold medal & invitation dinner )....19-24 - Sheffrec club, N Mids and National Age Records - return headwind stifled a quicker time, but, y’know, you cant always have it all 😜

Good to see you 👍

Tony Cook  (great ride from yourself too mate)

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 👍