VTTA NATIONAL CHAMPS 25M - Newmarket 9th June 2019

Two visits to the rolling lands of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire in the last week....firstly, the second attempt in my quest for National Vets TT supremacy LOL - the National Vets 25 Champs....very early start, unusually felt garbage by even 10 miles, but this is racing, and there is only one option...persevered, dug even deeper, hurt more and ultimately ‘rescued’ a commendable 50mins 43 secs, not quite 30mph avg....but was it good enough for another champions jersey?

NO! Just 17 seconds in 2nd behind World O50 TT Champ - Kev Tye, an amazing athlete, (a sub 48min ‘25’ man) so no shame; and it materialised that most had a tough morning too, with relatively slow times, perhaps the very early start is not conducive to such onslaught? . Had a great chat with Kevin, and talk about chips off the same block...

[Mmm...sort of confident before...and as it was on the E2..top quality entry, but very early start, just does not work for me...but in fairness was the general consensus...biggest gap Kev Tye got on me in 2019..and it's closing all the time..in fact by the end of the season it was 1-2 😊]

NORTH MIDS CHAMPS - SHEFFREC 25 - Hatfield Woodhouse - 18th May 2019

Mixed result, club champs but also double up with the North Midlands Champs....quality 8 in start list with unreachable three at front...but other places up for grabs, and......I came bloody 8th, even with a PB, Olympian Adam Duggleby broke 50 mins, which is so rare at Hatfield....Sheffrec easily took the regional team prize with Liam, Andy and myself...and was first vet, first age and stuff....but y'know...I want more 💪

[Not one to be remembered, coming 8th, when you know there's really eight fighting for those places...sort of...is a bugger...but a PB on shitty Hatfield...at what age? BUT THAT IS IRRELEVANT 😎]

BIRDWELL WHEELERS 10 - Hatfield Woodhouse - 11th May 2019

2nd Overall / Power PB!
It’s a Sheffrec CC double at the Birdwell ‘10’ at Hatfield Woodhouse - congrats to Liam Bromiley for a convincing victory, followed by yours truly...course PB and power PB for a ‘10’ miler (356w) para mi - beer time 🍻

Significant in 2019, that although I did not break any PBs (except the 5 miler) mainly due to weather conditions, better indication is breaking power averages, which I did on Hatfield twice...finishing with 360w average....💪

[Great performance, no chance against a fit Liam (ex Giant UK Team Cat1 (Elite?) racer) - but he is 20 something LOL ]

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 👨‍🏫