Climb On Bikes RR

This morning,myself, Charler, Greek, Dave Lee and Weave raced the Climb On Bikes RR at Sutton, Hereford. And what a day it was – although sadly not all for the right reasons, as poor Weave got taken down badly right at the end    Here’s how it panned out….

I beat Roger Hammond…

.. well that got your attention didn’t it?

Okay so it wasn’t really a victory as such.

Last night Ewen and I raced the SSSCCRRL Round 3 at Admaston, just outside Telford. Bit of a spur of the moment decision for me really, thought it would liven my legs up for Sunday.  It was a handicap with the slower riders off first (about 20 or so), then I was in the second group of 30 riders, setting off 4/5 mins later, then the Elites/1/2 went off (2o or so) another 5 mins or so after that. As it turned out Cervelo Test Team rider Roger Hammond was in attendance, in the third group with Ewen. It was 6 laps of a 5.5 mile circuit, pretty flat and fast with a nasty headwind on the long back straight.

We caught the first group on the 4th lap and with everyone being a bit cagey with working on the front, it soon became clear that we were going to get mopped up by the fast boys or it was going to come down to a gallop.  Everyone was waiting for the third group to come past any moment on the last lap, but it never happened – it seemed they just had too much ground to make up. Apparently, they got to within 40 seconds, with Hammond towing the pack along into the stiff headwind at 33mph (!) with Ewen putting in some strong work at the front too. But luckily for our group they didn’t have enough time to catch us (another lap and it would’ve been carnage though!)

I worked my way up to a decent position on the last lap and was about 5th wheel with 200m to go, but my ’sprint’ started to fade on the slightly uphill finish, and I got squeezed out to what looked about 15th (not had results yet). Close, but no  BC points for me yet.

Fab night – pretty surreal being stood with Ewen, Gary Mac & Roger Hammond just chatting before the start. Roger (first name terms? maybe not) commenting how he thought Mick Rogers new Bont shoes were “a bit gay” for his liking

Shrewsbury Circuits

Hi Grah.

Just wondering if you were planning on doing the circuits at Shrewsbury this Saturday?

My thinking is that if I can race twice in a weekend then what the hell. I’m up for it as long as it doesn’t chuck it down all day. Give that brother of yours a poke as well and we’ll have a strong group! The Morro’s are both tokenless I believe, so we’ll be expecting big attacks at COB on Sunday!

LVRC Broadheath RR

Take a bow Mr Nick Yarworth. Another fine win for the Epic (just for fun) Team The LVRC, Wyre Forest club organised RR’s at Broadheath was the scene of the latest victory. Nick was riding in the C&D class, disappointed by the slow start of the race, after half a lap he attacked and the race winning break was formed as 4 riders pulled away and were not seen again by the bunch until everyone returned to the race HQ for a post race cuppa.

Starting just before Nick in the A&B race I stayed near the front and a half lap in, I saw Conor O’Brien, Solihull CC attack. He was the rider that broke away with Peter Georgi at the Tour of the Abbs last week Trapped on the inside I then see ex Pro Ian Fagan move up and go. I too attacked as Fagan rides straight past Conor, I reach Conor and thought, in for a penny in for a £1, past I go and have only 2 bike lengths to close, I call Conor through but the bunch had been shocked into life and Mr Fagan just kept on going faster and away Like a bully taking candy from the younger kids he was gone with such ease !! He solo’ed to a 2.5 min win A bunch sprint arrived and I managed 6th or 7th overall, pleased but I know it could of been a little better

No time to dwell as Nick comes to the finish in a now 3 up break and his commanding figure powers away, not knowing the impressive gap he had opened up, he manages a one handed victory salute Over heard comments from the 4th member of that break that got shelled, everyone was left with the impression that the pace had been hard and fast,  CHAPEAU Nick

Again some nice comments about our club which was nice to hear

Track leagues

Posted on Gary’s behalf (thought it deserved a thread of its own!):  For those interested, our two local outdoor track leagues have started , with Wolverhampton being tonight (Wednesday) and Halesowen on Friday, both start at 7.00pm ( weather permitting ) Ewen intends to ride both, also this weekend are two enter on the line events, Darley Moor Sat, and Birmingham City Crits ( held on a trading estate at Solihull ) Sunday, all cat`s catered for.

Tour of the Abberleys – phew!

The LVRC Tour of the Abberleys gives you a taste of what it is like to race over multiple days – with tactics, team work, fatigue and a small dollop of good fortune thrown in ( picking the right break to join/chase etc) it is great weekend of racing.