Competition News

Wheelers excel themselves in Cambridge CC time trial

Third place in Welwyn Track League event

Organising Club: Shaftesbury CC

Course: E2/25

Wheelers' Times

PeterW 1:01:38

Failed the others yet again.  Four of us turned up as private entrants, and three came away with PB's. 
It was the first attempt on a non-HW course for both PaulM & LeeM and GarethW had some unfinished business on this track after his start line puncture last year.  My only comfort was that I equalled my course PB set in 2011.  (23:29)  PW.

This course is on the single carriageway A4 just west of Maidenhead, and it wasn't much fun.  The first couple of miles were OK although competing with all the other road users made it all the more complicated.  Then the course descended, on an uneven surface.  Not so bad but this meant that there was a long climb on the return - into a strong wind.  Overall I was happy with my time of 25:25 but probably wouldn't do this one again!  And the journey back was a pig.  26\44.  PW.

Organising Club: VTTA

Course: H10/2

Wheelers' Times

PeterW 25:25

4 PBs on a beautiful evening.

Organising Club: ECCA

Course: E2/10

Wheelers' Times

MervP 30:19

2:08:57 was neither brilliant nor poor but I learned a lot from this and confirmed much more.  After about 35 miles the pain in my shoulders and (left) shoulder to elbow was more than this kid found easy to bear.  The number of seating positions on a TT bike is limited and being stuck in one posture does cause grief.  If I'd trained for this it wouldn't have been a problem but I'm only doing this as a break from the slower endurance stuff. 

First points on the league scoreboard

Organising Club: ECCA

Course: E2/50c

Wheelers' Times

PeterW 2:08:57

Organising Club: Peterborough CC

Course: N1/10

Wheelers' Times

MervP 31:35

Another impressive time from Gareth.

Organising Club: Lea Valley CC

Course: E2/10

Wheelers' Times

MervP 27:23

After my "success" two days earlier I wanted to see if I could further improve myself.  I'd not done this course before and had heard several conflicting reports about it.  The weather was very changeable as all through the afternoon there was intermittent sun, rain & high winds.  On my way to the start I met up with Merv who explained bits of the course to me.  He stated that the downhill part was very fast but that there were no side winds to cause grief and that he only encountered difficulties within the last two miles.  And so it came to pass.  After reaching 44.6mph down the slope

Still chasing a sub 24min time and things were looking hopeful for me.  The wind was east to west so I would be blown back up the hill, it was a relatively warm afternoon and the sun was shining.  No chance of rain.  I made the mistake of overhearing one of the earlier riders chatting to his mates and saying that the return was the more difficult bit.  Moral of the story - ignore what others say.

Organising Club: VTTA

Course: F11/10

Wheelers' Times

PeterW 23:49MervP 27:50

Organising Club: Cambridge CC

Course: F2d/10

Wheelers' Times

PeterW 23:59MervP 28:22

Off to the A31 between Farnham & Alton.  Have done this before and I know from experience that it's not the easiest course for me.  It has its ups-and-downs and if it's windy.....!  The weather forecast suggested that I'd have most problems eastbound, so I was unpleasantly surprised to start westwards - and struggle.  Eventually got into a rhythm after a car pulled across me, much to my concern.  It may not have been my fastest time but I was really pleased to have finished in 1:03:56.  Mentally I got more out of this one than many of my faster times on faster courses.  Being that quali

Organising Club: Northampton & District CA

Course: N1/10

Wheelers' Times

MervP 33:25