7th June
Best of luck to Sarah...
...Roberts, who is travelling over to the Cambridgeshire-Northants border to compete in this weekend's RTTC National 25 mile Championships. The reputedly fast N1/25c course around Sawtry has attracted the usual massive field, with Sarah part of a 77 rider Ladies' event. Not quite sure which bike Sarah will be usuing on the day, but we are quietly confident of a 25 mile PB - go for it girl!!
6th June
Following a short 'holiday hiatus', here are the main GDW news items/results over the past few weeks;
Vince goes under...
... our Vince Hounsome took part in last weekend's Bournemouth Arrow CC 25 mile Open on the P413/25 Upton By Pass course and banged in a time under the hour - we think for the first time in 2008... In a highly competitive field, the Gillingham -based Wheeler clocked 58.44 for 18th place - well done Vince, bodes well for the 'really fast' 25s coming up in the latter part of the season...
Bournemouth Jubilee 30 mile Open TT around Lychett Matravers - Vince Hounsome our only representative - he took 23rd place in a time of 1.13.50
Our Steve Way was in action in the recent Chippenham Wheelers 10 mile Open near Lyneham, North Wilts. Steve came 35th in 25.43...
Several Wheelers have been 'guesting' at the Tuesday evening Somer Valley CC club '10s' in recent weeks... Early May saw decent times on the relatively fast U361 Nunney Catch-Frome By Pass course with James Chant Clocking 24.41 and Sarah Roberts 28. 17. Meanwhile, Chris Mullett committed the 'cardinal TT sin' of forgetting to take his cycling shoes, but nevertheless did a 28.59 in his trainers!! Later in the month, five club riders rode the same course with some pretty good times ensuing. Charles Rees was the fastest of our lot with a 24.21 (personal best), followed by Jame Chant - 24.26 (PB), John Phillips - 27.04 (PB), Chris Mullett - 28.36 (with shoes!!) and Maria Phillips - 32.12 (PB).. The first fixture in June saw three riders in action, with James clocking 24.46, Sarah setting a 10 mile PB on her 'new' 700c wheeled machine of 27.58. Well done to all riders who set Tuesday evening PBs thus far....
18th May
With traffic being as it is and road works a more common occurrence (that requires a contingency plan) a few of the club members have been dreaming up alternatives to the current Gillingham 10 (see the forum page for discussions). Find below links to images of the proposed circuits as described:
Current (click here): Gillingham (Cemetery Road) -> Peacemarsh -> Mere -> Zeals -> West Bourton -> Wyke (10 miles)
Proposed #1 (click here): Todber -> Manston (nearly) -> Guy’s Marsh -> St James’s Common -> Stour Row -> Todber (10 miles)
Proposed #2 (click here): Longbridge Deverill -> Maiden Bradley -> Kingston Deverill -> Longbridge Deverill (10 miles)
Proposed #3 (click here): Gillingham (Bay Road) -> Long Cross -> Mere -> Zeals -> West Bourton -> Wyke (10 miles)
Proposed #4 (click here): Wincanton (unused mini roundabout toward Templecombe) -> Anchor Hill -> Templecombe -> Buckhorn Weston -> Wincanton (10 miles)
If anybody has alternatives please feel free to add a comment to the forum page!
15th May
Sotonia CC 25 mile Open - Upton-By-Pass...
.... Simon's hopes of completing a weekend PB double were dashed by an extremely nasty-looking accident involving a competitor and a vehicle. Somehow, Weymouth's Paul Gould, an early starter was in collision with a stationary Truck which had broken down near the Holes Bay roundabout. Unfortunately Paul ploughed head-first into the truck and at the time there were serious concerns. The Police immediately closed the road and the TT was abandoned, with most competitors out on the course, including our Simon, Don Tanner and Vince Hounsome. Thankfully, the latest news is that Paul has suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries and is still currently in hospital - we extend our best wishes to him and his family and hope for a quick, full recovery... On a pertinent note this incident shows how important it is for competitors in TTs to keep their 'heads up' at all times and be aware of their surroundings....
Another PB for Simon...
.... This time it was at 10 miles! Last Saturday afternoon's Crabwood CC event on the P613/10 Thruxton-Andover-Thruxton course attracted a big field and proved to be a 'flyer'... In the highly competitive 40-50 age category, Si really got motoring to finish 20th overall in a great time of 21.54, only one of a handful of Wheelers who have been able to break into the '21s'. Stuart Kerton, only recently recovered from an ongoing virus, did well to post a 22.44 for 40th in the under 40 category...
News of the Somer Valley 29 mile 'hilly' from James Chant...
"Hello all, I'm afraid the five Wheelers who took part in the Somer Valley Open last Sunday morning diodn't exactly cover themselves with glory! Apart from the really nice weather, I nearly collapsed in a heap after about 25 miles - 29 miles was too much for me and I could only just manage to keep pedalling over the last section (1.19.38 for 21st place - so not a bad effort really - ed). Richard Weldon lost 16 minutes changing an inner tube (1.38.01 - 31st), whilst Grahme Reed had a relatively trouble-free ride (1.23.21 - 24th). Chris Mullet did a 1.31.47 for 30th, but Sarah Roberts had to stop and wait whilst FOUR cars all stopped on the hill up to Longleat, and one by one did a u-turn in front of her!! (1.30.38 - 30th). She wasn't at all impressed, but did pick up a healthy haul of points to continue to lead the womens' section of the championship.
10th May
Weekend TT action...
...sees Simon Barfoot and Stuart Kerton up at Andover for the Crabwood CC 10 miler. With good weather forecast there could be some very good times.... Si, Don Tanner and Vince Hounsome will be on duty at the following morning's Sotonia CC 25 mile Open on the ultra-fast P415/25 course down at Poole - what odds yet another PB for 'Super Si'??! Meanwhile, a team of five Wheelers, most of whom seem to be concentrating on the WTTA Hardriders Series this year, take part in the Somer Valley CC 29 mile 'hilly' around Cranmore, Frome and Warminster. Once again, we trust the weather will stay good for Sarah Roberts, Grahame Reed, Chris Mullett, Richard Weldon and James Chant. Best of luck to all!!
Simon does it again - and how!!
Si Barfoot turned in a simply storming ride at last Sunday's Bournemouth and District WCA 25 miler to knock a huge chunk off his 25 PB set only the week before... Riding the P413/25 course, which is essentially three laps of the Upton-By-Pass down near Poole for the first time, Simon clocked an excellent 58.15 for 5th position overall and right up with the 'big hitting' riders from the big South Coast clubs - this has got to be the best Wheelers TT performance in recent years. Vince Hounsome also did a respectable 1.01.43 for 19th position - shame we didn't have a third rider as we could have gone close in the Teams' Classification... The amazing thing is that Simon would have dipped well into the '57s' if he hadn't got lost on the final roundabout! After missing his finish turn-off at Bakers Arms, he did a quizzical second tour of the big roundabout and had to ask a marshal for directions - losing possibly 40 seconds...? any excuse!
Fastest course in the West?
The Bath CC 10 mile Open last Saturday morning attracted a capacity field of 120 including our Stuart Kerton. Stuart, although not really 100 percent, suffering from an ongoing cold bug, did well to come 67th in 23.04. He reckons that this relatively new U47 course in North Wiltshire is definitely the fastest '10' in the West District (beating the U30 in that case) and might even be a qucker one than Andover!! We'd better get up there pronto if that is the case...
James Chant ...
...was very pleased to set a new 10 mile PB at last Tuesday's Somer Valley CC club TT on the Nunney-Frome By-Pass course- not sure what the time was - perhaps you could enlighten us James? Well done - keep up the good work mate...
6th May
BUSA 25 news - from James Chant...
"Hi all, we had a good time on Saturday at the Oxford University CC BUSA Students' Championships near Faringdon. It was a fast course, and the wind wasn't too much of a hinderance for most of the route. I made a schoolboy error by not realising exactly where the finish line was. I thought we had to go up a hill and then another mile or two afterwards. I was cruising along getting ready for a final push up the hill and then go flat out to the end when I looked up and saw the finish line right in front of me!! If I had known where it was, I would have gone a lot harder a lot earlier - I'm sure I could have knocked another minute off my time of 1.05.01 (53rd)..... That still wouldn't have been fast enough to have beaten Charles (Rees) though, who was going really well. He was turning a huge gear when I saw him going the other way he recorded 1.02.53 in his first-ever 25 mile TT for 41st and 35th student. Richard Weldon clocked 1.06.39 for 60th, whilst Sarah (Roberts) was pleased with her time of 1.13.42 (87th), as it was 3 minutes faster than the '25' that she did at Usk in South Wales last year... Best wishes, James.
3rd May
A busy weekend ...
.... apart from the two lads down at Bournemouth (see below), four Wheelers are due to travel up for the Oxford University CC BUSA Student 25 mile TT Championships near Faringdon. Whilst Charles Rees will be representing Cardiff UWIC, Richard Weldon, Sarah Roberts and James Chant will be made 'honourary students' for the day and ride the concurrent 'allcomers' event. Meanwhile, Richard Kerton has apparently just scraped into the field for this weekend's Bath CC 10 mile Open. The U47 course in North Wiltshire has been discovered to be one of (if not THE) fastest '10' in the West District and has attracted a full field of 120 plus reserves from far and wide... Best of luck to all our lot - news of how they get on will be posted as soon as we get it...
Barf bangs one in 'under'...
... well, it was reported here recently that he was a 'coming man', so we suppose that it was no real shock that Si Barfoot has joined a fairly select band of Wheelers who have succeeded in going 'under the hour' for a 25 mile TT! Last Sunday's Andover Wheelers Open was the event and the seldom-used P612/25 A303 Andover-Popham-Andover course was the venue. Despite a gradual uphill gradient for much of the return leg, our Si really dug in deep, especially on the last mile or so into Andover itself, and was chuffed to clock a 59.45 for 16th place. They say that once a rider breaks that 'magical' hour barrier, the times somehow seem to come down even further with relative ease! So do not be surprised if he lowers his mark yet again at the Sunday morning's Bournemouth & District WCA 25 miler on the Upton-By-Pass, where he is joined by Vince Hounsome - go for it lads!!!
Western Hardriders update.
Four of our TT riders took part in the latest round of the WTTA Hardriders Series. Another high-quality field was on duty at last Sunday morning's Swindon RC 23.5 miler 'hilly' on U59 Bishops Canning - Beckhampton circuit near Devizes. James Chant led our quartet home in 1.05.50 for 35th position, followed by Grahame Reed - 1.09.17 (40th), Chris Mullett - 1.15.24 (47th) and Sarah Roberts - 1.15.33 (48th). At the halfway point in the Series, Sarah still leads the Ladies' category - hooray!!
Somer Valley CC 'clubbie'...
... Two Wheelers popped along to the Somer Valley '10' last Tuesday evening. James Chant had a particularly good ride on the fairly fast Nunney-Frome course clocking 25.05 for 4th place and only a few seconds off a PB!! Sarah Roberts also enjoyed the course and recorded a 28.33. Details of the future dates can, we think, be found on the www.westdc.co.uk website, or maybe ask Brian or Jerry Rayner from Somer Valley, who occasionally ride at our TTs/hillclimbs...
28th Aprl
Barfoot's Blinder....
Our Simon Barfoot really does seem to be getting the hang of this Open TT 'thing'! The early part of 2008, his first full TT season, has seen Si take on a whole variety of Opens on a whole variety of courses across the south of England - all this cramming-in of experience looks to be starting to pay off.. At last Saturday's CC Weymouth 10 miler between Owermoigne and Wool, he was faced with a course which once hosted the National TT Championships 10 or so years ago, and falls roughly speed-wise between one of the drag-strip courses and our '10' - ie fairly flattish, but seemingly hard work all the way round!! Simon seems to have really got his head down on this one and, in a fairly classy field, finished in an excellent 17th position in a time of 24.02 - and tantalisingly, only 20 or so seconds off a top ten placing... Oh well Si, your day will surely come - just keep up the good work!!
25th Aprl
Vince Hounsome flew...
... the club colours at Sunday morning's EDCA 27km Open held on a undulating, but flowing course around Bovington and Wool. Vince was pleased to record a course-best time of 41.20 to come home 13th...
West District Open TT news...
... Two Wheelers took part in the recent Bristol South CC 25 miler on the U18 course near Berkeley, South Gloucestershire. On a very windy Saturday afternoon with a particularly hard return leg, Stuart Kerton came home 25th in 1.04.59 and Don Tanner placed 39th in 1.08.53.
Meanwhile Steve Way was the sole traveller up to the latest round of the WTTA Hardriders Series, the Dursley RC 23.5 mile 'hilly' Steve found out that the course was particularly 'hilly' , with some rather big, long climbs and perhaps not suited to his fixed-wheel machine... Nevertheless, he battled on to clock 1.20.01 for 25th position - well done guys!
22nd Aprl
Last weekend's Open TT (in)action...
... Our club 'testers' split their resources last Saturday with seven going down to Podimore for the Yeovil CC 10 miler, whilst four travelled up to Thruxton for the Andover Wheelers 'middlemarkers' 10. With the wet weather yet again playing a 'trump' card, prospects looked rather bleak come lunchtime... However, the rain stopped around 2pm and things dried up sufficiently for the Yeovil promotion to go ahead. The ever-improving Charles Rees led the Wheelers home with an excellent (considering the windy conditions) 26.01 for 17th position. Other riders' times/placings were; James Chant - 26.10 (19th), Richard Weldon - 27.38 (28th), Chris Mullett - 28.59 (32nd), John Phillips - 29.07 (34th), Sarah Roberts - 29.38 (35th), Carole Miller - 30.39 (39th). Meanwhile, the riders up at Andover were less than pleased to arrive at the HQ to find it locked and deserted bar a few other disgruntled would-be competitors. Obviously, a decision to abandon had been made earlier in the day, but no real attempt to notify/placate riders had been made... This cancellation has made it three P613/10 TT fixtures lost to rain thus far this year...
15th Aprl
EDCA 24 mile 'hilly'...
Sunday morning saw a trio of Wheelers down at the testing 24 miler around Wimborne and Blandford. EDCA Series 'regular' Vince Hounsome was pleased to record a course-best time of 1.02.40 for 17th place. Simon Barfoot and a (cold-ridden) James Chant, on their first acquaintance with the course, did well to come 21st and 29th in 1.04.27 and 1.07.25 respectively...
National Points Series Round One...
... took place last weekend at Thetford Forest in Norfolk. Our Henry Harris was in action in the 100 kilometre Whyte Enduro, where he once again underlined reputation as a 'toughie' by resolutely plugging away to finish a worthy 34th out of a field of 90 riders in a time of 4hrs, 48mins, 58secs...
Meanwhile, Paul Hopkins rode the ultra-competitive Masters' race, where he came home a creditable 16th out of 62 finishers... Well done both guys!
8th Aprl
Dorset Coast 200km Audax news...
The intrepid duo of Daryol Lawes and Simon Barfoot took part in last weekend's Dorset Coast '200' in preparation for this summer's club 200 mile SUNDIAL CHALLENGE ride. This is the story from Daryol...
"We set off into blowing snow and me being a total dipstick, had forgotten my sunglasses...sunglasses! I hear you yell, what for in snow?? Well they would have been very useful as every time I lifted my head to see where we were going, my eyes got pelted with snowflakes! When it's cold and wet this is not the best feeling in the world. Luckily, the snow only lasted for an hour or so and by the time we were over the Sandbanks ferry it was merely windy, but we were making good time and arrived at the second checkpoint of Weymouth at 10.59am - 86km into the 207 advertised. We then set off on the 'lumpy' bit of the ride, Weymouth to Axminster via Bridport on some very off-the-beaten track C roads...
Dorset IS HILLY!!! About 10k from Axminster, my rear mech jammed into the spokes on a dowmshift and I couldn't free it enough to ride, so after a bit of 'tech' work (banging etc), I was able to get the rear wheel to freewheel, but when I tried to ride the mech snapped in two and that was the end of my ride! Simon, who climbs like he was born to be in the Alps, had gone on ahead and after waiting for 10-15 minutes at the next junction, returned down the worst hill to find me with bike on shoulder, walking. After another bit of techwork, we freed the rear wheel and tied the rear mech up enough to freewheel down to Axminster, with Si thankfully giving me a push when the odd hill got in the way - what a mate! Having arrived at the control about an hour later than we would have, luckily one of the volunteers agreed to give me a lift to Dorchester, after the control had closed.
Si rode on with another group of riders, after we'd had some sarnies, tea and cake. Now he would have to navigate as well as belt up hills. I waited for a couple of hours until my saviour tied my bike to his roof rack and we set off to Dorchester. I arrived at the railway station just too late to take the 5pm train to Wareham, so had a delightful wait in a windy waiting room (boo- hoo!). Got to Wareham and walked back to the start/finish point to find that Si had arrived about 20mins earlier, what good luck! He had stayed with his group until Spyway Hill and then, as they dropped off, he waited at the top for 10mins, but no one showed up, so he TT'ed his way back to the finish, via the Dorchester control. So having waited for me, helped me bind up the bike, stayed longer than normal at Axminster and waited at the top of Spyway Hill, he still finished what was a very hilly 207km in just over 10 hours - top riding!!
Daryol.
Gorrick Spring Series Round 4
Five Wheelers travelled up to Frith Hill near Frimley in Surrey for the latest round of the Gorrick MBC Series, with some pretty good results... In the Elite race, Rich Mardle came a close-up 3rd, Whilst in the Super Masters event, Paul Hopkins came home 7th. Other results were; Master Men - Julian Chown 25th, Veteran Men - Andy Sawyer 52nd, Grand Veteran Men - Denys Jones 8th. Well done guys!!
Sole Wheeler Sarah Roberts braved...
... last Sunday morning's heavy snowfall to compete in the latest round of the WTTA Hardriders Series. Despite a bleak outlook, the snow stopped and the sun came out to enable the 19 mile 'hilly' TT around Wootton Basset and Sutton Benger in North Wiltshire to take place. Considering the conditions, it was unsuprising that over half the field non-started. Depite this Sarah, who was the furthest traveller at the event, plugged on resolutely to come home 21st in a time of 1.05.54. She also had the distinction of scoring top points for 1st lady, as her nearest Champoinship rival recorded a DNF....
2nd Aprl
Club Hillclimb
The first of what will be a series of club Hillclimbs was held last Monday evening on the 2.1 mile Druley Hill ascent in quite nice, sunny conditions. There was a pleasing turn-out of seventeen riders, which bodes well for the rest of the year. Club mountain goat/whippet Richard Mardle made light work of the challenge as he danced up the hill in a superb 6mins, 55secs to take the win. Other times were; Denys Jones - 7.49, Julian Chown - 7.51, Vince Hounsome - 7.52, James Chant - 7.56, Andy Hopkins (North Dorset Tri) - 7.59, Simon Barfoot - 8.11, Richard Weldon - 8.25, Stuart Kerton (Frome Wheelers) - 8.40, Mike Donovan - 9.11, Sarah Wheeler - 9.19, Steve King - 9.22, Sarah Roberts - 9.22.5, Mike Rigby - 9.31, John Phillips - 10.00, Andy Sawyer - 11.21, Maria Phillips - 11.32. Next round is to be held on Monday 7th April - sign in 6-30 for a 7pm start..
WTTA Hardriders Round Three...
Three Wheelers took part in last Sunday morning's Severn RC Hardriders TT held on an undulating course around Castle Combe and Tormarton on the Wiltshire-Gloucestershire border. Despite extremely windy weather and a course shortened on the day to 19 miles, there was big turn-out in what looks like a highly competitive series this year. Winner was our GDW 'hilly' victor Gavin Popart (Echelon Cycles/Spiuk) who clocked 41mins, 14secs averaging an astonishing 32.5 mph!! James Chant came 48th in 52.16, Chris Mullett 59th in 58.34 and Sarah Roberts 60th in 58.44 (4th lady). The results mean that Sarah still leads the Ladies' section of the Series - well done - keep at it girl!!
29th Mar
Andover angst...
...We understand that three club riders are scheduled to take part in this afternoon's (Saturday) Army CU 10 miler on the A303 at Andover. Alan Smith, Sarah Wheeler and Don Tanner are part of a very large field, with Don 'doubling up' as he is also down for tomorrow morning's Open '25' on the same stretch of road. The problem is of course, the weather, which does not look very promising for this afternoon and there is a likelihood of yet another cancellation on safety grounds. Hopefully any rain shall not prove a big problem and that our threesome will be able to set a time. If they do not and competitors are sent home, rest assured that the organisers' descision will have been made in the best interests of everybody....
More Open TT dates for April and May have been added - see listing below...
28th Mar
Why not enter these...?
Open TT for the coming weeks - do not forget to send your entries off at least 12 days before the event...
Sat 19th April
Andover Wheelers 'Middlemarkers' 10 mile P613/10 2pm A303 Thruxton-Andover Fastest time allowed = 22.30
Entries, £7 to; J. Foster 5 Ouse Court, River Way, Andover. SP10 5EY.
Yeovil CC 10 mile U30/10 3pm A303 Podimore - South Petherton
Entries, £7 to; D. Notley Oakley, Church Rd, Sparkford, Yeovil. BA22 7JN.
Sun 20th April
Dursley RC 29 mile (WTTA Hardriders) U14 8am nr Dursley, Gloucs
Entries, £7 to; M. Hallgarth 5 North St, Wickwar, Gloucs. GL12 8NQ.
East Dorset Cycling Association 27km P433 8am Gallows Hill-Wool circuit
Entries, £5 to; Mark Dobbs 19 Henbury Close, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne. BH21 3TF.
Sat 26th April
CC Weymouth 10 mile P451 2-30pm Owermoigne - Wool
Entries, £7 to; Ian Locock 17b Victoria Avenue, Upwey, Weymouth. DT3 5NG.
Somerset RC 10 mile U21/10 2-30pm Axbridge - Brent Knoll A38
Entries, £6-50 to; Tim Reeves 21 Mead Way, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton. TA2 8LT.
Sun 27th April
Swindon RC 24 mile 'hilly' (WTTA Hardriders) U59 Devizes - Beckhampton circuit
Entries, £7 to; Chris Broad-Drake 28 Moredon Park, Swindon. SN2 2LX.
Andover Wheelers 25 mile P612/25 7-30am A303 Andover - Popham -Andover
Entries, £7 to; Jake Prior 109 Springfield Close, Andover. SP10 2RL.
Sat 3rd May
Bath CC 10 mile U47 5pm Cricklade - Spine Road Nth Wiltshire
Entries, £6-50 to; Rob Pears 4 Longthorne Place, Entry Hill, Bath. BA2 5LG.
Sun 4th May
Clevedon and District RC 25 mile U21/25 6-30am A38 Highbridge-Bridgwater
Entries, £7 to; R. Knight 17 Highworth Rd, St Annes, Bristol. BS4 4AQ.
Bournemouth and District WCA 25 mile P413/25 7am Upton-By-Pass
Entries, £7 to; Miss L. Burman 5 Charles Gardens, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth. BH10 5EH.
Sat 10th May
Crabwood CC 10 mile P613/10 1-30pm A303 Thruxton - Andover
Entries, £7 to; D. England 31 Main Rd, Totton, Southampton. SO40 7EP.
Sun 11th May
Somer Valley CC 29 mile (WTTA Hardriders) U364 8am A361 Cranmore - Frome - Corsley
Entries, £6-50 to; C. Bowyer 16 Ivy Walk, Midsomer Norton, Somerset. BA3 2EE.
Sotonia CC 25 mile P413/25 (EDCA) 7am Upton-By-Pass
Entries, £7 to; Martin Ward 31 Westfield Crescent, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh. SO53 3GU.
27th Mar
Dual-carriageway disappointment...
...We hear that the the odd Wheeler as well as a host of West Country riders who chose to enter the P613 Sotonia CC 10 mile Open TT at Andover the other Saturday in preference to our 'nicer but slower' 19 'hilly', ultimately ended up without a ride... Whilst our event was so so lucky, weather-wise, and yet could have been run in the predicted rain, the A303 -based fixture was called off just before start time due to the dangers of standing water and heavy spray, not to mention the extra traffic caused by an early Easter exodus. Oh well - that's the price you pay for doing the 'drag-strip' courses!
Easter Weekend round-up...
Three hardy GDW time triallists were in action over the Easter period - mad fools! - with the weather ranging from gales to rain and heavy snow showers, they must have been keen to get up for the early start-times... Down at Lychett Matravers at Good Friday's Bournemouth Arrow Open '10' up and down the Upton-By-Pass, Simon Barfoot and Alan Smith faced some unbelievably testing conditions, including reputed 40mph crosswinds/headwinds! Considering the conditions, Si did well to place 31st in a respectable 25.40, whilst Alan made it home in 36.52 for 70th. Sunday saw Vince Hounsome as the sole Wheelers representative in the Bournemouth Jubilee 42KM 'hilly' around Lulworth and Wool. Vince managed to bag some good early-season EDCA points with 11th position in a time of 1.13.47....
19th Mar
News from our roving road racer...
James Chant has been busy sampling the delights of circuit road races right from the start of the season in February. Not content with setting a decent time at last weekend's GDW 'hilly' 19, he decided to pop up to Thruxton the following morning for a crack at the Omega Circuit races - here's his news...
"I went to Thruxton on Sunday and had a go in a very wet and horribly windy 4th Cat race. I led for two laps, without even really trying, but unfortunately they were the first two laps, not the last two... Later in the race the pack got split just as I was taking it easy at the back, which is just typical of my luck! I spent a lap and a half within touching distance of the front pack, but just couldn't get back on.
I ended up towing a small group of riders round for two or three laps. Nobody was willing to do a turn and I thought ' weell, I'm not going to get beaten on the line after sheltering that lot', so I just went as fast as I could over the last half lap and left them behind, which was quite satisfying!
Going back on the 6th (April), hopefully, I'll be paying more attention and stay with the leaders!" James.
Chippenham Wheelers 24 mile 'hilly'...
Round One of the WTTA Hardriders Series saw a team of six Wheelers travel up to Devizes to take on a strong field of early-season 'testers' in the Chippenham fixture. Despite chilly and blustery conditions, everybody seemed to like the challenging nature of this hard and varied course. Si Barfoot placed 32nd in 1.05.07, James Chant 40th in 1.07.09, Steve Way 41st in 1.07.37, Chris Mullett 51st in 1.14.53, Sarah Roberts 53rd in 1.18.57 and John Phillips (riding his first-ever Open TT) 54th in 1.20.16. Sarah has become the first club rider to actually LEAD a championship in 2008 as by dint of scoring well in the first two Hardriders rounds, she currently heads the Ladies' classification - keep up the good work Sarah!!
Gorrick Goings-on....
... We hear that two Wheelers were in action recently at round three of the Gorrick MTB Spring Series held at Crowthorne Wood in Berkshire. In the very competitive 73 rider 'Veterans' race, Silton's Henry Harris did well to come home a creditable 27th, Whilst Denys Jones finished a highly meritable 7th in the over 40 'Grand Vets' event - well done you guys!!
The Bruton 'Hilly' 19 Open TT...
...held last Saturday proved to be another resoundingly successful GDW promotion... The start sheet showed a quality field of 44 riders for what was round 2 of the WTTA Hardriders' Series. Despite damp weather and in places, muddy road conditions, the predicted heavy rain thankfully held off until just after the last rider had crossed the finishing line! Winning in a stunning time of 44.09, considering the conditions was Gavin Poupart of the Echelon-Spiuk Team. Runners-up were Dave Kiddell (Cavalier CC) in 45.49 and Jeff Jones (Chippenham Wheelers) in 46.09. Top Series fancy Chris Madge of Severn RC was unlucky to suffer a puncture 2 miles from the finish, otherwise everybody else got around trouble-free, and remarkably, despite the forecast weather, there were only 4 non-starters! Winner of the perpetual Bill Short Memorial Trophy for the first Veteran home was won by Mike Simmons of Clevedon and District RC in 47.44. This trophy, which is jointly presented by the Gillingham and Frome Wheelers is in memory of Bill, a popular GDW rider, who tragically lost his life in a TT accident back in 2003. First over 60 'Super' Veteran was Tom Ryan (Bath CC) in 52.51. First Lady home was our very own Sarah Roberts in 1.01.39. Other Wheelers' times/placings were; Simon Barfoot - 52.06 (18th), James Chant - 54.38 (23rd), Steve Way - 56.00 (26th), Henry Harris - 56.12 (28th), Grahame Reed - 57.00 (29th), Richard Weldon - 57.12 (30th), Chris Mullett - 1.01.34 (35th), Sarah Wheeler - 1.05.46 (39th) and John Phillips - 1.06.09 (40th). In a hard-fought Teams' Category, we were well beaten into 4th place by the Bath, Chippenham and Somer Valley clubs - We shall have to try harder at the September Open!! Please see elsewhere on this site for the full results...
6th Mar
Six club riders are in action...
...at this Sunday's Chippenham and District Wheelers 24 mile 'hilly' Open TT around Bishops Cannings, near Devizes. A field of sixty four has been attracted to the fixture, which is round one of the WTTA Hardriders series (our 19 mile hilly next week being round two). Our representatives, in starting order are; James Chant, Chris Mullett, Sarah Roberts, Steve Way, Simon Barfoot and John Phillips. We wish them well on this scenic course, which passes by many of the important pre-historic sites of North Wiltshire...
25th Feb
Frome 10 Mile Open TT news...
Last Sunday morning's Frome & District Wheelers 10 miler, the traditional TT season opener for the West District, saw six club riders in action on the U369. Despite dry and relatively warm weather, there was a tremendously challenging southerly headwind on the return leg, keeping times rather on the slow side, not that it bothered winner Ben Anstie of Chippenham Wheelers, who clocked an astonishing 22mins, 11secs!! Wheelers' times/placings were; Don Tanner - 26.42 (15th), Steve Way - 27.36 (21st), Grahame Reed - 27.39 (22nd), Chris Mullett - 30.12 (31st), Carole Miller - 30.40 (33rd) and Sarah Wheeler - 32.34 (37th).
19th Feb
All the best Stuart!
We hear that 2008 will see club stalwart Stuart Kerton moving onto pastures new... As a result of an imminent house move to Westbury and a new job near Devizes making it difficult for him to make the GDW Wednesday evening TTs, Stuart has decided to join up with the Frome Wheelers. Best of luck for the new season mate - sure we'll see you at various events around the West District this year....
Cancelled...
...it would appear that the Bath CC 23 mile TT, round three of the WTTA Hardriders' series scheduled for 23rd March has been cancelled. Unfortunately, the organiser is unable to fulfill the necessary duties and the club are unable to source a replacement organiser in time. So if you fancy a bit of Open TT action that weekend, it's all down to Lulworth for the Bournemouth Jubilee 42K 'hilly'!
13th Feb
Off-road news...
... A number of club mountain bikers took part in last month's annual Salisbury Plain Off-Road Challenge at Erlestoke between Westbury and Devizes. Although not a competitive event strictly speaking, with no official placings being recorded, over six hundred riders of all ages and abilities took on the challenging course in typicallly testing January weather. Although many used it as a un/family day out, there were quite a number who took proceedings deadly serious! In the 'feature' 50 kilometre enduro, Wheelers' finishing times were; Henry Harris - 3hrs, 24mins, 18secs, Vince Hounsome - 2.32.58, Danny Hughes - 3.16.08 and Stuart Kerton - 4.08.28. In the shorter 35K 'blast', our Denys Jones was partucularly energetic, recording a time of 1.40.49, which we think would have placed him 3rd had it been a proper race...
5th Feb
Andy's Masterful Performance!
Mere's Andy Shaw crossed the Channel to join competitors from across the globe for the recent UCI Cyclo-Cross World Masters Championships. As part of an English contingent of almost 50 riders, Wheeler Andy, took part in the highly-competitive 45 to 49 age category race on a challenging multi-terrain course at Zilvermeer, near Mol in Belgium. Despite a lowly seeded starting grid position, Andy, riding first claim for the MI Racing/EAS/Thule team, made up literally dozens of positions in the frenetic opening lap, notably on the deep sand section, and eventually finished in a highly creditable 10th place and 1st UK rider home. Not a bad perfomrmance in the exacting discipline of cyclo-cross, which is normally the domain of riders from the Benelux countries. Well done!
1st Feb
Early season Open TT dates;
Listed below are a number of upcoming fixtures in the area. It would be great to get a strong Wheelers team up for these!
Sun 24th Feb 10am Frome and District Wheelers 10 mile Open Solo and 2-UP U369 Maiden Bradley - Frome By
Pass. Entries; Solo - £6-50, 2-UP - £13.00, all Juniors - £3 by 11/2/08 to;
Andy Greatwood 13 Cranmore Close, Trowbridge, Wilts. BA14 9BU.
Sun 9th Mar 10am Chippenham and District Wheelers 24 mile 'hilly' Open - WTTA Hardriders' Round 1 U83
Sutton Benger-Wootton Bassett- Malmesbury. Entries, £7 by 28-2-08 to;
J. Lewis Marshlands, Startley, Chippenham, Wilts. SN15 5HG.
Sat 15th Mar 2pm Gillingham and District wheelers 19 mile 'hilly' Open - WTTA Hardriders' Round 2 U303
Bruton-HuntersLodge-Zeals-Kilmington-N. Brewham. Entries, £6 by 1/3/08 to;
Mike Fletcher Old Stores, East Knoyle, Sailsbury, Wilts. SP3 6AJ.
Good Fri 21st Mar 7-30am Bournemouth Arrow CC 10 mile Open EDCA Series P412/10 Bakers Arms - Upton
By-Pass. Entries - £6.50 by 7/3/08 to;
Miss L. Burman 5 Charles Gardens, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth. BH10 5EH.
Sun 23rd Mar 10am Bath CC 23 mile 'hilly' Open U32R WTTA Hardriders' Round 3 Maiden Bradley-Mere-The
Deverills-Maiden Bradley. Entries - £6.50 by 14/3/08 to;
M. Wadey 7 Medway Close, Keynsham, Bristol. BS31 1SB.
9am Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 42km 'hilly' Open EDCA Series P454/25 Wool -
East Lulworth. Entries - £6 by 14/3/08 to;
B. Stevens 6 Knotts Close, Child Okeford, Blandford, Dorset. DT11 8ES.
Further details and contact telephone numbers available on www.ctt.org.uk website and 2008 CTT handbook..
31st Dec
Belated Cyclo-cross update....
.... sent by John Holman back in early December, but only able to upload now!
Hello all, thought that you might like to hear what the intrepid cyclocrossing Wheelers have been up to lately;
On Oct 21st, Andy Shaw, Denys Jones and myself (John Holman) turned up at Conham River Park on the eastern outskirts of Bristol for round five of the Western League. After a delayed start, we were off on a relentlessly technical course, twisting and turning through the woods with the odd excursion out into the open over some rather overlong (for cycling anyway) grass. Hard work! Denys suffered the misfortune of a softening front tyre, which resulted in a moment of unexpected intimacy with the leaf mold and his eventual retirement. Andy, meanwhile, was doing his thing at the front of the race, coming in second to Scott Chalmers, recently returned from a season racing with CA Castellsarrasin/Bouygues in the French Pyrennees. I was plugging awayin my now accustomed domain towards the back of the field, managing 29th out of 32 finishers.
Andy Shaw has been experiencing mixed fortunes this season and, following a helmet-cracking crash on his way into the shop during the week, decided to give the 2nd round of the National Trophy in Ipswich a miss the following Sunday.
I made my way down to Crow just south of Ringwood and experienced the first unpleasant weather of the season. As we lined up for the starton a windy and rain-lashed ridge, i was reminded of the opening scene of 'Gladiator', albeit without the snow and the Germanic horde and, in place of russell Crowe's rousing speech about 'unleashing hell' we had a commissaire pointing out that it was wet and reminding us that woodland paths are slippery in the wet and urging us to ride carefully - some chance! After a good plastering with mud and multiple meetings with the woodland floor, it was suddenly all over. I was 42nd out of 48 finishers.
The following Sunday (4th november), Andy was the onlyWheeler in action at the National Inter-Team Championships at Misterton Hall, Leicestershire. As already reported in the BVM magazine, Andy was in great form, having a tussle with 'cross legend Chris Young in the early part of the race before finishing 4th and first counting rider for the Wessex team. Backed up by Anthony Green and Will Girvan, this resulted in Wessex coming second overall behind the mighty Yorkshire team.
Nov 11th was a bit of a high spot for GDW, with no less than four riders competing in round 7 of the Wessex League, the Crabwood CC promotion at Southampton on last year's National Championships course. Luckily it wasn't the quagmire it was for that event! Andy Shaw and I were joined by Andy Sawyer and Julian Chown. Julian was riding his first-ever Cyclo-cross and used his mountain biking experience to good effect to come in a very creditable 48th. Andy Sawyer (who let slip while we were doing our recce of the course that he was a Juvenile National Champion at the discipline in the seventies!), was 62nd and me 58th out of 63 finishers. Andy S. continued his string of great results with a 2nd place overall behind Tim Dunford of Hargroves cycles and, as usual, 1st Veteran.
Whilst we were beating our brains out in Southampton, Denys was down in Newnham Park, Plympton on his mountain bikefor the aptly-named Soggy Bottom Winter Series, where he put in a magnificent ride to win the grand Vets category event.
The following Sunday, 18th Nov, Andy's luck let him down as he was too unwell to take part in the National Trophy 3rd round at Mallory Park, which means he has had to miss two out of three rounds so far. Meanwhile, on a windy hilltop in Basingstoke in the pouring rain, I took part in the North Hampshire RC promoted Wessex League round 8. This was a chilling experience and it was about 7 O'clock in the evening before I eventually stopped shivering! Result - 38th out of 42 finishers.
Sunday 25th Nov saw Andy back in action and he dominated the Crusty Cob Cyclo-cross, round six of the South West League promoted by Sid Valley CC at Escot Park, nr Ottery St Mary. Taking the lead from the start, Andy wasn't challenged all the way round on this distinctly bumpy race circuit, routed mainly across a meadow with two soggy deep ditches to crash over each lap. After the previous week, this was a very pleasant experience with wonderfully mild weather. And me?... I was last - 28th out of 28!!
John Holman.