Anfield Circular September 2016
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No.958 September 2016 Anfield Circular Journal of the Anfield Bicycle Club (formed March 1879) Runs List Summer clubruns September 3 Nag's Head Lavister 10 Miners Arms Maeshafn 17 The Plough Christleton 24 Red Lion Parkgate October 1 Parish Rooms Coddington (*Annual General Meeting 1130*) 8 The Britannia Halkyn 14-16 Cain Valley Hotel Llanfyllin (Autumn Tints weekend) 22 Old Ma’s Cafe Gatesheath 29 Cross Foxes Overton Bridge November Nets Cafe - Keith Orum, John Moss, Joseph Birchal, Mark Mason, Chris Edwards 5 Nag’s Head Lavister 12 Miners’ Arms Maeshafn 19 Parish Rooms Coddington (Committee Meeting 1130) 26 Nets Cafe Denhall December 3 Meadow Lea Cafe Mickle Trafford 10 The Druid Inn Llanferres 17 The Plough Christleton Wednesday 28 Red Lion Parkgate Closing date for next issue 26 November Contact Hon Secretary: Peter Catherall, 49 Elm Grove, Buckley CH7 2LU Tel 0777 3587793 Blistering Brenig - Tony Pickles, Geoff Sharp, Geraint Catheral, Chris Pickles anfieldbc@gmail,com Editor: David Birchall, © Anfield Bicycle Club 2017 Subscriptions 21 and over £15; Junior £7.50; Family member £1; CTC 3rd party insurance £24 – by Standing Order Dysart Arms Bunbury www.anfieldbc.co.uk No.958 September 2016 Autumn Tints - booking now Autumn Tints - our annual visit to the Cain Valley Hotel Llanfyllin and the Lake Vyrnwy hills is booked for the weekend of 14 - 16 October. Prices are: family room £30, twin £35, single £45. Dinner on Saturday night will be £17.95 per head. To reserve your place, please contact Social Secretary Tecwyn Williams. Racing Round-up Rhyl CC 10, 26 June 2016: Geraint Catherall: 28.25 SCCA 100, 17 July 2016: Geraint Catherall: 5:58:48 Mersey RC 24 24-25 July 2016: 338.65 miles (under investigation) - 370 miles on computer. Graham Thompson reports that after the 100, ‘things improved in WCTTA 10 with 21 40 then I really put a big effort into the Belper 25 in Derby but again hit misfortune in terms of a heavy rainstorm then another tri-bar failure. I continued clinging to one tri-bar and was still on course for a 52 or a 53 but then suffered bad cramp which ended my hopes completely. Further problems virtually ended this season but at the end of August I did NEW 25 in 57 46’. Tom Williams is also going fantastically well and came 9th in age related European triathlon Champs. Graham says that Tom also ‘beat a certain Matt Bottrill recently in a Triathlon!!!’ Carol Boardman Carol Boardman was tragically killed in a collision with a pick-up truck on Mold Road in Connah’s Quay on Saturday 16th of July. Carol was the nicest, kindest, friendliest person you could ever wish to meet. She never said a© bad wordAnfield about anyone. Bicycle Club A good competitive racing cyclist before Lisa and Chris came along. After they were born, she continued as a keen club member who took lots of novice cyclists on their first rides, teaching them the joys of the sport. She had a style and pedalling action that was admired by all. She will be sadly missed. Our condolences go out to all her family. The Anfield Bicycle Club was represented at the funeral by Keith and Pippa Orum, Mark Mason, Dave Barker, and Ben Griffiths. Ben Griffiths www.anfieldbc.co.uk !2 No.958 September 2016 UK Anti-Doping and the Anfield 100 It all began with an email from Nick Sharpe, CTT National Secretary (Legal & Corporate). He requested details of the event as he was ‘thinking of coming along to watch’. And very welcome too. However, given recent publicity about increased drug tests at random events, before the race I reinforced the message with a warning note to be displayed at HQ about the possibility of testing. On the morning of the event, Sheila Hardy, Chair of the CTT introduced herself. She had come ‘to watch her partner competing’. Shortly, several others arrived with official looking cases and announced that they were here for drugs testing. Six riders were required to report to UKAD after they finished. Not surprisingly, with riders, marshals and spectators aware of UKAD’s presence, people asked if and when the results of the testing would be made known. The ABC fully supports banning cheats. And it might help the cause if future editions of the CTT Handbook, with support from UKAD, were to provide guidance on the protocol followed when testing takes place, for, at the time, we had no definitive answers on the questions people asked. We would have been delighted to distribute explanatory leaflets promoting UKAD’s role in education, prevention, and policing. Instead it was an opportunity which UKAD regrettably missed on this occasion. We now know that test results are confidential between UKAD, CTT, and the riders. Event organisers are not advised whether the tested riders are clear or not. Any positive result is only made public if the second sample has proved positive and after the rider has appeared before UKAD. We are however pleased to report that all the riders tested in our event were clear. Finally, we are grateful to the ladies who look after us at Shawbury Parish Hall for their kindness in allowing access to the rooms UKAD used free of charge. Peter Catherall * * * * * Riding the Anfield 100 - a personal view - Graham Thompson Well where do I start with the Anfield 100 2016. It was only my second attempt at this great race (the first was 2001). If I am honest I had entered this one a bit lightly on the back of a couple of long training rides in April and early May. It was a convenient date and would be a good 4 hrs training … so I thought. The problems started when despite what I was telling people I was secretly putting myself under pressure to © Anfielddo aBicycle great time and possibly break Club club record. The MSW 50 2 weeks earlier was one of many warnings that things were not so rosy as I struggled in that event towards the end. I knew I had to figure out solving back pain and cramp and hoped to manage breathing problems. I obsessed over my position and relaxed it somewhat. Then, pre race, lowered my saddle … eek … the anxiety! On that last long ride 6 days before the race I had only lasted 2½hrs before caving in and sitting on a bench in Tattenhall with a can of Coke trying to recover. Nutrition was another dilemma and I opted to take a gel at 30mins and www.anfieldbc.co.uk !3 No.958 September 2016 then each hour, knowing that they often triggered cramp. But without nutrition it would be game over at 50 miles. There is no easy way for us amateurs. I had finished a week of nights on the Sunday morning and opted not to go to sleep through the day, but to go to bed early prior to the event. To add to my frustration I wasn't having the best of times with my asthma. On the morning of the event I was so tired that I missed the alarm. Getting up at 4:50a.m. needing to leave in 10 mins, it was a quick breakfast, scrambled egg and beans. I made up my bottles, threw my stuff in the car and broke my first and only record driving to Shawbury. As it happened though I began to have a good feeling about the day as I actually made HQ in perfect time and was met with glorious sunshine and some smiling Anfielders at sign on. I rode to the start and was sent on my way with good wishes from Messrs Pickles, Hallgarth and Twigg, and a rather louder scream in my ear from Course Marshal Rees-Hughes from his car window. Confidence rising I rode to Prees and back on the first leg feeling good. I was passing a fair few riders which surprised me. Having helped Ben set the field I knew that many riders in my half of the field were much faster than me. Through Ternhill I hit a nasty pothole but luckily didn't puncture and forged onwards to Espley and the circuit with a nice tailwind. The sun was warming up and I was feeling good. I could hardly believe it and felt comfortable. Charging up the rise after Espley at roughly 26 miles at around 24mph, a rider 85 came steaming past. Only no.80 had passed me thus far which I had expected but no.85 appeared unbelievably quick. I have been passed by Boardman, Dangerfield and Wilko in the past and I can tell you no.85 Ryan Perry was every bit as impressive. Sticking to my own plan I continued round the first of 4 circuits. The surface and terrain became that bit more challenging. Nevertheless by the end of the first lap, passing Geoff and Keith at the finish point and then towards Shawbury corner, I knew it was around the 50 mile mark. It was going too well: I was inside 2 hours. I had no doubt that I would lose some pace towards the end but the adrenalin was surging and I was really beginning to think this was going to be a great day. The problems began on the second lap however. I had taken 2 gels when the muscle cramps began. I managed to twist my right leg slightly which seemed to help and I carried on with far less confidence deciding not to have any of the 3 gels left, hoping I could get to the end with fluids only.