cambridgecc.org.uk CAMBRIDGE CYCLE CLUB NEWSLETTER

Record- breaking Rolfe SEPTEMBER 29 Louis Rolfe broke the national record in club colours at the 2013 British National Track Championships in . e 16-year-old, who is part of the GB paracycling development programme, was competing in the paracycling 3km pursuit race. Finishing an incredible eighth overall, Rolfe beat the only other C2 classi ed athlete in the event and broke the British record with a time of 4min 20.561sec. “I am focusing on getting my time closer to the world record now”, he said. is year’s title was won by Shaun McKeown, with Jon-Allan Butterworth second and Jody Cundy third. Under starter’s orders: Louis sets off on his record-breaking run Tokyo Calling, p10

Route of 2014 Tour through Cambridge revealed When riders descend on Cambridge for e A1301 will take the Tour through watch the Tour.Roads on the race route next year’s they will travel the south of the county, via Trumpington, are expected to be closed from the early along Regent Street and Sidney Street Great Shelford and Hinxton, before hours of July 7 until a er the peloton before making a tight le turn at the entering Essex at Sa ron Walden. passes, and some schools on the Round Church and going along Trinity Riders will continue through way may close. Street, passing the beautiful colleges of St Radwinter and Sa ron Walden “ e route will enable local John’s and Trinity. before heading to London people to see the peloton – e peloton will continue along and a thrilling  nish in front including our British icons King’s Parade – perhaps the city’s most of Buckingham Palace on e – in both intimate and grand picturesque street – before heading along Mall,at about 3.30pm. settings. And the world at large Trumpington Street and leaving the city About 400,000 people are will see our beautiful city - its via Trumpington Road. expected to  ock to Cambridge to open spaces and its ancient colleges.

CONTENTS: news p1-3, race reports p4, season reviews p7, gallery p12, group riding p14, regulars p16 cambridgecc.org.uk

Bicycling belles Hill climb season round-up Spinning OCTOBER 3 e ladies section of CCC have been making OCTOBER 12 NOVEMBER 3 in the rain the most of the autumnal conditions on e ECCA hill climb championships consist Traditionally the last hill climb of the sea- the newly established female-only rides. of two ascents of North Hill, the biggest son, the CC Sudbury hill climb was held in OCTOBER 20 ey have proven to be a huge success and climb in Essex, taking approximately 1 1/2 perfect conditions for the time of year. A er miserable weather typically nine or ten people join the rides minutes to climb. e wet weather had li ed A er last year’s washout it was great to the previous week led to on the  rst Saturday of every month at in the a ernoon, leaving only a slight breeze. see the clouds had stayed away for 2013 and having no GT riders at Addenbrookes. We’ve had seasoned club My  rst time up was done in 1m36.8s. the host club had done a great job of sweep- Addienbrookes, I was pleased riders attend as well as a couple of new Unfortunately, with only 16 riders on the ing the road beforehand.  ere was a big when I saw four the following faces. e rides are designed to be a social start sheet, there was only 20 minutes to crowd at the top and several clubs,including Sunday to join me on a 70k a air, so there is always su cient breath for recover for the second e ort, which was Ipswich & Boxford, had led club runs there route to e Mocha café in talking as well as cycling. nowhere near enough. e second time up I to cheer on their boys as well as everyone Sa ron Walden. e weather During November’s ride the group took lost too much time going too far into the red else gurning up the short, steep hill. was again unkind and we in a 40-mile round trip with a visit to cafe on the  rst half. I clocked 1m41s. My total  e only downside was the wind. It was quickly lost one of our group; Abantu in Bourn, making it home by 1pm time (3m17.8s) was good enough for fourth blowing pretty strong at the top and it was the poor chap struggled fuelled largely by cake and tea. place overall and two seconds shy of bronze. I pot luck if you got hit with a gust or not. with the weight of his hybrid If you would like to join us, please ensure was quite disappointed with the result, but it  e wind prevailed and this year’s winning and turned o , despite my you’ve ridden your bike several times in the Not a bad line-up: the second CCC ladies ride saw the group hit double fi gures is what it is. time of 51.2 seconds was about 6 seconds assurances that the ride would month preceding the ride! One thing we Gray Turnock of Finsbury Park CC won down on 2012. get  atter a er Balsham. have noticed since the  rst ride is that being miles in one go (and doing three miles 10 com for a bit of guidance (as long as it the event with 3:06.8. Ralph Keeler, Cam- I came in with 58.4s to 14th place. at le my honourable  t means di erent things to di erent people times isn’t good enough unless you enjoy doesn’t involve frame geometry, heart rates bridge’s other representative, came Based on the total number of riders self, “Gentleman” Paul, Oli and very much depends on to whom you the feeling of almost total annihilation of and other technical issues which blokes eighth with 3:47.8. being 50, I set a target of a top 15 “the younger” and “Crusher” compare yourself. In order to gain optimum both mind and body on a long ride). like talking about). I look forward to our e top  ve times were placing. So job done and a big Zoe. e rain gave us a good enjoyment from these rides please ensure I would strongly recommend that next ride! faster than recent years, improvement on last year. soaking right at the start and you ride regularly during the month or so any new ladies wishing to join our group so either the  eld was Ralph Keeler came 18th didn’t abate until just before before the ride and are capable of at least 30 should email me at suemtaylor@ntlworld. SUE TAYLOR stronger this time or with 59.7s. the café. But, as Zoe said (in the weather condi-  at topped o a very a voice reminiscent of Vinny tions were more short hill climb season Jones), it wasn’t cold so it favourable. for me. Bring on next could have been worse. ere. at’s it. year. A er a snack at the Big turnout for the 2013 touring century ride It’s time to put my awesome Mocha and an in- feet up, and have a CHRIS PEARCE depth discussion of winter kit, SEPTEMBER 1 other until the ride. e with him to pay for such half an hour if we’d wished! Le e Blond or two! we headed o towards Flint By asking Debbie Hooker prospect of a tonne was emergencies and a er a We were a bit worried about Chris digs deep at the Cross, via Wendons Ambo. what had happened to the made more interesting when temporary repair, zipped o leaving the bikes where we WILLEM H. DE BOER CC Sudbury hill climb Avoiding an unexpected Touring Group’s Century Ride several members of the group to the Gra am cycle centre couldn’t see them, but luckily closed road, Zoe soon picked this year, I had more-or-less admitted never riding 100 to buy a new tyre and eye up they were all still there when up the pace and our miserable automatically volunteered miles in a day before. All of the goodies on display. Whilst we’d  nished lunch. 23.5kph average soon became myself to organise it. them were  tter and younger he did this, the rest of us had On the way back the faster 25.3kph. I began by picking Ken than me and I o en found a leisurely co ee - with wasps riders stayed with us all the Mclean makes Cambridge News It was now sunny enough 54 | October 10 , 2013 | cambridge-news.c o.uk | Cambridge News Turner’s brains, as he’s done myself leading from the back. - at the Harbour View at West way to Ashwell, where the Cycling: Profile to remove anoraks, except

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk OCTOBER 10 | October 10, 2013 it for the last seven years, Although cool at  rst, Perry, which is under new tail wind upped the speed for Oli who| 55had somehow I’m not bitter, Bowls then I had a couple of trips the temperature was perfect, ownership (no bikes allowed and everyone knew the way CCC’s very own David Mclean I have become a better person survived the whole event out to try and locate a faster but the headwind wind was on the balcony now). home. At one stage I was a bit was interviewed in the Cambridge Cyclist David in shorts and a T-shirt. We McLean talks ‘I’ve suffered injuries and setbacks about the health before, but this is lunch stop than Danish Camp, strong in places on the way I was relieved that the worried that we wouldn’t quite News in October, telling the story completely slowed down to help him out problems different. You can’t that fight against something like have cost this where it took several of us two out to lunch. A few hiccups new lunch stop at Frosts of hit the distance but we clocked of his time as a professional riding him because the more you and went our separate ways in his career fight it, the worse it is’

BIG TEST hours to get served last year! occurred on the way to Willington garden centre- the 100 soon a er coming out for Italian squad Meridiana- : Nicky Brett will join EnglandShelford, except for poor Oli, By in battle against Aaron Mason Nicky thinks England NO matter are a the black cloud cy that hangs over On the day itself I was Gra am Water, including turned out to be good . ere of Great Shelford. Even us Kamen in 2012. cling for some in the wake who lives down Mill Road so of the Lance good strong doping scandal, Arm- Brett there can be few for Test which are sports success so taxing physically and NICKY Riders such mentally. Brett believes England as Sir against could be up ing Froome and , Chris it when they take on to be very close and go hav inaugur Scotland in the It’s down to the wire. cycling a much e given al Co-Operative Fu going to be a bit like the greater profile in this match neralcare Test who Ryder Cup where in recent times country at Stanley next week. plays well and who plays . The tant who is impor- concerned that there would a near pile-up caused by a was a wide choice of food slower ones - which included A er a great start his time But it is City of Ely player is hadbecause tothe matches listen to my words of unlikely many bey part of an eight- are based on sets ardent ond the most man squad which will so one bad end and , cycling fans may hav take on their old you can lose the set. Cambr e come across rivals over two tr “But I’m really idge’s David McLean. iples and three pairs looking forward to He matches on Wednesday because it will be it may not have won followed by a good test for England, but the Tour de France, singles showdow six especially as we his time on the pr ns the following day. ’ve got a couple of people ofessional circuit is Brett said he unavailable such arguably more representativ was excited about as Andy Thomson is e of what life challenge of the the Greg Harlow, and and like for your average tournament, which I’m sure it will be only be a couple of takers, dropped water bottle, and a and a very pleasant outdoor Jennie, Steve, Ron, Jon and living the dream came to a the rider after joining being televised wisdomis high standard almosta very to his front Italian squad on Premier Spor of bowls.” Meridiana-Kamen neW life: David McClean He said: ts. Br following a successful in 2011 is “It’s brand new this ett said it would be inter career on the continent enjoying the nine-to-five great that year and it’s how both esting to see as an amateur. now and it’s being shown on television teams would cope hopes to help other cause it be- match given the Today, McLean, cyclists talented will help give bowls mor comes so early in the 29, is behind a desk in Cambridge “Scotland e coverage. He indoor season. home city wor in his Picture: have got a fantastically said: “A lot of king as a software Keith Heppell team. strong under people if not after things developer cooked won’t have turned sour on the bike “T being played a lot, but but he does last year, hey’ve got 10 world good players ever but by 8.00 am   een had front tyre sidewall blow-out seating area. e service myself made it back in 6hrs premature due to unfortunate not regret his decision them titlesdoor.between quickly Ityo newaswill pick it up a ride of great day to call it a with people within a after being laid low were significantly lo like Paul Foster, Stewar set or so. type by a glandular-fever- w and showed something Anderson and Alex t “I haven’t illness which spiralled was up. a very Marshall in the side, played any national He into depression. it’s going to be very so (championship) said: “Professional ra “Before then I was good tough. matches yet, just a lated, cing is very calcu- fighting against it and sports “I’d like to think singles events with few but I really liked it thought I could just doctor But McLean said we’ve got a very str not much success me and I think it suited train a bit harder, but . his team as well though, ong I’m going to be , so quite well. was just digging a I “S decision to read a de- so I’d like to think it one of those trying hole for myself and making he took control and gree in ’s go- my feet and fingers to find “I was never going to it worse. only said the mathematical physics crossed, it all goes Fr win the Tour de cure was time and I’m rather than well.” turned up, including three that was quite spectacularly was vastly superior to that 50m = 14.6 mph average! health problems. ance, but I think I’d found “I had a bit of out still coming go straight into cycling camaraderie enjoyed by all. an injur of it. “Saying my level. y over the winter, so were now bearing that, it was ve my coach, Tim Wi “I’ve fruit. trating ry frus- lliams, who’s also from suffered injuries and He said: “I Barker set that it fell apart Cambridge and has before, setbacks actually decided on for international because so quickly been with me for but this is completely NewYear’s Day I’m pretty sure I’ last 10 years, and the “You different. to write a CV and send bow able d have been I knew I was going can’t fight against something it off. JAMIE Barker is to ride at that level form a little to get this like set to make his inter of for a number bit later. because the more yo “I’d never tional debut when na- 9-5 defeat to Gr years, but I got some “When worse u fight it, the even had a job interview he plays for England antham’s Nicholas Orr kind of post- my power numbers it is. before, but the British Isles at Gathercole ey. viral fatigue that I’ve slightly were I’m reaping the rewar Mixed Under-18 In bounced back to dr To read the interview go to never quite low initially it didn “I had to completely now. ds tional Series terna- Pinewood Pa aw with Kiwis - Phil, Louise and loud. Luckily Kiwi Alex of Danish Camp last year: got to the bottom ’t con- change my atti- in Dunfermline rk player Ra of it. cern me tude and this weekend. y Cutting 4-7, 10-1 “I and I just carried on a lot of people have been “I was never going The 17-year-old St and home bowler Ia had very low energy training, supportiv very to become a Neots bowler came n Finch 6-8, 9-3, but els and lev- not doing anything e.” multi-millionair through trials to make was not enough for it was sleeping for 12 differently Even e out of cycling it into the side for him to go through hours to 14 to previous years going for a short walk because that the round-robin tour the knockout stages to a day for a very long “A . ride was or bike only happens to a nament where they . and time lso, an endurance athlete enough to hit McLean handful will take on hosts Cambridgeshir I ended up getting should train like a of people. Scotland, , Ireland e suffered a narrow slightly de- feel tired quite when he began his re “I’m and the Channel 168 loss away 172- pressed with it. a lot autumn covery last really enjoying my new Islands on Saturday to Essex at Herongate of the time if they’re and he now hopes job, but Sunday. and latest round of in the NICK NICHOLSON “When you’ve got lo doing help he can I thought I’d have tr the Inter-County Sh CHRIS ADAMS http://bit.ly/1an1kBT w energy everything other ou- ort Mat Alex - who hadn’t met each had brought his credit card we could have been away in , it right. talented young ble adjusting Barker will skip Bowls Championships affects your mind cyclists in to nine a team featur . as well and it got “But fr Cambridge. to five. Arundel ing Holly Re worse and worse om Greece I “However, I think and Greg Chalklin sults: Singles – J Peters , so I just quit.” travelled “I really feel I I needed with in the triples, 18-13; won 17-8, lost McLean’s back to Italy did a lot on my own a bit of structure in the trio then lining T Kent drew 18-18, final race was the Tour and just and I want to my life and Cummings up with Noah – won 18-9. Pairs of Greece passed out try to make it easier as it’s finally good to , who will skip G Ward & B Fox drew in May 2012, an event during dinner as possible for far use my brain , in the fours. 12-12, won 20-4; M abandoned he and got taken to the others so they have again. City of Ely’s Colin Ga Bell & R Spriggs won 13-9, when health matters local GP. odds than I better disappointment thercole suffered lost 16-7. Triples came to did,” he said. “I don’t feel bitter in the – G Kent, L Mitchell & taking a head having been “I had such “I offer about what first Co-Operative G Siggee lost 16-4 & a break: after months ware he una- low blood pressure tactical and technical happened to me Funeralcare European 10-8; M Newton, J Thorpe greece of suffering, David had probably been suffer he ended and here advice . I’ve come out the Masters event of the & C Buck lost 14- last year; right, bradley McClean quit the sport for sev ing up squeezing my arm we’ve got a lot of people other side a much season in Lincoln. 4, won 22-10. Fours Wiggins; far right, McClean during the tour of eral months. to get a re are latecomers who better person – M Strang, S Smith, last year He ading. to the sport and much happier He failed to make Siggee & M Fyson J said: “The power quite talented. who are for it. it out of the group stage lost 8-5 & 6-3; P Claridge (W numbers “I ended up coming “It’s great after getting off to B Newton, L Fyson , atts of energy) I was “I’d I got to that level be- a losing start with an & T Hart won 11-6, foll producing back to Cambridge rather do it for cause I realised 8-3, 16-15. lost ow us on twitter: and rewar free and the there were a lot Get the latest updates saw Cathy Speed, ds would be seeing people mor of and opinions from who is successful. them being e talented than me the Cambridge News ” didn’t get that sports desk on our feed as far as I did, so I feel For more at www.twitter.com/sportcambridge. very lucky.” sports news visit cambridge-news.co.uk/spor CONTACT US: Spor t ts Editor: Guy Walker 01223 434416. Email: [email protected]. Fax 01223 434391. 2 Newsdesk 01223 434434. 3 cambridgecc.org.uk

Unfortunately, as I scrambled to remove the track pump from the rucksack, only half of it emerged, the other half remaining at the bottom of the Peak bag. As Ed le , minipumped to as high a pressure as pos- sible, Wes arrived in need of drinks and gels before con- performance tinuing on another road sec- tion to the  nal stint up Pen- Y-Ghent. Unlike the  rst two peaks you must come down Pen-Y-Ghent the same way you went up, which causes an untold number of near misses, especially if you consider the tiredness of the riders, the support crews and spectators walking around, and even the odd rambler. We arrived in time to see  rst Wes, then Ed, descend the track to the main road and on to the  nish. Ed had lost some momentum from his puncture and Wes had passed him. Both  nished with very respectable times and placings. Ed was In unusually fi ne autumnal weather Wes tackles the Ingleborough, the fi rst of the three highest peaks in Yorkshire 165th with a time of 4:13:56 and Wes was 109th with a time SEPTEMBER 29 nell bravely entered “for fun” ners that did a bit of cycling as done this by simply not brak- of 4:03:15. Not bad for a  eld If the organisers of the ree in late September 2013. Here training, add in nobbly cross ing during the sheer and direct of nearly 700 and I suspect Peaks Cyclocross allowed is what happened… tires pumped to about 35psi descent of the boggy hillside. they will be back next year. it you would probably con- In a change from tradition and you have the perfect rec- e ree Peaks is more sider using a full suspension the weather was unseasonably ipe for a scary  rst few road than a test of  tness, it tests DAVID MCLEAN All of the competitors rely on roadside support from friends to keep on rolling mountain bike. You can’t do warm, with clear skies, good kilometres before the Ingle- bike-handling ability, too. e that, though, because the rules visibility and a fresh, if borough ascent. bottles were changed smoothly predate the invention of such gusty wind. Wes and Oliver Caddy and I for our riders as they continued Three Peaks Cyclocross video things by several decades. Fail- Ed started a couple of were ready and waiting on the road to Whernside, with ing the MTB option you might hundred places back on support duty on the Ed only a few minutes ahead of try going on foot, only that in the almost 700 rid- descent of Ingleborough Wes. Later, over a pint at Settle’s isn’t permitted either -- not er peloton in Helwith when we saw Rob Jebb Golden Lion pub, Wes and Ed without carrying a bike that Bridge. e bunch descend the mountain, told us tales of 40mph gusts at is. As it is, the race must be is uniquely danger- he had already taken the summit which whipped na- ridden on normal rigid cyclo- ous in this race the lead at this ïve, deep-rimmed riders right cross bikes, even though much because it’s point. Appar- o the mountainside, clear into of the route is too steep to ride. made up ently he had the air and straight into the e race tackles the 723m both of Yorkshire sunset, never to be high Ingleborough, Whern- cyclists Ed looking seen again. side (736m) and 694m Pen-Y- that did suitably con- e next stop for Oly and Ghent in a 61 km loop across a bit cerned about me was the Whernside des- the Yorkshire Dales with a few of fell the chances cent. ere we met Ed, who road sections to join the peaks run- of keeping needed to stop to pump up a Watch scenes of the Ingleborough ascent and the This fi lm tells the story of one of the hundreds of people together. It is this race that the ning as his kit white semi- at tyre that had punc- footage of the spectacular route down from Pen-Y-Ghent supporting riders in the 2013 race foolhardy Cambridge CC stal- training by the end tured and resealed itself at http://youtu.be/IDP9STnZpvQ http://youtu.be/W5OYBgHGkDo warts Wes Ullrich and Ed Far- and fell run- of the day some point earlier in the day.

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SEPTEMBER 14 position of being at the front ‘ e  rst hour is full gas. of the second bunch. A French e  ying Dutchman’s 2013 retrospective You’ll be averaging well over club cyclist pulls along side and 40kph until you get out of town La Ronde gives the signal for through where the bunches form. Get and o to get back on. I nod, My second season of road racing has into a lead group do your best expecting others to do the same come to an end, and this year I am pleased to stay there to stay within the but soon realise there’s only four to report it was lined with some success. rolling road closures. You do Picarde of us willing to work. It takes us Unlike some of the other racers in our not want to be le on your own. a good ten minutes to reel them club, my learning curve with road rac- And watch out for the Belgians...’ back in and only then do I realise ing has been a relatively slow a air. Last It’s a little a er 7am and I’m I have a slow rear puncture. year it took about eight races before I  - waiting behind 500 cyclists in I drop o the back as I pass a nally got the hang of the pack-positioning Abbeville, Northern France, welcome sign reading 5k to the game. I had the legs for racing, but the receving my brie ng before the feed zone, hoping there’s enough head needed developing. e beauty of start of the 2013 Ronde Picarde. air to in the tube to make it. road racing is that it demands mental and e organiser claims the route I search out the Mavic van at physical ability in almost equal propor- is easy due to its relatively  at the stop and ask for an inner tube tions. Trying to win is all about optimis- pro le, but 187km across the as I don’t want to risk another ing your chances of success before and blustery bay of the Somme 100k without one. He quotes during the race, and this requires skill, is never going to be easy. me 10 euro and states its his experience, luck and focus, but you need e rain fell all night but has last one. I hand over my money to have the legs to get you there. now eased to a drizzle. ere’s a and watch him change replace e season’s kick-o was the East dozen of us in our group, with my pricey tube in record time. London Vélo Road Race in late March. the majority having done the I was the  rst of our It was -3 Celsius before the start, and the event before. We had planned group to arrive and decide race was delayed because the organisers Willem racing among the higher categories as he strives to become a Dutch master to arrive early to ensure we to wait for the rest. Simon had to clear a large amount of ice o the were at the front of the ride, The sea wall at turns up 10 mins later and we circuit. I was in the top 10 coming out of at the start list and see which riders are lot more aggressive than what I am used but a  int the size of a Stone Ault split the fi eld exchange stories about mental the  nal corner before an uphill sprint doing well that season, and how they to in the UK, and taught me some valuable Age axe resulted in a  at front xxxx Belgians while munching  nish, but when I came out of the saddle tend to win. I found a rider who had won lessons, including that a hole in the pack is wheel on the way to the départ. people looking out for each greasy corner of a fast descent. on some bread and cheese. to start my sprint, my legs seized up. I re- Race 4 in a break the month before. At never as tight as you think it is! I  nished in Behind us stand another other. Echelons form on the As the group heads to the It’s another 20 mins before luctantly had to watch almost the entire last, someone who’s willing to work. So the top 30 of over 100 starters. Not bad, but 500 cyclists and fellow CCC exposed sections and riders coast it gets smaller and smaller. the rest of our group begin to bunch ride past me. Not to worry, I told I sought him out. In the penultimate lap, not entirely satisfying either. My successes members Simon and Alan make the most of the closed I take on plenty of food knowing roll in one by one. One of us myself, the season is young and my form I attacked during a lull in pace and sig- earlier in the season had made me hungry don’t look pleased; I suspect roads by riding gutter to gutter. the pace will soon take its toll on has been caught up in a crash is coming. Staying positive is another im- nalled said rider to “Come on!”. He duly for placings. they regret taking up my invite. e bad weather is wreaking me. We hit the seafront town and was last seen climbing into portant aspect of racing, perhaps even the followed, and we opened up a gap of half a As a break from road racing, I par- e signal is given and we havoc with tyres. Every few km of Ault and a er taking a sharp an ambulance. We agree to ride most important of all. minute and stayed away. In the last ticipated in the club’s hill climb. I had set o . I’m determined to get someone drops out of our group turn to the right, riders are faced together for the second half with e bulk of the summer was spent 800 metres, he went early and I got bronze the previous two years, and as near the front as possible so with a  at. Another half dozen with a short, steep wall of a climb. the conditions not being ideal riding criteriums and other shorter rac- was able to sprint past him to with the top climbers gone (bye Basil, bye I ride hard as we  y through got taken out in a big crash I reach the top only to realise and several members su ering. es. It is this type of racing that seems take the win. I crossed the line Owen!) I was able to claim silver, 0.7 sec- quiet French towns and villages. resulting in a mass of twisted our group has now split into e rest of the ride was to suit me best, with my physical  rst, arms alo . Now that’s a onds o of top rung, a well-deserved win As we enter the bleak and grey cyclists and broken carbon on a two and I’m in the unenviable reminiscent of a club run, albeit make-up a rather peculiar com- feeling that I can most de - by James Gill. countryside of the Somme on new roads. We share the bination of low bodyweight (66- nitely get used to! e last road race of the season was a bunches have formed as riders work and jokes and wave at the 67 kg) and a large proportion of I got ill in July and spent longer one for my standards. I felt good look for shelter and by my few locals still on the roadside fast-twitch  bers (lab peak pow- some time doing easy rides. for most of the race, but started to fade reckoning I’m in the second or cheering us on as we roll past. er of 1,400+ watts). In school, Once I felt better, I seized the with 20 minutes to go. Cramp again got third group. It’s undulating and ere’s one more opportunity to my best event was the 100m dash opportunity to race in my the better of me at the crucial point, and I I  nd myself  ghting my way  ll our bottles before the last run (mind you, as a youth I was more home town of Groningen, had to settle for top 15. Staying power for up through the group on the to the end. With about 5km to interested in other things than in the Netherlands. is longer races is de nitely something that  ats in order to not get spat out go there was a 1km climb to test physical activity); but running part of the Netherlands needs to be worked on for next season. the back on the punchy climbs. the legs. e group inevitably nowadays hurts my joints, and I is pan  at and windy, not So that is it, my second season in a ere is debris all over split as riders raced up and have  at feet. for riders like myself. It nutshell. I got 31 BC points in the 8 races the road from the overnight over before the  nal drag to I started to get some placings. was a criterium and that I participated in. at’s a success in downpours. Avoiding the the  nish just in time to see the Two mass sprints later I was  nal- featured some Olym- my books, and at the same time a learning stones and mud is as much of winners climb onto the podium ly allowed to cut my 4th category pic speed skaters, big platform to build on for next season. My a challenge as holding on to for their deserved rewards. licence in half. guys who thrive in goal for next year? To win more races! the back of the group. And this e highlight of my season was El- these conditions. is no friendly club run with LUKE SIKKEMA veden Race 5. Before each race, I look e racing is a WILLEM H. DE BOER

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Started well enough shepherding them to the bottom of the Completely inconsistent climb at over 60kph. We deal with the Not a single win. scraps. I lasted two hours, until around about the time that – his was my  rst season away yes, the one that led Froome up Mont from the warm embrace of Ventoux in le Tour this year – demolished Cambridge CC, instead I was everyone and rode away for the win. to ride with the (reasonably) e Tour Series came next, an Tlocal Elite team, Twenty3c-Focus – still incredible experience that cannot be a ectionately known by those in the East explained. My only advice is to go to one as Orbea! is gave me the opportunity and experience it for yourself, and while to ride at a higher level than I had before; you’re there, try to imagine racing it at our calendar included all the Premier well over 50kph, sometimes nudging over Calendar races, a foray into Belgium, 65kph. You wouldn’t do it in a car, that’s for two Tour Series rounds and a selection sure. e noise is deafening, literally – it was of National A events. I was aiming to get buzzing in my ears for hours a erwards. some top 20s in National A events, which e mix of adrenaline and ca eine keeps I did, once, but not without a fair amount you awake well into the night and the fans of head banging. love it. e only thing you won’t see on My  rst races of the season – the early TV is how close we are. You’re only a few season British classics, the Jock Wadley inches from crashing at any point and it’s and Wally Gimber road races – were both Owen in the time trial of the opening day of the Toachim GP, being presented to the crowd at Rutland. Below: Owen gets his face on TV as the Tour Series hit the streets of Aylsham a take no prisoners attitude that gets you forgettable and unforgettable. I want to anywhere – Alex Peters said to me it’s ‘ ick forget them, but never will. Both took or be  icked’, ironically it was him who I’d place in sub-zero temperatures, with the end up ‘ icking’, using my greater height Wadley being doused in snow and freezing ‘I’ll be happy if I can make my results more consistent’ to push him out of the way (by practically rain, the Gimber being one of those ‘crisp’ sitting on his arm). He’s my friend, but as winter mornings. Unfortunately, once of Paris-Roubaix was thrown in for good starting at the front of a 270 rider  eld and went better a er a stern talking to from silly o road sectors that makes Roubaix look he says, ‘ ick or be  icked’. you’re core temperature drops, your body measure. We stayed in Brugge, which is watching them stream past me, one by team manager Andy Lyons, telling me to smooth – trust me, it does!), I had my best e national championship is worth takes the rational decision to forget about an amazingly well preserved medieval one, until I dropped o the back. e one ride to a standstill to hold the front group! form of the year (how depressing) and put mentioning in passing, not for my result, racing and keep you alive instead, leading town, providing a source of lovely cafés, that did go well resulted in a bunch sprint It was one of those days where everyone out my best power values of the year, but got but for the experience. It was, for all to the ‘shut up legs and do what I tell beautiful cobbled streets and a great (not my forte), but I got stuck in with a knew what would happen; two crosswind caught behind a crash that split the bunch. purposes, a kermesse in Glasgow. Start you’ moment. To which the legs respond, amount of peace for our down time – we few solid attacks with the Lotto-Belisol sections. Crosswind section one: A er ose power values were set while clinging at the front, Owen. Check. Look for a ‘no, idiot’. I pulled out a er less than an had four kermesses to negotiate in 7 days. and Omega-Quickstep U23 squads. the prime hill (thankfully not as hard as good wheel. Check. Who? You ask. A hour, along with most of the  eld. Only e races, on the other hand, were on With good form from Belgium (being the previous day’s!), there was a le turn quartet of Cavendish, Swi , Stannard and 11 riders  nished, an early break that got straight,  at, windy roads with dozens of sub 65kg and getting a kicking gave me to an exposed main road. No prizes for Fenn, I reply. Ok, it didn’t last long, but ignored by a very cold peloton. I felt very sharp turns each lap. No cafés, no peace good form), I rode well at the Toachim guessing the a ermath! I was the last rider the crowds were great and no one else glad not to be one of those poor souls. and plenty of painful cobbles – nice to GP 2 Day, putting in a devastating to make it up the prime hill with the lead bar held their wheels. In A er the local races we headed to look at, not so nice to ride. True to form, I attack on the last day’s road race to put 5 group of 30. Being last man in the gutter defence of Cavendish, many see him as Belgium for a week in early April to race, was ill going over and didn’t ride well in 3 minutes into the bunch and dropping my in the crosswinds is not fun. Pop. A er a a sit in sprinter, but once his team mate, recover, race again and eat frites. Plus a bit of the 4 races. In one I had the pleasure of breakaway companions on the  nishing surprisingly long wait, the second group Andy Fenn, had got him in the breakaway climb, taking 30 seconds on the closest. of 20 caught me and we set about chasing and blown up, Cavendish was on his own, It’s a shame the winning break had already down the leaders. I was in good company pulled his weight, covered all the attacks got 4 minutes on the bunch by then. We with riders from the UCI teams caught on the many tough climbs and destroyed didn’t catch them, though we took time. out as well. We made the junction on the to Joe Perret’s wheel as he dra ed the Sigma Stannard in the sprint. He is lean and e  rst ‘Prem’, the Tour of the very same crosswind section on the next team car at 70kph on the  at. I subsequently powerful and can climb, something that Reservoir 2 day, was tough - really, lap, streaming through the gaps in a pile blew to pieces, but so did he, which makes might not come across on TV. really tough! ere were crosswinds of bikes and bodies – the crosswinds took me feel slightly better. Fortunately, I didn’t My last good high level races were the everywhere, boiling heat on a 10 minute their toll in blood as well. Unfortunately, reach the o road sectors, as the crash was Jef Schils Memorial and the Ipswich GP in climb, followed by hail at the top and a this led to crosswind section two: One early on. I think I’d rather land on some so September. A top 20 in the Jef Schils and a terrifying descent… in a straight line. Yes, minute you’re happily in the bunch, bodies than ride those. top 30 in Ipswich racing against the whole the wind was that strong. I  nished stage the next you realise that there are gaps e Lincoln GP was interesting, a 1 in of the domestic pro peloton prepping for one in between groups 2 and 3, teaching everywhere and you’re out of the game. 6 cobbled climb followed by a technical the Tour of Britain shows some potential me the importance of positioning when ere was no  ght le in them now and 1 in 8 descent breaks up an otherwise for next year. If I can make results like that you hit a proper climb. However, moving we pulled out at the next feed zone.  at race. Positioning is everything and more consistent, I’ll be happy. up is easier said than done when the run e Rutland Classic, Britain’s only one- the strong UCI teams are able to set up A cold and unhappy peloton at the Jock Wadley. Only 17 fi nished out of 90 starters in is at 50kph along a farm track. Stage 2 day UCI race (you know, the one with the leadout trains for their protected riders, OWEN LAKE

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Tokyo calling for Louis Rolfe

started riding a tricycle at the age of  ve and MY STORY soon found out my I have cerebral palsy balance was very poor. and hydrocephalus after IAs such I lacked con dence being born ten weeks on a bike and found it really prematurely at The Rosie di cult to keep my right Hospital. My cerebral palsy foot on the pedal. However I affects the right side of persevered with the trike and my body (hemiplegia) and used it for my daily commute means that I have little use to and from primary school of my right hand and my which was about a mile each right limbs are weaker. I am way. I was happily using the currently studying a Btec trike for the next three years ICT course at Cambridge until my sister, who is  ve Regional College. years younger, started riding My PE teacher at a bike with no stabilisers I felt secondary school was jealous that she could do that always really supportive and it spurred me on to have and last year nominated As part of the paralympic development programme Louis gets regular access to the another go on two wheels. me for the Roy Burrell Our neighbour made me award for overcoming In December 2012 there meant that I started my  rst with the right training and decided to enter only one event some oversized stabilisers adversity which I was very was a Parasport festival held day at the GB training camp equipment I could achieve in this year’s championships with really strong springs; proud to win. Its great to in Surrey where people could with no bike. It was a di cult my true potential and make - the 3km pursuit race. I even this meant that I could build think that I can encourage try all sorts of paralympic start for me and meant that I cycling a big part of my life. invested in a Cambridge my con dence slowly and other young disabled sports and meet some of the was without a road bike for I have really enjoyed CC skin suit to ensure I had eventually took the stabilisers people to give sport a try. 2012 medalists. It was truly that week until I got home and the training camps with the every advantage possible. Sure o one at a time. Once I was an inspirational day. I did a got my Dad’s bike modi ed as paralympic development enough it paid o and I was on two wheels my parents trial on the GB paracycling a replacement. squad. We trained hard in very pleased to beat the only took me over to Coldhams the Cam towpath when I lost Cycling has made a big go further a eld in search of stand where they had a watt I attend Lee Valley Youth readiness for the Senior other C2 paracyclist in the common near our house. My control and cycled straight di erence to my life in many some hills but with Cambridge bike set up and my  gures Cycling Club in Redbridge, National Track Championships event and also break the British Dad would set me o and into the river, closely followed ways. I have two great friends being pretty  at  nding a route for both the six second time London each Saturday, as well in Manchester in September. record with a time of 4:20.561. run along side me, providing by my Dad who jumped in and who come cycling with me and with hills can be a challenge. and three minute time were as cycling locally, following I focussed my e orts and Now I am focusing on getting words of encouragement and rescued both the bike and me. we go on a mixture of rides I currently have a road bike caught people’s eye. e coach the training programme I am my time closer to the world ready to catch me if I lost my It was a bitterly cold December from our home in Cambridge. which has been modi ed with contacted my parents to say that given by the GB coach. record! balance. We used toe clips on day and I never made that Our favourite ride is alongside two brakes in one. is enables they thought I had potential Watching the 2012 A big goal of mine is to the right pedal to keep my foot mistake again! the guided bus route. We do me to brake using only my le and wanted me to attend some paralympics was inspirational make it to the Paralympic in place, this really helped. hand. e gearing system is talent con rmation weekends for me. I felt that if I can games. I would love to make it Eventually I took the still a work in progress and in Newport. I attended three come this far with my cycling to Rio but I will only be 19 in plunge and came o the while I am able to change gear weekends over the spring skills in four short years then 2016 and still be developing as safety of the playing  elds with only the le lever, it still months and in April was an athlete. My coach believes and did some cycling with needs perfecting. informed that I had a non- that Tokyo 2020 should be my my family on cycle routes My Dad took me funded place on the paracycling main focus - it just seems like around Cambridge. is was to the National Track development programme. I I AM NOW such a long way away! really liberating for us as a Championships in Manchester was thrilled to bits! I am competing in the P1 family as I could never keep last year and I fell in love I started my training with FOCUSSING ON internationals in Newport at up with everyone if we tried with the idea of riding the the squad in April. My Dad the end of this month and I to go for a walk together, velodrome. We chatted to took me up to Manchester and GETTING MY TIME intend to come cycling with but on the bike I was more the paracycling development shortly a er we arrived found the club more on Sunday in control and could easily o cer for British Cycling that someone had smashed the mornings as it would be great keep the pace with everyone and stayed in touch and in back window of our car and CLOSER TO THE for my training! else. at said, we did have a November I was classi ed as a stolen my specially adapted rather disastrous ride along C2 paracyclist. bike. I was devastated and this WORLD RECORD LOUIS ROLFE

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Nijsane Philip of Trinidad & Tobago proves cycling Gallery: Track World Cup Manchester is a contact sport

Phil Mynott and Malcolm Laura Trott in the Kitchen went up to Omnium pursuit catch some of the action at the UCI Track World Cup at the Manchester Velodrome earlier this month. Not content with simply watching Olympic medal winners and world champions  ying along the boards, their main purpose was an educational one: “We needed to pick up some tips on how to improve our sprinting technique to ensure we arrive  rst in line for cake at the sunday club run cafe stops”. PHOTOS: PHIL MYNOTT

Becky James leading the fi eld in the

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here are a series of basic rules to follow in order to ride prop- The rules of a group ride are the same My secret? It’s all erly in a group, and yet it is of- whether you’re a pro or a club rider. ten surprising how few people The team car is optional about the bike ( t) Tknow these rules. If you are new to the sport, this will We talk a lot help for your next group ride, if you are about the need old to the sport, this should be a useful to ride with recap of what you already know. good group discipline but 1: IT’S NOT A RACE that means A group ride is NOT a race. You are not riding very close to other people. Even to attack o the front or try to show eve- experienced cyclists nd this hard to ryone how strong you are. at’s what do, especially if their experience doesn’t races are for. include road racing. Look at most of our groups and you’ll see that the front 2: BAR-TO-BAR three pairs are reasonably close together, Whenever riding in a group, you should but a er that the gaps between the riders be riding two by two, side by side and be grow: both lengthways and widthways. perfectly handlebar to handlebar. Do not We’re not actually three abreast, but at any time sprint ahead and disrupt the we’re no longer a narrow column of  ow. Riding with your bars ahead of the pairs. rider beside you is called ‘half-wheeling’ It isn’t just inexperience that makes and is the fastest way to lose friends. riding close to other people di cult. A much underrated aspect of bike setup 3: PEELING OFF is the e ect that it has on handling. When you are tired of riding at the front Why do triathletes have such a terrible and you feel it is time for you to go to reputation as bike handlers? Largely the back, make sure the rider beside because the triathlon bikes that they you knows you are tired and want to go ride handle like pigs - and, unlike ‘real’ back. Once you have both established cyclists, they’re too ignorant to know that you are going back, check brie y 10 rules for good better. that there isn’t someone overlapping your But how many of our members (and back wheel, then both riders slowly and how many modern cyclists) are ‘real’ gradually move to the outside and let the group riding cyclists: dyed in the wool clubmen group come through the middle. Do not who started as juniors, raced their way suddenly veer o to the side; peel o in a through the categories, know every steady and controlled manner. backroad and every shortcut and, more ing down because you don’t feel strong you want to go in. e key to all group rid- “Blurrrrr!” being yelled. So while every- once again using the “wheel overlap” as signi cantly, understand the signi cance 4: PULLING THROUGH enough to be at the front. If for whatever ing is to do things gradually and steadily. one should be keeping their eyes peeled a bu er zone so as not to slow down too of their bike’s frame geometry?  at’s a When the two riders ahead of you peel o , reason you do  nd yourself at the front, go for general speed changes and obstacles, suddenly for the riders behind you. rhetorical question, by the way, and not it is your job to come through to the front through and take what is known as a token 8: OBSTACLES AND HAND SIGNALS suddenly the majority of riders are look- a dig at anyone. My point is that how a and pull the group along. If you do not pull. You go to the front for a couple sec- All obstacles should be warned of by a ing around wondering what the obstacle ese may seem like a pointless bunch bike is set up makes a huge di erence to want to ride at the front because you are onds, agree with the rider beside you that simple hand signal. When you see an ob- is that has just been yelled out. of snotty, European, old-school rules, but how it handles, which can make it much tired or less  t than the rest of the group, it’s you are both peeling o , and go to the back. stacle in the road ahead of you, put your they come from very simple principles of easier and less stressful to ride in the too late to avoid it now. Once you are sec- hand down and give a signal that lets the 10: SLOWING AND ADJUSTING SPEED general safety for a group ride. So stick to close con nes of a club ride. ond wheel, you must come through to the 6: GAPS riders behind you know in which direc- is is probably the biggest crash causer them, and spread the good word to your I don’t like telling people that their front. Maintaining a steady speed, squeeze ere should be no gaps in a group ride. tion they should go to avoid it. Tradition- on group rides. For some reason, when fellow newcomers to the sport. bikes are badly setup and that they through the gap and go to the front. As soon as you see a gap,  ll it by riding ally a quick wave of the hand will su ce. someone slows down ahead of them, a lot For any club rider worth his or her should come to me and buy a tting - but into the space in a steady and controlled If you only see the obstacle at the last of riders jump for their brakes, slam them salt, these are not even thought of as rules. perhaps I should get over it. Bike ttings 5: TOO TIRED TO GO TO THE FRONT manner. minute, ride through it! Better to get a  at on, almost skidding and taking everyone ey are instinctive and are a natural part are not just about power, aerodynamics If you do not want to go to the front, sit than to take down the whole group. down with them. You should be riding of riding. is may by why some road rid- and injury prevention.  e biggest at the back and let the riders coming back 7: MOVING ABOUT IN A GROUP ever-so-slightly to the side of the rider in ers can come across as rude and arrogant. bene t by far is stress-free cycling, and from the front of the group slot in ahead of If you need to go to the back of the group, RULE 9: YELLING front of you, so when they slow down you Ride etiquette is so second nature to them, stress free cycling for those around you. you. It is not acceptable to work your way or need to move away from the side of road e problem is this: When you are more either stop pedaling and start to slightly that in their eyes the only reason anyone up to the front of the group and then look because the road is damaged or obstructed, than two riders behind the person yell- overlap your front wheel with their rear would break them would be on purpose. TIM WILLIAMS around acting lost and confused, slow- just steadily move in whatever direction ing, all you can actually hear is a general wheel, or you touch the brakes gradually, Adapted from PezCycling News.com [email protected]

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CCC is now on Twitter Follow the club’s account @Cambridge_CC and tweet us your pictures, stories, race results and achievements. Soon a er the club’s account was created Twitter  oated on the New York Stock Exchange and their share price hit a frenzy. A coincidence? Probably.

IT’S AUTUMN/ WINTER. FIT SOME Sun, sea, sand and cycling MUDGUARDS PLEASE! MARCH 22-30 2014 ensure that you get the most out of your time Cambridge Cycle Club is pleased to announce without being too tired to enjoy it. He knows its 2014 training camp in Mallorca. e camp, in pretty much every road on the island so you association with the Cambridge Triathlon Club, is are guaranteed to get the best riding that Mal- Club open to all members (except unaccompanied mi- lorca has to o er (and that’s pretty much as nors) and is particularly targeted at the people in good it gets anywhere). t-shirts the two clubs who train regularly together on the We’re trying to make the camp as a ordable weekly rides in Cambridge. It will be organised as possible. e two clubs have agreed to sub-  e must-have item for and run by Tim Williams (www.perfectcondi- sidise the running of the camp so that we can 2014 is a Cambridge Cycle tion.ltd.uk), who has many years experience of include airport transfers. e cost will be £390 Club t-shirt. Designed running training camps in Mallorca. for a single room, £350 if you are happy to to be worn on those rare e camp will be based on a structured share a twin room and £330 if each if you book occasions you’re not on programme of group rides, and will include a twin room as a pair. You will have to book your bike, it’s perfect for ad-hoc group and individual coaching sessions your own  ights to Palma. Currently they are the podium, home, the and discussions. e groups will be along the under £100 return with Easyjet (though bikes gym or, if you can get lines of those we already ride in: and luggage are extra). e prices will increase away with it, work. n Racers: - Sporting plus, fast chaingang, BCF as the  ights book up. 100% cotton, slim  t, pre- license holders. e programme will include We’ll be staying in El Arenal. It’s close to shrunk, available in sizes long rides, fast group rides, chain gangs, and the Airport and close to Palma. It’s a great base medium - extra-extra- lead out and tactical practise. Time trial. for cycling, with access to the whole island, and large. Only £7.50. n Sportif:- Sporting and tri-club chaingang. for chilling out. For triathletes, or those who To order a t-shirt or Long mountain rides, technical descending, simply fancy a swim, there is a new swimming any item of club clothing fast group rides. Time trial. pool a  ve minute walk from the hotel and please contact our club n Conditioning:- Intermediate, tri-club the sea is one minute away. e promenade is clothier Ken Miller by medium chaingang. a group, or groups, for largely tra c free for running and there are email at: clothing@ those who want to want to do all or most of the some trails within easy running distance. cambridgecc.co.uk above, over the best roads and scenery, but feel Precise hotel details are still to be con rmed, that they might not be able to keep up with the however accommodation will be 3-star half board. WANT TO CONTRIBUTE? faster groups. To reserve your Feedback, stories What if you’re not sure that there will be place we require a £55 and pictures can be a group for you? Please talk to your regular deposit. Please contact submitted to the editor, riding group or those who you know ride at a Tim (Tim@Perfect- Luke Sikkema, at similar speed to you. Condition.ltd.uk) for a [email protected] Tim will structure the camp to try and booking form.

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