THE Yeovil Cycling Club April 2013
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THE Yeovil Cycling Club April 2013 Six of the seven YCC riders, Sean, Kurtis, Clive, Richard, Andy and Ian (where's Ben?), get ready for the start. The first event for our new road race secretary, Rod Bowditch, was a resounding success, even the weather was planned to a tee, dry, sunny conditions and a great deal warmer than it has been for the past few months. To make the day even better we had a strong contingent of riders competing in the Pittards Trophy Race. Seven YCC riders, Sean Hanna, Kurtis Rowe, Clive Bowditch, Richard Norris, Andy Gaylard, Ian Jefferies and Junior rider Ben Luckwell. Both races were closely fought affairs, even if the Pittards Trophy, 1st David Gorton (Team Tor Pittards did get off to a rather pedestrian start, barely 2000) 2nd Steven Whitehurst (Cheddar CC) edging above 20mph for the first run into Yeovil! 3rd Simon Coles (Norwod Paragon CC) But the pace soon picked up and the race fell into a familiar pattern of a lone rider or small groups trying to get away but being brought back. On the final of the three laps there was a lone rider away, he was joined by a small group of three and then another three. The seven man group worked well on the last trip along the A37 to Yeovil and gained about 30 seconds over the main field. One of the cohort was dropped on the climb of Coppitts Hill. The six continued to test each other as they headed out to Queen Camel. On the final Ham Hill Trophy 1st Matthew Higgins (Felt stretch through Bridghampton three managed to pull Colbornes Hargroves RT), 2nd James Lewis away to contest the sprint for the line. (NFTO), 3rd Samuel Williams (NFTO) There was plenty of action in the Ham GoRide – get involved Hill with Mathew Higgins (Felt Colbornes Hargroves RT) winning a closely fought race. After the first lap a group of twelve riders finally got away and they soon built up a 30 second lead over the bunch, but with most of the leading teams represented the gap was allowed to grow on lap three. The group did split at one point into two equal groups but came back together with a lap to go. If you are interested in what goes on at a "I would like to thank all of the volunteers GoRide coaching session at Westfield School, on Sunday. Standing on a cold windy either out of curiosity or with the potential roundabout for 3 hours, driving a car in to get involved, then you are welcome to traffic trying to stay the right distance from attend one of the forthcoming sessions. Roddy the bunch whilst concentrating on the road, will be running the course for young riders serving 150+ coffees and teas, administering on the following dates: Monday 22nd April first aid to a crash victim (who has also 3.15pm, Monday 29th April 3.15pm, Monday emailed me his Thanks) judging the finishing 20th May 3.15pm and Monday 3rd June 3.15pm. "It is truly inspiring to watch these positions, putting the signs out and checking youngsters develop their bike skills and grow the course and even removing roadkill, in confidence each week" said Roddy, "if timing laps, preparing prizes etc are not easy you want to see what goes on then contact tasks, I know I've done most of them...(not me and I will arrange for you to have access the first aid one as I'm a coward). I think to the school at your chosen time". You can Andy had the easiest job riding the race!" contact Roddy on 07595 050880. Rod Bowditch Club Clothing Our clothing supplier, Kalas, have introduced some new garments and materials for this The last time up the hill Mathew found year. You can see the full range on their his way to the front and on the descent website, www.kalaswear.com. Any of the towards the twisty section between Marston garments can be Magna and Queen Camel he managed to supplied in club pull a handful of seconds over the chasing colours. remnants of the leading group. We will be In the group were two of Mathew’s team ordering some mates from Felt, Justin Hoy and Andrew more stock Hargroves, James Lewis from (NFTO), Will clothing shortly, Bjergfelt (MG Maxifuel),Luke Dunbar (Equip but if there is CMI),Grant Bayton (Ride 24/7) and James something you Wilson (AW Cycles) and Josh Waller (Spirit require, especially Bikes RT). if it is not something, or a size, that we would As the race neared a conclusion Mathew normally have in stock, please let David eased away as the race turned onto the finish Notley know as soon as possible. straight 2km out from the finish line. Along with James these two were now head down Kalas have samples of all the clothing in all sprinting towards the line, but the rest the sizes so if you are not sure and want to try something, again, please let David know. 2 were not far behind. Another Sunday in Hell – Part Deux - Tour of Flanders I said “Pavé, never again” after the Paris to ride together before the big day, but we Roubaix (PR) Sportive last year, but here I am have a team meeting a couple of weeks writing this having just returned from riding beforehand to discuss ‘tactics’. the Ronde Van Vlaanderen (RVV) Cyclosportive The night before we leave Luke is worried with more cobbles and most of it uphill! about the forecast of snow for the South It’s not just me from Yeovil CC this year, East and our journey to the Channel Tunnel. I somehow I’ve persuaded Luke Goddard and hadn’t even given it a thought, I’ve been more Martyn Tanner to join me. focused on the weather forecast for Belgium After riding the PR last June I started on the day of our ride! It’s an early start on thinking about other cycling challenges. I Good Friday. We pick up Martyn, and his decide that maybe the sportive versions of all wife Sarah, and leave Crewkerne about 6am five ‘monuments’ would be a good challenge. for the Channel Tunnel. As forecast we hit a These are the one day classic races of the blizzard a few miles from Folkstone, but arrive PR (already done), the RVV (or the Tour of without any problems. We meet up with Luke Flanders as it’s known in English), the Liege- and his wife Alison at the terminal and get the Bastigone-Liege, the Milan San Remo and the train okay. A tip for anyone travelling through Giro di Lombardia. the tunnel, take a top box as it allows you to As usual I air my thoughts on the Yeovil jump the queue! CC forum. Sean Hanna (aka Sean LeSweat) From Calais it’s a clear journey, through kindly points out that apart from the PR the Northern France and Belgium, straight to others aren’t flat. I retort that if it’s an event in Oudenaarde to sign on. We get our numbers which Cavendish can be competitive then it’s and timing chips without any hassle. I splash not all about climbing. out on the ‘official’ jersey. I decide that the RVV will be next the The morning of the big day arrives. Luke, event and arrangements start in earnest. I opt staying across town from us, arrives at our for DIY again rather than an organised tour hotel bang on the pre-arranged time of package, having done the PR under my own 6.15am, but in a flap. He had been unable steam. It will be the 133km route taking in to find his way from the hotel on his bike all the infamous bergs on the new pro course through the maze of narrow Gent streets. and starting and finishing in Oudenaarde. Solution, return to hotel, throw bike in car Details and costs are posted on the forum. and use the Sat. Nav! Martyn is ‘recruited’ on a club run. Luke, new It’s just before 7am and the bikes are to the club, chats to me at a tea stop one unloaded and assembled, pockets filled with Sunday as he interested in riding the PR. He is energy bars and gels, shoes and helmets on. soon recruited on to the team for the RVV. Last year in the PR I erred on the side of I’m not stressed about the bike. It’ll be caution with tyres pressures. I ran them on exactly as I rode it on the PR, it will just need the high side, in order to avoid punctures, a good service and the usual parts. That said probably too high as I’m sure this added to there is a panic one week before the race. As the rough ride over the pavé. This year I drop I’m servicing the bike I notice that one of the the pressure to 95 psi which should help with two side clamps on my seat post is cracked! traction on the cobbled climbs. I’m thinking a new £120 seat post, but Rock It’s 7.25am and we’re off in the bitter and Road manage to dig out a replacement sub-zero temperature, but at least it’s dry. bolt and clamp assembly for £3.60. Panic We follow the signs for the start. Somehow over and good job that I noticed it before it we don’t actually see the start line and find cracked all the way through.