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Time Trials

Club Champion Adam Topham  rode the National 100 on Sunday 11th July Adams story as per below

Riding a national 100 is something right now I would not recommend to my worst enemy.  I have to thank Gordon and Margaret for giving up  most of their weekend to come along and provide me with what turned out to be critical support.  More on that in a moment.  I had high hopes of an overall second place but when my subconcious turned my bike left at a diversion sign pointing left, right next to a tiny event sign pointing straight on, at about 54 miles and a few miles before the actual turn that opportunity disappeared.  However, I only lost a couple of very confused minutes (the exit was virtually identical to the real turn), which cost me 4th place.  I came in 6th and was third in 40 to 44 age group (and would have been 3rd anyway – Julian Jenkinson and Andy Bason came 2nd and 3rd).  But I would only have been about 30 seconds off Andy Bason and a minute or so behind Julian Jenkinson, which is very heartening.
 
After the finish I coasted down to a petrol station to meet Gordon and Margaret and explain the rather bizarre third time check.  I was covered from head to toe in salt despite taking on lots of fluid but clearly not enough.  5 minutes later I was writhing in the anguish of profound cramp in both calfs and both thighs, the worst pain I have ever experienced.  If Gordon and Margaret had not been there to rescue me and massage my legs back to life whilst ignoring my horror movie-style screams, I would have been hospitalised.  Note to self – never go to a 100 unsupported.  Further note to self – never go to a 100.
 
In the end I did a 3:42:24, which would have been around a 3:40:00, which I am very pleased about despite the minor disappointments of the day, and especially considering the heat that meant my average HR for the duration was 171 and 90%+ of max, plus the 15mph winds that meant 30 mph up hill in one direction and an agonising 22/23 mph downhill in the other.  Its a PB as well, albeit that doesn’t mean much as it is only my 2nd ever 100, so I’ve never done a 100 without a PB. If I can keep that up I will be well chuffed!  The conditions didn’t stop Hutch from recording an unbelievable 3:23:04 and winning the event by a cruel 16 minutes.  Different league?  Yes.  Different planet?  Probably.
 
Anyway, Gordon and Margaret then proceeded to nurse me back to some sort of coherency over the next couple of hours as I hobbled around like I was trying to pick up the gold for 95 to 99 age category (the guy that won 80-84 was in a far healthier state than me), enabling me to face up to my 3:30:00 drive home, which was a little bit easier than my other long journey that day.  So, to Gordon and Margaret, a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  You probably saved the rest of my season!

Road Racing

Smithfield Nocturne.  19th June.  2/3/4th cat Criterium
 
James Norris took part in the ‘Cycling Weekly’ support race.  The race is held in central London around the Smithfield market in the evening.  It short circuit raced over forty minuets plus five laps.  This is the third time I have riden this event and knowing how fast it is was well prepared for the speed.  The main London teams target this event from Dulwich paragon, London Phoenix and London Dynamo.  It is always over subscribed so the organisers take their pick from the most successful or highest point scorers.   Going from the gun it was flat out and riders not able to corner fast enough or hold their lines in the corners meant there were three crashes in the first four laps; the sound of carbon and bodies hitting tarmac, sliding into barriers keeps you pushing on.  There is no time to look back, drink or shout at other riders.  Just keep driving up to the next upright wheel.  After ten laps six riders slid off the front of the main pack.  Slowly they increased their lead to a minute, held the gap and was sharing the work load.  James held his position in the first following group moving through to the front and pushing on the pace.  Even with several guys working in this group it was not enough to close the gap on the leaders.   There comes a point in a race when the chasers realise their work is not going to close the gap and with ten minutes remaining this happened.  Then alliances that were formed are now broken and we start to attack each other.  Having worked hard I new my sprint wouldn’t be as strong, giving it one last push on the final lap I finished in 19th place.  A good experience which I will better in next years race. 
Oakley Village RR. 10th June 2/3/4th cat 85k
 
 Tom Crouch and James Norris raced in plus thirty degree heat on Saturday.  Held on a flat course on quiet roads this is an excellent course for a RR.  Tom would have preferred a hilly course and started early with his attacking style stringing out the race into one line.  James had a mechanical four miles in, the service car was already changing another riders wheel, which meant a long wait.  I watched the peloton disappear knowing that unless I could get paced back my race was over.  After a rear wheel change and rolling back to the start I asked the commissarie to rejoin the race.  He stated I could do this but not contest any points or placing’s.  Tom continued to attack but unfortunately missed the deciding break of nine riders including Richard Wood(Team M.K), Paul Crook(Beyond M.B) and Tim Carter(Virgin Active).  Rejoining the race on the second lap, the gap had opened up and despite James’ efforts working on the front with Mark Thompson (Dulwich) to close the gap they stayed away for the duration of the race.  Another race in the bag.  Tom and James finished in the bunch three minutes behind the breakaway.  It was won by Paul Crook from a sprint of four.  Paul, a previous Elite rider finding excellent form again just at the right time.

The Sprinting Adonis that is James Norris

NEWS

HWCC rider Phil Crouch finished 6th in his age group and third Brit in 1.15.55
in the European Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships TheGold medal winner was Frenchmen doing a  in 1.12.01

Rose Osbourne completed her end to end ride last tuesday in good form – A full story and pictures will be available as soon at Tim Osbourne sends to us etc.

Paul Morrissey . HWCC Press sec/Sprocket Editor

July 12th, 2010 | Category: News |

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