Club 10m Time Trial Thursford-Fakenham and Competition Results

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North Norfolk Wheelers Club 10m Time Trial Thursford-Fakenham and Competition Results 30th August 2016

Encouraged no doubt by the possibility of a nice shiny gold medal, no less than 16 course personal bests and the course record were smashed on a warm summers evening in the penultimate club time trial of the year.

In addition to the normal club time trial this was also a fun competition between two local clubs East Coast Riders (ECR) and North Norfolk Wheelers, with riders from other clubs also welcome.  Despite the layby at full capacity Chris Knowles organised proceedings as well as ever and everyone (barring one mechanical) made it to the start line for 6.30pm.  With 20 minutes to go only one rider from ECR had arrived but then their peloton approached on the horizon and their team was complete and raring to go.

With the weather almost perfect, and (most) riders in peak form the stage was set for a great evening of racing.  The ever-present Bruce Williams looked after proceedings at the busy Fakenham Shell roundabout where he was spotted bravely retrieving a lost front light as well as passing on words of encouragement “Come on lad!” to the riders.

First by a country mile was Charlie Nurse (20.30) smashing his course record, followed by Dan Blackburn of Velo Club Norwich (21.44) and then Scott Walford of Iceni Velo (22.01).  The fastest lady was Louise Marsden (VCN) with 25.02 and her course PB.  Junior rider Conner Rumbles (ECR) aged 15 posted an excellent 25.14 in his first TT on this course.

Nice shiny medals were awarded to the nine riders below:

Medals  
Fastest team of three Charlie Nurse, Mike Padfield and John Morgan (NNW)
Fastest on road bike (without tri-bars) Graham Denny (ECR)
Fastest VET on standard men/women Nigel Walsh (NNW) / Teresa Harman (TriHarman)
Overall fastest men/women Charlie Nurse (NNW), Louise Marsden (VCN)
Fastest two-up Carr & Wright (VCN)

A number of people headed to Fakenham to join in the ECR social at the Bistro where comments on the recent time trial experience and cycling stories of old lasted well into the night (well until 9pm when everyone got hungry and went home..).  All-in-all a successful event, and one we plan to do again next year.

The last club 10m time trial of the season (there is a hill climb in October) is next Tuesday 6th September at Pretty Corner, where the club trophies of 2016 will be decided and it will be the last chance to achieve any remaining goals on this course for this year.

Name Club Time Handicap time Notes
CHARLIE NURSE NNW 20.30 20.49 Course Record
DAN BLACKBURN VCN 21.44 CPB
SCOTT WALFORD Iceni Velo 22.01 PB
MIKE PADFIELD NNW 22.37 20.54 PB
JONNY O’NEIL ECR 22.41 CPB
PHIL WATKINS 34 Nomads 22.58 21.15 CPB
PERRY TriAnglia 23.01
CARR & WRIGHT (2up) VCN 23.08
JOHN MORGAN NNW 23.28 21.09 CPB
NIGEL WALSH NNW 23.45 20.59 PB
MICHAEL MEADOWS VCN 23.51 CPB
GRAHAM DENNY ECR 24.22 CPB
ROB KITCHEN ECR 24.51 CPB
LOUISE MARSDEN VCN 25.05 20.53 CPB
CONNOR RUMBLES (J) ECR 25.14 CPB
PETE FARRELL ECR 25.19 PB
LUKE PETTIT Wyndy Milla 25.34
GUY THOROLD NNW 26.45 21.09
HARRISON ECR 26.48 CPB
TERESA HARMAN (w) TriHarman 26.57 20.43 PB
MARK HARMAN TriHarman 27.08 21.14
TESSA MORGAN NNW 29.14 21.06
EDDIE ROBSON TriHarman 31.09 24.44
BULLEN Peterborough CC DNS

Club 10m TT report 23/8/16

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Club 10 mile Time Trial on the Pretty Corner – Holt Course; Tuesday 23 August – Bruce Williams
Pleasant weather conditions greeted the 20 or so riders participating in the club 10 on our usual B10/5 course on Tuesday evening – a pretty good turnout considering we are nearing the end of the club season.
Good times were recorded by Chris Skinner, a regular and welcome guest rider at our time trials and NNW’s Aiden Bond, separated by just 5 seconds (in Skinner’s favour) with times 21.49 and 21.54.  In form and improving Mike Padfield set another pb test of 22.43 suggesting that he will challenge the fastest riders next season. 
We again had 4 or 5 riders from Tri Harman (ex police officer and experienced triathlon coach Mark Harman is also NNW club coach) and Teresa Harman also achieved a personal best.  Karl Read, who has dome some good times recently, was looking keen and determined before the time trial, but had a mechanical problem on the start line and, as they used to say years ago, failed to trouble the time-keeper (being a DNS).
Charlie Nurse got a convincing win, however, coming home in an excellent time of 20.58 a good margin of 51 seconds over the next rider.  This, and the excellent time he produced in the club Hilly last Sunday – in very windy conditions – suggests that Charlie is close to his earlier season best form after his summer vacation, which will help him in 3 open events in September in which he is competing.
On Saturday 3 September, the NNW will have a team out in the TeamVeloVelocity open ‘25’ on the fast Newmarket A11 course (the E2) which is quite an achievement for the club, certainly not a common occurrence for us.  Aiden Bond and Karl Read, both with pb’s of 53 minutes, Karl having set his on this course earlier this season, should be joined on the start line by Charlie who got his entry in just before closure.  Charlie has a pb ‘25’ time of 50 minutes, set earlier this season on the Norfolk (Morley) A11 course, but rivals that he usually beats have recorded faster times than this on the E2.  These are the vagaries of time trialling.  Riders like fast times and pb’s but, in addition to form (which is itself a fluctuating thing) it depends on the course and the day.  There have been a couple of fast days on the E2 this season so, if things go well, Charlie will be hoping to end his season with a new pb.
Prior to this, a couple of NNW riders are in the VC Norwich open ‘10’ (with a full field of 120 riders) to be held on Monday so good luck to Henry Woodley (this is his second open event ever and just over a week after his first, the VC Baracchi ‘50’ on the Bungay course last Sunday) and the omnipresent Karl Read.  We did not see Henry this Tuesday, suggesting that he may have been shattered after the ‘50’, but he is a triathlete and they are supposed to be tough.
Talking of tough, and luck, the chief marshal was alone and un-aided for this club time trial but fortunately was in good time, able to get the mountain of cycle event warning signs that we now display around the course out well before the first rider.  With the plethora of signs on or around the Holt roundabout turn, the whole area is becoming a bit of a mobile billboard.  Quite a few motorists including coach drivers give me friendly waves at the roundabout these days, even if some of them have not a clue why I am (on a weekly basis) standing there, or tying things to various posts, and one or two kindly souls wonder if anything is wrong and if I need help?  Who knows, possibly I do, but not in the way they might imagine. Many have tried and failed before them.
I did not have to speed in the car or frighten Mike P this time around but, worry not, I will have something else up my sleeve for him in due course !  Unfortunately, it will not be at the Fun Day as this correspondent will be overseas for much of September.
After the TVV ‘25’ referred above, Charlie’s final two open events for this season are the EDCA ‘30’ and the late season CC Breckland ‘50’ where he did his pb (one hour 47 minutes) last year, which are both on the Morley A11 course, a good local course but not reputedly as fast as the E2.  Hopefully one or two more riders from the NNW will also enter these events in order to have a chance for the team.  There will be plenty of entries (but not full fields) for these two events, but not very many strong team entries, so you always have a chance.
‘Heads Up, Rear Lights on and Race Safe’ – best luck to all
23/08/2016 10m TT B10/5
Name Club Time Handicap time Notes
CHARLIE NURSE NNW 20.58 21.17
CHRIS SKINNER Pedal rev 21.49
AIDEN BOND NNW 21.54 21.23
S.WALFORD Iceni velo 22.24
MIKE PADFIELD NNW 22.43 20.58 PB
JALI PACKER Pedal rev 22.43
PHIL WATKINS 34 Nomads 23.25
NICK PONSFORD VCN 24.49
LUKE PETTIT Wyndy Milla 25.04
MARTIN WALL TriHarman 25.50
MARKOS JANES VCN 25.57 21.16
GUY THOROLD NNW 26.54 21.18
BOB CARTER VCN 27.01 21.26
TERESA HARMAN (w) TriHarman 27.11 20.57 PB
MARK HARMAN TriHarman 27.42 21.44
EDDIE ROBSON TriHarman 28.00 21.35
SARAH JAY (w) TriHarman 29.16 21.07
CHRISTINE COOK Godric 29.23
LORRAINE JARVIS VCN 30.40
VIDLER Plomesgate 31.16
KARL READ NNW DNS

18.5m Hilly TT results 21/8/16

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Early Sunday morning starts are not for everyone, although nine riders and most of the marshals** turned up on time to the last hilly TT of the year.  A brisk headwind on the hills meant it would be difficult to beat personal bests, but despite this Charlie Nurse was only two seconds off his best time (45.04) and would have beaten it if it wasn’t for a slow Chelsea tractor blocking the road in Upper Sheringham.  Second was Mike Padfield (49.04) and third was Phil Watkins (51.25), his first ride on this course and setting himself a good target for next year.  John Morgan was pleased with his time, and it was good see our local triathlete star Kim Morrison out on the course as well as two riders from Tri Anglia.  Rob Lee missed the start but was sent off at the end and posted a PB on his road bike.  With only three more 10m club TTs remaining this year time has nearly run out for challenging for club trophies, getting personal bests or achieving personal goals this year, however quite a few club riders are targeting triathlon, open time trials (and the amateur world championships in Perth) in September so we wish them luck with that.  Of course the highlight of the year for many will no doubt be the Club Fun Day on 10th Sept with plenty of riding including a time trial, club run and mountain bike ride interspersed with equal quantities of eating, drinking and socialising.

**Bruce Williams was just putting up a sign in the nick of time as I rode past him.  He later whizzed past me on the coast road to get to his watch point on the main A148 in time.

 

Name Club Time Handicap time Notes
CHARLIE NURSE NNW 45.04 45.02
MIKE PADFIELD NNW 49.04 45.32
PHIL WATKINS 34 Nomads 51.25
JOHN MORGAN NNW 51.46 45.34
KIM MORRISON 51.53
M.SPILLMAN TriAnglia 52.26
ROB LEE 53.12 43.42 PB
G.WALKER TriAnglia 53.13
GUY THOROLD NNW 60.02 48.48

Club 10 mile time trial report 16/8/16

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Club 10 mile time trial on the Pretty Corner – Holt course on 16 August 2016 – Bruce Williams
Just like the previous week, we had a great turn-out of 30 riders for the club time trial on our local course this Tuesday evening with riders enjoying sunny, warm and generally good conditions.  There was again a strong presence from the Tri-Harman club with guest riders, from a total of no less than 7 different clubs, making up the full field.
Riding his spare bike – not something he is likely to repeat any time soon – this was a rare defeat in a club time trial for Charlie Nurse, edged out by fast cycling police officer, Steve Gorbutt, of the Diss and Dist club with a time of 21.16, ahead of Charlie in 21.25 and Dan Blackburn (VC Norwich) third in 21.29, an improvement of 14 seconds over his time from the week before.  I did not get to speak to Steve at the finish, but no doubt he was pleased to get the win and a rare victory over Charlie. 
Fastest woman (junior) was Isla Rush of the Matrix road team in a time of 24.25, which is believed to be her pb on this course.  Isla rode this course in a 25 minute time a few weeks ago on a road bike, so using her tt bike probably improved her time by anything from half to one minute on this course.  She has recently returned from two weeks racing in Belgium so a top performance was very much on the cards.
Perhaps to be expected given the holiday season, there was a lot of traffic on the course this evening with a couple of riders blocked at the Holt roundabout turn and a couple of cars giving fright to the two marshals (as well as the riders no doubt) when apparently not seeing riders when the cars were entering the roundabout from the Holt junction.  We had no less than 3 warning signs and a marshal on the roundabout at that point as well.
I am told that a few riders were held up, and bunched up, by slow moving traffic (cars towing caravans and the like) in Bodham, not that this bothered Steve Gorbutt who, no doubt using his police road training (or perhaps he waved his warrant card at truculent motorists) managed to blast past the lot of them.  Perhaps they could sense the flashing blue light if not see one.
Rider number 2 from Tri Harman punctured at the turn but still continued to finish in a time over 40 minutes.  Using an emergency small pump, rather than the high pressure, high power track pumps that everyone uses these days, she repaired her front wheel and me, as the marshal on the front of the roundabout, shared my time for a few minutes between marshalling and helping her to get enough pressure in the tyre to ride back to the start safely.
Guy Thorold of NNW and Mark Wall of Tri-Harman seemed to be enjoying their race over the last half mile or so as they were nip and tuck to the finish. After catching Thorold for a minute, Wall was clearly stung into action when re-taken by Thorold, chasing his man down before launching a determined sprint for the line.  Anyone looking to set up a road racing team for the over 60’s should definitely cast their eye over these two.
Notable performances were recorded by John Morgan with a pb time of 23.19 – his recent participation in and training for tri-athlons evidently serving him well – with Mike Padfield also getting a pb of 22.45.  In addition to these two excellent rides, credit is due to Henry Woodley and John Hayward (both of NNW) with times of 23.45 and 24.02 respectively, whilst Bradley Nelson of QSW produced a strong ride and time of 22.17.  Coached by Dave Green, Henry Woodley is about to do his first ever open time trial, the VC Baracchi ‘50’ on the Bungay course this Sunday, so good luck to him for that.  He has done the training and has advice from both Dave and Laurence Wright so will no doubt be ready for this distance.
The evening time trials are proving ever popular this season and going well.  All riders are reminded to think of road safety and, very importantly, to use a flashing or constant red light at the rear of their cycles during the time trial.
Name Club Time Handicap time Notes
STEVE GORBUTT Diss&District 21.16
CHARLIE NURSE NNW 21.25 21.44
D.BLACKBURN VCN 21.29
M.RATCLIFFE Iceni velo 22.05
BRADLEY NELSON QSW 22.17 20.56
M.FARROW Pedal Rev 22.43
MIKE PADFIELD NNW 22.45 20.58 PB
JOHN MORGAN NNW 23.19 20.52 PB
HENRY WOODLEY NNW 23.26 20.59
JOHN HAYWARD NNW 24.02 21.30
ISLA RUSH (w) Matrix 24.25
N.PONSFORD VCN 24.30
NIGEL WALSH NNW 24.53
ROB COLLYER TriHarman 25.02
L.PETTIT Wyndy Milla 25.16
MARK WALL TriHarman 25.48 CPB
A.JAY TriHarman 25.54 20.49
SEAN ‘TAFF’ PRICE East coast riders 26.10
BOB CARTER VCN 26.45 21.10
GUY THOROLD NNW 26.50 21.14
MARK HARMAN TriHarman 27.02 21.10
TERESA HARMAN (w) TriHarman 27.14 21.00
E.ROBSON TriHarman 28.06 21.43
SARAH JAY (w) TriHarman 29.25
TESSA MORGAN (w) NNW 29.28 21.20
J.VIDLER 30.06
R.COOPER (w) TriHarman 30.44
S.BURTON (w) TriHarman 47.07 puncture
2UP WILL DORSET/KARL READ VCN/NNW 21.26

 

 

Club 25m TT report 14/8/16

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I will keep it limited, (based on the turnout..).  Five riders including one guest rider from Surrey took part in the Holt to Fakenham 25m TT.  Despite no apparent wind at the start, past Letheringsett there was a bit of a cross wind, but nothing too bad and caravans starting to head home helped (and sometimes hindered) the riders.  The roundabout at Fakenham was very busy but was safely negiotiated and all riders got round ok.  Charlie got the best time although nearly a minute down on his best with Chris Holmes (Norwood Paragon) on holiday second and Mike Padfield with a PB third.  Laurence and Greg shared some welcome tips on how to go faster at the end (e.g. use a bigger gear).

Thanks to the timekeepers and marshals for giving up their Sunday morning.

14/08/2016 25m TT
Name Club Time Handicap time Notes
CHARLIE NURSE NNW 54.56 55.51
CHRIS HOLMES NORWOOD PARAGON 57.25
MIKE PADFIELD NNW 59.29 54.49 PB
HENRY WOODLEY NNW 61.27 54.15
GUY THOROLD NNW 74.41 59.38

Club 10m TT report 9th Aug 2016

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A 10m TT club record turnout of 33 riders from at least 5 different clubs arrived for the staple club 10m TT on the Pretty Corner (B10/5) course.  With rain clouds just about holding off and numbers running out riders set off at 1 minute intervals from 7pm.   Although getting colder as the evening went on, the wind was light so reasonable times were hoped for.

Charlie Nurse (21.11) of the North Norfolk Wheelers was challenged as close as he has been all year by Chris Skinner (21.24) of API Bikes.  Charlie was trying out a new position and was annoyed by a honking car in Holt so this might have slowed him down a bit, but all credit to Chris who has obviously been training very well since we last saw him in the Spring.  Mike? Ratcliffe (sorry didnt get your club) was third just over a minute down.  Fastest women rider was Louise Marsden of VC Norwich with a ‘solid’ 25.19.

Andrew Knowles got his Course PB with his distinctive riding style, with a CPB for Greg Saunders of NN Wheelers and Greg’s Bikes on his new bike.

A great turnout from TriHarman Triathlon Club was present with some good times, many of whom were using road bikes/non-aero clothing.  Fresh off the back of his age group victory in London sprint triathlon John Morgan was hoping to build better bike form before his Olympic distance triathlon in Liverpool (European qualifying event) this weekend – good luck!  Within 10 minutes of the finish the rain started and within half an hour the roads were flooded, so well timed!

Thanks to the marshals and timekeepers  for making sure all the riders got round safely this week with not too much abuse from drivers.  With the darker evenings dont forget those rear lights.  With a 25m, 18.5 hilly and 2 x 10m TTs in the next two weeks we have a busy last few weeks of time trials so make the most of it.

09/08/2016 10m TT B10/5
Name Time Handicap time Notes
CHARLIE NURSE 21.11 21.30
CHRIS SKINNER 21.25
RATCLIFFE 22.19
KARL READ 22.32 21.48
ANDREW KNOWLES 22.58 20.15 CPB
MIKE PADFIELD 22.59 21.12
BULLEN 23.37
NIBLETT 23.41
BURGESS 23.56
JOHN MORGAN 24.03 21.36
PERRY 24.04
HENRY WOODLEY 24.04 21.37
NIGEL WALSH 24.20 21.34
GREG SAUNDERS 24.20  CPB
JALI PACKER 24.29
GARY PEARCE 24.32
ISHAM 24.33
LOUISE MARSDEN 25.19 21.07
MARKOS JANES 25.44 21.03
BRIAN PLATTS 26.04
ADRIAN JAY 26.05
WALL 26.08
CATHERINE PEARCE 26.41
MACE 26.59
TERESA HARMAN 27.24 21.10
GUY THOROLD 27.24 21.48
MARK HARMAN 27.33
ROBSON 28.13 21.45
TESSA MORGAN 29.41 21.33
VIDLER 29.47
REBECCA COOPER 30.37
SARAH JAY 30.54
EMMA CATTERMULL 31.09

Men’s National 25 mile time trial championship

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Men’s National 25 mile time trial championship on Norfolk course B25/4 on Sunday morning 7 August – Bruce Williams
A gap of just 3 seconds separated Ryan Perry (Langdale Lightweights RT) from second placed Richard Bussell (Aerocoach – the same team as women’s champion, Hayley Simmonds) when the top male riders came to Norfolk to do battle in the men’s National Time Trial Championship held on the A11 Snettertonn / Mulbarton course on Sunday morning.  Promoted this year by Don Saunders and the East District CA, the 25 mile time trial championship is the blue ribbon event of the tt season and it certainly attracted  a stellar field as virtually all of the top time triallists in the country were there along with a good number of spectators and helpers.
As in the women’s event in Cambridgeshire on Saturday, defending champion Perry retained his title, but only when coming from behind in the last 10 miles to win by the narrowest of margins.  Like Hayley Simmonds, army captain Perry, 29, has now won the ‘25’, ‘50’ and ‘100’ mile championships this season, with just the ‘10’ to come in 10 days time.  With professional riders Alex Dowsett (Movistar UCI) and James Gullen (Pedal Heaven) both said to be entering the ‘10, it will not be easy for Perry to get the clean sweep, but will certainly make for a great race and spectacle for large numbers of spectators.
With an 8am start for the first rider, conditions were pleasantly warm on Sunday morning if rather humid, but a defining factor in the race was the strong wind estimated at 20-25 mph early on, but increasing steadily as the morning progressed.  With the big names seeded and placed at two minute intervals at the end of the field – Perry being last man off at number 160 at 1040 am – it was still a a level playing field for the top contenders, but decisive nonetheless.  The powerful wind helped riders on the north east leg of 13 miles up to the top turn at Browick Road / Mulbarton (where I was marshalling) but the 12 mile return leg was, to say the least, extremely tough.  Nothing like a powerful head wind to sort the men out from the boys.
Bussell, the winner of the National 10 and Hill climb championship last season, was said by some observers to be 20 seconds up on his rival at the turn and still ahead with 6 miles to go, but Perry turned it on in the last miles into the teeth of the wind to win by the tightest of margins, generously acknowledging at the Snetterton hq that Bussell would have been a worthy winner. Perry first came to prominence last season when he was a surprise winner of the ‘25’ when beating multi champion Matt Bottrill (who is now focussing on his coaching business at which he is doing very well) by 20 seconds. Receiving the trophy at the Snetterton hq, in an entertaining short acceptance speech he said that he was surprised but flattered to win and thanked his army superiors, and Langdale as sponsors, for their considerable help in developing his cycling career.  Plenty of help and training time no doubt, but with some result. 
The top placed riders and their clubs or teams are shown here below :-
1 Ryan Perry Langdale Lightweights R T 00:46:31
2 Richard Bussell AeroCoach 00:46:34
3 Kieron Davies DRAG2ZERO 00:47:47
4 Matt Clinton Mike Vaughan Cycles 00:47:56
5 Adam Duggleby Secret-training CC 00:48:06
6 Christopher Fennell Thanet RC 00:48:29
7 Colin Ward Essex Roads CC 00:48:37
8 Stephen Irwin North Lancs RC 00:48:40
9 John Dewey Team Bottrill 00:48:42
10 Ashley Cox CC Luton 00:48:48
Many of the top riders put on a 58 tooth chain-ring to take advantage of the fast outward leg where they were no doubt touching 40 mph in places, before getting down into the best aerodynamic position possible for the long stretch home.  Matt Clinton in 4th place (same as with the other championship distances this season) used a 55 tooth ring and felt that he had missed out.
Despite the strong winds, the times of the top two riders beat the 25 championship record time of Michael Hutchinson (47.01) set in 2012.  Team Bottrill (John Dewey, Matthew Smith and Jonathan Parker also took the championship team record with an aggregate time of 2.26.41.
Colin Ward of Essex Roads CC came 7th with a mid 48 minute ride and, as an interesting comparison, he did a 47 minute ride on the E2 in April when coming second to Alex Dowsett when he broke National Competition record with a 44.29 ride in an ECCA event.  Professional star and time trial specialist, Alex would have been winning this event had he entered, but probably by only just over a minute, the E2 course being faster than this one.
Charlie Nurse flew the flag for the North Norfolk Wheelers recording a time of 52.39.  I timed Charlie at just under 25 minutes at the 13.1 mile turn meaning he did the 12 mile return leg in about 27.5 minutes.  Just back from a holiday cruise on Friday evening, this was all things considered a strong effort by Charlie.  Looking at the times of his rivals, who he was beating or very close to a few weeks before, I estimate that he was about 90 seconds off the time that he would have done on his pre-vacation form.  That is not a lot after two weeks off the bike and I am sure that he will regain top form in no time.
I said above that it was a windy, tough day and indeed it was.  Like other competitors and officials, I am left contemplating with wonder how it is that amateur stars like Perry and Bussell can achieve times of 46 minutes and what you have to do to get that good?  If I discover the secret (and no doubt to the delight of the readers) I might promptly retire, hopefully on the healthy proceeds.

Women’s National 25 mile time trial championship

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Women’s National 25 mile time trial championship on the N1/25c course on Saturday 6 August – Bruce Williams
Eighty one of this country’s top women time triallists descended upon the Sawtry, Cambridgeshire course on Saturday afternoon to compete in the National 25 mile tt championship (promoted by the South East Midlands DC) the blue ribbon event of time trialling, with the field including a sprinkling of professional riders alongside the top amateurs.
Two weeks after breaking her own National Competition Record for the ‘25’ with a time of 49 minutes and 28 seconds (49.28 – an average speed of over 30mph) the field was headed by Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) the defending champion of last year and already the National Champion this year over the 50 and 100 mile distances, as well as the British Cycling (BC) tt champion, where she beat BC Olympic hopefuls on a Teesside course a few weeks ago.  Other top amateur stars included Angela Hibbs of Fusion RT (a sponsored club but not a pro team) and ex tri-athlete Anna Turvey of the superbly named Tyneside Vagabonds CC, both of whom have recorded very rapid times of around 50 to 51 minutes this season, with both aiming to run Hayley close and perhaps sneak the win.
The leading professional riders came from the Podium Ambition Pro Cycling Team headed by Claire Rose and the ever popular Sarah Storey, DBE, a multi para-olympic champion.  Other major competitors included Julia Shaw (Drag2Zero) a multi tt champion of the last 10 years and still a top performer at the age 52, Bronwen Ewing (Rye & Dist CC) and Clarice Chung and Mel Wasley both of SSLL Racing, another sponsored amateur club with top riders that has appeared on the time trial scene this season.
Apart from the high standard of competition, for me at least there were two remarkable things about the day; firstly the weather and secondly the nature of the course.  With a start time for the women after 2pm (the junior event preceeding this one) it was stinking hot so a day when all riders needed to be well hydrated before the start and take on liquid during the event – not something a lot of them would normally do for a ‘25’.  With the HQ at Sawtry, Cambs, the course itself is based on the old A1 running from a few miles north of Huntingdon at the southern end and turning a few miles before Peterborough at the top end, with two laps (that is two legs heading North and two heading back South) to make up the distance. 
Whilst I did not check the whole course, I am reliably informed that the riders had to negotiate a total of 17 roundabouts and, in addition to heat exposure, there was traffic congestion to contend with on a few of them.  Finally, this road runs precisely parallel to the modern A1M so the riders and spectators (and there were a lot of them) had to withstand the thunderous droning noise of heavy traffic blasting along the motorway a few yards to the side and below.  The race is therefore run against a backdrop of a truly appalling din!  Whilst the event was well organised, this is not exactly a scenic route or a place for a picnic – not difficult to get to but I doubt that I will go back to this course any time soon.
Despite the conditions, Hayley Simmonds retained her 25 mile title recording a remarkable time of 54.57, albeit this being more than 5 minutes slower than her recent competition record.  The top placings are :-
1. Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) 54.57
2. Anna Turvey (Tyneside Vagabonds CC) 56.31
3. Claire Rose (Podium Ambition) 57.03
Angela Hibbs was about 10-15 seconds down on Anna Turvey on my watch with 3 miles to go but apparently punctured, whilst Julia Shaw was not well and did not start.  Dame Sarah Storey recorded a time of 58.14 for 5th place (Podium Ambition Pro Team taking 3rd, 4th and 5th places) with Bronwen  Ewing and Mel Wasley 7th and 8th respectively.  A low total of just 10 riders got under the hour, a testimony to the nature of the course and temperature.
Norfolk riders included Jennifer Smart (VC Norwich) and Sally Withey (Team Swift) who recorded times of 1.05.48 and 1.09.28 for 39th and 51st places respectively.  Most riders found themselves 4 or 5 minutes down on times that they have achieved this season, but that was the course and the day.
28 year old Hayley Simmonds has recently completed a PhD at Cambridge University and is seeking a pro team to compete in the top UCI events next season – she is a full time cyclist since completing her studies and was briefly with pro team United Health Care this season.  At the finish, she commented that her time on the day was ‘slow’ in view of the number of roundabouts and the ‘dead road surface’, but was pleased with her performance overall.  Perhaps she is motivated by her non-selection for the Olympic time trial, losing out on selection to Emma Pooley despite beating the experienced BC pro star by a minute in the BC time trial championship a few weeks ago.  She has expressed the view that generally riders within BC training programmes and working with BC coaches are selected for Team GB duty, but is still hoping for a call up to the World Championships in Qatar later this year.  I am informed that she is also a top class road racing cyclist – you have to be if you want to be a professional rider – but confirms that her preferred and best discipline is time trialling.  I wondered for a second, therefore, if Hayley and I had one or two things in common, but had to dismiss the notion.  We don’t.
In sum up, some fine rides and intense competition, but what a day and what a course.  I said that the women’s championship was well organised, which it was, but subsequently I have heard that their are some doubts about the earlier junior event results owing to uncertainty over what distance some riders actually covered.  No jokes from me on this – it can happen to any of us on the day.  It has probably been sorted already.
National 25-mile time trial championships 2016
National 25-mile time trial championships 2016
National 25-mile time trial championships 2016
National 25-mile time trial championships 2016

10m TT results 03/08/16

Posted on by Admin
03/08/2016 10m TT B10/5
Name Time Club Handicap time Notes
AIDEN BOND 21.31 NNW 20.41
DAN WATTS 21.42
KARL READ 22.28 NNW 21.34
MIKE PADFIELD 22.51 NNW 21.04
JOHN MORGAN 23.27 NNW 20.50 CPB
JOHN HAYWARD 23.39 NNW 21.07
HENRY WOODLEY 24.11 NNW 21.44
BUNN 25.34 CPB
LOUISE MARSDEN 25.35 VC Norwich 21.23
WALL 25.56 PB
BOB CARTER 26.35 VC Norwich 20.52 PB
MARK HARMAN 26.56 TriHarman
ROBSON 27.25 TriHarman 20.51 PB
TESSA MORGAN 29.08 TriHarman PB
SARAH JAY 29.09 TriHarman 20.52 PB
BECKY COOPER 30.30 TriHarman
EMMA CATTERMULL 30.38 TriHarman PB
SHELLEY BURTON 32.59 TriHarman