Wednesday 25^th July 2018 was the date we held the 9^th Training race in the series of 11. Back at Burringham for this one. It seemed a little strange knowing that this would be the last one we stage here this year and due to the ongoing work to the flood defences we believe that we will not be able to use it at all next year either. We do have other venues we can use, with different routes and distances so there is no need to worry. Continue reading

Glossary of terms used in this report:

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So another round of the Scunthorpe Triathlon club training race duathlon series with yet another venue. We are now known as the travellers of the Duathlon community (the only difference being we take our rubbish home with us).

With the Brexit deal in tatters, the football not going the way some in the country hoped and the price of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream still climbing,  the only thing left to rely on is the fact that all athletes attending these events will give 100%.

The venue this time had kindly been lent to us by our friends at Normanby park estate, giving free use of the car park, toilets and the amazing grounds to run around. The weather played it’s part with no or very little wind and bright blue skies.

We had made some changes this week to accommodate those who wanted to get home and watch the football, so with the time brought forward and only two waves training race 8 was underway.

The first 1 mile run was around the park grounds (using part of the Normanby park run course, taking in the main drive past the house before disappearing in the woods, to then emerge near the main gates (some taking the wrong fork at this point but this was adjusted for the second run, so please take this into account when reading the results). Onto the bikes, out the gate turning left and back towards the main gate. Right towards Burton then down to Thealeby, swinging left through Colby, taking in West Halton, Alkborough, back to Burton, back to the main gates, back to the car park and off the bike. This turned out to be a lovely scenic ride however from the speeds put in on the bikes no one stopped to admire the view. The second run, same course as the first, bike in the car and away to catch the second half of the football.

As always we need to say a great big thank you to all the time keepers and Marshals who gave up their time, with special mention to our lead bike, Oliver, who led the waves around the run route.

If you should have any questions or complaints regarding either the results or the venue please post them to Boris Johnson, somewhere in London as he has lots of time on his hands at the moment.

Click here to view Training race 8 results

Kind regards,

Jeff Chappill

Following scrutiny against 13 elements, Lincsquad’s Clubmark status has been re approved by British Cycling with the award run under Sport England’s accreditation.

The Youth Academy is pleased to announce that Hannah Lonsdale and Jacob Riby are appointed as the new Youth Ambassadors.

Our Youth Ambassadors are the principal contacts for young members of the club and promotes the interests and views of young people at the club’s meetings. Their main responsibilities are:

• To represent the interests of other young members of the club.
• Organise and facilitate youth meetings and/or attend regional youth forums linked to Go-Ride Development Group meetings.
• Communicate relevant information to young people within the club.
• Attend committee meetings and the club’s Annual General Meeting.
• Welcome new young members into the club.
• Support volunteers within the club and generally get involved with all aspects of running the club.

 Donna Chappill caught up with them both to find out a little more about their backgrounds and ambitions.

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Film: For your eyes only (1981)

Pam:  no comment

Does anyone else feel like they are in a James Bond film?  In and out of this hot and cold weather in the torture chamber that is Scawby Brook.  Bond’s destinations are all very exotic, so I researched how Scawby Brook compares.  Dating back to the 16^th century, the village of Scawby Brook blends traditional values with modern, the King William IV pub being a refurbished village local with a strong emphasis on food.  Tasty home cooked food is available 7 days a week in the King Billy.   Cosy open fires.  2 real ales, generally available including beers from Jennings, Green King, Everards, Charles Wells and Timothy Taylor plus a cider.  Bond surely would not be out of place drinking his dry martini at the fireside.   An ice cream parlour exists in the carpark of the pub,  42 TTers  and TT crew enjoyed cones following the TT tonight and they were delicious. Similar to the Holy Land of Israel, the King Billy pub has become a Mecca for TTers. Thinking about pre and post-race nutrition, my thoughts turned to steak.  I couldn’t find any information regarding how Bond prefers his steak served, however I did find this gem regarding steaks and Tour de France riders.  In bygone years of the Tour, the riders would slip a beef steak down their cycling shorts, to cushion their bums on the saddle.  Then, after riding the race, they’d get off their bikes, take the steak out from their shorts, all soaked in salty sweat and hand it over to the chef to fry up for their tea.  What do you think to that Bond?…I will leave that there….literally…… Enough of my musings, here is the TT report for 04/07/18.

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Unbelievably we have now completed 7 of the 11 in the series, with a few people having completed all 7 (which does not mean they can sit the rest out)., as the results are based around how fast you go in each race not how many people attend. Your top 7 performances based on your times are then taken and a total score calculated, no I am not telling you the calculation.

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Completing in May 2017 the Lincsquad three day 170mile Way of the Roses ride from Morecambe to Bridington and having really enjoyed the experience I thought what next.

Then having read Tony England’s report on Coast 2 Coast in Day just over a month later, the seeds had been sown on what a great challenge this was but not really got any further until a colleague mentioned he was thinking of entering and we could possibly form a team from within the company. Interest was growing with an eclectic bunch slowing coming together and a critical mass had been formed willing to take part with some not even owning a bike at this stage!

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It all started with one of those moments! I was in Keswick (June 2017) and waiting for the start of the Parkrun, when an announcement went out;
‘Who will be doing The Lakesman tomorrow?’ from the corner of my eye I saw a group of mature ladies raise their hands in the air and shout:
‘We are!’
It was that moment which had me thinking, ‘if they can, I could.’
It was also the start of a long journey. I visited Keswick again on the day of Lakesman 2017, and watched athletes starting the marathon leg of the event and I knew then that I would have to come back. Once the entries went live the following week, I took the plunge and entered. I signed up and followed a monthly training programme from Steve and Offthatcouchfitness for nearly 10 months.
So fast forward to June 2018 and I am back in Keswick, lined up for the Keswick Parkrun and also ready for Lakesman 2018. Registration and set up were very well organised and if Carling did Race Briefings then this was one of them, a very relaxed atmosphere, there are only two reasons for a DQ, the first dropping litter on the course, the second, not smiling and failing to high five the marshal’s on the route.
Sunday morning came around too quickly, after what seemed a long time tapering I was ready to roll. Porridge at 4am in the morning is not the best experience, but it had to be done. Luckily I only had a short walk from my hotel to the start.
Waiting for the swim start was the only near disaster of the whole day. Looking in my swim hat where I had placed my ear plugs for the swim, there was only one. Oh bugger, a short faff and looking again in my hat and there was the missing plug. Panic over!
The swim went really well; I was worried about the washing machine experience, but apart from a few toe ticklers there was plenty of space. The swim gave great views down Derwentwater and across to fells like Catbells. Out of the water in 1:20:00 which was what I was expecting. Into transition for a quick change a bog stop and then onto the bike.
The bike route had been sold as flat, it went from out of Keswick to Cockermouth and then along the coast. Flat, my a$*e. Not only was the route ‘undulating’ but the headwind from the South West was relentless, it was a relief to hit the coast at Egremont and head north with a lovely tailwind. This was short lived as the route turns back into the wind at Silloth for a short loop and then the long return to Keswick. Cycling is not my strong point and this was the longest continuous ride had done, so I was pleased with 6hrs 54. The last 12 miles taking nearly an hour due to the wind.
Transition 2 was very well organised, the marshal’s had my bag ready to change from bike to run. A quick bite to eat (Eccles Cakes) but no time for an ice cream and it was out on the run.
The run is five laps around Keswick, down through Crow Park, out towards Portinscale and the suspension bridge, before heading to the ‘highway to hell.’ Up one side of the road, down the opposite, back up the middle and then down the other-side, not only that but the road rises up and drops on each lap before the turn.
The run started well, and I fuelled up at the feed stations, but after the halfway point the wheels or legs started to fall off and it was a case of walk some run some. A shout from the Fire Service Tri team ‘Steve Cark would have you running’ and I pick up a bit.
At the end of each lap, you are handed a band to keep tally of the laps, so at the start of the last lap, there was a big cheer from the marshal’s as I showed them my arm full of arm bands. It was only in the last kilometre where the realisation that I had completed my first full distance tri started to sink in. It was big high 5’s to the marshal’s and as the route split to head towards the finish the big smile and wave came out and a finish time of 13:45:48. I was now a Lakesman and the end of a long journey and the beginning of another.
I would certainly recommend Lakesman, it may not be the big brand tri, but the atmosphere, support and scenery are fantastic. My thanks to Steve Clark at offthatcouchfitness, my brother Rob Marshall for his support, and the support from my clubs (Lincsquad and S&DAC).
Would I do it again……….watch this space!

Conditions for round 6 LQ10/2 Lincsquad TT were dry. The MET office recorded wind speeds at 13mph with 22mph gusts.

37 TT riders sped along 9.8miles or 15771.6ms, (whichever came first) hoping to get their front wheel crossing the finish line, closely followed by the back wheel. On the night, the racers ripped past faster than a wetsuit’s seams can split after the holiday season. “You just never know” are two words on my mind that summed up tonight’s TT with regards to podiums and league placings. It all amounted to the riders’ use of the two Ms….movement and positioning.  Let’s take a look at the results; they reveal more twists than a rattlesnake with a hernia.

Overall male winner on the night goes to A Thomas of LRCC, congratulations.   While overall winner for the ladies was Ruth Wilson (Racing Team Dawson) who is showing a great return to form.  I caught up with Ruth post-race and she wanted to thank all the marshals for their cheering during the TT. Continue reading