Apr 08

Buxton Mountain TT

The ‘Buxton Mountain’ is an early season open time trial over a very hilly circuit in the Peak District and is renown as one of the toughest in the UK covering a total of 33 miles (for Seniors and Vets) and 22miles (Juniors and Women). The event traditionally takes place on Good Friday and this year saw some of the more extreme weather!!!

Gunnar Gronlund (National hill climb champion), Matt Clinton (former hill climb champion) and Tejvan Pettinger are all on the start list, headed up by reigning course Champion Matt Bottrill.

“What the ecky thump made me enter this race again after 8 years” was my thoughts as I got changed in Longnor! The last time I did this race I climbed off after one lap! The weather was unbelievable with heavy snow fall earlier in the week making the course look more like the Alps!

I hadn’t brought any leg warmers or proper gloves and was beginning to shake while waiting for the start. Simon Bridge was my minute man who I used to race with some years ago and he was looking leaner than ever! He passed me within minutes up the Hollinsclough Rake climb and commented after that he thought I had slipped my chain!!! I felt absolutely awful on that first climb and my only thought was “3 laps!!! S&*t!!!”

Reaching the Travellers Rest for the first time I was now frozen and clicked into a bigger gear and headed towards Leek. I started to feel a little better and then set about just trying to keep a nice steady pace with a view to finishing. I was not bothered about my overall time.

It was good to see some old familiar faces and the shouts of encouragement definitely helped, except that is the odd “only another 2 laps!!!”.

The road that takes you back across the Staffordshire Moorlands was like something from the Alps and with the descending made for a very chilly section!

Starting the 2nd lap I felt a lot better and continued in a steady rhythm and I knew at this point I was going to finish. I also realised at my current weight I am by no means a climber!!!

On the final asscent up Hollinsclough I passed Gwill Morris from Manchester Wheelers and asked how he was doing? He turned to me and simply said “I am in the Pain Cave!”… I knew exactly where that was 🙂

I was so glad to descend for the final time and see the finish board, I wasn’t particularly worried about my time of 1:56:08 just pleased to have finished!!

A video taken by Dane Walker of Weaver Valley with his GoPro Hero HD Camera of the 1st lap of the 2012 Buxton CC Mountain Time Trial.

Matthew Bottrill (www.drag2zero.com) won the event in a time of 1.26.34 holding off a challenge from Trejvan Pettinger (Sri Chinmoy cycling team) 1.27.21, and National hill climb champion Gunnar Gronlund (RST/Trigon) 1.28.34. Sarah Storey (ForViored) took the women’s title with a time of 1.03.19 (2 laps)

Just wanted to say thanks to Richard Touse for a well organised event. I would also like to say thanks to all the marshals, timekeepers and volunteers for their top efforts without which we wouldn’t race.

Enjoyed the day and it was worth the 180 mile round trip 🙂 Good to see some old faces.

Photos courtesy of Steve Gait

 

Apr 01

Apollo Sprint Triathlon – South Hunsley

The Apollo Triathlon took place on Sunday 1st April at South Hunsley, East Yorkshire.

The race consists of a 400m swim in the South Hunsley pool, followed by a loop around the undulating and scenic bike course. There are one or two climbs along the route and some sweeping, long descents through rural East Yorkshire, if you have the time to look around you’ll get witness some fantastic views of the Humber Estuary before dropping back in to South Hunsley Sports. The run couldn’t be faster with a flat and fast two lap course which brings you to an often noisy and very well supported finish line.

Report by Christian Brown

A much anticipated date with for the start of the new season, nobody wanted to be the April fool for todays first Triathlon of the season.

It was big Steve Beevers first ever event and with some fantastic winter season training under his belt he was looking to open his account and not disapoint, we had to keep his nerves under control and hope for a good supply of loo roll once we got to the leisure centre, he’d borrowed Binchy’s race belt, so there was plenty of banter about what was expected of him now.

The swim got off to a good start but you could see the nerves kicking in after a couple of lengths, he did a good job not to drown himself and finish the swim intact, after leaping from the pool his transition was completed without hitch and he felt much more comfortable on the bike, finally the racer inside him came to the fore as he competed with faster cyclists picking a few off as he went, a respectable 52 minutes over the hilly course was a good first effort and with a good final transition his run was dispatched in 24 minutes total time 1hr 33minutes.

At the finish line you could see that he had been bitten by the triathlon bug judging by the huge smile on his face roll, bring on Grantham Triathlon.

Andrew Read was looking to improve on last years events, so with some impressive winter training behind him his usual cockney banter gave way to a strange silence and determined look (unless it was constipation).

His swim time was much improved, shaving off a couple of minutes making those nights debriefing in the Yarborough Hunt worthwhile.

This is where the story becomes unclear much like an alien conspiracy, an hour into his ride he was nowhere to be seen only to turn up clad in rubber (well spare innertube) telling stories of how a nice lady had stopped to offer him assistance with his flat tyre which unfortunately brought his race to an end but im sure we haven’t heard the last of him.

I’ve also been training hard over the winter to up my game since Brigg Sprint Triathlon last September, and was determined to make the club proud, my swim was completed in 8.30, a good improvement over last years 9.50 and then onto the bike which was completed in 47 minutes and no dramas, my run seemed to take forever as the course was slightly different to last year with a uphill climb thrown in on the 2 lap course which was completed in 25 minutes making a total of 1hr 22minutes.

It was a shame Sallie couldnt be with us due to her bout of man flu, as we men know only too well its not easy to shake off, but with the support of the other club members cheering us on, the day was a great sucess and we cant wait for the next one.

Well done to newcomer Oliver Saxon who battled with the tough bike course to finish his first triathlon in 1:31:36. Find more details on Olivers race at his blogspot “http://oliversaxon1.wordpress.com/”

Report from Andrew Lawson

Whilst not doing anything to worry the proper triatheletes, I was pleased to knock 3 minutes off my swim time compared with my last attempt at the Brigg Sprint tri. (Unfortunately the actual time of 13’43” was less impressive. The Lincsquad coached sessions and a couple of swimming sessions per week over the winter have definitely helped, but there’s still a lot of scope for improvement).

I was a bit more in my comfort zone on the bike, getting past quite a few other riders, not being passed by anyone else & completing the “undulating” course in 45’43”. The run was mildly disappointing at 22’50”, 55 seconds longer than at Brigg. Feet numb from the cold probably didn’t help & I’ve done very little running over the winter due to foot problems.

My total time was 1 hour 24 minutes, 39 seconds. I’m hoping that, when the full results are out, with some careful number-crunching, I can find something with which to give this a positive spin!

Other members of Lincsquad also taking part were Ric Longcake & Steve Ornsby, with Sam Barker taking part in the junior aquathon.

Full results to follow when released.

 

 

Mar 28

Weekend round up 24th & 25th March

A weekend of action with Lincsquadders racing at Clumber Duathlon, Oulton Park Duathlon and Lincoln 10k.

Clumber Duathlon
(Report by Steve Dolby aka Dobbers)

This was the second of three duathlons which Lincsquad had representatives in through the month of March and the field was split between Saturdays Clumber park and Sundays Olton Park event.

The Saturday got under way again with an early alarm belting an old classic 80s tune out!! Shower, Breakfast and out the door…… We were again fighting the foggy morning with a slow drive over to Clumber Park. Thankfully it was the same for every one so arriving a tad later than we wanted too turned out to be not an issue.

It was time for race prep so off to transition with the ‘new’ kit which turned up only hours before…..Great timing…..Rachel Love (Lovey) nearly had to do it starkers!! But saved by the bell!!

We all appeared in transition at a similar time so there was a good bit of banter whilst also attempting to get the race face on. (One day I will find that race face instead of just meandering around looking at what everyone else is up too!!).
Huwie Davies turned up a few minutes later as he thought he would get an advantage with a lay-in, as he stayed in a local hotel………..Leaving his support crew in bed, thought he would cycle down to the transition!!!! Only to find that he had left his BTF license in the car!! Whoops!! So a speedy ride back to the hotel was on the agenda. Only to get lost in the park and not find the hotel, returning back to transition with a cap in hand as he had no cash to get a day license!! Ten minutes of Busking and he soon had the crucial fiver to get in and set up!! Apparently thanks to Binchy paying him the money not to sing……………

The race referee had announced that the race was delayed due to safety reasons and the visibility on the roads for the bike leg so we all waited around an extra 25 minutes paying more visits to the loos than we probably needed too!
It wasn’t long and we were all called to the start line. Not really being prepared for the run as chatting to the other competitors appeared to be the priority…..Off went the hooter to start the race and we was off. The two lap race was fairly straight forward with the speedy guys setting the pace and a few of us bringing up the rear. Classic women, Sprint men then Sprint women…….Everybody had eventually took to the course and it was all a bit busy. A few high 5’s as we crossed paths with our fellow Lincsquadders and we was sure to be on the bike.

At this point I was hoping and praying that the wobble factor was not going to come back as it did at the last event. Swiftly out of transition and on the to the Clumber Park roads we all went. I didn’t realise at the time but Huwie had sustained a puncture only a few 100 meters past the mount line so his ride had not got off to the best start.
The Bike leg went very smooth (well most of it) for me as I posted a 1.04.20 being the 7th fastest time of the day. That’s something which doesn’t happen very often!!

Lack of prep did however mean that I opted to take the flex of the top of the straw in my aero bottle as it was poking me in the eye on the previous Dambuster event only to leave it short and to the point where I had to drop off the bars to get a descent slurp of my drink!! Another lesson learnt………But no wobble in the wheels .. Cool!!
Not seeing other Lincsquadders on the bike route I assumed that all was well and everyone was having a good one. Fantastic cheers from the spectators (and a marshal we all know!!!) and it was soon off the bike and on to the run again for the last 5k.

There was the Dobber clang with the addition of Rioja the dog cheering away…..followed by Mrs Binchy telling me off as I didn’t have my knees high enough!! And loads of others shouting and cheering offering support on the way round.
Soon to hit the turn point and I had not seen Huwie. He must have been the chap who was down at the start with the puncture!! It didn’t take him long to whizz past me as I was limping along the last 2k with a knee injury……(Rachel Love 2.27.05) Lovey had also made it past the bike and was equally well in to the last run….High 5’s all round and the finish line was in sight.

Jack had already finished with a very respectable 1.20.50 sprint time and Huwie being the first Lincsquadder classic event over the line in 2.14.16 (with puncture).
Thanks for all the support from everyone around the course and well done to those who took part. Great start to the season!!!!! Bring on the next one………

Oulton Park Duathlon (report by Tony Yeats)

Mark York, Tony Yeats & Rob Wood all competed in this fantastic race which uses the motor racing track in a multi lap format for both run & bike legs, with transition in the pit lane. The distances are shorter than the standard distance with run1 5.4miles, bike 24.3miles, run2 2.7miles.

By the time the race started at 12:30 is was 20deg & blazing sunshine. The opening two lap run gave everyone their first look at the undulating track & by the second lap the runners where spread out into a single line.

The bike leg uses the same route as the run but for 9 laps, the track is fast & smooth. With over 300 riders on a lap only 2.7miles long large groups of riders started to form. It’s surprising on a ‘traffic free’ course how often you get held up!
The final run is a single lap with the finish in Parc Ferme.

Finishing times are below, unfortunately on the bike section, Rob Wood got held up at the back of a bunch and was left with no where to go, which caused him to fall foul the drafting rules and he was disqualified with a number of others (he also did an extra lap on the bike, probably trying to get back intio the race director’s good books)

Pos 118 – Mark York Run1 – 37:31 Bike – 1:01 Run2 – 18:52 Total 1hr59
Pos 223 – Tony Yeats Run1 – 39:09 Bike – 1:06 Run2 – 22:39 Total 2hr10
Pos DQ – Rob Wood Run1 – 34:23 Bike – 1:08 Run2 – 18:37

Lincoln 10k (report by Phil Binch)

A big Lincsquad presence in this race with just as many Lincsquadders & familes cheering on from the roadside. It was a glorious sunny day with a slight cold tinge making this an ideal day to hit that personal best (PB).

Some great banter on the way down to the start, Lincsquad Chairman Paul Carvill was keeping himself warm in his Armani bin liner, everyone was feeling ready to push themselves to the limit today, you could just sense it (even if certain members where playing it very calm).

From my point of view this was an important “see where I’m at race”, 11 weeks since the accident & collar bone operation and I needed to know where I was, I was still chasing the elusive sub 40, but I had a pace plan and this 10k I was going to stick to it.

The gun sounded and everyone sprinted up the incline to the roundabout, at 1km with Josh Grocock on my shoulder, Rick Stenton 10 metres in front, Paul Carvill another 10 metres & Neil Barker a similar distance infront of Paul, I checked my garmin, I was exactly on pace & feeling good.

At 2km having passed some of my fellow Lincsquadders on the slight incline from the roundabout, I set about getting back into a rhythm for the flat section to the half way point. Still feeling comfortable I went through 5km in 19:48 and I could still see Neil (chasing his own sub 40) some 50 or so metres in front and pulling away.

At 7km I remember seeing my pace drop slighty and had to dig in to get back on track, this was the best ever position I’d been in to go sub 40, now only 2km to go & on track, I was really up for it now, and dug in again, I remember thinking “I ain’t letting this go, it’s mine”.

I hit the cobbles (very nearly literally, I hate those cobbles at the finish) a slight stumble but all was ok, run you muppet, run. Through the castle walls and I could see the finish line clock showing 39:30, your all mine I thought, a few more metres to go, stretching my leg to make sure my timing chip hit the mat & I stopped my watch, 39:43 …… nice

We all gathered on the grass, swapping stories of success, first Lincsquadder home was newcomer Luke Matthews with some impressive running, Pete Connolly (Mr Consistent with another 37 minute 10k), Neil Barker also going sub 40, youngster Josh Grocock knocking another 30 secs off his best, Rick Stenton pulling out a fantastic 40:56, Christian Brown & Steve Beevers knocking a massive 7 minutes off their previous times, other PB’s (that I know of) from Paul Fytche, Marcus & Jenni Plume, Oliver Saxon, Jacqui Saxon, Dave Burton but I’m sure there are more.

By this time the tempting fragrance of Mrs Dolby’s home baked cup cakes was floating through the air, so there was only one thing to do ……. find them !

Lincoln 10k (report from Dave Burton)
For me the day started off like all other Lincoln 10ks……..a frantic panic to get to the car park before the roads close (I’m sure they move it every year!) followed by queueing for what seemed like hours to get parked!

Panic over and it was off to the start area for a quick run down the road, a few stretches and a quick mental check, warm up done ……check, shiny new Lincsquad club kit …….check, new Garmin wrist gadget (thanks to the advice on the forum) …….check…… I was ready to go!

As always I went off a bit quicker than my usual pace, a combination of enthusiasm and weaving through the crowd meant a first mile in 7.13, once the crowds cleared a bit I settled down to a good pace and by the water station I realised I’d given myself a great chance of a PB.

As I came around to start lap 2 my quick start was starting to take it’s toll, but as a new member what I’m coming to realise is that the support from fellow Lincsquaders on the sidelines is awesome and Lincoln was no different. The extra boost got me up the hill to the castle just in time for a super loud Team Dobber shout to inspire a sprint finish over the cobbles (I hate those cobbles!)

I crossed the line in 46.08 which is another 1.20 off the PB to add to the 2 minutes I took off it at gainsborough.

There was just time for a team photo and then, as I was giving up all hope, I spied Team Dobber with a big tin of cakes so all in all a good day for me!
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Finishing times:

36:09 Luke Matthews
37:35 Chris Gibbs
37:41 Pete Connolly
39:19 Neil Barker
39:43 Phil Binch
40:00 Josh Jones
40:45 Luke Osborn
40:56 Rick Stenton
41:15 Josh Grocock
41:19 Paul Fytche
42:28 Jamie Griffin
42:56 Chris Spavin
42:58 Steve Ornsby
43:08 Paul Carvill
43:40 Marcus Plume
44:10 Oliver Saxon
46:08 Dave Burton
50:39 Christian Brown
50:40 Steve Beevers
50:43 Jacqui Saxon
60:56 Jenni Plume
61:05 Liz Wood

Full results can be found at www.chiptiming.co.uk/pdf/lincoln10k2012.pdf

Mar 26

Alwyn achieves Gold on Cheshire Cat Sportive

Alwyn Jones is new to Lincsquad and is a keen cyclist who likes to compete in Sportives in the UK and around Europe. In his own words Alwyn gives an account of his day on the Cheshire Cat is absolutely tropical conditions…

6am alarm. We’ve lost an hour of sleep! pre ride prep begins. Start of The Cat is between 8  – 8:30am

Off to the start which fortunately was only 10 mins away. We had to drive around a little to find a car space, with over 3000 entries it was never going to be easy!

We arrived at the start on time,  just! and we were off within minutes.

Great start to the event! In previous Wiggle events I had experienced long waits to get going.

Having looked at the course profile I knew the first 40 miles were by far the hardest of the event. With the legendary killer mile of the infamous Mow Cop included at around 15 miles.

So we set off as a group of 5 at a steady pace, and at 15 miles The Killer Mile begun. It begins with  a gentle first 1/4 mile from a level crossing, then a 1-in-5 section. A steady climb up in full view of the horrors to come, and at last the truly killer bit – the 1-in-4 section past the most popular spectator spot outside the Cheshire View pub, whose front door is the 3/4 mile mark. Even the comparatively level section from the top corner to the Finish is still climbing.

As I approached the 1 in 4 section I heard a big shout ahead as somebody lost grip and fell off taking a few other cyclists out . So as we approached the steepest, obviously now slippery, section I had to call on some  MTB skills and find quickly the best grippiest way up. Which was up the right in the gutter!

Half way up there was a big shout as another cyclist lost grip and veered left fortunately and took out at least another 7- 8 cyclists.

No medals for them unfortunately for putting their feet down on The Killer Mile – marshals were there in force to take down every persons number who put a foot down!!

After successfully completing the Killer Mile, over the next 25 miles in turn Blacky Bank and Bridestones, Gun Hill and Wincle climbs were tackled.

Just before Gun Hill I suddenly found myself ahead of the others as I started to get into the ride and increase my pace a little.

The first feed station, which were all adequately stocked with High 5 drinks, Soreen, Bananas and countless other food, I decided to go straight past, as I still had enough  drink to get to the next feed station at 55 miles.

After 45 miles I knew the worst was over until 83 miles for the next major climb.

With 3000 people having entered there were plenty of groups being formed, one in particular formed by Rock Racing I managed to get onto the back of.

They were absolutely motoring along working very efficiently at the front keeping the pace very high, and a few of us were finding it very difficult to stay with them, but we managed to until the next feed station, which we all pulled into.

Three of us formed a group straight after the feed and were managing a healthy pace, and after several miles Rock Racing flew past again.

again we raced to get on the back of the group, and once on the pace it wasn’t as hard as previous to keep up with, over the next 20 miles.

There were many junctions and main roads to cross along the route, and there were mad sprints to keep up with the group after these, which were slowly taking effect on the legs. On one such main road junction they got across before the rest of us and opened a gap we could not bridge no matter how hard two of us tried to.

After a few miles we formed another group of 5 and at 83 miles after the final climb of Harthill the clock was showing 4hrs 30 so to get within Gold Standard of 5:30 we had to average 20mph for 20 miles.

After a quick chat between us we all decided to give it a go, spending as much time as we could to pull the group along.

With 5 miles to go it was down to me as the others didn’t have much left so it was head down and grind my teeth. The last miles reminded me of those big efforts along the High Street to Caistor, and surprisingly, behind a scooter on the way to Louth with LincsQuad in January!!

Unfortunately as we approached the outskirts of Crewe we kept hitting traffic lights which always seemed to be on Red and busy main roads to cross. We were close to getting Gold and I finished outside the standard by 59 seconds. Or so I thought !  I later found out the Gold Standard was 5:40 so I was well within. I didn’t need to bury myself after all in the last 10 miles!

See his ride here

All in all a great day with great weather with good friends.

by Alwyn Jones

Next events – Fred Whitton Challenge, The Dragon Ride and Maratona Dles Dolomites

Give Alwyn a shout if you want to have a go at Sportives or find out more…

Mar 24

140 mile Swim in aid of Sport Relief

Spare a thought for the energetic staff at Ancholme Leisure Centre tonight, they have set themselves a gruelling challenge of an overnight 140-mile swim in aid of Sport Relief.

Forty volunteers will take it in turns to swim 20 lengths of the leisure centre’s 25 metre pool between 8pm on Saturday, March 24 and 8am the next morning. They’ll each have to swim about 4.5 miles (or 9,216 lengths) in 12 hours in teams of four to complete the 140 mile trip – equal to the distance comedian David Walliams swam along the Thames for Sport Relief last year.

Staff members ranging from receptionists to life guards are training hard for the epic swim and want to raise as much money as possible for Sport Relief to help improve the lives of people in the UK and across the world. To sponsor them visit

http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/ancholmeleisurecentre140mileovernight12hourswim or pick up a sponsor form at the leisure centre.

Everyone who sponsors online will be entered into a raffle with many top prizes ranging from beauty treatments and a photo shoot to shopping vouchers and VIP tickets to the Sugar Hut nightclub featured in The Only Way is Essex.

You can also make a donation in one of the collection boxes on reception at Ancholme Leisure Centre, Hewson House or Civic Centre. Leisure centre duty manager Andy Farr said: “We’ve set ourselves the target of matching the distance comedian David Walliams swam in the Thames last year. “There are 40 of us taking part and we’ll have to swim more than 9,000 lengths – that’s about 4.5 miles. “I’d like to thank all the swimmers taking part and everyone who is supporting us, especially the Sugar Hut for the vouchers and Lincsquad who paid for the pool hire. “It’s going to be a very long night but we’re all training hard.

“Please do take the time to sponsor us or make a donation, we want to raise as much as we can.”

Mar 11

Dambuster Duathlon-Rutland Water

The day started with the alarm ringing out reminding the Dobber house at 04.15 that the season was just about to begin. Quick shower, pack the car and we was off, arriving at Rutland water just after 6.30. We weren’t the only early birds though as Marcus Plume, Emma Phillips and Mark York had already arrived and was preparing to walk over to registration. There were a few nervous faces around as this would be the 2012 opener for quite a few of us.

Transition set up and 800 people stood around listening to the race briefing!!!!!! It was here……3-2-1 go. The young guns had set off and Marcus was on his way. Great for spectators as we could see him racing the other side of the lake!! 10 minutes later the middle agers was off and Mark led the way with Steve and Tony chasing through a very busy starting 100 meters. 2km in to the race and again the perfect view point you could here Mrs Dobber shouting “GO ON DOBBER” from the other side of the lake…. A customary hand wave for her efforts was followed by some of the other athletes who were running close by saying “Bloomin hell, there cheering already and we have only just started. I didn’t own up at this point to be the one who she was shouting about!!!!! Alan and Emma was soon away bringing up the rear and all Team Lincsquad was well on there way.

It wasn’t long before Tony whipped past Dobber setting a cracking pace before we crossed the Dam. It was fairly obvious, looking at each other as we passed over the out and back 10k run that we was all enjoying the beautiful scenery and the weather was helping us all set respectable times.

T1 was on and the aero helmet and carbon was on its way out of transition with me on it!! A few shouts of “COME ON” from Mrs Dobber and we was all on our way on the 42k Rutland Ripple ride.

This is where it went a tad pear shaped for me as although elated that it was the new bikes first outing (and boy is that baby fast!!!!! ) I soon realised that lack of practise and lack of set up was not good when you are travelling close to 40MPH down hill and the whole bike starts to shake. With my heart in my mouth the brakes smoking and the wobble getting worse I managed to stay on the thing and bring it to a gradual stop. “Bum cheeks”…..I thought…..That’s my race over!! Off the bike and checking the tightness of the wheels……All appeared to be good so off I went again, well for 5 yards and then off again. Something was seriously wrong, but what was it? I didn’t have a clue!!!!! Back on the bike, having a little word to myself and I was back chasing the hundreds who flew past me whilst I was having a wobble!! Giving it everything attempting to make up the couple of minutes that I had lost soon found me at the infamous ripple and out of the aero position just hanging on with fingers tickling the brakes as wobble, wobble, wobble again!!

Now getting used to being blown around like a kite in the wind with the deep rimmed wheels I was making some time up and passing a few bikes….and a few cars (wink, wink). I hadn’t seen any other Lincsquadders so every one was going well in tough breezy conditions.

A few more shouts from the Dobber and Plume supporter crew and we hit T2 at speed. In fact I put a hole in my lucky socks when I jumped off the bike before the dismount line …..Drat!!

The second run was also a toughy as the lactic acid was kicking in. Mark was flying as he was on his way back in. Feeling my legs coming back I was able to kick in for the last 3-4k and saw Alan, Tony and Marcus on their way out on the run.

Over the line (2:26:24) I passed after a sprint finish to be met by Mark (2:19:14) who had finished and was recovered cheering us through the line. Soon to finish was Alan (2:26:33), who went off in wave 3 and Tony (2:36:33). All of us now gathering to cheer Marcus over the line (2:48:12) who had just finished his longest event ever as he had only covered sprint distances last season and Emma (2:45:46) who started in the last wave came over to complete the crew. Soon after there was a few stories being shared and the customary team Lincsquad photo.

Writteb by Steve Dolby

Feb 25

Midlands XC Round 1 – Leicestershire RC’s Hicks Lodge Leg Burner

After having such an icy winter I spent quite a bit of time out on the mountain bike instead of the road bike and although having had my mountain bike for nearly four years this was the first time that I had actually used the thing properly!

Then one evening while browsing twitter I saw a tweet by Chris Ware saying that he had entered “Round 1 of the Midlands XC” race at Leicestershire’s Hicks Lodge Trail Centre. That set the cogs rolling and I thought “what the hell lets have a go!!” So I entered and when I realised that I would not be in the same race as Chris (as he was now in the Vet’s class!) wondered what had I done and let myself in for!!!

So the nerves were slowly kicking in and by race day was eager to get the experience over with. I got to Hicks Lodge at around 10:30am (my race was not until 2pm!) so went off to see Chris racing in the morning race. A beautiful sunny day, fast drying trails, the previous day’s rain was quickly forgotten. The majority of the course was on hard pack and the remainder was on what could only be described as boggy at best! Chris was on his 3rd lap when I saw him and he looked a little whacked as did a lot of the other racers. I shouted some friendly abuse and watched him disappear to complete his 4th and final lap.

He finished with a sigh of “that was hard work!” and he looked like he had pushed hard. He had enjoyed it though and said I would like the course… We shall see I thought!!

The course was now open for the afternoon competitors to recce before the race at 2pm. So off I set and I did love the hard pack and jumps, however I was super slow on the boggy bits! Half way round I picked up a puncture on the rear and with only 20 minutes to go had a panicked run back to HQ to get it fixed!!! Just what I needed!

Eventually got it sorted (not without some stress!) and arrived on the start line with only a couple of minutes to spare. The Elite and Expert classes went off first and then next it was our (Masters) turn, my nerves had really started to build! Something that I had not felt in a long while and to be honest I had missed.

5-4-3-2-1 GO!!!! Jesus Christ!!! Full whack from the off….. big ring spinning and sat in 3rd/4th  place. Surely we cant keep this pace up!!! Then we rounded the top corner and hit the first boggy section……. BOOM!!! I almost stopped and pulled my right foot out of the cleat I was pulling on my pedal that hard!! Expletives Expletives and more Expletives!!! There must have been twenty riders that sailed past and my heart just sank!! I learned later that having nearly 80 psi in your tyres does not help!! Rookie error!!! I tried to settle into a steady rhythm and although going well still kept losing places on the boggy stuff!! I did enjoy some of the jumps as it gave some small respites and I was so glad to see the fifth and final lap 🙂 Hats off to some of the winners, some real class riding and I still don’t understand how they go so fast on the boggy bits!

The organisation was excellent and the marshals encouraging so a big thanks to both Leicestershire Road Club and Midlands XC.

Midlands XC Series 2012, Round 1 Hicks Lodge from X Trail Films on Vimeo.

Elite Men – 1st Gareth Montgomerie   2nd Dave Henderson   3rd Ryan Henry

Elite Women – 1st Maxine Filby   2nd Joanne Clay   3rd Ruth Owen-Evans

U12′s results:

U8 Boys – 1 Harry Sayles. 2 Stephen Wildman. 3 Jack Fearn. 4 Zak Machin. 5 James Garner. 6 Oscar Walling. 7 Jack Cooper Sedgley
U8 Girls – 1 Emily Newton. 2 Emily Rolinson. 3 Rosie Mansfield. 4 Caitlin Harvey.
U10 Boys – 1 Connor Smith. 2 Ryan Cambridge. 3 Josh Popham. 4 Maximus Walling.
U10 Girls – 1 Amelie Wayte. 2 Lotta Mansfield. 3 Piper Radford .4 Mia Rolinson.
U12 Boys – 1 James Swadling. 2 John Webster. 3 Sam Jones. 4 Harvey Rollason. 5 Louis Brooks. 6 Craig Rogers. 7 Timothy Elsmore-Martin. 8 Reuben Orr. 9 Bradley Hill. 10 Finn Mansfield. 11 Jack Lickorish.
U12 Girls – 1 Megan James. 2 Fyona Booker. 3 Poppy Wildman. 4 Megan Bettles.

Full results for Rd 1 courtesy of  Timelaps can be found here.

I have already entered the next round at Cannock Chase on the 18th March, anyone else fancy a go? Go to XCRacer.com to enter.

  • Round 1 – 19/02/12 – Hick’s Lodge Leg Burner
  • Round 2 – 18/03/12 – Cannock Chase Classic
  • Round 3 – 15/04/12 – Birchall Bike Bash
  • Round 4 – 13/05/12 – Hanchurch Hills Horror

Photos from RayMortlock-Images

 

Jan 27

2012 Open Time Trials with the CTT

As well as our own club ‘Time Trials’ which start on the 11th April 2012 (Dave Hinch will provide more details shortly), there are also open events that you can enter as long as you are a member of a CTT affiliated club such as Lincsquad.

Time trialling is the simplest of competitive formats: a race against the clock, with riders starting a minute apart. It’s known as the ‘race of truth’ because there’s nowhere to hide, no one to draft behind; just you and the bike and the thumping of your heart. Oh, and a clock ticking.

Most events are fixed distance, being 10,25,50 or 100 miles. There are also fixed time events -12 and 24 hours -with the objective being to ride the furthest you can. Courses are on public roads and are either’out and back’, using a roundabout to turn halfway, or circuits with consecutive left turns.

Mark Dyer has kindly put together a list of some of the events in Lincolnshire below.


Date/Day       Course/Distance    Event Start/£     Organising Club        Comments

03-Mar Sat    C10/27 10mile      14:00/£7.5           Scunthorpe RC          A15/Kirton to M180 return

11-Mar Sun   CS/13 22mile        09:00/£7.5           Bourne Whs CC (Hardriders) Rolling! Essendine

17-Mar Sat    O10/1 10mile         13:00/£8            Doncaster Whlrs        Hat.Woodhse/Blaxton. (Tyram lake)

25-Mar Sun   CS/9 27mile            09:00/£7            Spalding CC              Edenham

01-Apr Sun    C25/10 25mile       10:00/£7.5         Skegness Wheelers  Candlesby

07-Apr Sat     C10/10 10m          14:00/£8            Sleaford Wheelers CC Sleaford

08-Apr Sun     C25/27 25m          09:00/£15          Boston Wheelers CC (2 Up TTT) Frithville (£15 per team)

14-Apr Sat     CS/4 15.5m           14:00/£15           Lincolnshire RRA  (2 Up TTT) At Horncastle

29-Apr Sun    CS/11 19m             08:00/£7.5         Scunthorpe RC           Scotter/Susworth/Morton

12-May Sat    C10/7 10m            14:00/£8             Barton Wheelers       Barton

13-May Sun    C25/3 25m           10:00/£7.5          Lincs RRA (MM 1:00:00) Saxilby/Newton/Besthorpe

(MM 1:00:00) indicates preference to people who’ve not gone sub 1hr last 3 seasons. If full field slowest riders given preference. Good event for first time 25m TT on safe course.

20-May Sun    C10/9 10m           09:00/£7.5          Lincs RRA                   Skendleby

26-May Sat     O13C 13m/26m   13:00/£10           Rudy Project TT Series Bessingham/Gringley/Clayworth

Doncaster Wheelers promotion (my old club!) of the regional event of the national Rudy Project series. Good course with a few testing drags and little traffic. 2 years ago Michael Hutchinson won men’s event and Sarah Storey (Paralympian gold medallist and first person to ride for full GB team) the woman’s. This year Julia Shaw won the women’s event – by far the best female in TTs over the past few years. 13mile for woman/juniors/male veterans. 26m for senior men/espoirs.  🙂

27-May Sun    C25/1 25m           13:00/£7.5          Lincolnshire RRA (CENTENARY EVENT) At Tattershall

03-Jun Sun     C25/17 25m         08:00/£7.5          Scunthorpe Road Club Great Coates (on A180/Barnetby)

09-Jun Sat      C10/4 10m           14:00/£7.5          Lindsey Roads CC       Not location details in handbook!

16-Jun Sat      C50/2 50m           14:00/£8             Sleaford Wheelers CC  As above!

24-Jun Sun     C25/35 25m          09:00/£7            Spalding CC                 Donington

30-Jun Sat      C10/4 10m           14:00/£7.5          Lindsey Roads CC       No location details!

01-Jul Sun      C50/8 50m           08:00/£7.5          Scunthorpe RC          Gt Limber/Brigg/Barton/Laceby

03-Jul Tue      C10/8 10m           19:00/£8(£2 for boys/girls) incoporating GHS LINCS DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP school boys/girls 12-16yrs. All get medal I believe and can qualify for National finals (Alford Whls CC) (Championship Entry Forms only for boys/girls). At Alford

08-Jul Sun     C25/35 25m          08:00/£8 Sleaford Wheelers CC         Donington

14-Jul Sat     C10/28 10m          14:00/£8  Lincoln Wheelers (CHARITY)  Ingham (Gift downhill to finish that you never pedal up in the event!!)

22-Jul Sun     C10/9  10m           14:00/£7.5  Skegness Wheelers        Skendleby

28-Jul Sat      C10/10 10m          16:00/£7.5   Witham Wheelers          Sleaford

12-Aug Sun   C25/27 25m          09:00/£8     Alford Wheelers              Frithville

02-Sep Sun    C30/7 30m           09:00/£7.5   Lincolnshire RRA             Boston

09-Sep Sun    C10/28 10m         10:00/£8      Trent Valley RC               Ingham – that downhill again!

16-Sep Sun    CS/8 24.5m          10:00 Men/Esp RTTC Rudy Project Time Trial Series (LINCS DISTRICT)

16-Sep Sun    CS/3 14.1m         10:00 Women/Male Vets/Juniors RTTC Rudy Project Time Trial Series (LINCS DISTRICT) Harby/Saxilby.

So, that’s the vast majority of the Lincolnshire events. Also lots more events in Yorkshire and North Midlands districts which are not far away. Link to CTT for more events:

http://www.rttc.org.uk/Events/EventsList/tabid/134/Default.aspx

Jan 19

A note from 2011 Chairman Andy Veitch

This has again been another fantastic season for Lincsquad. We have again run our 3 flagship races – the Challenge, Bomber and the Brigg sprint. These races were a great success and with even more entries for these races since last year, meant the committee relied heavily on Lincsquad members and family to help out. They did help in abundance showing just what a fantastic club this is and there cannot be many clubs who run so many races in a year successfully, so I think everyone should be very proud with what we achieved.

New to last year was the Sportive which was again very popular, raising thousands of pounds for local charities. This is again looking like a popular event for this year so hopefully we can top the amount raised for charity from last year. I would like to welcome Dave Hinch as he has taken over the role of organizing the TT Series. This has been a hugely popular series and I think that this has had a lot to do with the enthusiasm and hard work of Phil Binch. The effort he has put in, especially the last 2 years to make the TT Series so popular that last year we even ran out of numbers as we had so many people turn up. This enthusiasm by Phil is paramount also with the success of the Brigg Bomber. Before Phil took it by ‘the scruff’ of the neck 2 years ago this race was looking in danger of disappearing but has now become so popular and maybe even more so than the Challenge, so with Dave coming on board, and with his undoubted enthusiasm with anything he does, then I can only see this series being as popular as ever.

This year, as was the same the year before, we have welcomed many new members to the club who have never raced a triathlon before. With the club investing heavily on getting people through their level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications, the club is now able to offer quality coaching sessions, and the improvements we have seen in these new members as well as our older ‘ seasoned’ members is proof that these sessions are an absolute must for Lincsquad members. Following on from this we should look at the achievements of individuals at the club. We have, for the second year running the British National Quad Champion, Steve also came 3rd in the World Championship in Czech. We have had people representing Great Britain in Quadrathlon, Triathlon and Duathlon all over Europe which goes to show the depth in strength we now have at the club.

I could go on and on praising the efforts of all of you but I really need to close my notes but before I do there is one person I would like to thank. Paul Carvill does things for the club that most people don’t see or hear about. He has constructed and over the years, developed what is admired by nearly every club in the country, our fantastic website. I think we all, myself included, take going on the website for granted but without it where would we be. The forum is absolutely invaluable and the latest addition is the fantastic new online shop. Paul is always improving and updating the site and he has made it into one of the most important ‘Hubs’ of the club.

As you may have seen on the Forum Steve Clark is stepping down this year from the committee to concentrate on his training and his own ambitions for this year. Steve has been an invaluable member of the team with the time and effort he has put in and hopefully we will once again see him at the helm in the not too distant future. With Steve stepping down and as I have mentioned before we now have Dave Hinch stepping up and taking an important role in member’s development. We also welcome Steve Dolby onto the committee. Steve and Dave have both shown that they are willing to give up some of their spare time to make sure this club moves forward with new goals and ideas but we need more of  ‘You’ to make sure Lincsquad is always looking forward and never back.

So finally, I would like to thank all of you for supporting me as Chairman over the past 3 years.

To see the club grow as it has would make any Chair proud to be part of such a club and I would like to say that there is no prouder Chair in the Country than the one sat in this room tonight.

 

Thank you.

Dec 20

The Paul Kirk North Lincs’ CycloSportive

The sportive is basically a long training ride with the useful addition of a map and directions. The ride will set off from the Ancholme Leisure Centre at 8am and riders will be able to choose whether they do the full 100 miles or cut the route short to 100 km when they reach Market Rasen at the 46 mile mark. The ride is limited to 500 so secure your place now for just £15 before the 29th March 2012 (£20 on the day). There will be a cut off time for the 100 miler.

The sportive is now in memory of Paul Kirk who took part in the event with his daughter in 2011 and sadly suffered a fatal heart attack while halfway through the ride. The family would also like the event to continue in aid of Lindsey Lodge Hospice.

Lindsey Lodge Hospice offers very special care for people in the North Lincolnshire area living with life-limiting conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. Every year hundreds of patients and their loved ones benefit from the care and support that they provide free of charge.

There are facilities at the Leisure Centre where you can get changed and have a shower.

ENTER ONLINE

Organiser: Matthew Porter – 07834 238 8431 or Email:matthewporter@lincsquad.co.uk