May 23

Lincsquad take Top Honours at Driffield

Freebird Events hosted their second sprint event of the year at Driffield yesterday. Despite the unforgiving weather, Lincsquad were once again out in force mixing among the well represented big city clubs like York Tri and Leeds/Bradford. Although punching well above their weight Team Lincsquad I’m sure, will have left a lasting impression on the ‘full to capacity(250)’ field.
Not having a Team Prize to contend for it was left to Steve Clark, Jo Walker and Lauren York to put things beyond doubt and show which team had been putting in some serious early season graft.
Of the many notable performances of the day these three individuals rubber stamped the overall top honours in winning 1st Place Overall Male, 1st Place Overall Female and 1st Place Female youth.
Again Lincsquad and (new sponsor)Falcon Cycles’ Clark showed why he’s the reigning British Quadrathlon Champion. Steve left the pool in 14th place before making good ground on his rivals posting the 5th fastest bike time. The 5k run was done under 20 minutes ensuring a 22 second lead on the second placed athlete giving Steve his second victory of the season.

Not letting Clark and the men grab all the glory duathlon champion Joanne Walker turning to the ‘dark side’ that is triathlon proved she’s no slouch at the three disciplined event either!
Jo finished almost 1.5 minutes in front of her nearest rival and an amazing 17th overall dipping under the magic hour by 10 seconds. Not bad seeing as Jo has only just returned to proper training following a month out due to illness.

Following Jo’s lead, Lauren York showed she’s got a promising future in the world of multisport winning the first female youth trophy. A former national swimmer Lauren set the pace from the off and her 5min 16 second 400m swim was the 4th fastest time of the day, and that includes the seniors! Lauren looked a chip off the old block as her proud Time trial champion dad witnessed her strong riding in such windy conditions from the stands.

When the above three members hit such dizzy heights it’s very easy to forget the part the rest of the Lincsquad competitors play in such an event. The remaining six contingent all had stories to tell with some personal bests among them.

Two other Steves, Grocock (13th) and Lormor (15th) duked it out to the wire with Steve Grocock’s swim and cycle (3rd fastest of the day) giving him just enough of a lead to fend off the ever gaining Lormor. Steve Lormor being another athlete to fall victim to the winter illness was praying for just another 200 metres as the flagging Grocock crossed the line. Both men going under the hour. The older and balder Steve yet again missing out on a trophy by just 25 seconds!

The fortnightly series’ of Duathlons and Timetrials have certainly paid dividends for both Chris Gibbs (44th) and Lincsquad debutant Huwie Davis (26th) A very strong bike leg for Huwie and Chris’ trade mark run being of particular notes for the two. Chris also narrowly missing out on an age group trophy, not helped by the winner of this age group posting the fastest run split beating Clarky by almost 2 minutes!  

Paul Ralph (94th) still nursing an Achilles injury had three solid legs (there’s got to be a joke in there somewhere) to keep his Ironman training on track for the year. 
Al Curtis (125th) another relative newcomer to the world of tri wasn’t even sure he’d be racing until that morning as an admin error nearly put paid to his race. This didn’t stop Al putting in a  spectacular swim time. It’s amazing how much noise Paul Ralph and Chris Gibbs, normally the quiet men of triathlon can make when showing their support for fellow team mates. I’ve got to include Mark York and all the Lincsquad Wags in this too as their support was tremendous.

The strength and depth of the club is becoming ever more obvious at events such as these where we can compete at the highest level against the big towns and city clubs. Well done all.

Steve Ornsby a workmate (soon to be Lincsquad) times included. This was Steve’s first venture into the world of multisport and with a 6 week crash course on the 3 disciplines did himself proud.

1    239 Steve Clark       M        (14) 05:56   00:59     (6)  0:28:05      00:30      (8) 19:59     00:55:29
13  220 Steve Grocock M40     (9)  05:39   01:34     (4)  0:27:48    00:43    (66) 23:30      00:59:14
15  235 Steve Lormor   M        (19)  06:09  01:22    (16) 0:29:36     00:48   (28) 21:42      00:59:37
17  195 Jo Walker          F        (50)  06:54  01:16    (26) 0:30:33    00:39    (14) 20:28      00:59:50
26  196 Huwie Davies   M         (39) 06:38   01:13   (14)  0:29:31     00:40    (52) 22:40      01:00:42
44  185 Chris Gibbs      M50    (94) 08:05   01:59    (43) 0:31:43    00:49    (27) 21:38      01:04:14
60  229 Lauren York      FY       (4)   05:16   01:14    (85) 0:35:02    00:41    (82) 24:20      01:06:33
94  129 Paul Ralph       M40   (100) 08:18   01:53    (72)  0:34:14    00:55   (119) 25:56     01:11:16
125 143 Alan Curtis      M         (46)  06:49   02:46   (138) 0:38:20   01:25  (145) 27:25     01:16:45
127 189 Steve Ornsby M40     (81)  07:48   02:21   (143) 0:38:32   00:40  (153) 27:42     01:17:03

May 20

North Lincs Adventure Challenge

Last chance to enter the North Lincs Adventure Challenge which takes place at the Ancholme Leisure Centre on the 29th May 2011 from 8am. You can either enter Solo or as a Team.

This will be the 10th Anniversary of the Challenge and we are looking to make it bigger and better than ever.

The race is a triathlon with a difference and kicks off with a 36km road cycle followed by a 10km kayak which takes you round the Brigg Island. You then finish of with an off road 10K which follows the river bank down to Broughton Bridge.

You can either enter Online Entry or via post using our Entry Form.

Don’t forget we also have the infamous T:Shirt tour around Brigg on the Sunday evening.

May 19

New Website for Lincsquad

Lincsquad gets a makeover with a new website launch today, following in the footsteps of the old one that has proved a great success.

The new site is geared towards having regularly updated news and results allowing people to add their own comments (subject to approval) while keeping the very popular club forum which beats at the heart of the club.

The forum is open to all, however only Lincsquad members will have full access to all features.

Lincsquad Mobile!

The site has also been redesigned for Apple iPhone / iPod touch, Google Android, Blackberry Storm and Torch, Palm Pre and other touch-based smartphones.

Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions.

May 04

Sub 5 hours for Lewis

All I managed before i went to Lisbon to compete in the Half Ironman was a steady 35mile ride which confirmed I was weak due to my little bug friends from the Ancholme.

We flew in to Lisbon on Wednesday with me still on Antibiotics….Winning race prep for sure! But as its said “I was on the razors edge”!!
Lisbon was red hot and i wasn’t particularly looking forward to Saturdays race day, still feeling pretty poor.

Thursday and Friday were spent on a training swim, ride and run checking that all my kit and myself were functioning!!
Saturday Morning came and I took a steady stroll down to transition to rack my bike and layout my kit. Reminding myself that the race was a training race in preparation for Ironman I went down to the Swim start to get my season under way as it duly started to hoof it down.

This is where the fight started, I say fight i have been in less brutal fights than that swim! It took a few good kicks and 800m to get in to a decent rhythm but once i had some space i eased through the swim which had been extended to 2.1km in 40.12 goal time of 37min but i didn’t expect the brawl at the start so happy with that.

A long 500m run to my bike and I was out of transition in 4.35 probably a bit long but it was a long run from the swim to get my bike so i was still smiling at this point.

On the bike and the plan was to keep to my nutritional goal and spin through keeping it as easy as possible, I was impressed at how well i felt on the ride even though it absolutely hammered it down with rain but then hey skins waterproof!

Stopped off for a pee stop after much debating with myself and then off the bike in 2hrs42 with a goal time 2hrs48 and feeling fresh i was enjoying myself.

In to and out of T2 in 2.24 as i didn’t have lock laces and my fingers didnt work at this point (lesson learned!!) Picking up the run i felt great.

The first 2 of the 4 laps went by easily, 6.40min miling and going well, the 3rd lap came and just kept on going, It felt like i was running with lead in my legs.

A quiet word with myself after seeing the Garmin on 7.40min/miling and i pushed it back down to under 6.50min/miling to run an 89min half marathon 91minute goal time so all in all a finishing time of 4hrs58min27sec.

Happy Days im in the Sub 5hrs Club on my 1st race and i loved it. Next stop Beaver HIM in 4weeks!!

All the best Lewis

Apr 26

Youth shine at Quibell Park

The Youth Academy have had another excellent weekend’s racing starting with an Omnium at Quibell Park, this year’s first track meeting for our riders.

It was a cracking sunny day which meant the racing was pretty tough. Simon, Torin, Louise and Max all had good days, Louise with her typical hard working never give up attitude finishing 5th in the girls. Max riding probably the best race day he’s ever done, with some real quality sprinting, this is his first year as an under 14 and if he carries on in this way then things will come good later in the year.

The Youth A under 16’s was a really tough group, Simon started well by winning the 500m time trial, Torin battled in the sprints which are never his best events. The final distance race saw some brilliant team riding by Torin and Simon which secured Simon a richly deserved 2nd place overall for the day.

Sunday was back to Thoresby Hall for the last of the series of races there. Max, Louise and Will rode a tough Youth B (under 14’s race) which was again stacked with talent. All three of them did their club shirts proud, Max finishing 15th with Louise and Will 17th and 18th, all of them show a real determination and hard work. Youth racing is a really tough arena and they all get stuck in and never give up even when things really start to hurt.

Simon and Torin had a real battle in the Youth A race where the field was of a really high quality as this was a regional selection race for the East Midlands Road Team. The pace was pretty relentless and the attacks started firing off even before the proper end of the neutralised zone, as it was said to me “it’s proper tough this youth stuff”! Simon finished a brilliant 13th with Torin just squeezing into the top 20 despite riding the last 5 laps with what looks like it may be a broken toe.

A special thanks on behalf of Torin for all the help he received for the cake stall we ran on Sunday, it’s very much appreciated and he’s getting closer to the £2000 needed for Sweden.

Apr 24

Good Friday Night Ride

On Good Friday at 10pm seven Lincsquad members headed off from Brigg for a night cycle. Instinctively  the group headed off to the Humber Bridge via Elsham and down the A15. The pace soon picked up and we were going through and off at nearly 40mph when I clashed with Dunc coming round the outside to overtake everyone, however somehow we managed to remain upright!!

We stopped on the Humber Bridge to decide on the route for the evening and after a short discussion it was decided to head towards Spurn Point again.

The pace eased as we discovered the wonderful sights and sounds of both Hessle and Hull with everything from cheers, claps and the silky white bottom of a female flasher who some might describe as a 13 pinter!

Once we left the razzle dazzle of Hull the pace soon started to pick up again with each village sign being aggressively fought over. Even the odd long distant solo breaks to ensure victory and the odd distraction techniques that any cold war spy would be proud of!

We stopped for a quick refuel at Easington and nearly called into the local pub, the Marquis Of Granby for a swift half. Nearly! That is if we had been local maybe!!! It was 2am!

So back we headed towards Withernsea with the brisky and risky pace soon returning all the way back to Hull. In the distance near to Hull the bright lights of a BP garage beckoned with the promise of a hot cuppa…. NO!!!! it was shut…
On we rode with yet another garage in sight, this time success and coffees all round. Stenno even treated us all to some cookies, what more do you need.

Then the final stint and off for the Humber Bridge we headed with a “not so shortcut” being taken by me and losing everybody!!! Mr Binch gave me a call on the moby and advised me off my error and said I best get my head down as they were already on the bridge… BUGGER!!

Once off the bridge it was yet another hard session with the group splintering all over the shot and then coming back together again at the turn on the A15 for Wrawby.

Flying down Elsham hill we were greeted with the sight of five cyclists heading up the hill, and the time 3:45am! So we are not the only nutters!!!

“BADGER!” was the scream, WTF!!!! Was it dead, alive??? Was that a speedhump?

Only a mile to go, yes just one mile!!!

CRASH!!! WTF!!!, me and Dunc turned to see Dobber skittling his way down the cyclepath having not seen the kurb sticking out in the middle!!! Ouch Ouch…… then we saw Mr Hinch do a technical dismount that any Olympic Gymnast would be proud of, however he got the last bit wrong and instead of landing on his two feet with his hands outstretched he broke his fall with his head & shoulders (no not the shampoo!).

The shine was taken off the evening a little but both Dobber and Hinchy rode the final mile and hopefully their bruising wont last too long.

So thanks guys, it was Epic

  • Phil Binch
  • Steven Dolby
  • Paul Carvill (me)
  • Dave Hinch
  • Rick Stenton
  • Duncan Wright
  • Rob Wood

Apr 04

Oulten Duathlon

Today saw me traveling over the pennines to Oulten park race track. A little different to other duathlons, and one which i could not stop thinking about having a go at.

The race consisted of a 2 lap run at 8.62K, a 9 lap bike at 38.8K and a 4.31K final run 1 lap, all on the race track. After the poor conditions at Clumber Park I was hoping for the sun to shine, and shine it did after an early shower the race started half hour late in near perfect conditions.
The race started with a mass start, sprint and standard together. As normal I started pretty steady picking it up a little through the race, checking out all the corners for the 9lap bike leg later.
Onto the bike now, this looks fast, Wonder what Jenson Button would think of this course ! I Was overtaking quite a few competitors, going pretty well, After my lesson at Clumber Park hopfully a fading memory now, I held back a little saving myself for later. Timing the first lap I had a near idea I would complete the 9 laps at just over the hour, well that’s my way and it worked.
After a good transition and with my legs feeling heavy I dragged myself round half decently, with about 15 or so athletes overtaking me before the finish, I was well pleased to break 2 hours.

Times

  • Run 8.62k 36.06
  • T1. 0.55
  • Bike 38.8k 1.02.41
  • T2. 0.51
  • Run 4.31k 18.14

Overall 1.58.50

8th age group
Think in top 50 overall

Great race, no potholes, no traffic, just a bit different, there’s another in the Autumn.

Have to wait to see how far off this age group qualifying thingy i am fingers grossed, hoping to have a holiday in Spain if I qualify.

Mar 12

My First Multisport Race

Steve Dolby shares his experience at the recent Clumber Park Duathlon

After the excitement of the local duathlons set by Dan Broughton and Dave Hinch I was really looking forward to my First official multi sport event of my very short sporting career.

The morning of the event started with the alarm rattling away at 4.30 as Mrs Dobber and the Mini Dobber Lincsquad support team wanted to be up and away bright and early. A bowl of over cooked porridge and a couple of nut bars later we was on our way to Clumber Park.

As we arrived third in the cue at the gate (best position I was going to get on the day) reality started to kick in a bit. Yep, the race was here and I was running and representing the club for the first time. We parked up and strolled over to the registration area in our team Lincsquad hoodies (1 degree at this point) to look over our shoulders to see other Lincsquad hoodies trotting over the park. That looked so cool and put my nerves at ease immediately.

With several text messages from other lincsquad members wishing me and the others all the best and also the other Lincsquad competitors doing the same it was nearly time to start the race. Just needed to double check the transition area…..
My bike was set up, this was after some help from a bloke next to me as I didn’t really know what I was doing…..First timer and all that…… Shoes on the floor and helmet sat in the ready position……All my prep work was now complete.
A couple of stretches later and the second wave was about to go off. 321…Bang and we had started the 10k run. Apart from the hilly course which I had not previously done an official 10k on, I had set my heart at getting a PB. Up hill and down dale we went and to my pleasure I was feeling quite good.

The cheers from the Lincsquad supporters certainly helped around the course. I couldn’t keep up with the boys though as they started to disappear in to the distance. In my mind was comments from other club members…’Run your own race’. That is what I did and came over into transition knocking 3 minutes of my previous 10k time. Nice one I thought!! Even though Jo Walker started 8 minutes after me and over took me before the end of the first run…….Wow!!!!!!
I thought transition was a little strange though as previously my bike was one of hundreds on rack 2 but now it appeared to be the only one left!! Blimey the others were already flying around the 40k bike circuit…. Anyway that was not the only thing. A little dazed and disorientated I looked down to get my bike shoes on and I thought they had been moved!!!!!! I was only looking in the wrong area about a metre away from my bike!! Dohhh!!
Off I went running out of transition and on to the bike. All was going well until my chain came off! Again previous advice from the club members and I managed to lean down and without falling off, put my chain on! Phew! That was close….Only for it to happen again about 30 seconds later.
3 miles to go and I started to blow a bit. Anyway, this guy came whizzing past me so I thought, breather time!! Get on his back wheel for a minute to have a rest!! It went OK until the marshal on his motorbike came level with me and shouted ‘192 find your own space’ I thought cheeky bugger!! This other bloke was in my space!! I suppose the rules are there to stop people trying to grab a quick lift………..Never mind!!
The last 5k run was beckoning and after I had got out of transition and the crowds of supporters had been left behind it all started to get a bit lonely! The legs felt like lead and I had to go up that blooming hill again!! Thinking about all the support that had turned up on the day gave me a real boost at this point as some had even ridden over to cheer us along. Awesome guys..top job.
Finish line was now fast approaching and that was it…..My first multi event was all over!!

Thank you to all the Lincsquad supporters and Lincsquad competitors for all your support before, during and after the race. Makes me proud to be part of such a FAB club!!

All the best Steve Dolby 🙂

Mar 11

Sports Club of the Year 2011

The North Lincolnshire Leisure and Culture Awards take place every year to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements that volunteers have made.

Lincsquad was awarded “Sports club of the year” after coming runners up in 2010. This is a real credit to all the people involved in making Lincsquad what it is today. I originally started the club in 2007, however it would not be where it is today without the committment from numerous individuals.

This year the club has seen another growth spurt and again its great to see people who want to be involved and make things happen. So a big congratulations to all.

Alan Rayment was also awarded “Disabled sports achiever of the year” so big hats of to Alan who continues to drive the sport forward and in particular triathlon.

The awards are grouped into categories that you, the people of North Lincolnshire, can nominate for. You can nominate the person or group you think deserves recognition for their contribution or achievements in leisure, arts, heritage or community settings in North Lincolnshire.

This year Lincsquad received a record amount of nominations and nearly crashed the system.

Feb 06

Kirmington Muddy Duathlon

16 hardy competitors and plenty of supporters turned out on a dry Sunday morning for the Kirmington MUDDY Duathlon.

Although the weather was fine on the day, some heavy rain over the last few days had made the tracks and fields very muddy and slippery.

A short race briefing to confirm route and directions and they were off.

Phil Binch took advantage of the road section and stretched out the field, followed closely by Mark York & Rob Wood, through the woods and the stream, there was nothing in it coming into T1.

Phil was first out of T1 on the mountain bike, but Mark York, Dan Broughton & Rob Wood soon caught him a mile or so later in the first field and pulled away.

Rob Wood recorded the fastest mountain bike section in a time of 41:11, with Lincsquad newcomer Chris Ware recording the second fastest bike section, only 8 seconds behind.

Rob was first into T2, with Mark York & Dan Broughton close behind.

Then disaster, Rob turned left out of transition instead of right, he didnt hear the shouts from his fellow competitors and continued on, repeating the 2 mile run route from earlier, instead of the 1 mile run route around Kirmington.

Mark & Dan ran around the 1 mile route together, wondering who would make the first move, with 300 metres to go, they both went for it and Mark sprinted up the last incline to take the win by just 4 seconds.

About a minute behind was Andrew Lawson on his first Lincsquad off road Duathlon finishing in 3rd place after recording the 5th fastest mountain bike section (only 69 seconds slower than the fastest bike split) and 2nd fastest final run.