Race Reports

It was very nearly only 9 starters when Rachel realized she had a faulty inner tube just 20 minutes before her start time. Rob and Steve tried to help but when it became apparent that they might have to get their hands dirty they very chivalrously headed off to the start. Rachel was left to flutter her eyelids and look helpless at the HQ - a much more effective strategy as it was sorted in the nick of time. She made her start with minutes to spare and it had clearly got her adrenaline up as she then did an excellent 68m36s.

There were also 3 TT newbies - lining up for the first time were David Ricketts, Steve Crocker and Martin Shoesmith. Martin has in fact done a lot of time trialling in the dim and distant past and was actually quite good, but the tough windy conditions were still a challenge. He finished in an superb 67.34, nicely getting even with Steve Crocker, by finishing 3 minutes faster - the same margin that Steve had won by the previous week at East Grinstead. Great effort for a first time though. David Ricketts took some convincing that as it was a race, he should really use his very nice race bike. 79.36 was deserved reward - though without tri-bars - hopefully the first of many TTs.

James Dear led home the men with a blistering 57.53, considering how windy it was. Rob Hoodless was 62.46, with Colin Chambers narrowly behind with a PB of 63.14 - an amazing ride. He then got out his spare bike and took part in another cycling event.  Ant Grey rode 66.35 and Steve Alden did 68.33

Hazel was the only other lady riding and she did a very creditable 74.21, only about 30 seconds off her best but this time in much more challenging conditions.

Well done to all who took part.

Men  (winner 52.56)

James Dear                 57.53   10pts   9.35%

Rob Hoodless         1.02.46     9        18.57

Colin Chambers     1.03.14     8        19.46

Ant Grey                   1.06.35     7        25.79

Martin Shoesmith 1.07.34     6        27.64

Steve Alden             1.08.33    5         29.51

Steve Crocker         1.10.32     4       33.25

David Ricketts       1.19.36     3        50.38

Women (winner 1.01.54)

Rachel Baker          1.08.36    10pts  10.82%

Hazel Tuppen         1.14.21     9          20.03

Sunday 12 February 2012, Great Walstead School

Still not sure how the three of us got persuaded into doing our first cyclo cross event; something to do with Steve Mac thinking it would be a good idea to have a team representing the Mid Sussex Tri Club and we just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. 

Mark Smith from the Crawley Wheelers kindly showed us the course the day before, which really helped familiarise ourselves with the snow, ice, mud, tight corners, Dougie's dip and the odd tree stump!  The only thing missing was the other one hundred and thirty two riders.

Morning of the race dawned bright but very cold - oh, what to wear! So we layered up, with me trying to match my colours - which in the end didn't matter as we were all a lovely mud colour by the end. Andy and I arrived with plenty of time to spare, to calm the nerves, which got worse when we saw how professional the other guys were looking, on their cyclo cross bikes and skin suits. I decided to break the reflectors off my mountain bike, in a desperate attempt to fit in. One team member even had a bell on his bike.

Oh, but where was our third team member? A thermos of soup in hand, Mat turned up 30mins before the start, all smiles until we pointed out it might be a good idea to familiarise himself with the course, so off we dashed to the woods.

There we found Steve, Kay, Tim and an old man under a blanket, which turned out to be Kevin trying to keep warm. They did a grand job of lap counting. Off dashed Andy and Matt to recce the course with 15 minutes to go.  Five to go...where are they?  Round the bend they appear with Mat stripping off, so Andy and I make our way down to the start and position ourselves at the back of the of riders. One minute to go, where is Mat? On the phone to his wife giving directions to the event before a swift handover to Dougie who finished off his conversation! 30 seconds to start ..where are my team members? Peeing in the bushes! Beware of yellow snow.

We're off and any nerves have now disappeared as we head round a field covered in snow, desperately trying to stay on our bikes as by now the route is really slippy. Into the woods and we try to navigate a load of hair pin bends which lead us into our first drop followed by a sharp turn to the right up a quick climb into more bends. We twist and turn on snow and mud until we get to a great little downhill bit, were we could pick up some speed and smile at Ant who was taking some great pictures.

Right hand bend and we are at Dougies dip, for me this was the best bit, straight into the drop no brakes and the speed carries you out the other side, just missing the tree on your right. I think I even got some 'air'! Round the corner someone leaves a tree across the path!  Off the bike, carry it over the tree, back on and we're on the home straight and then do it all again (x4).

The course was really technical and made all the more fun by overtaking riders, very slippery conditions (rumour has it Mat fell off three times!), trackside bonfires and Tour de France style drums and tooters!  A great day out and a huge recommendation to others.

For the three of us, being our first cyclo cross event, it was fantastic fun, made all the better with the support from the club, the sight of all those familiar faces spurned us on. 

Jean Fish, Andy Jenkins and Mat Record

 Photos here

The ride organised by Haywards Heath councillor Richard Bates is an opportunity to explore a circular on road route around the town's boundary - known as its Bounds.

The ride will start at 10am from Haywards Heath Town Hall on Saturday, November 26, followed by a coffee break and a discussion from 11am.

The discussion can be anything you wish to raise about cycling locally and it is intended to respond to the Neighbourhood Plan Consultation by creating a cycle network which could be implemented using Neighbourhood Planning gain funds.

There will be a mapping exercise to identify key routes and major crossing points and where cycle parking is needed. This is part of the Mid Sussex Cycling Campaign promoting cycling in Mid Sussex - formally under the umbrella SPOKES.

For further information contact Haywards Heath Town Councillor Richard Bates r.bates111@btinternet.com

Only 6 hardy racers started the 50 this time. Dave Jones would have made it 7 but hadn't checked his e-mail and was waiting for a postal notification (which never came). When he saw how windy it was outside he was probably quite pleased.

Being a 2 lap course the race was a game of 2 halves. James Dear sped round the first lap in 59m00s with Lawrence Wintergold in hot pursuit (59m11s). The second half is flatter because it misses out Tollgate Hill, but the fatigue of racing 50 miles starts to creep in and the times drift off. James' second lap was 60m27s, but Loz in his new 'Dear-stalker' hat manged 60m18s, just failing to catch James. However he did have a mechanical incident to blame for it when his chain got jammed and he had to remove the rear wheel to fix it.

Further down the field Dave Lashbrook and Rob Hoodless were doing battle. Dave's first lap was 64m38s to Rob's 64m45s. Dave is clearly recovering his fitness properly now because although he lost time on his second lap (66m48s) he had more in the tank then Rob who struggled and faded (68m10s) leaving Dave a clear 90 seconds ahead at the finish.

Remarkably there was another close battle going on between Steve Alden and Rachel Baker. First lap times were very close with Rachel edging it. She was 69m30s to Steve's 69m42s. Because Rachel started 9 minutes ahead Steve could see he was in grave danger of being 'chicked' and redoubled his effort on the second lap. He had the most consistent times of the day doing the second lap just 17 seconds slower than the first in 69m59s while Rachel just faded towards the end (71m40s) giving Steve the advantage by about 90 seconds. Rachel was the only one to do a PB though, whilst all the others were several minutes down.

MEN winner 1h45m20s !!

James Dear        1.59.27   13.41%  10points

Loz Wintergold    1.59.29  13.44       9

Dave Lashbrook  2.11.26   24.78      8

Rob Hoodless      2.12.55   26.19      7

Steve Alden        2.19.41   32.61      6

WOMEN winner 2h11m45s

Rachel Baker      2.21.10  7.15%    10pts

 Author: Steve Alden

With a lot of other races going on we were not expecting a large contingent from MSTC for a 100m Time Trial. Loz Wintergold and Dave Lashbrook entered but unfortunately Loz was struck down with a tummy bug that resulted in significantly more running than cycling. This left the door open for Dave for a stress free uncontested ride to 10 BAR points.

However Dave still had the small matter of attempting a PB over this distance but it was not going to be easy. This course can be quick, but today it was windy which made it very tricky.

In 2008, Dave did 4hr35m26s, and I know he was round about 4h 35s this time but I have not heard his final time yet. Clearly it is going to be close. Fingers crossed! (Just for the record Dave then beat his 10m TT PB on Thursday evening in 23m51s. Well done!)

Mind you the winner did 3h38m46s - a truly astonishing time - and about 5 minutes inside the course record.

Winner: 3h38m46s

Dave Lashbrook:    4h 35m approx      10 points

 Author: Steve Alden