Newsletter

Transcription

Newsletter

The
Veteran Leaguer
Spring special
Results - Advice - Rider Intervews - Book Reviews
Points of view and commentaries
The official newsletter of the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists
Spring 2012
The Veteran Leaguer
is the official
Newsletter of the
League of Veteran Racing
Cyclists
Newsletter Editor
Andy Barrett,
7 Willow Way, Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 0TJ
Tel: 07771 508671
email: [email protected]
Executive Committee 2011/12
Chairman: Don Parry, Castle Farm Cottage,
32 North Street, Rothersthorpe,
Northampton NN7 3JB
(01604) 831969 [email protected]
Editorial
Secretary: Peter Wilson 52 Knoll Drive,
Southgate, London, N14 5NE. 0208-368-0698
[email protected]
So here we are again at the start of a new season with all our
great aspirations and ambitions for the year ahead. I hope you
get all you wish for in the season ahead. Good luck to you all.
Treasurer: Ian Booth, 1 Arden Leys,
Aspley Heath Lane, Tanworth-in-Arden,
West Midlands. B94 5HU.
It is heartwarming to see so many great performances early in
the season, particularly in the Percy Stallard and MSTINA races.
Registrar: Michael Cross, 27 Springfield
Crescent, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2PP
(01403) 250012
[email protected]
Events Co-ordinator: Barrie Mitchell, Holly
Cottage, 15 High Street, Marton, Nr Rugby,
Warwickshire CV23 9RR
(01926) 632948
[email protected]
Press Secretary, Percy Stallard Events
Co-Ordinator and Social Secretary:
Mick Ives (02476) 304009
[email protected]
Editor The Veteran Leaguer and
Advertising manager: Andy Barrett,
7 Willow Way, Wing, Leighton Buzzard,
Beds, LU7 0TJ
07771 508671
[email protected]
Stock Controller: Wayne Thomas,
Cheriton House, Lime Avenue, Kingwood,
Henley on Thames. RG9 5WB, Tel: 01491 628135
Email: [email protected]
Co-opted non-executive members
I hope you still enjoy the content
and feel of this newsletter. Any
comments you make are welcome,
whether good or bad. I am
assuming everything is good as
I do not receive any emails to say
they do not like the publication.
Please feel free to send me any articles
that you would like to see published.
I would also like any good quality
racing action photographs in a
300dpi format if you can manage it.
You may even find your image on
the front cover.
Me racing last summer
Have a great season, and above all
enjoy your racing.
One representative from each region
President: Alan Rushton
See you up the road.
ICF Representative UK: Peter Ryalls
Andy
ICF Representative Belgium: Graham Webb
[email protected]
Webmaster: Jim Golden, Foxglove
Cottage, 18 The Village, Keele, Staffs
Website: www.lvrc.org.uk
You can see The Veteran Leaguer
on the website in full colour
Page 2
Front cover picture shows multi world
champion, Mick Ives, with his team-mate
Martin Hackley in close attendance.
Hackley went on to claim second in the
Wyre Forest road race, held near Worcester.
The Veteran Leaguer: Spring 2012
From the Chair
Race Prizes and Costs
By the time this is being read we will
be well into April and with a number
of races organised and completed.
Most of us will have started racing. I
am pleased to report we are already
seeing the beneficial effects of the
raising of the race entry fee to £10.
In the three races I have ridden at
the time of writing, and I have had
reports from others, the prizes have
increased (improved) significantly
compared to last year. We seem to
be seeing somewhere between 35%
and 45%, and more, of the entry
fees being recycled as prizes which
reflects the clear intention and rules
of the LVRC. I think if anything much
different to that is apparent then all
competitors have a right to ask some
pointed questions. Rules of Racing
no.9 refers.
At this level of cost / prize ratio it is
possible to pay drivers fuel expenses,
Don Parry
reimburse other marshalling costs
and cover just about ALL other
costs individuals and or clubs find
themselves incurring in promoting
the event.
To be clear to everybody - nobody
is expected to run a race at a loss and
if it is necessary to contribute in a
wider sense to promoting individuals
or clubs then this should come out
of capital expenditure from the
LVRC region or central funds rather
than race entry fees. The executive
committee will look favourably at
any such requests, accompanied by
a justification, as we believe it is an
excellent use of your membership
funds.
There should be no financial
burden on any individual or club
in promoting events or in helping
out at events for the LVRC.
If there are any questions relating
to this policy please do not hesitate
to contact any members of the
National Executive Committee.
Safety
The NEC is trying to take a special
focus on safety this year. If anybody
has further ideas as to how to
improve the safety of our events
please will you contact the NEC. We
have funds available for investment
and we believe this will be another
excellent use of members funds.
Speak up if you have ideas.
Contents
Editorial
2
From The Chair - Don Parry
3
Announcements, additions, amendments 4-5
Region News
5
News
6
Letters
7
Results - March to April 2012
8-13
Speed recovery, dodge injury and boost your performance! by Campbell Noon
14-15
Stretching - the Secret Weapon? by Chris Daivs
16-19
Book Reviews 20-21
Point of View - Tom McCall
23
Page 3
Announcements, additions
and amendments
LVRC Public
Liability Insurance
Objective of the LVRC
The provision of a programme of competitive and social cycling events for male
and female members of 40 years of age and over
To all contributors
We welcome all contributions from anyone - letter, comments, results, articles,
reports, pictures, anything as long as it’s not just personal abuse - we can all
get plenty of that at home.
For the over 40s this is without
doubt the best value on the
market. It covers members for
both social and competitive
cycling at all times in UK and
all European countries except
Switzerland. Limit of Indemnity:
five million pounds. All free with
LVRC membership!
Our favourite way of getting material is by e-mail, but we’d much rather have
it handwritten than not at all. If you can type it or supply it on disk we’re even
happier. Word, .rtf, or ASCII are all fine.
If supplying pictures, please leave them separate from the document(s).
Preferably, photos should be in jpeg format.
Deadline for next issue:
30th June 2012
LVRC Website
There will be a demand for the Veteran Leaguer for a long time yet, and even when
people are on the internet they still like to have hard copy. But the VL is a quarterly,
whereas the website can be updated instantly with current news, results, changes of
date. Whatever you’ve got, webmaster Jim Golden wants it. Contact him on 01782624631 or [email protected]
Memberships
and
Entry Fee
Changes
However, as the name
implies, this insurance is
public liability only. If you
want personal cover, you’ll
have to arrange your own.
Bienvenue!
A warm and sunny welcome awaits you.
Lewis, Mandy & family have opened to everyone their 18th century
Provencal Maison in the medieval village of La Colle sur Loup, situated
fifteen kilometres from the airport of Nice on the Cote d’ Azur, South of
France.
Our aim is to offer a training facility for the competitive cyclist.
The superb terrain and climate allows you to prepare for the seasons
events and sportifs such as the Etape. This area is very popular with the
European Pro Teams, Astana, AG2r and Cofidis to name but a few are here
getting in those all important base miles in ideal weather conditions.
For those that want to combine training and leisure, the Paris-Nice and
Milan-San Remo are two classics not to be missed, right on our doorstep!
From 2012 LVRC
Membership fees are £20.
The house offers internal garaged safe-keeping for your bike, tools and
basic spare parts are readily available.
We will be reducing our room tariffs for group bookings, please call for
details or visit our website: www.lacentenaire.com - regarding availability,
your catering requirements and preferences.
We hope to see friends old and new very soon!
Race Entry fees are £10.
A bientot
Lewis and Mandy Teal
For more information please contact:
0033 (0) 4 93588635
Email: [email protected]
www.lacentenaire.com
Page 4
Announcements, additions and amendments
Region News
Region 2
The Region AGM was held on Tuesday 29th November at Otley
CC Club Room. Seventeen (17) members were present and it
was agreed that all officials would continue in their current
posts.
The Region has seen a drop in membership, down from 217
in 2010 to 182 in 2011. It was felt that a decline in opportunities
to race locally and the rise in sportives could be a contributing
factor. The Region has five (5) events confirmed for 2012.
Support for organisers is always welcome and help with
marshalling/signing on/catering, etc.
Region Two has agreed to ease the frustrations of Mike Cross,
the National Registrar, by going online for 2012.
We have three deaths to report during 2011. First was David
Wilson who was a founding member of Scarborough Paragon
and friend of Jim Morrison, our East Coast R.R. organiser. Second
was Sir James Saville, cyclist and showman extraordinaire and
who incidentally always contributed a significant sum to the
prize list of Jim Morrison's events. Third was Danny Horton,
ex National Pro R.R. Champion, who collapsed and died in
Spain. Many Pro's and LVRC members were present at a well
attended memorial service at St Johns Church, Guiseley, on
25th October.
Steve Woodrup had a bad accident on the bike suffering a
broken femur, which, according to the surgeon, literally saved
his life because the ensuing scans revealed large aneurism
that could have ruptured at any time. He is now recovering at
home after two operations.
To finish on a lighter note, congratulations to two members
who travelled down from Teeside to the AGM, Richard Booth
and Steve Davis. Rich won the 'F' Cat. National Champs R.R. and
first 'F' overall in the season long Percy Stallard series. Steve is a
world champion, getting gold in the pursuit at Manchester at
the World Masters Games.
Dave Hamilton
Region 9
35 happy members and friends sat down for the now annual
Region 9 lunch at Stapleford Tawney Airfield despite a
deliberate attempt of sabotage by Brian Tadman who is bitter
about the LVRC sub increase and so arranged his 85th birthday
celebrations with a lunch, on the same day, somewhere in the
west of the Region. I understand many members were enticed
to attend by the false rumour, put about by Brian himself,
that he would settle his debts with them that he had long
accumulated over past years. To think I let him have many a
category win at Hillingdon on the understanding that he
needed the prize money to help pay for his grandson's school
fees. Lord Sugar was present in the clubhouse at our lunch but
declined Doug Collins' attempt to buy the books he was selling
on behalf of Mike Clark, who was at Brian's ‘do’ hoping to be
paid back his 'loans'. Amongst those present who were not
lured away by false promises was a disputed world champion.
Had the ICF had an age category H then Derek (Del Boy)
Stacey would have been a world champion and even more
unbearable than he is at present. Instead he had to settle for a
183rd place in the 60s. Some consolation came when Knocker
Shields presented him with a fine but slightly chipped tea mug.
Buoyed on by this near greatness he entered the national LVRC
TT and the Track Championships sneaking medals of various
colours in the over H category. A piece of advice he would like
to pass on is it that if the time-trial course is used again riders
should wear SPDs – as they’re much easier to walk up the
hills with. Another one of our members to take advantage of
virtually a total lack of G cat entries in the Track Championships
was the intrepid, persistent and notorious Norman Bright
who won golds and silvers in the slow bicycle races only to
be bitterly disappointed to learn they weren't even plated
let alone solid. A story I had confirmed at the lunch was that
our Spit Godbeer was responsible for Albert Beurick hosting a
long and distinguished list of Britain 's riders, including Tommy
Simpson, going to learn their craft in Belgium . Spit had gone
to Belgium back in the early 50s to race with two Barnet CC
boys, Johnny Humbles and Alan Fletcher, where they met
Albert, at a ladies mud wrestling match, when he expressed a
desire to learn English. The wrestling match was the first of its
type on the European mainland being an export of the long
established Friday night form found in the Essex marshes. The
Barnet lad's returned home after a couple of races but Spit
stayed on to race while residing in Albert's ‘Cafe den Engels’
to teach him English between his races. That started the link
with our aspiring riders and explains why none of them could
ever understand a thing Albert said. I hear Tom McCall has
nobly stepped in to run the Mestina Series as Steve Watson
has disappeared to Oz. Well done Tom and every best wish for
a great and successful series. Bill Ollis is kicking off LVRC racing
with an inaugural event at the Gravesend Cyclopark with an
evening event on Tuesday 19th June. Bill deserves our full
support by filling his books with entries. That's the news from
Region 9 where all the men are good looking and fast, all the
women are handsome and fast (on bikes) and all the children
wish they were vets.
Richard Wall
The 2012 Annual General Meeting of the LVRC will be
held in October.
Date and venue to be confirmed in early 2012.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the
BLRC Ray Pascoe is putting on a film show of
old League film and footage at the Riverside
Studios, Hammersmith, London W6 9RL on
Sunday 10th June at 2.00pm. Tickets, unpriced
as yet, only from the Studios' box office. tel no.
0208 237 1111. Tickets CANNOT be purchased
on the day.
Page 5
News
Mick Rides again
Coventry’s Veteran World Cycling Champion, Mick
Ives---undertook yet another of his fundraising rides
–this time at Cheltenham Races on Wednesday Ev
2nd May—Riding for 2 hours. The 72 yr old recorded
the unbelievable distance of 69.29 miles.—raising
£2,000-00 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Mick has, over the years raised a total of over
£50,000-00 on his own, for different charities, but the
I.J.F. is very close to his heart , as he was brought up
in Hunting and Racing stable life, and in his youth
wanted to be a National Hunt Jockey.—The Horse
Racing world now call him the A.P.McCoy of Cycling,
and this is the 2nd Fund Raising Ride he has done for
the I.J.F. in past 12 months.
Mick stated “ Cycle Racing is a tough sport, and
riders take great risks at times, but nothing compares
with the dangers and risks that National Hunt Jockeys
have to endure, they are a special breed, --they don’t
get a tap on the shins and carried off on a stretcher
, like some professional sportsmen,-- 9 times out of
10 they bounce back after a heavy fall and 15 mins
later are racing again, but when they have a bad fall,
its really bad, and its my contribution to these tough
sportsmen/women, who provided so many people
with so much pleasure. “
Handbook correction
FRIDAY 6th & SATURDAY 7th JULY
NATIONAL TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Newport Velodrome, NP19 4RB, South Wales.
ABCDEFGH, Fri 14.00 to 21.00 & Sat 12.00 to 18.00. Championship Events: Fri – Time Trial, Pursuit and Scratch Races.
Saturday – Sprint and Points Races. Entries on standard LVRC forms indicating which events entered, to:
Kirsten Daniels, LVRC Track Championships, Wales National Velodrome, Newport International Sports Village,
Newport. NP19 4RB. For futher details contact organiser Courtney Rowe Tel: 07854877395, or 01633 670543
or Email: [email protected]
Entry fee: £15.00 for one event or £30.00 for two or more events. Cheques payable to Newport Velodrome. Experienced track riders only for Sprint, Points & Scratch races. Closing date for entries Monday 18th June. No EOL.
NEW DATE for 2012 LVRC
National Cyclo Cross Championships
Now –Saturday 24th November 2012.
Venue—Moreton College , Moreton Morrell, S.Warks
Championships for each 5 year groups –Jersey—Medals—Prizes--( subject to numbers ) + Ladies Race—for Medals
( No Championship Jersey )
The Event will be sponsored by “JEWSON”—the U.K.’s leading Building Merchants, and organised by Team Jewson—M.I.Racing / Coventry Olympic C C –event organiser –Mick Ives—note new e mail address—[email protected] will close 1 week before event
Page 6
Letters
Aspire to be Advanced Driver
Given that the likes of outstanding bankers, sportsmen/women,
and indeed the owners of outstanding animals’ (Epsom Derby;
Crufts) are paid more, then why not outstanding teachers? In
proposing that bad teachers should be paid less, an Education
Select Committee said: “We acknowledge the potential political
and practical difficulties in introducing such a system, but the
comparative impact of an outstanding teacher is so great that we
believe such difficulties must be overcome".
With outstanding performances forever being rewarded, then
by the same token, isn’t it time more was done to recognise the
negative impact of bad drivers? Bad teachers fail their pupils; bad
pupils disrupt classes; bad drivers cause congestion and carnage,
and exacerbate climate change.
Looking for the best drivers on our roads, (not race track)
wouldn’t they be (IAM) Advanced Motorists? Children, who’re
taught well, especially with regard to respect, discipline and pride,
will aspire to be outstanding at whatever they do! Potentially,
they will be hugely beneficial to whoever employs them and be
better parents. The road to ‘The Big Society’ is it not?
The way forward for safer roads then must surely be akin to all
those who embrace pride and respect in their endeavours, where
every driver aspires to be an Advanced Motorist – where the rule
is: ’To benefit all, not just self’. Why then not give every driver
five years (an apprenticeship) to become an Advanced Motorist:
failure equates to no reward - forever to be the driver of a ’lowly’
Insurance Group One vehicle, and certainly no place in a ‘great’
4X4, or as a ‘White Van Man’.
The bottom line should be: ‘Outstanding and honest
performances get rewarded; cheats don’t prosper’. What’s
‘race winning’ excessive speed (performance enhancing) if it
isn’t cheating? Isn’t bad driving so destructive that it warrants
overcoming all political and practical difficulties?
Allan Ramsay
Cities fit for cycling campaign
As the ‘Cities fit for cycling’ campaign, heads for debate by MP’s
on February 23, David Cameron, has vowed to tackle high car
insurance. In rising by 17 per cent last year, might cycling injuries
rising by 8 per cent (many serious and fatal) be in some way
responsible? Taking account of the increasing threat to cyclists,
The Times campaign was ignited when one of their journalists
– still in a coma – was knocked of her bicycle in November.
Doesn’t common sense dictate that, cutting car insurance,
means cutting cycling injuries? Also, if the NHS desperately
needs reform to meet growing demand, then similarly, cut cycling
injuries. Make roads safe, make Britain healthier!
When cyclist, and British Cycling coordinator, Rob Jeffries, was
killed by an 18-year-old-driver, the charge was ‘causing death by
careless driving’: 200 hours community service, an18 month ban,
and £85 costs was the penalty.
At 18-years-old (a highly paid sportsman, lottery winner, or
drug dealer) can drive any car he/she wants if they can afford to!
This means a ‘racing-car’ (a dead-cert to be driven too fast) from
insurance group 20, if it’s suits! In light of Mr Cameron saying: “I am
determined to tackle this damaging compensation culture, which
has been pushing up premiums”, how ridiculous is that? Shouldn’t
Group One be big enough for all inexperienced drivers?
Then there’s the damaging mobile phone culture; the Facebook
and Twitter culture, which means indulging drivers don’t see
hazards and cyclists (even dressed as ‘Christmas trees’) until
it’s too late? Also, if “smartbox technology can be used to cut
premiums for drivers under 25”, then by the same token, headcam technology can be used to cut deaths of cyclists. Does ‘keen’
cyclist Mr. Cameron - determined to “free up businesses from
the stranglehold of health and safety red tape” – plan to be at
Westminster Hall on February 23, to debate the all too apparent
lack of health and safety considerations for cyclists?
Allan Ramsay
Page 7
Results
SUNDAY 11th MARCH – REGION 7
NVRT BAINES RACING RR
Fantastic warm spring weather provided perfect racing conditions
for two full fields of riders. The racing was fast and furious causing
splits from very early on and eventually the two races merged and
then separated again making the judging a little difficult.
The ABC race was won by Matthew Pursehouse Warwickshire RC
who soloed away from the field with about a lap and a half to go after
a number of others had tried the same thing and failed. A great ride
from a very well respected rider in the midlands.
The DEFG race was also characterised by an almost race long two
up break by Les Liddiard, Team Jewson MI Racing and Martin Russell
with Liddiard winning the final sprint for first place. Chris Gunter came
in third after breaking away from the remains of the initial large break
and riding almost two laps on his own. Another good ride. Perhaps
the other outstanding ride was by Andy Hicks from the F group who
finished fourth overall.
Encouragingly for the LVRC there were a number of riders
experiencing racing for the first time. Quite a baptism.
There were 86 entries and £395 was distributed in prizes.
Race 1
1. Matthew Pursehouse, 2 Richard Shimmell, 3 Andy Eagers, 4 John
Stephenson.
Cat A
1. Richard Shimmell, 2. Dave Palmer, 3. Jason Gurney.
Cat B
1.Matthew Pursehouse, 2. Andy Eagers, 3. John Stephenson.
Cat C
1.James Stewart, 2. Richard Tyler, 3. Paul Caton.
Race 2
1 Les Liddiard, 2 Martin Russell, 3 Chris Gunter.
Cat D
1. Les Liddiard, 2. Martin Russell, 3. Ralf Keeler, 4. Pete Trotman.
Cat E
1. Chris Gunter, 2. Martin Hackley, 3. Dave Woods, 4. Phil Cooper.
Cat F
1. Andy Hicks, 2. Bill Rains, 3. Barry Jones.
Cat G
Equal 1st - Derrick Woodings + Pete Ryalls.
CICLOS UNO HOG HILL SPRING SERIES (EVENT 1)
The first event in the Ciclos Uno Spring Criterium Series was held at
the Redbridge Cycling Centre (Hog Hill) on Sunday 11 March and
there were a total of seventy two riders on the start line for the two
age related races.
Fifty seven riders started the first race for Category ABC&D (4059yrs) run over one hour plus three laps of the lower circuit .It was not
long before there were riders scattered all around the circuit due to
the varying levels of ability. Regular Hog Hill and Dunton winner last
year Antony Wallis (Private) broke clear after about twenty minutes
gaining a lead on the main bunch of twenty seconds which he held
for three laps before being pulled back. After forty minutes five riders
including Antony Wallis broke clear and remained together until the
finish when they had a lead of one minute over the chasing bunch.
Paul Crook (Beyond Mountain Bikes) a new rider to LVRC events
took the honours from Lee Desborough (St Ives) with Antony Wallis
(Private) in third place.
Categories ABC&D Overall
1st 17 Paul Crook Beyond Mountain Bikes A, 2nd 11 Lee
Desborough St Ives C.C. A, 3rd 2 Antony Wallis L.V.R.C. A, 4th 54 David
Farrow Eagle R.C. A, 5th 29 Chris Baldwin Eagle R.C. C, 6th 41 Nick
Faint Finchley R.T. C, 7th 53 Bob Downs Glendene C.C. D, 8th 24 Julian
Cunnington Condor Cycles C, 9th 9 Chris Bulley Shaftesbury C.C. A,
10th 45 Andy Ballentine Easterley R.C. B, 11th 35 Spencer Wilson
Personal Bike Fit A, 12th 37 Ian Watson Finchley R.T. A, 13th 22 Jason
Roger Gateway Cycling A, 14th 13 Martin Docker V.C.10 C, 15th 44
Peter Arden Victoria C.C. B, 16th 12 Andy O’Regan C.C.Hackney C, 17th
Page 8
2012
34 Simon Hewins Eagle R.C. C, 18th 38 Tony Meader Eagle R.C. C, 19th
40 Os Assem Finchley R.T. A, 20th 48 Steve Wharton Finchley R.T. C,
21st 32 Phill Bull V.C.Elan D, 22nd 20 Phil Whitehorn Crest C.C. D, 23rd
47 Nick Rossman Finchley R.T. B, 24th 43 Steve Murrell East London
Velo A, 25th 42 Damien Foy Eagle R.C. B.
Category ‘A’
1st 17 Paul Crook, 2nd 11 Lee Desborough, 3rd 2 Antony Wallis.
Category ‘B’
1st 45 Andy Ballentine,2nd 44 Peter Arden, rd 47 Nick Rossman.
Category ‘C’
1st 29 Chris Baldwin, 2nd 41 Nick Faint, 3rd 24 Julian Cunnington.
Category ‘D’
1st 53 Bob Downs, 2nd 32 Phil Bull, 3rd 20 Phil Whitehorn.
Primes: Antony Wallis (2) Dave Farrow (1)
Categories EF&G Overall
1st 60 Alan Williams G.S. Giucci E, 2nd 74 Colin Mannakee Glendene
C.C. F, 3rd 64 Dave Rowe 34th Nomads F, 4th 69 Dave Smith G.S. Avanti
F, 5th 67 Peter Jones Hillingdon C.C. F, 6th 62 Ollie MacPherson 4T+ E,
7th 70 Terry Butcher Southend Wheelers D*, 8th 71 Trevor Mills Ford
C.C. F, 9th 63 Phil Stone Thornton R.C. E, 10th 72 Ken Beecham V.C.Elan
F, 11th 66 Richard Fraczek Essex Roads C.C. E, 12th 65 Peter Constable
Velo Schils/Interbike E, 13th 73 Ken Evans Ciclos Uno G.
Category ‘E’
1st 60 Alan Williams, 2nd 62 Ollie MacPherson, 3rd 63 Phil Stone.
Category ‘F’
1st Colin Mannakee, 2nd Dave Rowe, 3rd Dave Smith.
Category ‘G’
1st
73
Ken Evans
Primes: Alan Williams (3) Dave Rowe (2)
* Out of Category
FLECHE WALTONNE RR
A/B Race
1st Andy Eagers Derby Mercury, 2nd Ian Holbrook Stone Whlrs, 3rd
Giles Pidcock. TeamChevin cycles.
A Category
1st Ian Holbrook Stone Whlrs, 2nd Paul Bell Peak RC, 3rd Simon
Cannings Twenty 3c, 4th Wayne Lacey Stone Whlrs, 5th Jeremy Honor
Twenty 3c, 6th Richard Barnett Stone Whlrs.
B Category
1st Andy Eagers Derby Mercury, 2nd Giles Pidcock Team Chevin
cycles, 3rd Jon Stevenson Team Jewson, 4th Mike Twelves Team
Jewson, 5th Karl Moseley Stourbridge Velo, 6th Steve Ferris Baines
Racing.
After some very aggresive racing , particularly from big Paul Belfield
from Stone Whlrs, Andy Eagers made his move along with Belfield's
team mate Ian Holbrook , and these two forged clear to contest the
finish a minute clear of the pack , with Eagers, clearly the strongest
, taking the win up the cruel finishing hill. Giles Pidcock predictably
taking the gallop for third from Jon Stevenson and ex milk race rider
Mike Twelves.
C/D race
1st Paul Caton Anders TMG Horizon, 2nd Mick Davies Pedal Power,
3rd Steve Johnson Slipstream.
C category
1st Paul Caton, 2nd Mick Davies, 3rd Steve Johnson, 4th Keith
Middleton VC Lincoln, 5th Gary Gee Lichfield CC, 6th Mike Koumi
Cycleshack forme.
D category
1st Steve Bunn Welland Valley CC, 2nd Phil Evans Coventry CC,
3rd Andy Coates Clifton CC. 4th Les Liddiard Team Jewson, 5th Pete
Trotman unattached, 6th Dave Robinson Alp Action/Ettridge CC,
Steve Johnson made a brave solo effort only to be caught by the pack
, seemingly huddled together to get what warmth they could on a
foul morning of only 3 to 4 degrees with persistent rain.
Results
The promoting club's Steve Bunn attacked several times ...in his
own words ' just to keep warm' .
In the end however , a bunch finish looked likely , and sure enough
they all appeared together over the final horizon.
Fresh into the C category , Paul Caton proved strongest on the final
climb to the line , winning by three lenghs from Mick Davies and early
protagonist Steve Johnson.
E/F/G race
1st Don Parry Team Corley, 2nd John Clarke Wyre Forest CC, 3rd
Chris Gunter Team Virgin Active.
E Category
1st Don Parry, 2nd John Clarke, 3rd Chris gunter, 4th Peter Smith
Condor RC, 5th Gordon Smith New Brighton CC, 6th Martin Hackley
Team Jewson.
F category
1st John Ginley Condor RC, 2nd Bill Cotton Belper BC.
G Category
!st Bob Richards Solihull CC.
Don Parry stamped his authority on the older riders race !
Responding well to any attacks , he finally rode clear with a strong
looking John Clarke and these two established a good lead to the
finish where Don got the better of JOhn ! Chris Gunter , meanwhile
had escaped the clutches of the bunch to come home alone for third
as did much travelled Peter Smith who also finished alone in 4th
position. The bunch sprint was taken by Clocky Smith .
The organiser would like to thank all members and friends of the
Welland Valley CC for helping out on such a cold miserable morning,
and indeed thanks to all the riders who rode. We can forgive the
northerly folk who did not make it to the event , with much snow and
sleet reported on route.
A final, special mention and thanks to former World champion
Colin Sturgess who attended and presented the prizes .
CICLOS UNO SPRING RR
A B C RACE
1st Andrew Pollintine 2nd Peter Matcham 3rd Chris Taylor 4th
Graham Galvin 5th Steve Wharton 6th Andrew Wills 7th Sean
Wright 8th Nick Faint 9th Russell Thornton 10th Andrew Ballentine
Cycle Tramonto
An affordable training camp
situated between the Adriatic
coast and the rugged Sibillini
mountains in Le Marche, Italy
Italy is a cycle-friendly country and the sport comes a close fourth to
football, food and women as a passion for Italian men! This means that
on the road you are respected and given the space you need to ensure
safe riding and this, along with the challenging terrain, makes our training
camp a perfect investment for your racing season.
From rides beside the Adriatic sea to the long climbs up to the numerous
hilltop towns, your stamina and climbing techniques will be tested and
the many and varying descents will enable you to perfect your skills
needed for safe and fast riding when racing.
For more information contact:
David Freeman
(0039) 334 184 2720
[email protected]
or visit our website:
www.cycletramonto.com
The house is also available to rent as a
holiday destination in the summer
www.casatramonto.com
2012
A Cat 1st Graham Galvin 2nd Russell Thornton 3rd Kevin Newland
B Cat 1st Andrew Pollintine 2nd Chris Taylor 3rd Andrew Wills
C Cat 1st Peter Matcham 2nd Steve Wharton 3rd Nick Faint
DEFG RACE
1st Patrick Schills =2nd-3rd Phil Bull+Martin Hulbert 4th Bill
Butterworth 5th Colin Bateman 6th Chris Edwards 7th Andy Hicks 8th
Pete Ryalls 9th Dave Rowe 10th Barry Jones
D Cat 1st Patrick Schills = 2nd-3rd Martin Hulbert+Phil Bull
E Cat 1st Dave Williams 2nd Wayne Thomas 3rd Ian Franklin
F Cat 1st Bill Butterworth 2nd Andy Hicks 3rd Dave Rowe
G Cat 1st Pete Ryalls
SATURDAY 24th MARCH – REGION 7
JEWSON EARLY SEASON 2-UP & INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
Winners—Mike Twelves and Paul Wain—Team Jewson—
M.I.Racing—Thule—C.N.P.-=-43 mins 50 secs
2nd—Paul Jackson and Karina Bowie—Guernsey Velo—43—52
3rd—Les Liddiard and Pete Smith—Team Jewson—M.I.Racing—
Thule—C.N.P.---43-57
Mixed Team—P.Jackson and K Bowie—Guernsey Velo.
“ Jewson “ Ind. Time Trial—17.4 hilly miles
Winner—Karl Moseley---Stourbridge Velo—42 mins—47 secs
2nd—Connor O’Brian—Solihull C.C.---43-24
3rd—Chris Coyle—Team Jewson--M.i.Racing—Thule—C.N.P.---44-35
SUNDAY 25th MARCH - REGION 6
PINVIN RR
ABC
What a difference a week makes ! From freezing rain and sleet at
Fleche Waltonne last week , to blue skies and warm sunny conditions
at Pinvin.
The A/B/C race was run off at a very fast pace on a flat circuit with
little wind. An early break of three , including Mike Twelves Team
Jewson and Andrew Prince, Stafford Road club was brought back
after the first lap.
After a few skirmeshes , Wayne Coombs , Pete Georgi, Team Giant
and Phil Rayner Welland Valley CC, broke clear , soon to be joined by
Jon Stevenson Team Jewson ,and Terry Cooper, Solihull CC with Mike
Twelves making a massive solo effort to cross the gap.
These six established a good lead, working well together and
averaging 26mph for two laps , but astonishingly the bunch got
themselves sorted into a very efficient unit and brought the escapees
back with a lap and a half to go.
After a brief lull in the pack ,Pete Georgi took his chance and
jumped away on his own...He who hesitates misses the bus ! And Pete
time trialled to a superb solo victory coming home 30 seconds clear
of a mass brawl of a bunch gallop. Phil Rayner was fastest to the line
for 2nd place followed by Mike Twelves , Wayne Coombs and Chris
Horsfield with Sam Bills, Team Afford also in the mix.
DEFG
After last weekend of foul wet cold weather, I got up early to a misty
but fine day. I was looking forward to get back racing again after
missing Phil Rayner’s event due to the weather. I picked up Mick Allen
and we set off with the sun already rising and promising a warm
ride.
John Mullen and his team of Redditch Road & Path CC members
put on another fine race. I was riding race 2 (DEFGH) riders over 6 laps
of the 7.5 mile circuit. The air was still chilly but we soon warmed up
setting off at a brisk pace, the first successful attack on the only ‘hill’
on the circuit by Martin Russel was obviously a serious attempt as he
stayed clear for a complete lap just ahead by 200m. until a counter
attack by Mick Allen set off in pursuit. Mick gradually pulled Martin
back joining him with 4 laps to go. The peloton was being driven by
several strong riders but left the two escapees dangling up the road
within reach until Chris Davies and R. Coleman made a determined
effort to close the gap. They eventually succeeded at the start of lap 3.
This now looked dangerous as they had by then forged a 20 second
gap. We in the peloton (I use the royal ‘we’ here as I was not really
contributing yet) kept them within reach but too far to solo across.
This gap was maintained until with just over 1 lap to go the break
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Results
realising they were being pulled in piled on the power and rode
away again. I had by this time come round and began to contribute,
indeed making one big effort to get across to a lone chaser who had
attempted to get away. I managed to get up to him but the effort
made it impossible to work until we were pulled in again. The final lap
as usual was more tactical with everyone with a chance of winning
the bunch sprint marking out any attacks.
Being one of the select G riders I was following Bob Richards who
was our (MI Racing’s) rival. With 1k to go Bob put in a big effort I
managed to get on his wheel, but was reluctant to go through as I
wanted to ensure either myself or team boss Mick Ives would get the
category win. I must praise Bob who continued with his effort until
we were overwhelmed at the 200 metre flag. This is inbred in me from
my pro days as we could possibly have stayed away but I hadn’t the
legs to ensure winning the sprint. I saw Mick Ives go past as I left Bob.
The bunch sprint was won by fellow MI racing rider Martin Hackley.
The race having been decided by Chris Davies just beating Mick Allen
from R. Coleman and Martin Russel.
So a successful race for MI Racing; Martin Hackley 1st. E cat., Mick
Ives 1st. G cat.In the break Mick Allen was the sole F cat riding a superb
race riding out of his skin with 3 D cat riders to get 1st. F cat and of
course Chris Davies 1st. D cat.
The first race for Category ABC&D (40-59yrs) attracted 51 starters and
was run over sixty five minutes and three laps of the lower circuit.
After twenty minutes of racing Phil Holloway (Southend) rode off
the front of the main bunch and was soon joined by five other riders
and the group stayed away for twenty five minutes before being
caught. In the closing stages Phil Holloway again broke clear and
was joined by Chris Baldwin (Eagle) and the pair stayed away until
the finish with Phil Holloway outsprinting Chris Baldwin to take the
honours. Patrick Schils (Velo Schils) won the bunch sprint to take
third place.
Categories A, B, C&D Overall
1st 34 Phil Holloway Southend Wheelers B, 2nd 25 Chris Baldwin
Eagle R.C. C, 3rd 14 Patrick Schils Velo Schils/Interbike D, 4th 26 Paul
Crook Beyond MTB/Drayton A, 5th 38 Damien Foy Eagle R.C. B, 6th 45
Chris Bulley Shaftesbury C.C. A, 7th 32 Mark Daly Colour Tech R.T. A, 8th
27 Dominic Gabellini Rapha/Condor B, 9th 51 David Farrow Eagle R.C.
A, 10th 13 Russell Ford Glade C.C. B, 11th 28 Andrew Bates Gemini B.C.
B, 12th 33 Trevor Whittock Lea Valley C.C. C, 13th 5 Russ Cook Ford C.C.
B, 14th 7 Kevin Barker Ciclos Uno A. 15th 44 Craig Stevens Ciclos Uno
C. 16 th 39 Spencer Wilson Personal Bikefit A, 17th 24 Malcolm Jeffries
Colour Tech R.T. A, 18th 44 Tony Wilkins Wolsey R.C. D, 19th 9 Mark
Abela San Fairy Ann C.C. B, 20th 1 Chris Edwards Gateway Cycling D,
21st 11 Mick Bath API – Metrow C, 22nd 19 Mark Allen Finchley R.T. A,
23rd 40 Peter Arden Victoria/Ciclos Uno B, 24th 42 Alan Norris Crest
C.C. C, 25th 30 Martin Ryan Ford C.C. B, 26th 37 Simon Hewins Eagle
R.C. C, 27th 52 Steve Murrell East London Velo A, 28th 15 Paul Reardon
API – Metrow D, 29th 22 Gareth Welch Dulwich Paragon A, 30th 20
Frank Rawlins North Road C.C. B, 31st 36 Carlito Rendora Eagle R.C. C,
32nd 21 Mario Manelfi Blazing Saddles B, 33rd 3 Dave Dickie Finchley
R.T. D, 34th 50 Mark Simmonds Kingsnorth Int. B, 35th 47 Richard
Parrotte Shaftesbury C.C. B, 36th 35 Steve Green Ciclos Uno C, 37th 4
Steve Enright V.C. Revolution C, 38th 16 Harry Board Glendene C.C. C,
39th 17 Matthew Gray The Gregarios B, 40th 48 Andy Boyall North
Road C.C. C, 41st 12 Colin Surrey Finchley R.T. C, 42nd 46 Cliff Pace
Eagle R.C. C, 43rd 2 Mick Savage Crest C.C. D, 44th 6 Chris Milne
Gateway Cycling C.
In the Category EFG&H (60yrs plus) race there were 16 starters and
it was run over one hour plus three laps of the lower circuit. Half
way through the race Chris Gunter (Virgin Active) broke clear and
was never seen again by the remainder of the field. At the finish he
had a lead of over one minute. Dave Rowe (34 Nomads) took second
place and first year ‘E’ category rider Peter Constable (Velo Schils) was
third.
Categories E,F & G Overall
1st 68 Chris Gunter Team Virgin Active E, 2nd 67 Dave Rowe 34th
Nomads F, 3rd 64 Peter Constable Velo Schils/Interbike E, 4th 71 Peter
Page 10
2012
Jones Hillingdon C.C. F, 5th 61 Dave Smith G.S.Avanti F, 6th 63 Richard
Fraczek Essex Roads C.C. E, 7th 62 Barry Jones Cycles Dauphin F, 8th
69 Phil Stone Thornton R.C. E, 9th 73 Chris Glithero North Roads C.C. E,
10th 70 Ollie MacPherson 4T+ E, 11th 75 Bob Graves G.S.Avanti E, 12th
74 John Mulvaney Old Portlians C.C. E, 13th 76 Brian Dacey De Laune
C.C. G, 14th 72 Ken Evans Ciclos Uno G.
Category ‘E’
1st 68 Chris Gunter, 2nd 64 Peter Constable, 3rd 63 Richard Fraczek.
Category ‘F’
1st Dave Rowe, 2nd Peter Jones, 3rd Dave Smith.
Category ‘G’
1st 76 Brian Dacey, 2nd 72 Ken Evans.
Primes: Chris Gunter (2), Dave Rowe
SATURDAY 31st MARCH – REGION 6
SOLIHULL EARLY SEASON CIRCUIT RACE
ABC
Despite repeated attempts at breakaways, the race was decided in a
bunch sprint.
1. Gary Gee C, 2. Conor 0’Brien A, 3. Phil Wilkins C, 4. John Stevenson
B, 5. Chris Horsfield A, 6. Andy Parr A, 7. Christian Bodremon A, 8. Ian
Cowan C, 9. John Beckett B, 10. Paul Gibson B, 11. Chris Harrison B,
12. Paul Mann C, 13. Brian Auston C, 14. Dean Armstrong A, 15. Neal
Preston A, 16. Philip Lovell B, 17. Simon Garami A, 18. Christopher
Holt A.
A Cat
1. Conor 0’Brien, 2. Chris Horsfield.
B Cat
1. John Stevenson, 2. John Beckett.
C Cat
1. Gary Gee, 2. Phil Wilkins.
EFG
After many abortive attempts by Don Parry, Mike Allen and Pete
Trotman to get away, it was Andy Jones who finally escaped to win by
nearly half a lap with Allen winning the bunch sprint.
1. Andy Jones, Wolverhampton Whs D, 2. Mike Allen, Pro Cycle
Hire F, 3. Pete Trotman, Daventry CC D, 4. Don Parry, Corley Cycles
E, 5. John Clarke, Wyre Forest E, 6. Richard Coleman, Wyre Forest D,
7. Geoff Dingley D, 8. Dve Woods, CC Luton E, 9. John Kriskinians,
Wolverhampton Whs D, 10. Derrick Woodings, Team Jewson G, 11.
Keith Walton D, 12. John Hughes, Coventry RC E, 13. Murray Kirton,
A 5 Rangers G, 14. Andrew Simpkins, Solihull CC D, 15. Ken Bradbury,
Wyre Forest E, 6. Steve Poulton, Worcester Tri Club D, 17. Phil Smith,
Lichfield City E, 18. Jim Golden, Vekta Velosport F.
Cat D
1. Andy Jones, 2. Pete Trotman.
Cat E
1. Don Parry, 2. John Clarke.
Cat F
1. Mike Allen, 2. Jim Golden.
Cat G
1. Derrick Woodings, 2. Murray Kirton.
Primes Parry and Jones.
SUNDAY 1ST APRIL – REGION 9 – MSTINA JERSEY SERIES EVENT 1
- SOUTH WESTERN RC FOLLICLY CHALLENGED RR.
Race 1 A/B/C
1. Paul Crook, Beyond MTB/WDMBC (A), 2. Lee Rowe, Finchley RT
(B), 3. Paul Caton, Anders TMG Horizon RT (C), 4. Andrew Pollintine,
Dulwich Paragon (B), 5. Craig Wilson, Ciclisti Vecchi (B), 6. Paul
Smitherman, Colourtech RT (B), 7. John Heffernan, New Forest CC (C),
8. Graham Hindle, GS Henley (C), 9. Nigel Carpenter, Ciclisti Vecchi (C),
10. Keith Jarrett, Ciclisti Vecchi (C), 11. Fraser Kennedy, Ciclisti Vecchi
(B), 12. Chris Baldwin, Eagle RC (C), 13. Morgan Lewis, Brighton mitre
(B), 14. Matt Pumo, Verulam CC (A), 15. Steve Maxted, Verulam CC (B),
16. Malcolm Jeffries, Colourtech RT (A), 17. Mick Bath, API Metro/Essex
Utilities (C), 18. Duncan Murdoch, Norwood Paragon (B), 19. Chris
Results
Taylor, Colourtech RT (B), 20. Peter Matcham, Kingsnorth Int/Nico
Sport (C), 21. Martin O'Brien, Brighton Mitre (C).
A - 1. Paul Crook, 2. Matt Pumo, 3. Malcolm Jeffries.
B - 1. Lee Rowe, 2. Andrew Pollintine, 3. Craig Wilson.
C - 1. Paul Caton, 2. John Heffernan, 3. Graham Hindle.
This is also a revised result due to a rider competing in the wrong
category.
Race 2 D/E/F/G
1. Patrick Schils, Velo Schils/Interbike (D), 2. Les Liddiard, Team
Jewson/MI/Thule (D), 3. Martin Hulbert, VC Meudon (D), 4. Ralph
Keeler, Wheels In Wheels (D), 5. Andy Hicks, South Western RC/Evans
(F), 6. Roger Jackaman, South Western RC/Evans (E), 7. Pete Wilson,
Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood (D), 8. Roger McGlynn,
London Dynamo (F), 9. Roger Osborne, London Dynamo (D), 10. Paul
Nelson, Ciclisti Vecchi (D), 11. Steve Barnsley, Ciclisti Vecchi (D), 12.
Chris Edwards, Gateway Cycling (D), 13. Alan Williams, GS CIVCCI (E),
14. Glen Smith, Ciclisti Vecchi (E), 15. Johnnie Hall, Verulam CC (D), 16.
Chris Stone, Redhill CC (D), 17. John Duckworth, Kingsnorth Int/Nico
Sport (F), 18. Terry Devine, Ciclos Uno (E), 19. Richard Turner, Pearson
Cycles (D), 20. Fran Blake, Southdown Velo (D).
D - 1. Patrick Schils, 2. Les Liddiard, 3. Martin Hulbert.
E - 1. Roger Jackaman, 2. Alan Williams, 3. Glen Smith.
F - 1. Andy Hicks, 2. Roger McGlynn, 3. John Duckworth.
G - 1. Roly Crayford.
SUNDAY 1st APRIL – REGION 9
The third event in the Ciclos Uno Spring Criterium Series was held at
the Redbridge Cycling Centre on Sunday 1st April and there were a
total of 47 riders on the start line for the two age related races,
The first race for Categories ABC&D (40-59yrs) was run over 1 hour
plus five laps of the lower circuit and attracted 34 riders. The main
move came after 30 minutes of racing when Lee Desborough (St Ives)
and David Farrow (Eagle) broke clear from the main bunch and soon
built up a significant lead. After forty five minutes of racing a group
of seven riders left the main bunch and made an attempt to pull the
leaders back. Their attempt failed and in the final laps the two leaders
powered on and lapped the remains of the bunch with the chasers
two minutes behind at the finish. Lee Desborough took the honours
outsprinting David Farrow with Darren Cainey (ELV) winning the
sprint of the chasing group to take third place.
Categories A,B,C&D Overall
1st 2 Lee Desborough St Ives C.C. A, 2nd 31 David Farrrow Eagle R.C.
A, 3rd 27 Darren Cainey East London Velo B, 4th 33 Ian Wilson Finchley
R.T. A, 5th 23 Matt Gallagher Crest C.C. A, 6th 21 Peter Alden Victoria/
Ciclos Uno B, 7th 11 Simon Hewins Eagle R.C. C, 8th 20 Chris Bully
Shaftesbury C.C. A, 9th 15 Barry Neal Ciclos Uno B, 10th 30 Damien
Foy Eagle R.C. B 11th 3 Kieran Dineen Amersham B, 12th 13 Martin
Meades Ciclos Uno B, 13th 7 Adrian Crothall G.S.Avanti A, 14th 12
Trevor Whittock Lea Valley C.C. C, 15th 25 Adam Norris Crest C.C. C,
16th 19 Carlito Rendora Eagle R.C. C, 17th 4 Graham Pearl Southend
Wheelers C, 18th 14 John Williams Willesden C.C. A, 19th 34 Craig
Stevens Ciclos Uno C, 20th 35 Mark Simmonds Kingsnorth Int. B, 21st
9 Phil Whitehorn Crest C.C. D, 22nd 18 Steve Mahon MBR035 (?) B, 23rd
10 Russell Tribley Chelmer C.C. C, 24th 16 Sean Wright Shaftesbury
C.C. B, 25th 5 Mike Savage Crest C.C. D, 26th 29 Bateson East London
Velo A, 27th 24 Andy Boyal North Road C.C. C, 28th 8 Bill Fitzgerald
G.S.Avanti A.
Primes: Trevor Whittock (2) Lee Desborough Matt Gallagher
In the Categories EFG&H (60yrs plus) race run over one hour and
three laps there were 13 starters.
After twenty minutes of racing Richard Marriot (Verulam) a ‘B’
category rider competing out of category together with former
Veteran World Champion Tony Woodcock (Kingsnorth) now a
category ‘G’ rider and making a return to racing after a broken collar
bone broke clear from the bunch and stayed away for the remainder
2012
of the race. At the finish Tony Woodcock won the sprint from Richard
Marriot with Colin Mannakee (Glendene) winning the bunch sprint
to take third place.
1st 71 Tony Woodcock Kingsnorth Int. G, 2nd 69 Richard Marriot
Verulam C.C. O.O.C., 3rd 72 Colin Mannakee Glendene C.C. F, 4th 61
Richard Fraczek Essex Roads C.C. E, 5th 70 Ollie McPherson 4T+ V.C. E,
6th 65 Phil Stone Thornton E, 7th 64 Dave Smith G.S. Avanti F, 8th 73
Ken Beecham V.C.Elan F, 9th 66 Bob Graves G.S.Avanti E, 10th 68 Arnie
Russell Ciclos Uno H, 11th 63 Ken Evans Ciclos Uno G.
Primes: Colin Mannakee Tony Woodcock Ken Beecham
WEDNESDAY 4th APRIL - REGION 9
MERCHANT MARIPOSA BANKERS SERIES (EVENT 1)
A.B.C.D Result
1st No. 14 Darren Cainey E.L.V B 1 Hour + 5 Laps, 2nd No.20 Ian
Watson Finchley RT A st, 3rd No.5 Grant Venter Finchley RT A st, 4th
No.16 Bob Downs Glendene CC D at 50sec, 5th No.7 Martin Meades
Ciclos Uno B st, 6th No.9 Patrick Schils Velo Schils D st, 7th No.13
Mick Bath A.P.I. Metron C At one Lap, 8th No.22 Sean Kilroy Glade CC
B", 9th No.3 Nick Faint Finchley RT C", 10th No.18 Barry Neal Ciclos
Uno B", 11th No.23 Tony Couchman Glade CC C", 12th No.12 Savash
Anibal P.V.T. B", 13th No.10 George Pearl Southend Wheelers C", 14th
No.11 Colin Byford Braintree CC B", 15th No.15 Steve Murrell E.V.L A",
16th No.17 Andy Boyall North Road CC C", 17th No.21 Dave Dickie
Finchley RT D", 18th No.24 Simon Bateson E.L.V A", 19th No.19 Peter
Arden Victoria CC/Ciclos Uno B".
Prime Winners No.5 Grant Venter & No.21 Dave Dickie
D.E.F.G.H Result
1st No.62 Alan Williams G.S Ciucci E 1 Hour + 3 Laps, 2nd No.2
Steve Barnsley G.S Vecchi D st, 3rd No.69 Terry Devine Ciclos Uno F
At one Lap, 4th No.1 Chris Edwards Gateway CC D“, 5th No.64 Dave
Smith G.S Avanti F“, 6th No.67 Trevor Smith Ford CC F“, 7th No.63 Bob
Graves G.S.Avanti E“, 8th No.65 Dave Terry Braintree Velo E “, 9th No.70
Greg Downing P.V.T E “, 10th No.66 Mick Curtis Corridori RT G “.
Prime Winners No.62 Alan Williams & No.69 Terry Devine
SUNDAY 8th APRIL – REGION 9
Categories A,B,C&D Overall
1st 11 Paul Crook West Drayton MBC/Beyond A, 2nd 29 Ian Watson
Finchley R.T. A, 3rd 13 Chris Baldwin Eagle R.T. D, 4th 1 Mick Bath APIMetrow C, 5th 21 Matt Gallagher Crest C.C./Brixton A, 6th 26 David
Farrow Eagle R.C. A, 7th 19 Chris Bully Shaftesbury C.C. A, 8th 16 Simon
Williams Hillingdon C.C. B, 9th 3 Steve Barnsley G.S.Vecchi D, 10th 14
Martin Meades Ciclos Uno B, 11th 15 Bob Downs Glendene C.C. D,
12th 28 Craig Stevens Ciclos Uno C, 13th 24 Carlito Rendora Eagle R.C.
C, 14th 6 Dave Dickie Finchley R.T. D, 15th 7 Graham Pearl Southend
Wheelers C @ 1 lap, 16th 22 Paul Bird Glendene C.C. D @ 1 lap, 17th 27
Steve Murrell East London Velo A @ 1 lap, 18th 25 Andy Boyall North
Road C.C. C @ 1 lap
.
Primes: Matt Gallagher (2), Robin Parker, Paul Crook
In the Category EFG&H (60yrs plus) race there were 14 starters but
this was reduced to ten finishers with only eight riders contesting
the finishing sprint. Alan Williams (G.S.Giucci) took the honours from
Chris Gunter (Virgin) and Ollie McPherson (4T+ Velo)
Categories E,F,G & H Overall
1st 62 Alan Williams G.S.Giucci E, 2nd 68 Chris Gunter Virgin Active
E, 3rd 63 Ollie McPherson 4T+ Velo Club E, 4th 73 Tony Woodcock
Kingsnorth Int. G, 5th 67 Peter Jones Hillingdon C.C. F, 6th 71 Dave
Woods C.C.Luton E, 7th 74 Colin Mannakee Glendene C.C. F, 8th 70
Vernon Thomas V.C.Elan F, 9th 64 Ken Evans Ciclos Uno G @ 1 lap, 10th
66 Kevin Higgins High Wycombe C.C. OOC @ 1 lap.
Primes: Terry Devine (2), Alan Williams (2)
Page 11
Results
SATURDAY 14th APRIL - REGION 5
BARTON WHEELERS AUSTRALIAN PURSUIT
On a cold ,wet and windy day 39 starters braved the elements and
the rough road surface which the council had promised to repair,
but hadn't. there were no riders from groups G & H, so the E's & F's
made their escape and were caught for 4 and 3 minutes by the D's
& C's forming a large bunch. Eventually the strong men prevailed in
the conditions and the results were :
Primes
1st Rob Stones Hull Thursday F, 2nd Dave Robinson Alp Action
Ettridge Cycles D, 3rd David Herbert Hartlepool C C F, 4th Paul
Wakefield Lindsey Roads C C C.
Overall
1st Neil Dean Hull Thursday RC, 2nd Keith Middleton V C Lincoln
C, 3rd Fred Easton Doncaster Wheelers C, 4th Dave Scargill Birdwell
Wheelers D, 5th Paul Wakefield Lindsey Roads C, 6th Geoff Davison
Scunthorpe poly C, 7th Dave Robinson Alp Action Ettridge Cycles
D, 8th Steve Macklin Wilsons Wheels RT D, 9th Paul Sleaford Norton
Wheelers C, 10th Rob Stones Hull Thursday F.
The winning time was 1: 20: 17 for the 45 kms
LINDALE RR No 1
CATEGORY A
1. JOHN CLEGG, RV CRC, 2. Duncan Orme, Vanilla Bikes, 3.Sam
Dobson, Lune CC, 4. Nick Walmsley, Corinium CC.
CATEGORY B
1. Ged Millward, Ilkley CC, 2. Gary Spencly, BikeTreks, 3. Sean Smith,
Halifax Imperial Imps, 4. Duff Fawcett, GB Fire Service.
CATEGORY C
1. Rob Pye, Clitheroe BC, 2. John Cosgrove, Onimpex RT, 3. Brian
Davison, Lakes RC.
CATEGORY D
1. Phil Thomas, Liverpool Mercury, 2. Mick Day, Paul Milne Cycles, 3.
Brian Davison, Team Jewson.
CATEGORY E
1. Allan Ramsay, Road Peace, 2. Brian Cookson, 3. Robert Wilson,
Glasgow Courier.
CATEGORY F
1. Dave Hargreaves, North Lancs RC.
SUNDAY 15th APRIL – REGION 4 – STALLARD ONIMPEX UK,
BIORACER SERIES - EVENT 1
MODERN GLASS & VEKTA VELOSPORT RR
Cold weather and a strengthening wind up the long final hill made
the 55 miles duration of each group a tougher than usual proposition
for the strong fields with riders from all over the country.
AB Group
A group of about eight riders escaped on lap one on the wind
assisted downhill soon after the flag dropped, eventual winner Andy
Eagers managed to get across and with comeback rider and former
local Tour of Britain stage winner Mike Twelves missing the move
the race was effectively over with rider eventually scattered round
the course. Eagers who had tried to get away with Jon Stephenson
on the penultimate lap finally escaped with under a lap to go and
time trialled his way to victory. Twelves helped dragged a small chase
group to within ten seconds by the finish. After the prize presentation,
Eagers rode home to Derby!
1. Andy Eagers, Derby Mercury B, 2. Jon Stephenson, Team Jewson
B, 3. Richard Binks, Clay Cross RT B, 4. Richard Barnett, Stone Whs A,
5. Ian Cooper, Planet X A, 6. Steven Hilton, Warrington RC A, 7. Jason
Meyer, Stourbridge Velo A, 8. Ged Heap, GP Trade Platers A, 9. Paul
Belfield, Stone Whs A, 10. Andy Prince, Stafford RC A, 11. Mike Twelves,
Team Jewson B, 12. Paul Bell, Peak RC A, 13. Matthew Purshouse,
Warwickshire RC, 14. Ian Holbrook, Stone Whs A, 15. Mark Jacobi,
Peak RC, 16. Dave Grenders, Will’s Wheels A.
Primes - 1. Cooper, 2. Meyer. 3. Belfield, 4. Hilton.
CD Group
Just like the AB race, the over 50’s saw a break go clear on the fast
Page 12
2012
wind assisted back straight. It was the always aggressive Andy
Donaldson who started the action with eventual winner Neil Higgins
and Ian Cowan of Solihull who eventually punctured and was forced
to retire. Gaps immediately opened and a number of fancied riders
were left in small chasing groups. With a lap and half to go Higgins
broke away and managed to hold the rest of the group off with the
instigator of the move finishing at the back rapidly cramping up but
clear D category victor.
1. Neil Higgins, Preston CC C, 2. Roy Holmes, Rob Whitfield RT C, 3.
Keith Jones, Graham Weigh Racing C, 4. Paul Caton, Horizon RT C, 5.
Martin Hopkinson, Fietsen Tempo C, 6. Graham Payne, Rob Whitfield
RT C, 7. Andy Donaldson, Kingsnorth International D, 8. Stephen Baillie,
Rob Whitfield RT C, 9. Gary Gee, Lichfield CC C, 10. Martin Russell, LVRC
D, 11. Ian Noons, Stone Whs C, 12. Rob Whitfield, Rob Whitfield RT D,
13. Tony Parkinson, Onimpex RT C, 14. Phil Rose, Wheel Guru D, 15.
Paul Webster, Dinnington RC C, 16. Martin Stephens, Mid Shropshire
Whs D, 17. Gary Hill, Rob Whitfield RT D, 18. Gordon Wallace, Graham
Weigh Racing D, 19. Terry Meechan, Team Coventry Cycle Centre D, 0.
Ken Jones, Onimpex RT D.
Primes - 1. Holmes 2. Caton, 3. Hopkinson 4. Gee
EFG Group
The over 60’s race was a war of attrition with only Nigel Harrop
chancing his arm from lap one and staying clear for two laps. But
once he was pulled in even arch rivals Alan Kemp and Don Parry
stayed with the group leaving it until the final sprint.
1. Alan Kemp, Weaver Valley CC E, 2. Don Parry, Corley Cycles E, 3.
Mike Allen, Pro Cycle Hire F, 4. Richard Booth, Middridge RT F, 5. Dave
Rutherford, Bush Healthcare F, 6. Malcolm Fraser, Team Lusso E, 7.
Brian Sunter, Condor RC F, 8. Martin Hackley, Team Jewson E, 9. Dave
Pollard, New Brighton CC E, 10. Dave Woods, CC Luton E, 11. Ken
Corbett, Wakefield CC E, 12. Gordon Smith, New Brighton CC E, 13.
Nigel Harrop, Seamons CC E, 14. Alistair Cameron, Leeds Mercury E,
15. Derrick Woodings, Team Jewson G, 16. Bill Cotton, Belper BC F,
17. John Ginley, Condor RC F, 18. Bob Richards, Solihull CC G, 19. Kev
Shand, West Pennine RC E, 20. Mick Ives, Team Jewson G @ one lap.
Primes - 1. Harrop, 2. Kemp, 3. Corbett, 4. Chris Gunter, Virgin
Active.
The fifth and final event in the Ciclos Uno Spring Criterium Series was
held at the Redbridge Cycling Centre on Sunday 22 April and there
were a total of 59 riders on the start line for the two age related races
on the lower circuit.
The first race for Category ABC&D (40-59yrs) attracted 46 riders and
was run over one hour plus five laps. Chris Baldwin (Eagle) and Andrew
Wills (Team Toacham) got clear of the bunch with fifteen minutes of
racing remaining. They stayed clear until the finish with Chris Baldwin
taking the honours.
Craig Stevens (Ciclos Uno) won the bunch sprint to take third place.
Categories A, B, C&D Overall
1st Chris Baldwin Eagle R.C. C, 2nd Andrew Wills Team Toachim B,
3rd Craig Stevens Ciclos Uno C, 4th Martin Meades Ciclos Uno B, 5th
Ian Watson Finchley R.T. A, 6th David Farrow Eagle R.C. A, 7th Bob
Downs Gl;endene C.C. D, 8th Malcolm Jeffries Colourtec R.T. A, 9th Rob
Windsor East London VeloB , 10th Julian Cunnington Condor Cycles
C, 11thT im Brown North Road C.C.B, 12th Philip Murrell Finsbury
Park C.C. A, 13th Barry Hughes Rapha/Condor B, 14th Bill Fitzgerald
G.S.Avanti A, 15th Chris Bulley Shaftesbury C.C. A, 16th Dave Dickie
Finchley R.T. D, 17th Barry Neal Ciclos Uno B, 18th Paul Bird Glendene
C.C. D, 19th Steve Enright V.C. Revolution C, 20th Greg Needham
Neon Digital A, 21st Brian Scarboro Gemini B.C. B, 22nd David Triggs
Colchester Rovers B, 23rd Tony Meader Eagle R.C. B.
Primes: Rob Windsor, Malcolm Jeffries, Peter Matcham
In the Category EFG&H (60yrs plus) race there were 13 starters and
the race was run over 1 hour plus 3 laps. After forty minutes of racing
Pete Constable (Velo Schils) got clear of the bunch and stayed away
until the final lap when he was caught by David Williams (Kingsnorth)
who won the sprint at the finish. Dave Rowe (34 Nomads) took third
Results
2012
place.
Categories E,F,G & H Overall
1st David Williams Kingsnorth Int. E, 2nd Pete Constable Velo
Schils/Interbike E, 3rd Dave Rowe 34th Nomads F, 4th Terry Devine
Ciclos Uno F, 5th Colin Mannakee Glendene C.C. F, 6th Wayne Thomas
G.S.Henley E, 7th Peter Jones Hillingdon C.C. F, 8th Trevor Mills Ford
C.C. F, 9th Phil Stone Thornton C.C. E, 10th John Leitch Redhill C.C. F,
11th David Kerry Chelmer C.C. F, 12th Mick Curtis Corridori G, 13th
Ken Evans Ciclos Uno G.
Primes: Dave Rowe (2), Pete Constable
SUNDAY 22nd APRIL – REGION 2
DEREK SMITH MEMORIAL RR
Race 1
Stephen Ellis B Out of the Saddle 1 1 2.07.13
Mark Hammersley B Team Wheel Guru2 2 2.09.42
Darren Otter B Rutland CC 3 3 ST
Stephen Stoneman A LVRC 4 1 ST
Rob Blackburn B LVRC 5 4 2.10.02
Andy Parr A Revolution Fitness 6 2 ST
Richard Douthwaite A Clifton CC 7 3 ST
Trevor Mayne B Birdwell Wheelers 8 5 ST
Mark Johnson B Yorkshire Road Club 9 6 2.13.22
Michael Clark A Team Wheel Guru 10 4 2.14.46
Patrick Douglas B Leeds Mercury CC 11 7 ?
Peter Cox B Slipstream RT 12 8 ?
Wayne Aylesbury BLVRC 13 9 ?
Mike Cross B Moonglu RT 14 10
Michael TomlinsonA Team Wheel Guru 15 5 ?
Graham Morris B Morley CC 16 11 2.23.35
Race 2
Mick Day D Paul Milnes Cycles 1 1 2.11.20
Martin Hopkinson C Fietsen Tempo 2 1 ST
Dennis Lang C Clayton Velo 3 2 2.14.27
Fred Easton C Doncaster Whs 4 3 ST
Steve Jolley D Onimpex - Bioracer RT 5 2 ST
Brian Davison D Team Jewson - MI Racing - Thule - CNP - Ride Kinesis - Fibrax - Rotor 6 3 ST
Kevin Ainsworth C North Lancs Road Club 7 4 ST
Rob Pye C Clitheroe Bikeclub 8 5 ST
Melvin Hartley C Condor RC 9 6 ST
Steve Macklin D Wilson Wheels 10 4 ST
Paul Sleaford C Norton Wheelers 11 7 ST
John Marshall D Ferryhill Wheelers 12 5 ST
Dave Scargill D Birdwell Wheelers 13 6 ST
Andy Coates D Clifton CC 14 7 ST
Geoff Davison C Scunthorpe Poly 15 8 ST
John Cosgrove C Onimpex - Bioracer RT 16 9 ST
Tony May C LVRC 17 10 2.15..23
Anthony Jones C Featherstone RC 18 11 ST
Mike O'Callaghan C 19 12 2.20.12
Roger Gardiner D Liverpool Mercury RC - Dolan 20 8 2.22.12
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Stuart Davies C Selby CC 21 13 2.23.36
Phil Bixby C Clifton CC 22 14 2.23.54
Race 3
Kenneth Corbett E Wakefield CC 1 1 2.23.36
Richard Booth F Middridge CRT 2 1 ST
David Hargreaves F North Lancs RC 3 2 ST
Allan Ramsey E Road Peace / Bioracer / 4Kam 4 2 ST
Brian Sunter F Condor Road Club 5 3 ST
Alistair Cameron E Leeds Mercury 6 3 ST
Brian Gore F Lancashire Road Club 7 4 ST
Malcolm Fraser E Lusso Sportswear 8 4 ST
Kev Shand E West Pennine 9 5 ST
John Ginley F Condor Road Club 10 5 ST
Ray Brummitt E VC Lincoln 11 6 2.29.20
Derrick Woodings G MI Racing/Jewson/Thule/CNP 11 1 ?
SUNDAY 22ND APRIL – REGION 6
SEVALE SPRING RR.
Race1, A and B Category
1 Phil Rayner Welland Valley B, 2 Richard Shimmell Warwicks RC A,
3 Jon Stephenson MI Racing Jewson B, 4 Mike Twelves Team Jewson
MI Racing B, 5 Jason Meyer Stourbridge Velo A, 6 Ian Holbrook Stone
Wheelers A, 7 Andrew Prince Stafford RC A, 8 Peter Georgi Giant
CC- Halo Films B, 9 Ian Foster Cycle Shack Forme Coaching A, 10 N
Bosworth Kenilworth Wheelers, Mike Vaughan B, 11 Martin Webster
Welland Valley B, 12 Mike Garth Cycle Shack Forme Coaching A, 13
Karl Moseley Stourbridge Velo B, 14 Mark Farrar Cov.Ride.UK B, 15
Vince Page Team Echelon-Rotor B, 16 Warren Barber Newport B, 17
Shaun Hammond Wolverhampton Wheelers B, 18 Thomas Butcher
Derby Mercury RC A, 19 Dave Dickerson Team Echelon-Rotor A. 20
Nick Stinton V. C. Sevale (Malvern) A. 21 David Stockill Solihull CC B, 22
Anthony Griffith Leamington Spa C & AC B,
Race 2, C and D Category
1 John French Team Jewson MI Racing D, 2 Nick Faint Finchley
Racing Team C, 3 Mike Koumi Cycle Shack Forme Coaching C, 4 Paul
Mann Solihull CC C, 5 Martin Russell D, 6 Brian Austin LVRC C, 7 Paul
Caton Anders TMG Horizon RT C, 8 Marcus Walker Bush Healthcare C,
9 Chris Davis Bush Healthcare D, 10 Andy Webb Kenilworth Wheelers
C, 11 Richard Coleman Stourbridge Velo D, 12 Nick Giles Fibrax
Wrexham RC C, 13 Phil Evans Coventry RC D, 14 Terry Meechan Team
Coventry Cycle Centre D, 15 Paul Lilley Fenland Clarion C, 16 Russell
Perry Solihull CC C, 17 Bob Tyrrell Dursley RC D, 18 Ian Cowan Solihull
CC C, 19 Alessandro Toso Halesowen Athletic and CC C.
Race 3, E, F and G Category
1 Don Parry Team Corley E, 2 Martin Hackley Team Jewson- MI
Racing-Thule E, 3 Lance Ravenhill Team Coventry Cycle Centre F, 4 John
Hughes Coventry RC E, 5 John Clarke WFC RC E, 6 Barry Jones Cycles
Dauphine F, 7 Kevin Wilson Solihull CC F, 8 Ivor Thomas Solihull CC E, 9
Ken Bradbury Wyre Forest CRC E, 10 Ken Haddon Bush Healthcare G,
11 Bob Richards Solihull CC G, 12 Bill Rains Velo Club Bristol F, 13 Mick
Ives Team Jewson MI Racing G, 14 Alan Janes Bristol South CC F.
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Page 13
Speed recovery, dodge injury
and boost your performance!
by Campbell Noon
I imagine most of you reading this article have had the
odd massage before a big event or perhaps during a training
camp in some exotic Mediterranean location or sadly as a
consequence of some form of injury. We have all had the
odd ache and usual tiredness that comes with training and
perhaps held off the visit to the sports therapist in fear the
pain (sorry mild discomfort) that can sometimes be inflicted
or news that the injury might be worse than first thought!
Over my twenty years in multisport I have always
maintained a regular pattern of bi weekly deep tissue
massages when the training gets a little more serious
and intense especially when the spring and summer race
season is underway.
Like most keen cyclists I have also experienced injury
but more often than not the sports massage has assisted
in the repair & rehabilitation process and more than likely
reduced and prevented further damage.
I have also wondered why more cyclists don’t follow a
similar regime especially when the investment in all the
kit and races, surely a monthly trip to the sports therapist
can be more than justified. You have only got to look at
the pro peloton to see the frequency and skills the massage
therapist adopts to look after the team.
Without doubt most of the riders would consider massage
crucial and an essential part of their training program,
enhancing performance and speeding up recovery. Many
elites even go further employing their own personal
masseurs.
Page 14
Does it actually work?
This depends on many factors: the type, frequency, and
obviously the quality of the massage, and if you have a
specific problem and what you hope to gain from the
treatment. Will a massage knock 20 seconds off your next 25
time trial or help you win that next big road race? Probably
not, but neither will an extra set of hill reps. In almost
most cases sports massage has a cumulative effect. One
treatment may have a short-term benefit, but correction of
long-term problems takes longer. Recent studies published
in the Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise found that on
a three massage per week on one leg found that after 10
weeks the massaged leg gained four degrees in flexibility
and 13 per cent in strength. Research in the Journal of
Athletic Training noted a 30 per cent reduction in post
exercise soreness and other research has found improved
recovery and decreased levels of fatigue.
There are also psychological benefits in that you simply
feel recovered and reinvigorated so its body and mind
which can make a big difference in any competitive sport.
Muscles that are massaged more frequently tend to be
stronger, have fewer damaged fibres and will not swell as
much as tired muscles.
How can it help my Cycling?
Sports massage can improve flexibility of tired tight
muscles and correct any imbalances; some techniques will
increase circulation, enabling the muscles to use oxygen
and nutrients more effectively boosting performance. The
principals are about the promotion venous return (the rate
of blood flow back to the heart) and lymphatic drainage
can help recovery relieving congestion in the muscles and
removing waste products. It can also help prevent or rather
act as early warning system working on potential problems
before they become injuries.
Soft touch
Massage techniques vary from gentle “effleurage” which
is a long relaxing gliding movement towards your heart to
aid venous return, to “Petrissage”, a somewhat less relaxing
kneading of the muscles to boost circulation and mobiles
tissue. There are also compression techniques to promote
relaxation in tight muscles or reduce sensitivity of painful
“trigger points”, and friction techniques to work on scar
tissue or adhered tissue that doesn’t move freely because
of overuse or injury. Scare tissue we will treat with more
vigorous movements and greater depth, and adhered
tissue with gentler effleurage. Sports massage tends to be
very deep ideal for over worked muscles, stiff and immobile
joints and chronically tight areas, such as lower back.
Movements are similar to traditional massage but slower
and stronger and longer in pressure. Muscle soreness
is caused by microscopic damage to its fibres massage
promotes healing through breaking down fibrous tissue
and adhesions. For best results you may find the best time
to have a sports massage a few days after a heavy training
load or race and a few days prior to a race or heavy hard
training session.
The Biomechanics of cycling
Cycling is unique in terms of the posture inertia
combination adopted by the upper and lower body position
while performing large quantities of repetitions in roughly
the same position for hours on end. This is where the setup and positioning on the bike becomes of importance:
seat height, position (too far forward, too set back), reach,
crank size, cleats and peddle interface, handlebars width.
If not fitted correctly to your body geometry the results
could be more than just discomfort after a few miles. Poor
positioning and measurement (you vs. bike) will cause
muscular discomfort and poor physical alignment this will
then lead to weak flexibility and stability reduced power
output which are required to maintain performance and
posture, areas that will be affected include:
Thoracic spin
Pelvis
Hamstrings
Gluteal/hips
IT Band (iliotibial)
Knee range
Ankle range
A good sports therapist will not just apply a wide range of
massage techniques but look for strength imbalances which
in cyclists can lead to overloading one leg or other parts of
the body. Rehabilitation exercise will be recommended.
Massage the benefits
Circulation
allows the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into
tissues and the vital organs.
Stimulation
stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defensive
system against toxic invasion strengths your immunity.
Repair
softens injured, tired and overused muscles.
Elevation
reduces spasms, cramping, recovery time and prepares
for further strenuous workouts.
Relaxation
releases endorphins, and the feel good hormones
serotonin and dopamine which are the body’s natural
painkillers making you relaxed and providing sense of
wellbeing.
Motion
improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort
(back pain).
Flexibility
increase joint flexibility.
Tension
One of the first things massage does is encourage muscles
to relax and lengthen relieving tightness, tension and toxins
just like a wound up elastic band being unraveled.
Strengthen
the benefits of deep tissue massage include increased
blood flow to the muscles and the stretching and
strengthening of the tendons. According to the journal
of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008, deep
tissue massage lowers blood pressure and the heartbeat
by 10.8 beats per minute
Article by Campbell Noon December 2011
Professional Massage and Therapy Team
[email protected]
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Page 15
Stretching - the Secret Weapon?
by Chris Davis
“Oh here we go again. Someone banging on about
stretching. I’ve never stretched and I don’t intend starting
now”.
I suspect that, for around half of the readers of this
magazine, will be a fair representation of the response to
seeing the title of this article. Well, can I suggest you find
the time to read through it. If at the end you are still of the
same opinion then fine, you’ve lost nothing. But it may just
be that there’s something here for you and it would be a
shame to let it pass you by.
The article is based on a paper I wrote as part of studies
for a Sports Injury Therapy diploma. I’d always tried
to incorporate stretching into my fitness regime but I
entered the research with an open mind. I came out the
other end with a renewed commitment to stretching and
supplementary strength and conditioning training.
Stretching has many benefits for the athlete, hasn’t it?
If this is the case then why is it that a structured stretching
regime is so often overlooked or positively avoided?
Most active people will know something about stretching
techniques and many will have an idea that it can be
beneficial. Anyone who has come into contact with a good
qualified coach or properly trained fitness professional will
have been advised in respect of stretching and regular
articles appear in sports and health based magazines and
journals. Despite this exposure many athletes fail to heed
the advice.
The use of stretching is not an exact science and there
is not always total agreement as to the proven benefits
or indeed how and when to stretch effectively. There are,
however, sufficient points of consensus in a wide body
of research suggesting that, when conducted properly,
stretching is well worth the time and energy investment for
active people.
Flexibility can be described as the ability to move a joint
and muscles through their full range of motion. Stretching,
however, refers to the process of elongating soft tissue
thereby assisting in flexibility.
Flexibility does not exist as a general characteristic in a
body but rather as a characteristic of individual joints and
tissue (Merni et al 1981). For example, a person with good
flexibility in the upper body may have poor flexibility in
the hip. Additionally, muscle length and flexibility can vary
greatly between individuals through injury, hereditary
factors and general conditioning.
Different sports will also produce specific flexibility and
training. Stretching advice and regimes should reflect
these differences. Excessive flexibility, however, can be
a detrimental characteristic (eg; where it allows hyperextension in a joint with susequent loss of stability) and
stretching regimes must take this into account. Additionally
there are musculoskeletal considerations such as differences
between male and female pelvic areas. But stretching is
about more than just improving or maintaining flexibility
as we shall see later.
Page 16
Flexibility is developed when connective tissue and
muscles are elongated through regular, proper stretching.
In contrast, flexibility diminishes over time when these
tissues are not stretched or exercised.
Stretching is seen in both animal and human behaviour
as an almost involuntary action. We stretch when we get
out of bed, we stretch when we get out of the car after a
long journey, we stretch when we get up from working
on the computer. It is a natural response to a stiffness or
tightness in our bodies.
Stephen T. Chang in his book ‘Chinese Yoga’ says “ If you
observe animals such as the cat, you will see that when they
wake up, the first thing they do is stretch their bodies. They
are following a natural law which we too need to follow. So,
upon rising in the morning and whilst still in bed, stretch
your arms, legs, back and feet. It does not matter which way
– just stretch”
To understand how stretching affects the body we need
to have a brief look at the effects of stretching on soft
tissues.
The primary tissue affected in stretching is muscle but
this is by no means the only tissue involved. Ligaments,
tendons, fascia, fibrous and scar tissue can all be affected
by stretching.
There are three basic types of muscle. Skeletal, smooth
and cardiac. Smooth muscle is associated with the organs
of the body, cardiac is the muscle of the heart and skeletal
is the muscle of bodily movement. For the purposes of this
article, references to muscle mean skeletal muscle.
The primary function of muscle tissue is to produce
movement through its ability to contract and develop
tension. When a muscle contracts it develops tension that is
transmitted to bones via tendons thus causing movement.
Sensory organs in the muscles and tendons relay
information to the central nervous system and the brain
reporting on the current state of muscles and associated
tissue. These organs provide the information that allows
for proprioception. Proprioception can be defined as’ The
awareness of the body in space. It is the use of joint position
sense and joint motion sense to respond to stresses placed
upon the body by alteration of posture and movement’. One
example being the ability to touch the nose with a finger
tip whilst keeping the eyes closed. This proprioception
function is exploited in certain types of stretching.
The Stretch Reflex
The stretch reflex is a basic operation of the nervous
system that helps maintain muscle tone and prevent
injury. This reflex is a muscle’s response to an unexpected
increase in its length. Stretching a muscle stretches both
the muscle fibres and muscle spindles, an organ involved
in proprioception as previously described. Changes in the
muscle spindle results in the firing of the stretch reflex
that causes a muscle to contract in order to protect itself.
An example of this is during the patella (knee cap) tap test
where the patella tendon just below the knee cap is lightly
struck, usually with a rubber hammer type implement
(neuromuscular hammer) commonly seen in a GP surgery.
Muscle spindles are stimulated sending a signal to the
central nervous system. The central nervous system sends
a signal to the quadriceps (thigh muscles) to contract in
order to prevent damage to the tendon. This contraction
causes the classic lower leg extension (often used to comic
affect!) that indicates all is well with the nerve roots.
Reciprocal Inhibition.
Muscles usually operate in pairs (although secondary
muscles are involved in actions such as synergists that assist
in stability). The agonist or prime mover is the contracting
muscle. The antagonist is an opposing muscle that relaxes
as the agonist contracts, this is reciprocal inhibition. An
example of this relationship is the quadricep and hamstring
muscle groups. Quadriceps contraction will initiate leg
extension. To allow this action the hamstrings, which, if
contracted, slow down leg extension and/or initiate leg
flexion, have to relax. Through cooperation of the nerves
within these two sets of muscles appropriate actions are
allowed (full leg extension) or restricted (control of the
leg through the slowing down of leg extension by the
hamstrings as in the running action).
This relationship can be utilised in stretching. Using the
quadriceps and hamstrings again as an example; to relax
the quadriceps with a view to stretch these muscles the
hamstrings are contracted. Contraction of the hamstrings
will send signals to the quadriceps muscles encouraging
them to relax thus enabling contraction of the hamstrings.
The ensuing relaxation of the quadriceps allows an effective
stretch. “All that’s very interesting (or possibly not !) but you
still haven’t told me why I should I spend time stretching
when I could be doing ’proper’ training”.
OK, let’s have a look at the commonly perceived benefits
of stretching. At this stage no differentiation is made as to
which type of stretch is seen to be most beneficial for a
particular situation. For the purposes of this article it should
be assumed that ‘stretching’ includes all methods including
that achieved through certain massage techniques.
Stretching can optimise an athletes learning, practice
and performance of many types of skilled movements.
This claim is based on stretching’s role in achieving and
retaining flexibility. X-ray studies in dancers showed that
training (to include stretching) can modify bone and joint
structure, hence range of movement can be enhanced
(Nikolic and Zimmerman, 1968).
A sprint hurdler, for example, needs tremendous flexibility
in the hips to negotiate the hurdles in the most effective
fashion. In addition to flexibility, stretching will assist this
athlete in keeping muscles like the abductors, adductors
and hamstrings from tightening. These are important
muscle groups for hurdlers. A tight antagonist muscle will
affect its agonist muscle pairing. The agonist may have to
expend unnecessary energy in overcoming resistance from
the antagonist if the antagonist is tight.
Stretching can increase an athlete’s mental and physical
relaxation
In the right environment, time taken to complete a
structured stretching programme can be mentally relaxing.
Correct breathing and concentration on each stretch will
induce a feeling of calm as achieved through such disciplines
as yoga and tai chi. This can be a welcome, refreshing and
complementary component to an otherwise intensive and
tiring exercise programme.
The release of excessive tension in soft tissue through
stretching techniques, and again this very much includes
stretching techniques used in massage, will aid the athlete
in his or her efforts to physically relax at various appropriate
times in their training cycle.
Stretching can promote development of bodily
awareness
This claim has its basis in subjective viewpoints. It can be
argued that a regular stretching programme will help an
athlete become very aware of his or her body in terms
of flexibility, tension and even injury. This can only be a
positive situation for an individual. Yoga, in all its many
forms, utilises stretching to a great extent in its movements.
Practitioners report a greater body awareness and, whilst
there is more to yoga than just stretching, the cross-over
of this ‘knowledge’ is reinforced when it is seen that the
majority of what we would call ‘sports stretches’ have a
derivation in yoga movements.
Stretching can reduce muscle soreness
There are differing views as to the precise cause of muscle
soreness. Explanations include: irritation caused by tissue
damage, metabolic accumulation, pressure and swelling,
lactic acid residue and localised muscle spasm. Lactic
acid residue and localised muscle spasm explanations
have largely been dismissed (see my previous article
in this magazine ‘The Lactic Acid Myth’). Research into
the effectiveness of soreness reduction strategies have
continued in tandem with further research as to the exact
causes of soreness.
The most common type of soreness experienced
by athletes is that of DOMS (Delayed Onset of Muscle
Soreness). This occurs approximately 48 hours after a bout
of exercise that is likely to have included intense eccentric
muscle action (ie; forced stretching of a contracted muscle
as experienced when riding a fixed wheel and having to
‘brake’ harshly with the legs).
Studies have shown that stretching, and this includes
massage techniques that involve a stretching action,
can prove beneficial in reducing the original levels of
soreness and reducing levels once experienced, Tilman and
Cummings (1992). An interesting find was that treatment
within the first 15 hours of exercise was not noticeably
more effective than that commenced 24 hours after the
cessation of exercise, Mancinelli et al.(2005) and Dawson et
al. (2005).
Stretching can reduce muscle tension
One of the ways in which stretching can be successful
is through the release of excessive muscle tension
(hypertension) thus allowing elongation of a muscle or
connective tissue. Techniques use the nervous system
responses to release tension in a muscle. This claim can
be substantiated through widespread empirical evidence
from therapists and users of the techniques. The treatment
of cramp also falls under this heading as cramp is localised
muscle hypertension in an already shortened muscle.
The sight of a trainer/physiotherapist treating a soccer
Page 17
player for calf cramp by stretching the calf through dorsiflexion of the foot on an extended leg is a not uncommon
occurrence.
Stretching can reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea in
female athletes
Exercise and stretching has long been recommended for
females suffering from period pain or dysmenorrhea.
Exercise can help through blocking some of the afferent
pain signals being sent to the central nervous system and
brain. This occurs through the ‘pain gate theory’ (Melzak
and Wall 1965). In essence this theory states that efferent
nervous system signalling (signals emanating from the
brain) takes priority over the majority of afferent signals
(signals being sent to the brain) thereby stopping the
nociceptor (pain receptor) signals getting to the brain
to record pain/discomfort. Exercise involves the efferent
system sending signals to the motor neurones, those
nerves that stimulate muscle movement, thereby blocking
a large proportion of the pain receptor afferent signals.
Exercise also causes the body to release natural pain killing
hormones such as endorphins that work by inhibiting
chemicals such as substance P, an amino acid that is
associated with, amongst other things, the regulation of
pain, mood, nausea and respiratory rhythm (think in terms
of an all out sprint to understand the effects of sustance
P!). Stretching will also help in relaxing excessively tense
abdominal and surrounding muscles.
Stretching can reduce the risk of back problems
‘Back Problems’ in this context refer to conditions rather
than injury caused directly as a result of trauma.
The many different muscles of the back start at the base
of the skull and finish at the coccyx at the very base of the
spine and form layers deep to superficial. Throughout their
length they are attached either directly or indirectly to
many other structures in the body, not just the spine.
An important example of an indirect relationship is that
of the hamstring muscle group. The hamstrings originate
on the ischial tuberosity, the ‘sitting bones’ and the lowest
point of the pelvis. The pelvis has both muscular and
ligamentous connections to the spine thereby allowing the
hamstrings to have an effect on the spine, and indeed, vice
versa. Tightness in the hamstrings can have an effect on the
lower back so it is clear that any release of tension in the
hamstrings will be beneficial in retaining a healthy lower
back area. The hamstrings are just one example of how the
stretching of soft tissue can help reduce the risk of back
problems. Unsurprisingly perhaps, a study by Cailliet (1988)
asserts that ‘ a mobilised, flexible and strengthened lumbar
spine may help to prevent lower back pain’.
Stretching can reduce the risk of muscle and joint
strain
This claim has been the topic of much recent discussion in
sports journals. For a long time the claim was accepted by
mainstream sports medicine practitioners. However, recent
research has found no sound evidence to substantiate
the claim. In a study of soldiers, injuries sustained during
training were not significantly different between the group
who followed a structured stretching programme and a
control group who did not (Medical Science Sports Exercise
USA, 2000). In another randomised trial, Dutch scientists
Page 18
found that warming up and stretching did not reduce the
risk of injury in 421 recreational runners (Van Medelen et
al. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1993). It has been
suggested that, despite these findings, stretching could
help to reduce the risk of injury in those sports requiring
ballistic type actions eg; basketball. However, it has in fact
been found that less force is required to rupture ‘stretchy’
muscle than is required to rupture ‘stiff’ muscle (Sports
Medicine Journal, 2004). But note: do not confuse stretching
alone with a proper warm up. Warm-ups continue to be
ackonwledged as essential to prepare the body for intense
action and this assists in the reduction in chances of injury.
Stretching can be beneficial during the repair stage of
injury
Following injury of soft tissue, during the repair stage,
fibrils or strips of collagen are laid down at the site of
damage. This collagen is the body’s attempt at replacing
the damaged tissue and making it functional once again.
Muscles cannot reproduce muscle fibre and the collagen
is initially not as strong or functional as muscle. In fact scar
tissue is estimated to reach only 70% of the strength of the
muscle it replaces. Additionally, without appropriate stress
being placed on it during this time, the collagen will form a
haphazard structure. This haphazard formation will reduce
functionality, cause tightness and can, if left un-checked,
shrink by up to 30%. It can also cause adhesions with
previously undamaged surrounding tissue.
Stretching combined with other massage techniques can
help in aligning this collagen, known at this stage as scar
tissue. Alignment in the tissue’s natural line of stress will
allow for greater functionality and, as already stated, help to
negate the opportunity for adhesions to form that would
affect the function and mobility of surrounding tissue and,
subsequently, underlying muscle.
Stretching is more difficult in older age
In general, flexibility decreases with age (Harris, 1969). This
fact in itself is good reason for stretching to continue in
the older athlete. It must be remembered, however, that
the flexibility of youth cannot be recreated and attempts
to do so could cause injury. In young people, suppleness
decreases during school years but increases again during
adolescence.
After adolescence a decrease is seen but this decrease
can be mitigated through activity.
The ageing process is thought to affect flexibility through:
1. increased dehydration of connective tissue
2. increases in adhesions between tissue
3. change in the chemical structure of tissue
4. replacement of muscle fibres with fatty
and fibrous fibres
5. increased calcium deposits
Stretching stimulates the production of lubricating
fluids. These fluids help to keep joints mobile and lubricate
between tissue thus reducing the levels of adhesion
formation thus mitigating the effects of ageing on tissue
and joints.
Types of Stretch
There are around seven major types of stretching. In
addition, stretches are achieved through some massage
techniques.
Only two of the seven (Assisted Stretch and PNFProprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) require the
involvement of a third party with the remaining five being
suitable for the athlete to perform on their own. With
sufficient knowledge, even some of the massage techniques
can be used on oneself with some success.
A full explanation of the techniques can be found in the
web article (see note at end).
A more comprehensive list of contra-indications is
included in the web page article but the following issues
are particularly relevant to us not only as competitive
cyclists but as people who take regular exercise.
• Stretching should always be preceded by a warm-up to
ensure that muscles and other soft tissues are prepared for
the forthcoming elongation through increased blood flow
and increase in bodily core temperature. Stretching should
never replace a full and appropriate warm-up before
exercise
• The use of stretching immediately prior to exercise as
part of a warm-up routine has been questioned. The basis
of this questioning is in terms of power reduction following
stretching. Research has shown that power can be reduced
in the athlete for up to 1 hour following a passive stretching
routine. Fowles et al (2000) found that foot/calf plantar
flexion was reduced by nearly 28% within minutes of a 13
repetition plantar flex. This power reduction lessened in a
linear fashion to 9% reduction at 1 hour. Further research
showed that a one repetition max. effort was reduced by
7.5% in knee flexion and 5.6% in knee extension following
3 x 15 second ballistic stretches of the knee, Journal of
Applied Physiology No. 89 pp 1179-88 (2000).
Research appears to suggest that strong stretches such
as ballistic stretching should be avoided immediately prior
to those activities that require an athlete’s optimum power.
Less aggressive stretching can still be considered where
flexibility is a key component of an athlete’s performance.
This could include a time trialist or pusuiter who needs
lumbar flexibility to achieve an effective aerodynamic
position.
• Exercise can cause micro trauma to muscle fibres.
Effectively this micro trauma is damage and any strong
stretching activity following shortly after the exercise is
likely to cause more damage. There is even the chance
that strong stretches in these circumstances will induce a
protective reflex causing the very tension the stretch was
intended to release. As we have seen earlier in this article,
stretching can help in the recovery phase but it needs to be
considered and not as aggressive as at other times in the
training cycle. So when you next see a fellow racer going
through all sorts of contortions in the changing rooms after
a race, don’t feel guilty about standing there with your tea
and cake wondering whether or not you should be doing
the same!
• The effects of ageing, from formative to latter years, on
flexibility must be understood in order that effective and
safe stretching routines are produced
• Whilst general agreement exists on the length and number
of stretches dependent on the type of stretch eg: for static
assisted and passive stretches, 25 seconds repeated 3-5
times in a session, athletes will develop their own versions
based on these basic principles. Bigger muscles in well
developed athletes may require 30 seconds whilst smaller
less developed muscles may benefit from around 20
seconds. Some professionals utilise a 3 x 10 second stretch
but longer less intense stretches are believed to have a
longer lasting effect in terms of elongating connective
tissue
Are you a Coach?
All of the techniques discussed in this study have something
to offer the athlete at different times and in different
circumstances. It is just a matter of the athlete and/or the
coach spending a little time in researching what is available
and introducing new ideas into the training regime. This is
something that they are already very used to in terms of
physical conditioning and equipment.
Whilst the athlete has to accept responsibility for his or
her well being, the coach has a large part to play and can be
a substantial influence on his or her athlete.
Coaches clearly need to tailor training regimes to the
individual athlete and differing views on how to achieve
the desired goal will always exist. A disparity in views
between coaches does, unsurprisingly, extend to the issue
of stretching. This point became evident during my studies
where I was given access to young riders (under19yrs) on two
national development squads. They were not encouraged
or indeed instructed in the inclusion of a stretching plan
within their training. Habits formed at this stage in their
athletic careers are likely to remain and it is my view that
valuable opportunities to educate are being lost.
Advice should be based on a sound knowledge of the
subject. It must be given in a way that encourages and not
‘dictates’. For many athletes this could be the first time in
their career that they have really considered the inclusion
of stretching in their training sessions. Ill considered
stretching in terms of amount, timing or type could not
only injure the athlete but could permanently turn them
away from the subject .
In conclusion, I feel that it is possible to say that:
• Stretching has many proven benefits for athletes and all
active people.
• Stretching works.
• Stretching is worth the time and energy investment.
There is insufficient space within this article to reproduce
details of a stretch programme. Should you wish to give it a
go then please contact me at the below email address and
I will provide you with a simple plan.
A fuller version of this article appears on the LVRC
website’s ‘Training’ pages (Click on the ‘Racing’ button then
the ‘Training’ button). It explains in more depth the various
types of stretching, when stretching should be avoided or
approached with care and how stretching affects the body.
Chris Davis is an active LVRC member, a Level 2 BC coach,
a British Weight Lifting Association coach and runs a Sports
Injury Therapy practice in Bristol. He is happy to deal with
individual queries from LVRC members particularly in respect
of training, stretch and weight training programmes.
He can be contacted at: [email protected]
Page 19
Book reviews
All the Business of War – The British
Army Exercises of 1913
This is a book that caught my eye
recently. I was in the ironmongers shop
purchasing a couple of tools for my
landscaping job and there it was on the
counter. A cyclist, some military men
and a young Winston Churchill were
featured on the front cover. Fortunately
Mrs Selley bought a copy for my
Christmas stocking!
I am currently introducing an old
gentleman to the cafes of our area, he
has recently moved to Milton Keynes,
from “down south” and calling for him
one day I thought I caught a glimpse
of a Zulu shield and an Assegai resting
in the corner of his living room behind
his bike. Strange, I thought, maybe he
served with Baden Powell in Mafeking or
possibly at Brian Rourkes Drift, anyway,
the book seemed to collect a number
of my interests such as, cycling, history,
Winston Churchill and Baden Powell, so
here we go!
The book is local history and tells the
story of the 1913 military manoeuvres.
At this time Britain was conscious of
powers on the European mainland
flexing their muscles at the same time
as realising that we were complacent
and relying on outdated strategies and
procedures.
The purpose of the manoeuvres was
to practice the establishment of efficient
HQ’s, featuring approach marches using
one road for cavalry and foot soldiers
with the supply logistics necessary for
supporting such a large force. Attacking
entrenched positions and pursuit of
retreating units was complicated by
sudden changes in direction, testing
Page 20
By Dick Selley
mobility and communications.
One army was based in Hemel
Hempstead and the opposing force was
at Daventry, hence all the action took
place in the central section which by
coincidence is “our stamping ground”,
west of Milton Keynes and north to
Towcester. There are several references
to our course at Foxley and I am sure
our Chairman will recognise many of the
villages mentioned as this is his regular
training area.
A feature of the army in those days
was the formation of cycling battalions,
faster than foot soldiers and mostly less
problematic than horses who had their
last hurrah in the 1914-18 war. Each army
was allocated detachments of cyclists
who were on “sit up and beg” machines
as illustrated and were expected to
deploy at 8mph average as a “rapid
response unit” to seize tactical points
(cafes), the destruction of bridges(we
need fewer hills as we get older) and the
interruption of enemy communications.
They worked in support of cavalry units
and an interesting observation was
that the maximum number of cyclists
capable of using a single road was seen
to be 500 (sportive organisers please
note).
I am reminded that about 15 years ago
a group of us from the North Bucks Road
Club had gone over to ride a randonee
in Boulogne, after the event we visited
one of the many war cemeteries in
the area, we found a gravestone with
a wheel carved onto it, this was the
memorial to a member of one of the
cycling battalions.
Another amazing reference in the book
was the involvement of local groups of
Boy Scouts and Church Lads Brigades
who came under the command of the
local Territorial Force. These lads had
to provide their own bicycles and were
issued with a Martin Henry carbine in
a rifle bucket!!! Bear in mind that the
Scout Movement was only 5 years old
and under Baden Powell’s leadership
had a strong military influence. BP as the
“Hero of Mafeking” was present at the
manoeuvres as were King George V and
Queen Mary, they stayed at Althorpe
House with the Spencer family.
The King was photographed with
a party of “top brass” near Blakesley
“observing the troops”. He is stood on
the verge of the road and from the look
of the road, the verge, the hedge and
the trees I am almost certain that this is
the same spot where we stand to judge
the finish of “The Andy Hardy Memorial
Race”! Wow, you never know who has
been around, do you!!
On the maps in the book the villages
are all marked as important features
of the exercise, Maidford, Litchborough,
Charwelton, Napton and Staverton,
places I expect to visit soon on Martin
Hackley’s “Phil Cooke Challenge”.
Another feature of the event which
excited the locals, in addition to having
a chance to see the King and Queen,
was the appearance of aeroplanes, the
tactical use of aircraft was in its infancy
and the opposing forces had the use of
two airships and twentyseven planes
flying from Tring (the southern force)
and using landing grounds at Towcester,
Upper Stowe, Litchborough and Badby
some of which changed hands as the
exercise developed.
A fascinating glimpse into the past
and the history of our area. I enjoyed
reading this little book with it’s maps
and many photographs. The authors are
to be congratulated for their efforts.
“All the Business of War” The British
Army Exercises of 1913
By John Sunderland and Margaret
Webb
ISBN 978-0-9524619-4-4
“Tomorrow we ride” (Demain, en
roule) - By Jean Bobet
I had to ring the Editor to check if I
had submitted this review, I found the
draft in my LVRC folder but could not
find it in my collection of magazines as
published. A second reading of the book
prompted my search.
It is immediately obvious that this is an
unusual cycling book, written by a man
known to be “an intellectual”, the style of
the prose and the references he uses are
different to what we are used to!
Roger St Pierre, in his foreword
mirrors my own schoolboy impressions
of Louison Bobet winning his three
Tours de France at a time when I was a
fledgling cyclist, luckily having to pass
Holdsworth’s shop every morning on
the route from train station to school in
Beckenham.
Jean insists that he will not write
another biography of his brother and
quotes a classic line attributed to Jeanne
Moreau “at our age, we have no memory
left, only memories”, so the book will
not be full of detail, but packed with
valuable reminiscences.
Book reviews
Chapter 2 explains to me why I have
more often cycled with “ploucs”; builders,
plumbers and metal workers, than with
diplomats, doctors and accountants.
However I think that nowadays this is
probably not totally true.
Sports therapists will enjoy an
illuminating section on the legendary
Raymond le Bert whose expertise was
known even to us Brits thanks to the
articles of the great Jock Wadley.
Paul Freeman, Region 7’s friendly
policeman who has emigrated to France
and visits us regularly will be pleased to
have his village mentioned as it was on
the route of the 1951 Paris-Brest-Paris,
the last running of the event as a pro
race.
1955 was a noteable year in the lives of
Louison and Jean, the two brothers were
riding “more than usual” and avoiding
groups that “tended to chat and dawdle”!
Their manager noted that Louison
trained “in short bursts”, but remember
this was within the “more than usual”
mileage. The results that Spring were
Jean 1st Paris-Nice, 3rd Milan-San Remo;
Louison 1st Tour of Flanders, 1st Tour of
Luxemberg, 1st Dauphine Libere. Just
reward for their efforts.
This is one of those books that you
can’t put down and it will appeal to
those of “a certain age”, war babies, who
were seduced by the colourful covers of
Miroir Sprint and Miroir des Sports. As
you get towards the end of the book Jean
is clever with his recognition and use of
meaningful quotes from other writers
such as Julien Gracq “The interesting
thing about old age is that desire adjusts
itself miraculously to suit the means. One
By Dick Selley & Gordon Daniels
begins to experience only those desires
that have a chance of being satisfied in
the new circumstances”.
Also Jean Prevost “the end of the
champion is as tragic as that of the
lion king”, in the wild, a new, younger,
stronger lion will take over leadership of
the pride. C’est la vie!
A good read which makes me wonder
if anyone translated any earlier books
about Bobet? Perhaps Mick Clark could
inform us.
This book is published by Mousehold
Press and Sport & Publicity.
“Tomorrow we ride” by Jean Bobet
ISBN 978-1-874739-51-7
Argyle Armada: The All-Access Pass to
Pro Cycling
Boulder, CO, USA - April 23, 2012 - A
new book, Argyle Armada: Behind the
Scenes of the Pro Cycling Life delivers
an unprecedented look inside the sport
and lifestyle of professional cycling.
Embedded with Team Garmin-Cervélo
for its 2011 season, writer-photographer
Mark Johnson brilliantly chronicles the
team's most intimate personal dramas
and public celebrations. From winter
training camp on the cobbled lanes of
medieval Girona, Spain, to hard-earned
stage victories in July's Tour de France,
to flesh-shredding crashes at the Vuelta
a España in September, Argyle Armada
brings the life and work of a pro cycling
team into focus through incisive writing
and spectacular colour photographs.
Download a preview chapter of the
book and find book tour dates at www.
argylearmada.com. The book is now
available in the U.K. at good bookshops
or direct from www.cordee.co.uk.
More than a book about racing, Argyle
Armada is a portrait of life as a member
of a pro cycling team during a time of
painful transition for the sport. Johnson
unveils the dramatic forces that GarminCervélo must navigate as team founder
Jonathan Vaughters tries to push forward
his vision of a reformed sport. Along the
way, countless difficult decisions must
be made to keep the team competitive
in the chase for ProTour points, money,
respect, and fame.
With all-access insight and spectacular
colour images, Argyle Armada
is a backstage pass to the world of
professional cycling.
Argyle Armada: Behind the Scenes of
the Pro Cycling Life
Text and photographs by Mark Johnson,
foreword by Jonathan Vaughters
Hardcover with jacket. Full-colour
photographs throughout.
280mm x 229 mm, 224 pp., £29.95,
978-1-934030-81-3
Mark Johnson has covered cycling as
a writer and photographer for national
and international publications since the
1980s. His work has been published in
cycling magazines including VeloNews
in the United States, Cycling Weekly
in the UK, Velo in France, and Ride
Cycling Review in Australia as well as
general-interest publications including
the Wall Street Journal and the San
Diego Union-Tribune. A Category II road
cyclist, Mark has also bicycled across
the United States twice and completed
an Ironman® triathlon. He has a PhD in
English literature from Boston University
and has worked as a freelance writer and
photographer for the Slipstream Sports
cycling team since 2007.His other passion
is surfing, which he does frequently from
his home in Del Mar, California. Find
more of Mark's photographs and writing
at www.ironstring.com.
For review copies, author interviews,
or book extracts, please contact:
Dave Trendler, VeloPress, Marketing
and Publicity Manager, dtrendler@
competitorgroup.com
Argyle Armada retails in the U.K. for
£29.95. Available at good bookshops
or direct from www.cordee.co.uk. For
trade enquiries, please contact:
Richard Robinson Cordee Ltd
Phone: 01455 611185,
[email protected]
www.cordee.co.uk
Page 21
FORMER OLYMPIAN HARRY LODGE TAKES
BASSO CUSTOM FIT TEST AT SPIRIT BIKES
M
ost of us have set up a position
on a bike and said “That’ll do!”
The human body is one of the
most adaptable machines on earth and
it will work, even if it is forced to work in
a poor position.
At Spirit Bikes “That’ll do” does not
exist. Harry was invited by Chris Parks,
Bike Fit Specialist to come along to their
premises on Rabans Lane in Aylesbury
in Buckinghamshire.
” From the moment I walked in, I felt
reassured that here was a guy who
understand what correct bike position
testing was all about………and after
35 years in cycling I’ve had many tests.
Obviously, I had to bring my current
cycling shoes. I changed into my cycling
clothes and the test began.
Chris took a series of body
measurements which were fed into
the Spirit Bikes positioning software
program set with the rider’s specific
discipline – Time Trialling, Road Racing,
Track Racing, Sportive Riding or Cycle
Touring. Each discipline requires a
different set up requirement to ensure
an optimum position. Spirit Bikes have
a bank of set ups for all types of cycling.
I chose the road racing position, despite
not having raced for several years now!
Each leg was measured separately,
from knee to ankle and also from knee
to top inside leg – together with each
arm, chest and back length.
Chris put me on the custom bike
rig and I clipped into the pedals. My
saddle height was set according to the
body measurements taken. Checks and
tests were taken on my leg position at
the bottom of a pedal revolution and
at 90 degree power stroke, and knee
position in relation to this, to make sure
my saddle position was an optimum
one. I was very comfortable with a
near perfect set up at the first time of
trying.
However Chris was not satisfied and
set about checking my shoes. Since
I stopped racing, I have been very
good at making do, but by inserting
a small wedge to raise one side of my
shoe cleat the lateral movement in my
pedalling arc was eliminated.
We then agreed on top tube length,
frame size and stem length, handlebar
width and brake hood setting, whilst
maintaining careful attention to saddle
height and saddle positioning over the
bottom bracket.
Spirit Bikes has built its increasing
reputation for excellence of service by
listening to the requests of its clients
and by accommodating feedback when
finalising a custom set up.
At all phases during my bike fit, Chris,
a cyclist of much experience in a variety
of disciplines, listened to what I had to
say, what I had found had worked for
me in the past and what hadn’t. Most
people in the past had suggested I
used 175mm cranks, but I never got on
with them – this was taken into account
when we did the test and I used my
preferred 172.5mm cranks.
I came away from Spirit Bikes
absolutely reassured about my
new bike position and had learned
something new at the same time. I 've
used this new set up for eight weeks
now and I am very pleased with the
results. I would recommend this test
to any cyclist from rank amateur to
seasoned professional, and as a must
have for anyone taking this sport
seriously.
Harry Lodge
Professional Cyclist 13 Yrs
Great Britain Cycling Team
Seoul Olympics 1988
To arrange a custom bike fit contact Chris at Spirit Bikes on 07780 672053
• PASSION • PERFORMANCE • PRECISION
www.spiritbikes.co.uk
Page 22
49 Rabans Close, Rabans Lane Ind. Estate, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8RS.
Chris Tel: 07780 672053 E: [email protected]
Point of view
We will all be aware of the recent
passing of Jimmy Saville. He is a legend
in so many ways, and he always had
a cycling connection. His passing
reminded me of my younger days as I
was gradually introduced to what was
going on in the cycling world. I did
mention in an earlier issue that I was
more aware of the Tour de France in
the late 50’s than of anything in the
UK, mainly from the sepia Miroirs that
my father used to bring home, having
purchased them in Central London.
I had a friend I came through
school with, who I used to ride with,
and, through his other friends, he had
more awareness of what was going on
cycling-wise than I did. One day, he
told me that the following weekend we
would go out to see the last stage of the
inaugural Milk Race, which was due to
finish outside the Milk Marketing Board
in Thames Ditton in Surrey (I believe
Dave Orford had a hand in this). It was
only about one hour away for us. When
we arrived there, I was spellbound by
all the razzmatazz - it was just like the
Tour de France, but in England, on our
doorstep. I must digress for a moment,
as I am reminded of a line from the
excellent rock opera Tommy - “my name
is Tommy, and I became aware this year”.
The other thing I noticed was the
non-stop patter over the public address
system, which rose to a crescendo upon
the arrival of the break, and continued
through individual interviews with
key riders. The guy delivering this
commentary was a man in an unusually
loud red jacket. Upon enquiry, I was
informed that this was Oscar the Duke
- subsequently our late-lamented Jimmy
Saville. The race was won overall by
Richard Durlacher of Austria.
The other thing I was aware of while
I was there was that there had been
an amalgamation of the two warring
cycling bodies into the newly-formed
British Cycling Federation. I bought a
copy of their book - I am not sure if it
was a handbook, or just a manual, but
it was full of pictures of leading riders.
This has now disappeared some time
ago, but, with my current awareness and
memories, how I wish I still had it.
My friend and I were inspired, and
we both joined the Festival Road Club
in Kingston. We both started racing
together - initially as juniors - time trials,
track and road. I have continued as a
roadman to this day, while he moved
away from the sport after a few years
- more of him later.
Onto another matter. I read an article
in CW recently about riding on a fixed
by Tom McCall
wheel. We have probably all done this
at one time or another - on the track,
or, in the early days, in time trials. It was
a comment from Chris Boardman that
caught my attention. He was saying that
he rode fixed wheel when he won each
of his National Hill Climb championships.
His point was that the bike was lighter,
and less complicated. His other point
was that you were relieved of any of
the problems of losing momentum by
“lifting off” as you changed gear. It was
this comment that I found interesting.
Like all of us, I was brought up on
downtube gear levers. Some were more
positive than others, but even with
the excellent Simplex/Sachs ones, the
essential thing was that you had to “lift
off” slightly as you changed to a larger
sprocket, or you were risking the chain’s
reluctance to make the change. This
was even more important if you were
under pressure at the time, and you had
to instill a discipline into yourself to still
do the momentary “lift off”. You just got
used to it.
Now we have quite a choice of modern
shifting systems, and electric options too.
I am an Ergo user, and I don’t know if I
am alone in this, but I still “lift off” slightly
before making a change onto a larger
sprocket. I have been told that this is not
necessary, and I do notice other guys in
races changing gear out of the saddle
while going uphill under full pressure.
The change is usually accomplished OK,
but the crashing noise from the rear
end makes me think that this cannot be
good for the longevity of the equipment!
Maybe I am more aware than most,
as I still have downtube levers on my
training bike, but I would welcome any
feedback.
It is now that time of year when we
have to get out in the cold and start the
positive drive towards another season.
Many of you like me probably have to
ride, at least partially, through urban areas
with plenty of traffic. Although there is
probably more cycling awareness these
days, you have to be careful, and my
safety tips are as follows:- I have already
covered this in the past, but it is worth
re-visiting. Always ride positively, and let
people know what you are doing - hand
signals leave no doubt. If you have any
doubts about what a driver is going to
do, assume the worst. I am always very
vocal if I think I may be potentially at risk
if I think a driver has not seen me - not
swearing, just shouting. If they have not
seen you, it does the job, but if they have,
it may not have looked like it. There is no
real harm done, and they will get over it. I
always acknowledge a driver if they give
way, or make room for me - it is good PR.
Also, always stop at red lights. This is not
quite so important if you are in a quiet
urban area with no-one else around,
but in sight of other traffic, it is essential.
I know, as a driver, how irritating it is
if cyclists jump red lights, and it does
us all a disservice, as it affects peoples’
attitudes. Also, make sure you have your
survival kit with you (apart from tools).
Mobile phone - essential these days even better if it takes pictures. Paper and
pencil. At any incident, any detail written
at the time carries more weight. Take
a pencil - you can cut one down to a
very small size - more convenient than a
pen. Rain jacket - a life-saver in so many
situations. Always have some money
with you - you might get caught short
and need some survival food to get you
home. Also, don’t forget to stay on the
road and look where you are going, or
you may end up like the guy in the pic.
People may think you are part of the
scenery, and just leave you there!
Finally, it is also a time of year for
remembering absent friends - many of us
have seen friends and colleagues depart
this world. I too have been affected this
year. The name of my former cycling
friend that I mentioned in the first part
of my article was Mike Woodall. Recently,
through a chance meeting, we were reunited after some 40 years, only for him
to succomb to cancer not long after. RIP
Mike.
Page 23
2
Page
24
The
Veteran
Leaguer: Winter 2008
2009
The Veteran Leaguer: Spring
2012
Page
19

Newsletter

Transcription

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