2010 Round up - Lloyds Cycling Club

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2011
LLOYD’S CYCLING CLUB
NEWSLETTER
Charity
Raising
2010 was another good year for us with various rides supported by the club, a
number of which you can read about in the pages below.
We had another successful cycling tour during 2010 where we rode across the
length of the Pyrenees covering 450 miles and climbing over 40,000 feet in four
and a half days. We climbed a number of the famous Cols from the Tour de
France such as the beautiful Col d’ Aubisque, the mighty Tourmalet, and the
gentler Col d’ Aspin. Our “team” varied from long term riders to a beginner (who
within 9 months went from no riding experience to being able to ride across the
Pyrenees in 4 and a half days). Read “Tombstones” story below!
During 2011 the club will support various rides that are detailed on our diary
which can be found on our website http://www.lloydscyclingclub.com/#/roadevent-diary/4539094544. If you would like to coordinate riding with other club
members on these rides please get in touch with the contacts detailed within the
diary.
The major club event in our 2011 calendar is an 8 day ride from the Lloyd’s
building to Monte Carlo. We will start on September 3rd and will ride 950 miles
and climb over 40,000 ft. The ride is timed to end on September 11th. We will
remember the many lives lost (including colleagues) on that terrible day in 2001.
We will also be thinking of our troops and will be raising money in aid of
Combat Stress. September 11th is also the start date of the Rendez-Vous
conference in Monte Carlo. If you are interested in riding with us please get
in touch with Peter Harris ([email protected]).
If you are thinking of organising an event or tour and would like assistance
or support please get in touch with us.
We hope you enjoy reading the various articles attached and good luck for
2011!
LCC club
members raised
£10,000 for Combat
Stress during their
epic ride 450 miles
from the Atlantic
coast to the
Mediterranean Coast
across the cols of the
Pyrenees. This was a
tough ride to say the
least with over 40,000
feet of climbing over
four and a half days.
The club has now
raised over £78,000
for various charities
over the last two years.
No Bike?
If you are interested in
riding but do not have a
bike - we will do our best
to meet you for a ride with
a spare bike. Please email
Dave Davies
[email protected]
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2011
Cycling round up - 2010 By the Oldest
Man in the Market (edited by Bomber)
After all the excitement of the Lands End to John O’Groats ride in June
2009 it took a while for me to be able to get going again - my hands and
feet had nerve damage - could feel what I was doing (which does have
some advantages). Cycling was therefore on the back burner.
By January 2010 I was motivated to start a Bicycle Rationalisation
Programme. Initially I thought that this would involve a thinning out of the
fleet as the house was looking like a student bed sit with bikes everywhere,
in the hall, in the kitchen, even a Brompton tucked under the dining room
table. The actual result was an extra bike and distribution of the rest
to various garages and storage units on my estate.
My regular commuter wheels are a single speed pink Genesis Flyer built by
Chris (the chap with soft hands) at Evans Fenchurch Street. A superb
James Calder - Spean Bridge Memorial 2009
machine but I wanted (note – ‘wanted’, not ‘needed’) a winter bike as well
Lands End to John o’Groats
and Lionel at Evans Gatwick suggested an aluminium framed Trek 1.2
which is a superb ride for very little outlay. I know there’s always lots of talk
about Chinese Junk, whether it’s in relation to Chinese bikes or guitars, or whatever, but in this case it’s a misplaced
view and, for the money, it’s superb. I am getting too old to go the saddless route, so I took a leaf out of the
Burkinshaw Book of Bicycle Tips and replaced the Bontrager saddle with the same Fizik saddle that I have on my
Madone and it’s proved a reliable and comfortable companion all through the year.
In May I did the Castle Ride as usual but missed the Dragon ride as I was in the USA.
In July was very glad to find myself on holiday in Paris just at the time that the Tour was hitting some cobble stages just
to the north so, armed with an inadequate map, we found our way to a tiny village and set up camp by the road.
Three pleasant hours passed by in the sun, fueled by local beer and barbeque and then the promotional caravan
arrived. Sensibly most of them avoided the cobbles entirely but there were some hardy vehicles that came past with
their hostesses throwing baubles to the eager crowd. I’d never witnessed people tussling over such worthless items.
An enormously fat man who was barely able to move from his chair made a sudden and rather alarming dash
to secure a packet of washing powder by trapping it under his foot, much to the chagrin of his neighbour who thought
he had secured it. There was much glowering and angry looks were exchanged. Quite absurd. Eventually the riders
themselves came through but they were gone in a flash. There was hardly time to grab a couple of shots but it was all
most exciting.
What else? I had a bike shed built in the back yard of my house so I can while away those happy winter evenings,
cleaning and adjusting the bike. Have I actually done any of that? No – I’ve been in the US since New Years Eve.
Luckily I had the foresight to get tooled up with a superb Trek Madone 4.7 (awesome, and I use the word sparingly),
again courtesy of Evans, and I took that to California and left it there. I managed a couple of rides in January and,
while the scenery in Orange County isn’t quite as dramatic as Kent, the men are fitter and it’s a lot better than
dragging round those soggy country lanes!!
Looking forward to lots of fun and miles in 2011.
Membership
Membership is £10 a year. Please
register your interest at
[email protected]
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2011
THE DRAGON RIDE
By Neo Combarro
The Dragon ride offers three alternative routes, the 190km Grand
Fondo route, the 130km (80-mile) medio or 40km (25-mile) corto
routes. For those who rode the Grand Fondo it is certainly one to
respect.
To make it to the start line one must first make a 175 mile trip from
London to Bridgend, a town once renowned for rugby (JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards, Rob Howley amongst many other) and
beautiful countryside but is now sadly infamous for all the wrong
reasons. None the less it sits at the gateway to the valleys and from
the nearby town of Pencoed (for rugby fans home club to Gareth
Thomas and Scott Gibbs) the riders set off.
Neo completing Col de Peyresourde during the
Pyrenees trip.
The course at first meanders through former mining valleys , with the pit villages of the Ogmore Valley acting as
sad reminders of the days when coal was king. Soon you are at the start of the first climb, the Bwlch which is a
climb of circa 20kms starting at circa 50m above sea level and summiting at just above 500m. It’s a long sweeping
climb which begins to test the stamina and soften the spirit, and is followed by a fast descent to Treorchy (rugby
fans will remember Treorchy Zebras and their short professional existence with Luc Evans at number 10).
There is little opportunity to catch your breath before you hit Rhigos, one of cycling’s most famous ascents, it’s
short and very steep. At the summit you find yourself presented with an amazing swooping descent which allows
the memory of the climb to quickly fade.
The ride to Brecon comes with strong headwinds and gentle but nagging gradients which lead on to the Vale of
Neath. At some point you cycle past Neath Rugby Club (home to great rugby legends such as Barry John and Phil
Bennett et al.) As you leave Neath you hit Cimla Hill which whilst rewarding in that it marks the 100-mile marker, is unpleasant
in that it is very steep (15% plus) deceptively long. Sadly one last challenge lays ahead, the second pass over the
Bwlch in reverse; the sense of satisfaction on reaching the summit of the last climb is overwhelming.
Over the summit you cycle down through Heol-y-Cyw and then you soon find yourself cycling across the line.
After seven hours in the saddle it’s over and time to get back in the car and head home with the glow of satisfaction
and pride.
Kent Castle Ride – May 2010
A number of LCC members rode the Kent Castle ride. A few of us turning up for the third year running. This is a
very well run event with clear signing. Thankfully we did not have the puncture problems of 2009 (where CBA
had 5 punctures in the space of 5 miles). Skid thought he would get an early start to get away from the pack - we
soon overtook him.
The Castle Ride is a very popular event with nearly 1,000 cyclists taking part. There is a choice of 100km or 100mile routes through the Kent countryside along quiet lanes. The feed stations along the way are excellent. The Castle Ride 100 is a challenging route with the 100-mile route offering some good climbs such as Ightham Mote and
Hollingbourne Hill along the way. The grounds of Tonbridge Castle once again provided a unique venue for this
event.
Good day out. 2011 link http://www.action.org.uk/get_involved/castle_ride_100
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2011
Training for the Pyrenean Coast
to Coast - by a Novice! (“Tombstone”)
Like many past endeavours, this one also started in the pub! Two members
of the LCC persuaded me to participate in the annual LCC fundraiser,
extolling to me the great benefits of cycling for fitness and fun, as my third
pint slipped down. Had I really just agreed to ride 450 miles in four and a
half days with over 40,000ft of climbing - OMG!
On sobering up I thought of a few crucial issues: I am individual with no
history of sporting prowess or pedigree and I had 10 months to convert my
body to new health and fitness peak. Oh, and I had no bike or kit to speak
of.
Laurence “Tombstone” Burrows
completing Tourmalet.
Firstly, the LCC boys leant me a bike and some kit whilst I pondered on what to invest in. It wasn't until February 2010
that I first 'clipped in' to the Trek racing bike to go for a 20 mile training ride. That first adventure mainly filled me with a
sense of foreboding and realisation; there were many more training rides to come before I could face climbing over the
Pyrenees (oh dear, only 8 months to go...).
I quickly increased the mileage at the weekends and by the end of April was completing hilly rides of up to 60miles. I
fitted in 2 Gym sessions a week, doing 30-40 minutes of solid interval training on the bike to improve my power output.
I also started to cycle to work two or three times a week, which despite being only 12 miles round trip, helped clock up
the extra miles.
Come June 4th I had my first real test when I participated in the Dragon ride, an event that made me extremely nervous.
Whilst I wanted to do the full 200km, I took the sensible decision to complete the 120km route. Suffice to say I was
shattered come the end, but pleased with the attempt given where I had only recently come from. Being a mental
milestone as it was, I also treated myself to a brief training reprieve for 3weeks. This was an error as I was surprised to
find just how quickly my fitness actually dropped in that time off the bike.
I also realised, that whilst the Gym activity was helpful and convenient, long rides on the bike were by far the most
productive training I could do, both in terms of getting used to the saddle, the time one spends on the bike, and through
the variety of gradients and surface you naturally experience whilst on the road. It was with that in mind that I decided
to sign up to a number of Sportive rides on the weekends. I found them highly convenient for the route mapping and
food stops they provided, and also as a great way of seeing new scenery and countryside.
My training culminated in the completion of three 100mile rides and one 130mile beast from Bristol to London where I
really learnt the value of consistent calorie intake when at one point I hit the proverbial wall. After that, and still not
feeling ready, I was on a flight to Toulouse, and the rest is history, although the Pyrenees was at least as tough a
differential in ability as I had found when I first started, and that was despite 70 year old French men on steel bikes from
the 70's cruising past me up Col d' Aubisque.
My final tips to a complete novice would be:
- Bike fitting. If like me you're a bit oddly proportioned, or just for peace of mind, getting yourself properly fitted is
worth the £50+ to make a confident purchase, or even to get settings and components adjusted to optimum. I visited a
guy known as the 'Bike Whisperer' who was invaluable in helping me find a comfortable Endurance orientated,
affordable bike.
- Expense. If disposable income is an issue, just bear in mind the cost of kit, traveling to Sportives, and the cost of
purchasing and maintaining a good road bike. Also bear in mind that the law of diminishing returns definitely applies to
bike purchases as I quickly realised when seeing very experienced and fit riders cycling on comparatively ancient bikes
that one can buy second hand for a fraction of the price.
- You can do it. I started with a very poor fitness level, and whilst those first few rides seem impossible and can
definitely put you off, you'll surprise yourself how quickly you'll improve, even after one ride, if you stick to your guns.
BRING ON THE 2011 LLOYD’S TO MONTE CARLO TOUR!!
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2011
Die Burger, Stellenbosch
6th December 2010.
(by Richard Panter)
In early December 2010 Lloyd’s Cycling Club member
Panther and his mate from Poll Hill Racing Club, along
with over 5000 other cyclists, took part in the Die
Burger sportif.
Driving to the start up the N2 out of Cape Town the sun
was rising and it was the start of a perfect December
day. Having done 10 days acclimatization in the
Cape they had peaked perfectly for this end of year
event. Although this had entailed less cycling than
might have been considered ideal, healthy levels of
eating and drinking had left both clubs confident of
victory.
Parking on the outskirts of Stellenbosch and then a
gentle roll into the start area which was full of other
lycra clad people, banners, coffee stalls, registration
points and most importantly an ample number of
portaloos; none of that mass public urination common
in French events! Being in start group X near the back of
the field, we set off out just before 7.00am, a beep of
Richard Panter (left!)
the timing chip and we were away shortly into the first
climb up the Old Helshoogte Pass, a steady 25 minutes
up a shaded winding hill. Cresting the climb we were
soon speeding along a flat stretch for about 40k with the wind behind. Picking up a small group of other riders,
not all of whom helped with the work, we were soon moving steadily, passing earlier starters.
The route skirted the edge of Paarl before a long up hill drag into Wellington as some of the group we had picked
up started to struggle. At the top, a left turn on to the N44, and the road started to gradually turn south for a long
run back into Stellenbosch. A wide open, undulating road and by 8.30am a strong head wind reminding us of
the solid pace we'd been forcing along. Pushing on we continuing to pass earlier starter, whilst counting down
the kilometers signs.
The N44 is lined with a number of vineyards, but resisting the temptation we got closer to the finish. 5k out we'd
run out of companions so it would be a head to head sprint. Poll Hill was feeling confident; unlike LCC he'd had
veterans racing license until last year and had mixed it at a much higher level. Despite LCCs efforts to make an
early move it came down to the last 100 meters, head down pushing hard it looked like LCC was going to do it
but a last minute emergency swerve to the left, to avoiding an earlier starter who was coasting in, gave the
experience Poll Hill man the opportunity he needed to push his bars forward an take the win.
Despite the later wind it was an excellent ride. Well organised, a good route and often spectacular scenery.
If you fancy doing it sometime check out more at HYPERLINK "http://www.dieburgercycletour.co.za/"
We stayed courtesy of Sentinel View Villa, HYPERLINK "http://www.sentinelview.co.uk/" \o "http://
www.sentinelview.co.uk/" www.sentinelview.co.uk and travelled on Virgin Atlantic air miles.
Bikes by Wilier and Orbea, nutrition by Steve Hall.
!
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2011
King of the Downs
23rd May 2010
(By Andrew Bradley)
Five members of the LCC – Andrew
H u t c h i n g s , B e n G a l l o w a y, D a r e k
Pokojowczyk, James Calder and Andrew
Bradley took part in the Evans Cycles King of
the Downs event on 23 May 2010. The event
is reputed to be one of the hardest sportives
in the south of England, with the full course
clocking in at 118 miles, ten major climbs
and over 9000 feet of climbing. The day
turned out to be the hottest day of the year to
date, which added to the fun later in the
afternoon.
The event started and finished at the Evans
Bradders in the Pyrenees - Col du Soulor.
depot just next to Gatwick airport, and
featured two loops. The first, through the
Surrey Hills, featured climbs of (among others) Leith Hill, Pitch Hill and Coome Bottom. While all of these were
testing, none provided too much of a challenge in the cooler morning hours. This western loop was a fabulous
course – lovely climbs, picturesque villages and generally good road surfaces. The loop finished with a climb up
the Zig Zag Road of Box Hill, with great views southwards over sun-drenched Kent and Sussex, followed by a high
speed (it’s all relative…) bunch ride back to Gatwick and ‘lunch’ stop. Evans’ events may be well organised but
they don’t provide the culinary feasts that can be found at other sportives – a few blackened bananas and some
sports bars were the extent of it.
After lunch was the second loop and it was then that the sun-drenched countryside became more of a curse than a
blessing. The easterly loop started reasonably gently, with climbs through Tulleys Farm and Weir Wood, but then
the gradients and the heat seemed to increase considerably. The eighth major climb of the day was Kidds Hill,
a.k.a. The Wall, well known to anyone who has done the Hell of the Ashdown. Hard enough on a cold winter day
after 36 miles in the Hell, it was a different proposition on a near 30°C day in May after 70+ miles when there
seemed to be no shade at all. Things only got harder – after 90 miles we climbed Yorks Hill, with its two 25%
sections. The feed station at the top of the hill looked like a casualty station, with weary riders pushing their bikes
up the last of the 25% climb and then crashing flat out to recover and try to cool down. Jimmy C decided at this
point that a downhill ride to Sevenoaks railway station and a train back to London represented a much more
sensible option than pushing bikes up steep hills, and his good sense was vindicated at the 100 mile mark with the
final climb of the day up White Lane – another stretch of 25% which saw more people walking than riding. After
that, it was all downhill or flat for the 18 miles back to Gatwick and the free bowls of pasta (about the only decent
food that was provided that day).
All in all, the course and the heat combined to make this a very tough ride, but also a very enjoyable one. The
western loop in particular was a joy to ride and even though Yorks Hill and White Lane could never be described
as pleasant, the eastern loop was a great challenge. The 2011 is to be held on 22 May and is well worth putting in
the diary. Just remember to bring lots of your own food.
2011 Link: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/evans-cycles/rideit-king-of-the-downs-sportive-
road-entry-may-2011-ec026184?query=king%20of%20the%20downs%202011
!
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LLOYD’S CYCLING KIT
Kit can be ordered through Peter Harris. [email protected] Please email your interest
!
2011