Club 10 on F1B – 9 September 2018

Event Sec and Reporter: Nick Hickman
Principal Time Keeper: Frank Turner
Assistant Time Keeper: Nigel Wilson
Prop: Julian Pegg
Kitchen Captain: Paul Riley
Baking Crew: Paul Wright, Jane Hickman
Course Signage: Christopher Wilson

Promoted for an on behalf of Cycling Time Trials under its rules and regulations.

Despite riders reporting a tough first half into a head wind, being 2-3 mph faster after the turn seems to have led to several Lifetime Personal Bests …

Editor’s pick for the ride of the day is a tie.  Junior Nomad Ella Ruggles achieved yet another PB and Club Record (on her road bike no less).  Dave Cook (BRRT) got a PB at the 10 distance after achieving one at the 25 distance on the Team Velovelocity Event using E2/25 just the day before.

Ella Ruggles (Photo: Coach Mark Bradley)

Nomad David Heath also got a PB.  Jim Bainbridge was fastest Nomad, with his new diet of curry and red wine obviously working as pre-event nutrition.  Regular on the F1 courses, Jason Stuart of CC Ashwell, was fastest of the day.  Several of the rest claimed excuses such as “my base layer was inside out” for being a couple of minutes down on their course bests.

[Apols if other PBs or excuses have been missed – pls. contact Event Sec to have these included]

Photos: Mark Bradley

Hitchin Nomads Competition

Women: Ella Ruggles (Junior) 30:38

Men: Jim Bainbridge 23:39, Nick Hickman 24:20, Ross Thompson 24:51, Nigel Tooke 25:11, Brian Ruggles 25:52, Paul Wright 27:45, Christopher Wilson 27:47, David Summerell 28:34, David Heath 29:04

Private Time Trials

Jason Stuart (CCA) 21:39, Paul French (BRRT) 22:18, Keith Barton 22:32, Lindz Barral (JCA-EV) 23:16, Simon Richardson (SNCC) 23:36, Dave Cook (BRRT) 23:46, Chris Green (SNCC) 23:47, Simon Murphy (SNCC) 23:56, Ian Stokes (45 RC) 24:34, Dave Richards (SNCC) 27:01, Norman King (SNCC) 31:12, Terry Sykes (BRCC) 33:08

Next Event

Inter Club Hill Climb (hosted by SNCC) – 10:30 Sunday 30 September using the “Sharpenhoe Clappers” course.  A call for Nomads’ entries will be made via Facebook in the next few days.  Riders may also contact Nick Hickman via email, etc.

Club 10 on F1B Course – 9 September 2018

Event information and riders’ start times can be found in the attached document.

HNCC Club 10 on F1B – 9 September 2018 – Event Details and Start Sheet

Nick Hickman (Event Secretary)

 

Briercliffe 10 – 14 August 2018

Principal Time Keeper: Frank Turner
Event Sec, Sign On, Assistant Time Keeper and Reporter: Leanne Cutler
Count Down Assistant : Ethan Dynes
Prop: Julian Pegg

Promoted for an on behalf of Cycling Time Trials under its rules and regulations

This Event used the “Roadworks 10” (1U/10B) course.

18 riders signed on the dotted line for the final Tuesday evening F and F (fun and frolics? … fast and furious?… insert your own description here).  With ‘The Moose’ a DNS it was the responsibility of another 2nd claim HNCC/TSE rider, Gavin Ashfield, to prop up the field.  Don’t ask me about wind direction.  I have no idea but it remained relatively warm and calm (we have been very lucky with the weather this season, perhaps due to lack of ‘TSE tandem’).  Ella Ruggles got proceedings to a flying start sporting her recently purchased skin suit.  Nick Hickman’s Brompton, all dressed up with clip on tri bars, did not make its much anticipated season debut due to a technical malfunction and was replaced by his trusty medium gear 72″ fixed.  Another that did not make it to the start line was Paul French who punctured following sign on.  He wasn’t even wearing Paul Wright’s unlucky pink overshoes.  Nobody made any unscheduled detours except for the ‘count down assistant’ who required a quick visit to the nearby public house once all riders had/were pushed off.  Given he is 9 yrs old it wasn’t for a beer!

Fastest of the evening was Jason Stuart (CCA) despite his rear light trying to make a break for it early on in his ride.  Quickest Nomad was Gavin Ashfield.  Congratulations to David Heath who achieved his season target of ‘evens’ on a 10.  His first words after crossing the line were ‘I feel sick’… well that’s how you know you left it all on the road David.   Ella Ruggles edged her way closer to breaking ‘evens’.  Next season she will no doubt achieve this.

Results

HNCC (Women)

Ella Ruggles (Junior) 30:39

HNCC (Men)

Gavin Ashfield 23:19; Andy Saunders 24:02; Brian Ruggles 25:05; Nigel Tooke 25:53; Matt Lippard 25:59; Stuart Hutchings 27:29; Nick Hickman 27:42; Paul Wright 28:13; Chris Corney 28:17; Christopher Wilson 28:32; Stephen Oliver 28:54; David Summerell 29:09; David Heath 29:33

Private Time Trials

Jason Stuart 22:09 (CC Ashwell); Lindz Barral (JCA-Equipe Velo) 23:21; Mick Case (BRRT) 24:33; Paul French (BRRT) DNF

Next Event

Our next Club Time Trial uses the fast F1B/10 course (Tempsford to Biggleswade Sainsbury’s RAB and back along the A1) on Sunday 9th September 2018.  Look out for call for entries on Facebook soon.  There will be no entry on the day.

 

Event Cancellation – 2 September 2018

The 10 miles Time Trial on Sunday 2nd September using the F1B/10 course is cancelled.  At the time of writing, the Event using this course on 9th September is expected to go ahead, subject to the potential major roadworks not having started and there being sufficient Event Crew available.  The full schedule of Time Trial Events can be found here.

Briercliffe 10 – 7 August 2018

Principal Time Keeper: Frank Turner
Event Sec, Sign On and Assistant Time Keeper: Nick Hickman
Prop: Steve Smith

Promoted for an on behalf of Cycling Time Trials under its rules and regulations

This Event used the “Roadworks 10” (1U/10B) course.

Hitchin Nomads

Andy Saunders 23:43; Mark Desborough 24:04; Tom Weir 24:07 (inc. 62 secs late start penalty); Steve Robinson 24:43; Chris Brabrook 24:57; Nigel Tooke 25:46; Paul Wright 27:06; Chris Corney 27:46; Mark Loosely 29:01; David Summerell 29:07; David Heath 30:20 (inc. extra detour)

Private Time Trials

Lindz Barral (JCA-Equipe Velo) 23:23

Next Event

Tuesday 14th August 18:30, using the 1U10/B course again.  Entry via the poll to be posted on the Club’s Facebook Group.

Briercliffe 10 – 31 July 2018

Principal Time Keeper: Frank Turner
Event Sec, Sign On and Assistant Time Keeper: Leanne Cutler
Prop: Paul Riley
Assistant Prop: A Bath Towel
Injured Hero: Nigel Wilson
Hero’s Chauffeur: Ben Wilson
Start Line Banter: Simon Doyle
Reporter: Various anonymous sources

Promoted for an on behalf of Cycling Time Trials under its rules and regulations

“Conditions were beautiful.  Thanks to the Time Trial gods.”

“I knew it was good when for the first time I got round without being caught by Matt Lippard.  I needed a PB and 40 seconds faster than last week to do it.”

“Delighted to set a PB on the last test on this 10 course for the season.”

“I gave Dave some pointers at work and he repaid me with a 47 second thrashing on one of the best Briercliffe debuts I’ve seen for a while.  Chapeau!  I hope we can sign him up for more TT fun next season.”

“Edging my way to a personal course best but that’s for 2019 now.”

“I did it on my aero road bike as my TT bike is getting serviced.   Which means I’m depressingly poorer and no better for having a specific bike for time trials.”

“Newly installed premium-quality, ceramic bearings on front wheel must have helped.  Need to fit some to knees and hips next.”

“Having a proper 10-miles warm up before I start seems to be working.”

“Saying goodbye to the classic Briercliffe course ended the love hate relationship with the same fondness of leaving your family after Christmas.  You’ve had some ups and downs, but are looking forward to meeting up again next year.”

“Good idea on the compiling the report from quotes.  It would have been a shame to have no report with such a big field.”

“Thank you Leanne, Paul and Frank for putting on the event and also to the Nomads out to support.”

Hitchin Nomads

Women: Ella Ruggles (Junior) 32:09

Men: Tom Weir 24:02, Mark Desborough 24:51, Sam Hayes 25:08, Nick Hickman 25:32, Chris Brabrook 26:00, Brian Ruggles 26:14, Matt Lippard 26:34, Paul Fletcher 27:28, Paul Wright 27:53, Steve Smith 29:20, Chris Corney 29:22, Mark Loosely 29:29, Stephen Oliver 31:01, Andy Saunders DNF

Private Time Trials

Jason Stuart (CCA) 22:57, Lindz Barral (JCA-Equipe Velo) 23:57, Mick Case (BRRT) 26:17, Dave Rees (unattached) 28:33,

Next Event

The “Roadworks 10”.  Tuesday 7th August at 18:30.  Sign on at the Finish Line from 18:00.  A call for entries will be made via a poll on Facebook as usual, on Thursday.

Briercliffe 10 – 24 July 2018

Event Sec: Nick Hickman
Principal Time Keeper: Frank Turner
Assistant Timekeepers: Julian Pegg & Nick Hickman
Prop: Steve Smith
Reporter: Paul Wright
Photography: Steve Smith & Nick Hickman

A blisteringly hot evening, with a cooling 7mph westerly greeted twelve intrepid entrants who lined up this evening in what is the penultimate event on this particular course this year.

The conditions seemed to have little to no effect on the riders, even on the reporter who resembles a billowing spinnaker in anything other than dead calm.  The wind was cutting across the course in most of the exposed areas and assisting slightly through Southill village.  For a change there were no wayward dogs, learner drivers, UFO’s or any other outside influences to report on.

Following her efforts on Sunday in the Inter Club 25, Catherine Jones used her new Alpine cassette to take the honours in the Women’s competition.  Alpe D’Huez should be straightforward enough after her try out on the feared Shuttleworth climb.

As usual, Ryan Witchell was the fastest man home with a long 21, missing a personal course best by just 3 seconds.  Gavin Ashfield, Tom Weir and Andy Saunders battled it out for the podium places, all recording a short 24 and Andy not quite getting a foot on the 3rd step.

 

An intense midfield tussle ensued with some miraculous times coming from some very tired legs.  David Summerell was just 11 seconds adrift of the whole field achieving better than Evens.

Thanks as always to the organisers, timekeepers and prop who give up their time for our enjoyment.

Hitchin Nomads Competition

Women: Catherine Jones 29:05

Men: Ryan Witchell 21:37, Gavin Ashfield 24:09, Tom Weir 24:15, Andy Saunders 24:29, Nigel Tooke 26:35, Paul Cooper 27:30, Paul Wright 27:58, Paul Fletcher 28:08, Mark Loosely 29:21, David Summerell 30:11

Private Time Trials

Bob Wright (CC Ashwell) 28:04 inc. 8 secs late start penalty

Next Event

Tuesday 31st July will be your last chance to take on the classic “Briercliffe 10” this year before we switch to the “Roadworks” course.  Witchell is busy so there’s a chance for someone else to get the fastest time of the evening.  Make sure you click the ride button on the poll when it’s posted later this week. You may even be lucky and get picked to write the report, which is an honour in itself.

 

 

CCA Inter Club 25 – 22 July 2018

Briercliffe 10 – 17 July 2018

Event Secretary, Sign On and Assistant Timekeeper – Leanne Cutler
Principal Timekeeper – Frank Turner
Props – Julian Pegg and Radu Chirvasuta
General Assistant, Entertainer – Ethan Dynes
Reporter – Brian Ruggles

Promoted for an on behalf of Cycling Time Trials under its rules and regulations

This evening was the eighth running of the Briercliffe 10 on the classic 1U/10 course in 2018.  There was a field of 19 riders and 18 bicycles.  Yes, there was a tandem entry from Messrs.  Robinson and Hayes, and yet again this didn’t lead to foul weather as was the case all last season.  There were no women or juniors looking to beat the clock this time.  They are all tapering for the Inter Club 25 on Sunday it is hoped.

It was another warm evening with temperatures of 22°C and a south-westerly breeze of around 8 miles an hour, although some riders said that it was in their face the whole ride and they did not receive any benefit from it.  However other riders had other problems – ranging from learner drivers getting in the way, saddles which were incorrectly angled or even an ant taking a free ride within a TT helmet.

Special mention of one rider who did not provide any excuses and even undertook propping duties for riders prior to his being called up to the start line.  Radu Chirvasuta has only been with Hitchin Nomads for a few years, but in that time he has mucked in, rode hard and been a real asset to the club.  However his profession is taking him up to Yorkshire, so our loss is their gain.  But before he departed to pastures new, he only went and beat his personal best on this course.

This evening’s result sheet indicates that all of the riders, apart from one, Mr Riley, made it around the course in under 30 minutes.  Mr Riley must have been suffering from what initially looked like gravel rash, but turned out to have come about after an altercation with a door.  This must have been the reason why it had added 3 seconds to his time to take him just above the magical evens.  Fastest ride of the evening went to Ryan Witchell as usual, stopping the clock at 21:56.  Seeing as I am the reporter on this evening’s event, I feel that I can indulge myself by basking in the glory of having pipped Manuel Manrique across the finish line again.  By 1 second this time.  Ahh, the taste of small victories is so good …

Results

Hitchin Nomads Men

Ryan Witchell 21:56, Sam Hayes & Steve Robinson (tandem) 24:03; Andy Saunders 24:22, Nick Hickman 25:24, Nicholas Senechal 25:52, Chris Batt  26:07, Nigel Tooke 26:15, Brian Ruggles 26:32, Manuel Manrique 26:33, Matt Lippard 27:17, Paul Cooper 27:23, Paul Wright 28.20, Radu Chirvasuta 28:24, Paul Fletcher 28:28, Steve Smith 29:31, Olly Oxton 29:47, Paul Riley 30:03

Private Time Trials

Lindz Barral (JCA-Equipe Velo) 24:05; Mick Case (BRRT) 26:08

Next Event

Briercliffe 10 on the same course (1U/10).  Tuesday 24 July 19:00.   A call for entries via a poll on the Club’s Facebook Group will  be made on Thursday 19 July.

 

 

Briercliffe 10 TT – 10 July 2018

Frank Turner: Principal Time Keeper
Paul Riley: Assistant Time Keeper
Nick Hickman: Event Sec, Prop and Deputy Assistant Time Keeper
Reporter: Matt Lippard

So you’ve woken up this Wednesday 11 July, probably a little nervous, a bit anxious, palms sweaty.  You sit in anticipation, yearning to get the news of a top level event involving our sporting heroes.  Well the wait is over, relax and sit back.  It’s here; the write up of the Briercliffe 10 TT, 10 July 2018.

It was another fine evening in the rolling Bedfordshire countryside.  The rubber hit the tarmac for eighteen eager athletes taking on the sporting course.  Weather was a milder 20 degrees, and though there were a few gusts and 70% humidity, a 6mph south westerly wind was not too unkind to riders looking to post a fast time.

To the race then.  With only one rider going off course on their debut this week, the stats in that respect have also gone in the right direction.  First away was the beautiful sight of the Robinson / Hayes tandem, posting another top time of 25:07.  With five riders going under 25, the ride of the day probably found a home elsewhere though, with a really competitive field in the race behind Witchell, only 30 seconds separating 4 riders who went under 25 minutes.

Behind that the midfield was equally as competitive, and the whole field managed times under 31 minutes, with a real prospect of an entire Briercliffe 10 TT squad going better than “evens” a possible future achievement.

Once again Witchell was the fastest on show, with a time of 21.45 that was 11 seconds off his course best, the course record being 21:12 by Justin Layne of CC Ashwell.  Its almost become de rigeur to see the man at the head of the results, but it should by no means underplay his achievement. Ryan puts in times week in week out that require a huge amount of effort.  Is it only a matter of time before that record falls?

Few opportunities remain for those to don pointy hats and climb into ridiculous contortionist positions to beat an arbitrary number in time over the next couple of months on this course.

A last thing to remember for those that intend to ride, apparently you don’t need to shout “one hundred and seventeen” as you sweep past the finish, when everyone has numbers over one hundred on their backs. Just “seventeen” is fine.  Though I’m sure no one would be stupid enough to make that mistake.  On an unrelated note, the author rode at number seventeen.

The hands of time were again wielded by the gentleman that is Frank Turner, with special thanks to Nick Hickman who wore many caps assisting and propping with help from Paul Riley.

Results

Hitchin Nomads Women

Catherine Jones 29:53

Hitchin Nomads Men

Ryan Witchell 21:45, Tom Weir 24:26, Andy Saunders 24:40, Mark Desborough 24:49, Steve Robinson / Sam Hayes (tandem) 25:07, Nigel Tooke 26:35, Matt Lippard 26:48, Paul Wright 28:19, Paul Fletcher 28:24, Chris Corney 29:13, Mark Loosely 29:48, David Summerell 29:52, Stephen Oliver 29:52, Steve Smith 30:48, David Heath 30:51

Private Time Trials

Lindz Barral (JCA-Equipe Velo) 24:18, Andy Wickham (BRCC) DNF (off course)