Local Riders,Local Races

It was lucky thirteen for Stuart Bowers (Hargroves Cycles) at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships. Bowers battled his way to thirteenth place and helped his team win the National Elite Title at Chantry Park, Ipswich. The Ensbury Park-based rider backed up New Champion Ian Field and third place Jody Crawforth to claim the team medals. It was a satisfying result for Bowers, pressure of work has restricted his racing programme this year. Broadstone’s Luke Gray (Baboco) struggled to retain his under 23 crown. Gray crashed inside the first minute of the race after being hit from behind and was forced into the pits to change bikes. A gallant chase saw him claw his way up to fourth place, but that was as good as it got. Gray returned to his base in Belgium with the good news that he has been selected for the GB team for the world championships at the end of the month. Wessex league leader Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) has been in good form but could only manage 22nd place.Speaking to "E D" Cotty said,"It was a tough day, i was a little under par on what i'd hoped for. It was a powerman's course, super fast with no technical.The lead up to the race was a bit more stressful than normal, not just because it's a big race but because my girlfriend was in hospital for an operation on Wednesday. All seemed ok but she was readmitted on Friday in a lot of pain. I thought i would be able to race ok, no excuses but maybe the mental stress scrubbed a little bit of the top end needed to be there. I am dissapointed but racing is racing and life is life"

Harrison Fielding (Poole Wheelers) continues to impress in the Calshot track league. Wins in the 1km TT, and the Points race confirm the Corfe Mullen youngsters promise. Fielding also grabbed 2nd place in both the sprint and the Scratch race.

Darren Kenny & Barney Storey have both been putting in quality training at Newport track ahead of the Para-Cycling world championships. Storey is from Corfe Mullen and is still a member of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers despite now living in Manchester.

Kenny lives in Verwood and still has links with his first club, Bournemouth Arrow.

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers winter reliability trial series continues this Sunday with the 75 mile event. The 75 includes Okeford Hill, this year climbed from the Turnworth side and the even steeper St Johns, which takes the riders up to Shaftesbury. The HQ is at Merley Community centre and refreshments are available. The first riders will set off at 09:00.

Don’t forget this Monday’s Bournemouth Cycling Centre Meeting, 7.30pm at Hotel Collingwood. Alan McRae, Facility & Development manager at the track said “We will summarise the progress so far, plans for 2012 beyond just the track and call for involvement from across the local cycling community.
At present the Centre is run "by cyclists for cyclists" but we need help to maintain that enviable position.”

HOTEL COLLINGWOOD 11 PRIORY ROAD BH2 5DF

Local Cycling News

Bournemouth Cycling Centres weekly Track League Competition is scheduled to be run on Tuesday evenings next year. The lead up to the Olympics will see an enormous boost in the profile of track cycling and, with it, an increased use of Bournemouth track. During 2011 an initial group of 8 volunteers came forward and were trained by British Cycling to be Level 2 Track Coaches. However more volunteers are needed.
Alan McRae of BCC says "The local cycling community has benefited already from the last intake of coaches and to continue this growth we urgently need additional resource to come forward now. This would give us time to kick start their training so they can be operational next summer. Participation in our sport relies on volunteers and I would urge all those who would like to give something back to step forward now."
To register an interest, please contact info@bournemouth.cc by December 11th. The new facility at Slades Farm has proved to be a great success, since opening in June. However the winter weather is starting to take its toll, as more and more sessions are cancelled due to the track being wet.

Cyclo-Cross

Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Canondale)continues to impress, winning the latest round of the Wessex League at Sonning Common nr Reading. Cotty was a clear winner but there was confusion with the results after the Seniors, Juniors, Vets & Women all went off together.

In contrast, Luke Gray (Baboco)has been struggling to find form. Riding for Great Britain Gray finished in a lowly 60th place in the U23 race at the UCI Cyclo-Cross world cup on the Belgian coast. Despite being under the weather, Gray travelled back to Broadstone and then on to Derby for round 3 of the National Trophy. As leader of the U23 series, Gray was on the front row of the grid but the fast start saw him slip back down the field. With 10 minutes to go he was in 11th place when his world fell apart. The sickness of the last few days caught up with Gray, his legs deserted him and he dropped to last place. After spending 45 minutes with an ambulance crew Gray was able to travel back to Belgium. "I wont be doing much this week" he said.

POOLE WHEELERS CHRISTMAS CRACKER CROSS WAREHAM FOREST BH20 7PA, 18TH DECEMBER, WESSEX LEAGUE COUNTING EVENT.

Early Road Race Dates 2012
Ludgershall Winter Series
Reme Test Track
Wiltshire
SP11 9RP
Start Saturday 09:00am, Cat;Seniors
14/01/12 Race 1
21/01/12 Race 2
28/01/12 Race 3
04/02/12 Race 4
11/02/12 Race 5
18/02/12 Race 6
25/02/12 Race 7
03/03/12 Race 8

The 2012 Perfs Pedal Race will be run on the Portsdown Hill circuit on the 12th February

The race will cover five complete 8.5 mile laps making six climbs of Portsdown Hill. A total of 46 miles/74kms
The 47th Perfs Pedal Race on Sunday 12th February 2012
Race Distance: 46 miles/74km
Open to Elite,1,2,3 and J1,J2,J3
Entries £22.00 by 23 January 2012 to Mick Waite, 249 Havant Road, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 1DB Tel 0239 237 9753

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers popular winter reliability trial series continues Sunday.

The challenging 100km route crosses the Purbecks and Bovington Heath before the tough climb through Milton Abbas. The start and finish is at Merley Community Centre. Refreshments are available and the first riders set off at 9am.

Mon 20:00 5th Dec 2011 at Merley Community.
Centre Riders’ Cycling Adventure Talk:
TransAm, a 4,500 mile ride across America!

Will Stephenson Looks to the Future

After progressing from a Youth rider to 1st Cat in just one season, Will Stephenson took the opportunity to assess his current condition, to plan the winter training programme. Will is already getting the "miles in" and is a regular with the Bear Cross group on Sunday mornings. The hills of Dorset in the winter can test the legs but Will is a strong climber and just gets on with the hard work.

Coach Alan McRae said "The Power Ramp Test confirmed where the results this season came from in terms of excellent top end power and power to weight data. The most important knowledge gain however came from the Body Composition and Sub Maximal Tests which highlighted some opportunities needing specific development. For Will to fullfill his true potential and meet his long term goals it was vital to put the foot on the ball for a minute and check all the basics are in place. We have a follow up test planned prior to the start of the season so we can monitor progress in the highlighted areas".

"Will is riding for a "Primera" team next season, he feels that he needs to ride in a "team" which is something the Arrow are unable to offer at this time. His 2012 targets are the National Junior Road Series, Road and Track Championships. However it is his longer term aims as a Senior on the road that are shaping his winter programme. I wanted to investigate some particular areas of Will's physiology and, after carrying out some research, selected Dr Gary Palmer who runs his Sportstest programme from Le Beau Velo in London. Here a whole range of bespoke services are offered which are not cheap but I believe are some of the very best on offer in the country. Gary's background in exercise physiology and knowledge gained from hundreds of tests is invaluable when interpreting the data".

Stephenson will be riding for the soon to be launched, Primera-Specialized Team. Its a logical step for the talented youngster but McRae is understandably protective of the rider he has coached since a juvenile."My hope is to keep a hugely talented athlete on track, it is now down to Will to deliver". The reality is, Stephenson could not find the "team dynamic" he needs to learn his trade with any of the local clubs.The Primera team will consist of only 4 riders, so Stephenson will still be somewhat isolated in some of the Junior races. The full race programme has yet to be decided but Will will get the opportunity to be team leader in the tougher,hilly races.

"The winter is going ok at the moment" Stephenson told "E D", he went on "the test outlined a lot of things which I need to work on for next year. Hopefully over the winter I will be able to improve them. Areas of things I thought were my strengths have been highlighted as areas which need a lot of work. At first this was a little demoralising but like Alan said if I got the results I did last year, if I can improve on my weaknesses further, then next year should be even better. I am looking forward to next year loads,riding for Primera Specialized, except I'm conscious that I need enough time over the winter to prepare for it".

The learning curve will undoubtedly get steeper for Stephenson but he has good support, a coach who has invested in him and natural talent. He could go far!

*Team Primera-Specialized will be launched soon. The 4 man team,Jason Eastwood,Toby Neave,Ian Legg and Will Stephenson will be targeting mainly races in the South, including the season opener,The Perfs Pedal Race in February!

Local Cycling News

Bournemouth Track looks to the Future.
After more than 15 years of anticipation and the excitement of the opening Ceremony, the new Bournemouth Cycling track is well and truly open for business! Now that the dust has settled "E D" took the opportunity to have a few words with Bournemouth Cycling Centre's facility manager, Alan McRae;
How do you feel about the future of the track, now it is in use?
"For the Bournemouth Cycling Centre, the next 6 months sees the transition between the initial "Launch Period" to a summer of intense excitement and interest in all things Olympic that London 2012 will bring. To fully realise the Centre's potential there is much to do for both riders and supporters".

Exciting times indeed but the question on most locals minds is "What about racing"
Alan agrees, "This is a huge subject right now".
Obviously a lot of work is going on behind the Scenes to facilitate competitive racing at the track.
Alan goes on,"One of the biggest challenges is to put the competition infrastructure in place in time for next April. British Cycling's Mason Thomas is running a course for officials later in October and urgently needs further volunteers to come forward."

Next April?

"The weekly Track Cycling League from April 2012 means local riders can compete in exactly the same events as will take place in London in August. The next 6 months will provide riders the opportunity to fully adjust to the demands of track riding and a couple of times a month at the Saturday morning BikeFit sessions at the Centre will give all standards of riders that essential base.

Bournemouth Cycling Centre has always been keen to involve the local community it is, after all a "Local Facility" and why not? The next Bradley Wiggins could very well live on one of the nearby housing estates!

McRae is keen to emphasise this;

"Looking ahead to the next generation of cyclists, special cycling sessions for schools have already started. Before April we will strengthen those ties in the build up to the local Youth racing as part of the Track League and the South Region Youth Omnium in May."

The poor summer weather played havoc with training sessions during July And August. Far too many were lost! no one's fault but what about flood lighting to optimise use through the Winter?

"The current lack of Park Lighting at the Centre is a massive limitation on these dark nights. In the meantime, the Saturday morning BikeFit and the Sunday Accreditation provides opportunities for individual riders to "drop in" at the track. In a couple of weeks we welcome the Gillingham Wheelers who have booked their own Club session and this of course remains an option to all clubs and organisations."

Alan is still trying to get the miles in himself although admits his fitness is "Somewhat behind" Sounds like an excuse to us Mr McRae!!



Winter Training is not just long miles out on the road.
A couple of times a month you need:
Radsport Bournemouth BikeFit Training
Saturday 10.00am to 12.00pm
BikeFit does not do too much standing around, it’s winter after all !
BikeFit aims to maximise your riding time and enjoyment.
BikeFit delivers 2 hours of track training that caters for all levels of fitness.
BikeFit sessions are safe and structured appropriate to your current level of fitness
BikeFit allow riders to just drop in and train safely in a group
BikeFit provides an enjoyable and social group training environment.
BikeFit will develop or maintain strength and speed in the legs,
So if you have reached at least Stage 2 in the Accreditation Programme then come along, if you need a bike that is no problem, just arrive by 9.30 so we can fit you up.

For further details look on www.bournemouth.cc

Or contact us via info@bournmouth.cc

Simon McLaughlin (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) broke the course record as he flew up Portland Hill to win round 1 of the Inter-Club Hill Climb series. The course was first used in the old Milk Race back in 1972 and rises up through the village of Fortuneswell to the finish, high above Chesil Beach on the Jurassic Coast. Bournemouth Hospital Doctor, McLaughlin recorded 4mins 40 for the punishing ascent, Paddy Dunn (CC Weymouth) was also inside the old record, clocking 4.56 to take second place with Gary Dighton (Poole Wh) third in 5.05. CC Weymouth was out in force on their “home course” with 17 riders all scoring counting points in the team competition, including Heidi Gould first lady.

The West Dorset club won the title last year and tops the rankings after this opening round. This weekend Poole Wheelers promote round 2, with the riders tackling the punishing climb of Creech Hill, in the Purbecks.

Team Standings after round 1
1 CC Weymouth 580 Points
2 2 Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 254
3 3 Poole Wheelers 165

Individual Standings

1 Simon McLaughlin Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 50 Points
2 Patrick Dunn CC Weymouth 49
3 Gary Dighton Poole Wheelers 48
4 Martin Aldridge Poole Wheelers 47
5 Andrew Graham Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 46
6 Bryce Riglar CC Weymouth 45
7 Dave Hicks Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 44
8 Jon Clemas Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 43
9 Jake Murdoch CC Weymouth 42
10 Steven Pink CC Weymouth 41
11 Matthew Merritt CC Weymouth 40
12 Terry Belbin Poole Wheelers 39
13 Julian Foster CC Weymouth 38
14 John Chapman CC Weymouth 37
15 James Fuller Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 36
16 Martyn Fisher Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 35
17 Andrew Stevenson CC Weymouth 34
18 Andrew Jackson CC Weymouth 33
19 Heidi Gould CC Weymouth 32
20 Ian Locock Poole Wheelers 31
21 Andrew Preston CC Weymouth 30
22 William Wilson CC Weymouth 29
23 Paul Stockwell CC Weymouth 28
24 Paul Gale CC Weymouth 27
25 Stuart Carrington CC Weymouth 26
26 Oliver Carrington CC Weymouth 25
27 Rosemary Locock CC Weymouth 24

Inter Club Hill Climb Competition Rules
Eligible Riders Any Rider from Poole Wheelers, CC Weymouth, Wessex RC, Bournemouth Arrow, Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers
Events 4 Hill Climbs - Portland, Creech, Kingston & Whiteways
Winning Criteria Fastest scratch time
Scoring for Individual Event 50 pts for 1st eligible rider, 49 pts for 2nd eligible rider and 1pt for any eligible rider finishing 50th or below
Scoring for Overall Event Total points of all riders from competing clubs.

Paul Jones (BJW) clocked 58.41 for 5th place in the A3crg 40km Time Trial at Fernhurst, West Sussex. Sebastian Ader (A3crg) won the event with 56.35.

Garrett Hill, Kieth Randle, Matt Hill & Shaun Amor were part of a 6 man uk-biking team that enjoyed themselves at the Wiggle Falling Leaves MTB Sportive at the weekend. The Bournemouth -Based team "ripped it up" on Saturdays 40mile mtb stage through the New Forest and again on Sundays 68 mile road stage.

A forest View!

Bob Jolliffe writes....
FOLLOWING her 17th place in the World Women’s Time Trial Championship in Copenhagen, Bramshaw’s Julia Shaw is returning to local roads in New Forest Cycling Club’s 10 on Saturday (OCT 8).

Shaw is among the 49 competitors signed up for the club’s Ringwood Brewery-sponsored event, taking place this year on the Kingston-Sopley-Bransgore-Kingston North loop instead of the out-and-back Ringwood-Sopley road.Other top riders on the start sheet include Poole Wheelers’ super-veteran Terry Icke, High Wycombe CC’s Poole-based Adam Topham,

VC St Raphael’s Simon Berogna, Utag-Yamaha’s John Sibley and event record-holder Ray Hughes of Clarence Wheelers.

New Forest CC’s John Heffernan, who has just clocked personal bests at 10 and 25 miles, will be hoping to make a serious impression, as will second-claim New Forest CC rider Martin Beale (VC St Raphael).Veteran Hughes will first tackle the course with tandem partner Wendy Pails before taking a second shot on a solo machine as last man off at 10.20am.Riding their first “open” time trial on a tandem will be New Forest CC father and daughter pairing of Nick and Laura O’Hara who will be first away from the timekeeper at 9.32am.Other home entrants are juveniles Konnor Bracher-Walsh and Hugo Walters, Patrick Walters and veteran brothers Chris and Bob Jolliffe.Chris Jolliffe, who made a late start to the season, clocked 26-25 in the Norwich ABC 10 at Bungay in a stiflingly-hot 28 degrees Centigrade on Saturday. Winner there was Nino Piccoli (Team Pedal Revolution) with a fast 20-32.On the equally hot Sunday, NFCC all-rounder Martyn Dymond followed up his 35th place in the Preston Park Youth Cycling Club cyclo-cross at Brighton the previous weekend with 26th position in the veteran/junior/women’s race promoted by Southampton-based Hargroves Cycles at Lydiard Park, Swindon.His efforts in the Wessex League event earned him the award for second veteran aged 45-plus. First overall was Dave McMullen of (GWR Team) while Matt Hargroves (Hargroves Cycles) was top junior.

Local Cycling News

As usual the dog days of summer take their toll on the local racing calender. Jay Eastwood brought the curtain down on the Moreton Road Race Series,

open time trials are few and far between and club events will come to an end in a couple of weeks. James Gilfilan (Team Feat)gave the Alp D'uez Triathlon a miss, perhaps his efforts in the RAAM finally caught up with him. Perhaps not, Gilfillan finished in an excellent 4th place in round 5 of the Rudy Project TT series in Worcester.

The final round of this national series will be promoted by the Poole Wheelers. The undulating, 16 mile course through Wareham Forest and around Bere Regis was tested by Bournemouth Jubilee in their 32 mile event back in June. Claire Day (Born to Bike)looks set for her best ever placing in the British Best All Rounder Competition, (BBAR). Day is currently lying in third place in the table, Riders best times over 25,50 & 100 miles are combined to give an average speed. With times of 58.24, 1.58.39 & 4.11.45 giving an average of 24.934, Claire is in with a great chance of a medal and with her team mates handily placed the team award looks secure. Adam Topham (High Wycombe CC) easily won the Poole Wheelers club 10 on Sunday on the Ski Slope course.

His 30mph plus ride of 19.46 giving him a winning margin of 1.04 over Paul Jones (BJW) August is a lean month but September will arrive with more races, settled weather

and for those who like it when the road goes up, Hill Climbs.

Bournemouth Cycling Centre's Alan McRae says “Starting from scratch, in just 4 weeks, nearly 500 individual track cycling opportunities have been provided" What Alan really means is things are going well at the new track!!

CLUB EVENTS

POOLE WHEELERS 10 07/08 P415 17 STARTERS
1, A TOPHAM (HIGH WYCOMBE CC) 19.46
2, P JONES (BJW) 20.50
3, T ICKE 20.54

BJW 8.5 09/08 P429 17 STARTERS
1, D PICKERING 19.24 (COURSE RECORD)
2,S McLAUGHLIN 19.28 (course record for 56 secs, see above )
3,C ROWE 21.03

NEW FOREST CC 10 09/08 P303 35 STARTERS
1,A BRYSON 21.50
2,JULIA SHAW (DRAG2ZERO 22.34
2, A GREEN (GA CYCLES) 22.34

CC WEYMOUTH 2 UP 10 09/08 P451 STARTERS 6 PAIRS, 6 SOLO
1, T ICKE & G DIGHTON (PW) 21.08
2,P DUNN & P STOCKLEY 23.31
3,W KEBLE & S PINK 24.40

SOLO
1, B RIGLAR 22.59

B&DWCA 10 10/08 P164 17 STARTERS
1,S BARNES (GA CYCLES) 23.13
2,D KOSS (SOTONIA) 23.41
3,M DARCY (TEAM FEAT) 23.42


POOLE WHEELERS 10 10/08 P402 20 STARTERS
1,T WALLIS (SOUTHAMPTON TRI) 21.41
2, T ICKE 21.53
3,R DAVIDSON 22.34

BOURNEMOUTH ARROW 10 11/08 P311 19 STARTERS
1, W STEPHENSON 22.54
2,D KENNY 23.19
3,B BOARDMAN (NFCC) 23.31