Female- Specific Track Mitts from Prendas

As a direct result of sponsoring the Horizon/Matrix Fitness Womens Cycling Team in 2011, we developed a new female-specific cycling glove for our team riders.

We have a number of different models in our own-brand mitts in smaller sizes, with both the New Generation and Deluxe still very popular with female riders.

However, these mitts have been specifically designed with proportional sizing for women's wrist and palm width and finger length.

The mitts themselves are available in two colourways, have a mesh panels for comfort, feature shock-absorbing silicon inserts, a super-grippy palm, breathable materials are used throughout and are proudly made in Italy.

Features:

•Made in Italy
•Non-Slip Palm
•Strategic shock-absorbing silicon inserts
•Easy-off Pull Tab
•Highly Breathable Palm
•Soft towelling sweat/nose wipe
•Soft lycra back
•Non-velcro closure
•Mesh inserts

Matrix Fitness/Prendas Ciclismo

As reported earlier on "E D" local firm Prendas Ciclismo will once again co-sponsoring the Horizon Fitness Road Team in 2012.

"Patrons" at Prendas, Mick Tarrant & Andy Storey are first and foremost, cycling fans and Prendas Ciclismo has a proud tradition of supporting Cycling Teams and Individual riders.

Mick had this to say:
"Prendas Ciclismo are happy to announce a further collaboration with Horizon Fitness RT for 2012. The team will slim down to 8 riders including 3 new additions. Notable absentee will be Sarah Storey as her focus will be Paralympic based for next season. Sorry to see such a high profile athlete depart but Dani King and Jo Rowsell, both Olympic medal prospects will stay.

Our involvement with the team commenced in 2010 with an accessory only package for the team but we stepped to full clothing sponsor in conjunction with Santini for 2011. The team performed way beyond expectations last season and did us proud. They send out a very positive message to women (and men for that matter) wishing to get started in competetive cycling.

This past season saw the team punch way above their weight, mixing it with the elite level women racers in various continental stage races. DS Stef Wyman (husband and just about everything else to to our top Cyclo Cross woman Helen Wyman) has performed wonders on a limited budget practically single handed. The girls on the team for 2011 made huge advances throughout the season and will put that experience to good use in 2012".

In addition, they looked great. Check out this little video clip which encapsulates the season nicely.(CLICK ON HORIZON JERSEY ON RIGHT).

The team will be racing under the new name of Matrix Fitness/Prendas Ciclismo

Local Cycling News

Simon McLaughlin (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) took his Dorset hill climb form across to West Sussex to win the Southdown Velo event. Simon flew up Charlton Hill in 3:15 to comfortably win from Sebastian Ader (A3crg), 3:34 with Jon Glaysher (A3crg), 3:39, third. A puncture 8 minutes before the start, saw McLaughlin dash up the hill for another wheel, The perfect Warm Up!

Luke Gray (Baboco) has been callled up to the GB team for the next round of the world cyclo-cross cup. The Belgian round is at Koksijde on 26th November. Gray crashed heavily in his latest race at Ronse, some 15km from his Oudenaarde base in Belgium. He was unhurt and after a bike change managed to salvage 17th place.This week Gray is back in the UK for round 3 of the National trophy at Southampton.

Photos from Koppenberg cross.
Sundays event at Southampton Sports Centre has attracted a strong field. British Champion & Series leader Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) can expect a tough challenge from 2nd place Jody Crawford (Hargroves Cycles) on what is a home "fixture" for the Hargroves Team. A strong Belgium contingent has entered, including round 2 winner, Jelle Brackman (Van De Verst CT). Racing starts at 11:02 with the Veteran men. The Elite race goes off at 14:45.


Vets at the Velodrome!

The first of Richard Eastham's "active at sixty" sessions at the track got lucky with the weather and was a great success.

"It stayed dry. Result!
We had 13 riders. Some never ridden fixed, some never ridden track. By the end of the session, all were whizzing around in a group, nice and neat and confident. One stayed down on the inner track most of the time but did get up to the blue on her own, a top effort. All seemed very pleased by the end. I think they'll be back for more!"

179 riders signed on for the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 50 mile reliability trial, making it a huge success. The 50 mile event is the first of 4 reliability trials across the winter months. The 100km is up next on 4th December followed by the 75 on 15th January and finaly the 100 on 12th February.

Photos Reg Haskell


Road Test: Prendas Winter Gloves & Overshoes

Prendas Overshoes and Gloves
First impressions were great, I like the look, white on black always looks great I think, and both the overshoes and gloves looked very stylish. However UK winter miles demand function over form, Durability over style. White tends to only look good a few times then become “mucky” so time will tell. I have always been a fan of Prendas Ciclismo so I must declare an interest from the start. The overshoes were easy to put on, no struggling to pull them over your shoes; the new material is stretchy but fits nicely with no bulk.

I always ignore claims of “waterproof” I expect to get wet on a 4 hour ride in the rain! Water coming up from the road however is a different matter, and these overshoes do the job, as well as protecting your shoes from all the muck that seems to be on the roads in the winter. The windproof material keeps feet comfortable, if not cosy and worn with some good socks these overshoes will get me through the worst this winter throws at me.

Likewise the gloves, they kept me warm & dry, water running down your arm is impossible to keep out but spray coming up from the road is repelled. The glove size came up a little large, great in really cold weather as it allows for an inner pair but in milder conditions they can feel a bit loose. The elasticated wrist works fine but personally I prefer the older style Velcro fastener that allowed for adjustment and also fitted further up the arm. So far both gloves and overshoes have performed well and I am confident they will get me through the winter. If they can do that and still look good then I will be more than happy with them.

The Christmas Cracker Cyclocross
To be held at Wareham Forest by kind permission of Charborough Estates and The Forestry Commission
Sunday 18th December 2011
An event not to be missed. This a racers course, fast, wide, includes hard packed cinder/gravel, mud, sand and pine trails.
Part of The Wessex league, racing starts at 1030hrs with the U12’s followed by Youth 1100hrs, Vet/Ladies/Jun 1200hrs and finally Seniors at 1315hrs.
Mobile Catering & Toilets. Showers not provided
Prizes/Mechanical support by Cycle Experience
Event location: Bere Road, Wareham BH20 7PA
Come and have a great day out

Bournemouth's first Cycle & Tri Expo at the Solent Hall, Bournemouth International Centre is on Saturday 12th November. The Expo runs from 10:00 till 17:00 and entry is free. Supported by Primera Sports, most of the big names in the Cycle trade will be exhibiting. In addition there will be competitions throughout the day and representitives from most local clubs will be in attendance.

CC WEYMOUTH RELIABILITY RIDES

Sun 20 Nov
50k
09:00 Poundbury cyclesports

Sun
18 Dec
70k
Poundbury cyclesports

Sun
22 Jan
70k
Poundbury cyclesports

Sun
19 Feb
100k
Poundbury cyclesports

Local Cycling News

Luke Gray (Baboco) put in an impressive performance in round 2 of the National Cyclo-Cross series in Leicester. Braking late on the first tricky corner, Gray surged into the lead, taking with him 6 other riders and distancing the field.

Photo Rob Gray
A race long battle ensued, with Belgian visitor Jelie Brakman (Van de Verst CT) finally escaping to take the victory. Gray finished 7th after fading on the last lap but was the leading U23 rider and made it a 1-2 on the podium with teammate,Xandro Meurisse. The former Broadstone man, now based in Belgium had struggled with a virus the previous weekend, finishing off the pace in a local Wessex League race. Bouncing back to form in this national race, Luke was in confident mood as he drove back to Belgium. Two days later he rode the famous Koppenberg Cross, a race that attracts crowds of over 20,000. The 19yr old finished 37th in a world class field, all valuable experience as he looks to establish himself on the continent.(Due to his unexpected change of teams, Gray has been racing in plain kit but should be in Baboco colours this weekend) The third round of the National series will be held at Southampton Sports Centre on 13th November.

Photo Rob Gray

Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) continued his good run of form, winning the 5th round of the Wessex League Cyclo-Cross at Oxford. Cotty is leading the series overall and will be riding the National Trophy race at Southampton, before the League resumes with round 6 at Thruxton on November 20th

Photos, Reg Haskell
Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers popular series of four reliability trials kicks off this Sunday with the 50 mile event. The monthly trials gradually increase in distance, finishing with the challenging 100-mile ride in February. The routes are mostly on small undulating country lanes, providing a good test of rider and machine. Start and finish is at Merley Community Centre, where refreshments are available.

Last years 50 mile event saw 145 riders sign on and numbers are increasing year on year. Non-members are welcome and the £5 entry fee includes associate membership and entry to all four reliability trials.

Madison School!

A two hour track session, dedicated to learning and practising the techniques involved in riding the Madison. Great fun and great for developing all-round track riding skills. 12:00-14:00 on Saturday 19th November at Bournemouth Cycling Centre. This session is suitable for riders of 13yrs upwards, who have at least some track riding experience.
As a minimum you should have ridden a few Saturday morning & Wednesday evening sessions and feel comfortable moving around the track on your bike and riding close to other riders.

You don't have to bring a Madison partner, although if you have a pair of identical jerseys, bring them along.
Cost is £10, payable on the day, no need to book.
Coach is Dr Chester Hill, author and technical editor of British Cycling's level 3 track coaching programme. For further info call Chester on 07951 776350/dr.chesterhill@yahoo.com

Lee Piercy (Trideals.co.uk) was a clear winner of the Sandy Balls Duathlon at Fordingbridge.

A winner the previous week at Thruxton, Wick-based Piercy led throughout the 5km run, 20km bike, 5km run event to win by over 7 minutes. Piercy has struggled most of the year with a persistent back injury but looks to be on the mend.

...and finally,just heard that the Bournemouth Arrow Good Friday 10 will return to the Time Trial Calendar next year.

...and finally, finally, a group ride aimed at ladies and less experienced cyclists, but all welcome, has been added to the winter programme. Meeting at bottom of Harbour Heights Hill 18:30 every Tuesday Evening. Ride is about an hour.

...and finally,finally, finally, Andy Storey of Prendas Ciclismo in Parkstone, had a letter in this week's Cycling Weekly bemoaning the magazines bias towards Sportif ridng, Andy says " Remember back to when you first started cycling? As kids nobody aimed to be a sportive rider. We all wanted to be world champ or wear the yellow jersey"

Local Weekly Round up

• Poole based Roland Tilley (ridebike.co.uk) had to settle for second place in the Swindon RC 50 mile road race. Mountain biker, Tilley, is no stranger to road racing and has been racing locally and nationally for over 25years. During that time he has twice won the “Divs”, (divisional road race title) and competed in some of the early, televised city centre races back in the Eighties. . In the TLI event, held at Little Somerford near Swindon, Tilley, finished behind winner, Simon Baynes (Giant CC) in the four 12.5m lap race. Jason Abbott (Sprockets.com) finished 23rd. In recent years, Tilley, from Ensbury Park, has been predominantly racing the rough stuff and consistently gets on the Podium. This weekend Tilley will be Off-Road again at round two of the Southern Cross Country series at Wasing near Reading. Hugo Walters finally picked up a win at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth, winning the under 16s. Team mates John Heffernan, Morgan Williams and Andy Betteridge all finished in the bunch in the Senior race as did Sean Conway, Will Stephenson (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) & Cayden Zepp (BJW). Jason Eastwood (Hargroves) came 9th at the Goodwood Gallops, rnd 3 on the famous motor racing circuit. Last years Moreton Series winner is coming into form after a slow start this year.

Moreton Village Series Race 1
1, B Riglar (cc weymouth)
2, R Koppenhal (DRR)
3, S Gordon (DRR)
4, N Best (BJW)
5, A Birkbeck(BJW)

Julia Shaw

• Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Julia Shaw (drag2zero) started the defence of her national circuit series title. Bramshaw, New Forest based Shaw travelled to Doncaster to win round three of the Rudy Project sponsored eight race series. Shaw prefers the longer distances but still finished a minute clear on the 13 mile circuit. The final round of the series, in October, will be promoted by the Poole Wheelers using an undulating course around Wareham Forest. New Forest CC veterans, Terry Jeffries & Bob Jolliffe were in action over the weekend, Jolliffe riding the Farnham RC 10 & returning 29.28. Jeffries rode the Didcot Phoenix 25 for 1.01.10. Claire & Tim Day (Born to Bike) also rode the Farnham event, 23.20 and 24.05, respectively

Terry Jeffries

• Sarah Storey (Horizon Fitness/Prendas) picked up two gold medals in Sidney at the Para-Cycling Road world cup event. Storey, whose team is sponsored by Parkstone cycle clothing suppliers, Prendas Ciclismo, won both the Time Trial and the Road Race. Before she left for Australia, Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers, second claimer, Storey, won the Bedford 2 day women’s stage race for the second year running.

Prendas Ciclismo, Retro Cycling Clothing, Asian HQ, India.

• Rally driver Marcus Dodd (Driven to Tri) won the Dorset Sprint triathlon at Wimborne. The former winner of the local Sunseeker Rally made quick work of the 250 metre swim, 10 mile cycle & 3 mile run, to finish with a time of 47.20, to finish over a minute clear of second placed Dan Brunton.

Marcus Dodd

Track Warm Up


Work is finally underway to lay the top surface on the new cycle track at Ensbury Park. The smooth tarmac should be down by the end of the month. Trials are planned for June and the Bournemouth Cycling Centre should be open for use in July.

Club Events

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 8.5 10/05 P429c 21 Starters
1,D Pickering 20.00
2,L Gray 20.16
3,K Ridge 21.34
(Quentin Storey clipped by a passing car,visit to A&E all ok)

New Forest 10 10/05 P337 29 Starters
1, H Bulstrode (Southampton RC) 22.25
2, P Moseley (Utag-Yamaha) 23.07
3, B Boardman 24.33

CC Weymouth 10 10/05 P451 19 Starters
1,J Thacker(vc St Raphael) 22.03
2,J Chapman 23.05
3,C Lawson 23.44


Poole Wheelers 10 11/05 P412 21 Starters
1,S Whitewick (utag-yamaha) 19.52
2,G Dighton 20.56
3,T Icke 21.04

Bournemouth Arrow 10 12/05 P311 30 Starters
1,D Pickering (BJW) 22.31
2,M Beale (vc st Raphael) 22.53
3,S Barnes(G A Cycles) 23.13

Two-up. N Spencer/W Newbury (BJW/Primera) 22.01