Reading Cycling Club press report, week ending 11 April 2010

The sportive season is upon us and Reading CC riders are in the mix.

Photo caption: Reading's Nick Davies rode strongly in the Chiltern Big
Dipper Sportive
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Sportives
Chiltern Big Dipper
On Sunday Nick Davies rode the inaugural 100 mile Chiltern Big Dipper
Sportive, starting at Shiplake College and winding its way through the
Chilterns. Davies reports: "I decided to ride the sportive as an early
season fitness test and started the ride alone but was joined by fellow
Reading rider Nick Crocker at around the 30 mile mark. We rode together
for another 40 miles, when my lack of fitness began to tell and I again
saw the familiar sight of Nick disappearing up the road. Luckily it was
a dry day, otherwise the course would have been treacherous due to
gravel, flints and potholes. I finished with a time of 6:09:47, which
put me 33rd out of about 130 riders. Crocker was strong and came in with
an excellent time of 5:40:15, giving him 3rd overall. The fastest time
of 5:23:58 was set by Simon Jackson of High Wycombe CC. Barry Tucker
(Reading CC) also rode the event and finished well with a time of
6:05:05 (28th fastest). It was a good, well sign posted event giving
riders a challenging route through the area, although provisions at the
feed stops and the finish could have been better."

The Hell of the North Cotswolds
Sportiviste Barry Quick and MTB'er Denis Boltwood took part in The Hell
of the North Cotswolds, a mainly off-road sportive starting in
Winchcombe in the Cotswolds. Says Quick: "This event attracted over 1100
riders. It follows a mixture of road and off road trails and bridle
paths around some of the most beautiful countryside in the Cotswolds
over a route of 100km. The day dawned dry and sunny but cool. We hit the
first steep climb of the day after only a few kilometres. This severely
tested my fitness and MTB handling skills as everyone slowed down to
squeeze through narrow gates onto even narrower tracks. The climbs then
eased off a little bit in height but made up for that with their
frequency and, for me at least, the technical difficulty of riding on
loose stones and rutted tracks. Denis was very patient and waited for me
as I fell behind on the tricky sections. It was good to see so many
younger riders taking part with their parents including one on a trailer
bike - his Dad must have been Superman - and many others who were only
in their early teens. The final climb up Cleeve Hill rewarded us with
stunning views across the valley. After a hairy descent down a rutted,
stone strewn waterlogged track we were back onto tarmac for the run-in
to Winchcombe. We were rewarded for our efforts with a handsome medal
and a Certificate recording our personal time of 5h 17min. I find
off-roading to be a refreshing alternative to my usual diet of Sportives
and Time Trials and I am keen to explore it further once I've recovered
from this weekend!"

Road and Circuit Racing
Reading CC's veteran road racer Wayne Thomas scored an age-related win
at the opening LVRC circuit race at Hillingdon. The mid-week LVRC race
is a season-long competition running until September. Thomas won last
year's inaugural competition and is keen do well again this year. He
says: "A field of over 40 riders turned out for this first race
including club mate John Snead. The race immediately set off at high
speed despite which there were numerous efforts to break away. Snead
joined in with some of these. With a little over six miles to go, Mick
Hill, Team Quest and Simon Williams, Hillingdon CC, broke away with Hill
taking the sprint for the overall win. In the following bunch sprint I
just missed third place by a wheel but took the win for my age
category."

On Saturday Snead and Thomas were once more in action at the Milton
Keynes Bowl circuit. A glorious day greeted the 80+ 2/3/4 category
riders who somehow managed to squeeze themselves in o the narrow circuit
without mishap. A fast race ensued at almost 26mph and attrition was
high. Snead and Thomas finished comfortably in mid bunch.

On Sunday Thomas returned to the Goodwood circuit with clubmate Trevor
Bradbury for company. A field of 108 third category riders lined up.
Thomas says: "They were full of the bounce of spring until the wind and
pressure from a small group of tough riders began to take its toll on
the peloton. At half way, Reading's second claim member, Darren Parker
forged a break with one other very strong rider. Within half a lap they
were joined by eight others, and the group started to work well
together. Holding a lead of no more than 150-200 metres for two laps,
their persistence paid off as they eventually eased away. Parker came
home to a well earned 8th place. Myself and Bradbury finished in the
main bunch having managed to avoid two crashes."

Time Trials
Rod MacFadyen rode the Wychwood RC 36-mile hilly event at Charlbury: "I
knew this two-lap course would be challenging and I was not wrong. The
opening 5 miles gained 100m in altitude into the teeth of a stiff
breeze, an enjoyably fast A-road section followed but soon there was
more headwind climbing. In the first lap I had mechanical issues which
deprived me of my lower gears but I continued on the basis that the
training effect would be worthwhile. The event was won by Steve Golla in
1.31:54. My 1.46:00 put me in 15th from 23 finishers. A shame that
events like this don't attract bigger fields but it was undeniably
tough."

Reading's Tuesday evening event took place on the Twyford 10-mile
circuit where Steve Bale opened his 2010 Dave Finch series account
successfully. His 24:13 was fastest ride of the night and bagged him a
maximum 20 points.

Sunday Clubrun
All groups leave Reading Market Place at 9am on Sundays.

Roderick MacFadyen
Reading Cycling Club