Reading Cycling Club press report, week ending Sunday 27 June 2010

Competition news from around the club.

Reading CC Road Race
With 71 riders competing, Reading CC's Summer Road Race took place on
Sunday on the Drift Road Course near Maidenhead in blisteringly sunny
weather. The race consisted of six laps around an 8.8 mile course, 57
miles in all. The locally based Python racing team clearly had a game
plan that involved anything but a quiet afternoon and a big bunch
sprint. As soon as the initial three mile neutralised zone ended, a
group of six riders broke clear, including two from Python. Whilst they
managed to forge a 45 second gap, two laps later, the heat and a fast
closing determined main bunch, signallled the end of the breakaway. In a
classic move, just before junction was made, a group of thirteen riders
leapt clear, now with five of the Python team. The break also included
Stephen Bradbury and Rob King of AW Cycles. The group worked well
together, and opened a 60 second gap. As the last lap started, there was
a huge attack by Python up the rise past the finishing area. This
triggered a series of attacks over the last lap which now fragmented the
group. As they came back along the long straight section of Drift Road
for the last time, the riders could be seen from two miles out, totally
strung out. Python's plan paid off with an excellentt lone win by Paul
Londors in 2hrs 15mins. He was followed home by Richard Wood, Team
Milton Keynes and Simon Henley, Team Corley. A mention is deserved for
Junior rider Stephen Bradbury, AW Cycles for an outstanding fourth
place, fought out in a tight sprint with Luke Merrilees, Wyndymilla. The
main peloton swept in over two minutes later having made a late charge
and almost catching the four man remnants of the break. In all 57 riders
completed the course, including all of the Reading CC squad of Trevor
Bradbury, Simon Notley, Nick Davies and Joe Harris. Organiser Wayne
Thomas commented "With all of us anticipating a bunch sprint finish I
was delighted to see such an animated race. It made for great viewing.
To have so many in such an aggressive mood made for a great race despite
the boiling heat".

Photo caption: Nick Davies was active in the Reading road race
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Time Trials
Barry Quick took part in Newbury RC's "Weekender" comprising a 10 on
Saturday afternoon and a 25 on Sunday morning, both held locally on the
A4. "I don't normally enter two events in one weekend but I let my
enthusiasm overcome my common sense. Saturday afternoon's event was run
in hot sticky conditions and a surprisingly strong, blustery wind which
certainly slowed me down on the leg out to Thatcham. I managed 24m 24s
and Nick English did 20m 33s for a fine second place to Andy Topham of
High Wycombe CC who recorded 20m 21s. Sunday morning's event took place
in much cooler conditions and lighter winds and was won by Tejvan
Pettinger of SRI Chinmoy Cycling Team in 54m 24s. I recorded 1hr 04m 40s
and Steve Fleming recorded 1hr 06m 29s. Veteran 73 year old John
Woodburn recorded 59m 06s to win the Veterans Standard Award by an
incredible 25m 26s!"
Nick English adds: "I wanted to attack 20 minutes on this course given
that it was a warm afternoon but the ride felt like hard work and
perhaps the day wasn't as quick as I hoped it would be."

Henley Swim
Reading's Steve Bale participated in an event with a difference at the
weekend. He reports: "The Henley swim is a midsummer open water swimming
race in the Thames starting at 4:00am and using the upstream regatta
course of 2.2km. Organised by former Reading Cycling Club member Jeremy
Laming the event is a fun challenge for some but a serious race for
others which attracts the highest calibre swimmers. It was my first open
water event. There was a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The dew
on our feet as we walked to the start was chilly and it was very
pleasant to find it was warmer in the water than out. Many were
regretting being in their wetsuits for fear of overheating. I kept my
swimming stroke steady for the distance and thoroughly enjoyed the clean
water as the sun rose. For the final 500m or so the St Marys church is a
good marker to aim for and feeling good I upped the pace a little to
finish with a time of 43:11 for 154th place. I was a long way down the
field of finishers, but it was a fair bench mark time. Swimming is very
much my second sport but I really enjoyed myself and think I'll enter
again next year." Fastest finisher was Richard Stannard whose 25:47 was
a new course record. 262 swimmers completed the course.

Deloitte Ride Across Britain
Graham Ide reports from the inaugural Deloitte Ride Across Britain:
"Starting on 12 June at John O'Groats and finishing on 20 June at Lands
End, the ride averaged 115 miles a day over 9 days taking in some of the
most breathtaking scenery and serious hills this country has to offer.
Day 1 saw 30mph head winds all day and very cold temperatures as we rode
to the Kyle of Sutherland. Day 2 was a wet rainy day down to Loch Linnhe
passing Loch Ness on the way. Finish for the day was at Ben Nevis. Day 3
greeted us with sunshine as we rode past Loch Lomond to East Kilbride.
This was the second longest day for mileage totalling 127 miles. Day 4,
longest day as we rode 130 miles to Ullswater. Some sharp inclines and
twisty descents preparing us for the next day. Start of day 5 on the
road to Manchester started with the climb up Kirkstone Pass, a sharp
rise over a mile ramping up between 13 and 14% gradient but met at the
top with spectacular views. Day 6 and we set off for Ludlow with tales
of a vicious climb at the end of the day. After 100 miles in the day we
approached Long Mynd. 1 mile long and 25% gradient all the way beat most
riders and many resorted to pushing to the top. The stage finished at
Ludlow racecourse. Day 7 and we set off for Cheddar, 106 miles and up
and down all day. Some sharp climbs early on followed by a couple in
Wales then back over Clifton Suspension Bridge and into Cheddar. Day 8
was a rolling day, up and down to Launceston. Hitting Cornwall made it
feel close to home. Final day was a short 98 mile ride to Lands End with
a 16% hill just outside Penzance to make things interesting. But the
ride into Lands End was most welcome. Seeing family and friends there
and receiving the completion medal from Rebecca Romero was a nice finish
to a long ride. A great event, a fantastic ride and a brilliant
experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Sunday Clubrun
The medium and fast groups have an early 8am start this Sunday and head
for New Alresford. All groups leave from Reading Market Place.

Roderick MacFadyen
Reading Cycling Club