Reading Cycling Club press report, week ending 1st August 2010

This week it's all about endurance.

UK Ironman Triathlon

Reading Cycling Club's Peter Davidson completed the Ironman UK event in
Bolton. This ultra-endurance event consisted of a 2.4mile swim followed
by 112 mile bike, finishing with a 26.2 mile run. Davidson recounts his
experience of a long day: "The swim was uneventful. I started in the
mid-back of the field in the hope of finding a bit of space to swim in.
This was not the case. I managed to escape the water with only one
noteable whack to the back of the head, and I think I kicked someone in
the face at one point, though I can't be sure. There really isn't any
opportunity to apologise. 1hour 16minutes was very satisfactory for this
first element of the race. I had a straightforward transition then was
out onto the roads. On the few roads that were still open to traffic the
police had taken control of the junctions so the competitors had the run
of the road. The cycle leg included 2200m of climbing in 112 miles. This
sounded daunting but I backed off at the first hint of lactic acid to
save energy for the run. What was noticable was that a lot of
triathletes didn't seem comfortable riding at high speeds on the
descents. Perhaps it was just that I have a significant gravitaional
advantage on the way down, but I seemed to overtake a lot of people that
way. My Reading CC jersey gave rise to loads of cheering "Come on
Reading", which was much appreciated.
7Hours 02minutes was a very pleasing time and I was still feeling
relatively strong and quite up for the run. I started the run feeling
good. Straight up a hill then a loop thgouh some muddy woodland and I
arrived at the 3 mile marker in a surprisingly quick 24 minutes. 5 miles
at 41 minutes, and feeling very good about life. 13 miles in 2:06 so I
had slowed down a bit. I got to the 18 mile turnaround with 80 minutes
left to make the 13 hour finish (my optimistic goal). Game on.
Unfortunately my hips and knees disagreed. I knew long-distance running
was never going to be my main discipline, but I had hoped to maintain a
steady jog. The sharp joint pain proved too much so a lot of the last 8
miles were walked. My fitnes was there though so I was very happy in
that respect. Finished in 13:28. The Ironman triathlon is now crossed
off the to-do list!"

Time Trials
Greg Woodford competed on Sunday at the Cardiff 100 mile club's 50 mile
timetrial. "The race was well run with a straightforward course, the
roads were smooth and the weather good. However I was still feeling
tired after my 100 mile timetrial the Sunday before and lacked top end.
In spite of this I am happy with my sub 2 hour time and am looking
forward to the 12 hour next Sunday."
Selected results:
1 Jeff Jones, Chippenham and District Wheelers, 1:47:09
25 Greg Woodford, Reading Cycling Club, 1:59:27

Barry Quick rode the West London CA 25 on the Marlow course. "It was an
excellent morning, cool with very light wind but a little light
intermittent rain which fortunately did not make the roads dangerous. I
was a little unsure of my form and fitness having been suffering with a
trapped nerve in my neck and arm. Fortune however was with me and I was
pleased to record 1:01:36, my best time for over 10 years. Dave Gaida
also rode and recorded 1:15:01 which includes a 30 sec late start
penalty due to delays caused by an upset tummy, an excellent ride in
circumstances which many riders would not have started in. The event was
won in 51:26 by Adam Topham of High Wycombe CC."

Quick is another who is riding the CC Breckland 12 hour time trial based
near Norwich in East Anglia. Also riding from Reading CC are Nick
English, Greg Woodford and Steve Bale who together make a formidable
team and should have an eye on the club team 12 hr record of 721.6 miles
set in 2000.

Roderick MacFadyen
Reading Cycling Club