Competition News

On a hot and windy afternoon MP's time of 25:31 was enough to take the 2nd Vet on Standard Award.

MP was timed at 2:23:08 on a windy, pot-holed course at Gt Missenden.

A fast field of riders entered this event and with a cut-off time of 57:25 only PY was fast enough to enter (albeit as first reserve). However on a windy afternoon he still managed 59:12.

BP's time of 2:13:09 placed him about halfway done the results list on a difficult course on a windy day.

On a warm afternoon with the wind assisting riders on the return leg MP secured his 2nd fastest 10 of the year with a time of 25:04. PY recorded a time of 23:34.

With BE's times improving in each and every race, his time of 22:43 was his best of the season whilst PY was timed at 22:36.

On a windy course PW somehow managed to knock 3 seconds off his personal best time with 2:08:34 whilst MP recorded 2:16:47.

On his return to the track, BE came third in the scratch race.

An early morning start proved to be a mixed blessing for the slower riders MP(5.06am) and PW(5.09am) as at least this meant that they should be finishing before the day got too hot. However MP packed in at 80 miles due to the heat, whilst PW (although struggling towards the end) finished in 4:37:51, over 22 minutes faster than his only ever other 100 mile race.

On a breezy saturday evening four HWCC members competed in this event. Their times were PY(22:46), BE(23:00), BP(23:10) and PW(23:13).

SPOCO events are not held on dragstrip courses and BP's time of 25:27 earned him 26th place out of 50.

PW was flying. At 17.5 miles he was still averaging over 26mph. The odds on a sub hour were looking good despite the difficult conditions. Then for about 2 miles there was a mini tempest to ride against and he lost about two minutes. His resultant time of 1:00:24 whilst still a PB, was slightly disappointing considering his speeds over the first 17.5 and last 5.5 miles.

RESULT

1. Peter Walton 24 mins 24 secs
2. Brian Evans 24 mins 42 secs (224 Watts Avg)
3. Phil Young 24 mins 45 secs
4. Barry Page 24 mins 51 secs
5. Steve Watson 26 mins 28 secs
6. Graham Knight 27 mins 57 secs

Private Time Trial

1. Anthony Whale 27 mins 42 secs

PW's last words on leaving the previous day's event was 'at least that lessens the odds on me puncturing tomorrow'. Moron. This time he punctured on 49 miles. At the time he was looking at the very unlikely possibility of a PB. Doing the last mile on a flat back tyre he clocked 2:09:52, 77 seconds down. Despite this, he was delighted with his time although yet another visit to the osteopath is required.

On a very fast course in good conditions, PY (57:26) and MP (1:01:21 - 3rd Vet on Standard) completed the circuit whilst PW didn't. As he had mistakenly not taken a clip to attach his pump to his bike, when he punctured he found that a three mile (or six and a half minute bike journey) equated to a fifty+ minute walk back. Will probably need a new set of cleats.

RESULT

1. Phil Young 22 mins 31 secs
2. Barry Page 22 mins 54 secs
3. Peter Walton 23 mins 01 secs
4. Brian Evans 23 mins 07 secs (226 Watts Avg)

Private Time Trial

1. Ross Clark 20 mins 16 secs
2. Ian Cammish 20 mins 27 secs
3. Pete Lawrence 21 mins 21 secs
4. Simon Best 21 mins 37 secs
5. Avril Swann 21 mins 46 secs
6. Mark Allen 22 mins 14 secs
7. Caroline Harding 24 mins 15 secs
8. Bill Caton 25 mins 40 secs

RESULT

1. Phil Young 59 mins 41 secs
2. Peter Walton 1 hour 4 mins 14 secs
3. Merv Player 1 hour 7 mins 18 secs

RESULT

1. Phil Young 59 mins 41 secs
2. Peter Walton 1 hour 4 mins 14 secs
3. Merv Player 1 hour 7 mins 18 secs

The predicted bad weather did not materialise as PY (59:41), PW (1:04:14) and MP (1:07:18) vied for the Garrett Cup, an HWCC event integrated within the Hitchin Nomads race. MP's time won First Vet on Standard by two seconds, with third place a further three seconds adrift.

It was also very hot in Nottinghamshire as PW took part in this event. His time of 1:01:19 accurately mirrored his current lamentable state of health and ability as this was a very fast course in ideal racing conditions. This should have been the perfect opportunity for him to get within the hour for the first time.