So the end of the season is around the corner, the final events of this current season were a little bit of a mix regarding results, with the weather or in particular the wind having more of an adverse effect.

Saturday 3rd August was planned to be a 25tt on the recently visited F2a/25 down in Cambourne near Cambridge but unfortunately it was cancelled on the Friday night due to 'pop up' road works. As it now transpires this course may no longer be available due to long term Road works.

Sunday 11th K11/10, near Coventry;  An early morning event on quite a fast course depending as normal on the weather. and out and back route where the wind was the main factor for this race, an 8.8 / 10 mph East wind giving a tail wind out but a Head wind return. The return was a little bit of a struggle especially the up hill after the turn. Result was a little disappointing  24:41 [24.4 mph average]

Saturday 17 August - J2/1, local 10 mile course near Holmes Chapel. Early start again with the first rider off at 07:00am. Always seem to struggle a little on early morning events and this one was no different. Result 25:31 [23.6 mph average] 

Sunday 25th August - D25/20, local 25 mile event. Thought I would go back and have another go [struggle] at the Hilly Battle field course with a  slightly later start of 08:00am. Again a basic out and back course, 11.2 miles out to the turn. The weather was windy and cold but at least no rain. Result 01:08:33 [21.8 mph] 

Sat 31st August: D33/10, 10 mile course near Southport. A flat course but has 5 number RAB to negotiate over its length. The main road surface is ok but the RAB road surface is full of pot holes, but a local rider did advise that there is a route around each of them where you can miss them but finding that route was an art form, still this is potentially a fast course. Result 24:19 [24.7 mph average]

Sunday 8th September: J5/8, 25 mile local course near Blythe Bridge. Very early starting event at 06:00am, however the weather not good, heavy rain. The event was cancelled about 2 minutes before the first rider was due to start due to the weather, although I was ready to go I had not left the car park so I was not too wet.  

Saturday 14th September: F11/10, 10 mile course near Tring. Not a bad weather day today so as it turned out well worth the drive down however the wind was a little higher expected at 9.9mph SW but it was blowing in the best direction for the course. 
This is a fast course and so the result reflected this with a seasons best 22:47 [26.48 mph average]

Saturday 21st September: F2c/25, 25 mile course near Cambourne. this is effectively a new course of more accurately a modified version of the F2a/25. this new course reduced each leg to just 4.8 miles between the turns and the new turn consisted of a double RAB. The main issue for me was the wind being at 11 to 13.5 mph, so each leg being either a full head wind or tail wind. Result 01:03:34 [23.7mph average].

Overall it has been the usual mixed season with some reasonable results, and some slightly disappointing efforts, but on the whole quite enjoyable and managing somehow, perhaps more by luck than judgment,  to exceed my pre seasons targets by actually getting 5 number VTTA standard awards for distances of 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 miles, these are a sort of handicap system award [Standards] based on a riders age.

So, as always,  Onwards and Upwards.

Barrie.

Well, the end of July signals the first two thirds of the season are now completed leaving just two months of racing to go.

As with every season you set yourself targets at the start and hope that you get close to or achieve at least one of them.

This season has been no different to date with a few reasonable results, reasonable for me that is, and of course some disappointing results.

As a veteran rider (any rider over the age of 40 years old is classed as a veteran) you are eligible to join the VTTA (Veterans Time Trial Association) where as a member it provides a number of competitions not least the standards competition which provide ‘personal targets for the upcoming season. The VTTA standard awards are effectively a handicap system based on a riders age and previous results [or first time results if it is your first season] and provide target results for each standard distance time trial.

So, the 2024 season so far;

Sunday 31st March -  J8/2R tt 16.5 mile hilly TT (Crewe 16.5) Result 43:50 [slightly reduced course due to road flooding]

Sat 6th April –   J4/20 10 mile tt – postponed

Sat 13th April – J4/8 25 mile tt – Result 01:06:44 – 22.6mph average

Sun 21st April – D33/15 – 15 mile tt – Result 39:17 [new course for me, a mix of A and B roads]

Sat 27th April – F2a/15 – 15 mile tt – Result 35:56 - 25.1mph average [ better course] [VTTA standard award]

Sun 5th May – F11/10 – 10 mile tt – Result 23:52 – 25.6mph average

Sat 18th May – L1015 – 10 mile tt – Result 22:51 – 26.3mph average – [VTTA standard award]

Sun 2nd June D25/6A – 25 mile tt – Result 01:01:04 – 24.5mph average

Sun 9th June D350/2 – 50 mile tt – Result 02:23:45 – 21mph average [very hilly course]

Thurs 13th June – J10/1 – 10 mile 11 – Result 25:51 – [very wet and windy evening, only a small amount of riders entered chose to ride due to the conditions]

Sat 15th June – J4/9 – 50 mile tt – Result 02:17:15

Sat 22nd June – F2a/50 – 50 mile tt – Result 02:03:50 [VTTA standard award]

Sat 29th June – F2a/50 – 50 mile tt – Result 02:04:24 [VTTA standard award]

Sun 14th July – L10010 { National RTTC event] – 100 mile tt – Result 04:34:36 – 7.00am event so left home 03:10am, not good prep. New course for me, rolling course with a long 1.5 mile drag to the turn. Just a note, John Archibald [HUUB wattshop] rode the event and posted new course record and national 100 mile record with a time of 03:15 an average of some 31 mph, he could have stopped for a coffee stop and still been faster than me.

Sat 20th July – F2a/25 – 25 mile tt – Result 58:36 – 25.7mph [VTTA standard award]

Sat 27th July – L1015 – 10 mile tt – Result 23:41

Some challenging courses this season but surprisingly managing to gain 5 x VTTA standards, I did target the West Cheshire 12 hour again this season as a potential VTTA Standards race but unfortunately, or perhaps Fortunately, it was cancelled due mainly to road works.

So, onward and upward for the remaining third of the season.

9.45 start from Park Hall car park, heading to the Roaches Tea Rooms.

Hi guys, 

The committee has decided that we’re going to trial Spond to publish our events and club rides.

Initially we’ll start with our club rides to try it out.

Below is the link for you to join

Open the link to join: https://group.spond.com/ZAQUU

Advance notice to see who is interested. Im planning 2 drive rides for Tuesdays. 1st one looking at Tues 23rd July around 50 miles to Iron Bridge, looking at starting the ride from Eccleshall, 2nd drive ride on 13th Aug to Poffee coffee cafe Burwardsley around 45 miles starting from Nantwhich. if interested please leave feedback on starting times and Parking. Eccleshall not to bad for parking, we could park down by the church but not to sure on parking in Nantwhich.

Manchester Airport Viewing Park

Approx 65 miles

Meet at QG for an 08:30 start

Neil

Grindley Locks

Approx 60miles

Meet at QG for an 08:30 start

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/281378894

Thanks

Long ride around the Wirral Peninsula 

Approximately 140 miles 

Meet at Queens Gardens for an 06:30 start

This Sundays ride is to The Lost Barn Cafe, Tilston. Around 65 miles. please allow extra time in case we try some new roads ( get lost ) please ensure you have spare tubes pump etc etc etc. Meet at Queens Gardens, Newcastle for a 8.30am start. please reply to post if you intend on joining this ride.

https://www.mioshare.com/track/myroutenew/20398082

no rain forcast till the afternoon tomorrow so does anyone fancy a ride out to Strawberry Fields. 9.30 from old club house or can meet others at BOD around 9.45 or up by the Windmill im guessing around 10.10am. please let me know if you are coming, if no replys i will go solo a bit earlier.