Team MK 20 (F5v/20, Astwood circuit) 19/4/08

In previous years, the organiser of this event (Ian Marshall) has managed to ensure bright, sunny and warm conditions. It was a shame therefore that this year's event was unusually cold and windy. Fortunately the forecast rain held off until after the event. As usual, Team Grumpy (Gerry Oram and myself) entered the 2-up event. This is likely to be the last opportunity for us to practice 2-up riding before the Duo Normand in September.', '

After signing on at the race HQ in the Cranfield University campus, we somewhat reluctantly warmed up, by riding the circuit in the other direction from the race (which had already started). We had been a bit worried by the wind, but we had no problems with the trispokes. Back to the car to remove jerseys and jackets, then off to the start. The version of the course used in this event differs in the start point from the usual course used for the NBRC club events (about half a mile after the Bourne End/Cranfield Road junction), so the climb to Astwood is mid-lap rather than at the end of each lap.

Overall we rode well, though I think we could have organised the changes better - we took turns that were too long (sometimes because it was difficult to change due to traffic). The section from Astwood to Chicheley was seriously with the stiff tail wind. We also had no difficulty with the various climbs on the course, staying in the big ring throughout. In the end, we finished with 47:40 for fourth place.

Sarah Brooke was taking photographs at the event - these pictures are links to her website. Note the photos are copyright Sarah Brooke. Embarrassingly, I am to be seen at the back in both photos (but only barely in the second - if you look carefully, you can see one of my feet poking out from behind Gerry!).

Sarah's cycle event photos are really excellent, her website's definitely worth a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results of the 2-up:

 

Pos

No.

Name

Club

Cat

1st Lap Time

Finish Time

1

50

Steve Golla

Sigma Sport

S

22:02

44:20

51

Wouter Sybrandy

Sigma Sport

S

2

58

Matthew Jones

Planet X

S

22:01

45:06

59

Jon Mozely

Planet X

S

3

40

Roy Chamberlain

Alpha RC

V43

22:25

45:42

41

Leigh Smith

Alpha RC

S

4

46

Gerry Oram

Bynea CC

V47

23:23

47:40

47

Robert Saunders

North Bucks RC

V48

5

52

Kevin Holloway

High Wycombe CC

V44

25:27

52:05

53

Joe Holloway

High Wycombe CC

J

6

48

Kevin Ash

FVS Tri

V41

26:24

54:03

49

David Hard

FVS Tri

V45

7

42

Christopher Glitheroe

North Road CC

V56

27:34

56:36

43

Jim Ewers

North Road CC

V55

8

56

Tim Smith

FVS Tri

V41

28:16

1:02:17

57

Kevin Smart

FVS Tri

S

9

54

Tim Cox

Hemel Hempstead CC

S

32:28

1:05:31

55

Louis Oley

Icknield RC

V64

 

44

Nigel Williams

Python RT

S

 

DNF

45

Dan Staite

Python RT

S