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re Bryn's note below, I think if you've rode a few of the club 10's on the horsham/crawley bypass then the 25 miler is not as bad as you might think..... honest.

I entered just to see how it compared and it wasn't two and a half times as hard!!

Pre ride I had a target time of 1hr 05 to 1hr 10 (based on my 25 minute ish 10 mile time) and was very pleased to scrape in just below the 1hr 05. Although the last mile was like 4 Tower Hill sprints in a row as I realised the possibility of a sub 1hr 05 ride.....

Maybe my classification as a Veteran next year will mean the shiney new TT bike (rather than the sports car).

Jon

Four of us took part in this event last Sunday on a blustery Horsham-Crawley-Southwater course. Fastest was Paul Mellen in 58:32; this included Paul's obligatory mad dash to the start after he was unable to find the HQ and his time includes a late start penalty!
Second was Keith Carter in 59:36; well done Keith, I think you've cracked being able to consistently ride at 25+mph.
Third was Jon Fry in 1:04:56, this was Jon's first ever TT at this distance and I would class this as the best ride amongst us, particularly as Jon was riding a standard road bike. 
I came next in 1:05:07 to bring up the rear. 
The event was won by Steve Dennis in the amazing time of 50:38! I've known Steve for over 20 years now and he just seems to get faster every year while I get slower!
There is another event on this course on 26th September which I shall probably enter - it would be good to see a few others give it a try. You might even surprise yourself, as Jon has shown.
The TT season for me will finish off with the Classic Bognor Hilly TT around Goodwood on 17th October. I shall put some details on the Forum nearer the time as the organiser is different from in the CTT Handbook. Bryn.

Well, your description surely makes the event attractive (not!).  I'm sure that your previous experience will not impair your judgement as to ride or not ride the Welsh totture trail (trial?) this year.  Anyway, looking forward to your next posting!

Mike Cross  (not Crossett!)

A couple of weeks ago a few Redhill riders suggested doing the Evens ride over at Liphook. I wasn't keen as I had done this type of event in my early days & had got'n bored of the not very challenging trails they always use. But this one was going to be different because the event was going to be used as a training ride, to prepare for a 100k off road ride, the Brecon Beast.

I managed to set off 15 minutes late but luckily, knowing most of the route to Liphook, got there on time, but didn't get a chance to get to a cash machine. So while the others cued up to start, I had to wait for them to appear on the road.

The riders
Only 4 of us as 2 others were running even later than I was! We had, Gareth, probably one of the fittest & most skilful riders in the club. Monika, probably one of the fittest & most skilful females in the club. Jeremy, Unknown ability! Oh yes, & me, Quite fast but not as “tec” as Gareth.

The ride
We were soon hitting the damp trails & after a few miles of warming up, the pace quickened, Jeremy & my self were struggling with some of the steeper climbs but Mon & Gareth were happily plugging away at them. There was also some quite unfriendly mud in places but luckily not too much or to often. We stopped at the food station & started to consume our supplies, It wasn't that warm, so were soon on our way. More hills for J & myself to WALK up! I was starting to feel a little slow, so was about to tell the others to go on, when 3 riders caught us.  so we pulled over to let them through. THEN, they slowed down /-8. We must have passed at the food stop, but hay-ho we would now ride with them, which was just what we "I" needed, as the adrenalin took over & the two groups battled up hills, down hills & everything in between! Unfortunately about 3/4's round, Mon started to fade, so she was ordered to eat more FOOD & I think a “Gel” was also consumed. Gareth was still going like a rocket, EVERYWHERE! I was going well, but did have a Gel 5 at miles to go (just in-case). Mon was still struggling, but still smiling (I thing it was a smile anyway?) But J had blown up.

End of ride
It was quite a hard ride, but it was good training for Wales. Gareth is set to do the 100k, but I think Mon said she was going for the 60k option. Not sure if J can make it & I'll make my mind up on the day, as I did the 100 a few years ago & failed. It was quite damp though, well, it was Wales!!!

I'm leading another training ride this Saturday 4-9-2010 with a late 10am start & fast-ish riding for 4+ hours.

thanks Mike.

I thought i was on everyone's blocked senders list!!

39 views and no replies!

Its John Randall.

He went home over the same week-end as the finish of the Tour de France.

Mike Cross

I've sent off an entry for this event.

It's our nearest open hill climb and many people in the club will have ridden the course. Sounds like a good atmosphere with lots of supporters cheering you up followed by cakes afterwards for both riders and spectators. So even if you don't enter you could do a ride over there, cheer on a few cyclists and have a cake

I have a list of people whose arms I'll be twisting to enter - if your name is Neil, Keith, Colin or Steve you are definately on it!

Here is the link on the Kingston Wheelers web site plus more details

http://www.kingstonwheelers.co.uk/news.shtml

"Entries are open for the club's hill climb up Surrey's Leith Hill, the South-East's highest point. The hill climb uses the southern route, up Abinger Road from Forest Green / Ockley. The climb should be familiar to most of you. The race HQ is Forest Green Village Hall where there will be an ample supply of cakes for riders and spectators alike"

Entry details
To enter send a CTT entry form and £7 cheque payable to "Kingston Wheelers CC" to: Tim Lawn, 87 Latchmere Lane, Kingston, KT2 5SF

Below are details of the event organised by East Grinstead CC

This year's event is a commemorative and never to be repeated 10th edition which uses the same route as the first 2001 ride (apart from the little bit along the A275 to the cafe in North Chailey; replaced by roadside sausage rolls) and the Hillier just adds Ditchling Beacon as Janet originally intended. Please pass this email on to any other clubmates / friends that may be interested. There are now 3 other sportive rides which are very similar to this ride but nowhere near as good value (or indeed hilliness!) and this is an ideal event to introduce new riders to Audax.
 

Hilly
http://www.aukweb.net/cal/calsolo.php?Ride=10-434
 
Hillier
http://www.aukweb.net/cal/calsolo.php?Ride=10-228

Hi Ian,

It's certainly the answer to beat the boredam and to train harder. Ideally our 42" screen in the lounge would be best but would upset the wife. I'll have to make do with my laptop in the garage!

Certainly worth $10. 

Cheers, Stewart

Ian,

Thanks for that I may well give them a go

Steve