Brighton Excelsior 10 and 25 - Testing Weekend

While my club mates sought fast times on fast courses I stuck with the G courses this weekend. To be honest it would have probably been quicker getting over to Bentley for the H25/8 than getting down to Steyning. I have heard Brighton described as London on Sea, and to be honest in the world of Time Trialling it comes pretty damn close to being true. Both the G10/97 and G25/93 turn just outside Shoreham but come under 'London South.' Anyway my original motivation was to support the 10 on Saturday because it was being run by an old friend, James Stone. Having entered the 10 it felt rude not to do the 25 as well.

Neither course has a reputation for being fast. The 10 has a sub 20 minute record so is actually pretty quick, starting outside Steyning on the A283 over a couple of roundabouts to Shoreham and back. It has a nifty little gift start, though as the rain was tipping down I didn't make the best use of it I could have. Came away happy enough with my 24.40. The real feature of this event was that it included a competition for Juniors where some serious upcoming talent. 16 year old Zac Coran-Haines won the Junior Competition with a 22, Amy Smith another 16 year old one the girls version with a 24.

I think Conall Yates took the overall with a 20.35 but is was pretty close.

Back on Sunday for the G25/93 and to be honest was feeling a little jaded. This kicks off with a loop through Partridge Green onto the A24, a left hander at the Washington Roundabout (the graveyard of may TT dreams) out to Shoreham and back. The opening is on a lumpy twisty road with a iffy surface and I found myself labouring through the first 10 miles in around 27 minutes. By the time I was through the Washington Roundabout and at 15 miles 40mins had passed. In the end in dry conditions  I kicked myself up the backside and did the final 10 miles quicker than I had gone on Saturday to come away with an only slightly underwhelming 1.04.17

With the OPCC track day looming I had to scuttle away before the final results were in but full marks to BECC for running a couple of great events with a decent buffet of cake and rolls at the hall.

ESCA 50 Wet Wet Wet

50's are an odd distance for me. When I am strong and on top of my game it is probably my favourite distance. But when I am not on the button they stink. Three Old Ports were scattered across the start sheet of this, Bash and Dave Warne off at vaguely sensible time, me of No.1 at 6.31 am. Given that it is a fair schlepp from Croydon this meant that the alarm brought me unwillingly to life at 4 a.m. If I was nursing any hopes for a float morning the sound of rain told me it was more likely to be of the life raft kind.

Basically the course runs up and down the A22 out of East Hoathly via lots of roundabouts. The road surface used to be rubbish but to be fair its not as bumpy as it once was. Never the less events on this stretch  are never ones to give you a flattering moral boostingly fast time. More drag than drag strip. That said they have the advantage of not being closed due to road works which gives them one massive advantage over the Horsham Courses.

The rain seemed to be holding off as I got ready, so much so that  decided not to bother with the waterproof overshoes I have brought specially. Poor fool that  I was. By the time I arrived at the start line flustered and 15 seconds late it was tipping it down, and within a the first 100 yards my feet were soaked and soon the rest of me was. Traffic was still light, which was a relief as visibility was dire. I was struggling to really give it full gas, and it wasn't until the first 25 came up and the rain stopped that I gave myself a talking to and got going. Ended up with a 2.15.19 which is probably 5 mins short of where  I wanted to be, but a couple of mins quicker than my last 50 on a lousy morning. So another event under my belt on what is proving a long haul back. On the upside, again I had no problem going the distance just short on the watts.

Got back to the hall to see Dave's van had gone so presumed he had ditched it, and a message from Bash saying he had done something similar. Glad I pushed through and did it, but it was a day to chalk up to experience. I did not stay to see who won, the one benefit if a foolishly early start is an early return home. But the MTFU aware for today goes to no.3, Matthew Blagg of Maidenhead and District CC. It was his first ever 50, and he started in the same monsoon as I did. But managed to go seriously off course. Not the quick wrong turn and realise, no a proper thrust into the unknown. He finally found his way back but had lost barrowloads of time. Now given that the course runs near the HQ several times, the weather is crap and his time will now be dreadful nobody would really have blamed Matthew for knocking it on the head. But no, he was made of sterner stuff and kept going and finished the event. I did console him that he now had a time for a 50 to beat. I am not sure he found that thought entirely encouraging at that moment.

Anyway - onto more fun and games in Sussex for me next weekend with various Brighton Excelsior instruments of torture.  

Circuit of Kent - OPCC Club Sportive

Not sure whose idea it was. I think it was Northern Jon who suggested it one night over a beer in the Blackheath Harriers. But after a big turnout from the Old Portlians in the Castle Ride, Sunday’s Circuit of Kent was designated the ‘Club Sportive’ for 2013.

The Circuit of Kent is ideal for this kind of things. At 130kms, (with an 80km option) is challenging enough for the fast boys without being a masochists’ slog fest. It has been up and running for years and I believe has been attributed as being the inspiration for many British Sportives. Run by the Sevenoaks Rotary Club to raise money Macmillan and Hospice in the Weald they have got just about everything right.

Having well stocked feed stations in one thing, but at the Circuit of Kent you can tuck into cheese baguettes, soup and Bakewell tarts at the finish. This is a big plus in my book. I had one particular grim experience on a well know multiday sportive a few years ago. Having rained solidly all day at the finish we were soaked and frozen. All they had were some very pretty, but very small cakes made by the local WI.

Anyway, back to the Club Sportive. The idea was something that would bring the club together, on the start line at least. It was great we had riders for whom this was their first sportive through to road racers. We had guys who have been in the club far longer than they care to remember, and guys who joined this year. In no particular order it was great to see Alan, Dave T, Oz , Kev, Paul C, Say, Peter, Rosie, Iain, Julian,  and Austen there together with friendly fellow travellers Joe McRae and Alex Le Bicycle. It is just a shame that the event clashed with the SCCU 25, or there would have been and even stronger contingent.

Any talk of riding round as a club was clearly only in jest as the fast boys buggers off up the road from the gun. That my friend is the Old Ports way.

I have ridden the event half a dozen times, normally in sunshine. Yesterday did bite back with some cold autumnal rain but we were all counted in by the time it really tipped down. But still a cracking event.

Special mentions for Alan Dock. He is quite new to the sport; more accustomed to the pace of the Saturday club run, but finished the 130kms in a very respectable time. Also, mention to the Iain Hawthorn my 2 up partner. Despite having a 12 hr in his legs from Thursday he was not shirking as we worked together along the lanes. Great ride.