Hull may seem like a long way to drive to spend a little over 20 minutes on a bike, but when it is a chance to visit probably the fastest course in the country (the fabled V718) it is definitely worth the effort.
The downside to the Hull course is that it is frequently very windy, and that was the conditions that faced Chris Hartley when he arrived up North. The less than ideal conditions, and a season that has been disrupted by illness, would make you think that a quick ride wasn't on the cards, but Chris was having none of it.
He smashed round the course in 23:05 to match his best ever ten mile performance to the second. So congratulations Chris, and based on that ride it shows that a strong winter, and an illness free early season, will see you well into the 22's in 2016!
Saturday 29 August 2015
Sunday 16 August 2015
Lifetime best for Sam Hayes at the Finsbury Park 25
After a week of watching the weather forecasts which all promised no wind at Tempsford on Sunday morning, the team arrived at the start of the Finsbury Park 25 knowing that quick times could be on the cards.
The F1/b may be a bit slower than the fabled (and much flatter) F1a due to the hills from Langford to Baldock on the A1, but it can still serve up good times if you're strong enough.
On the day Sam Hayes proved that he was certainly strong enough, and in the form of his life, by blasting around the course in 54:33, to knock 9 seconds off his fastest ever 25. Given the lack of traffic, the rolling nature of the bottom end of the course and the rising headwind on the return, this really was a simply stunning ride by Sam.
Next up for the team was Steve Robinson, who hadn't broken the hour for at least 17 years due to his dislike of 25's. A strong ride from Steve saw him record his 2nd fastest ever 25 with 58:59, an agonising 8 seconds away from his lifetime best. Worryingly for Steve, this ride shows that he can record decent rides at this distance, so he may now need to do a few more to improve on his best ever time.
If there was an award for greatest improvement by a rider in a season then David Ledgerton would have it in the bag. After a disrupted winter that lead to a slow start to the season for David he has steadily got faster and faster all through the year, and is now motoring well. David clocked 1:05:12 to record his fastest 25 in 5 years, clearly demonstrating that the speed is coming back.
The F1/b may be a bit slower than the fabled (and much flatter) F1a due to the hills from Langford to Baldock on the A1, but it can still serve up good times if you're strong enough.
On the day Sam Hayes proved that he was certainly strong enough, and in the form of his life, by blasting around the course in 54:33, to knock 9 seconds off his fastest ever 25. Given the lack of traffic, the rolling nature of the bottom end of the course and the rising headwind on the return, this really was a simply stunning ride by Sam.
Next up for the team was Steve Robinson, who hadn't broken the hour for at least 17 years due to his dislike of 25's. A strong ride from Steve saw him record his 2nd fastest ever 25 with 58:59, an agonising 8 seconds away from his lifetime best. Worryingly for Steve, this ride shows that he can record decent rides at this distance, so he may now need to do a few more to improve on his best ever time.
If there was an award for greatest improvement by a rider in a season then David Ledgerton would have it in the bag. After a disrupted winter that lead to a slow start to the season for David he has steadily got faster and faster all through the year, and is now motoring well. David clocked 1:05:12 to record his fastest 25 in 5 years, clearly demonstrating that the speed is coming back.
Jones leads the team home at the Coventry CC 10
Martin Jones continued his rich vein of form this week with another fantastically rapid 10 at the Coventry CC 10 on the K11/10T.
A strong headwind put paid to his shot at a lifetime best, but even so he blasted the course in 20:37 to take an excellent 12th place and once again prove that he is the strong man of TSE this year.
The battle for second fastest counter for the team was a close one, as age and experience in the form of Dave Wentworth went up against youthful exuberance from Stephen Franklin. In this case it was experience that just paid off, with Dave clocking 24:11 to edge out Stephen 'Whiskers' Franklin who finished in a strong 24:26.
After a season disrupted by a number of illnesses it is fantastic to see Dave going so well in the latter stages, but he still needs to look over his shoulder, as Whiskers just keeps getting quicker.
Monday 3 August 2015
August heralds august performances for The Engine - Race Reports
National 25 - 2 Aug 2015
The opening weekend of August saw riders in action across a couple of events, one of which was Sunday's CTT National 25 mile time trial championship near Marlow, Bucks (2nd Aug 2015).
Martin Jones flew the flag for the Team at the Nationals, posting a fantastic time of 54.15 to take 51st place. The defending champion, Matt Bottrill could only claim 2nd spot this year with a time of 48.24. Ryan Perry scooped top honours with a time of 48:04. Martin is the first (of hopefully many) TSE rider to take on the National 25. Results.
Chronos RT 10 - 1 Aug 2015
The Saturday prior to Martin's landmark ride, the team were out in force on Saturday's Chronos RT promoted F2A/10, 10 mile time trial (1 Aug 2015). Steve Robinson set the standard with a 22.15, his third fastest time in 17 years.
The head wind to the turn took its toll on many riders so strong efforts were needed to reduce time losses in the first half of the race. These outbound efforts helped riders to then capitalise on any tailwind assistance for the eastbound return leg. David Ledgerton continues to improve and posted 24.20. Roy Robinson was next off and tapped in a rock-steady 26.45,
A trio of sub-22 minute rides then followed with Sam Hayes, Chris Rimes and Simon Doyle posting 21.06, 21.50 and 21.44 respectively giving the team an aggregate (and winning) 'best 3' time of 1h 04.40.
Dave Wentworth underscored the team's performance with a 25mph-plus ride of 23.20.
Mick Hodson of St Ives took the win, with 19.57.
Building on success
Sam Hayes' ride was his second quickest at the distance ever, Simon Doyle shaved 5 seconds of his lifetime PB (set in 2014). Chris Rimes' time is even more impressive as it his first competitive race for several months. Welcome back Chris aka Buster Rimes!
Images courtesy of hedge-row raider and all round good-guy Davey Jones.
The opening weekend of August saw riders in action across a couple of events, one of which was Sunday's CTT National 25 mile time trial championship near Marlow, Bucks (2nd Aug 2015).
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| Martin Jones in action at the National 25 TT championship 2015- Source TimeTriallistUK |
Chronos RT 10 - 1 Aug 2015
The Saturday prior to Martin's landmark ride, the team were out in force on Saturday's Chronos RT promoted F2A/10, 10 mile time trial (1 Aug 2015). Steve Robinson set the standard with a 22.15, his third fastest time in 17 years.
The head wind to the turn took its toll on many riders so strong efforts were needed to reduce time losses in the first half of the race. These outbound efforts helped riders to then capitalise on any tailwind assistance for the eastbound return leg. David Ledgerton continues to improve and posted 24.20. Roy Robinson was next off and tapped in a rock-steady 26.45,
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| Steve 'Oleg' Robinson opening the day's account. |
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| David 'The Ledgend' Ledgerton. |
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| Ox Robinson powering home |
A trio of sub-22 minute rides then followed with Sam Hayes, Chris Rimes and Simon Doyle posting 21.06, 21.50 and 21.44 respectively giving the team an aggregate (and winning) 'best 3' time of 1h 04.40.
Dave Wentworth underscored the team's performance with a 25mph-plus ride of 23.20.
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| Sam 'Bling' Hayes turning the goldie-looking cranks to be first amongst TSE equals |
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| Buster Rimes back with some block-busting beats |
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| 'Speedy' Doyle on the way to a life-time PB. |
Mick Hodson of St Ives took the win, with 19.57.
Building on success
Sam Hayes' ride was his second quickest at the distance ever, Simon Doyle shaved 5 seconds of his lifetime PB (set in 2014). Chris Rimes' time is even more impressive as it his first competitive race for several months. Welcome back Chris aka Buster Rimes!
Images courtesy of hedge-row raider and all round good-guy Davey Jones.
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