Race round up - 29 May 2017

A bumper packed fortnight of racing since our last update makes for some interesting reading. As the season gets in to full swing, TSE riders have graced a range of car parks and village halls around the region. Some of our activities have actually involved cycling too.

Thanks to all of the organisers of the events we compete in. No volunteers, no racing.

Saturday, 20 May 2017
The Northampton and District CA Round 4 race was a bit grim weather-wise. An already Strade-Bianche type course made matters tough, but a blistering series of downpours did enough to deter Roy Robinson from competing and enough to cause Dave Wentworth to sack off the race. Undeterred by the biblical weather were Michael Watts (40.36) and David Ledgerton (50.31)

Further to the east, the Eastern Counties CA (ECCA) 10 mile championship drew riders in with the promise of a good time. The E2 really is a siren that calls riders to metaphorical rocks. Steve Robinson, Chris Rimes, Jerome Watts, Hugo Hocknell, Simon Doyle, Ric Palmer all got drawn to the call.

Ed - I can't find the results just now, so here's some pictures from Davey Jones to whet your whistle...

Chris Rimes ECCA 10 (Davey Jones)

Ric Palmer on his shopping bike, ECCA 10 (Davey Jones)

Steve Robinson on his shiny new Di2 Boardman TT rig, ECCA 10 (Davey Jones)

Tuesday, 23 May 2017
Steve, Ric and Simon and Dave Ledgerton took their frustrations out a couple of days later on the sporting and idyllic Hitchin Nomads CC Briercliffe 10. Good battling set up a solo win for Simon Doyle with 24.08 Steve got blocked a bit and lost 8 seconds it seems but finished at the pointy end in 4th spot, with a 24.45. Strong ride from Ric Palmer with a 25.57 (his fastest course time for 4 years) and a mid 29 for David Ledgerton.

Saturday, 27 May 2017
The Victoria CC 10.2 mile series kicked off again in warm and humid conditions. The rolling E1/10.2 course saw riders compete over one of the teams' favourite locations. The rolling Essex roads really focus the mind with some nasty drags, twisty chicanes and stretching B roads.

The competitions feature 3up and 2 up team trials, plus solo events. For the hardy there is a chance to ride all three competitions.  Kicking things off were Sam Hayes, Steve Robinson and Simon Doyle in the 3up competition. The trio hold the title from 2016 and round 1 saw them punch out a course-PB to open their account (22m 34s). It was enough to pip last year's round 1 winners (Chelmer CC) by 1s but not quite enough to keep the super quick Team Vision boys off top spot.

In the solo event, Hugo Hocknell, David Ledgerton, Chris Rimes and Jerome Watts rolled out a bit later in the morning. The rain came down just as the 3up event was finishing which meant riders had to contemplate some quite greasy road surfaces.

Hugo Hocknell pulled a super-quick 23.17 out of the hat for 7th place. He then fell off on the way back to the HQ (pay attention boy). He was seen displaying his thigh-based road rash whilst walking along the country lanes to anyone who wanted (and also didn't want to) see it (we originally thought it was some form of vagabond - Ed).

Jerome Watts dipped under the 24 minute mark by 1s for 13th place. Chris Rimes was hot on his wheels with a 16th place that was secured with a 24.14. Chris's form is rising nicely and Jerome is delivering consistent times across the races he's riding. David Ledgerton nicked in to the top 50 with a 28.40. Dave got a soaking.

L-R Sam Hayes, Simon Doyle, Steve Robinson (he wasn't on the front all they way round either before he says otherwise - Victoria CC 3 up Rd 1 2017 (Davey Jones)

The series is excellently run by the Victoria CC's Christine Yareham and co, and supported by the usual high quality volunteers.

Results: https://www.velouk.net/2017/05/28/result-victoria-cc-10-2-tt-2/

Meanwhile, in a village far, far away... Roy Robinson flew the flag for the team with an outing on the Hitchin Nomads 25 mile TT based around Guilden Morden's F14/25 circuit. To say it was blowy was an understatement. The hilly course and windy conditions make for hard riding (the antithesis of the E2 below but miles more fun we reckon - Ed). Roy posted 1.16.45. Roy cited this as a good marker for him personally, a 2min improvement or thereabouts on a similar ride on the N1 course a couple of seasons ago.

A great event, thanks to all at the Hitchin Nomads CC (especially the pusher off, he was a former Olympian we reckon). Check Michael Webb's excellent event gallery.

Roy Robinson in the Hitchin Nomads F14/25 - May 2017 (Michael Webb)

Jamie Staff pushing off (pic. Michael Webb)

Sunday, 28 May 2017 
Four riders, Simon Doyle, Jerome Watts, Steve Franklin and Steve Robinson competed in the Eastern Counties CA (ECCA) 25 mile championship. The event was held on the A11 based E2/25. The course tempts riders with the promise of a super quick time but it wasn't quite to be this time out. A strong head-cross wind on the way out saw a lot of riders' time start to diminish. A super-quick push on the way back did however help to compensate for anyone with strength in the legs remaining to capitalise.

The TSE team were off within a 20 minute window towards the end of the race. Simon was quickest on the day, taking 41st place with an 11s improvement on his PB of 56.09. Jerome held off the brace of Steves for 57.54. Steve Franklin edged out Steve Robinson for 58.02 and 58.05 respectively. The lads took 65th, 66th, 67th places in the standings. Nothing much to separate them such were the margins on the day.

Steve Robinson (this is getting confusing with the Steve thing - Ed) marked the day with a PB for the distance. Like all good testers he was unhappy with the result and vowed he can go faster next time.

Simon Doyle ECCA 25 on his way to a 56.09 (Davey Jones).

Steve Franklin - ECCA 25 2017 (pic. Davey Jones)

Jerome Watts ECCA 25 2017 (Davey Jones)

Simon, Jerome and Steve (Franklin) set a new team aggregate record for 25 miles in the process of 2h 52m 09s. Steve (Robinson) missed out on the record books by 3 seconds. We had no idea what the previous record was as we were not paying attention.

It's unlikely this record will last for long though.

Results: https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-results/15143