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04/08/2010 - LVRC CYCLO CROSS CHAMPS
LVRC CYCLO CROSS CHAMPS REMINDER

The LVRC Nat Cyclo Cross Champs on same course as the Nov event is on Sunday 19th December--there will be Championships for All LVRC age groups.
The course use will be suitable for Cross or Mt Bike, --Expert or Novice--it will have several fast sections, some small hurdles, and if wet some muddy sections, No technical sections--there will be no gridding at start.--there is an excellent Cafe on site, may be small charge for Parking--Can ride Stratford Cross only 10 mls away , following day ?

Reminder ---the the UCI World Masters Cyclo Cross Championship is on Saturday 22nd Jan 2011.

Mick Ives

01/08/2010 - ALLAN RAMSAY SEVENTH AT ICF WORLDS
Roadpeace campaigner 62 year old Allan Ramsay was seventh in the over 60's ICF Worlds road race near Leige. Tony Woodcock, 69 a previous winner was 15th. Best LVRC finishers in the over 50's were 54 year old Iain Akhurst in 19th with Callum Gough, 50 23 rd. Best in the over 40's was 43 year old Roy Sumner.

12/07/2010 - DON PARRY's TALE OF THE MARMOTTE
After La Marmotte in 2009 I swore ‘never again’ a bit like one does after a night on the tiles and yet at Christmas time that year I found myself paying up again for the challenge of the Marmotte 2010 with the idea of beating 8 hours. I was very fortunate to be able to do it with a good friend who is considerably younger but who pulls me out and also later in the year I had access to the Cycling Weekly support as a project which no doubt many people will have seen in the Comic recently. At the time of departure for the event I was quite optimistic I could beat the magic 8 hours being better prepared and focussed in every sense than ever before.
Never believe anybody who says this is not a race. It is. The books had shut at 7500 competitors of all ages and capabilities and to line up at the start at 0630 hours is quite awe-inspiring. The weather was set fair and I remained optimistic. I was an early starter with as number 774 and the 20 – 25 minutes to the foot of the Croix de Fer was just like a large massed start race. We were rolling along at 40+kph, picking the right wheels and making excellent time - and then the real climbing starts. I reached the top of the Glandon / Croix de Fer in about 1hr 50mins still feeling good. The editor of the Fitness Section in CW, Hannah Reynolds, who was responsible for the project, caught me near the top and she was riding really strongly.
The descent of the Glandon was ‘neutralised’ this year as so many stupid riders in the past have given it a very dangerous reputation, but it was still fast, and the ride along the valley to the Col de Telegraph was also quick as I managed to get in with a group moving very quickly. This is a must if anybody wants to achieve a respectable time. Although not popular with some other members of the large group I managed to play the age card and not do too much work at the front. I climbed the Telegraph steadily reaching the top in about 4 hours so in theory still on for an 8 hour ride. The steep straight climb out of Valloise was not as bad as I remembered and after a very short stop at the feed station to refresh bottles I tackled the Galibier.
As ever this was just long and hard and the last 5 kilometres just plain painful and slow. A very attractive Italian lady came past me on one of the steepest sections talking to her colleague. Talk about demoralising! I heard later she had gone past others whilst singing! Jim Moffatt , Spirit Racing / LVRC came past me as if I was standing still. The top of the Galibier finally came in just over six hours elapsed time and I realised in a rare moment of clarity making the 8 eight hours target was pretty much out of reach.
A very rapid descent followed with a Spaniard for comany, my computer showing I touched 80 kph in places, with a fast run in to the bottom of Alpe d’huez again in a good group. A last refresh of bottles at the feed station, barely stopping and then to face the Alpe itself. I decided that if I had to stop I would make a number of short stops rather than fewer long stops. The temperature, reportedly over 40c at times, made stopping occasionally essential for me. I even stopped once to cool my feet in a refreshing mountain stream.
I probably stopped 3 times for less than 45 seconds each time in the shade but each stop was invaluable. I had reached the bottom of Alpe d’huez in 7hrs 15 mins so 8 hours was completely out of the question. It just remained to see how fast I could climb the Alpe under real pressure with 100 miles in my legs. In the end it was about 1hr 15 – 1hr 20mins – which I was quite pleased with. Overall a total elapsed time including the neutralised Glandon descent of 8hrs 33 mins. Disappointing not to get really near 8 hours but not bad in the cold light of day.
On Reflection.
I found this probably the hardest of the three times I have completed the event. It was very hot which made nutrition and hydration absolutely key to doing a respectable time. This advice from the Cycling Weekly project I was part of was invaluable.
I finished 1217th out of about 5200. One person over 60 did a time of just over 7 hours! Paul Maessen.
To achieve 8 hours it means I need to climb each of the four major alpine mountains 7 – 10 minutes faster. Possibly do-able as one offs – probably not as part of a four climb series in this event. I think I have lost the necessary ‘souplesse’. Never again. Three times is enough.
One rider completed the whole course with one leg, one original arm and one artificial arm in about 13 hours! Everything else pales into insignificance.

28/06/2010 - WANTED: FEEDBACK ON THIS YEAR'S HANDICAP CHAMPS
Mike Amery,Organiser of the championships is looking for rider feedback on this year's handicap race at Malvern. Apparently there was some criticism of the handicapping ( not done by Mike)particularly among the C's. With next year's race in mind rider's opinions would be appreciated, perhaps in a bid to tweek things. So you can either contact Mike at amery_07@fsmail.net or the website via mail@jimgolden.fsnet.co.uk. Thanks in aticipation.

25/06/2010 - CORRECTION TO ORGANISER OF ABCD CHAMPS
Name : Neil Dayus
Email : np_dayus@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone : 07977 221 663
Message :

I am the organiser of this years ABCD national champs and I have noticed that you've spelt my name wrong on the race infomation. Consequently all the entry cheques are having to be returned.
Best wishes, Neil Dayus (not Dayfus!)