2006 Old News
Club 10 mile tandem
record smashed!
The Andover Wheelers club record
for the 10 mile time trial for tandems was smashed on Saturday 3rd June 2006 by
Phil Bowley and Jake Prior who came together for the first time in the Sotonia
Middle Markers event. They recorded a stunning time of 18:55 on a sunny day
with light gusty of wind, easily winning the event of nine machines.
Nick and Lee also raced but after
a three and half minute late start due to "mechanical difficulties"
they finished well down the field despite recording the second fastest time of
20:13.
(Photo
courtesy of © Barry Austin)
Phil
and Jake
(Photo
courtesy of © Barry Austin)
Nick
and Lee
Road Racing at
Thruxton circuit
Sunday 9th April 2006
60 – 70 riders started in the Cat
4 road race at the Thruxton motor racing circuit including 5 riders from
Andover Wheeler; Nick Adnitt, Lee Gardner, Tom Bailey, Mike Taylor and Adrian
Slack. The race has been reduced to 8 laps rather than the normal 12 due a much
delayed start of over an hour so it was a brisk pace from the start. There were
the usual surges in pace as riders made fruitless attempts to ride off the
front including Adrian, Tom and Lee. Tom enjoyed some long stretches on the
front as the group were disinclined to let him off when he sat up. There were
some short, light hail showers but nothing to worry the group. Lee managed to
open up a good gap with one other rider before being chased down by a member of
his own team!
So it was all square on the last
lap and as the race entered the climb for the last time
Andover Wheelers were represented
in the 3rd Cat race by Phil Bowley who set the early pace and stretched out the
field of 70+ riders. Then a storm blew up and conditions become atrocious with
strong blustery wind with hail and rain. The temperature plummeted and riders
looked a sorry state as they battled against the elements. As the race closed
at least half the riders had retired but Phil was still there and gained a
third place in the sprint
Welcome to the 2006
season
So, what does the 2006 season
promise in the way of PBs and fast performances? Well it's April already and
we've already hosted our first Open TT in the shape of the Hilly 10.2 on the
P601c which includes the notorious Conholt Hill. Once again the course record
was broken, this time by Danny Axford in an incredible 25:13 including only
We also had our first club TT, a
quick blast around the P614c, or "Tour of Grately" as it's
colloquially known as. T'was a bit cold but at least it was dry. It was also
the first test of our new rules regarding back lights. Cycling on the public
highway continues to attract negative media coverage in favour of cycle paths
so we must be seen to be taking the issue seriously and one of the ways we can
do that is to make ourselves more visible. So please everyone, fit a back light
with at least three LEDs or expect to be challenged at the start. We do have a
pool of spare lights so everyone should get a ride.
As usual we have a full programme
of club time trials this season (see EVENTS page for details). Bit of a change
this year as we want to avoid the A303 during August when the low sun tends to
impinge on safety, so the sporting courses are later in the year.
We will again be hosting a number
of open time trials and can I ask members to please make themselves available
to support the events especially marshal duties.
Middle Markers Open
10
We also host a Middle Markers open
event on Saturday 22nd April. So if you are quicker than
Committee dates
Your new committee has met twice
already to start shaping the club for this year. If anyone has any issues they
wish to raise, please let a committee member know. All members are welcome to
attend but do not have a vote and must respect the Chairman in terms of
behaviour! If you do wish to attend please let me know in advance.
John Foster
Some of you may be aware that our
Honourable Racing Secretary John Foster's health has taken a downhill turn. We
wish John a speedy recovery and not just because we need a reliable time
keeper! During John's recuperation we may need to share responsibilities for
time keeping at club events until John is ready to return. The Club Captain Ian
Knight will be sorting out a rota for time keepers for events and it be your
responsibility to ensure that is carried out. If members do not want to ride an
event and they are available, please show up and help out.
Timekeepers
Like many clubs and associations,
Andover Wheelers rely on a small number of individuals to do the tasks
necessary to run events. Events can't happen if there is no timekeeper and we
would like to encourage members to become Assistant Timekeepers by practising
at club events. Once you've done a few the club can request official CTT
regional status so you can act as a starter at Open Events. Once you've done a
few of those you can become an official Timekeeper and we won't have to rely on
the same people every time. Please consider it and let Roger know if you need
more information.
Encouraging young
riders
Although we have a core of keen
regular riders, the club is in need of new blood. Ian Knight is proposing to
start a programme of coaching and leisure rides to help young people become
more involved in cycling and hopefully racing. He has some interesting plans
and it is a big responsibility. It is scheduled to start in May this year and
he would be grateful for any offers of help and support.
New members
We are always looking for new
riders to join the club. We have a lot to offer so please don't miss any
opportunities to promote the club. Do please set realistic expectations, we are
not really geared up to cater for beginners (except Ian's plan) so we must be
clear about what is expected.
Bev Fletcher
Bev has moved up North to Sutton
Coalfield and as such will no longer be part of our club. She still plans to
race so you may see her at open events. We wish Bev every success in her new
job and for the season ahead and I for one will breath a sigh of relief when
competing for club BARs.
25 years
A number of members are in their
twenty fifth continuous year with the club and a leisure club ride was run on
Sunday 2nd April to celebrate this momentous achievement.
Club Turbo Trainer
Some of your club funds have be
invested in a Turbo Trainer. So what, I've already got one! Ha, but this one
records cadence, heart rate and power output. It available for any club member
to use, please contact Jake. It is a good opportunity to take a snap-shot of
your power output during certain times during training and the race season to
monitor progress (or decline!).
Social Evening
It is generally agreed that we
need to get together socially more often. Lee is looking at opportunities for
social events. Please let him know if you have any ideas and whatch the web
site for some of Lee's.
Safety
I expect all members will have
heard about the tragic accident in
As such we will be implementing a
number of measure to reduce risk at our club events:
• Rear lights – All riders
in AW club TTs will HAVE to use a rear light with at least three LEDs. A
limited number of spares will be available for those who have forgotten theirs.
We know that this is an emotive issue which can be debated infinitum, but we
expect members to support this initiative and set a good example.
• Helmets – The head
fairing is still legal in UK CTT events but not in BC TTs or on the continent.
Although riders can still use these we do encourage the use of proper approved
helmets.
• Light clothing – By this
we mean bright and easily seen. The club strip is very bright and does the job
well but we will discourage dark colours. Please do not rely on the day-glow
numbers.
A303
Over the many years that the A303
has been used for cycle time trials, there has been much debate on the quickest
and safest route to exit and join the main carriageway at the slip roads.
Having spend many hours as a marshal on A303 exit slip road and observed
hundreds of riders opt for different routes, I can only say that some riders
are very lucky to have got away with some of the stunts I’ve witnessed.
In my opinion the safest way to
exit the main carriage way is too stay on the left hand side all the way up to
the roundabout. Vehicles are still travelling at 70mph+ as the enter the slip
road and many leave it to the last minute to cut in. Riders who opt for a late
exit and hog the right hand curb are at risk to cars who are passing on their
left. Although they are well positioned for the roundabout at the end of the
slip road, is the risk worth it?
The majority of the top riders I
have seen play safe and stay left until the end of the slip road when they move
to the centre of the road to negotiate the roundabout. When they move across,
approaching vehicles are slowing for the roundabout so it is considered safer.
The advice is similar for the
entry slip roads back on to the A303. If a rider moves onto the main
carriageway early they could be in the path of cars joining the dual
carriageway. Vehicle drivers are often focussed on what is coming along behind
them rather than in front as they move onto the main carriageway and may not
have expected a significantly slower cyclist in front of them.
So please, consider an early exit
and stay left, and a late entry by also staying on the left hand side.
Is there anybody
out there?
Let’s have your results and
stories about what’s going on out there, I know you’re all racing like mad but
let’s share the news and keep in touch. Please e-mail me the news.
Subscriptions
Club sub’s are now due for this
year. You should be receiving a reminder from Roger very soon so please do the
necessary and cough up the cash. You will be rewarded with a club membership
card to amaze and impress you friends with.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT -
CHAIN GANG CHANGES
The chain gang continues every
Wednesday night as normal starting at 10:30hrs from the Magic Roundabout pub
car park. Since the clocks went forward it is increasingly getting lighter for
the ride.
Link to 2002 old news archive
click on this to see the news from 2002
Link to 2003 old news archive
click on this to see the news from 2003
Link to 2004 old news archive
click on this to see the news from 2004
Link to 2005 old news archive
click on this to see the news from 2005