In 1999 The Brighton Mitre CC organized a 24 Hour time trial. The result saw Dave Shepherd of the Rother Valley CC win with a distance of 483 miles. This was the last time that the all day event was run on roads in the south east of England.
Preliminary course details are now being finalised into an interesting route, challenging but not muscle crunching. Details on the Course Page. Based on the ESCA 100 mile course, with several interesting detours, the riders will then make their way to West Sussex for the hours of darkness and as day breaks return to finish on East Sussex roads. If you have never raced in the area before, there are a number of events during the next two years which you can use to familiarise yourself with the local roads. You will be following in the wheel tracks of some of the fastest riders in the country.
The BIKE TRAIN takes a ‘safety-in-numbers’ approach to cycling. Creating a fun, visible and more protected environment within a mass-ride, it hopes to make it easier for more people to commute by bike along the Lewes Road – reducing traffic-related air pollution and CO2 emissions in the process!
I was oblivious of the Scraperbike movement before last year when i watched a short film at the BFF about it. This short documentary delves into it a bit more. A great thing in my opinion.
This Sunday!
George and myself are only doing the 50km. But we are riding it on our track bikes. Slightly modified with brakes and easier gearing though.
I think it is too late to sign up now, but if you have already signed up, we look forward to seeing you there.
The Brompton World Championship V will be held on Sunday 3rd October 2010 at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. The event, now in its fifth year, its third in the UK, will once again be hosted in the majestic grounds of the palace, as part of the Breast Cancer Care Bike Blenheim Palace event.
The Championship will be greater than ever, both in numbers and in strength; due to popular demand, the field has been increased to 750 riders and, as befits a true world championship, the race in 2010 will welcome the winners from the various Brompton National Championships around the world.
The 2010 event will be held over the same circuit as in previous years, comprising 2 laps of a 6.5km course; this will give you the opportunity to beat the time you set over the same course last October, and maybe to beat the times set by the last two Brompton World Champions: Alistair Kay and Roberto Heras. Positions on the grid will still be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so if you are keen to get ahead of the field, it could pay to register today!
Rules for the event are still pretty straightforward: helmets are a must, as are a blazer or suit jacket, collared shirt and tie. Sports attire is not permitted, unless it is hidden by the approved kit. There are prizes for the best-dressed, so competitors are encouraged to make an effort.
The deadline for registration is Sunday 19th September 2010 or whenever the event is full, which ever comes first.
Wow what a ride. Once again a really well organised event.
I will admit, i was having second thoughts at the start of the ride. Getting ready to ride in the rain isn’t too much fun but Dave and I figured we were here, so lets just do it. (A waste of the entry fee otherwise!)
As we arrived at the school to sign on. Peter and his fellow Forest Row Rutters were already setting off. At about 9am we started. Apart from the rain, everything felt fine. With my weekly track racing and having not smoked a cigarette in a couple of weeks i was feeling pretty fit.
Within about half hour, Dave and i had caught up with the Rutters, who had already stopped to repair one puncture. In my past sportives, i had a habit of wearing myself out too quickly. Going really well for the first half, but then suffering on the last. This time round i was determined not to let this happen. So for a few miles i stuck with the pack as we pedaled our way along the quiet roads of mid sussex. During the down hill sections, the newly found track rider in myself got the better of me. I tucked into an Aero position, chose my stiffest gear and pedaled myself down the hill. Hoping Dave and the Rutters would follow suit, i was suddenly by myself.
It was freezing and wet, so i needed to keep on moving, even at the feed stop i only stood sill for a few minutes, enough time to grab a banana and water. I was starting to enjoy spinning up the hills rather than coming down. Hitting rain at 50kmph isn’t too much fun!
All was well until 10km from the end when disaster struck. I had got a puncture. The worst thing that could have happened, especially so close to the end. With a new tube in, i was struggling to work the mini pump. Struggling to control the shakes. Up until this point, i was still doing pretty well. Trying to average around 25-28kmph. Back on the bike, gloveless. They were far too wet to put back on, my hands were too numb to fight themselves in.
For the last part of it, i was just spinning. Not pushing any hard gears, just doing my best to finish.
Got there in the end! With a total time of 4hours and 17minutes for the 104km. Placed me about 10th overall.
Apart from the numb hands, punctures and freezing rain. I had a great time. Extremely happy with how i pushed myself. Looking forward to the ones to come!
I really recommend coming down to Preston Park for the wednesday night races. Such a great atmosphere, lovely people and lots of encouraging riders out there. Even though i have only been doing this for a few weeks, i have learned a great deal from the other racers.
Sussex Cycle Racing League
Ok.. i know this blog isn’t a place to post personal views and opinions. But there has been one thing really bugging me recently.
So the cycle path between Brighton and Lewes, may not be the nicest in the south. Especially when there is a nasty headwind. But come one people, why such long faces!
Passing a number of people on the way in and out of Lewes, i often give a nod, a smile or a wave to other cyclists, what do i get back? A stern look. With this lovely weather you would think that people would be enjoying the commute that little bit more. Last night i saw some lovely things, a few bunny rabbits, some baby cows, a fox, lots of flowering plants and buds about. Plus the fact that i am not sitting in a car is more than enough to put a smile on my face.
So come on people! You are riding bicycles in amazing weather, cheer up!
For those thinking of racing/watching, courtesy of Gavin Smith… (via LFGSS/Brighton)
With no warm-up evenings on the schedule this season, it is straight down to action on Wednesday 14 April for the first of eighteen weeks of track-racing at Brighton’s Preston Park.
Dubbed “the friendliest track league in the country”, the Sussex Cycle Racing League offers at least five races per meet for seniors and three for youths, three championship meets for all, primes, a weekly prize for the best youth, as well as a generous overall prize-list. In addition, there are award-winning refreshments, a race commentary and the League’s very own monthly newsletter.
What more would you want from your track league? Well, weekly reports and results, and there is always great rivalry for the senior “A” and “B” leagues, as well as the various youth age-group competitions. Attendances are regularly high, with an average total of 70 competitors per meeting.
Racing for seniors is divided into the elite “A” group and the “B” section. Some races are combined, while others are separated, and there are occasional events restricted to riders who have notched up the least points. So, at Preston Park, every rider has the chance to get that prestigious race win for their cycling CV!
The variety of racing is amazing, with scratch races supplemented with handicap events, keirins, points races, sprints, devils, unknown distance, “win and out”, etc.
There are five categories of youth riders. Under-16s, under-14s and under-12s all ride fixed-wheel bikes, while the under-10s and under-8s (who must be aged at least 5 on the day of the race) ride on freewheel machines.
All eyes will be on the battle for the senior title, which is sure to be exciting after last season’s triumph by the popular Mark Burgess. He is certain to be hard-pushed by rising star Charlie Heffernan, two-times Brighton champ Felix English, Preston Park sprint legend Lee Povey and young exocet Adam Gent. Last year’s B-league winner Richard Bailey will also no doubt be in the mix, as will 2009 youth champ Elliot Tabraham-Dowers.
The innovation this year is in the form of two new senior trophies. The Twilight Trophy will reward the best rider in the final race each meet and the Sprinters Trophy will go to the most successful senior in sprints, keirins and individual handicap races.
Enter now at www.scrl.co.uk to avoid the rush on the first evening. And, if you’re not racing, get yourself down to Brighton’s Preston Park track every Wednesday at 6.45pm from 14 April to cheer on the riders. It’s official: there is no better way to spend a Wednesday evening.
Sunday 23rd of May The East Sussex CTC are organising a randonnee. 50/80/100km on offer.
George and myself have decided to do the 50km. Seeing as it will be the first long ride that George has done, we decided to keep it simple. But oh no.. not that simple. Just to spice it up a bit we have chosen to ride the route fixed. Having not seen the route, this may be a silly idea. But i am sure we wont be finding too many 1 in 4s on a 30mile ride.
