VC Meudon Blog

Pictures of Jamie's Win

2009-12-07T16:02:00.002Z

Great pictures of Jamie's win in the sun yesterday

Do you think he started celebrating early enough ?!!

http://www.mphotography.co.uk/

Jamie wins SE Regional Cyclo-Cross Champs

2009-12-06T15:47:00.002Z

With a lead of more than a minute and a half, Jamie was victorious in today's East and South East Regional Cyclo-Cross Championships.

Report and photos to come

but for now here's a link to report and video of Jamie's win at Oxford last weekend.
http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/cyclocross/article/cyx20091129-Report--Oxonian--Cross-0

Senor Rutherford wins in Spain

2009-12-01T15:44:00.001Z

Spanish VCM exile Martin Rutherford won an over 50's race at Puerto Lumbreras on Sunday.

2010 Incentives

2009-11-29T09:31:00.002Z

While VC Meudon remains a traditional racing club and not a sponsored team, the renewal of our sponsorhip deals and the replacement of those not renewing means that as well as promoting multiple races each season we can offer some help to younger riders and those representing the club at a higher level.

In 2010 the young rider scheme will continue with free membership for anyone under the age of 23 as long as you race for the club at least once at any level. We will also reward youths and juniors with £1 per BC licence point up to £150 for the year (the bonus pool for this will be limited to £1000). Any u23 upgrading a category during the season will get the cost of a jersey refunded.

New this year to offer some small support are bonuses for riders showing promise or already representing the club at a high level. Anyone upgrading to a second cat licence will get a free pair of shorts or jersey while anyone holding or upgrading to a 1st cat or Elite licence will get a free jersey and shorts. We may also give ad hoc. support via kit items to younger or promising riders where appropriate.

Any parents who have not claimed their bonuses for their children who have earned points this season please email or phone us and we will send a cheque.

New kit and kit evening. When, where, how much.

2009-11-27T12:37:00.004Z

The new club kit has now been delivered to Cycle Kingdom. However please note that the kit is not being sold by the shop but by the club - it is just being handled by Craig from the shop. This means that you can't just pop into the shop and ask Theo to help you into a pair of shorts of a Saturday morning. Ideally you should check with Craig first (ring him or the shop) to check he's there and that the timing works for trying stuff on etc.

This also means that you have to pay by cheque or cash - no credit/debit cards.

To make things easier Craig will be having a kit evening on Tuesday 1st December between 4.00 and 8.00. You will be able to try the kit on and buy one of each item only. However you will be able to order further items for our second delivery of kit. Costs have obviously been kept to a minimum and the kids kit properly subsidised.

Prices as follows:

Long sleeve top £43

Short sleeve top £36

Bib shorts £39

Tights £51

Mitts £17

Gilet £40

Kids top £10

Kids shorts £10

Showerproof wind jacket £57

Jamie 3rd in Hargroves Grand Prix

2009-11-24T14:39:00.006Z

The cross season is in full swing and VC Meudon riders continue to score highly in top class races.

Despite the torrential rain recently, VCM fielded a 5 man team in last weekend's Hargroves Grand Prix round of the Wessex Cross league at Southampton. In 2 weeks time the Southern Championships will be held on the same course so despite the weather there was a big field eager to get some practice on the championship course.

As the race start time approached the wind blew the rain clouds away and the sun may have even shone briefly. The car park was a semi-pro affair with vans packed with top quality bikes (not mine) jet washers, mechanics, helpers etc

Jamie Newall, Andy Dilkes, Robert McCarthy, Fraser Kennedy, Colin Addison + our good friend Tim Costello were all busy fine tuning their bikes, checking tyre pressures alongside Stuart Bowers, Jody Crawforth and Ian Field.

Jody Crawforth and Ian Field were a class aprt and quickly distanced the field to contest a race-log duel that saw them riding within 10 metres of each other for the whole race. Jody nipped the win by leading into the final corner and winning the sprint. The VCM team rode well with Jamie fending off a spirited challenge from talented youngster Dan Maclay to secure 3rd place. Robert and Andy fought well for 23rd and 24th, Tim was close behind in 29th, while Fraser was unlucky not to finish with his bike succumbing to the glue-like mud. I was making up the numbers, but having fun, especially when lapped twice by the top four riders.

... must mention the support of Hannah who worked tirelessly in the pits providing fresh bikes every lap for Jody, Jamie and Andy. I looked across longingly each time I passed the pits by with my bike getting heavier each lap.

Here's Jamie's "brief" race report...

Very hard race yesterday - very tired today body aching all over.
That was a real cross - shame Ian and Jody were too fast.
More training for me otherwise 17 year olds will be beat me.

Oxford saturday??

Jamie x- must go to bed!!

Haven't heard from Andy yet - perhaps he's lost for words?

Other reports/photos/video from the race can be found
here
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/main.asp?sitepages=news

here
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/431999/crawforth-wins-battle-of-the-field.html

here
http://www.londoncyclesport.com/Features/Features/Just_Add_Waffles.html

and more photos here
http://www.grahamrobins.net/photos/Hargroves%20Grand%20Prix%202009/

Help wanted for free points.

2009-11-24T14:28:00.002Z

If you're looking to get your 3rd cat licence now and escape the early season 4th cat crashes or you'd like to help Mark Ottaway in his winter series points quest, read on for his report of the (off) season so far:

I have finished my 4th race today only 3 more left at Fowlmead, I raced at Hoghill yesterday and came 4th after a puncture, today at Fowlmead 2x puncture's !!!! and 4th again, I have 26 points towards winter series, which puts me in 2nd place and the rider with most points has 32, today the weather was shocking the worst I have seen, I know the winter series is not quite a summer series, but really would like to get a overall win, could you please ask if there is anybody who is a cat 2/3 who would be interested In helping me, I don't mind picking them up as i said there is only 3x races left at Fowlmead and they are all on Sunday's, and start in the new year, imperial winter starts soon hope I have had my bad luck of puncture's!

South East RR League Winter Series 5

By SERRL

November 22, 2009

Another popular day at Fowlmead with a total of 17 riders in 3 races…free points!!!!

The fifth event in the South East RR League Winter Series held at Fowlmead nr. Deal on November 22..

Cat 2/3s
1 Angus McAlister. Norwood Paragon
2 Shaun Duffield. Active Cycles
3 Mark Hill. ODLS.com
4 Mark Ottaway. VC Meudon
5 David Churchill. Bigfoot Bike Club
6 Dermot Kealty. Finchley RT
7 Steve Hambling. Active Cycles

Cat 4s
1 Sam Quinlan. Medway VC
2 Tim Ramsden. VC Deal.
3 David Mayes. Deal Tri
4 Mark Foulds. Deal Tri
5 Darren Tickner. Private member
6 Dan Clark. Deal Tri
7 Ian Ashton. Downlands
8 James Mantle. Deal Tri
9 Darren De-Berger. Private member

E/1
1 Gianluca Cappello

Big night out for Jamie, Colin, Keith and Ken

2009-11-20T16:02:00.003Z

Once again the glamour and style of the UK cycling scene was to the fore when representatives of the South East of England's leading clubs and riders gathered together to celebrate another year of intense competition and the pursuit of athletic perfection at the Surrey League AGM and gala dinner.

VCM in the news

2009-11-20T15:48:00.004Z

VCM hit the front page of the Cycling Weekly website this week with the Surrey League win.

Click on title to see story.

VCM - Surrey League Champions 2009

2009-11-13T08:33:00.003Z

It took us all by surprise but at last night's "Gala Awards Evening" VC Meudon was announced 2009 Surrey League Champions in the closest fought season ever.
Well done to all who raced and contributed to the win!

Ken was there to receive the trophy on behalf of the club, while Jamie picked up his and Dave Creeggan's trophies for first and second in the Dunsfold Park Series.

09/10 Club kit quick preview

2009-11-11T14:29:00.004Z

Due to the many requests for a look at the new club kit before it arrives - here it is [CLICK on the images for a larger view]. Hopefully this will answer whether it will go with your new frame, or which frame to get or if you will be forced to stump up for a respray.

The kit has been designed by Roger Morgan at designmyjersey.com and is being produced by Gianluca Capello at ProSport Distribution - both club members and both recommended. Details of how to get the kit will be available shortly as well as prices etc - if you want to know more get in touch with Craig at Cycle Kingdom.

Another quick one from Bob

2009-11-06T13:04:00.002Z

Bob Moore reports from the big event at Blenheim:

"Theres life after the age of 54!

Blimey, after a season scrabbling around the south of England for 7 BC points my form

has come good for October and November.

I rode the Blenheim Palace 100mile Sportive in October, although on the day I was placed 18th

it has since transpired that the 17 riders that had faster times had only ridden the 100k event,

which has moved me up to fastest rider on the day!"

Nationals glory for Bob and Andy

2009-11-06T10:49:00.003Z

Bob Moore reports from last weekend's LVRC National Track Championships which he rode with Andy Grant:

"Andy was 5th in the matched sprint I was 6th in 60 lap points race and 3rd in 40 lap scratch.Together we won the LVRC Team Sprint Championship

Andy Grant was at the Velodrome early on the Saturday, warming up in preparation for his 200 metre flying start seeding round. His time of 13.13 put him sixth fastest and ensured a fair race in his first round.

Andy’s first round match sprint pitched him up against Dave Smith (5^th in last years worlds) who was looking supremely confident as they walked up the track to their bikes. As I held Andy up for the start I could hear the other 2 riders exhaling and snorting, Andy was looking across them and wondering if their carbon frames and Campag disc wheels shod with Dugasts would make a difference. It turned out that they didn’t as Andy rode a blistering and tactical race, Dave Smith had to dig deep to stop Andy from getting past on the line. ‘’That wasn’t as easy as I thought’’ Dave Smith was heard to say as he left the track.

Bouyed up with confidence from his first round, Andy got back through the repecharge to the next round.

A four up sprint, he was fourth at the bell and it looked like Andy was going out but 125 metres later

he had moved up to third, then second as the track unwound and finally hurtled across the line in

front, taking the long way round it was a classy win.

The first semi final round saw a matched sprint of epic proportion, 4up including silver medallist

from the European Championships Keith Williams and Mark Zashke. Andy rode a smart race but with only the winner going through to the final it was going to be tough. Andy led out and was high on the banking with Williams and Zashke watching each other a few lengths back, in an instant Williams jumped with Zashke on his wheel, they ripped below Andy who chased hard for 350 metres to get third on the line, only just off the wheels of 2 riders who have practised their track craft at world championship level.

Andys final ride was in the Bronze medal ride off where Zashke showed his class for a confident ride to the podium.

Finishing third, 1 length down put Andy 5^th in the LVRC championship. A fantastic result from a year fraught with crashes, broken ribs, sore hips and enforced time off the bike.

Andy and I rode the Team Sprint at last years LVRC Track Champs. Although it was the reason we

started to ride the track together we weren’t well matched on the day. Fitness is important but track time and experience count for a lot, gearing is critical. Timing is critical as well, a slow start or too fast a start will wreck your ride. At the race last year I struggled for a whole lap to get on Andys wheel, so when he swung up for me to start my lap I was totally wrecked creeping round to finish in a disappointing 39.2 seconds. Cronshaw and Smith won in 35.6 seconds, we were a world apart. A year later we rode again, more track time and more confidence we hoped to get a 37 something.

The Team Sprint is an amazing event for getting everything out of yourself. You find yourself in an intense zone of effort, like riding in a muffled tunnel, where you lose your hearing and some of your vision, only aware of the screaming lungs and legs and the image of the finish line in your mind.

Andy led away from the whistle, out of the saddle for the first 175metres, I dropped onto his wheel as the first bend unwound and managed to hold his wheel all the way. Much better drilled than last year, I was starting to go through on the black line as Andy headed up the track at the end of his lap.

This time I was on top of my 94’’ gear and further wound it up for the next three quarters of a lap, only fading in the last 50 metres. We had no idea what time we did and left the Velodrome at the end of Saturdays session. It was only at the end of Sundays racing that I was told that were missing from the Team Sprint presentation the night before.

We had won the event in 36.56 beating the current champions Cronshaw and Smith team in to third place.

Open mouthed in disbelief when I was told, I stood on the top step to collect both of our medals, LVRC Team Sprint Champions. It was a real shame that Andy wasn’t there on the day, he would have been 'speechless' (this is Andy Grant I’m talking about!!!!)"

Marshalling 2009 - The Movie

2009-11-02T20:07:00.004Z

Click on the title above. Parental adisory: the above film contains explicit language.

Or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5CJXvWXkK8

Club run fashion Autumn/Winter 09/10

2009-10-29T08:18:00.003Z

Keith and Craig have both suggested that club kit should be worn (if you have it) for any of the clubruns. KB has supplied an image as an example of the coordinated look he has in mind. (Probably going to have to work on the national/world champion's jerseys bit). Obviously if you're new, waiting for kit, just trying it out, ride for the Felt Massive or any other club etc. etc. wear what you like, although I always think black is nice....

2010 Kit update

2009-10-28T15:26:00.003Z

With the end of the previous sponsor deals there are a couple of new sponsors coming onboard and some existing ones extending. New kit has been designed and should be ordered shortly. With the success of the kids and juniors scheme this year there will be some other bonuses for licence upgrades to 2nd, 1st or Elite category (or just having a 1st or Elite category licence) which can be offset against the new kit.

The normal kit options will be available plus possibly a couple of extras inc. a top end helmet at severely reduced cost. Details available soon. If you are one of the juniours/youths/u23 (or a parent of) who earned money through the young rider scheme and haven't yet claimed your winnings get in touch now.

Autumn winter clubruns

2009-10-28T15:04:00.002Z

Keith's update on the clubrun options for the coming weeks:

The traditional ride will leave Cycle Kingdom Sunday mornings sharp @ 9.00….steady rides for fit riders up to the end of the year becoming training rides from January onwards. Ride duration will be up to 4 hours with no stops. A list of destinations will be issued soon. There are also rides from the shop 9.00 sharp Wednesday mornings.

For those not so fit, older, coming back from injury or new to club rides there will be an alternative Sunday ride commencing Nov 8^th from Seale T rooms. Leaving @ 9.30 this will be an easier ride than the “shop” ride for between 3-4hrs with the possibility of a stop during the ride or a coffee when back at Seale.

There will also be a Saturday ride from Seale @ 9.30 on the same basis as the Sunday ride starting 14th November.

The “shop” rides may include some MTB rides, details will be on the website or emailed to members as soon as decided.

Simon Horton has offered to take the first couple of “soft” Sunday rides but we would like some more leaders to come forward so we can publish a list of destinations soon. Please call or email Keith B. Ben has offered to coordinate the Saturday rides.

If you need any other info you can ring Keith (01324 713986) or Craig (01252 624136) re shop runs.

Meudon or Ciclisti Vecchi kit is preferred attire, the new Meudon kit should be available by December, details coming soon.

LVRC cliffhanger for Craig

2009-10-19T16:36:00.003+01:00

It's the final double points round of the LVRC MS Tina SE series at Walliswood and Craig needs to beat Paul Caton to retain his Cat B (quite old but not that old) crown. Here's his race report:

"Punctured after two laps going down the Punchbowl descent and fellow Vecchi Matt (Scott) gave me his bike which turned out to have the wrong pedals. Got back on but it was another two laps before we managed to engineer a change back to my own bike. At this point with the help of lots of hard work from Fraser and Tim Costello I managed to get back on again. Then Andy Meilak and Guy Pearson (both As - old but young) clipped off and then in the sprint Caton beat me by a length - my legs were stuffed from all the chasing. Without the puncture it may have been different but the boy Caton done well. The team (Tim, Fraser, Keith J and Matt) were brilliant."

Woodburn & Day provide last road win of the year?

2009-10-19T15:57:00.002+01:00

Capitalising on his much improved fitness the new more aero Chris Day teamed up with British cycling legend John Woodburn for the second year running to compete in the Grand Prix Des Gentleman Redman 2 up TT at the weekend. And like last year they came in quickest, recording 37.43 for the technical 15 mile course. For those of you who don't know John he's still recording 25s in the mid 50s at the age of 72!

For Sale 2007 Reynolds DV46 carbon clinchers

2009-09-25T14:51:00.001+01:00

For Sale 2007 Reynolds DV46 carbon clinchers
- 16f/20r spokes
- Shimano fit
- stickers removed (for that "stealth" look!)
- Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres included and fitted
- All excellent condition and only lightly used (a few hundred miles)
- No skewers or wheelbags
Asking £750

Picture of wheels in the Pro peleton here

Winter Training in the Desert

2009-09-25T14:23:00.004+01:00

Egypt's Sharm el Sheikh isn't just about scuba diving these days.

BlackJackBike is offering guided mountain bike tours, taking in the Ras Mohamed National Park, the Nabq nature reserve and remote desert Wadis. The desert tracks in the Sinai offer all the pleasures of nature, combined with pure adventure.

Partly off-road, partly on sandy tracks, the experience here is one of a sparse, yet fascinating desert landscape that stands in contrast to the luxuriant vegetation in the oases and to the beaches on the Red Sea.

The emphasis is on tailored holidays for individuals and small groups, so you can ask BlackJack to design pretty much any kind of riding holiday, from
winter training to sightseeing. More information at www.blackjackbike.com

SRM Powermeter for sale

2009-09-17T09:54:00.002+01:00

SRM Shimano Dura Ace Professional 2007 Power Meter. 175mm cranks with 53/39 chainrings. It is a wired system with all the sensors and has a Black Powercontrol V head unit. It also comes with the original box, manual, USB connection and charger cables. Serviced Summer 2009. Excellent Condition - only used on my TT bike this season.

Call Pete - 07831 761150

Micky Aycliffe TTT - Great Result - Great Report

2009-09-14T11:55:00.005+01:00

- report by Steve Richards - photos by Deano

With a verbal agreement one Sunday training ride in June that four of us on that ride would be up for riding the Micky Aycliffe Surrey League 4-up Team Time Trial Champs, we eventually arrived at the start line many e-mails later with one training session together in our legs and a team consisting of myself, Dave Creeggan, Jamie Newall and Dan McCarthy. Sadly we could not quite pull together a second team, however it was good to know there would be willing replacements and for those there on that Wednesday evening beforehand, the experience of 9 riders riding through and off in full Tour de France TTT style was an experience in itself.

As the date approached the list of entries shown on the Surrey League website grew and grew as did the quality of the teams. On paper Sigma Sport RT undoubtedly looked the strongest with two of their riders having finished in the top 10 behind Bradley Wiggins in the British Time Trial Champs. Otherwise all the VC St Raphael riders had known abilities against the clock as did individuals within the (3) London Dynamo teams, whilst other clubs with good road riders such as Norwood Paragon also looked like they could cause problems. We however knew that we were a tight team with not too much difference in ability, just a mixture of different racing miles over the course of the year.

Conditions on the day were just about perfect with a nice temperature, not too troublesome wind and dry roads. The Alfold HQ was abuzz with exotic TT machinery and riders warming up on turbo trainers. We all got ourselves prepared with only Jamie perhaps leaving it a little late on the day as he set up his turbo with Dave and I to get a quick 10 minute warm-up in his legs. Two o’clock quickly arrived and Jo time checked us to ensure we all made the start line on time with no embarrassing late starts. All lined up as the seconds counted down Jamie was his usual upbeat self shouting encouragement whilst I dreaded knowing that within 30 seconds my HR would be through 170 and would stay there for the next hour and a quarter.

We were off, and after two hundred metres we had our first 90 degree bend and already Jamie was showing how seconds could easily be gained on such sections, and after this we just needed to settle into our formation and rhythm. This was easier said than done however as the section after Alfold was just so bumpy as well as twisty, that when you’re riding at close to 30mph on aero bars and inches away from the wheel in front it is quite hairy to say the least …. especially when you’ve broken your collar bone already this year. Eventually though we turned onto the Dunsfold road and were able to relax into our positions a little better and already had the carrot in our sight of the ladies team that had started in front of us. We passed them smoothly on the drag up to Plaistow and then had the fun of a tailwind section through the sweeping lanes, at times hitting 35mph before we got to the downhill on the Kirdford circuit where we hit 41+mph. The rest after this was just about smoothness, some communication and ultimately hurt as your turn on the front rolled around all too soon.

Heading through to the end of the first lap we had caught the remnants of other teams and clocked by my reckoning just inside 38 minutes which I knew would be a reasonable time given that in 2006 when we won, we did 1:17:48, and that in subsequent years the event had been won in 1:17s or 18s. Every year though, the field seems stronger and you never know until the times go up on the board. We also had our second lap to finish which is quite often where things can fall apart either through fatigue or luck. Fortunately though, neither really beset us apart from myself with a mile to go paying the price for not recovering properly after Jamie’s acceleration through the corner onto the Loxwood Road. I skipped one turn to see if I could pull back from the red that I had gone into, but that’s team time trialling …. you just don’t have the time or luxury to sit at the back. Approaching the Loxwood hill and realising that if the guys eased for me, or if I threw the formation, we would lose precious seconds, I shouted for them to ‘Go, Go, Go’ as I knew it was the time of the third rider that counted. Rather than roll in though, I kept them in sight and turned off my computer at the finish on 1:16:55 and so they must have clocked somewhere around 1:16:40. Already I knew we had a good time, it was just a case of seeing what others could achieve.

Back at the HQ Dan professionally warmed down whilst Dave was already talking about beer and Jamie was getting the low down from others experiences. He immediately found out that Sigma had lost a rider on their first lap with a mechanical and there was even a rumour that Wouter was riding a slow puncture. We also knew that VC St Raphael had lost a rider as we saw him riding back to the HQ whilst we were racing. So, in the back of our minds we even started to think we could be in with a chance of the win and for a long-time our time was the fastest on the board. Eventually though, Sigma’s time was written up and they had clocked a staggering 1:12:40 and so we knew we had been beaten by a great team. The pride of staying on the podium was therefore our next objective but it was a nervous wait seeing that London Dynamo had clocked a 35 minute first lap and that both VC St Raphael and Norwood Paragon had gone sub 38 minute on their first laps. Eventually though their final times were posted where both London Dynamo and Norwood must have fallen apart on their second laps to lose a lot of time, and VC St Raphael came in some 12 seconds behind us. Jamie’s crit riding of the corners was probably therefore what helped make the difference for us, even if I did pay the price right at the end!

All in all it was a really satisfying day as in a sport at a level where we all pay our own costs and have our own ambitions, it was great to truly do something as a team. Moreover, the team stretched beyond us four riders with the club paying our entry, Jo supporting as back up driver with wheels if we punctured, and even an official Meudon photographer in the form of Deano ‘Bailey’ Frost. Thanks All.

Additionally it was great to secure second place and therefore get the eight points that Dave needed to get his Elite licence, well done DC! I’m sure we will all definitely do it again next year and hopefully give Sigma more of a run for their money.

2012 Velodrome Progress

2009-09-10T16:46:00.003+01:00

Interested in what's happening with the velodrome for the Olympics in 2012?

Follow this link for timelapse movie showing the progress so far - the sides are starting to emerge - the building will be impressive when finished.

A road circuit and MTB course will be added to the velodrome and BMX circuit after the games.

Cycle Kingdom Series - Final Race Results

2009-09-10T13:45:00.003+01:00

Races held Wednesday 12th August 2009

1 - Lee Smith - Felt Racing - E
2 - Paul Pickup - Cycle Kingdom RT - 1
3 - Dave Creeggan - VC Meudon - 1
4 - Justin Hoy - Felt Racing - E
5 - John Wager - Felt Racing - E
6 - Lewis Atkins - Agiskoviner - E
7 - Pete Wager - VC Meudon - 1
8 - Boyd Roberts - Planet X - 1
9 - Scott Forbes - Pedalon - 2
10 - Tim Elverson - Felt Racing - E
11 - Daniel Duguid - Sigma Sport - 1
12 - Anders Christensen - Cyle Kingdom RT - 1
13 - Gavin Ryan - London Dynamo - 2
14 - Will Hayter - London Dynamo - 2
15 - Nick Onslow - Pedalon - 2

3/4 - Result
1 - Tim Cooper - Charlottevile CC - 3
2 - Sam Sturgeon - Team Terminator - 3
3 - James Bracey - VC Meudon - 3
4 - Dan McCarthy - VC Meudon - 3
5 - Andy Fowkes - Thames Velo - 3
6 - Robert Evans - PM - 4J
7 - Paul Bulter - SydenhamWh - 4
8 - Rob Thatcher - Sydenham Wh - 4
9 - Vaughan Luff - Team Dever - 3
10 - Chris Day - VC Meudon - 3