Season change as the fallen leaf’s indicate… hang on its balmy hot and the sky is blue – that’s right September generally has extended the season and given CX a lovely start…….
Words: James “that wasn’t a hill!” Smee. Edit: Adam Coppard.
1st Sept – Portsmouth circuits
Rich Watson was determined to make up for a late start to the season and hit the Mountbatten track again following last months successes, this time driving it home with 2nd place and more points in the bank.
3rd Sept – VC St Raphael Goodwood Hilly TT – P911 28 mile
This challenging course set around Goodwood sees the course lattice over the hills for a tough 28-mile TT. Plenty of CCR riders in this which was great, the most dominant team in the HQ anyway. A warm humid morning saw the 2-up teams off first. Three pairs for CCR competing… Adam and Sam coming up with well executed plan and taking the win with 1hr18min ahead of Jon and Ross 1hr22min, excellent job by both teams. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it a 1-2-3, after Mark and Jono had to retire (I think someone’s breakfast was seen again after the climb up Kennel hill;)
We had 6 riders in the Road bike category – Olivia took third place with a time of 1hr26min in a tight fought women’s race – great job!
In the open Road bike, we had our highest placed rider Larry 1hr11min and then Myself 1hr13min, Rich W 1hr16min, Harry 1hr16min, Laurence 1hr16min. It must be mentioned that Harry dropped his chain on Town Lane, probably cost him 4/5 minutes – the only reason I was quicker than him on this hilly course!
Wessex League CX – Clanfield
On the same day Solent Pirates hosted the first race of the 2023/2024 Wessex season, using one of the best venues on the calendar, Clanfield. Bringing a mix of fast corners, and a few technical features, the course was the perfect mix for the opening race of the season.
However, the weather was not stereotypical cyclocross weather, at 9:30AM, it was already 19C, and it was only getting hotter as the racing went on. The vet 40-49 and juniors were off, in 25-degree heat, one of the most competitive categories was in for a tough race. The women’s race provided a great spectacle in such heat and a great result from Sarah.
At 1:45 it was the vet 50-59 and 60+’s turn to take the course. Ruts were forming more, but the ground was baking in the heat.
Results:
V40 Open: Glenn Panton 50, Richard Tucker 52, Andy Hallas 53, Chris Day 62.
V50 Open: Craig Williams 46.
V45 Women: Sarah Hallas 3
6th Sept – Portsmouth Circuits
Back to the track, Rich took to the circles for the last time this season, racing in the Cat 3 race he led out the bunch for much of the race before driving it home and a decent third place. Rich really built up the points total in a short season! Great work.
10th Sept Wessex League CX – Romsey
Fareham Wheelers hosted Round 2 of the 2023/2024 Wessex Season, with a superb course in Romsey. A mix of fast straights, tight, and sweeping corners made for exciting, yet very tough racing.
The ground had been baking in the heat for the week leading up to the race, which provided a rock-solid course to ride, but, when the rain started to pour down at 11am, we were greeted with more stereotypical cyclocross weather. With bikes clogging up with the freshly cut grass, and the course getting greasy, the racing was only getting tougher. Well, we finally got some CX conditions, which were most definitely appreciated by many. Great racing by all, and a huge thank you to Fareham Wheelers for putting on such a great event and course. Sarah once again showing the rest of the team how its done with another great performance (Chapeau)
V40 Open: Chris Day 48, Glenn Panton DNF (Puncture), Andy Hallas DNF (Could not turn back wheel!).
V50 Open: Craig Williams 38.
V45 Women: Sarah Hallas 3
17th Sept – Poole Wheelers – P412/10
Larry took part in this well subscribed event with a lot of fast riders taking part in this 10-mile TT. Larry continued his season form pushing good power, finishing fourth overall with a 20:41 a great time (first Vet overall).
24th Sept NFCC – P128/10
What promised to be an alright morning turned into a wet and windy one as Larry and I turned up for this New Forest TT. A course with a bit of a lump in it saw a large field competing despite the weather. Larry gave it a good whack and finished third 21:56 and I managed 22:08 for fourth.
Wessex League CX - Fox Hill
Andy Smith Events hosted round 3 of the 23/24 Wessex season. A powerful, yet technically challenging course, provided fast and physical racing. Technical features, such as Steps and Off Camber gave the riders tricky conditions to race in, and many riders fell victim to the slippery grass. The course was now representing a proper CX day out, and it was the vet 40-49, and juniors turn to take on the brutal course. Carnage from the start, due to the tight corners and fast straights, meant the bunch was strung out from the get-go.
V40 Open: Chris Day 43, Richard Tucker 46
October upon us, road racing put to bed for most of the club racers – CX up and running (not so much as it’s so dry). Look out for coaching sessions for CX riding (great sessions which help for general off-road riding as well) See Spond for session updates.
Oh, and Christmas is coming; the club do is set, dinner orders in and we have the club trophies to award for the year!
Please remember the seasonal changes; lights on the bike, mudguards when it’s wet, and make sure you have the route for the club rides! Please can I ask that you tick Attend or Decline to the rides so we have an idea on attendance – just helps everyone!