Verulam Cycling Club

Please drop a line to Doug Driscoll here to let me know what you have been up to. Races, sportives, challenges or even just social ...

23-Jan-2012: We had a great turnout at the Harp Hilly Hundred yesterday. It was great to see the wave of VCC jerseys in the peleton! Unfortunately record numbers turning up meant that many of our club riders rolled up just before 9:00am to discover that the event was sold out already. So, despite us definitely having the best turnout, we might not win the HHH Shield this year :-( ... Doug

16-Dec-2011: Pics from Afan now in courtesy of Andy Rice

13-Dec-2011: Read all about it! Richard Marriott has put together a great article (1.2MB) summing up our experience at Afan Forest last weekend.

31-Oct-2011: Congratulations to 2nd claim rider Luke Clarke on a stunning ride at the National Hill Climb Championship. 13th place, just ahead of Olympic medallist Rob Hayles - and many other top pros. Jon Schubert also did a great ride coming in 26th - well in the mix!

7-Oct-2011: Our new cyclo-cross star Conrad Wild kicked off the season at the weekend at the Central Cyclo-Cross League - in the scorching sunshine. Aren't these events supposed to be mud baths? 37^th out of 61 finishers. Good luck for the rest of the season Conrad!

2-Oct-2011: Sunday’s Hill Climb was enjoyed by 25 riders (including a number of first timers) on another sunny and warm morning, followed by coffee stop at Vanstone. And as to our new Club Champion: Some say that he drinks 13-pints of Ale the night before a race, and that some of his clothes are made from old newspapers. All we know is: he's called Johnnie Hall!

A special mention for Jonathan Schubert on a National Standard worthy 2:11.

This was the last Seabird event of this season, and it’s been a record year for riders participating, with plenty of new riders, and personal best times being set - and through the field there have been a number of close points battles. Final top three placing’s are:

Ladies:

Shu Pillinger 228
Stephanie Wheatley 225
Christine Pout 216

Men:

Gavin Bench 230
Richard Marriott 209
Nick Coe 201

Well done to all riders this year, and big thanks to all those who have helped with marshalling and timekeeping – let’s look forward to a great season in 2012. Results Seabird standings

19-Sep-2011: From Nick Coe: 13 VCC riders rode the Norland Combine 25 TT on Sunday, in chilly conditions. Some very good times posted, including a sub hour from Steve Maxted in his first 25, and improvements from a number of other riders. Christine Pout was first Lady, and 3rd overall on handicap.

This result also confirms Richard Marriott in second Seabird position, and puts Gavin Bench in lead position for Jubilee Cup (fastest 25), and Steve Maxted for Evans Cup (novice 25). Results Seabird standings

18-Sep-2011: Some pics just in from Richard Marriott from my MTB ride last week across the North Downs. Article

3-Sep-2011: From Nick Coe: A dry and warm morning was enjoyed by a strong turnout for the last 10 of the season, this time on the Whitwell circuit. After a very close battle, Shu Pillinger has claimed the ladies Seabird Trophy (Gavin Bench had already won the mens), whilst the Stokes Trophy (best aggregate 6 evening 10s on Standard) also goes to Gavin (Stephanie Wheatley was the fastest Lady). Congratulations to all three. Results Seabird standings

Well done to all riders in this record year, especially those who have stuck at it all season, enjoying some light competition and improving their performance. Also a big thanks again to all marshals and helpers, we could not do this without them.

The Seabird championship for the season will be rounded off with the Norland 25 on 18th September, and the Hill Climb on 2nd October, although these will not change the overall winners

3-Sep-2011: The tandem is dead (RIP). Suzannah and I tried to follow our Rideway Trail ride up with the South Downs Way epic this weekend. Unfortunately it all ended in tears on a 30mph gritty descent. Report

29-Aug-2011: Suzannah Driscoll and I rode the full length of The Ridgeway Trail yesterday (87m off-road) - on my MTB tandem. Started at sunrise and finished just after sunset 14-hours later. A stroll in the park? Find out here

21-Aug-2011: Young Frazer Harper made a successful debut to Track Racing at Welwyn Velodrome with a fine win in the 10-lap scratch - on a £3 hire bike. Keep it up Frazer ... still another 12 months till the Olympics!

20-Aug-2011: 9 of us headed off around Bramfield this morning on my MTB ride. A lovely morning and not too many stinging nettles. Pic below of Jim, Suzannah & Hazel riding up from the Welwyn Viaduct. Shame I wasn't ready to snap Justin as he blasted through the Ford nr Codicote at around 30mph though!

17-Aug-2011: Results from the Bedford Road CC - Charity 25m TT on the F1B/25 at the weekend: Graham Pepperdine: 01:02:29; Shusanah Pillinger: 01:05:35 (4th Lady); James O'Neill: 01:11:12

15-Aug-2011: The VCC TT bretheren were out celebrating the end-of-season last week. Photo courtesy of Shusanah Pillinger

3-Aug-2011: Some fun photos from Tuesday's final Evening 10 - courtesy of Andrew Rice. The regulars were clearly getting demob happy judging from the general jollity, although the Mann father and son marshalling duo seemed rather apprehensive about their duties...

2-Aug-2011: Evening 10: Perhaps fitting that our last Evening 10 of the season should be in rare perfect conditions, with a number of personal best times being set. The Ladies championship still remains very tight for the remaining events of the year. We are also suggesting a pub social for the TT riders and helpers next Tuesday evening. Results Seabird standings

28-Jul-2011: Latest news from Stephanie Wheatley: Unfortunately the BC regional Championships got cancelled due to the lack of entries. The organisers decided they couldnt run the event with only 6 entries. However, on a more positive front: I did the 70.3 Ironman Antwerp at the weekend. I finished in 5.55 (thats 5 hours and 55 minutes). A PB by 13 minutes and came 10th which is even better :)

26-July-2011: Evening 10: Well done to Gavin who has secured first place in the Mens Championship. Lots still to play for in ladies, and other placings. Results Seabird standings

24-Jul-2011: VCC Open 25 Time Trial: A successful event with a full field of 120 riders. Eleven VCC members completed the course in somewhat tricky winds, including some first timers. Well done to all, and a big thanks to the number of helpers and marshals, without whom we could not have run such a prestige event.

Times of VCC riders:

19-July-2011: Evening 10: A wet evening but everybody managed to avoid the heavy showers. Results Seabird standings

18-Jul-2011: I (Doug) took a trip up North on Saturday to ride the Velo 29 Endeavour Sportive around the North Yorshire Moors. A real brutal circuit which wasn't helped by heavy rain and strong winds from start to finish. This is the 3^rd Sportive I've reported on this year in which I have finished like a drowned rat! What happened to the summer :(

p.s. I was up at 03:00am on Sunday to drive down from Stockton to meet up with Don Andrews for marshalling duties near St Neots. A lovely morning spent standing on a cold & windy roundabout for 2.5hrs! I heard that Don rode the Raid Pyrenees a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully we'll have a short report and some photos soon

15-July-2011: Several VCC riders made the journey down to the Alps last week for the daddy Sportive of them all: La Marmotte. See a brief report & photos courtesy of Andrew Rice

12-July-2011: Evening 10: Another good turnout in blustery conditions. Gavin Bench takes over the lead of Mens Seabird, having only dropped one point from a perfect score so far.  Competition for other top places is still close with a number of riders now on countback of best 10 rides.

The Ladies competition is still headed by Hazel Davies, but with close times and rides in hand, the competition is still wide open. Results Seabird standings

7-July-2011: 14 riders (12 VCC) headed off to the Alps at the end of June for their annual pilgrimage across the mountains - dubbed this year as Raid Switzerland. Report Photos

5-July-2011: Evening 10: Another tricky night weather wise, but riders were lucky to find a gap in the heavy rain of the day. Nick Coe is the new leader the mens Seabird points race, although others will soon catch up with riders having to drop points after 10 events. We are hoping that Steve Kay's back improves soon to enable a resumption of the close battle with Gavin Bench for top spot, and also that Paul Williams recovers quickly after feeling unwell last night.. Results Seabird standings

4-July-2011: Christine Pout completed the Ironman France last weekend. For those not familiar with the Ironman, this is 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. 14hrs 48mins, 35C heat, 2,700 competitors. Chapeau Christine! Full report

3-July-2011: Good to see all of our testers coming in 'under the hour' at the Icknield 25: Graham Pepperdine: 58:48, Matt Reader: 58:54, Ian Brazier: 59:07

2-July-2011: Good conditions led to some top times from our 2^nd claim members Ross & Luke Clarke. Ross clocking a super 50:01 in the Belper BC 25 and Luke a 19:48 at the Whitewebbs 10. Roger Porter also showed he isn't past it just yet with a cool 21:58 and Graham Pepperdine a 23:05.

1-July-2011: Stephanie Wheatley will be flying the flag for VCC at the British Cycling Womens Regional Road Road Championships on 17th July 2011, and at the 70.3 Ironman Antwerp on 24th July. Good luck Stephanie!

28-Jun-2011: Evening 10: Apologies for the delayed results - again. Have been away on business in sunny (not) Belgrade this time. Our first wet ride of the season, but still a reasonable turnout. Results Seabird standings

26-Jun-2011: A beautiful sunny day graced the VCC Ride4aReason event on Sunday. Congratulations to Dave Yorke for the super organisation and fantastic choices of routes. Some photos available courtesy of Andrew Rice

26-Jun-2011: Many congratulations go to Shu Pillinger having just completed the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, John O'Groats to Land's End, 958 miles over 9 days, crossing the line in 69h 05m 22s. Shu reported: Although it wasn't a race - try telling that to some very competitive people - I was placed 3^rd woman, 38^th overall, out of over 600 participants. 1^st was Sarah Storey, Olympic gold medalist in individual pursuit and road time trial.

I was raising money for ParalympicsGB (many of the cycle team were riding with us) and a small charity called Magic Breakfast, so if any club members would like to, any donations are welcome on my fundraising site -> http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Shu-JoGLE

I'll be missing from the TT again this week - a small matter of recovery required!

21-Jun-2011: Evening 10: Apologies for the delayed results. Have been away in the Alps with a bunch of VCC riders - hence the reduced turn out this week. Results Seabird standings

14-Jun-2011: Evening 10: Some very close times last night and some PBs despite a difficult wind on the return leg. Both the mens and ladies champs are looking to be hard fought. Pic right of Richard Marriot in action. Please see important notice from the organiser on the Bulletin Board. Note that I will be away for the next 2 weeks hence there will be a delay until the next results are published. Results Seabird standings Photos (courtesy of Mike Moore)

12-Jun-2011: Report from Richard Marriot: The Verulam CC 50 trio of Steve Kay, Richard Marriott and Graham Pepperdine were in action again in the Finsbury Park 50 on the F1/50. Steve Kay came in quickest at 2:02:27, Richard Marriott clocked 2:03:22 (a personal best) and Graham Pepperdine came in at 2:09:19, also a personal best. Conditions for early starters were good, with very little wind but, as is often the case, later starters were blessed with a brisk southwesterly breeze. I didn't stay for all the results but when I left Ian Cammish, the Time Lord, was winning with a time of 1:44:56. I don't expect him to have been beaten (doesn't he get bored with winning?)

9-Jun-2011: Chiltern 100: A quick thanks to all that came out to help on yet another epic day of riding. Congratulations to Eddie Spriggs on running one of the best Sportives in the UK - despite it being a non-profit event.  I've collated the VCC rider times here. Steve Kay deserves a special mention for an impressive 4th best time - just 3 mins off of the fastest time of the day! Pic here of me racing to the front when I saw the camera man :) Have you downloaded your photos? If so, do please pass them on for the website

7-Jun-2011: Evening 10: Some close times in tricky conditions. Note; could riders please take extra care when turning at the roundabout, traffic does not expect a U turn. Results Seabird standings

31-May-2011: Evening 10: Another record turnout last night in blustery conditions. Some distracting hedge cutting at the start point. Some good times posted again with some closely fought places. Results Seabird standings Photos (courtesy of Mike Moore)

24-May-2011: Evening 10: Another record attendance last night (27 riders) with some very close times, good times from newer riders and improved times for others. Results

22-May-2011: A great day was had by all at our Circuit Racing adventure at Hog Hill. 23 riders took part on a blustery day that made for some tough racing. Steve Kay took most of the spoils in the A category whilst Richard Marriot & Nick Coe shared the honours in the B category. Will Laughton held off all challengers for a close win in the Handicap race. A quick thanks to all those that came out to help on the day and to Dave Korson for bringing the event together. Results Photos (courtesy of Andy Rice)