Local Cycling News

Simon McLaughlin (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) took his Dorset hill climb form across to West Sussex to win the Southdown Velo event. Simon flew up Charlton Hill in 3:15 to comfortably win from Sebastian Ader (A3crg), 3:34 with Jon Glaysher (A3crg), 3:39, third. A puncture 8 minutes before the start, saw McLaughlin dash up the hill for another wheel, The perfect Warm Up!

Luke Gray (Baboco) has been callled up to the GB team for the next round of the world cyclo-cross cup. The Belgian round is at Koksijde on 26th November. Gray crashed heavily in his latest race at Ronse, some 15km from his Oudenaarde base in Belgium. He was unhurt and after a bike change managed to salvage 17th place.This week Gray is back in the UK for round 3 of the National trophy at Southampton.

Photos from Koppenberg cross.
Sundays event at Southampton Sports Centre has attracted a strong field. British Champion & Series leader Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) can expect a tough challenge from 2nd place Jody Crawford (Hargroves Cycles) on what is a home "fixture" for the Hargroves Team. A strong Belgium contingent has entered, including round 2 winner, Jelle Brackman (Van De Verst CT). Racing starts at 11:02 with the Veteran men. The Elite race goes off at 14:45.


Vets at the Velodrome!

The first of Richard Eastham's "active at sixty" sessions at the track got lucky with the weather and was a great success.

"It stayed dry. Result!
We had 13 riders. Some never ridden fixed, some never ridden track. By the end of the session, all were whizzing around in a group, nice and neat and confident. One stayed down on the inner track most of the time but did get up to the blue on her own, a top effort. All seemed very pleased by the end. I think they'll be back for more!"

179 riders signed on for the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 50 mile reliability trial, making it a huge success. The 50 mile event is the first of 4 reliability trials across the winter months. The 100km is up next on 4th December followed by the 75 on 15th January and finaly the 100 on 12th February.

Photos Reg Haskell


Road Test: Prendas Winter Gloves & Overshoes

Prendas Overshoes and Gloves
First impressions were great, I like the look, white on black always looks great I think, and both the overshoes and gloves looked very stylish. However UK winter miles demand function over form, Durability over style. White tends to only look good a few times then become “mucky” so time will tell. I have always been a fan of Prendas Ciclismo so I must declare an interest from the start. The overshoes were easy to put on, no struggling to pull them over your shoes; the new material is stretchy but fits nicely with no bulk.

I always ignore claims of “waterproof” I expect to get wet on a 4 hour ride in the rain! Water coming up from the road however is a different matter, and these overshoes do the job, as well as protecting your shoes from all the muck that seems to be on the roads in the winter. The windproof material keeps feet comfortable, if not cosy and worn with some good socks these overshoes will get me through the worst this winter throws at me.

Likewise the gloves, they kept me warm & dry, water running down your arm is impossible to keep out but spray coming up from the road is repelled. The glove size came up a little large, great in really cold weather as it allows for an inner pair but in milder conditions they can feel a bit loose. The elasticated wrist works fine but personally I prefer the older style Velcro fastener that allowed for adjustment and also fitted further up the arm. So far both gloves and overshoes have performed well and I am confident they will get me through the winter. If they can do that and still look good then I will be more than happy with them.

The Christmas Cracker Cyclocross
To be held at Wareham Forest by kind permission of Charborough Estates and The Forestry Commission
Sunday 18th December 2011
An event not to be missed. This a racers course, fast, wide, includes hard packed cinder/gravel, mud, sand and pine trails.
Part of The Wessex league, racing starts at 1030hrs with the U12’s followed by Youth 1100hrs, Vet/Ladies/Jun 1200hrs and finally Seniors at 1315hrs.
Mobile Catering & Toilets. Showers not provided
Prizes/Mechanical support by Cycle Experience
Event location: Bere Road, Wareham BH20 7PA
Come and have a great day out

Bournemouth's first Cycle & Tri Expo at the Solent Hall, Bournemouth International Centre is on Saturday 12th November. The Expo runs from 10:00 till 17:00 and entry is free. Supported by Primera Sports, most of the big names in the Cycle trade will be exhibiting. In addition there will be competitions throughout the day and representitives from most local clubs will be in attendance.

CC WEYMOUTH RELIABILITY RIDES

Sun 20 Nov
50k
09:00 Poundbury cyclesports

Sun
18 Dec
70k
Poundbury cyclesports

Sun
22 Jan
70k
Poundbury cyclesports

Sun
19 Feb
100k
Poundbury cyclesports