Winter Club runs start with a medley of mechanicals!

After last weeks heavy rain, winter rides started properly today with six riders (Alan, John, Roger, Dave, Bix and me) heading off from Epsom in misty but dry conditions.

Heading out west through Malden Rushett and on to Cobham and then through the country lanes to Hungry Hill. First mechanical - Despite careful daily maintenance, Bix's freehub decided to give up and lose any drive. A push into Ripley left him waiting for his daughter's rescue and with the café closed I could see him eyeing up the local pub.

Down to five we retraced and rode on through to East Horsley and over the Col du Staple Lane tearing our group to bits and getting the heart rates pumping. Descending down (past a serious looking Cliff Dent going the other way) to a welcome coffee and cake at West Horsley Garden Centre.

Feeling refreshed we rode up Crock North, dodging the diesel covered roads for  mechanical which two saw Alan test his puncture repair skills. Wearing snazzy latest gloves the repair was soon complete. Pic above shows Roger making everyone laugh with his tube folding skills.

Back on the road, for a fast descent of Ranmore and making straight for the Zig Zag and some more heart pumping toil. Over the top and mechanical three - John joins his Dad with a front wheel slow puncture but keen to get home, went for the pump and stop relay back to Epsom, instead of a tyre change. 50 miles from Epsom and thank you all for a nice ride - See you next time.

Next Rides:
Saturday 6th December - (Dave's Christmas Lunch) 10.00am - Epsom (Lester Bowden)
Sunday 14th December - 9.30am - Epsom (Lester Bowden)
Sunday 21st December - 9.30am - Epsom (Lester Bowden)
Monday 22nd December - Guy Le Ray Cook - Christmas Ride -( Details to follow)

My First Cycle Race

Havnt posted since my first triathlon so though this would be a good one. be great to get some tips as i had a few issues.

I was easily convinced by my girlfriend' brother Darrell to join him in the Bintan 6 bridges 134km race in Indonesia. I did a couple of training runs to try and get used to the distance but bonked at 100k. The night before the race I stripped all my accessories from my bike to make it as light as possible. I prepared mashed sweet potato and raisins for my fuel for the race, rice and eggs for breakfast and  my own homemade electrolyte drinks from water, lemon, salt and honey. I met Darrell at 6am at the ferry terminal in Singapore where the race organizers sorted everything from visas to bike transfer, we passed through the electronic immigration and I was on the cat 2 boat before I knew it. I signed up for cat 2 as cat 3 was full. Donning my festival kit some young bloke called Max said he knew the club from when he lived in the uk he cycled with the festival old boys (even older that my dad) and he tried to convince me to start with cat 2 but I'm rubbish and Darrell was cat 3 so I 'missed' the cat 3 start.
It was 36 and 41 degrees and high humidity (as it usually is on the equator) through the ride and continuos undulating hills proved a killer from the start but with the 100 odd racers fighting hard for the back the pace wasn't too bad at all. After the controlled 17k start to the main start from the ferry terminal onto quieter roads a few attack attempts were unsuccessful. I was following my triathlon coach 'Michael Lyons's' tip to stay near the front and get with the break away group as there will be less chance of a crash due to better riders in the break away group. Before I knew it I was indeed with the breakaway group. It was hard, but being cat 3 also known as the girls race as all the women start with cat 3 and generally are faster than most of cat 3 men it was about 32 ave as a lot of hills and the view wasn't too bad. I got dropped at 85k and rode on my own for the next 53km jumping on the back of stragglers where i could, they would take me ahead for a while and I would drop back, each time i would pass a local who couldn't speak English and then he would pass me when I fell of the stragglers, maybe I should of paced with him, not too sure what the right tactic was there. Every KM took longer and longer and every hill got harder and harder. After passing the finish I stopped off at a shack on the side of the road for a coconut just before a storm came in which canceled prize giving as everything blew away.
A very well organized promoter got us all on busses out of the storm and to the ferry terminal for a boat back to Singapore.
I think I need to work on my bike set up as I had a really saw bum from the very start, my left hand and fingers went numb. Also my little toe on one foot goes completely numb and I had to take my foot out the shoe and peddle on top of the shoe until it goes back to normal.
Next week cycling bintan Malaysia and two weeks later cycling Singapore to malacca. Then a few running and triathlon races to prepare me for my half iorn man in bintan Malaysia in august.
See you soon, Laurence

Club Run News:

Winter club runs continue and are now on a weekly basis.

We meet Sunday mornings at the Spread Eagle (Lester Bowden) Epsom at 9.30am. Distance, pace and optional café stop to suit those out. For more details call or text me on 07799505546. Hope to see you there!

Colin McDermott

Club Run News:

Another great club run last Sunday and good to see five Festival Riders on the road together, all resplendent in matching club kit.
Roger, Noel, Trevor, Mark and myself set off from Epsom for a dry ride over the Headley, then through the lanes to Brockham, Newdigate, Capel, a loop round Weare Street and Walliswood before retracing via Rusper and a quick coffee at Tan House Barn. Check out Noel's route on  1 Dec 2013 Festival CR to Tanhouse Farm
Next ride is the Christmas Lunch to Holmbury St Mary on Saturday 14th December, for those entered, meeting at Epsom (Lester Bowden Spread Eagle) at 10am. See you there and January Club Run dates to follow soon.

Winter Club Runs Begin!!

The Winter Club Run season begins early this year on Sunday 20th October!
Come and join us on the dates below, meeting on Sunday Mornings at 9.30am at Lester Bowden (the old Spread Eagle), Epsom. Distance, speed and optional coffee stop each week to suit those out. Hope to see you there:

Sunday 20th October
Sunday 27th October
Sunday 3rd November
Sunday 17th November
Sunday 1st December
(Christmas Lunch ride date and 2014 schedule to follow)

Thanks Colin

 

Festival Club Run in Flanders

Festival RC team travelled to Flanders to ride the Michel Pollentier Sportive on 3rd August
A great time was had by all - route on Strava for those interested - next event Ronde Picarde in September

http://app.strava.com/activities/72195491 

John, Tony, Alan, Brian & Noel

John showing dad how it's done

Over the Hill Rides

	"OVER THE HILL "
	Programme for April to October 2013
Over the Hill rides start	Tuesday 9.45 (15-16 mph av) and 10.00 (17-18 mph av)
	Thursday 9.45 (17-18 mph av) and 10.00 (15-16 mph av)
Meet BETCHWORTH, approx 100 metres south of Knights Plant Centre
		Highlighted rides are the steady rides
			Tel No
First Tuesday in the month	9.45	Balcombe	01444 811777
	10.00	Wiston	01903 892330
First Thursday in the month	9.45	Farncombe (Hectors)
	10.00	Barns Green (Sumner Ponds)	01403 732539
Second Tuesday in the month	9.45	Wiston	01903 892330
	10.00	Wych Cross (Llama farm)
Second Thursday in the month	9.45	Barns Green (Sumner Ponds)	01403 732539
	10.00	High Beeches (Nr Handcross)	01444 400589
Third Tuesday in the month	9.45	Barns Green (Sumner Ponds)	01403 732539
	10.00	Wiggonholt reserve
Third Thursday in the month	9.45	Hartfield (The Pantry)
	10.00	Four Elms(Chartwell Barns)	07999 499290
Fourth Tuesday in the month	9.45	Wiggonholt reserve
	10.00	Four Elms(Chartwell Barns)	07999 499290
Fourth Thursday in the month	9.45	High Beeches (Nr Handcross)	01444 400589
	10.00	Hartfield (The Pantry)
Fifth Tuesday in the month	9.45	Four Elms(Chartwell Barns)	01444 400589
	10.00	Balcombe	01444 811777
Fifth Thursday in the month	9.45	Billingshurst
	10.00	Four Elms(Chartwell Barns)	07999 499290
* Please phone Four Elms when leaving Betchworth if more than 8 riders to advise numbers.
	ALL RIDERS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THEIR
	OWN SAFETY TO WEAR A PROTECTIVE HELMET
		Mar-13

FRC 10 Mile TT champs

Last Saturday saw the Festival Road Club 10 mile Time Trial championship event - hosted within the North Hampshire RC event on the Bentley course in Hampshire.

On a particularly windy day, which seems to be the default weather condition for the 2013 Spring, fast times were going to be at a premium, however Eva Nyirenda followed up her strong performance at last week's national championships with a time of 25:21 to win the Women's title.

For the men, an undertrained Barry McDermott cruised round in 25:40, but the battle for the title came down to Mick Gowan who posted a very creditable 24:00, but was pipped by a solitary one second by Mark Bixley who came in with 23:59 to reatin the title he won last year.
Well done to Mark.

Alan and Noel enjoying a sunny ride in Wiggles New Forest Sportive on 1st June

Next Sportive - http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-mega-meon-sportive/
if anyone fancies a ride on 28th July

Also http://www.londonnocturne.com/ is this coming Saturday if you are at a loose end

Pas de Calais Bank Holiday Festival trip with Roger,Alan,Colin,Noel,John,Wendy,Mary,Jenny and Angie
Few very windy miles but plenty of wine and food
Great fun enjoyed by all especially the four young cyclists

Ride is on is on Strava for those interested

Wiggle New Forest is being entered for those wishing to join us or maybe the May Flyer with Alan

Cheers

Noel

Festival RC 10 Mile TT championships

The Festival 10 Mile Time Trial championships were held this weekend as part of the Farnham RC promotion on the Bentley course in Hampshire. In beautifully warm, but windy conditions which made fast times the exception, 5 Festival riders took to the start line including our newest member Eva Nyirenda , who was taking part in only her 3rd ever time trial.

                                                                        Eva Nyirenda

Eva battled through the difficult conditions well to post a time of 26:46 which saw her well placed in the women's field.
In the battle for the championship title, next on the road was Mick Gowan who rode strongly to record a solid 24:59 for an eventual second place.

                                                                         Mick Gowan

Mick was followed home by John Froud who posted a time of 26:09, but there were still two riders to come having started later in the field. Mark Bixley looked to be riding well as he made his way out to the turn. He overcame the strong headwind back to the finish to record a quick time of 23:35. Barry McDermott wasn't able to match Mark's pace and eventually finished in 26:05.

So the Festival RC 10 Mile TT championship for 2012, goes to Mark Bixley. Congratulations to him.

                                                                        Mark Bixley

Pete Hammond in action!

After meeting Pete Hammond's granddaughter Jules at the Kingston Phoenix RC 75th Annual Dinner on Saturday, she has sent me a couple of photo's of Pete in action, resplendent in Festival colours.

Jules would be keen to hear from you if you have any other archive material about Pete and if you do please let me know and I'll pass on her contact details. Thanks

FESTIVAL ROAD CLUB 2012 WINTER CLUB RUNS

After the festive break, club runs resume on Sunday 8th January with details of suggested rides below. As before, Epsom rides start from the Spread Eagle (Lester Bowdens) and Banstead ones from the Woolpack Pub in the High Street. If you're able to make it please let me know by text or email (07799505546 / mcdermottcolin@tiscali.co.uk) so we don't leave without you! Distance, route and coffee stop to suit those out and a pace comfortable for all.

DATE MEETING PLACE DETAILS DISTANCE
Sun 8/1/12 Epsom 9:30am Newlands Corner Cafe 40/50m
Sun 22/1/12 Epsom 9:30am Baynards / Henfold Lakes 50m
Sun 29/1/12 Banstead 9:30am Bletchingley / Horley StationCafe 60m
Sun 12/2/12 Epsom 9:30am Horsham Park Café / Warnham 70m
Sun 19/2/12 Epsom 9:30am Dunsfold / Kirdford 80m
Sun 4/3/12 Banstead 9:30am Ashdown Forest 90m
Sun 11/3/12 Spring Onion Sportive

FESTIVAL ROAD CLUB WINTER CLUB RUNS

Festival RC Winter Club Runs start this Sunday and the rides for the rest of 2011 are detailed below with the 2012 programme to follow soon. Epsom rides start from Spread Eagle (Lester Bowdens) and Banstead from the Woolpack Pub in the High Street. If you’re able to make it please let me know by text or email (07799505546 or mcdermottcolin@tiscali.co.uk) so we don’t leave without you!
Distance, route and coffee stop to suit those out and a pace to be comfortable for all.

DATE MEETING PLACE DETAILS
Sun 20/11/11 Epsom – 9.30am Newlands Corner Café - 40/50miles
Sun 4/12/11 Banstead – 9.30am Horley Station Café – 40/50miles
Sun 11/12/11 Epsom – 9.30am Lucky Duck Tea Rooms, Shire - 40/50miles
Sat 17/12/11 Epsom – 10.00am RIDERS CHRISTMAS LUNCH to Holmbury St Mary – (Entries / lunch booking in advance via Dave Matthews.)

Hope to see you there!

Colin McDermott

Festival Road Club "10"

FESTIVAL ROAD CLUB

“ROADBIKE” 10

SATURDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2011 – 2PM

Course : G10/42 (HOLMWOOD)

In 2011, there will once again be an optional “Road Bike Riders” prize category, as well as prizes for best “Hub Gear” riders and of course normal prizes for standard TT bikes. To qualify for the Road Bike category, it's quite simple - No Tri-Bars, No Discs & No Aero Helmets (standard hard shell preferred).
Choose on the day which category to ride or enter twice and ride twice on different machines!

• How fast are you without all the aero kit?

• Can you beat the Road Bike event record – 21.08

• Last open 10 in London South for 2011!

Entries on CTT forms to:

Colin McDermott, 223 Hillcross Avenue, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4BU

Tel 07799 505546

Email: mcdermottcolin@tiscali.co.uk

Entry Fee £8.00 Closing date 6th September

Surrey League promotions 26th June - volunteers sought

To all club members and friends.

We will be promoting the Surrey League races on Sunday 26th June. The first race (3rd category) starting at 09:30 and the second (2nd/3rd Categories) at 13:30.
Any help you can offer for these promotions will be greatly received, particularly marshalling as it is always a struggle to get sufficient volunteers.
If you can assist, please get in touch with Colin Bateman directly or through the club website (www.festivalrc.co.uk) e-mail address info2@festivalrc.co.uk

Thanks
Trevor.

60th Club Dinner

Just a few pics from the club dinner on 5th Feb 2011. Thanks to everyone that came along, lots of past and present members made it a really special evening.

Festival Winter Club Runs

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Why not burn off those festive excesses in the picturesque Surrey lanes on one of the Festival Winter Club runs?

Starting Sunday 2nd January, Club Runs will be weekly throughout January and February.
Meet outside the old Spread Eagle at Epsom Crossroads at 9.30am each week.

Distance and pace to suit those out. Let me know if you can make it so we don't miss you. - 07799505546.

Hope to see you there and happy riding in 2011

Christmas Lunch Ride

For anyone planning to ride out to the Christmas Lunch on Saturday 11th December, we will be meeting as usual at the Spread Eagle, Lecester Bowdens at Epsom Crossroads - 10.am. (Don't sit on the steps!!)

Hope the snow will have melted by then and look forward to seeing you.

Ottershaw Win

It my last road race of the season today at Ottershaw and the final of the three race series. Having finished 15th on race one and 7th last week, I was lying 8th overall. After last weeks heavy rain it was good to get a dry and bright race even if it turned colder again. This last race returned to Staple Hill circuit for 9 laps before moving on to 9 laps of the Valley End circuit.

Staple Hill was fast with continous attacking but nothing staying clear for long before the fast moving bunch caught up. Then on to Valley End finishing circuit and with about 5 laps left, I jumped across to Paul Holdsworth who was in fine attacking form. Riding together we pulled out about 20 seconds on the bunch, just out of sight in the winding lanes. A group of 4 was chasing hard and with just over a lap to go we had just 15 seconds on them with the bunch fast approaching. Having to work hard on the last lap we just managed to stay clear and at the yellow flag with the chasing group just 10 seconds back Paul jumped. Digging deep, I managed to grab his wheel and sprint past for the win.
Couldn't have got there without Paul's hard work and pleased to finish the year with my 3rd and best win of the year.
Overall Lewis Atkins took the series from Ashley Holding in 2nd after his great win last week and I was 5th.