News

11/7/10 New route and coffee stop tried on the sunday club run
Sundays Club run was a first to Bruton on the outer edge of what is feasible for a morning's ride. Elevenses were at the Olive Tree café in the High Street that opened especially for the Club. Unfortunately the proprietor, working single handed, lost the plot with the result that he a) advised half the Club to use another café further up the road and b) used Aileen Brown and Jonathon Schofield as waiters to distribute coffee and cakes. A hard ride back over the hills; south of Bath makes for hard rides with unavoidable hills but spectacular landscapes.
10/7/10 Fast times at the Severn RC event on the U7B
The 10mile timetrial course, the U7B, has been known as the graveyard by local riders for several years now, due to the dead feel of the course, and generally slow times that people produce. However recent times seem to have been getting faster, maybe due to some resurfacing. At the Severn RC event this weekend fast times were produced, Rob Pears was the Bath fastest rider with 20:47 - secong only to Stu Dodd (20:42) who himself was only 2s outside the course record. Robs time was the fastest that he's ridden the course. Bath also won the team prize, with Robs time, Leon Boulton (23:28) and David Summers (23:29). Alec Baskaya riding his first 10m race, did a 23:50 time to break 25mph at the first go. Aileen Brown was the last Bath rider with 27:15 - a good time for her on the course.
4/7/10 Cotter Pin Challenge Cup comes to Bath
David Summers went across to Wales to ride the Welsh 12h, which contains the WTTA championship. Due to Andy Cook (Chippenham) not starting (due to back problems), David went the furthest of the WTTA riders with 240.85miles, and hence won the Cotter Pin Challenge Cup.
3/7/10 Club 25 mile record goes
Rob Pears has broken his own 25m record at Corrinium event on the U46B, he recorded a time of 51:03. This means he now owns the record on a West DC course. Other Bath times at the event, Mark Hasler 1:00:17, Tom Ryan 57:53, Alan Pickard 1:11:20.
28/5/10 Bristol CTC organising a barn dance!
Bristol section of the CTC are organising a barn dance on saturday 26/6/10 on the outskirts of Bristol (Bath side). Our members are invited, do think of attending - especiall as several of there members were so kind as to support our barn dance (which sadly had to be cancelled). Find more details here.
26/5/10 Leon and Rob injured at the 2up
At the club two up, held at Castle Combe, last night 25/5/10, Rob Pears and Leon Boulton came off their bikes on the final lap. Details are hazy at the moment, but it sounds as if this was due to a collision with slower riders on the track. Leon broke his thumb, and is a bit bashed up; we have yet to hear how Rob is (other than £800 dammage to the bike) or anyone else involved in the accident.
24/5/10 Lang does well at the national 10, and Rob does his fastest ever ride in the west
Ben Lang was Bath CCs sole represenative in the national 10 mile over the weekend. Ben did a credible 21'25" time, on clearly a chalanging course - this got him 70th place in the mens event.
Other news is that Rob Pears did his fastest event ride in the west, a 20'13" time at the VTTA event on the U47b 10 mile course, this is a reversed version of the U47. Other times at the event were a bit of a mixed bag.
16/5/10 Pears on a roll
Rob Pear is back on form this year, after noticing up 3 open wins in time trials in the last 2 weeks. Rob started with a 20'30" to win the Corriunium 10m event on the 8/5/10; following it up on the 9/5/10 with a win in the Cheltenham & County hardrider event. This weekend Rob narrowly won the Chippenham & District Wheelers 10 mile event on the U40 - with a 20'58".
26/4/10 The new turk in town
Leon Boulton after a few years of timetrialling, and slowly improvinng his 10m time down to a short 23', seems to have turned a new leaf this year. His performance in early season races showed early promise this year, it was clear he was doing something different this year. Saturdays Bath CCs 10m event on the fast U47, was Leons first time this season out on a fast course, and boy did he ride it well. Leons time of 21'35" took allmost 90s off his PB - making him second fastest Bath CC rider on the day. In one go Leon has moved from behind the trio of Keyford/Rowntree/Summers to jump straight to the front and be chasing the Pears/Lang duo.
Other times from the event. Rob Pears 21'00" (fast to the turn, but punctured on the way back, which slowed him but didnt prevent a time being recorded). George Rowntree 22'00". David Summers 22'44" (and a 24'00" riding Old Skool) - both showing bad form so far this season. Tom Ryan 22'55". Iwein Dekoninck 23'18" (wearing a skin suit borrowed from Ben Lang). Derek Pierce 24'50" - heading his way towards a sub 24' ride. Aileen Brown 25'26" - beating both Pete Wilson and Gill Pears for the first time; maybe its the new bike? Or the pointy helmet? Gill Pears 25'27" - so close to Aileen (still she has just had another child). Pete Wilson 26'02". Pete Abbott 26'34". John Tooze 28'25". Alan Pickard 29'01".
22/3/10 Pears shows his form
Rob Pears came second in the Severn RC timetrial on 21/3/10. This shows a return to form for Bath CC fast man - is he planning another super fast season where he attacks club records? Will Ben Lang compete against him? An exciting season looms. Rob also lead up the team, with Mark Keyford and David Summers, to take the team prize at the event.
21/3/10 New club member scores first road racing points
Congratuations must go out to Iain Stanton, who joined the club just a few months ago. Iain riding in Quinetiq Regional B Race, part of Wessex Cycle Racing League, performed excellently. Part of a 4 man break away, he stayed clear and took 4th place. Full results here. That Iain has done so well, so soon after starting racing, shows great promise for the comming season.
25/11/09 Possible new jersey desisgns
Matt Hargreavs has been thinking about new designs for the Bath CC jersey, see his first designs here. Which are your favourite 3? Would any changes improve them? Let Matt know your thoughts at RoadRace(at)bathcc(dot)net.
Update: More designs now avaiable, see the link above.
19/11/09 Pete Wilson comes 15th in the national vets 4 distance BAR on standard
With all his good rides this year, in not surprising that Pete did well in the vets BAR. He managed 15th place in the 4 event (25,50,100,12h) BAR with a plus of 5.841mph - full results avaiable here. In the 3 event BAR (25,50,100), Pete did even better - 11th place with a plus of 175'33" - see here. Other Bath riders to feature, Derek Pierce in 86th possition in the 3 event competition with a plus of 113'10". Alan Pickard in 140th place with a plus of 75'19". These 3 riders gave us 7th possition in the Team competition in the 3 event disipline, with a combind plus of 364'02".
3/11/09 Bath CC AGM this friday (6/11/09)
The AGM of Bath Cycling Club will take place this friday at Club Room at the Methodist Church in Batheaston, 7:30pm for 8pm.
16/9/09 University of Bath Study into supplement effect on cycling
The Sport and Exercise science department of Bath Univ. is currently looking for volunteers (a.k.a. guinea pigs) to take part in a study of the effect of supplements on cycling. Are you interested, if so see more info here. Probably only of interest if knowing things like your VO2max is something that tickles your fancy.
27/8/09 Club medium gear cup to be decided at the autumn 25
It's been decided to restart the clubs medium gear 25 competition, with the winner being awarded the medium gear cup. In order to take part in this competiion you need to be:
24/8/09 New club 25 mile record set
Why do timetrialers travel great distances to ride events? This last sunday 7 Bath CC riders travelled across to the west of Wales to ride in the Hirwaun Wheelers 25mile event. Why travel this distance? Well it becuase the course, the R25/3L has many features that togther make it one of the fastest coures in the country. After a few miles a gift down hill that goes on and on, and most cyclists reach speads of ver 40mph - luckily the course doesn't go back up the hill at the end. Then after hill, a remarkackly quiet smooth dual carriageway everwhere, except the turn. This can often mean riders go 2minutes faster on this course than else where.
The Bath star of event (asuming we don't count Jeff Jones (2nd), or Michael Hutchinson (1st and 5seconds outside the competiion record), or Julia Shaw (1st women, and 49s off the old competetion record) [back to Bath CC] was Maz Jones. Maz, whose been doing more TTing this year, rode a 1:01:38 time. This takes 1'14" off the BathCC Club record for a woman, previously set by Gill Pears (nee Clare) in 1992. Maz seems to be getting faster race by race, so where she is going remains to be seen.
The other Bath riders also did well. David Summers took over 30s off his PB, to record 54:29. Mark Keyford produced a 55:59 time, not his best of the season - but a good ride. Tony Thorne went under the hour (just) to record 59:49. Pete Wilson, continuing his stellar form this year, did a 1:02:33 - which I believe to have been his best in recent years. Aileen Brown 1:06:34, slightly slower than she's been in the west. And finally Alan Pickard with 1:10:15.
Pete commented after the event that his legs still felt heavy after the 100 the week before (Ed: I can sympathise with this), and not as good a ride as his BSCC/CCC 50m earlier in the year. However his good rides (in the season as a whole) had been due to scientific advances in recent years.
21/8/09 Rob Pears injured
Just heard that Rob Pears was injured in the Somer Valley club TT on 18/8/09. Apparently he was hit by a car when negotiating a roundabout. Sounds like his shouder is uncomfotable (possibly broken) and his bike has been damaged. No further details at this time.
18/8/09 100 miles of fun and games (kinda)
The WTTA 100m time trial took place on 16/8/09, this being the only 100m TT in the West, not to mention the longest distance competed over in the west. Bath CC had a good turn out at the event with 6 people riding.
The star of the show has to be Pete Wilson, he came home in 4:42:12 a plus of +99:18 on standard! This won the 1st prize on standard, fastest V70 on std, the VTTA National Champion, and a place in the National VTTA Team Champions. Not to mention this also improved Petes time in his BAR entry, and improves is line 4! David Summers was the other surprising ride, like a man possessed (with what is not clear) he improved his PB by over 23minutes to record a 4:04:07.
Still other riders didn't miss out Nigel Vuagniaux improved his PB by 20 minutes, to record 4:33:15. Derek Pierce, new to the club this year, did an impressive 4:44:19 which also earned him a possition in the VTTA National Team Champions. Aileen Brown, a slightly disapointing 5:10:32 - she went 15 minutes faster 2 years ago. Whilst Alan Pickard, although slowest on the road, did improve his best of the last 3 seasons by recording 5:29:09. All in all, some very impressive rides, that bode well for the new U46/100C course.
27/7/09 Pete Wilson does the Elmet 12!
Congratuations must go out to Pete Wilson, who over the weekend rode the Elmet 12 hour event. Pete did 221.20 miles, we've yet to hear from the horses mouth how he found the event. This is bound to be some kind of vets record, for the club, if not nationally. Does this mean that for there first time in years, there'll be a competition for the Club 12h cup?
13/7/09 Matt gets 2nd in the UK National Railsport Championships
Matt Hargreaves got second place in the UK National Railsport Championships. This road race championship was held as part of the Cat 2,3,4 Oakley Road Race. Matt only narrowly missed out on first place "due to the inevitable pile up on the bad road surface."
8/7/09 George Rowntree scores the points needed to move up to 3rd cat in Road Racing
In the race at Thruxton at the weekend, George finihed in 5th place to score 5 points. This takes is road race points tally this season upto 14 points, which will earn him 3rd cat racing license. In the race a group of 4 got away with 3 laps to go, George though lead home the second bunch for 5th place.
29/6/09 Club team 50 record goes
After Pears/Summers/Ryan comming within a minute or so of the club 50 reacord in last years BSCC/Corinium 50, everyone in know knew that if we had 3 strong riders in a U46/50 event that the club record would go. So when the start sheet came out for this years BSCC/Corinium event with Pears/Lang/Keyford/Summers on the list, we knew that if any 3 finished the record was almost certain to fall. However what we did not expect, is what actually happened. The record first almost went with the finish of Mark Keyford (1:52:37 - over 7' off his PB), along with Nigel Vaugniaux (1:56:12 - must be a PB), and Pete Wilson (2:05:18 - a new line 3?) to record a 5:54:07 - just 2 seconds outside the old record of 5:54:05. A few minutes later David Summers did a 1:55:54 (over 3' off his PB) - and thus Keyford/Summers/Vaugiaux smashed the record with 5:44:43 - over 9minutes off the old record. However when Ben Lang crossed the line in 1:48:19 (another PB), and the record was lowered to 5:36:50 - so almost another 8 minutes off. Then Rob Pears came home in 1:49:02 (not a PB this time), and the club record went down to 5:29:58 - so thats over 24 minutes off the old record. What can be seen to have happened is that we had 3 top timetrialists on the day,on an excelent course, in almost perfect weather conditions. This sets the club record that will surely stand for very long time.
Good times from all other Bath riders: Tom Ryan 1:59:31 and a PB. Tony Thorne 2:02:12. Derek Pierce 2:05:33. Chris Atchison 2:15:20. Aileen Brown 2:17:44.
9/6/09 New Bath CC Badge
Find a slightly new version of the Bath CC Badge in the top left hand corner of the web site. Note it isn't really a new version of the Badge, we in he comittee have realised that we have had several versions of the club badge over the many years the club has existed, an also that our badge on the trophies is different. Here we've tried to pull all the Badges togther, and reflect whats on the Tempest Plate. The main change has been to white waves on a blue background, which reflects the City of Bath shield. We hope you like the new badge, would you like to see us using it on clothing etc?
9/6/09 Pears on a TT splurge
With the imminent expected appearence of Pears Junior #2, Rob seems to have come to the conclusion that he needs to get in the TTs, whilst the getting is good.
So with 2 course records on the U361R last Wednesday and Thursday (reported below), he went on to 5th placed V40-49 in the Crabwood event, 2nd in the Corinium 25m on the U46B. Today he plans to attack the Sommer Valley club 10m again on the U316R.
How much more can he fit in before Pears Junior #2 means loss of sleep, etc?
8/6/09 New star appears
Ben Lang, a well established triathlon competitor, riding under the flag of Bath CC, did a 53'53" 25m at the U46B event on 7/6/09. Ben, who has ridden for Bath CC back in 2004, is clearly brings great strength to the club - although triathlon will remain his main focus. Other times from the event, Rob Pears 52'26". David Summers 57'07" (on 106" fixed), narrowly beating George Rowntree 57'46". Pears-Lang-Summers narrowly missed out on the team prize, by 4" to Northover Vets. Tom Ryan did his first under-the-hour ride in the west with 59'18"; whilst Derek Pierce knocked two minutes off his PB to do a 1h02'29". Aileen Brown did a 1h11'03" to take first woman, although she was the only woman to finish the event.
With the weather forcast of heavy showers not materialising, some very impressive times.
6/6/09 Summers moves up the pecking order in Bath CC
Much to all concerns surprise, David Summers moved up the pecking order in Bath CC at the Crabwodd CC 10m on the P613 today. David beat Mark Keyford for the first time to come second in the Bath CC team only just over 1 minute behind Rob Pears. Summers was riding a new fixed wheel bike, which maybe explains his improved position. None the less Mark Keyford is planning his return in the pecking order.
Other news from the event. Well it was a blowy old day, with very strong headwind out to the turn (5.5miles), and large tail wind for the 4.5 miles back to the finish. Rob produced the fastest time for the club, with 21'22". David Summers was just over a minute slower with 22'24". Keyford with 22'37". Tom Ryan 24'22". Leon Boulton 24'27" (Go Leon!). Maz Jones 26'54". Aileen Brown 28'28". John Tooze 29'57" (just breaking evens!); and finally Alan Pickard 31'31".
4/6/09 Rob breaks a course record
Rob pears is believed to have broken the course record on the Frome 10 course at the club '10' held last night. Full details can be found here.
1/6/09 Young Tom excells at the regions RR championship
Congratuations to second claim member Tom Marshall, who came second in the South Region RR championship. Tom, in the junior race, broke away with 2 others at the 5 mile mark. This group of three held togther for most of the 40 mile race, pulling away from the rest of the field. The group fragmented with a few miles to go, with Tom crossing the line alone in 2nd place. One Bath rider (Peter Phillips) rode in the senior event - we await news as to how he did.
20/4/09 Results of the Club Hilly
The club hilly took place yesterday (19/4/09) with 5 riders taking part. Rob Pears won (as usual), you have to wonder if he's going for the club championship this year? Dennis Davis excelent write up can be found here.
22/5/08 Results of the Castle Combe 2up
The Castle Combe 2up timetraila took place on 20/5/08. The full results can be found here.
21/1/08 Important changes to the Club Open timetrials
Two important changes to our Open TTs:
Bath CC Hilly 23 23/3/08 This event has been cancelled. Unfortunatly the organiser (Mark Wadey) won't be able to organise the event, and the clash with Easter has made finding replacements too hard.
Bath CC Open 10 3/5/08 The start time has been moved to 8a.m.. This is due to availablity of HQ facilities.
20/1/08 Death of an old friend
Olive Vince died pacefully this week. Olive, the widow of Les, who ran the best bike shop in Bath for many years, and built frames for several riders from both Bath CC and Bath Wheelers. Olive kept in touch with several older club members until quite recently. The funeral will be held at Bathampton church at 13-30 on Wednesday 30th. January.
14/1/08 New Year and New Events
A New year brings new events, several have been brought to our attention Also check the Bath CC events to the left, largely updated to 2008. In particular check out the Social calender; with the first event, a Cycling Team Quiz on 8/2/2008.
4/11/07 Bath CC Hill Climb
8 brave riders today took part in the last club timetrial of the season, the club hill climb up Hinton Hill. The results were:
  1. 2:59.8 Neil Richardson
  2. 3:07.2 David Summers
  3. 3:10.7 Mark Keyford
  4. 3:19.2 P Phillips
  5. 3:40.9 Nigel Vagniaux
  6. 3:52.7 A Vinall
  7. 4:01.1 Aileen Brown
  8. 4:01.5 N Skerdon
28/10/07 Nattional Hill Climb
The National Hill Climb came to the West DC this year, and was held earlier today up Cheddar Gorge. Thanks to all Bath CC members who helped marshal the event, or turned up to support the riders. One Bath CC member took part, David Summers. He came in 78th possition just under 2 minutes behind the winner, James Dobbin.
23/10/07 WTTA-Hardriders round up
The last event of the WTTA-Hardriders event, the Hill Climb, was held on Sunday 21st. Three Bath riders took part, David Summers came home first of the Bath riders with a 9m08.86s time, about 100s behind the winner, Danny Axford (Arctic Shorter Rochford RT - 7m26.97s). Second Bath rider was George Rowntree on 9m41.52s, a handful of seconds slower than his time last year. Final Bath rider home was Steve Manning on 10m04.51s. With this the last event the final standings are emerging. Bath did excelently overall with 1st individual (Rob Pears, 720points - the maximum possible score!). 1st team (Rob Pears, Mark Keyford, George Rowntree - 2041 points). 1st B team (David Summers, Tom Ryan, Pete Wilson - 1697 points, in 7th possition overall). Also 1st vet over 60, Tom Ryan with 616points - this being Toms most sucessful ever hardriders series.
21/10/07 Aileen Brown comes 4th in the Duathlon World Championships
Congratuations to Aileen Brown, for comming 4th in her age group at the Long Distance Duathlon World Championship, held in Richmond, America. Aileen was leading her category comming out of the first run, but on the exceptionally technically challenging bike course lost a few places. None the less an excpetional performance.
14/10/07 Club Run fast group rode into the ground by a woman!
Rumours persist that a woman by the name of Emma rode out with the fast Club run earlier today, and kept riding off the front of the bunch! Come on lads, where is your backbone?
28/9/07 Bath CC overall champions in the West DC Team Championship
Bath CC have been confirmed the overall champions in the West DC Team Championships, comming ahead of Severn RC and Gloucester City CC. Well done to all concerned
23/9/07 Bath CC win the District Team 50 championship
Congratulations to John French (1:57:41), Mark Keyford (2:00:39), and Tony Thorne (2:03:18) whose combined times won the District Team 50 championship. This means that Bath won both the 25m and the 50m team chapionships, and with second place in the 10m team championship, this makes Bath hot favourites for the overall Team Champions.
19/9/07 Bath CC AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Bath CC will take place at 8pm on 2/11/07 at the Methodist Church Hall in Batheaston
17/9/07 Bath CC Autum 25.
The 3rd and last Bath CC open event took place on the 16/9/07 down at Maden Braidey. 31 riders took part in the 25 mile timetrail. The wind picked up in the later stages of the race, which made going difficult - and times were generally slow. Rob Pears (returned from his early end to the season reported below) won the event in 57' [Ed: I left the times at home, I'll update this news article when I get the times ...]. Mike Halgath brushed off his LoPro bike and disk wheel to do an impressive low 1:11. Perhaps the most lunatic ride though was David Summers, who rode the event on his commuting single speed fixed wheel bike (70inch gear, e.g. medium geared) - David craweled round the course in 1:11:54, which included a slow pucture on the last lap of three. One has to wonder how Rob Pears has previously recorded a time of 58'41" in a medium gear 25!
17/9/07 The Wilsons break the vet tandem record!
Down on the P613 in the Andover Wheelers Weyhill Weekend event on 15/9/07 Pete and Janet Wilson broke the vet tandem record for 10 miles. They recored a time of 23'00" which took 3 seconds of the previous record. Congratulations to them both. Also riding the event were Bath riders Aileen Brown and Craig Green, both achieved PBs. Aileen knocked 43 seconds of her previous best to record 24'43" - her first time ever below 25 minutes. Craig finished in a time of 20'36", which only achieved 31st place! This shows the speed of the event, with 11 men and 1 women going under 20 minutes! David McGaw from Oxford Univ continued his winning steak with 19'02", but more impressive was Wendy Houvenaghels winning time in the womens event - an amazing 19'50"!
15/9/07 New Look Web Site
Many thanks for the efforts of David Summers (designer) and John Keat (who updated the old site).
2/9/07 Fast rides all round on the U47
Diamond-hf held their third 10 mile time trial this season on the U47 on the 1/9/07. Conditions were almost perfect for the course, with a stong NW wind, which aided riders on the way out, whereas the dual carriageway gave shelter on the way back. Mark Keyford was the fastest bath rider, doing a PB of 21'23". Craig Green and Tony Thorne came in second and third with 21'03" and 22'10" respectively. George Rowntree knocked 18 seconds off his PB, to record 22'27". Andy Adams improved his line one 1 time to 22'40". David Summers improved his PB by a massive 1'22" to break both 24' and 23' in one go - a time of 22'48". Tom Ryan improved his line one time by 4 seconds to 22'55". Pete Wilson did his best time in recent years, 24'39". Aileen Brown did a lifetime best of 25'26" - improving even the times she did in Scotland 20 years ago! Alan Pickard rode a 28' dead. Finally Janet Wilson and John Tooze finished in 29'31" and 30'26". Hats off to these last two for still performing in time trials. The course record was broken by Dave McGaw of Oxford Univ. in 19'45", the first person to go under 20 minutes on this course.
20/8/07 Bath riders in the WTTA 100
6 Bath riders took part in the WTTA 100 mile TT on 19/8/07, the longest TT in the West DC. First home was Bath CC new man, David Summers with a time of 4:27:46. Pete and Janet Wilson, on the tandem came home in 4:41:55. Aileen Brown performed well with a 4:54:25. Chris Atchinson was the last bath rider to finish in 5:11:31. The most unlucky ride though must have been done by Nigel Vuagniaux, Nigel punctured on the way to the start. With help he managed to change tubs and start on time. However early in the event he went off course, when he arrived at a roundabout before the signs have been erected. Back on course again he continued, until on the the last of 5 laps he punctured for a second time, and abandoned the event.
13/8/07 Bath CC win the 25m West DC Team Championship
Bath CC riders, Craig Green, Mark Keyford, and Tony Thorne made up the team which won the West DC 25mile Team Championship, held at the Severn RC open event on 12/8/07 on the U18C. Their combined time of 2:59:57 was the only team with an average speed of over 25mph. This was a very impressive results, especially as Bath fast man, Rob Pears, wasn't riding; Rob having decided to finish his TT season early this year.
8/8/07 Are you able to help running the Club Time Trials?
Bob Bolwell has indicated that due to the travel involved, its getting hard for him to run the Club Time Trials. Would you consider being able to organise some of our Club events, please contact Tony Thorne (01225 314841) if interested. Our thanks go out to Bob for the time that he has put in in the last few years.
8/8/07 Looking for Marshals for the National Hill Climb
The West DC is hosting the 2007 National Hill Climb on 28/10/07. We've been asked if we can help in proving marshals for this event. Can anyone that thinks they may be able to help out please contact Tony Thorne (01225 314841).
16/7/07 West DC '25' Team Championship Cancelled
Unfortunately the Yeovil '25' TT on the 15/7/07 was cancelled due to bad weather reports, and the expectation of bad spray on the A303. This event was due to be the West DC Team Championship. Bath CC had 12 riders signed up for this event, about 30% of the field. This shows the great commitment that the club holds for team events, and thanks must go out to all, both Bath CC members and the Yeovil organisers for their commitment. Please all support whichever event in proposed as a replacement for the West DC '25' Team Championship.
13/7/07 The Last Hurrah
New to the club this year, David Summers about to be seconded up to Nottingham for half of each week and so lose out on mid week time trials. As if on revenge he appears to have gone wild on a time trialling hurrah. On the 8/7/07 David rode in the Welsh CA '50' to achieve a PB in 2:12:31. On 10/7/07 he rode the Dursley '25', coming home in a 1:05:35 and beating Tony Thorne for the first time (by just 4 seconds), and to be part of the Bath CC team who won the team prize. On 11/7/07 David rode the Severn Road Club evening '10' (hmmm 9.4) in a PB of 23:25 - improving his PB by all of 1 second! On the 12/7/07 the Dursley Club '10' was ridden with strong winds in a time of 24:44, not a PB this time - but his 3rd fastest time. Looking forward to the weekend, David is riding Cardiff 100 Miles Road Cycling Club '25' on the 14/7/07 and the Yeovil '25' on the 15/7/07. Surly this is overdoing TTing a bit ...
Update 16/7/07 And so in the Cardif 100 Mile RCC '25' David took 4 minutes of his previous personal best, to break the hour for the first time and record a time of 59:29 - congratulations also go to Aileen Brown who recorded her best '25' time of the season with 1:06:03. The Yeovil '25' was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather, and so David lost out on his last TT before the start of his time in Nottingham.
Read more about Davids exploits here.
10/7/07 Bath CC '25' Chamionship
Tonight the Bath CC '25' Championship was held, in conjunction with the Dursley RC Open 35 mile time trial. Seven Bath Riders rode the event, with the finishing results:
  1. 00:57:16 Rob Pears
  2. 01:03:24 George Rowntree
  3. 01:05:35 David Summers
  4. 01:05:39 Tony Thorne
  5. 01:13:21 Peter Wilson
  6. 01:15:39 Aileen Brown
  7. 01:31:39 Janet Wilson
Bath also performed excellently in the overall open event, with Rob Pears taking 2nd place overall (behind Gavin Poupart). Bath took the team prize (Pears/Rowntree/Summers). 1st Vet on standard went to Tony Thorne, who only narrowly beat Pete Wilson. 1st Woman prize was won by Aileen Brown.
19/6/07 Rob Pears sets a new club 10 record
Rob Pears at last Saturdays Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 10 mile TT based at Andover on the P613 bike the club 10 record. Rob rode the course in 19:30, and average speed of 31.3mph! Tom Ryan also set a new PB with a time of 22:59.
16/6/07 Rob's at it again
Saturday afternoon: Bristol South CC were hosts to a 10 mile Time Trial based at Stone, near Thornbury. The day threatened rain, but it largely held off, and there was a moderate South Westerly wind which aided riders to the turn, but made the return leg harder.
The winner was Bath CC's Rob Pears in a time of 20min 49secs, just 5 seconds outside the Course Record. Almost a minute down in second place was David Barnes (Wyre Forest CRC) in 21.42, with David Kiddell (Cavalier CC) taking the final podium place.
The fastest woman was Kim Young (Scienceinsport.com) in 25.20
Other Bath times were Andy Adams in 24.31 and Aileen Brown in 27.51
On Sunday Cheltenham & County CC held a 25 mile Time Trial based at Winchcombe near Cheltenham. The weather was grim, with heavy rain. Pears had to settle for a rare second place in a time of 54m 32s, which was a Course Record despite the conditions until bettered by former Multiple National Champion Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) in a time of 53m 42s. In third place was another former national medallist, William Moore (Wyre Forest CRC) in 56.15
Fastest Woman was Jo Kembery (Cheltenham & County CC) in 62m 36s.
Bath's Superveterans Peter and Janet Wilson recorded a time of 73m 03s on their Tandem.
1/6/07 Midsomer Madness: 6.30pm, Wednesday 20th June 2007
'Midsomer Madness' a midsummer evening's mountain bike ride. Organised by Andy Stewart in conjunction with Somer Valley and supported by B&NES Council. A 'Bike Week' event (taking advantage of their free insurance cover). Meet at St Gregory's School, Combe Hay Lane (off the A367 Wells Road, next to Odd Down Park and Ride). 6.30pm, Wednesday 20th June 2007. Map and Route Card provided. Two route options 40km (3.5 hours) or 20km (2 hours). Wear a helmet. Bring lights. Carry a water bottle.
Optional pub stop at the end (@ The Wheatsheaf Combe Hay).
NOT a race. Social pace. Young adults (14-18) welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Poster here
Mail Andy for more details.
13/5/07 Corinium 10 and Somer Valley reults
Saturday: Corinium CC 10 mile TT on the Cirencester bypass. Based at Ashton Keynes. Weather very wet!
Won by Bath CC's Rob Pears in a time of 20m 18s, just 7 secs outside the course record. It was Pears's second fastest ever time at the distance despite the horrendous weather conditions, and underlined the potential for fast times on this course.
In 2nd place was Steve Marchant (Swindon RC) in 20m 51s, 3rd was Ben Anstie (Chippenham & District Wheelers) in 21m 25s.
Bath's George Rowntree clocked an impressive 22m 45s, and along with Tony Thorne in 22m 47s, Bath were the winners of the team competition. Thorne was also the winner of the 2nd Veteran on Standard time.
Winner of the women's competition was Christine Colquhoun (Gloucester City CC) in 28m 21s.
Other Bath times were: Chris Atchison in 26m 32s, Alan Pickard in 28m 38s, and the superveteran tandem pairing of Peter and Janet Wilson in 25m 46s.
On Sunday, Somer Valley CC hosted the 8th round of the WTTA Hardriders series based at Doulting near Frome. Weather was again appalling with continual rain.
Bath CC's Rob Pears, the winner of all of the 7 previous rounds, and already the series winner for 2007, made it 8 out of 8.
This took his tally of wins in open competition this season to 11 out of 14 events.
His time of 46m 33s on the 22 mile hilly course, was over 3 minutes clear of second placed Mike Simmons (Clevedon & District RC) in 50m 11s. In 3rd place was David Kiddell (Cavalier CC) in 50m 36s.
Bath CC won yet another Team prize with outstanding contributions from George Rowntree in 53m 18s, and an impressive 10th place overall, and Tom Ryan in 55m 42s. Ryan was also the recipient of the prize for top superveteran (over 60).
The top woman was Kim Young (CC Giro) in 1hr 00m 04s.
Other Bath times were: David Summers 57m 19s, Peter Wilson 1hr 02m 48s.
8/4/07 The hills just keep on comming
The event, promoted by the WTTA was a hilly 30 mile course based at Sutton Benger and took riders on a circuit through Seagry, Great Somerford, Brinkworth, Malmesbury and Wootton Bassett before turning and returning via Malmesbury and Startley, finishing at Upper Seagry.
A sunny wind free morning meant that weather conditions were perfect for racing.
Once again it was Bath CC's Rob Pears who won the event in a time of 1hr 6min 14 secs. This was his 4th straight win in the Hardrider series, and he also broke yet another Course Record, having already broken the Course Records in 2 out of the other 3 events. Rob puts his early season form down to having followed a structured turbo training programme over the winter.
In second place was last year's winner, the reigning National 24 hour Champion Nik Gardiner (John's Bikes) in a time of 1hr 7min 05 secs. 3rd place was Rob Lyne (Climb on Bikes RT) in 1hr 8min 30 secs, 4th Chris Madge (Severn RC) in 1hr 8min 56 secs and 5th Steve Marchant (Swindon RC) in 1hr 9min 05secs.
Continuing their dominance of the Western Time Trial scene, the Bath CC comfortably won the Team prize again with contributions from Mark Keyford in 1hr 13min 32 secs and George Rowntree in 1hr 14 min 28 secs.
Bath's Peter Wilson was the top Veteran over 70 years in a super time of 1hr 27min 05 secs.
Other Bath times were Tom Ryan in 1hr 20min 17 secs, David Summers in 1hr 21 mins 48 secs, Charlie Wigmore in 1hr 25 min 14 secs, Aileen Brown 1hr 31 min 44 secs and Janet Wilson 1hr 48 min 59 secs.
4/2/07 Tony Dale injured on Sunday Club run
Tony Dale came off his bike today whilst leading the medium group on the sunday club run. He came down hard on a greasy corner, and was out cold for a few minutes. An ambulance needed to be called. More information as it becomes available.
Update: News from the hospital. Tony sustained broken bones in his face, also minor cuts to his arms and face, and has badly bruised legs, and pulled muscles in his leg.
Update: After a long time period off the bike, Tony has been seen out and about again.