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News

Exeter Wheelers Bulletin #2

Welcome

It’s been a busy couple of weeks and there’s lots to report on. As mentioned last time this bulletin is designed to be a quick round up, so don’t expect long and detailed reports. Hopefully we can provide enough to celebrate members activities and successes and maybe wet your appetite to get involved; take part in a race, try a new discipline, volunteer or just come out for a club ride.

Remember this is your bulletin, for your club. If you have some news, have taken part in a cycling related event or have something coming up that you’d like your fellow members to be aware of let us know at . 

Most of all get out there and get riding……..

 

Coming up:

*Details for the 10 mile Time Trial series can be found at Evening 10 Mile Time Trial schedule – Exeter Wheelers CC

Looking Forward:

  • 18 October – EWCC Hill Climb, Stoke Hill 
  • 15 November – EWCC Cyclo Cross, Escot Park

Time Trials

In partnership with Sid Valley CC and CS Dynamo, Exeter Wheelers organises a series of 10 mile Time Trials that are held through the spring and early summer. Although we are getting towards the end of the series, there is still time to get out and ride. Most of these TT’s are held on the old Honiton Road, between Exeter and Honiton, on a relatively flat course. Details for upcoming rounds can be found here. 

It should be stressed that you don’t need some whizzy super fast TT bike to take part, any road bike will be fine, in fact there is specific category for riders on ‘normal’ road bikes. Please make sure that you have a helmet, and front and rear lights, as these are obligatory.

There are some great write ups of recent rounds on the club website, that give to a great feel for what these events are like. 

Wheal Jane XCR and XCC

Wheal Jane in Cornwall hosted the latest MTB racing action with Wheelers joining the fun over the weekend of 20/21 June.

This was a slightly different event with training sessions and XCR race on Saturday and, instead of the normal XCO race, three rounds of XCC races on Sunday. Yes we know…. too may acronyms! So:

  • XCR (Cross Country Rapid) a new event of the SW with a race lasting an hour based on a course about 2.5km in length;
  • XCO (Cross Country Olympic) typically about an hour and 30 mins on a 3.5-4.5km course;
  • XCC (Cross County Short Track) – please don’t ask us where the second ‘C’ comes from! – a race held on a short course 1-2km in length and lasting about 20mins.

Wheelers Monty, Wilf, their dad Stuart and Aaron had a brilliant weekend with stunning results. Monty won his XCR race on Saturday and came second in XCC race 1 on Sunday, got a narrow win in race 2 and then blasted in for a commanding win in race 3 to take the overall win. Wilf had a great ride to come in 9th in his age group on the Sunday. Stuart managed to get a 3rd overall despite some technical issues and bent brake rotor. Aron nailed it with great performance to claim 2nd across the three races. 

Monty nails the rock garden

The Nello

Last weekend saw the annual charity Nello Ride. Starting in 2000 this event has now raised well over £1.5 million pounds for the Force Cancer charity and has become a very real favourite for wheelers. It was great to see so many club riders out again this year.

Whilst this is very much an event where the taking part is the most important thing, a group of our faster riders managed the 100 mile loop in a smidge over 5 hours.

Dartmoor Classic

Another big event on the local calendar, the Dartmoor Classic, was held on Sunday 21 June. Although the full force of the heatwave was still to arrive conditions on the day were still pretty warm, making for a tough day in the saddle. 

Wheeler Jennie Roberts gave it full beans to get a cracking time of under 5 hours and the 10th female rider over the line….chapeau.

 

Club Kit

Have you been on the recent sportives or club rides and thought I’d love to ride this in the EWCC colours? Well you have three options:

  • Nopinz (Password: EXETERWheelers2022): this is more race orientated kit, but they do provide more standard shirts, shorts and a few bits not available elsewhere (socks, neck warmers, towel, shoe covers, etc.). kit can be ordered anytime and is made to order.
  • Shutt Velo  The Shutt Velo kits is made to order and available anytime. The range is fairly limited, shirts, long sleeve tops, bib shorts and full length tights.
  • Kalas The Kalas shop is opened a few times a year, and we will let you know with plenty of announcements when that occurs. They provide a wider range of kit, with a range of specification’s for shirts, bib shorts etc.

Check out thee Kit Page for more details.

Volunteers

Exeter Wheelers is a members led club, without you we don’t exist and we can’t put on the events you enjoy. We need your help…… Volunteering at club events is fundamental to our success and can be enormously rewarding personally. If you think you can spare some time to help out please do get in touch. 

News

Exeter Wheelers Club Bulletin #1

Welcome

This is the first Exeter Wheelers Bulletin.

We aim to bring you news and stories from across the club.

Our aim is to keep it short and easy to read. Often there will be more detailed reports that you can access on the club website if you want more detail.

Importantly we want to hear from you:

  • what have you been doing?
  • do you have cycling related story?
  • are you taking on a cycling related challenge?
  • are you travelling with the bike?
  • have you raced for the first time?

Send us your news, keep it short (about 100 words) and include a photo or two, to

Coming Up:

*Details for the 10 mile Time Trial series can be found at Evening 10 Mile Time Trial schedule – Exeter Wheelers CC

Looking Forward:

  • 18 October – EWCC Hill Climb, Stoke Hill 
  • 15 November – EWCC Cyclo Cross, Escot Park

It may still be the early days of summer……. But it’s never too soon to think about getting out in the mud of the autumn and winter!

You can register now for the SWCX League…….

 

Finlay Flies the Flag

Great to see Finlay Webb representing the club and looking good in the EWCC kit at the London Nocturne event on 13 June. This special support race was put on by British Cycling to celebrate the Limitless initiative. Finlay lined up with other riders from around the country in central London.

Needless to say that Finlay won the race……

Youth Academy

Following a hiatus in recent years we are pleased to announce that the EWCC Youth Academy is returning.

Four new coaches have been through the British Cycling training programme, undertaken first aid training and had DBS checks approved.

The emphasis in the short term will be on off road events, aiming to increase participation in local MTB and CX races.

We are currently exploring possible training venues. Keep an eye out for future announcements.

In the short term we are running some led rides at Haldon Forest on Wednesday evenings. For details see Youth Cycling | Exeter Wheelers Academy – Exeter Wheelers CC.

 

Rides

We love to see all of you out on club rides. But as a quick reminder we run a series of rides through the week that we hope caters for all tastes.

Saturday Social – ideal for all club riders who would like to start their weekend with a 20-40 miles ride at 14-16mph pace. Leaves County Hall (Topsham Road) at 9am.

Sunday Club Ride – aiming to set off in groups (A, B, C) at different speeds to accommodate a range of ability levels. The target average speeds for the groups are 18 – 20 mph (A); 16 – 18 mph (B) & 14 – 16 mph (C). The B and C rides are NO DROP. The C Ride is generally a little shorter. All rides leave County Hall at 9am.

Tuesday Day Ride – is a social ride that rolls at pace to suit the group (normally 13-15mph). This ride meets at Piazza Terracina (Exeter Quay) at 9.30am.

Wednesday Evening Ride – are NO DROP social rides that are usually of about 20-25 miles. Leaves County Hall at 7pm.

Thursday Chaingang – is designed to support race training, and is targeted at more experienced riders capable of keeping a faster pace. Leaves 6.30 pm from Aldi Pinhoe (Exhibition Way, Exeter EX4 8JD).

Further details of rides are available at Rides – Exeter Wheelers CC.

Please use Spond for sign up and keep up to date with proposed routes and any last minute changes.

News, Results

East Devon Evening Ten series, event 5 results, report and league table

It was a return to duty for the Exeter Wheelers evening ten task force for race 5 of the series, but to be sure it’s not a bad thing to be doing, providing a race for such a convivial bunch of riders. Timekeepers Mike Rose, Ken Evans and Pete Bishop were joined by Ian Moore, Ann Owen, Phil Harris and Rod Saxby, who all marshalled. Rod would ideally like to be riding, but work commitments have limited his racing to the Margaret Baker/Four Firs Hilly this year. The good news is that he is retiring from work at the end of the year, and we am sure that we will be seeing some strong performances from him next year.

The conditions were better than average; whilst there was some breeze with west in it, and whilst some stretches of road were into headwinds, it was more a case of crosswinds. The air was warm but not overly so.

Above – ‘In the zone’ riders await their 5-4-3-2-1-GO ! from timekeeper Ken.

Fastest rider on the night with a time of 23:06 was Tristan Kelsall-Spurr, who was once an Exeter Wheeler but now rides for Magic Shine. His time is a fine time for a road bike. Tristan had a nasty crash back at Eastertime, and was out of action for a bit, but is now back riding and is coming into some serious fitness. He is looking forward to the Autumn hill climb season, and no doubt will post a good time in the National Hill Climb at on the Porlock Toll Road at the end of October.

Last week’s winner Rob Chuffy Simmonds said at the time he was pleased with his performance and that he felt he could go faster, addinf that a 23 minute ten was a possibility for him, and hurrah he got round this evening on 23:59 ! A happy rider !

Third placed Stuart Pollard of EWCC, and the league leader, was 44 seconds slower on 25:43, but would like to point out that he rides a metal road bike and asks if there might be a special prize for best placed metal biker. On yer bike Stuart. Cheeky chap.

Fourth place with 25:07 was another Exeter Wheeler in 25:07. Tim Fowler. Asked how his ride went afterwards Tim said “Yeah well I sort of adopted a different strategy of pacing, not sure if it worked, but it was definitely more comfortable“. 

In fifth place was George Robb of CS Dynamo. Until three weeks ago George had not ridden an ‘Evening Ten’ or indeed any other ten, but he’s certainly enjoying the challenge that the discipline offers, and in fact got his third PB in three weeks, with 25:10. He’s gone from a winter bike with mudguards, to a proper road bike, to a road bike with tri-bars. That’ll help.

Above – youngster Robin Dafforn looking ahead to his final A-level tomorrow.

Sixth placed Robin Dafforn, riding his first evening ten for a while, has his final A-Level tomorrow. A very good idea to get out and get some fresh air after probably a day spent indoors at table revising. 25:43. Robin has the physique of a racing whippet and no doubt goes v. fast up hills.

In seventh place, and riding another strong v60 ride was Exeter Wheelers Andy Haydon, on 26:42, whilst eight place went to the tandem ridden by Sid Valley pair Dal Dawlemi (sp.?) and Simon Olive, who overcame a mechanical on the way to the start to record a race time of 28:02. Tenth placed rider Richard Crosby was but 5 seconds outside his course PB with 28:55, Axe Valley Pedaller David Gray (v. nice Lemmy T-shirt you had there post-event David) was 11th with 29:28.

Above – A tandem. A veritable blurr. Go Sid Valley CC’ers !!

Twelfth placed John Baker was asked on the start line what his hopes were for his time, sub-30 minutes perhaps ? “Nah, sub-40 . . . .” Well he go round faster than evens with 21 secnds to spare, 29:39.

The event’s only V70 rider, Exeter Wheeler Dave Fleming also got round in sub-evens, just – 29.54. David is still getting used to his new eyes. After he had had his recent grafts, the world turned upside down. His brain has now got the images adjusted and the right way up, otherwise it would’ve made for some very challenging cycling for him this evening..

Above – Riders post-race discussing heart rates, sprockets, and time trial courses. And which of Taylor Swift’s shoes they found most becoming on her last tour.

Here are the results – 

1 Tristan Kelsall-Spurr Magic Shine M senior road 23:06
2 Rob Simmonds Exeter Wheelers M v50 tt 23:59
3 Stuart Pollard Exeter Wheelers M v40 road 24:43
4 Tim Fowler Exeter Wheelers M v50 tt 25:07
5 George Robb CS Dynamo M v50 tt 25:10
6 Robin Dafforn Exeter Wheelers M senior road 25:48
7 Andrew Haydon Exeter Wheelers M v60 road 26:42
8 Dal Dawlemi ( ? ? ) Sid Valley CC M v54 tandem road 28:02
  Simon Olive Sid Valley CC M v50 tandem road  
10 Richard Crosby   M v60 road 28:55
11 David Gray Axe Valley Pedallers M v60 road 29:28
12 John Baker   M v60 road 29:39
13 David Fleming Exeter Wheelers M v70 tt 29:54

The next race in the series, next week 24th of June, is a Sid Valley CC event. It isn’t true that Sid Valley is Frankie’s brother, tho’ it would be an idea to form a dance band called Sid Valley and The Evening Ten.
Foxtrots and Waltzes and Bongo Drums a speciality.

STOP PRESS – THE NEXT TEN IS A CS DYNAMO EVENT and not SVCC. ooops. sorry.

Here is the latest league table – the column in bold, after the bike type, is the total points column

1 Stuart Pollard Exeter Whs. CC M vet 40+ road 77 19 17 21 20
2 Andrew Haydon Exeter Whs. CC M vet 60+ road 59 14 18 11 16
3 George Robb CS Dynamo M v50 road  50 13 19 18  
4 Tim Fowler Exeter Whs. CC M vet 50+ tt 50 17 14 19  
5 Harry McMahon guest M senior road 43 15 13 15  
6 Rob Simmons EWCC M v57 tt 43 22 21    
7 James Salter Sid Valley CC M senior tt 37 18 19    
8 Lennox Turner guest M senior road 36 12 10 14  
9 John Baker Exeter Whs. CC M vet 50+ road 32 10 11 11  
10 Simon Brown CS Dynamo M v60 tt 27 12 15    
11 Richard Crosby VoL M v60 road 25 12 13    
12 Tristan Kelsall-Spurr Magic Shine M senior road 22 22      
13 Jimmy Richards Pure Endurance M senior road 21 21      
14 Neil Grimwood TTT M v50 tt 20 20      
15 Rich Babbage Exeter Whs. CC M vet 50+ tt 20 20      
16 Dave Fleming EWCC M v70 tt 20 10 10    
17 James Greenaway Exeter Whs. CC M snr road 19 19      
18 Denise Burrows Aero Coach F v40 tt 17 17      
19 Robin Dafforn Exeter Wheelers M senior road 17 17      
20 Dan Lugg TTT M v40 tt 16 16      
21 Jon Hare Exeter Whs. CC M v40 road 16 16      
22 Stewart Dunn Mid-Devon CC M vet 40+ tt 16 16      
23 Lubos Obornik Cranbrook CC M vet 50+ tt 15 15      
24 Talita Ancona TTT F v44 tt 14 14      
25 David Guy AVP M v60 road 13 13      
26 Doug Parker Tor 2000 M vet 60+ road 13 13      
27 Michael Mason-Sanders Exeter Whs. CC M youth road 12 12      
28 David Gray Axe Valley Pedallers M v60 road 12 12      
29 John Hutchins Chard Wheelers M vet 50+ road 11 11      
30 Pete Bishop Exeter Whs. CC M v60 road 11 11      
31 Clare Pentecost CS Dynamo F v50 tt 10 10