May 1st 2008 grasstrack racing trials (GTR1)

Here is the result of the one lap, flying time trials we held. Track distance 150m.

Name	Time	Category
Simon Whitlock	21.52	Fixed, open
Keir Apperley	21.84	MTB, over-40
Owen	22.73	Fixed, open
Trevor Lacey	23.08	Fixed, open
David Moreno	24.14	Family bike, over-40
Bernard Kinkufi	25.05	MTB, junior
Stuart Dennison	25.64	Fixed, over-40
Patrick Field	25.65	Fixed, generator, over-50
Matt	30.06	Lightweight, open

The annual Well Street Common Festival is to be held on Sunday 18th May and CHH's 'Grass Track Experience' is coming for the first official event of the summer. Ahead of this, last Thursday evening a group of Hackney cyclists with vision and a sense of humor convened at Well St.Common to guinea pig grass track competition and test the new 200m rope as an inner racing line.
Ten riders of various ages, two observers, one man and his dog bore witness to what may prove to be a seminal event. Well what came of it? Apart from the giggles and the panting in exchange for short but exhilarating turns on the track we gained a knowledge that racing on grass is breathtaking & funny.
From the previous days rain the ground was a bit spongy and the grass was moist, succulent and cow chew-able. The pitch safety inspection done, we tossed a coin and payed out the rope into a perfect oval shape according to measurements made by the steady hand & sextant of CCH's chair Trevor Parsons.
Racing began with a flying-lap individual time trial and then we finished with an unofficial devil. This is a massed start race where on each lap the last rider over the line is called out until the final three riders sprint to the line for glory sake...devil take the hind most.

Findings from this exercise were that the racing area will need to be cordoned off, a cycle machine check before competing obligatory, the crash helmet wearing policy needs to be made clear as do the competition rules and a wide range of cycles work fine on grass as long as the rider is willing to dig deep!
At the festival all comers will be able to join CCH at the very reasonable inaugural flat rate of £5.00
Bring your own bike & helmet, some helmets will be available to loan.
We are looking for more volunteers to help out on the day. Any flag wavers, sheriffs/marshals, horn blowers, bell ringers, rattle shakers, podium dancers and picture takers wishing to join and help will get CCH free CCH membership. Please contact: Keir@cyclingclubhackney.co.uk and/or leave a comment to this page.

FYI: 200m of 10mm polypropylene rope cost £45.00 from http://www.nationwidesplicing.co.uk/

Cycling Club Hackney - Helmet wearing policy
(Helmets undamaged & conforming to BS &/or the Kite mark)

Any massed start competitive race; all riders must wear a crash helmet.

Including: On the road, off road, on the track & on grass.

Any competitive time trial (individual race against the clock) all those under eighteen year old must wear a crash helmet.

Under eighteen riders joining CCH leisure rides must hand in to a CCH committee member on duty a signed consent form from their parent/guardian if they wish not to wear a crash helmet.

All Under eighteen riders on CCH cycle racing training sessions must wear a crash helmet.