Reminder - CCH members social event

Well done Neil Irons for creating this cool poster. It's flagging up our next members social event to acknowledge our new Clubmark status. Monday, 3rd October from 7pm @ 1 Olympus Square London E5 8PL

Ride Around London

CCH atop a misty Box Hill

Around seventeen riders made up the CCH contingent for the inaugural Access Sport Ride around London. A beautiful autumn morning saw the group set off from the newly resurfaced Herne Hill Velodrome into deepest south London heading to Waltham Abbey via Box Hill, Windsor and the Chilterns along a 115 mile route. The pace was pretty rapid through the suburbs until the north downs were reached. Before we knew it we were heading up the famous Box Hill which will feature in next year's Olympic Road Race. I kept waiting for it to kick in but then we were at the top at the first food stop. Derek had to have his snapped front derailleur removed at this point which would mean for some adjustment in his riding techniques thereafter to stop his chain bouncing off at the front. Shortly after setting off again we had a bad incident involving a car trying to overtake the bunch and nearly colliding with a car coming head on in the other direction. Unfortunately Alun Gordon came off badly with the bunch breaking heavily and had to be taken to hospital with a suspected broken larynx. I've since heard he's making a recovery so I'd like to wish him well on behalf of all at CCH.

The ride was winding it's way round some of Surrey's lovely leafy lanes on way to the half way point in Windsor when I came a cropper thanks to autumn's habit of dropping branches onto roads... I limped on in to meet the rest at the Windsor feed point where my calf muscles were in spasm resembling some scenes from the Alien films so that was me out of the ride. Thanks to Access Sport for getting me a lift to the train station.

I'll let Andy tell the tale of the rest of the ride from there -

When we left Windsor as a big group we experienced some strong westerly winds but once we turned eastwards it gave us some assistance ........ The  roads were fairly flat until we reached the Chilterns, where we met with some steep hills albeit on quiet country lanes which made them slightly more pleasurable. We all stayed pretty much together up to the 3rd feed station at the 85 mile marker, although some of us were finding the going quite tough and were glad of a refuel stop..... Justin and Tony didn't stop as Tony need to get back to London to catch his train back to Bath ( some would say that they were going like a train anyway ! ). 

Justin powered his way around helped by previous knowledge of the course.

We left the last feed stop with the sole intention of finishing as quickly as possible, everyone was suffering in their own way which meant that we split up into 2 groups. On the front were Dave Carr, Charlie KC and myself. The second group contained Harry, Kevin and Derek (who had ridden all the way from the bottom of Box Hill with only half his gears after his front derailleur had broken) and Paul.

As we encountered more climbs Charlie and I started to pull away from the others until we were on our own. We kept up a pace that suited both of us and I think we didn't want to slow down for fear of stopping and not being able to get going again !!!

Andy and Charlie at the finish

We eventually arrived at the finish and were both relieved and proud of our achievement. We completed the 120 Mile ride in 6Hrs 50 Mins with an Ave Speed of 18mph.

At the finish we were met by lots of the CCH younger members who had made the finish line their home and cheered for all the riders crossing the line but especially any rider from CCH.

I would like to thank them and all the wives and Prosper for their support...

Access Sport organised a great event with plenty of food and drinks along the way and I will definitely take part again...

CCH juniors spread the word.

Mark Cavendish is the 2011 Professional World Road Race Champion

Top step for Mark Cavendish in Copengagen who today became the UCI 2011 Professional World Road Race Champion. This was following an amazing race long team effort when super Cav delivered on the line after 266km for GB. Our team riders sure held their collective nerve - phew :) Tom Simpson was Britain's last professional RR champion back in 1965. This day is a big one for Mark Cavendish and for British cycling in general.

CCH social event at 1 Olympus Square

 

Well done Neil Irons for creating this cool poster. It's flagging up our next members social event to acknowledge our new Clubmark status. Monday, 3rd October from 7pm @ 1 Olympus Square London E5 8PL

CCH at the Tour of Britain 2011

 Many CCH riders turned out to enjoy the final stage of this year's Tour of Britain - either just to watch or to take part in the day's activities. Following the morning's Time Trial - won by Alex Dowsett of Sky the CCH juniors took part in a Go-ride team criterium organised by Peter Cattermole from British Cycling on the Embankment opposite the London Eye. 

Preparing for the race.

The riders each took part in one of five heats with the top four advancing to the final and the next four to the mini-final. Points were awarded for the best places ten riders in each team and CCH finished in fourth place so well done to those who took part. All riders had to use MTB's provided by British Cycling.

Kai has overall winner Freddie looking worried.

Well done also to Peter and Jason for organising this - as the riders who took part will know from the race briefing, the object of the event was to have fun and to persuade the Tour of Britain organisers to allow juniors to race on the TOB circuit before the pros and hopefully to build this into a full criterium as part of the event every year. Hopefully it will be successful in persuading them as well over a hundred young riders from the London area participated. So thanks once again to the CCH juniors who 

took part - showing that we are a club willing to stand up and be counted.

Sam leads Joe around the corner.

Other CCH riders young and old enjoyed participating in the Prostate Cancer Charity Ride around two laps of the full circuit, helping to raise awareness and money for this important charity.

Louis going for it.

As is their custom the junior's spent the bulk of the day hunting for goodies and autographs - top prize went to Kai who cam away with Thor Hushovd's water bottle complete with rainbow stripes.

Leonard - chasing after Mark Cavendish.

 Thanks to Fabio for all the fantastic photo's here I particularly enjoyed the one at the top juxtaposing Geraint Thomas with the billboard for Dreamboats and Petticoats...

Let's go and get some bottles.

CCH women do very well in the Cycletta South

Anna Hart, Isobel Siddons and Sophie Powell took part in today's Cycletta South that was organised by Sky Ride. The picturesque route was out and back from Whipsnade Zoo. Our riders performed very well in their first event of this type placing 10th, 11th and 24th out of 900 riders (this must have been the best team effort surely?). Anna did really well as she was taking on the hilly course on her trusty fixie and Sophie got her top ten result despite a fall and finishing with damaged handle bars. But the question remains; did any of our group beat Victoria Pendleton?

Well done Anna, Isobel and Sophie, inspiring stuff and you're looking set for more fine results in future.

Herne Hill back on Track

Herne Hill Velodrome's newly resurfaced track is to re-open this weekend on Sunday 11th September for racing with the Dave Creasy Memorial The A Madison category is full, but there is entry on the line for the non-madison B category, and under 12 racing. This is set to be the track event of the year, with beer tent, music, jumbles food and more – so come along even if you’re not racing.

After the meeting they are having the prize presentation for track league, so stick around for a burger and pick up your prizes. After that Save the Velodrome are running an open air film night at the track, so spend the whole day there.

See here - davecreasymemorial for more information.

The final standings for the track league are also up on the Herne Hill website - see here for youth and here for seniors - some good performances there from CCH.

Also this Wednesday night there is a Go-Cross meeting for those interested in trying out Cyclocross for the first time see here for more info'.