Olympic Road Race - the view from CCH

On the way down to the race passing over Tower bridge

 Plenty of CCH members made their way down to Richmond Park on Saturday to cheer on team GB in the men's Olympic road race - while some caught the Overground a group of 20 rode over arriving shortly before the race appeared on its way to Boxhill where another CCH contingent were waiting.

We had a lovely time in the sun even if the result wasn't what we wanted however I think the highlight for many was getting onto the course after the race had finished and the high speed ride back to Putney past hundreds of cheering cycling fans.

Send in your reports and photos as the Olympics continue.

An Aussie looks on disdainfully at two rather reserved British fans.

The CCH peleton atop Sawyers Hill in Richmond Park.

The park filling up again in the afternoon

Most of the time in the park was spent on mobiles trying to find out what was happening.

Maybley Green Grass Track - loads of Fun

Rider briefing

U 8s scratch race

CCH laid on a Grass Track last saturday 21st July as a part of Hackney Homes Fun day on Maybley Green to coincide with the passing of the Olympic Torch parade. The fun day was very popular and well attended with the good weather finally putting in an appearance. Thirty plus riders tested themselves against the clock in hot conditions.

Teams line up for the Aussie pursuit

U8s podium

The whole proceedings were watched over by an inflatable one-eyed giant called Wenlock. The racing was well contested with many locals giving it a try.

U12s podium

More U12s winners

U16s podium

The winning Italian pursuit team

More pics by Andy Bardill here.
Full results below

	AGE GROUP Under 8					TIME TRIAL		SCRATCH RESULT			ROADIE PURSUIT			DEVIL
RIDER  No'	NAME - Under 8s			AGE		TIME	PLACE	final			FINAL		FINAL
2	Stanley Boyd			8		32.1	1	1			1		1
3	Robert de Monchaux-Irons			7		44.06	3	3			3		5
9	Joseph Green			7		56.25	6	5					6
10	Alessandro Sella			8		34.47	2	2			2		2
11	Serafino Sella			5		46.06	4	4			4		3
22	Aaron Martin			8		53.1-BMX	5						4
28	Kate Colquhoun			4		1.10.87	7
	Age group 8 -11
4	Kai Watts			9		26.65	1	3			1		2
6	Sam Bardill			10		28.47	2	1			2		1
7	William green			9		33.22	6	4			5		6
13	Ewan McNicol			10		31.19	5	2					3
17	Jay Kinyera			11		34.09	7				3		4
24	Mustafa ali			11		30.97	4				4		5
29	Daniel Falako			10		35.1	8
31	Carsal Blake			11		30.38	3
	Age Group 12- 15
1	Louis Byrne			12		26.71	6	4			5		4
5	Shaquille Eusebe			14		22.21	1	1			3		3
14	Frank Moore			12		26.78	7	3			6		5
15	Ned O'Regan			14		22.91	2	2			2		2
18	Sami Kaid			13				5
19	Mostyn Taylor-Crockett			14		24.72	4				1		1
20	Adam Forfarnah			13		28.34	8				4
23	Logan de  Monchaux-irons			12		29.47 -BMX	9						6
30	Jack Baker-Merry			15		26.14	5
32	Dokugan Aktas			12		30.78	10
25	Amina			13		23.81	3
	Seniors
8	Prosper			25.56				4					3
12	Paul			30.81				6					8
16	Harry			24.78				2					2
21	Sam Gerstein			27.12				3					4
25	Gary							1					1
26	Kate							5					7
27	Andrea												5
	Neil			30.12 - BMX									6

GB rider scores big win yesterday

Tao winning on the Cublington circuit.

CCH and GB rider Tao Geoghegan-Hart scored another great win in the 2012  Junior National Road Series down in Bath yesterday - Sunday 22nd July. Judging by the finish line photo above the win was by a pretty big margin.


Tao said afterwards - “That was hard! Just back from a track block and my legs haven’t been good since, really, but I’m getting there. My climbing legs are just taking a bit of time to come back, but they’ll be there. My calves were going a bit by the end.

“It was good for me that it was uphill at the end. It was a good race, actually – I like the course. It’s nice to be on lanes rather than dual-carriageways – the last round there were some big roads, so that was a real positive today.

“The first two times up the climb were real hard, so I was a bit worried. But people go backwards during the race, so you’ve just got to be a bit patient. On the long straight there was a bit of crosswind – but I was moaning the other week that we haven’t had a windy or sunny road race, so it’s nice to have a bit of both!

“I had a mechanical all day – every time I pushed on the chain was jumping, so I couldn’t get out of the saddle much today – maybe I should do that more often!

“Because it’s up and down all day the bunch can go real fast – the first break that went, we had 30 seconds and then - Bam! – we could see the bunch about a hundred metres back. So I went on my own for about 6km and then it came back together. And then a few little groups went and then me and Alex [Peters] went across. Everyone was working well – everyone was coming through – there was good respect from the riders.”

“[The final climb] It’s nice – it suits me. It’s a bit like Cadence at the start of the season. And Hugh was really strong at the end – hats off to him, he was real, real strong – we worked together well, but I was hurting at the end.”

Looking forward to the final round of the Series – the Tour of Wales – “We’ll see how it goes. It’ll be even harder with teams and juggling around… It should be OK. Hopefully I’ll get selected for the Worlds as well – that’s a big aim for the back part of the season.”

Full report and results here.

Saturday 4th August - a great day out in London

Flagging up two events to do on Saturday 4th August 2012

On the way down to the CS Grupetto Open Track Meeting, that is taking place at Herne Hill Velodrome from 2.30pm, a coffee/tea stop is called for in EC4 where CC Hackney will be welcomed as the lead guest cycling club on this day by the Belgian International Olympic Committee. The good people of the BIOC are setting up their 'Cycling Paradise' in the Middle Temple (off Fleet Street London EC4) for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic Games and are inviting the entire London/UK cycling community to drop in meet new people and have fun during the games. Much will be laid on with additional entertainment going into the night for a £5.00 gate fee into extended venues, DJs, big noise, live bands, food, drink and dancing. But always 'Cycling Paradise' is free.
Club members wear your kit with pride, get ya-self down there and join the party:)
Our group will be leaving CCH HQ by bike at 11pm - bring a lock just in case.
After the track racing a reunion is called for when stories can be shared at 'Cycling Paradise' on the return journey to Hackney - an exceptional stop off with secure bike parking, big name Cyclists and real Belgian chips and muscles...

National Youth Circuit Championships Report

Louis and Frank line up for the start of the U12s National circuit race.

National Youth Circuit Championships Report - Cyclopark, Gravesend Sunday 8th July 2012

On Sunday it was the national championships for all of our youth riders. Me (Isaac), Bede, Logan, Frank, Louie, Mostyn, Stanley and Alex all competed. On the day it was lashing down with rain, making the tarmac very slippery and dangerous and the course even more technical! 

Stanley plows a lone furrow up to the finish line

The first race was Stanley ‘s in the under eight’s. After his usual gutsy ride he eight out of twelve starters but was held back by badly rubbing brakes, who knows how fast he could have gone with the brakes off!?

The CCH camp next to ELV and LVYCC

The guys getting their numbers on prior to warming up.

Bede heading up the CCH contingent in the U12s.

 The next race was under twelve’s with Bede, Frank, Louie, Logan, and me. It was arguably the wettest race of the day causing a lot of crashes .It was so wet they even cut off half of a corner near the bottom of the circuit due to severe flooding. 

Frank rides the Cyclopark canal

Logan and Isaac in the lead bunch

The sprint for the line

We all got off to a good start but just after completing the first lap the early leader’s chain snapped causing him to swing out narrowly avoiding Theo but then taking me out, fortunately I got a lap out. It then came down to the second last lap where I tried to move up to stay out of trouble, it didn’t work! The rider in front of me went over causing me to go straight over the handlebars and fly through the air. I eventually finished seventeenth. 

Whilst I was crashing Bede and Logan were doing well staying in the bunch until the sprint, proving their bike handling skills. In the sprint Logan got a very respectable seventh whilst Bede got (an unlucky) thirteenth.  Theo should have got second but was disqualified because his gears were apparently over the ratio and the ratio was 46:16 the British cycling recommended and the same as Bede and I! We were all gutted for him.

Mostyn enjoying the fact the rain had eased off before his race.

 In the under fourteens race our only rider was Mostyn, no Ned because he missed the entry cut off time. The bunch set off at a roaring pace already dropping many riders. Unfortunately Mostyn had to drop out after a few laps because of a back \breathing problem. In the end Dan Tullet took it in a long three hundred meter sprint.

Our final race of the day was the under sixteen’s .The only rider representing us was Alex McKerrell. As usual he put in a beast of a ride managing to come sixtieth out of a huge field, Louis Modell also managed to put in a great ride coming 25^th. Overall it was a hugely successful day for CCH and I would just like to thank Neil, Liz, Harry, Anna, Fergal, Colin, Nicole, Justin and Mr McKerrell for the support.


Report -  Isaac Costley


Alex McKerrel adds -
 On Sunday 8th July, I rode the Youth National Circuit Championships at the Cyclopark in Gravesend. I drove over with my dad and arrived two hours before the race began. I signed on and did a gear check, making sure everything was perfect after Theo's DQ earlier in the day. I then started my warm up with Louis Modell from ELV. It was time to race! I thought it would be a better idea to have a longer warm up then getting a good position (which I now regret), as they left us standing around for ages, which meant my warm up was wasted and I was in the second last row!
I got a great start and moved up a couple of rows by the first corner. During the second lap, I moved up to about the first half of the bunch in the second lap- so far so good. Then, after a touch of wheels two people went down in front of me. I grabbed the brakes and just hoped for the best. Luckily, I had a soft landing but was still tangled up in bikes and bodies. I went over to the pits, got a lap out, got a push and after a lap long hard chase (the lap out was rubbish!), I finally joined the peleton who were now travelling at around 30mph.
I had already burnt most of my matches and there was still 14 laps to go! Adding to that the fact I was at the back of the group ( meaning I had to sprint hard out of every corner), I was on the edge. I blew up after 5 more laps with the group, and eventually rolled in with the second group, most of whom were caught out in the earlier crash. I rolled in a disappointing 60th place. 


But it's not all bad - I've now learnt that positioning is key if you want to do well, as the back of the peleton is a bad place to be. As my dad says, there's always next time.

Anyone doubting the severity of the conditions should check these photos out of the finishers... 

... Bede and Logan coming up for air

... Frank feeling the burn...

... Louis - no photos please!
Didn't get one of Isaac as he had to rush off to get his wounds treated.

Full results, report and more photos here.

Tao success in Team Pursut - 2012 UCI European Junior Track Championships

Hackney's ace cyclist Tao Geoghegan Hart has scored again with a silver medal in the Junior men's Team Pursuit on the track in Portugal. See the report and podium picture from British Cycling here. Our lad is to be competing in the Madison event next - another up-date on the way, good luck Mr. T

One Hackney Festival - Procession & Mabley Green Funday

 

From: helen@blueenigma.co.uk

To: keir@cyclingclubhackney.co.uk
CC: Ian.Freshwater@Hackney.gov.uk
Subject: One Hackney Festival - K Float - Cyclist and Sporty People
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:32:57 +0100

Dear Keir
Following our conversation today, I am writing to confirm the opportunity of being involved in the Parade of the One Hackney Festival on Saturday 21st July.
The relay will coincide with the One Hackney Festival 2012, a borough wide celebratory event to welcome the Olympic Torch. The festival will include a street parade along the Torch route and will culminate with an event at Clissold Park in Stoke Newington. The whole day is about Hackney coming together to showcase and celebrate its unique diversity and talent in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
There are still opportunities for people to get involved and be part of the procession which will be under various sound scapes and letter floats. The key opportunities for involvement are:
Letter K Float – The K Float has an elevated bike seat, from which can be controlled two pedal systems... one with the feet and one with the hands.
The foot pedals operate the spinning wheels on the upper arm of the K, the hand pedals operate the sweeping 'rudder' (lower arm of the K).
It requires only one person on the float to operate the twin pedal systems. Because a rotation of people is preferable, it is suggested that between 2-6 participants share this position.
It is preferable (but not imperative) that these people are similar in height (in order to quicken the changeover time during the parade).
There is room on the float for banners and some flexibility in the dressing of the float to integrate additional considerations should they be desirable. There is some limited resources available for costuming and props (about enough for costume helmets, hi-vis vests, and water supplies).

Electronic soundscape: whereby you can cycle along route or do something sporty...

Please can you consider if you have people who would enjoy cycling, and be part of the festival parade.

If you know people who would like to take part please let me know as soon as possible, as the event is drawing near and we would like all participants to have the full experience.

Please visit www.onehackneyfestival.com for more information.

Look forward to hearing from you shortly and feel free to call me for more information, and thank you for your interest and hope you choose to get involved. My contact email is: helen@keithkhanassociates.com which you can give out for those who are interested.

I have attached Bryan’s designs and FAQ sheet which may be useful.


Kind regards

Helen Mitchell

Producer

BLUE ENIGMA LIMITED

T: +44 (0)7833 360953

www.blueenigma.co.uk

Blue Enigma is a limited company registered in England and Wales, registered number 7397422. VAT No. 100 4109 89.
This email is confidential and may be protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not copy or disclose its content but contact the sender immediately upon receipt.

If there is any one up getting involved on this exciting exercise please contact Helen directly - ASAP
I will be with our coaching team and Interlinkx mechanics helping to deliver the cycling grass track racing event that will be part of the same festival but down on Mabley Green. This is to be a key part of the Hackney Homes Fun Day there - more information for this busy event will be posted shortly.

Say no to passing you by - enjoy:)

Cheers

Keir

       This float is the 'K' part of One Hackney - putting the 'K' into Hackney with cycles

London Youth Games: 2012

The 2012 Team with support members

The London Youth Games was a brilliant day out, encouraging keen racers and novice youths to get down to Crystal Palace  to do a 2 or 4 lap time trial. Unfortunately because of the poor weather conditions, the organisers had to cut off the bottom corner of the track as the terrain was too slippery. Which made it a very limited space to actually do a time trial so they decided to do a 500m + course. This made times very close as they were around the 1 minute mark, all within seconds of each other. 

Bart was first off to check out the fabled newly resurfaced Palace circuit?....

Mostyn going so fast that Colin has missed the picture...

Matilda being roared on to an excellent time by Wotjech,

Louis in the home straight being encouraged by Matilda and Bella.

First up were the seniors Matilda, Bart, Louis, & Mostyn. They all put in very good times; putting us into 4^th place by the afternoon. 

Bella was first up for the youth section.

Isaac's turn to get the Wotjech roar.

Logan being screamed at by Jack.

Ned grits his teeth and goes for the line.

Now with time to make up it was the juniors turn consisting of Isabella, Ned ,Isaac, & Logan. We all put in very good times with Isabella putting in a brilliant time as she hasn’t done a time trial for a year. 

Frank seemingly did the course with his eyes shut...

Bede safely negotiates the tricky u-turn at the head of the course.

After all the official times were done, the reserves Bede & Frank did a time trial both putting in extremely fast times unluckily we couldn’t count them as teams were restricted to 3 boys and one girl rider in each age category. 

Aminur on the rivet in the test event crit race.

Then Aminur also put on a good show in the criterium which was held in the lunch break,  finishing strong eager to carry on. 

The results were in.... The Junior category finished an impressive 4^th and Youth finishing 3^rd meaning we collected our medals for 3^rd place, overall Hackney finished an impressive 4^th rounding off the day nicely - one up from last year.

The youth section Bella, Ned, logan and Isaac.

The support was overall brilliant with Bede taking pictures and Artie, Jack, Joshua and Frank shouting for everyone on the side lines really paying a big contribution to the whole day. I would personally like to say thank you to all the supporters plus coaches. Andy, Neil, Keir, & Harry , supporters Anna, Wojtech, Liz, Justin, & Colin.

It was a brilliant day out and generally everyone put in a good performance, I can't wait to go and smash it next year......

Ned O'Regan. (youth team member)

P.S

Artie had his supporters too.




Full results and more photos to follow.

Keir offered the squad a celebration dinner for a top 5 finish. This is set for this Friday evening 6th July 7pm at Dalston Nandos.