Happy New Year 2014

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City of dreams...

HPSCL

Cycling Club Hackney is proud to be running the HPSCL with it's year round programme of events. The project manager is U13s coach Neil Irons who has been doing a great job in bringing together a fine series of interesting races.
By all accounts these are exciting and enjoyable social occasions for Hackney's young cycling enthusiasts.

This league is sponsored Hackney Council's Young Hackney.  

HPSCL's website here.

An Unholy Trinity - cross, sand and wind.

Race face on ...

The Eastern and South Eastern regional cyclocross championship was held at Trinity Park in Ipswich on Sunday. The venue is brand new to cross - its the Suffolk show ground so pan flat and usually covered in farmers selling sheep or the like. The organiser Steven Grimwood from Elmy stepped into the breach only three weeks ago to put this event on and surpassed all expectations by putting on a tremendous event with a great course. He mixed up the flat road and grass sections with technically demanding sections of woodland, a four by four course with a six foot hurdle and a portable beach - more of which later.

Having raced previous eastern champs' in the snow it was pleasing to see the sun come out on the lovely course however the wind was whipping down Dedham vale and over Ipswich onto Trinity Park making for a couple of hard headwind sections where a rider might have normally expected to get a breather. I imagine the same wind hit Belgium a little while later as that's what the course most resembled - Belgian style cyclocross - that sand again.



Cycling Club Hackney provided riders in most of the categories racing - unfortunately Ned and Andy were out due to illness and with some of the rest of us suffering from colds it wasn't looking too clever. Could we rise to the challenge?

Molly in the U10s at Trinity park.

Stan in U10s

First up in the Under 10s were Stanley Boyd and Molly Gregory (under 8) riding on a shorter course that included a difficult section of woodland with thick sandy soil and lots of lumps and tree roots. Stan took a couple of tumbles but battled on to finish in 8th place. Molly finished 3rd in the girls.

Harry on his way to a great 7th.

Harry Gregory was up next on the same course for a tough looking Under 12s race, whilst the winner pulled away from the start behind him a close race developed and Harry was reeling them in lap by lap finishing in a great 7th place - much to the chargin of his dad who had promised him £2 per place he finished above where he normally finishes. A pro in the making there.

Frank on the lumpy bit.

Next up was the eagerly anticipated Youth race with a field of 40 riders all pushing hard in the Eastern and London leagues. Frank Moore and Logan de Monchaux-Irons were in the Under 14 boys category  with Molly Lloyd in the girls under 14 race starting a minute behind the boys. Starting on the 2nd row of the grid Frank seemed to have a good start only for a buckled wheel to slow him forcing him to change bikes twice in the pits. Logan steadily reeled in those who had started ahead of him whilst in the girls race it looked like it was going to be a close thing with Molly right in the mix until the eventual winner pulled away from the rest.

Molly chasing the podium spot.

Molly however finished on the podium in third place Youth girls and 2nd Under 14. Frank finished 6th under 14 boy and Logan 10th. A great showing by all the CCH youth.

Logan finishing Sagan style.

Molly on the podium.

Harry with some traces of dirt hitting visible.

Following this was the over 50s veterans, juniors and women's races. Harry Moore and Dave Carr were there looking like old hands whilst lining up behind them on the grid was newcomer Judith Philip in her first cross race - there's nothing like jumping in at the deep end- especially when its a sand pit and you're on a bike.

Dave after the world's slowest wheel change in the pits.

Judith on her first outing looking for the exit.

Off they went with Harry and Dave holding their own and Judith looking unfazed by the competition. Dave unfortunately punctured again - it was a day of much tyre pressure debate - dropping him down the places. Harry finished 19th and Dave 25th in the 50 -59 category and Judith was 9th in the senior women.

Neil in the lumpy bits with the other mamils.

Next up were myself and Gary Boyd in the biggest field of the day - the mid-life crisis category or Vet 40-49 to give it its correct term. It took me just half a lap to realise I'd left my legs back in Hackney - that's when the headwind got me. Gary struggled in the sand pit each lap but at least he stayed on - seemingly there were plenty face planks into the yellow stuff - check out the photos here. Anyways I struggled on finishing in 57th and Gary was 69th.

Gary coming to a halt in the portable beach.

Unfortunately we didn't have a rider in the senior race but Ben and Matt over at our friends Hackney GT finished 2nd and 4th. It was a great day out and a well run event - next time at Trinity I'll bring my legs. Full results here.

Its a serious business cyclocross...

Youth Xmas Party Saturday 14th December

Cycling Club Hackney and Fawcett Youth & Community bike club are having a joint xmas party on Saturday 14th December from 2- 6pm at Core Arts, Barnabas Hall, Homerton High Street E9.
There will films and and DJing - bring some cds if you want to give it a go. There will also be some dancers strutting their stuff as well as food and drinks. Free to CCH youth members. Adults may wish to accompany younger members and lend a hand - thanks - please let Keir know if are attending.

CCH - Cross Crazy Hackney - a round up of the cross season so far.

You don't have to be crazy to race cross - but it helps ...

 Nearly advent and the cyclocross season has passed its half way mark and we've not blogged on it at all this year - so this is a way of making amends. CCH riders from all categories have been battling it out in the Eastern and London Cyclocross Leagues, mainly the Eastern.

... You do have to do a lot of running ...

 If you don't quite know what this entails here's a quick guide to cross racing CCH style -
You need a bike - you won't always be on it - or even able to stay on it -  a cross bike or an mtb will do - weight can be a factor if you have to carry it for a lap or so.
Mass start - up to 80 riders all start at once - with faster riders gridded at the front depending on previous results - and good looks sometimes.
Charge! Once the commissaire says go - you go - and don't stop until the chequered flag. Sounds easy eh? Well when you get to the first corner or obstacle the course usually narrows to the width of two or three bikes so that start is vital if you don't want to hang around in a bottleneck.

... Occasionally you can ride your bike....

 The course - this can vary but can involve some if not all of the following surfaces - grass, mud, tarmac, sand, short grass, long grass, slippy mud, sticky mud, deep sand, broken tarmac, gravel, tree roots, leaves, nettles, acorns, rabbit holes, water, ice, snow.

.. just not on that smooth bit of tarmac though...

 The course can be flat, hilly, some very steep short hills, bumpy, lumpy and generally torture. You will have to race from anything between 15 minutes for Youth C and under to an hour for seniors and with laps averaging around 8 minutes you get to revisit the scene of your latest crash many times in a race.

.. it's not cross dressing - it's Cross...

Kit - of course you'll be wearing CCH kit but you may need to add extras such as gloves, scarves and tights - see above. If it all sounds pretty easy and a laugh - you'd be right - it is easy to get involved and catch the cross bug - ask this season's newcomers - Mike Mooney, Dave Carr, Tom Lloyd, Molly Gregory and Judith Phillips, - and we do have a great laugh doing it. However it is racing and we want to do our best for Hackney.

.... concentration is vital if...

 Currently CCH are sitting in 9th position in the Eastern league out of 27 teams competing. The following riders are all giving it their best effort - Molly Gregory - best result so far 2nd under 8 girl currently 4th in league; Stanley Boyd - best result 2nd U10 boy - currently 3rd; Harry Gregory - best 10th U12 boys -  currently 16th: Molly Lloyd best 3rd U14 girl - currently 6th; Louis Byrne - best 33rd U14 boys - currently 24th; Artie O'Regan - best 30th U14 - currently -22nd; Frank Ramsay - best 21st U14 - currently 20th: Logan de Monchaux-Irons - best 6th U14 boy - currently 11th; Frank Moore - best 2nd U14 - currently 2nd; Ned O'Regan - best 4th U16 - currently - 7th; Mike Mooney best 40th E vet currently 57th: Gary Boyd - best 61st vet 45-9 currently 65th; Neil Irons best 25th vet 45-9 currently 44th;  Dave Carr - best 24th vet 50 - currently - 57th; Harry Moore best 26th vet 50 - currently - 21st.

... you want to be star of the season - so far...

So thats what we've been up to - if you want to join us we train on Hackney Downs Tuesday nights - 6pm at the club till 7.30. Coming up we will be running a series of Go-Ride cross races for all those youth riders who have never given it a go yet - these are planned for the 22nd of December, 8th and 22nd of February. These will be on Saturday mornings instead of youth training. Medals and prizes await those who want to test themselves against the mud. Details to follow.

2014 TdF - a Tourist's bottle throw away from Hackney

It's official; the 2014 Tour de France stage three run in is on our roads and so close to home - oh my gosh
More information and links for all three 'Grand Depart' stages next summer can be found here.

CC Hackney kit & membership now available on-line

 

Please note the images are are not the new issue kit as we don't have it yet. 

There may be logo changes and a slight design/colour variation.

Club kit and membership is now available on-line here. 

Buyers best not delay for too long as our current order will be going out soon.

When you place an order for kit it is added to a group order and then these will be sent to our supplier once sufficient numbers are reached. We will aim to place orders quarterly throughout the year. 

CCH riders complete Cycle maintenance course.

Frank Bede and Logan with their certificates plus Keir standing in for Isaac.

A few weeks ago me (Isaac), Bede, Logan and Frank attended a bike maintenance course at Cycle Systems in Islington where we learned key basic skills including how to repair punctures and setting up and adjusting gears, cables and brakes. We could work on bikes provided by Cycle Systems or our own bikes. The day started off with a very thorough M-check which covered the basic M-check but in much more detail. With M Checks complete we learnt about punctures and how to fix and replace inner tubes a skill we perfected with some practice. We then shifted our focus to brakes and were taught how to replace brake shoes and brake blocks which led us up to lunch. We followed lunch perfecting the skills we learned setting up brakes correctly. These skills took some of us a while to master! We spent the remainder of the day's course adjusting gears and gear cables.

This course really helped build my confidence with bike mechanics and I'm sure the same goes for everyone else who took the course. Thank you to Cycle Systems and Interlinkx for giving us this fantastic opportunity.


Isaac

There may be more opportunities coming up for our youth riders to take part in a maintenance course - let the coaches know if you are interested.

Safer cycling in Hackney - it didn't just happen

Time to appreciate the great work done by Hackney Cycling Campaign (HCC) to improve conditions for cyclists in the borough. HCC has been around for a good while longer that Cycling Club Hackney (CCH) which btw, is why our club was named in this way.

Have you ever tackled ye olde Old Street round about in anything other than an armoured car? Fancy a change (?) then how about this proposal from the team at HCC; go here 

CCH Youth Hill Climb Championship 2013

Saturday training was interrupted today for the CCH Youth Hill Climb Championship on the south hill at Springfield park. Seeing as how the course record of 24.3 seconds had stood for three years it was hoped that it would be bettered today - and it was smashed by four riders with a few others coming very close. 

Shiva - 1st Under 14 girl and Grace 1st Under 12 girl

Thirty one riders battled it out with the gradient - over 20 percent in some spots - and they all did very well. Shiva went off first setting a time of 36.2 seconds which leaves her as under 14s girl champion for 2013. Kai followed and set a blistering pace of 25.1 seconds that confused the time keeper. Grace finished on 29.9 seconds meaning she's the girls under 12s 2013 champion. The record finally tumbled when Jake flew up the hill in 22.3 seconds - enough to make him champion of the Under 14 boys - but would his new record last?

Euan 3rd, Sam 1st, Artie 2nd - missing from picture Kai joint first.

Sam equalled the time of Kai and so we have joint champions in the under 12 boys. William finished on 34.6 seconds making him the champion of the closely contested Under 10 boys category, whilst Serafino set a fine time of 41.7 seconds to be the Under 8 boys champion.

Dylan 2nd, William 1st, Alessandro 3rd Under 10s.

Ruben 2nd, Serafino 1st, Conrad 3rd - Under 8s

With three riders left it was Shaquilles turn to let fly but he finished at 22.8 inside the old record but still behind Jake. Reece came next again beating the old record with 24.3 giving him third place in the under 14s. It was all looking good for Jake then the last rider on the hill - Aminur set off and floated past in a new course record of 21.3 seconds. I'm already looking forward to next year and seeing if that record will be beaten.

Shaquille 2nd, Jake 1st, Reece 3rd Under 14s.

Aminur (centre)  1st under 16s and new course record of 21.3 seconds.

The full results of this years Hill Climb

TdF route

Parcours 2014 en 3 D / The 2014 route in 3D

Tour de France coming past our doors in East London?

After two stages in Yorkshire the Tour de France will be coming back to London in 2014 via the Epping road and the High Beach cafe, past Hackney Downs on the way to the Mall - yes? No? 

We'll find out for sure this Wednesday

Guardian news:

TOUR DE FRANCE ITINERARY

That the 101st running of cycling's greatest race will start in Yorkshire is already known but the complete route of the 2014 event will be revealed on Wednesday at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. The first three stages to Harrogate, Sheffield and London offer British cycling fans a chance to cheer on the defending champion, Chris Froome, who along with fellow Briton Mark Cavendish will be in attendance to see where the race will twist and turn over the following 18 days. A live video stream of the presentation ceremony can be seen at letour.fr.

Hackney tops the London cycling league

Click here for a bigger image showing Hackney's top cycling neighbourhoods 

Iron Mike Mooney adds extra challenge to the Three Peaks

Place an X where you think Mike's derailleur is.

Read the preceding report on this blog by Mike on his unusual way of tackling the Three Peaks cyclocross race last weekend.

Spot the CCH rider

Three Peaks - CCH's Mike Mooney has sent this great report from the 51st Three Peaks which took place at the weekend -sounds great!

What a day for my first 3 peaks not a cloud in the sky warm air and a mighty view on the inspiring peaks.

Decisions were made to ride without a mini rucksack, my survival back strapped under the saddle and 1 bottle on the seat tube was my choice, would make the bike heavier to carry but preferred over sweaty rucksack.

Arrived at the start line mid field the buzz of anticipation growing by the minute. Generally having experienced most forms of bike racing this one was the big unknown had my multiple turbo sessions and blasts around Epping forest been enough ? There looked to be a mixed bag of riders some hairy legs some laughing and joking and some gaunt skeletal potential race winners.

The whistle went for the start this I read was a neutralized section before the first off road and first climb to Ingleborough. However big ring was in and flat out like the start of a criterium... I was fighting for position whilst deep into oxygen debt. Off onto the first trail past a a dry stone wall and there looking like a massive black raincloud was the huge mountain of Ingleborough. Already there was a line of riders ahead. I could make out the super human Robb Jebb already a good distance in front. The bike was up onto my shoulder for the first time. I big thanks to Harry for lending me his Cross frame which I only built up 2 days before the start as I bent mine in a crash at the Ashwell cross the week before. I made the summit of Ingelborough in 1 hour a scramble of an effort but feeling exhilarated and happy with my position in the field I headed down and onto the next climb of Whernside.

The road section offered some great relief... but once on the climb of Whernside it was back to slipping and sliding a Sidi bike shoe never designed for Yorkshire rock. I arrived atop Whernside in good time 2 hrs 18 in.

The wind up there was so strong I was blown off twice one against a fence were I was pinned like a piece of lambs wool unable to move. The ridiculousness of the situation made me laugh out loud, this really is a bonkers event. Once out of the wind tunnel I started the decent of the mountain...when people say technical you picture a few rocks possible the odd bog not on this race there are granite steps.. often wet.. massive drop offs, concealed rocky outcrops, ramblers, wind, loose gravel drainage gullies.... its super exhilarating...

Half way down disaster strikes my chain jams ( a broken link) sending the derailleur flying into the read wheel and shearing it from the rear drop out... My race is over.  I have forgotten my tools... school boy error I know.

I manage to tie the mangled mech onto the back of my saddle and put the chain in my back pocket and start to free wheel and push down in the hope of finding someone to give me a lift back to the start.

Around 20 minutes later I spot what looks like someones black wallet having been thrown from a poor rider. I stop to investigate... its a multi tool set. Could this be a life line, the race back on ?

I try and bend the rear drop out back straight (don’t worry Harry its replaceable...a new one is on its way) but the thread is gone and also cracked.

My heart drops the race is now definitely over. Then I have a thought could I ride the remaining course on one gear ? I remove the cables and rear mech and shorten the chain to fit the middle sprocket and middle front ring.

Im off again it looks to have worked... the race is on.

I reach the next road section... bang, the chain snaps the constant vibration without a derailleur to take the slack is causing it to ride up the cassette and the tension is snapping the chin. I have more chain left in my pocket. I replace the bent links and am off again. I arrive at the foot of the final climb Pen-y-Gent having ridden the road section in a very low gear... Up the track I go... bang the chain snaps again, same problem. I am now verging on the obsessive... I will finish the 51st 3 Peaks if its the last thing I do. Once again

I replace the bent links and start of gingerly. I run the majority of this final climb only to aware I have no options left. I make the summit by now 5 hours in. I turn and head down like a man possessed no really need for speed at this point but want to give this everything I have. I arrive at the final road section at the bottom.... bang the chain snaps again.... can this

really be happening.. ?

I have only 2 links left. I manage to get the chain onto the smallest sprocket and little ring... it fits, I'm going to make it. I limp along the road, pushing up the smallest of climbs I can now see the finish... people are cheering... Im emotional.. Im through the finish, 501st place 5hrs 29 and can finally

stop what was one of the most exciting and challenging days Ive had on the bike.

Thanks to the poor soul who dropped his multi tool ... thanks to the 3 Peaks organisers who put on an amazing event and thank god we have races like this. If you have not ever considered it before and can get in you should at some point in your life give the 3 peaks a go... it life affirming.

Cyclocross Training Starting this Tuesday

Dave at Sunday's London League round 3 cross up at Gunpowder park wondering how this guy if front of him is riding in the vets race.

Cyclocross training for CCH club members - adult and youth -  starts up again this tuesday night meet at the club at 6pm, attach light to your bike. We aim to alternate this with core training so for those of you who want to improve your all round strength without getting muddy this could be the thing - more details on this to follow.

Alex listed to join Tao at the UCI World Championships

Alex Peters is listed to join Tao Geoghegan Hart at the 2013 UCI World Championships in Florence, Italy September 22nd - 29th.

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Tao finishes his 'Italian job'

Hackney's Tao Geoghegan Hart finishes his 'Italian job' by anihilating the opposition. He collected winners jerseys in each category; Overall, Points & Mountains - that's what you'd call a good weekend at the office.

More here

Giro della Lunigiana 2013

Final overall classification

1. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Great Britain) in 10-11-02

2. Scott Davies (Great Britain) at 46 secs

3. Robert Power (Australia) at 1-04

4. Francesco Lorenzini (Toscana) at 1-30

5. Simone Velasco (Veneto) at 1-40

6. Matteo Fabbro (Friuli) at 1-40

7. Jonas Abrahemsen (Norway) at 2-19

8. Laurens De Plus (Belgium) at 2-19

9. Nikolay Cherkasov (Russia) at 2-26

10. Mads Pedersen (Denmark) at 2-39

Racing to third place in the Junior Paris Roubaix earlier this year

Long way, short distance, Tao pictured after a race in Liguria Italy with CC Hackney 2009 




Alex Peters - Joseph Alberti - Tao Geoghegan Hart - Clem Berrill - Kyroah Pang - Keir Apperley

  

Tao does an Italian Job

The first time the Italians have seen this sight familiar to us - most likely its one they'll have to get used to.

Tao Geoghegan Hart won the opening stage of the Giro della Lunigiana in Italy today, clocking up another win in a stage race in GB colours and donning the leaders jersey for the overall. It's his first win in Italy - let's hope the first of many. Click on the link below for further details and an excellent video of Tao being delivered to the final climb by Germain Burton.

Read more at http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/540264/tao-geoghegan-hart-wins-opening-stage-of-giro-della-lunigiana.html#0uoL886Foz3CHx1S.99 

Alex Peters to ride the 2013 Tour of Britain

Former CCH club rider Alex Peters, who turned professional this year (signing with Madison Genesis) is to start the pro Tour of Britain on Sunday 15th September.

Good luck Alex - from all at CC Hackney.

Boy racers under threat

A significant step towards tough criminal sentences for 'boy racers' and other dangerous/lethal drivers has been made after campaigning led by British Cycling and Cycling Weekly.

Bring it on.

Grass Track League 2013 Finale

Stan leading William in the under 10s scratch race

Sunday afternoon and the sun came out over Hackney Downs to shine on the final of 2013's Grass Track League. Numbers were down on previous seasons but the racing made up for it and the riders made off with the cakes.

Kai Sam and Euan in the U12s scratch

Following a flying lap time trial the riders followed a program of Scratch, points, devil and devil in their age groups. The day finished with an all in two team italian style pursuit. The racing was most hotly contested in the under 12s with a spread of results.
Following the presentation of medals and prizes Karen brought out a big spread of food as we celebrated the results and Prosper's big birthday - we'll have to make sure the grass track finishes on his birthday again next time... Thanks for everyone's help and Andy B for the photos.

Jamal Tom and Robbie picking up the medals in the under 8s.

 The full race results are below

Grass Track hackney Downs 28/8/ 2013
Age	RIDER NUMBER	NAME	200m Time Trial		Scratch	Points race	Devil	Keirin	Italian Pursuit	League Points
			TIME	PLACE
u10	1	Wiliam Green	29.06	2	1	2	2	1	1	54
u10	2	Stanley Boyd	28.44	1	2	1	1	2	2	51
u12	3	Sam Bardill	27.15	3	5	3	3	4	1	42
u14	4	Reece Pollen	24.62	1	2	1	1	2	1	56
u8	5	Tom Bardill	31.09	1	1	1	1	1	2	55
u12	6	Artie O’Regan	23.53	1	1	2	2	1	2	54
u12	7	Tashan Smith	30.43	5	6	6	5	3	1	35
u8	8	Robbie de Monchaux-Irons	38.78	2	2	2	2	2	1	50
u12	9	Euan McNicol	29.25	4	4	5	6	5	2	31
u8	10	Jamal	51.22	3	3	3	3	3	2	40
u12	11	Kai Watts	26.22	2	3	4	4	3	2	42

Sam Artie and Kai getting their medals for the200m flying lap

Stan and William

The winning Italian pursuit team - Reece, William, Robbie, Tashan and Sam

The final league positions for 2013 -

u14	Reece Pollen		42/56- 98		1st
u12	Sam Bardill		54/42 - 96		1st
u12	Kai Watts		44/42 - 86		2nd
u12	Tashan Smith		37/35- 72		3rd
u12	Artie O’Regan		53		4th
u12	Euan McNicol		31		5th
u10	Stanley Boyd		49/55/51- 155		1st
u10	Wiliam Green		40/40/54 - 134		2nd
u10	Harry Gregory		44/55- 99		3rd
u10	Cosmo Siddons		49		4th
u10	Dylan McNally		41		5th
u10	Alessandro Sella		32		6th
u8	Tom Bardill		52/55 /55- 162		1st
u8	Robbie de Monchaux-Irons		49/50- 99		2nd
u8	Molly Gregory		51		1st girl
u8	Serafino Sella		48		3rd
u8	Jamal		40		4th
u8	Conrad Couzins		40		4th
u8	Jim Colvin		34		6th
u8	Finlay McNally		9		7th
u8	Jahmal Alawi		5		8th
u8	Ben Ross	5		8th
u8	Louis Watts	4		10th

Overall Under 8's - Robbie 2nd , Tom 1st

Overall Under 10's Stan 1st William 2nd

Overall under 12's Kai 3rd, Sam 1st, Tashan 3rd

Overall U14s - 1st Reece