Category: Race Reports

Whilst most people seem to opt for riding the rolling roads of Surrey, Nick Varley was the only starter from the club to ride this hilly event in Kent. Also enjoying the sunny but blustery conditions Nick finished with a 1.02.37, but believes he could of gone faster once he has made some adjustments to his recently built bike. The overall winner was Paul Burrows of Kent Cycles RT in 54.43.

Glorious weather greated the riders for the 43rd running of the East Surrey Hardriders, even if it was a little windy . As a result there were some improvements on times within the club members compared to the previous couple of years. First rider off was Bob Loader who suffered a number of problems including a puncture and having to go back and retrieve his cycle computer. He eventually finished with 1.51.18. Ed Rieu recorded 1.22.35 (34th)but was beaten by Jamie Walker with 1.22.10 (32nd) on his road bike.
Dave Twin finished 19th with 1.17.34 and Richard Hallett came 13th with 1.15.38. Ian O’Hara was a non starter. The Overall winner was Pete Tadros In-Gear Quickvit RT in 1.07.51.

The London Cyclo Cross League has now completed 6 rounds and Luke Evans has already competed in three of these:
Round 4 – Rainham – 28th
Round 5 – Dears Leap Pk, East Grinstead – 19th
Round 6 – PORC – 19th overall, 2nd Vet.
Watch out for that top 15 peformance in the coming weeks, which would be indicitive of a v.good ride in this series!

On a pretty disgusting wet and windy autumn day 74 mad men turned out to ride the Evans/Pinnacle Bec Hill Climb up White Lane nr Westerham. The large crowds watched Bill Bell (Gemini) and Gary Dodd (Sigma) share joint honours in a time of 01:49:17 (thats 1 minute 49.17 seconds). Sydenhams very own Mark Newton was the only member of the club to ride coming in 49th in a respectable 02:42:9.

Now that the Club 10’s have finished for the year below is the points total for all riders whom competed in at least one qualifying event. Only Dave Twin managed to ride the full 8 qualifying events, however rumour has it Rob Royston was plotting a late charge only to have his plans scuppered by bad whether and roadworks which forced the cancellation of a couple of events.

David Twin	72 (9,10,9,8,8,9,9,10)
Robert Royston	52 (8,8,7,10,10,9)
Ian O'Hara	49 (9,10,10,10,10)
Ed Rieu		44 (5,8,6,8,8,9)
Matt Lucas	38 (10,9,9,10)
Richard Hallet	29 (9,10,10)
Luke Evans	29 (6,6,8,9)
Mark Newton	21 (7,7.7)
Mike Thorogood	16 (6,10)
Harry Royston	15 (4,3,8)
Jamie Walker	13 (7,6)
Matt Preston	13 (3,5,5)
Mark Yeulett	 9 (9)
Dominic Whitten	 9 (4,5)
Wayne Johnson	 8 (8)
Andy Fruin	 7 (7)
Dave Mulford	 7 (3,4)
Derek Taylor	 6 (6)
Dave Fleming	 5 (5)

It was a damp morning with a stiff breeze when Mark Newton and Dave Twin set off around this course full of roundabouts. The duo rode well together with Mark having the advantage up the drags and Dave on the descents due to his disc. In the process they caught Bob Loader and Marsyse Chapman for 12 minutes in the earlier starting tandem event (It wasn’t until later it was discovered they had suffered from 3 punctures during the event and eventually packed). Mark and Dave crossed the finish line with a very respectable 58.23. There weren’t many results on the board at the time of leaving.

Dave Twin and Mark Newton ventured just the other side of the Dartford Tunnel to ride this reasonably flat course. Standing in the headquarters car park there didn’t appear to be much wind. Once on the course though you soon realised this was false, with a tailwind on the way out and a headwind on the return. Mark made good use of his new time trial machine recording a personal best by over 5 minutes of 59.04 and take the best improvement prize. Dave came in with a 1.00.07. The overall event was won by Michael Hutchinson, In Gear Quickvit RT in 51.57.

Mark Yeulett rode this event recording a time of 00:22:37 giving him equal 8th with John Woodburn. The event was won by Meurig James of Willesden CC in 00:21:17.

Ian O’Hara rode this 3 day event over the bank holiday weekend and missed out on top honours by just 16 seconds! Putting in solid performances in the first two stages, winning the individual time trial taking the overall leaders jersey in the process, Ian was subsequently pipped to the post on the final stage which finished with the climb of Leith Hill. He crossed the line 7th on the stage and 2nd overall. Another terrific ride from Ian.

He may wear a Citihub kit but we know he’s one of us!

About bl**dy time some would say, Ian got is first open win in the San Fairy Ann 10 on the Q10/22 course on Saturday 12th August. This underlines a pretty impressive return to form for Ian who only a few months ago was off the bike completely with a broken collar bone. Ian completed the course in 00:22:41, with Kevin Tye (Poshbikes.com) 2nd in 00:22:42 and Lee Turner (Sigma Sport) 3rd in 00:23:05.

The Sydenham Wheelers Promoted an Inter-Club Hilly on Saturday June 24th. This was on a course dreamt up by Bob Loader based on our Hilly Course GS/310 Ide Hill, Hubbards Hill, Goathurst Common, with an additional loop finishing up Baileys Hill. In all 21 miles.
The result was:
Pos. Rider Club 1st Lap 12.1m Finish 21 m
1 Anthony Draper ’34 Nomads 0.32.09* 0.57.18
2. Mark Newton Sydenham 0.34.55 1.02.29
3. Paddy Bowe ’34 Nomads 0.35.46 1.03.24
4. Ed Rieu Sydenham 0.37.54 1.07.49
Anthony’s 1st lap time is a new record for the part of the circuit used for the early season hilly, beating Matt Lucas’ time of 32.32 set in April this year.

It was a hot afternoon when just one of the three club members who had pre-entered arrive to compete in this event which was held on the Q10/33 course. Rob Royston and Graham Ward were unable to attend leaving Luke Evans as the sole Sydenham representative. The 10 mile course starts with a short climb, followed by a long decent before turning tight left onto undulating roads all the way to the chequered flag. Luke Evans did a very respectable time of 24:04 winning a Gold Medal for Best Improvement On Time and secured 12th place overall.

It was a pleasant sunny morning when the early starters set off. Three of our members from the club were there to ride the event (Ian O’Hara, Dave Mulford and Graham Ward). Dave Mulford was the first of the Sydenham riders to set off and was the first ’10’ open event of the year for him. He returned a very respectable time of 25:29. The second Sydenham rider to set off was Graham Ward who finished with a time of 24:58. With Ian O’Hara completing the trio. Ian came 5th overall, completing the 10 mile course in a very impressive 21:04. The overall event was won by P. Mill of Team Edwards/Elitecy in 19:56.

Mark Newton was the only Sydenham rider in this 10 mile event on the Holmewood course in Surrey. His time of 24:28 in the windy conditions was good enough for 25th overall, the event being won by Michael Hutchinson InGear Quickvit RT in 20:12, almost a full minute clear of the rest of the field with Steve Dennis of East Grinstead CC getting closest at 21:11.

It was a warm muggy morning when three members of the club appeared in front of the starter. This course is based on the A22 heading south from Maresfield and rolls a bit. The wind got up while the riders were out on the course making it harder for the return leg. Luke Evans did a 1.05.53, Dave Twin 1.01.17 and Robert Royston 57.57 (8th). The overall event was won by James Dear of In Gear – Quickvit in 54.33.

It was a bright calm morning with a slight chill in the air when Robert Royston, Dave Twin and Ed Rieu all started off within 8 minutes of one another. Ian O’hara started nearly an hour later. Robert Royston was the fastest Sydenham member with a 59.07 (including nearly going wrong on one roundabout), Dave Twin did a 59.19, Ian O’hara 1.00.16 and Ed managed to go wrong on the same roundabout as Robert so was a DNF. This was a great shame as he recorded a 1.01.44 and allowing for the short section he missed out he would beaten his PB of 1.04.58. The overall winner was Ray Hughes of Clarence Wheelers in 53.08. Full result HERE!

It was a sunny, warm morning with only a light breeze when the early starters set off. This got up slightly later in the event, but still weren’t bad considering that the course had to be changed to 2 circuits of the Brenzett-Camber-Lydd Brenzett course. This was due to road works on the Hamstreet by-pass. Four members of the club were there to fight out for the Singer Trophy. Bob Loader did a 2.31.57, Dave Twin a 2.04.57, Robert Royston continued his recent good form with a 2.00.11. Ian O’Hara did a very impressive 1.59.15 to give him a PB and take the trophy in the process. The overall event was won by Paul Burrows Kent Cycles RC in 1.52.16.

The threatened rain and windy conditions weren’t as bad on the morning as expected. The threat though was enough for there to be a few non-starters. The damp roads also resulted in a number of punctures and at least one person taking a closer view or the tarmac than he wanted! The three Sydenham riders who started recorded the following times: Ed Rieu 1.04.58, Dave Twin 1.01.17 and Matt Lucas 1.00.09. The overall winner was Paul Burrows Kent Cycles RC in 56.46.

On what can only be described as a good day the club’s riders turned in some results that were rather close. Mike Thorogood did 22.01, Rob Royston 22.16 (proving that all this audax riding is paying off), Dave Twin 22.19 and Mark Newton 23.39. The overall event was won Pete Tadros of In Gear Quickvit R.T. in 19.53.

In blustery conditions, our club turned out some very respectable times, but due to the quality field attracted by the very good prize list, they were placed a way down the field. Thanks to all that audax riding, Rob Royston was the fastest member in 1.00.35 (23rd), Mike Thorogood did 1.00.44 (24th), Matt Lucas 1.00.46 (26th), Dave Twin 1.01.46 (37th) and Mark Newton 1.04.27 (43rd). The overall event was won by Paul Mill of Team Edwards in 54.34.