Category: Race Reports

With the club 2-up trophy up for grabs, two teams ventured down to the Loxwood area of Surrey to ride a new 34.3 mile course for this event. In fresh conditions Mike Thorogood and David Twin came out on top with 1.28.56. Alaistar Rutherford and Kevin Cocklin recorded 1.30.28, which included a 1 minute late start. The event was won by M. Sinnott and B. Molloy of Epsom CC in 1.19.41.

Thanks to the various members who came out and helped with the smooth running of the event in the absence of John Tully through illness. The conditions were once again sunny with a light wind at the start of the event, which gradually got up as the event went on making the last stretch from Leeds to the finish very hard. The club was represented by Tim Morton 1.07.07, Alaistar Rutherford 1.03.53 and Dave Twin 1.00.57. It was won by Martin Taylor of V.C.Deal in 57.59.

Matt Lucas and new member Paul Bellamy rode this event on Sunday in chilly and blustery conditions. It was good race with plenty of action , click on British Cycling Report for the full story. After being involved in a break from the opening lap Matt eventually finished 6th, and Paul came in a very credible 18th, pretty impressive for someone riding their first ever Road Race!

Matt Lucas rode this event which took in 5 laps of the Benenden Curcuit in magnificent sunny conditions.Read the British Cycling report for the full story.

The club was well represented with 6 riders taking part on a rather breezy, bright Saturday afternoon. These included new members Michael Molyneaux and Paul Bellamy who recorded times of 26.39 and 25.20 respectively. The others were as follows; Bob Loader 29.02, Mike Thorogood 25.26, David Twin 23.46 and Tim Morton 25.43. The event was won by Nick Gardiner timetrial.co.uk rt in 21.38.

Richard Hill, Mike Thorogood and David Twin started their 2003 season with a third place in a time of 1.04.26, picking up KCA bronze medals in the process. The event was won by the V.C. Deal trio of Malcolm Whitehead, Chris Bax and Martin Taylor who recorded a time of 1.00.27. The conditions were bright and sunny, but a little chilly following the early frost. The wind was light until near the end of the event.

Matthew Lucas and Andrew Flemming have both recently started their road racing season, Matt after returning from 3 months in Australasia and Andrew from a month in South America. Early signs are that the couple of months training they have put in have provided a good base to build on. Summary of results:-

14/07/02 Surrey League 3/4/W/V/J Cutmill 80k
Matt was again the only rider from the Sydenham to take part in this event. The course consisted of 7 1/2 laps of a rolling circuit. The main features being the long undulating climb to the top of the downs and the 40+mph decent down the other side. The race stayed pretty much together until the last lap when a Twickenham rider jumped clear for the win and Richard Friend clipped of the front at the bottom of the last climb to grab second. Matt finished in around 20th place in a very much depleted bunch.

06/07/02 Whitewebs Circuit Races 3/4/W/V/J Eastway 80k
Andrew and Matt both rode this event which was a pretty tight event. A strong wind on the open sections of the circuit tempered any efforts by riders to go clear of the main group. The race ended in a bunch sprint with both Sydenham riders present and finishing in the middle of the pack.

04/07/02 Surrey League Handicap All Cats
Matt and James Shrubsall both rode this event on the Nutfield circuit. Over enthusiasm and lack of observation dictated the outcome of Matts ride. Suffering a bit from doing a bit too much work in the early stages meant that he found himself just a few riders from the back of the main bunch as the group crested one of the small hills on the circuit. Taking a breather and not paying enough attention to what was going on, found himself following the wheel of a rider who had let a more than reasonable gap form between himself and the bunch. Matt attempted to close the gap on the bunch but could only maintain, but not close the gap, and was dropped half a lap later. James however faired much better finishing the event in the main group.

30/06/02 SERRL Brenchley 3/4/W/J
The first “proper road race” of the season for Matt Lucas and Andrew Flemming and eight times up Pixott Hill is more than a reasonable introduction to a season. The outcome of the race was dictated early on when a small group of riders broke clear in an attack instigated by eventual event winner Richard Friend (Gemini BC). The main bunch stayed together until the foot of the last climb of Pixott Hill to the finish. By this stage numbers had been reduced from the 47 starter to approx 25 by the end. Andrew and Matt finished 17th and 18th respectively.

27/06/02 Surrey League Handicap All Cats
The first event of the season for both Matt Lucas and Andrew Flemming and the pre-race nerves were not helped by the sight of Jon Ibbotson warming up, no doubt stretching his legs prior to the National Champs! Despite the fast pace, typical of most Surrey League Handicap Events, Matt and Andrew both managed to finish in the bunch, which was pretty much together at the end, with the exception of a few riders (inc a Mr Ibbotson) who had broke way on the last lap, with Matt even managing to grab 10th place in the up hill scrabble for the line.

Dave Mulford and Dave Twin were both down to ride the Surrey Roads event on Sunday however Dave Mulford was unable to ride as he was suffering from a bad knee. Dave Twin did manage to make the start of the event, just! Waking up late he got to the start line with about three minutes to go and as such had no warm up. After suffering from the cold start for the first five miles or so he managed a respectable time of 1.00.35. The event winner was believed to be J. Millard of A.P.I. Resprays in 54.13.

Sydenham had two entries in the VTTA 25 on the Q25/20 and on a nice morning with only a small wind on the return leg. Dave Mulford managed to make a pb of 01:11:38 and Tim Morton did 1-4-48, the event winner was Reg Smith in a time of 56-39.

Sat. 15 June Velo Club Elan Christopher Mitchell Memorial Trophy took place on the Q10/30 course (Reculver). A very strong wind made the ride out fast but the return hard work. The event was tied between Paul Woodman (Eastbourne Rovers) and Steve Castle (GS Invicta) on 2108. Alastair Rutherford of Sydenham managed a 23.44.

On Tuesday 4th June 2002 Dave Twin rode the Unity C.C. 25 on the E72/25. In damp but not too windy conditions he did a personal best of 57.02

Sunday 9th June 2002 Alastair Rutherford (replacing Glyn Tully out due to injury), Dave Mulford and Dave Twin rode the K.C.A. 50 on the Q50/12 course for the club’s Singer Trophy (scratch). The wind got up shortly after the start making the two return legs very hard. Alastair did 2.23.11, Dave Mulford did 2.37.18 and Dave Twin did 2.06.59.

We have a couple of results for you from “our man over seas” Mark Yeulett is currently working and riding in Bermuda and has already put Sydenham Wheelers on the Bermudan Cycling Map.He is a second claim for the Bermuda Bicycle Association but rides in Sydenham kit…obviously! His results for the two events he has riden to date are:- 1/ 19th May – Crit 60 minutes +1 lap (25 miles) 6th place 2/ 26th May – Bank of Bermuda/Spa Water National Time Trial Championships 25.75 miles in 1.06.58 for 12th place out of 48. The times may not seem that hot but that because the course is made up of short circuits with lots of 180 degree turns (32 in the case of the TT) plus windy and hilly! More results can be found at www.bermudabicycle.org

Dave Twin and Alastair Rutherford rode the Wigmore CC open 25 held on the Q25/12 Romney Marsh course on Sunday 12/05/02. Conditions were good on the day and the Sydenham rides clocked times of 1:01:09 for Dave and 1:03:02 for Alastair, the event was won by Alexander Peach (Dulwich Paragon) in a course record of 0:53:25.

Matt Lucas rode this event which is the first SERRL one of year. Brenchley is always a tough circuit especially so early in the season, 9 times up Pixot Hill is not nice when your flying let alone stretching your legs for the in your first event of the season. This was evident when looking at the results sheet with just 20 finishers out of 43 starters! Matt finished 17th overall, a minute or so down the winner.