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A last minute call from Keith Coffey (BEC) meant Mark Newton got another chance to get on his TT bike for this unusual end of season 15.4 mile 2 up TT event organised by Redmond CC. A still, bright morning greeted the new partnership on Sun 19th October and after 500m of training / warm up they where ready for the start. Mark was feeling nervous with the impending effort, but as the event panned out had nothing to fear and managed to stay comfortably in Keith’s slipstream. In the end it was not one of Keith’s quickest times as the duo only managed 5th place in a time of 36.50. The event was won in a new course record of 33.11 by R Prebble and B Instone.

Three Sydenham members ventured out on Sunday morning to scale the heights of Yorks Hill for the 113th Catford Hill Climb. Mark Newton was first off recording 2.43.1, James Walker followed in a time of 2.49.9 and last of the three Andy Ross recorded a very respectable 2.28.4. The event was won by Jody Crawford 1.54.0. Having clearly enjoyed the morning immensely our guys could be heard spreading the word of what a wonderful variant of our sport hill climbing has become…..

“I am never going to ride that hill again – going down the hill to the start staying on the bike was hard enough !” – Mark Newton

BEC Hill Climb
Only Mark Newton was foolish enough to attempt a second hill climb in one day the BEC event on White Lane, he managed 2.28.03. Event was won by Daniel Lloyd 1.46.44

Three members of the club turned out for this league opener at Herne Hill on a gloriously sunny and most un-cyclo cross like Sunday. Christopher Mulford competing in the U10’s, David Mulford and Matt Lucas in the seniors. The ‘Best Of The Sydenham’ award went to young Christopher Mulford who got 13th place in his event. Matt suffering from a bout of ‘involuntary dismount syndrome’ for the second time in the space of two weeks came off twice managing eventually to roll in 25th in the senior event. David who apparently hadn’t intended to ride but inspired by his lads performance decided to give it a crack came in a little further back on GC with his exact position TBC.

Mark Newton rounded off a fine season of time trialing with 4th place (00:55:32) in this open event nr Bentley Surrey. The event winner was Steve Dennis of East Grinstead CC in 00:52:24.

Two club members faced off for a gladiatorial fight over the Novis Cup on the flat Q50/11 Lydd/Brenzett course. Bob Loader was the first off on what seemed like a windless day in the car park, however once on the coastal course the wind blew hard, Bob still managed a credible 2.37.02. Mark Newton was off seven minutes behind Bob and struggled in the windy conditions recording 2.00.17 but gained enough advantage on handicap to win the battle for the Novis Cup. Andy Meilak won the event with 1.52.48

The last of these pre-season leg stretchers extracted the best performance to date from Matt Lucas. Riding against a stronger field than in Round 1 he managed to repeat his top 10 placing, scraping into single figures for 9th place on GC. Staying upright this week helped considerably! Full results for all three rounds available on VC Londres website.

Riding this event for the second week in a row Matt was hopeful of an improvement on the previous week. However things didn’t quite go to plan. The course was run in the reverse direction eliminating any advantage of having ridden the week before. Despite a better start this week, which placed Matt about 8th at the end of the first lap things went rapidly down hill. Seemingly unable to get to grips with the technical section Matt started to take some risks in order to maintain his position, there were a few close shaves however the fatal error was attempting to bunny hop the board obstacle. His next recollection was being untangled from his machine by a kindly spectator and hearing the words “You alright mate? You going to carry on?”. Deciding that the only thing more embarrassing than the crash would be to abandon in a huff, he resumed the race, slightly battered and bruised, to come in a surprising 13th overall.

Mark Newton was the only Sydenham rider entered for the event down on the Broadbridge Heath multi roundabout course recording a time of 21.48 for 8th place. The event was won by Ben Instone www.scientific-coaching.com in 20.02

Back to back 25 mile TTs was Mark Newton’s Bank Holiday weekend enjoyment as he travelled the South of England chasing a quick end of season time. Saturday afternoon was a trip to Bentley for the H25/8 where he had to contend with a deceptively strong wind but recorded a commendable time of 55.22 (18th place). Ed Rieu also rode in a time of 1.01.48 (83rd place), the event was won by Richard Prebble GS Strada in 51.27. Sunday meant Mark was up early travelling north to Newmarket for Redbridge event on E2/25, the weather was horrid a strong blustery wind and rain. Mark recorded a slower time that the previous day of 55.51 (20th place). Bob Loader also braved the weather recording a time of 1.10.58, the event was won by Richard O’Rourke 51.14

Luke has been mixing it up a bit this year combining off road ruff stuff with super smooth track racing. He and Andy Kay rode an MTB race at Fowlmead in June with Luke finishing in the 20’s and Andy coming in 4th (we think). Luke has also ridden the Southdowns way over the summer. Those roadie purists out there who may not be familiar with this 100+ mile MTB epic it’s basically Eastbourne to Winchester off road and up and down every climb the North Downs have to offer. Towards the end of the season Luke has been doing some evening events on the track at Preston Park, Brighton. Riding primarily in the Senior A and Senior B groups. His track season ended in style on Wed 13th Aug in the Senior A and B 8 lap scratch race. Apparently he caught the field napping with a lap and a half to go and solo’d to victory!

After a year out of any sort of competitive cycling Matt Lucas made a tentative return to competition in the form of this evening cyclo-cross race at Herne Hill on Wed 27th August. Not the gentlest of re-introductions into competition you might think, and you’d be right! Battered, bruised and blistered Matt thrashed his way around, miraculously staying upright for the whole race to come in 9th overall. 1 lap down on the winner Stuart Bowers of Scott UK. Full result available via VCL Website.

Mark Newton and Robert Royston successfully negotiated 45 roundabouts in the Anerley Bicycle Club’s 50-mile event at Broadbridge Heath, Sussex, on Sunday. Mark was one of just five riders to go under two hours recording 01.58.28, good enough for 3rd place. Rob came in a very respectable 12th in 02:06:10. Two good rides on a hard day with strong winds. The event winner was Keith Coffey from the BEC in 1.51.38.

Mark Newton travelled North tempted by the potential fast time on the E2 course. Mark found himself warming up with time trialing legends Michael Hutchinson, Ian Cammish and Chaz Hollosi amongst the 150 riders in the event. The weather conditions were not ideal as there was a strong cross wind, Mark battled hard to complete the course in a time of 21.41 (19th place) and winning the group numbers 2 and 7 competition. Michael Hutchinson won in 19.48

The more social able start times of the Agiskoviner.com 50 on H8/50 drew in four Sydenham riders, Ed Rieu was first off completing the two and half laps of the A31 in 2.03.36, Bob Loader next off in a time of 2.30.31 followed by Robert Royston who completed the course in 2.01.51. Mark Newton last man away and only a minute behind Robert was chasing hard, he had targeted the event for a fast time, the course and weather did not disappoint as Mark recorded a PB of 1.53.08 (6th place). The event was won by Laurence Harding of agiskoviner in 1.47.15.

With a massive low pressure over the country and forecasts of high wind and possible heavy rain, four mad members of the club still ventured up to Ugley in Essex for the start of this event. With early start times and heavy cloud it was still only semi light when the members set off. Dave Twin was off at 5.09am and was greeted to light rain and a very damp road surface, thankfully a few miles up the road conditions became dry. Once he had passed the slower riders off in front of him he had a very lonely ride, but was keeping a gauge on Ed Rieu at each turn who was gaining fast until near the end when the wheels came off. The wind got up during the morning a took it’s toll on the final section back to the finish with everyone commenting on how hard it was. The final result was Dave Twin 4.34.50, Ed Rieu 4.33.55, Rob Royston 4.31.40 and Bob Loader 5.23.07. The overall winner was Ken Platts, Cambridge CC in 3.44.34.

Three club members rode this evening event on Tuesday 1st July. Matt Miles won the event in 00:21:03, Rob Royston did a 00:23:02 and Luke Evans recorded 00:25:03. The style prize however has to go to Luke for turning up in an Astana Team car chauffeur driven by a certain Sean yates.

Matt Miles and Robert Robbins rode the 2/3/4 SERRL event on the Edenbridge circuit on Sunday 29th June. Details of the race are sketchy with the exception of the fact that Matt came out on top of the bunch sprint despite being at the back of the bunch with 500m to go. Robert finished further back in the bunch (40th).

There is a cracking photo of Matt crossing the line in victory on the SERRL home page at the moment. Check it out HERE!