News

Fine drizzle is what lone club representative Dave Twin faced when he went off for his warm up along the course. Thankfully when he started the conditions were improving on the dampness front, but the breezy cross winds and muggy feel did not help the ride, especially having not been back from holiday. Dave eventually finished with a 1.05.39 (26th). The winner was Dan Tolhurst, PMR@Toachim House in 54.02

Very warm, muggy, but cloudy conditions is what the riders were greeted with when they started this two lap of Romney Marsh event. Bob loader was the first of the three Sydenham entrants to start off number 13 on the day. Dave Twin was off number 27 and Richard Birthwhistle number 45. Dave had already passed Bob before he then got held up at one of the level crossings and was then joined by Richard shortly afterwards. Both obviously should have had a faster time if they hadn’t suffered this delay. The times were Bob 2.50.02, Dave 2.08.58 and Richard 2.01.44. Richard therefore wins the Singer Trophy again. The overall winner was again Chris Fennell of Thanet Road Club in another course record of 1.44.00

Steve Thurgood and David Twin once again headed off to ride the Molash course to try and improve on previous attempts this year. Thanks to warmer and less windy conditions both came out with positive results. Steve finishing with 1.02.29 (25th on scratch and on vet standard) and Dave with a 1.02.41 (26th on scratch and 18th on vet standard). As per previous Kent events the winner was Chris Fennel of Thanet Road Club in a course record of 50.21.

There was fog as Steve Thurgood and Dave Twin headed down to their crazy early starts for this nominated event for the Novis Cup. Thankfully for the riders the conditions down on Romney Marsh were still and sunny. The other club rider down to start was Robert Royston but he was a DNS. Steve was first man off at 6.01 and Dave was fourth at 6.04. The first lap was not to bad but both found the second lap hard work due to the increasing wind which made the final section straight into it very hard. Steve finished with 2.12.42 (28th) and Dave with 2.10.55 (27th) to take the silverware. 2nd claim member Ben Wimpory did a 1.53.06 (5th) and the winner was Christopher Fennel of Thanet Road Club who set a course record of 1.45.36.

Despite it being a bright morning when leaving home what greeted the riders at the HQ was like sea mist with strong winds. These winds made the Chilham fork to Ashford section very fast, but the return leg very hard. Dave Twin, the sole first claim representative found it hard going at this point finishing with a disappointing 1.04.35 (69th). Others found the conditions easier including second claim member Mark Newton who finished in 56.54 (13th) and the overall winner Christopher Fennell, Thanet R.C. with 51.16.

Once again the temperature gauge was reading 1 degree on the car as we approached the hall for this event that as per usual had a massive prize list. Unfortunately none of which ended up in the pockets of the 3 Sydenham riders taking part. Yet again Dave Twin was one of the first off and noticed the cold conditions on the decent and to the first turn, eventually finishing in 1.04.52 (61st). Steve Thurgood hit the course next and finished in 1.02.57 (52nd). Last club rider off was Ian O’Hara riding his first time trial in a number of years, finished in 1.02.31 (49th). The course has masses of potholes, but even this didn’t seem to slow down race winner Jonathan Parker, Team Botrill who finished in a new course record of 50.48. The woman’s course record also fell to Bronwen Ewing, Rye and District Wheelers in 59.39 (29th).

Steve Thurgood requested an early start and as David Twin asked to be near Steve on the start sheet as they were travelling together, it resulted in Dave getting an earlier start than Steve. As this was another cold day it was just what was needed! The outward section of the event wasn’t too bad but once you turned you felt the headwind. Dave felt the effects of the cold in the last 5 miles finishing in 1.04.55 (58th). Steve survived better in 1.03.38 (47th). 2nd claim member Doug Bentall finished in 1.06.26 (66th). The overall winner was Conall Yates, In-Gear Quickvit in 53.51. Hopefully weather conditions will improve shortly!

After the mild weather during the week it was a bit of a shock on Saturday afternoon to be greeted by much colder conditions including a hail down pour as Steve Thurgood and Dave Twin got their bikes out of the car. The conditions generally meant a warm up was needed, but probably a longer one than what actually took place. The breeze was also a bit more than expected. As per usual though this didn’t seem to affect a lot of the field with some very fast times being turned out. This included Jon Coulson who did a PB of 56.24 (34th). Steve did a 1.01.07 (68th) and Dave a 1.01.53 (77th). The winner was J.Dewey, Team Bottril in 49.05.

Velouk.net for full result.

After a year of absence due to fog and road works problems this great sporting event actually took place without any problems this year. As per recent weeks the prevailing wind meant that the wind was basically with you on the way out and made things a little tougher on the way back, especially on the last few miles climbing to the finish. Thankfully though it wasn’t that cold. Unfortunately the turnout from the climb wasn’t as good as in previous years with Steve Thurgood and Dave Twin being the only Sydenham representation. Steve did a 1.56.08 (35th) and Dave 1.55.32 (33rd). 2nd claim member Mark Newton didn’t finish due to a puncture. The overall winner was Pete Morris – Team ASL360 in 1.36.32

The shortened course from the previous couple of years remained due to the un-repaired bridge, for this the 52ndt year edition of this local classic. There were 4 first claim and 1 second claim members down on the start sheet, unfortunately on the day Jon Coulson sent his apologies due to illness. The early foggy conditions didn’t completely lift throughout the event making it feel rather chilly. There was also the delights of a headwind on the return leg through the lanes to the finish. The initial results according to the time trials forum are a follows:
2nd claim member Mark Newton – 1.06.36 (22nd).
Richard Birtwhistle – 1.09.19 (35th)
Fergus Clinch – 1.13.03 (49th) – Good result for first attempt at event.
David Twin – 1.27.09. Think this may be an error as the time on the result board was 1.14.09 which would have been 56th!

Firstly, we would like to thank all the volunteers who made the event run so smoothly. The cake baking was at a premium! Secondly, many thanks to all those that rode the 2016 Sydenham Wheelers Reliability Trial. Your support is really appreciated.
A warm(for this time of year) but damp overcast day greeted the 65 riders that took part. Some very positive comments and feedback that we will take into account for next year’s ride.

Hope you all have a successful and safe season and we will see you again next year!

Epsom CC 25 held Sunday 27th September on G25/54 – Not nice heading off to an event when it is basically still dark. On top of that the clear conditions resulted in a warm up ride in foggy, chilly conditions. Robert Royston and Dave Twin were the first pairing off in this nominated trophy event and were greeted with the sun appearing over the horizon on the first of two laps around the revised Horsham course. Although riding smoothly the duo finished in a time of 1.01.17.(7th and last in the teams that started). Ben Wimpory and Jon Coulson also road finishing in 56.28 (3rd). However as Ben is only 2nd claim Sydenham they could not win the trophy. Therefore Robert and Dave win it by default. The winners were James Copeland, Fareham Wheelers and Gary Chambers, Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA in 51.44.

A muggy, warm day with a blustery wind was not completely the conditions that were hoped for on this afternoon event. People were still turning in fast times however with 62 people breaking the hour. Alas the two Sydenham representatives were not amongst them. Dave Twin did his fastest 25 time in a couple of seasons with a 1.00.21 (64th) and Derek Taylor finished in 1.07.00 (94th). 2nd claim member Ben Wimpory was a nonstarter. The Overall winner was James Boyman, Farnham RC in 49.33.

Yet another windy day seemed to slow a lot of riders in the huge field of 143 riders, while others didn’t seem to be affected. There were only two Sydenham representatives have mixed fortunes. Dave Twin managed a 1.03.47 (68th) on the back of a bout of food poisoning. Jon Coulson finished a very respectable 57.06 (14th). 2nd claim member Mark Newton who was down as the ceded rider to beat was a DNS. The event was won by James Boyman of the promoting club in a time of 50.25, more than three and a half minutes faster than the next man!

It was a bit misty on the drive down and sole first claim member Dave Twin was hopeful of a calm day to ride this rolling course with a number of roundabouts. However there still seemed to be a bit of a breeze out on the course. The Southborough & District were apparently using this as a club trophy event. As a result 2nd claim member Doug Bentall was riding and finished with a 1.05.06 (28th) which was only 40 seconds off his PB for a 25. Dave eventually finished with a 1.02.57 (19th). The event was won by Pete Tadros, In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT in 53.15.

Due to the main A2070 road onto the Marsh being closed some riders were in a bit of a rush to make the their start times. It was as usual a blustery experience for all that started with Pete Mahoney being one that didn’t. Before the start 2nd claim member Ben Wimpory was asking advice on how he should ride his first 50. It wasn’t really necessary as he finished in 1.54.50 (3rd). Others taking place had mixed results. Richard Birtwhistle did a 2.03.29 (17th) and was disappointed. Dave Twin was very disappointed with his 2.15.17 (29th) and was beaten by one position by 2nd claim member Doug Bentall in 2.15.07 (28th). Finally Paul Delicata was pleased with his PB of 2.18.29 (34th). The winner was Jonathan Parker PMR@Toachim House who set a new course record of 1.47.13.

The conditions were a lot better than when Pete Mahoney and Dave Twin rode it a few weeks earlier. Conditions were dry, but the blustery breeze was mainly against you on the long leg towards Ashford. This time however Pete went slightly slower with a 59.17 (29th), David went slightly quicker with 1.02.45 (51st) and Kevin Beament did a 1.04.49 (61st) on the back of a cold. The winning time was 54.26 by Alex Kirk of Dulwich Paragon.

5 Sydenham riders took on the challenge of effectively riding the Harrietsham 25 course twice. Although the day was bright, the wind gradually got up during the event making the Ashford to Leeds leg a lot harder the second time around. Due to the constant up down nature of this sporting course you never seem to achieve quick times on this course, which makes the winning time of Jonathan Parker, PMR@Toachimhouse of 1.51.51 even more remarkable. The Sydenham riders times were as follows; Bob Loader – 3.01.22 (37th), Paul Delicata – 2.29.58 (31st), Pete Mahoney – 2.09.48 (16th), Robert Royston – 2.19.40 (25th), due to issues with the set up on his new time trial bike and Dave Twin – 2.16.08 (20th).