Weekly Club Update and Club runs for the weekend of 13th of April

[WorcsPhil]

WEEKLY UPDATE:

Great to see well over 30 riders out on the Big Club Rendezvous #1 at sunny Whitlenge on Sunday...thanks to George for organising this and we'll do it again in high summer, as it's good to say hello to a few new or familiar faces and talk cycling over some food and coffee. Big thanks to Nick Shenton for stepping in and leading the A-ride after Alistair fell ill the night before...also thanks to Matt Hale, George Barker and Dave Cole for leading the B, C and D respectively.

So what else happened at the weekend, a few Beacon riders rode DIY audaxes as usual, and worryingly John Williams seems to be getting into the groove with a sneaky Friday 200, but Carina still leads the way, with just 4 months to go to LEL!!

The TT season is now upon us, and kudos goes to Ed Moss and Simon Dighton who blasted round the Welland course by Malvern as part of the VTTA team to retain the trophy they won last year...great riding, chaps. Don't forget, it's the first Beacon TT this coming Saturday, and it's a corker, the 20mile ride from Shell Ford, starting at 10am...get yourself there, and as usual, every volunteer would be welcome and scores points towards your free kit.

Yesterday also saw Martin Davis returning to road racing and here's a brief report from him, which shows what anguish these racers go through!

So first race of the season yesterday, namely the Casp RT road race on the Throckmorton circuit. I dislocated my shoulder and broke my collar bone riding cross in September, so I had a stark winter choice to sit on the sofa or embrace the dreaded trainer. I chose the latter so I was feeling fairly fit. I'd been marshaling in the morning so had plenty of preparation time for a 2 pm start. What could go wrong? Noodling through Bishampton at 1.45, I heard a weird clunk and looked down to see my chain in the middle of the road with a broken link. Disaster! I'd already ditched my tool kit to save race weight, so I was stumped. I suddenly thought, can I scoot back to my car, cut out the broken link and put in a quick link to still be on the start line in 15 minutes. I almost managed it.

I got to the start 30 seconds too late. Dammit - This is not my day. Simon Hill (the organiser) was just setting off the second race. He asked me what happened and why was I covered in blood. In my rush to repair things, I'd sliced my finger open on the broken chain. He offered to let me start on the second lap of six so I was back in the game. Three riders came past so the break had already gone. It certainly wouldn't have been fair to join the break so I waited for the peloton and finally, my race began. I spent the whole race getting into small groups trying to bridge to the break but being brought back by the main field. Unfortunately I missed the one that got away so had to sprint it out for the minor placings. Frustrating first race of the season, but great fun, so roll on the next race, which is the Echelon 2-dayer at the end of April, involving road races and TT's it should be a good one...if you ever fancy racing on the road, come and join me, or get in contact if you want to know more!

So there you go, and eventful day for Martin to be sure...proving once again that mechanicals are duly timed to create the most havoc.

Keep on cycling everyone and see you out in the sunshine.

Phil