Saturday 30 March 2013

Beginners' Time Trial - Taster Session Report - 30 March 2013

Despite freezing conditions, the Nomads' time trial taster session proved popular. The aim of the session was to encourage riders new to time trialling to come and find out a little bit more about how to do it, what to do and to ride around with more experienced riders to get a feel for parts of the club course. Riders were then given the opportunity to have a go a short (5 mile) loop based on the first half of the club "10" course.

Nick Hickman and next week's Sunday lunch at the start
The morning included coaching on how to use the watches and on the logistics of running an event - tutilege was provided by old hand Frank Turner.

Two junior HNCC Go Ride students, Luke Senechal and Saffron Fraser progressed brilliantly around the course.

Newcomer John Daly gained insight in to the discipline under the watchful eye of Paul Riley and Nick Hickman.

Paul Riley catching a glimpse of the sun and then falling in to a trance.
Timekeeping was performed by Nick Hickman, with Frank keeping an eye on Nick's timekeeping L-plates. Paul Riley and Simon Doyle marshalled and supported the event. Nick Senechal and Neil Fraser rode "shotgun" around the course and provided guidance and supervision.

Times (approx 5 miles)
J Daly, 15.52

Juniors
L Senechal, 20.25, S Fraser, 26.11

Friday 29 March 2013

Race Report - Welwyn Hilly - 29 March 2013

Hitchin Nomads CC were out in force today (29 March 2013) as participants in the annual Welwyn Hilly sporting time trial.

Good Friday traditionally sees some of the country's leading time triallists compete on a sporting course around a Codicote-Hitchin-Offley-Kimpton circuit. The climbs to Offley and Horn Hill, Kimpton are enough to challenge the best climbers: the technical, rolling road sections need strength and stamina. The winner of this event really has to demonstrate excellent all round technical and physical excellence.

With ice persisting on some aspects of the course, the organisers modified the route, shortening it to 22.5 miles. The revised course took in 1,362ft of climbing, the nastiest ascent coming in the last half mile.


Clive Collins

Nick Senechal

Nick Hickman

Simon Doyle

Nigel Wilson


The event was promoted and superbly marshalled by Welwyn Wheelers.

Pictures from Janice Wilson.

Results
S Doyle, 1h.00m.54s, N Hickman, 1.13.44, N Senechal 1.14.23, N Wilson 1.16.25, C Collins 1.18.06. .

The event was won by former GB Academy rider Joe Perret (Team IG Sigma Sport) in 50.53.

Monday 25 March 2013

Beginners' Time Trial - Taster Session - 30 March 2013

Hitchin Nomads will be running an introduction to time trials session on Saturday morning (30 March 2013). Riders will be given a guided ride around the club's 10 mile circuit and will then have the opportunity to take part in a time trial based on a shorter version of the course, i.e. around 5 miles.

If you are interested in attending please contact us at info@hitchin-nomads.co.uk

Meet to the north of Southill on the road which leads through Keeper's Wood (as though you were heading to Old Warden village.

Guided ride will be from 0900h. Time Trial first rider off 10.01h.

Junior riders welcome - n.b. signed CTT parental consent forms are required for under 18s.

Keep an eye on the weather, if it is unduly inclement we will post a notice here.

Members £2, non-members £4.


View Larger Map

Tuesday 19 March 2013

British Cycling Go Ride Conference 2013

Hitchin Nomads CC were represented at the recent British Cycling Go Ride Conference by Nick Senechal (Chair), Simon Doyle (Captain) and James Spence (Welfare Officer). The event, which took place on 17 March 2013 in Reading, is part of BC's outreach programme and featured a number of workstreams focusing on working in the community; child-centred coaching and also dealing with some of the subtleties and issues in safeguarding young or vulnerable people who may take part in club events.

The conference plenary session was used to restate what a great year 2012 was for BC and cycling in general.

BC's membership is now around the 70,000 mark, which makes it a force to be reckoned with from a lobbying and policy perspective alone. The emphasis for this year's conference programme has been on engaging with volunteers and recognising their efforts. A number of awards and accreditations were made.

BC's Director for Coaching, Education and Development, John Mills emphasised how important the coaching and volunteer community are and he went on to make direct links to the success on the velodrome in London 2012 to the Go Ride programme.

James Spence (Welfare Officer) standing next to Sir Chris Hoy's Olympic winning track bike

HNCC Chairman, Nick Senechal commented, "The Go Ride Conference is an important way of helping the club and its officials up to date with the latest developments in the sport. The attendance of our officials at such events helps build on our excellent network with the country's governing body as well as ensures that we all develop our own personal development plans and continuing education."

HNCC Club Captain and Coach, Simon Doyle added, "The ability to network with other club's coaches and to share and swap best practice is invaluable. As a club we are developing a lot of material and ideas at the moment and it is good to see and hear how others have gone about building on cycling's new found fame and interest." From a welfare perspective, James Spence was a key contributor to the safeguarding discussions and is bringing many years of professional expertise to bear in his voluntary role with the club.

All former Go Ride and British Cycling participants - Clancy, Burke, Kennaugh, Thomas at London 2012


For Editors.

Hitchin Nomads CC is affiliated to British Cycling's Central Division. The club is based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire and was founded in 1931

British Cycling is the governing body for cycling in England.

Go Ride is part of British Cycling's framework to increase participation and skills in cycling. Various conference write ups are available at the Go Ride pages.

Sunday 17 March 2013

2up Team Time Trial Result - 17 March 2013

Cold and wet conditions greeted riders on a revised version of the popular Nomads 25 mile time trial course. This early season leg stretcher saw members from a number of local clubs brave the elements and to chance their arms against the clock.
 
Jason Stuart and Neil JJ Fraser of the Ashwell and Stevenage clubs respectively recorded a 1hr 03m 18 sec time, but it was Nick Hickman and Richard Serradinho of Hitchin Nomads who claimed the club's prize.
 
Nomads Andy Herbert and Mike Webb took the opportunity to ride the event as solo rides, setting an early benchmark for their forthcoming season.

Frank Turner officiated.
 
Results
Richard Serradhino & Nick Hickman, 1:17:10, John Traynor, Andy Traynor DNF.
 
Solo - Andy Herbert, 1:06:19, Mike Webb, 1:16:21.
 
Guest riders
2 Up - Neil Fraser (Stevenage CC) & Jason Stuart (CC Ashwell), 1:03:18.    
Solo - Warren Richards (unaffiliated ) - 1:21:04.
 

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Modification to time trial courses


Due to some inconveniently placed road works on the B658 between Shefford and the turning to Southill, we have been forced to use a modified version of the 25 mile course for the 2-Up time trial on 17/03/2013 (this Sunday) and the Medium Gear on 23/03/2013 (the following Saturday). 

The course will now be a modified version of the Briercliffe 10 course and will be as follows:

START on west side of unclassified road (Old Warden-Southill) at GR 151428 and proceed northwards to T-junction at Old Warden. 
TURN LEFT to Cardington junctions where LEFT and continue under disused railway bridge and through Ireland where LEFT uphill and LEFT to triangle. 
BEAR LEFT over humpback bridge and continue to junction where LEFT through Southill village to Broom cross roads.
TURN LEFT onto B658 and go North to G&M Growers where LEFT to Old Warden through village
Continue through village, past Southill-Old Warden and Cardington junctions to disused railway bridge where left uphill and left at junction to triangle where left over hump back bridge.  Continue and take first left through Southill village to Broom cross roads where left onto B658.  Repeat circuit once more via Broom cross roads and continue to GM Growers and Old Warden to Southill-Old Warden junction 
LEFT into starting road to
FINISH on east side of road at GR 146432

To simplify:

START at the 10 mile TT (1U/10) start that we use for the evening 10 mile series
DO three laps of the 10 mile loop from Old Warden-Ireland-Southill-GM Growers Roundabout-Old Warden
ON the THIRD time through Old Warden (I.E so you have gone up Shuttleworth Hill 3 times) turn left as you exit the village onto the road used for the finish of the Briercliffe 10 finish between the trees
FINISH as you would for the 25 course. 

This comes out at 26 miles, however these two events are based on format (i.e. two riders on a team or a bike with a gear ration of 72" or less) rather than a handicapped time against a standard, so the extra mile will not be an issue (to the organisers, your legs may have another opinion.......)

Frank will be on the 10 course start line at 8:30am.

Nomads Going Beyond Cyclo Sportive - 19 May 2013

Stunning scenery and a joy to ride

The Go Beyond Charity Cyclo Sportive in conjunction with Hitchin Nomads and in association with the charity Teach Africa has 50 and 80 mile course options which have been highly acclaimed in previous years. Back for a third successive year in 2013.

The event builds on the course features of 2011 & 2012 which put paid to the rumours that there are no decent hills in East Anglia.

Entry Information - Go Beyond

The event combines a great start location, well stocked feed stations, stunning scenery, and free refreshments post ride - what could be better!

Where: Hitchin Rugby Club, Old Hale Way, Hitchin SG5 1XL, for information on getting to the start venue and travel options click here.

When: 19th May 2013. Registration from 07.30; Starts from 09.00 to 09.30.
Entry Fees: £25.00

Parking: There is plenty of free parking.

What to wear: Bike helmets are mandatory.

Course: For the course map click here.

Drinks & Refreshments: There are 2 Gu aid stations on the 80 mile course. Well stocked with water, Gu energy gels, Jelly Babies and the famous Go Beyond Cake there is also free tea, coffee and snacks at the finish.

Don't forget: Bike, bike helmet, bike shoes, drinks bottles and it is your responsibility to ensure that your bike is mechanically sound and event ready.

Teach Africa Fundraising: To secure your free Race Entry all you need to do is commit to raising £200, which includes gift aid.

Saturday 9 March 2013

Spring Hilly 2013 Results

The Nomads' time trial season kicked off on with the Spring Hilly race which takes in two laps of the Whitwell road race circuit. The sporting course features a series of technical climbs and descents with riders topping out their maximum speeds as they enter Whitwell.

The weather conditions were cold and overcast but it did nothing to dampen spirits as riders braced themselves for another year of competition. Nick Hickman and Nick Senechal claimed sub-hour times and less than two minutes separated Jon Traynor, Nigel Wilson and Clive Collins. Chris Pearce of CC Ashwell also went under the hour.

Simon Doyle held on to top spot to repeat his victory of 2012. Strong performances were also posted by Team SalesEngine riders with Sam Hayes carrying his form from the North Road Hardriders over in to the Nomads event. Steve Robinson and Paul King (in team time tiral mode) rode strongly and at one stage were engaged in a ding-dong battle with Doyle on the Codicote Road section of the course. Despite King suffering a puncture with a couple of miles to go, the pair were still very close to the magic sub-50 minute mark.

Frank Turner officiated and also provided post race sustenance and coffee.

Results - Spring Hilly 09/03/2013
S Doyle 50.21, , N Senechal 59.11, N Hickman 59.41, J Traynor 1.05.56, N Wilson 1.06.04, C Collins 1.07.05.

Guest Riders
S Hayes TSE 48.21, S Robinson and P King TSE (2up) 50.37, C Pearce CCA 58.08.


Saturday 2 March 2013

March events 2013

Club runs:
24 March Wimpole Hall

24 March
Family and Newcomers Ride:
Start: 10.00
Meet at the junction of Purwell Lane and Kingswood Avenue, Hitchin (access to the Greenway).
If you fancy a ride out from Hitchin centre or want further information, please call Nick Senechal on01462 641745.

Turbo Training
Every Tuesday, from 20.00 for a 20.15 start, at Hitchin RFC (Pavilion Room).
Bring your own turbo trainer.

Off-Road Ride
Every Thursday evening starting at 18.45.
See Facebook, or contact Nick Hickman on 01462 850868 for details and meeting point.

Start of the season’s Time Trials

Saturday 9 March
Spring Hilly 6Z/10 start: 09.00

Sunday 17 March
Two Up Team TT 1U/25 Start: 09.00

Saturday 23 March
Medium Gear 72” 1U/25 Start: 09.00

Saturday 30 March
Beginners Time Trial session
To be held in Old Warden – details to be confirmed
Start: 10.00