Once again it rained heavily during the day but conveniently stopped pouring down with sufficient time to ensure that all but the tree covered roads were dry in time for Round 13 of the Briercliffe 10.
The 13th running of the 2013 Briercliffe 10 series proved to be anything but unlucky for the six riders who posted their best times around the course; with two of the riders breaking the magic 24 minute mark for the first time on this challenging SPOCO course.
This week the fastest Nomad was Gavin Ashfield who was one of the riders who broke the 24 minute mark with a 23:52.
James Gomm edged out Simon Doyle by just 11 seconds to round off the top three, with Gomm posting his fastest time around the course. Sadly for Gomm it appears that "Dry July" is having a positive effect on his cycling, so it is unlikely that he will improve on this time this season as all remaining Briercliffe 10's fall outside of this "window of opportunity".
Kieran Todd and Richard Serradinho also posted their fastest times around the course this year as did CC Ashwell's Justin Layne who was the other rider to post a sub-24 minute time. His first but probably not the last.
Number 13 did prove to be an unlucky number for Leanne Cutler who undoubtedly would have improved on her debut time last week, had it not been for a missed turn into Southill which required a U-Turn.
Thanks this week goes out to Frank Turner for timekeeping, Geoff Perry for pushing off and it was nice to have support from Ann Collins and Andrew Stevenson who came out to cheers the riders on.
Next week's Briercliffe 10 starts at the earlier time of 18:30.
Nomads
G Ashfield 23:52, J Gomm 24:23 (CB), S Doyle 24:34, N Hickman 25:41, M Collins 27:24, R Serradhino 27:33 (CB), K Todd 28:15 (CSB), D Summerell 29:40, S Smith 30:12, L Cutler 31:26*
*Off course
Non-Nomads
J Layne 23.56 (CCA), J Roots 28:01 (BRCC) (CB),
S Robinson & R Robinson (2-Up) 27:08 (TSE)
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Monday, 29 July 2013
The Worlds are not enough
Hitchin Nomads CC were represented on the global stage this weekend by Nick Senechal and Nick Hickman. Both were competing in the Brompton World Cup which took place around the Goodwood racing circuit. In a field of 800 riders, Hickman placed 84th and Senechal placed 5th veteran. Hickman placed 12th in the elimination event.
Yet another example of the diversity and range of activies the Nomads get up to.
The World Crown was retained by Michael Hutchinson (a regular to the Hitchin Nomads CC open time trials).
Yet another example of the diversity and range of activies the Nomads get up to.
The World Crown was retained by Michael Hutchinson (a regular to the Hitchin Nomads CC open time trials).
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| Hickman in action in the elimination race. |
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| Senechal (l) and Hickman (r) |
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Briercliffe 10 23/07/2013 - Evening Series Round 12 - Report
If you had checked the BBC weather forecast as recently as Monday afternoon, you would have seen that round 12 of the Briecliffe 10 series was due to be a washout with torrential rain and thunder storms. Instead, those who turned up found dry roads with overcast (but dry) conditions. Perhaps if the BBC spent less time obsessing about just one of the 2037 babies born in the UK yesterday and more time developing forecast models then we would be able to know which clothes to wear in the morning.
Once again the fastest Nomad tonight was Andrew Herbert who completed the course just 1 second slower than last week with a 23:23.
Simon Doyle clocked the second fastest time of the evening with his best time around the course this season and James Gomm rounded off the top three.
Well done to Leanne Cutler who competed in her first Briercliffe 10. Leanne has now set a benchmark for the rest of the series and will inevitably spend the whole of winter obsessing about where to shave off precious seconds along with the rest of us.
The Bromptoneers were out once again ahead of this weekends World Championship. Nick Hickman recorded a faster time than last week, but suspiciously took exactly the same amount of time to unfold his bike, leading to speculation about how Nick spends his evenings. Nick was joined by fellow BWC hopeful Ian Prestwell who rode the course for the first time.
Thanks this week goes out to Frank Turner for timekeeping and pushing off.
Nomads
A Herbert 23:23, S Doyle 24:16 (CSB), J Gomm 25:17, M Webb 25:59 (CSB), N Senechal 26:28 (CSB), J Traynor 26:44, D Rickells 27:03 (PB), N Took 27:32 (CSB), M Collins 27:43, R Serradhino 27:59, N Wilson 28:38 (CSB), L Cutler 30:17 (PB), N Hickman 30:50 (Brompton), Steve Smith 30:51.
Non-Nomads
J Stuart 23.20 (CCA), J Roots 28:20 (BRCC), L Roots 30:25 (BRCC), I Prestwell 32:15 (Brompton - Unattached)
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
Once again the fastest Nomad tonight was Andrew Herbert who completed the course just 1 second slower than last week with a 23:23.
Simon Doyle clocked the second fastest time of the evening with his best time around the course this season and James Gomm rounded off the top three.
Well done to Leanne Cutler who competed in her first Briercliffe 10. Leanne has now set a benchmark for the rest of the series and will inevitably spend the whole of winter obsessing about where to shave off precious seconds along with the rest of us.
The Bromptoneers were out once again ahead of this weekends World Championship. Nick Hickman recorded a faster time than last week, but suspiciously took exactly the same amount of time to unfold his bike, leading to speculation about how Nick spends his evenings. Nick was joined by fellow BWC hopeful Ian Prestwell who rode the course for the first time.
Thanks this week goes out to Frank Turner for timekeeping and pushing off.
Nomads
A Herbert 23:23, S Doyle 24:16 (CSB), J Gomm 25:17, M Webb 25:59 (CSB), N Senechal 26:28 (CSB), J Traynor 26:44, D Rickells 27:03 (PB), N Took 27:32 (CSB), M Collins 27:43, R Serradhino 27:59, N Wilson 28:38 (CSB), L Cutler 30:17 (PB), N Hickman 30:50 (Brompton), Steve Smith 30:51.
Non-Nomads
J Stuart 23.20 (CCA), J Roots 28:20 (BRCC), L Roots 30:25 (BRCC), I Prestwell 32:15 (Brompton - Unattached)
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Race Report - Verulam CC Open 25 mile time trial - 21 July 2013
The Hitchin Nomads CC time trial squad were in action again in the Verulam CC promoted 25 mile time trial. Based on the F1/25 which is headquartered at Tempsford, the course heads south from Tempsford village, north to Buckden and then returns to Tempsford. The Nomads team consisted entirely of committee members, Time Trial Secretary, James Gomm, Touring Secretary, Nick Hickman and Club Captain, Simon Doyle.
Personal Bests
James Gomm was first off and was aiming to improve on what was a modest personal best for the distance of around 1h 06m. Gomm smashed this time and broke the hour mark for the distance for the first time. The clock stopped at 59m 37s - hopefully this is great sign of things to come for the future. Simon Doyle and Nick Hickman were off later in the field. Doyle set a time of 57m 24s, a lifetime personal best by over 40 seconds. Having not ridden the F1/25 course for the best part of a decade this was an impressive time and further reinforces his previous sub-hour course on the more undulating F14/25 around Guilden Morden.
Nick Hickman was "Tail End Charlie" but he also PB'd by a huge margin and narrowly missing the hour mark. Hickman returned with a time of 1h 00m 17s which was well inside his target time of 1h 02m 30s and signals a significant improvement at the discipline. A sub-hour ride beckons for Hickman soon.
The aggregate time for the team was one of the quickest recorded for some time, another sign that the Nomads time triallists are maturing and improving like a fine wine (although James Gomm would prefer us to compare the team to a fine Appletiser or Mocktail as he persists with Dry July - it's obviously working).
Simon Doyle 57.24, James Gomm 59.37, Nick Hickman 1.00.17
Aggregate time: 2.57.18
Full results - Open25Results.pdf (from Verulam CC). Peter Lawrence of Team MDT won the event with a time of 51.24.
Personal Bests
James Gomm was first off and was aiming to improve on what was a modest personal best for the distance of around 1h 06m. Gomm smashed this time and broke the hour mark for the distance for the first time. The clock stopped at 59m 37s - hopefully this is great sign of things to come for the future. Simon Doyle and Nick Hickman were off later in the field. Doyle set a time of 57m 24s, a lifetime personal best by over 40 seconds. Having not ridden the F1/25 course for the best part of a decade this was an impressive time and further reinforces his previous sub-hour course on the more undulating F14/25 around Guilden Morden.
Nick Hickman was "Tail End Charlie" but he also PB'd by a huge margin and narrowly missing the hour mark. Hickman returned with a time of 1h 00m 17s which was well inside his target time of 1h 02m 30s and signals a significant improvement at the discipline. A sub-hour ride beckons for Hickman soon.
The aggregate time for the team was one of the quickest recorded for some time, another sign that the Nomads time triallists are maturing and improving like a fine wine (although James Gomm would prefer us to compare the team to a fine Appletiser or Mocktail as he persists with Dry July - it's obviously working).
Simon Doyle 57.24, James Gomm 59.37, Nick Hickman 1.00.17
Aggregate time: 2.57.18
Full results - Open25Results.pdf (from Verulam CC). Peter Lawrence of Team MDT won the event with a time of 51.24.
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Briercliffe 10 16/07/2013 - Evening Series Round 11 - Report
With temperatures creeping up to 30 degrees Centigrafe at the start, Round 11 of the Briercliffe 10 series was as much of a war of attrition as it was a battle against the clock. Still, this didn't deter the riders with all but three* competitors recording either a season or personal best for the course.
*One rider's diminished performance was very much self inflicted (see below).
The fastest Nomad tonight was Andrew Herbert who rode his fastest ever time around the course with a 23:22, which is the fastest time recorded by a Nomad this year.
Andy Saunders came in second with his fastest time of the season and Simon Doyle rolled in third.
Ryan Witchell improved once again to record the fastest time of the evening and dipped under the 23 minute mark for the first time. A truly stunning performance.
Nick Hickman is once again fine tuning his training for the Brompton World Championships and rode the event on his folding bicycle. Nick's time of 31:54 includes unfolding the bike (16 seconds) but was a few seconds short of his best Brompton time from last year of 31:00 (including folding time).
Thanks this week goes out to Nigel Wilson and Richard Bland for timekeeping/ pushing off and also to the many who came out to support.
Thanks to Sue Clifford-Smith for the images.
Nomads
A Herbert 23:22 (CB), A Saunders 24.26 (CSB), S Doyle 24:47, J Gomm 24:54, J Traynor 26:23 (PB), M Webb 26:37 (CSB), M Coillins 27:23 (PB), R Serradinho 27:48 (PB), K Todd 28:50 (CSB), D Summerell 29:06 (CSB), S Smith 29:56 (CSB), N Hickman 31:54 (inc. 16s assembly).
Non-Nomads
R Witchell, Welwyn Wh. 22.57 (CB)
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
*One rider's diminished performance was very much self inflicted (see below).
The fastest Nomad tonight was Andrew Herbert who rode his fastest ever time around the course with a 23:22, which is the fastest time recorded by a Nomad this year.
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| Andrew Herbert - fastest performance on this course. |
Andy Saunders came in second with his fastest time of the season and Simon Doyle rolled in third.
Ryan Witchell improved once again to record the fastest time of the evening and dipped under the 23 minute mark for the first time. A truly stunning performance.
Nick Hickman is once again fine tuning his training for the Brompton World Championships and rode the event on his folding bicycle. Nick's time of 31:54 includes unfolding the bike (16 seconds) but was a few seconds short of his best Brompton time from last year of 31:00 (including folding time).
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| Nick Hickman prior to being harangued at the 7 mile mark by the Club Captain. |
Thanks this week goes out to Nigel Wilson and Richard Bland for timekeeping/ pushing off and also to the many who came out to support.
Thanks to Sue Clifford-Smith for the images.
Nomads
A Herbert 23:22 (CB), A Saunders 24.26 (CSB), S Doyle 24:47, J Gomm 24:54, J Traynor 26:23 (PB), M Webb 26:37 (CSB), M Coillins 27:23 (PB), R Serradinho 27:48 (PB), K Todd 28:50 (CSB), D Summerell 29:06 (CSB), S Smith 29:56 (CSB), N Hickman 31:54 (inc. 16s assembly).
Non-Nomads
R Witchell, Welwyn Wh. 22.57 (CB)
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Briercliffe 10 09/07/2013 - Evening Series Round 10 - Report
The Nomads were once again treated to a warm summer evening for Round 10 of the 2013 Briercliffe 10 series. This may be a worrying trend that could almost be mistaken for summer*. There was a strong field of riders who came out to compete in the warm conditions which saw a slight headwind up Growers.
*Although "Summer" has not been experienced directly by anyone on the starting line, conditions did resemble those referenced in fabled songs of forgotten times.
The fastest rider of the night was Ryan Witchell who chipped another 11 seconds of his previous course best to come home with a 23:20.
Andrew Herbert clocked the second quickest time, with his best time around the course this year, and Gavin Ashfield rolled in third, also with his best time around the course.
Congratulations to all the riders who posted their best efforts of the year, but particually to Jon Traynor and David Rickels who posted PB's over 10 miles for any course. In fact of the 15 starters there were 2 PB's over 10 miles, 3 PB's on the Briercliffe 10 course and another 5 seasons best around the course (see times for riders).
Once again thanks goes out to Frank Turner, James Spence, Geoff Perry and Charlie Pugh for timekeeping/pushing off and to all those who came out to support.
Nomads
A Herbert 23:34 (CSB), G Ashfield 24.05 (CB), S Doyle 24:26, J Gomm 24:52, J Traynor 26:49 (PB), W Richards 26:49 (CB), M Webb 27:12, D Rickels 27:50 (PB), B Wilson 28:00, N Wilson 28:51 (CSB), D Summerell 29:50, S Smith 30:32 (CSB), M Collins (CSB) 30:40*.
*Off course
Non-Nomads
R Witchell, Welwyn Wh. 23.20 (CB), B Wright (BRCC) 27:28
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
*Although "Summer" has not been experienced directly by anyone on the starting line, conditions did resemble those referenced in fabled songs of forgotten times.
The fastest rider of the night was Ryan Witchell who chipped another 11 seconds of his previous course best to come home with a 23:20.
Andrew Herbert clocked the second quickest time, with his best time around the course this year, and Gavin Ashfield rolled in third, also with his best time around the course.
Congratulations to all the riders who posted their best efforts of the year, but particually to Jon Traynor and David Rickels who posted PB's over 10 miles for any course. In fact of the 15 starters there were 2 PB's over 10 miles, 3 PB's on the Briercliffe 10 course and another 5 seasons best around the course (see times for riders).
Once again thanks goes out to Frank Turner, James Spence, Geoff Perry and Charlie Pugh for timekeeping/pushing off and to all those who came out to support.
Nomads
A Herbert 23:34 (CSB), G Ashfield 24.05 (CB), S Doyle 24:26, J Gomm 24:52, J Traynor 26:49 (PB), W Richards 26:49 (CB), M Webb 27:12, D Rickels 27:50 (PB), B Wilson 28:00, N Wilson 28:51 (CSB), D Summerell 29:50, S Smith 30:32 (CSB), M Collins (CSB) 30:40*.
*Off course
Non-Nomads
R Witchell, Welwyn Wh. 23.20 (CB), B Wright (BRCC) 27:28
PB - Personal Best
CB - Course Best
CSB - Course Season's Best
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Time trial round up - 07 July 2013
Results: Andrew Herbert 22.00 (8th), Simon Doyle 22.46 (20th), James Gomm 23.38 (39th), Michael Webb 24.33 (52nd), Warren Richards 24.44 (54th), David Rossall 32.39 (puncture) (79th).
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
David Gudgin 26 Round 4 - 02/07/2013
The last of the David Gudgin Series had threatened to be a wet one however the rain stopped a couple of hours before the start and the riders were at least treated to a dry ride.
The temperature was cool for the time of year and there was a strong Southerly wind to push the riders up Growers. It was commented at the start line though that the conditions were nice...
...for March.
Simon Doyle was the fastest Nomad on the night with James Gomm second and Nick Hickman third.
Several riders posted their fastest time for the series on the revised 26 mile version of the course. Congratulations go to Steve Smith, Nigel Wilson, Simon Young, Jon Traynor, Nick Hickman and James Gomm.
Neil JJ Fraser of Stevenage CC posted the fastest time of the evening which was also his fasted time of the series.
Thanks goes to James Spence, Frank Turner and Geoff Perry for timekeeping and pushing off.
With the nights now drawing in the remainder of the evening TT's will be contested over 10 miles.
Nomads (26 miles)
S Doyle 1.04.51, J Gomm 1.06.01, N Hickman 1.07.25, J Traynor 1.11.28, S Young 1.11.50, D Rickles 1.11.51, N Wilson 1.14.15, S Smith 1.20.14
Guest Riders
N JJ Fraser (Stevenage CC) 1.03.29, P French (Freedom Tri) 1.13.18*, M Burr (Verulam CC)1.13.56.
* Off course
The temperature was cool for the time of year and there was a strong Southerly wind to push the riders up Growers. It was commented at the start line though that the conditions were nice...
...for March.
Simon Doyle was the fastest Nomad on the night with James Gomm second and Nick Hickman third.
Several riders posted their fastest time for the series on the revised 26 mile version of the course. Congratulations go to Steve Smith, Nigel Wilson, Simon Young, Jon Traynor, Nick Hickman and James Gomm.
Neil JJ Fraser of Stevenage CC posted the fastest time of the evening which was also his fasted time of the series.
Thanks goes to James Spence, Frank Turner and Geoff Perry for timekeeping and pushing off.
With the nights now drawing in the remainder of the evening TT's will be contested over 10 miles.
Nomads (26 miles)
S Doyle 1.04.51, J Gomm 1.06.01, N Hickman 1.07.25, J Traynor 1.11.28, S Young 1.11.50, D Rickles 1.11.51, N Wilson 1.14.15, S Smith 1.20.14
Guest Riders
N JJ Fraser (Stevenage CC) 1.03.29, P French (Freedom Tri) 1.13.18*, M Burr (Verulam CC)1.13.56.
* Off course
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