HomeEventsResultsGroup NotesRecordsTrophiesStandardsLinksDocumentsThis page last updated 4 November 2009 © Copyright Wessex VTTA 2009 |
VETERANS' TIME TRIALS ASSOCIATIONWESSEX GROUPGroup Notes4th November 2009by Ken BloweA successful End – to – End ride with a difference was achieved by Claire Newman and Sue Longland during the summer. They decided to ride from the North coast of France down to the Mediterranean in the South as a variation on the usual ride in this country. However this was no race but a very pleasant few days in mostly good warm weather conditions avoiding main roads and hilly areas.Ray Gee (Sotonia CC) celebrated his 80th birthday on 29th July at a party laid on by his running club (as you all no doubt know he is a very good successful long distance specialist still winning awards in half & full marathons). In a complete change from last year’s awful wet weather on August Bank Holiday Sunday this year’s event over 25 miles took place in decent conditions – fine, fairly warm & without any real wind. Almost three quarters of the eighty entrants (including two tricyclists & two tandem pairs) were Veteran riders and in all 22 of the finishers beat the hour. Fastest team with 2.53.05 was In-Gear Quickvit RT with Ian Burgess, James Brickell 57.54 and Juliette Clark (fastest lady rider) 59.08 whilst the Team award on Standard was won by Bognor Regis CC with Dave Patten + 14.15 & Don Lambert + 9.37 combining with Roy Fairchild for + 43.20. Although this years entry for the GP des Gents 2Up TTT over 25 miles was down in numbers (possibly due to the series of postal strikes around the country) the quality of the field was excellent, Of the 20 teams who finished (out of a total of twenty three entered) seven achieved times under 55 minutes & another six beat the hour on a fine still yet coldish day when the temperature just about climbed to double figures by the end of the event. The fastest three times were all recorded by composite teams. Julian Jenkinson & Paul Jones (51.23) were first, Mick St Leger and Simon Berogna second (51.45) & Glenn Longland & Steve Whitewick third (52.17). Jack Brown & Jonathan Hepper were clear overall winners on Standard with + 28.23 (57.15) with Terry Icke & Max Baldock second + 26.41 (4th fastest 52.49) & Glenn & Steve third + 20.59. Incidentally a talk with Julian Jenkinson & Steve Whitewick after the event resulted in both of them joining the Group for next year and we can look forward to them contributing to the Group’s successes especially as Julian stepped up to longer distance events in 2009 and achieved 3rd place in the CTT National 12 hour event and 4th place in the CTT National BBAR which was won by Nik Bowdler for the second year in succession. His times of 1.40.01 and 3.37.08 at 50 and 100 miles respectively together with 287.89 Miles at 12 hours gave him an average speed of 27.206 just fractionally slower than last year. For the first time since I have been associated with Wessex Group I cannot recall that we have had three National VTTA Champions in the same year. Brief details of many more fine rides, too numerous to incorporate in these notes, can be seen on our website www.wessexvtta.org.uk in the Group Notes section. On the less serious side of our sport I have some news of past National Chairman Eddie Green. He tells me he recently broke his wrist in an accident involving his fishing rod whilst taking part in a match fishing competition. The AGM took place on November 1st with a better attendance than in the past few years. All Group officials were re-elected (no surprise ) and the one good thing coming about from the discussion on 2010 events was that everyone agreed that it is time to rethink the format of our long established 2 Up TTT. Next years event has already been arranged with Peter Warhurst taking over the duties of Event Secretary. Will members please note that the Group’s Annual; Luncheon & Prize Presentation will take place at The Rose Bowl, Hedge End, Southampton on Sunday,14th February, 2010 - 12 noon for 1 pm.
|