Hog Hill

Well that's it folks: 2010 season has finished.
How did I do.
3rd in Sport class, 4th in street.
I couldn't have beaten the next person up, they were / are just too strong and canny for me. I didn't manage to pick up best newcomer, that went to Adam, a young and very fit junior on a stick bike. He beat me in most races this year but I beat him in the championship as I did more races. I'm disappointed of course but he is a worthy winner, so well done Adam.
And don't forget I also went to the worlds in Jersey this year.
In summary, it's been enjoyable, knackering, challanging, satisfying and frustrating.
Plans for 2011...
Do it all again, finish first to get a trophy! Big words I know, just don't bet against me ;-)
MBG

Hog Hill

Hog Hill, Chigwell, Essex, East Laaaandan init!
Just arrived at circuit. A little early. When I woke this morning aftter a late night my bed was warm and comfy...

But I had to come. I'll either race today (depending on who else is racing in class) or help organise so I can organise a race for the club next season. It's cloudy and cold down here so not very inviting for a hard race. We shall see.
Laters
MBG

Hillingdon Race

Off down to Hillingdon again. I like the circuit, this being the third visit, but it is a good venue with a really challenging and exciting bend (what I call the bottom bend and others call the bomb crater). This time Tanya was with me, along with her mountain bike. Holly was away on a school geography field trip to Dorset and we were off for a curry that evening with some great friends. So she reluctantly agreed to take part.

Getting two bikes ready was a bit of a faff but I managed to get some warm up laps in. No Squeaks!!! Woo Hoo. Even IanP noticed the lack. So this was good.

A one lap time trial was first and we all lined up. When I got my turn I pushed hard, only to realise I was in the wrong gear and couldn't get clipped in either. It took me a good 30-40m before I finally clipped in and could get away. Not a clean start. I did my lap, albeit not very quickly and it seemed at first when the results were published that Tanya had beaten me by 10 seconds or so. Damn that start. This was rectified later when the results were corrected as the timing system had screwed up. So I had beaten Tanya and normal order had resumed.

Race start was for a 40 minute plus one lap event. Tanya was just behind me, mid grid, when the flag dropped and we were off. This was a better start and saw me take position behind one of the Twed's (S). She's quick and I was happy to stay with her for a lap. As the field strung out I was lapped by the leaders but also lapped several people twice. I had managed to get away from my usual rivals and stay away from them as well. I tried to keep with Fraser on his low racer, but couldn't as he cycles a lot more than I do. Essentially I had an uneventful race but unfortunately crossed the line 20 seconds before the 40 minute mark and had to do another lap. Boo!

After the race finish, which wasn't at a super quick speed due in part to a back straight head wind, I had finished 9th out of 18, which I was pleased with at 50%. I wasn't completely knackered (maybe I should be trying harder!) but I hadn't faded during the race and I didn't have a single squeak. Tanya wasn't last either at 16th. About where I finished my first race at Hillingdon.

Championship tables are out but I am refusing to comment until after Hog Hill on the 10th October.

As an aside, after the race I had arranged to try a carbon low racer (which is for sale) it has a tail fairing and is very LOW. It took me several attempts to get going the right way, then several more the wrong way, then a few more the right way. One of my problems was that the normal brake lever position is taken up by the gear change up lever, so every time it went wrong I grabbed the "brake" only to change up (again). I eventually managed to get going by pedalling with one leg until I had some speed and then clipping my second foot in. I don't think I got into top gear (10 speed). I did two laps and boy did it feel fast. I enjoyed it but I'm going to have to search for the finance if I want to buy it. All I can say is I'm thinking about it.

Until Hog Hill,

Laters

MBG

Darley Moor Race

Well, it's about time I got my blog up to date.

The 22nd August had me travelling up to Darley Moor race track in Derbyshire for a days racing. I left early to give myself plenty of time and arrived at the circuit gates at 9am.

Once I was inside the circuit I got my bike ready and had a chat with some of the regulars. The weather had turned out to be good as opposed to the forecast which was going to be rainy. It's always preferable to race in the sunshine and warmth.

The plan was to have two twenty minute races, one anti-clockwise and the next clockwise. The plan was also slow and fast races. I went out for a warm up only to discover that my chain squeak had returned. I had changed the chain tube from a convoluted one I had in the shed to a smooth bore plumbing tube, but the pulley squeak was annoying. So it was back to the "pits" to grease where I thought the noise was from. Back out again and I hadn't improved it, so much so that IanP commented on the squeak from his velomobile mount (and he's deaf :-) ). Oh well, race is coming up.

So I lined up for the race start and as usual really screwed up getting clipped in. Chasing again I managed to catch up the usual suspects only to get dropped really quickly. The next 20 minutes (remember it's usually 40) was just hell, and by the end of the race I had so little energy that I could hardly hold my head up. I didn't finish last but it was a dreadful result. Lunch called.

Second race started in the opposite direction and I managed one lap before calling it a day. What a disastrous day all round.

I headed home before the second fast race had finished, a little rude of me but I was in a foul mood (which is why it has taken me this long to post). Once home the BHPC website came to the rescue and pointed me in the direction of a new pulley which I so badly needed (or so I thought) to replace the squeaker). All I can say is, check the whole system. Once the pulley (1) had arrived I fitted it and tested the bike on my turbo trainer, but something was wrong. I removed the other pulley (the original one) only to find that it had catastrophically failed. I couldn't turn it by hand, but could by pedalling, was this the source of so much drag? It had to be replaced so I ordered another 3 pulleys from the same place in Holland with spacers to suit as I was going to remove the chain tube as well. I figured that I might as well take out as much drag as I could while I was at it. So after waiting another week, the new pulleys arrived and were fitted. I tried the new system a couple of times on the turbo trainer and it seemed OK. I had also done some more work on the head rest which still wasn't quite right. But as with all these things only racing would really show if the fix had worked, so it was off to...

Preston Race

Not much to say about this race.

I felt unwell after the Lancaster race and this was playing on my mind.

The circuit was good with some enjoyable corners and a smooth road surface.

Shortly after the start I began to feel physically sick and after 15-20 minutes I decided to stop as if I had carried on I would have thrown for sure.

So a disastrous DNF for me.

Hey ho!

Laters MBG

Lancaster Race

Two races today.
First race was a 50m sprint. Wind up for 700m but not too early... So it's cycle round slowly winding up until 200m board then pile on the coals. I entered the trap at 26.5mph and exited at 27.5mph so I should have wound it on sooner. However, the first part of the trap was slightly uphill so I think it was OK. I then coasted back to the start only pedalling lightly to change into a low gear. I arrived at the start only to be told to do it again as the timing system hadn't worked. I was slightly slower by 0.5mph this time. Boo! Of course this is all done on my speedo! My head rest was a little too high and uncomfortable, so that got sorted when I got back to my digs for the night.
Slow race was next. 40 minutes plus 2 laps. I ligned up mid pack for the start and got off to a good one. However, I think I went off far too hard chasing a couple of targets and blew myself out. Although it was basically a flat track the rises and dips were taking it out of me and by 20 minutes I was going backwards. I was just glad to finish the race. No idea where I came. One of the trike guys had arrived with a new tail fairing so was about 4mph up on his normal average.
Overall I was pleased by the reactions from the others to HRSO2 which clearly indicated I had the proportions right. What needed changing? Well the headrest for a start which has been done. The drinks tube kept slipping off my chest so I was tense trying to keep that from falling off, so that needs securing. The chain tube could do with being smooth bore as I only had convoluted tube when I built the bike, so there is some drag reduction to be had there. I don't think that I can run another idler but I'll investigate. Oh I had new higher gearing on as well which should see a 6mph speed increase flat out, if I ever get there!
So overall I am pleased with the bike but not my performance. Too tense on a first ride out with a stiff neck, sore inner elbows and pins and needles in my hands. Most of those should get better as I relax.
Preston circuit tomorrow, I may get there early for a little test.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Laters, MBG

Mid Championship Tables

The official results for Scunthorpe were just posted along with the current championship standings. I had a look just to see how I was doing as it's roughly halfway through the season. The overall results come first, moving down to "Street" & "Sports" which are the classes I'm really racing against.

Open 38/76 (50%)

Part Faired 17/60 (28%)

Unfaired 7/45 (15%)

Street 4/27 (15%)

Sport 3/24 (12%)

Blimey, I had no idea I was that far up the table in street and sport. I could do the "if only" and berate myself for not doing better in the races like Fowlmead, but I won't as we get to drop a couple of races out of our points tally. What I will do is press on even harder now. Maybe, just maybe I can better my positions before the end of term! Wouldn't that be just a fabulous first season. Whoop whoop!!!

Laters, MBG

HRSO2: It's about time I went public!

As I'm a contractor, I managed to negotiate with my client to have the summer off to look after my daughter whilst she is off school. So I finished work on the 2nd July and I'm due back on the 13th September. I have worked the equivalent of 52 weeks at 37 hours a week over the last 10 months so I feel I deserve it.

Anyhoo! My race bike has not been ideal, but it has been functional. However, since riding Barney's Raptobike I have hankered for something faster, lower and better handling. So with HRSO1 being too tall, wrong steering geometry and extremely short wheelbase I hatched a plan. Now I was going to leave my bike so it could revert to original and be sold, but as a wise old friend of mine once told me "Faint heart never...(the rest is too rude for here, but so true)"

So on Sunday 4th July (Yee Haa) the hacksaw came out and irreversibly cut HRSO1 in half.

Now, you should be able to tell that I am not blessed with a large, uncluttered shed! So there were a few "misplaced" tools and choice words during the build ;-)

I used copper plumbers tube to mock up the new frame with the idea of bending the steel tube when it arrived, with my tube bender. The new material arrived (CDS2 / CFS3BK steel tube) on Tuesday 6th in the morning. So I set to work, hoping to bend it to the same shape as the copper tube. Somewhere between Bob Hope and No Hope I gave up and started plan B which was welding straight sections together. Not as nice or neat but it would be effective.

Part way through welding here.

Fully welded, prior to painting.

Note the tiller steering now installed.

At this point I tried it for a transportation fit in the Jeep. I used to have to take both wheels off and lower the handlebars to get HRSO1 in. HRSO2 goes in with the front wheel removed for convenience and nothing else moved. Result!

So I painted HRSO2 matt black and rebuilt with a new chain and the inevitable new cables and the result is below. I need to do some more work on the head rest which is nowhere near where I want it. But now I have a picture from the side I can see what I need to do, rather than going on feel.

So there you have it.

8 days, certainly not solid days or everyday.

It was not entirely hard, but difficult enough not to be taken on lightly.

So the next steps are

1: Testing on the Turbo Trainer to check it all works when pushed hard.

2: Sort out the headrest (Potentially a new seat).

3: Sort out the brakes to disc variety as I'm fed up with the old style brakes not fitting brilliantly or being that efficient.

4: RACE at Lancaster and Preston (24th / 25th July)

I allowed myself a 4 week time slot to sort out HRSO2. 2 weeks into it and so far so good...

I'll let you know how it goes.

Laters, MBG

Scunthorpe slow race

40 minutes plus two laps.
Well I arrived home safe and sound, slightly damaged from the race as I discovered later. I was trying really hard and I don't think I had any more to give. I managed to lap Heather by working with John C about mid race. We were working as a train of 3 when the leaders (well done Barney) came past again. Heather was on the front and managed to get a tow from the lead pack. By the time I realised that John C wasn't going with her they had opened a 20m or so gap. I took up the chase with John just behind. As he fell off my tail, the lead pack with Heather got further away and there was nothing I could do about it. It was now all about damage limitation. I could see Heather was gaining (as it's an oval track) and at the end John had joined up with her and they were both chasing me down to unlap Heather. One more lap and they would have got me. I think there was 20m in it on the line, but I was in front. My core fitness grows with each race and training session I do. Most of these guys have been cycling a long time. So I'm pleased.

Most of the time I was on my own. Hard work and I wanted to be sick after.

In November last year I wrote out a goal sheet with dates on it. It's on my wall right next to my computer. You can't miss it. So in November, I wrote that I would have an average race speed of 20mph on the 10th July... (So not to appear too smug I also wrote another one which I haven't achieved yet, but I will).

So, even though it was a hard race, I really quite enjoyed it. There is a certain satisfaction to be had driving home from a tough event.

My results are below (I'll post the official ones when they come through)
Average racing heart rate: 170 bpm
Average race speed: 19.8mph (40%)

Official results

Quibell Park
				Sunday 27th June
	Round 1 Race 1
	Pos	Name	Nr	Bike Name	Class	Tag Nr	Laps	Time	MPH
	1	Steve Slade	1	Beano	O	11	3	1:30.00	36.1
	2	Lee Wakefield	2	Beany	O	27	3	1:30.00	36.1
	3	Ian Perry	6	Quincy	O/Mf	36	3	1:42.00	31.9
	4	Claire King	25	Number 50	O/L	21	3	1:51.00	29.3
	5	Adrian Setter	16	VLR	O/P	20	3	1:57.00	27.8
	6	Mike Burrows	0	RatRacer B2	O/P	41	3	1:57.00	27.8
	7	Neil Fleming	7	nocom	O/P/U	44	3	1:59.00	27.3
	8	Howard Yeomans	82	hocus pocus	O/P/U	16	3	2:00.00	27.1
	9	Andrew Sidwell	102	Black Adder	O/P	28	3	2:00.00	27.1
	10	Rob Hague	51	Whitey Glyde	O/Mf	10	3	2:04.00	26.2
	11	T Higgin	117	Lotus	O/P/U	35	3	2:04.00	26.2
	12	Ian Robinson	108	Kwota	O/P/U/St/S	25	3	2:07.00	25.6
	13	Graham Sparey-Taylor	81	RatRacer	O/P	18	3	2:07.00	25.6
	14	Nick Marshall	52	Atilla	O/P/U	40	3	2:07.00	25.6
	15	Barney Harle	151	Rapto	O/P	30	3	2:11.00	24.8
	16	Andy Barnes	109	Ratracer	O/P	31	3	2:20.00	23.2
	17	Jon Coulson	62	Toxy	O/P	23	3	2:33.00	21.2
	18	Anne Coulson	61	Kingcycle	O/L	43	3	2:35.00	21
	19	Mick Crick	97	beast MK III	O/P/U/Mf/M	32	3	2:37.00	20.7
	20	Martin Brigden-Gwinnutt	59	HRS01	O/P/U/St/S	17	3	2:38.00	20.6
	21	Frazer Tomsett	46	Molerat	O/P/U	39	3	2:43.00	19.9
	22	Heather Fortnum	104	Mason King	O/P/U/L/Lp/St/S	15	3	2:46.00	19.6
	23	Jonathan Woolrich	84	Hocus Pocus	O/P/U	29	3	2:48.00	19.3
	24	John Lucian	86	KMX R2	O/P/U/Mf/M	37	3	2:51.00	19
	25	Judith Griffiths	116	Airborne	O/P/U/L/Lp/St/S	13	3	2:52.00	18.9
	26	Andy Forey	112	moulton deluxe	O	19	3	3:09.00	17.2
	27	Tracey Quarmby	115	Tandem	O/P/U/L/Lp	34	3	3:54.00	13.9
	28	Victoria Bottomley	119	Tandem	O/P/U/L/Lp/J	33	0		0
	Round 2 Race 1
	Pos	Name	Nr	Bike Name	Class	Tag Nr	Laps	Time	MPH
	1	Barney Harle	151	Rapto	O/P	30	50	42:08.69	21.4
	2	Ian Robinson	108	Kwota	O/P/U/St/S	25	49	42:09.30	21
	3	Andy Forey	112	moulton deluxe	O	19	49	42:09.30	21
	4	Anne Coulson	61	Kingcycle	O/L	43	49	42:24.80	20.8
	5	Andy Barnes	109	Ratracer	O/P	31	49	42:55.30	20.6
	6	Martin Brigden-Gwinnutt	59	HRS01	O/P/U/St/S	17	45	42:45.60	19
	7	Jon Coulson	62	Toxy	O/P	23	45	42:48.50	19
	8	Heather Fortnum	104	Mason King	O/P/U/L/Lp/St/S	15	45	42:49.19	19
	9	Judith Griffiths	116	Airborne	O/P/U/L/Lp/St/S	13	44	42:13.89	18.8
	10	Mick Crick	97	beast MK III	O/P/U/Mf/M	32	44	42:14.50	18.8
	11	Jonathan Woolrich	84	Hocus Pocus	O/P/U	29	13	12:46.29	18.4
	12	John Lucian	86	KMX R2	O/P/U/Mf/M	37	37	43:15.19	15.4
	13	Frazer Tomsett	46	Molerat	O/P/U	39	29	56:24.89	9.29
	14	Tracey Quarmby	115	Tandem	O/P/U/L/Lp	34	0		0
	15	Victoria Bottomley	119	Tandem	O/P/U/L/Lp/J	33	0		0

Laters, MBG

Links to videos below:

The whole slow race captured from on my bike.

Start 0-10 minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8jfKmbPZHc

10-20 minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGYge-BUSPg

20-30 minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiA3jTQFfB4

30-40 minutes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haVYSEYlTi0

40-45 minutes finish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDlE2gvd-FM

Fast Race 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3VPEy5t1U

Fast Race 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P64ZjqbY7c

Scunthorpe time trial

3 lap time trial is done.
Had problems clipping in again after the start. Puts me at a slower time straight away. Must try harder. Lap two saw 178bpm and 26.5mph. I tailed off on lap 3 but overall I saw 21.5mph average. Very hot now. Everyone agreeing that lap 3 is that bridge too far.
Looking forward to the race. (71% See results above)
Laters MBG

Scunthorpe Velodrome: That's all folks.

How many laps in 40 minutes plus two? I'll let you know. ;-)

Scunthorpe Velodrome 2

Scunthorpe Velodrome

Scunthorpe

Well today it's sunny Scunthorpe. It looks like a hot day in store for all the racers. Fluid intake has started already to make sure I'm well hydrated for the first race at 11ish. There are 3 main 40 minute races today. Slow, fast and streamliners. Well that's the plan.
I went to see the track last night and I'm looking forward to turning some laps today. It's a pretty short oval so it'll be manic I'm sure. Will try to video main race right through, especially if I'm in traffic.
Laters, MBG

Castle Combe - 2 Hour Race

I set of at 8am this morning for the 90 minute drive to Castle Combe. It was going to be my first ever visit to the circuit and the thought of a two hour race left me needing a strategy. It was a simple one. Follow Judith, Heather or John at least for the first hour or so.

It looked like rain and was threatening thunderstorms according to the weather forecast. Oh no, Fowlmead again. It wasn't a great start to the day for me as I had forgotten my over shirts (Doh!) but at least I had my compression layers. So it was basically a full compression layer (tights and long sleeves) and cycling shorts. I just hoped it wouldn't rain. If it started to rain heavily I had my yellow, lightweight Helly Hansen to keep me dry next to the track.

As we lined up for the start it was spitting with rain and as I pushed off to start the race I promptly lost balance and toppled over as I couldn't get my left foot out of the clip in time (right in front of a running video camera as it happens). So I was on the floor and everyone else was away. Cursing, I got up and was away pretty smartish after that. I was to play catch up again. Sprinting, I managed to catch and pass a few people aiming to get on the back of Heather. I managed that on the first lap and sat there learning how to pace a two hour race. We were riding anticlockwise (opposite to the cars) which meant within 300 ish meters from the start it was downhill into the first chicane. Plan was to grab the highest gear possible and push hard until I reached maximum speed where I would spin out on the pedals. Do it right and I would see 25mph down the hill which then helped carry 20+mph round to the next chicane. From there it was a short respite until the into wind, long drag up to the start line. It doesn't look much but it's a long way and a long climb (to me!)

The field thinned a bit and I was also riding with Judith, Eddie, Adam and Chris. I took my turn at the front but then, about 50 minutes in, disaster struck. At 2/3rds of the lap (Castle Combe being about 2 miles round) I got a rear puncture. It was squirming all over the place so I had to stop and push back to the pits, which took about 10 (more like 15!! see below) minutes. Not easy in road shoes and cleats. Once at the pits my unofficial pit crew, Steve (Thanks), helped me extract the tyre. A quick run back to the car and a new inner tube and I was back out within another 5-10 (more like 15!! see below) minutes. Fresh-ish legs saw me catch, and pass Heather (who in reality was now about three laps up on me) and regain my lost laps from Stewart G (I finished a little behind him on the road). It was a bit like a solo time trial for the last 40 minutes, aiming for a rider in front and trying to close the gap.

Never has the last lap bell sounded so sweet and the chequered flag looked so good.

Ultimately it was a tough race which taught me a few things, but then that's what it is all about.

I'll post the results as soon as I get them, but I'll take solace from Heather's average speed as I reckon I would have stayed with her for the whole race.

Results: 27th place out of 34 (79%), with a 30 minute stop for walking back & puncture repair as timed on the race video. Heather lapped at 17.5mph ish and 20th place (58%). I'm down at 14 ish mph but with 16 laps due to the stoppage. I have calculated my average not counting the stop but it's a bit distorted I think. I'll stick to Heathers average for now.

See you all in Sunny Scunthorpe.

Laters, MBG

26th in the World! You have to be in it to win it! ;-p

It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

Jersey Worlds - Final Results... Find Me!

Men overall
Position Name Race no. Hill Climb Time Trial 50m drag 2 Hour 200m sprint Town Crit total
1 Stephen Slade 127 1842 2000 1608 2000 2000 1763 11213
2 Erik Marynissen 105 1921 1921 2000 1842 1763 1684 11131
3 Pieter Hollebrandse 110 1531 1684 1608 1763 1480 1921 9987
4 Robin Boucher 113 1582 1480 1842 1531 1633 1582 9650
5 Aurélien Bonneteau 128 2000 1842 1017 1921 1842 815 9437
6 Laurent Delcroix 148 1633 1582 1017 1582 1429 2000 9243
7 Lee Wakefield 109 1367 1633 1339 1684 1582 1398 9003
8 Sandro Bollina 138 1274 1531 1763 1633 1100 1633 8934
9 Malric Leborgne 116 1150 1005 1921 1305 1531 1367 8279
10 Arleen Troost 134 1455 1305 1017 967 1684 1842 8270
11 Marc Lesourd 132 1724 1398 1339 929 1166 1480 8036
12 Martin Beyst 108 1243 1429 1339 1480 1243 1150 7884
13 Bernard Rodolphe 119 1305 1367 1339 1181 1367 1429 7988
14 Marcel Flaux 117 1455 1181 1339 1429 1119 1212 7735
15 Adrian Setter 140 1110 1274 1339 1367 1081 1274 7445
16 Sébastien Courteille 115 1197 1119 1017 1274 1398 1100 7105
17 Philippe Descubes 129 1197 1081 1017 1212 1212 1181 6900
18 Rudi Cools 142 1043 1043 1017 1081 1166 1062 6412
19 Gilbert le Page 104 1024 967 1339 1100 1005 948 6383
20 Stefano Negri 122 986 1062 1017 1119 1024 1024 6232
21 Barney Harle 107 967 929 1017 1043 986 986 5928
22 Andrew Sidwell 137 1110 1243 1017 1243 0 1243 5856
23 Andrea Carraro 118 929 815 1017 1005 1043 929 5738
24 Chris Wilson 106 948 891 1017 948 929 910 5643
25 Eddie Robbins 111 1062 948 1608 986 0 967 5571
26 Martin Brigden-Gwinnutt 100 872 872 1017 891 967 891 5510
27 Walter Berger 125 1398 1212 0 1398 0 1305 5313
28 Philippe Guigo 112 1081 0 0 1062 1274 1081 4498
29 Giovanni Eupani 145 910 910 1017 834 1062 0 4733
30 Jon Coulson 139 891 853 1017 910 0 853 4524
31 Geoff Bird 123 1005 1024 0 1150 0 1043 4222
32 Pieter Pas 150 0 1150 1017 0 1921 0 4088
33 Gav le Brun 101 0 986 0 1024 948 1005 3963
34 Sjaak Bloemberg 133 0 1100 0 0 1305 1119 3524
35 Alan Braley 131 853 796 1017 0 0 834 3500
36 Charles Henry 130 1724 1763 0 0 0 0 3487
37 Paolo Baldissera 151 0 834 1339 872 0 0 3045
38 David Troost 135 0 0 1608 0 0 0 1608
39 Keith Davis 200 0 0 0 0 0 1531 1531
40 Piergianni Sgura 0 0 0 0 853 0 0 853


Men/Unfaired
Position Name Race no. Hill Climb Time Trial 50m drag 2 Hour 200m sprint Town Crit total
1 Pieter Hollebrandse 110 1684 2000 1763 2000 1842 1921 11210
1 Robin Boucher 113 1763 1842 1921 1842 2000 1842 11210
3 Laurent Delcroix 148 1842 1921 1339 1921 1763 2000 10786
4 Malric Leborgne 116 1398 1367 2000 1582 1921 1582 9850
5 Martin Beyst 108 1480 1763 1608 1763 1455 1429 9498
6 Bernard Rodolphe 119 1531 1633 1339 1480 1633 1633 9249
7 Marc Lesourd 132 1921 1684 1339 1212 1398 1684 9238
8 Marcel Flaux 117 1633 1531 1339 1684 1367 1480 9034
9 Sébastien Courteille 115 1429 1480 1339 1531 1684 1367 8830
10 Rudi Cools 142 1274 1398 1339 1398 1455 1274 8138
11 Gilbert le Page 104 1243 1305 1608 1429 1274 1212 8071
12 Andrea Carraro 118 1181 1150 1339 1305 1305 1181 7461
13 Martin Brigden-Gwinnutt 100 1150 1212 1339 1181 1243 1119 7244
14 Chris Wilson 106 1212 1243 1017 1243 1212 1150 7077
15 Eddie Robbins 111 1305 1274 1842 1274 0 1243 6938
16 Philippe Guigo 112 1367 0 0 1367 1531 1305 5570
17 Walter Berger 125 1582 1582 0 1633 0 1531 6328
18 Paolo Baldissera 151 0 1181 1608 1150 0 1100 5039
19 Sjaak Bloemberg 133 0 1429 0 0 1582 1398 4409
20 Keith Davis 200 0 0 0 0 0 1763 1763
21 David Troost 135 0 0 1608 0 0 0 1608
22 Piergianni Sgura 0 0 0 0 1119 0 0 1119

Full Results Here http://homepage.mac.com/jobank/WC2010/FinalResults.htm

Jersey - Worlds St Hellier Criterium

Well that's the last race done.
However, as I cycled in to St Hellier before the race as it was flat, I picked up a flat! All my tools were in the car! So everyone rallied round and helped fix my flat in plenty of time for the race.
At the start I positioned myself at the back so as to make my still wobbly starts easier. However, a fellow club member fell off twice when starting and I dare not go for fear of running her over or landing on top of her. So a poor start now saw me working hard in catch up mode. Tight corners and hard acceleration saw me catch the pack and then hang on for a while to John C. When a Belgium? Rider came past us I decided to make a break on the hill, thinking there must only be a couple of minutes left. Wrong. It was more like 10 out of the 30 minutes left. Too early by far. I pedalled my guts out so not to fall back into their clutches. As the riding was pretty intense I could hear the encouraging calls but not always pin point it's source. Sometimes I could pick faces out in the crowd, but not often. Plenty of support saw me hold the place and even out sprint GB, who was about to lap me again, to the line.
So I finished 16 out of 24 I think. I saw some provisional results for overall positions, but I'll post the final results when I have them confirmed. No, I wasn't last!
My thoughts at the moment are all a bit, how shall I say it, random. However, I can definately sum a few things up.
Jersey B&B: Ocean Walk - Definately use again. Everything good.
BHPC Club support for a newby(ish) racer: Can't fault it.
My bike: Good & Fast with limitations. Could do with a better one.
Engine (me): Needs more HP? Although I have learnt, by watching and mimicing, from Heather and John how to ride long races. Thanks for showing me without really knowing it. Next goal/target person has been set for me by BH, and I accept that challange. No names, but watch out because I'm coming for you!!
Jersey World Championship: Well organised, well run by two fabulous members, Keith & Sherri. Well done you two. I entered every race event, even the ones at crack of sparrows, and was classified in them all, even the two hour race as I had covered enough laps to be a couple of places off the bottom. The problems I had, breaking the frame, puncture etc make finishing the event even more pleasing.
So would I do another world championship...

Without a doubt, YES. (just not today because I am completely cream crackered.)
Signing off now until next sunday at Castle Combe, MBG

Jersey - Worlds 200m Flying sprint

Another 5:45am alarm to make the sprint start at 7am.
Using the beach road again with a 1km run up the idea is to hit the start of a marked 200m course at maximum speed and maintain it until the finish flag. Easier said than done! Most sprint too early (I almost did but realised and slowed again). At my speed, hit it at 200m (thanks Barney) and keep going even when it hurts. So sporting a really bad headache, thats what I did. Max gear and over spinning saw me at 24.5mph on my speedo, and I think I kept it all the way through as I was focusing hard on the finish line. Bike was running well.
After it was over, cycle back to the car and back for breakfast. Satisfied with the mornings work in a gusting crosswind which had the streamliners working harder.
Town centre, and last race later.
MBG

Jersey -Worlds. Broken bike fixed

I have to say that Jersey hospitality and Island life in general have saved the day and tomorrows racing.
Keith and Sherri introduced me to Malcolm who tried really hard to find me a welder, but couldn't manage it, but thanks for trying. A fellow racer then remarked that Gav, who I had been talking to just prior to the race and was still circulating for the next hour, built his own bikes and knew a man who did his welding. Sure enough he did. We went to see Chris during the fast race who did the business. Not neat because of the proximity of meltable bike bits, but functional. So the biggest thanks have to go to Chris & Gav, true gentlemen.
So my bike looks even less pretty now, but I think I prefer battle scarred!
More tomorrow. Laters MBG

Jersey - Worlds

Unless we can find a welder my weekends racing is done.
I kept missing gears in the 2 hour race and by the end of hour one it was so bad I looked down / forward to see the bottom bracket moving side to side. Not good. It was either stop immediately or have the whole front end come adrift! It was that bad. If I hadn't seen it I would probably been pitched off at the sharp hill. That would have been bad.
Uncharacteristically for me I threw my helmet on the ground in a fit of peak (spelling?) I am gutted.
I was feeling good and going well, I had my pace sorted and I wasn't at the back either.
Results so far:
37/41 on the hill climb
39/48 in the time trial
I'm still gutted but I haven't yet given up hope. Watch this space...

Jersey Worlds - Time trial

Up bright? And early this morning for the time trial. Down at the start for 6:30 only to find that I had forgotton my heart rate monitor. No time to get it as I was first off at 7:00. JFDI.
Downhill from the start push to 24mph before spinning out. 150 cranks worked well for the hill climb so I left them on for today. Along the flat at 20 - 22 mph with a tail wind. I was conserving energy a bit for the climbing turn at the end. As it was raining I had worn my Heli Hansen waterproof jacket, a little warm maybe but I hate getting wet and cold!
Up the triangular hill route, where I was overtaken by two faster guys, the marshalls were doing a good job stopping the traffic so we can just ride. Downhill with a few whoops of joy thrown in, brake for the bottom corner as it was wet and a bit tight! Then back along the flat into the head wind. 13mph going back as I was knackered! Big Verns took a long time to arrive and I was overtaken by a few more people. Up the hill to the finish!
There is plenty of support here from the other competitors from all the nations, it really is a great atmosphere.
I'm penning this over breakfast at the B&B, it's the first time I feel I really deserved a full cooked breakfast!! Next event at 10:30 at the sports centre, sprints followed by a two hour race. Looking forward to it, just wish the sun would come out.
Laters, MBG

Jersey Worlds - Hill Climb Done

Well, that's probably the hardest race over with.. Maybe.
I'd like to say that Sherri and Keith are making this realy easy in terms of who, where and when. So big up to them.
It's an early start for me tomorrow. Up at 6 for a 7 am start line in the 15km time trial, number 100. I'm also riding under a flag of convenience, Alderney. It adds another name to the list of participating states/countries. Then hope to be back for breakfast. Small wheel and 150 cranks were OK for the hill climb but at 22-23mph the front wheel shimmy is wicked. So it's big wheel time tomorrow. Now off to find some food for enough energy tomorrow. Laters, MBG

Jersey -Hill Climb

Arrived in Jersey. Straight to B&B. Straight to hill climb.
150 cranks, 16" front wheel. Nervous, HELL YES!

Shrewsbury Race Picture

This is the first picture of me to surface from Shrewsbury race. Thanks to Jeff James for letting me have a copy. There were plenty of people taking pictures at the hairpin, so there should be more to follow.

Next report from Jersey I think.
Laters
MBG

Shrewsbury - Results

Time trial 1 laps
26th out of 33 (79%) Again! with an average speed of 18.6mph.
Slow Race: 11th out of 20 (55%), but looking at the results I think I should be 12th due to one of my sparing partners not being credited properly with all his laps, so that would be 60%. Average 17.3mph. Winners average 20.3 mph, not so far off in my book. More fitness required (It was bleedin hot though).
I know I'm improving. If I can just keep up my pace for 40 minutes I'll be up there. I find it slightly amusing that some people are aiming to keep with me now rather than the other way round. I'm looking forward to riding more with Jeff and Adam as a bit of team work will see us all move up the table.
Jersey for the worlds next. Leaving on Friday. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.
Laters
MBG

Shrewsbury - Fast race

Fast race (the one I'm not in yet) was unfortunately red flagged when one of our members took a hard tumble. First aid was quickly on hand, but Andy needed taking to hospital by ambulance. Everyone seemed pretty subdued after that. Speedy recovery Andy.
MBG

Shrewsbury - Slow race

Slow race just finished. 40 minutes plus one lap.
I averaged about 17.5 mph. Up to the 20 minute mark we had a 4 man pelleton going which was fantastic. However, my fitness started to show and I dropped off the back on the hill. Later on I caught up one of the 4 and shamlessly shadowed him for the last few laps. Overtaking him on the bell I pulled away. We had been going substantially slower though. I'm looking forward to linking up in a four or more pellaton on a velodrome, we'll be flying!
Roll on the results and Jersey.
Laters, MBG

Shrewsbury TT

Time trial done. Unofficial one lap 18mph. clockwise
40 minute race plus one lap next. Anticlockwise.
Laters, MBG

Shrewsbury

Unlike Fowlmead, today is hot and dry, clear blue sky. Getting ready to sign on. Have decided to go for middle crank length (150) and both 26" wheels. I'll let you know later how it's gone.
MBG

Worlds 2010 - Jersey

Well it's Shrewsbury this Sunday. It's going to be hot with the chance of some showers I think, so should be more enjoyable than Fowlmead. However, with only 1 week to go before the 2010 World Championship in Jersey the event timetable is just out. My Ferry docks on the 28th May at 16:55 so I should have time to get to my digs before driving to the hill climb!

EVENT TIMETABLE
28th May Hill Climb 18:30
29th May 15km Time Trial 07:00
29th May 50m Drag 10:30
29th May 2 Hour Race - 1 12:00
29th May 2 Hour Race - 2 14:30
30th May 200m Sprint 06:45
30th May 30m Criterium - 1 12:00
30th May 30m Criterium - 2 15:00

I'm starting to think that I am very slightly barmy to have signed up. No change there then, some would say! ;-)

Next post from Shrewsbury with a more reliable e mail service (hopefully).
1 lap time trial and a 40 minute + 1 lap race.
Flatter track should suit me better.

Laters, MBG

Fowlmead results

Time trial 3 laps
26th out of 33 (79%) with an average speed of 18.5mph.
Race #1 2 laps (100% last place) DNF in my book.
Race #2 I didn't enter. And reading some of the comments about puddles of standing water on the track I'm really glad I didn't.
Not a great performance, but that's racing.
Shrewsbury in 3 weeks. Looking forward to it.
Laters
MBG

Fowlmead 1 & 2

Well...
A pretty disastrous weekend for me.
Raining heavily on Saturday morning, right after I thought we might just get away with it. Hmm. So after the rain had died down a little we all lined up for a 3 lap time trial on the top circuit. I was so cold I was shivering quite badly. I got off to a reasonable start overtaking two other riders who had started 1 minute and 2 minutes ahead of me (so I wasn't going to be last). Lap one was quick, lap two was slower (and heavier rain, what was I thinking!!) lap 3 slower still. I was overtaken by some of the quicker guys/girls, but at least I had finished.
Lunch followed, then line up for the slow race on the bottom circuit (larger round). First time I had been on the lower circuit as it had been raining lots so I didn't fancy warming up on the track. Bad start once I eventually had clipped in, so I was already off the back of the pack. I busted a gut catching and passing a couple until I reached the long drag hill (I had seen it, just not registered how long it was). As usual my hill pace was not great and I lost ground. Second lap of the 30 minute plus one lap race I was absolutely gone. I think it was a combination of feeling really cold, too many layers to try to keep warm and the psychology of riding in the conditions. It just wasn't enjoyable (it never is but this was masochistic) so I decided to DNF this one. I worked out later that I should also have gone for the 150mm crank option on the bike which may have helped me. If only I had done a warm up lap I might have realised.
Sunday race (Fowlmead 2) looked equally bad weather so I bugged out at 11am and headed home.
Shrewsbury next, which I think is flat. I'll let you know.
laters
MBG

Trackside at Fowlmead, Kent

Just waiting to sign on and get my timing box. Ready for 2 days racing? Maybe...
Laters
MBG

Hillingdon results

Well the results are in...

Time trial: 1 lap 1.5Km 66% (20.4mph)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pedzDDNFS8

Race: 40 minutes plus two laps 54% (17.2mph)I had myself a little quicker this morning but my lap distance was slightly out! Boo! That's me to the right of the picture at about 24mph on the bottom bend.Anyway, even the other club members noticed that I had moved up the field, so considering the technical issues I had, all in all an excellent first result.
Last year I was 95% in the time trial (15.7mph) and 81% in the race (15.6mph)1% is first place, 100% is last place.

LatersMBG

First race – Hillingdon…Done!

What can I say?

I packed the bike and associated tools into my car on Saturday night so that I just needed to load my cycle gear and my food / drinks this morning. Sunday dawned bright with little wind and saw me get ready in a leisurely fashion and leave by 9am for a 10am arrival. Notably I forgot to take suntan cream which wasn’t a good idea. Hey ho! Trundle down the M40 and towards the Hillingdon track, only to be followed in by “Slash” the world champion. I thought that I would be one of the first there. How wrong I was. It was heaving with people.

I went to say hello to a few people and then get my bike ready. Transporting it without the wheels was a good idea, even though I have to deflate the tyres to get them out between the brake pads. Taking the derailleur off wasn’t a great idea as it’s a pig to get back on without adjusting it. I’ll leave it on next time and just add some protection on it. Once ready I went and signed on. I received my numbered timing box, fitted that to the bike and went out for a lap of the circuit to “warm up”. Ok, all done, just have to wait for the first “race” which was a time trial of one lap (1.5Km) with a rolling start of maybe 5-10m.

Lined up and waiting, time to switch on the video camera and make sure my heart rate and bike computer were working. Front of queue. Off to a poor start as I couldn’t clip my right foot in. Then it’s off up the hill, working hard. Heart rate was up to 170 ish. Into the downhill section to take the bottom bend and exit it at 24mph, which makes the next short hill easier than when taking it slow. Apparently the bottom bend maxes out at 30mph if you are brave! Down the back straight and across the line for what felt fairly respectable. I was trying to beat my 15.6mph average from the last outing here. I’m waiting for them to post the times!

Lunch and rehydration was next, then waiting for the start of the main event. 40 minutes plus two laps. Boo!

Lined up at the start with about 25 or so other riders, all sorts of bikes and ages represented. Start was again poor as I couldn’t get that damn foot clipped in. Practice is needed I guess as my aim is slightly off to line up the clip. Up the hill and round and round and round…

My aims for this event were to beat my 15.6mph average and Stuart Glen. We had battled hard last time out and he beat me. It wasn’t revenge, but he was a good marker. I was going well, even lapping some people (and getting lapped) I always lost ground up the hill but gained it from the bottom bend onwards. From about 20 minutes in I wanted to give up. I was hurting badly. I dug deep and kept going although my steering column was working loose and twisting. This required a little jiggle every now and then to straighten it back up. Not easy at 20+ mph. Apologies to those following for some of my weaving. ;-)

I lapped Stuart and his son (once I think) and was battling with two trikes for the last two laps. ¼ lap to go I sprinted and gave it my all. 24-25 mph on the flat. I crossed the line well ahead and slowed to a stop at the side of the track a little way up the hill. I was spent. After a little break I turned my bike round to coast down to the “pits” area. As my bike refused to pick up speed on it’s own I went to pedal it. Big mistake!! I had been suffering from cramp for the last 4 laps and it came home to hit me. I had a heel strike and went over, not particularly quickly, but I was off. Thank goodness for helmets and elbow pads. I couldn’t get out from the bike due to my cramp so just lay back. Help was by now running up the track in the form a Frazer, Stuart and a.n.other (sorry don’t know your name but thanks). The bike was removed and I was helped up and back down the hill. I wasn’t the only one to come a cropper at slow speed! So I’m not embarrassed at all. Apart from a very minor graze and a sore leg from the cramp (and some sore pink bits from the sun!) I got away with it and so did my bike. I must sort out the steering column before the next event at Fowlmead in Kent (a two day affair) but not tonight as I’m too tired.

So was it a good day? I think so. I just need to confirm how much better it was than last time. As soon as I have the results and videos done I’ll post them.

Laters

MBG

First Race - Hillingdon

Well, the first race is now just one week away! I'd like to say that training is going well...
But I can't! Work has kept me really busy, my bed has been too inviting and I'm all out of chocolate ice cream! They're all excuses so it doesn't matter what the reason is!!
So this week is going to see some concerted effort on the turbo trainer in our front room. I realised that my previous training heart rate at 150 ish is no where near my track rate, that's nearer 180. So it's time to up the work load.
On the plus side I can now see my speed and distance from the back wheel as I have installed another bike computer. The main one is still on the front wheel.
I've also got a mount for my video camera sorted so I'll post some vids if they are any good.
I've also registered my entry for the recumbent world championships in Jersey. I won't be anywhere near the front, but what an experience!
My intension is to post my thoughts from track side, just after each race (normally two each day) assuming that the network coverage is good enough, so Sunday 18th...
Laters
MBG

Hillingdon Training

Well, after a handfull of laps on a wet track I decided that it was way too cold to continue with solo training. Everyone else seemed to have (wisely) called off their training.
I did learn some stuff today.
I have to work harder during indoor training. My heart rate today was 150 - 160 bpm.
I must remember to switch on my cycle computer! DOH!
130mm cranks seem to be OK for Hillingdon's flatish track.
I didn't try the video mount, because by the time I realised I didn't have it on the bike I was too cold to care!
In summary, training at 0 or 1 degrees centigrade (particularly on your own) is neither fun or particularly useful, except to prove that I'm mad enough to do it!
Later, MBG

BHPC Training - Hillingdon

Going to Hayes circuit tomorrow to test new bike setup. Looks like most BHPC members who were coming have dropped out. Looks like it will be "Billy no mates"!!
Oh well, test of inner motivation to go do it anyway.
Testing fitness, crank options and video mount. More after.
MBG

2009 BHPC Cycle Racing

Hello, my name is Martin and I am a middle aged bloke (if I live until I’m 90!), fat and unfit. I have tried the gym several times and although those periods of gym membership go well, I hate every minute of them. My wife had previously taken part in a charity cycle ride and enjoyed it enormously. I coached her from the sidelines knowing that I would hold her back as I have always found an upright bike a pain (literally in the rear end) so have never really enjoyed riding. As the gym was expensive and just a chore I started investigating recumbent bikes as I have always fancied having a go on one, being an unconventional engineer type myself, and it was while surfing the web that I came across the www.bhpc.org.uk or “The British Human Powered Club” so I joined the forum in July 2009 mainly to check out the for sale section.

I noticed that there was a race at the Hillingdon cycle track in September. What an opportunity I thought to go and just have a look at the different types of recumbent that there are. So I posted on the forum asking, amongst other things, if it was free to watch. A certain amount of light hearted banter ensued, started by Geoff Bird. I felt that I was being challenged to take part in the race! That was easy to overcome as I didn’t have a recumbent bike and I was unfit. Oh no, I wasn’t going to be allowed to get away with feeble excuses like that.

So there you have it. Secretly I had decided to give it a go. I just hadn’t told anyone yet, not even my wife. So I started researching the circuit, by watching you tube videos and reading other web info. Having looked at the circuit I started to think that I probably wouldn’t make the finish of the race unless I got off my backside and started riding (Training…shhhhh!). So I rode about 70 miles the next week in increasing distances just to make sure that I could finish the distance and not look like a complete Muppet (preferably not coming last either).

The weekend duly arrived and I drove down to Hillingdon. I had arranged to meet with Geoff when he got there so he could show me the ropes. The first guy to say hello was Barney. I must have looked like a fish out of water. He seemed to be enthusiastic and welcoming, so I started to relax a little. I had sorted out signing on and my race number so it was time to relax (Ha! no chance). I had a quick one lap warm up around the circuit and then waited for the time trial to start.

The 5 mile time trial was just that, a TRIAL! I positioned 39^th out of 41 with an average speed of 15.7mph. Not bad I thought for a mountain bike with semi road tyres. Then came the 30 minute plus two lap race. I was chasing down Stuart Glen on his Moulton for most of the race, with Barney and others shouting encouragement from the side lines. I managed to catch him and take a breather for a lap. Then, having tried to share some of the work with Stuart I simply didn’t have the legs to stay with him. By the time he realised that I had dropped off his pace it was too late. I finished the race in what I thought was a respectable 17^th out of 21. I Averaged 15.6 mph. I thought it was a good effort for me. Barney’s parting comment to me was “How long before we see you on a recumbent?” Not long it seemed. I’d had a chance that day to sit on a couple of bikes and was even allowed a go on a trike. (Thanks to Fraser for helping to broker those opportunities)

Hog Hill was next on the calendar. By then I had purchased a recumbent bike from the BHPC forum for sale section. I drove a couple of hours to each way to pick it up and I have to say it was worth every penny. I had to spend some time fitting new cables etc but that was all part of the fun for me. So now I had to cover more miles to get used to my new bike and before the race weekend I guess I had covered about 100 miles on my new mount. Hog Hill seemed to be universally disliked because of the Hill part and I very nearly chickened out. However I checked out the previous year’s results, and the circuit, matching myself against similar performing riders from the Hillingdon race. How many laps would I be able to do? How many should I aim for? I decided 8 would be about right as I expected a drop of about 2-3mph off my average Hillingdon speed. I was about right even though I stopped on a couple of ascents. I was 13^th out of 17. Again, for me this was a good effort and I was happy with it.

As a complete aside, the naming convention for my rides was inspired by Fraser. When chatting to him at Hillingdon he asked what I was riding. When I pointed out my mountain bike, he sagely commented. “Ah, it’s a BSO”. “BSO, what’s that?” was my reply. “A Bike Shaped Object”. J Well it was true, I had bought it many years previously, pretty cheap from a garden centre, not ridden it an awful lot and let it go rusty. So the name stuck; and it gave birth too my naming convention.

BSO1 – Bike Shaped Object 1

RSO1 – Recumbent Shaped Object 1

HRSO1 – High Racer Shaped Object 1

So that was my short 2009 experience of the BHPC. What did I get from it? Well, I found a competitive club environment which was motivating me to get fit and loose weight (this is a good thing). I found a club where the members who I have met are welcoming and outgoing enough that you don’t feel sidelined. The members encourage you to carry on when you feel like giving up. The club also encourages innovation and diversity which would seem to satisfy my engineering desires. Most of all, the racing is friendly yet competitive.

So where do I go from here? I am by nature a competitive person. I have spent most of my working career designing vehicles which are performance orientated. So I now have a 2010 game plan, which includes attending every race, stuck to the wall in front of my PC. I’ll hopefully be capturing an onboard video of each race and writing a blog about my 2010 season. My game plan also includes reducing my weight from a large 115Kg down to an 89Kg “Racing Snake” by mid season. (Blimey, it’s public now so I better do it!). Average speed increases throughout the year and hopefully making an appearance at the back of the fast race by the end of 2010.

Technically my bike has changed from a mountain bike to a recumbent. The recumbent has been modified from a short wheel base, 16”/26” wheeled, under seat steered example to a 26”/26” wheeled, above seat steered high racer type with clipless pedals and shoes to suit. The crank length can be changed quickly, with 170, 150 and 130mm being the options available to suit the track. I even have a “Turbo trainer” (shhhh!) so that I can test out changes without having to go out in the cold and wet (read snow and ice at time of writing). However, my bike at the moment has a seat which is too high, a wheel base which is too short and a steering head angle which is too steep. So my intention is to design a new high racer bike which should debut sometime in 2010. I think Keith’s M5 hi-racer is just fantastic to look at, and fast, so I guess mine will be along similar lines.

So it looks like I’m going to stick around for a while. Sorry about that. Essentially I blame Geoff Bird! And I think you should too.

Welcome to my new Blog!

Last year (2009) I took part in a couple of recumbent bike races. Hard work, but good fun (more of that later). So for 2010, I've decided to do the whole season. My Blog will be my way of recording the highs and lows of my race season. Hopefully photos, race reports, videos and technical specifications for my bike.

Catch you later.

MBG