Hard riders video 2011

Fog, drizzle, wind, quite a pleasant evening. Chaingang march 30

Just 100% all weather man Simon Grogan, Chris Parker with a smart new bike and Chris Watson this week. Beginning with drizzly fog and a 22mph headwind, we took turns at the front and stuck together for shelter. By halfway the fog had lifted and the wind dropped. "Its turned into quite a pleasant evening" said Chris P. But were we to be cheated of a blow back? No we did get some help along the coast and had a fast easy spin home, saving our legs for Sundays TT, see you there or next week.

cw

Sunday run 27 March - Runs 2 & 3 April etc

With a combination of hard rides out to and in Saturday afternoon's Tenterden 10 TT and the clocks changing there were only three of us at the Harrow. We did my favourite start: Cottage Lane, Seddlescombe, Goatham Lane then for a change past the Rainbow Trout and straight over the junction before first left and on to the lanes to Peasmarsh. We cut through Wittersham, Ebony and Stone to stop at the tea rooms in Appledore. We went direct home via Stone, Rye, Icklesham windmill and Rock Lane. It was Steve B's first club run for ages and he was looking very good on a rather nice bike picked up second hand through a VTTA contact, Camapg Record equipment and tri bars so expect a PB in the ESCA 10! Saturday 2 April: Bacon butty run. Please contact me to find out where we meet at 10.00am. We may tie this in with a brief visit to the Hastings to Bexhill cycle path opening Sunday 3 April: We have several teams in the ESCA 2 up TTT. Some of you may want to meet 9.00am at the Harrow. If you contact me in good time I can put people in touch with each other to be sure of who will be there for a ride but personally I believe people should always turn up there regardless and sort a run out between themselves if neither Steve C nor I are there. How about others volunteering to lead some rides and call the route? Saturday 9 and 16 April. No bacon butty runs for me. It is the ESCA 10 at East Hoathly on the 16th. Sunday 10 and 17 April: No club runs for me. Everyone Will be at the ESCA 25 on the 17th, Fairwarp HQ near Uckfield. Chris Parker 07902 630574

Southborough 10 Saturday 26 March

Many thanks to Chris Parker for persuading so many of us to enter. We all had a good day. Thanks to Colin Enderson who took some photos of us. Sadly my camera stopped working so we only got some early photos (see slide show) SC

Jay's photo in Hastings Observer 25/3/11

Great photo of Jay Miles racing at the ESCA Hardriders TT in the Hasting Observer this week by the way.

Steady as she goes: Chaingang Report March 23

A steadier chaingang than usual, rather than going flat out all the way pacesetter Pete Tadros was taking it a little easier to save his legs for Saturdays race. Welcome to Malcolm's friend Paul Earle. We were all really impressed with how Paul rode, he really turned himself inside out to stay on, thats the spirit- it gets easier with practise, hope to see you agin soon Paul. Max had to abandon the ride when he suffered a blowout at the railway crossing. Some of us waited while he changed his tube. His tyre had split and nobody had packed a "boot" (spare section of old tyre) to patch it but Max managed to ride home gently.

Next time we ride, the clocks will have gone forward so there may even be a little light as we set off, so an ideal chance to practise some through and off and allow everyone a turn at the front thru Bexhill and Cooden, to prepare for next weeks team time trial.

Sunday Run 20 March - Sat 26 & Sun 27

Nine riders set out from the Harrow to head off over to a lap of the Tenterden 10 / road race circuit. We cut across the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve then straight up the Military Canal to Appledore. At the top of the little dig just north of Appledore the chequer flags were in place for us ... Well the 11.00am six and a bit lap road race. We touched on Woodchurch then went through the finish of the 10 course and up past the golf club into Tenterden then back down past the start to the Reading Street Garden Centre. Four riders did not stop and set off straight back with the other 5 enjoying coffee and cake, Malcolm a generous egg and bacon butty. We got out in time to see the road race as we went home via Appledore, Stone, Rye, Icklesham windmill Three Oaks and Rock Lane. Joe Jenner was looking as fresh as a daisy after over 50 miles, the first young lad to complete a full club run for several years.

Saturday 26 March: We have a team of 18 on the start sheet of the Southborough Wheelers 10 on the Tenterden course. HQ St Michaels C of E Primary School. First rider off at 14.30. Some of us may ride out meeting to depart 12.15 sharp from Fairlight Lodge. Check with me / Steve C. Why nt coem out and watch, ride the wrong way or just have a coffe and chat. Pete Tadros is also riding. Contact me if you want a start sheet e-mailed.

Sunday 27 March: 9.00am at the Harrow to depart 9.10.

Chris Parker 07902 630574

Friday chaingang report 18 march

An enjoyable chaingang last night. The weather forecast was spot on, although it had been raining heavy during the day it stopped raining in the late afternoon and was drying out by the time we set off. Ivan was unwell again (bad headache) so couldnt make it but Duncan was there on his first ever friday chaingang. Duncan is going really well and managed to do stonestile lane without stopping on his first attempt and was only a little behind me (who had the big advantage of knowing where it ended). Also present were Paul K, Malcolm and Simon G. Hopefully duncan will be a regular for the Friday chaingang from now on.

Stranded in Bexhill

A great turnout tonight with 17 riders which equals our best of 2010 and close to our all time record of 20. Unfortunately Dave took a tumble descending Galley Hill and had to be taken home by Duncan who lives locally. Hopefully its just a few bruises. Respect to Duncan, Steve and Chris P for breaking their ride to stick by Dave. We all really feel for Dave scraping his good bike like that and hope he's not hurt himself.

Not too long ago Chain Gang leader Steve Curtis was taking his flatbar commuter hack and Pete and Ivan were towing quite a small bunch with their old steel mountain bikes.

Meanwhile back in the jungle: Matt soloed into Bexhill, Pete T caught him, we sat on Pete for a bit, then he dropped us both, my fault really, then Matt dropped me before the pub, some time passed and then it was over. Malcolm rolled up next, and then the others. On the return Pete dropped everyone at Cooden, and a fierce headwind chopped the rest of us into little groups. Bonkers the lot of us.

by Steve C and Chris W

East Sussex Hard Riders 13 March - Rides on 19 & 20

The Bodle Street Green HQ and course was first used in 2000 and since then H&StL CC have always entered a big team for a fantastic local event with first rider starting off at 10.01am. We were best represented club with 21 first claim members on the start sheet, three more than the mighty Lewes Wanderers. With injuries and mechanical problems we ended up with 17 finishers whereas all 18 Lewes finished so we will have to do better next year!! Only two riders have ridden in all 12 Hard Rdiers on this course, both from H&Stl CC.

Chris Watson was our best placed rider with a 41.22 giving him 9th place and 3.27 for 11th place on the Agony Hill Prime. Triathlete Jon Molton (45.20 & 3.57) came in 24th for us and David Earl (45.24 & 4.04) was third counter in our A Team at 25th. Making up the team of 17 finishers were:
Simon NEWELL 47:49 4:12
Simon GROGAN 48:26 3:51
Malcolm DALY 48:35 3:56
Gregory BLACKWELL 48:51 4:10
Jay MILES 49:28 4:24 Has ridden in all 12 ESCA Hard Riders
Paul KEINEDER 50:07 4:33 First ever TT
Peter CAMPANY 50:25 4:11 Now a full time pro - first Open TT for many years
Robin DICKINSON 51:26 4:33 First ever Open TT
Simon WADMAN 53:25 4:44 First ever TT
Chris PARKER 54:05 5:00 Has ridden in all 12 ESCA Hard Riders
Stephen CURTIS 54:09 4:46 First ever Open TT
Duncan FEATHERS 54:09 4:48 First ever TT
Joseph JENNER (u-16) 54:39 4:21 First ever open TT and fastest junior of the day!
Tony KING 58:35 5:40 First ever TT

See soem video on You tube, coutesy of regualr Wedensday evening chain ganger Paul Fuller and photos taken by Tim Miles.

The full result sheet will be on the CTT web site.

Saturday 19 March: Chris Parker will lead a steady bacon buty run meeting 10.00am. Text for meet details. Suitable for first time riders with the club.

Sunday 20 March: Meet 9.00am at the Harrow to leave by 9.10, probably riding over to Appledore and round the Tenderten 10 course since we ahve a team of 14 or so riders for the Southborough event on SAturday 26 March, first rider off at 1430.

Chris PArekr 07902 630574 [Posting might need a bit of an edit, doein a rush!]

Hard riders video

Many thanks to Paul Fuller who made this great video of the 2011 hard riders (hosted on youtube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jehNXhQe4Vc

Friday chaingang report March 11

Just three of us (me, Paul K, Malc) out on the Friday chaing last night which was a shame as the weather was excellent. Ivan had to stay at home to rest his leg veins but says he will be OK for the hard riders TT.It was warm enough for me to manage with just a long sleeve jersey and gillett. We took it a little easier than normal and got back to the ridge via the main road rather than our usual ascent of stonestile lane. We all wanted to save our legs for the 'joy' of the hard riders TT on sunday.
S.C

Chain Gang Weds 9 March and Committees

Thirteen riders tonight on a nice dry evening, a few of the stalwarts such as Malcolm and Max were missing tonight. Simon Grogan was there as ever and maintains his 100% attendance this season!!(the only one of us to do so). Quite a strong head wind on the way out to Pevensey. Ivan sharing the lead with a good number of others. Dave H-H popped out of the pack to reach roundabout first.
An easy ride back for some, however Matt R jumped away at the start, I dug deep to catch him, then we needed to go all out in a 2-up TT to hold off Simon Grogan and Alex who were chasing very strongly and nearly caught us at Spooky Hill.

On the way back Ivan and Simon T were happy to ride at the pace of the slower riders; Ivan had injured one of his varicose veins at work and Simon T seemed to be going down with a cold and had little energy after going flat out at the Puncheur Sportive and winning a Pancake race in London. Ivan is not sure if he will be OK for the 'hard riders tt' on Sunday, we will have to keep our fingers crossed for him.

SC & CW






Chris Parker and Stuart Crabb are attending the East Sussex Cycling Association Committe meeting on Wednesday 9 March in Laughton Village Hall at 7.30pm. So having made all nine of the 2011 Wednesday evening Chain Gangs Chris Parker misses his first of the year, leaving only Simon Grogan with a 100% record. To make up for it he did the usual run on Tueday evening. It was a glorious clear but cool evening and a lovely ride out towards a fine crescant moon. New Moon had been on Friday and First Quarer will be on Saturday so the moon was on her back and just a thin crescent. On getting home teletext gave Eastbourne as being 4 degrees C with a 3 mph SW wind at 2100, you cannot get much better at this time of year.

If any one wants to get involved in committee work there are lots of opportunities. H&St L CC is a South East District CTT club. The District holds meetings in particular in the lead up to National Council when proposals are put for change and proposals tabled by other Districts are discussed so that the District representaives can be mandated on how to vote. Britsh Cycling South East do similar for road racing. Then there is ESCA, SCA and KCA and .... Talk to me if you are interested in getting involved.

Chris Parker

Rides Sunday 6 March - 12 and 13 March

Nine of us had a good club run round the Hard Riders course to prepare for next Sunday.

Simon T, Dave D and Mike C enterded the Puncheur and I am sure will have ridden.

Sat 12 March - No bacon butty ride
Sun 13 March - see you at the ESCA Hard Riders. HQ Bodle Street Green. First rider off at 10.01, we have a team of 22 riders in a field of 66, the biggest team of the 12 clubs represented.

I will edit this and add more details later

Chris Parkar

Bacon Buty Run 5 March and Juniors

Joe Jenner has a good cycling pedigree. His Dad Peter was a leading light in the Hastings and Rother CTC section and was one of the main drivers behind the very successful 1066 Randonees which ran for about four years c. the late 1990s. 100s of riders used to enter with a good turn out of continental riders - it was part of the Belle de Europe Series (remembered it correctly?), a variation on Audax / Sportives. Peter used to take a tandem and attachment over to France so Joe and older brother Ed have many foreign miles under their belts.

My favorite memory was the time a French club booked the wrong date and came over a week early. They had a coach with special enclosed trailer for all of their upmarket bikes. We had a joint club run with them round the course. Meanwhile the families had been exploring then popped in a supermarket to buy up loads of stuff for a tasty picnic at the top of Galley Hill at the end of the ride. A really great day out, and that was after meeting up with them for a drink the night before.

Joe was racing at Herne Hill Saturdays last year and will be doing it again this year, our only member with track pedigree other than Simon Newell who used to take his lads up to Herne Hill and also thrash round on his track iron.

Peter and Joe also went up to Manchester to watch the recent round of the world track racing, which was pretty well covered on BBC.

Joe brought along his friend Wil (also 14) who has only had a road bike since Christmas but has had an MTB for a while and used it at Bedgebury. Hopefully Joe and Wil will be the core of a team of juniors in the local GHS heats with a view to getting places in the National finals later in the year.

With Pete C, the four of use had a steady ride out to Rye then bacon butties all round in the Strand cafe before a ride back.

While in there Bronwen (and Craig) came in after a training session with the Rye girls in preparation for Sundays' Kent CA three up time trial - Rye will be out in force there rather than ride the ESCA Hard Riders. Which reminds me that we should be sorting out teams of reasonably matched riders for the East Sussex CA two up team time trial on Sunday 3 April. A 24 mile test based on the HQ at Laughton Village Hall just west of Hailsahm, first rider off at 8.00am.

Chris Parker

Freezing friday

Six of us turned up to do the Friday chaingang tonight despite the temperature being around 3 degrees. Good to see Josef out again. Luckily the wind was much lighter than it was on weds, so once we got moving it didn't feel too bad. We managed to get all the way round without hitting any pot holes or getting punctures, which was a relief. There was frost forming on the car roofs by the time we headed for home

SC

Freezing wind and double punctures

A great turn out tonight with 14 riders.With the wind chill factor it felt really cold, myself and several others had nearly decided not to go as the wind really was bitter. leading the field as usual was pete tadros, in fine form. With Pete there the pace seemed to be faster than usual. I got a puncture at the top of spooky hill and unfortunately my almost brand new pump (which had great reviews in the magazines)refused to pump up the new inner tube, luckily Ivan and paul came to my assistance on their way back, but I then had a another puncture and had to ring them up for help again. Many thanks to ivan and paul for their assistance in getting me back home otherewise I fear i would still be out there now in the howling wind .The pump is now in my rubbish bin at home!

Rides Sunday 27 Feb and 5 & 6 March

The club fielded a team of 5 in the Sussex Cyclists' Association Hard Riders time trial on Sunday which was shortened to 21.5 miles due to road works.

Chris Watson - 1.00.22
Lee Holdaway - 1.02.52
Jay Miles - 1.10.32
Chris Chapman - 1.14.33 (carrying an injury but is SCA President for 2011)
Chris Parker - 1.15.24

We should get a report in the Hastings Observer and I may get round to sorting out the BLOG pages ...

Simon Tyler rode the Hell of the Ashdown.

Ivan had an early ride with Paul K to take him round the Hard Riders course.

Did anyone turn up at the Harrow?

It is reported that David Earl went out on the Old Lags run !!!!

Saturday 5 March: Meet 10.00am sharp at the Crematorium on the Ridge for a steady bacon butty run to Rye and back. Please let me know if you are joining us, we do not hang around waiting for tardy arrivals!

Sunday 6 March Meet 9.00am at the Harrow to depart by 9.10am. With a team of about 20 in the ESCA Hard Riders next Sunday we will go round the course. Some of the stronger riders may want to ride round at a quicker pace than a steadier group.

Chris Parker 07902 630574

Prize Evening Friday 25 Feb

We had a great social gathering with over 30 people at the superbly catered evening in the Eat@ cafe (12 Claremont). A selection of the club's ipressive array of trophies were on disply including the oldest that is up for award, the 1905 du Cros Shield, and the 1888 Challenge Cup that was privately purchased from the New Zealand descendents of the outright winner *** Chenell (will look up the details and add them).

Chris Chapman did his early cycling in Brighton more than twenty years ago but started short disance time trialling again these last three years. He produced the club's fastest 10 time on 2010 with a 22.46, only forty seconds off his PB set in his youth. Chris also picked up the Hastings-Rye-Hastings Trophy for the fastest time for the lumpy 18 mile mid week event, run three times in 2010, proving that he should be upping the distance to ride 25s and may be more this year.

The 2009 winter social was an Indian Curry when the trophies were not on display and great performances acknowledged. It was a great year with some fantastic rides from Dan Henchy and Jamie Beale who then went on to ride for other clubs. Opportunity was taken to acknowledge Ivan Johnson (58.54) and Ian Hendry (59.91) who both joined the elite band of sub-hour riders when they went under the hour for a 25 mile time trial for the first time in 2009.

The records pages etc on the BLOG will be completed one of these days .......

Chris Parker