Cheam to Sumners Pond 18 October 2009

Mick Ayliffe, Trevor Hughes with welcome guest young Chris Green set off from Cheam to Sumners Pond, a distance of some 32 miles. They collected Ev Equistorff at Walton pond and proceeded through the lanes via Rusper and Warnham Station to arrive at Sumners Pond for refreshments whilst sitting outside in the lovely sunshine. Much of the return journey retraced the route out but with a detour through the Dorking gap and back via Epsom. Chris rode well considering his previous rides were of only approximately 25 miles. Late in the ride a twinge of cramp and some tiredness was overcome with an energy gel that assisted Chris in completing the ride. Well done Chris a ride of over 60 miles.

2009 Freewheel Champion

Six riders contested the freewheeling contest on the Tilburstow to South Godstaone course last Sunday. It was won by a big bloke as usual on a steel bike, because as we all know light carbon bikes do not go down hill very fast at all.

However there were complaints issued regarding the way that Paul White won the contest. This was based on the fact that he loaded his bike up with a handlebar bag to ensure the greatest momentum. I took this into account but dismissed it. This has nothing to do with Paul promising to pay for my drinks at his wife's jazz gig on the following Sunday......

Two riders made it onto the main road with Trevor Hughes joining Paul White in cresting the ridge. Well done to the pair of them. The good folk of Godstaone were not happy though, as they had drained the pond in anticipation of Denbo starting the event and making it (nothing to do with being a fat git) into the village: they didn't want their pond polluted!

Club run 11th October 2009. I TOLD YOU SO!

Oh how they laughed at my handle bar baggy this morning with my water proof leggings and Gortex top.

They said it was for the extra weight for the free wheel event.

How did you lot enjoy the ride home? I just got back to the car parked in Merthstram as it started to rain.

Love warm and dry

Isambard.

Twelve Champions

I happened upon this book whilst reading stuff on King Alf. It is a really good book that covers some of the more controversial riders in British Cycling history. Eileen Sheridan, Ray Booty, Frank Colden, Les West, Martyn Roach, Phil Griffiths, Sid Barras, Alf Engers, Ian Cammish, Beryl Burton and Albert Crimes and John Arnold.

It really is a fascinating book for those who remember some or all of these riders or for those who might want to know what cycle racing and training used to be like before science. If Engers and Cammish had tri-bars and energy drinks their records would probably still be on the shelf.

Think about it: do you want to go under the hour for 25 miles? Ray Booty went under 4 hours for 100 miles in 1958 on an 84" fixed wheel! Find out how he did it.

It is available from the author at £20. You will need to contact him through the Wychwood books website at www.wychwoodeditions.co.uk