Hospice Hill Climb Series 2012
Howard Lindow (Lakes RC) has been busy over Christmas finalising
the Hospice Hill Climb Series for 2012.
Plenty of time for that you might think - they're end of season
events - aren't they?
Well, in a word, NO. The first event is the possible mudfest that
will be the Kirkby Slate Road on 19th February at 10am. Rather
different this one, so not one for the carbon bikes, lightweight
wheels etc.
Howard has also included some well known classics of the area (Bigland, Woodland, Knottallow Tarn).
We all owe a big thank you to Howard for putting all this together.
All you could possibly need to know about the series is available here, and the dates/times are included on the Events Calendar.
Club Dinner & Presentation night - Friday 11th November 2011
There was a great turn out for the Annual Club Dinner & Presentation night.
A slightly different format for the prize giving seemed to go down
well despite the dodgy Bruce Forsyth impressions by Master of Ceremonies Glenn Rhodes.
Jon Evans was crowned a very worthy Club Champion and hoovered up most of the trophies.
Connor Furness capped a very impressive first season by taking the Junior Champion trophy, and Rennel Brennan
secured the Ladies Champion trophy.
The full list of prize winners can be viewed here.
Andy Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Wheelers) had kindly agreed to be
guest speaker, and he certainly gave us all something to think about.
Andy broke the 24 hour TT record earlier this year with a staggering
541.09 miles, beating his previous record of 525 miles which he'd made 14 years earlier.
He very calmly told us about his bike, training, nutrition
etc in such an understated way that after a couple of drinks, I was
thinking even I could have a crack at it!
If I got it right, you basically just need a steel framed bike,
cantilever brakes, a few TT's and some longer rides in your legs, some energy bars, a few sandwiches,
energy drink and a plan - and that's about it.
As Glenn rightly pointed out, what he modestly forgot to mention was 'a smidgin of talent!'.
There's a great video which puts what he achieved into perspective (don't worry, it doesn't last 24 hours). I'd urge you to watch it and take particular note of the last section from 4 minutes onwards!
Andy Wilkinson breaks the 24 hour TT record
Something to read while the rain lashes the windows...
Writing the Book...You've probably read "In Search Of Robert Millar", "Flying Scotsman" and loads of other cycling books. Well, there's a new one due out next year, and reading this chaps blog on its progress, it should be a cracker.
This stuff is funny, yet embarrassingly accurate and I can guarantee you will recognise yourself in there somewhere. Everything from 'Mechanical Ineptitude' to 'A sink full of cycling crap'.
It's long so something you can dip into over the winter to follow his progress in...
Writing the Book
Bad Weather Riding...
So, with the rain and wind we've had lately and winter approaching you think you've been a bit of a hero venturing out on the bike do you?
Or perhaps you think that Andy Hampsten's ride over the Gavia in the 1988 Giro was the pinnacle of suffering?
Naaah -
This is heroic - Milan - San Remo 1910 edition
Getting the miles in...
A few people have heard of Tommy Godwin the track cyclist, and very good he was too. Unfortunately, not many seem to have heard of another Tommy Godwin.
If you think you're going to get some serious miles in over the winter ready for next season, then read this and weep.
I can't help feeling you'd have to be a bit bonkers to do this, but as the write up says, this record will never be beaten,
and you can't say that about many cycling records. There's
also a handy link on the page which shows you how many miles Tommy
did on this day in 1939, so you can compare your days mileage ;-)
Tommy 'mile-eater' Godwin
The Hill Climb...
Thought this was quite apt now the Hospice Hill Climb Series has come to an end (until next year!)
Here's one blokes take on that very British event - The Hill Climb
Rules is rules...
A bit of light relief after all those heroics. The UCI might have their rules, but really these are the ones that matter.
The Rules
About the Club
The Barrow Central Wheelers was formed in 1933 when two of the clubs of that era combined. The club gets its name from the Barrow Central railway station where the first club runs started from.
Over the years, the club has taken part in all forms of cycling and cycle
racing with some of it's members representing Great Britain at the highest level.
At the present time the club is predominantly a time trialling club promoting 3 open
events and 21 club events each year with an annual prize giving held at the end of October.
The club still has a small active road racing section and a touring group that have very close ties to the Cumbria Cycling Club which is active most weekends and organises weekend runs and at least one major continental tour each year.
Please send any ideas / news / feedback to the