Hemel Hempstead Cycling Club

Hi folks,

Tonight's event was again held on the shortened course due to the roadworks. The evening was reasonably warm but quite windy. But luckily it was a cross-tailwind on the outward direction that is a little more helpful, and with a low pressure system (that was creating the winds and the many showers earlier in the day) meant that most people were doing times almost the same as last week that was thought to be a good day. Sadly the weather likely did put off a number of people so numbers were well down on normal with only 10 taking the start line.

Fastest was Keith Fletcher, but he only had just 3 seconds in hand over Simon Hemington and Simon in turn had only 8 seconds to spare over Ian Baynes. Simon North was over half a minute down in 4th with Richard Greaves a further 10 seconds adrift.

On handicap it was noticeable just how close many of us were - an indication that the handicapper is doing his job well with the little tweaks he does here and there to the allowances. To illustrate this - the top 6 are covered by 23 seconds - with gaps of only one or two seconds between some. Winning was Ian Baynes and he actually had one of the bigger gaps - 7 seconds over Simon Hemington. Simon had 6 seconds gap back to Paul Thomson, but after that the gaps were one second to Steve Roffe and then 2 seconds to Stuart Simmonds.

Thanks to Bob Clark for the timing, Jonathan James for the pushing, Steve Hewitt and David Taylor for marshalling at Dagnall and Matt Meadows for doing the turn. Next week we should have John Dowling, Matt Jones, Geoff Reynolds and Graeme Woods. (incidentally Geoff and Helen are looking to swap their turns on 5 August with someone - post on the forum if you can help!!).

Next week we are still likely to be using the short course as the roadworks are still scheduled to be there, although that night should be the last of it and we should have a great new surface to use! Also I will not be there to look after things so Stewart Boucher will be in charge. We will also need a volunteer for someone to make teas as Nigel is also away.

The week after that - 29 July - (on the newly surfaced full length course!) it will be the Handicap Ten - and a trophy is up for grabs!

Cheers,

Paul

As last week I have put in estimated full length course times - for interest only!