Addiscombe CC Track Champs - Sunday Aug 1

[Andrew G]

You'd be fine riding up Anerley Hill on that gear Sylv but you'll get dropped on the track unless you spin your legs like a mad thing .

The 5k scratch used to be a 5 mile race hence the trophy name, when real men rode it now metric for us soft modern men.

[Sylv]

Always go this way, then switch wheel for a 15

[Andrew G]

Spoilsport I thought you were going to handicap yourself .

Looks like we'll be on the same gear.

[Sylv]

Butlers @ 1.15pm? Usually takes me 25-30 min to get to HH, going slowly. There's a F1 start to be seen @ 1

[Andrew G]

I'm driving.

[Amy]

I think I'll ride up to this - saves me sitting in the flat all day

Was thinking of riding up from home rather than coming over to Croydon though - anyone else find Hackbridge better to get to than Croydon? Leave about 1pm as I'm sure even Sylv's 'slow' is not slow enough for me

PS don't think I go up Anerley Hill either. Route's fairly flat, just a couple of bumps.

[Robert]

I`ll be riding over, though to go Hckbridge is out of my way from Caterham, at least Norwood Hill isn`t too bad

[Andrew G]

Thanks to Mark for putting this on, and Joyce, Tamar, Amy, Alan, Rob and Marcus for supporting along with Steve's family.

Congratulations to Steve and Sylv for scooping the victories, I nearly got Steve in the sprint but just couldn't get past him and he got it by about a wheel (not sure exactly how much as I was busy throwing my bike at the line). Has to be said Steve has a very nice smooth style on a track bike, looks like he's on a bigger gear than he is he spins it so well at speed.

Only dissapointment was ballsing up the pursuit as for some reason in my head I was thinking 9 laps even though I knew it was shortened to 5 and started too slowly and had plenty in the tank when I'd finished. Oh well never mind it probably saved my legs a bit for the sprint final.

Lovely weather too Mark, well booked .

[Marcus]

Great event to spectate at.
Steve was a speed demon, well done to everyone.

I have a fixed speed with 42t on front and 16t on the back. This I would imagine is undergeared for the track. What size chainring and sprocket do i need to put on to take it on track?

Thanks

[Andrew G]

Steve, Sylv and I were all using the same gear I think. 48x15. Personally I felt a bit undergeared and wish I'd put a 14 on the back.

[Steve B]

Yeah, big thanks to Mark for organising today, and all those who helped and supported.

Thanks for the 'big up' on my riding style Andrew, its not something I'm concious of, just natural I suppose.
I felt thoroughly knackered once home this afternoon, I certainly left it all on the track, there wasn't anything left in the locker at all. The last race (scratch race) was just too fast for me when the 'Bec' riders forced the pace, and it was all I could do to finish. Well done to Sylv and Paul for staying with it. Congratulations Sylv, 'Champ' .
The sprint was a good race, with Andrew pushing me all the way to the line. He rode a good tactical race staying in my blind spot as much as possible while we were high on the track, both hoping the other would take up the race. Its much more difficult than it looks on the telly, you need eyes in the back of your head . When I decided to go, its was all out to the line, and it was enough, just

The 5lap pursuit was the real surprise for me, I never thought I'd win that. My pusher/timer did a good job for me, telling me roughly how much I was down on Sylv each lap. I think this made the difference, and it was only on the last lap that i overhauled him.
The flying 200m, was just that, fast as you can from the 200m marker. It certainly makes you feel queesy, all this sprinting stuff

Thanks for a good day guys

Steve

[Snoop Doug]

Sounds good, and the pics on Aodan's facebook page are great. I'd have much rather been @ HH than @ home dusting and hoovering - but it's good for my soul....apparently.

[Sylv]

Thanks to Mark for organising, Steve Andrew and Paul for making the effort to take part, and those who came to watch.

I lost the first sprint heat to Andrew. As far as I can remember, I'd never ever been in a sprint situation, race or clubrun, with him, and must have underestimated his sprint. We played cat and mouse and I went from 400m, at about 250m he had made it up to my wheel, so I eased off slightly to recover (mistake) before sprinting, and got passed in the final 20m. Andrew then went on to almost beat Steve in the final, with a similar tactic, no mean feat!

In the small final it was Paul, Mark and me. Paul was firmly intent to take my wheel as we were high up the banking at 400m to go, whilst Mark was slowly pulling away down on the black line. Mark's gap got too big for comfort and when he accelerated I had to jump away, which had the effect of dropping Paul. I managed to come round Mark for the line.

The five laps was started for the five of us by George, whistling without a whistle. For a few seconds I wasn't sure this was actually the signal, but I looked round and saw the others going. Put my head down and went for it, good event that. Steve won, beating me by 1 second (grrr).

For the flying 200m I took Keith's advise and hit the start line at full speed, then wresting the bike with my head down. 14t would have helped indeed. I thought I'd put in a good time, and looking at Steve and Andrew they didn't seem to start as fast. But they were both faster than me. I haven't used a Powertap for over two months, but I suspect my high end power has dropped a fait bit.

Last chance was the 18-lap scratch race, ran with the Bec. Half laps at the front, with Keith pulling big turns which had the effect mid-way through of dropping both Steve and Andrew, who'd been riding the sprint final not long before. Paul was still hanging on though, his drivetrain emitting a worrying loud "CLANG" every now and then. At 300m Keith launched his sprint, his Bec team mate in his wheel and me behind, Paul dropping off. Tried to get round for second place, I think I just made it with less than half a wheel, with Keith taking his umpteenth win of the day.

Was not as tired as Steve afterward, but I have to say my legs are toast this morning!

[Toks]

Hey guys, well done. Hey Andrew, sounds like the ACC members only 4th cat Road Race is gonna be quite a feisty affair. I'm a bit annoyed I missed out on all the fun now. Oh well next time

[Mark Leedham]

As usual, a very sunny Sunday afternoon with some great track cycling.

Here are the results:

5 Lap Pursuit 2 Lap Sprint Flying 200 M 5 Mile Total Points Omnium Position
Name Time Points Points Time Points Points
Andrew Green 3.20 3 4 14.13 4 0 11 3
Sylvain Garde 3.12 4 3 14.29 3 5 15 2
Steve Broomfield 3.11 5 5 13.80 5 3 18 1
Mark Leedham 3.43 2 2 16.09 2 0 6 5
Paul Tunnel 3.50 1 1 16.11 1 4 7 4

So the winners are:

Steve Broomfield wins the Ernie Mills tropy for the winner of the Club’s Sprint Championship
Sylvain Garde wins the Percy Huggett trophy awarded to the winner of the Club’s Five Miles Track event.
Steve Broomfield wins the Omnium, and will receive the Pip Heathfield Trophy.

Thanks to all the riders, all the helpers and all the supporters.

Do not forget the Addiscombe Open Track meeting this Saturday - August 7 starting at 14:30