SCCU 25 5th Sept.

[Andrew G]

Final race of the season for me today, apart from a couple of fun 10s on fixed, and was hoping to do a decent ride for my SCCU BAR placing. The SCCU BAR is a season long competition which works on your times in Southern Counties TTs for the Best All Rounder - an average of your average speeds in your best SCCU 25, 50 plus the 100.

A bit chilly so an armwarmer day. It was great to see Phil Hawkes at the HQ for his first Open TT and first 25 with some newly aquired tribars clipped on to his bike.

I started off and it felt like hard work, I thought my legs hadn't woken up but it was a nagging headwind for the first 6 miles that was a hard slog in to. around the first turn and then up toward the 2nd turn at Tollgate. Up the drag and a mix of cross wind with a bit of head wind at the top. A big thank you to Mark and Paul for being Addiscombe's 2 helpers for this one and a nice shout at Tollgate turn.

Back down and yes, picking up some tailwind, realised it wasn't my legs early on now but that bloody wind. In 53x11 as usual down from Tollgate and stayed in it almost all the way back to Moorgate RAB only snicking down to the 12 and then 13 on the little lift up to the RAB .

More big gear fast flying along to Great Daux and then back on to the A24 for the final 10 miles to Southwater and back. Going well up the Hop Oast drag and saw Phil on his last bit going the other way and looking as though he was going well.

I finished strongly and gave a sprint for the line, improving on my previous SCCU 25 time. Had a good race, shame about the early headwind but a decent finish to the season.

Addiscombe riders:
Andrew Green 1.01.02
Robert Royle-Evatt 1.01.24
Phil Hawkes 1.07.14 - great debut Phil 3 minutes faster than my debut 25 which was on the same course. Hope you enjoyed it.
George Brent DNF - pulled a groin muscle after 5 miles.
Mark McLaughlin DNS - enjoyed his warm up so much he forgot to go the start line in time . A classic from one of our most experienced testers

Steve Dennis is riding phenominally and there's always a bit of anticipation at HQ to see what he's done and then a bit of a when his time goes up. Today he won with 50.38 .

For comedy Mike Anton who's not been racing for the last couple of year, quick when he was, rode today on his full suss MTB with knobbly tyres and full bounce set on the suspension. He said it was hard work but did a bloody good considering 1.15.48.

[Andrew G]

Forgot to say, today's recovery drink is Hepworth's Iron Horse. Nicer than REGO .

[Phil H]

Yep, I'm pleased with that as a first attempt. It wasn't nearly as unpleasant as the 10s at Holmwood - maybe that means I'm just not trying hard enough. I'd do it again, but maybe not today. I see I lost a lot of speed on the uphills.

The guy behind didn't pass me until about 19 miles in. Then I passed him back in the last couple of miles. Not saying anything about the guys 2 minutes and 7 minutes behind except maybe check for motors.

[Keith]

Well done Mr on a top season. You must be well chuffed. A season's review may be appropriate.... of the beer that is

I hollered encouragement at you from the other side of the dual carriageway, but I doubt you noticed.
[quote]George Brent DNF - pulled a groin muscle after 5 miles.

[mark mclaughlin]

Duurrrrr! that was worth getting out of bed for at 4.30!!

Yes, was obviously enjoying my warm up through the lanes with the dappled light. Thinking I had plenty of time until seeing Keith no 80 arriving, then getting to the time keeper to see no 78 was just starting.. I was no 76!!
No time to slot in with 10 other riders following..… game over.
Anyway, good tea and bread pudding with George and Robert.

Well done Andrew and Robert and especially to Phil on his first 25.

We jumped into Georges wagon to catch Steve Dennis in full flight on the tollgate climb…….amazing ride!

[Andrew G]

Keith, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber just pips Ringwood Forty-Niner to season's best recover drink this year .

[Snoop Doug]

good news all - except mark and george - hope you're feeling better soon. Big up to Phil - must've been the extra training on last week's evening mtb ride good work, ten mins faster than my first ever 25

[Sylv]

Well done Andrew. I'll argue that Leffe is a superior recovery aid though.

[Jon H]

[quote="mark mclaughlin"]Duurrrrr!

[Andrew G]

Picture thanks to Adrian Webb, Chairman, Redhill CC.

Come on Phil give us a roar...
[img]http://adewebb.smugmug.com/Sports/SCCU-25-on-050910/IMG0990/996332104_6Mxmn-M.jpg[/img]

[Phil H]

I think I'd have gone faster if I'd taken it seriously.