Herne Hill - Mon 11 June

[Tamar Collis]

Not so many people at the track yesterday - maybe it needs the lure of £50 prize money to get the numbers I saw last Wed.

Stuck with the bunch better this week. Started with 12 lap A/B scratch. Managed a couple of laps this time before getting dropped. Rode round with a junior and was wondering what the etiquette might be regarding sprinting for last place against a kid....and then the little fiend pipped me right on the line. Won't make that mistake again!

B cat devil I achieved my goal of not being 1st out. Smaller field meant there was space to ride high and overtake - but didn't have the legs to repeat it. The race was won by Neil Stone (former ACC, now Trisportnews)

Handicap sprint heats - oh how I laughed. I had 90m headstart on the scratch rider (John Scripps), 80m on Keith C, down to 40m on other slow riders. So I only had to ride 410m whereas JS had to do full 500. My pusher was most insistent that I get out of the saddle and sprint. He was trying to be helpful and gee me up I think but I knew I wouldn't be able to do it and he seemed quite annoyed when I told him I couldn't ride out of saddle. Anyhow, did 3 wobbly pedal turns then decided to plonk ass back in saddle and tt round. It was quite pitiful and I think the entire field swept past me in the final 3 metres.

Neil Stone won his heat with such ease that I don't think he'll be getting away with a 40m h'cap next week...although he did get swallowed up in the final so maybe he will.

No team for me for olympic sprint so I contented myself pushing Keith who rode with Neil and another chap who's name I don't know.

John Scripps pretended to be a derny for the youth riders by holding a stick in his spokes to make an engine noise and sticking his knees and elbows out. I thought I was going to cry laughing.

Final event was 30 lap A/B scratch. It was slower than last week and I stayed in for 13-14 laps. When I got dropped, instead of tt-ing round I rode high and practised dropping back down onto the bunch. Missed them the 1st time but caught them on second attempt and stayed in again for a good few laps. Keith came 2nd.

Legs tired but happy today. Must get out of saddle! Am going to practice that tomorrow at the end when people are heading off and track is quiet.

[Andrew G]

Would like to have a go at the odd one of these they sound like fun, are they every Monday evening? What time does it start? While I'm doing my Magnus Magnusson bit what sort of gear do you ride in these events as I'd like to use my own bike (I ride 69" fixed on the road)?

Thanks.

[Tamar Collis]

Mondays and Wednesday 7pm.

I have no idea what gear I have! I will have a look tonight and let you know....and will also ask Keith what he rides.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Generally around 84" is the norm for HH, but varies depending if you prefer pedalling or pushing.

[Andrew G]

I have a spare set of bars in a stem to just drop in anyway Sean so just need to undo one allen bolt and the one holding the caliper to the forks. Thought ahead as I'd planned on trying to get to HH sometime this year.

Thanks for the other info, will try to get along to one or two. I rode the evening 10 on 83.5" last night so will start with that.