2009 Year Review

[Andrew G]

Toks Normally throws one of these up about October, before the season's finished , but seems to have forgotten this year so I've nicked his headings. Perhaps he's been secret training, or eating too much cake , anyway it's a bit of fun.

Goals: PBs and consistency.

Training Approach and Philosophy: If you don't like doing it then you probably won't do it.

My Best Races(RR or TT): Anerley 50 was a close 2nd place, but has to be the Farnham 25 at the end of June. I caught the six riders in front of me and wasn't caught be anyone, and got a good PB just 11 seconds off the hour. The 3up TTT with Jon H and PVT was great fun, got to try and do more TTTs.

My Worst Race (RR or TT): SCCU 100, yet again. A disaster from start to finish and easily the worst race I have ever done, not just this year.

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: Rye and back, and the Tour of Wessex. [Edit: Also the Isle of Wight MTB day].

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: SCCU 100

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv, with Steve B a close second.

Best ACC TT Racer: Steve Davies has clocked some great rides this season.

Best Sportive Rider: Hal

Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: Nik Bowdler - top UK tester. He rides a massive gear but turns it so smoothly and has a fantastic position on the bike, putting in staggering times.

Seasons Low Point: Keith being taken from us, a sad loss.

Most Improved Racers: Steve B, and dare I say it myself. Also Alan M for the Mstina Vets series.

Favorite pro riders: Cancellara.

Most improved Club Riders: Difficult for me to say as I don't get out on many club runs between March and Oct/Nov.

Best Forum Bits: Specifically - Sylv's Cristalp report. In general - I've always enjoyed reading the ride reports. Unfortunately they seem to have slowed up a bit this year (CR reports etc), let's get them going again regularly as they're a superb representation of how varied the club is.

Racing/Riding could of / should of: Shouldn't have gone off course in the 12hr , although I know I'd have suffered with the heat later on as Steve suffered very badly.

Stand out quotes: George - "Blimey you're hard to catch" after he'd been chasing me down for miles in the Anerley 50. The best thing I've heard this year.

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Don't know on the bike, but certainly not anyone who wears white shorts. Out of lycra Paul Dewis' shirts in Mallorca.

Kings and Queens of Pain: Hal for his LEJOG in 5 days, followed by Sylv for his Cristalp performance.

Who went missing this season: PVT for a lot of it, too busy building his mansion. Tamar - for obvious injury reasons but it would be good to see you back kicking bottom on the TT scene.

[Antloony]

Good list there Andrew. Was thinking about this the other night so here's mine.

Goals: To ride my bike and enjoy it.

Training Approach and Philosophy: Training?.. .what the hells training.

My Best Races(RR or TT): Hillingdon, taking 1st place in only my 2nd race there.

My Worst Race (RR or TT): Has to be Palace, 7 laps and one knackered knee to show for it.

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: Not really done many epic long rides this year so prob one of the Brighton runs, always good fun.

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: My spill on the CR causing some nasty road rash.

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv, with Steve B a close second. Same as you Andrew, good choice though Andy E showed some good form.

Best ACC TT Racer: Mr ...who else.

Best Sportive Rider: Hal, no one else comes close.

Most Improved Racers: Steve B, and dare I say it myself. Also Alan M for the Mstina Vets series. Again good choice Andrew, esp Alan M who really did well and put in some good performances and has grown in power and strength.

Favorite pro riders: Wiggins.

Most improved Club Riders: Nick H. Really come on well this year, throws himself in amongst the faster riders on the CR and never gives up. Rob W also, seems to get stronger week in week out.

Best Forum Bits: Club run reports and race reports.

Racing/Riding could of / should of: Should have had a higher placing in one of the Surrey League races but my lead out man went a bit early...MAREK...

Stand out quotes: Paul H at one of the Surrey League races "I think I'm going to do well today, I've just had my lucky sh*t and it was like 2 mars bars lying in the bottom of the pan"

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Sean's going for a late entry run on this...can he snatch the title.....

Kings and Queens of Pain: Me and my flipping knee earlier on this year.

Who went missing this season: Dan G though he has graced us with his presence again at last.

Thats all folks....

[kieran]

Goals: can’t remember them, didn’t meet any.
Training Approach and Philosophy: a bit piece meal and could do better but can’t be ars*d

My Best Races(RR or TT): No TTs and it should read which one I enjoyed the most – that would be the open road race where I felt good but punctured near the end so I could use my imagine to fill in my victory.

My Worst Race (RR or TT): Palace after my holidays where I got dropped from the front bunch – only time this year.
Best Long Rides or Sportivs: 2 day cycle tour with my wife or Ride of the falling leaves, my only one, but good weather and a good ride..

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: 2 day cycle tour with my wife – end of the second day.

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv.

Best ACC TT Racer: no idea.

Best ACC tri / duathlete: Carl f, Paul H

Best Sportive Rider: Hal

Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: some of the juniors at Crystal Palace making it look easy in the 3rd/4th cat race.

Seasons Low Point: Keith being taken from us, a sad loss.

Most Improved Racers: Don’t know, not me anyway.

Favorite pro riders: None a lot of them are ok but you can never tell.

Most improved Club Riders: Don’t know.

Best Forum Bits: the expansion of the forum into other areas like running/tri and getting good advice off Paul H, Carl etc

Racing/Riding could of / should of: should have started training earlier, done more races, tried a TT blah, blah.

Stand out quotes:

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: would have to be either Sean H or Adam.

Kings and Queens of Pain: Hal for his mad LEJOG in 5 days, followed by Sylv for his Cristalp performance.

Who went missing this season: Haven’t seen/heard much from Toks or PVT

[Snoop Doug]

Hmmm, 2009 is for me a year to forget in many ways. Not all though - so here's a slightly different list:

Goals: failed every single darn one of them . I put a huge amount of pressure on myself @ beginning of the season stringing together a spectacular run of DNFs. My shortest ride was about 25 metres of the SCCU 25 miler I just felt crushed and had to turn back. I began to see huge stretches of flat tarmac as razor sharp ridges, with me perched on the ridge. The slightest movement either side and I convinced myself I would fall, a long way down. Even a puff of wind began to freak me out. Most embarrassing was the SCCU 10 which I stupidly saw as my comeback ride. I knew within seconds that I was busted though I hauled myself up the little rise to where Tamar was sitting. Went by, round the corner, got off the bike and cried to myself I was so embarrassed at blowing another race so soon after the start. Went back to see Tamar - she was great and after the race nursed me back to HQ - I could literally only manage about 1mph on the bike. Shame. A positive from all this was some sympathy gratefully received and an awareness that others happen across bad times like this too. I learned a lot about the fragility of the human mind.

Once I managed to convince myself just how crap a time I was having it was actually kinda nice to do nowt after that. Trouble is doing nowt is boring.

So I started writing regular articles for the local paper about our cycling superstars. Michelle le Brun was a big help with this once the momentum got going.
Kicked off the Lanterne Rouge as a way of trying to reach out and keep folk posted about the good stuff going on in ACC land. Sorry been a tad quiet on that front just lately v busy trying to get my fledgling new business off the ground just now.
I enjoyed spectating at and helping at a few events.
I enjoyed helping to make the ACC summer social happen, that was good fun, good food, good company, good weather
The overnighter club run to Brighton was good fun. Y'see - I knew I'd find something enjoyable about being on the bike if I looked hard enough

Sorry about the diversion - now on with the show

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv, superstar. I get a lot of enjoyment reading Marek's die or die perspective on racing, love the enthusiasm

Best ACC TT Racer: George and PVT on the tandem, Mr and some improvements from Rob RE and Jon H good to see

Best Sportive Rider: Hal, and Mike I got stuck in and did a few good 'uns too

Most Improved Racers: Keith Lea, Antloony, Alan M, there are probably more.....will pay attention in 2010

Favorite pro riders: Tommy Simpson

Funniest person @ Pilates - Marky Mark

Best darts - Tamar and Joe as a last minute doubles team blew everyone away, fun to watch

Best cake - Joyce's lime and coconut put everything else in the shade

Overall it's been an interesting year and once I knocked the TTing on the head managed to enjoy quite a lot of it. I may go cycling on a more regular basis next year, I may not, we'll see.

[Toks]

Well done Andrew

Goals: Didn't really achieve them although i feel I have improve some what

Training Approach and Philosophy: Plenty of moderately intensive rides in the 60-120 minute range.Averaging 20/21mph

My Best Races(RR or TT):
The RAS 2,3,4 race. Brilliant to be part of the ACC team

My Worst Race (RR or TT): I pulled out of a vets crit at Hillingdon. i feel pretty rough

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: Dragon Ride

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv, no question!

Best ACC TT Racer:
Andrew green
Best Sportive Rider: Paul "can I find an excuse not to really race" on a Peason

Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: Cavendish, Milan San Remo, Wiggins, TDF; Hal (The RAS); Sylv (The RAS); Andy (The RAS); Ajay winning the B race at Hillingdon

Seasons Low Point:
All the cyclists that were taken from us; My bike getting Nicked
Most Improved Racers: The Malarkey man
Favorite pro riders: Cavendish, Wiggins, Armstrong, R. Downing

Most improved Club Riders: Not sure

Best Forum Bits: Amy's winging is often entertaining; Huw's reports




ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Sean (again!)

Kings and Queens of Pain: HAL, HAL, Hal, Hal, Hal ,Hal

Who went missing this season: Me and quite a few other

[Toks]

Nice write up Sean. A fairly significant year for you for obvious reasons. Long may your improvements on the bike continue

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="Sean Hogan"]Goals: I wanted to live up to what so many have said to me before that I could ride fatser and for longer. Achieved both in equal measure

Training Approach and Philosophy: To ride more CRs at a much faster pace, achieved that by mid May, then the wheels fell off in August

My Best Races(RR or TT): The one at Palace where i was given 2 BC points that should gave gone to The Shadow. Actually the one at Palace where I finally managed to lap another rider stands out for me.

[quote="Antloony"]Best ACC TT Racer: Mr ...who else.

[Hal]

Goals: Keep my 2nd Cat licence, ride Palace regularly, ride more road races, ride selective sportives, ride over 200 miles in a day. Trying to be good at all distances, a Jack of All trades.

Training Approach and Philosophy: Ride and ride some more, training group for speed, Brighton runs for distance.

My Best Races(RR or TT): Tour of Wales, racing 5 days straight on great terrain, with GC catogories, KOM points, Sprints, a great team and pretending to be a pro.

My Worst Race (RR or TT): Bletchingly circuit mid July 2.5 laps then tendonitis got too bad and an forced an early end to the season

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: Tour of Wessex 6mile ride to/from the start to warm up warm down before ripping it up, The Fred Whitton with Andy E and friends I don't dare enter this year as I fear I will not beat that time. Oh and End to End but that is a whole different story.

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: hmmm, nothing comes to mind really, I kind of like riding most of the time.

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv
Best ACC TT Racer: You are all amazing I find tt's most uncomfortable.
Seasons Low Point: impending achilies tendonitis end June/July
Favorite pro riders: Wiggo
Best Forum Bits: pictures of Paul H playing tennis in his pants
Racing/Riding could of / should of: could have gone faster, should have gone slower
ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Paul on his new white Willer, its always soooo clean.
Kings and Queens of Pain: its been a tought year for Michelle
Who went missing this season: Dan G

[sonic909]

Well... i havent really been involved much with the ACC as a bit of a newbie, however a few people have stuck out in my mind and i think deserve a bit of a thanks;

In no particular order;

Marco - Very friendly and welcoming, totally hooked up on whats what and whos who and you feel like you've known him for years after minutes.

Higgs - A dark horse, quiet caring guy with alot of knowledge and ability, a good leader on the MTB rides and a very genuine guy.

Antloony - for his kindness at the Club10 in july (my first TT) he took me under his wing, explained everything and really helped with my nerves (didn't take much to really help me feel included and clued up) and for that i am very grateful

AndrewG - for also being friendly, always making a point of saying hello and always having something honest and worthy to contribute to all situations that i have met him in.

Snoop - for being very clued up and a great listener, was a pleasure to ride a leisure ride with him.

GentlemanJohn - A brilliant, calm and understanding true gent - looked after a friend who i brought out on the CR, and also made my first daunting CR experiences worthwhile. Always making everyone feel safe and wanted, and he instills a feeling of he'd never leave you behind.

Monty - a highly respected and worthy club captain, good at piping up and keeping the line, whilst seeing everyone is having a good time, also a skilled rider and very adept at working the group to ensure everyones comfy and feeling welcome/included.

Slyv - and utter nutter. Goes hard then goes home... always makes me giggle as he goes for it with a glint in his eye and his special sense of humour... a pleasure to watch at events.

George - another utter nutter, my highlight was at herne hill where he fell on his head, came to say hello and was actually dazed and concussed... appeared drunk but was still up for a race! legend.

RobQuinn a top bloke to talk to on the clubrun, drove me to the AGM and is just another genuine guy who shares the interest - someone who i could drink many a beer with!

And PVT for getting me hooked!

On the whole every experience i have had this summer with the ACC has been brilliant, i have been made to feel welcome at every outing, and everyones out to see everyone else is ok, which is a great change to the real world!
Agreeable is 100% the ethos i have found and thats why i have stuck around, all of the above are just decent blokes that share my passion and care about their cycling buddies... what more can you ask for!

I am sorry if i haven't mentioned you, but if you've met me, then you have helped make my summer with ACC enjoyable and agreeable.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Goals: PB in TT10 and a few sportive golds and silvers - absolute rubbish, pedalling backwards for most of the season, feeling my age!

Training Approach and Philosophy: I absolutely love riding my bike unfortunately my petit bourgeois life gets in the way.

My Best Races(RR or TT): A GOLD and PB in the May Flyer - a good start to the season but downhill fast from there on in.

My Worst Race (RR or TT): Just about every TT I rode. Cycling through treacle most of the time.

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: Brighton Club Run - great ride down with Phil Nash & co. Riding back home with the grupetto.

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: Catford Reliability Ride - total hell - great ride out, then punctures, then legs turned to lead, then jelly, then rhubarb crumble, then it started raining, over 8 hours on the bike, soaked.

Best ACC Road Racer: John Czenobay - Top Man

Best ACC TT Racer: Slyv's ride at the president's 10 - awesome!!!!

Best Sportive Rider: Chloe's May Flyer Ride - WOW!!!!!

Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: The old bloke that won the Tour of Ireland - one man against the rest. I found walking up St Patrick's Hill hard enough! Chapeau!!

Seasons Low Point: too many to mention!!!

Most Improved Racers: Does Chloe count?

Favorite pro riders: Samuel Sanchez

Most improved Club Riders: No idea - compared with me everyone's most improved!!

Best Forum Bits: Markey Mark

Racing/Riding could of / should of: could have done better, should have done better!! tch teachers eh?

Stand out quotes: 'that was hard'

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: the bloke who lives in south croydon with all the earings studs and things - bling bling

Kings and Queens of Pain: My mate Ritche B

Who went missing this season: My mate Ritchie B

[Dombo]

Goals: Stay consistently in 19s (failed )

Training Approach and Philosophy: No clear philosophy, but hills and distance seem to feature at the expense of speed and sprinting

My Best Races(RR or TT): Hillingdon ACC race in September, first lap when still in contention

My Worst Race (RR or TT): Hillingdon ACC race in September being lapped for the fifth time by Adam and Sylv, as Sean too disappeared in the distance like the little white dot on an old telly

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: Dragon Ride and the club Brighton run

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: SWRC in May as I winced round with agonising hot foot

Best ACC Road Racer: Sylv

Best ACC TT Racer: Don't know

Best Sportive Rider: Hal

Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: Bloke on a unicycle doing the Dragon Ride. A different bloke on a unicycle descending Leith Hill. My eleven year old daughter accelerating away from me up the approach to Leith Hill and then descending some rooty drop offs that I'd forgotten to warn her about (that'll teach her to try and drop Daddy )

Most Improved Racers: AJ at Hillingdon? Though I don't know what he was like before.

Favorite pro riders: Armstrong and Hatch

Most improved Club Riders: Difficult for me to say as I drift from group to group

Best Forum Bits: Hal's LEJOG report. CR reports always good. Marco's rants - the only bit of the forum that has me googling Biology and Stats A Level study notes to formulate a reply.

Racing/Riding could HAVE / should HAVE: Should have entered more mtb events, should have trained more for Dragon.

Stand out quotes: Huw to me at Hillingdon - "Last lap". Sweetest thing I ever heard on a bike

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Hard to say, but perhaps Sean when all those photographed parts he's been treating us to over the months make it onto his bike.

Kings and Queens of Pain: Two Kings, Hal for his LEJOG in 5 days, followed by Sylv for his Cristalp performance.

[Toks]

[quote="Dombo"][Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: Bloke on a unicycle doing the Dragon Ride.

[Rob Q]

Goals:

Training Approach and Philosophy: Ride my bike, stop for cake. Ride my bike and in the summer stop for a pint

My Best Races(RR or TT):

My Worst Race (RR or TT):

Best Long Rides or Sportivs: London to Paris charity ride

Worst Ride/Sportiv Of the Year: Although I loved the Dragon ride, I was in bits for the last 15 miles.

Best ACC Road Racer: Hats off to all the ACC road racers, something I would love to do.

Best ACC TT Racer: Marky Mark, for his improvement on last years time and giving it a go.

Best Sportive Rider: Hal, and I also include his Land's End to John o' Groats

Most Impressive Riding I witnessed: Those ACCers passing me...and there were many

Seasons Low Point: No such thing

Most Improved Racers:

Favorite pro riders: Armstrong

Most improved Club Riders: Dont know

Best Forum Bits: CR reports, organising of alternative routes

Racing/Riding could of / should of: Done more sportives

Stand out quotes: Marky Mark shouting "PUB" everytime we passed one. The banter on Pete S alternative runs (they do make me giggle)

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: Ian (Djembi)

Kings and Queens of Pain: My legs at the end of the Dragon ride

Who went missing this season: My Neighbors cat

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"]

ACC's 'Blingiest' Rider: the bloke who lives in south croydon with all the earings studs and things - bling bling