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Hilly 30 reliability
40 mile reliability
50 mile reliability
100 kilometre reliability
80 mile reliability
100 mile reliability
25 miles Sunday, 23th January 2005
First trial for Wheelers
Despite a very cold night and a temperature below freezing on Sunday morning, 25 riders turned out for the first Reliability of the season. The first group of 6 riders (Gavin Cranidge, John Bradley, Jeff Ellingworth, John Hill, John Newman and Loz Willetts) set off at a good pace to tackle the climb out of Grantham. A gentlemanly stop by the Army Camp saw them re–grouping before leaving the busy roads down towards Corby Glen. They all completed the course within the time limit of 2hr 23min, based on 10.5 mph.
Richard Edwards, Tony Ashling, Phil Atherton, Tony Mendham, Ewan Edwards and Micheal Ostler completed the course at 15 mph in the second group.
The fastest group comprised Pete Pain, Neil Wainwright, S Hobson, Tom Mendham, Graham Henson, Richard Ellingworth, Dave Ostler, Nigel Podam, David Herd, Simon Cocker, John Burgess and Rob Johnson, who all completed the course at a minimum of 17.5 mph.
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31 mile hilly Sunday, 30th January 2005
Better weather for the hilly run
It was a far better day this Sunday for the Hilly reliability, which wends itself around Belvoir Castle to the west of Grantham. At one point the course reaches 600ft which must be one of the highest points around and although not a long course with the range of 6 good climbs and several shorter pulls this is certainly not a course for the faint hearted. Once again there was a good turnout with 21 riders leaving the market cross in 2 groups. The first consisted of 4 riders, John Bradley, Bill Harrison and the Hill combo on the tandem all completing the course in just over 2 hours.
The second group of the remaining riders had somewhat mixed fortunes with an early breakaway of 3 riders finishing in a very sporty 1 hr 38 min, whilst the remainder, despite a stop to repair a puncture, just crept in under 2 hours. Special mention must go to Micheal Ostler who finished in a very commendable 1hr 59 min. Well–done Michael!
Individual times shown below;
J Bradley — 2 12 15
W Harrison — 2 11 00
R Edwards — 2 00 04
P Pain — 2 00 04
G Henson — 1 38 36
A Mitchell — 1 38 36
P Etches — 1 38 36
L Hodgson — 1 55 51
N Podam — 1 55 51
J Spendlow — 1 57 04
D Herd — 1 59 40
T Mendham — 2 02 40
Tom Mendham — 2 02 40
R Ellingwrth — 1 59 40
D Ostler — 2 01 48
M Ostler — 1 59 40
R Johnson — 1 54 51
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40 mile Sunday, 6th February 2005
New scenery for the 40
Although a little misty the sun was trying to break through for this weeks reliability trial which, unusually for the Wheelers, goes out of Grantham to the north east and then works around to the south east before running back into Grantham. A series of quiet country lanes were waiting for the 3 groups of riders who left the Market Cross from 9:30 onwards and the list of villages on the directions sheet includes such fascinating names as Aunsby, Aswarby, Burton Pedwardine, Swaton and Horbling. The first group of Matt Pennifold and Bill Harrison completed the ride in a leisurely 3 hrs stopping en–route to cheer on the quicker riders and to add to the rapidly growing collection of photos which are in the gallery section. The second group of 3 (Phil Atherton, Simon Cooker and Tom Mendham) were slightly quicker completing the 40 miles in 2hrs 45 mins. The remaining riders, in a group of 8, managed a commendable 16.5 mph to complete the route in 2 hrs 25 mins.
Individual times shown below;
Matt Pennifold — 3 00 00
W Harrison — 3 00 00
Phil Atherton — 2 40 00
Simon Cooker — 2 40 00
Tom Mendham — 2 40 00
Rob Johnson — 2 25 00
John Spendlow — 2 25 00
Nigel Podham — 2 25 00
Lee Hodgeson — 2 25 00
Rob Howbrook — 2 25 00
Dave Strickson — 2 25 00
Phil Etches — 2 25 00
Richard Ellingworth — 2 25 00
The time keeper did however make a valid point in that groups should try to complete the course in the published time and would like to remind all club riders of next weeks start times and timings. If at all possible could riders leave the start in an appropriate group. This should then mean that groups stay together being of similar capabilities.
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50 Mile Reliability Timings
9:30 4hrs 00mins 12.5mph
9:45 3hrs 20mins 15mph
10:00 2hrs 52mins 17.4mph
All times +/- 17 mins
50 mile reliability, 13th February 2005
A hard slog in a cold northerly wind
It was a bitterly cold morning for this week’s reliability and only just 3° at the start with a steadily increasing northwest wind forecast. Despite the cold 14 riders signed on for the start from the Market Cross with 9 riders opting for the middle group aiming for 15 mph and 5 for the fast group with a target time of just under 3 hrs — equating to 17.5 mph. The 50 course runs out of Grantham through Little Ponton and then heads south to Castle Bytham before turning west and returning to Grantham from Ashill. A strengthening northwest wind was certainly not ideal for this course and several of the lighter riders were struggling on the second half of the route. Despite the wind the first group stayed largely intact with 5 riders finishing together whilst Phil Atherton and Richard Edwards slowed a little towards the end. Michael Ostler turned for home slightly early so despite completing 40 miles earns a DNF this week.
The second group completed the course in an excellent time considering the conditions with a split into “two twos” at the end.
Individual times shown below;
W Harrison — 3hrs 11min
Phil Atherton — 3 hrs 19min
Simon Cooker — 3hrs 11min
Tom Mendham — 3hrs 11min
Richard Edwards — 3hrs 15min
Tony Mendham — 3hrs 11min
Dave Ostler — 3hrs 11min
Micheal Ostler — DNF
Simon Smith — DNF
John Spendlow — 2hrs 52min
Nigel Podham — 2hrs 42min
Rob Howbrook — 2hrs 52min
Phil Etches — 2hrs 42min
Richard Ellingworth — DNF
Next weeks ride (20 Feb) is the 100k reliability (about 62 miles). Timings are slightly earlier with the first group leaving at 9 (12.5 mph), the second at 9:15 (15 mph) and the third at 9:30 (17.5mph). This route goes through Hough, Gelston, Hougham, Long Bennington, Bottesford, past Belvoir Castle, Knipton, C. Kerrial, Saltby, Stonesby, Garthorpe, Wymondham, S. Witham, Castle Bytham, Creeton, Swinstead, Ingoldsby, Old Somerby then back into town past the army camp.
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100 kilometre reliability, 20th February 2005
Another really hard slog in a cold northerly wind
It was a bitterly cold morning again for this week’s reliability, with a forecast of snow showers, and only just above freezing as the first group gathered at the Market Cross. The strong northeast wind also promised a difficult final few miles from Castle Bytham back to Grantham into the wind. The rather disappointing turnout was somewhat to be expected given the weather although 7 riders completed most of the route in the first group on the road whilst Dave Strickson set off 15 minutes later catching the first group just after Croxton Kerrial. This week the Wheelers succumbed to the welcoming sight of the cafe at Wymondham, which was crammed with fellow cyclists completing various reliability events. Shame you don’t get a mug of tea like we used to at Margaret’s Cafe!
After the tea stop the group pushed on to Castle Bytham where a split developed and Tom Mendham took full advantage of Stricko’s wheel to forge ahead. The remaining 3 riders (Tony Mendham, Simon Cooker and Bill Harrison) doggedly hung on despite the wind and dropped down into Grantham just 10 minute behind.
The time sheet is a bit thin on the ground this week although the pictures in the gallery show the full extent of the turnout.
Individual times for this weeks ride are shown below;
W Harrison — 4hrs 47min
Tom Mendham — 4hrs 38min
Tony Mendham — 4hrs 47min
Dave Strickson — 3hrs 23min
Next weeks ride (27 Feb) is the 80 mile reliability.
Timings are slightly earlier with the first (ONLY!) group leaving at 8.45.
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80 mile reliability, 27th February 2005
A lovely ride in bright sunshine
It was a cold morning again for this week’s reliability, with a lot of ice about and some slippy patches on the roads first thing. Despite this 3 intrepid souls (Bill Harrison and Tony and Tom Mendham) set off in the warm winter sunshine for the 80–mile reliability. This route initially runs out to the Trent at Radcliff and there were several other large groups of cyclists using the same route. With a gentle North Easterly wind the first stage of the ride was ridden at a smart pace and the planned first rendezvous with Gorden at Gunthorpe came up quickly the cyclists arriving before the van! From here the route continues into open country and with the bright sunshine it was a very pleasant cycle down towards 6 hills. From here it was a long rolling run back to the east through Rutland before going north through Wymondham and home. Despite the cold this was a pleasant run out with the group averaging almost exactly 12.5 mph including a long stop at the café.
As 6th March is Mother’s Day, the 100 has been postponed till the better weather arrives.
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100 mile reliability, 20th March 2005
A long ride in overcast conditions
At last the warmer weather seems to have arrived and the weather forecasters seemed to predict a much warmer weekend that looked good for this weeks 100–mile reliability. Saturday had been somewhat disappointing here in Lincolnshire though and although the sun had tried to break through an overcast remained all day. Sunday looked like much of the same and there was even a little drizzle falling as a good sized group assembled for the ride. The normally small group was swelled in the morning as the Witham Wheelers club run had been brought forward (thanks Spen) so that a dozen or so riders left the Market Cross shortly after 8:30.
The pace was fast and furious for the first 20 or so miles and those planning the 100 were glad just to sit in take the pull. A light South Easterly meant that the first part of the ride was relatively easy and it was only as the route turned more southerly towards the lunchtime café stop that the wind began to be felt. The afternoon saw the group shrink dramatically to just 3 riders (Tony Mendham, Dave Strickson and Bill Harrison) although the pace was still quite quick in the mild conditions. The 100 mile mark came up in well under 8 hours and on arrival back at the Market Cross the average was 16.6 mph making the ride a little over 6 hours in the saddle. Total time was just less than 8 hours for the 105.1 miles! Certainly a bit quicker than previous years.
Next week we are back to the normal club runs leaving the market cross at 9:30 and the next milestone will be the first 10 mile 2 up TT on the 5th April. Don’t forget the committee meeting on 29th March for those wishing to get in their two pennies worth.
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