The Winter Series at Hillingdon finished last Saturday. High Wycombe CC were one of the best represented of all the region’s cycling clubs. The EIGHTEEN HWCC (!!!) riders who took part are Geoff Powell, Steve Golla, James Norris, James Walker, Adam Brittain, Paul Morrissey, Stuart Smith, Tim Osborne, Creighton Varney, Joe Clark, Karla Boddy, James Di Rico, Mary Hannah Evans, Andy Colsell, Chris Hacking, James Turton, Jeff Roberts, and Malcolm Binns. This made us the third most represented club overall in the series.

4th Cat Racing

The race started at a sedate pace of approx 20mph with the Peloton happy to do a 7 lap warm up before any real action kicked off. Coming up to about lap 10 the pace was increased as a few riders tried the inevitable breakaway escapes, these where all pulled back by a very a warmed up Peloton. Jeff Roberts made several attacks at the front, raising the pace and trying to stretch the peloton, then slipping back into the pack after a few laps of hard effort.

Sat at the front was Stuart Smith and just behind him Tim Osborne – Jeff and Paul Morrissey sat at the back following the wheels. With the “5 laps to go” board showing the pace stepped up again with the Peloton staying together and aiming for a tight bunch sprint.

Peloton with snow on the ground

Smith, Osborne, Roberts and Morrissey where all together coming up the main straight, however eager elbows and some poor bike riding caused Smith to be elbowed off the circuit onto the grass. He showed some superb bike handling skills, and whilst he was out of the sprint he was completely unscathed. Osborne ,Roberts and Morrissey seeing a chance of a good position all kicked (avoiding the crash as per Smith) and all sprinted for the line – Osborne, Morrissey and Roberts in that order – We await the results however all riders seriously enjoyed the race .

The Imperial Winter Series has been a fantastic experience for all riders and all the HWCC riders are planning the rest of the season so it’s really energised their team and racing spirit. The encouragement and motivation supplied by HWCC members and the HWCCRT has been inspirational. Special thanks from the HWCC 4th cats go to Karla Boddy, Adam Britain, Joe Clarke, James Walker and James Norris whose advice and support made the series so enjoyable and exciting.

Expect to see some of these riders move up to 3rd Cat status in the next year

Ask yourself a question – WHY DONT I RACE – just do it .

Other racing

In the other days races at Hillingdon, HWCC were represented by the Race Team. A full report is available on their Blog.

Overall Winter Series E123 podium

4th Cat Racing

Saturday’s  Round 10 of the 4^th Cat  Imperial RT winter Series at Hillingdon ended in disappointment and frustration for most  of the riders. After 50 minutes of fast and furious riding the 4^th Cat riders caught the 3^rd Cat race with 300 metres to go, which rather ruined the sprint finish to the line.

Fifty riders on the start line, five Wycombe riders had entered, Paul Morrissey, Tim Osborne, Stuart Smith, Creighton Varney and Andy Colsell. The race distance being of 40 minutes and 5 laps, it started very fast and only Stu and Andy looked comfortable in the opening stages, holding their places near the front.

Creighton admitted he wasn’t feeling well and made the sensible decision to drop out after 5 laps or so, bitterly disappointed not able to better his fabulous 6^th place of his previous race.

Tim and Paul, starting at the front, soon managed to work their way to the back of the bunch hanging on by the skin of their teeth.  Tim was certain that he would be dropped, and was on the point of quitting too, but hung on.

Tim racing in the Winter Series

Unfortunately Paul had a mechanical problem and took a lap out but rejoined and sat in the bunch for the remainder of the race.

Feeling more comfortable as the laps counted down, Tim spent most of the time sitting on Andy’s wheel, Andy looking very comfortable and steady, with Stu somewhere alongside, all three at the sharp end and hopeful of scoring some points.

So bell rang, last lap, immediately it speeds up, furious pace down the back straight some riders not able to keep up, gaps appearing, Tim got boxed in by a slowing rider, so had to work extra hard to regain his place, Andy and Stu still looking comfortable, down the main straight, past the club room, last corner, start to climb the hill, sprinters getting ready, all hell about to break loose, and then  ………………………………………………………………………..
there’s bl###y 3^rd Cat riders all over the place in front.  Arghhhh!!!!!!

Some brave (or foolish) riders tried to ride through the 3rds, but most of the bunch just sat up and rolled up to the finish line assuming (wrongly) that no points would be awarded. Disappointing for Andy as I’m sure he would have been a top 10 finisher. Oh well, there’s always next week!

Rather meaningless official result – Andy 14^th, Stu 29^th, Tim 30^th, Paul 48^th.

Average speed 24mph - courtesy of Stuart.

Other racing

See the HWCC RT blog for details of other racing last weekend.

Steve Golla, Geoff Powell and James Walker were in action at the Imperial Winter Series whilst Adam Brittain raced in the East London Velo Winter Series round 3 at Hog Hill. Race reports are being posted on the News page, and also linked from the Race Calendar.