Three Medway Velo members braved muddy conditions to dip into the world of multi-sport by completing the Thanet duathlon last Sunday (15 January).
Rob Sapp, Rob Kennison and Sally Smith travelled to Minnis Bay, Birchington to take part in the event which consisted of a 2.5 mile run followed by 9 miles off-road cycling and finishing with a 4.5 mile run. Continue reading
A competition to set speed records for the Medway Velo club resulted in some fast times being posted.
The event, which took place at the 442-club, Gillingham on Wednesday, 11 January, involved club members riding rollers – a non-motorised ‘treadmill’ for push bikes. Two riders raced over 500 metres in what was described by onlookers as ‘an epic battle for speed.’
Stealing the victory for the veterans and reaching 58.5mph was head coach Rob Kennison who completed the 500 metres in 19.1 seconds. He narrowly took the win from son junior Tom Kennison (18) who was a mere 0.3 of-a-second behind Rob in 19.4 seconds. Continue reading
Five Medway Velo members braved the cold to take part in the Leybourne Lakes Team Outrageous Boxing Day Triathlon.
The event involved a brief but freezing 60 metre dip in Leybourne Lakes, followed by a 7 mile bike and 1.4 mile run.
Claire Friday, Vicki Strila, Mark Strila, Matt Fearn and Sally Smith all completed the non-wetsuit event which kicked off at 9am.
The water was a ‘tropical’ four degrees and squeals and groans could be heard as the 19 triathletes stepped into the water. After acclimatising to the chilly temperature the race was on.
Second out the water was Claire Friday, who used her previous experience of swimming the Channel to best advantage. Onto the bike course and Matt took the lead closely followed by Sally. At the half way turnaround point Sally edged into the lead and the pair duelled it out on the run.
During the run Sally managed to take the lead to finish seventh overall and first lady, everyone finished with a few minutes of each other.
Full results below:
In the 36 years it’s been running, the Wigmore CC Hill Climb at Hollingbourne has probably never seen weather like Sunday’s. It was perfect for spectating; unfortunately in a moment of madness I’d entered it! In the queue to start, Deb and Louise were thinking the same, with similar sentiments expressed by some of those around us already sweating in near-30 degree heat. Continue reading
Once again the ladies of Medway Velo had another impressive weekend of Time Trials with two new PB’s being achieved.
Deborah Hope & myself took part in the KCA 25 held on the Thanet Way.
The weather conditions were great for Time Trialling, dry with a little head wind on the way out but of course that gave a great tail wind on the way back.
I made it to the start just in time having left my club kit at home & had to make a mad dash back to get it (I blame the head trauma). A quick warm up together & a chat about the course & Deborah & I were at the start.
I decided to go hard from the start & hold on for the distance, I wanted to prove to myself I was back after my accident & when I threw myself & the bike across the line I knew I had done well, I felt good.
This was the first time Deborah had ridden the Thanet Way course, before the start Deborah had said she wanted to try & take 5 minutes off of her PB. Deborah decided not to push it too hard on the first lap as she didn’t know what to expect but on the 2nd lap she dug in deep & went for it & felt good at the finish, not surprising with an impressive 8 minutes knocked off of her PB.
Finishing Times were:
Louise Mason 1:05.55 2nd lady
Deborah Hope. 1:11.51. 3rd lady
Roll on next year!!!!!
The result:
50 riders started
Deborah Hope, 22nd overall, 2nd lady – 207.207 miles
Sally Smith, 30th overall, 4th lady – 196.617 miles
On Sunday, 4 September both myself and Deb Hope pulled on our velo jerseys to represent the club in the KCA 12 hour. We were both disappointed that time trail whizz kid Lou Mason would not be riding following an accident from which she was recovering, but thankfully she managed to make it to shout encouragement from the sidelines. Continue reading
About 20 of us gathered at the shop and Harve declared it a perfect day for Jojo’s. Via where, Harve?! Boxley Hill, the A20, Challock and Bridge, apparently. “There are a few places where people can turn back if they need to. And we’ll keep it nice and steady,” said Harve. Yeah right. Simon, Martin and Big Dave were in the group, not to mention Andy Hawes; we should have known, no way would it be a steady ride with those guys setting the pace. Continue reading
Not wanting to cheat on my club with another I just could not turn down the opportunity to ride the Emergency Services Road Race held on the SERRL circuit in Woodchurch, Ashford on Sunday, 7 August.
So it was with mixed feelings I pulled on a Kent Police jersey and headed for the start line. I was incredibly nervous and the 2pm start didn’t really help me as I was in too much of a state to eat before hand. This coupled with a strict 1200 calorie a day diet made me anxious at the start. Continue reading
Another great weekend of racing from club riders have seen the Medway Velos team show some great form.
Fresh from breaking the club record in the 50mile time trial, Louise Mason, did not stop there and went double the distance to complete the Kent CA 100 mile in 5:04:13 this speedy performance led to Louise claiming 2nd lady past the finish line. Rob Sapp also continued to build on his good form and returned an excellent 4:44:08.
The weather was not on the side of the time trialling duo and the pair had to battle strong winds, rain and even a hailstorm during the ride. This makes the great times returned even more impressive.
The course ridden began in Kingsnorth and took the riders to Brenzett, Rye, Brooklands, Lydd back to Brenzett and finishing in Kingsnorth.
The big question remains, will these riders go for it and take part in the KCA 12 hour on Sunday, 4 September? If they do they will make the BAR long course list and who knows, perhaps a podium place?
Velos remember the 12 hour is a club championship, so get your entries in the post.
And Robs Sapps Report is here:
A fortnight on and Lou and I had turned out for the club 100 mile time trial. We met in the car park prior to the event and had a good old moan about the 4am wake up and how confusing the course was (10 round abouts in first 10 miles). However, the skies were brightening into what looked like a pleasant day.
We were off within 5 mins of each other so rode to the start, nice thing about a 100 is you don’t need a warm up. 6.18 and I was off. Round the second round about and into the head wind, we had been here before in the 50! Mentally picturing the course with a wind arrow over it I figure at least this time we should have a reasonable % of tail wind as well.
The first 50 were pretty uneventful, although after I discovered that Lou had a mix up on one of the earlier round abouts that would lead her to riding 103 miles. Legs were feeling good and food still going down. At 70 miles all seemed to go downhill. I could start to feel a bit of cramp in my right thigh, gave that a rub then the head wind got gustier, causing a bit of a tricky cross wind at times on the deep sections. Then it started to rain, spots at first then 5 mins of heavy rain. Rain stopped whilst I was stopped at a level crossing!
I got to the last 12 miles and things seemed to perk up. Lou’s husband gave me a big shout from the side of the road, I think I manages a raised eyebrow in response and a strong tail wind. Feeling good again I really pushed to beat my target of sub 4.45 which I was just still on target for.
Across the line and collapse. The biggest problem with this course is that after 100 miles in the saddle there is a 6 mile ride back to the HQ!!! Thankfully, the next man over the line from Sevenoaks Tri motivated me back onto the bike and I made it back..
Lou’s response to her first 100. “ That was the hardest thing I have ever done, never again!” (until next year Lou)
Personal Best for us both, and another second place overall for Lou
Rob Sapp 4.44:08
Louise Mason 5.04:13
Pete, Geoff and Harve left earlier in the day and Kevin picked me up at 17:00 for our 126 mile drive to the New Forest.We had a straight run down except for a 5 minute hold up within .5 of a mile of our destination of Stoney Cross. We,d rang the others,who,d arranged for our evening meal in nearby Lyndhurst, name of pub unknown, but very good. I had 3 Cumberland sausages,mashed potatoe,peas and onion gravy,it went down a treat even after my early afternoon pasta loading blowout! After a desert it was back to the hotel for a very few hours sleep,luckily we had 3 separate beds and so I didn,t have to up-set Kevin or Pete by choosing which one to sleep with,result,because,if I,m honest they,re both a bit too hairy for my liking. Continue reading
