Rother Valley Triathlon – 16th September 2012

Posted on September 22, 2012 by admin

Sunday 16th September 2012 saw James Bray (@jameswbray) compete in the Rother Valley Sprint distance Triathlon. This was the qualifying race for the European Sprint Distance Championships in Alanya, Turkey. This event consisted of a 750 meter swim in the main lake of Rother Valley Country Park, a 3km long climb out of the valley followed by 2 laps of the 9km bike route racing around the Harthill area then it’s all downhill back to the Country Park before the 5km run looping the lake.

“The conditions were good for racing and after riding the bike course the week before it gave me added confidence to race as hard as possible to give me the best chance of qualifying for one of the GB age-group spots up for grabs. In addition to the route rekey, I was coming off the back of a solid 6 week block of training with some impressive performances at the local club run duathlons. Therefore I was ready to push myself and see how I faired against similar athletes who were also aiming for a GB age-group spot.”
The swim was as good as I expected I knew I would be a little of the pace being a non-swimmer but nether less came out to the back end of the main group which I was happy with. This contributed of a swim time of 14 minutes and 58 seconds.

Once through transition I was onto the bike course. After the course rekey the week before I knew I has to get into a good climbing rhythm quickly. After climbing out of the valley the rest of the course was fairly undulating but that’s the sort of course I like, so was able to get the power down as start clawing back all the places I lost in the water. I pushed as hard as I could and made full advantage of the team’s rear disc especially on the final 3km back to the park which was all downhill! I ended up with a bike split of 43 minutes and 21 seconds, which I was really happy with.

After a good T2 I was quickly into the run. The run was flat and fast and I pushed as hard as I could for the first 1km then settled in before really kicking hard for home with about a mile to go. My run time was 18 minutes and 37 seconds.

I finished with an overall time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 22 seconds. This was 8th in my age group, 71st overall. I missed out on automatic qualification spot but my time was good enough to still qualify for one of the roll down places so I’m now just waiting to see if I have qualified. I’m really happy with my overall performance and don’t think I could have gone much faster. I know I have still got a lot of hard work to put in to my swimming to improve my swim times but other than that I am happy and am now looking forward to a bit of time off before starting my winter training.

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HTRC TT Jack Kirk Column, Sproatley Circuit – 8th September 2012

Posted on September 15, 2012 by admin

The final event of the Hull Thursday Road Club’s: “We Love Mountains.com” sponsored TT series was held on the Sproatley circuit, it’s a fairly testing 14 mile, two lap course and was held in balmy/hot conditions with a fair breeze.

The series was far from being all tied up as Steve Coates held the lead over Neil Cleminshaw by only two points and based on similar events in the series it was anyone’s guess who would prevail. A first place for Neil would provide enough points to over-haul Steve’s lead, so there was everything to play for!

Junior rider Alex Dalton seemed a possible candidate to factor in the result having showed good form in winning the Spout Hill climb for the Jack McGlone trophy and the previous event, a 10m TT at Bubwith for the Bob Hudson memorial. In fact after the first lap Alex had taken 15 seconds off Steve and was looking good for the win. Neil had played a wily card by requesting a start time whereby Steve wouldn’t be able to see him, feeling that it would be an advantage to have him in sight to focus on reeling in.

Being the last event the results were held back for the presentation, which took place in The Bluebell at Sproatley after the race. By the time the results and overall standings were calculated and checked there was a few nervous with anticipation and eager to hear who’d done what, but everyone was in good spirits which is typical of HTRC.

So, the times were read out in reverse order as usual for these events and it was tight, but Steve had done enough, winning by just 10 seconds over Alex and 12 seconds over Neil. Alex took the Junior title, Neil the Veterans title and Steve the Senior title.

Huge thanks to Paul Kilvington and everyone who helped in the organisation and running of the series and of course to We Love Mountains (us guys) for their sponsorship of the series.

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Out of the Saddle Autumn Road Race – 9th September 2012

Posted on September 13, 2012 by admin

Steve Coates and Tom Sutton teamed up to take on the Out Of The Saddle Autumn Road Race at Thurcroft, South Yorkshire. The course was to be 22 laps of a short undulating triangle, which made for criterium style sprinting out of corners, but including a couple of small hills to make things even harder. The distance was to add up to just over 50 miles and it was hot, there was also a fairly stiff breeze just to finish the cocktail!

The racing was never going to suit everyone and before the halfway point a good few riders were shelled out the back of the bunch and then the attacks started. At one point Steve thought he was in the lead breakaway and spectators were shouting his group’s lead over the main bunch, unfortunately it turned out that the times being shouted were between his group and the actual leading group of 8 in front. Tom had got dropped at some point when an attack had split the main bunch in a number of places through a technical descent that led into a sharp right-hander.

The race followed it’s course from then on and the leading group stayed away to take 1st to 8th or 9th place, Steve stuck with the chasing group of about 12, but cramped as they sprinted for the minor placings and finishing somewhere just inside the top 20. One tough workout was had by all!

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Cliff Pratt Duathlon, 5th September 2012

Posted on September 12, 2012 by admin

Wednesday the 5th September was the last Cliff Pratt duathlon of the season at Skidby Mill. We love Mountains RT had three athletes taking part James Bray, Simon Pickering and Tom Macdonald trying to secure enough points to claim the overall and Veteran series wins.

This was one of the best turn outs this season with 22 athletes taking to the start line with a few ringers coming to join us for the first time, Pete Fielding Smith, Dave Shackleton and Paul Drop knowing to everyone in the local cycling scene.

The first run was fast showing everyone’s improvements from the first race with 3 people going under 13 minutes and James at 13.04 was lying in 4th place. Simon and Tom ran a little more conservatively running outside 15 minutes.

The bike leg was just as competitive, as both Pete and Dave showed their pedigree on the bikes posting the two fastest splits, the every improving James just get taken on the final Climb by former team mate Paul Noble to finish in fourth place with a great time of 36.55 a 2 minute improvement from his first race this season. Simon and Tom had their own little battle finishing 12th and 10th respectively with very similar bike splits proving that they should be doing more two up time trials together as Simon strength on the hills seems to compliment Tom’s strength on the flat.

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Richard Hoyland Memorial Road Race – 2nd Sep 2012

Posted on September 11, 2012 by admin

Tom Sutton and Steve Coates went to Braithwell for Dinnington Wheelers Richard Hoyland Memorial Road Race, there were a few surprised faces when the organisers announced on the start line that it would be 60 miles rather than the advertised 50. Steve had already decided to ride so as to conserve himself as much as possible following the two races at Dishforth on the previous day. Tom though took it on at the front with some good attacks, although on the mostlRichard Hoyland Memorial Road Race Sun, 2nd Sep 2012

Tom Sutton and Steve Coates went to Braithwell for Dinnington Wheelers Richard Hoyland Memorial Road Race, there were a few surprised faces when the organisers announced on the start line that it would be 60 miles rather than the advertised 50. Steve had already decided to ride so as to conserve himself as much as possible following the two races at Dishforth on the previous day. Tom though took it on at the front with some good attacks, although on the mostly flat course his efforts didn’t pay off.

After more than a couple of hours the pack was whittled down to about 50 riders from approximately 70 starters and it became clear that there’d be a big bunch sprint to finish. Tom offered to play a lead out role for Steve, knowing he only needed a point for his 2nd cat licence. He did an excellent job too, staying out to the right on the run in to the finish to ensure a chance of some space. The We Love Mountains RT boys narrowly avoided a nasty crash, but managed to both finish in the top ten. Tom leading Steve out for 6th and holding onto 8th spot in the process.
y flat course his efforts didn’t pay off.

After more than a couple of hours the pack was whittled down to about 50 riders from approximately 70 starters and it became clear that there’d be a big bunch sprint to finish. Tom offered to play a lead out role for Steve, knowing he only needed a point for his 2nd cat licence. He did an excellent job too, staying out to the right on the run in to the finish to ensure a chance of some space. The We Love Mountains RT boys narrowly avoided a nasty crash, but managed to both finish in the top ten. Tom leading Steve out for 6th and holding onto 8th spot in the process.

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Strathclyde Triathlon – 2nd Sept 2012

Posted on September 10, 2012 by admin

Race report from Tom MacDonald of the We Love Mountains Racing Team for the Strathclyde Triathlon, European Qualifier Scottish National Championship held on the 2nd September 2012.

I travelled up to Strathclyde Country Park to take part in the second qualifier for the European Championships in Turkey next year not in the best shape but hoping to sneak a result.

The organisers had informed us during the preceding week that due to a water quality problem the race would be turned into a duathlon with the 1500m first swim being replaced by a 1500m run, with athletes going in groups of 5 with 30 seconds intervals.

Choosing to go in a group after about 5 minutes wait, I knew I would have others to chase on both the first run and bike. My first run was as expected just over the 6 minute mark and got into transition feeling happy.

The bike course is a 7 lap undulating route on closed roads within the confines of the park, this enables us to concentrate on just trying to catch and over take the athletes in front. I didn’t loose too many places on the bike but was disappointed with my 1.08 bike split, but with two dead turns on every lap it is difficult to keep up a good rhythm.

The final 10k is a 2 lap undulating run around the foreshore of the lake, I knew I was starting to struggle at the first turn round point after going off just a little to fast and lost a few places to those who had paced it better and finished outside the top 10 in 14th place with a total time of 2.03.29.

Overall a great race within a great venue that I would recommend to anyone, unfortunately not for me this year but I will be back again and will get the result I want.

I travelled up to Strathclyde Country Park to take part in the second qualifier for the European Championships in Turkey next year not in the best shape but hoping to sneak a result.

The organisers had informed us during the preceding week that due to a water quality problem the race would be turned into a duathlon with the 1500m first swim being replaced by a 1500m run, with athletes going in groups of 5 with 30 seconds intervals.

Choosing to go in a group after about 5 minutes wait, I knew I would have others to chase on both the first run and bike. My first run was as expected just over the 6 minute mark and got into transition feeling happy.

The bike course is a 7 lap undulating route on closed roads within the confines of the park, this enables us to concentrate on just trying to catch and over take the athletes in front. I didn’t loose too many places on the bike but was disappointed with my 1.08 bike split, but with two dead turns on every lap it is difficult to keep up a good rhythm.

The final 10k is a 2 lap undulating run around the foreshore of the lake, I knew I was starting to struggle at the first turn round point after going off just a little to fast and lost a few places to those who had paced it better and finished outside the top 10 in 14th place with a total time of 2.03.29.

Overall a great race within a great venue that I would recommend to anyone, unfortunately not for me this year but I will be back again and will get the result I want. – words Tom MacDonald.

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British TT Championships, Harby, Leicestershire – 2nd September 2012

Posted on September 6, 2012 by admin

Nick Couplands race report for the we Love Mountains RT at the British Time Trial Championships in  Harby, Leicestershire on September 2nd 2012.

Sunday saw some of the cream of British time trialling gather near Belvoir Castle for the annual national championships.

After a couple of weeks of focusing on my TT position I expected a strong showing from myself and hoped for a top 10 in the masters B category. With the course measuring just over 21 miles and rumours of a nasty hill mid way, I thought it best to head down a day early and take a ride of the course, hoping to dispel any unpleasant surprises.

The climb of Harby hill would be the focus of the race, with a gradual build up of 5-8% ramping up to 18% for the top bends. Even for someone who prefers riding uphill, climbs are never pleasant on a low profile bike though the extreme measures of some riders fitting a 28 sprocket seemed a bit far fetched, a 23 I felt would do the job, especially with a fair bit of descending.

Come Sunday, and I lined up on board my Orbea Ordu at number 104. As I got underway I pinned my sights at the rider on the horizon, catching him within a couple of miles. Unfortunately this rider was on his second lap but as he appeared to be riding strong, it gave me added confidence. Shortly after I would get my first glimpse of my minute man and got to work reeling him in.

On the main climb it became apparent that this is where I could make up the majority of my time and the gap came down quickly, however cresting the summit I believe I could of maybe given an extra 10% and made the catch there and then. (It is a common rule of time trialling to ponder where extra seconds could have been gained!.)

On the final lap I brought the gap down to spitting distance and due to overestimating how far I had to the finish, narrowly missed the catch by a few seconds. It had been a seriously hard course with the majority of the flat section into a strong head wind. Even team Sky’s reigning champion Alex Dowsett commented on the severity of the testing course.

I had clocked 49:22 which had put me in bronze position up until the very final rider, Ben Anstie.

Unfortunately for me he would clock the fastest time knocking me down to fourth place, narrowly missing the medals.

I would however take away many positives from the experience, these guys were all seasoned time triallists, competing week in week out in national events. I was more then happy with the sudden adaption from road racing to time trialling and despite not feeling 100% on the day, felt competitive.

I definitely want one of those medals next year though. – Nick Coupland

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Fulford Cycles Circuit Series Round 3, Dishforth Airfield – 1st Sep 2012

Posted on September 5, 2012 by admin

Steve Coates entered the Regional B (3/4) race of the new Fulford Cycles Circuit Series, as an alternative to Hull Thursday road club’s 10m TT at Bubwith on Saturday 1st September.

The programme for each of the 5 rounds is as follows:

11:00 4th Cats only Regional C+ Band 5 4th 45 mins

11:00 E/1/2/3/4 Women Only Band 4 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Elite 45 mins

12:00 3/4 Regional B Band 5 3rd, 4th 50 mins

13:00 E/1/2/3 National B Band 3 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Elite 01 hr

The race was a typical series of attacks and chases with the wind making most attempts to get away short lived, Steve succeeded to stay away for a about a mile with 3 laps to go, but wasn’t allowed more than about 20 seconds, if that. The course is quite a long lap for this type of event at about 3.5 miles and this allowed welcome recovery before the last lap.

Steve managed to get on the right wheels as the speed ramped up and committed to attack early before anyone else, starting his sprint with between 300 and 400m to go. It was then a case of not letting up, with 50m to go Jacob Trotter of local team Squadra RT came out from Steve’s wheel, but Steve managed one last kick to hold on by at most a tyre width on the line.  A well deserved 1st place and another late season addition to thew points.

Steve then decided to try the E/1/2/3 race that followed 10 minutes later and although he suffered when the attacks came he managed 14th, which brought a couple of bonus licence points on top of those gained in the earlier win.  All in all an excellent result and a great days racing.

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Simply Running Duathlon, Skidby – 22nd August 2012

Posted on September 4, 2012 by admin

Wednesday 22nd August. Race report for the fourth of six, Simply Running Duathlons. This consisted of a 2-mile out and back run of Skidby, a single lap of the 10-mile bike course looping incorporating Skidby, Little Weighton, North Ferriby and Raywell followed by a second lap of the run course. We Love Mountains were represented by James Bray (@jameswbray) and Tom Macdonald (@tom_mac64). The race was a mass start and James, along with member of Barracuda Rob Fletcher and Paul Noble quickly established a big lead (≥30 seconds) over all the rest of the 20 strong field.

The weather conditions were windy, which played in favour of James and Tom who are strong on the bike. James posted the fastest bike split of the day and Tom showed his strength to post the 5th fastest bike split. Behind James the battle for second was closely contested by Rob and ex-team mate Paul. Tom was still in close contention of a high finish thanks to his strong bike split.

The second run leg saw some very fast times from members of Barracuda Tri club but James had gained a considerable lead on the bike to hold off a very strong second run from Rob. Unfortunately Tom’s running legs weren’t with him today but thanks to his biking was still able to finish in the top 10. By all accounts James was flying and comfortably finished first.

James has made awesome progress this season and cant seem to keep off of the podium these days.  We are confident that his new Orbea Ordu has helped improve his bike times along with James new levels of fitness, a winning combination.

 

Run 1 Time Position Bike Time Position Run 2 Time Position Overall Time
James Bray (1st) 13:30 2nd 27:26 1st 14:29 2nd 55:25
Tom Macdonald (9th) 15:31 17th 29:57 5th 16:53 15th 1:02:21
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NMRRL (TLI) Stainton – 16th August 2012.

Posted on September 3, 2012 by admin

The Group A race was once again very active with plenty of breakaways taking place throughout the whole race. First to have a go were Josh Cole (Bikeboxalan – Whiston Velo) & Dan Storey (RST Racing Team) who opened up a 10 second gap at the end of the 2nd lap. A lap later the lead had increased to 15 seconds, however by half distance, it was all change as a new trio of Richard Baldwin (Dinnington RC – Universal Cycle Centre), Mike Rowson (RVO Racing) & Storey now held a lead of 10 seconds over the rest of the field.

With 3 laps to go, the trio still held a lead of 10 seconds, but over Mike Hutton (Langsett Cycles RT) with Ashley Proctor (Sportscover RT) a further 5 seconds back and the bunch now 23 seconds down on the leaders.

This proved to be the formation of the race winning move as over the closing laps, a group comprising Cole, Dave Coulson (RST Racing Team), James Allen (Sheffrec CC) & Alex Mitchell (We Love Mountains RT) eased themselves away from the bunch, collecting both Hutton & Proctor before joining up with leaders to make a nine man group at the front of the race, with the bunch falling further and further behind.

On the final lap, Coulson attacked, opening up a significant gap which proved to be enough for a creditable solo victory. Mitchell won the sprint for 2nd place, 22 seconds behind Coulson with Proctor in 3rd place.

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