Norwood Paragon G25/53
13 May
The usual suspects lined turned up for what was the most perfect conditions for 25 mile time trial and in normal racing tradition everyone had already made up thier excuses for not blitzing a PB of the year on this sunny May morning before they got to the start line!

Dave W. was the first off at 6:52 for the de rigeur hour of pain that visits twenty roundabouts on the Horsham by pass. Iain H. followed two minutes later and at 7:16 Andy Green started pushing on the pedals. Bash pushed off at 7:31 and I had a bit of a lay in due to a 7:52 start. On returning to the HQ the excuses were coming thick and fast but Iain H. had the most valid excuse due to a puncture. In reflection not bad times put out by the Old Ports and as Andy G. points out in a seperate thread, the main contenders for the Club 25 TT on July 8th are very tightly grouped in terms of timings.

Scores on the doors:

Kev Wolff........1:01:23
Ian Bashford....1:01:50
Andy Green....1:02:33
Dave Warne....1:02:40
Iain Hawthorne... DNF Punctured
Kev Wolff

Club Evening TT Series 2012 Race 1#
03 May
This was the 1st of the club tts for this season.................lets hope the weather improves,Seven riders in the car park looking at each-other for the sign to cancel the event, Oz was shivering with the cold ,but the show must go on,so we did our worst and started. Thanks to Oz and Glen [ 7 oaks tri ] for timing and pushing off, Glen would have started but for a puncture and no spare tub.

Results

Dave Warne 33.49
Kev Wolff 33.59
Iain Hawthorne 36.27
Steve Avery 38.15
Gary Blunt 38.49
Val Place 38.57
Dave Warne

SCCU 25 Mile TT G25/53
22 April
Four Old Ports entered the 53 course (otherwise known as 'Death by Roundabouts') on a cool but sunny sunday morning that offered a small southerly wind. Paul King, Iain Hawthorn, Andrew J Green and Kev Wolff were all resplendent in club kit for a sunday morning hour of pain.

The outward leg offered a tailwind until the turn at Toll gate where even the smallest breath of wind seemed to hamper the downhill leg. Cheering us on at the bottom of Tollgate where Bash and Dave Hickman. The headwind hampered all the way to the Southwater roundabout but the assistance on the final drag was much appreciated by then.

Times where:

Andrew J Green ...........1:03:10...23.74 mph
Kevin Wolff................1:03:34...23.59 mph
Paul King...................1:04:22...23.30 mph
Iain Hawthorn.............1:06:04...22.70 mph

The winner was Martin Williamson of London Dynamo in a staggering Time of 52:32 which is 28.55 mph
Kev

Catford CC 10 miles TT Q10/19
21 April
This course is dead simple, starting basically at the top of the slip road onto the A21 at Tonbridge, A21 to the Weald roundabout, up the 7% climb up to the roundabout then back down onto the A21 and back to Tonbridge, 10 miles of pleasure.
Today was very bright and very cold, even more so for the early starters on a full field of 100 riders.
Two Old Ports entered, Dave Warne off at 6.33am and Ian Bashford off at 7.46am.

Results:-
Dave Warne 24min 12sec avg 24.79mph
Ian Bashford 22min 59sec avg 26.11mph


The winner was Peter Tadros from Ingear- Quickvit in an amazing 19min 56sec avg 30.11mph!!!!

Val Place ( still threatening to join the OPs as second claim ) put in a 26min 47sec ride avg 22.4mph
Bashers

Redmond 25M TT
15 April
This course starts at Kingfold in Marches Lane, goes left onto the A24 to Beare Green, left though Ockley on A29, past HQ, left onto A24 turning at Robin Hood roundabout, A24 all the way to Southwater, turn and retrace to Broadbridge Heath to finish.
The first part of the course is undulating with some very fast descents, the last 10miles or so on dual carriageway
Today was bright and cold with a strengthening wind, that seemed to be a cross wind everywhere except on the A24 to Beare Green ( headwind ) and the last part of the course where it seemed you had been hit by a cricket bat when you turned into it.
Five Old Ports entered our results as follows;
Iain Hawthorn...............................DNS (enveloped by his duvet )
Paul King.....................................1hr 5min 31sec avg 22.89 mph
Ian Bashford.................................1hr 0min 42sec avg 24.71 mph
Dave Warne..................................1hr 3min 31sec avg 23.62 mph ( Dave had ridden a 25 on the H25/8 Saturday afternoon, so good result )
Kevin Wolff...................................1hr 4min 24sec avg 23.29 mph

The winner was Martin Williamson London Dynamo, with a remarkable 52min 44sec..........avg 28.45mph!!!!

There we have it for another week
Bashers

Kent Cycling Association 25 Mile Time Trial
08 April
3 OPCC riders took part in this Kent based event which starts at a place called Molash and ends at Chilham after taking a detour up towards Canterbury and then back to Ashford outskirts. The profile is a ballistic 1.5 mile downhill (I topped out at 39 mph for this and recalled Mig's May 2011 Tonbridge wobble) followed by a rolling single carriageway ending in a false flat of a mile rising to the finish.

This is a testing course on a good day and on a day like today with the rain stair-rodding down and with loads of surface water and spray and a temperature of about 3-4 degrees C, proved to be a right old challenge for the 101 riders of the full field who decided to start. An easier variation of this course was once counted as a Sporting Course back in the day. A nagging cross headwind on one or 2 open stretches going south added to the fun.

OPCC and their friends:

Bashers - 1.02.28 (a minute down on previous time on this course)
Dave Warne - 1.03.39 (liking his wheels but not his engine)
Paul King - 1.05.35 (glad to finally complete a TT this year following 2 mechanically induced DNFs)

Val Place - 1.10.49 (looking forward to Crowhurst)

In his own weather proof world, the winner was:

Steve Berry - 53.35

Looking forward to next Sunday's rendezvous with Dave W, Ian, Iain and Kevin down at Horsham.
Paul King

Tour of the Weald
08 April
On what was a fairly gim morning 4 Ports turned up for this 100km spin around the (rather lumpy) Garden of England. I had ridden this event last year with Say on a nice warm sunny day, it felt like quite a different beast this morning. Me and Say arrived at the HQ to be greeted by Mig with the words 'Austen is in there and he is as keen as mustard.' At that point I have to say a feared a terrible beasting.

Ended up feeling pretty strong. Me and Austen stayed together until the final climb (which is done as a TT! just what you need!) when I waved him goodbye. He came in at 3hrs 40, I was just behind at 3 hrs 43. More than happy with that. Mig has a tough old morning puncturing twice. Say was plugging away on her own for most of her ride came in at around 4.45.

Given that the weather had been so unpromising it turned out to be really worthwhile morning.
Andy Green

LVRC 'Follicly Challenged' Road Race - Ellens Green
01 April
This was my first road race on the open road this year. I Arrived a bit late to get warmed up hence found my self at the back on the first lap. After about 3.5 miles the back of the bunch had to stop due to 'spooked' horses. A guy was leading 3 horses by the reins along the road towards us. Pah!! Got separated from the bunch and ended up in a chasing 3-up, Most others held up by the horses just gave up or were able to get round the horses in time to get back into the peloton. My delay was longer and I chased to catch 2 other riders. There was little chance of us catching the peloton of 50 with just 3 of whom I seemed the strongest. We carried on 3 upping until the last lap when I jumped and time trialled to the finish.

A good training ride in the end.
John Mulvaney

Etape du Heath
01 April
A cold and sunny Haywards Heath on Sunday was the event HQ for the Etape du Heath. On paper it looked like a pleasant 77 mile ride through the rolling West Sussex countryside. In reality the organiser turned out to be some sort of evil genius! The first forty miles of the course was undulating to say the least, first the Wall in the Ashdown forest softened up the legs before the brutal and non-stop ups and downz where the continual half mile undulations did not allow any sort of rythmn to form in the legs and it felt like three hours on interval training.

One Old Port was down on the start sheet but after a mile I slid up behind a shiny new bianchi that was being pedalled by another Old Port, none other than Mr. Austen Reid!! After chewing the fat for a couple of miles it was back to business. With twenty five miles to go finally a group formed and it was chainganged back into Haywards Heath.

A tick should go to the event organisers as there was chip timing, a number of routes, well stocked feed stations and well organized, all for the princely sum of £20 (no discounts for those on a fixed income before you ask).

Scores on the doors where 4:20:03 for moi and 4:21:14 for Mr Reid. That gives the Old Ports and 1st and 2nd in the GC.
Kevin Wolff

Tooting B C sporting 21 GS/334
31 March
Three old ports entered this evil course today, 2 laps of constant ups and downs.Down to the turn felt we had the wind behind us, then the road back up up Blechingly was a hard slog into the wind,Andy was unlucky to puncture on his 1st lap,and ended up walking for over a mile till he was rescued. This looks like being the last of the sporting tts this season, looking forward to some flatter courses.

Dave Warne 59.58

Ian Bashford 1.00.29

Andy Green DNF

Winner's time Rupert Burbidge 51.16
Dave Warne

SCCU Sporting Weekend -G25/44
25 March
four Ports went to war this morning on the sporting 25. G25/44 is basically the slow bit of G25/45 twice, and if you don't know what that means then just be grateful.
Good strong field for this one and we were rewarded with a sunny if slightly chill morning. It is fair to say we had mixed results. I had the pleasure of seeing Bash closing in on the finish, flying in his 54/11 like a lycra clad bison on his way to a very creditable 1.02.38. Kind of made me proud. Paul King on the other had broke his chain during the warm up (they are strong lads in Pickhurst). Obviously he was carrying his chain tool and carried out a repair, only to break it again within a mile. 10/10 for being prepared but.....
We were expecting big things of Mr Hawthorn on his return from injury and he turned himself inside out to register a 1.06.30 in his first TT of the year. A result that everyone apart from Iain was pretty impressed with.
I was looking forward to having some nice rolling A road to attack after lasts weeks beating in Bletchingly. Happy with my 1.05.18
Quite a few of the heavy hitters seemed to struggle today but Jerome Walters of VC St Raphael showed us all how it should be done with a 54.13.

SCCU sporting weekend G10/46
24 March
Saturday 24th March 2012, the G10/46 a ten miles TT starting in Okewood hill, taking in the delights of the lanes around Walliswood Green, Ockley, Forest Green, Farleigh Common ( I think ) back to Okewood hill. Basically a very lumpy 10!!!
It was a gloriously warm afternoon.
Two Old Ports entered and their results are
Dave Warne 26min 7sec avg 22.97mph
Ian Bashford 26min 12sec avg 22.9mph

The winner was Rupert Burbidge In Gear Quickvit in 22min 32sec avg 26.63mph
Ian Bashford

SCCU Sporting 21
18 March
The Bletchingly Course is the sporting courses sporting course. Sharp climbs, interesting descents and comedy road surfaces. The rain that had pounded down overnight left the roads wet but the sun was shining on the Ports that made it to the start line. Bash was still under the weather and Paul was still under the d.... (I jest).

So man of the moment, Dave Warne, FJ and myself tackled this little devil. In our own way we all came away satisfied with our efforts. Mr Warne also claimed 3rd place Vet on standard. There was a rumour at one stage that we had won the team prize but this turned out to be an exaggeration. Anyway in order of appearence

Dave (he swoops to conquer) Warne - 1.02.15
Andy Green - 1.06.59
John Mulvaney 1.08.52

The winner with a cracking 52.46 was George Brent of Addiscombe.

Big thanks to the Ports who came out to cheer us home. Especially good to see Mr Hickman bouncing around again.
Andy Green

East Surrey Hardriders
11 March
Starting from Leigh and heading out to Rusper before heading home through Newdigate this sporting TT is not to be trifled with. 30 miles with plenty of bite and a nasty surprise in the middle for the unwary.

4 Ports entred but sadly the gremlins and germs struck again. Bash had to pull out with the lurgi, then Paul, having managed to fight free from his duvet, picked up a puncture after 5 miles. All of which was a shame because it was a pretty decent morning, mild and calm. This is not a course that has ever really favoured my talents so came away satisfied with my 1.26.24. However the Port of the moment is undoubtedly Mr Warne with an excellent 1.20.34.
Andy Green

My First LVRC Race - Hogg Hill
11 March
Well I've started in a manner of speaking. Today I rode in the LVRC race at Hogg Hill - Hurray!!. Sadly I punctured on the 5th lap and that was the end of my day. Booo!!. However I did manage over 10 laps in the warm up and got accustomed to the circuit and riding in fast groups again. I really enjoyed the few laps that I did and when I learned it was easier to be in the first 10 in line due to the number of tight bends and hairpins I actually warmed to it and even found myself off the front for a few hundred yards until I 'wised up'. Then, on one of the tight bends, the back end of the bike started to snake as the tire went flat. I shot my hand up in the air and bunch shot past me, phew!! that was hairy.

The Hogg Hill circuits are at the Redbridge Cycling Centre are a brilliant facility. The 'clubhouse has dressing rooms, lockers, showers etc etc. We used the flat circuit at the bottom of the hill with the finish half way up the up the hill. There were 2 races on the circuit at the same time. Essentially these were the under 60's and the over 60's. I was in the latter. The races tended to stay together as bunches. Although there were quite a few riders who became detached and rode around by themselves until they could find a wheel or two to 'suck'. Some even took a lap out when they found they had overdone it

I'm sad to say evidence of this ride is lacking however as I forgot my Garmin and iphone , doh!! So no Strava records will be presented. I expect the results on the LVRC website, when they are published, will show me as a DNF.

It could have been a little lonely there as I knew none of the other riders. However, there was a very friendly atmosphere and was made to feel quite at home. The next race one in the series at Hogg Hill is in a fortnights time on March 25th. Anyone like to join me??
John Mulvaney

Spring Onion Sportive 2012
11 March
Two Old Ports (Kev and Colin) lined up for the 2012 running of this superb little sportive which winds it's way over the north downs via the high points of Whitedown, Leith Hill, Bedham Hill, Hascombe and finally Combe Bottom. It was just the perfect morning for racing with very light winds and a breaking sky for the 700 or so entrants. A late start by the OP contingent made for plenty of wheels to chase from the word go. My fifth time in this event and this was probably the best course with 10 miles of gentle descending to the finish once the grind up Combe Bottom was finished. In between the climbs the roads are almost car free and undulate through quite Surrey and Sussex villages. Chip timing, a decent feed stop half way round and a well organised start.

Scores on the doors: 68 Miles, 4,000ft of climbing, 3:44 for Kev and a somewhere around the 4:00 mark for Colin which translates into Gold standards for both OP's before home for tea and medals.
Kev Wolff

Sussex CA Hardriders
04 March
Sussex CA 18.5 mile hardriders event. ( shortened GS/194, due to roadworks )

This course is very demanding, starting at Handcross, but today Lower Beeding, due to roadworks. Basically B2110 to A281 to Cowfold, A272 to Bolney, Cuckfield to Whitemans Green, Balcombe then left back towards Handcross.

Today was windy and very very wet, four Old Ports had entered, Paul King, Andy Green, Ian Bashford and Dave Warne.

However at the HQ only two were present with Duvet King and Sickly Green not present. With the help of Steve Humphrey from the SERC we were nearly DNS. However the stalwart, being Dave said '' lets due it '' or something similar. At the start I said to the time keeper I must be mad, he replied you arn't the first to say that. Anyway two Old Ports started Ian Bashford off no 32 and Dave Warne off 46 and last man.

The scores on the doors are:

Dave Warne 52min 48sec avg 21.02mph. Ian Bashford DNF punctured at 13.5 miles, had been avg 20.5mph

The winner both on scratch and the vet on standard Peter Tadros 43min 8sec avg 25.73mph

Redhill Sporting TT
19 February
Five old ports entered,the course starts in Westcott 2 miles south of Dorking, 500 yards into the race we were greeted with a 1in 8 accent of coast hill, what a shock for the vital organs! then its a left turn ,thru holmbury,Oakwood Hill,then the long drag up thru Ockley to Beare Green,on to the A24 finishing at mid Holmwood.All I can say is that with the icy cold and stroppy head wind we had for the last 5 miles it was a tough opener to the TT season,the winning times this year were 2 mins slower than the previous year!

Paul KIng 55.42
Dave Warne 50.48
Ian Bashford 53.55
Andy Green 55.58
Iain Hawthorn DNS
Dave Warne

CC Bexley Reliability Trial
15 January
It was a bright, clear bitterly cold morning and the Church bells were sounding 07.35 as I pulled up outside Horton Kirby Cricket Club, the second person to arrive. Soon others rolled up, some on bikes and some in cars but where were all the Old Ports? There was Bash and Peter Gray and Swavek and Julian, the last two Reliability virgins and there because Swavek had tempted Julian with promises of a gentle ride. Clive and Tom then arrived to ride the shorter route. Signed in and suitably swathed in mufflers, balaclavas, long johns (I suspect) and other accoutrements we headed off. And what a day we had! Is there greater joy to be had than rolling through the Kent countryside on a January morning, the frost dusting the fields, a brilliant azure sky and the mist drifting helplessly through the trees? I think not. Bash and Peter set a cracking pace and Swavek pretended he couldn't keep up while Julian toiled and sweated and huffed and puffed (as is his wont) some 50 yards behind. Every now and then the swift threesome would linger and wait for him to catch up before steaming off again. Through Eynsford (which had little patches of ice) we went and then Otford, Kemsing, Ightam (a long climb this -'I want you singing all the way to the top' said Bash to Julian (but he didn't) and then Chiddingstone, Four Elms, Bough Beech (past the site of evening tens, the pothole now filled in) Haxted, Tilburstow Hill ('welcome' said Bash to Julian 'to the foothills') and then the joys of Gangers. (You know the route). We had been joined by a couple of riders, one of them (well into his sixties I suspect) on a fixie who breezed up Gangers on a 42X18 (if you can believe that Oz). Up Clarks Lane where Julian had an attack of cramp and was forced to pause and curse until it went away, then past the Shampan, through Knockholt, down Star Hill (thank God not up) and back to the cricket club. 4' 45" was the time for the group but would have been less if Julian hadn't delayed things. They were clearing away but hot tea was welcome as we sat with achy legs and mused on the day's exertions and the other missing Old Ports, tucked up in warm beds with the Mail on Sunday but missing our sweaty thighs and our icy breath and likely missing what they missed. Swavek and Julian are no longer Reliability virgins and await the next one. Swavek pretended not to enjoy himself but Julian thinks he secretly did - after all how could he not? Bash and Peter rode home (the animals) while Swavek and Julian drove home to hot baths,hot tea and cake (and more cake). But not together. Bring on the next one. You missed a good one Dave, get back on the bike soon mate.
Julian Hutchings

Club Ride
15 January
Less brave than the virgins and their more experienced avatars some other OPCC riders elected to venture went out a little later following concerns that circulated last night about frost, black ice and coming a cropper in the ice bound wastes that lay in wait outside the south of the M25.

Eventually leaving Starbucks West Wickham at 10.05, Iain, Andy and Paul knocked out a bumpy 50ish miles taking in Pilgrim's Way both ways, Hurst Green, Crowhurst, Oxted Town environs, Titsey Town, Botley, Tatsfield, Biggin, Jackass for an average of 15.4mph (according to Andy's on board) slowed somewhat by my quite spectacular power cut shortly AFTER THE CAFE STOP at Lingfield Garden Centre! ! Blame the bacon butty me. Also I don't like stopping as blood sumps into my glutimus maximus maximus and never quite gets back out again!!

Iain - King of the Mountains

Happy Days Indeed!
Paul King

West Kent Reliability Ride
08 January
Well guys I was impressed by our turnout we must have been the most represented club at the event. Ten club members ( in club kit mostly ) on the long route and two on the short, we had two others in the long route group, who may now be joining the club in due course. The participants are as follows, Ian B, Dave H, Colin H, Iain H, John M, Dave W, Steve A, Gary B, David T, Voy and Peter Gray ( currently unattached ) and a chap whos name I didn't get ( also unattached ). Clive Jeffrey and Tom flew the colours on the short route.

To my horror West Kent had changed the route which was as follows.

Franks Lane to Farningham, past Lullingstone visitors centre, left towards Shoreham, up climb past pig farm to Polhill roundabout, across to Halstead, down Star hill, up Ide and down to Four Elms. Edenbridge, left into the Hever road and up to Mark Beach. Left to Penshurst, Leigh then Underriver.............deep joy was about to hit us with the ascent of one tree hill ( Carters Hill ). Through Kemsing to the Pilgrims, left to the Otford Road, right to Eynsford over ford, Sparepenny Lane, Farningham to finish in Franks Lane. A very lumpy route but an enjoyable ride and amazingly we kept together, except a few that were tempted by Lee Turner and Reg Smiths group that went past before Lullinstone, but they saw sense and calmed down. Just under 50 miles at 15.5 mph in three hours.
Colin and I road to and from the event making 72miles with 4456ft of climbing for me. MAGIC!.... can not wait till next week to do it again.
Bashers

New Years Day Club Ride
01 January
A little bit windy, with some patches of light rain, but warm conditions met the nine Old Ports. Julie, Iain H, Steve A, Dave H and his neighbour Steve, Kevin W, Les R, Ozzie and Ian B set off at 10.30am plus 5 sharp. Saturday route to Shampan 3 ( Spinning Wheel ) having to carry our bikes past a load of building materials that had been fly tipped in Berrys Green Road. Julie headed back when we got to Grays Road. At the Tally Ho pub Ozzie cut it short as did Steve A when we got to Knockholt. Star Hill was descended, where at the bottom Daves neighbour Steve headed off home. The remainder carried on to Riverhead where we turned left towards Otford, Filston Lane into Shoreham then Lullinstone visitors centre, where sustenance was taken. Homeward journey was Eynford, Crockenhill, St Mary Cray, Leesons Hill and home. 35 miles for me and I think we got the best of the day as it started to tip down within half an hour of getting in.
Bashers