Congleton Cycling Club

Dean Roberts waiting to start

Last Tuesday’s 10 at Gawsworth had a small (smallest for some years), but select field and rewarded riders with some good points in the club league.
Ben Norbury followed up his superb PB in Saturdays Dukinfield 50 (1:53:31) with another PB in the 10 of 21:21. Stephen jackson was second with 24:17 and Rich Coates (Leek C.C.) third with 24:38. Third place in the club league tonight, went to Kelvin Milward with 25:50.
Best of the Congleton ladies was Polly Wilding in 29:09 whilst Lesley Norbury came in with 32:01 having stopped in the first mile and then completed the ride with broken cleat on her shoe!
Dean Roberts  improved by 3 minutes on last week but was beaten in the race on handicap by Rob Waghorn, riding his second 10 of the week, Ben Norbury, Stephen Jackson and Polly Wilding.

Full Result HERE

Ben Norbury on his way to fastest time

Last Tuesday nights 10 at Monks Heath had 32 riders. In cool but pretty good conditions there were some good rides and several reported PB’s.
Ben Norbury was one, in 21:24 which won from Joe Brennan 22:17 and Jon White 22:31 (both Pro Vision C.C.). Second and third Congleton riders were David Farrington 23:23 (PB) and Rob Dale 23:34. Top lady was Sue Blake in 28:20 from Polly Wilding 28:56 (PB) and Denise Hurst 29:31.
New members, Phil Savage (25:22) and Steve Smith (27:10 road bike), rode their first events with us.
For full result click HERE.

Event Photos by Ken Norbury

AP, Phil and Sam start timekeeping and pushing off.

Well what a difference a week can make, having being greeted at the sign in with near freezing temperatures, strong wind and hail in contrary to last weeks early summer.

Naturally it had an impact on the size of the field having only 26 riders,  despite that the winds dropped for the first rider at 19:00 although many riders had lots of layers on at the start line and trembling riders and volunteers was a common site.

At the finish line some riders reported it wasn’t too bad out there, a slight head wind on the return leg, but in general most riders times were between 30s and a minute slower than normal.

Top four spots were taken by members  Ben Norbury 21:30, Steve Hulme 22:55, Mike Jones 23:18 and Rob Dale 23:25.  Three ladies took part Sue Blake 30:02, Polly Wilding 30:40 and Lesley Norbury 30:49.

Well done all riders, Ben Norburys time of 2s off his PB was impressive, also noteworthy Mark Nicholls now riding for Pro Vision has PB’d last two weeks, and many thanks to his lady wife who rescued Lee Wood after his flat tyre.

Thanks to Roy Hayhurst for all his efforts in coordinating the event and all the volunteers that are needed, and to those volunteers and marshals for standing out in the cold and hail, thank you for your dedication.

Adrian Pennington

Official results can be seen here

During this weeks Paracycling Track Worlds held at Montichiari in Italy, Club member and Team GB ‘Mega’ Megan Giglia took part in 3 events , 3km pursuit, 500m TT  and , 40 lap Scratch Race.

In qualification for the 3km pursuit Megan broke the World Record, and later that day took the Gold Medal.

Next day took Gold in the 500m TT also breaking the World Record,  Megans time of  41.761 seconds surpassed the previous world record of 42.955 held by the USA’s Jamie Whitmore Cardenas, who finished third,  Megans time was sell ahead of the silver medal placed Denise Schindler (43.159) of Germany.

Her final event a 40 lap Scratch race she took 6th place being understandable tired.

Amazing we are all delighted for her, very well done indeed.

Calling all members for support “Your bottom bracket needs you!”

The last bike maintenance night wasn’t well attended, I know we all have busy lives but come on down, its what you asked for as part of the members survey! This week the mysterious and dark art of bottom brackets will be explored and Headset adjustment & lubrication.

Changing bottom bracket bearings come on down and learn how with a few tools we can do some jobs ourselves which is so satisfying 🙂

The Tour of Britain race route was announced yesterday. Congleton is the start of stage 3 on September 6th.
The route looks like it goes out through Alsager, Nantwich, Middlewich, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Chelford, Tatton Park and then a loop through Macclesfield, Cat and Fiddle, Algreave Bosley and back to finish in Tatton Park. Its a great tour around Cheshire East.

The club will be planning some promotional events in the run up to the Tour. To be involved from the start, come to the Beartown Tap, Willow Street on March 3rd, where we will be holding a preliminary planning meeting.

An overview of the Stage 3 route can be seen here. ToB2016_Stage3_Overview

Riding Home from Istanbul

This Thursday Jan 28th, don’t miss Stephen and Ann Jackson’s account of their epic ride home from Istanbul last year.

The club meets every Thursday night in the Rugby Club at 8:30 p.m. except on the first Thursday of each month when we meet in the Beartown Tap.

The club night program for the next few weeks is

Also, Pete Smith and Roy Hayhust are putting together a “Road Safety Evening”, hoping to involve a traffic policeman. We have no date yet, but this will be fitted in, as and when we can get said policeman. It might bump one of the bike maintenance sessions.

Twenty Four members enjoyed a two hour, club only track session at Manchester Velodrome on Monday Dec 21st.  The levels of experience on a banked track varied from expert to novice, but the club coach kept everyone safe by giving everyone a session appropriate to their ability.

All said that they had great fun and gained something from the session and we hope to repeat it in a few months time.

Ken Norbury took photographs at the event. To view them click HERE

Megan Giglia

Last Saturday evening 63 members and friends of Congleton Cycling Club assembled at Astbury Golf Club for the cycling club’s annual dinner and awards ceremony. The Chief Guest was Megan Giglia who is now established as a star rider in British Cycling’s paracycling squad, with high hopes of representing GB at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The Awards were preceded by speeches. Sue Blake welcomed the visitors, before Megan entertained everyone with the story of her cycling journey, since being disabled by a severe stroke in 2013. Megan went on to hand out the club’s trophies, assisted by Wayne Powell. Winners were announced by Bob Norton. After which flowers were presented to Megan and to Georgina Norton, who organised the event.
Finally Edgar Reynolds winner of the Graham McCargo Cup as Veterans BAR and The Karl Austin Memorial Trophy for most miles in TT’s replied on behalf of the award winners.
Major award winners were:-

Mark Allen

Mark Allen, who won the Junior BAR TT competition, the Junior Evening TT League and the Beartown Road Race Trophy.

Sue Blake

Sue Blake, who won the Ladies BAR TT competition, The Ladies Evening TT League and the Ladies Hillclimb Championship.

Steve Hulme

Steve Hulme, who won the Veterans Evening TT League, the Denby Biddulph Plate for the fastest 10 mile TT with a time of 20m 45s, The Jeff Burt Memorial Trophy for the Fastest 25 mile TT with a time of 55m 19s and the Lyndon Trophy for Veterans Standard in the Club Events Competition.

Ben Norbury

Ben Norbury who won the Evening Time Trail league overall and on handicap, the Tony Willis Cup as senior hill climb champion, The Ven Machin Trophy for the fastest 50 mile TT with a time of 1h, 55m and 6s, and the Bill Mees Trophy for being the actual fastest on average speed in the Club Events Competition.
One of the biggest rounds of applause went to Les Lancaster who was voted Clubman of the Year. Les was the oldest riding member in 2015; regularly completing the Saturday club runs and was a willing helper at most of the clubs TT promotions.

A full list of award winners can be seen HERE.

Ken Norbury took photographs of the occasion. They can be seen HERE. Thanks Ken.

The club AGM was held on Thursday November 5^th in the Beartown Tap. There were no fireworks!

The officers each gave a report, which described another good year for the club, in which the membership growth slowed with 129 members reported (126 in 2014). These include 11 juniors and 31 ladies. The financial reserves of the club are healthy and there will be no change to member subscriptions for 2016. See Chairman’s Report HERE

Wayne Powell is the new Racing Secretary, but has stood down from his previous position as Clothing Administrator. This position remains vacant, but urgently needs to be filled. Other vacant positions are a Junior Representative and an Assistant Racing Secretary (has been vacant for a number of years)

Four new members were welcomed to the committee. Adrian Pennington comes in as Press Secretary in place of Rob Dale. Lee Wood will look after the interests of mountain bike riders and Rowland Bainbridge together with John Jervis were elected as general club members.

The committee for 2015/2016 are

Bill Boynton was re elected as “Auditor”

The President and Vice presidents were re elected with the exception of Mr and Mrs Wakefield who have resigned.

President :- Mr T Willis

Vice Presidents :- Mr S Sebire, Mrs K Biddulph, Mr R Little, Mrs G McCargo, and Mr B Fox. Mr and Mrs Wakefield have resigned.

Minutes of the meeting will be sent out in due course.

Ben in the National Championship

The National Hillclimb marks the end of the season on the road. Ben Norbury represented the club in the in the event on  Oct 25^th, at Jackson Bridge in West Yorkshire. His time of 5mins 20.7 seconds was only just over a min down on the winner (Richard Bussell of TST Sport/Aerocoach) 4:15.7.
It was a great effort on a very tough climb, which started up an 18-20% pitch, leveled off a bit, then was consistently 10 – 15% all the way to the top, averaging 11%. Simon Warren’s 100 greatest climbs rates it a 7 out of 10 for difficulty, but in the author’s own words “they are all 10 out of 10 when you race up them!”

Ben and other club members have been active this hill climb season. In September, Ben was 11th in the Weaver Valley Cat and Fiddle climb in a time of 20:48.5 whilst Mark finished in 26:08.5. They were joined by Kelvin Milward 28:08.6 and Edgar Reynolds 32:50.5.

Mark Allen Killer Mile

Ben was a fine third to multiple national champion Jim Henderson, in the Withington Wheelers Peaslow climb on October 4^th. In Lyme R.C.’s Killer Mile hill climb on Mow Cop on Oct 11^th . Ben finished in 5:17.7 for 11th and Mark in 6:07.09.
Ben  has also, had top 10 finishes in the Glossop Kinder RC climb of Snake Pass and Buxton CC’s Longhill climb this season. He was 11^th again in Chesterfield Couriers, Beeley Moor climb near Bakewell, the weekend before the Championship.

Photos of most of these events can be seen in Ken Norbury’s albums HERE

The Club Championship Hillclimb took place on 1.3 miles of Ganney Bank (Mow Lane), towards Mow Cop,  in fine weather, although with a slightly unhelpful breeze. There were 22 competitors including 7 guest riders.

Ben Norbury on the startline

The top 3 finishers were Ben Norbury in 5m 45.7s, Rob Howson (Leek CC) 5:46.9 and Andrew Doorbar (Unattached) 5:54.6. Best Veteran was Rob Dale in 6:33. Best Lady was Hannah Rhodes Patterson (Durham University CC) 6:47.2 from Sue Blake 8:52.3 and Lesley Norbury 10:57.3. Top Junior was Jake Niblett 6:48.4 and best juvenile Joe France 9:36.0 beating younger brother Tom 10:40.0.

A notable visitor was Frank Manning (unattached), who recently completed an “Everest” Challenge which involved 55 ascents of Station Bank Mow Cop (the killer mile)! Ganney Bank took him a mere 7m:38.2s, compared to about 16 hours going up and down Station Bank.

Full Result HERE

Norbury/Magnier

The final Tuesday evening 10 mile TT of 2015 season (on Aug 18^th) was different. It was run as a 2 up team time trial. There were 17 teams and also 2 tandems and 5 solo riders. Although billed as a fun event, some took it very seriously. Top team was the composite pairing of Ben Norbury with Andrew Magnier (Giordana RT) who recorded 20:53, followed by John White and Joe Brennan (Kidsgrove Wheelers) 22:29 and Andy Aitken with Jim Stringer (Crewe Claion Wheelers) 22:34.

Walton/Sladin

The best all Congleton C.C. pairing was James Walton/Steve Sladin 24:03. Junior Mark Allen teamed up with Rich Coghill (Leek CC) to get round in a speedy 23:51.

Top tandem was Sue Blake piloted by Mark Tilstone in 25:09 from Paul Dentith/Mary Reid 26:35.

Mixed teams were led by Claire Harrison (Vision Racing) with Andrew Doorbar (unattached) 24:23, from Denise Hurst/Wayne Powell 26:15.

Father and daughter/son team were led by ex member Adrian Rhodes Patterson with daughter Hannah (Durham Uni C.C.). in  24:36 from Richard and Alex Coates (Leek CC/Lyme RC) 25:20. and David and Joshua Farrington 28:00.

They were all beaten by Alex Royle (Army CU), riding solo, who finished in 20:48, just 14 seconds off his own course record set a week earlier.

FULL RESULT.

PHOTOS Thanks to Ken Norbury

VIDEO Thanks to Adrian Pennington

Steve Urwins chainring (photo Adrian Pennington)

The clubs open 50 on Saturday, produced some amazingly fast times from a very high class 131 rider field. The event was won by Charles Taylor (South Pennine RC) with an event record 1:43:18. Second was Steve Urwin (North Lancs RC) 1:44:43 who was also fastest veteran and third was Crewe Clarion’s Ben McIntosh with 1:46:19.
Best Lady was Jill Wilkinson (Chester RC) 2:07:47. It was a good day for the Wilkinsons because Andy was Best on Veterans Standard with a plus of 32:45 from an actual time of 1:47:47. One of the rides of the day was 16 year old Jake Wright (Sport City Velo), who in his first ever 50 surprised the timekeeper with 1:54:28 to be the junior winner.
There were 6 club riders, led home by Ben Norbury in 1:55:06 (PB). Steve Hulme finished in an excellent 1:57:36, his first 50 for 11 years saying it would be another 11 before he repeats it. They were backed up by Mike Jones 2:06:50 (PB), Steve Sladin 2:09:39 (PB), and Denise Hurst 2:27:34. Paul Dentith and James Walton started but, in common with many others did not finish. Paul gave the best reason heard all day “punctured in both legs”
The club relied on another 30 volunteers to marshal and help run the event. Rider feed back has been excellent, so thanks everyone.
Donations given in return for refreshments (thanks to Kath Biddulph, and Avril Waghorn) totaled £170.53. Thanks also to Hollie Mulroy for baking some scones. There were none left!
The proceeds are being donated to the BOSLEY DISASTER APPEAL FUND.
The full RESULT in on the CTT website.

Rob Dale 30.6.15

In last Tuesdays (Aug 4th) club 10 at Gawsworth, Duncan Poole (rider No. 1) was stopped by a herd of cows crossing the road. Luckily they had cleared for Alex Royle (Army CU), who blasted round on a windy night in 20:26, beating Scott Burns (Manchester Whs) 21:10 and our own Ben Norbury 21:58. The “Congleton” second and third were Rob Dale 23:25 and Mike Jones 23:28.

Best lady was Denise Hurst in 29:14 ahead of Lesley Norbury 29:50 and Polly Wilding 31:16. Top junior was Mark Allen with 24:47 from Jake Niblett 26:19. Jake had the only personal best on the night so took maximum handicap points.

Jake Niblett 30.6.15

Full Result
Video. Thanks to Adrian Pennington

Next Tuesday Aug 11th is the final club promotion counting towards the clubs TT league although finishers in the Macclefield Wheelers Cat and Fiddle Hill Climb on Wednesday Aug 12th can also score points.

Start 19:00 hours. J9/7:- Cat & Fiddle Hill Climb. Start on Buxton Road (A537) 500 metres East of Silk Road lights

On August 17th we are promoting our final 10 of the season which will be a “fun” event for teams of two.

Last Tuesdays club 10 at Gawsworth had the smallest field we have seen for years, but it did not lack quality. Best time of 21:57 was by Ben Norbury. Second was Steve Hulme 22:16 and regular guest Keith Dutton (Wills Wheels) was third in 22:23.

Mark Allen 21.7.15

Remarkably, Mark Allen riding some deep rimmed wheels loaned by Steve Hulme managed to equal his PB of 24:16 for the second week running, which also was second fastest on handicap.

Fastest amongst the ladies was second claim member, Charli Alston riding her road bike to 28:22 to beat Denise Hurst 28:38, Lesley Norbury 30:18 and Polly Wilding 30:23. Polly’s was the only PB on the night so she took maximum handicap points for the second successive week.

Adrian, Les Lancaster and Roy Hayhurst at the turn

The threatened storms never came until everyone was on the way home.Thanks as always to all the marshals and other helpers. An appeal is out now for volunteers at the Open 50 mile TT which takes place on August 15th.

FULL RESULT
VIDEO. Thanks to Adrian Pennington.

Photos courtesy of Ken Norbury and Adrian Pennington

Wayne Powell

A good “young un” beat a good “old un” in the club 10 last Tuesday night. Ben Norbury beat Steve Hulme 21:45 to 21:55, with Wayne Powell third best CCC rider with 23:48. They were all up staged by two fast visitors though. Alex Royle (Army C.U.) produced a spectacular 20:29 to beat Scott Burns (Manchester Wheelers Club) 21:31 into second place, with Ben and Steve third and fourth.
There were 7 ladies amongst the 30 competitors. Quickest was visitor Claire Harrison (Vision Racing) with a PB 25 25:24. Sue Blake was fastest club member with 27:54 with Denise Hurst 28:28 and Claire Thompson 28:46 next fastest.
Mark Allen equalled his PB with 24:16 to be top junior beating two visitors Tobias Edwards (Stockport Clarion C.C.) 28:06 and Jack Ingham (unattached) riding 31:22 in his first ever TT.

Polly Wilding

Three club members managed PB’s on the night and occupied the top three palces on handicap. Polly Wilding (30:32) and Duncan Poole(25:09) both improved by 19 seconds for a net 19:41 on handicap tying for top points. John Broadbent (28:29) improved by 5 seconds giving 19:55 on handicap.
FULL RESULT
PHOTOS thanks to Ken Norbury
VIDEO Thanks to Adrian Pennington.

Ben Norbury

After being 13 seconds down at half distance, Ben Norbury won Tuesday nights 25 mile TT by 7 seconds in 56:52 to Steve Hulmes 56:59. Third place went to visitor Mat Stephenson (Wills Wheels) 59:17, from third best Congleton rider Rob Dale 1:00:58.
Denise Hurst took top points in the ladies league this week with her 1:17:30 and Mark Allen did similarly in the junior league with 1:5:50.
By coming within 11 seconds of his PB, Steve Sladin was best on handicap, with an actual 1:03:17, on the challenging two lap course. His net time was 50:09 ahead of Steve Hulme 51:11 and David Farrington 50:24 (actual 1:1:57). On Veterans standard time the order was Steve Hulme (+11:40), Rob Dale (+5:53), David Farrington (+5:06).

Denise Hurst

The league tables are now starting to discount worst scores with 5 riders having completed twelve qualifying events. In the scratch competition Ben Norbury is top with 359 points from Steve Hulme 351 and Wayne Powell 295 (from 11 events). The ladies are led by Sue Blake (120) from Lesley Norbury (98) and Denise Hurst (91 from 10 events). Mark Allen is top junior with 120 point from Jake Niblett (54 from 6 events). Steve Hulme is top veteran with 360 points from Wayne Powell (315 from 11 events) and Steve Sladin (also 315). The handicap league is always one of the closest, and the last to be decided. This is led by Ben Norbury on 319 from Steve Hulme on 310 and Mark Allen on 290.

FULL RESULT
PHOTOS Thanks to Ken Norbury
VIDEO  Thanks to Adrian Pennington

Steve Hulme passing Alan Meinhardt

Two seconds was the winning margin for Steve Hulme over Ben Norbury at this week’s club 10 on the Gawsworth course, 21:46 to 21:48. Third place went to Rich Bowditch jnr (Lyme R.C.) with 22:40. Third place Congleton rider was recent recruit David Farrington with 23:45.
The ladies were headed by Sue Blake with 28:17, following from her winning best lady in the M and DTTA 100 last Sunday with a time of 5 hrs 22 mins. Next was Lesley Norbury in 30:26, and third was Alison Deykin (Wills Wheels) in 32:27. Junior honours were taken by Mark Allen in 25:46.

Duncan Poole

On a deceptively tough evening, the only PB for Congleton riders was done by Duncan Poole who shaved off 3 second with 25:28 to win the handicap race in a Nett 19:57.
FULL RESULT
PHOTOS Thanks to Ken Norbury.
VIDEO. None this week. It was Adrian’s wedding anniversary (don’t know if he filmed the occasion).

The league tables are now showing discounted events for those that have done more than 12 qualifiers. See LEAGUE TABLES.

This weeks event last qualifying 25 for the club events trophy. Sign on from 18:30 in Chain and Gate lay-by. First rider 19:15.