Thoughts from the Turbo - Coaches

As yet another turbo session takes its toll on my brain, I try to focus on what I’m going to be doing during the session, that’s when it dawns on me that in years past I simply did what I thought was best during the winter, endless hours spent meandering around with no real purpose or direction. “Get out and do some hard miles” was what they all said and generally that’s what I did as a kid. You still see it now guys out thrashing round on long hard fast winter rides at almost the same pace they achieve during the summer months and taking three days to recover from it, that may work for some but certainly not me. Things for me have thankfully have moved on, which kind of brings me to my opening point. On each day through the winter I know exactly what I’m setting out to achieve during the training session. How? I hear you ask. Well it’s quite simple my coach told me.

If I could offer one piece of advice to aspiring cyclists it would be this, get yourself a coach. It sounds such a simple concept, but there are a few pitfalls

Things to avoid are

1. Someone picked at random from the internet.
2. Someone who will charge you an arm and a leg.
3. Someone who only contacts you once in a blue moon.
4. Someone who has a stable of cyclists.

I’m sure there are many, many more. Things to look for are

1. Someone who is qualified
2. Someone local.
3. Someone who will spend time listening to you.
4. Someone who you trust.

Your coach can make the difference between being a talented bike rider who never quite fulfils their potential, to being a winning talented bike rider. It is as simple as that, they identify what you are good at and probably more importantly not so good at and show you how to improve it. A good coach not only plans training schedules but offers advice on bike position, nutrition and can tell you when to slow down and avoid overtraining. They can boost your confidence and show you how you are improving. All of the above are things that I have fallen foul of in the past, but with the benefit of a second set of eyes watching over you and stopping the rot before it sets in all the negatives can be avoided and your goals achieved.

There are many different thoughts on training available on the internet and I like many of you reading this will have read over them and not really made head nor tail of the finer points of the articles. There is a reason for that and it’s simply that the author has not published them as they want you to sign up to their program which I think I covered in points 1-4 on my things to avoid list. I can’t advocate any particular type of training as things that work for me may not work for someone else, we are all different.

Good coaches are worth more than any piece of lightweight kit you can buy. If you are prepared to explain your goals, take on board their training plan, work hard and have an honest working relationship with them, you will realise your potential.

That’s enough from me I don’t want to give everything away!

Scottish Event dates for 2011

The calendar's about to be released, but there appears to be a few problems with the British Cycling calendar. So here's a summary of what we know so far with a good bit of help from the Braveheart Fund forum.

Scottish Championships
22nd May 2011: Road Race Champs (Men & Women). Vortex RT in Balfron. Initial details here.
29th May 2011: Scottish 16km TT. Ythan CC, Laurencekirk.
12th June 2011: 40km TT. Fife.
26th June 2011: 80km TT. Fife CA.
31st July 2011: Team Time Trial Championship.
5th, 6th & 7th August 2011: Scottish Track Championships Weekend. I got this date wrong originally, this is correct
21st August 2011: Scottish Criterium Championships & Youth RR Champs. Johnstone Wheelers.
28th August 2011: Vets Road Race Championship. Granite City RT, Alford.
4th September 2011: Team Road Race. Falkirk BC, Grangemouth.
9th October 2011: Scottish Hill Climb Champs. Kennoway RC, Freuchie

More important dates coming.....

Thoughts from the Turbo

With the winter weather appearing to have decided to actually be proper winter weather again this year my turbo has once again taken a battering and looks like it will continue to do so over the foreseeable future, which leads me to the question, what goes through your mind as you while away the hours on your turbo? (or as my eloquent coach likes to call it “the turdo”)

The irony of it is that the majority of racing cyclists probably spend more time riding the bike in the winter in preparation for the summer and therefore the hours spent sitting going nowhere give your mind time to wander to some incredibly strange places.

Firstly there is the immediate surroundings, for me that means the initial battle with the boss for the right to claim the kitchen for a couple of hours, this delicate negotiation requires a certain strategy, I usually get two options pre or post evening meal dependant a number of factors, these being whether the kids have friends round, I get home from work on time, what the boss is cooking and how long the planned session is supposed to take. Once this calculation has been made out comes the mat to collect the sweat, the obligatory fan to minimise the sweat, the turbo to create the sweat, bottles to replenish the sweat and the portable DVD player to try and take my mind off the sweat.

All set up, but know the difficult decision. Which one of the DVD’s will I choose to watch, again. I have several options here there are the recordings of the 2008 or 2009 Tour, which if I ever get onto Mastermind would be my specialist subject. However the orchestrated daily escape, chase down by Columbia HTC, Cavandish sprint win can become slightly tedious after the fifth or sixth watch. Alternatively there are the “giveaway” DVD’s from various cycling magazines that have been collected over the years exalting the triumphs of now disgraced/tainted former greats of the sport or an option I find myself exploring more often lately boxed sets of classic TV series (not so subtle hint for Xmas present there!) I opt for the 2009 Tour.

So into the saddle, switch on the Garmin and the designated session commences. That’s when it starts, what do I look at? The Garmin has numerous functions to consider which can be confusing, the DVD with the dulcet tones of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen confusing each other in an attempt to fill the many tepid moments of ITV4’s live coverage or the fact that I really should consider re-decorating those walls. I tell myself to concentrate on the session and with that in mind I focus on the Garmin and try to match the cadence, heart rate and power output to what is after all a carefully structured training session, put together by the coach. I remind myself that this is all part of a master plan which is intended to deliver me to a peak of fitness at the right time in around six months time, six months! That seems an absolute lifetime away…….

The first fifteen minutes normally result in sitting perfectly in the correct zone set for the session, but that’s only a temporary state, it normally coincides with the first advert break and a bloke telling me that some guy called “Iron Jim” can get me the perfect body by hanging from my door frame or Gloria Hunniford saying if I drink some friendly bacteria I can lower my cholesterol to acceptable limits and by the time I’ve mentally checked to see if the door frame could actually take my weight and considered the value of Gloria’s advice, I’ve dropped right out of the zone.

I manage to get myself back to where I should be for a while but the screen can only hold my attention for so long, I start to look down at my bike which I really should clean as it hasn’t even been on the road for about a month, how did it get that dirty? It’s at that point when I notice the forming of the inevitable bead of perspiration. It usually starts somewhere in my scalp, trundles down over my furrowed brow until it reaches decision time. Will it take the direct route straight down my nose or divert via the eyebrows into the corner of my eye and thereby cause the gritty salt laden sting which will annoy me for the rest of the session. Result! Today it decides on the former and I can amuse myself with that well known turbo pastime of blowing the sweat drip from your nose. With a bottom lip that Bubba Buford from the Forest Gump movie would be proud of I begin to disperse the droplets with increasing skill just before gravity takes its inevitable course, it is only after about a dozen shots that I realise I have caused what would appear to be a small cloud burst on the screen of the DVD player just as Team Columbia are within striking distance of the hapless Frenchie’s that have spent four and a half hours of futile escapism from the peleton.

I’m still churning out the revs and somehow have arrived in a subliminal state where I’m actually beginning to enjoy the feeling of spinning away on the spot. I start to focus in on what my body is doing and every now and again can sense each component part working to a point where I can mentally isolate each individual muscle. This state of mind is abruptly shattered as Iron Jim’s mate exalts the brilliance of the paint restorer and free micro fibre cloth available at all good stockists. I wonder if would clean my filthy frame?

Not long to go now, Cav has long since romped to another stage win, annoyed the commisaires by having a bit of imagination with his victory salutes and being insolent enough to tell everyone the basic truth that he is by far the quickest sprinter in the world in his post race interview with Ned Boulting. I meanwhile am still at least four months away from riding a bike in anger, probably just as well as I remove myself from the saddle with jelly legs, there is a long, long way to go, oh well at least that’s one more training session completed.

My final task is to return the kitchen to it’s proper, use stash the turbo and grab a shower before stretching out and analysing the data file. That’s when it sinks in that tomorrow I’ve got to do it all again! Brilliant I just can’t wait.

Alf Engers

After the excellent article on Alf Engers competition record recently publish on Veloresults, specifically PART2, but also PART1 .I thought I should try to recall my memories of that day away back in 1978.

At 14 years old it’s not often that you can say that "I was there" but I was. It was my first proper racing season and I was building towards doing a decent ride in the unofficial British Schoolboy Championship, George Herbert Stancer 10 mile TT (herein after referred to as the 16km Individual Road Pursuit) in early September. I’d qualified third fastest for that in the Eastern District Heat having broken my collarbone four weeks previously and eventually finished in eighth place that year. Looking back on it I think I peaked about four weeks too soon, any way I digress.

Rather unscientifically, I’d ridden myself into some decent form over the summer and a couple of weeks prior to the Unity CC 25 (40km IRP) a 57 minute ride gave me a reasonable shout of getting into the event, so when the start sheet landed on my doormat I scanned to see where I would start, mainly because that would determine how early I’d need to crawl out of my pit to make the two hour journey to Witham in Essex from Norwich. The good news, I was off at number 114 which only meant getting out of bed at 4:00 am for a 7:54 am start. The bad news, Alf Engers was only six minutes behind me! All things being equal that meant he wouldn’t catch me until somewhere towards the end of the return leg.

The E72 course was based on the rolling A12 dual carriageway, one of the main roads into North East London at the time, it had a reputation as a “fast course” which let’s make no bones about it should read "drag strip" and down purely to the volume of traffic which travelled on it. The course has long since been abandoned as being too dangerous. I’d ridden it once before and looking back at it, even on a Sunday morning the route was choked with articulated lorries. I really should have reported my old man to the social services for letting me ride on there. There’s no way I’d consider doing that now at 47 let alone 14, my boys certainly won’t be doing anything like that. The course itself took advantage of the RTTC rule which meant that the finish had to be within a mile of the start, on this course what it meant was the outward leg was considerably longer than the return which as it turned out was a major advantage on that day.

On 5th August 1978 the wind was coming from the South West which meant that outward leg had a tail wind leaving only the final 16km or so into the wind. As usual my Dad got me to the HQ with just over an hour to my start time and we went through the usual routine, as I collected my number I had a sneaky look to see if 120 had been taken yet, it had, just in front of me. There he was Alf, "the King" ear-ring glistening, just ahead of me. He didn't look all that, but on closer inspection it was apparent he was wiry strong and had the classic gaunt look of a man who was ultra fit or maybe having read articles since, knackered from having worked all night at the bakery, I prefer to think it was the former.

Even at that age I was aware of Alf’s legendary status and how the RTTC seemed to have a vendetta against him. I’d been at a couple of events where he’d ripped the field to shreds and recall my Dad telling the story of seeing Alf approaching a roundabout on the A1 in the middle of the carriageway sit up to grab the now infamous brake levers in an attempt to make the turn, there was no doubt he had an aura around him. I sneaked away to warm up on, in comparison to "the" bike, my not so trick Reynolds 531 frame which had been built by R.E.Buck in Ipswich although I did have a great pair of wheels 28 spoke colnago titanium hubs on mavic rims shod with a pair of clement 1 silk track tubs. I’ll not tell you what chain ring I had on the front, suffice to say it had the look of a dustbin lid which, coupled with a six speed straight through 13-18 block gave me a ridiculously high top gear, again not the ideal combination for a 14 year old, but these were the days before high cadence and any real scientific approach to racing it was a case of get into the little sprocket and grind away. The tubs however made a fantastic noise with 160lbs inside them and I felt superfast during the warm up.

I rolled up to the start line with a couple of minutes to go, it was on the South bound off slip at Witham, which acted as a ramp, perfect for getting up to speed quickly. The countdown came and went and I was away, all thoughts of Engers quite literally put behind me I settled nicely in to a rhythm for the short distance of headwind before coming off the main road over a flyover onto the North bound carriageway for the long leg towards Colchester and immediately felt the benefit of that self same breeze swiftly pushing me to speeds which must have been around the 55 kph mark. At the time I’d no idea how fast I was going all I know was that it felt incredibly easy as I was catching the guys ahead of me extremely quickly. I don’t know what they thought of being caught by someone of my age or if they even knew, but that was the last of my worries. I was thinking of the head wind return leg, oh and avoiding the trucks that were whizzing past me.

I got to the turn which was around 23 km completed and prepared for the headwind leg, over the bridge and onto the slip road to head south again, strangely enough it still felt fast, I thought it must have been the decline of the ramp, but later realised that the wind had dropped. After a few of scary moments as a couple of articulated trucks dived from the main road across five lanes of traffic in front of me at the Marks Tey junction the traffic flow dragged me along for the final kilometres. I was getting checks from my Dad as usual but, couldn’t hear them due to the traffic noise, he was going mental at the side of the road, initially I thought it was because Engers was about to catch me but with only a couple of miles to go I was still ahead of the game. Off the main road and with a swift negotiation of a couple of junctions into the industrial estate which housed the finish and I was done. I rolled back to my Dad who had a beaming grin across his face and told me my time, I’d completed the 40 km in an average speed of 44.65 kph, knocked over four minutes off my personal best and most importantly I was there to watch as Alf flew past the finish line to clock his 49:24 a fearsome sight indeed and one which I don't ever think will be forgotten. The place was already buzzing as Eddie Adkins, who you have to feel a little sorry for, had only just set a new competition record of 50:50, he must still hold the record for the shortest length of time anyone had held it.

Me? I ended up in 8th and that time remained my best until 2009 when I finally managed to beat it by 7 seconds at the Scottish 25 Champs aero’d to the max, makes you wonder what the “King” could have done with all that kit……..

Lazer O2 RD Helmet

Having just kicked the new team off once the season was already underway, we had a fair bit of catching up to do, so we decided to end the season and kick off the new one with as much matching kit as possible, team helmets are an obvious one. The Belgians love their Lazer hats, a step away from the UK's usual of Giro, Specialized or Bell, that fits the bill.
Looking at weights and vents that are in the normal area for a race helmet, we went for the Lazer O2 RD from Solid Rock Cycles. The added advantage that they have a fitting system that allows head sizes from 53 to 61cm to fit, so the one size they make in this model should fit the majority of our riders.

We've been riding these for a couple of months now, changed the livery a bit to match the team. So we'll give you an idea of what we've found, as it may be a different brand to what most folks are used to.

Weight:
I was riding a Giro Ionos, so a quick scale measurement for this blog & I found the Giro was 285g, the Lazer 278g, so lighter than a hat £50 more expensive. It also appears to have just as many vents, which keeps the weight good, obviously not had the chance to test it in the hottest Scottish conditions, but it looks like it would be just as sweaty as anything else.

Fit & Comfort:
The retention system is operated by the red rolling toggle in the top rear of the helmet, so that adjusts the cage around your head. I find the fit very comfy and solid, I take a medium in a Giro hat. We did find somebody in the team this doesn't fit, he is outside the maximum size range, so a different white matching helmet beckons for him. It looks as if the size range goes from half way up an equivalent Giro small to the end of a Giro large, based on that if you're wearing a small Giro, or finding a large Giro tight, try one of these on first before you buy it. Otherwise you'll be fine. Strap fitting is a doddle, each one has a locking clip where the two straps meet below the ear, so the adjustment is pretty easy. The strap length adjustment I always find a pain, as they allow enough strap for big heeded growlers, I always end up folding the straps over and using the rubber ring provided to hold it in place, always meaning to cut them to length. I'm not sure I've ever bothered to, this one is the exact same, too much strap for me, so folded over in the same way (must cut them this time!).

Wear & Tear:
Even though they're white, it's almost a kind of matt finish, doesn't seem to dirty up, even though it's been lying on the road upside down, it's still not marked. You get a wee bag to put it in when you're taking it to races, so that also helps keep it looking nice. I'm not getting much of the salty strap marks, but that's perhaps down to not riding hard enough than anything else, but the hats still look good as new.

Other stuff:
We have no info on crash testing it, nobody has done yet. The vents fit the glasses well, a pair of Oakley Radars fits in nicely while you're strolling about the race HQ or you're needing to sweep the sweat away on a climb. It also has some extra pads with it, plus the helmet bag as mentioned previously.


So overall, good light, aero, vented helmet, if you've got a normal size bonce, but if you've got a funny shaped bonce, check the size first. Or have a look at what else Lazer have to offer, a lot of pro's riding them, the Genesis looks very nice.

You can buy online here @ £79.99, it comes in 3 other colours, go to Products>Helmets>Road.
www.solidrockcycles.co.uk

Review: Tacx Antares Rollers

It is an unwritten rule that track racing requires you to be able to use rollers. Therefore I had to avail myself of a set, not only to prepare properly for the rigours of the oval, but to improve my pedalling technique through the winter months. So with this in mind and noting that Colin had recently purchased this same model I spoke with Mark at Solid Rock Cycles who swiftly placed an order for me.

On collection the box was unpacked and the various parts laid out on the carpet for assembly, three parabolic rollers, two adjustable side frames, one very large rubber band and six allen key bolts (plus allen key). Using the very easy to follow set of instructions (unlike a certain swedish furniture store) and five minutes later they were assembled.

The next task was to adjust the extended length of the rollers to suit the wheelbase of my track bike, again a very simple task using the allen key bolts on the underside of the framework and that was it, out of the box and ready to roll (so to speak) in about fifteen minutes. I was pleasantly surprised at the weight and build of the finished article they felt rock solid and the feet have substantial contact with the ground, there is a great weight in the cylinders without making them to heavy to carry around and once placed onto my training mat they just weren't moving anywhere.

Onto the real test, how did they feel under the bike? Tacx claim that is almost impossible to fall off the rollers due to the parabolic shape of the roller itself. Fortunately as yet I haven't yet tested that theory, I can say however that the design gives you confidence to ride unassisted and that the feeling once up to speed is smooth. I also like the feel of the surface of the rollers it has a slight grip to it which all adds to the secure feeling as you spin at higher revs. I have found the noise from the bearings far less than that of my turbo and as I use them on a tiled concrete floor in the kitchen it is far less intrusive for the better half whilst the T.V. is on next door.

So the ride is good, smooth and comfortable and I quickly felt at home on them. After my session it took a matter of seconds to stow them into compact mode. The quick release levers on the inside of the frame allow the two parts to slide into each other and reduce the overall length to just over 800mm then closing the levers to lock the frame into position you simply pull the rubber band around the neatly designed groove on one of the levers, twist it and pull the band over the other lever to keep it all neat and tidy. This means they can fit neatly into the boot of your car ready for the track meet or as in my current situation under the stairs ready for my next winter spinning session.

I really like these rollers they give you that little bit more of a real ride than a turbo trainer with the added benefit of working your upper body, improving your pedalling action and balance. They will also prove a valuable assest at the summer track meets allowing you to properly warm up (especially at Meadowbank's Tuesday night track league!) prior to taking to the boards, which after all is what it's all about.

Review: Ridley Oval Track Bike

Vortex RT is going to become more and more involved in track racing, so did I need another track bike, I think so....
Then while chatting to Solidrock Cycles I was handed a catalogue by Mark and saw the Ridley. Not sure I'd remembered previous to that, but I'd seen Ridley track bikes at Gent during a visit to the 6 day the previous year, I'd more associated them with road bikes, but then a Belgian company knowing a bit about track bikes makes sense really. It's an aluminium frame, what I'm after, not sure I want to be riding a carbon bike at track leagues, so ideal.
Here's the link to the Ridley info on it.

If you're looking for one, check the sizing chart & geometry on that link, what they call a 52cm, is a 56cm in traditional measurements, so bear that in mind, all the info's there but you need to read it.

I did a bit of research on the net about what people were saying, lots of street 'fixie' types riding them, not too many reports on how they handle on the boards, but a bit of confusion with some numpties and their interpretation of frame angles and handling. So I had basically ignored the majority of it and used my own experience of frames to decide what I needed, a good handling rigid endurance riders bike. I also got a recommendation from somebody I found who was actually racing one on a 250m track, that settled it for me. I ordered one through the shop, frame only, had most of the other kit, plus a pair of old school track wheels getting built by big Al.

First ride was setting it up on the rollers, feels stiff, tracks fine, nothing significant to report, but apart from that very hard to tell, obligatory matching white bar tape and saddle for a track bike (see rules). Looks nice. The only curious thing is that the forks have no hole for a brake, but the rear has a brake bridge with a hole for a brake, this doesn't really bother me, but I passed the info onto the rep and he said he'd get it sorted with future frames, so any coming out now won't have the brake fitting, but another thing to check.

So onto actually testing the thing, took it to Manchester, a 250m indoor wooden track, my feeling on the stiffness was correct, I'm not a big guy, so my opinion doesn't say how a sprinter would find it. It has some ovalised tubing, changing along the length, which probably adds to the feel of it, the chainstays and seatstays are extra beefy, but in the correct direction, so they remain aero. It holds the black line well at speed and isn't twitchy, I don't like overly twitchy track bikes that flick you off your line when you move your head, I like something that tells you what it's doing, and does what you tell it. To be honest, I wasn't going too well at Manchester, but I was on the front for a crazy line bit of training, taking everybody through.. you guessed it, crazy lines. This was the first opportunity to really give the thing a test, so diving off the banking, switching, the thing really comes into it's own on this kind of stuff, where the surefooted handling come in, it really does do what you tell it. I was more worried I'd stuck my tubs on correctly. The look of it went down well, with another fair few, "I didn't know Ridley did track bikes".

Roll on the Meadowbank track league, another 250m wooden track, but this time outside, so the added problems of wind and whatever the Scottish weather system can throw at you. Once again, the bike handles great, really responsive, by the time I'd started going ok during the season, I'd tested everything, seated accelerations, sprinting, running off the banking flat out and I've got absolutely nothing bad to say about it, a great track bike, even the paint is fine after a season of being chucked in cars with 2 or 3 other track bikes, rollers etc.

So in summary, a good all round endurance track bike, light, very stiff (probably good enough for most sprinters), handles well, accelerates well, looks good. Really looking forward to getting some form and seeing what it can really do.
They've also brought out a ridiculous new carbon track bike now, have a look...
Ridley Arena
They're all available, plus the full Ridley range at SolidRockCycles in Balmore.
www.solidrockcycles.com

How did that happen?

So there I was March 2010, slightly disenchanted at the thought of a year of no real direction, having done a shed load of base training since being removed unceremoniously from my bike back in September by an inattentive driver which had left my arm dangling weirdly from my shoulder, wondering what I was going to have a go at in the year ahead. I'd done ok in 2009 nothing earth shattering though and thought that I should really attempt to do something better. It was at that point that Colin came to the rescue with the idea that we should have some fun, break from the establishment and have some fun racing together, it was the best conversation we ever had.

Over the next few days we discussed what we'd like to achieve and effect in Scottish Cycling in the year ahead and beyond. At that point we had a chat with Tom and quickly discovered that he was of the same mind, time to sit down and discuss it properly. Colin, Tom and I hooked up at Tinderbox Cafe in the Merchant City and over a few coffees formulated the the plan to run a small race team with a modern approach who would race for each other and have fun doing it. I left that meeting on an absolute high, totally enthused (nothing to do with the caffeine intake at all!)

The speed with which things happened after that will never cease to amaze me, ideas flew around via a flurry of e-mails and everything fell into place as if someone had suddenly turned the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle up the right way so that you could finally see the picture that had been there all along. There was one however one rather important thing missing, the name.

Our embryonic team had come together so fast we thought it'd be easy, but naming it was probably our most elongated decision, seemingly endless suggestions were made some good, some not, ones that someone else somewhere had dropped onto. We were spiralling into frustation and then it finally landed in our laps I can't recall where it actually came from or who suggested it but Vortex Race Team just seemed to capture the frame of mind we were all in and that as thay say was that.

It was at that point that we suddenly realised that the season was upon us and we'd left it rather late to launch the team as we were in no real shape to compete as a unit through one reason or another, what the heck we thought we'd give it a go and see what happened with our refreshed enthusiasm. Next step sponsorship.

We wanted relative sponsors though and partners who would "get" what Vortex was all about, so we approached a few people that we thought may be interested and enjoy the concept. So with our three year plan in hand we set out to track them down. First up was Stewart at Conquest Bikewear, Tom had worked closely with Stewart previously in preparing race kit and when we ran the idea past him over a West End lunch it became immediately apparent that we had both been looking for what each other had to offer, we needed kit and Stewart had been toying with the idea of a race team to test his clothing, perfect, who says there's no such thing as fate? Mark and the Solid Rock Cycles guys offered their assistance as well and we'd have been plain stupid not to invite them on board, a vast pool of bike and racing knowledge to be tapped into. Finally and by no means least Robert offered some much needed financial assistance through Millersport Architecture (if you're wondering where the cycling connection is, just think Olympic Velodrome) and so we were all set to launch into the racing season.

It only took a few weeks to get it all together, idea to race team in about four weeks!

Next up, time to race.............

The Tornado's Transmitter Terror Road Race

4 Vortex lining up for this on Saturday 31st, Tom Worthington, Stewart Chapman, Jeremy Greengrass & Colin Bark.
Route & profile http://ridewithgps.com/routes/84340

Scottish Vets Road Race Championships

Provisional start sheet released for the event on the 8th August, 2 Vortex riders competing.

Held at HQ Location: Alford Ski Centre, Greystone Road, Alford, AB33 8TY


1 Robert Cowie Aberdeen Wheelers CC V50
2 Alex McAllister Ayr Roads CC/Harry Fairbairn BMW V50
3 Tim Caine Berwick Wheelers CC V40
4 Hamish Irvine Cairngorm CC V40
5 Paul Masson Cairngorm CC V40
6 John McQuade Chryston Wheelers V40
7 Ian Brown Deeside Thistle CC V40
8 Mike Spalding Deeside Thistle CC V40
9 Calum Cowie Deeside Thistle CC V50
10 John Kermode Dundee Thistle V40
11 John Milligan Dundee Wheelers V40
12 Gordon Penderleith East Kilbride RC V40
13 Graeme Small East Kilbride RC V40
14 Tony Nugent East Kilbride RC V40
15 George Avraam Edinburgh RC V50
16 Dominic Hines Edinburgh RC V40
17 Richard Garrett Edinburgh RC V40
18 George Findlater Elgin CC V60
19 John Young Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpeliers V40
20 Martin Coopland Falkirk BC V40
21 Franco Porco Falkirk BC V40
22 Neil Cameron Falkirk BC V40
23 Tom Anderson Falkirk BC V40
24 Andrew Kilpatrick Fife Cycling 2000 V50
25 James McLoughlin Forres CC V40
26 Davide Lang Glasgow Wheelers CC V60
27 Steve McIntosh Granite City RT V40
28 Alister Watt Granite City RT V40
29 Keith Robertson Granite City RT V40
30 Steve Hazlett Ivy CC V40
31 James Daly Johnstone Wheelers V40
32 Paul McDonald Johnstone Wheelers V40
33 Philip Lee Moray Firth CC V50
34 Callum Gough Omnipex RT V50
35 Andrew Douglas PedalPower RT V40
36 Michael Houston Peebles CC V50
37 Andrew Ralston Perth United CC V40
38 Derek Martin Perth United CC V40
39 Benny McLaughlin Rock and Road Cycles V40
40 Derek McMillan St Christophers CC V50
41 Graham Moore Stirling BC V40
42 Scott Johnston Team Icarus V40
43 Graham Mercer Team Icarus V40
44 James Meek Team Leslie Bike Shop/Right Move V40
45 Brendan Roe Team Leslie Bike Shop/Right Move V50
46 Milt Warner Team Quest V40
47 Randle Shelton Team Swift Allsports V50
48 Jim Leslie The Bicycleworks.com V60
49 Richard Small Unattached V40
50 Tom Worthington Vortex RT V40
51 Jeremy Greengrass Vortex RT V40

11th June 2010 Eddie Morgan RR

Vortex RT will have 3 riders in this weekends Eddie Morgan Memorial Road race, held near Perth by Perth United Cycling Club

Vortex riders for this event are Tom Worthington, Jeremy Greengrass & Stewart Chapman, the event is 76km and lumpy.

Results here on Sunday evening.

British Police Time Trial Championships 19&20/6/10

Vortex Rt's Jeremy Greengrass was representing Central Scotland Police in the British Emergency Services time trial championships held in Aberdeenshire by Ythan Cycling Club.

After the previous weekend and some unidentified sickness in the Scottish 25 championship, all worries were eliminated & Jez was feeling confident after a mid week test on the dreaded vortest rig test which showed he was on better form than the previous years championship, where he placed high in the overall classification.

Jez contested the 10mile on Saturday & the 25mile on Sunday, both events were held in incredibly blustery conditions. He was testing a brand custom new skinsuit design supplied by http://www.conquestbikewear.co.uk/ in the event, which looks to have helped secure the wins.

The '10'
Saturday's time trial resulted in a very close result with Jez taking the win over a rapid Steve Legg from Metropolitan Police. The winning margin was a tight 2 seconds and in the process he set a new club record for the distance.
1st JEREMY GREENGRASS (Central Scotland) 21.58
2nd STEVE LEGG (Met Police) 22.00
3rd ROSS LAIDLAW (L&B Police) 22.54

The '25'
In Jez's preferred distance, the 25, he blasted the field to win by almost 2 minutes on an incredibly hard day on an exposed course where the strong wind resulted in only the strongest riders being able to contest the medal positions. Again he posted a new club record.
1st JEREMY GREENGRASS (Central Scotland) 56.17
2nd ANDY COWIE (Northern Constabulary) 57.11
3rd STEVE COULTISH (North Yorkshire Constabulary) 57.44

Congratulations on two individual wins plus the combined championship in the British Police Champs.