Hi VTC,
I’m newbie Richard Jones. Done a fair bit of Triathlon & proud to have represented GB on a few occasions. Recently qualified as a L1 coach & am looking forward to getting involved at the club whilst having a dabble at the Sprint distance this year.
Married to Rachel (lucky guy) and Daddy to Wilf (our crazy 2-year old).
Welcome to the Viceroys Richard.
Originally from Cape Town, now living in Chertsey, I’m a newbie to VCT and a relative newbie to cycling!
I began this time last year for Ride London, and doing it again this year!
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Little Beaver Olympic Distance Race report for Carl Fisher
There was more than one age group in my wave so swim was a bit mental at the start. It’s a weird feeling being carried along by the force of those swimming around you and I found myself clawing my way over a mass of neoprene into clear water (actually not so clear as the water was black with silt) to find my rhythm. After the mayhem of the start, the swim was pretty uneventful.
T1 is about 400m run up a slope from the lake and on my way there I assisted a guy who had got his zip stuck. Not sure if that’s against the rules but couldn’t ignore him as there wasn’t anyone else around. T1 for me went pretty well and I was being cheered on by Simon Tack who was taking a half time orange break at the side line.
I hit the bike course feeling ok until the first little incline and my legs said no! I then realised my rear break was locked onto the wheel and after a bit of roadside mechanics and a good talking to, miraculously the legs started working again. There was a horrible energy sapping headwind on the long undulating straight road section. I couldn’t quite believe the tiny number displayed on my speedo but the situation wasn’t going to change and it was the same for everyone so it was head down and tuck in. Taking the turn at the end of the road the wind dropped and the pace started to climb. Second lap felt better and my bike dismount at the end was as good as it’s ever going to be.
T2 was solid and off onto the run without any dramas until the course started rising upward and it sunk in that this was going to be a killer. To my surprise the first hill run was ok and flying down was great fun, but then around 5K, the blisters formed and I couldn’t ignore the pain. I crossed the line and felt pretty deflated with a poor bike time and even worse run time.
I loved being out there racing and part of a great event even if my result wasn’t great. Seeing my fellow Viceroys at the race and hearing shouts of encouragement on each lap was fantastic.
It’s now Monday morning as I write this report and I’ve checked my AG result. 23rd of around 63 on the start list so lower than I’d hoped but a true reflection of how it all went. It’s on to Eaton Dorney for a nice short flat race.
I did my first triathlon a couple of years ago after I began open water swimming at Shepperton (beating Peter Bell in my first, and now last, swimming race against him!). For the past 6 years I had been focussing on running – more of a plodder than anything else – and thought it would be nice to branch out. I have worked to conquer my fear of cycling but still don’t spend enough time on it since I much prefer running and swimming. Over the past 2 seasons I have done a total of 9 triathlons and worked up to a standard distance one last September. This season I am keen to actually start improving rather than simply being pleased to get round so have been working on my swimming and had a video swimming lesson a couple of weeks ago and have also being doing spin classes to work on the muscles without quite so much of the fear. Hoping the club sessions will help push me a bit harder. Next race is the 5km swim at Eton Dorney at the end of the month.
Welcome to the Viceroys Louisa.
With over 900 people descending on St Neots and the river Ouse for a triple header for British Championship honours and world & European qualifiers, the best of the best where looking to set a marker at the beginning of the season. I was off in the fourth wave with over 170 across two age groups. In 13.5 degrees the swim was hectic and cold. I struggled over the first 375m to find any rhythm and unfortunately gave away a little distance to a couple of strong swimmers. Not phased I turned back upstream and closed the gap.
With a fast T1 I moved into third place and throughout the course of the ride I could see the top two in the distance. Over the final 5km I closed the gap and moved into second but the overall winner had also pushed on. As we came into T2 I was side by side to the other athlete. A solid transition I looked to exit transition and focus on my run. The other guy flew out and got a small gap. I wasn’t concerned as I was moving well off a hard bike so I was confident I would catch him. Which I did at the end of lap 1. I looked to maintain the pace knowing it was good enough to catch him and save some for the final 1km. I pushed hard and set my best run split to date and came on in 2nd place and AG Silver medalist. I’ve beaten the winner before but on this day he was the better man and well deserved – I will get him next time.
Although I’d already qualified for the worlds, it was nice gain a silver medal and also my European place for Lisbon 2016. The season now can progress with everything nicely in place
Thanks for your support and I will be back in touch after my next race at Eton Dorney
Mark
I live in West Molesey with my wife Debbie, no kids but a very demanding cat. I’ve been racing triathlons since 2009; prior to that I rowed for Kingston RC, and Henley RC before that. After completing my second Etape du Tour in 2012 I decided I fancied a go at Ironman distance, and I now find myself training for my 3rd Ironman in Vichy in August having previously done IM Wales and Austria.
Outside of training I am partial to the occasional Real or Craft Ale festival, and spend most of my spare holiday visiting my far flung relatives in Singapore, Perth, Sydney and France.
Welcome to the Viceroys Dave…
And so the 2015 season starts…
After an amazing 2014 season which saw me win nice races and culminate with finish 6th overall at the grand final in Edmonton. 2015 is all about building slowly for grand final in the Windy City -Chicago where I have already qualified for based on being the top British athlete from the 2014 final.
Winter has been good with plenty of hours spent in the pool, on the WattBike & running. My focus is clearly my weakness – the run so I’ve worked hard to strengthen up those legs ahead of the season.
On Saturday 25th April i dipped my toe into an icy 14degree lake in Kent for the Ocean Lake Triathlon. I settled into a steady pace in the swim but getting into the cold lake for the first time I was someone rusty and gave away a few metres on one guy. Not getting stressed he exited the water just ahead of me & as I eased out a low 10min swim which was pleasing considering the water temperature. Flying through T1 setting the fastest transition I took the lead and never looked back. I had cycled to feeling as my Garmin zoned out as I couldn’t get my cadence sensor amass the others in transition when setting up. Using the WattBike has help increase my power & cadence so I eased to the fastest bike split on a tricky course due to the windy & damp conditions. I had a little gap over 2nd and looked to settled into a nice pace on the run but with ice cold feet this was hard. On the 2nd lap 2nd place had gained but not as much as I’d presumed. I looked to overtake those on their first lap to hide but at 4km he pulled alongside. I looked to hold close and over the final few hundred metres he put a spurt on to pip me by 9seconds. A solid 2nd place overall and good hit out to break the season in.
Two weeks to build into the first qualifier of the season where I can see who’s who’s ahead of the grand final.
Mark
If anyone wants to plan a “bucket list” early season race then I can highly recommend Cannes.
There are 2 distances, I did the “medium” 1k swim, 40k ride and 8k run (half of the distance of the “long”
Swim – My first mass sea start and with about 650 athletes gong off I was feeling very apprehensive and decided to hold back and entered toward the back. Swimming with a friend we stuck together defending each other from the masses and picking our way through the field. I was extremely happy to see so many bikes as we came to T1.
Bike – About 3k of flat and then the climb out of Cannes. Roughly 850m of climbing over the next 40k followed. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, amazing roads, brilliantly marshalled and policed for a safe, fair race. I caught 2 girls and was passed by one in the first half. At 25k the rain started and it began to get a bit hairy on the descents. A couple of bikes in front of me wiped out on sharp bends, I decided to hold back a bit. The rain worked in my favour, I’m not he bravest descender but clearly not as cautious as some as I managed to pass a few men 😀
Run – In to T2 and my legs felt ok. 2 out and backs along the Croisette. I was not 100% sure of my position a few had passed me on the bike I couldn’t be sure if they were male or female… Spotting a girl ahead I chased her down. I felt comfortable and was just enjoying the moment. Pleased to be passing more than passed me, then in the last 1k I pushed a bit and caught the shoulder of a guy from Monaco Tri Club who looked over and encouragingly said “stick with me” it was great help and he paced me to the red carpet.
One final push for a sprint run down the carpet and to a great medal for the collection.
What can I say, what a venue, what a race….Can’t wait till next year.
1st Age Group \ 8th Female
100 miles? No problem. After all, Viceroys have done the Surrey 100 in Hurricane Bertha. Right? 6400ft. That’s 9 times up Box Hill! Our hardy Viceroys trio tackled Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance charity bike ride and encountered hills, a man hole and even a real ambulance…
Kevin Dargue was the first to arrive at Redhill out of the Viceroy Trio made up of Kevin, Andrea Whelband and Simon Tack. Whilst the latter two were busy getting dressed and assembling bikes, Kevin set of with an earlier group of riders who looked as though, ‘they knew what they were doing and where they were going.’
Kevin continues: ‘After 30 minutes two had disappeared at break neck speed, a few more stopped to adjust something or fiddle with GPS’s and the final group stopped for a loo break! So on my own I tried to navigate Surrey, Kent and Sussex. On the way some of the yellow signs with black arrows had been removed or turned round. This twinned with the fact I was reading the map going anticlockwise when in fact the route was clockwise meant it was only a matter of time before I was well and truly lost.
Eventually back on track, caught and passed an earlier group and then……..got lost again. After a few miles I came across a Rest/Food stop and they kindly told me I was going in the wrong direction! At one point I even ended up on the same road as the Hever Castle cyclists who were also following yellow signs with black arrows! As there were two 100km loops as well which formed a figure of 8, every now and again you would see a random, solo cyclist with a KSS jersey going off in a different direction.
Talk about mind games. Do you follow the cyclist who could be lost or following one of the 100km loops or the signs that could be pointing in the wrong direction? Simon decided to do one of the 100km loops. The loop he chose was the one with all the hills. Brave choice Simon and well done. I arrived at Marden, half way, just as Andrea was leaving. How did that happen? We also met up again at the 3/4 point. Half way and not feeling too bad and then the hills! 6000ft of hills. They were hard and seriously energy sapping. Apparently the organisers decided last year was too soft so changed the route to make it more of a challenge. By the last 20km it was snail pace and every minute hole or bump was sending shots of pain through the legs and up the back. I couldn’t even enjoy what few downhill bits there were.
At long last the final, flat 5km. Finally crossed the line in just over 8 hours. And Andrea? Andrea took a tumble a few km from the end. Hit a manhole cover at speed and took off. Fortunately she had been cycling with someone who got her an ambulance pronto and off to A&E. Thankfully no broken bones but bad road rash, cut, bruising and painful ribs. She was given the all clear and allowed home. I usually have a good idea about distance. I certainly have 750m and 5km sorted but 6400ft of incline did not register. That is the same as cycling up Helvelyn, twice! So it was just a typical Viceroy day out in the country!’
Pete Kelsey took part in the Surrey Legs of Steel Long Course sportive on Saturday:
This local Sportive starts and ends at the top of Box Hill, so if nothing else it is a good spot for a well-earned post-ride coffee.
Circa 650 riders took part over the short (46k) and long (81k) course, which are both ‘hilly’ – the short takes in 1,020 metres of climbing and the long 1,600 metres. Legs of Steel’s long course includes 8 hills that most Viceroys will know well: Ranmore, Leith, Holmbury, Winterfold, St Martha’s, Coombe Lane, Crocknorth and finally Box Hill. It is a lovely route and the event is very well run by Full On Tri with proper timing chips, 2 feed stations and simple but effective signs.
Winterfold (aka Barr Hatch) is a lung-buster at 21%, by far the toughest climb on the ride.
Last year I had a DNF in this event from a broken rear mech hanger, which at least led me to realise that my bike has one of those, even if I had no way of fixing it at the bottom of Holmbury Hill. (in other words, Phil Walker wasn’t there to help – I won’t kid myself about being able to do anything mechanical). This year the bike was well-serviced (by Phil), lesson learned.
The ideal pre-race carb loading and early night was however in tatters as Margot & I joined Viceroy Founder Gary Brine & his wife Lisa at Kate Bush’s final concert. After that was delayed by 1 hr 30 due to power failure I rolled into bed at just before 2 am having ‘loaded up’ on kettle chips and popcorn for my 6 am alarm.
In no time the alarm sounded, it seemed like only minutes after my head hit the pillow, and I was feeling decidedly Babushka Ya Ya.
The event’s gold times are achievable and for my aged 50+ group the target time was 3.25. I however had a harder target in mind as I was trying to drag a work colleague round in sub 3 hours to hit his 18-39 category, which we did, just, in 2.57. No major mishaps except a 5 minute delay at Chilworth’s railway level crossing for a toy town train to roll through very slowly with nobody on it. In the end I was 5 minutes behind the winner in my ‘veteran’ age group, and 5th in the over 50’s a much better result than last year, but I must time the level crossing better in future!
Overall I recommend the event to any Viceroys out there who enjoy hilly rides, and it was something to celebrate later that night at Chairman Yeo’s 40th fancy dress party!’
