Felt Colbornes Team

With very little racing on and nearly everyone else consumed with a desire to take Lee to Brighton’s Gay Pride weekend I though a little light training ahead of the following weeks Python Road Race would be in order. I’ve covered the roads in the chilterns for the last 20 years so when the oppurtunity came to have a weekend away , dinner at a fine italian and the chance to ride 90 hard miles without thinking about the route I jumped at the chance. Not high, perhaps 6 inches in the air.

Evans Cycles have been putting on a number of well organised sportives this year and the Cotswolds Sportive was no exception, Timing chips, a well sign posted route and some challenging hills made the Long Ride a worthwhile day out. The course had constant twists and turns and a couple of decent hills after about 40 miles but I managed to roll round in 4h:17m at an average of 21mph.

The picture tells the true story of the effort involved as I don’t normally look that vacant. My wife, Jen, did the shorter 60 mile route with our friends and would have gone faster but for the fact I’ve not bought her a Felt bike yet! Maybe next year.

john

Ok, its wednesday, my legs feel good, just on that limit of cracking from some heavy attacks later that evening in the final Elemore. So, at what point does agreeing to take a guest rider spot at Thursday evenings Rollapaluza Urban Hill Climb up Swains Lane on Highgate Hill make sense…..nope, it doesn’t, I just can’t say no!

After saying yes, Justin and I made the trip up to Highgate for some leg breaking fun. 1km average 20% gradient, whats all the fuss about?!

I rolled out forth from last at 8:26pm, I span my rear wheel out of the blocks, so much so I had to adjust my front breaks back to centre, I’d like to think this lost me 5, 10 seconds, but the truth of it, maybe 2 max. Anyway, at about 120 rpm I pushed up the first half reaching the final kick to the top, legs did not like this! My cadence must have been more around 60 on the top section, just as the crowds increased. I tried to dig in for the line but rolled over instead. Ouch! I couldn’t stand up, not alone breath. How can something so simple be so painful! The joys of my first hill climb. 1min 44 sec. 11th overall.

Justin powered up with style in a cracking time of 1min 34.7sec raising question to his hatred of climbs…..closet climber I say! 4th overall

Heading solo for the Yorkshire hills, I made my way up to Goole late Saturday evening after the fun of a friends wedding reception to load up on carbs….in the manner of cake!

After a lovely Premier Inn breakfast I raced over to Beverly for the 10am start. Rain and cloud inspired a great taste for racing….home…. This was due to be a tough one. As we crossed the line for the end of neutralised, the attacks started hard and fast. I hung in for the painful digs. As the break went, I held back, not knowing if I could go now and last the distance. So, I hung back.

Hard into the race i felt good, pushing on with Yanto Baker to try and close the gap to the break away group. The gap came down, but with no help from others it was soon a dead house. though TV coverage was a definite pay back bonus.

I rolled in with tired legs and happy to finish in 41st.

The last Elemore of the season is always a little different as we get a shorter race to allow us E,1,2’s to watch the end of the 3,4’s race and then enjoy some food and a few drinks with everyone that has raced, supported and organised the series.  Being shorter you would think it would be easier………

Team orders were simple…GO HARD from the gun (whistle)  Juzzy gave it full gas and we all lined out behind with Richie, Tim and Lee all driving the pace.  After a couple of laps the pace eased slightly before the usual attacks began.  I made sure I was never out the top 10 as I had to get a good result to maintain my overall position in the series.  First prime lap and Richie diesel went for it with Dave Creegan in tow, Dave taking the cash prize on the line.  These two held a gap and began to work.  Next to attack was Paul Pickup closely followed by Lee Dog.  The speed of the race slowed but we were catching the 3,4 race so the front pair were sent the short lap and the bunch went the long lap, although Jamie Newall decided to take the short lap anyway.  Next lap and after some confusion the bunch went the short lap and Anders Christensen – Cycle Kingdom crept off the front with another strong tester Crispin Doyle – Swindon RC.  I immediately jumped across to join the back of them as they pulled away.  Slowly we caught Dave C and then Richie.  Somehow Lee Dog and Paul P had got ahead but letting the others do most of the work we came together as a group of 7.  Behind the bunch was splitting with Tim in a group of 4 chasing then Juzzy and Fist in another group close behind.

The front group worked well for a few laps before Paul P attacked taking Richie with him.  The gap was closed by Dave C and Crispin D with 5 laps to go.  Lee Dog told me not to work so I dropped to the back to wait for the sprint and cover any late attacks.  Richie had a go with 3 laps remaining but was chased down again.  Final lap for 2010 and we were sent on the short loop with Paul P leading followed by me and then Lee – out of the last corner I was still 2nd wheel with Paul leading it out into the head wind finish, 200m to go and we all went for it Lee Dog coming alongside and then Anders on the outside it was going to the line with Jnr Wager just getting the win from a fast finishing Anders 2nd with Lee Dog 3rd and Richie Diesel 4th…..RESULT!!

Overall Results

1st Justin Hoy – Felt Colbornes RT
2nd Tim Elverson – Felt Colbornes RT
3rd Lee Smith – Felt Colbornes RT

Some images of the Felt Colbornes racing team. Borrowed and highjack from many sources. All with thanks of course!

Hot Chillee sponsored the 2010 Bike radar live race at Brands Hatch and 6 days before the event needed some riders for the team. Well, why not….a Hot Hot Sunday and 1hr 45mins + 5 Laps seemed like a great idea, on Saturday morning that is. Three nights of racing and Saturday morning a scheduled 3hr spin with Gareth from the Sigma Sport team was a regular weekend affair, with a guest! Wouter joined us and drilled it for a 170km ride of death! OUCH!!!

Anyway, Sunday, my legs hurt….Pete Wager and I rolled up to the start. I hung in with the early attacks finding my legs. I could see a move that just launched being the one. I jumped hard and Wouter came with me as we bridged the gap and the move was done. We opened up a half a lap gap and continued to hold out until 1hr 10mins. Climbing into the hair pin Alex Dowsett attacked and my legs went bang…..it had been a hard few days. I hung on solo for what felt like a day. Before a last minute sprint for the final placing, 10th.

Bike Radar Live Report

Friday, more racing, this time in Wales…..which was nice!

With an best of the crop for all of the Pro Continental Teams, this was set to be a speed freaks dream. Justin, Tim, Lee and Myself made the trip to battle it out with the best. 8pm kick off, all warmed up the first couple of laps where very civilised, then the big guns rolled through……BANG!

With a tight fast course that had a deadly little hairpin turn that felt like a stop start it was hard! We all hung in, one by one dropping the wheels like many others. I hung in until 40 mins until the front group just edged away 4 or 5 bikes lengths and for all I could give I could only hold that gap and not bring it back for the next 6 laps…..then BANG!

For what it is worth, it was bloody good fun! we all finished off with Fish and Chips and a long drive home……which was nice.

British Cycling Report

Thursday evening saw the regular visit to Castle Combe racing circuit. It was a quite night, warm and thoughts of a visit to the local Beer garden where most tempting!

Anyway, racing! A good turn out of 45 rides, almost no wind, and legs feeling pumped from Guildford the night before racing commenced. Willer had a good turn out and some speed legends warming up for the National Crit at Abbergaveny the following evening. A fast race that saw the normal team tactics up until 2 laps to go. I’d been chasing down most of the breaks and starting the rest until the clam before the storm. Leading out for the finish I knew I didn’t want to go to early, so sat sharp on the Willer lead out train. The hit the gas for the line and I swung out and pushed hard for 3rd! less than a bike length in it.

47kmph average! a fast night. Felt AR1 felt like a true weapon this evening. Spin the legs, one bottle of Endurox recovery juice and ready for a fast night out in Wales on Friday!

Photo "Borrowed" from Chris

Racing in a late summers evening in any UK town centre is a great feeling, Guildford though, has a great edge about it. The Crowds and the riders have an epic event to encourage an atmosphere of a Belgium classic!

Justin, Lee, Tim and Myself Ricardo el mince alot made our way down for the 8pm Elite race, with Pete playing Team managed, suited and booted and Gary chief arse kicker and wheel man, the team presence was intense!

As the race kicked off up the cobbled high street into a long sweeping left down into a tight left up a narrow back street with pave then a tight left on to the cobbles and climbing for your life, all in 1.4km! ouch! I rolled through on the front pushing the first few laps before wanting to settle in for a rest….nope, no resting in this one. Hanging on for dear life as the pace went up. Wouter (Sigma sport) pushed in hard about 20 mins in and I went out the back, thankfully, so did most people, Wouter then went on to lap the field, legend and machine! Lee was our only man that stayed within fight distance of the main pack, I came off the rear and with the last 15 mins puncture the from tub, a quick wheel swap saw me back in the race with Lee and I tried to help and push on to get him back in contention. By the end of the race my legs felt great…..to late!

Zipp 303’s are an amazing wheelset! Justin and Myself road the event on these and the are compliant, responsive and so fast out of the corners. Not to mention, bomb proof!

Results

1 Wouter SYBRANDY (Sigma Sport/Specialized) E
2 Jody CRAWFORTH (Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI) E
3 Phill SYKES (Sigma Sport/Specialized) E

12 Lee SMITH (Felt-Colbornes RT) E

20 Richard MARDLE (Felt-Colbornes RT) 1
21 Tim ELVERSON (Felt-Colbornes RT) E

Myself, Lee, Ian and Garry rode the area circuit champs yesterday. With all excuses like I have a cold, Lee and Garry have been to the Jazz festival all night and Leggy had just got home from a lads week away drinking.
Dispite all the excuses we managed to get three of us in the front group with Garry slowing the bunch. With some fast attacks coming later in the race the front group split down to 6 riders with Lee and Will Burgervan doing most of the work on the last few laps.
Coming into the finish I jumped about 300m out and thought i had it easy then saw Ian Rees out the corner of my eye so kicked again and won by 2″! but thats 2″ more than anyone else so I clamed my first divisional title and gold medal.

see how close below picture from http://www.grahamrobins.net/photos/