Richard Mardle
Adventures of the past month….
by richard on Aug.17, 2009, under Richard Mardle
With the speed in which times seems to tick of late, it feels like I’ve been racing and living at 100mph… Where do I start!
The 27th of June, a sunny Saturday morning, in a peaceful part of the new forest, bliss… Then the gun went! Round four of the national Mountain bike series was a go…. Seven laps of the fast, dry course entertained. With a total of 5 SIS smart gels my rocket fueled performance stunned even me! Pushing to the line and finishing 6th, a great result! UCI points and cash to boot!
It’s all about preparation…apparently! The Toucham House Grand Prix road race on the 2ndof August was on the back of an already long weekend of training….in vino consumption! Justin, John, Lee and myself traveled down to Canterbury looking to contend for the £1000 1st place prize. With a pot like that though, so had most of the other “Big Guns” of the UK scene. The Race was punchy from the start, with a great rolling course wand only two little climbs, the laps felt as if the course had more negative flat that up. Perfect! We had some guys in all the breaks, while I sat comfortable in the bunch trying to shake the hang over and eating most of my energy products, well, Haribo. Into the last 20 miles I started to feel fruity and made my way to the front of the pack, just in time to make it into a break, the break! working hard we opened some healthy time into the pack, with the help of the remain (Just Justin, the others felt tired and pulled out!) felt boys covering, the break held! Coming to the line my legs broken, cramp was due any moment, turning left into the finishing climb it struck me down. I pulled myself up over the climb to the finish holding 11th…out of an eleven man break….nice. Then off to Starbucks!
- Joolze Dymond
- Speedy!
- I know…Pro!
- The Break…
- Has anyone got some cake…
- Yep….tongue is out!
Castle Combe Easter Classic – 10th April
by richard on Apr.15, 2009, under Richard Mardle
Bank Holiday Weekend and in true tradition, rain! Though, fortunately just on Good Friday.

Wet, Cold and a large field lined up for Good Friday event. 72km around the Classic Motor racing circuit in the wet, seemed fairly easy, but from the gun it was an ice rink adventure, every corner should have been sidelined by Judges ready to score style and execution.
Into the race it was soon obvious that no one was going to ride away in the weather conditions, it didn’t mean we couldn’t try, well, it was better than riding someones power shower wheel.

Once the Cold had really set in you could see Justin and John where looking really happy and wishing for this short race to be over so they could tuck into some mini Eggs…. Sprinting for the line, Justin came in 5th with a pro style lead out from John.
British Cycling Report – http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/EventReports2009/20090411_castle_combe_easter.asp
Full support and cheers from the office guys at Saddleback was much appreciated.









