Weekly News 30/05/22 to 05/06/22 – Hartlepool Cycling Club

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

Sunday was the last day of Queen Elizabeth 2nds Jubilee party. A party that has lasted for four days to mark 70 years on the throne. And a time to reflect on how times have changed in some ways but stayed obstinately the same in others. For instance when the queen was coronated everyone was in black and white and kids were sent to work up chimneys but then we had the 70s and people slowly started getting a bit of colour in their cheeks and houses no longer had chimneys so the kids had to get work as internet entrepreneurs instead.

But Paul McCartney and Cliff Richard are still singing and cycling time trials are still being held along busy main roads and Steve was set to do a TT today but just like QE2 having mobility issues that stopped her from attending her own party. She couldn’t get the Zimmer frame started. Steve had his own mobility issues in that his preferred TT bike was not working so he couldn’t take part. So instead he turned up at the GL for the Sunday cafe ride along with Sean and Peter.

The aim was to do a shortish ride and after some humming and harring Sean suggested going up to Seaham. With a cold wind blowing from the North this seemed a good choice as the wind would be from behind on the way back. The route there was straight up the coast road to Easington up the hill and then along to Seaham up and down the various deans along the way. The cafe stop was at Seaham harbour where excellent bacon sandwiches and proper mugs of tea and coffee were consumed with gusto. Although it has to be said that there was a distinct summer chill in the air.

With 18 miles done Steve said that he was aiming to do 70km or 41.3 miles or was it 43.1? Anyway, obviously a detour was needed on the way back to achieve this 70km to mark the 70 years jubilee. So with nobody really knowing where they were going a route inland was decided. This took in a tour around a new housing estate before getting back onto a road that actually went anywhere. Anywhere being Houghton Le Spring, Hetton Le Hole and Pittington, arriving eventually at Sherburn. There was then a choice to make, Sherburn hill, Signing bank or Heather lad bank to get over. Middle for diddle was the choice so a grind up signing bank was needed before getting back onto the local lanes through Trimdon and back to town.

Steve achieved his 70km just as we reached Hart Village hall where a jubilee party was going on, attended it seems by most of Sean’s family. So Steve could record his mileage 43.1 or 41.3 and Sean could catch up with his Kith and kin. Steve had offered a bottle of wine for anyone riding 70km and at the same time wearing red white or blue and as his top had all three colours it was decided that he should win.

Another enjoyable ride of around 45 miles at a steady pace with a few feet upwards, just under 3000ft which was almost as high as Seans apartment. The Sunday cafe rides start at the Golden Lion pub at 8:30 and newcomers are welcome. If you are interested in joining us, don’t let the photos put you off.

Club/Racing News

On Wednesday night, it was Week 2 of 7 of the HCC T107 – 10 Mile TT League from Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park. On the night the sun was out and the wind was a lot better compared to the week before with 9 riders and 3 of which from HCC competing. Steve Scanlon was first home for the club in 27:10, Phil Wright 2nd in 28:38 who achieved a course PB and 3rd home was Tony Cheshire with a great ride knocking a few minutes off last weeks time in 30:46. Well done to you all. The event was won by Joe Wilson for the 2nd week running in an amazing time of 20:18. Full results can be found below.

With 5 more weeks of competition remaining, the current standings can be found above. As you can see Steve Scanlon is currently leading on Actual points with 19pts and Phil Wright is currently leading on Standard with 19pts. Remember though, only your best 5 out of 7 events qualify. Therefore, there is still a lot to play for and week 3 is the final chance for any first time riders to join in and steal the remaining points over the final 5 events.

On Friday, with no time to waste and 4 events to complete within an 8 day period, Phil Wright, straight off a 10 Mile PB competed in the Cambridge CC (Viking 50 Mile TT) on the F2/50 in Cambourne, just outside Cambridge. 109 riders entered and only 87 competed on the day. But this didn’t stop Phil who had a brilliant ride, especially after a long journey and finished 81st in 2:17:13 with an avg speed of 21.86mph. Phil also picked up a medal for his efforts. Well done Phil! The event was won by Matthew Smith of DRAG2ZERO in 1:39:09 with a 30.26mph avg.

On Sunday, Phil was racing again in his 3rd race in 5 days in the Cleveland Couriers 10 Mile TT on the T102 course near Crathorne. Familiar with the course and stated as one of the fastest 10 Mile TT courses available, HCC had 3 riders down for the event. Steve Scanlon couldn’t make it due to mechanical issues, therefore that left Paul Thirling and Phil Wright to fight it out for the 2 Club Championship awards – the J.W Cameron Cup and the Handicap Cup. 33 riders entered the event and Paul Thirling finished in an amazing 4th position overall in 22:24 to win the J.W Cameron Cup for 2022. Phil also had another great ride and finished in 28:18 and wins the 10 Mile TT Handicap Cup for 2022. Both riders won the same cups last year, so a big well done to both! The event was won by Marcel Schubert of Darlington CC in 20:08.

Queens Platinum Jubilee Ride – HCC set a challenge this week to ride 70Km or 70 Mile in conjunction with the Queens Platinum Jubilee (70yrs). The idea was to ride the distance and post the ride on your Strava page wearing red, blue or white or a combination over the 2nd to 5th June. HCC members who qualified with rides over 43.5 mile (70Km) and posted their picture were Gareth Parker, Steve Scanlon and Trevor Jones. But a winner was selected and Steve Scanlon won the challenge with a 70Km ride wearing an old British Cycling jersey. Thanks to all that took part.

Strava Club Leaderboard

This week Trevor Jones took the top spot with 285.6 miles and a massive 12,847ft climbing, The Thirlwind was 2nd with 250.5 miles and Vince Duffy was 3rd with 237.1 miles. All three going well over the 200 mile mark for the week. Superb guys, a great week of cycling in showery conditions. A big well done goes to Richard Nichol for riding the most miles in a single ride with 89.0 miles! For the 2nd week running 7 riders went over the 100 mile mark for the week – Trevor Jones, The Thirlwind, Vince Duffy, Max Headwind, Phil Wright, Richard Nichol and Bob Stonehouse. Well done to all. Again 22 riders put miles on the board this week, well done to everyone! Lets hope the weather improves and we have a big week next week!