San Fairy Ann Cycle Club

Message from the organiser-

Please would you notify your Club members and let them know that the Circuit of Kent 2009 will be held on Sunday, 13th September starting from Godden Green near Sevenoaks. The website for event details and entry form is at http://www.kentcyclosportive.co.uk

Thanks Ron,

I've entered this one. Any more?

I've entered this one. Any more?

Phill Cloke and Damian Cairns (according to the Time Trialling thread)

Yes sorry I'm in, didn't mean to hi-jack the TT thread.

I've entered the 140km as well now. Any others Fairies in it ?

I have entered the 140km, but there is also the VTTA 50 TT on the sameday, so am not sure which one to do.

I'm entered for Sunday but can't make it now (better offer that doesn't involve getting on a bike or putting on lycra) so if anyone wants my entry let me know.

Half a dozen fairies turned out (sorry I don't know everyone's name) on a dry and warm morning at Sevenoaks Prep for yet another great blast around Kent. The event is becoming more professional every year with all the other attractions. This year there was even a raffle for a bike (if you entered the event your entry was automatically included in the raffle).

A significant group (Carl / Damien / Simon / Damien's Bro / Simon's mate Richard) all started together in the 2nd batch released through the staggered start. Personally wanting to put in a faster time than last year I knew that there would be no hanging around and the group went off at quite pace. Through the backstreets of sevenoaks to Ivy hatch and down to the first climb of the day at Dunks hill up to Crouch (remember to smile at the photographers). Damien punctured around here and I think Carl / Damien's bro helped him out, Simon / Richard and I carried on.

Leaving West Malling we caught the significant group of 7oaks Tri team to form a group of probably 30 riders. Riding up and over East Malling hill to Teston and down into Yalding we entered the flat section of the ride. Working a good thru-and-off to Frittenden gradually dropping riders as we went. Somewhere along the way we dropped Simon, I'm not sure where, Sorry Simon.

The pace began to slow several times on this flat section which resulted in me spending time on the front of the train pulling everyone along (something Damien experinced also after repairing his puncture. Coming back up the hill out the back of Marden Thorn split the group even further with only half a dozen of the original group remaining. Through the lovely lanes over to East Malling where unfortunately we had to wait for a train at the level crossing. From here it was a fast ride over the last miles back to the bottom of One-Tree-hill. Knowing that this was the last hill of the day I gave it my all and enjoyed the ride back to the finish.

78 miles earns A nice cup of tee and some great food to recover although I'm not so sure the Brass Band helped at all. Just awaiting the official times now.

nice read, cheers Phil

I took part in this sportive as a newbie. I started with Steve Smith and Reiner Singh behind the first batch of Fairies. I knew I wouldn't be able to match the pace so I just hung on to each group as they came past for as long a possible. After the first Banana and water stop, the groups spread out and I seemed to be riding alone, but, just like the hare and the tortoise, there was always another lone cyclist just ahead. I admit that I really struggled with the last 10k especially (with my gearing) the killer climb at the end. But at least I got in before the band finished. 5hrs 30ish maybe if I hadn't stopped for bananas and drink I would have got silver, but then would I have finished at all?

Thanks for the words on your ride lads....well done....will get it in the mag next month.

Rob

Good report Phill-doesn't quite convey the intensity of the ride-more like a SERRL race!!!!!!Blame Phill!!
Yes we got split on Yalding hill by a car stopping on the bridge and couldn't close the inevitable gap but still a good work on a slightly less sunny day than forecast.
Simon

Please don't forget that the Club has a Sportive collator of results in Rob Mardell who gives me a round-up of stories each month. Also like me he asks that riders email him direct if they would like to see their results read by all the club (or more that read the forum ), so PLEASE spare the time to send your comments to him to save him having to trawl the forum.

If you are not bothered then that's OK but it does help to balance the mag as well as show how versatile we are.

Pat (Editor)

I had a look at the results - an impressive 6th fastest time overall for Phill. Was the distance 78 miles (as per your post, Phill) , or 87 miles (ie the 140k listed). If it's the longer distance how on earth did the fastest guy average nearly 28mph?

That's an easy one Dave. What you do is enter the longer distance, feel really tired on the day and decide to do the shorter distance, so your time for the shorter distance is recorded against what should have been the full distance. Essentially there were no check points if you did the longer one. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if most if not all the times faster than Phill's were recorded in this way. A great ride by Phill.