Congratulations to the Team Sidcup Cycles posse who took part in the Kentish Killer in February. It was a great turnout

and our 50 milers were even selected by the event organisers for the ‘Best team effort on the day’ award, winning a

supply of BAM neckwarmers as their prize. See overleaf for the ride report.

What you said...

“My first ever sportive, it was tough going, I clearly need to get some more hill training in! Very enjoyable though and well organised. Well done to all Team Sidcup Cycles members.” Stefan

“The Kentish Killer is my first proper sportive since joining my first cycle club Sidcup Cycles. I have to say a massive thanks to Tony for setting out all the training rides and pushing my cycling to a level I am now happy with. At 52 I was in the over-50s group on the 50 mile circuit and I stayed with Tony all the ride. This made me 5th fastest on the day for my age and I gained a bronze. I also got under four hours so I am a very happy bunny for an old git who only started cycling last year after giving up motorcycle racing and track days. Everyone at Sidcup Cycles has been great and I look forward to the rest of the year and social events.” Tony (Cannondale but now with my new Giant TCR Advanced 2)

Kentish Killer

Ride review: Kentish Killer

Ride review: Cape Argus

April 2012 Issue 2

In a nutshell

Forthcoming cycling events,

including Whitstable Ride

New beginners’ group on

Saturday mornings

Recommended websites

Curry night

Committee meeting

Newsletter

What a turn out! Seventeen Team Sidcup Cycles riders in the Kentish Killer (plus three others who train with us but

didn’t enter under the TSC name).

Our prep over the winter served us well as acclimatisation for the ice and frost on the roads. Thankfully everyone in

our group stayed upright. The 70-mile group - Neil, Rob and the two Stuarts - set off first and a group of Sidcup

50-milers set off next. Early disaster was averted when a shout from the rear pointed out that those of us at the front

had overshot a turn as we glibly followed a group from West Kent CC. John suggested he knew where he was going

which many thought was a first. Don’t know what happened to the Westies!

The route was different from last year but weaved through many of our familiar lanes and climbs. The first serious hill

was Carters and we then skirted the back of Knole Park before dropping down towards Tonbridge and heading across

to Weald village from where we climbed Hubbards Hill (we rode down it when we did the Ride4Joshua earlier in

the year). From there it was down Baileys, which we are more familiar with as an ‘up’, and into a picturesque loop

taking in Four Elms.

Calamity struck just before the feed station when a rider that we know from Greenwich Tritons (Jim - he used to ride

out with us on Saturdays) came off on a slippery muddy bend and was clearly in some pain with his shoulders.

We made sure he was okay and quickly covered the short distance to the feed station to alert the organisers so Jim

could be rescued. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The route home took in Ide and Star Hill and then across to Row Dow before climbing up Tinkerport Lane back to the

Portobello before the final run back to Brands Hatch. Mark was unfortunately hit by cramp in both quads just 200m from

the finish line but even he just managed to scrape into the sub 4-hour group. This TSC group subsequently won

acclaim for the best team performance in the 50.

When the initial results were published everyone got excited when it showed our own Steve Lines as having completed

the 50 in 2 hours 40mins, finishing 4th overall, 1st in his age group, and all with very little training. Our excitement was

quickly subdued when it was revealed he had only done 25 miles!

Many reported it as a tougher route than last year but a great turn out and good effort by all TSC riders.

Tony

Our Curry Night last month was a fun

event with over 30 members and

their partners.

Thanks go to Dan for organising

this social, and for supplying

moustaches and silly disguises!

Ride review: Kentish Killer

Curry night New Beginners’ Group

There will be a new Beginners Group on Saturday

mornings from 14 April. Departing from the shop at the

usual 9am, the ride will cover about 15 miles at a pace

suitable for all the group.

Please spread the word if you have friends or family

interested in cycling with us.

Committee meeting

Our first Committee meeting is on Monday 23 April, 7pm for a 7.15pm start. This will be a chance to reflect on the

Club’s progress and decide how to ensure success for the future. All members are welcome - it’s your Club so please

come and have your say. If there’s something you’d like to discuss please let Dan know so he can add it to the agenda

Bexleyheath Sports Club, Park View Road, Welling DA16 1SY (next to Welling Football ground).

The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is a 110km annual cycle race in Cape Town, South Africa. It is the biggest closed-road sportive in the world and although amateur, it contains an invitational professional element for the teams of South Africa, and select riders from around the world, including Lance Armstrong in 2010. As I knew I would be out there on holiday for this year’s race, I entered and was one of a thousand overseas riders to gain a place. With 43,000 competitors, I expected registration to be a bit of a nightmare. But it was held in tandem with a cycle exhibition and I was out within an hour with a well- prepared info pack, race number and full instructions for the day. With such a huge number taking part, the start times are staggered with groups of 500 leaving every four minutes. The professionals were starting at 6.15am, my group at 7.35am and the last group at 10.00am. Race morning, 6.00am. I was extremely nervous. My anxiety was compounded by the heat (already 20oC) and the knowledge that the great Miguel Indurain was in the group before me while Eddy Merckx was in my group, only three rows in front! (I would love to be able to say that I stuck to his wheel all the way round, but I actually lost him within five minutes of the start!)

The route kicks off with a 10km climb out of the city centre along the motorway, then a gradual decent and flat section out to the coast at Muizenberg. Then first major climb up Boyes Drive and a fast dangerous decent into Kalk Bay onto the coastal road towards the Cape Point National Park. On the way, the route passes through FishHoek, (regularly visited by great white sharks) and Simons Town, originally a British Navel base. Next was long climb up to Cape Point (remembering to keep an eye out for scavenging baboons!) before a beautiful descent into Scarborough and Misty Cliffs.

Ride review: Cape Argus Pick n Pay

After that was a gruelling false flat on a poor surface and without a breath of wind, which began to sap my legs and my spirit. A quick refuel then on to the biggest climb of the day, Chapmans Peak: 4km at an average gradient of 10 degrees, but the effort was rewarded with a 5km descent into Hout Bay. At this stage, with only 15km to go, I was on course for my target of sub 4 hours. However, the last climb up Suikerbossie broke me: 3km long with an average gradient of 8 degrees, and the temperature reaching 35oC! I crawled up it in the granny gear, thankful for the many supporters hosing cyclists down. At the top, my quads began to cramp (February’s 80km training rides in Kentish sub-zero temperatures did not equate to 110km in the Cape Town sun!), and although the last 10km was a gradual descent, it was a case of just surviving to the finish.

I crossed the line in 4 hours 25 minutes which put me 13,274th out of 43,000 overall. Miquel Indurain beat me by an hour and Eddy Merckx by just 40 minutes, but 6,000 of the later starters didn’t finish due to the heat. An amazing day and the most beautiful 70 miles I’ve ever ridden—roll on next year and sub 4 hours! Martin

Cloisters Bike Ride on 7th May 2012

Cyclists of all levels can enjoy the leafy lanes of West Kent via three

routes (13, 23 and 44 miles from Stansted Village) through charming

villages on quiet roads. Organised by Friends of St Mary’s Church.

www.cloistersbikeride.org

Whitstable Ride on 20 or 27 May 2012

Organised by our own Sidcup Cycle Centre, this 60 mile ride takes you to sunny Whitstable. More details to follow.

(For less experienced Team Sidcup Cycles members who keen (but perhaps nervous) about giving it a go, Paul Maddox

is happy to lead group of up to 10 riders, offering full technical support all the way.)

Great Kent Ride on 10th June 2012

Two picturesque circular routes of 35 or 60 miles over gentle wooded hills and through unspoilt countryside, starting in

Ashford. Recommended by Phil and Steve who rode it last year.

bike-events.com/ride

Tour De Fish on 1 July 2012

Choose from ‘The Cruise’, 17 mile off-road route from Pegwell Bay along the picturesque Viking Trail, or 'The Challenge'

a 70-miler on roads from Romney Marsh through some of Kent's finest seaside towns, ending at Reculver. Organised by

Kent Wildlife Trust.

www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/support-us/community-fundraising/forthcoming-fundraising-events/

Links recommended by members of Team Sidcup Cycles:

www.knowheretoride.com

A useful guide to off road riding in the Penshurst and Dorking areas.

www.kent-trails.co.uk

Established in 2002, this is the website of group of dedicated mountain bikers riding some of the best trails in Kent.

www.mudtrail.co.uk

A comprehensive list of places to ride off-road in the South East.

www.spinwheels.org Aims to provide a comprehensive list of cycling events in the South East that will appeal to riders at all levels from charity rides to cycling challenges. www.bewlwater.co.uk The 12½ mile Round Reservoir Route is open to cycles during the drier months, passing through rich woodland and meadow and, for part of the route, quiet country lanes to circumnavigate the Nature Reserve.

http://yacf.co.uk

“Yet another cycle forum, like Facebook gone wrong. With bikes.”

www.crazyguyonabike.com/

Allows bicycle tourists to create and edit their own online cycling journal, complete with photos and a guestbook.

www.cyclingtenerife.com/

Worth checking out this website if you fancy some good cycling to escape the depths of the British winter.

Recommended websites

Forthcoming events