2022-08-18 Cycling Weekly

In June 2021 three British women and have ridden countless races over the PEAK PERFORMERS
set a new Guinness World Record years, including the Rás in 2013.”
for the UK National Three Peaks MEET THE TEAM
Challenge by bicycle as a female From champs to challenge
Janet Fairclough,
team. They successively climbed, All three women had previously 62: “I started cycling
seriously after doing
descended and cycled between the competed in the 12-hour time trial a cycling holiday
LEJOG in 2010. I did
highest mountains in Wales, England championships but none had ever taken my first 12-hour TT in August 2013,
recording 194.18 miles. In 2017 I
and Scotland – Snowdon, Scafell Pike on a challenge like this one, demanding raced the National 12-hour and won
my age group with 239.82 miles.”
and Ben Nevis – in 67 hours, 30 minutes. more than two full days of unrelenting
Louise Johnson, 50:
Impressive, you might think. But when effort. What’s more, Fawcett was the only “I came to cycling
from a running
Liverpool Phoenix CC’s Colin McCallum experienced hiker among them, so the background. Once
I’d joined Liverpool
heard about it, his first thought was mountain climbs would be quite literally Phoenix CC in 2014, I started racing
TTs, and my best performance (so
something else: I know some women who a step into the unknown. “In early April, far) was in the 2015 National 12-hour
champs, where I rode 233.47 miles –
could beat that. as a practice run, we decided to climb beating Hannah and Janet!”

“Colin read an article about the three Snowdon, then cycle home and back,” Hannah Fawcett,
41: “I’ve cycled since
women and sent it to me in February,” says Johnson, “but there had been heavy childhood, initially
with long-distance
remembers Janet Fairclough. “It was snowfall on the mountain, so instead we Audax events and
touring in Europe and Asia. In 2014
accompanied by a note that said: Thought cycled from Llanberis to home and back, I started the Liverpool Braveheart
Bicycle Club with my husband Duff
this might be up your street, Jan – how then climbed Snowdon the following day.” Fawcett, stepson Sean and friend
Paul Trueman.”
about a Phoenix team?” Fairclough is For Johnson and Fawcett as full-time
The team would like to thank their
62 and for the past decade has been NHS workers, there was no spare time support crew: Peter Johnson, Tony
O’Rourke, Gary James English,
recording TT performances the envy of to significantly increase their training Duff Fawcett, Colin McCallum, Alan
Fairclough and John Fawcett.
women half her age. After retiring from volume. “We had to fit in the long rides
On to Scafell
Tata Steel in 2019, she decided to train around work, which for me included Despite the soreness and everyone
being soaked through, they got on their
like a full-time athlete and, inspired by commuting by bike,” says Fawcett, “but I bikes at the foot of Snowdon and set
off for Cumbria at just before 8am. The
Ollie Bridgewood’s ‘Project 49’ feature couldn’t do more than about 10 hours of 200-mile ride from Llanberis to the foot
of Scafell Pike passed without a hitch:
in CW, took on her own ‘Project 59’ – to riding a week.” They managed to squeeze they averaged 17.3mph and arrived on
schedule, earning their first proper
ride a sub-hour 25- in a training hike up break. “The plan was to get four hours of
sleep,” says Fawcett, “but it wasn’t easy
mile TT at the age of Scafell Pike together, with heavy rain bashing against the hotel
windows.” Forty winks later, at 2am they
59. She achieved her arguably the toughest were back in their hiking gear.

goal that September, climb they would face.

clocking 58.47 on the

R25/3H. Snowdon start

Today Fairclough The Three Peaks

is speaking to me by rules do not stipulate

video call from her any particular

home in Bickerstaffe, Ultra-riding is the raison route between the
Lancashire, sitting d’être for this tenacious trio mountains, so part

alongside her Three of the challenge is

Peaks team-mates, NHS podiatrist selecting the best roads. Fairclough got

Louise Johnson, 50, and NHS kidney in touch with the existing record holders,

consultant Hannah Fawcett, 41. How did who generously shared their route maps.

Fairclough find two other women equally “We based our plan on their route,” says

as amenable to McCallum’s suggestion? Fawcett, “modifying it wherever we

“The first two people I asked were not spotted an opportunity to go faster.” Words David Bradford Photos Andy Jones, The team

interested,” she admits. “One of them The start date for the record attempt was

said, ‘Ask Louise’; the other said, ‘No set for Saturday 25 June. This being Britain,

thanks’.” Fellow Phoenix CC member and the time of year was no guarantee of good

long-distance TT fan Johnson jumped at weather. “It was 50mph winds and heavy

the idea, and suggested Fawcett, a friend rain!” Johnson grimaces. “We started the

and NHS colleague, to complete the trio. climb of Snowdon at 4am, and the weather

“Hannah is probably the strongest rider just kept getting worse.” It got so extreme

among us,” says Fairclough, recalling on the descent that a gust of wind knocked

her delight when Fawcett threw in her Fairclough off her feet. “I landed hard on

lot without hesitation. “I’m the most the rocks, and I thought it was all over,” she

experienced anyway,” Fawcett demurs, says. “My knee was swollen and I wasn’t

“as I’ve been road racing since childhood sure I’d be able to cycle.”

Cycling Weekly | 18 August, 2022 | 51

At the top of Scafell, the sun was
up and they were notionally halfway –
one-and-a-half of the three mountains
conquered – with time on their side. “Our
schedule was based on finishing five
hours quicker than the existing record,”
says Fairclough, “so we knew we were
comfortably ahead.” From the foot of
Scafell, it was straight back onto their
saddles and into another 200-mile ride,
this time up to the Scottish Highlands.

North of the border

Once across the Trossachs, it was time

for the second of their two scheduled

sleeps. Although as soon as they were

deeply asleep, it was time to wake up for

the final bike leg, 55 miles to Ben Nevis.

Though back on their bikes, there was

now a serious complication: Fairclough

had developed severe discomfort in her

back. “Jan could no longer straighten up

when she got off the

bike – she was listing Fairclough’s painful Rain, of course, did
to one side,” says ascent of Ben Nevis not stop play...
Johnson. “It was very,

very painful,” admits

Fairclough. It got so For the entire trio chivvied each other up and down Ben
Nevis – total elevation of 1,147m – in just
bad by the time they climb, Fairclough was under six hours.

arrived at Ben Nevis, holding on to the hand Shortly after 6pm on Monday they
reached the foot of Ben Nevis and
the team’s leader of either Johnson or stopped the clock: 62 hours and five
minutes, beating the previous record
could neither stand Fawcett just to keep by a whopping five hours 24 minutes.
“We took nothing for granted until
up straight nor keep steady on her feet. we got there,” says Fairclough, “as
anything could have happened on that
her balance on rough “Other walkers were last descent.” Clubmates were following
the live feed from the team’s trackers,
ground. Was the looking at me aghast, and their phones began pinging with
congratulatory texts. I put it to them that
record in doubt at this thinking I was being their ride is likely to inspire others. “I
think so,” Johnson grins, “especially at
point? “Nothing was going to stop her,” dragged up by my daughter,” chuckles our age.”

Johnson smiles. Fairclough. Despite these difficulties, the There is a lively camaraderie between
the three team-mates, they spark off each
SUPPORTER’S VIEW other throughout our conversation, and
I sense it won’t be long before they take
‘THEY’LL NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY’VE on another grand adventure together.
DONE FOR US’ “Oh yeah!” enthuses Johnson. “I’m
just waiting for someone to suggest
Liverpool Braveheart CC member Gary Champions Charity. My wife Robyn has something,” Fairclough responds. “We
English supported the team throughout the condition [dysfunction of the nerve can discuss it at the weekend,” laughs
each of the hiking sectors. Here, he pays roots of the cauda equina at the base of Fawcett, “we’re competing against each
tribute to their achievement and gives the spine] – she used to cycle and run, but other in a ‘25’ on Sunday.”
personal thanks for their fundraising spinal operations left her having to learn
to walk again. It’s a relatively rare but a David Bradford
I’ve known Hannah for many years, life-changing condition. The three girls
and I know Jan and Louise through the wanted to help raise awareness – they’ll
local cycling community. As a fell runner, never ever know what they’ve given us.
I was keen to support the team as soon
as I heard about the challenge. It was an I supported the team on each of the
honour and a privilege, and even more mountains, making sure they were safe, as
so when they revealed to me that they well as providing roadside support. You
were raising money for the Cauda Equina can sponsor the team at bit.ly/3vqkJm7

52 | 18 August, 2022 | Cycling Weekly



RACING RESULTS

DOMESTIC

R E S U LT S

TIME TRIALS 2. V. Smith (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) 1:06.56

3. A. Thompson (Stonham Barns Park-SYRT) 1:11.37

S U N DAY, 1 4 AU G U S T 4. S. Chittock (Ipswich BC) 1:13.39

San Fairy Ann CC 25 (Hamstreet, Kent):

Men: Barnesbury CC 10 (Cramlington,
Northumberland):
1. Chris Fennell (The Independent Pedaler-Nopinz) Men:
1. Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles)
47.10 2. A. Smith (Team Kirkley Cycles)
3. N. Badcock (Allen Valley Velo)
2. N. Fennell (Thanet RC) 51.31 4. P. Stokoe (Reifen Racing) 19.39
5. L. Cuthbertson (Muckle CC) 20.06
3. J. Clark (RNRMCA) 53.31 6. H. Walker (Revolver Racing) 20.16
Women: 20.42
4. H. Vardal (Gemini BC) 54.16 1. Vicky Gibbs (Reifen Racing)
2. L. Burnie (Blaydon CC) 21.12
5. N. Wilson (Rye and District Wheelers) 55.12 3. L. Jarvis (North Tyneside Riders) 21.14
4. S. Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers)
6. S. Gooch (Rye and District Wheelers) 55.48 23.24
24.13
Women: 24.44
27.17
1. Rebecca Wilson (Rye and Dist Wheelers) 1:04.57

2. N. Jarman (Southborough and Dist Wheelers)

1:10.45

Diss and District CC 25 (Bressingham, Norfolk):

Men: S AT U DAY, 1 3 AU G U S T

1. Matt O’Brien (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning)

53.19 Yorkshire Cycling Federation 25

2. L. Chapman (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) 53.20 (Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire):

3. D. Blackburn (Epic Orange Race Team) 54.47 Men:

4. D. Bloy (Team Velovelocity) 56.26 1. Simon Wilson (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling)

5. O. Cozens (Norwich ABC) 56.37 49.08

6. N. Partridge (VC Baracchi) 56.41 2. A. Duggleby (Chapeau! Vive le Velo) 50.57

Women: 3. A. Critchlow (Horwood Paragon CC) 53.26

1. Hannah O’Brien (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) 4. D. Yarwood (Chapeau! Vive le Velo) 53.27

59.26 5. M. Schubert (Darlington CC) 54.46

6. R. Dean (Trek Sheffield) 55.27

Women:

COMING UP 1. Sarah Lewthwaite (Born to Bike) 1:01.30

John Holman memorial race 2. H. Goldthorpe (Otley CC) 1:05.31
Date: Sun 4 Sept
This Regional A race for second to 3. J. Scotchford (North Lancs RC) 1:12.08
fourth-cat riders takes place not
far from Shaftsbury Cricket Club Sherwood CC 25 (East Stoke, 49.30 Beth MacRae put out impressive numbers in
on a lumpy 12.5-mile circuit. Nottinghamshire): 49.47 the Springfield Financial RT 10 in Cumbria
You’ll do six laps in total but save Men: 49.48
something for the uphill finish. 1. Jack Levick (Rose Race Team) 50.22 City Cycle Couriers 13 (Antony, Cornwall): 29.56
Closing date: Sunday 28 August 2. D. Mead (Hinckley CRC) 51.50 Men: 30.30
3. D. Williams (Velotik Racing) 52.52 1. Nigel Polkinghorne (Duchy Velo) 30.36
Charlotteville 10 4. T. Williams (Velotik Race Team) 2. J. Tune (City Cycle Couriers) 31.03
Date: Sat 3 Sept 5. J. Ramsbottom (Team Bottrill) 1:03.00 3. R. Scott (City Cycle Couriers) 31.24
Held on the popular Bentley 6. M. Stonley (Team Bottrill) 1:04.38 4. A. Green (Penzance Wheelers) 31.42
course in Hampshire, this Women: 1:07.16 5. P. Norris (Cycle Sport South Hams)
Saturday morning ‘10’ is an ideal 1. Elaine Simpson (Sherwood CC) 1:15.55 6. T. Smith (Duchy Velo) 35.39
place to head to if you’re not quite 2. J. Beyer (Nottingham Clarion) Women: 37.37
up to the National Championships 3. J. Clegg (Team Bottrill) 1. Alice Lake (Cranbrook CC)
the week before, or if you fancy 4. Sarah Soden (Leicester Forest CC) 2. S. Butcher (Tri Logic Cornwall)
carrying your form from that
event through to something else. Yorkshire Cycling Federation 15 35.46 Chronos Racing Team 10 (Cambourne, Cambs):
Closing date: Tuesday 23 August (Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire): 36.22
Men: 38.26 Men:
1. Steve Gibson (Peak RC) 41.25
2. A. Chalmers (Valley Striders CC0 44.59 1. Michael Gill (Saint Piran) 18.24
3. A. Lambe (Olkley CC) 46.28
4. P. Wright (Hartlepool CC) 2. A. Cox (Team Bottrill) 18.30
5. P. Macklam (Yorkshire RC) 43.57
6. A. Bell (Yorkshire RC) 3. O. Hucks (Saint Piran) 19.04
Women: Anna Haslam (Buxton CC-Sett
4. C. McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport) 19.47
Valley Cycles)
5. J. Richards (Ward WheelZ) 20.12

6. W. Taylor (GFTL) 20.24

Women:

54 | 18 August, 2022 | Cycling Weekly

ZWIFT RESULTS

CYCLING WEEKLY CLUB 10 TT

EVENT #108
COURSE: LONDON 8 | WED 10 AUGUST

MEN

1 Adam Bailey Team Electricspirit.co 25:37 4.8w/kg 309w

2 Joel Garner A3crg… 27:28 3.9w/kg 272w

3 David Dempster – 28:35 3.6w/kg 305w

4 Mark Boyle – 28:46 3.7w/kg 252w

5 Baz Regan Team RWB 30:31 3.1w/kg 280w

6 R. Keyte – 32:44 2.9w/kg 239w

7 Fco Ripoll PETA-Z 36:54 2.3w/kg 147w

8 Anders D. Christiansen DZR 57:41 1.2w/kg 101w

CLUB 10 AT LONDON 8 Ride the
CW CLUB 10
FAST FACTS to unlock the new
Cycling Weekly
FASTEST MAN
Calum Johnston Heritage
22:38 (Week 29) jersey

FASTEST WOMAN
Rachael Elliott
24:16 (Week 16)

1. Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) 22.57 24 Words Snowdon Sports Photo Brian Jones (Kimroy)
2. S. Lankford (Alba Development Team) 24.27
3. L. Dewhurst (Team Milton Keynes) 24.34 Visits to this course
4. L. Clarke (Fenland Clarion CC) 24.41
5. E. McKie (Verulam Really Moving) 25.35 Don’t miss next Wednesday’s event
6. L. Hones (Newmarket C&TC) 25.46 on the Bologna TT course

Eastern Counties CA 10 (Six Mile Bottom, Cambs): 5. K. McSeveney (a3crg) 22.56 2. K. Bailey (East Lancashire RC) 23.12
6. S. Triplow (CC Sudbury) 23.34 3. J. Fairclough (Liverpool Phoenix CC) 23.29
Men: 4. C. Westmorland (Border City Wheelers) 23.56
5. S. Cheetham (North Lancashire RC) 24.05
1. James Jenkins (Richardson-Trek RT) 18.26 6. S. Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers) 24.12

2. P. Burton (Paceline RT) 18.45 Springfield Financial RT 10 (Levens, Cumbria):

3. R. Witchell (Team Sales Engine) 19.10 Men:

=4. S. Alexander (Richardson-Trek RT) 19.18 1. Chris Smart (GTR Return to Life) 18.39

=4. P. Zulawski (Didcot Phoenix CC) 19.18 2. G. McCloskey-Lambert (Manchester Wh) 19.09 CC Breckland 10 (Hingham, Norfolk):

6. A. Murchison (Wattshop) 19.30 3. D. Parkin (Chorley CC) 19.16 Men:

Women: 4. C. Humphries (Bioracer UK RT) 19.20 1. Timothy Torrie (trainSharp Development) 19.30

1. Jennifer George (The Independent Pedaler 5. R. Nesfield (Beacon Wheelers) 19.23 2. D. Blackburn (Epic Orange RT) 21.39

- Nopinz) 20.20 6. K. Waligora (East Lancashire RC) 19.33 3. M. Holland (DAP CC) 22.39

2. L. Franklin (Stowmarket & District CC) 21.58 Women: 4. R. Rowland (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) 23.30

3. K. Aylen (Maldon & District CC) 22.37 1. Beth MacRae (Ayr Roads CC) 21.52 5. C. Mace (Velouse Flyers) 23.59

4. E. Varley (Hitchin Nomads CC) 22.47 6. P. Ellis (Diss & Dist CC) 25.15

Cycling Weekly | 18 August, 2022 | 55

RACING RESULTS

YOUR
RACE
BIKE

Bhima Bowden’s Cervélo test frame was built up for just £800 using used parts from eBay. That hasn’t stopped it being a roaring
success in the hill-climbs as he won a race on it two weeks ago and has been consistently in the top five all season. It weighs just 5.8kg.

WANT US TO FEATURE YOUR RACE BIKE? SEND A PIC AND INFORMATION TO [email protected]

Wrekinsport CC 10 (Hodnet, Shropshire): 21.08 Emergency Services Championship Omega Portsmouth Circuits, Mountbatten
Men: 21.18 (Wolverhampton Airport, Bobbington): Centre, Portsmouth):
1. Tomos Hales (Wrekinsport CC) 21.35 Men 2, 3, 4: 1. Ben Millar (Primera-TeamJobs) Men E, 1, 2, 3: 1. Samuel Clark (trainSharp Elite);
2. D. Callister (Revolutions Racing) 21.48 2:07.21; 2. A. Gibson (Guernsey Velo Club) +2.41; 3. 2. G. Nemilostivijs (GFTL); 3. B. Hellebo
3. T. Beardmore (Bridgnorth CC) 22.25 T. Clements (Wessex Road Club) +2.42; 4. A. Snow (Wheelsuckers); 4. D. Humber-Kelly (JRC Interflon
4. D. Griffiths (Holohan Coaching RT) 22.37 (unattached) same time; 5. J. Bracey (Norwich RT); 5. G. Spooner (Cambridge Univ CC); 6. J. Plumb
5. K. Larmer (Port Sunlight Wheelers) Racing Team) +3.30; 6. A. Harvey (Stayer Racing) st. (Velo Club Venta).
6. J. Mills-Keeling (Bridgnorth CC) 23.40 Third Cat: 1. John Tindell (Brighton Mitre CC);
Women: 27.01 Leicester Forest CC Circuit Races (Leicester): 2. C. Still (VC Londres); 3. R. Moult (Brighton
1. Deb Hutson-Lumb (Wrekinsport CC) 28.59 Men Third Cat: Hudson Henry (George Fox Cycling Mitre CC); 4. G. Williams (Portsmouth North End
2. H. Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC) 30.03 Solutions); 2. E. Grandidge (UpShift Nutrition RT); CC); 5. C. Parker (VCGH); 6. L. Mead (GS Mossa).
3. V. Doran (Wrekinsport CC) 39.15 3. E. Hibell (Strada 2020); 4. M. Kelly (Element CT); Fourth Cat: 1. Damon Payne (RNRMCA);
4. H. Blake (Wrekinsport CC) 5. L. Frixou (Velo Bavarian RT); 6. F. Gregory 2. S. Carr (VCGH); 3. R. Lang (Bournemouth
5. C. O’Donnell (Wrekinsport CC) (Wheelbase CabTech). Cycleworks); 4. M. Cox (unattached); 5. D. Morris
Women 3, 4: 1. Annabel Ramsay (Leicester Forest (Velo Club Venta); 6. A. Phelan (unattached).
ROAD RACING CC); 2. K. Robinson (Inflite); 3. K. Freeman (COBL Women 2, 3, 4: 1. Yana Poiyak (Echelon Ukraine);
CC); 4. L. Hall (York Cycleworks); 5. G. Shorrock 2. A. Hamilton (London Dynamo); 3. E. Hunter
S U N DAY, 1 4 AU G (LAKA Pedal Mafia); 6. T. Norval (COBL CC). (Cardiff University CC).
Men Fourth Cat: 1. Dominic Meehan (Velo Bavarian
Surrey League Crawley Wheelers Road Race RT); 2. I. Anderson (Clifton CC); 3. J. Smith Team PB Performance Road Race
(Sharpthorne, East Sussex): (unattached); 4. M. Fisher (Melton Olympic CC); (Coalville, Leicestershire):
2, 3: 1. Daniel Lloyd (Univ of Warwick CC) 1:55.34; 5. J. Keast (RNRMCA); 6. M. Al-Rawi (Coalville Men 2, 3, 4: 1. Alex Pritchard (WattShop);
2. I. Zaman (Spirit BSS) same time; 3. D. Riwnyj Wheelers). 2. J. Ravn (Wold Top The Edge RT); 3. E. Mackie
(trainSharp Elite) +0.57; 4. W. Auty (4T+ Cyclopark); (Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team); 4. J. Hartley (Cycling
5. V. Taranenko (London Baroudeurs CC); 6. I. S AT U R DAY, 1 3 AU G U S T Sheffield); 5. I. Zaman (Spirit BSS); 6. M. Cole (BCC
Wright (Project 51). Race Team).
John Davies Memorial Road Race Women 2, 3, 4: 1. Sannah Zaman (Brother UK
Bole Hill Road Race (Doveholes, Derbyshire): (Fenwick,Scotland): Orientation Marketing); 2. M. Skinner (Pro Noctis
Men 2, 3, 4: 1. Ewan Warren (Mid-Devon CC); 2. J. 3, 4: 1. Colin Jackson (Edinburgh RC) 1:54.20; Rotor); 3. F. Owen (Wahoo Endurance Zone); 4. P.
Young (Saint Piran); 3. G. Radcliffe (Identity Racing); 2. L. Douglas (JG Cycles CC); 3. G. Scott (Ronde CC); Martin (AWOL O’Shea); 5. K. Ingram (Storey Racing);
4. A. Cross (Bristol RC); 5. C. Potter (Tactic UK RT); 4. B. Kennedy (Stirling Bike Club); 5. R. Fawbert 6. L. Watts (AWOL Worx Galliard).
6. N. Smith (Team Novo Mordisk Development). (Vanelli-Project GO); 6. C. Watters (VC Glasgow
South) all same time.

56 | 18 August, 2022 | Cycling Weekly



This summer’s sweltering temperatures could be a portent of a
particularly traumatic winter of riding, suggests the Doc

U sually, one of the best of mudguards didn’t help either. They
things about being a cyclist were broken, but possibly repairable, so it
is that you know all about ought to have worked.
the weather. You spend time
outdoors. You experience the passing of I even applied a phenomenally
the seasons at a level more visceral than expensive chain lube at something like
noticing that Strictly Come Dancing has £50 a bottle. I’d been saving it for the
given way to The Voice. day I have some sort of a breakdown and
make a return to racing, but getting it to
Unfortunately this means that riding rain seemed more important. The skies
this summer, especially in the South East stayed blue. The only thing that changed
of the UK, has been a bit disturbing. It has was that I was able to go very, very
been so hot, and so dry, for so long. The slightly faster. (I was probably kidding
landscape is brown and dead. It’s easy to myself about that anyway.)
get some heat-conditioning sessions done,
so I’ll be all set for the winter turbo season Even if I could stop worrying about the
if my fan breaks, but that’s about it. medium-term end-of-life-as-we-know-
it, the short-term thing that a long, hot
I’ve done my best to fix the climate, summer does is make the thought of
honestly I have. I washed my summer winter more depressing. I always start
bike, which is normally a sure bet. I thinking about winter somewhere around
washed it properly, and dried and polished now – it’s a conditioned reflex from my
it, despite the fact that I could have made sister’s daily holiday-countdown of the
it sparkle with no more than a duster. Not days till school went back. As she’d point
a drop of rain. White shoes had no effect. out, it’s September in a couple of weeks,
The sheer audacity of throwing out a pair then October a week after that and about

How to… be popular

Being a popular cyclist is very, very whatever gesture or shout the riders
difficult, so before you read this you might behind prefer. Don’t point out things they
just decide it’s not worth even trying. were going to miss anyway. Use telepathy
Most cyclists are loathed by everyone they if you have to, but don’t let them know
know, and to be quite honest with you, you’re inside their minds, because they
they get through life just fine. won’t like that.

However, if you still want to be popular You must always hit the right slightly
there are some measures you can take. dour note arriving for a winter ride. No one
On group rides, do your turn on the front. likes displays of enthusiasm when there’s
Do it at the right speed – this will be frost on the ground.
impossible to judge so really this is luck.
Don’t spend too long on the front either. Give advice to less experienced
What constitutes “too long” depends on riders with a generous spirit of sharing
the road, the weather, the time of year and the sport. Do not give too much advice,
for all I’ve ever been able to make sense of because too much advice is criticism. You
it, the phases of the moon and the share can tell someone their saddle is the wrong
price of Wiggle. height, but not also that it’s the wrong
saddle. You need to spread that advice
Point out obstacles on the road using over two years.

58 | 18 August, 2022 | Cycling Weekly

It’s all going to hell, but we’ll keep
a stiff upper lip while it’s doing so...

20 minutes later it’ll be January and we’ll in August. The local wasps, for example, ACTS OF CYCLING
all be wearing a balaclava and two pairs of clearly follow me on Strava, because like STUPIDITY
gloves. She’d want you to remember that professional bike thieves they always
the next time you’re tootling about on a know where to find me and when. Word reaches us of a rider who
warm summer evening. was attempting to assess his riding
And I remember a summer ride that position. In order to do this under
It also stands to reason that the warmer caused a fierce row between my two realistic conditions he decided he’d
and drier a summer has been, the wetter riding companions about whether the film himself in a club time trial, by
and colder the subsequent winter will higher temperature meant you had to putting his phone on a wall a mile
or so from the start/finish and leaving
“The local wasps, for example, it to video the race.
clearly follow me on Strava”
When he went back to get it,
be. I believe this will hold true even if the pump your tyres up more often or less it had vanished. On his cloud Photos Alamy Stock
summer was not just hot and dry, but too often. (They ignored the possibility it account, there was excellent HD
hot and too dry. might be neither.) But that’s just what footage of someone in a baseball
happens when you ride with an engineer cap nicking it.
This superstition has no difficulty and a physicist. Sadly, there’s not all that
ignoring evidence that winters are much to hate about a warm sunny ride. Sadly they nicked it before he’d
getting warmer. On the other hand, it ridden past, so he still doesn’t know
accepts as a plain truth the evidence they I could even try to persuade myself that what he looks like.
are getting wetter. As you’d expect, this winter isn’t so bad. But the only thing I
kind of cheers me up. can really think of is a cold, crisp winter Cycling Weekly | 18 August, 2022 | 59
morning. And when you’ve seen one of
I’ve been trying to make myself feel those you’ve seen them all. It’s all going to
better by rehearsing all the things I hell, and I’m not even enjoying the journey.
dislike about riding on a warm, dry day

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Grande Boucle
Féminine
Internationale
2001

Italian Fabiana Luperini leads
Spaniard Joane Somarriba, who
was the defending champion as well
as wearing the yellow jersey, up the
slopes of Col de l’Izoard.

Luperini would not be successful
in dropping Somarriba to lift herself
one step further up the podium to take
the jersey. The Italian already had an
illustrious career to this point, winning
the Giro Donne for four years on the trot
in the mid 1990s – three of those years
she also won the Grande Boucle Féminine
Internationale – but in 2001 Somarriba
was just too strong.

The Spanish rider would go on to finish
the race with a lead of over three minutes.
At the finish she told CyclingNews: “I
am very happy to have finally finished La
Grande Boucle because of so many days
of competition and the great pressure on
me. More than last year.

“In five years, the level of the women’s
peloton has improved a lot and the riders
are better and better prepared.”

Photo Getty Images

60 | 18 August, 2022 | Cycling Weekly

Cycling Weekly | 18 August, 2022 | 61

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Cycling Weekly
5 October, 1996

Autumnal World
Champs causes
selection headaches

T he road Worlds were looming [training] rides the same class as
into view and Britain’s time Chris has been Boardman, but next
trial specialists were staking doing,” he said. year I want to move
their claim to the two slots “He keeps the in that direction.”
available. Almost a month later than power down the Boardman took
their current slot, they were hosted in whole time. It silver at the
Lugano, Switzerland, this year, making was relentless.” Worlds, 39 seconds
for a long season for international and down on Swiss
domestic riders. The second Alex Zülle who had
senior spot went just won the first
Chris Boardman was a shoo-in for to Chris Newton, of his two Vuelta
one spot, and demonstrated his form by meaning Britain’s a España titles.
teaming up with a young Paul Manning time trial national Yvonne McGregor
to win the Duo Normand TT in France by champion Stuart finished 16th in the
over three minutes. For Manning, who Dangerfield missed women’s TT.
had recently ridden the Tour de l’Avenir out. His coach Dr
and was targeting the U23 TT, it was Gordon Wright, Elsewhere,
quite a learning curve. “I think it was a wrote to the tech editor
bit more relaxing than some of the Sports Minister: “The case I wish to draw Richard Hallett had six months to test
to your attention is one that deserves a now classic-looking £715 Campag
CLASSIC ADVERT consideration at the highest level and Athena groupset, which included an
DAWES TANDEMS urgently to prevent a gross injustice.” ‘aero’ seatpost.

Doubling down on the sales. Dangerfield, who dominated British NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE
time trialling in the late 1990s and
early 2000s, was often overlooked FITNESS HACKS
for international selection, although
he did regularly get selected for the 16 easy ways to boost fitness
Commonwealth Games. In his letter, A big ride on ‘The Island’
Dr Wright said they had never been given Garmin 1040 on test
clear guidelines on selection criteria.
Dangerfield said: “It seems that the Brits stepping up to WorldTour
BCF national title counts for nothing.
I just want to know why I haven’t been ON SALE AUG 25
given a chance.”
www.cyclingweeklysubs.co.uk/bryton
Andy Wilkinson, winner of the 1996
Best British All-Rounder competition
also fancied his chances. “I’m not in

62 | 18 August, 2022 | Cycling Weekly



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