2012 in numbers

2 Nomads stopped for a beer during the final Dave Gudgin of the season. Take a bow, Clive Collins and Nick Hickman.

2 minutes to spare for Jon Traynor and Nigel Wilson when they completed the 465 mile Raid Pyrenean in 99 hours and 58 minutes.

5:09 The time in minutes and seconds by which Michael Hutchinson beat the second placed rider on the Nomads Open 25.

6 free coaching sessions offered to local kids in November.

14 seconds The fastest Brompton unfold of the season from Nick Hickman.

28 centigrade Why did Summer 2012 occur on the day when 8 Nomads rode the Chiltern 100?

28.1 mph Ben Wilson’s average speed when completing the Yorkshire Velo 10 in 21:22 in August.

47 riders rode the Nomads TT course on Boxing Day.

49 riders competed in the Briercliffe 10 series in 2012. Thanks to all the timekeepers and pusher-offs who made it possible.

59:26 The fastest 25 completed by a Nomad this year. Well done Andy Herbert.

98 finishers in the Nomads sportive.

175.2 miles completed by John Harrison in the ECCA 12 hour race.

989 miles cycled by James Gomm from Lands End to John O’Groats in September.

20,914 page views of this blog so far this year!

January 2013 events

Sunday Club Runs (please note the start times below)
30 December 2012, Emily’s Tea Shop, Whitwell 9:00 am

2013
6 January - Langford Garden Centre 9:30 am -  Langford Garden Centre
13 January - Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine 9:30 am - Forest Centre M.Moretaine
20 January - Emily's Tea Shop, Whitwell 9:30 am - note several riders will be attending the Harp Hilly event as an alternative to the club run (see below) - Whitwell Emily's Tea Shop
27 January - Woburn 9:30am


Circuit Training
Hitchin RFC, Pavillion Room. 1945h every Tuesday.

Mini Club Run/ Family and newcomers ride

20 January - Start at10:00 am. Meet at the junction of Purwell Lane and Kingswood Avenue, Hitchin (access to the Greenway). Bring a bike capable of being ridden on off-road surfaces.

If you fancy a ride out from Hitchin centre or want further information, please call Nick Senechal on 01462 641745.
n.b this may be subject to change so as to coincide with the Cross race at Hitchin Boys School.

Saturday training rides
Please check Facebook for details of Saturday training runs.

Off-Road Rides – Thursdays at 18:45.
See Facebook or contact Nick Hickman on 01462 850868 for details and meeting point.

Time Trials
1 January - Beds Road 11.2 mile ‘lottery’ TT
HQ Beds Road clubhouse, Cardington.
Signing on from 10am for 11am start.
For details of how the lottery works, please go to:
http://www.bedsroad.org/Bedfordshire_Road_Cycling_Club_Newsflash_Dec2012.htm

Chiltern Reliability Rides
As a club we are focusing on the Harp Hilly event and there are a number of Nomads already planning to attend this specific ride.

Sunday 20th January - 9.00am Harp Hilly 100km & 55km
Sunday 27th January - 9.00am Team Quest 100km
Sunday 3rd February - 9.00am Hemel Hempstead CC 100km & 50km
Sunday 10th February - 9.00am Edgware RC 100km & 45km
Sunday 17th February - 9.30am Willesden CC 100km & 60km
Sunday 24th February - 9.30am CC Luton 100km & 40miles

For more details, go to:
http://www.lesrvr.com/HarpRoadClub/chilternclassics.htm

Boxing Day 10 - 2012

Hitchin Nomads brought the 2012 season to an end with their annual Boxing Day 10 mile time trial. The event saw clear and dry skies bless the riders. Despite a stiff south-westerly wind a bumper field of racers from local clubs descended upon the lanes around Old Warden. The event traditionally sees competitive time triallists compete against the "old school" riders who bring out vintage bicycles to race against the clock for the 10 mile distance. The oldest bike was from 1902, the newest still had Santa's tinsel attached.

So as to level the playing field a handicap system based on the age of the cycle, the age of the rider and the date they first sat at a desk in Hogwarts is used (I have no idea how the handicapping system works - ask Frank Turner! Ed).

Hitchin Nomads were well represented on the roads and also in the Old Warden HQ - where a festive spread and good cheer were found in abundance. Of the recent Go Ride coaching students Luke Senechal rode the distance in 39.44 and Daisy Doyle rode in at 63.36. The latter receiving the Alan Porter award for ride of the day.

Ben Wilson proved that wheels aren't everything by riding the event on a unicycle...

Ben Wilson

Simon Doyle, Daisy Doyle

Nick and Jane Hickman

Simon Young

Luke and Nick Senechal

Mark Collins, Ann Collins

Results

	Rider	m	s	Final time	Club	Bike
15	Tim Davies	24	53	23:53	IRC
29	Jason Stuart	25	42	24:42	CC Ashwell
42	Mark/ Isaac Anstee	27	2	25:25	BRCC
26	Graham Laming	27	54	25:38	BRCC
24	Ryan Witchell	25	54	25:54	Welwyn whs.
37	Ray Miller	36	6	26:42	V-CC	1910 Chase
32	Justin Layne	26	45	26.45	CC Ashwell
12	Mike Kitchen	38	56	27:02	HNCC	1902 Lea Francis
23	Neil Fraser	28	15	27.03	Stevenage CC
41	Mark Holden	29	49	27:33	BRCC
16	Oliver Cocks	27	59	27:59	IRC
33	Richard Pratt	32	18	29:36	I Cycle
36	Alan Crane	30	17	29:41	Chronos RT
34	Nigel Wilson	31	32	29:42	HNCC
8	Mark Collins	31	20	30:08	HNCC
31	Martin Hall	31	56	30:19	BRCC
5	Roy Porter	37	58	30:58	IRC	1962 Ivor Holms
28	Michael Coomber	31	3	31:03	I Cycle
39	Chris Jenkin	36	54	31:54	IRC
18	Gordon Charlton	34	32	32:16	I Cycle
7	John Meadows	37	36	32:36	V-CC	1958 Maclean
22	Mark Young	34	26	32:36	HNCC
19	Simon Young	33	9	32:45	HNCC
30	Jon Traynor	35	3	33:26	HNCC
27	Thomas Weir	33	41	33:41	Independent
13	Tom Durkin	33	48	33:48	Welwyn Whs.
17	Steve Smith	34	49	34:37	HNCC
40	Des Roberts	38	31	34:41	BRCC
25	Charlie Pugh	34	51	34:51	Freedon Tri
9	Charlie Sampford	35	17	35:17	IRC
11	Nick/Jane Hickman	36	12	36:12	HNCC
14	Nick/Luke Senechal	39	44	37:15	HNCC
1	Cliff Tremayne	46	33	37:57	KCC	1956 Higgins trike
4	Jill Meadows	44	24	38:39	V-CC	1982 Raleigh
6	Chris Northwood	43	28	39:39	IRC	1940 Bates flyer
21	Dave Crane	40	26	40:26	BRCC
10	Roger Akers & Emma	43	51	43:03	T.A.	1956 Higgins Trike
38	Nicola Christanson	46	5	45:41	IRC
20	Simon/Daisy Doyle	63	36	63:36	HNCC
2	Ben Wilson	69	48	69:48	HNCC

DNF Maurice Burton

2012 Awards

The Hitchin Nomads celebrated a year of competition and success with the annual award luncheon. This year's event was held on 16 December 2012 at the Three Horseshoes, Willian.

12 Hour Trophy
John Harrison
       
Dave Gudgin 25 Series - Scratch   
1 James Gomm
2  Nick Hickman

Charlton Hill Climb   
1    James Gomm
2    Andrew Saunders
3    Simon Doyle
       
Fastest 25       
1 Andrew Herbert
       
Hall Trophy 25 - Handicap   
1 Mike Webb
2 Simon Doyle
3 Andrew Herbert
       
Allan Porter 30 - Handicap
1 Mike Webb
2 Jon Traynor
3 Clive Collins
       
Dave Gudgin 25 Series - Handicap   
1 James Gomm
2 Nick Hickman

Fastest On Standard - 10 Miles       
Andrew Herbert
       
Sporting All Rounder   
1 James Gomm
2 Nick Hickman
3 Clive Collins
       
25 Mile Medium Gear   
1 James Gomm
2 John Traynor
3 Nick Hickman
       
Briercliffe 10 Series   
1 Andrew Herbert
2 Andrew Saunders
3 Simon Doyle
       
25 Mile Team Time Trial   
1    Simon Doyle & Andrew Herbert
2    James Gomm & James Spence
3    Clive Collins & Nigel Wilson
       
Allan Porter 30 - Scratch   
1  Andrew Herbert
2  James Gomm
3  Mike Webb
       
Autumn Hilly   
1 James Gomm
2 Nick Hickman
3 Mark Collins
       
Hall Trophy 25 - Scratch   
1 Andrew Herbert
2 Simon Doyle
3 Andrew Saunders  
       
Sharpenhoe Hill Climb   
1 Andrew Saunders
2 James Gomm
3 Simon Doyle
       
Spring Hilly   
1 Simon Doyle
2 James Gomm
3 Nick Senechal
       
Clubman Trophy       
Frank Turner

Geoff Denny Memorial Trophy
Frank Turner

Most Meritorious
Simon Doyle

Thanks to Keith Rapley, Frank Turner and Nigel Wilson for organising the event and for work behind the scenes in terms of working out who won what.

2012 Annual General Meeting

As the Nomads begin to draw a close on their 81st year, the annual general meeting brought the opportunity for club members to reflect on the previous twelve months. Chair and General Secretary Nick Senechal hosted the meeting and was amongst a number of club members to report on progress and to pose some ideas and challenges for the future.

In a year which has seen unparalled success for British cyclists at the Olympics and in the Grand Tours and pro-circuit, the Nomads also reflected on their own acheivements. From time trial and sportives and from Go Ride coaching to an increase in leisure riders engaging with the club, a positive spirit was in the air.

During proceedings James Gomm (Time Trial Sec), Andrew Stevenson (Treasurer), Keith Rapley (Social and Touring Sec) further emphasised Senechal's "feel good" optimism. As part of the future planning for the club a Special General Meeting has been proposed for March 2013 so as to refine and evolve the way the club is run and to discuss how the governance structure can be adapted to map to the increasing demands on the club as part of the work to achieve British Cycling "GO RIDE" status.

In terms of this year's committee was concerned, Neil JJ Fraser was commended for his efforts as Club Captain over the last few seasons. A vote of thanks was recorded. Simon Doyle was elected as Captain for 2013. Keith Rapley, having spent four years as Social and Touring Sec will be taking a step back and Nick Hickman will be sharing the portfolio with Keith in 2013. The remainder of posts remain broadly unchanged although the position of General Secretary and of Treasurer will be up for re-election under the auspices of the mooted SGM.

Key messages from the meeting:
- membership is up
- racing participation is increasing, particularly in open and interclub time trials
- coaching is now a club benefit and is an active part of our outreach work
- the social calendar is full and vibrant
- the club funds are stable and have positive reserves and scope for investment
- the club's social media and communications approach is greatly improved and popular
- 2012 was a great platform to build upon and will be a spring-board for more success in 2013

The Club's successes will be celebrated further at the annual prize giving lunch on the 16th December 2012, Three Horseshoes, Willian. Contact Keith Rapley for information.

December Events 2012

Here is the December events list.

Club runs:

2 December Hare Street

9 December Wimpole Hall

16 December Willington - Frosts

23 December Woburn

30 December Whitwell - Emilys Tea Shop

HNCC AGM 

Will be held on Tuesday 4th December in the Pavilion Room, Hitchin Rugby Club. The meeting will start promptly at 20:00.

Christmas Luncheon and Prize Giving

Will be at The Three Horseshoes, Willian. 12:30.


HNCC Christmas Tree 

There will be a meeting prior to the AGM at 6:30pm to discuss this years Christmas Tree (The Pavilion Room, Hitchin Rugby Club).

The tree will be decorated on Thursday 6th December at the Holy Saviour Church, Hitchin, 18:00-20:00,

The Christmas Tree lights will be turned on from 12:00-18:00 on Saturday 8th December and Sunday 9th December at The Holy Saviour Church, Hitchin.

Time Trials

26 December - Boxing Day 10:
1U/10. HQ Old Warden Village Hall. Signing on from 10:30 - 10:50am, Start at 11:00am. 

Mini Club Run - Newcomers and Families

16 December, start at 10.00

Ride the Greenway. Meet at the junction of Purwell Lane and Kingswood Avenue, Hitchin (access to the Greenway).

If you fancy a ride out from Hitchin in to the leafy lanes and cycle-tracks and need further information, please call Nick Senechal on 01462 641745.

Coaching Sessions

Saturday 1 December 1:30pm – 3:30pm (3 of 3)

Venue: Whitehill Junior School, Whitehill Road, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 9HT

Simon Doyle is planning three training sessions during November and December 2012.
Sessions will provide the attendees with the techniques and skills needed to participate in a cyclo-cross event or non-technical mountain bike race/ ride. This is the last of the three sessions and will culminate in a practice cyclo-cross race.  

We can coach  ~10-15 students per coach. All sessions to be around 2 hours duration and will include two separate/specific skills classes and warm-up and cool-down. There's no upper age limit but it would be ideal if there was a 7-14ish group and then 14+ group.  

Riders need to bring a well maintained mountain bike or road bike which can be ridden on grass. So long as riders have some basic riding skills and are keen to learn everyone will be happy bunnies.

A minimum age of 7. Safety helmets mandatory. Any attendee under 16 will need to complete a parental consent form in advance (this will be available for download from the link via British Cycling).  

Further details to follow on the website or from Simon directly. sim.doyle@gmail.com. If there is sufficient interest we can look to increase numbers. 

If you are interested please express your interest to Simon asap. Places allocated to Nomads members on a first-come, first-served basis. Voluntary donations welcomed.

Circuit Training

11th & 18th December from 19.45 at Hitchin RFC (Pavilion Room).This will concentrate on mobility and core fitness this month. Please bring an exercise mat if you have one.

November events 2012

Here is the latest events list.

Club runs:

4 November Gt Amwell Van Haag GC

11 November The Hub Redbourn

18 November Langford Garden Centre

25 November Melbourne Tylers GC

Social evening (informal drinks)

2 November - Start at Queen Victoria Pub, Hitchin. 2000h onwards.

Mini Club Run - Newcomers and Families

18 November, start at 10.00

Ride the Greenway. Meet at the junction of Purwell Lane and Kingswood Avenue, Hitchin (access to the Greenway).

If you fancy a ride out from Hitchin in to the leafy lanes and cycle-tracks and need further information, please call Nick Senechal on 01462 641745.

Coaching Sessions

Saturday 10 November 2pm – 4pm (1 of 3)

Saturday 17 November 2pm – 4pm (2 of 3)

The third session will be 1 December 2pm-4pm.

Venue: Whitehill Junior School, Whitehill Road, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 9HT

Simon Doyle is planning three training sessions during November and December 2012.
Sessions will provide the attendees with the techniques and skills needed to participate in a cyclo-cross event or non-technical mountain bike race/ ride.  

We can coach  ~10-15 students per coach. All sessions to be around 2 hours duration and will include two separate/specific skills classes and warm-up and cool-down. There's no upper age limit but it would be ideal if there was a 7-14ish group and then 14+ group.  

Riders need to bring a well maintained mountain bike or road bike which can be ridden on grass. So long as riders have some basic riding skills and are keen to learn everyone will be happy bunnies.

A minimum age of 7. Safety helmets mandatory. Any attendee under 16 will need to complete a parental consent form in advance (this will be available for download from the link via British Cycling).  

Further details to follow on the website or from Simon directly. sim.doyle@gmail.com. If there is sufficient interest we can look to increase numbers. 

If you are interested please express your interest to Simon asap. Places allocated to Nomads members on a first-come, first-served basis. Voluntary donations welcomed.

Circuit Training

Every Tuesday in November from 19.45 at Hitchin RFC (Pavilion Room).This will concentrate on mobility and core fitness this month. Please bring an exercise mat if you have one.

2012 Annual General Meeting - 4th December 2012

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Hitchin Nomads Cycling Club will take place on Tuesday 4^th December 2012 at 8pm in the Pavilion Room at Hitchin Rugby Football Club, Old Hale Way, Hitchin.

The AGM will be followed by informal drinks in the Rugby Club bar.

The provisional agenda will be as follows:

1.       Agreement of minutes of 2011 AGM

2.       Chairman/General Secretary’s report
·         Review of the year
·         Plans for coming year

3.       Treasurer’s report
·         Approval of 2011 accounts
·         Current financial position

4.       Reports from:
·         Club captain
·         Social and touring secretary
·         Time trial secretary
·         Road race secretary

5.       Election of committee members:

·         Chairman*

·         General secretary**

·         Treasurer**

·         Club Captain**

·         Time Trial Secretary

·         Road Race Secretary**

·         Other Members of the committee

* indicates post not currently filled (general secretary acting in role)
** indicates current incumbent wishes to stand down at this time.

6.       Any Other Business

7.       Nominations and voting for “club person of the year”

Please direct any nominations for committee positions (including self-nominations) or items for "Any Other Business"  to committee@hitchin-nomads.co.uk.

Nominations and items of AOB may be submitted  in advance (preferably) by 1^st December – or on the night.

Nick Senechal

General Secretary & Acting Chairman

Hitchin Nomads - "Families and Newcomers" ride - 21 Oct 2012

Hitchin Nomads led a second "Families and Newcomers" ride around the leafy lanes of Hitchin, Gosmore, Preston and Charlton yesterday (21 October 2012).

Several new riders joined established and experienced club members on a guided route which illustrated the benefits and fun of club cycling. The ride coincided with the annual hill climb time trial which took place on the climb from Charlton towards Preston.

Stay tuned for details of future rides and for our 2013 coaching programme.

Riders prepare for start of the ride (N Hickman).

Young and old (and ages inbetween) ride towards Gosmore on quiet, leafy lanes (N. Fraser).

Charlton Hill Climb Results 21/10/2012

The final event of the season, the fearsome Charlton Hill Climb, saw the best turn out for many years with 19 riders and many more spectating. The weather conditions were damp but it didn't dampen the spirits of those who competed.

Tandemania - Nick and Jane Hickman (N Fraser).

It was a closely fought battle with just 2.5 seconds splitting the top three, but it was James Gomm who was victorious on the day with Andy Saunders and Simon Doyle making up the top three.

Nick and Jane Hickman set a new club record for the fastest ascent of the hill on a tandem with an impressive time of 3:09.1, although Nick was later heard stating that he was aiming for a sub 3:00 time, so would be implementing a strict training regime over the next 12 months in order to smash that time next year.

The annual club ensemble picture - courtesy of R Knott.

The unofficial competition of  "most beer consumed in The Windmill" was a tie this year between Simon Doyle and James Gomm who both consumed 6 pints, with Clive Collins coming in third with 3.

Frank and Mark Collins (N Hickman).

Thanks goes out once again to Frank Turner and Clive Collins who provided the timekeeping and to Ben Wilson, who despite suffering from tonsillitis still came out not only to support the competitors but to also carry out the important job of holding up the riders (although rumours may suggest that Clive Collins was not 100% honest in selling the job to Ben and had failed to mention that Ben would have to hold up a tandem).

Frank Turner times Ingrid Matthews over the line.

Andrew Stevenson.

It was a great finale to the 2012 calendar and we look forward to the 2013 season.

Gomm in sixty seconds - or 79.2 if you want to be precise,

Results

James Gomm		1:19.2
Andy Saunders		1:19.9
Simon Doyle		1:21.7
Chris Pearce		1:22.9 CCA
Garry O'Dea		1:28.9
Richard Serradinho		1:29.1
Neil Bridgland		1:32.5
Tom Vincent		1:42.4
Simon Young		1:43.9
Andrew Stephenson		1:48.7
Mark Collins		1:56.2
Richard Knott		2:02.1
Eddie Martin		2:02.4
Mark young		2:04.8
Ingrid Matthews		2:24.1
Stephen Oliver		2:51.7
Nick & Jane Hickman		3:09.1 (Tandem)
Cheryl Fisher		3:12.6

CCA = Cycle Club Ashwell

"Family and Newcomers" ride - 21/10/12

Next Sunday 21st October 2012, is our next family and newcomers ride. These “mini-club runs” are designed for those new to cycling or experienced cyclists who want to bring friends and family along. Especially welcome are accompanied  children, women, commuters wanting to get a little more from their cycling and anyone wanting to find out more about the Nomads.

This ride will be on quiet roads and a little bit of flat non-technical off-road, suitable for all types of cycle.  The ride will be about 7 miles around Charlton and Preston with the intention to meet up with the rest of the Hitchin Nomads at their annual club hill climb near Charlton at 11:30 (all adults and accompanied children are welcome to ride as well). Afterwards we will head to The Windmill pub in Charlton for refreshments.

There will be a few hills, but we have plenty of time to get up them, even if some have to walk…

Provisional OS map of family ride route

Please meet in Hitchin Market Square close to the clock at 10:00 am. All riders must wear a helmet. A bike safety check will be conducted before heading off, so please be prompt. If you require further directions, please call Nick Senechal on 01462 641745.

Team Cambridge 2-Up Team Time Trial Report - 14/10/12

This just in from Clive Collins, following his and Nigel Wilson's return to the Team Cambridge event which took place earlier today.

"Nigel and I rode this event last year and recorded a 29.18, and Nigel wasn't really happy with his ride on the day, so we decided to give the event a go this year to see if we could better our time from last year. 

"Interestingly the weather conditions were exactly the same this year as last year although Nigel claimed it was colder.  Nigel was warming up when I arrived, I have to say that I had left getting to the event a little late so that it was a bit of rush preparing for the ride, consequently I didn't warm up properly. 

"We started the ride with Nigel on the front, I did one session on the front before the Orwell mountain, but I knew that I wasn't really firing on all cylinders and the event turned into a 80% Grand Prix de Gentleman.  We came home with a 30.05 on the result board.  Nigel's comment back at the HQ was 'I really enjoyed that course, are you up for it again next year?' I said OK, but after Nigel left, the event secretary stated that there wouldn't be an event in 2013, but they may be back for 2014."

Plenty of time to prepare for the 2014 event.

Autumn Hilly - Results & Report (13/10/2012)

In the penultimate event of the season, four competitors rode out in the early morning mist to do battle in the Autumn Hilly around the Whitwell-Codicote-St Paul's Walden circuit.

Conditions were colder than many had anticipated and all riders chose to wear all their layers that they had brought for the time trial. One rider sported a copy of this week's Biggleswade Chronicle.

Despite being cold it was a beautiful Autumn morning with hardly any breeze and the sun breaking though the light mist and everybody agreed that it was great to be out in such conditions.

In the absence of the Spring Hilly winner Simon Doyle, who was selflessly on a course learning how to make us all faster next season, it was the Spring Hilly runner-up James Gomm who took the honours. In spite of suffering from food poisoning  at the start of the week, James managed to finish just a minute slower than his Spring Hilly time.

Nick Hickman rode an impressive debut on the course to finish in second place and also managed to come home under the hour mark, which is no mean feat. This finishes an impressive first season of time trialling for Nick, who will be looking for continued improvement in 2013.

In the battle of the Collinses, its was Collins Jnr who managed to pip Collins Snr to third place, which was a reversal of order from the last race between the pair on the Briecliffe 10 in August. Collins Snr has vowed to come back fitter, stronger and lighter next season, so all eyes are on the Spring Hilly when the pair will likely next come head to head.

Once again thanks goes to the young man with the stopwatches Frank Turner, who was in fine spirits as a result of the beautiful morning, and also to David Summerell for his support at the start/ finish line.

Results

James Gomm – 53:45
Nick Hickman – 58:32
Mark Collins – 1:02:08
Clive Collins – 1:06:39

Upcoming events

Autumn Hilly

Saturday 13th October 2012 sees the penultimate time trial in the Nomads calendar. The Autumn Hilly is open to all members and riders from other clubs. It covers two laps of the sporting Whtiwell road race circuit, covering 18 miles in total.

First rider off at 8:30am, so please be there by 8:15am to sign on. £2 for Nomads, £3 guests.

The start and finish is in the lay by to the east of Whitwell towards the Codicote Road (marked on this map). It's the same course as the Spring Hilly, so a good opportunity to put down a target time to improve on next year.

Club run

Sunday 14th sees the club run head out to Ware. Meet in Hitchin Market Square at 09.00am.

Hill climb and new riders events

The annual hill climb at Charlton (followed by grain based refuelling in The Windmill) takes place on 21st October, first rider 11.30 am. The second of our introductions to cycling events will depart Hitchin Market Square on 21st October at 10.00am. Details to follow.

This month's events are listed here.