The Handsling

Veness 3rd in Elites at Saddle Skedaddle Gorrick Spring Mountain Bike Series

2012-02-29T22:27:00.002Z

John Veness claimed a superb 3rd place last Sunday in the Expert/Elite race showing that his build up towards the season proper is well on schedule.

John takes some air on his Trigon MQC09

Pos Laps Time Time+ Num Name Team/Sponsor Lap 1 Lap 2 Lap 3 Lap 4 Lap 5
1 5 01:55:30 28 Adrian Lansley pedalon.co.uk - 00:22:26 00:22:49 00:22:56 00:23:16 00:24:02
2 5 01:57:17 00:01:47 26 Chris Minter pedalon.co.uk - 00:22:50 00:23:06 00:23:27 00:23:48 00:24:03
3 5 01:59:40 00:04:11 29 John Veness Handsling Racing - 00:22:53 00:23:29 00:24:19 00:24:37 00:24:20
4 5 02:08:31 00:13:01 32 Tim Elverson Pedal Heaven rt - 00:24:27 00:24:36 00:25:31 00:26:00 00:27:56

Meanwhile team mate Vince Halpern also ventured off-road for a change of scenery and was 7th in the 3-lap Veteran Male race.

PosLapsTimeTime+NumNameTeam/SponsorLap 1Lap 2Lap 3
1 3 01:16:53 144 Jon Pierce Beyond MTB - RRP/Specialized 00:24:56 00:25:37 00:26:20
2 3 01:17:49 00:00:56 141 Dave Wadsworth - Beeline Cycles 00:25:00 00:26:09 00:26:39
3 3 01:18:46 00:01:53 170 Nik Pullen MARJISLARGE - 00:26:03 00:26:24 00:26:18
4 3 01:18:52 00:01:59 142 Dave Brothers - Four4th Lights 00:25:36 00:26:50 00:26:25
5 3 01:19:03 00:02:10 138 Julian Grundy Rock and Road Cycles - 00:26:07 00:26:04 00:26:50
6 3 01:22:14 00:05:21 122 Malcolm Toop-Rose Swindon RC - 00:26:39 00:27:35 00:27:58
7 3 01:22:31 00:05:38 179 Vincent Halpern - Handsling racing 00:26:47 00:27:34 00:28:10
8 3 01:23:57 00:07:04 100 Kevin Blann Team Rose Blann - 00:27:25 00:27:53 00:28:38

Handsling Mini-Training Camp in Eastbourne

2012-02-24T13:53:00.000Z

Handsling Racing's first training camp of 2012 in Eastbourne was a huge success, largely thanks to awesome routes and hospitality of the Paul Horta-Hopkins and his family.

With Boris stuck on the far side of the North Sea, Tim struggling with illness, Vince and Neil having to work and Rob engaged in family commitments, we only had 4 of the team on the first day and the pace was fairly steady therefore. However, my insistence that we sprint for every hilltop and town sign, though initially unpopular, was soon making the ride tough with everyone doing all they could to snatch another 'point'. At one point we had a team pursuit in progress with Paul and I trying to chase down John and Pete for what seemed like an eternity. Painful at the time but all great training and fun to reflect on.

My kids are well into the new Kung Fu Panda series so I decided that everything would be 'awesome' and so it proved. Even when the heavens opened and we got soaked in (what rapidly became) the final hour of the ride but it was still totally awesome.

Rob contemplating the merits of riding the coastal path back to Eastbourne from a blustery Beachy Head.

We arrived 'home' wet but pleased, even though we had to cut the overall distance short, to have clocked up 65 miles over some tough terrain at a fair old lick. We rounded off a perfect day with Eurosport's coverage of a stage of the Tour of Oman, some Playstation, a vast curry and the highlights of the track cycling in the new London velodrome. Truly awesome.

Peter Cole, John Veness and myself atop Beachy Head

Rob freed himself from the family commitments on Sunday, so we had 5 riders and the most glorious weather for the second day - cold but brilliant sunshine. Paul had planned a much tougher route but it was even more awesome. The terrain down there is absolutely superb for bike riding and there were plenty of people out on their bikes.

Paul, Rob, me, Pete and John at Pevenesy Bay, the pebble beach just outside of Bexhill

Once again the sprint competition for every town sign or hilltop was resumed but made somewhat harder with the addition of Rob's fresh legs. Interestingly as the distance increased, we witnessed the gradual emergence of mileage junkie, John Veness, from shy 'I can't sprint if you look at me' climber into sprint king and the addition of some harder climbs, including the Beachy Head 'drag', saw John prevail as the overall champion.

Me arriving at the top of the Beachy Head climb, obviously after everyone else!

In fact, after a poor showing on Saturday, he totally shut out sprinting legend and team thunder thighs, Peter Cole, who only won one sprint all day and even then was disqualified after dangerous sprinting; sneak off the front because I know the route, Paul; equally sneaky, silently jump from behind, Rob; and managed to edge ahead of me to take the win. In fact Sunday saw us contest nearly 30 sprints/climbs in a ride of just over 70 miles. Added to those sprints for signs that took place on Saturday and its no wonder my legs hurt so much afterwards.

Next stop Majorca for a few more miles and some much warmer weather.

Handsling Photoshoot 'Behind the Scenes' Pics

2012-02-24T00:15:00.000Z

We all got together for our team photoshoot before the last Hillingdon Winter series and were greeted by a glorious day of winter sunshine. The official photo is not finished yet but here's some action from behind the photographer by Rob Enslin. Our thanks to Monica for the official photography and to Erika for artistic direction.

All good fun but the finished photo will look something like one of these...

Hillingdon Winter Series Finale February 11th 2012

2012-02-23T23:49:00.000Z

We had literally just finished our team photoshoot an hour before the race but most of the team had places to be or were ill, so only four Handsling riders lined up for the last race of the 2012 Hillingdon Winter Series and two of those were brand new to it!

A nervous Norwegian exile, Nigel 'Boris' Halpern, and a overly relaxed mountain goat, John Veness, lined up alongside regulars Vinnie Vegas Halpern and myself.

John performs some last minute checks on his new Trigon carbon wheels (article to come later from him)

Newcomer Boris gets some last minute advice from his brother, Vinnie, on how to ride Hillingdon in the winter

Despite his 'new boy, first race at Hillingdon ever' status, Boris was first to show his face at the front, getting in a group of three almost immediately. This was quickly brought back by the dominant, overall series leader Jamie Pine, who wasn't letting anything go.

Each of us then got into decent breaks, with John's group of three being the most promising, but each resulted in the same fate, as the overall leaders maintained control.

I go on the (short lived) attack

Vince in the thick of the action

Come the inevitable bunch sprint, Vince and I went to the front to sit just either side of Jamie Pine (definitely the wheel to be on) and to block Felt's Tom Smith in. However, I was suffering more than I realised from my 'mega interval Thursday', and, whilst feeling fine in the race, was unsurprised to get nothing at all out of my legs when I stood to sprint from an ideal 3rd wheel. I sat up and rolled in almost dead last. Vinnie however, was up for it and managed to bag 4th. Video to follow when I get a chance to edit.

Boris and John catch a breather...

...whilst Vince and our old team mate, Tom Smith, go on the attack

Its been a great series. Whilst none of our team managed to ride every event and really go for the overall, Vince did manage to get 6th overall and its been ideal to get most of the team out racing early on in the year, as it is perfect for giving riders a wake up call, when they see just how well some other riders are going.

For me its been my one regular weekly long ride (65 miles inc riding there and back) to compliment my turbo intervals and I have really enjoyed it this year, even if I haven't been up in the sprints as I would have usually expected at Hillingdon due to the knackering effect of the rest of my training. It is winter after all...

One legend to another: Vince receives his prize for 6th overall from professional legend and local boy, Roger Hammond

E123 Race 12
Place Series Points
1st y 21 Jamie Pine London Dynamo 3 200
2nd y 13 Rudie Marais La Fuga/Sigma Sport 2 150
3rd y 87 Tom Smith Felt Colbornes RT E 130
4th y 19 Vincent Halpern Handsling Racing 1 120
5th y 8 Conall Yates InGear Quickvit RT 2 110
6th y115 Matthew Tibbutt Wightlink 3 100
7th y 81 James Jones Beeline Bikes 1 90
8th y 17 Rory Townsend Prestige VC 2j 80
9th y 25 Pete Wager Felt-Colbornes RT 1 70
10th y116 Harry Franklin Hargroves Cycles 3j 60
11th y 20 Phil Holloway Southend Wheelers 2 50
12th y124 Nick Noble unattached 3 nil
13th y 97 Cameron Foster Zappi's CC 2 40
14th y 39 Joshua Maynard Welwyn Wheelers A + disp 30
15th y 23 Jerzy Kuzminski London Phoenix 2 20
16th y 9 Adam Brittain High Wycombe CC 2 10
17th y125 Angelo Christides unattached 3
18th y130 John Veness Handsling Racing 1
19th y 95 Stephen Cambell Twickenham CC 2
20th y 50 Robin Basford WyndyMilla 2
21st y 49 Martin Garratt London Dynamo 2
22nd y132 Joe Holloway VC10 3
23rd y 31 Ralph De Kanter Norwood Paragon CC 3
24th y128 Tamina Oliver Abergavenny R C 2
25th y 33 Ben Moores Norwood Paragon 2
26th y 26 Geoff Powell High Wycombe CC 3
27th y118 Chris Wood WyndyMilla/UK Youth 2
28th y 60 Mario Manelfi Blazing Saddles 3
29th y 27 Steve Golla High Wycombe rt 2
30th y 53 Nat Spurling Finsbury Park 3
31st y 66 Simon Whiten Handsling Racing 3
32nd y131 Rob Griffiths London Phoenix 3

Hillingdon Winter Series 4th February

2012-02-07T22:07:00.002Z

Childcare issues and bad weather kept all but Vince away from this penultimate round of the Winter Series. I have to say that despite it being so early in the year, I really missed racing.

Anyway Vince had an eventful race and though in the end missed the winning break, he came in at the front of the bunch sprint which bodes well for later in the year.

Next week is the last race of the series and we are hoping to drag the whole team down to Hillingdon as our first get together before our two team training camps in exotic Eastbourne in February and even more exotic Majorca in March.

Place No Club Cat Series points

1st y 21 Jamie Pine London Dynamo 1 200

2nd y 83 Jerone Walters VC St Raphael 2 150

3rd y 17 Rory Townsend Prestige VC 2j 130

4th y 27 Steve Golla High Wycombe rt 2 120

5th y 8 Conall Yates InGear Quickvit RT 2 110

6th y 20 Phil Holloway Southend Wheelers 2 100

7th y 39 Joshua Maynard Welwyn Wheelers 2J 90

8th y117 Richard Horton Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 3 nil

9th y 25 Pete Wager Felt-Colbornes RT 1 80

10th y 23 Jerzy Kuzminski London Phoenix 2 70

11th y 15 Henry Furniss WyndyMilla/MaxiFuel E 60

12th y 87 Tom Smith Felt Colbornes RT E 50

13th y 19 Vincent Halpern Handsling Racing 1 40

14th y118 Chris Wood WyndyMilla/UK Youth 2 nil

15th y120 Tom Gallacher Metaltek - Scott 2 nil

16th y 43 Christian Yates East Grinstead CC 3 30

17th y119 Alex Peterson AWCycles.co.uk 1 nil

18th y115 Matthew Tibbutt Wightlink 3 20

19th y 7 Bill Butterworth Twickenham CC 3 10

20th y 49 Martin Garratt London Dynamo 2

21st y 53 Nat Spurling Finsbury Park 3

22nd y 26 Geoff Powell High Wycombe CC 3

23rd y 13 Rudie Marais La Fuga/Sigma Sport 2

24th y 97 Cameron Foster Zappi's CC 2

25th y106 Joshua Swords Pedal Heaven RT 3

26th y 56 Mark Smith Welwyn Wheelers 2

Hillingdon Winter Series Finish Line Video 28th January 2012

2012-02-03T17:21:00.000Z

Finish of E123 Hillingdon Winter Series race on Sunday 28th January 2012 captured by Saleem Naseem.

Hillingdon Winter Series Video 28th January 2012

2012-02-03T14:08:00.001Z

Pete mounted his Drift Innovation HD170 under his saddle for last Saturday's Hillingdon Winter Series crit. Here's the video with lots of interesting facial expressions!

SiDi Ergo 3 Cycling Shoes

2012-02-02T11:31:00.001Z

My new 2012 SiDi Ergo 3 shoes arrived from www.velouk.co.uk last week in glorious all white, vernice leather - definitely a shoe better suited to nice, clean shaven, tanned, summer, lean legs rather than my current pasty, hairy, winter, white versions!

I used SiDi's throughout the 90's and they always were such a great product. I am really impressed with the fit and the adjustability of this latest version though. A number of riders have raved about the Ergo 2 and this shoe simply builds on that successful model.

All new shoes take a while to bed in but its no wonder people call them cycling slippers as they are comfy immediately. The shoe features SiDi's new Vent carbon sole. All you need to know is its light, stiff and has small red vents in it to keep your feet cool in summer.

There are also four different closure systems on the shoe. Is that enough for you? A team mate, commenting on his own SiDi's, scoffed "As if I need 4 different ways to adjust a shoe", but I have to say that now I have used them myself, each one does its job to perfection. No wonder this shoe is so popular with the pros, as this adjustability is perfect for those who cycle huge distances.

The main closure nearest the leg, is the Sidi Soft Instep Closure System and works well as you'd expect for the most important strap. Head towards the toes and you get a single Tecno II buckle, which I first used over 10 years ago when SiDi shoes sported a pair of these, the same as the shoes worn by Kurt Betschart and Bruno Risi at the Ghent Six in 2003 in the Handsling photo background to this blog taken by Nick Rosenthal (interestingly such is the quality of SiDi's that I gave that pair of shoes to my brother and he still uses those as his main cycling shoes today!). The final strap is a standard velcro number albeit with a very neat added safety ratchet system embedded into it.

The final closure is on the heel and I must admit I didn't understand and therefore wasn't too bothered about it until I actually tried it. Its sheer genius. It tightens up the Y-shaped heel cup to give you extra security in the fight against heel lift. Really clever little feature. I have it screwed quite a way out so that it really grips my achilles tendon and provides that extra reassurance.

Set-up was relatively straight forward as with any new shoe, fiddling with cleat position to get it dialled, and once done the first few training sessions (all on the turbo) were smooth thanks to the superb comfort and adjustability, as any pressure points can be quickly relieved.

10 years ago I used to race in 42 SiDi's which were cramped at the time and are far too small for me now, apparently, I have been told, due to a decade of wearing trainers and soft shoes, even at work (that's the world of modern media for you). I have very wide feet but I found that the fit of the standard 43 shoe is fine for me, though SiDi do make wide fitting models. These size 43 SiDi's are about the same length as my 42 Northwave shoes but the carbon sole is fractionally narrower.

Shoes are so important to cyclists as they 'join' you to the bike and to say I like these is an understatement. They are expensive but are highly recommended.

http://www.bigbear.co.uk/Brands/cycle_brand_SiDi.asp

http://www.karysmatik.com/

http://www.velouk.co.uk/

http://www.sidicafe.co.uk/

Hillingdon Winter Series 28th January 2012

2012-01-31T20:26:00.002Z

Not a great day for me. Kids were all ill, so getting out the house was not easy and required my best grovelling. Then a dodgy cash machine refused to expel my cash card, so completely skint, I had to plead poverty to Lucy to gain entry to the race (thanks Lucy), and so rolled up to the finish late once again! Only team mate PeterCole was even later than me but at least he had his video camera turned on (I only realised mine was off at the end of the race, so no footage this week) if not actually mounted on his bike, something which took the pair of us a lap to achieve!

Anyway I rode reasonably conservatively, apart from this one attack captured by www.aephotos.co.uk below (no idea why team mate Vince Halpern seems to be chasing my attack down - must be a trick of the camera angle), and went into the bunch sprint for 3rd place fresh. I was lying in about 7th place when the sprint into a strong headwind started but went the wrong way to avoid a Felt leadout man coming back through the bunch and went straight into someone's thigh (must have hurt - sorry!) which brought me to a near standstill. Sitting up in disgust I was swamped to finish way down.

Deep breath. Remember its January...

Mr Consistent, Vince Halpern, finished in a respectable 5th after taking 3rd in the bunch sprint, but Pete Cole also had a bit of a nightmare sprint to finish 14th.

Peter did however, capture some amazing footage, having mounted his camera under his saddle to face rearward. Sheer genius. I am in the process of editing it but there's a lot of really good stuff so its taking a while. Its well worth seeing though.

All in all another fast, hard race, which as part of a regular three hour Saturday training stint for me seems to be having a good effect on the old legs and I am hoping will pay dividends in the months to come.

Place No. Club Cat Series Points

1st y 72 Andy Betts Felt Colbornes RT E 200

2nd y 32 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon 3 150

3rd y 87 Tom Smith Felt Colbornes RT E 130

4th y 21 Jamie Pine London Dynamo 1 120

5th y 19 Vincent Halpern Handsling Racing 1 110

6th y 27 Steve Golla High Wycombe rt 2 100

7th y102 Tony Lock Elite Cycling 2 90

8th y 46 Steve Legg Police Sport UK 2 80

9th y 96 Dominic Gabellini Rapha Condor 2 70

10th y 17 Rory Townsend Prestige VC 2j 60

11th y104 Sean Sumner St Ives CC 3 50

12th y 23 Jerzy Kuzminski London Phoenix 2 40

13th y106 Joshua Swords Pedal Heaven RT 3 30

14th y 57 Peter Cole Handslingracing 3 20

14th y115 Matthew Tibbutt Wightlink 3 20

16th y 75 Ashley Holding GB MSTina 1

17th y116 Harry Franklin Hargroves Cycles 3j

18th y 52 Harry Strudley AWCycles.co.uk 2j

19th y 13 Rudie Marais La Fuga/Sigma Sport 2

20th y 50 Robin Basford WyndyMilla 2

21st y 7 Bill Butterworth Twickenham CC 3

22nd y 66 Simon Whiten Handsling Racing 3

23rd y115w Tamina Oliver Abergavenny rc 2w

24th y 43 Christian Yates East Grinstead CC 3

25th y 34 Steven Jackson Sigma Sport-LaFuga 2

26th y 97 Cameron Foster Zappi's CC 2

27th y 95 Stephen Cambell Twickenham CC 2

28th y 30 Matthew Carden Team Quest 3

29th y 25 Pete Wager Felt-Colbornes RT 1

30th y 8 Conall Yates InGear Quickvit RT 2

31st y 26 Geoff Powell High Wycombe CC 3

32nd y 60 Mario Manelfi Blazing Saddles 3

33rd y 49 Martin Garratt London Dynamo 2

34th y 28 Kieran Dineen Amersham RCC 2

35th y 20 Phil Holloway Southend Wheelers 2

36th y113 Jason Edwards GB MSTina 1

BikeRadar.com review of RQC29

2012-01-31T19:33:00.000Z

Review of the Trigon RQC29 on BikeRadar.com.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-trigon-rqc-29-12-45852

Hillingdon Winter Series 21st January 2012

2012-01-26T20:44:00.000Z

The Hillingdon Winter Series was a bit tough last weekend due to the high winds. Fortunately I had good legs (well, good for January) and felt up for it (well, up for it for a cold, windy, wet January). However, childcare issues on race day meant I set off for my hour commuter ride to the circuit rather late, so my good legs were soon shot after an hour of hammering it to make the start on time.

Despite my 'hammering' it, I still arrived late, but Lucy ushered me through sign-on quick smart and Rich was highly amused to see me late again (sympathy I think, as they have 3 kids as well), arriving at the start line just as the bunch was rounding the first bend.

Safely in the bunch, but right at the back, I was not happy to see a large break disappear up the road with no Handsling representation almost straight away. Not good at all, especially seeing as Vince, Pete and I have over 60 years racing experience between us! The pace was quick (for January) and the wind created havoc, with echelons and a lot of riders in trouble whilst riding in the gutter.

To our credit, each of the Handsling riders had a go to get across to this break but all in vain. Here's my attempt early in the race. You can see the break up ahead but the headwind made mincemeat of my legs. It did lead to a nice photo though from www.aephotos.co.uk.

Later in the race Vince finally got a group of 5 clear of the bunch but by then the break of 8 was well on its way to lapping the whole field. The speed they went passed us was pretty impressive as well - some riders are going very well for January (or maybe some riders are not going well at all considering the season starts in a month or so - depends on your point of view!).

The strength of the wind was such as riders ended up scattered all over the circuit in small groups. Finally Pete and I ended up in a group sprinting for about 20th place! Though the largest group, I can hardly be justified in calling it the bunch sprint but here's it is.

Results

Place No Name Club Cat series points

1st y 21 Jamie Pine London Dynamo 1 200
2nd y 87 Tom Smith Felt Colbornes RT E 150
3rd y 33 Ben Moores Norwood Paragon 2 130
4th y 27 Steve Golla High Wycombe rt 2 120
5th y 17 Rory Townsend Prestige VC 2j 110
6th y 72 Andy Betts Felt Colbornes RT E 100
7th y 32 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon 3 90
8th y113 Jason Edwards GB MSTina 1 80
9th y 89 George Farrell Welwyn Wheelers 2j 70
10th y105 Harry Franklin Hargrove Cycles 3 60
11th y 19 Vincent Halpern Handsling Racing 1 50
12th y107 Frazier Carr AW Cycles 3j 40
13th y 43 Christian Yates East Grinstead CC 3 30
14th y 67 Tom Kruger 45 Road Club 2 20
15th y 20 Phil Holloway Southend Wheelers 2 10
16th y 23 Jerzy Kuzminski London Phoenix 2
17th y 30 Matthew Carden Team Quest 3
18th y 46 Steve Legg Police Sport UK 2
19th y102 Tony Lock Elite Cycling 2
20th y 57 Peter Cole Handslingracing 3
21st y 41 Samuel Gilzean Welwyn Wheelers 3j
22nd y 28 Kieran Dineen Amersham RCC 2
23rd y 66 Simon Whiten Handsling Racing 3
24th y 97 Cameron Foster Zappi's CC 2
25th y108 Drew Holmes VO2 Development Team 2
26th y112 Cosmo Kedros WyndyMilla 2
27th y 50 Robin Basford WyndyMilla 2
28th y104 Sean Sumner St Ives CC 3V
29th y 52 Harry Strudley AWCycles.co.uk 2j
30th y 26 Geoff Powell High Wycombe CC 3
31st y 49 Martin Garratt London Dynamo 2
32nd y 13 Rudie Marais La Fuga/Sigma Sport 2
33rd y 60 Mario Manelfi Blazing Saddles 3
34th y114 Harold Evans VO2 Development Team 2
35th y109 Alex Pantelides VO2 Development Team 2
36th y 96 Dominic Gabellini Rapha Condor 2
37th y 37 Paul Bennett unattached 3
38th y 98 Monica Dapolenza WyndyMilla 2w
39th y106 Joshua Swords Pedal Heaven RT 3

Boris Bash

2012-01-25T22:48:00.000Z

Nigel Boris Halpern hard at it again in the deep stuff doing his impression of Blue Peter's Helen Skelton.

Shit Cyclists Say

2012-01-25T22:43:00.001Z

This has been doing the rounds on Twitter and various websites. How many of these things have you said or heard others say everyday? American but relevant no matter where you cycle, and very funny.

UKcyclesport.com article on John's new Trigon MQC09 MTB

2012-01-22T22:09:00.000Z

UKCyclesport.com ran John Veness' article on his build-up of his new race mtb, the Trigon MQC09, from UK importer MotoDirect. You can see it here:

http://www.ukcyclesport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5334:john-veness-trigon-mtb&catid=67:your-bikes&Itemid=237

John Veness wins Vets Race at Merida/Gorrick Brass Monkeys Winter Enduro

2012-01-22T21:29:00.000Z

Merida/Gorrick Brass Monkeys Winter Enduro Round 3 - 22 January 2012

John Veness, 1st Vet and 4th Overall in the 2 Hour Enduro.

John reports:

"The days racing was split into 2 length races, the 2hr and 4hr. Held on Army land next to the Eelmoor closed circuit (Aldershot) used for the summer evening road crits. Another superb course was prepared by the Gorrick team, I think one of the best I have ever ridden. There were two long climbs, some fantastic fast twisty descents with jumps if you felt like it, interspersed with wooded single track and fire roads linking sections. Laps were 6-7 miles in length, perfect for this type of event.

"The race attracted a large number of riders in all categories, the 2hr consisted of; 118 in the Veteran category and 143 in the 19-39 category. These 250 odd were all lumped together for the start so it would be critical to be up there into the first corner and to be with the contendershitting the single track. I had a great start and slotted in behind Budd and Bouttell, I couldn't hold the pace of the cyclocross boys, too early in the season for my top end to have formed. Dave Collins then powered past me and rode off to catch the two leaders and I was joined by Chris Rathbone. The two of us were well matched and rode the majority of the race together battling past the slower riders in the tight forest sections. On lap 3 we caught Bouttel who had blown after two quick laps.

"Coming into the last lap I could start to feel the thighs twinging, half way round I couldn't maintain the pace and drifted off Chris up the climbs. He got across to Dave Collins and I came in about 45 seconds later. Quite an encouraging start to the new season."

Vets Race Result

1 02:21:17 2587 John Veness, HandslingRacing/ActionCameras/Trigon/RST/Schwalbe/ACECentre - 00:34:29 00:34:51 00:35:48 00:36:09

2 02:30:34 00:09:17 2551 Dean Morgan Cyclezone UK/Cube/Zipvit - 00:35:35 00:36:50 00:38:35 00:39:34

3 02:32:37 00:11:20 2508 Rick Fetherston Specialized Concept Store Ruislip - 00:37:06 00:37:03 00:38:49 00:39:39

4 02:39:06 00:17:49 2495 Matt Craner Beyond MTB/ WDMBC / Specialized - 00:37:32 00:39:28 00:40:05 00:42:01

5 02:39:22 00:18:05 2580 Darren Shepherd Primera TBCUK - 00:38:57 00:37:12 00:38:25 00:44:48

Overall 2 Hour Result

1 02:19:01 2313 George Budd - Salsa Factory Racing 00:33:26 00:34:21 00:35:34 00:35:40
2 02:20:29 00:01:28 2363 Dave Collins - Hope Factory Racing 00:33:26 00:34:21 00:35:34 00:37:08

3 02:20:30 00:01:29 2429 Christopher Rathbone 00:34:26 00:34:53 00:35:36 00:35:35

4 02:21:17 00:02:16 2587 John Veness HandslingRacing/ActionCameras/Trigon/RST/Schwalbe/ACECentre 00:34:29 00:34:51 00:35:48 00:36:09

5 02:26:37 00:07:36 2254 Jason Bouttell 00:33:32 00:35:39 00:38:27 00:38:59

Winter Training in Norway

2012-01-19T08:28:00.000Z

Whilst his brother was complaining about having to train in the relatively balmy British winter, Nigel 'Boris' Halpern had to cope with freezing temperatures and some pretty deep snow his last ride of 2011...

So its no wonder that he takes to the skis for training...

Inspiration for today...

2012-01-18T13:34:00.002Z

Hillingdon Winter Series Round 8 14th Jan 2012

2012-01-17T12:54:00.005Z

With Neil nursing ill family, four Handsling riders turned out last Saturday to race at the Hillingdon Winter Series. It all seemed to be going swimmingly as well, as Pete Cole made the break which went after about at about third race distance. However, a crash right in front of him halted his progress and sent him back to the bunch (see video below).

Crash halts Pete's progress!

The bunch was unable to work as smoothly as the break, as some riders seemed hell bent on attacking for no real reason (apart from sheer stupidity), so the break pulled out a huge lead and nearly lapped us.

As we came into the finish it was obvious that Pete and Vince had good legs and that I should lead them out, but the reality of January racing prevailed and I was unable to get into a decent enough position, suffering from intense leg cramps again.

Anyway they finished first and second respectively in the bunch kick.

Great to see Pete rediscovering a bit of the form that made him a feared sprinter and Vince maintaining his usual reliable form. Rob is building his fitness slowly and had a few digs off the front, as well as pulling hard on the front as we tried to chase down the elusive break.

Place No. Club/Team

1st y 21 Jamie Pine London Dynamo

2nd y 87 Tom Smith Felt Colbornes RT

3rd y100 Liam Stones Team Corley

4th y 27 Steve Golla High Wycombe RT

5th y 32 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon

6th y 17 Rory Townsend Prestige VC

7th y 47 Nicholas Baker Zappis

8th y 8 Conall Yates InGear Quickvit RT

9th y 83 Jerone Walters VC St Raphael

10th y 57 Peter Cole Handsling Racing

11th y 19 Vincent Halpern Handsling Racing

19th y 66 Simon Whiten Handsling Racing

28th y 90 Robert Enslin Handsling Racing

Vince Halpern's Trigon RQC29

2012-01-16T23:02:00.001Z

Vince has finally gotten his Trigon RQC29 team bike finished and raced it last weekend at the Hillingdon Winter Series.

Great to see all four riders on team bikes at the race last Saturday - just need to get Vince's team shorts sorted now!

Vince has kitted his bike out with full Dura Ace and, after the race, was very happy with the ride, raving about the stiffness, the cornering stability and sheer speed. Indeed the only rider to beat him in the sprint was Peter Cole, also Trigon RQC29 mounted!

We'll get a camera on his bike for next week...

Dad racing: First chaingang

2012-01-16T22:45:00.001Z

Paul Hopkins is hard at it, preparing for the season. You can read his blog here:

Dad racing: First chaingang: First chaingang of the year. I fed the kids, got changed, dumped kids and bike in the back of the car, then drove to station. Other half tak...

Hillingdon Winter Series Crash in E123

2012-01-13T21:38:00.000Z

On New Years Eve at the Hillingdon Winter Series in the E123 race there was a crash on the hairpin. As you'll see, I was too far back to see exactly what happened but a few riders came down. No one was hurt but next time round one rider from race sponsor Windymilla can be seen taking a swipe at the other rider and having to be held back by some spectators...so obviously there was a bit of disagreement over whose fault it was!

Leadout Hillingdon Winter Series 17th Dec

2012-01-13T18:54:00.001Z

This is the 3rd race in the Imperial Winter Series and here I tried to give Peter Cole a leadout, as he was lying 3rd overall in the series. A break of two were up the road so he needed to do a decent sprint. Team mate Vince Halpern was just behind me, and after I pulled over, was left to lead Pete to the line.

We reeled in one late escapee from the Windymilla team but unfortunately, with my legs dying completely at 200m to go, I didn't even have the strength left to film the final sprint to the line.

I can tell you that Pete was 3rd in this bunch sprint though, which was 5th in the race...

Video of Hillingdon Winter Series New Years Eve 2011 Bunch Sprint

2012-01-13T15:25:00.000Z

If this looks slow it was. The break had long gone and the fight had gone out of the bunch. Pete and Vince can be seen going for the sprint, and Rob features at the start and finish. Good to have four riders out in January. Personally, I felt rough, found the race hard and though I didn't know it at the time, had the flu. A week off the bike was to follow...

Hillingdon Winter Series 7th Jan Results

2012-01-09T21:44:00.000Z

E123 Race of the Imperial RT Hillingdon Winter Series

1st y 21 Jamie Pine London Dynamo 1 200
2nd y 72 Andy Betts Felt Colbornes RT E 150
3rd y 83 Jerone Walters VC St Raphael 2 130
4th y 8 Conall Yates InGear Quickvit RT 2 120
5th y 32 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon 3 110
6th y 9 Adam Brittain High Wycombe CC 2 100
7th y 25 Pete Wager Felt-Colbornes RT 1 90
8th y 87 Tom Smith Felt Colbornes E 80
9th y 17 Rory Townsend Prestige VC 2j 70
10th y 19 Vincent Halpern Handsling Racing 1 60
11th y 46 Steve Legg Police Sport UK 2 50
12th y 57 Peter Cole Handsling Racing 3 40
13th y 20 Phil Holloway Southend Wheelers 2 30
14th y 27 Steve Golla High Wycombe 2 20
15th y 66 Simon Whiten Handsling Racing 3 10

Hillingdon Winter Series 7th Jan Bunch Sprint

2012-01-08T21:29:00.000Z

Place	No.		Club/Team
1st	y 21	Jamie Pine	London Dynamo
2nd	y 87	Tom Smith	Felt Colbornes RT
3rd	y100	Liam Stones	Team Corley
4th	y 27	Steve Golla	High Wycombe RT
5th	y 32	Chris Moores	Norwood Paragon
6th	y 17	Rory Townsend	Prestige VC
7th	y 47	Nicholas Baker	Zappis
8th	y 8	Conall Yates	InGear Quickvit RT
9th	y 83	Jerone Walters	VC St Raphael
10th	y 57	Peter Cole	Handsling Racing
11th	y 19	Vincent Halpern	Handsling Racing
19th	y 66	Simon Whiten	Handsling Racing
28th	y 90	Robert Enslin	Handsling Racing