Wessex League Spring Dates

zoom gordo

Barnsfield Heath 13th March

Barnsfield Heath 20th March

Details here:
http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/02 ... gue-is-go/
Pre-enter here:
http://www.entryweb.co.uk/

jibberjim

What's the course like? We're driving past that way on the 20th so could maybe try it out?

zoom gordo

A 3 mile tarmac course with a (fairly) gentle hill, a couple of haipins and a few sweepers.
All traffic free and with a good surface.

“There’s no greater off road circuit in the country from what I’ve heard. Most circuits are a mile long at most and this is 3 miles. Its got a hill in it, a few twisty corners, its got everything you need.” According to Cervelo pro Daniel Lloyd. (http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/category/daniel-lloyd/)

jerry3571

I always go on about his circuit.
If they use the outfield then there is a U bend and chicane which can stretch the race out. Also the race will depend on which way round they go. There is a short steep climb on one side and a long drag the other. If you go up the steep side, then try to hold on as it goes over the top as this is where breaks are made. Also the chicane after, in the woods, is tricky if you get stuck behind a nervous rider.
It's many times better and harder than Castle Coombe, Thruxton, Merryfield etc.
I'm too fat to bother and have had a 3 week cold so no go for me.

-Jerry

jibberjim

So it actually looks like there's a road race down in Exeter on the sunday, so now whilst I'm still driving past, there's also an option for a race on the sunday, so I guess it's a question of do I want to get my arse kicked by a load of west country 2nd cats who'd probably all be 1st if they lived in the south east and had 6 races a week to do, or do I want to go up against the 3rd cats here.

Or maybe just do both?

jerry3571

I think if the right guys turn up who want to race then Barnsfeild could be a hard course.
As an MOD car testing track, there (depends on the course they choose) could be lots of sharp bends which could be used to try to break the field up. Barnsfield isn't like Thruxton or Castle Combe where it is possible to stay in the bunch or at the back and hope for a gallop in the last 100 yards, which doesn't make for a hard race.
If you haven't done Barnsfield and they choose the right course then it's a fantastic circuit.
The Entrance is opposite Christchurch Ski Centre, Matchams Road. (look on Google Maps)
If you look on the Satellite the outfield is the figure 8 that you see and the sharp rise/hill is where Foxbury Road turns into Hill Road.
Great stuff!

-Jerry

zoom gordo

Verwood Road Race Sunday 28th march.

preview here:

http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/03 ... e-preview/

enter here:

http://www.entryweb.co.uk/event.asp?id=261

This goes past the Gotham Heavy Horse Center. If I had my way, the race would be called the 'Gotham Grand Prix' and everyone would have to wear batman capes but hey, no one listens to me.

gattocattivo

My in-laws live in Poole and whenever we visit I take my bike down and go riding around the area. I've been round Cranborne and Verwood several times and passed very close to Barnsfileld (past the airport heading to Sopley and the New Forest).

I'll probably be down in Dorset for a few days after Easter and for a week or so in August. Are there any events then that I could enter? (I'm only a 4th cat at the moment)

zoom gordo

Full list of events here:

http://www.entryweb.co.uk/calendar.asp

Theres a time trial on Good Friday and the Martyrs Road Race on the Sunday, though I wouldn't recommend the latter for a fourth cat (100km, elite category).
Should be plenty of races in August, there's the Dorset Tour and there'll be a weekly TLI Thursday evening series running out of Moreton. Nothing to do with the Wessex League but a good little series none the less.
Best thing to do is get on the mailing list: send a blank email to newsletter-subscribe@bcsouth.org.uk and you should get regular updates.

gattocattivo

cheers

zoom gordo

Race report here:
http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/03 ... it-130310/
Race results here:
http://www.entryweb.co.uk/event.asp?id=259

proto

[proud dad] My son rode in the 3/4 race. Ended up in a bunch sprint with one guy a couple of seconds off the front. Son came in 15th. Not bad for a 4th Cat, and his first proper race (Hillingdon circuit doesn't count) [/proud dad]

zoom gordo

^^ That is a kick-ass jersey Mr Proto!

Any way, now... the video: http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/03 ... -on-video/

We're planning on having it like the tour series [Irony disclaimer - we're not really]

proto

zoom gordo wrote:

^^ That is a kick-ass jersey Mr Proto!

LOL. I told him he was lucky not to get disqualified for not wearing a club jersey (High Wycombe CC)

zoom gordo

the latest, very soggy, endeavour:

http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/03 ... -20032010/

zoom gordo

First PROPER race, at Verwood last Sunday:

http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/03 ... -28-03-10/

zoom gordo

martyrs road race report

http://wessexvelo.wordpress.com/2010/04 ... ce-040410/

zoom gordo