Sheffield University Cycling Club

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After the humiliating defeat last year the cycling club upped their game in 2010 and smashed Sheffield Hallam in the downhill and cross country to assure victory even before all the events have been completed.

The BMX race is to be held this wednesday afternoon.

The mens cross country victory was secured by club captain and newly wed Mike Guilford, xc captain and cramp lover Eóin Elliott and Will 'high peak sucks' Farnsworth.
In the female event road captain turned freeride star Helen Clayton raced to victory against a Hallam team so off the pace they've yet to cross the finish line.
The race was held in the exotic Ae Forest in Scotland on a course designed to test racers ability to stay awake for the duration. Thankfully the DH boys were on hand to provide some new exciting lines which Hallam struggled cope with after too much road training blunted their skills.

Unfortunately the road event didn't quite go to plan for a road team with a few notable absences. Despite a stunning 35 second victory by xc captain Eóin Elliott in the hillclimb, and a spirited team time trail performance by a reduced 3 man team (against Hallam's 5), Hallam took the points.

The downhill event was held on world champion downhill rider Steve Peat's very own trails in Wharncliffe woods. This fiercely competitive event had plenty of drama with big crashes and pinch flats marring runs for competitors of both universities. Thankfully some consistent quick runs from donk fan Ed Thomsett, Andy Fowles and Sam Hill lover Dominic Haines snatched the victory from Hallam by a few hundredths of a second.

The biggest event of the year, the BUCS cross country and downhill races are drawing near so its time for us all to let our competitive sides shine and get racing.

The races are split into two categories, sport and championships, with the top four riders from each university entered into the championships.
This means the (ever so slightly) less competitive sport race is open to everyone, no matter what the bike or ability. The xc has even been done on a 16" wheeled kids bike...and he didn't come last!

This year for cross country in the month leading up to the event we're organising weekly 'ghetto races,' which were introduced with great success last year.
These handicapped short course races are great practice and more importantly, great fun. We've got a slightly different format this year and some fast technical trails lined up. Bring a bike and your lactic tolerance.

There will be downhill practice races organised at the weekends and regular trips to wharncliffe. These will include a seeding race to select the top four riders for the championships.

Please check the forum for details.

Sheffield gallantly battled it out on the mile long Curbar Gap road, at times in some gruesome weather conditions, in a brave attempt to retain their hill climbing champions’ title.

Well done to all involved, some excellent times were recorded by both the women and the men, but sadly in the end Durham and Leeds Met took the team titles in the Men’s and the Women’s categories respectively.

A special prize for submitting false information and generally putting off the opposition goes to: Former road captain Andy Steel!

Helen showing the lads what suffering in pursuit of glory really is. Quicker every year she's raced this hill, hints she's going to win it next year.

Rachel doggedly battling on despite her fiancés mechanical sabotage.

Captain Michael knocking 24seconds off last years time for an impressive 25th place.

Seasoned professional Ben giving it some pasty. Sadly his lucrative sponsorship deal wouldn't allow him to wear his prized Sheffield kit.

XC Captain Eóin gasping his way to the top to give the roadies a basting on their home turf. He attributes being six seconds slower than last year to reducing his training to sitting on the couch eating cake.

Photos courtesy of Will1985CC on Flickr

Results:
9 Helen Clayton Sheffield 08:45
23 Holly Thompson Sheffield 11:41
25 Rachel Mills Sheffield 12:19
29 Lauren Cadman Sheffield 13:19

16 Eóin Elliott Sheffield 06:17
25 Michael Guilford Sheffield 06:27
61 Ben Thomas Sheffield 07:03
108 Andrew Cater Sheffield 07:56
108 Edward Harris Sheffield 07:56
136 Luke Johnson Sheffield 09:06

Full results sheet available on the BUCS website

An excellent afternoons racing with a fantastic atmosphere; We hope to see you all next year, even if you're not racing!

The Cycle Challenge runs from the 9th till the 22nd of November with the aim of encouraging more people to enjoy riding bikes around Sheffield.
Perhaps the greatest thing about it is that it's a competition...and we like competitions!

The department/faculty with the most number of participants and miles cycled wins and there are spot prizes along the way.

To register and find out more visit the website:
www.sheffieldunicyclechallenge.org.uk/

The BUCS hillclimb is being held at Curbar gap in Derbyshire on Saturday 24th of October.

Sheffield are the defending team champions having smashed the competition last year with three consistent rides including a 3rd place individual finish from Kit Gillam.

This year we will be without both Kit and Andy Steel, requiring new riders to come through and put in some big efforts to maintain our title.

If you're not competing why not come along to soak up the atmosphere and shout encouragement at riders trying to turn themselves inside out in pursuit of that sub 6 minute climb.
Best of all there is a pub at the bottom of the hill...recovery drinks all round?

WELCOME to University of Sheffield Cycling Club, 2009-2010.

Hopefully you've already met us at the Freshers Sports Fair and you're as excited as we are to get out riding as soon as possible!

In case you've forgotten or haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting us and getting the whole marketing spiel reeled off at you, here are some of the many fantastic things we're offering

Become a member for:
Twice weekly rides led by our ride leaders,
beginners skills coaching,
entry into the student champs races (BUCS),
trips to the greatest locations in Britain and Europe,
training advice from seasoned pros and regular training sessions,
heavily discounted team kit,
wild socials throughout the year,
chilled dvd sessions,
free insurance and British Cycling membership,
workshop training in conjunction with recyclebikes,

All this for a meagre £15 for the whole year!

To join come along to one of our regular rides either on a Wednesday afternoon or Sunday morning or send us an email to cycling@sheffield.ac.uk

The forum is the best way to keep in touch with other members and keep up to date on informal activities and events.

The Calendar and News Feed give you information about Club events coming up and so you don’t miss anything - this now integrates with you university email calendar.

and remember, freshers ride THIS WEDNESDAY 30th of September... see you there!

BUCS road race report written by Ben Thomas:

The BUCS Road Race 2009 took place on a windy, rainy Lincolnshire Saturday with and myself making the journey down. After a short pre-race briefing, where the organisers knocked a lap off the race distance taking the total distance from 94miles to about 80miles, we got underway.

The 4mile neutralised section went on a bit longer than anticipated as two riders crashed due to the constant slowing and accelerating near the back of the bunch. At about 11:20 the race finally got underway with a few attacks almost right from the gun. 2 riders were away and built up a lead of 1:30ish over main group.
The back section of the course had few tight bends and meant the tailwind couldn't be fully used. As we went onto the back straight the mother of all headwinds hit for the next 4-5miles as the leaders gap was cut down. Turning left onto hill up to the finish line gave us a distinct de ja vu feeling of the peak district as a multilevel beast stood before us. Perhaps not usually a bad climb but as the race was in the left hand gutter due to the severe cross wind several riders were dropped at the bottom.

As the road continued to rise up the strongest riders created a gap that only few could follow. The top of the hill involved a short (70-80m) Winnats Pass type section that really kicked up just before the feed zone and this is what kicked me out the back on only the first lap. Jamie managed to cut his losses and re integrated the front group quickly over the top. I managed to work with two Oxford riders to try and get back on but the front group were obviously much stronger. As our chase group began to swell with riders catching up from behind the chase really began. Only 3 of us were working through and off for the first half of the second lap, steadily reducing the front groups lead. As we raced along the headwind back straight a few more people were pulling through but there wasn't enough coherence to really make it worth while. Too many riders were sitting in and still only 3 of us were coming through consistently. I found this my undoing as my legs totally gave on the second time up the hill and I saw half the group sail away in front. The lead group was almost within touching distance but the gap extended over the top of the hill. I found myself along at the start of the third lap, the stronger riders pulling away in a group and the weaker ones too far back for me to wait for to make another chase. At this point my cold from the previous week was really making an appearance and at the end of the 3rd lap I called it a day. I was out of the points and not likely to recover!

Jamie on the other hand was having a great day and stuck with the lead group until 2 laps to go. I last saw him towards the end of the penultimate lap making his two chase companions suffer as they moved towards the HILL. At this point I had made my way back to HQ to warm up and get my free can of Red Bull (don't know whether it was free but no one was guarding the huge multipack!!). Jamie slumped in a cool 22nd place, just outside of the BC points but still a fantastic result.

Many people had retired early due to a combination of the weather and the course so perhaps only half the field had finished at the end of the day.

"It was the toughest race I've ever done" commented Jamie as we packed away.

Too right...the top 10 was littered with riders who consistently ride Premier Calendar Events or are sponsored 2nd/1st Cats.
Next year...more Sheffield riders to fly the flag...There was all standards of riders there not just the real race horses. As has been the tradition for the BUSA RR down the years, the real trick is just finishing the race not matter how far back you are. Hopefully I won’t develop a cold just days before the next race!
I propose to organise some racing trips, say to Darley Moor and we can get ourselves in shape for next years race.

Many thanks to Jamie who came and collected me from Grantham Station and took me to the race so I could do it and for taking me back to Loughborough station after the race.

This is suitable for all 'off roadies' who want to have a go
- Its back to basics, pace will be slow and very easy going
- We'll be heading out to do a small circuit in the peaks
- There will be hills (ups and downs) but nothing to be worried about
- We can help you make sure you've got your bike set up properly and assist you
with general maintenance stuff as well as offering some basic tuition if its
needed

Its going to be good fun so please come along. (come on girls I know there are
some female XCers out there!!)

Please bring a helmet, a drink, waterproof jacket in case and a bit of food
(cereal bar for example)

The Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday May 14th in the South Seas pub in Broomhill.

This meeting will include voting for the 2009-10 Committee.

If you feel that you can help run the club why not put yourself forward and become a member of one of the fastest growing, innovative and exciting clubs at the university.

Candidates usually give a little speech outlining what they would like to achieve at the start of the evening.

The available positions are:
- Captain
- Vice XC captain
- Vice DH captain
- Vice Road captain
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Social Secretary

Even if you don't want to be part of the committee come along, cast your vote and enjoy the banter with a few drinks.

So see you all there! Plus there will be beer, a club round and
drink/food deals on route to Fuzz.

The cross country and downhill BUCS (student championships) were held at the UK Bike Park in Dorset.
There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the weekend with lots of banter between the universities and huge crowds turning out to hurl abuse, shout encouragement and airhorn the riders.

Downhill

The downhill course proved to be surprisingly difficult with off camber roots and super slippery chalky corners encouraging a huge percentage of riders to make good use of the padding around the trees.

The road gap at the top of the course claimed a few victims as they popped over the lip only to find they were landing into someone’s broken up patio. The nature of the course meant there were no certainties and few clean runs.

Sheffield’s Ruari Hallam rode his way to an astounding 18th place in his first ever BUCS race despite a stack on his second run, commenting “I was out there to hold it wide open and pin some drifts.” Definitely one to watch for the future.

Skinsuit enthusiast Edd Wright railed his way down the course on a borrowed bike two sizes too small for him, complaining his baggy kit was holding him back after practicing in his favourite skinsuit, which gained him huge respect from the adoring crowd.

Franky Fitzpatrick cruised his way to 45th place. He looking slightly bewildered at the sight of a steep hill, having been brought up in the flatlands of Liverpool, but demonstrated how fast riders can learn after just six months in Sheffield.

Ed Thomsett bowlegged his way to 54th position claiming he was “in it solely for the air time and admiration.” However the appearance of his lime green speedsuit in his practice runs would suggest that he was taking it more seriously than he was letting on.

Other noteworthy performances came from Dale Hennessy who sadly got lost on both his runs and had to ask for directions, Pip Trenholme for focusing on providing banter for the raceheads and Henry Marsh for schooling over 50 riders on his hardtail.

Cross Country
The XC course was held in high regard by everyone; a fantastic technical descent switchbacked steeply down the hill over a sea of off camber roots and drops, whilst the top of the course made great use of the 4X and dual course providing a chance to throw down some style over the jumps and berms. The greasy, incredibly steep climb was a test of will power as much as physical strength and some tired riders [not from Sheffield I hasten to add] were spotted stopping for a spot of lunch at the half way stage.

Andy Douglas put in the ride of his life for his final year with some audacious overtaking manoeuvres on the rooty corners of the descent helping to push him up the leader board.
I made the most of what strength I could muster on the climbs and really enjoyed ripping up the descent: something we’ve practiced regularly in our biweekly rides into the Peak. I suffered on the climb but the anticipation of hitting the descent encouraged me to dig deeper and try to hang on until the singletrack.
Mike Guildford, who usually rides on the road, made mincemeat of the steep climb. Thanks to the excellent skills coaching provided by downhill captain Dom Haines, he survived the technical descent without losing too much skin and it was reported he was seen whipping it out over the enormous double at the bottom of the course.
Mike Jolley, our tame downhill rider, lugged his hangover and heavy Meta to the top of the climb before proceeding to nail back to the bottom with enough flair to make the rest of us look like amateurs and prove he wasn’t there to clown around.

Having competed in the downhill championship the day before on an ill fitting and unfamiliar bike, socials secretary Katie Hegmann battled through the fatigue on yet another ill fitting and unfamiliar bike to earn a hugely impressive tenth place in the female competition.

Sadly we narrowly missed out on the BUCS points, coming 11th in the team standings, but it’s certainly something to build on for future years.

Riders Comments:
David Mitchell:
"I have gone over and above the call of duty"
"Abseloutely mint weekend, so much fun. We destroyed the opposition with a 1st place for banter and carnage!!"
Edd Wright
"I was just stoked to be there"
Pip Trenholme
"Can I get a Yoooo Kaaaayyyyy..."
Mike Jolley
"...Biiiiiiyyyhhk Paaaaark?"

Race Commentator
"...ermmm...here comes a rider...its number ##...ermmm...here comes another rider...its..." [inspired commentry, truly inspired]

Our new club kit has now arrived!

Envisaged and designed by our in house designer, Edd 'arty but not gay' Wright, the kit showcases the University sports colours of black and gold, whilst proudly displaying the University Crest.

The kit is available exclusively to club members for £25 and is available in a short sleeved XC/road version or long sleeved DH jersey without the back pocket.

Non members should familiarise themselves with the logos on the back, as its all they're likely to see. If you're not with us, you're against us!