Author: hydey

  • MSG Round 8 Hadleigh Park by Robert Staines

    Sunday 27th September 2015

    It was the final race of the season on a beautiful autumn day. All the Youth team were racing and lots of other members of the club also entered the race at our home track. Going into the race I was lying 3rd in the series only needing a good result on the day to guarantee the 3rd. The decision was taken that as a team we would work together to help me to achieve this goal.

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    On the morning of the race I went through my usual routine before a race and headed off to the track. The rest of team arrived along with the other club members racing. We went out on a warm up lap and Jake broke a spoke during the lap. He then spent some time replacing the spoke with help from Chris Hyde and our Eastern Region friends, Mike Hoy and Neil Jarvis, whilst the rest of the team warmed up. There was a problem fixing it and it was touch and go whether he would make it to the starting grid. Fortunately it was fixed just in time and we made our way to the grid.

    We were gridded and then the race started. We all fought for position on the first lap where gaps between riders started to appear. Connor had a mechanical issue at the end of the first lap and stopped at the pits for help, once fixed he carried on.

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    At the end of the second lap our positions started to settle, I was in 1st with Jake not too far behind me battling for 3rd. On the third lap I pulled out a lead which I maintained until the finish. I finished in 1st, unfortunately Jake was just beaten on the line and came in 4th with George in 6th, Harry 7th, Wade 9th and Connor 10th. This was my second podium of the season which consolidated my 3rd place in the series.

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    Hadleigh Mountain Bike Club had their best turn out of riders this season in all categories and all of the riders did very well on what was a very hard course, probably the toughest course of the year.

    Thank you to all of our sponsors, Hardnutz, Duck Smart and Rubena Tyres for all the support this season and a special thanks to the MSG team for putting on a great series and to all the great marshals for making these events happen.

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  • Mud Sweat & Gears – PORC 6th Sept ember 2015

     

    Although this race is not part of the Eastern Region series some of us in the Club decided to enter and venture south of the river for a change of scenery.  We arrived at PORC early and set off to find the event village and sign on for the race.  It was a long walk from the car park but we managed to find the event arena and then made the long walk back to collect our bikes and equipment.

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    We then set off on a practise lap which included some very fast flowing downhills and some very steep uphills.  Once we arrived back in the arena we started to prepare for the race and warm up.  Soon it was time for gridding and Matt called us forward in no particular order with Harry and George on the front row and me on the second row with Wade behind me on the third row in the Youth race.  Behind us Adam was gridded in the Juvenile race.  The race for us was 4 laps long.

    The whistle went to start the race and we all started to fight for positions up the first hill.  Groups started to form and gaps started to appear and we settled down for the 4 laps.  I was in the leading group closely followed by George with Wade and Harry behind him.  The race win came down to a sprint finish between me and 2 other riders, I came in third 2 seconds behind the winner and 1 second behind the second placed rider.  Then George came over the line in fifth, Wade in seventh and Harry in tenth.  Adam came 6th in the Juvenile race.

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    After our race had finished Mason and Daniel raced in the under 9 category.  Daniel came 1st with Mason in 7th place. Overall the day was a success with 2 Hadleigh boys on the podium. 

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    For the first event over in South East region it was well organised as usual by the Mud Sweat and Gears team.  Thank you to all our sponsors, Duck Smart, Hardnutz and Rubena.  I used the Hyperion tyres for this race and they gripped really well on the wet and slippery grass but still had enough speed on the flat dusty fire roads.

    By Robert Staines

  • Injury Prevention Evening – Harry Bates

     

    Bianca Broadbent is a chartered physiotherapist and trained RETUL bike fitter. She was asked to come in to talk to the youth and other adult HMTBC members about injury prevention and correct bike fitting. It took part in the classroom at Hadleigh Park.

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    Bianca’s presentation was given in two parts; injury prevention strategies and basic bike positions and troubleshooting.

    She started by explaining what happens to our bodies when we train and what factors can cause injury. There is a fine balance between overload and overtraining and it’s important to know and listen to our bodies. She explained the importance of warming up and warming down correctly and how it’s better to do dynamic stretching rather than static stretching as this is better for your muscles. After that, she spoke about training intensities and which levels are best depending on what training you are doing e.g. low intensity exercise is better for recovery but high intensity exercise is better for race preparation.

    Her talk then went on to recovery. Recovery rides are something we should consider when we race a lot and so is the correct nutrition, both before and after the race. She said that we didn’t have to spend lots on protein recovery shakes as chocolate Nesquik is just as good!

    After some questions and answers from the group, Bianca spoke about the importance of fitting your bike properly.  Places that can become injured over time due to poor bike set up include the knees, lower back, upper back and neck.  Saddle height and position, handlebars, cleat position and crank and stem length can all be adjusted to ensure your ride is comfortable and is in the correct position for your body.

    At the end, Bianca told us about ways in which we could maintain a strong riding position. We can do this by improving our core muscles and by doing some strength and conditioning training. Yoga or Pilates is also useful to do for a strong core. Foam rollers are a helpful tool to improve a person’s stretch, balance and core muscle strength. They can also be used as part of massage therapy.

    Overall, I think everyone found the evening informative and interesting.

    Thank you Bianca for giving up your time to talk to us.

  • Hadleigh MTB Club Summer Coaching

    All,

    I know a lot of you have been waiting for this, so here it is:

    We are going to be starting coaching again next week and throughout the summer for Hadleigh MTB Club members and non members.

    There will be lots of different sessions to choose from details are listed below:

    Female only coaching:
    3 sessions progressive, consecutive Saturdays 9-11am (check calendar for dates)
    These will be designed for female riders who are looking to improve core skills, learn some new skills and progress to riding most sections of the track
    Initial sessions will be on the Skills Area progressing to the track depending on the level everyone gets to
    Please try to book all three sessions
    Cost per session: £Free (members only)

    Junior coaching 6-12 years:
    In addition to our Go Ride sessions which will be advertised VERY soon, we will be offering series’ of sessions for Juniors.
    3 sessions progressive, consecutive Saturdays 9-11am (check calendar for dates)
    Junior sessions will be announced soon, once the Go Ride dates are firmed up.  These sessions will cover core MTB skills and possibly some features of the track depending on attendees and skill levels.
    Cost per session: £Free (members only)

    Adult coaching:
    Every Thursday evening generic skills sessions  6-8pm (2 hours)
    These sessions will be the same as last year and cover a range of MTB skills.
    We will not be announcing what we will do each week but the sessions will be more aimed at those new to MTB and those looking to brush up on core skills (Cornering, Manuals, Wheel Lifts, Bunny Hop, Pumping etc).
    We will do a couple of skills each week and try our best not to make anything too repetitive if you attend multiple sessions.
    If we have less than 4 booked by any given Weds evening we will reschedule to the following week.
    Cost per session:  £10 (members)  £15 (non-members)

    Every Saturday morning on the track  10:30 12:30pm (2 hours)
    These sessions will be one of the following:
    Led ride of the track taking in (and demoing) all features with time to ride each one.
    Individual feature sessions allowing you to hone your skills on one or two features.
    Skills sessions providing more advanced skills using the features of the track rather than the skills area

    The content of each session will be announced early in the week on the club calendar: http://www.hadleighmtbclub.co.uk/Calendar.html Please refer to club calendar for content before booking
    If we have less than 4 booked by any given Friday evening we will reschedule to the following week.
    Cost per session:  £10 (members)  £15 (non-members)

    Saturdays and Sundays depending on Ride Leader Availability (check the booking system). 10am to 1pm (3 hours)
    Led rides of the track:
    These will be organised by our ride leaders and coaches as often as possible.
    Led rides of the track are designed for those who are new to Hadleigh Park or those who need to build some confidence of the features.  The ride will take in all the features with time to ride each one.
    Cost per session:  £15 (members)  £25 (non-members)

    Bookings for all of the above can be made here: http://skillscoaching.hadleighmtbclub.co.uk

    The booking site will be updated over the coming days with all sessions.

    In addition to all of the above, coaches can be booked for individual or group sessions to suit you and we can cover anything above, on the skills area, the track or even further afield if you wanted to go to a trail centre or other venue.  Please contact info@hadleighmtbclub.co.uk for details and pricing.

    All of the above is subject to modification as we see how it all pans out and some changes may be needed due to coach availability.

    Any questions on any of the above, please shout.

    Chris

  • MSG Round 4 Hadleigh Farm – by Robert Staines

     

    The weekend started for George and I with the Aspire on Saturday.  We got to the track nice and early to help set up the course before the Aspire started.  The Aspire started at 10.00 and we focused on core skills for example cornering, front wheel and rear wheel lifts and pumping.  In the afternoon session we rode the course with our coach and looked at the features ready for the race on Sunday. 

    The course was very different to how we had previously ridden it, Matt and Graham had made the course harder by adding in more climbs.  It had some interesting sections but was very fun and enjoyable to ride.  Once we got back from the pre-ride we thought about tyres for the race on Sunday.

    The day of the race arrived and we got to the course early so that we could ride a lap just to check if there had been any changes from the day before.  We were joined on the ride by Harry and Connor.  We got back to the event village to find we had been joined by several other members of the club who were also riding in the race.  We welcomed them to the Gazebo and talked about the race ahead.  The time soon came round to warm up on our rollers and get to the gridding. IMG_2927

    We were gridded ready to start at 10.00.  The ladies and girls went off first, followed by the Youth and Juvenile boys, then the open men.  The whistle blew and we were off.  Harry unfortunately broke his chain on the start but he made it to the technical zone and was able to repair it with some help.  But, in doing so he lost valuable time. 

    The race was extremely hard as the sun was bearing down on us throughout the race.  This made it almost unbearable at times but we managed to pull through. 

    The race was won by Daniel Tulett who is the current National Champion second was Harry Yates who is on the ODA so we were up against a very strong field.  I finished in 8th, George came in 12th, Connor was 16th and Harry was 20th.  George was competing in his second race of the season after his thumb injury.  There were several other members of the club who raced in the morning all doing the club proud.

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    We then watched the under 9 race wher e the club were also represented and the riders again did the club proud.

    We stayed to watch the afternoon race which made a change for us to be watching rather than racing.  The race was very hot and as a result was a very hard race.  The club was again represented by several riders who all did well.

    There are so many people to thank, all the volunteers who marshalled and helped set up the course and the event village, without you the event could not happen.  David Brittney and family for the hotdogs and cake.  Also thank you to all the supporters who came and watched the races.

    Thanks go out to our sponsors particularly Matthew Lane from Rubena Tyres for his advice and guidance, it’s great to see him come along and give us his support.  Also thanks to Duck Smart for the cleaning products and Hardnutz Helmets for our helmets.

    Also thank you to all the coaches for the Aspire session and particularly to Steve Manser for his hard work in arranging it.  Also thanks to Matt, Graham and the MSG team for all their hard work in organising the event. The event was a huge success and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.

  • Hadleigh Farm MSG – Race Report by Mason Porter

     

    Three of us raced this weekend in the U9 skills session and race.  Daniel Cavalla, Ethan Waldren and me Mason Porter.

    My race weekend started Saturday at our home race Hadleigh when I went to the track with Dad to help set up ready for the racing on Sunday.  I was there with all the other volunteers and helped to put up the main tent and the Hadleigh MTB gazebo.  I also went and watched some of the older racers practicing on triple trouble while i left Dad working.  I didnt know lots of people did so much before the race though.

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    Sunday came and i had a good pre-race breakfast Weetabix mmmmmmm.  Dad took me and my bike in the car and we met Mummy and my sister later on who came to support us along with my nanny and granddad.

    The skills session started at 10am and i was in a group with Daniel and Ethan.  The first part of our skills were how to go round the berms and tabletops. Our coach was teaching us to keep our outside pedal down on the berms to get the bike into the berms more for more grip, then keep the pedals in the ready position which is both feet level.  Once we finished we moved over to the pump track and the coaches were teaching us how to pump the bike over the humps.  I tried to pedal not very much but it was hard trying to use my arms and legs to push the bike along down the bumps.  Next was back to the skills area to do the rock garden, we did the section I normally ride up with Dad, but it was fun going down as well.  It was hard going down the rocks and keeping my arms floppy on my bike because i don’t have front suspension.  Dad tells me Chris Hyde said it would be better for me to learn without front suspension though.  Once we finished it was race time after a break, i couldn’t wait to get going though and Dad kept telling me to wait and get off my bike.

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    The race was fun and I think I went faster than last time at Carver Barracks thanks to practicing with the older boys.  I started in the middle of everyone next to Ethan and Daniel was at the back because he wasn’t gridded. When we started i was worried about crashing into people so I let some go.  Dad says I should have just tried to go faster past them and not been so nice.  Once we had some space I went faster and I loved overtaking people when I had space taking one boy I didn’t think I’d catch on the curved back part.  Daniel overtook me when i got stuck behind a wobbly girl but that was ok because he is in my team.  I don’t know where any of us came, but I really really enjoyed racing and want to do it more and more.

    Race report by

    Mason Porter (with a bit of typing help from Dad)    

  • Travers Potash Spring Classic

    On Sunday 26th April, Harry Bates, Robert Staines and I competed at the Potash Spring Classic.

    It was a one hour race consisting of nine laps, mainly single track in Potash woods. The conditions were made very slippery by a few hours of rain on the morning of the race but thanks to running the Rubena Kratos tyres grip was no problem. Rob went for the slightly slicker, intermediate option and was once again the only person in the country to be riding on the Hyperion, whereas Harry chose speediest tyres and stuck with the Scylla.

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    This was my first race back after nine weeks out due to a ripped ligament in my thumb, so it was nice to be back on the racing scene with all the support from everyone. Although I had to be safe and take it easy, Rob was up front battling for first place and after a long tough battle came home with second. I took fourth and Harry was very close behind in fifth. After a hard race it was time to un-strap our HardnutZ helmets  and make the short journey home to then get the bikes looking clean and smelling lovely with DuckSmart.

    By George Crocombe

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  • Duck Smart Cleaning Products

    This winter, some of the Hadleigh Youth Race Team continued training by competing in the Maldon cyclo-cross races. This meant that all of our bikes got very muddy. The arrival of the quality Duck Smart cleaning products couldn’t have come at a better time!

    We use the Earth Mover the most because it removes all dirt, grime, oil and grease. Also, it is safe to use on nearly every part of your bike including: Paint, carbon fibre, rubber, brake pads, seals, chrome, aluminium and titanium.

    All of the Duck Smart cleaning products make every part of our bikes look good from the matte carbon fibre frames to the shiny aluminium components and the rubber compound tyres. Plus, who doesn’t love their bike smelling fruity?

    Here are some pictures of my sparkling clean bikes:clip_image002

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    Review by – Harry Bates

  • MS&G 2015 Round 3: Henham park

    The weekend started on Saturday for Rob as he was going to the aspire coaching ran by Steve Manser. On Saturday Rob did core skills and then rode the course to see what it was like. The course was smooth, quick and running well, with a few tricky climbs and descents thrown in.

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    On Sunday we all woke up early to make the two hour journey to the event. When we arrived Rob, Luke and Connor set about doing a warm up lap. During the warm up lap Connor was complaining that his arms hurt, so Connor decided to go home to check out if his injury was serious. With Harry in New York, George with his injury and Connor with his, this left Rob and Luke to do it for the youths, with George made as camera man for the day, all was in hand. Rob finished the race in fourth and Luke in tenth. With Matt taking forty forth in the men’s category after starting last unfortunately because of a puncture at the start of the race.

    Thanks to our sponsors, Duck Smart, Rubena tyres and Hardnutz helmets for your support

    By – Robert Staines

  • MTB XC Nationals Round 2: Newnham park

    The race started when I, my mum and my dad woke up on Saturday morning at the crack of dawn to go to the race. We woke at about five to get on the road by half six. The long five hour journey was painfully boring but we made it. Once we was there we signed on and I hit the course. After taking two hours to do one lap of the course as it was so technical, we decided to go  and watch the race so we could look at the lines taken by the men. The reason we did this was even a British cycling coach said it was as hard as a world cup course. After this I went out again to home in all the features and the course in general. Ready for Sunday.

    We went to the hotel to settle down for a spot of dinner and a good nights rest. We woke again at the crack of dawn to go to the circuit nice and early so I could prepare for the race.

    The sound of rollers started and that meant my warm up and everyone else’s had begun. I sat on the grid anxious but ready for what laid ahead of me. The first lap was very hectic and manic where I ended up loosing a lot of time but I then settled down to take 31st. The course was very hard, the hardest race i have ever rode and because of this there was quite a few retirements.

    Thanks to Duck Smart for keeping my bike so clean. I would also like to thank Hardnutz helmets for protecting me on such a technical course and also thanks to Rubena tyres for keeping me upright on my bike. Also thanks to Matthew Lane for helping me with that tyre set up.

    By – Robert Staines