Dulwich Paragon Hill Climb
Dulwich Paragon is a friendly cycling club based in South London, dedicated to the serious and sporting cyclist. Road and circuit racing – and training for them – form a major part of our activities. But the club also competes on the track, in time-trials and in cyclo-cross events at all levels. Club members also participate in cyclo-sportives, at home and abroad, and we have some seriously dedicated long distance riders in our ranks.
Dulwich Paragon
Since 1935
Dulwich Paragon is a friendly cycling club based in South London, dedicated to the serious and sporting cyclist. Road and circuit racing – and training for them – form a major part of their activities. But the club also competes on the track, in time-trials and in cyclo-cross events at all levels. Club members also participate in cyclo-sportives, at home and abroad, and they have some seriously dedicated long distance riders in their ranks.
Every year the club mounts a number of promotions. They run the Wally Gimber Road Race, a National B event which is the opening road race of the season in the South East and is held in high regard by the country’s racing elite. In April the hugely popular Crystal Palace Crits kicks off the criterium series held every Tuesday evening in the summer in Paxton’s beautiful park. We also run events each year for the South East Road Race League (SERRL) the Surrey League (SL) the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC) and the London Women’s Cycle Racing league (LWCR). The club also co-promotes track events at the historic Herne Hill Velodrome in the heart of Dulwich village. There is a club hill-climb each autumn (followed the next day with a more lighthearted but keenly contested downhill freewheel competition) and a series of club 10-mile time trials on alternate Thursday evenings through the summer.
Perhaps the club’s most popular event is the sportive, The Ride of the Falling Leaves, which is held each October and attracts 500+ riders to a route that runs through some of the most beautiful parts of Kent – and includes several daunting climbs. This fully-supported 100 / 50km event starts with a lap of the Herne Hill Velodrome and finishes in Dulwich. All profits go to the Lavender Trust (breast cancer research) and thousands of pounds have been raised since it was inaugurated.
For more information go to the website here.
Six Day Cycling - London
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London hosts its 5th six day cycling event at the Lee Valley Velopark
The lights get turned down and the music turned up, as Six Day Cycling combines the very best in track cycling with an incredible party atmosphere. Expect the action to come thick and fast as the track centre DJ keeps the party going before, during and after the racing. With the men competing in teams of two across the six days, a women’s event across three days and the best Under 21 talent, you won’t want to miss out!
The Madison is the quintessential ‘Six Day’ event, invented at Six Day and named after Madison Square Gardens. With the Madison now part of the Olympic Games programme, both men and women will have Madison races in the Six Day Series. Riding in pairs, each team member takes turns to race, bringing his or her partner into the race with a ‘hand-sling’. Highly tactical, Six Day Madison races still concentrate on ‘taking a lap’ which is the traditional format and can lead to hugely tactical, as well as explosive racing.
Throughout a Six Day event there are differing versions of the race, including a 45 minute chase, a 500m Time Trial and the Madison Finale which often decide the entire event.
Other races include:
Elimination
Derny
Women’s Omnium
200m Time Trial
Keirin
Find out more here
A unique experience where you can mingle with the riders and cycling celebrities!
I purchased a hospitality ticket for the final day which gave me access to the centre of the track and the ability to watch from all different angles. You get to mix with some of the riders watch the awards up close and personal and of course a free bar with snacks! Tickets available from the website here
Unique Viewing experience
Mix with the riders
Access to the Madison Bar
Priority entrance
Free programme
Catford Hill Climb
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The Catford Hill Climb Classic - 'The Oldest Continuing Cycle Race in the World'
This prestigious event goes all the way back to 1886 and, with the exception of the war years, has been run ever since. Traditionally on the first Sunday in October. Prior to the formation of the RTTC (governing body) it was considered to be the 'Championship of All England' and still attracts the very leading 'Hill-Climb' riders from all over the country, be they professionals or amateurs.
The challenge is Yorks Hill, near Sevenoaks, Kent. A 707 yard climb with an average gradient of 12.5%, with two stretches of 25% which requires an all-out lung bursting effort to get up the climb. The current record of 1 minute 47.6 seconds was set by Phil Mason (San Fairy Ann CC) in 1983 and despite the inducement of various special prizes has not been broken for over 30 years! The San Fairy Ann CC, Phil's club offered to donate £250 to the rider who broke Phil's record on the 30th Anniversary of his record breaking ride - but it still remains. It is often felt that the record will stand the test of time as it was set in the year of the 'great storm' - hence that year there were very few trees on the hill and so, any 'tailwind' assisted the riders! But this is not true and Phil set it on a different year to the great storm!
This is not only a sporting spectacle viewed by many hundreds but is also a social occasion providing an opportunity for an annual cyclist's 'get together'.
The club produces a Programme for the event which is encouraged for all 'watchers' to buy, the Hill Climb runs at a considerable loss and any money generated allows them to still promote and run this very historic and prestigious event.
On the day!
I got there around 9 am managed to park up near the top of the hill and took a stroll to the finish line. It was not as busy as I thought but this was probably due to the weather threatening to rain all day.
There was a small area to the side of the finish line for riders and fans to congregate alongside a much needed burger van. The race started at 9:30 and it was great to see a real mixture of abilities attempting the hill and as the day went on there was more and more support for the riders. The seeded riders went towards the end of the day and there were some really great times considering the wet and debris laden road. The atmosphere was fun and family friendly and a good time was had by all especially as the rain held off. The eventual winner apparently was on course to take the record but had some trouble near the start. Maybe next year!
Arrive early for a car parking spot
Wrap up warm with wets for unpredictable weather
Best place to watch is near the top to see grimacing faces and the best cow bell / shouting experience
Seeded riders go towards the end of the race around 11:30/12.
Make sure you buy a programme or two as it is run at a loss to the organisers
Visit http://www.catfordcc.co.uk/events/hill_climb.aspx for more info and to apply for next year!
Ay Up! it's the UCI Worlds in Yorkshire.
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The 2019 UCI Road World Championships was the 92nd edition for road bicycle racing. It took place between 21 and 29 September 2019 in the historic county of Yorkshire, the fourth to be held in the United Kingdom.
Watching the very wet worlds on TV did not fill me with much hope of a sunny ride up north to take part in the excitement of the UCI worlds coming to the UK.
I traveled from London on the 28th to join up with Rapha and ride part of the course and watch the racing live at a pop up cafe they had arranged in town. The sun was out when I arrived to watch the women’s race which was won by Annemiek van Vleuten of the Netherlands.
It was predicted to rain the next day and rain very hard like it had done earlier in the week. And on this prediction the Rapha ride was canceled and the routes was shortened for the professionals. I decided to get the next train home and watch it from the dry comfort of my living room.
I changed my ticket no problem but was told the bike reservation was full. This did not make sense as I was leaving early evening and most people I predicted would have stayed to watch the racing anyway. I risked it and mine was the only bike on board!
You can find more info and results here
Itinerary:
Travelling with your bike on the trains can be painful. Try to be prepared as much as possible and phone ahead to confirm that there is space and that the route you have chosen accepts bike travel. Some local trains may not.
LNER train from Kings X to Leeds. Journey time 1h 44m. Bookable for bikes. Best bet is to phone them and book to confirm that there is space and get a reservation number.
Northern Rail train from Leeds to Harrogate. Journey time 35m. Bikes cannot be reserved on this train but the do provide space.
I stayed in a very nice Airbnb near the centre if town. Expect prices to be high for this event. Book as early as you can.
The Little Ale House on Cheltenham Crescent did a great Ale and pork Pie.
It was easy to change my train ticket with LNER to get home early but I was told the bike spaces were full. They were not and I am glad I risked it to avoid the weather!
Le Tour de France 2019
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Stages 16 and 17 of the Tour De France 2019.
I was able to be in France to see stages 16 and 17 of the TDF. Stage 16 started and finished in Niemes.
My plan was to head them off at the Pont du Gard then cycle down back towards Niemes to see them again. It was going to be a super hot day and I did a recce the day before but there was not much in the way of shade on the route.I found my soot they gave me a view of them approaching the Pont Du Gard and then a view of them as they crossed over it. The actual viaduct was closed off to spectators.I imagined it to be super busy with people on the day so arrived very early and to my surprise the place was pretty empty. I cycled over from Saint Victor le cost partly on some of the route passing fans in mobile homes getting their banners and bbq’s ready.
I had chosen my spot I was happy with where I was. I them decided to have a look from the other side just to make sure. As I was on the other side confirming I had initiualy made the right decision they closed off going back to the other side as the peleton was approaching. I was stuck. I was too close to the riders for a good shot and now too far away from the shot I wanted on the Pont Du Gard. Lesson learnt!
Caleb Ewan sprints to victory, Alaphilippe keeps yellow. The 16th stage of the Tour was a predominantly flat out-and-back race in Nîmes.
Matteo Trentin deservedly won a relatively mundane stage 17 as Julian Alaphilippe retained the yellow jersey, with the leaders keeping their powder dry.
Itinerary
I travelled from London Gatwick to Nîmes on RyanAir with my Bike Box Alan. I stayed in St Victor la Coste near Avignon at an Airbnb. This was close to the Pont du Gard for stage 17 and a 40km ride into Nîmes for stage 16 start and finish.
RyanAir charge £60 each way for a bike box at a weight of 30kg. The cost is £75 if booked on the phone or at the airport. You are not supposed to pack anything other than the bike within the box but I add shoes, tools and my helmet. More info here
You could also get a Eurostar to Avignon. Taking a bike box on the Eurostar brings it’s own difficulties as there are size restrictions to the bike box you can take. To travel with your bike, you need to book a space separately to your train ticket. To make sure it travels on the same train as you, book in advance from £30. More info here.
From Marseilles I rented a car with Europcar. They are a little more expensive but it is worth the extra for the ease of pick up and no hidden charges. Always look out for deals and sometimes you can get a discount booking with the airline. EasyJet offer this . NEVER book with GOLDCAR!
Airbnb was at Chateau St Victor La Coste. There are a number of rooms to choose from here and they have a pool and local amenities.
Les Cycles D’uzes bike shop in Uzes caters for all needs including energy bars and a workshop.
Crystal Palace Crit Racing
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This unique 16-race series is one of London’s most anticipated and best supported amateur cycle racing events.
They run in Paxton’s lovely old park, with all entry fees going towards providing exciting, efficient and safe racing for all competitors, from budding espoirs to Elite category riders – and any surplus is reinvested in racing activities within the South Eastern region.
Not sure if you are fit enough or have the bike-handling skills for Palace? Whether an old hand or racing at the circuit for the first time, some crit-specific training can give you the edge over other riders. Check out the sessions available on Thursday nights at Herne Hill Velodrome, just a few miles from CP Crits: http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/crittraining/
*UPDATE* March 2020
Due to COVID 19 disruption is expected to the this season. Decisions will be made on a monthly basis on which races to cancel and which will go ahead. See here for more information.
About
A criterium, or crit, is a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit, the length of each lap or circuit ranging from about 800 m to 10,000 m
The races are organised by Dulwich Paragon CC. More info here.
Races take place at Crystal Palace Park, Anerley Hill, London, SE19 2BA.
The Calendar runs every Tuesday evenings from 6pm, May to August .
Race distances will vary from just over 20 laps up to 30 laps according to the amount of light available.
Race direction depends principally on wind direction but is at the discretion of the chief commissaire and organiser on the night.
Cadence bike shop is the meeting place for racers to share coffee and cake!
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