5 August – UC861 – Medium Gear / Steel is Real 10 Mile Time Trial
Yet another sunny evening drew a small field for the annual Medium Gear event (reminder a medium gear is no more than 72″ meaning one pedal revolution is no more than 18ft 10 1/4 inches). At scrutineering Simon’s bike passed and by the simple expedient of removing his electronic gear battery it was locked off. Paul’s multicoloured Mango came out for his annual reminder of the need to increase cadence. The suggestion of a trip to the pub attracted Peter away from his new dog sitting duties.
Paul set off first having reminded Sue that his usual time for the Medium Gear is 7 minutes slower than the normal weekly 10’s! Paul thinks this is due to the robust steel construction of the Mango, as Simon was only 2:14 slower than his average. Mick tried to enter his titanium machine for steel is real. Google AI is very clear “No, titanium does not count as steel. They are entirely different materials with distinct chemical compositions.” It is also about 45% lighter than steel.
Paul dug out some of his older style kit to honour the retro cycling and feeling quite proud that 10 year old (plus) kit still fits so well. However, this did not help his performance – event with an 85 rpm (versus his usual 60 rpm) he was just over 33 minutes as forecast. So the winner of the Medium Gear event was Simon Cox.
Some of us then went to the Wellesley Arms for a chat and to discuss the forthcoming Bowden Hill Climb on 2 September (this is an event where many of the leisure riders could do well).
| Rank | Competitor(s) | Club | Time | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Iffland | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:25:53 | |
| 2 | Simon Cox | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:27:07 | Winner Medium Gear |
| 3 | Mick Sharratt | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:28:39 | |
| 4 | Shaun Andrews | Non Member | 00:28:49 | |
| 5 | Joe Mann | Non Member | 00:29:28 | |
| 6 | Paul Winchcombe | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:33:01 | Winner Steel is Real (only steel bike) |
22 July 2026 – UC866 “Q” Course 10 Mile Time Trial
It was nice to see 10 riders turn out on another hot evening with devices claiming 30C and almost no wind. MyWindsock said that there was 74% headwind but there really wasn’t much so the impact was not very large.
As usual there were various claims made after the race and there was some validity. The video review does show Matt having to wait while a car overtook Simon and Paul, not helped by Paul using his rear radar to let him know he had a rider behind him and he might have upped his power a bit to try and delay the inevitable overtake. Matt when he came past shot by and was clear in moments. Simon took a little longer to clear Paul, however Paul claims that at 15mph uphill there is no drafting benefit. It was clearly a good evening with the 4 riders who last rode the course in April being 30 – 80 seconds faster, with 3 being over 60 seconds faster.
It was good to see the ladies from Chippenham Tri and a Saturday Chain Gang rider out to test his mettle. Matt’s smiling face is not just because he won but also because it was his birthday. So Happy Birthday Matt.
| Rank | Competitor(s) | Club | Time | Comment – UC866 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Chapple | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:21:23 | |
| 2 | James Eccleston | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:24:21 | |
| 3 | Simon Cox | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:24:34 | |
| 4 | Hadrian Sanchez | Non Member | 00:25:54 | |
| 5 | Paul Winchcombe | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:25:57 | |
| 6 | Andy Summers | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:27:30 | |
| 7 | Mick Sharratt | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:28:23 | |
| 8 | Rachel McMeekin | Non Member | 00:29:51 | |
| 9 | Joe Mann | Non Member | 00:29:54 | |
| 10 | Cath Fielden | Non Member | 00:34:51 |
29 July 2026 – UC866 “Q” Course – Jack Nunn 10 Mile Time Trial
Well with the wind turned around from last week we had some good times last night. Sadly Lewis, making his return to time trials after becoming a Dad, thought we were on standard course although WhatsApp post shows that UC866 was the declared course. As a result when he overtook Andy and carried straight on, Andy followed him although in part this was due to a car blocking the turn and Andy having a blank moment, even though he had confirmed with Sue which course it was.
Simon caught Paul a bit earlier than normal and spent less time overhauling him. Comparative video however shows that James, when he caught Paul, came through much more quickly. Paul did comment that he was held by a car not wanting to pass 2 casual cyclists on the Sutton Benger road. Would he have caught Joe and would James have caught him without being held?
Next week is the Medium Gear / Steel is Real 10 mile time trial, although all are welcome including TT bikes.
| Rank | Competitor(s) | Club | Time | Comment _ UC866 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Eccleston | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:23:28 | |
| 2 | Simon Cox | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:23:48 | |
| 3 | Paul Winchcombe | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:25:29 | |
| 4 | Mick Sharratt | Chippenham Wheelers | 00:27:44 | |
| 5 | Joe Mann | Non Member | 00:28:22 | |
| 6 | Andy Summers | Chippenham Wheelers | DNF – wrong course | |
| 7 | Lewis Belsten-Revill | Non Member | DNF – wrong course |