Two Medway Velo members opened their racing season on Sunday.

A chilly start greeted riders in Chilham for the KCA 25 Time Trial on Sunday, 18 April. 
Road works resulted in the course being shortened to a 10 mile event but thankfully Time Trial secretary Phil Booth recently had a 10 course sanctioned in the area meaning everyone still got to race a standard distance albeit a somewhat ‘sporting’ one.
Representing the club was Matt Nunn. He rode well finishing in 26.03.

The event was won by Chris Fennell in 19.35 with Pip Jenkins winning the women’s event in 25.27.

A big thank you to the KCA and all the marshals and helpers.

Jon Graciano also opened his road racing season at the SERRL circuit event at the Ardingly showground; riding in the third category race alongside 2nd claim member Nathan Delaney and Cameron Carthew, Jon took 20th place overall.

Tom Knight got the season off to a fine start for the Medway Velo at the Devon Duathlon on Sunday 11 April.

He opted for the standard distance which involved a 10km run, 44km bike, and a final 5km run. In a busy field of 115 racers started in time trial format with 2 minute intervals between waves, he did well just to keep focused in chilly conditions of 2 degrees. It was not long before he was off to a flying start over the rolling course.

The largely off-road run through woodlands around Bicton Park was dry so he opted for his faster road shoes allowing him to keep to a good pace. Before he knew it the 10km was done and he transitioned onto the bike leg.

With 600m of climbing over two laps he kept momentum going before heading out onto his final 5km. Despite the well know Duathlon jelly legs he kept good form and finished in 2hrs 34mins 45secs.

This was good enough for 15th place overall and 2nd in the mens vets age group.

Congratulations Tom – first Velo podium of the season.

Two members braved the rain for the third round of the East Kent Cyclocross League at Betteshanger Country Park on Sunday, 12 December.

Michael Stanley and Matt Nunn were representing the red, white and green in the V40s and senior event. It was true cross conditions with rain making it tough going and staying upright was at the forefront of the riders minds.

First up was Michael, the only rider in the field sporting a mountain bike, maybe not such a disadvantage in the conditions. The course was well ridden in by the previous races and included, hurdles, steps and a few slippery climbs. Mike was gridded right at the back of the pack so had his work cut out. In his rush to make up a few places he took a spectacular tumble within the opening moments. Undeterred by this he hopped back on and despite a few more offs took it on the chin and carried on finishing in 25th.

Next up was Matt in the seniors. More rain had made the course a little more challenging and despite the technical conditions he stayed upright and navigated the course well. It was Matts first cross race having only ventured into off road pursuits this year and he was content with a 14th place finish.

Well done and thank you to the EKCX team who have beaten the odds to provide covid safe racing in what has been a difficult year. Their efforts have allowed many people to continue to have some racing to look forward to giving a glimmer of light to what has been a challenging 2020 for many.

Two Medway Velos were in action at the Fast and Furious duathlon run by Bridge Events and held at Cyclopark, Gravesend on Sunday 18 October. 
Michael Stanley and Sally Smith both lined up at 8.30am for their time trial start which saw them running 5.25km, cycling 20km then running a final 3km. The conditions were good with a light breeze making for some fast times.
On the run Sally edged ahead completing the distance in 24mins but Michael’s decision to cycle in trainers saw him making the time back in transition alone. By the end of the bike he was nearly 2 mins ahead of his teammate. Sally snatched a few seconds back on the final run but was not enough to jump ahead of her teammate.
Michael finished in 1hr 15mins 56secs 31st overall and 9th Vet 40+. Sally completed in 1hr 17mins 49secs 3rd woman overall and winning her age group vet 40+. A total of 73 athletes finished.
Another covid safe event very well organised by Bridge Triathlon.

Three members were racing for the Medway Velo on Sunday 11 October 2020.
First up was multi-sporter Tom Knight who competed in the Tavistock Sprint Triathlon. The event consisted of a 400m swim, 18km bike and a 5km run.
The morning was damp, but as it started with the swim that didn’t affect Tom too much! After the swim the bike course took him around the edge of Dartmoor and up a 10km climb with a technical descent back into Tavistock. Then Tom took on the 5km run which, after a sharp climb, was an undulating out and back.
The velo did well across all disciplines finishing in 1hr 7mins earning himself 7th place overall and 2nd place Vet 40 in a field of over 100 competitors.
Back in Kent pals Rob Kennison and Sally Smith travelled to the Astor School in Dover for the 2nd round of the East Kent Cyclocross League.
The course took on several power zapping climbs with twisting off-camber technical descents and the famous East Kent 40cm hurdles.
As Rob has missed the first round he was gridded at the back of the pack in the men’s vet 50+ race. To cheers of “Good skills old boy!” he gradually overtook his competitors to finish in the top 10. Not a bad result as over 40 riders were forward.
Sally had a nervous start in a busy women’s race with over 20 competitors entered. Not quite getting to grips with the off-camber descents she worked hard on the punchy climbs and hurdles in a bid to hold position and not lose too many places. After a tough race she was content with a mid-field finish.

As last week the East Kent League was run professionally but that did not detract from the friendly atmosphere. The organisers did well to ensure a covid-safe event with a one-way system, masks on all spectators and hand gel a-plenty. Clearly a bunch of people giving up their time for the love of the sport and making a lot of people very happy! Well done EKCX 

Three mighty Medway Velo riders headed to Sandwich Technical College on Sunday 4 October for the first event in the East Kent cyclocross series – a race held in memory of East Kent racer Tim Mountford who sadly died this year. Many riders were seen sporting pink socks in tribute to Tim who was known for sporting fabulous pink socks at Cyclocross events.

With heavy rain making conditions very muddy and slippery nothing was going to dampen the spirits of the riders and first up was Michael Stanley in the Vet 40+ category.

Racing for an hour with some 40 others, taking on a sandpit, 40cm hurdles and around 60 Technical twists it was going to be a tough challenge.

Michael was the only rider in the field riding a mountain bike with the rest of the riders opting for lighter and nimbler Cyclocross machines. To make it even tougher he was gridded at the back of the pack but the plucky velo didn’t let that stop him making up over 10 places throughout the event and finishing strongly – albeit covered in mud.

Next up was Cassie McGoldrick and Sally Smith in a busy womens race with over 25 racing. Cassie like Michael was riding her MTB giving her a slight disadvantage to her opponents. However regardless of her bike Cassie is a classy rider and this shone through as she overtook rider after rider after starting at the back of the pack to finish midfield.

At the finish just one rider separated Cassie from teammate Sally who was happy with her ride, an improvement from her other races this season.

The event run by the East Kent Cyclocross League and went like clockwork with everyone social distancing, spectators wearing masks and everyone using the hand gel on offer.

Event organisers like EKCX have been thrown a curveball with Covid-19 but they rose to the challenge with an race that was a fitting memorial to former league racer Tim Mountford.

Tom Knight was on fine form for the Medway Velo at the Dawlish Triathlon on Sunday 27 September.

It was a sprint distance event with a 750m swim, 24km bike and a 5km run.

Tom had to fight off the chilly conditions but he was soon working up a sweat on the bike after swimming 750m in 15mins. In his first race back since injury he held it together crossing the line in 1hr 22mins good enough for 28th overall and 8th in his age group.

Elsewhere on Hollingbourne Hill Michael Stanley and Matt Nunn were ready to take on the Wigmore Hill Climb Time Trial.

In far from perfect conditions the riders faced a headwind and wet roads as they made their ascent to the top of the climb.

Michael clocked the fastest velo time making it to the chequered flag in 4mins 21secs to become club hill climb champion, with Matt just 30secs behind in 4mins 58secs. A top effort from both men.

Thank you to the Wigmore CC for an excellent safe socially distanced event.

Sunday saw club members gather for a 10 mile time trial at Iwade.
A stiff breeze gave the riders work to do along the main straight but it did not detract from some excellent times being returned.
First back was Joe Austin (Sheppey Velo) in 22.03.
Of the Medway riders Rob Kennison completed the course on a road bike in 24.27. Alex Cook returned a swift 24.58 with friend Keiran Lawlor nipping at his heels in 25.06 (road bike).
Next home was Matt Nunn in 25.14 and clubmate Sally Smith followed in 27.57.
Thank you to Phil Booth for organising and Chris Robinson for marshaling.
The previous day Sally rode the Eastern cyclocross league in Ipswich. A technical course with twisty wooded section, a tough climb and hurdles presented a good challenge for everyone and she placed 7th in the womens race.

Result of Medway Velo Club 10 held on Q10/20 on 20 September 2020

1	Joe Austin	Sheppey Velo	22:03
2	Rob Kennison	Medway Velo	24:27
3	Alex Cook	Medway Velo	24:58
4	Keiran Lawlor	Medway Velo	25:06
5	Matt Nunn	Medway Velo	25:14
6	Sally Smith	Medway Velo	27:57

Thank you to all those who marshalled and helped, both at this event and throughout the shortened season.

A number of Medway Velo riders were in action this week in a variety of disciplines.
On Tuesday 8 September Lee Kingston headed to the Cyclopark in Gravesend for the midweek duathlon run by The Bridge Events.
The event involved a 5km run followed by a 20km bike and then another 3km run. This was Lee’s first attempt at a multi-sport event and he did well completing the course in 1hr 21mins earning himself 21st place in a sold out field.
Next up was Sally Smith who was also racing at Cyclopark, this time on Saturday 12 September in Dulwich Paragon’s Tournament of Road Racing. With British Cycling Covid-19 regulations stating all bunch races must be less than 15 mins, a new track style format was presented to riders where they complete several events earning points in each to ascertain their final placing.
Over 20 women were forward in Sally’s event and the standard was particularly high with the field largely made up of 1st and 2nd category riders. Despite this Sally completed all 5 races, finished in the bunch in all the group races. Her best placing of the meeting was 7th in the reverse win out event.  Sally’s efforts throughout the day returned her an overall 12th place finish.

Next up on Saturday evening was Phil Booth racing at Herne Hill velodrome in the Veteran racers track league, the grand final of the series.
Racing in a large group of riders, all determined to finish their season on a high, Booth was able to finish in the bunch in both of his fast paced scratch races, taking a top ten place in the final 8km event.

An early start greeted Rob Kennison and Matt Nunn in Brenzett on Sunday 13 September as they chose to take on the VTTA time trial over 21 miles.
Both men rode well with Rob completing the course in 49mins 10secs and Matt 53mins 2secs.
Thank you to Bridge Events, Dulwich Paragon, The Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome and The VTTA for their excellent events.