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.

It was a busy weekend for the racers of the Medway Velo.

First off on Saturday, 5 September were team mates Michael Stanley and Sally Smith who travelled to Reading for the Trail X off-road MTB duathlon.

The event involved a 3.1km run followed by a 18km mountain bike and then another 3.1km run. The courses had been designed by off-road experts with twists, ups, downs, a jump and more roots than you can shake a stick at. It made it fast for the nimble and a challenge for the less technical.

First back was Michael who managed 23rd place in a packed field. Stopping the clock in 1hr 37mins 27secs. He also had the fastest transition of the day in just 20secs from bike to run.

Sally finished in 1hr 50mins 23secs good enough for 5th lady and 3rd in her age group (vet female).

The following day Sally was joined by track secretary Alex Cook in Winchester for Battle in the Bowl – a gruelling 2hr cyclocross race. It involved the off road riders taking on a 8 hair pinned descent then a grassy climb which was followed by a gravel climb.

Conditions were good making it a dusty affair and as the clock ticked down the 100 plus riders were all looking exhausted.

Alex rode strongly taking 39th place in the senior men’s field. Sally finished 12th overall female and second placed vet 40-50. It was encouraging to see over 20 women racing.

Next up for the team is Lee Kingston dipping his toe into the multisport scene with a duathlon at Cyclopark on Tuesday evening. Good luck Lee.

A huge thank you and well done to CX Sportive and Trail X events for two great races which were all socially distanced and run safely.

Three members have been in action flying the colours of the Medway Velo.
On Wednesday Matt Nunn and Michael Stanley rode the Wigmore CC 10 mile time trial in Iwade.
The course is always a challenge and the wind was particularly blustery. However both riders completed in the 25s with Matt riding 25mins 21secs for 7th place and Michael returning a personal best time of 25mins 59secs for 9th.
The event was won by Lance Childs of Trainsharp in 23mins 35secs.
This was the last in the series promoted by the Wigmore CC who did very well to run several successful events despite Covid 19 restrictions.
On Saturday Sally Smith travelled to Winchester to take part in the summer cyclocross racing run by trail events. 
A tough rolling course with a hard climb and some technical switchbacks made for good racing and she finished in 9th place.

It was a busy weekend of racing for the riders of the Medway Velo.
Getting the club off to a fine start on Saturday 22 August was Phil Booth who rode in the opening round of Veterans league at Herne Hill velodrome. 
Competing in blustery conditions and in a large field of riders Booth, riding his first competitive track meeting in two years, acquitted himself well in his three races, finishing in the bunch in his two scratch and one points race.
On Sunday three members rode the Catford 25 mile Time Trial in Brenzett.
In a very well organised competition first back for the team was Rob Kennison stopping the clock at 58 mins 9 seconds taking 26th place in a very strong field.

2nd back for the team was Matt Nunn in 1hr 2mins 15secs. 
In his first 25 mile TT Michael Stanley flew past the chequered flag in 1hr 4mins 4 secs.
The event was won by Chris Fennell of the Independent Pedaler in a course record of 47mins 10 secs.
Congratulations to the Catford for putting on a very well organised event in difficult circumstances.

Medway Velo Hill Climb

Held on QHC/11

Wednesday 19^th August

1	Lewis Tompsett	Folkestone Velo	3:44.8
2	Matt Nunn	Medway Velo	4:54.7
3	Debbie Percival	Kent Velo Girls	5:00.2
4	Tracy Wilkinson-Begg	TWB – On Time RT	5:14.8
5	Marin Stoichkov	Wigmore CC	7:08.7

Two Medway Velos rode in the Wigmore CC evening ten at Iwade on Wednesday.

Competing in a field of 23 Matt Nunn came home in fifth place with a time of 25:15, whilst Mike Stanley continued to lower his PB, taking four seconds off this time, finishing with a time of 26:02, claiming ninth place in the standings.

Thank you to the Wigmore for their continued organisation in these challenging times.