Funny video - courtesy of Stephen Roach

Winner - South East Regional RR Champs

Photos courtesy of Mike Anton

I can't believe it - I'm officially the 2007 Regional Champion. It all came down to a sprint. Andrew (Bye) started attacking on the run in to the finish. His move was neutralised and then he attacked again on the last climb. Gary (Dodd) closed the gap and I followed him. Again, Andrew attacked, but this time Gary went around him - now in full flight - and within 100 yeards of the finish line I jumped Gary to win by a full bike length. I thrusted my arm in the air with joy. Phew.

Kate (my daughter) was the first to come over to congratulate me. She said, 'Dad, you are the winner!" "I know", I said.

Results:
1st Rob Enslin
2nd Gary Dodd
3rd Andy Bye
4th Alex Higham

Race stats
Time: 3hr 20mins
Heart rate: 166 ave; 193 max
Distance: 130km
Speed: 38kph ave; 79.9kph max
Temperature: 20 c ave
Ascending: 1780m








For more race photos visit LondonCycleSport.com

National MTB Champs - 21 July (Newnham Park)

I managed to get a lift (with Paul Davies - thanks Paul) to Newnham Park, Plymouth for the fourth round of the NPS series which incorporates the National Champs. The journey was fine except the traffic problem problem in Honiton. After four hours we arrived there. I signed on and went out for a practise lap.

The course was brilliant - the only problem - the technical descent - the bomb hole (half-pipe). Unfortunately, I had to run down it each time loosing loads of time. The climbs were fine - not technical and not too hard. At the start I worked my way through a bunch of riders and by the top of the climb I was lying in forth position. Sam (Gardner) put in an attack and took three riders away from me. By the time we hit the bombshell and I had to dismount they were gone properly. I slogged on for the rest of the race and put in big efforts to hold my position but lost time each time we hit the bombshell.

I ended up finishing 6th (after four laps). Sam Gardner won the race comfortably.

Oli Beckinsdale won the Elite race attacking Ian Wilkinson on the last lap. An amazing ride by Ian Bibby saw him move into forth overall after starting two minutes behind in the Espoirs category.

Results:

1. Sam Gardner (01:44:02)
2. Jamie Newall
3. Simon Burgess
4. Matthew Barrett
5. James Williams
6. Rob Enslin (01:48:43)
9. Mark Hutt (01:50:21)

Full results here.

My latest BC rankings

I'm slowly getting there... chug chug... With my weekend's result I'm up to 88 points and in 66th position. No doubt there'll be more to come.

Power restored

Finally, I got my Powertap back from the States. I've had a number of faults with the Powertap Pro (yellow hub flange) and this was the second time I've had it sent to the states. Anyway, now I can look forward to resuming training with my trusty aid - the Powertap.

One thing I really need to do is have some lab testing done again. Using my old figures might present a problem so getting the latest feedback is all important. I called James at the University of Kent to see if I could squeeze a ramp and max power test in but it gonna cost me £80. Not too bad, however, after driving 150 miles the costs will add up so can't at the moment. I'm hoping that they will be doing some new research and by being involved get some testing done - for free.

I rode tempo (270-300w) to work this morning with the PT and was a surprised to see how hard I needed to push myself to get those levels. I managed an average of 280w and did 45 kms in 01:15 - not too bad for raining conditions in morning traffic.

SCCU RR Championship (15 July)

From the start of the race the tempo was high. The problem we had today was the nature of the course. The circuit wasn't demanding enough - no hills. So, when ever groups of riders tried to get away they were soon realed in.

After lap five Nic Tilling, from GWR, attacked up a small rise (on the start/finish line) and I followed. We established a small gap and began to put our heads down and buried ourselves. I have to say Nic wasn't too keen on that so he never really pushed too hard. Anyway, I was keen on a workout so was going 100%. I'm not sure what our best gap was but the group seemed to always be there so someone in the bunch was chasing. Chris Mac later implied that it was one of my own team riders doing it - doubt it?

We stayed away for two laps and were finally caught by a bridging group. Instead of continuing to work Chris Mac sat up - why? I don't know?? It was a perfect opportunity to push hard and create a race-winning break. So, that was the end of that, although I still had a few digs.

Later in the race, with six laps to go and a little break up the road, Gary Dodd and I attacked bridging this group. Martin and Matt were in this group so I let Gary do all the work getting across. By now we were around ten. And, almost immediately got organised and started a good group effort establishing a healthy lead. Matt was suffering and spent a lot of time at the back hanging in. He soon faded and packed. As the laps got less some weaker riders also drop off and we were wittled down to eight men. Toby Neave insisted on winning both King of the mountain hot-spots so he was in line to win 2 x £10. On the last lap our group became a little complacent and the chasers, lead by Tim, were edging closer. Our pace immediately increased and by one kilometer-to-go he (Tim) was only 50 yeard behind us. There was a all out dash for the line. I took the outside line and was chasing Gary but with some gear-failure I never got to him and came home in second place.

Result:
1 Gary Dodd
2 Rob Enslin
3 Toby Neave
4 Martin Smith
9 Tim Beddingfield
11 Tom Smith

DNF - Matt M and Alex P

Distance: 79 miles
Time: 03:13
HR: Ave 165 Max 192
Conditions: warm with some sunshine

London Cycle Sport report

Kingston Phoenix RC 15m TT 07

Thanks Paul for those very kind words - "it was a fine and deserved win for Rob" see LCS report by Paul.

Full report to follow....