The final East Devon Evening Ten of 2024 took place on an overcast evening out on the Honiton Club Course this evening, with the cool damp air preventing the times that might have been expected of a night when the wind didn’t appear to be much in evidence -however, riders afterwards reported that  there were some unexpected and unwelcome contrary breezes on certain parts of the course.

Running out winner again was the flying roadman George Kimber (Spirit), whose 21:35 was 50 seconds slower than his best time for the course this year, an indication of conditions. Exeter Wheeler Tristan Kelsall-Spurr and Aidan King of FTP joined forces and did a two-up, and hoped that they might thus be able to challenge the time that would be set by Kimber, but alas no, they fell short by 24 seconds at 21.59. Joe Rosser of Cycle Sanctuary completed the virtual podium at 24.20.

Afterwards we assembled at the Otter Inn where further prizes were awarded for various category winners in the series, and especially thanks to Exeter Brewery for their donation of packs of their lovely beers as prizes to the series senior road bike winner Aidan King of FTP and series senior TT bike winner James Greenaway (who indeed was tp of the league overall as well). James says of his top spot: 

“I was quite literally never expecting this one, to take a win over the course of the evening 10 series is still a strange concept for me that it hasn’t sunken in yet. These races are an amazing chance for me to get to see friends, club mates and riders who inspire me to compete and also, whether it being the seasoned pro or the person taking their first attempt at racing on bicycle everyone should and is welcome.

The last few years have been physically and mentally tough as in 2021 I had a major accident cycling without a helmet in which I was put into a coma and questions asked if I would see another sunrise, by December of the same year I was back on two wheels racing near Ermington, being told after breaking my arm in February 2023 that I wouldn’t be cycling till the new year and that same year I took part in (admittedly poorly) at CTT National Circuit Championships and the same year I got the call to say at 32 years old I needed to have a pacemaker and out of my sheer determination to compete again the second I was given the all clear I went to Ermington and took a podium finish at City Cycle Couriers race.

I’m unbelievably fortunate for all the support I’ve had leading up to this season’s win from members of the EWCC team as well as The Bike Shed (Greg, Simon, Bill to name but a few), Tribe Cycle Solutions (Tony Arnell), Cranbrook CC and City Cycle Couriers (Rob Scott, Ian Scott, and Andy Parno). But most importantly my parents (Jan Greenaway and Andrew Greenaway) who have supported me nonstop and unquestionably with competing at races, and as many of you will know my Mum is constant support at races who goes out of her way to help whether she can both for me and other riders. 

Just to explain my pacemaker for those that are curious, I have a lifelong undiagnosed heart condition in which I have a slow heartrate. But occasionally my heart can and will just stop for short gaps (a couple seconds) without any kind of reason. And this is where my pacemaker comes in to restart my heart into a normal rhyme again. I have spoken with British Cycling and Cycling Time Trials who have both given me the all clear to keep competing.”

An end-of-series thanks go to all those of you who have ridden, we hope you have enjoyed the races and hope to see you next year.

Thanks on behalf of all those who have ridden go to all the helpers, timekeepers, marshalls etc, from all four of the organising clubs (Exeter Wheelers, CS Dynamo, Cranbrook CC and Sid Valley CC) who have ensured that the series took place, in particular thanks to Mike Rose for being the main man when it comes to the series taking place again this year.

Any of you who have ridden one of the tens for a club other than those mentioned in the paragraph above, please hassle your club committee to step forward and join the ranks of the organising clubs next year. 

Meanwhile, for those of us who like the phenomena that are club evening tens, there are others in the area that continue in to August and even beyond – the final Okehampton Wheelers evening ten on the arduous old A30 course starting at Bridestowe takes place Tuesday 30^th of August (see Okehampton CC Facebook for details), and North Devon Velo CC’s evening tens on a kinder course at Bishop’s Tawton continue throughout next month and possibly into early September – registration via https://www.webscorer.com/124003?pg=register (registration closes two days before each race). Across the border in west Somerset Wellington Wheelers have further evening tens on the 1^st, 15^th and 29^th of August, registration via https://www.webscorer.com/wellingtonwheelers?pg=register.

Results from tonight 25^th July East Devon Evening Ten:

Veteran’s categories: A = 40-44, B= 45-49, D = 55-59, E = 60-64, G = 70-74

Round Two of the Shutt Velo Rapide Hitters Criterium Series took place last weekend down at Torbay Velopark, the race also incorporating the South West Crit. Racing Championships. One of our many valiant EWCC veterans put a number on his back and his head on the line; Ben Zissimos is a newcomer to bike racing so even more the valiant vet – he writes of his experience riding in the Masters race:

“I had another go at racing at Torbay Velopark last weekend, and I just wanted to thank everyone at EWCC who encouraged me to enter, and gave me advice on how to approach it. 

One question I asked people about the previous race, Round 1, was why I had such trouble defending the wheel in front of me.  People suggested the other riders could see I was losing ground in the hairpins, so they were edging in front of me before each bend.  I also burned a lot of energy closing the gap after each bend, and that’s why I ultimately got dropped from the bunch.  So I knew going into this one that having a better race hinged on taking a tighter line in the hairpins, and getting the power down earlier on the exit.  The prospect of doing this was not helped by the heavy rain that day.  My nerves were properly jangled when I saw a rider from the race before mine limping back with blood pouring from his leg, saying that his front wheel had gone out from under him at the apex of the first hairpin!

Two pieces of advice saved me.  One was that I should drop my tyre pressures.  The second came from one of the earlier racers, who said the track had dried out on the racing line, and if I stuck to that I would be okay.  I found by doing so, and getting the power down just after the rider in front of me did, I was able to preserve my own power and stay in the bunch more comfortably this time.  Indeed, I stayed in the mix right to the end of the race for the first time.  It was only in the final bunch sprint that I lost ground.  I came 9^th out of 10 riders, and picked up my first two racing points!  It may not sound like much, but realistically it was better than I dared hope for and I’m so glad I did it.  Masters National Champs next, on 10^th August.  My journey into the world of bike racing continues.”

Spot the EWCC jersey.  Full results can be found here: 

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/303309/Shutt-Velo-Rapide-Hitters-Crits-Rd2-E123-34-Masters-40-Women-Incorporating-the-South-West-Crit-Champs

Exeter Wheelers held their inaugural Women Only 10 Ten Mile Time Trial on a pleasant summer’s evening tonight, using the ‘Honiton Club Course’. The event was well received by those who took part; it was great to have such positive feedback – there will definitely be a repeat event next year.

Fastest rider on the night was Yvonne Farrell of Total Tri Training, on 27 minutes exactly for the undulating and ‘interesting’ course.

The top four riders all finished on ‘27’s, Talita Ancona just 23 seconds in arrears of Yvonne at 27.23.

Just 4 seconds slower was the fastest road bike of the night, ridden by Exeter Wheeler’s Catherine Finlayson, 27.27, who beat 4^th placed Claire Pile of 05/03 by the slimmest of margins – a single second (27.28)

Off first had been Zoe Batten of Podium Addict, whose 28.35 ride would have been 20 seconds or so ‘shorter’ had she not been baulked by a motorcycle at the first turn – bad luck indeed considering how generally tranquil the old A30 is on the club ‘ten’ course. Zoe finished in fifth place, but at least went home with a prize after her finishing fastest senior female (road bike category) in the East Devon Evening Tens League 2024.

Bettina Kleuttgens, another ‘Podium Addict’ was not far behind Zoe on 29 minutes exactly whilst next fastest was Victoria Sale, an Exeter Wheeler, who turned up at the race intending to spectate, but after some chat and consideration decided to ride – not helped by riding a gravel bike with ‘robust’ Schwalbe Marathon tyres Vicky still managed to nearly achieve evens at 30.27. Completing the list was Mazaneen Kay on 30.57.

Plenty of photos on the EWCC Facebook page.

Many thanks to those who gave up their time to make sure the event happened – Timekeepers Sally Hutter and Ken Evans, ‘spotter’ Andy Tombs, marshalls Jon Hare, Ann Owens, Jack Dallyn, Doug Parker, Didier Lebatteux, and thank you to Ann Owens for taking photos and of course Mike Rose for being the main man for East Devon Tens.

A reminder that next week’s ten is the last for this summer, and for which there won’t be any league points on offer, that’s all done and dusted. After the race riders who have won prizes in the league (see https://www.exeterwheelers.co.uk/evening-ten-end-of-season-prize-winners/ ) will be able to collect them from The Otter Inn (a few hundred yards north of the start line) where the results sheet for the night’s event will also be available to see.