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DYNAMITE! The OFFICIAL London Dynamo Newsletter #149, 06.07.07
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+++ Having a blast every Friday +++ Dyna-mail race reports, news, views, and gossip to dynamite@londondynamo.co.uk +++ Have a peek at our pics – http://tinyurl.com/k34tf +++ Check out DYNAMITE! on the web – http://tinyurl.com/36xkay +++ WEEKEND WEATHER: Sat, sunny intervals, 22C max, wind SW 8mph; Sun, sunny intervals, 22C max, wind S 7mph +++
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YOU KENT TOUCH THIS
+++ Delahunty dazzles at the British Cyclosportive +++
When the weather gets tough, the tough retreat to their famous waterproof bunker in the bowels of Dynamo Towers to put together a reasonably informative newsletter – but Tuesday’s formidable showers that resulted in Crystal Palace becoming a no-go area were not half as sustained as the blizzard of Dyna-moaning that broke out on the forum following the British Cyclosportive on Sunday… http://tinyurl.com/2pwk2p. Many ‘Mos complained about the poor organisation on the rolling 120-mile Tour de France course from Greenwich to Canterbury – and grumpy GORDON ‘KEN-A-LIKE’ KENNEWAY, who limped home after finding no food at the “shambolic” feeding stations, reckoned that his 20th place on the list of 3,743 finishers proves that UK cycling is in a “sorry state”. You’re too modest, pal! Hopefully, the normally-cheery IT man will be back to his happy-go-lucky self by the time the Tour kicks off in London tomorrow – and to get you in the mood for the momentous occasion, it is this publication’s duty to blow away the clouds of cynicism with the mighty wind of fact. Firstly, Dynamo had 59 riders in the British Cyclosportive, making it the best-represented club in the much-anticipated event. Secondly, nine of the riders in the top 25 were ‘Mos. And most importantly, sportive virgin PAUL ‘MONTY’ DELAHUNTY finished 1st overall by around six minutes, even though he did an extra four miles due to going off-course. Now there’s a contender for Dynamo ride of the year! Working with Gordon and STUART ‘EASY PEASY’ SPIES, the no-holds-barred New Zealander took around 60 minutes to catch the main group of ‘Mos which had left a quarter of an hour before the determined trio. Gordon reveals: “Paul does not know how to sit in, brake for diesel-covered roundabouts, or go into the small ring. No-one could hold onto our three-man train. By that point, Spies and I were seriously cooked. Paul then went head-down off-course, and despite calls would not turn round. So he rode two miles off course, two miles back, then caught up again after a 22-mile chase.” Incredible stuff! As a tribute to Paul and his fellow Dynamates, the editorial team has lovingly compiled a complete Dynamo-centric results sheet, which you can find by scrolling to the foot of this missive. We’ll also reveal how worse-for-wear PAUL ‘ALL-BLUE’ HARKNETT was saved by a selfless club-mate – but come with us now to Richmond Park as we provide a brief final reminder of how you can join the blue train heading out to watch the prologue. It’s time to take part in a little piece of history…
A GOUD TURN-OUT
+++ Packed coach for TdF trip +++
This publication has spent weeks plugging SAM ‘EPIC’ WOODHOUSE’s ride to Goudhurst, Kent, to watch the first stage of the Tour de France – and Sunday’s trip, which includes a pub lunch and a coach back to London, is now fully-booked. Sorry, Dynamates! You can, however, go to the Roehampton Gate café tomorrow at 11.30am, where Sam will be leading out a ride to watch the historic Grand Depart in town. The group will be pitching up at the Albert Memorial opposite the Royal Albert Hall, where there will be a number of screens and loudspeakers to enjoy the action. Bring a bike lock, a picnic, and a note of Sam’s mobile number, which is 07*** *** ***. For those going by public transport, the closest tube is South Kensington. We’ll see you there!
IN-VINCE-ABLE
+++ Heaney survives sodden end-to-end +++
He’s done it, Dynamates! After 911 miles in 12 days, VINCE ‘SNEAKY’ HEANEY has overcome a cold and the shockingly poor weather conditions to complete his journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats, which he undertook to raise £5,000 for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability where PATRICK GOODACRE is being treated. Vince kept a blog of his journey… http://tinyurl.com/2tqsxl …and you can still donate by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/vinceheaney. Rower DUNCAN STEWART will be taking up the Dynamo charity baton when he rides the Etape in ten days’ time for the White Lodge Centre in Chertsey, which supports disabled children, adults and their families in the Surrey area. Donations can be made via http://www.justgiving.com/DuncansEtap. The 47-year-old dad-of-two, who aims to raise £1,000, has achieved gold times in the Hampshire Hilly Hundred and the Tour of the Cotswolds since ditching his oars, but is nevertheless torn between returning to rowing or continuing cycling after the Etape. Our advice is to keep riding with Dynamo, otherwise you’ll never get all in-jokes in your favourite Dynamatic publication!
EASY, VC
+++ Meudon beaten at team time trial +++
The terrific triumvirate of RICHARD ‘PLACING’ MASON, PIERS ‘PRESSURE’ STANSFIELD and DAVID ‘DORIAN’ STREULE rode without GORDON ‘KEN-A-LIKE’ KENNEWAY at the Surrey League Time Trial Championships on Saturday after their fourth man got held up in traffic – but the trio still managed to land 6th place by completing the 35-mile Alfold/Kirdfold course in 01:21:23. Over in the Dynamo ‘B’ team, sergeant major RICHARD ‘WIN ‘EM’ SIMMONDS barked orders to MATT ‘IRON’ BRIDGE, DAVID ‘PINKY’ GARDNER and JAMES ‘HITMAN’ STRATTON as the cracking quartet passed last year’s winners VC Meudon on the way to bagging 1st place with a time of 01:17:53. Nice one, fellas! The awesome foursome were riding together for the very first time – and Richard reveals: “We won because we rode so tightly as a team. Nobody missed a turn and we all rode as hard as we could. So much fun – I wish there were more races like that!” On-form Rich also notched up a personal best of 53:39 at the windy Farnham RC 25 in Bentley, Essex, the previous Saturday – and he informs us that JENNY ‘J-LLOYD’ JONES won the Emergency Services 25-mile ladies’ contest in Latton, Wilts, on Sunday with a time of 1:05:05. Nice one!
CHIL WIND
+++ Rusty hangs on at SERRL race +++
Dynamic duo MARTIN ‘COMEBACK’ GARRATT and RUSSELL ‘RUSTY’ SHORT found themselves all alone at the SERRL race in Chilham, Kent, on Sunday as all the other pre-entered ‘Mos had plumped for the British Cyclosportive instead – but the absence of a strong team showing wasn’t going to stop Rusty making his mark on the race. In buoyant mood after his 4th place on the final stage of the 5-Day, the tenacious tiddler began to make his way across to a break of three that had emerged a few minutes into the 2/3/4 event. Big-hitters Ian O’Hara from Citihub and Storck’s Kevin Tye rescued him from no-man’s land, taking him up to the lead group which now had seven riders. Martin reveals: “It was a break that would stick, and before long they had built a healthy lead of 1min 30secs. Back in the main field, we were making no progress at all.” The harsh circuit and a brutal headwind took its toll on Rusty, who lost contact with the break with one lap to go but still managed to hang on and claim 15th… http://tinyurl.com/2faksv. Well done that man!
URINE TROUBLE NOW!
+++ Harknett held back by toilet stop +++
This edition ends roughly where it began by returning to the British Cyclosportive. Unlucky DERMOT CAMPBELL, who came off at 25mph on a roundabout in Dartford, would have won the prize for the most selfless act of the day after he skidded on his right leg while holding his bike off the tarmac so it wouldn’t get damaged – but his acrobatic act of kindness for his steed was outshone by GAVIN ‘NO LYIN’ RYAN’s assistance for PAUL ‘ALL BLUE’ HARKNETT. An overlong call of nature had lead to Paul being left behind by his 10 Dynamo chums, so he hooked up with two riders in a bid to catch them. Half an hour later, the blue train was in his sights when he lost contact with the duo, and the exhausted Brummie began to give up hope as the gap to his ‘Mo mates began widening. “That was when one of the most selfless acts I have ever experienced began,” says Paul. “Gavin spotted me and dropped back with his friend Kevin Sparks to rescue me from certain oblivion. I was so relieved by their heroism as they sheltered me all the way back to the main group.” Gavin admitted: “I was really going through a tough time at 100 miles and knew my legs were not going to last. I looked back and saw Paul trying to get on so I thought I’d put in one last effort and help him get back on before I faded.” The grateful social secretary would like to say a public thank-you to Gav for his help. You owe him one, buddy!
…AND A FEW ‘MO THINGS…
+++ STUART ‘EASY PEASY’ SPIES 8th last week at Crystal Palace E/1/2/3 race… http://tinyurl.com/yrl5qq +++ HUW ‘AITCH’ WATKINS 7th at Hillingdon E1/2/3 race – TBC +++ PIERS ‘PRESSURE’ STANSFIELD 3rd at Kingston Phoenix RC 10-mile TT championship in Holmwood, Surrey, with 23:57 – and ALEXIS BROWN clocks 25:18 to take 6th +++
THAT EMPTY FEELING
Like a poorly-stocked feeding station, this edition has run out of nutritious news for another week, which means there’s just enough time to thank everyone for sending stuff in before we hurl the last banana out to the hungry throng. We’ll be restocking for next Friday, so please keep Dyna-mailing your race reports, news and gossip to the address in the “from” field of this message – or simply hit your reply button. The deadline, as ever, is Wednesday afternoon for Friday’s edition. And now, as the High-5 barrel runs dry, it only remains for us to remind you about…
THIS WEEK’S RIDES
SATURDAY
9am: The Parkride. Richmond Park, roundabout by Sheen Gate. Four laps split into fast, intermediate and steady groups.
SUNDAY
8am: Kingston Gate, Richmond Park. Non-stop ride through Surrey Hills.
9am: Hampton Court bridge, south side, Surrey Hills ride. Fifty-ish miles at a steady pace. Stop at Box Hill for tea and cake. Bring a pump, inner tubes, drink, and an efficient signing-in desk.
WEDNESDAY
7.30pm: Richmond Gate, Richmond Park. Steady ride to Chertsey, back via Weybridge, 28 miles.
So until next week, Dynamates, goodbye and happy riding.
The DYNAMITE! team.
THE SMALL PRINT
Sunday 8 July 2007, British Cyclosportive, Greenwich to Canterbury, Kent, 120 miles, 3,743 finishers: 1 Paul Delahunty 05:22:38; 7 David Gardner 05:32:22; 11 Chris Chapman 05:35:04; 13 Richard Dolby 05:37:22; 14 Graham Robins 05:38:26; 15 Simon Ryntjes 05:38:30; 20 Gordon Kenneway 05:40:27;
23 Will Hayter 05:42:43; 24 Alex Bastin 05:43:14; 31 Dominic Callaghan 05:44:49; 32 Marcus Schnell 05:44:52; 34 Huw Watkins 05:45:52; 49 Roger Todd 05:49:30; 62 Jim Kent 05:51:50; 71 Matthew Bridge 05:53:30; 79 Alexis Brown 05:53:56; 80 Stuart Spies 05:54:25; 81 Gavin Ryan 05:54:27; 118
David Norris 06:02:20; 136 Paul Harknett 06:05:02; 137 Simon Wright 06:05:21; 151 Andrew Curry 06:07:01; 153 Mark Drayton 06:07:16; 161 Rob Jeffroy 06:09:31; 197 James Carter 06:14:06; 233 Charles Pearch 06:19:22; 270 Sam Woodhouse 06:23:17; 342 Terry Bishop 06:29:45; 361 Martin Haenlein 06:30:57; 388 Will Hodson 06:32:55; 412 Jason Green 06:35:02; 413 Nick Bell 06:35:03; 430 Duncan Stewart 06:36:18; 449 Robin Osborne 06:37:22; 452 Dermot Campbell 06:37:26; 483 Julian Tasker 06:39:38; 545 Jeremy Boardman 06:43:12; 666 Patrick McKendry 06:48:26; 706 Graeme Raeburn 06:50:40; 708 Hugh Edmondson 06:50:48; 757 Sam Gordon 06:53:11; 857 Michael Kennedy 06:57:45; 982 Christopher Sherwood 07:04:23; 1006 David Watson 07:05:23; 1118 Steve Wood 07:10:26; 1130 Mark Hopkins 07:11:06; 1219 Thomas Reinecke 07:14:32; 1256 Matt Snailham 07:16:02; 1340 Mark Barham 07:20:07; 1382 Alex Murray 07:21:40; 1590 Michael Richardson 07:29:58; 1639 Peta McSharry 07:32:08; 1732 Nicolas John Burkinshaw 07:35:53; 1961 Joe Hemmant 07:45:51; 2081 Kimberly Kabatoff 07:51:14; 2228 David Kitchen 07:58:49; 2834 Andrew Cooke 08:30:48; 2988 Andrew Gibbs 08:40:34; 3087 Ben Forsyth 08:46:19 (59 Dynamo riders).
The DYNAMITE! Files 
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