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DYNAMITE! The OFFICIAL London Dynamo Newsletter #123, 27.10.06
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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 – go to http://www.londondynamo.co.uk and click the “newsletter” link +++ WEEKEND WEATHER: Sat, light rain, 16C max, wind SW 17mph; Sun, sunny, 17C max, wind NW 3mph +++
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DECEASEDWAY
+++ Mourning the end of racing at the iconic Lea Valley circuit +++
Like the fast descent that propels you out of Clarey’s corner and up Oxo hill, this week has been a rollercoaster of emotion for the hundreds of Eastway fans who tackled the abovementioned geographical landmarks for the very last time. That’s right, moist-eyed reader – after 31 years, the tricky criterium circuit hailed as the best in the world by none other than Eddy Merckx has hosted its final day of racing. Cyclefit’s elder statesman PHIL ‘NO-NONSENSE’ CAVELL is probably shedding a tear in his WC2 HQ right at this very moment! Dozens of other Dynamates will miss the testing uphill finish, the handy shower facilities and the baffling weather micro-system which keeps Lea Valley at least five degrees colder than the rest of London. But amazingly, a spell of unseasonable sunshine warmed up Saturday’s historic closing events, which were witnessed by none other than injured Liquigas big man Magnus Backstedt – so come with us now as we shine a loving light on the marvellous mile-long track. Here comes the infamous hairpin…
HIS FIRST, HIS LAST, HIS EVERYTHING
+++ Eastway newcomer gives all he’s got at final race day +++
Unlike the vast majority of the 95 riders who lined up for the start of the 3/4 event, non-nonsense northerner TONY ‘CHUCKLES’ SMEDLEY didn’t feel the least bit sentimental about Eastway’s imminent demise, simply because the Mancunian marvel had never ventured to the fabled east London venue. The fearsome 50-minute contest saw Steve Nunn of Arctic/Shorter Rochford open a gap late in the day with Ciclos Uno’s Steven Craig to take 1st and 2nd respectively, leaving Smedders to nab 6th place as the huge field galloped for the line… http://tinyurl.com/yef3p6. The massive effort required for the sprint left the former 1st cat gasping for air afterwards by the side of the circuit – but sadly, ROB ‘THE SAINT’ JEFFROY had a less-than-breathtaking race. Despite a few brave attacks off the front, the unlucky lad missed out on a top 10 finish, which means he has ended the season three points adrift of a 2nd cat licence – and having his picture taken in the car park by Mrs Dynamite is probably scant consolation… http://tinyurl.com/k34tf. There’s always next season, pal! Later on, multi-skilled mechanic SAM ‘SLAM DUNK’ HUMPHESON notched up 10th place in the Beastway Masters race and featured in another humorous photo… http://tinyurl.com/yk7u33 …after he had hopped on his Seven road bike for the E/1/2 event with GUY ‘THE ENGINE’ POWDRILL. Knowledgeable readers will already know that Rapha’s Matt Seaton and Chris McNamara of Wildside were joint winners at the Lea Valley venue’s last-ever road race… http://tinyurl.com/yagyaq …but as the duo held hands and crossed the line to hearty applause, DYNAMITE! couldn’t help wondering how different things might have been if WARRICK ‘SPEEDY’ SPENCE had taken part. The Cyclefit sensation’s bike is named after the legendary circuit and he holds the record for the fastest lap time from a standing start – a lightning-quick 2mins 5secs. But according to Sam, the Kiwi fastman’s employers had forced him to work on Saturday, which scuppered his chance of writing another chapter in London racing history. Drat!
CROSSING OVER
+++ Wood tries doing it on knobblies +++
While on the subject of first-timers, which we were at the start of the previous item, it seems a few race-mad members are Dyna-moving into different disciplines as the road season draws to a close. MTB virgin JOE ‘CHEEKY BEGGAR’ STEGERS took part in the final Beastway event on Saturday and STEVE WOOD has followed NICK ‘CAPTAIN’ PEACOCK’s lead by venturing into the world of cyclo-cross. Steve’s first cross race was in Wadebridge in Cornwall on Saturday night, and he reveals: “It was blowing a gale and a very technical course, but great fun. I can’t believe I waited to be 44 years old before trying it.” He’s an inspiration to us all!
CRASH CURSE
+++ Two more members take a tumble +++
Following the accident involving PATRICK GOODACRE, another Dynamo member was taken to hospital last week after a less serious incident which occurred at the end of the Wednesday night ride. New Zealander RICHARD MASON and the rest of the group were approaching Hampton Court Bridge when the back of his bike suddenly flipped up, sending him head-first onto the road. DAVID GARDENER, ROBIN OSBORNE, STUART JEFFRIES and STUART SPIES helped to keep Richard calm before an ambulance arrived to take him to hospital where he was kept overnight. He is now recovering at home. According to RUSSELL SHORT, who was riding behind him, there was no touch of wheels or any potholes, so the cause of the accident is unclear. At least PAUL ‘CANNONBALL’ CALLINAN knows what brought him down on his commute this week – a pesky motorist! Details of what happened are unclear, principally because DYNAMITE! only heard about it during a brief chat with SAM ‘SLAM DUNK’ HUMPHESON in the car park at Eastway, but we understand the Kingston killer is OK. More news as we get it!
OTTERSHOWER
+++ Powdrill 10th in rain-drenched race +++
Finally, DYNAMITE! was pleased to learn that MARTIN ‘COMEBACK’ GARRATT, DAVID ‘DORIAN’ STREULE and GUY ‘THE ENGINE’ POWDRILL refused to let an inevitable soaking prevent them from paddling – sorry, pedalling – the entire 100km of soggy Ottershaw on Sunday. The E/1/2/3 Surrey League race – held over the rolling Lyne and Kitsmead circuit – ended in a mass gallop which saw Guy nab 10th. But will the trio’s attendance inspire masses of ‘Mos to turn out for the final two races, which are bound to suffer similarly inclement conditions? Somehow, we doubt it!
BALL OVER
The wrecking ball is swinging above our heads, which means there’s just enough time to thank everyone who sent stuff in before everything comes crashing down around our ears. Like the purpose-built cycling facilities that will eventually replace Eastway in time for the London Olympics, we will return in a new and improved form – except you won’t have to wait until 2012. And things will be exactly the same. So please keep Dyna-mailing your race reports, news, gossip, and further sightings of the elusive KEN ‘BULLDOZER’ BUIST 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 we lock the door to the judges’ cabin for the very last time, 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, 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 a commemorative clump of grass from the back straight.
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 DYNAMITE! Files 
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