Brighton Mitre Cycling Club

Results are in from Hove Park Crits 2022 and it has been one of the most successful years in recent memory for BMCC. The first men’s 3/4 race was won by Marek Shafer and the second by Jack Smith making it a Mitre double in this event. Jon Mitchell made it a Mitre 1-2 in the second race and top ten performances were also achieved by Nathan Cozens, Rich Moult, John Tindell (both weeks) and Francis Schofield with notable performances also logged by Daniel Magrizos and Alwyn Frank. Alison Lewis and Isobel Beattie finished in the top ten both weeks in the women’s event and were joined by Katie Ambrosini in the second week. Great work all round folks!

Full results via links below:

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/263531/Hove-Park-Crits-2022-1#results

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/263677/Hove-Park-Crits-2022-2

Over Easter, Cris Coxon was second (out of a field of 57) in Good Friday’s (15th April) Crawley Wheelers 41.59 miles time trial . Race report is here: https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/23901

Cris Coxon and Tracey Williams were fastest man and fastest woman respectively on time trial bikes in the Central Sussex CC’s hilly “10” on 16th April. Race report here: https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-report/23903

Tracey was also and also first woman at the Mitre Easter Hilly “25” (GS/999) at Devil’s Dyke on Easter Monday 18th April.    

Results from the 1st Mitre evening hill climb series, 19th April at Mill Hill Shoreham:

1^st       Jack Smith                9-12

2^nd      John Ferguson       10-43

3^rd      Philip Waldman    10-49

4^th      Tracey Williams    11-58

5^th      Robin Johnson      14-42

Hill-climb, 26 April:

1         Jack Smith                         8         39

2         Robb Cunningham          8         52

3         Rory Knapp                       9         11

4         Jim Whitelegg                   9         39

5         Philip Waldman               10      01

6         John Ferguson                  10      06

7         Neil Morris                        10      25

8         Tristan Court                    10      41

E Bikes on Club Rides

Whilst the legacy of Lance still drives a hole through the heart of the cycling community, nothing seems to create a schism in the cycling world like the adoption of new tech  [or old tech like mudguards maybe? Ed.]. And whilst the adoption of disc brakes in the pro-peloton was anything but friction free, the next highly charged debate looks certain to revolve around the use of e-bikes…although hopefully not at World Tour level.  As we recently had the first instance of an e-bike on a club ride, we thought we should pen a few guidelines covering their use within organised group rides.

Firstly, and most importantly, as a point of principle, we are advocates for all forms of cycling and would always encourage participation among those for whom an e-bike is the most practical cycling option.  In time it is likely that there will be sufficient e-bike users to run e-bike only group rides but, in the meantime, we would like e-bike users to stick to the following on mixed assist/non-assist rides:

1. If you wish to ride an e-bike on a group ride then it must comply with current UK law which as of January 2022 means it produces no more than 250W and cuts out at 15.5mph.
2. As e-bikes become visually less obvious, as a courtesy to other group members, please let them know that you are riding assisted to avoid Cancellara Flanders type accusations.
3. On certain sections e-bikes could be much faster than unassisted bikes so make sure that you are riding with consideration for those riding unassisted and not riding off the front or setting an unrealistic pace.
4. Make sure you have sufficient battery capacity to complete the planned route.
5. Additional systems present additional potential for mechanical failures and ones with which other groups members are unlikely to be able to offer assistance owing to a lack of experience.  Make sure you have tools/expertise to deal with these.
6. Lastly, don’t be alarmed when everyone else wants to have a shot on your e-bike!