Daniel Kogan writes:

Glendene take on the Paris Roubaix of Essex!

(Tour of Dengie Road Race)

Sunday 23rd September and bright and early Rick Sykes-Popham, Steven Griffiths, Steve Charles, Simon Parker, Tony Woodcock, Daniel Kogan and Ben Thompson assembled in the car park of St Peters High School in the town of Burnham on Crouch. What lay in front of these seven was described by Alan Rosner, the organiser, as “a Man’s race” which covered 120km on some of the windiest roads and farm tracks in Essex.

Around 45 riders set off at 9:30 and the ever eager Steve Charles managed to open a small gap in the neutralised zone to the amusement of the other riders. The quite steady start was soon forgotten as the race went over the Railway Bridge for the first time with the pace exploding as riders grappled for wheels. Not far off 50km/h the bunch was strung out and gaps began to open. With the uneven surface it was no surprise to see riders puncture. At the front though Rick was setting the pace and soon got away with 3 others.

Behind, Ben managed to get into a small chase group of around 9 riders. And just down the road the two Steve’s and Daniel were chasing hard to get back on in what was left of a greatly diminished bunch. Just off this group were Simon and Tony who were also in a small group. By the second lap there were only around 25 riders left on the circuit as the pace and wind took its toll.

By the third lap Simon and Tony decided to call it a day. Around the half way mark Steven Griffiths followed suit. With four Glendene riders left it was going to be a race of attrition.

By the last few laps the race was beginning to tell and, unfortunately, Ben punctured. Unable to get back to his original group he waited and joined the group of Daniel and Steve Charles, which was now down to just five riders.

Even with all the drama behind Rick continued on and soon began shedding his breakaway companions. With two laps to go Steve Charles, who was working nights that week, lost contact with the group. Ben, seeing the group was tired, attacked with two laps to go and began time - trialling to the finish.

Last lap and Daniel, eager to salvage something, attacked on the Railway Bridge and managed to catch Ben and also another rider by the line. Rick and the eventual winner Roy Chamberlain could not be separated and it took a two up sprint to decide the win, which unfortunately didn’t go in Rick’s favour.

A huge eight minutes later Daniel came in 9th, Ben on his wheel in 10th and Steve Charles - who dug incredibly deep - came in 16th, rounding off the Glendene riders.

A very tough 3 hours 20 mins of racing which only had 21 finishers. The Dengie Marsh tour was a very hard race and a good way to end the season. I’d like to thank Bob Downs for helping before, during and after the race and also Bill Williams, who marshalled and provided support.


And here is another view of the same race. Click

Daniel Kogan writes:

Juniors in Belgium again

Mesen. 84km RR

At 2:30 the race was off and as usual the normal fast start resumed with both Andrew and Daniel getting right to the front. Approaching the first climb Daniel made an attack yet with the bunch vigilant it didn’t last long. The constant attacking of riders continued for the first two laps and on the second lap on the climb Daniel was able to get away with another and in turn the bunch behind split with around 20 riders making up a front group. With these twenty riders away and both Glendene present it was looking good.

By the half way mark Andrew attacked and split the break in half taking around 10 riders with him yet unfortunately Daniel, suffering with bad legs, didn’t make the split. Still Andrew battled on and started driving the break away with Daniel sitting in the chasing group blocking.

Then with 3 laps to go Daniel attacked on the hill again and took two riders with him. Andrew continued to look strong as he picked up a prime and was riding strongly for a top position.

Last lap and the front group began to split with a Belgian soloing off the front for the win. Three other riders pursued but to no avail and Andrew followed not far behind in a third group of four. After a hard last lap Andrew finished a respectable 6th two minutes behind the winner and Daniel came in a minute later in 13th after a long chase.

There were 47 finishers and both Glendene juniors rode strongly. With Andrew racing in Belgium in a big interclub stage race next week and Daniel in the local Dengie Marsh tour hopefully they will produce good results.

GHS National Schoolboys 10m TT Champs.CTT: Report & picture.


National Junior Womens RR Championship: Report & pictures.
National Championship RR LVRC: Report.