Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Hounslow 100 Preview

There are only sixteen 100 mile time trials in the whole of Cycling Time Trials programme for 2010, so the approach of a closing date for entries is something to be noted in a diary.

The Hounslow and District Wheelers Ron Brown Memorial 100 to be held on 4th July (closing date 22nd June) has produced many fast rides on its current Farnham -Alton course, which is readily accessible from London. Last year’s winner was the reigning BBAR champion, Nik Bowdler (Farnboro.& Camberley) with 3 hours 43 minutes 23 seconds., in 2008 Paul Dring (Echelon SPIUK) took the honours with 3.48.34, an almost identical time to Steve Golla’s (High Wycombe) 3.48.42 the previous year.

Over the years the promoting club has often provided the winning rider as well as the marshals, here in roughly chronological order: Kevin Fairhead (2 Wins) Jeff Marshall (2), Martyn Roach (4), Colin Roshier (3), Robin Jackson (1) and most recently Paul Holdsworth with two wins, the second in 2006. Paul hopes to be a contender again this year. The Hounslow has also shown an impressive consistency in the team award category, having taken the prize thirty times out of fifty four possible occasions.

It  would be wrong to imagine this is in any way a ‘club’ event  and many past winners from other clubs have been on their way to winning that year’s BBAR championship, for example: Brian Kirby (1961), Ant Taylor (1969) and Michael Hutchinson (2000). Hutchinson’s victory is perhaps the most notable since it was his first ever attempt at the distance, and his main reason for entering was to get a qualifying time for that year’s championship 100; his winning time- 3.38.26!

The race had a previous existence as the Calleva Road Club 100 and was first promoted as an open event during the second world war, but it was originally run in the 1930’s as a club event. When this legendary club ran into difficulties in the mid fifties the Hounslow stepped into the breach and has run it continuously since 1956.

There were ninety five entrants in 2009, and although the size of this year’s field cannot yet be predicted it is interesting to note that the 2010 Charlotteville 50, which uses the same course and might well be seen as a warm up for this event, attracted the exceptionally large entry of one hundred and forty would be competitors. It’s not clear why the Charlotteville was so popular, but it does give the organiser, Trevor Gilbert, some cause for optimism. However it must be said that a full field of 120 is unlikely.

A slightly unusual addition to this year’s prize list, which the club hopes is in tune with the current zietgeist, is a fastest on fixed wheel award of £25.

The club believes that all entrants will be offered the best of the time trial tradition combined with an opportunity to record a fast 100 time.