The weather had certainly closed in but as we arrived at the club there was no sign of the forecast winds.
The organisers should be congratulated on their focus on the safety of competitors which involved scoring paddlers abilities to cope with conditions and a full clothing (kit) check, support crew check and boat scrutineering. The race was to go ahead but under red boards on account of the increased river flow.
A bit of hanging around in the Rivermead car park meant frequent visits to the loo and Lee falling over in the mud!
We opted for the first start slot at 10:30 and lined up with what must have been 40 - 50 boats of all shapes and sizes. Our start was slow but safe, this unfortunately meant we had to contend with quite extreme wash put up behind the other boats.
After lots of slap strokes to keep us upright we made the first portage at Reading Lock and joined a queue of boats to portage, Matt did well with the current and soon got us onto a good line down the Dreadnought Reach and we began to overtake the fleet without other boats passing us.
We did the same in the Sonning to Shiplake pound, but got caught in a three boat queue at the put in, you join the main river at the put in and the water was screaming by, Matt's navigation was spot on and we were soon making ground on other boats.
At Marsh we encountered a late surge from a K2 on our inside who we had overtaken leading up to the lock and they blagged the portage right, however we ran past this same boat on the run over the footbridge to the put in area. It was here we saw Matt's family for a bottle change and quick mouthful of flapjack and we were back off towards Henley Bridge, welcoming shouts from other RCC spectators added to our motivation at this point.
On the Henley mile whilst windy we did not get the extreme wind forecast and we paddled up to John and Catherine and then slipped slightly ahead, John gave several technique tips all teh while saying how much they enjoyed sitting in our wash; however through better boat control they reached the Hambledon lock slightly ahead. Nick Daniel's was marshalling this lock and gave us the welcome news that there were only five boats ahead of us, whaich was great considering we had slipped almost to the back of the fleet at the start. More flapjack at the put-in then Matt navigated us through really tricky flows with a massive push from the weirpool entering to our left forcing the boat towards the bank and obstructions. The next pound to Hurley felt very odd indeed like we were paddling on boiling water with current coming directly up at the hull.
At Hurley we had to wait for a K4 to get in at the put in point and we had another top up of sweets from Lee's family.
On through Temple lock and now jus one more portage to go, no dramas through Marlow Lock keeping well over the the left away from the weir then a very tricky turn into the right hand side channel under the Marlow by-pass bridge to the finish.
We had a great welcome from our families, and Simon, Sandra and Michael Jeffs who had come down from Marlow to welcome us home.
Our time was: 2:12:49 seconds which was significantly quicker than our K1 times of the summer when we stopped above Marlow Lock in 3 hours, three factors; river flow, K2 boat speed, and I think we are getting better!! We were placed in 4th position in the veteran K2 class.
A great race, we learned several lessons, and many thanks indeed to our support crew, Mel and the kids and Debbie and Daniel for reaching Hurley in time.
Eyes down for another week of training and the Waterside 3 race on Sunday 7th March.........
Sunday 28 February 2010
Saturday 27 February 2010
Thameside 2 Weekend
The past weekend was spent preparing (Saturday) and racing (Sunday) in the Thameside 2 race organised by the Reading Canoe Club which is a race of some 18 miles downstream from Caversham Bridge to the Longridge scout base below Marlow Lock.
The Saturday preparation went well, Matt was in the front of the boat and we elected to take the boat on a downstream run to Sonning Lock and return against the flow.
The river was rising significantly although the forecast for Sunday was even more ominous, with 40 mph winds and heavy rains.
We did well downstream and return although the flow was certainly having an effect on the boat.
A quick final check of the boat and off home to be ready for race day.
The Saturday preparation went well, Matt was in the front of the boat and we elected to take the boat on a downstream run to Sonning Lock and return against the flow.
The river was rising significantly although the forecast for Sunday was even more ominous, with 40 mph winds and heavy rains.
We did well downstream and return although the flow was certainly having an effect on the boat.
A quick final check of the boat and off home to be ready for race day.
Thursday 25 February 2010
Here's mud in yer eye...
Matt and Lee pushed off from the club early today in single seat K1 kayaks to do two laps of what Reading Canoe Club refer to as the time trial club circuit, which is essentially a 5 km loop heading upstream to an island called the fisheries, then back all the way to Piper's Island beyond Caversham Bridge downstream before turning to head back upstream.
It was good to be back on the water together albeit in different boats.
We did 6 minute efforts with 1 minute rest (slow paddle) throughout the circuit.
The first loop was uneventful, but on the second lap Lee had been hogging the bank line (less current and basically cheating) and he was whacked in the eye by a very elastic low hanging branch which flicked off the paddle. After several expletives and concern from Matt we cracked on together to finish the second lap.
WeBoth agreed the efforts were hard and this session we will now do twice a week amongst other activities as we approach the race day.
No lasting damage, although for one moment Lee thought he would be completing the DW with an eye patch! And on account of the amount of spinach his wife is now feeding him would be rivaling the character below.
It was good to be back on the water together albeit in different boats.
We did 6 minute efforts with 1 minute rest (slow paddle) throughout the circuit.
The first loop was uneventful, but on the second lap Lee had been hogging the bank line (less current and basically cheating) and he was whacked in the eye by a very elastic low hanging branch which flicked off the paddle. After several expletives and concern from Matt we cracked on together to finish the second lap.
WeBoth agreed the efforts were hard and this session we will now do twice a week amongst other activities as we approach the race day.
No lasting damage, although for one moment Lee thought he would be completing the DW with an eye patch! And on account of the amount of spinach his wife is now feeding him would be rivaling the character below.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Back in the gym, the river, the road
Matt is back, and it is good to have him back, the K1 sessions over the weekend are good for balance and fitness but there is nothing quite like powering up and down the river pointing out the wildlife and asking the helm to avoid the anglers while Matt battles to keep course with the tiller.
We had a good session in the gym with other club members last night and a strong pyramid session this morning before work on the ergos in the club. Our technique must be improving because our arms no longer fatigue just our abs from rotating the trunk. This is not a picture of us (yet!)
Water sessions are planned on Thursday and Friday morning then preparing the K2 Condor on Saturday with another Thames based session ready for the Thameside 2 race from Reading to Marlow, the river is flowing very fast and we have been advised to dress for the occasion and expect a fast run on Sunday, there will be mass class starts so in the veterans (us!) we suspet there will be twenty odd boats lining up on the Thames screaming down to Reading lock for the first portage.
Should any of you be around this weekend, there are a few vantage points along the route, notably the footpath in Henley downstream towards Temple Island.
We keep mentioning this but donations are just pouring in by the day, it is absolutely marvelous, thank you one and all for your support.
We had a good session in the gym with other club members last night and a strong pyramid session this morning before work on the ergos in the club. Our technique must be improving because our arms no longer fatigue just our abs from rotating the trunk. This is not a picture of us (yet!)
Water sessions are planned on Thursday and Friday morning then preparing the K2 Condor on Saturday with another Thames based session ready for the Thameside 2 race from Reading to Marlow, the river is flowing very fast and we have been advised to dress for the occasion and expect a fast run on Sunday, there will be mass class starts so in the veterans (us!) we suspet there will be twenty odd boats lining up on the Thames screaming down to Reading lock for the first portage.
Should any of you be around this weekend, there are a few vantage points along the route, notably the footpath in Henley downstream towards Temple Island.
We keep mentioning this but donations are just pouring in by the day, it is absolutely marvelous, thank you one and all for your support.
Saturday 20 February 2010
Welcome to the blog and thank you for all the donations
Welcome to the newest followers of the blog, from the South Coast.
The donations keep pouring in and with the Gift Aid we are now well over £3,000 which is a fantastic sum thank you all very much indeed.
Lee joined the club session today in a K1 and had a good run keeping in touch with stronger club paddlers back from Mapledurham to the clubhouse.
The boat club is all DW talk at the moment with another new crew to club joining to refine their technique with just 40 days to go now to the big event.
Lots of people now are enquiring after our expected DW time, we think we will stick to 24 hours as a target as this is a mammoth event and neither of us will have experienced anything like it before.
Will write more soon.
The donations keep pouring in and with the Gift Aid we are now well over £3,000 which is a fantastic sum thank you all very much indeed.
Lee joined the club session today in a K1 and had a good run keeping in touch with stronger club paddlers back from Mapledurham to the clubhouse.
The boat club is all DW talk at the moment with another new crew to club joining to refine their technique with just 40 days to go now to the big event.
Lots of people now are enquiring after our expected DW time, we think we will stick to 24 hours as a target as this is a mammoth event and neither of us will have experienced anything like it before.
Will write more soon.
Sunday 14 February 2010
Well done Matt - Thameside 1
I picked Matt up very early, the Atkins nerves had set in early this morning and he was up at the crack of dawn sorting the boat out then rv at Matt's house, whilst we awaited Debbie's arrival.
After nearly losing the clutch in Debbie's car on the way over we arrived in good time for check in.
The course we had run a few times before and our record was 1:55.
The rolling start caused Lee to get the jitters having not been in the front seat for a month or so, none the less after losing out on the start to a neighbouring pair of K2's who we knew to be much faster we got into our stride.
Portages were ok although I think Matt has them down to a "T" we overtook some slower and then not some slower boats.
Debbie was a welcome sight at Burghfield, two squares of flapjack stuffed in our mouths and we were off again, it was pretty hard to digest but I am sure it worked.
We came up behind John and Katherine from Reading just before Fobney and squeezed past them, encouraging words from Katherine and then Lee sat back in the mud on the put-in some helpful words from John about our rudder being in the mud and we pulled away again.
Shortly after the M4 bridge a faster Reading Junior K2 were on our tail, cat and mouse for the following five or so bends and then they showed the newbies (us) how it is done giving a few paddling tips as they sailed by.
We did keep them in our sights all the way to the finish though and Matt called the last 500m brilliantly, no grunting just driving every last knot out of the boat and us.......
We have just checked the web-site to find that we are third in class and absolutely over the moon, well done Matt who is still suffering from a cold.
1st was 1:43:23 2nd was 1:45:08 and we were 32 seconds behind them!! The new kids on the block are here to stay!
It was great to see Matt's family and Debbie at the finish I am sure this is going to make a huge difference to us on the event.
The sponsorship keeps rolling in thank you all it really spurs us on.
Lee and Matt
After nearly losing the clutch in Debbie's car on the way over we arrived in good time for check in.
The course we had run a few times before and our record was 1:55.
The rolling start caused Lee to get the jitters having not been in the front seat for a month or so, none the less after losing out on the start to a neighbouring pair of K2's who we knew to be much faster we got into our stride.
Portages were ok although I think Matt has them down to a "T" we overtook some slower and then not some slower boats.
Debbie was a welcome sight at Burghfield, two squares of flapjack stuffed in our mouths and we were off again, it was pretty hard to digest but I am sure it worked.
We came up behind John and Katherine from Reading just before Fobney and squeezed past them, encouraging words from Katherine and then Lee sat back in the mud on the put-in some helpful words from John about our rudder being in the mud and we pulled away again.
Shortly after the M4 bridge a faster Reading Junior K2 were on our tail, cat and mouse for the following five or so bends and then they showed the newbies (us) how it is done giving a few paddling tips as they sailed by.
We did keep them in our sights all the way to the finish though and Matt called the last 500m brilliantly, no grunting just driving every last knot out of the boat and us.......
We have just checked the web-site to find that we are third in class and absolutely over the moon, well done Matt who is still suffering from a cold.
1st was 1:43:23 2nd was 1:45:08 and we were 32 seconds behind them!! The new kids on the block are here to stay!
It was great to see Matt's family and Debbie at the finish I am sure this is going to make a huge difference to us on the event.
The sponsorship keeps rolling in thank you all it really spurs us on.
Lee and Matt
Saturday 13 February 2010
Thameside 1 Aldermaston to Reading Canoe Club
Matt was under the weather for the last two days so my activity was limited to running.
We spent the afternoon in the boat shed with Matthew helping to clean the hull and sand down the nicks in the rudder, we have also lined the area beneath the footplates with aluminium high speed tape to stop our heels wearing through the hull.
A quick call on Matt and he is up for the race tomorrow.
Our record for the course is 1:55 in the club condor, we have not yet run the course in our boat.
Debbie is supporting us tomorrow, and Lee will be skipper so bow down!!
Thank you everybody for your support with the sponsorship rolling in sometimes by the hour, it is fantastic, thank you each and every one of you.
Will post results tomorrow.
We spent the afternoon in the boat shed with Matthew helping to clean the hull and sand down the nicks in the rudder, we have also lined the area beneath the footplates with aluminium high speed tape to stop our heels wearing through the hull.
A quick call on Matt and he is up for the race tomorrow.
Our record for the course is 1:55 in the club condor, we have not yet run the course in our boat.
Debbie is supporting us tomorrow, and Lee will be skipper so bow down!!
Thank you everybody for your support with the sponsorship rolling in sometimes by the hour, it is fantastic, thank you each and every one of you.
Will post results tomorrow.
Thursday 11 February 2010
Tuesday 9 February 2010
The ice man cometh - Never paddle alone!
After a good session in the club gym to shake off the aches and pains from Waterside 1 on Monday night we set off for a K1 single kayak session with other club members at 07:00 this morning.
Dan led the group and sent Matt and Lee off ahead on 6 minute on 2 minute off sprint pieces upstream towards Mapledurham. Lee was behind Matt but keeping close all the way up (known as wash hanging) apart from the last stint before Mapledurham island which Lee led.
However on turning too close to the upstream point of the island (NEVER DO THIS AGAIN LEE) he capsized in very fast flow and found the K1 pinned to the island and pushed under the water, the rest of the squad assembled afloat nearby to ensure Lee was OK. Thanks to Amo who shouted not to let go of the paddle which was quite a task as Lee was treading water while trying to prevent the canoe being swept downstream beside the island.
After a few minutes Lee scrambled onto the island, having emptied the canoe of water and was able to put back in on the opposite downstream bank below the overhanging trees, grateful to have been part of a group. Amo helpfully remarked as he was paddling away to "never do that again"
Matt and Lee pushed on back to the club, the cold set in however and Lee was shaking despite being dressed for the conditions, Matt kindly put the boats away while Lee got back to temperature after 10 minutes under the club showers.
Having thanked the squad when the y were back in the changing room for waiting, it seemed a mandatory happening; "think nothing of it", "letting you die would have been a nightmare on account of all the paperwork" like climbing incidents there are some situations your team mates do not walk away from, for his part Lee was glad for the support and level headed advice from more experienced paddlers.
The result one broken rear light, but back to paddle another day.
Dan led the group and sent Matt and Lee off ahead on 6 minute on 2 minute off sprint pieces upstream towards Mapledurham. Lee was behind Matt but keeping close all the way up (known as wash hanging) apart from the last stint before Mapledurham island which Lee led.
However on turning too close to the upstream point of the island (NEVER DO THIS AGAIN LEE) he capsized in very fast flow and found the K1 pinned to the island and pushed under the water, the rest of the squad assembled afloat nearby to ensure Lee was OK. Thanks to Amo who shouted not to let go of the paddle which was quite a task as Lee was treading water while trying to prevent the canoe being swept downstream beside the island.
After a few minutes Lee scrambled onto the island, having emptied the canoe of water and was able to put back in on the opposite downstream bank below the overhanging trees, grateful to have been part of a group. Amo helpfully remarked as he was paddling away to "never do that again"
Matt and Lee pushed on back to the club, the cold set in however and Lee was shaking despite being dressed for the conditions, Matt kindly put the boats away while Lee got back to temperature after 10 minutes under the club showers.
Having thanked the squad when the y were back in the changing room for waiting, it seemed a mandatory happening; "think nothing of it", "letting you die would have been a nightmare on account of all the paperwork" like climbing incidents there are some situations your team mates do not walk away from, for his part Lee was glad for the support and level headed advice from more experienced paddlers.
The result one broken rear light, but back to paddle another day.
Friends like these
You work your socks off on Sunday, to give your helm the glory of crossing the line in a creditable position and ask for photos for the blog.......
Then you get an e-mail asking for 6 differences between the two pictures below! Answers in the "post a reply box below please, the best one will win a prize from the Help for Heroes website........
Then you get an e-mail asking for 6 differences between the two pictures below! Answers in the "post a reply box below please, the best one will win a prize from the Help for Heroes website........
Sunday 7 February 2010
Waterside A - Race day is here
After a good bowl of porridge Lee drove over to Matt's to load up the Condor, Matt's wife Mel was kindly supporting us today, along with Tilly their labrador.
Great Bedwyn was absolutely mobbed with cars, boats etc. Lee checked in and the nerves kicked in, the start seemed quite sedate, just paddle up to the starter and they would release you after noting your number, we were boat No 192.
After wishing other Reading crews well, the time was upon us to push on, we were held on the line for 20 seconds then GO..................
We were using the new winged paddles and they were noticably heavier and seemed to offer more resistance (perhaps power) than our usual blades, we were soon catching a solitary K1 whose support crew proceeded to feed him at the only place to put back in! once we were underway we caught and passed him at the next portage, and that was the pattern set for most of the race, we think just 5 or so boats passed us and we passed many more than that.
We had a tussle with 3 junior K2's who leap frogged us at one portage, us doing the same to them the next then back again and finally we pulled away on account of Matt's charging efforts at the portage, the girl's crew were kind enough to compliment us on the our nice wake pattern!
Good camaraderie ensued however the portages were where it was won or lost and we soon upped our game in this department, exiting quickly and running smoothly leap frogging crews at most portages, I could tell we were both maxing out as the banter stops and the breathing became laboured.
We met a meandering K1 who would not keep to a line as Matt tried both sides to overtake, eventually an unfortunate collision directed him towards a fallen tree across the canal which he paddled into and had to back up and we managed to paddle on relatively unscathed after some backing up.
Melissa at Kintbury was a welcome sight, although no time to stop and chat...we rushed on through this
portage.
Finally a Canadian Double shouted "it's a mile to go", we upped our pace and raced into Newbury, the final portage was fun with a more experienced crew trying to trick us into clearing the put in area, Matt was having none of it although they did get ahead, the river flows in through a quite narrow area in the centre of Newbury which was very turbulent, still there were hundreds of faces at the end and the horn a welcome end to what was a very hard first race.
We had finished in 2:08:55 and were delighted with this result, which was 12th place in the Veteran group and would have been 6th in the Senior (younger) group! not bad considering we have not yet reached our first paddling anniversary, having firset set foot in a boat at Reading Canoe Club in July last year.
Eyes down for next weekend the Thameside 1 race in our back yard......let's hope the forecast cold weather does not bring any more ice.
That's all folks I am off to bed!
Great Bedwyn was absolutely mobbed with cars, boats etc. Lee checked in and the nerves kicked in, the start seemed quite sedate, just paddle up to the starter and they would release you after noting your number, we were boat No 192.
After wishing other Reading crews well, the time was upon us to push on, we were held on the line for 20 seconds then GO..................
We were using the new winged paddles and they were noticably heavier and seemed to offer more resistance (perhaps power) than our usual blades, we were soon catching a solitary K1 whose support crew proceeded to feed him at the only place to put back in! once we were underway we caught and passed him at the next portage, and that was the pattern set for most of the race, we think just 5 or so boats passed us and we passed many more than that.
We had a tussle with 3 junior K2's who leap frogged us at one portage, us doing the same to them the next then back again and finally we pulled away on account of Matt's charging efforts at the portage, the girl's crew were kind enough to compliment us on the our nice wake pattern!
Good camaraderie ensued however the portages were where it was won or lost and we soon upped our game in this department, exiting quickly and running smoothly leap frogging crews at most portages, I could tell we were both maxing out as the banter stops and the breathing became laboured.
We met a meandering K1 who would not keep to a line as Matt tried both sides to overtake, eventually an unfortunate collision directed him towards a fallen tree across the canal which he paddled into and had to back up and we managed to paddle on relatively unscathed after some backing up.
Melissa at Kintbury was a welcome sight, although no time to stop and chat...we rushed on through this
portage.
Finally a Canadian Double shouted "it's a mile to go", we upped our pace and raced into Newbury, the final portage was fun with a more experienced crew trying to trick us into clearing the put in area, Matt was having none of it although they did get ahead, the river flows in through a quite narrow area in the centre of Newbury which was very turbulent, still there were hundreds of faces at the end and the horn a welcome end to what was a very hard first race.
We had finished in 2:08:55 and were delighted with this result, which was 12th place in the Veteran group and would have been 6th in the Senior (younger) group! not bad considering we have not yet reached our first paddling anniversary, having firset set foot in a boat at Reading Canoe Club in July last year.
Eyes down for next weekend the Thameside 1 race in our back yard......let's hope the forecast cold weather does not bring any more ice.
That's all folks I am off to bed!
Saturday 6 February 2010
She's back......
Matt picked up the condor from Marsport on Friday, with the footplates re-bonded to the hull, we decided on account of all the rowers to head downstream to Sonning lock cut and return back to the club.
The boat ran well and the flow was noticably slower than recent outings, none the less the turn came up in no time and we started the long hard slog back up against the current.
We pulled in just as the main club group were leaving for their session in a time of 1:00:00 dead, not bad for us and more importantly the footplate held, so no worries there.
Matt and I proceeded upstream with several practice starts to give us some practice ahead of tomorrows Waterside A race.
On the way home Matt called with the news that out paddles had water inside them and Lee's blades were twisting (DISASTER)! I scooted back to Matt's then on to Marsport who kindly set up a new set of carbon wings for us and loaned Lee the two part epoxy glue which in their words was so much better than the hot melt sh*t which had failed on us.
Lee repaired our two Elio Competition IV wings and left them to dry overnight, early to bed to prepare for the first races (sorry training run) tomorrow.
The boat ran well and the flow was noticably slower than recent outings, none the less the turn came up in no time and we started the long hard slog back up against the current.
We pulled in just as the main club group were leaving for their session in a time of 1:00:00 dead, not bad for us and more importantly the footplate held, so no worries there.
Matt and I proceeded upstream with several practice starts to give us some practice ahead of tomorrows Waterside A race.
On the way home Matt called with the news that out paddles had water inside them and Lee's blades were twisting (DISASTER)! I scooted back to Matt's then on to Marsport who kindly set up a new set of carbon wings for us and loaned Lee the two part epoxy glue which in their words was so much better than the hot melt sh*t which had failed on us.
Lee repaired our two Elio Competition IV wings and left them to dry overnight, early to bed to prepare for the first races (sorry training run) tomorrow.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
On the right track, road, footpath..........
Lots of participants in the race have said that the paddlers have the easy bit, i.e. it is much more straightforward in the boat, than supporting from the bank.
Our support crew spent yesterday driving the length of the canal from Devizes to Reading checking all the portage points and getting familiar with the road route. We are being supported by our long suffering wives; Melissa and Debbie and an able willing bunch of supporters, who will, feed, water, re-clothe, encourage, motivate, berate, admonish us for missbehaviour or slow paddling! It is a mammoth operation as we are two hungry boys that love a drink!
With much regret the Shiraz is now isotonic carbohydrate sports drink and the Chateaubriand replaced with bite sized flapjacks and other high carbohydrate morsels........oh what joy, still the weight is still falling off and the colateral benefits are worth it ;-)
Our attention in the boat turns to the weekend and the first Waterside race from Great Bedwyn to Newbury.
We have had some good news from Marsport in that our ultra light Condor is repaired and will be back with us on Friday, in time for a set up outing / training session on Saturday and race day Sunday.
More news to follow.
Our support crew spent yesterday driving the length of the canal from Devizes to Reading checking all the portage points and getting familiar with the road route. We are being supported by our long suffering wives; Melissa and Debbie and an able willing bunch of supporters, who will, feed, water, re-clothe, encourage, motivate, berate, admonish us for missbehaviour or slow paddling! It is a mammoth operation as we are two hungry boys that love a drink!
With much regret the Shiraz is now isotonic carbohydrate sports drink and the Chateaubriand replaced with bite sized flapjacks and other high carbohydrate morsels........oh what joy, still the weight is still falling off and the colateral benefits are worth it ;-)
Our attention in the boat turns to the weekend and the first Waterside race from Great Bedwyn to Newbury.
We have had some good news from Marsport in that our ultra light Condor is repaired and will be back with us on Friday, in time for a set up outing / training session on Saturday and race day Sunday.
More news to follow.
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