QF Focus Magazine “Trofeo Penon de Ifach” Cycle Sportif, Calpe 2015.


Last month twelve members of Team “Cyclogical” based in Quesada travelled to Calpe to participate in the 6th Trofeo Penon de Ifach Sportif.


Accompanied by their wives and partners they all stayed in the Diamante Beach hotel which has been the main Headquarters for the race for the past 6 years. On arrival at the hotel it was a quick check in, register for the race, collect your commemorative sportif top and race number, park up cars, bikes and cases into the bedrooms and off to the nearest sports bar to watch the rugby. We all met up for dinner in the hotel dining room at 8pm followed by a few drinks then an early night. The Sportif / race is always well organised and started just after breakfast between 8am and 9am on Sunday 11th, all participants and teams started when they were ready as everyone was wearing a chip to register their times on completion, this was a big improvement on previous years as it meant that there was no mass start and no following the pace car, it was basically a race from start to finish against the clock and all the other riders. There were two food / water stops on route which were optional and plenty of beer and food at the finish. This was the first time that I took my time on a Sportif as I always have to go as fast as I can and try and get a good place, but this year my best mate Willie came across from Scotland especially to take part in his first ever Sportif. Willie celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year and is still exceptionally fit for his age. We were both in the Regiment together and both taught Shotokan Karate for 25 years. He has only been on a road bike 9 times in his life, twice last year when he was over on holiday, four on his son’s bike at home, twice in preparation and then the actual cycle race itself. We started with the main group at approx 8.30am and we just took our time, up and down, up and down for about 70k and that was it, Willie decided enough was enough so from now on he was walking up the ups and cycling on the downs. It was great for me as I got to see the countryside and enjoy the views, we even stopped at both of the water stops to fill Willie’s water bottles, have a glass of coke and a


Answers to Sudoku & Spot the Difference


Page 35


banana, this is the first time that I have managed to do a complete Sportif using only half a bottle of water. After the 80k mark it became relatively flat with most of the main hills now behind us and only 500m of climbing left, we were off with Willie hard on my wheel, we cycled most of the way back until 10k out and by this time Willie had to walk once again. Once at the top of the last climb it was downhill and he was back in the saddle all the way in to Calpe, we took 5 hours 50 mins to complete the event but Willie had made it – a great achievement and even managed to beat two of our team members. We came over the finish line to cheers from fellow competitors, family and friends, all of whom had been waiting patiently for us. We quickly laid our bikes up against the wall and proceeded to the beer table for a few beers to quench our thirst, this was a great achievement for Willie who was absolutely delighted to be finished. The first group of riders were back around the 4 hour mark with many others taking over 6 hours with some even taking 7 hours to complete the circuit which was 126kms with approx 2500metres of climbing involved. All of team Cyclogical performed well especially Big Dave (sniffer) who got lost and did about 20kms more than everyone else and also Alan Quearns who finished 11th overall out of a field of 168 riders which was considerably less than previous years. The team are pictured at the entrance to the Diamante Beach Hotel (left to right Malcky Murray, Owen Desmond, Gary Mullhall, Peter Cunningham, Richard Binns, Alan Quearns, Gary Routledge, Jamie Duffy, Willie Duncan, Dave sniffer Robertson and Martyn Stone being presented with the team trophy by Jurgen Van Hoolen of Vuelta Turistica which was a lovely chunk of glass with a 3d image of The Penon de Ifach. Team “Cyclogical” meet every Thursday night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 100kms at a moderate to fast pace so if you fancy a challenge come along and join us. We also have a newly formed Improvers Group so if you are looking to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637 487 377. Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical in Quesada Monday to Fridays from 9.30 am until 5.30pm and from 10am until 2pm on a Saturday to assist and advise you on all your cycling requirements.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36