After the success of the Women’s Rides in 2009, London Phoenix have agreed to make them a permanent calendar fixture. We hope that as news of the rides spread we will see an increasing number of women of all standards join – and that means you!

Provisional dates for rides over the next 6 months are listed below and will take place in or near London. To join a ride or to find out more simply email annabelrootes@yahoo.co.uk.

• Jan 10th
• Feb 7th
• Mar 7th
• Apr 4th
• May 9th
• Jun 6th

London Phoenix had the perfect start to the 2010 road season (which started Dec 1st) when Ben Knowles and James Wallace combined to give Phoenix an emphatic first and second place at the opening race of the Hog Hill winter series. What was even more incredible was that this was their first ever race, on a circuit that takes most people months, if not years to master! Chapeau!

You can read Ben’s account here.

Elsewhere Phoenix had an equally impressive start to 2010 with Matt Harper and Chris Dick both in the points in the 3rd cat race at Hog Hill, and David Murrell and Andy Nash picking up their first points of the season at a packed Hillingdon circuit.

Well done everyone!

London Phoenix dominated the racing at Hog Hill with four riders coming away with points from two races. The 4th cats raced first with Ben Knowles and James Wallace representing Phoenix in a field of twenty-four riders. A group of four riders including the two Phoenixer’s looked in danger of breaking away after about 20 minutes but got reeled back in before an attack led by the two Phoenixers split the field, with five riders getting away. The group worked together to get some clear space and stayed together till the finish. Lining up at the bottom of the hill James led the early charge with Ben being fortunate in catching some good wheels and getting towed up to the others, heading out into the lead just in front of James for a Phoenix 1-2!

The E/1/2/3/4 handicap race set off with a field of 25 riders; London Phoenix being represented by Matthew Harper and Christopher Dick setting off with the cat 3s. A large cat 3/4 group formed which worked effectively to stay away from the upper categories until the finish line, where strong sprinting from Matthew secured a 5th place and Christopher showed real grit to hold on to 10th place in what was clearly a strong field.

London Phoenix had an action packed weekend of off-road racing at the start of December, with Stuart Lockyear and Joss Miller getting top 10 places at the De Laune Cross race at Herne Hill on the Saturday, and Neil Simpson coming home a fantastic eighth in the vets category at the South East and Eastern Regional Cross Championships held at Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich.

Meanwhile our MTB crews were battling the mud at the Thetford Winter races, with Alex Christians and Jason Wright just out of the top ten in their respective 2 hour and 4 hour events, and Doug getting a creditable top 30 in the vets 4 hour race.

These impressive results follow on from a succession of earlier podium places for Samantha Hart and Paul Troughton at the Gorrick MTB races in November, so 2010 looks like it will be another stunner!

LP’s Xmas bash was a glorious end to the 2009 racing year thanks to the efforts of Neil, Paul, Richard, the Rollapaluza Roller Racing Crew (cheers Casper!), and all the brave LP boys and girls who spun like crazy in their attempt to snare une ‘pidgeon’!

We took over the world-famous Horseshoe pub in Clerkenwell for a xmas feast (the likes of which will never be seen again) and in the presence of founding member John Mullineaux we set about competing (and drinking beer…). After some incredibly close races Sarah Walsh was eventually declared the fastest woman on the day, with Alex Christians the fastest and best dressed man. Bravo et chapeau!!!

Thanks to Richard for the great video, and see you all again in 2010!