October Segment of the Month Results
The segment of the month season is drawing to a close now; just 14 riders recorded a time in this month’s tricky drag up Boldrewood drive.
Jen Dawson continued waving her solo flag in the women’s competition and is the champion elect.
In the open competition, Niclas Olley left it late to set his time, but didn’t hang about once he’d started. He recorded the 3rd fastest ever time up this segment and was a full 50 seconds faster than second place Tim Cooke and third place Jon Hall. Another sensational ride.
Tim and Jon were first and second in the v50s, with Jon Dudley taking the third step.
So we can now declare winners in one of the specialist competitions. Jen, of course, wins the women’s QOM crown with a 100% record on 80 points. Niclas Olley takes the open KOM crown (75 points), from Jon Hall (73 points) and Tim Cooke (69 points). Jon wins out again in the v50s (78 points), from Tim (76 points) and Paul Macken (53 points).
Things are looking tight, though in the overall GC competition. Riders can discard their two lowest month scores, so there’s still room for movement. Jen can’t be caught in the female competition, but in the open competition Jon leads Tim by 5 points, with Tim just a nervous 3 points ahead of Niclas. Jon might need to look behind him in the v50s: he has a 2 point lead over Tim, and then there’s some clear water to Paul Macken in third.
November is the last month of the 2025 competition. We’re back in the Forest for the final rouleur segment, and this time hoping for a northerly wind to blow us down a nice relaxing 12km flat segment: Colbury to Beaulieu overdrive
If you’ve not played your joker yet, then you’d better do so for November: just let us know at info@sotonia.co.uk or by replying to this post.
While you won’t trouble the leaderboard at this late stage in the competition, you are still free to enter and test yourself against November’s riders. Competition rules are here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X9qj0sm8PzXs28y-PRitkUHC4vuXSIUQmwf9Vjs8PeI/edit?usp=sharing and full results so far are viewable here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uGV6bqDiD42i7wAZL_wz0hUnxRECrNPIhlA69cDwR88/edit?usp=sharing
Tim
Wessex CX League Round 5, Candovers, hosted by VC Venta
At the weekend, the Wessex CX League arrived at Chilton Manor Farm in Candovers, where our road rivals, VC Venta, hosted their first cyclocross race and the fifth round of the season. And, what a race it was!
The course included a large climb up to the finish, closely followed by two consecutive banks; this was followed with a slow drag up towards the manor, including a bank that grew muddier throughout the day; then we came back down towards the bottom of the incline only to drag back up again after the pits; accompanying this was several corners of varying types that descended to some switchbacks before heading back up the climb. Sunday showed the major efforts by riders as they tackled the climbs with enthusiasm.
First up, Charlie Latham-Gardner took sixth in the U8 boys, with Sunni Muriithi in eighth and Jordan Riley in ninth. Florence Boustred came fifth in the U10s and Amie WIlliams finished seventh. Leighton Riley took fourth, Joseph Lovegrove in eighth, Wilfred Barlow in tenth and Harrison Hough fifteenth.
The U12s rode on an extended kid's course; Emily Williams took that last podium step with her third podium of the season, Freddie Trosh and Reuben Lewis accompanied her with Sotonia podiums finishing second and third respectively. Theo Plumb came sixth, Archie Frogley ninth, James Sutton fourteenth, Ruben Davies eighteenth and Alfie Hough and James Martin, twentieth and twenty-first.
Next up, the last of the youths. A huge well done to them with a few having raced on Saturday at Derby for the Nationals – Sotonia saw some good results at the difficult race and some hard work on both days. In the U14s, Eve Carline received her fourth second place of the season; Ruby Boustred came ninth and Billy Dyer fifteenth. For the U16s, Marit Davidse reached her first podium of the season, finishing in third. Reuben Harrington came in fourth, fighting hard for third. Adam Koperdan came tenth (racing under Venta colours), and Morgan Gilbert and George Boustred fought it out coming twelfth and thirteenth respectively.
Then the adults took to the course and our riders didn’t disappoint. In the M40s, Andi Gardiner took his THIRD win of the season, fighting hard against the Junior lead; a massive well done to Andy! Tom Budden chased hard, completing the podium with third. Pete Boustred came eighth, a great result following a mechanical in the first lap. In the Juniors, Samuel Marcade was third, proving his worth against some of our M40 coaches; Stanley Phillips followed home with fourth and Benji Pike landed sixth.
Emma Harrison came fifth in the Senior women’s, and Poppy Carline finished second Junior. A big shout out to Jez Hart, who made his post injury return to cyclo-cross in the M50s.
Overall, a brilliant turn-out for the club last Sunday and check out those Nationals results for our riders that made it to Derby! See you all this weekend in Basingstoke!
September Segment of the Month Results
Not so many people ventured out to September’s segment. Perhaps they were put off by the complicated lottery of trying to time their ride to avoid the two level crossings? Those who did were rewarded with some beautiful Hampshire countryside on a nice little circuit around the Tytherleys.
Jen Dawson was once again the only female rider and maintains her 100% record. Nobody can catch her, either on the road, or in our leaderboard. But maybe some other female riders might venture out to give her some competition in the remaining two months?
Will Weynberg took the top step (and the segment KoM) in the open competition. He shares the podium with Tim Cooke and Jon Hall. In the v50s+, Tim Cooke showed some late season form to take first position; Jon Hall rode into second, and Jon Dudley made a welcome return from injury to take third.
Now we’re six months into the competition, the open leaderboard has a clear shape: Jon Hall has clear water from Tim Cooke and Niclas Olley, with Phil Banks and James Peckham hard on their heels. It’s nearly the same in the v50s+, with Jon leading Tim and then Paul Macken. However, the “discard” system will come into play now. Only the top 6 results count across the 8 month competition, so there’s still a little bit of shaking up to be done.
Full results are viewable at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uGV6bqDiD42i7wAZL_wz0hUnxRECrNPIhlA69cDwR88/edit?usp=sharing
And the first of that shaking up will be on next month’s segment, A35 - east gate junction. We head back to the Forest, this time for a long 7km climb with continuously changing gradients. You’ll need to pace this one well.
If you fancy testing yourself over the last couple of months in the competition, you can find details of how to enter at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X9qj0sm8PzXs28y-PRitkUHC4vuXSIUQmwf9Vjs8PeI/edit?usp=sharing
Tim
Sotonia Social: Saturday 20th September
Sotonia Social, Saturday 20th September! Why not come along to meet fellow Sotonia members new and old at Forwards Cycling. Complimentary coffee, cold drinks and cakes will be available as well as lots of cycling banter. Everyone welcome!
Just drop in anytime between 10am & 2pm on Saturday 20th September at Forwards Cycling, 6 Tanners Brook Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 OJY.
https://www.forwards.cc/
July & August Segment of the Month Results
A bumper results announcement this month, due to some delay processing results over the summer holidays. Jen Dawson continued her dominance in the women’s category. Based upon her achievements last year, she’d likely be at the top of the tree anyway, but as the only female entrant for the last four months, she’s a very safe bet in this year’s GC competition where she has a comfortable lead. Can we tempt any ladies out to challenge her for the September monthly crown?
Talking of people who were tempted out, Will Weynberg made his debut for the year in the July rouleur segment and took top spot in the open category. Jon Hall and Phil Banks filled out the podium. Meanwhile in the v50s, Jon took the crown, with Tim Cooke and Paul Macken coming in second and third.
Jon got his revenge on the August KoM segment, and was once again chased by Phil Banks. James Peckham made a welcome come back to take third spot. Once again in the v50s, Jon leads us all home, this time followed by John Phillips, fitting in the SOTM alongside his BMCR exploits, and Paul Macken.
The open GC is beginning to settle down a bit now. Jon Hall is at the top, with clear water to Tim Cooke and then on to Niclas Olley. But Niclas has yet to record his joker bonus, so there could be some shaking up done here. In the v50s GC, Jon Hall leads from Tim Cooke and Paul Macken. With the “discard two lowest scores” rule this year, though, there’s still a lot to ride for.
Full results are viewable at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uGV6bqDiD42i7wAZL_wz0hUnxRECrNPIhlA69cDwR88/edit?usp=sharing
To enter the competition, just see the rules at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X9qj0sm8PzXs28y-PRitkUHC4vuXSIUQmwf9Vjs8PeI/edit?usp=sharing . This month’s segment is a circuit around Tytherley. https://www.strava.com/segments/16499085
June Segment of the Month Results
June’s segment was a tricky-to-pace climb just outside of Winchester on Down Farm Lane, starting off steep and then then running into a false flat.
Niclas Olley again tops the leaderboard in last month’s segment of the month competition. And again, he claimed the KoM in the process. Kudos, Niclas. Jon Hall came in second, with Tim Cooke taking the final place on the podium in the open competition.
There was one solitary entrant in the female competition, Jen Dawson. Doubtless her time would have been good enough to beat off any competition, though.
The v50 competition is shaping up to be a close run thing. Jon Hall and Tim Cooke took first and second, with Jon Dudley taking third place. There’s not much to separate them at the moment in GC, although it’s early days.
Full results are viewable at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uGV6bqDiD42i7wAZL_wz0hUnxRECrNPIhlA69cDwR88/edit?usp=sharing
In July, we head back to the Forest to the infamous New Forest airfield road. I can imagine lots of riders planning this one carefully and consulting their weather apps assiduously, as there’s likely to be a prevailing wind which will hamper people’s best efforts on Stoney Cross to t-junction, a 4 km flat drag. Good luck! https://www.strava.com/segments/2439399
If you want to play your joker, remember to let us know in the first three days of the month.
It’s never too late to enter the competition. Full details can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X9qj0sm8PzXs28y-PRitkUHC4vuXSIUQmwf9Vjs8PeI/edit?usp=sharing
Tim
May Segment of the Month Results
We ventured out towards Longwood last month, to enjoy the smell of garlic as we toiled our way along May’s segment. Jon Hall was the fastest open rider, beating Niclas Olley into second, but there was nothing to separate the two in third place, Aaron Barry and Jon Dudley. It turns out Jon D is much faster when he doesn’t have to slow down for a tractor.
The v50+ podium was similar: Two Jons on the top two steps, with a Tim sneaking into third.
Again, special mention to the Scarponi lads. Good to see some U16s entering the fray. Can we get a few more to give them some competition?
Things haven’t settled down properly in the GC competition, but at the moment, Tim Cooke has the lead over Niclas Olley and Jon Hall in the open competition. Tim reverses last month’s positions in the v50+ GC: he takes the top step, over Jon H and then Jon D.
It was quiet in the women’s competition last month: Jen Dawson was the only female rider, so she of course heads the standings both for the month and the overall GC.
Full results are viewable here - and full rules (plus a list of all this year's segments) here
In June we go to Kingsworthy, to ride Down Farm Lane. There’s already been some early action here, with several group rides taking advantage of the early good weather. While you ride, can you work out which local pro used to be a barista near here and in which local café? (Clue: he’s been rather successful recently in a World Tour event, even wearing the virtual leader’s jersey at one point).
Tim
April Segment of the Month Results
Local pro cyclist, Red Walters received an unfamiliar email from Strava last month, courtesy of Sotonia’s Segment of the Month competition. Somebody took his KoM!
In a stunning effort, Niclas Olley was faster than Red’s time on the April segment, to Farley Mount. Niclas sneaked in one second ahead of our local pro, and deservedly won the month’s competition. Trailing feebly behind were Tim Cooke and Ed Slot to fill out the male podium. Chapeau, Niclas.
Jen Dawson continued where she left off last year, and resumed her dominance in the female competition, recording the fastest time and beating Sarah Needle to top spot.
In the v50+ “old codgers” competition, Tim Cooke was fastest, and shares the podium with Jon Hall and Paul Macken.
It’s great to have two U16 riders in the competition too: welcome Lorenzo and Giulio Scarponi. Can we rustle up any more youth riders to give them a ride for their money?
May segment
The May segment takes us near Winchester, out near the Milburys pub. If you love the smell of garlic, then you’ll love this gentle 3 km slope. The arched trees either side always make me think of hobbit country. Beautiful. Please take care though. We hear that there is some gravel at the bottom of the road as you turn in from Belmore Lane.
Longwood part 2 https://www.strava.com/segments/4031638
It’s never too late to join the competition. Full rules are viewable here.
And full league tables are viewable here.
Tim
Segment Of The Month Competition 2025
Segment of the Month is back! This year's competition will run from April to November, using a similar format to last year.
There will be a male and female GC competition, and two sub-categories: across the 8 month competition, there will be 4 flatter segments contributing to the Rouleur competition, and 4 hilly segments contributing to the KQOM competition. There is also an age based category for all riders 50 years up.
First segment is in Farley Mount, https://www.strava.com/segments/14053001, a 3.5 km climb that starts shallow, gets steep and then goes shallow. Can you steal Red Walters' KoM crown?
Full competition rules are available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X9qj0sm8PzXs28y-PRitkUHC4vuXSIUQmwf9Vjs8PeI/edit?usp=sharing
Please remember to let us know if you intend to play your joker for April, or if you want to enter the v50+ category through an email to info@sotonia.co.uk
Tim
Sotonia Social 2024 Review
This weekend saw us get together for a fun filled afternoon and evening to celebrate our 2024 champions and of course compete for the spoils in The Big Quiz. With over a hundred participants from our youth and adults section joining together to collect silverware, it sure was a busy evening.
Our very own Martin Olney talked about his recent unsupported off-road LEJOG adventures, bringing his fully loaded stead for everyone to imagine how mind bogglingly epic it would be to haul it over those massive climbs. Thanks again Martin.
This years coveted Sotonian of the year award going to a well deserved Claire Johnson for her efforts in relaunching the club rides.
The quiz was tightly contested with a fair amount of banter between (and only a mild amount of cheating?) from our most senior team members and the bar staff, with the eventual spoils going to the Cross is Boss team - well done!
A massive thanks go out to everyone that came and has helped, Jez for the advertising, Mark Allen and Eve Finlayson for sorting the youth awards, My wife Natalie and Daughter Emma helping to sort the food and room out on the day, and thanks once again for Martin’s inspiring talk.
Jason.
