Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club

News Letter

Issue: 369May 1999

President: C. Byers; Chairman: D. Sullivan; Secretary: R. Crane; Treasurer: T. Sykes; Editor: D. Roberts e-mail DRobe10229@AOL.com

Contact Warwick Davies (Press Secretary) e-mail wad@warwickdavies.demon.co.uk

The Ed’s Bit

How was everyone’s winter lay off? For those of us who ride competitively, the early season time trials have proven cold, wet (occasionally) and hard; and with some god results. The first of the Interclub time trial was held at Barton on April 11th. This was a well attended event, the BRCC results and winners are published later on in this News letter.

I rode in this race, and it was in the final stretch, when we had to go into Barton Village and round the first roundabout and out again, that I realised there was something seriously the matter with my bike. While negotiating the roundabout, the handle bars shook from side to side, uncontrollably; and I don’t know how I managed to avoid falling off. (Probably because no one was watching!). I completed the race and when I got home I decided to find out what was causing the problem. I found the bottom head set cup had split; not surprisingly this was the cause of my problems. Obviously I needed to carry out a bit of pre-season maintenance on my bike as well as my legs. But if my bike is in need of a spot of attention, what is your bike like dear reader? A thorough inspection, and greasing is required at least once a year, of the head set, wheels, bottom bracket, chain and gears to ensure happy, problem free cycling for the forth coming season. If you are not sure how to do these tasks, then ask one of the Club members who can point you in the right direction, ensuring that your bike is in a safe, road worthy and in competitive condition. Enjoy your cycling.

Do You Fancy Doing the South Downs Way?

You know how it all begins, some bright spark says "Do you fancy doing the South Downs Way?" Sure you say, half expecting to hear nothing more. This time however, the idea stuck and a few weeks later 3 cars, 10 people and 10 bikes set off for Winchester on a bright and sunny Saturday morning in late March. We got underway at 10am using a complicated scheme of relay riding to make sure we had the right number of cars and people in the right place for the overnight halt.

The first few miles were on quiet country roads before we joined up with the SDW proper, beginning with a precipitous climb straight up to the top of the Downs. We all hoped this was not a sign of things to come. Thankfully, as with everything that goes up, we were soon careering down Butser Hill on the other side, hitting a top speed of 36mph as we rolled into the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. The trail then took us along rolling farm tracks through to lunch at the Ship Inn in South Harting for a swift bit of carbohydrate replacement (how did you guess it involved beer and chips?).

From South Harting, it was a long drag back up onto the Downs, making good progress until we forgot to check the map for the first and only time that weekend. It resulted in an unscheduled scenic detour that took around an hour to correct.

Back on the Downs, we eventually rolled into our overnight stop in Findon as darkness fell. More carbohydrate loading proved essential. Next morning dawned with the patter of raindrops in the growing puddles outside. Undaunted, we set off in the mist and wet, only slightly comforted by the forecast of improving weather. The weather did soon clear but only as we were grinding our way back to the top, this time rewarded with views back along the downs we had ridden the previous day and across to the sea at Newhaven. This was the first of several steep climbs, including the appropriately named Fulking Hill (at least I think that's what someone gasped when we reached the top) over Devil's Dyke and on towards our lunch time stop at The Juggs in Plumpton. This time, a combination of imminent holiday flights and carbohydrate overload (too much banoffee pie?) reduced the team to three for the final leg into Eastbourne. By now we were glad of a stiff breeze on our backs, particularly as there were 3 more long climbs, rewarded with more spectacular views. We eventually trundled into Eastbourne Youth Hostel at 6pm after a total of around 90 miles after 2 days that included 2 crashes, 2 punctures, 2 (unscheduled) scenic detours and 2 excellent pub lunches.

In short, the SDW is well worth a visit with great scenery and, in March at least, few other users. It makes a pretty challenging 2 day route with several steep ascents but the route is generally dry on good quality bridle ways with plenty of downhill coasting to make up for the climbs. A little care with the map reading reaps benefits however as the waymarking is not always great. There are also plenty of opportunities to bale out into villages at the foot of the downs if your stamina doesn't match your ambition.

Thanks to Giles for arranging the trip and, with Martin and Robert for organising the car transfers.

Youth Training Program

After a successful winter training program, the youth training has now wound down for the summer, so that those who took part in it can concentrate on riding time trials, and catch up on their home work in preparation for their GCSE’s. Overall, those that took part, what ever age they were, showed an improvement. For some it was their first experience of group riding, and an interesting insight into what it is like to commit yourself to a tight training schedule over the winter when the weather can be your worst enemy. Most of the rides took place around the club’s circuits, and there was one expedition into Rowney Warren for some off road experience. The club now has two turbo trainers, and these were used to great effect when the weather was so bad that riding on the roads would have been too dangerous.

As we move rapidly into the 21st Century, Beds Road Cycling Club is keeping pace with the ever increasing changes and competition from other activities that capture the imagination of today’s youth. With the enthusiasm for the sport, and good facilities, Beds Road Cycling Club is in a good position to see it’s existence well into the new Millennium. But this will not happen all by itself. Dedication and commitment from the club’s seniors is the only way forward, and from this point I would like to pass on my personal thanks to Lyndon Lewis for organising and running this year’s youth training. There will be rides on the last Saturday of each month throughout the summer to check on progress, and no doubt for a social chat. These rides will take place at 2 O’clock, meeting at the Club House; and everyone, regardless of age or ability, is welcome to join in.

Results and reports

REPORT FROM BEDFORDSHIRE ROAD CYCLING CLUB. 22 MILE TIME TRIAL CARDINGTON - SUNDAY 5th APRIL 1999.

Sunday's race was round five of the series, with 31 riders participating. Weather conditions were fair. A moderate wind aided riders going up to Ox Hill on the first leg of the 22 mile course and also from Old Rowney farm near Ireland before the final run home. Trevor Marshal again dominated with a 4~victory this year with Ian Markham, Steve Maynard and Alan Crane following close behind. New rider Mark Horton came in at 1.10.30. Junior Toby Pocock unfortunately punctured near to the end of the race.

The next race is on Sunday 11th Start 9.00 am Barford Village Hall. 10 miles time trial. BRCC Rider Alan Crane was in action as well on Saturday when he rode in St. Ives Cycling Club 10-Mile Time Trial at Little Paxton. Setting a personal best in 22.30. Terry Sykes and Dave Pocock also rode for the club and finished in 26.49 and 27.45

Report from B.R.CC. Mountain Bike Section.

Sunday Afternoon 4th April

The club had two participants in the Masters category of the first round of The National RAV4 Mountain Bike series in Thetford forest.

Martyn Dunn had a dramatic crash as the 91 riders sprinted away from the start line and was unable to continue. Giles Henday made a slow but safe start and managed to work his way into the top 40 before having several minor falls causing him to lose ground and finish in 44th place in a time of 1 hour 32 minutes for the 20 miles. Barrie Clark won the professional category from Team Raleigh.

BEDFORDSHIRE ROAD CYCLING CLUB Open 25 F1 - WYBOSTON - ALCONBURY Sunday 25th APRIL 1999
Name	Time
Steve Maynard	58.49
Trevor Marshall	59.42
Alan Crane	1.01.12
Paul Godsafe	1.03.17
Kevin Worsley	1.03.57
Martin Horton	1.08.40
Dave Carr	1.09.30
Charles Hamilton	1.13.49
Terry Sykes	1.18.56
The event winner was Bob McGrady of Icknield Road Club	55.39
The team prize went to Beds Road Club.
BEDFORDSHIRE ROAD CYCLING CLUB Open 25 F1 - WYBOSTON - ALCONBURY Sunday 25th APRIL 1999
Well done to all those who took part.

Contact Warwick Davies (Press Secretary) e-mail wad@warwickdavies.demon.co.uk

ON THE SOCIAL SCENE

Saturday May 15th

Western Evening

Come and enjoy an evening of line dancing with a Ploughman’s Supper at Cardington Village Hall. Starts at 7.30 until midnight. Please bring your own drink.

Tickets £6 - last chance to book will be at the Thursday Evening League Event at the Beds Road C.C. Clubroom - or e-mail dc@dcrane.freeserve.co.uk BEFORE Thursday Evening

(Please leave all horses outside !)

Des Roberts