Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club

News Letter

Issue: 371July 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

At last the weather has cheered up. We had the statutory three days of sunshine, followed by a good thunderstorm over the weekend, and that usually means that the good old British Summer has come and gone in one fell swoop. But the Sun is still shining, so hopefully we will be able to enjoy the good weather for a bit longer.

The Evening League has been well attended this year. One week there was 60 competitors. This is very good news for the Club, and for cycling in general, but there is a down side to everything. There are a lot of us, and this applies to me just as much as anyone else, who arrive for these events by car. As Cardington Village is small and rural, the addition of all these extra cars causes a problem, and it is felt that it is only a matter of time before there is an accident. Our plight is not helped by the disastrous policy of Bedfordshire Council concerning cyclists and road safety in general. You don’t need me to tell you that there are certain people in suits who at best only pay lip service to these important safety issues, and furnish us the Council Tax paying road users with wholly inadequate, and in some cases, dangerous cycle lanes. So if you feel that you can do it, then can you please either car share, or cycle out to the Evening League events. We enjoy a cosy relationship with the residents of Cardington, so please let us not spoil it.

Results and Reports

On Saturday June 12th, two of our up and coming juniors, David Steele and Peter Hartley were in action on the A14. Both had great success in event, with Peter scooping the Best Improvement and David with Best Juvenile. Well done lads, keep up the good work.

NOTE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE BRCC "RACING TEAM"

I'm sure you all know of Lyndon's recent accident which will obviously mean that he is unable to enter events at the moment. So, I would like to welcome Kevan Armstrong into the squad. These will be Kevan's first open events so please support him in any way especially the basics which often get forgotten, like where the start is and how to get there. The rest of us have all done it before and tend to overlook these minor forms of support.

I have spoken to most of you now about the events that I would like us to enter for the remainder of the year. These are as follows;

Beds Road CC 4th July Fl/5O

With the possible exception of Kevan, we are all entered. This currently makes 7 of us as Lyndon's entry has been received. Kevan. If you haven't already done so, please get your entry form to Dave Crane.

North Middlesex and Herts CA 24th July Fl/25 4:00pm start £4.00

Southgate CC 25th July Fl/SO 6:00am start £5.00

After the success in the North Middlesex and Herts 50 on 5th June, well done again Paul and Kevin, I thought that we could enter a team of 3 for the 25 and a team of 3 for the 50 although I'd like to ride both. How about it Alan. We could enter both.

I would like each of you to enter one of these events so, which ever event you would like to enter, or both if your up to it, please let me have your entry form by Monday, 5th July at the absolute latest.

Bedfordshire Road CC 14th August Fl/10 6:00am start £3.50

Unfortunately, Kevin, Lyndon and I are unable to enter this event as we should be in deepest Cornwall at that time in the morning. However, if any of you want to enter, let me have your start sheet. I've not ridden it but I understand that it is usually a very quick event. A good chance for that PB.

Entries by 26th July please.

Bedfordshire Road CC 22nd August Fl/25 7:00am start £3.50

As Kevin, Lyndon and I should be back and with tired legs, we'll all need your support for this one in more ways than one.

Entries by 9th August please.

North Middlesex and Herts CA 5th Sept Fl/100 7:20am start £5.00

Alan and I are definitely entering this event as was Lyndon. Obvious its too early yet to expect Lyndon to commit to riding the event. However, there is a team prize and I believe we came very close to securing it last year. I appreciate that the remaining team members haven't competed at this distance before, but if your comfortable at 50, why not give it a try. You might just surprise yourself.

There is an early closing date for entries so could I have your entry forms by 9th August please.

Icknield RC 12th Sept F 1/12. 5:OOOam start £8.OO

No, it's not 12 miles, it's 12 hours Alan and I are intending to enter and again so was Lyndon.

As with the 100, there is a team prize and if you finished our club 50, and complete the 100, then you only need to finish the 12 hour for a regional BBAR result. Surely that's got to be an achievement.

Have a think about it, discuss it with me if you like, and if you would like to have a go, please get your start sheet to me by 23rd August

Dave Barnes is quite prepared to give us a follow up to his session earlier in the year. Do you want to do this. Please let me know.

Des Roberts