August 1999Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club
News Letter
Issue: 372/1 August 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 I have won my 15 minutes of fame. My name is in lights. And I am extremely happy. People are queuing up for my autograph (oh, all right, I made that bit up), So why my glee I hear you all ask? The answer is that I have had my letter published in The Beano, sorry, that should be Cycling Weekly. For those out there who have not seen it, the point that I made was concerning the poor field for the National Junior 25, and my opinions as to why this should be, and possible solutions to overcome this. As the debate has gone on for some time, I don’t think CW will publish any replies.
Which brings me neatly on to the next bee in my bonnet: the cancellation of next year’s PruTour. Big sporting events now need big sponsorship deals to run. The financial implications are such that no clubs or governing bodies can afford to take on this enormous responsibility, so a third party has to be brought in to help out and foot a few large bills. So after two successful PruTours what has happened? We all went out and bought bikes, but not Prudential Insurance. I feel that sponsors should reflect the events they are covering, for example bike manufactures sponsoring cycling events. So come on Halfords or Tandem PLC, dig into your pockets and come to the aid of cycling so that we can all enjoy road racing in this country for the foreseeable future. And I might just let CW know of my views………………………………….
Letter to the Ed.
I feel I must respond to the letter in the last issue of the BRCC news letter where implications were made that evening league riders and mountain bikers were not willing to help out at races.
I have only been a regular competitor with the club for a short time; I rode three evening leagues last year then had to stop because of an accident. This year I have ridden all the evening league events and a few interclub rides, and I am also a mountain biker. I resent being called ‘invisible’ and labelled ‘unwilling to help’, and I am sure that I am not alone in this. It may not have occurred to last months letter writer, but if people are not made aware, and in plenty of time, when these events are taking place, they are hardly likely to get much of a response. I have noticed that the events calendar issued at the start of the season only included interclub and evening league fixtures, and some of these had already been run by the time they were brought to my attention in the news letter.
I am certainly not averse to mucking in, and I know many mountain bikers who share my feelings. A rota system would not work for one very simple reason; some of us compete nearly every weekend in sports such as triathlon, duathlon and mountain biking. We do these events under the BRCC banner, and while we are doing these events we cannot take time to marshal. Does this mean that we will be banned from competing with the club because we are racing for the club? I do hope that some sense prevails and the club sees fit to announce all it’s events as early as possible, and request marshals at the same time. I think you will find this more satisfactory than alienating those of us who compete in disciplines other than time trials.
I am sure that all club members appreciate all the work put in by the few who organise our events and many would like to help. So please ‘just ask’.
Martin Searle.
Thank you for your letter Martin. I can assure you that many an event organiser has ‘just asked’ for volunteers this and previous years, only to be met with replies such as ‘Sorry but I am bathing the cat that day’. And I know that most people in the club would rather be competing than organising, but without organisation none of our events would take place.
I have been editing the newsletter for less than 12 months now, and I thought that I had all of the BRCC organised events covered in my first or second issue. If that is not the case, then I apologise.
There is a cycling club near us that does operate a rota system for marshalling and I understand that it is successful. Quite simply, no member of that club can enter an RTTC event organised by that club until there are sufficient marshals, time keepers etc, thus avoiding the ‘same old faces’ ritual usually reserved for those of us who marshal. In a recent event, Dave Crane had a total of three marshals on the freshly modified F1; clearly an insufficient amount. So I can quite understand it when he requests a rota system. Currently the membership of our club stands at approximately 150, of which about 100 are actively competitive, so if we all gave up one race a year to marshal, then there would be sufficient to go round with a few spare for good measure.
The club AGM takes place on the 5th November, and every club member is cordially invited to attend. Can I take that we will see you there Martin? -(obviously not - he must have had a cat to bath ! ) Then you can find out first hand exactly what events are taking place for the next season, and volunteer your services for aspects of club life other than competition.
Page 3 Model
Make & Model: Peugeot Super Competition
Owner: The Club Chairman. D.H Sullivan
Age. Of, "Mature years"
Vital Statistics:
The machine was built in the early 1980's from components supplied by "Norman" who was once the proprietor of, "an unusual, but interesting bicycle shop" to say the least, located in Bedford.
One unique feature of the Chairman's machine is that is very much a French bicycle. Tubing is Reynolds 531 with the frame transfer declaring, "Construit Avec Reynolds 531 Tubes Renforces"! The frame retains it's original pale lime yellow enamel. All the screw threads are French metric with the handlebar stem, bottom bracket and seat pin also of peculiar French dimensions. What this means, is that to replace any major component one would have to pay, in all probability, a visit to France! (What an excellent idea.)
Long standing members of the Club will remember the article on" Threads" of over ten years ago and the fact that a bicycle frame can have, English, Italian or French screw threads and that under most circumstances one cannot mix one with the other. But do not Despair gentle reader, this machine does have "English" threads in one area, that being the Maillard five speed block, purchased in Paris, and the rear hub that it is mounted on. The wheels are based on Mavic MM's with stainless spokes running to Edco small flange hubs. Edco are a Swiss company who normally manufacture sewing machine components. These hubs are as good, if not better than Campagnolo Super Record. Tyres are Continental Grand Prix. The front and rear "mechs" are badged as Edco, although made by Simplex, who also made the friction Retro-Levers The Brakes are of early 1960's design being Mafac GT centre pull. These are the bane of every Starting Steward life as one can get one's fingers jammed around the main cable or the one that traverses from one side of the brake stirrup to the other with disastrous results. Brake cable adjustment is made via the hooded brake levers. A Stronglite Super 106 chain set is mounted onto a French Stronglite sealed bottom bracket that has never had to be adjusted since the machine was built. A Sedis gold chain runs to the rear block, although Sedis, a French manufacturer of chains is alas, no more. The headset is also from Stronglite. It has been rebuilt several times with new ball bearings, although why the bottom race is always sound, with the top race ball bearings going rusty and breaking up, remains a mystery to this day.
Not everything on the machine is French though. The pedals are Campagnolo Super Record carrying Aifredo Binda, yet another company that no longer exists, "Extra" toe straps. The leather saddle, an English, Brooks "Professional". What else could grace such machine! To keep the rain off one, French Salmon super Profil aluminium mudguards have been fitted. These are about one inch wide and of much surprise to some, they really do work The whole machine ensemble is finished off with lighting and computer of far eastern origin, much to your Chairman's chagrin.
Has it Let You Down?
Yes, in a most disappointing way. Many years ago a very attractive lady cyclist over took me on the Welwyn to Hitchin road and no matter how hard I pedalled, the wretched machine just refused to respond to my exertions. The net result being that the lady slowly disappeared up the road ahead never to be seen again! A most vexing situation I am sure you will agree
Is it RTTC Legal?
What a ridiculous question! Apart from being of French origin, a definite No No! How can a plain conventional diamond framed bicycle with two wheels be RTTC Legal? If it were ever entered into an Open Event, one would be inundated with letters demanding explanations from the local RTTC Committee as to how such a machine came to be entered into one of their Tax gathering enterprises!
As no known photograph exists of your Chairman riding his beloved Peugeot, I am sure that you will forgive him for replacing the anticipated Page 3 picture on this occasion with text.
Arachnophoebes, Beware!
Whilst clearing out the Clubroom rubbish bins the other afternoon a spider was seen lurking in the Club Bar's washing up sink. Now, ordinarily one would not be moved to comment on such a sighting, just noting that the creature was there and helping it out from the slippery sides of the sink that held it captive in order for it to go about it's business undisturbed. However, this was no ordinary spider. Oh no! This is the sort of spider that would have most ladies lift up their skins and run screaming in blind terror from the Clubroom. And why you may ask? Well, this member of the Arachnid family is big! No, possibly big is the wrong word. Something on the lines of large also seems inadequate to describe the creature. Huge, is a word more in line to what I am searching for. Or even better, unbelievably mind boggling, "Stone me, can you get them that size in Cardington?" would be a more appropriate and suitable description of your Club's very own horror picture, sized spider. He must, and I can only assume that he is, a he, has a body which must be larger than a Birds Eye garden pea by a mile. And his legs span, at the very least, 3 inches (8 centimetres). He is a magnificent specimen. All mottled black and brown in colour. He could win a first prize any day for the markings on his back are quite beautiful to behold. Later, on wondering about what he eats, I am told that spiders of this size do quite valuable work by crunching and devouring all sorts of ghastly insects and pests that can be found within a kitchen environment. Therefore he must be regarded as an asset and blessing and protected from all harm. Your Chairman has taken the liberty of giving him a name, Henry. So, if whilst serving or washing up behind the Club Bar you happen to come across Henry, do please try and refrain from fainting or worse, screaming out loud. Instead, just bite hard into the back of your hand and let him pass, remembering whilst you do so, of all the good works that he is silently getting on with while the Club is empty and dark!
D.H. Sullivan
Forthcoming Events, Functions and Meetings
NDCA AGM
The NDCA AGM takes place on Monday December 12th at 19.30 hrs, or 7.30 in the evening if you prefer at Cranford Village Hall. As we are affiliated to this organisation, you are welcome to attend if you have any items for their agenda, or if you have any salient points to raise. Contact Ray Crane for further details.
NDCA Trail Quest
The annual NDCA Trail Quest takes place this year on October 3rd. Please contact Neil Holmes (Rockingham Forrest Wheelers)
Races
The two remaining time trials for 1999 are the 18 mile event at Cardington on the 10th October at 10.00. Please have your entries to Ron ASAP. Don’t forget that it is now starting to get a little cold, so put on your winter woollies and keep warm.
…………………………………
The following week, October the 17th, sees the event that brings tears to the eyes of even the hardest of cyclists. Yes we are talking about the Interclub Hillclimb at Sharpenhoe. So get your low gears on, and try your hardest at this most gruelling of events. Last year there were only three BRCC members that took part, so a better show this year please. And just to make this event a little more interesting, Terry Sykes is donating a bottle of wine to the fastest BRCC veteran. So come on all you cyclist who have reached that magic age when life begins; give it a go, if only to get a drink out of Terry!
Birthday Ride and Tea
BIRTHDAY RIDE & TEA ON SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER 1999 AT THE CLUBROOM. RIDE STARTS AT 2-30 P.M. - 12 MILE CIRCUIT TEA AT 4-00 P.M. NAMES PLEASE TO CHRIS BYERS - TEL. [01462] 811175 PLEASE NOTE - ADVANCE BOOKINGS ONLY.
Christmas Dinner and Christmas Party
The Christmas Dinner will be held on December the 12th and the Christmas party the week after on the 19th. At present there are further details, but we will keep you posted.
Club AGM
As I mentioned earlier, the AGM is on November 5th at the clubhouse. In previous years the turnout for this important meeting has not been too good; so this year let there be standing room only. There are approximately 150 BRCC members and only 25 turned up last year. This is a golden opportunity for you, the club members to have your say in the running of the club. There is always room on the committee and there are events to organise. So if you feel that you can spare some time to improve your club, then this is the your chance We look forward to seeing you there.
Zap Zone
It is proposed to hold a team building session at the Zap Zone for all junior club members some time during the October half term. Please contact Natalie Lewis - for further details. Remember that children of all ages are welcome!
River Festival
It has been proposed that we have a display in the sports village during next year’s River Festival. We are in the planning stages now, but we will need a few bikes, turbo trainers and a video of our activities making! It is a lot to ask for I know, but let us let the rest of Bedford know that we are out there, and what club activities take place. WE WILL ALSO NEED A LOT OF WILLING VOLUNTEERS. For further details, or offers of help, please contact me by the usual means. (If you are unsure of these, take a look at the header of this newsletter).
And Finally
Warwick Davies has asked me to remind you that if you want any results publishing in the local press, to contact him - e-mail wad@warwickdavies.demon.co.uk.
And while we are on the subject of publicity, Dave Crane has asked me to get you all logged on to www.dcrane.freeserve.co.uk to check out the BRCC web site. It has had a few bits added on to it recently and he would like you all to take a look.
Which brings me neatly on to ask you all for more articles for the newsletter. Every month I find myself scratching my head wondering what on earth I can put into it. If you would like to pose for the next month’s Page 3 model, then I would love to hear from you. And can I ask that articles for publication are with me by the 20th of each month.
See you all out and about sometime.
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