November 1999Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club
News Letter
Issue: 374/1November 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
Welcome to the final edition of the BRCC newsletter for the 20th Century. Why not hang on to it, keep it in a safe place and see how it grows in value? Who knows, in years to come it may be a collector’s item.
I hear that attendance is down on Friday nights at the clubhouse. Now I know that Channel 5 have rescheduled Fort Boyard to Friday nights, but is this any reason to miss out on a good cup of coffee, exchange some banter on cycling, and a chance to see what your mates are up to regarding winter training? So come on down, we would love to see you.
Winter Training
The winter training programme has resumed on Saturday afternoons. So far the attendance has been good and the weather kind with the opportunity to get some quality miles in. On a personal note, I never realised what a pleasant ride it is to Hillfoot, and even ascending it, when just plodding along as opposed to riding it in a time trial. The rides usually take in some of the time trial courses around the Cardington area, and take in a theme, such as hill climbs, sprints or endurance. If the weather is against riding, then turbos are used in the clubhouse. Also on Wednesday evenings, Lorna Webb runs a session of turbo work and light weights. So with all the fitness training going on there is no excuse not to train this winter.
Mole Heard That…….
While on a training ride with the club, one of the junior members suffered a puncture. Some of the seniors went to help him out with replacing the inner tube, and discovered 20mm tyres on deep section rims can cause problems. With a lot of struggling, and with fading light the process of removing the tyre began but the tyre got its own revenge by spitting out the tyre levers out into the long grass and settled back onto its bead! After much struggling and groping on the floor the offending tyre levers were found, and eventually the tube was replaced. The junior’s Dad is now looking at a suitable tyre replacement, but rumour has it that he does not want to take the tyres off himself, he is waiting for his lad to have another puncture whilst out on a training run.
…………………..
Letters To The Ed
Dear Ed,
As an ex-event secretary for the Red Cross 25 for three years I feel that I must explain to club readers exactly what is involved in organising an event. Consideration must be given to organising the timekeeper, handicapper, event HQ, permission from the Councils and police to run the event and, last but not least, marshals. For the events that I organised I always had a 12 ½ mile checker plus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 boards as well as ‘straight on’ and roundabout signs to help riders who are unfamiliar with the course, and it at these particular hazards that marshals to their job.
So to recruitment of marshals, I had to consider how many I needed, and I went to the clubhouse as often as I could in the weeks leading up to the event to recruit as many willing ‘volunteers’ with bribes of free cups of tea. I even managed to get friends and relatives to help out, and I had a list of contact numbers from the club secretary to phone round to ask people to help out, and it was not an easy task. I made up a checklist early on to aid with organisation, added to it when necessary, and when things were done I checked them off
As for a compulsory roster system for marshalling, club members may have all sorts of genuine reasons why they cannot do their ‘duty’ and it may be difficult to police. So I feel that you the editor should publish ALL the club, inter club and open events as early as possible, so that we all know which events we are involved with, and which need marshals.
Ben Stout
Dear Ed,
I received my newsletter late last month as the address was incorrect, and it was only with the diligence of an old work colleague that the newsletter arrived at all.
I expect that you compile the newsletter and envelopes on computer, and I have to say that I am anti computer.
With regard to your appeal for people to contact you via e-mail, most of us don’t have it and have no interest in it. Personally I get sick of it being pushed at the public with regard to anything and everything. We coped with it quite well before and I am sure that we could continue to do so.
Your shortage of items for the newsletter I can quite understand. After almost 50 years as a club member I am sure that this has always been a problem. We did get a lot of touring reports, member’s holidays and Youth Hostel weekends. Do these no longer happen? I know some members took their bikes abroad this year. Perhaps they forgot to log on.
For the benefit of the older members, I saw George Skevington out in a motorised wheelchair recently, but I don’t think he is very well.
Thanks for your efforts this year, as the newsletter keeps the not very active in touch.
Colin D. Buxton.
Thank you for your letter. E-mail is only one method of getting in touch with me, and without the aid of my sometimes-trusty computer I would not be able to compile the newsletter or print the envelopes. I had experienced one or two difficulties with my printer, but I hope these have been resolved. Even in these days of hi-tech components things can go wrong and I am pleased that your postie worked out the address on your envelope. If things don’t go smoothly regarding distribution of the newsletter, please let me know so that I can rectify any problems.
Zapp Zone Outing
Or so we thought!
On Saturday the 30th of October the Beds road juniors, consisting of Natalie and Lyndon Lewis, Kevin Worsley, me and my sister Hannah, turned up at Aspects ready for a nice friendly game in the Zapp Zone only to find out there was a 40-minute wait. Because of this we decided to go bowling.
We got a lane and started bowling; the first game was mostly between Kevin and Natalie with me some way behind and Hannah bringing up the rear. The second game was a bit different; I won with a quite respectable 123. Kevin won the over all prize, if only we knew what that was, with Natalie 2nd, yours truly 3rd and Hannah 4th
Toby Pocock
FORTHCOMING EVENTS: -
Scalextric Races.
Starting on December 8th at 8.30pm and running on alternate Fridays there will be a league until March 2000. Cost will be 50p to join the league and 50p per race with a maximum of three races per night. This event is open to all members regardless of age. Cars will be supplied. For further details contact Toby Pocock on Friday Evenings at the Clubroom
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
AT THE GREYHOUND, HAYNES SUNDAY, 12TH DECEMBER STILL SOME PLACES LEFT FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT CHRIS BYERS
CHRISTMAS PARTY
AT THE CLUBROOM
SUNDAY, 19TH DECEMBER AT 4 PM
COST £3 EACH
BOOKINGS ONLY, PLEASE
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT LORNA WEBB/CHRIS BYERS
AFTER CHRISTMAS WALK
TUESDAY, 28TH DECEMBER
STARTING 10AM AT THE ROSE AND CROWN, WOOTTON
MORNING WALK OF 31/2 TO 4 MILES
FOLLOWED BY LUNCH AT THE PUB
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON WALK OF 2 MILES
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT LORNA WEBB
NEW YEAR PACING COMPETITION
SUNDAY, 9TH JANUARY
9.30 AM FOR 10 AM START AT THE CLUBROOM
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT CHRIS BYERS
On 01767 851807
Annual Dinner and Prize Giving
February 12th 2000 at The Rose and Crown, Wootton at 7pm. Tickets are £10 per head.
BAR ROTA
JANUARY 2000 FEBRUARY
7th TERRY BUSH 4th GEORGE TOMLINSON
14th JOHN HOWARD 11th DOT CRANE&CHRIS BYERS
21st TOBY & DAVID POCOCK 18th LYNDON LEWIS
28th PETER & MARY HARTLEY 25th Terry Sykes
MARCH APRIL
3rd FRANK GARRISON 7th TERRY BUSH
10th ANDY MADDOX 14th JOHN HOWARD
17th BOB GARRETT 21st TOBY & DAVID POCOCK
24th LORNA WEBB 28th PETER & MARY HARTLEY
31st WARWICK DAVIES
AGM
The AGM took place on November 12th and much was discussed. There were more attendees this year than previous, and a big thank you to those who turned up.
[obviously the invisible club members didn't turn up - they had important cat bathing duties to attend to].
The club officials were voted in as follows:-
President Mrs. C Byers
Vice Presidents Voted en-bloc
Chairman D. Sullivan
Secretary R. T. Crane
Treasurer T Sykes
Club Events Secretary R Bousted
Social Secretary L Lewis
Captain/Co-ordinator T Marshall Or L Lewis
Time Trial Recorder A Maddox
Publicity Secretary D Crane
Press Secretary W Davies
BCF Secretary G Henday
Editor D Roberts
Clubhouse Secretary Mrs L Webb
Clubhouse Maintenance A Maddox
Mountain Bike Secretary G Henday
Juniors Secretary P Hartley
Committee Members C Hartley
D Pocock
T Pocock
Handicapper R Bousted
Auditors G Henday & L Lewis
Slowest 25 organised by W Davies
Medium Gear 25 organised by T Sykes
Red Cross 25 organised by D Sullivan
Middle Markers organiser required
Dates and times to be posted.
MARSHALS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL THESE AND MORE EVENTS. If you are
available to help in the organisation of any events in any way,
please forward your name to Terry Sykes via 
and he will gladly add your name to
the list of willing volunteers who will do anything for a free
cup of coffee!
Annual Subscription
Some good news and some bad. The bad news is that subs are now due and should be paid to Terry Sykes by January 1st 2000. The good news is that there is no increase in subscriptions this year. As a club we have managed to keep costs down and revenue up so we can pass on these financial benefits to the club members.
Club Clothing Dale
For one day only there will be a club clothing sale at the clubhouse. There will be substantial reductions on all of the usual items available. This sale takes place on December 17th at 8pm. Be there to get the best bargains in club clothing.
For Sale
Gents/ladies tandem, possibly pre-war, needs respray. 21’’
frame of unknown origin will make a good winter bike. 23’’
Fiorelli winter bike. All will need some maintenance. Open to
offers. Contact Colin Buxton via
And Finally
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
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Last Updated - February 12, 2000