THE

Yeovil Club October 2006

Every picture tells...

Glorious sunshine and a slight headwind greeted the nine riders that competed in this years hill climb. They were certainly luckier than Team Tor 2000 riders that had to struggle up High Ham Hill against a strong head wind, rain and a current the week before. The club run ferried them out, and then onto coffee at the Willows afterwards. Absent was the defending Champion John Clemit, recovering from moving house, so it was down to the six challengers. It was youth that won out with Dan Whaites, having come back from University specially to compete, taking the honours from the Yeovil riders but Andy Moore, Somer Valley CC, showed everyone how it should be done with a 2:49.3 (just outside the record set by Chris Absolom).

The results were: Name Club Time 1 Andy Moore Somer Valley 2:49.3 2 Dan Whaites Yeovil CC 3:32.9 3 Mark Askill Yeovil CC 3:43.8 4 Phil Waites Yeovil CC 3:47.9 5 Mark Plummer Yeovil CC 3:51.7 6 Shaun Walsh Yeovil CC 3:55.5 7 Rich Gandy Team Tor 2000 4:18.4 8 Chris Martin Yeovil CC 4:21.8 9 Mike Donovan Gillingham 4:29.4

Yeovil Sports Club Membership card This is not your Yeovil CC membership card. As part of your annual subscription membership of the Yeovil Sports Club, (Johnson Park, Yeovil, BA21 3DU) is included. It is used as a meeting point for club runs and the evening rides, as well as all our formal meetings and club buffet. You can use the bar at any time, it is open from 8pm each week day and longer at weekends. Terry's smiling? Guess why, he's not competing! THE - CYCLO

Date: 10th June 2006 In 2004 I took 13h 18m; 13h 53m Organiser: Vélo Club de Roubaix this year as I went off route and lost an Cyclotourisme hour or so, daft considering the route is Distance: 255km, with options of marked with a distinctive yellow logo on 173km and 100km. the road – but there were chalk arrows Start point: Cambronne-les-Ribecourt, for an unconnected event the same day 12km NE of Compiègne, and even at less than halfway I obviously about 75km NE of Paris. wasn’t thinking straight… The fastest in Finish point: Roubaix, near Lille just inside our party did about 9 hours, by hanging the border with . on to the big groups – up to 100 strong, Course: Quiet roads with a good completely blocking the road. I rode surface, with the exception mostly by myself, not being fast enough of 46km of pavé in 26 to follow wheels, and arrived at the Finish sections on old farm tracks; (not riding up the banking) just outside this starts at 100km. It the time limit, having started at 06.38, but follows 90% of the course got a certificate just the same. In spite of of the professional race, the cobbles, it’s easier than many 300km which starts in Compiègne. Audax rides here. The finish is on the Roubaix The pavé isn’t the gentle stuff you vélodrome. get in town centres, but old farm tracks Time allowed: 16 hours 30 mins for the full which have not aged well, with a selection course. To use this entails of broken and uneven stones, severe starting in the dark at 4am. cambers, ditches or banks at the side and Rolling start from 4 to 7am. right-angle corners. Some stretches have Controls: At 82km, 116km, 155km, nicely painted name stones at the ends, 190km, and 227km. All with like the Pavé Duclos Lassalle. One of the food and drink. Free drink more notorious sections, 2.4km through and sandwich (and a bar) at the Arenberg Forest has been relaid, the Finish. even then I opted for the gravel path at Participants: A total of 2305 in total the side; maybe next time I’ll ride down for all distances; very few it as one should. Life can’t be much fun women. I saw one tandem. in the professional race, trying to stay Scenery: Gently rolling or flat. on a back wheel at 40kph, unable to Weather: Dry, hot as the day wore on take to the verge because of the crowd (over 30˚C). barriers. One can see why only the hard Logistics: I went with a Graham Baxter men win. Towards the end the course group, via , giving twists and turns through villages and two nights in Compeigne there would be little chance of catching and one in Roubaix. Their a break. ’s third place in timetable allows for an easy 2004 was undoubtedly one of the truly ride the day beforehand. great performances by a British roadman. Bonuses: There are a lot of bidons Conventional wisdom dictates that on (and punctured tubes) lying the pavé you get in a high gear and go about to pick up; these are as fast as you can, over the stones instead available from the first pavé of bouncing between them; I needed the onwards. A helmet is not small ring and occasionally the biggest obligatory; I haven’t got one. sprocket; the bike bounces around so you can’t get out of the saddle and have to switch line all the time to pick the AGM smoothest path. The bottom line is no change, either I rode an old steel Gazelle frame with to the committee or the subscriptions sprints and tubs – less probability of a for 2007 the cost is £13 for first and pinch puncture I reckoned – using Vittoria second claim members, £5 for Juniors, Pavé EVO cg tyres; gears 48/36 an 13/23. Juveniles and those still in full time The frame used to belong to Danny Ellery, education. You can pay Mike Loader (3, and he built the wheels. No mechanical Poppy Close, Brympton, Yeovil, BA22 problems or punctures. One hero in our 8US) as soon as you like, cheques made party successfully rode single fixed. payable to Yeovil CC please! There will Would I go for a third trip? Yes, it’s be a reminder in the January issue. good fun and I regard it as a sort of MOT We will be promoting the same events test for an OAP. And the connection in 2007 as we did this year. We still with cycling history in the shape of “The need a Time Trial Secretary, if you can Queen of the Classics” is worth a bit of spare the time there are plenty of discomfort. willing helpers it just needs a Team Arthur Vince Leader. Full minutes on page 6.

Officers Club Buffet President Garry Mitchener Hon Vice President Derek Todd It is just around the corner so fill in Hon Vice President Ivy Andrews the form below NOW!!! Executive Committee Venue: Yeovil Sports Club, Chairman Garry Mitchener 12:30 for 1pm on General Secretary Andy Newbury Sunday 10 December. Treasurer Derek Todd Time Trial Secretary still vacant The usual buffet will be followed by Road Race Secretary S Walsh the trophy presentation. Everyone is Records Secretary M Northcott welcome, friends and family and non Membership Secretary M Loader members too. If you have won a club Runs Secretary N Armstrong trophy here is your opportunity to Press Secretary G Mitchener pick up the silverware. TVCRA Representative G Swain Newsletter Editor D Notley

Please reserve me the following places: ______@ £8.00 ______@ £4.00 (under 16) ______free places (under 5) I enclose a cheque/PO made payable to Yeovil CC for £ Vegetarian Yes/No Total number of vegetarians Name Tel Send to: Mike Northcott, 8, Laburnum Drive, Somerton TA11 6LH Tel 01458 273576. By 30th November 2006 – at the very latest!! Our man in TROPHY RECALL At the moment I have If you have a club trophy please been training for the La arrange to return it to Gary Gazzetta Medio Fundo Mitchener before 14 November, Giro di Lombardia, which is preferably in the same condition taking place the day after you received it. Below is a list of the Pro-Tour 100th Giro di the Club awards; Lombardia. (I am signing on for my event on the Hill Climb Champion Saturday morning (1000+ John Clemit entries so far), so hope Best Result in a Yeovil RR to catch a view of the start Mike Loader of the Pro-Tour event). As Best National Championship always with my bigger performance 'tests', I will be sporting my Dave Driver YEOVIL CC kit. That way, I My recent hill climb, the Veteran BAR have to dig a bit deeper on Stelvio (2758 metres). Dave Driver +5.627 behalf of the club, Best 25 Time Trial when the going Mike Loader 55:08 gets tougher. Best 50 Time Trial Andy Pugsley. Mike Loader 1:58:13 Short distance BAR Mike Loader 27.443 mph Points Cup for Club Evening Time Trials Andy Millward Junior BAR Dan Whaites 25.135 mph Juvenile BAR Luke Denman 21.095 mph Handicap 10 TT Events for 2007 Steve Pym We have been allocated the dates for our Road Web Shield Races and Time Trials. David Notley They were more or less as we agreed at the AGM and Not awarded in 2005 then requested: Best 12 hour, Long Distance BAR, Veteran RR Champion, Senior RR Road races. Champion Sunday 15 April. Ham Hill and Pittards. Yeovil Queen Camel course, National B and Regional B, 4 and 3 laps, HQ If you think you are eligible for Yeovilton. Sunday 17 June one of the club cups this year John Andrews Memorial Road Race. Langport course, then make sure Mike Northcott Regional A – 60 miles, HQ Long Sutton Village Hall. has the details. Time Trials. Saturday 21 April, Spring 10, 15:00, U30/10. D Notley. Sunday 8 July, Open 25, 07:15, U30/25. S Wroot. This is also the West DC District Team Championship Saturday 22 Sept, Autumn 10, 15:00, U30/10. D Notley. Dulverton Weekend Gary Swain was not exactly inundated with enquiries about the ride to Dulverton and if he doesn't get some takers then it will not happen. For those that didn't enjoy the ride a few years ago it is open to all the clubs in the area, Clubs started at convenient points and then we met up enroute. Our evening rides on a Tuesday The ride is mixed terrain with beautiful and Thursday have now started. scenic countryside and quiet back roads. Commencing at the Yeovil Sports Club, There are stops and meeting points Johnson Park, at 6:15, proceed to the on the way down and back. A stop for roundabout by Palmers Fish and Chip lunch at a country pub and an evening meal at the local pub on Saturday night. shop and then do a circuit of about 5 There may even be a drop of beer miles. Out to Odcombe, back along to available for those that like that sort White Post and down through Bunford of refreshment!! Breakfast was a co- Hollow to return to the 'Chippy operative affair cooked at the barn. Roundabout'. The roads have proved The barn has bunk beds in dorms, remarkably free from traffic so far. with showers and large kitchen with a The road surface is good and about roaring warming fire. Most welcome half is streetlight. You will need after the ride up the lane from lights, a powerful front light is useful but Dulverton. The pace was dictated by the not essential – as long as you stay off the group members. A van carried all the front in the darker section. All are welcome, luggage, limited to a small sports bag each, so the riding is light. if you cannot make the start come and join It was a great weekends riding and in on one of the laps. a very social affair, even better if the This is a winter training run and the weather is as kind. Cost around £10 to intention is just to get in some good base £12. You can contact Gary and register miles at a steady pace. Depending on the an interest either on [email protected] number of riders we have one or two groups or on 01460 72088. and the distance/pace can be decided to suit each. You can join in or drop out as it suits Winter warmer? you. With Christmas approaching why not The circuit approx times are: add a nice long sleeved training top to 6:15 Depart Sports Club. Johnson Park your list for Santa? Or if your existing 6:25 Palmers Roundabout clothing is looking a bit tired start 6:30 Odcombe dropping a few hints. Most sizes and 6:35 White Post Garage garments are in stock at the moment. 6:40 Palmers Roundabout (end of lap - Contact David Notley (see page 7). every 15 minutes thereafter). The committee meets on the second Monday August of every month at the Sports Club. May minutes - AOB “... insurance certificate Minutes from the Committee meetings: from RTTC” should read CTT. July minutes - Gen Sec Report - Treasurer July reported that new cheque had been written for General Secretary. Correspondence discussed use of Nuffield Centre to replace the one returned Post meeting note – correspondence received because of wrong payee. (02/08/06) from RNAS Yeovilton regarding General Secretary information received from the License for YCC’s use the Nuffield Sports South Somerset DC on coach education. Passed Centre. The YCC cheque is incorrectly made to Mike Northcott. out, it should have been made payable to “The Treasurer Income: Clothing £80; Evening TTs Accounting Officer Ministry of Defence”. RNAS £148.38 bringing this season’s total to £451.38. Yeovilton are returning the original cheque, a Expenses have been paid but levies will have to new cheque will be required from YCC. come from this at the end of season. The final Treasurer Report Income: John Andrews Road amount will appear on the accounts for 2006-07. Race £151.08; Membership £15. Time Trial Secretary Traffic count showed a Time Trial Secretary Thursday Evening Time- second Thursday with over 800 vehicles per Trials are well supported this year. Income for hour, westbound. Sample counts on Wednesdays the season so far is £288 in entry fees. The start showed eastbound levels about the same as and finish for the 10-mile TT course has been Thursdays, but westbound tended to be about altered to accommodate the permanent operation 30% lower than Thursdays. The committee felt of the Podimore Round-about traffic lights. that the question of changing the day should Discussions took place surrounding the traffic be discussed at the AGM with a view to a final count for the Club’s Thursday evening Time- decision being made before 2007 dates are Trials. It was noted that the number of cars submitted to West DC in late autumn. travelling along the A303 has been steadily Road Race Secretary After experiences of increasing, although these numbers are well catering at John Andrews RR the suggestion was within the levels set for the cycling authorities. made that refreshments at open events should be The Committee agreed to undertake a traffic provided free to simplify the process. The cost to count on a Wednesday evening to enable a be borne from entry fees. comparison between the two nights. This data Membership Secretary some possible could then be used to support any future decision award winners had not yet paid for this to transfer the event from a Thursday evening, if year’s membership. Should there be a family the need arose. membership facility to cover couples and their Road Race Secretary SW advised that at the live-at-home children? John Andrews Road Race, the Commissaire Runs Secretary Continuing as before. One new expressed concern about the number of entrants potential member had taken part recently. (80) taking part in the event, despite the fact Records Secretary Report, TVCRA Rep, that the race was licensed and approved for this Newsletter Editor Nothing to report number. However, Graham Morgan subsequently confirmed that he was happy with this number of September AGM entrants, the race organisation and safety aspects The minutes of the AGM held on 12 September of the event. 2005 were agreed to be an accurate account of Membership Secretary Club members has now the previous meeting reached fifty-one (51). Treasurer distributed a summary of the accounts, Runs Secretary Sunday morning Club runs is he highlighted: that club clothing had been run each week with a regular turn-out of between purchased during the year but that not all was six (6) and ten (10) club members. sold and therefore remained in stock for 2007, Records Secretary, TVCRA Representative, that the income from the evening time trials for Press Secretary nothing to report 2006 would be included in next years accounts Newsletter Editor Next edition due in July06. Road Race Secretary three races had been run successfully and that we had a lot of support from Graham Morgan to continue to run the events on the same courses and at the same Dates for 2007 time for 2007. The date fixing meeting will Road races. Events to be submitted to SW be on 27 September, there is still no EOL but Division. closing dates are to move to 10 days before the Ham Hill and Pittards. 15 April, Yeovil Queen event (provided organisers can accommodate Camel course, National B and Regional B, 4 and such a move). There are new Race categories 3 laps, HQ Yeovilton. for 2007. Some subtle changes, but they do not John Andrews Memorial Road Race. 17 June, significantly impact our events. Langport course, Regional A – 60 miles, HQ Records Secretary No records this year. Long Sutton Village Hall. Runs Secretary The secretary reported that Time Trials. Events to be submitted: runs had continued with between 6 and 16 Spring 10, 21 April, 15:00, U30/10. D Notley. riders each Sunday over the year. Numbers Open 25, 1 July, 07:45, U30/25. S Wroot. remain disappointing but no suggestions were Autumn 10, 22 Sept, 15:00, U30/10. D Notley. forthcoming as to why. Affliations Press Secretary The coverage has been poor Agreed to be as 2006, CTT, WTTA, Road Peace, this year. Having said this there have been fewer British Cycling, CTC, TVCRA and Sports and competing riders to report on this year, local Social Club. interest has been with riders from other clubs. Motions None Membership Secretary The current membership Election of Officials Committe remains stands at 55, plus a significant number of day unchanged. A permanent TT Secretary is still memberships from the evening TTs, some of needed which were likely to convert to full membership Any Other Business for 2007. Discussion followed on what might be Membership fees. There was a discussion on the done to increase membership by capitalising on merits of introducing a family membership, it the current popularity of Cyclosportives, Audax was felt that it would not be of great benefit in and Triathlons. Riders choosing Team Tor 2000 attracting additional members. A reduced fee for in preference to YCC was also discussed, but it OAP or long term members was also debated but was felt this was one of those cyclical events that again was not felt to be of benefit to the Club did not present a long term problem. RNAS Yeovilton – 29/08/06. Newsletter Editor The newsletter editor reported that the newsletter has been published Next Meetings: on a quarterly basis over the past year and the 9 October, 13 November and 11 December. website updated as frequently as time allowed. General Secretary (Apologies). Time Trial Secretary DN reported on behalf of the Team that had run the evening TTs. He thanked Mike Northcott, Derek Todd and Garry Mitchener for their unstinting support both with the running and the signing of the events. This season’s evening Time Trials were very successful, with over 100 different riders participating over the season. The ‘Come & Try It’ Time Trial held in June proved successful, Secretary Andy Newbury 01935 421352 it had the beneficial effect of attracting new 12 Wraxhill Road, YEOVIL, BA20 2JZ members, more than making up the cost of running the ‘free-to-enter’ event. With one event MEMBERSHIP Mike Loader 01935 410790 to run, the events have made a profit of approx records Mike Northcott 01458 273576 £350.00. This is net value, after payment of £273.50 Levies to the CTT, plus the organiser’s TVCRA Gary Swain 01460 72088 fuel allowance, and a one-off payment for road- Time Trials Vacant sign supports for the large signs. The traffic counts had all proved acceptable, although Road race Shaun Walsh 01749 812298 continuing to increase year on year. Newsletter & Clothing This year’s Spring 10, and Open 25, were both David Notley 01963 440291 also successful events. THE LONDON SIXES By Tony Taylor Six-day racing, like so many early initiatives in to Wembley and was a huge success. It was cycling, originated in Britain but was developed held in conjunction with the annual cycle and elsewhere. The first event was organised by a motor cycle show. The Belgium pair Bruylandt bicycle manufacturer to promote the reliability and Adriaensens finished one lap ahead of an of his product, whilst taking advantage of a outstanding Australian partnership of Alf Strom desire to compete in endurance competitions. and Reg Arnold, who took victory in this event In 1875, on an oval track in Birmingham, the following year. There was no further event individual riders rode for as long as they could until it was reintroduced in 1967 at Earls Court, keep awake in order to cover the greatest with backing from the drinks group Allied distance in one week, but excluding the Sunday Breweries, under the brand name Skol. The out of respect for what the Sabbath meant at traditional format of having one rider from each that time – a day of rest. Thus the duration of team on the track at all times was dispensed a 6-day event came into being. A similar event with. A new innovation was introduced to be was held in Islington, London, later that year, more acceptable to spectators with little or no and in both these events the winner exceeded knowledge of indoor track racing. It was having 1,000 miles. five hours of all out racing each evening from During the 1880's many 6-Day events were 7pm to midnight. Britons, Billy Holmes and run but were restricted to 18 hours riding each Norman Hill rode with continental partners, day. By the 1890's, in Britain, its popularity had but the winners were Danish pair Palle Lykke waned, it was in the United States that 6-day and Freddy Eugen. races became established. With pressure from Australian Ron Webb, himself a former 6- both competitors and the media to restrain day rider, designed and built a 160m track the masochist element the maximum time was bowl with 51% bankings, for the Empire Pool, reduced to 12 hours, prompting the idea of Wembley, where the event was held from 1968 teams of two riders to cover the 24 hours. In onwards, (it became the Wembley Arena in 1899 at Madison Square Gardens, New York, 1976). In the first four years at this venue, a relay race for the 2-man teams was held and victory went to arguably the best post-war since then the term 'madison' has lived on. With pairing of Dutchman Peter Post and Belgian the traditional pattern now formed, it was soon . However in 1972 this partnership adopted in mainland Europe. was split, and victory went to Sercu partnered A 6-day race returned to Olympia in 1923 by Tony Gowland. Tony who became Britain's it was won by the Belgium pair Persyn and only Skol Six winner, he had finished second Vasdevelde. 1934 produced Britain's first true in 1970 and 1971, partnered by Sigi Renz and 6-day winner in Sid Cozens, who was partnered (both W.Germany) respectively. by leading Dutchman, Piet van Kempen, Piet Many British riders competed in the Skol totalled 32 victories. Cozens later became a London Sixes over the years, Hugh Porter successful team manager. performed well. Eventually Skol withdrew their In 1936 the first 6-day at the Empire Pool, sponsorship, and the last London Six was held Wembley was staged, and this was repeated in 1980, after which the track was dismantled. for the next three years until the outbreak of Ironically, this final year saw the debut of Tony World War II. In 1951, 6-Day racing returned Doyle, who with partner Udo Hempel (W. Germany) finish 8th. Doyle went on to become Briton's most successful 6-Day rider of all time. Far left: The victorious 1937 Wembly Six- Day team: (l to r) Harry Hetchin, Van Kempen (rider), Cor Wals (rider), (trainer, unknown).

Left: 1938 Cor Wals and Piet van Kempen.