No.958 September 2016 Anfield Circular

Journal of the Anfield Bicycle Club (formed March 1879)

Runs List Summer clubruns September 3 Nag's Head Lavister 10 Miners Arms Maeshafn 17 The Plough Christleton 24 Red Lion Parkgate October 1 Parish Rooms Coddington (*Annual General Meeting 1130*) 8 The Britannia Halkyn 14-16 Cain Valley Hotel Llanfyllin (Autumn Tints weekend) 22 Old Ma’s Cafe Gatesheath 29 Cross Foxes Overton Bridge November Nets Cafe - Keith Orum, John Moss, Joseph Birchal, Mark Mason, Chris Edwards 5 Nag’s Head Lavister 12 Miners’ Arms Maeshafn 19 Parish Rooms Coddington (Committee Meeting 1130) 26 Nets Cafe Denhall December 3 Meadow Lea Cafe Mickle Trafford 10 The Druid Inn Llanferres 17 The Plough Christleton Wednesday 28 Red Lion Parkgate Closing date for next issue 26 November Contact

Hon Secretary: Peter Catherall, 49 Elm Grove, Buckley CH7 2LU Tel 0777 3587793 Blistering Brenig - Tony Pickles, Geoff Sharp, Geraint Catheral, Chris Pickles anfieldbc@gmail,com Editor: David Birchall, © Anfield Bicycle Club

2017 Subscriptions 21 and over £15; Junior £7.50; Family member £1; CTC 3rd party insurance £24 – by Standing Order

Dysart Arms Bunbury www.anfieldbc.co.uk No.958 September 2016

Autumn Tints - booking now Autumn Tints - our annual visit to the Cain Valley Hotel Llanfyllin and the Lake Vyrnwy hills is booked for the weekend of 14 - 16 October. Prices are: family room £30, twin £35, single £45. Dinner on Saturday night will be £17.95 per head. To reserve your place, please contact Social Secretary Tecwyn Williams.

Racing Round-up Rhyl CC 10, 26 June 2016: Geraint Catherall: 28.25 SCCA 100, 17 July 2016: Geraint Catherall: 5:58:48 Mersey RC 24 24-25 July 2016: 338.65 miles (under investigation) - 370 miles on computer. Graham Thompson reports that after the 100, ‘things improved in WCTTA 10 with 21 40 then I really put a big effort into the Belper 25 in Derby but again hit misfortune in terms of a heavy rainstorm then another tri-bar failure. I continued clinging to one tri-bar and was still on course for a 52 or a 53 but then suffered bad cramp which ended my hopes completely. Further problems virtually ended this season but at the end of August I did NEW 25 in 57 46’. Tom Williams is also going fantastically well and came 9th in age related European triathlon Champs. Graham says that Tom also ‘beat a certain Matt Bottrill recently in a Triathlon!!!’

Carol Boardman Carol Boardman was tragically killed in a collision with a pick-up truck on Mold Road in Connah’s Quay on Saturday 16th of July. Carol was the nicest, kindest, friendliest person you could ever wish to meet. She never said a© bad wordAnfield about anyone. Bicycle Club A good competitive racing cyclist before Lisa and Chris came along. After they were born, she continued as a keen club member who took lots of novice cyclists on their first rides, teaching them the joys of the sport. She had a style and pedalling action that was admired by all. She will be sadly missed. Our condolences go out to all her family. The Anfield Bicycle Club was represented at the funeral by Keith and Pippa Orum, Mark Mason, Dave Barker, and Ben Griffiths. Ben Griffiths www.anfieldbc.co.uk 2 No.958 September 2016

UK Anti-Doping and the Anfield 100 It all began with an email from Nick Sharpe, CTT National Secretary (Legal & Corporate). He requested details of the event as he was ‘thinking of coming along to watch’. And very welcome too. However, given recent publicity about increased drug tests at random events, before the race I reinforced the message with a warning note to be displayed at HQ about the possibility of testing. On the morning of the event, Sheila Hardy, Chair of the CTT introduced herself. She had come ‘to watch her partner competing’. Shortly, several others arrived with official looking cases and announced that they were here for drugs testing. Six riders were required to report to UKAD after they finished. Not surprisingly, with riders, marshals and spectators aware of UKAD’s presence, people asked if and when the results of the testing would be made known. The ABC fully supports banning cheats. And it might help the cause if future editions of the CTT Handbook, with support from UKAD, were to provide guidance on the protocol followed when testing takes place, for, at the time, we had no definitive answers on the questions people asked. We would have been delighted to distribute explanatory leaflets promoting UKAD’s role in education, prevention, and policing. Instead it was an opportunity which UKAD regrettably missed on this occasion. We now know that test results are confidential between UKAD, CTT, and the riders. Event organisers are not advised whether the tested riders are clear or not. Any positive result is only made public if the second sample has proved positive and after the rider has appeared before UKAD. We are however pleased to report that all the riders tested in our event were clear. Finally, we are grateful to the ladies who look after us at Shawbury Parish Hall for their kindness in allowing access to the rooms UKAD used free of charge. Peter Catherall * * * * * Riding the Anfield 100 - a personal view - Graham Thompson Well where do I start with the Anfield 100 2016. It was only my second attempt at this great race (the first was 2001). If I am honest I had entered this one a bit lightly on the back of a couple of long training rides in April and early May. It was a convenient date and would be a good 4 hrs training … so I thought. The problems started when despite what I was telling people I was secretly putting myself under pressure to © Anfielddo aBicycle great time and possibly break Club club record. The MSW 50 2 weeks earlier was one of many warnings that things were not so rosy as I struggled in that event towards the end. I knew I had to figure out solving back pain and cramp and hoped to manage breathing problems. I obsessed over my position and relaxed it somewhat. Then, pre race, lowered my saddle … eek … the anxiety! On that last long ride 6 days before the race I had only lasted 2½hrs before caving in and sitting on a bench in Tattenhall with a can of Coke trying to recover. Nutrition was another dilemma and I opted to take a gel at 30mins and www.anfieldbc.co.uk 3 No.958 September 2016 then each hour, knowing that they often triggered cramp. But without nutrition it would be game over at 50 miles. There is no easy way for us amateurs. I had finished a week of nights on the Sunday morning and opted not to go to sleep through the day, but to go to bed early prior to the event. To add to my frustration I wasn't having the best of times with my asthma. On the morning of the event I was so tired that I missed the alarm. Getting up at 4:50a.m. needing to leave in 10 mins, it was a quick breakfast, scrambled egg and beans. I made up my bottles, threw my stuff in the car and broke my first and only record driving to Shawbury. As it happened though I began to have a good feeling about the day as I actually made HQ in perfect time and was met with glorious sunshine and some smiling Anfielders at sign on. I rode to the start and was sent on my way with good wishes from Messrs Pickles, Hallgarth and Twigg, and a rather louder scream in my ear from Course Marshal Rees-Hughes from his car window. Confidence rising I rode to Prees and back on the first leg feeling good. I was passing a fair few riders which surprised me. Having helped Ben set the field I knew that many riders in my half of the field were much faster than me. Through Ternhill I hit a nasty pothole but luckily didn't puncture and forged onwards to Espley and the circuit with a nice tailwind. The sun was warming up and I was feeling good. I could hardly believe it and felt comfortable. Charging up the rise after Espley at roughly 26 miles at around 24mph, a rider 85 came steaming past. Only no.80 had passed me thus far which I had expected but no.85 appeared unbelievably quick. I have been passed by Boardman, Dangerfield and Wilko in the past and I can tell you no.85 Ryan Perry was every bit as impressive. Sticking to my own plan I continued round the first of 4 circuits. The surface and terrain became that bit more challenging. Nevertheless by the end of the first lap, passing Geoff and Keith at the finish point and then towards Shawbury corner, I knew it was around the 50 mile mark. It was going too well: I was inside 2 hours. I had no doubt that I would lose some pace towards the end but the adrenalin was surging and I was really beginning to think this was going to be a great day. The problems began on the second lap however. I had taken 2 gels when the muscle cramps began. I managed to twist my right leg slightly which seemed to help and I carried on with far less confidence deciding not to have any of the 3 gels left, hoping I could get to the end with fluids only. I had a bottle with watered down coke which I picked up from John Thompson and his team who did a fantastic job that day. I had hoped to give John and the rest of the ABC something to shout about. Still determined and motivated, I ploughed into lap 3 thinking ‘I know this circuit now just keep going’. In my last 100 in 2001 I finished strongly after suffering cramp at 75 miles. Today it was around 75 miles when I really began to suffer. My breathing tightened up and I gasped for my inhaler. I had a lap and a half to go and knew it was all slipping away. My pulse had dropped from 160bpm to 140, and although I didn't have the knock I felt extremely fatigued. I was© frustrated Anfield and upset and knew theBicycle record was long gone. StoppingClub wasn't an option so I set about turning the pedals however I possibly could. Getting to the finish really took its toll. Somehow I managed to get round the last lap and I crossed the line with a shake of the head. Ben found me at HQ leaning against my car pretty upset although I had managed to go 3 mins faster than 2001 and finished with 4 hrs 19 mins. Thanks to all who gave me a shout during the ride and for the hard work of all involved. It's clear how all the riders hold our event in the highest of regard - and to prove it we attracted a couple of the best 100 riders in the country. It was a fantastic day for the Anfield and it has been a real talking point. If you didn't know Ryan Perry you do now - he has just been crowned national 50 mile champ!

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Clubruns The Britannia, Halkyn - 4th June 2016 A slightly overcast start to the day, just the right conditions to ride up to the Britannia. Arriving early (at 1130hrs), the sun breaking through, I found a seat outside and waited for the doors to open (sign of a misspent youth over forty years ago, but ok for an old duffer like me now). Peter Jones was next to arrive, then David Birchall, Peter Catherall and club mascot Wilber (who took great interest in a black pig in the adjacent field), David Bettaney, Team Pickles and John Whelan. With food and drink ordered and consumed, Billy Graham arrived to complete the set. The main topic of conversation was Ryan Perry's record breaking performance in the Anfield 100, knocking nearly eight minutes off the club record. ‘Unbelievable’, was Billy's comment and he was right. It was a great day, all the riders were happy with the marshalling and the event. Great to get good feedback too. My thanks to all. Time passed quickly in the sunshine, before, individually and in groups, according to choice, we made tracks home. Thanks to all who turned up to the clubrun. Nigel Fellows Coddington Parish Rooms (Committee) - 11th June 2016 Torrential showers put off all but Peter Jones and John Lahiff from actually riding bikes. Team Pickles dispensed new club-tops from a large box, Geraint and Peter Catherall brought the committee books and key to the rooms, David Birchall provided sandwiches and tea, Dave Eaton subbed for Phil Mason (working), and Ben dodged the rain, as did Bill who chaired the meeting. Club mascot Wilber wagged his tail for titbits, but yawned audibly at the ‘official’ business. The Buck, Bangor on Dee - 18th June 2016 Supporting the run were John Lahiff, Peter Jones, Team Pickles and friend, Geraint, Bill Graham, Brian Whitmarsh, and David Birchall (with Wilber). We lunched outside in the warm sun. Refurbished, the Buck is back in business, but alas without its unique collection of teapots. Red Lion, Parkgate - 25th June 2016 Torrential rain, nothing new for clubruns this year, meant Gortex for the first ten miles. It was a strong headwind westward along the Millennium Way. But over the Dee marshes the sky cleared, out came the sun, and the green Welsh hills sparkled. In the end it was lovely. At the Red Lion were Nigel and Alison (finding time for the clubrun prior to a wedding), John Lahiff, Dave Bettaney, Peter Catherall and Geraint, Jim Gibson, David Birchall, Keith Orum, Geoff Sharp and, on holiday from Germany, Karl Nelson. Homeward for Davids Bettaney and Birchall it was a tailwind. In company as far as Hawarden Bridge Junction, where our paths diverged, the one turned for Connah's Quay, the other Christleton. Old Ma’s Cafe,© Gatesheath Anfield Bicycle - Club 2nd July 2016 Under way at Old Ma's was a growlers’ rally (motorbikes in case, like me, you didn't know) - with a rock band and bar in the cowshed, rifle range in the yard, tents and caravans in the field; and quite a few Harley Davidsons. Peter Jones, arriving early, had mingled with the bikers. They invited him to play guitar at tonight's gig. Seriously. But Peter, a brilliant riffer who knows Stone Roses, made his www.anfieldbc.co.uk 5 No.958 September 2016 excuses - 'prior engagement', he said. The event had started yesterday, the bar was still open at 6am this morning apparently, and at lunch time it looked like it hadn't really closed at all. Inside the cafe with John Lahiff we talked belt drives and hub gears, batteries and graphene, dynamos, capacitors and farads (beyond me), ‘early adopters’ (better to wait), and our new kit (attracting compliments); then, when Team Pickles and John Whelan arrived, it was electric gears, Garmin's latest wrist-watch computer (expensive), and Sportifs (also expensive). The Miners’ Arms, Maeshafn - 9th July 2016 The rain woke me up driving against the window on Saturday morning, not ideal for the normal dash out to the clubrun. During breakfast I decided to check the weather forecast on the BBC website - usually accurate for here, heavy rain until eleven and then light rain until heavy rain returned. I declined to wake Chris up just yet, no point, I wasn’t going out on the bike in this so I assumed he wouldn’t either. Instead we drove up to Maeshafn on drying roads thinking we should be on bikes, but off the main roads it was still very wet. We parked up and recognised Dave Bettaney’s and Geraint’s cars, so we where not the only drivers. They only just beat us there and were ordering drinks and food, we ordered as well and sat down. Geraint showed a picture of his new bike which he had just picked up earlier that morning, black with chorus groupset and Campagnolo wheels - very nice and probably far too fast! Food arrived and Jim Gibson as well. Jim had travelled with the aid of sat nav quite successfully. He was in his car too, but he did have his bike in the boot, unlike like the rest of us. Hugh Dauncey on his way back to the north-east arrived for his new top, but could not stop. Nice to see him even if it was so brief. All in all a bad morning to ride the bikes so no surprise that no one rode out: wet and windy is not a good combination! Tony Pickles The Goshawk, Mouldsworth - 16th July 2016 I knew rain was expected but I ignored that and set off from Chester anyway. The ride through Saighton, Waverton, Duddon and Cotebrook was lovely, with only one fall of very light rain. Then round through Delamere and Hatchmere. The road surface through the forest has deteriorated very badly in places - not fit for a road bike in my opinion. I arrived at the Goshawk just as the Angelus was sounding from St Cuthbert's by the Forest nearby. But there was no Anfielder there! And no Anfielders arrived! The barman was mildly indignant on my behalf and wanted me to ‘ring somebody’, but I explained to him that Anfielders were delicate souls who stayed indoors if rain threatened. I left at 12.50 and then the rain started. I went down the hill from Manley in an absolute deluge, peering through my sunglasses and with my shorts sopping wet. But you can always find someone worse off than yourself. Down a little lane going in the direction of Dunham-on-the-Hill was an unfortunate woman in the pouring rain trying to unfasten© the Anfield chain securing a five-barred Bicycle gate with one hand and Clubholding the halter of an impatient horse with the other. She had no waterproofs on and was soaking, but at least she could laugh about it. I rode home through Guilden Sutton and along the Greenway in easing rain. When I got my bike out next day the saddle had changed colour. It proved to be a coat of reddish mud which I think I must have picked up on Manley hill. Peter Jones Farndon Sports’ Club - MRC 24 - 23rd July 2016 Geraint participated in both the 24 and 12 which were run in good weather though rain affected the end of the 12. David Birchall and Peter Jones were at the start of the 24 to see Geraint off and I did spot Peter on the finishing circuit the following day. Geraint's computer said that he had www.anfieldbc.co.uk 6 No.958 September 2016

done around 370 miles Geraint starts the 24 but the provisional distance on the CTT website only showed 338. His mileage and those of numerous others were being contested and the official results are yet to be published. In the 12 according to the Time-trialling Forum Geraint did 175.2 miles but the results have not yet been published on the CTT site. Thanks to Nigel and John Lahiff for turning out for marshalling duties. The Plough, Christleton - 30th July 2016 I awoke at Orum’s B & B at Brunstath Close, to be greeted by overcast skies and the possibility of light rain, oh to be back in England. My landlord forced me to eat due to the arduous ride that lay ahead, then informed me that he would not be going, but had arranged for Dave Skillen who was a member in the ’60s to join me. Keith will tell you the story of Les Bennett leading the ABC cadets through Glen Affric on the school cycling tour of Scotland in the ’60s. Mark Mason would also be joining us and so we set off on the normal route to Neston, Mark managed to hit a manhole cover, whilst trying to go through the bridge in Neston. Is this a club habit? Last time I was in UK Keith did the same, also in Neston, but with more dire consequences. Mark took some skin off his elbow but other than that was OK. We then took the path over the marshes to join the Greenway to Mickle Trafford then the road crossing the A 51 and so to the Plough. A number of members had arrived before us and more arrived as we sat eating our meals and sipping our orange juice. In no particular order the following attended: Nigel Fellows, John Whelan, Brian Whitmarsh, Jim Gibson, John Courtney, Peter & Geraint Catherall, Phil and Brenda Mason, Dave Birchall with club mascot Wilber, Dave Bettaney, Peter Jones, Mark Mason, Dave Skillen and Neil France (who called in between a wedding he was attending), sixteen in all including me. The ride back© was moreAnfield or less the same route Bicycle as there, but excluding Club the falling off. Dave Skillen and I stopped at Nets for tea and a chat about Thailand as Dave now lives there and I’m thinking of a return trip to ride from Bangkok to Phuket. Mark left us there and carried on to home. John Moss Dysart Arms, Bunbury - 6th August 2016 John Moss rode from Nantwich to Winsford where he met David Birchall riding from Knutsford. Fifteen miles in summer lanes to Bunbury followed. ‘Don’t like being overtaken’ cried John as a young lady overtook us. ‘I’m training’, came the reply. ‘So am I’, gasped John as she disappeared into the distance. Several other riders similarly seemed to be ‘training’ on the road to Eaton, though their idea of the word was definitely not the same as John’s. www.anfieldbc.co.uk 7 No.958 September 2016

We reached the Dysart Arms before midday to find John Thompson, Brian Whitmarsh, Nigel Fellows and Peter Catherall already there. John had ridden from home (Horton, Bristol) over the roof of Wales - the Gospel Pass, Builth Wells and the Bwlch-y- Groes - his Walvale laden with camping gear. Bala was his aim for the night before joining Maggie in Harlech on Sunday. Completing the party were Tony and Chris Pickles, and John Moss’s friends (Alf, Charles, and Arno) from Nantwich. It was lovely sitting in the garden for lunch under the shade of a tree. As usual, especially when both Johns are around, the craic was lively. And the Red Arrows performed a flypast, but not for us - an airshow at Chester apparently, which they probably reached in a minute. However … not to be outdone, homeward, we were the Blue Arrows, with Brian Whitmarsh setting a fast pace for the ten miles via Beeston Castle to Christleton where my day awheel ended. Steve Marriott arrived later from Milton Keynes, and we were sorry to miss him. Of his ride from Crewe station he said: ‘I should have caught an earlier train. Two wrong turnings en route, and not realising how the village stretches out (I've only been to the village itself once previously as a youngster) conspired to make the late arrival. A thoroughly enjoyable ride nevertheless, and I really appreciated how lovely narrow lanes through the English countryside can be’. The Raven, Llanarmon-yn-Ial - 13th August 2016 Ok jobs done, washing on the line, bike out and head off for the Raven. What could go wrong? Chain jumped the crank on the hill up to the Rainbow, my fault and I had a walk. Chain back on and off we go. At Llanferres, four riders were helping a mate fix a flat tyre. ‘Need any help?’ I asked. ‘No, its the second one he's had, we'll put a new tube in and thanks for stopping’, they said. Nice when people do that, so Fellows carried on. I turned left to Llanarmon and was a mile© down Anfield the road when a Velocette Bicycle LE (early 1960s motorbike) Club overtook me and three early MGs going to the show at Llanarmon. Not many of those about now. I got to the Raven at 1150hrs and met Tony Pickles, ‘No Chris?’, I said. ‘His chain came off, so he went home’, said Tony. I wasn't the only one then.We went in, ordered food and drink. Then, John Moss, riding from Irby, followed by Dave Bettaney. About fifteen minutes later David and Mary Birchall came in with club mascot Wilber. Good food and a chinwag followed. Tony and I left at about 1310hrs and made our way back to Mold and home with the wind on our backs, ‘I wonder how many calories we've burned off’, said Tony, climbing the hill to the Rainbow, ‘About a chip’, I said laughing. An other good clubrun, with very little rain and good company, just the way it should be. Thanks to all. Nigel Fellows www.anfieldbc.co.uk 8 No.958 September 2016

Nets, Denhall - 20th August 2016

Clockwise fom right: Adam, Joseph and Liz Birchal, Peter Catheral, Mary Birchal, Chris Edwards, Geraint Catheral, Keith Orum

Joseph Birchall (age 7¾) reports: We left Gangan at home to look after the builders. We drove to the marshes and parked the car. The weather was grey. I cycled up the path and saw some of our friends. Nanna, Daddy and Mummy followed behind. The ham sandwich with salad was very nice. There were lots of bumps on the road to the cafe and there was a little hill up to the cafe. There was a field next to the cafe with some trees and a little bench. Geraint said he was going to sit on a bike for twelve hours tomorrow (and also ride 200 miles). Then after lunch I went to Christleton cycle track and went round and round over all the bumps. [Dad adds that Net’s bacon sandwich was better than the posh one at Altrincham market the day before. In attendance were Geraint Catherall, Peter Catherall, Keith Orum, Jim Gibson, Chris Edwards, Dave Bettaney, Mark Mason, Phil Mason, John Moss and a tribe of Birchalls (Mary, Liz, Adam and Joseph). On bikes were Keith, Jim, Chris, Dave, Mark, John, and Joseph.] Coddington Parish Rooms (Committee) - 27th August 2016 Combining clubrun and committee meeting is not new - the approach has worked well since the days we met at the Sportsman’s Arms, Tattenhall. Coddington is a highlight of the club calendar, though it would be good if more members would join in. It’s as close as we’ll ever get to a club- room. Deep in unspoilt and quiet countryside, it’s a very ancient landscape which has not changed much© for centuries, Anfield a wonderful spot toBicycle consider the niceties of club-life.Club Even on August Bank Holiday, with the main roads crammed nose to tail with traffic, we had the lanes (more or less) to ourselves. Official business taking longer than usual meant we had to wait longer than usual to open the butty box and brew the tea. And did I notice Tony Pickles doing a brisk business in ABC arm-warmers? Keeper of club clothing, contact Tony for your winter kit. Present: President Bill, Secretary Catherall, Treasurer Mason, Tony and Chris Pickles, Geraint, Peter Jones, Nigel Fellows, John Lahiff, Ben Griffiths, Dave Eaton, David Birchall (with Wilber and the sandwiches), and Chris Edwards (with Elaine who took Wilber a walk).

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Blistering Brenig by Tony Pickles Chris and I had an invite from Keith Orum for a MTB ride around the Brenig and Alwen reservoirs at some point in July. Others were invited but on the day it was Keith, Geoff, Geraint, Chris and me. Meeting at the Brenig Visitor Centre, a start time of 10:30 for 11:00 departure allowed for tea and toast in cafe first! Very civilised. Watered, fed and on time, we set out across the dam with exceptional sunny weather, Keith leaves nothing to chance, at a nice sedate

Brenig blisterers - Geoff Sharp, Tony Pickles, Geraint Catheral, Keith Orum pace observing the fly-fishing people whipping the water. Negotiating a few gates we gathered speed and headed for the far end the lake. We arrived at the first climb, where, like mountain goats, my companions proceeded to climb at the same speed leaving me to ride on slowly. I finally caught them at the end of the lake on a new track so we did not have to go on the busy road. Again the mountain goats led the way, but, downhill, gravity became my friend, and I rattled to a halt just behind them as they stopped for a route check. We crossed over the road and headed for the Alwyn. At the end of the tree-line we came to one of my favourite places - a cracking view and desolate, just to remind you these places still exist. And, yes, I did pack spares, tools and a 3 litre water bladder just in case. Then it was down a very dry track with sheep, to regroup at the footbridge at end of the lake. I foolishly thought the others had waited for me, but no, it was walkers crossing the bridge. Realising the climb after the bridge is obviously meant for walkers not cyclists, I joined them. The downhill to the next gate was interesting and well suited to full suspension bikes like mine, Chris and Geraint’s, but was a little more interesting for Geoff and Keith, unnerving even! Then it was fire roads and narrower paths down to the dam. We hugged the shoreline and climbed back over to Brenig, but a detour was necessary as some rather large machinery was working in the forest path. Chris used his magic Garmin to revise the route and we picked up the path around Brenig again to complete the journey. Tea and cake had to be sampled before packing the bikes away for the trip home, a cracking day out, a sunny day© slotted Anfield between so many horrible Bicycle days, well done Keith! Club

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Anfielders at the Cheshire Show

John Lahiff, Peter Catherall, Nigel Fellows, Alan Orme, and David Birchall manned Anfield Bicycle Club stall in the cycling tent at the Cheshire Show at the end of June. With lots of interest we learnt much about about how others see us. That there is also a football team in Liverpool with links to Anfield confused some show-goers. Freebies were the order of the day, but we did sell a few books in aid of club funds. Thanks to Cheshire Archives and Local Studies for giving us the chance to promote the archive and the ABC’s history. A great time was had by all. But what would W P Cook have thought about the projection of giant images of the club on the sky screen? In the Tour of Britain supplement issued free with the September edition of Cycling Plus there is a four page spread on the ABC. Trevor Ward and C+ have done a brilliant job in capturing the maverick essence of the ABC which has been the secret of the club’s longevity. If you don’t have your own copy of C+, visit the ABC website.

© Anfield Bicycle Club

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RideLondon 31 July 2016 - Stuart Twigg After driving around in ever decreasing circles, I found the car park at Grosvenor Hill, ideally placed fairly close to the finish. London was still relatively quiet at 5-30 on a Sunday morning but the traffic soon began to build up along Oxford Street heading east. At every junction, more cyclists joined in, all heading towards the start at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. As the 9 mile commute progressed, the traffic built up dramatically with a standstill a mile from the Olympic Park, where riders outnumbered buses and cars 10 to 1. The start area was divided up into colour and letter groups. After dropping off my bag, the first ½ mile walk of the day brought me to the Orange “L” area, itself ½ mile from the actual start line. Around 8-03, my group set off at a steady pace towards London on the empty A12. The first 5 miles went in a blur before I took the time to look around. We passed the Tower of London and then along the Embankment and Northumberland Avenue to Trafalgar Square. Even at 8-30, the various charities were out in strength cheering on all who passed. The next landmark was Harrods, form where the route then went further west along more familiar roads … and it wasn’t long before the first rider to hit the deck was seen. He was well supported so I pressed on. We crossed the Thames on Chiswick Bridge, reached Richmond Park, and the beginnings of a theme for the event: a trail of rubbish, mostly energy gel wrappers, scattered along the road. I saw the first rider of the day walking, so I didn’t hold out much hope for him. It wasn’t long before I recognised Tiffin School on the run into Kingston with its large crowds and festival atmosphere. Kingston had changed so much in the last 30 years since I was last here. Crossing the Thames for a second time on Kingston Bridge, the route took us past Hampton Court and further into Surrey, through Weybridge and Brooklands, onto narrower roads and then to a grinding halt in Pyrford. A serious accident ahead, a rider had crashed into a tree. During the wait in brilliant sunshine, I filled my bottles in the village hall as I didn’t fancy fighting my way past hundreds of riders, to reach the official feed. The villagers of Pyrford were magnificent, residents opening their doors to strangers. Even though we were held up for over an hour, there was little grumbling and plenty of friendly banter. We even set up an unofficial Colnago owners club with my C40, a Master, plus all “C” iterations up to a C60. One rider, on a beautiful C59, was blackballed as his was equipped with shameful Shimano. The first real climb of the day was Newlands Corner, with the halfway point not long after, my Garmin recording 48 miles. Time for a new battery in the speed/cadence sensor! The next major challenge was Leith Hill. Other riders said it is more difficult than Box Hill, as the surface is poor. I took my first energy gel and returned the empty packet to my pocket. The pace slowed as the climb started and got considerably worse as the road went sharp left and we were faced with a scene out of the Walking Dead. The holdup was probably caused by the earlier delay, hundreds of riders reaching the climb at the same time. I weaved past many of the walkers until I had nowhere to go and finally stalled, ¼ mile from the summit. I pushed the bike for 100 yards or so before remounting and riding over the summit. A cautious decent was made and the next feed reached at Westcott. After Dorking (huge crowds) came Box Hill. The climb wasn’t too bad and I reached the summit without dismounting or using my final 29 tooth sprocket. A brief stop to take in the view then a safe and fast descent. Leatherhead and Esher were next before more familiar roads again. Happy childhood memories came to mind as I passed alongside the Thames. My father used to take me along the river from Kingston to Hampton Court by boat, feed me a Cornetto, then we would take a train from Hampton Court to Surbiton and finally a black cab back to Kingston. Today, as we were halted for ten minutes or so outside of Kingston, the chance for a brief diversion to visit my grandparent’s former home was tempting. Riding again, the next three miles were a struggle and called for a second gel, but it hadn’t kicked in by the time I reached the climb in Wimbledon. I was saved by the water station at Wimbledon Common,© Anfieldwhich had plenty of food, and BicycleI gratefully received a handful ofClub fig rolls. The last 9 miles crossed the Thames at Putney with views of Battersea Power Station and the Royal Hospital at Chelsea. After the Houses of Parliament, I briefly removed my helmet as I passed the Cenotaph. You could hear the noise of Trafalgar Square ahead and we then swung sharp left under Admiralty Arch and then onto the Mall. Trafalgar Square was nothing compared to the Mall! I finally found my family just after the finish. Another long walk to pick up my bags and we headed to Green Park. The urge for a burger was satiated as I had been craving one for 40 miles, caused by the numerous barbecues on route. I bid farewell to my family, my six year old wearing my medal with pride, and walked towards Berkley Square. Remounting, I couldn’t clip in as my shoe plates had finally given up the ghost but I soon made it back to the car park then home. A long day in the saddle, a lot of walking but nothing prepared me for the public support on the route. We rode through their villages and towns, exchanging their cheers and encouragement for litter. I helped fix one puncture, refitted several chains and handed out a couple of my gels, I spotted several phones, car keys and wallets on the roads, I hit the wall, recovered and finished. www.anfieldbc.co.uk 12