GLOUCESTER CITY CYCLING CLUB

AUTUMN 2018

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SPOKESPIECE Autumn, September 2018 The Newsletter of the Gloucester City Cycling Club

The sun doesn’t always shine on us...

See all the latest information on our website :- www.gloscitycc.co.uk

Editor :- Malcolm Taylor Contributions for the next issue please to [email protected]

...but this summer was mostly dry, even on the Gospel Pass!

EDITORIAL

We’ve seen another busy season, with the dry weather encouraging good attendances on club rides, sport rides, chain gangs and evening time trials. The only disappointing turn out was a small field for the Club’s open time trial, though this was compensated by full fields in the road races. Speaking of these, we’ll be looking for fresh organizers next year. Volunteers will be welcomed and supported so please think about putting your name forward at the AGM on October 2nd. Alas, not all our events have passed without incident. Some unlucky members have even experienced hospital visits and broken bones. We wish them all full and speedy recoveries. As the weather deteriorates and the road conditions worsen (see right) let’s all remember to keep eyes open for hazards, indicating or calling them for the riders behind, and to keep a sensible distance from our fellow riders. Be safe out there!

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Club Communications Cast your minds back to August Bank Holiday. The forecast, maintaining the weekly calendar, but I suggest that it is not which turned out to be accurate, was foul for the Sunday, but the place you would look for any last minute additions or changes.

The third form of communication is via the Gloucester City Cycling Club Facebook page, and for racers, the GCCC racing Group on Facebook. This works fairly well, as can be seen by 18 being out on Bank Holiday Monday. However, the nature of Facebook is that things disappear from the top of the list quite quickly and can be easily missed.

With virtually all members now carrying smart phones, there are many messaging apps that could be used for member communications, with What’s App perhaps being the best known. Groups could be set up that are fairly targeted (e.g. Sunday AA rides, Wednesday TTs etc) and members would only receive the messages for the groups to which they sub- scribed. The idea would require some refinement, and there good for the Bank Holiday Monday. Like many others, I may be some privacy issues to resolve, but wouldn’t it be good thought that I would much rather ride on Monday. As I if someone looking at the forecast could suggest a Saturday thought I would not be alone, I advertised a ride on the club’s ride one weekend, or change the destination of the Sunday Facebook page and in the end we had 18 riders in two rides. ride? Judge from the pictures as to whether it was a good idea.

The reason for this article is to open up a debate about how the club can communicate better, and

Currently, we have the “Joe Soap” e-mails, which are reserved for more globally appealing matters. The thought is that nobody wants their inbox inundated with these e-mails. The e-mail list is “owned” by the membership secretary and only he can access the address list (or for that matter any member’s e-mail address) used to send one of these messages.

The second main form of communication is the website Food for thought. Any feedback welcome (http://www.gloscitycc.co.uk). The website is an ideal place to [email protected] or see Ian Wareing at the AGM. look up information. The web secretary does a good job of Subs are due! Senior membership is £15 and Family membership £20.

A small reminder from our Treasurer: For convenience, repeated here are the bank details: Subs for the 2018/19 season are now due. Whilst there Bank Name: Santander Bank is a variety of ways to pay it would save a lot of progress For credit of: Gloucester City Cycling Club chasing by the Membership Secretary, the Treasurer, Sort Code: 09-01-55 and other committee members if you were to pay early, Account No: 58455182 by Standing Order, on 1st November. Remember that Reference: Subs “your name” regular riders in organised club events, including Sunday rides and training rides, are expected to be members of Note that you can cancel your Standing Order at any time. the Club so don't let yours lapse by accident.

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A PYRENNEAN ADVENTURE

in May it was decided there might be a window of opportunity to get

Mountains sometime in June. After visiting the central and southern Alps over the last two years, it was more or less certain that a trip to the was on the cards. I left Dave in charge of booking flights, car hire and accommodation (as per usual) my excuse being that he has far more spare time than me. So on Tuesday 12th June we flew out of Bristol airport on a beautiful sunny morning only to land at Toulouse, an hour and a half lat- er, to misty drizzle. Picking up the bikes from oversize luggage, collecting the hire car, navigating Toulouse’s busy ring roads, we arrived at our base in Tarascon sur Ariege some two hours later. The misty drizzle had now turned to heavy rain! Our accommodation for the next week was on a well-equipped camp site on the outskirts of town, staying in a static cabin next to the river. We convinced ourselves that we were in the mountains and that rain was to be expected. ‘It will be OK tomorrow?’ We woke up on Wednesday morning to the sound of heavy rain beating down on the cabin roof. So over breakfast and visiting many local weather forecast sites, it looked like it was in for the day. So we decided to head towards the Mediterranean coast as it was supposedly basking in sunshine! After a two hour drive out of the mountains, into the foothills, the rain finally abated, so we parked up at a place called Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, an area that Dave knew well from holidaying nearby in 2009. We unloaded the bikes and set off down the D117 to Maury with a massive tail wind. Hitting speeds of 40mph, that had us both thinking “if only cycling was this easy all of the time…”. We turned off at Maury to pick up some quiet roads through Cucugnan, looping The road somehow clinging to the cliff face of the gorge around the back of the impressive ruins of the Chateau Thursday saw a vast improvement in the weather so we de Peyrepertuse, high up on a hill, then through the decided to tackle one of the highest cols in the Ariege even more impressive Gorges de Galamus. The road region, the Port de Pailheres, which tops out at 2,001 somehow clinging to the cliff face of the gorge. A quick metres. We decided to load the bikes into the car and drive to Ax-les-Thermes to avoid cycling along the busy We N20. We hit the slopes of the Col de Chioula as soon as returned to Saint-Paul, then headed off on a blustery, we left town, gaining altitude very quickly on fantastic hilly loop up to Sournia, Ansignan on roads that we had switchbacks on 10% gradients. After a short way up the completely to ourselves. On the return journey we were climb a junction takes you on the road to the Pailheres. back into dense cloud and wet roads, so the two hour The first part of the climb goes up through wooded car journey each way was definitely worth it.

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slopes next to a fast flowing stream, the 10% gradient not really deviating. As you break through the tree line the gradient drops to give a bit of respite, only to return one kilometre later to kick up again to 10% plus, all the way to the col. A quick photo at the col, before donning wind jackets for the cold descent. Fantastic views of the road twisting its way through open meadow land below had us looking forward to a bit of freewheeling. A few hairpins from the top had us hard on the brakes as a herd of wild horses were coming up the road in the opposite direc- tion, all keeping to the right hand side of the road, and in single file (unlike a Sunday club ride!).

Fantastic views of the road twisting its way through open meadow land below

We continued our descent in Mijanes for a well-earned coffee, then retraced our journey back up to the col into a and coffee. On the opposite side of town was the climb up to the ski station of Ax 3 Domaines on those typical Pyrenean gradients. In beautiful sunshine we rode up to the deserted ski station only to turn around for a nice cooling descent! Ax-les-Thermes is a spa town and has numerous sulphur springs dotted around the town with the water at a constant 60°. The springs also leave the town with a rather strange smell hanging over it! Friday was a day to ride from camp for a change, so we headed into town and picked up the back roads for a tough little climb up over the Pas de Souloumbrie before dropping down through narrow wooded lanes with tight hairpin bends, over the river into Les Cabannes where the climb up to the starts. Another long steep climb with long sections hanging at 12% gradients. We hit the climb fairly fresh, not already having climbed over two or three summits as is usual, when the Tour hits these slopes. But we were still unable to out-run the flies that accompanied us all the way to the final kilometres where the gradient finally, and gratefully falls away, allowing you to click down a couple of gears and push on to hit the flat plateau. Photos at the summit of the snow covered peaks rising above the thin band of cloud, before capes zipped up for a fast, brilliant descent back into Les Cabannes. It was cut short a few hairpins up from town by a French woman shouting at us. So stopping we tried to find out what was going on? Only then did it become clear when her companion made the universal sign of a cow by making it look as though his fingers were horns! ‘Ah merci’ Expecting to see a cow Confronted by a massive herd of cattle

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in the road around the next bend, we were confronted by a massive herd of cattle, bells a ringing, being herded out of town up to the green pasture above, accompanied by a French film crew! A heavy lunch in Les Cabannes was probably not best for our return journey back to camp, negotiating the tight series of hairpins that we had descended earlier in the day. Dave decided that a dip in the pool was on the cards when we got back to Tarascon, and I rode up to Saurat on the lower slopes of the Col de Port to recce tomorrow’s planned ride. Saturday was another ride out of camp, negotiating the roundabouts around Tarascon and picking up the D618 up to the Col de Port. The gentler undulating lower slopes of

troubled by the climb, and arrived at the col with a group of French cyclists. Seeing our Gloucester shirts, one of them

for two years, and he had visited the city on more than one occasion! Small world.

‘The Col de Peguere is only a couple of bends down the road’ Dave informs me. ‘No need to put capes on!’. Probably 3 or 4 kilometres later, and almost hypothermic, we get to the turn for the Col de Peguere. 3,6 kilometres in length. Minimum gradient of 11,8% and max of 18%. The Tour went up here in 2012 when Cadel Evans suffered two punctures at the col as tacks were thrown into the road as a protest to the planned re-introduction of bears back into the Pyrenees. ‘OURS NON’ could still be seen written on the road, which I spent most of the time looking down at. The hardest 3,6 kilometres that I have ever done. Up into dense cloud we proceeded to traverse over the back of the Col de Portal and Col de la Crouzette. Coming out of the cloud for a fast hare’um scare’um decent into Massat for lunch. I don’t know what Dave ate for lunch, but he set a cracking pace back up the other side of the Col de Port on our return journey. This time we put on our capes for the descent back into Tarascon to end another great day in the mountains. On Sunday we decided to venture over into Andorra as we were in this neck of the woods. After breakfast bikes were loaded into the car and we were off back down the N20. The road into Andorra takes you high up into the mountains to- wards the Pas de la Casa, but as we discovered, it seems like every Frenchman makes this Sunday pilgrimage to fill up their cars with cheap Andorran fuel. We paid the €5 toll and took

Maximum gradient of 18%! confronted by a road that zig-zagged up out of the town, high

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into the mountain side. A beautifully smooth road surface, staying under 8% gradient made the climb up to the Col d’Ordino easier than was first anticipated. As we approached the col we could see some sort of viewing platform protruding from the rock face, high above the town, and decided to pay it a visit on our return journey. From the col we dropped down the other side, still on fantastic roads, into Ordino. Picking up the valley road that undulated and therefore broke your rhythm, and riding into a head wind made this part of the climb up to Arcalis a bit of a grind.

The highest point of our tour

It was only after going through a tunnel that was decorated with the

finished on this climb, did the fun really begin. A series of fabulous hairpin bends took you up into Arcalis ski station. The highest point of our tour at 2,229 metres. Clear blue skies above snow-capped peaks made it all worthwhile, and the descent to look forward to. We retraced our route back into Ordino for a spot of lunch before heading back up the Col d’Ordino and paying the viewing platform ‘Roc Del Quer’ a visit. The wooden platform having glass panels in it, just to test your nerve even more! There is a sculpture of a man on the outside of the barrier taking in the vista ‘The Ponderer’ all very impressive. A quick descent back down into Canillo left us with great memories of Andorra. Monday morning had us riding from the campsite along the D8 to Vicdessos and picking up the climb of the Port de Lers, a narrow climb through woods back on 10% gradients. The trees giving way to open meadows about 2 kilometres from the top. A short descent to the Etang de Lers before climbing the shorter side of the Col d’Agnes. A long descent into Aulus-les-Bains had us looking forward Pondering the view from le Roc Del Quer to a spot of lunch, but unfortunately it was a a quiet backwater and

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the small supermarket was all that was open. So over a supermarket sandwich, crisps and coffee, and after being told off by the supermarket owner for leaning our bikes on her flowers, we made a hasty departure. The other side of the valley had the short climb up to the Col de Letrape, so decided to bag this one as well. There are walks going up to Cascade d’Ars, a three level waterfall, but we stuck to the road going up to the col. Then returning to Aulus-les-Bains (without stopping this time) we then retraced the long steep gradients of the Col The trees giving way to open meadows d’Agnes. Dropping down the other side to the Etang de Lers. A beautiful, tranquil spot by a pond (Etang) more like a lake, for a more welcoming, and relaxed café-au-lait.

Back over the Col de Lers where we did a wind assisted 2-up team time trial back along the valley to Tarascon to complete a 66 mile ride with over 3,000 metres of climbing. Our last night at the campsite, so packed up and swept through ready for an early morning departure.

I suppose on a ten day trip you expect things to go wrong at least once, and Tuesday was that day. We moved from the camp site at Tarascon to the pretty little town of Seix. Our accommodation was a little gîte with a pool, ideal as temperatures had been rising over the last couple of days, and was now well into the thirties. We had a bit of trouble finding the accommodation as it was tucked away on the outskirts of town. So on arrival we just wanted to get the bike out and hit the road. On unloading the bikes and getting everything set up, it dawned on me that I had left my two full bidons in the campsite fridge, some eighty kilometres away! A drinks bottle is a necessity, so luckily we found an outdoor trekking shop that managed to sort me out with a bottle with some fancy straw valve poking out the top, at the extortionate price of €14! I don’t know if it was the feeling of being Relaxing with a café-au-lait ripped off, or Dave’s piss taking that put me in a bad mood? but a few kilometres up the road, I had calmed down as after all, I was in France, having the time of my life. The plan today was to ride up to the ski station Guzet-Neige. So when we got to a junction in the road, signposted left to Guzet-Neige, Dave assured me

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that our route was to carry straight on? 15 miles later and having climbed up to 1,000 metres the road came to a dead end at some derelict buildings. So returning to the junction we proceeded to climb to the ski station. gradients with the afternoon sun beating down on our backs. Photo’s at the top before a lovely cool descent part of the way down before taking a right to climb up to the Col de Letrape from the opposite side we had ridden on Monday. Back down into Aulus-les-Bains (stopping only to fill bottles) Dave went for a swim on our return to Seix, and I decided to take on the gentler slopes of the Col de la Core. When the 5% gradients of the lower slopes rose back up to 10%, I did find myself questioning my sanity! We hadn’t even had time to put any beer in the fridge…

Wednesday was our last day, and a big day. Bikes were loaded into the car and we drove to Castillon-en- Couserans. Set the bikes up and headed off! Another scorcher. Riding along the D618 to St Lary we picked up the Col de Portet d’Aspet, the easier side of the col. On the wickedly steep descent we stopped near the bottom at the striking memorial to Fabio Castartelli. The stop, grabbing some fresh fruit from the supermarket Italian Olympic champion, who tragically lost his life on to keep us fuelled. On leaving St Beat we were straight the 1995 . Continuing our journey we onto the climb of the Col de Mente. Afternoon sun climbed up the reasonably short Col des Ares before beating down again, had us toiling up some long dropping down the other side to St Beat. A quick café

I decided to take on the gentler slopes of the Col de la Core...we hadn’t even put any beer in the fridge

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straight sections at 10% plus, only to hit a series of hairpins to take us up to the col. A well needed and refreshing cold drink was enjoyed at the col

re-surfaced hairpin bends. I don’t think they had been re-surfaced for our benefit, but for July’s Tour! On hitting the bottom we were straight back onto the climb of the Col de Portet d’Aspet from the side we descended. We encountered 18% slopes on this harder side. We retraced our route back to Castillon, taking on more refreshments

climb the Col de la Core. The gradient was easier on this climb, but my legs were just about giving up on me by now! Reaching the col we turned around for what we thought would be a brilliant descent, only to be disappointed by the bumpy bone shaking run back into Castillon. A celebration drink or two was had in town that evening! I feel privileged to have ridden on the same roads as ‘the greats’ of the sport that I love. France is a beautiful country with spectacular scenery! And the foods not bad either.

Holiday stats: 492 miles and 21,000 metres of climbing. On our return to the UK my mountain mate, Dave packed his bike and tent into his car and set off to bag many of the UK’s top 100 climbs!!! But that’s another story ……………..

by Pete Errington

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I arrived at a buzzing London Fields park at 7pm, ready Turn Up, Join In, Lights On for the any-time-from-8pm start. The 2018 Dunwich Dynamo

Heading into London at anytime is not my idea of fun, especially on a warm summer Saturday afternoon in July. On this occasion, it was a journey I had been trying to make for over ten years. Not that getting to London is particularly taxing. It is the logistics of what was to fol- low that had proved a bit tricky. A work colleague told me about the Dunwich Dynamo and ever since it had been on my list of rides to do. It involves leaving Hackney around 8pm and riding 115 miles through the night to the Suffolk coast and what’s left of Dunwich, courtesy of some major storms in the 1200s. Wikipedia describes the Dynamo as “semi-organised”, which is like saying that a Raleigh Chopper is a sort of race bike. That’s not being the slightest bit critical and it’s part of what attracted me to the Dynamo. That it London Fields park. Next stop the seaside. takes place on the Saturday closest to the full moon in The casual start initiates the informality of the Dynamo. July is the extent of the organisation. The route is fixed, The local pub was loaded with cleated last-minute BBQ known and shared, passed on through the medium of food seekers and the adjacent park encompassed the route sheets from a bloke in the park at the start, and a eclectic beauty that is cycling. Mostly road bikes, mixed very good Facebook group. with hybrids, MTBs, gravel bikes, tourers, the odd Dropped off at Hackney Tesco, I merged with the many Brompton and recumbent. And a far more varied mix of other riders I presumed were also heading to London those riding them. From my preparations the over- th Fields for the start of the 26 Dunwich Dynamo. The whelming impression I’d formed was that this ride was next half mile was to prove the most challenging of the entire experience as we all thought we knew the way, until we allowed our- selves to be influ- enced by cyclists going in other direc- tions. It turned out these Sirens had already made an early start to their Dynamo, or they were just cyclists riding about town. The start line, pub, street, area, whatever.

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different, and not just because it was at night. We can all estimates by those that want to make them. A couple of probably relate to cycling being about the journey thousand plus seemed consensual. The scale of the (unless we’ve pinned on a number) and in this case the event adds another dimension. The route is peppered by journey was going to be whatever each of us wanted to those who celebrate the Dynamo without getting on make of it. I was there alone, as were others. A few clubs their bikes. Villagers cheer riders on from the roadside, were evident, some charity-based groups, including the some with pop-up refreshment stops. Pubs stay open all Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton, and plenty of more night to welcome those in need, as do cafes, shops and casual cyclists of all ages. The youngest was aged nine! A the odd bike shop. I think I was never more than five sportive this isn’t. miles from the opportunity of a hot drink, piece of cake or a bacon sandwich. Bacon sandwiches have a peculiar status on the Dynamo that I didn’t fathom. They seemed available everywhere. Perhaps it’s that breakfast is the next logical meal, no matter how many miles or long hours away it is. Perhaps Team Sky nutritionists could learn something. Perhaps as a vegetarian I’m just not meant to understand it (but they did smell good).

I’ve become primarily a cyclo-crosser in recent years, not something that lends itself to many hours in the saddle. (I’m the new boy you might have seen on the Sunday rides in Bristol CX kit. Hello, by the way and thanks for making me feel welcome.) I hadn’t ridden a century in Lighting envy the last couple of years so I intended to be self-sufficient and sensible with my food and avoid the long queues I’d A constant stream of riders was already beginning their read about. My only planned stop was at Sudbury Fire ride. I hung around for a bit, enjoying the atmosphere Station, another Dynamo beneficiary I’d read about who and the sights. By 7.45pm I was ready to start riding. I raise money for charity with their feed station. Only loaded up the route on my Garmin and headed off. Part once I’d started did I realise I stupidly didn’t know how of a critical-mass style group, I started to slowly make far into the route it was! Turns out it was almost exactly my way along the local streets and half way.

onto the larger roads heading out of the smoke. Pace was determined by the sheer number of us. Heading north east, Epping was the first target and it wasn’t long before the roads and traffic (other cyclists for a nice change) changed enough to start riding properly. The sunlight started to go and the route be- came illuminated by streams of red lights in front. This was also when the ride and the riders really started to show their character. Exchanging friendly comments with other riders, especially compliments to those for The Sudbury Fire Station crew were on fire (sorry) whom bike lighting is a passion way beyond legal re- Leaving Sudbury at midnight, topped up with tea and a quirements. veggie burger, the second half of the ride started. It was The route soon found the quiet country lanes that we the only time I felt a chill and so my arm warmers came would occupy for hours to come. Ride style was relaxed out for a few miles until café legs subsided. Riders had and informal. The odd club train stood out a mile. Other become very dispersed along the route. I’d been keeping clubs relaxed and just rode, the same as everyone else. my effort under control and reckoned I was amongst the “No entries” mean that numbers participating are best first few hundred riders, but who knows, and I didn’t

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care. The next few hours were by far the best. On de- for a cup of tea at a pop-up refreshment stop in serted country roads and very little wind, I often had on- someone’s front garden in the middle of nowhere. Pass- ly the sound of tyres on tarmac and smoothly turning ing on another bacon sandwich opportunity, I got chain for company. It was one of those this-is-why-I-ride chatting to a moved-away Bristol CX club mate who I’d occasions. I’m sure the scenery was a match for my never met before. “You’re a long way from home”, be- mood, but my surroundings could have been anything at gan the introduction. Not just a small, but also a very all in the total darkness. odd and unlikely world it is. More timeless miles passed with not much more than I’d seen pictures of the spectacular sunrise from last moonlight and the odd bat for company. The terrain was year’s ride and had been hoping to experience the same flat-to-rolling. The odd 6% ramp but otherwise the it was this year. Despite the pit stop, I was scheduled to arrive true to the flatland reputation of these eastern parts. My at Dunwich long before the 5.10am sun up. The last few front light did its job well although I soon realised the miles passed just as smoothly as signs for Dunwich start- importance of having the route programmed in. If not ed to reflect back at me. for my Garmin, I’d have missed so many turns that I had no idea were even there in the darkness. The most inter- At 4am I rounded the last corner and rolled down the esting moments followed the sound of my tyres con- slope to Dunwich beach in the darkness. I wanted a pho- necting with patches of unseen gravel. to, but it was never going to be a postcard shot, so I Despite not altering my sleep the day before, tiredness headed for the café and the hot breakfast I’d earned. failed to creep up on me. I think I was enjoying the ride The sunrise went just as soon as it had arrived, a mere too much for that. With 30 km to go It was still quite ear- blister of orange amongst a grey cloudy sky above the ly. Well before 3am. Knowing the Flora Tea Rooms on distant North Sea horizon. Not the finale I’d hoped for, the beach at Dunwich wasn’t opening until 4am gave no but I didn’t mind. I’d just completed one of the most en- reason to push on to finish with an average speed- joyable rides I’d ever done, and it was well past bed beating flourish. So, I did what Dynamo folk do. Stopped time. Mark Chick

Two views of Dunwich (if you look closely, the sunrise is there)

The practical stuff…

What makes the ride tricky is logistics: getting into central London, then home from what is pretty much the coastal middle of nowhere on a Sunday morning. Most who haven’t booked a coach seat back to London arranged by Southwark Cyclists (if you’re wondering, bikes go into a lorry and arrive the other end minus a fair amount of paint) ride to Ipswich or Cambridge to catch a decent train.

If you want to join me next year and add the Dynamo to you palmares, I’m in the process of organising a coach. The idea is that it leaves from Gloucester (ish) and drops us in Hackney for the start. It then picks up from Dunwich on Sunday morning and takes us back to Gloucester once the last of us has made it. Bikes will either go in a trailer, or upright in the coach hold with front wheel removed. Trust me, I’m at least as precious about my bike as you are, so packing blankets and bungees will feature extensively. As soon as I have details and prices, I’ll let you know. It would be great to have you along.

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DunwichDynamo/ Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28157346

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We should all pin a number on!

Our club TT league has just finished for another year. Over the past 4 months we have had about 280 riders pin a number to their back on a Wednesday night. These are good numbers, but I feel others are missing out. Here is why:

Everyone is welcome. There is a misconception that you have to be a middle aged man with a TT bike and silly helmet to take part in a time trial. This is just wrong. One of things I was really pleased to see this year was that rid- ers included people riding mountin bikes, people who couldn’t get on with clip in-pedals, juniors, and veterans over 70 year old.

The only requirement to ride a TT is a willingness to get stuck in. I do caveat the above with the fact we haven’t man- aged to get significant numbers of women riding regularly this year, though even here numbers are rising. Last year we had only five women enter our events, this year it was fourteen and both Club Championships ladies’ prizes were contested. On that subject, congratulations go to our Club Champions:

• Carlo Toledo, men’s champion at 25 miles with 59:31 • Ali Charles, women’s champion at 25 miles with 1:10:59 and at 10 miles with 26:58: • Pete Errington, men’s champion at 10 miles with 22:59

It is social. I understand that the concept of riding around a TT on your own doesn’t sound social, but this again this is wrong. Before every event there is always a good 30 minutes of chatting and laughing. This year we have always had friendly faces, come along and not race, but help out and contribute to the social atmosphere.

It doesn’t matter where you come. Obviously these events are races however they never feel too competitive. You can normally guess fairly accurately the finish order of riders before the event. What this means is the competitive element is personal to each rider. It is about each rider trying to get their PB or simply just going ‘all in’. This just adds to the social friendly atmosphere.

GCCC is friendly and relaxed. Our events are organized properly and safely but we combine this with a relaxed atmosphere. As long as you arrive 10mins before 7pm with a working bike you will get a ride. I note this because other clubs in the area have a slightly more serious tone where riders turn-up an hour before kick-off to get a spot.

So, see you all next April….

Oli Dammone (photo by Marie Cook)

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The Dan Knight Trophy The Dan Knight Trophy goes to the winner of the Evening 10 mile Time Trial Competition. Dan Knight had a keen interest in the sport but was not actually a cyclist. Club member Peter Mallen, who worked for him, persuaded him to present a trophy to the club. The Dan Knight Trophy is probably the most competed for trophy in the Club as it involves six 10’s throughout the summer and carries monetary prizes as well as the Trophy.

Placing Name Total Points Four Best Rides 1 Pete Errington 64 56 2 Tim Gudgeon-Ostermitter 47 47 3 Adrian Rowley 25 25 4 Adrian Pearce 21 21 5 Simon Witts 26 20 6 Derek Dowdeswell 17 17 7 and First Lady Louise Smith 16 16 8 Nigel Jones 13 12 9 Adam Underwood 9 9 10 John Murphy 1 1 The Paul Barnard Trophy & CEBAR results The Paul Barnard Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Club Events Best All Rounder. Paul was killed on 22nd July 2003 while cycling to work at Witney and this trophy was presented to the Club in his memory. Paul began going out on Sunday club runs after joining the club in 1989, later finding his way into racing. He suffered a brain haemorrhage In 2001 but fought his way back to health and by the end of the year recorded a new personal best of 1:00:33 in the October 25. The following year he took fifth place in the South Division Road Race Championship and was 3rdplaced vet in the National Hill Climb Championship. The week before his death he set a new club record on the hilly Maisemore course. Placing Name Total Points 1 Pete Errington 131 2 Tim Gudgeon-Osterritter 119 3 Carlo Toledo 117 4 Matt Hill 109 5 Simon Witts 80 6 Derek Dowdeswell 74 7 Oliver Dammone 71 8 Nigel Jones 71 9 Adrian Rowley 61 10 Anthony Lake 54 Club Events Best All-Rounder

Name Category Average Speed (mph) Matt Hill FASTEST SENIOR 24.14 Tim Gudgeon-Osterritter FASTEST V40 24.16 Carlo Toledo FASTEST V50 24.81 Pete Errington FASTEST V60 24.81 Louise Smith FASTEST LADY 19.57 Full results of these competitions and the qualifying events can be found on the web at www.gloscitycc.co.uk/race-results/

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We specialise in good home cooked food using locally sourced ingredients, where possible.

Fine own blend coffee using Fair Trade and organic beans    Licenced for beer / cider / wine    We have additional seating upstairs, a hidden Courtyard, and a function room ideal for any occasion.    Secure cycle parking    Early evening live music every other Friday, 6pm to 8pm.

Open : Mon. to Fri. 8am to 4pm; Sat. 10am to 4pm

Check the website for details. www.Peppers-cafe.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Spokespiece—Autumn, September 2018 page 16