THE

Yeovil Cycling Club April 2006

King of the road races

Shaun Walsh made his debut as a road race organiser with not one but two promotions on the same day, and a brilliant job he did too, especially as there were a load of new regulations to cope with. A really tremendous turn out ensured the Ham Hill and Pittards road races were well marshalled, thanks to you all, and to those that drove lead cars or escorted the officials, not forgetting 3 James Williams Kona UK/Paligap the first aiders. We even had a couple of 4 Ben Luckwell Team G.W.R. / Total Bike motorcycle marshals thanks to the Welsh 5 Philip Gough Portswood CRT National Escort Group. 6 Jonathan Pain Leisure Lakes RT There was a full field for both the Pittards Road Race races with some strong teams in each. 1 Marcin Bialoblocki Somerset RC Both races turned out to be quick and 2 Andrew Butcher Cwmcarn Paragon CC very closely contested, finishing in a mass 3 Mark Haynes Penzance Wheelers of riders sprinting for the placings on the 4 Jason Flooks Team Certini line. Thanks also to the Judges whose 5 Chris Scott Mid Devon Cycling Club swiftness of eye and pen, backed up by 6 Stephen Wedge Exeter Wheelers a video camera and some stills cameras Open 10 managed to place all the required The falling number of riders entering positions. open time trials was reflected in the Whilst we had a strong turn out in field of just 59 for the Spring Open. John support of the race we couldn't manage Clemit was our best placed rider with the same in the race. Dan Whaites and 24:03, followed by Shaun Walsh, 24:19 Simon Notley made their debuts in the and Hugo Baldacchino 26:43. Winners: Pittards road race, both stayed with the 1 David Kiddell Cavalier CC 22:05 main bunch for the first two laps but 2 David Keene Bristol South CC 22:11 the pace eventually proved a little too 3 Jimmy Little route2fitness.co.uk 22:48 hot, but they both gained some valuable 4 Tim Reeves Somerset RC 22:53 experience. 5= Jason Bohin Sodbury CS 22:58 The Ham Hill proved equally aggressive 5= Rob Pears Bath CC 22:58 with Peter Kench, now riding for GWR Winning Team was Team Tor 2000, with Team, taking the coveted top spot. a combined time of 69:46. Stuart Dodd, Results Graeme Lackford, Peter Johnston. Ham Hill Prize winners Thanks to all the club members for 1 Peter Kench Team G.W.R. / Total Bike marshalling, catering, doing the traffic 2 Duncan Jamieson Felt Racing counts and signing on. Is there anybody out there?

We have a healthy number of club a family event. But whilst the number members but with the exception of the attending has remained static the number evening time trial series we rarely see of club members has diminished. more than a dozen of you at any of the At a recent committee meeting the events we organise. There were just two possibility of changing the date, venue riders in the Pittards road race (albeit and type of event was discussed. A dinner one of those was riding in his University or evening buffet was one option, if we colours) and none in the Ham Hill. The are to continue to present the trophies number of riders using Merryfield last year then it does need to be after the end was the smallest for several years of the season, so late October or and we don’t even seem to be able early November is the only option. to muster a team for a lot of the Alternatively we could have a local time trials. summer barbeque. The Sunday morning club runs, Why are so few people once the mainstay of our cycling attending, is it the proximity to activity have steadily declined, with Christmas (clashing with family or the exception of the odd sunny friends visiting). We would like to Sunday morning we struggle to get know what you want, and that more than a dozen riders and even really means all of you that don't all of those are not YCC members! currently come along. Come on, you must all have bikes The AGM is the normal forum and want to ride them, or do you just for these discussions but we would like to pay your subs out of habit? What do you hear from you sooner than August. You want from the Club, why don't we see can speak to anyone on the committee, you? Frank honest answers will be fully e-mail the Secretary, [email protected], appreciated, if we are not catering for the even post a letter or come along to one of majority of our members then clearly we the committee meetings. If we get some are letting you down. constructive dialogue going it can be On the same topic... for a number of posted on the website or in the next issue years now we have held the Club Buffet of the Pedaller. on a Sunday lunch time, after the club This is your club, formed to promote run, in early December. The nature of the all forms of cycling, and that is all we event seems to have changed over the want to see, more people out enjoying last few years with it becoming more of their riding.

Baby Boom Secretary Andy Newbury 01935 421352 Congratulations to John and Linda 12 Wraxhill Road, YEOVIL, BA20 2JZ Clemit on the arrival of their daughter. After 23 hours of labour Sophie arrived MEMBERSHIP Mike Loader 01935 410790 weighing in at a healthy a 9lb 13oz. records Mike Northcott 01458 273576 TVCRA Gary Swain 01460 72088 By now Steve Noyce may have joined Time Trials Vacant the ranks of fatherhood, or he may still be clutching his phone waiting for that Road race Shaun Walsh 01749 812298 all important call! Newsletter & Clothing David Notley 01963 440291

P a g e T w o Podimore or less Helpers Rota for 2006 At the time of writing the traffic lights at We have a start and finish time keeper, Podimore are still sporting their orange who barring time off for holidays cover jackets, with no sign of when they will most of the events throughout the season, start working. There has still been no however we do need a pusher-off and a decision regarding their full or part time marshal at Ilchester for the 5s. Therefore use, so until that is resolved we will carry a list of helpers is below. If you cannot on as normal. help on the date you have been allocated The first evening events of the year please can you swap with one of the other have been well attended, despite the helpers, or find an alternative, but do weather being far from ideal. The newly let me know who you’ve swapped with surfaced section at Ilchester has greatly or who is taking your place. If you are improved the road and even made the pushing off then you can also ride, but roundabout safer and faster (so we expect you will have to be the last rider off. an improvement in the course record this And just a reminder that the subs have year!). We are holding another come and increased for 2006. £1 for YCC members. try it event on the five course in June, the £2 for riders from other CTT affiliated 22nd to be precise. Some posters will be clubs or £2.50 for day membership and a available shortly, so please take one and ride. David Notley. put it up at work and encourage a few more folk along. Date Dist Helper Start The 10s start in May, and will be on 27 April 5 Phil Whaites 18:45 the usual course, if the traffic lights have 04 May 10 G. Swain 19:00 sprung into full time action then we will 10 D. Driver, move the start back nearer to Podimore 11 May 19:00 village and finish on the A303 well before 2-Up C. Fendt the traffic lights. 18 May 10 A. Millward 19:00 25 May 10 C. Martin 19:00 Team Leader 01 June 10 D. Rogers 19:15 We still need a Time Trial Secretary. At 08 June 10 A. Newbury 19:15 present a small group from the Committee are organising the events and will still 15 June 10 M. Askill 19:15 be available to help, but we really could 22 June 5 J. Hector 19:15 do with a dedicated official to take on 29 June 10 H Baldaccino 19:30 overall responsibility, can you help? If so, or if you want to know what the position 06 July 10 D Whaites 19:30 entails, then please speak to anyone on 13 July 10 M. Denny 19:30 the committee (see page 2). 20 July 5 M. Loader 19:30 27 July 10 N. Young 19:15 Team Tor 2000 03 Aug 10 P. Sparks 19:15 If you just cannot get enough of those fast fives then Team Tor 2000 are also 10 Aug 10 S. Lunn 19:00 promoting a few events on the course this 17 Aug 10 S. Pym 18:45 year. Their events are on Mondays at 7pm. 24 Aug 5 J. Clemit 18:45 15 & 29 May, 31 July, 28 Aug as well as a 31 Aug 5 S. Walsh 18:45 Boxing Day thrash on, well when else, 26 December at 10am. 07 Sept 5 R. Walsh 18:45 08 Oct HC 10:30

P a g e T h r e e Merryfield training sessions The training sessions are already underway, indemnify itself from any claims by the MoD. the cost for the season is £20.00 and will This as you can well imagine is not cheap, need to be paid on the night. You also need if all the riders are members of BC, holding to sign a disclaimer which Gary Swain will a minimum of silver membership, and a BC have with him, or you can download one from coach is present then the BC insurance will the website. The sessions will be handicapped cover the event, and riders will also be covered this year, six ability groups. First event starts by their own BC membership. There will then at 6:30 so please try and be prompt as Gary not be a charge for the season. needs to get your money and disclaimer However this will exclude all those riders before the session starts. that do not hold, and do not wish to be BC members. The current cost of £20 per rider Essential Requirements means the committee do not know if they will 1. New format group timed handicap cover the insurance costs until the middle or handicap - max 10 riders per group loosely end of the season when all those that want to based on BC cats i.e. E, 1, 2, 3 4, beginners/ use the facility have joined. The BC route will youths. If a group is over-subscribed BC license remove this problem. holders will take priority. Number of groups For riders who currently hold silver may be merged depending on numbers on membership this arrangement will save you night. ALL above will be at the committee's £20, for those that don't it will increase discretion on the night the cost to £32 for seniors and £21.50 for 2. Nobody will ride the circuit without signing Juniors. Unless a facility for day membership the disclaimer - no exceptions! is introduced it will also bar come and try it 3. Signing on will be required for organising rides, for new or visiting members. into groups Walter Rixon did run training sessions for 4. Hard shell helmets only young riders too. Sadly since Walter's death 5. No carbon spoke or disk wheels this facility is not functioning but a move 6. No tri bars to BC may prevent these from being run by someone else in the future. Looking ahead There is a meeting in early May, after one of the training sessions, to discuss both the There is also a move afoot to make the handicap system and the 2007 plans, please sessions exclusively for BC members holding make your thoughts known to Garry Swain or silver membership in 2007. This is to reduce any of the TVCRA or YCC Committee or come the running costs. Currently the TVCRA has along to the meeting. to purchase third party liability insurance to

Club Clothing OK, so you've got a The new batch of Club clothing has carbon frame, forks, arrived. If you need something let wheels, bars, stem, me know (see page 2). Alternatively I levers, cranks, how usually try and bring it to the Evening about.... Tens and Merryfield on a Thursday and Tuesday respectively. We have road vests, bibshorts, skinsuits - short and long sleeve, training tops plus a selection of odds and ends in the bargain bin.

P a g e F o u r 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 D A Some E RO ON LST E H T C U O S KEY C H REFRESMENT INFORMATION U CYCLE RETAILERS

IS H to routes and symbols Telephone 01823 LA Tel: 01823 275822 NE Ralph Coleman Cycles SECTION 1

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W E H E Bell Inn 2G 432968 T N O A Ian’s Cycle Centre Tel: 01823 365272 C L Section 7 SECTION 4

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District Time Trials Championship reverted to an average speed. You can keep up to date with the Championship Each year the West DC of Cycling Time on the Bristol South website: Trials promote a Team Championship. www.bristolsouthcc.co.uk Contested over three distances, 10, 25 where Dave Keene runs a fantastic results and 50 miles an event in the District is service, not just for the Championships but nominated as the Team Championship. all the events in the District. This year they are…. 10: Glos City CC on 22 July, 25: Chippenham & Dist. Wh. 20 August & Say 'NO' to new Highway Code 50: Clevedon & Dist Wh. on 16 July. Thousands of cyclists have already The club team with the quickest expressed their concerns about the aggregate time is declared the Team proposed changes by joining the CTC Champion in each distance and receives campaign to amend a new draft of the a CTT medal, and the club with the Highway Code. As it stands it will have quickest overall team time is also awarded serious legal implications for those of us a trophy. The teams do not have to who chose to cycle on the road. Read comprise the same riders for each event more at www.ctc.org.uk under the 'live and the overall trophy goes to the Club irrespective of how many riders made up campaigns' section 'Driving cyclists off the different teams. the road'. There is even a link to send There District also promote a Best a pre-formatted letter, which you can All Round competition, based on all the adjust to your own personal point of courses in the district. This was done view, to your MP. on a points system in 2005 but has now

P a g e F i v e The committee meets on the second Monday secretary MN reported that Andy Newbury of every month at the Sports Club. has agreed to become the new Club Secretary, Minutes from the Committee meetings: he is unable to attend tonight. No success with a TT Sec, Stuart Wroot still to be January approached. Dan Waites buffet payment still awaited. Matters Arising Cheque for Ben Lagorce. General Secretary A BC Rules Handbook The original cheque has not been returned. passed to Shuan. Mike Northcott has also It was decided to close off matter unless Ben received one which he will pass to Garry. is in touch again. Cheque for Alex Fitzgerald The correspondence was dealt with. A letter MN posted at the new year, but not cashed. from BC regarding the appointment of Mark New TT/General secretary TT on-going Adams as the Go-ride Regional Manager, – Stuart Wroot is still in the US and may not and details of the aims of the scheme: To be available. The committee reviewed the recruit volunteers, to implement the new membership list and the following actions event structure, to encourage young people to were placed: ML to contact Paul Denman participate, to increase coaching, to improve about General Secretary position. MN facilities. Dan Coast is the new Go-ride coach to approach Andy Newbury about either and will encourage links with schools. It was position. JC to approach Paul Sparks about felt that the Club did not have anyone who either position. Post Meeting Note: Paul was prepared to devote the necessary time to Sparks is not in a position to take on either becoming a Go-ride club. role due to existing commitments as a school Treasurer Report has sent the WTTA governor. New traffic lights at Podimore and Road Peace affiliation fees. Income: No more information. Dan Waites buffet Membership £104.00. Expenditure: TP payment DN has spoken to Dan and he has Awards for the engraving of trophies and agreed to pay. medals £84.45. CTC affiliation £50 (a General Secretary Correspondence dealt with. reduction as there is no longer a per rider fee DT to send of cheques for Road Peace and in addition to the affiliation fee). WTTA affiliations. Time Trial Secretary E-mail report from Treasurer Income: Membership £145.00 Italy on club cycling! DN reported the police Time Trial Secretary Not present. notification forms have been submitted for Road Race Secretary No report due to all the club events and the Open 10. Gary absence. JC to email Shaun Walsh about Swain has volunteered to help with the signs the forthcoming event organisers meeting to on the turn, during the evening TT series, determine if he is attending. DT signified that he would help with the Membership Secretary 16 have paid their Podimore signs. There is still no firm news membership for 2006 including 3 new from the Highways Agency on the traffic members, Robin Walsh, Robert Waites and lights at Podimore, work has started but Arthur Vince. appears to be progressing slowly. DN to Runs Secretary 5 on the run the previous day, continue to liaise with HA. DN reported there had been a run on New Years day. that the scheme to enable the Club to use Records Secretary Nothing to report. the Nuffield Sports Pavillion at Yeovilton TVCRA Representative Not present. DN to has now been implemented but that Junior email regarding the subs for this year. Cavan who was going to support our Press Secretary Nothing to report. nomination and draw the keys when needed Newsletter Editor Next newsletter would be has now been posted to Portsmouth. Other published in January. potential nominees were discussed and it was Any Other Business Clothing – Still waiting felt that Nick Armstrong would be the best for a delivery date. Yeovilton Nuffield Club long term solution if a retired Naval Officer – Junior Cavan is investigating the use of the was acceptable to the Navy. Post meeting club by YCC. note: initial enquiries imply that NA will be accepted, he has been forwarded the contact February details and requested to write to the base Matters Arising Cheque for Alex Fitzgerald Commander. A back-up nominee would be a has not been cashed yet. New TT/General P a g e S i x good idea and Barry Whitehead, Toby Clay Treasurer Report Income: Membership and/or Stuart Dodd to be approached. £140.00 Expenditure: Newsletter print and Road Race Secretary SW attended the post £22.14 The committee agreed that the meeting at Exeter, although aimed more at Approved Signatories for Club Expenditure Commissaires than Organisers it had proved (payment by Cheques) be increased from the useful. A request for confirmation of course current listing of: Treasurer-Derek Todd and details had been received and was being dealt Club President-Gary Mitchener, to include the with. Some entries had already been received General Secretary-Andrew Newbury who will and the cheques were passed to DT. Some act only as a counter-signatory should one of discussion followed on race personnel and the the other two signatories not be available at requirements for lead cars, the drivers must the time. be BC members (if they are not the Club will Time Trial Secretary DN advised that the new fund their Bronze membership if they are not traffic lights at Podimore were expected to eligible for the free BC offer), they must be be operational on the 24th March 2006. A over 25 and the regular driver of the vehicle. decision by the Highways Agency on whether Volunteers to do the First aid are being the lights would operate full-time or part- arranged. time was still awaited. DN reported that Membership Secretary 24 to date. Nick Armstrong will be the key holder for Runs Secretary Not present. the Nuffield Sports Pavillion at Yeovilton. A Records Secretary Nothing to report. further key holder is to be nominated. TVCRA Representative Not present. No Road Race Secretary Entries are being news on Club or individual subs for 2006. received for the Pittards Road Race and Press Secretary Nothing to report. the Ham Hill Road Race - cheques were Newsletter Editor was published in January. passed to DT. DN advised that SW had been Any Other Business Clothing – Still waiting approached by the Welsh National Escort for a delivery date. (Post meeting note: now Agency who provide motorcycle escort due w/c 20 February 2006) Christine Vince services, with particular skills and experience reported on the Audax event. There were 33 in Road Races, agreed to investigate the cost starters of which two were YCC members, of this service further. Ray Pollard gave a Hugo Baldacchino and Rod Bowditch. It was talk on the responsibilities of a Cycling Club a cold and icy morning. Sadly one competitor, who organise Road Races, and the role of the Stephen Coates from Ilminster, who had set Commissionaire. Areas discussed were: flag off with a friend fell ill on the way round designations (ie Neutral Flag / Black Flag etc); and despite being airlifted to hospital later the briefing of Marshals and Lead Car/Second died. Aged just 34 the full details of his death Car drivers prior to the start of the race; are not yet confirmed, but it is believed an the requirement for Lead and Second Cars, enlarged heart and a blood clot were the and First Aiders, and the importance of the primary cause. His funeral will take place in organising club to check the race license of all Southampton. entrants at the point of signing-on. DN also reported that Ken Robertson from Membership Secretary To date 34. the South West Division, had been taken ill Runs Secretary Not present. and was still in hospital. Records Secretary Nothing to report. TVCRA Representative Not present. March Press Secretary Nothing to report. Newsletter Editor published in Jan. Matters Arising Cheque for Alex Fitzgerald Any Other Business Clothing – Still waiting not been cashed yet. No success with a TT for a delivery date from ProVision. Due to Sec, Stuart Wroot still to be approached. Dan the poor performance from this clothing Waites buffet payment still awaited. supplier and lack of creditable delivery General Secretary The meeting noted that forecasts received to date, the Committee previous correspondence and records of the agreed to consider new suppliers for any previous minutes needed to be passed to the further clothing requirements. new General Secretary. AN took an action to request these from the previous Club Next Meetings: 8 May, 12 June, 10 July. Secretary.

P a g e S e v e n The By Tony Taylor

The success of the 1951 and 1952 Tour’s in it, he and his team, with the exception of Britain, plus continued sponsorship from of Parker who was in the break, were left the Daily Express newspaper, prompted the alone to do all the work. The result was that major cycle manufacturer, Hercules, as well (Ellis-Briggs) took over the as Wearwell Cycles and Triumph Cycles race lead, ahead of (BSA). to sponsor and enter teams alongside BSA Bedwell dropped right back to 15th place Cycles, Viking Cycles, Ellis-Briggs Cycles, on GC, although the Hercules team did J F Wilson Cycles and Pennine Accessories. have the consolidation of Parker taking the The challenge from France and Belgium was stage win. However ‘iron man’ Bedwell as also stronger, and the first Italian team to he was popularly dubbed, was not finished compete, included Bruno Monti, who earlier and he came back to win stage nine, the that year had won two stages of the Giro 160 miles from Llandudno to Cheltenham, d’Italia, and the previous from a group of five, but the year’s World Amateur Road four minute advantage only Champion Luciano Ciancola. partially clawed back the With eight trade, plus three previous day’s lost time. On continental teams, amateur the penultimate stage, the 11th, participation was restricted to from Torquay to Bournemouth, just England A and B teams. the race leadership was turned The first stage was an Italian upside-down by a breakaway triumph with Monti winning that lasted over 100 miles and from Ciancola, and another gained 13 minutes on the main team member, Mario Gestri, in field containing Robinson and fifth place, all in a breakaway Maitland. The finishing order group of ten riders. Ciancola of the four breakaway riders won the 96 mile stage 2a, was Gordon Thomas (BSA), Les which was followed in the Scales (Wearwell), John Pottier afternoon by stage 2b, the (Wearwell) and Arthur Ilsley very first time trial held in (BSA). Thus Thomas, Scales and the Tour, over 46 mile! At the Pottier filled the top three places end of stage three the top five places on GC in this order on GC. This bold action turned were filled by continental riders. However out to be a master tactical move by the BSA on stage four, three Italian riders dropped and Wearwell teams. Brian Robinson had so out from injuries or sickness, and the home nearly pulled off a second Tour Victory for based riders started to take control of the Ellis-Briggs, after Ken Russell’s epic win the race, with Clive Parker (Hercules) taking the previous year, but by missing that early break stage win, and John Pottier (Wearwell) the on stage 12 he had to settle for fourth place race leadership. On stage five, the toughest of overall. Clive Parker and Boob Maitland the race – 136 miles over the Pennines from were equal fifth, having exactly the same time Scarborough to Newcastle – was won by after seventy hours of racing! Wearwell took (Hercules), outsprinting Monti the Team Award from BSA with Hercules in a ten man group that gained six minutes third. Although Viking Cycles had four riders over the main field. Bedwell moved up to in the top twenty their best rider was Bevis second place on GC behind Pottier. On stage Wood in 13th place. The intense competition 6 Bedwell took over the race leaders jersey between these strong trade teams at this time and duly won the longest stage the next day produced both a high standard of riding and – 164 miles from Glasgow to Morecombe. excellent teamwork both of which suffer On stage eight Bedwell missed the vital break, without the commercial backing at the top of and as most of the other teams were present the sport..

P a g e E i g h t