THE Yeovil Cycling Club October 2009 Altitude sickness The conclusion of the Evening Time Trial Series finished with the traditional dash up High Ham for the Hill Climb. We were joined by a number of other clubs, and some had just come from competing in a 25. One of them being last years champion, Tom Alliban, who choose to sit it out this year, although he was keen to offer advice to his fellow club members as they neared the top of the hill! The fastest Yeovil rider was Anthony Morris, which considering all the 'practice' he puts in each week on the Club Runs was no surprise. He was just 13 seconds behind the fastest man on the day, Rob Edgell of Somer Valley CC. Rob was followed by Chards' new protégé Sebastian Bayliss (15) and the man he has been giving a hard time to on their training runs, Rex Facey (but to give an old man his due Rex had just done the 25 in 58 minutes!). Hugo had to relinquish his club title but only by two seconds. It was good to see so many YCC riders competing, no matter how seriously they took it – going back for a bar end stopper which fell out half way up the hill might suggest a lack of serious commitment – (only joking Mike, especially as I was sat on the sidelines doing the hard bit of taking the pictures! –Ed). Thanks to everyone that has ridden, helped or contributed in any way to making it another great year for the TTs. Sports Club Membership Your YCC membership includes membership of Yeovil Sports Club. Attached should be your YSC card. The Clubhouse has the following facilities: • Sports Bar • Lounge Bar • Function Rooms. • Skittle Alley • Pool table, Darts, etc. • Barbecue facilities. Sports Facilities: Three floodlit tennis courts • Three football pitches • Archery range To contact the organiser: 01935 474433 or yeovilsports@ tiscali.co.uk • Yeovil Sports & Social Club Johnson Park, Coronation Avenue, Yeovil. Name Club Time Name Club Time 1 Rob Edgell Somer Valley CC 3:07.5 11 Dean Ward 1st Chard Whs 3:55.9 2 Sebastian Bayliss 1st Chard Whs 3:14.8 12 Laurence McLeod-Sharpe Team Tor 2000 4:03.0 3 Rex Facey 1st Chard Whs 3:18.0 13 John Williams Yeovil CC 4:03.6 4 Anthony Morris Yeovil CC 3:20.3 14 Andy Gaylard Yeovil CC 4:16.0 5 Hugo Baldacchino Yeovil CC 3:22.7 15 Chris Oliver Yeovil CC 4:21.2 6 Nick Creed Somer Valley CC 3:26.4 16 Shaun France Yeovil CC 4:30.2 7 Andrew Mopson 1st Chard Whs 3:28.8 17 Erin Martin Chippenham 4:56.2 8 Toby Gilmore 1st Chard Whs 3:29.9 18 Ruth Clements Yeovil CC 5:24.6 9 Ashley Martin Chippenham 3:40.6 19 Michael Ives Yeovil CC 5:28.9 10 Chris Gough Yeovil CC 3:41.3 20 Ricky Gibbs Yeovil CC 5:34.3 P a g e 2 AGM Cycle Somerset The Annual General Meeting took place at the cycle jumble Sports Club in September. The full minutes are In Aid of St Margaret’s Hospice. in the Committee notes on page 7 but the main points that were agreed are: Saturday 31st October, 10am - 1pm, Sellers set up from 9am. £8 Table. Buyers £1. • For new members joining after 1st September and before 31st December Ruishton Village Hall, Cheats Rd, Ruishton, Nr their membership will run to December of Taunton or go to www.cyclesomerset.org.uk the following year. and see our Jumble page for a map. • The Points trophy will have a new format Have some bits you want to get rid of - but for 2010. Riders will have twenty counting don't want to be bothered with manning your events, ie only their twenty highest scoring own table at the jumble - why not donate them events will count. In order to qualify for to this worthwhile cause. ALL the money raised the points cup the competitor must from your entry fee, refreshments and our stand have helped on one occasion during the will be donated to St Margaret's Somerset season. If the competitor was also able to Hospice. Table Booking or to make a donation: ride whilst helping their points will not count Telephone Ross 01823 272057 evenings. on that evening. Points will be awarded as at present. 10 for first, 9 for 2nd, 8 Club Clothing for 3rd down to 5 for 6th place, all other We still have some club clothing in competitors receive 4 points. Helpers will stock but we are going to place an order not receive any points. in December for some new clothing, • The Officers of the Club remain as specifically Bibshorts and Skinsuits. 2009 with the addition of Lawrie Taylor who takes up the post of Youth Development We are going to use a new supplier and Officer. go for the best quality we can get in the • We still have a vacancy for the position of small quantities we need. The kit should Time Trial Secretary. be much better quality than we currently have, the inserts will be the same as • Time Trial Dates for 2010. We applied some of the very top quality brands use. for and have been granted the following Consequently the cost will be greater than dates: 10. Saturday 17 April, 15:00. Fee we current pay, shorts are likely to be £7.00. 25. Sunday 4 July 08:00 (90 riders around £60 and skinsuits £85. The final max) Fee £7.00. cost will depend on the number we order. 10. Saturday 25 September 16:00. Fee Whilst can afford to carry a small amount £7.00. of stock we really need to buy in what we • Road Races dates applied for are: are likely to sell. Ham Hill and Pittards Road Races Sunday 11th April, 10:00 and 10:45. Please can you e-mail me with your Fee £15.00. requirements for 2010. We will not require John Andrews Memorial Race. a payment at this stage and the final Sunday 13th June, 10:00. Fee £15.00 cost will be confirmed before the order is • Subscription fees for 2010 remain placed. unchanged at £18.00 for new members, e-mail: [email protected] £15.00 for renewing members, £5 for I need your orders by the end of Juniors and Students. £35 for family November at the latest, and it would help membership. Subs are due in January. if the subject, title of the email, is clothing. Thanks David. P a g e 3 The Bournemouth Easter Stage Race By Tony Taylor In 1951 the Bournemouth Olympic RC promoted a 2-Day stage race, organised by Les Tanswell, on Easter Sunday and Monday, which turned out to be the forerunner of what became one of the country’s top events. The first winner was Bill Bellamy (Romford RC), with Derek Wellman (Polhill RC) winning the following year. In 1953, Independent (semi-professional) trade teams competed for the first time, with Bob Maitland (BSA Cycles) taking the honours, and team-mate Les Wilson winning in 1954. In 1955 it became a 3-Day event, with the first four road race stages. Keith Butler (Norwood stage on the Saturday, being a 32 mile Time Paragon) was the victor that year. Trial. Overall victory went to Scotsman Joe In 1963, Harry Reynolds (Wilson Cycles) Christison (Viking Cycles). completed a hat trick of wins. In 1964, Tony Vic Deuters took over as race organiser in Taylor took over as organiser, and obtained 1956. Dave Bedwell won, whilst he was briefly financial backing for the first time, from unsponsored, with Harry Reynolds (Solihull Guinness, with Bob Addy (Hemel Hempstead CC) taking victory in 1957, and Ron Coe CC) the wimer. The following year the event (Elswick-Hopper Cycles) in 1958. was sponsored by the Dorchester brewers From 1959 the Saturday stage was run as Eldridge Pope, and the format of the race a full road race. It was on stage 2, on Sunday changed to include a split stage on the Sunday, 29 March, that the most appalling weather with a 14 mile Team Time Trial in the morning, conditions prevailed – bitter coldness combined and a 47 mile (20 lap circuit) in the afternoon. with freezing rain. Although the distance was The winner was Albert Hitchen (Falcon Cycles). only 59 miles, it did include Spreadeagle Hill, There was no race in 1966, but in 1967 near Shaftsbury at the furthest point of the the event emerged again as a 3-Day, with course. 65 riders started and of the 55 riders the backing of Mackeson. Club stalwart, Vic who crossed the line, there was no finishing Deuters was responsible for bringing the event group of more than three, several being nearly back, the winner was Arthur Metcalfe (Carlton an hour down. Harry Reynolds (Army CU) BMB). was the winner that day, which also gave him 1968, the last in the series, was won by overall victory for the second time – perhaps Hugh Porter (Mackeson). Vic became Vice his army training had made the difference. 14 President of the British Professional Cycle riders failed to start the final stage (I was one of Racing Association. them!). Throughout its existence the race H.Q. and In 1960 Jean Bobet, brother of 5 times Tour start was from King's Park, although from 1959 de France winner Louison Bobet, paid a visit the Easter Monday start was from the Pavilion to the race.