PLOMESGATE CYCLING CLUB
PLOMESGATE CYCLING CLUB
March Club Run
An excellent turn out at Evert and Annelie's house in Hacheston saw eight of us set out on a cold windy day. Trevor's route took us through Easton, Brandeston, Cretingham, Pettaugh and Stonham Barns for coffee. The café at Stonham was already heaving with cyclists when we got there, but we soon scared them off. None of us were looking forward to the ride back into the biting, strong easterly wind. Trevor put it off slightly as we turned towards Debenham after leaving the café. This gave Becky the opportunity to stake an early claim for the "Abdu" award by diving on the floor, in any other sport it would have been a blatant booking offence. Only kidding she was lucky not to get cycled over. After brushing down and checking bones and bike we set off again through Debenham, Ashfield, Cretingham and back to Evert's.
Annelie had prepared lunch for us and what a spread it was. A delicious 3 course spread that soon had us warmed up. Dutch hospitality at its very best.
Many thanks to Annelie and Evert.
April Club Run
Jon Smith has kindly offered to take the run from his house in West Bergholt on April 29th [NOTE THE DATE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCORRECTLY STATED AS 22nd!] Details below:-
The run will start from my house (address below) at 10:30am (arrive at 10 for pre-ride teas!) and I hope to go for a leisurely ride out for a pub lunch and a few beers before returning back to my home for another cup of tea and a biscuit or two. The route I intend to use is aimed at a leisurely ride and I'm going to try and avoid the constant up/down in/out of the Stour and Colne valleys that have characterised some of my earlier runs in this area! I'm particularly keen to have a good steady, leisurely pace rather than attempting any distance/speed records! I hope to go through some attractive and different countryside to that you may be used to so why not come along and enjoy the ride - everyone's welcome!
The ride will start at...
6, Maltings Park Road,
West Bergholt,
Colchester,
Essex. CO6 3SG
You can find details of how to get there at...
http://www.plomesgate.co.uk/at_home/
If you want to know more, give me a call on 01206 243 313 or e-mail me at
jon.smith@totalise.co.uk
Jon Smith
Dates for the Calendar
Here are a few forthcoming events at which there may be a Plomesgate CC presence :-
14th - 16th April-Slick & Nobbly 2 Day. (TT,RR, MTB)
21st April Mildenhall CC Open "10", Risby.
22nd April Mildenhall CC Open "25" Risby.
28th April CC Breckland Castle Acre Spring Rides. Full details at www.ccbreckland.co.uk or phone Jim & Vera Staines on 01842 762684.
6th May Stowmarket & District Open "25" Haughley.
7th May VC Baracchi Open "10" Earsham.
7th May Bungay Town Centre Criteriums
12th May Plomesgate CC Open "10"
13th May "Ride for Life" Off and On Road Rides for charity. Stanton Downham.
19th May Wolsey RC Open "10" Wickham Market
20th May CC Breckland Open "50". Wymondham.
20th May Tour De Tendring, Charity Fun Rides.
May 12th Open 10 mile TT
Our next open event is due on May 12th. The committee makes a decision this week but as the Foot and Mouth restrictions are being lifted in Suffolk hopefully we can go ahead as planned.
Organiser is Steve Jones who needs your help call him on 01473 603710.
Evening Club Events
These are scheduled to start on Thursday April 26th start time 18:45. Obviously if F&M is still a problem all riders will be informed in advance of any changes.
Stowmarket "10" and B10/40
The B10/40 at Bramford looks like it is out of action due to new traffic lights. The Stowmarket "10" on May 6th has been changed to a "25" on the B25/29A from Haughley to Bury and back. Entries to Gary Buckle as per RTTC handbook.
Racing Results
There has been very little in the way of local racing due to the Foot and Mouth disease, however Evert has been getting some racing in by travelling. Early in March he travelled down to Eastway (Lee Valley Park East London) and although finishing in the main bunch did manage to get his picture in the Cycling Weekly.
On the weekend of March 31st/April 1st Evert rode the Manchester 2 Day Stage race here is an account in his own words:-
"A lot of excitement, but not great...
Saturday morning - 2.2 mile time trial.
After warming up, finding my way back to Headquarters proved to be difficult and I had to do some car racing to get to the starting line in time.
So far OK, but not great for my concentration. I would say the ride was not bad, up and until the last few hundred meters, where a local farmer, on the road in front of me, turned off, leaving mud and stones. Next thing I smashed the tyre of my tri-spoke, which slowed down things considerably.
Fastest time 4min 16 sec, mine 5min 19sec. Thanks.
Saturday afternoon - 56 Km roadrace; by that time not only very windy, but also rain.
Road race ok, no problems until halfway the race a crash in the main group. Good news, I could avoid it... Bad news, I had to go off the road. onto a muddy verge, scratching a hedge and topple over in REAL mud.
After a scramble back on my bike, bunch disappearing at the horizon. Excellent news: I made it back to the peloton, settled down to recover and finished the race in the first (main ) group.
After the race pictures were taken of riders, because we looked like coalminers. The only difference to coalminers, we were smelling of manure!!
Nice day and a good work out.
Sunday morning - 80km Road Race
The race was near Buxton. The fact that the race was 80 km, is not really relevant, because I abandoned the race long before that. Not having had a look at the circuit, after a neutralized 2 miles, the race started rather unexpectedly after a sharp right hand turn, going straight up a fine, very steep hill. Given the circumstances and the fact I just did 6 months of power training I went up for probably 1 km. on 52/19. (checking afterwards locals thought this was quite impressive). Almost lost contact, could hold on, but the next hill explained to me that I had killed myself and I had to let go. Well, to be honest, this is probably not the full explanation, because I could tell from my heart rate that I had not recovered well from the first day. So, after an hour riding with a few others I packed.
Evert "
Pray Welcome!
As Jon and Helen arrived slightly late for the club dinner/prize presentation it has obviously been playing on his conscience, here his Jon's way of dealing with it!
At the Club dinner Hilary & I briefly discussed the idea of 'late arrivals at the Cyclists Ball' in the style of the 'I'm sorry I haven't a Clue' radio show but were particularly unable to come up with any suitable puns. I have, however, been thinking about this in the mean time and come up with the following...
Pray welcome the following late arrivals...
• Following her ride over on an incorrectly adjusted saddle, the trifle sore Tess Tickell
• The ravishing socialite ms. Dee Railleur
• The famous Irish cycling couple Mr & Mrs O'Power and their son Erg
• Nora & Ralph Clipps who travel everywhere on 2 wheels hence their nickname - the Bicycle Clipps
• Mr & Mrs Brake and their lovely daughter Rhia
• The cycling Arab, Bot el' Cage
• Sid Tubing famous for having 4 buttocks - known to all as Double Butted Tubing
• The Cranks family, for once without there adult son Cotter and their kid E. Cranks
• Mrs. Gear & fresh from his failure to win in a bunch sprint her husband Mr. Gear
• Finally, here comes the racing Handell-Barrs
Perhaps other people could suggest other names in a similar vein!
Jon