The second club run of 2002 was a much quieter affair than the New Year's Day off-road ride, but notable for one thing - I got there early! The quietness was not due to the weather - the wind was whistling through the trees - but rather to the lack of numbers - I was "Johnny-no-mates". I gave it another 15 mins, left a note on the car, and headed off up Church Hill for a pleasant, but windswept, couple of hours. Hopefully a few more people will show up for the February club run. (Steve)

February club run

Feb 24th, 10am, starting from 4 Leicester Close, Ipswich. We'll probably head into the area to the south and west of Ipswich exact route will depend mainly on where the wind is on the day. If anyone needs directions on how to get there, either give me a ring at home (01473 603710) or email me steve@morningtonconsulting.com

RTTC Handbooks

This contains details of all national open and association RTTC time trials. Cost £4.50, cheques to Plomesgate CC, requests and cheque to Trevor.

March Open TT

March Open TT - March 23rd, whispers "as there's no F&M yet then lets hope it goes ahead as planned". Hilary is event secretary again for our season opener on the Sudbourne to Bentwaters 10 mile course. The Saturday afternoon’s entertainment consists of three events - 2 -up "10", solo "10", and Tandem "10". Entries to Hilary on RTTC form by March 12th, otherwise if you are not riding he could really do with as much help as possible, marshalling, pushing off, making tea etc. HQ is Sudbourne Village Hall.

SPOCO

Details of this year’s SPOCO events are available from Trevor or click here.

Becky’s Progress

British Cycling Talent Spotters Progress - Becky had a tiring but fun packed day at Loughborough which involved cycling tests, workshops, rider/parent interviews and coaching presentations. She has to attend one more assessment day at Mansfield BMX track in February. Final selection for the programme will be made at the end of February. So fingers crossed everybody....

BCF Membership / Licences

BCF Membership / Licences - Those people who have received renewal notices from the BCF can go ahead and sort out their membership/racing licences themselves. If there are any club members who wish to become BCF members for the first time then the club may be able to assist them. For further information and advice contact Secretary or Treasurer.

Subscriptions

A gentle reminder to any of you who haven't paid up yet - your subs were due on the 1st Jan - still only £10. Cash or cheque to Steve or Trevor, please.

Plomesgate Trophies

David Bott Trophy

This annual competition will be based on a rider’s best six events from the evening time trial series. This allows riders to miss one or two for helping out and holidays etc.. The winner will be awarded the David Bott trophy in honour of Dave Bott a Plomesgate rider who tragically lost his battle with cancer in December 1999. The placings will be based on Plomesgate riders only.

The points system is as follows:-

1^st place Plomesgate Rider = æ point

2^nd place Plomesgate Rider = 2 points

3^rd place Plomesgate Rider = 3 points

4^th place Plomesgate Rider = 4 points

5^th place Plomesgate Rider = 5 points and so on….

Why æ point for 1^st place. It’s all about a 1^st and a 3^rd being better than two 2^nd places. !

If you are a non starter then you will be awarded a point score equal to the number of riders in the series + 1. If you start but don't finish you will be awarded a point score equal to the number of Plomesgate riders on the night + 1.

The winner will be the rider who has the lowest points score at the end of the series in his/her best six counting events.

10 mile Champion

This trophy will be awarded on an annual basis to the Plomesgate CC rider who posts the fastest individual time for that season in an evening ten mile time trial promoted by the Plomesgate CC on the B10/9 course.

In the case of a tie the next fastest performance of each rider will be taken and the rider with the fastest time will be deemed the winner.

Best All Rounder

This trophy will be awarded on an annual basis to the Plomesgate CC rider who posts the fastest average m.p.h. in approved RTTC time trials (open or association) over the distances of 10 mile, 25 mile, 50 mile and 100 mile achieved on RTTC approved courses with a B or E prefix only (i.e. East Anglia and Essex).

One qualifying ride will be eligible for each distance and evidence of performance may be required in the form of a result sheet.

The m.p.h for each distance will be added together and the average taken. The average m.p.h will be calculated to three decimal places.

Veteran Champion

This will be awarded to the Plomesgate CC veteran rider who posts the largest plus score (or smallest minus score), based on the VTTA age related standards, for that season in an evening ten mile time trial promoted by Plomesgate CC on the B10/9 course.

In the case of a tie the next largest standard score will be taken and the rider with the largest plus score (or smallest minus score) will be deemed the winner.

Handicap / Best Improver Trophy

This will be awarded to the Plomesgate CC rider who posts the fastest handicap time for that season in an evening ten mile time trial promoted by Plomesgate CC on the B10/9 course.

Each rider will be given a handicap at the start of the series of evening events based either on their fastest performance from the previous two seasons or in the case of a new rider based on their first event of that current season. In the latter case the time done in that event will not be eligible for the handicap competition. The handicaps will be calculated from a “par” for the course, the suggested “par” is 22.00 minutes.

In the case of a tie the next fastest handicap time will be taken into consideration and the rider with the fastest time will be deemed the winner.

Abduzhaparov Award

This will be awarded to the member who in the opinion of the committee has performed in a manner befitting of Djamodoline Abduzhaparov (the sprinter who made an acrobatic exit from the Tour de France on the final sprint along the Champs Elysees in 1989???) whilst cycling.

Dates For The Calendar

10^th February Suffolk CTC Reliability Trial (was Wolsey RC Rel.trial last year),
Bredfield Village Hall
Suffolk CTC site for details http://www.irene.org.uk/ctc/ctc.htm
100km Route start at 09:00 hours. 50km Route starts 10:30 hours.
Details & entry from Terry Pope: (01394) 278640

10^th February Colchester RCC reliability rides, contact Julie Baker on 01206 520707 for more details.

17^th February Thetford off-road enduro. 1, 2 or 3 14 mile laps. Contact Ken Ward 01449 711471 for details and application form.

17^th February Ely & Dist Hardriders "25". BS19
24^th February Club run from Steve’s house see above for details.

2^nd March CC Breckland "10". B10/18.
3^rd March Crest Spring RR Ugley, Essex
17^th March Essex Roads Spring RR East Hanningfield
29^th March Good Friday Track Meeting - Herne Hill - Big stars & big prizes
- This track is under threat so if you have ever fancied watching a track meeting then this is as good as any to watch, great atmosphere usually guaranteed.

1^st April Easter Monday Ivan Jeckell Memorial “Tour of Breckland”, 2 up team TT.

February 2002

David Bott Trophy