What a surprise I got as I rolled into The Elms Car Park in Framlingham. In total there were 14 of us ready for the club run, must be a club record. It was good to see Alan French (Interbike RT) come over for the ride accompanied by Chris Gingell.

I had devised a cunning route taking us through Kettleburgh, Monewden, Charsfield, Bredfield, Debach and Clopton, and Otley, partly thanks to James' knowledge of the roads near Grundisburgh, we only made one wrong turn. Despite a couple of punctures we eventually arrived at The Crockery Barn in Ashbocking, where we almost filled the café. The return journey took us north through Framsden, Cretingham and Earl Soham, before returning to Framlingham via Monk Soham and Saxtead Green, where the Plomesgate boys allowed a Cardiff rider to take the Framlingham sign…shame on you!

Trevor

February Club run

Meet at 10am at Somerfields in Saxmundham for a ride towards Dunwich. It’s on 19^th February.

March Club run

Evert will be leading March’s club run on 19^th March, starting at 10am in Martlesham. Full details will appear in the next newsletter.

March Open ‘10’

Bev is organizing the first Plomesgate Open event of 2006 on 18^th March. Please contact Bev if you are able to offer any assistance: bev.whelan@talk21.com.

New Members

Welcome to Spencer Wix, Emilie Fisher, Adrian Clarke, Ron Sutton who have recently joined Plomesgate CC, and to Rob Cotton who has re-joined. We look forward to seeing you out cycling – why not come along to one of the club runs?

Club Dinner

This year’s dinner and prize presentation will be held on Saturday 11^th February at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Aldeburgh. Meet at the Cross Keys pub for a pre-dinner drink from 7pm, or at the Lighthouse at 7:30pm. We will be choosing from the a la carte menu, which changes on a daily basis. The club will contribute toward the costs so that Steve doesn’t have too onerous a task in working out the bill.

Option 1 (starter, main, pud, coffee & tip) £20

Option 2 (starter, main, coffee & tip) £15

Option 3 (main, pud, coffee & tip) £14.

Some main courses will be cheaper (vege or fish & chips £2 less) or more expensive (steak is £4 more). Pay for your own drinks.

I have confirmed numbers to the Lighthouse (24) and look forward to seeing everyone there. If there are any queries I can be contacted on 01728 452143 / broughton.m@btopenworld.com

Viv

2006 Handbooks

Those of you that had ordered CTT and East District handbooks, they are now in my possession. I will hand them out to those I see and/or will bring them along to the dinner on Feb 11th.

Trevor

Subscriptions

Don’t forget to pay your subs. They were due on 01/01/2005 for the current year. Please send you subs to Steve Jones, 4 Leicester Close, Ipswich. For over 18s it is £10, under 18 and over 12s, £5, and under 12s free. If you are a second claim member half of the above fee is due.

BC Membership

British Cycling is repeating its free bronze membership offer for new applicants again. Any one who is interested I have a quantity of application forms.

Trevor

Ipswich Cycling

Ipswich Cycling Development Meetings
Although we are not an Ipswich club we obviously have a vested interest in the future of cycling in and around Ipswich. These meetings are run on behalf of the council by a representative from Ipswich Borough Council. Discussions cover all aspects of cycling in the area from BMX, Cycle Speedway to the future Ravenswood cycling facility.

Due to other commitments I have not been able to attend any of the meetings so far. The next meeting is on March 16th at Chantry Sports Centre 7:30-9:30pm, and thereon every 3rd Thursday in each month. For anyone interested in the future of cycling at Foxhall Stadium this would be the ideal place to get this on the agenda as the meetings are attended by reps from all the local clubs including Nathan Miller, Jo Newstead etc… plus a rep from British Cycling.

If you want to represent Plomesgate at this meeting let me (Trevor Figgitt) know and I will provide you with the relevant previous minutes etc.. And any other briefing information I have.

Trevor

Cycle Mechanics

Elmys are running a basic cycle mechanics course on Wednesday 22^nd February. It’s being held at the Elmy Performance Centre, 7pm - 9pm. Free, but limited to 10 places. Call the shop on 01473 217126 to book a place

How to enter events

Part Three

Road and Track Racing

Road and track racing is governed by British Cycling. To ride these events you need a racing licence, this can be done on an annual basis or you can take out a day licence at the race. However, if you intend riding more than a few events and wish to enter in advance then it is more cost effective to take out an annual licence. For details on how to join BC and the types and cost of licences go to:-

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/index.html

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/join.shtml

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/2003/racing_licence.shtml

Also the following link has a bit about what you can and can’t do on a day licence and the costs:-

http://www.britishcyclingeasterndivision.co.uk/page7.htm

Right, so you have your licence now you need to find and event. When you ordered your licence you had the choice to receive a quarterly printed race calendar. In this are the details of all the races for the next few months. This calendar is also kept up to date on the BC website at :-

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/eve/eventshome.asp

As with TTs you have to think ahead and most BC events have a 3 week closing date (National championships are 4 weeks). Many though do allow entry on the day for a few £ more, but if you are doing this is it is often wise to contact the organiser before hand to make sure there are spaces, otherwise you may have a wasted journey (Note, that some track entry on the day may limit the events you can ride if they are part of a national series). Once you have found an event complete the entry form, road race forms are at:

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/entry_forms/road_entry_form%20.doc

Track forms are at :-

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/entry_forms/track_entry_form.doc

As with TT forms you are required to put in any previous performances, not a problem if you are a novice. It is important to keep a record of your race performances. I and many club members have spreadsheets which I am sure we can copy for you to use.

Make sure you include a cheque for the correct entry fee (look to see who it needs to be payable to), these details are all in the race calendar, and send your entry off to the organiser. The week before the race you should receive a race programme with all the details of race location, times,etc… It’s just a case of showing up in plenty of time, presenting your licence at signing on/race control and picking up your number. You’re then ready to compete. Oh, and one other thing you are required to wear a club jersey and a suitable helmet.

Audax/Randonneur Events

An ever growing aspect of cycle sport are audax and/or randonneur events. Official audax events are run under guidance from Audax UK -http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm

They publish a handbook listing the events, but most of the information is also available on their website. You don’t have to be a member of AUK to ride their events but non members will be surcharged by £1 on the entry fee. Also if you want to follow their awards scheme then you will have to join.

Although not classed as races these events are competitive as you have a limited time in which to complete an often challenging course.

There are also a growing number of cyclo sportive events which although similar to audaxes, perhaps have more in common with large fun runs or the London Marathon. The most famous being the Etape de Tour, but there are more of these types of event cropping up and becoming very popular across the UK.

Trevor

Calendar Dates

11^th February, club dinner, Aldeburgh.

12^th February, End of season Madison Cyclo Cross, Foxhall Stadium

26th February, Ipswich Bicycle Club Reliability Trial from Playford Village Hall.

Choice of 45, 70 or 100k routes, with 3 time targets for each distance. Start times: 100km from 9am, 70km from 10am, 45km from 11am. Cost £2. Refreshments available afterwards. More details, including routes, at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.m.butler/rtrials.html

18^th March, Plomesgate Open 10.

12^th April, ICA Evening TTs start.

Tuesday evenings – MTB ride usually Sizewell car park starting at 7:30 contact Mark or Viv for details.

Fridays– Foxhall Stadium roller sessions, from 7pm.

Saturdays – MTB ride, 10am start from the car park opposite Snape Church during February.

Winter Training

Most Sundays, except when there’s a club run on, there’s a club training ride, which leaves Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich at 10am. You’ll need to bring a drink, something to eat, tools and spares. We normally do between 2 and 3 hrs at about 15mph average. Route depends on the wind direction, but usually either West towards Bildeston and Hadleigh or East around Waldringfield and Kirton.

For more info, contact Steve or Valerio.

Lotus Racing

This is a copy of a letter received by Eastern region clubs offering us the chance of racing at the Lotus Test Track in Hethell, Norfolk. For some of us it might just about be quicker/closer to get to than Eastway.

An opportunity for Cycling

Lotus Cars Test Track

Permission to use the Test Track for 'open' cycle racing has in principle been granted by Lotus for 2006.

What Lotus can Offer

1 circuit of approx 2,25 miles or 2 circuits of approx 1 mile plus other 'options' to add variation. Good surface, no pot-holes, ruts etc. Car parking beside the Test Track. Toilet facilities but no changing rooms. Easy access from the A11 west of Norwich. Lotus is situated just off the B1135 and is signposted from the A11 at Wymondham.

Usage

Test Track will be available for whatever type of racing you want, Road for all cats' including Juveniles, and Ladies, Time Trial or MTB on-road.

Race Suggestions

That a league be set up to run from 1st May to 31st July one weekday evening per week.

Use of both circuits for road racing simultaneously. One race to be specifically for Juveniles & 1 for the Juniors, Ladies and 4th Cat Riders. One race for 3rd 2nd 1st & Elite Cats on the other circuit up to a distance of 50 miles (lights permitting).

Organisation Suggestions

Organise / opperate on the lines of the Eastway League. This keeps official / orgaisation workload to a minimum but precludes 'entry on the line'. Pre-entry to be for whole series or specific days. Points to be awarded for placing, prizes to be paid out after the last event.

Perceived Organisation Requirements

2 Commissaires + 4 judges + 2 Licence Stewards + League Organiser or nominated deputy + 1st Aid Cover.

Extract of the initial proposal to Lotus.

It includes indications of the limitations that Lotus demand and will have to be adherred to. Proposal would allow Lotus : -

To provide competition facilities for a highly successful Olympic Sport and a unique sports facility for the East Anglian community. To generate publicity for the company by using the Lotus name in the races for national, regional and cycling specific magazines. The opportunity to generate (a small amount) of income for the use of the Test Track.

Following the use of the track by Lotus staff in 2005 for time trials we have been approached by several of the East Anglian cycling clubs asking to use the facility for closed circuit competition. Currently people in Norfolk/Suffolk are faced with a lengthy drive to compete (e.g. to the Eastway circuit in London). The track used to be used (15+ years ago) for racing and training. RACE PROPOSALS

There are a number of options, but as an example the approach could be:- 1 weekday evening per week from 01/05/06 to 31/07/07 Race titles to be the Lotus Cars Cycle Race League. Racing to commence at 19-00 and finish by 21-00 Racing on both circuits simultaneously. A minimum of 1 race for juveniles up to the age of 16. Other races TBD Car parking to be on hard standing beside Test Track Use of Clubhouse for toilet facilities only.

ISSUES

Track usage:- The evening timing of the series should all but eliminate conflict with other (Lotus) track users. Insurance: - All racing will be held under the rules of, probably, British Cycling who provide insurance cover for all racing on private or public roads. Should this cover prove insufficient for Lotus requirements extra cover to be arranged by the race organisation.

Access to site 1: - All competitors must pre-enter and 'sign on' before starting race. It is proposed that spectators pre-register via the organiser. All competitors & spectators will be checked in by the organisation at the gate thus providing Lotus Security with an accurate list of the public on site.

Access to site 2: - Proposed be limited to 60 minutes before the start of the 1st race. Exit from site: - Proposed to be within 60 minutes of the finish of the last race. No organisation responsibility for Lotus First Aid cover will be provide by the organisation

Next Steps

Present a detailed proposal to Lotus. To enable full permission to be granted. This will need to state:-

Organisation Team, Insurance Cover details, race proposals etc.

Meeting at Lotus Sat 11th Feb at 2pm. Subject to confirmation. Assume OK unless informed All those who are interested in riding, organising, officiating or willing to assist in any capacity are welcome to attend. To make the meeting viable volunteers for the organising team are essential prior to the day. Please e-mail or ring evenings 01953 608948 State name, Tel number, house name / number, post code and interest (official, organiser, helper, rider etc) Numbers will be limited to 40. Objective of the meeting will be to enable a detailed proposal to Lotus to be generated

Proposed Agenda

* View facilities

* Apoint organisation team.

* Decide Race Format

* Set entry fees.

* AOB

Your ideas are wanted. This will be your chance to have your say and decide what you want. Please e-mail me with what evening you prefer, what races you want etc. I can then generate an Agenda with proposals based on the majority of requests. One or two have volunteered to assist in the organisation already. Please discuss this with your clubmates and forward this on to anyone you think may be interested. This is an offer that Cycling cannot afford to ignore. Look forward to seeing you on the 11^th

Regards

Ken Jolliffe

Committee News

The next committee meeting will be at the Horse & Groom in Melton on Wednesday 15th February, starting at 8pm. All club members are welcome to attend.

News contributions

Send us any news of events, results etc so that they can be included in the newsletter.

Our e-mail address is broughton.m@btopenworld.com

	Plomesgate Cycling Club
	www.plomesgate.co.uk