Yes its around again, is it really almost a year? Organiser is again John Chalker, and the event which starts at 9:00am is a counting event for the RTTC Circuit Series again. The event will be held on our 25 course starting and finishing near Tunstall.

All offers of help to John Chalker 01728 832404. chalky@knod.freeserve.co.uk

RSPB 3 Reserves Bike Ride

The RSPB 3 Reserves Sponsored Bike Ride(s) are on 24^th June. Notification for this is late due to uncertainty with F&M disease. This year there will be a 10 mile 'family' ride. All three routes start and finish in the Minsmere area and visit RSPB reserves on the beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast. Everyone who takes part in the ride will receive a personal certificate, a printed T shirt, free entry to Minsmere for the day and a free drink and slice of cake in the Minsmere tearoom.

Entry fee is £5 adults, 33 for children 16 and under. There is a discount of 50p per person for teams of five or more, if all the entries are sent together. You are also encouraged to get sponsorship.

For more details contact Philip Bruce Lockhart, 3 Reserves Bike Ride Administrator, Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton, Suffolk. IP17 3BY, or phone 01728 648281.

Spare a thought

Whilst out enjoying your bike in the summer sunshine please spare a thought for Pauline Graham who is currently in hospital, having undergone a routine operation. I am sure all messages or cards would be gratefully received at Saxmundham Ward, Ipswich Hospital and I am sure you will all in me in wishing her a speedy recovery.

Another friend of ours who, as I write, has just returned from hospital is Bev Whelan recovering from the recent spill off the tandem. Although Bev is now home she faces a few weeks of painful recovery so again we wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her out on her bike soon.

The World's Toughest Mountain Bike Race

Salzkammergut Mountain bike Trophy, Bad Goisern, Austria

For the 4th time, the world's toughest marathon takes place on July 21st. This race covers a distance of 225 km over an unbelievable 7000 m in altitude changes. Along with the 115 km and the 47 km routes for the first time this year we are offering a "trial marathon" of 23 km.

All the important facts about the race can be found on the home page.

http://www.salzkammergut-trophy.at/

E-Mail: office@trophy.at

Tel.: 0043-6135-8329

Wide Open Road Holidays

Here is en e-mail we received at our website recently:-

Hi,

'My name is Suzie and I am part of company which runs cycling holidays. This summer in July we are running a cycling trip from Bordeaux to the French Alps. The trip passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in France and arrives in the Alps just in advance of Le Tour de France. We arrange the accommodation (hotels and camping) and we carry your luggage. I'd like to extend an invitation to all members of Plomesgate CC and to offer you a 5% discount on our advertised price if 4 or more of your members or friends come along as a group. You can view what we have on offer at our web site: http://www.wideopenroad.co.uk

Please feel free to send an Email if you have any questions. '

Kind regards.

Suzie Coughey.

Wide Open Road Ltd.

Web: http://www.wideopenroad.co.uk

Email: info@wideopenroad.co.uk

Evening Club Events Results

May 17^th

It seemed that winter had returned after the warm weekend. It was definitely a gloves and leg warmers evening and with a strong wind as well. Evert showed that he is now getting into his stride with a speedy winning time of 24:52which would have given him a top ten placing in the open event the previous Saturday. Stowmarket visitor Rob Hobbs (25:37) rode his TT bike with full aero kit to second place. John Chalker (27:23) was the only other rider to improve slightly.

May 31^st

Well the good spell of weather had to break some time I guess, and as normal the rain came about 15 minutes before the start of the race. The rain did stop as the first rider started but the roads were very wet and most riders took it very carefully especially after news of the unfortunate crashes in the previous nights Ipswich TT, leaving Bev Whelan needing hospital treatment. No such disasters tonight though despite half a tree lying in the road on the return from Bentwaters. Making his first appearance was local lad Jamie Gardiner who did a very creditable 36:28 on his mountain bike. Stowmarket teammates Jason Everett (24:27) and Robert Hobbs (24:28) battled it out for top honours leaving Evert in an unfamiliar third place. Evert was our fastest with 25:00. Several riders posted their best time of the year so far, amongst those were John Chalker (26:24) Richard Tateson (27:16) and Robert Robinson (27:33). Hilary made his first appearance on our course which reminded him how much tougher it is than Bungay.

Racing Results

Bungay Town Centre Criterium

This traditional May Day event was held in warm sunshine yet again. Trevor kicked off the proceedings in the Vets event managing to hang on to the leaders until the last 5 minutes when he finally lost touch but still managed to finish in the top 13. Becky rode her first criterium in the Under 14s race and although she found it very hard she finished 3^rd in the British Schools Eastern Championship. Steve rode the seniors' event, which once again attracted the largest field of the afternoon. Steve found the going hard though and managed a similar result to last year.

Godric CC Evening Events

Some of our fold have been traveling up to Earsham to ride the Godric Club events. A tough windy night on 22^nd May saw Hilary start his season with an excellent 26:53, Jim did 25:51, Rob Cotton 25:08 and Trevor 24:37. A fortnight later Jim had improved to 24:06 and Hils did 26:33

Plomesgate CC Open "10" May 12^th

Eventually the F&M threat had waned and our first open event got under way. It was a warm but tough afternoon, which was reflected in the times. Fastest was Martin Pyne in 22:19 well outside his course record. Best Plomesgate performances were done by our ladies. Viv did an excellent 28:22, which was not only her fastest on our course but won her fastest lady prize taking some notable scalps in the process. Becky did another pb improving to 32:06, which also earned her the British Schools Eastern Region Under 14s Champion award. Taking a support role were our male riders led in by Trevor in 25:12, Steve in 26:30 and Mark in 26:34. Well done to Steve for organising the race and to all the helpers on the day.

Wolsey RC Open "10"

A tough afternoon with a strong crosswind meant all records were safe again. Jim Ingram managed his fastest '10' of the year so far in 24 minutes, Steve was the latest PPV (Plomesgate puncture victim). Matt Simmerson improved to a very creditable 25:50. The event was won by David Staff with a long '21', showing how slow it was.

Ed Taylor Memorial Road Race - Haverhill

This event was rearranged following Foot and Mouth.

The Thurlow race is 10 laps of an 8 km. circuit, roughly triangular. A hill climb, Suffolk style, then one leg going up rolling, then one leg fast, snaking down, the last leg a short uphill bit, the rest flattish. Second and third lap some shaking (out) on the hill climb; thereafter not much excitement, until the 5 or 6th. lap. Evert's race strategy was to save as much as possible energy, and try to go with the right move/break. 7 or 8 riders opened up a considerable gap on top of the hill, riders around giving up, so Evert had no choice but to go and bridge the gap on his own. Considerable effort but he made it, and started dreaming of 'work done'. Too much shouting, too much hesitation, so they were reeled in. Evert decided that he would have to be selective in repeating his efforts, so he went hiding at the very back of the peloton, hoping the peloton would neutralize smaller attacks, and spend the saved energy when a major break would develop. The smaller attacks were controlled, and the major break never came. With two laps to go it became obvious we were heading for a sprint finish uphill. In the final sort out Evert saved his energy and placed himself well enough to take a final 8^th place and his first points of 2001.

CC Breckland Open "50"

Our representatives for this race both at their first attempts at the distance were Mark and Viv. Mark finished in 2:18:50 while Viv finished in 2:33:11, feeling more than a little sore for the experience but only just outside her target of 2:30

Norwich ABC "25" Earsham

It was breezy for this event at the end of May with the wind in your face on the Bungay-to Harleston legs. Pleasant coming back though! Steve Jones managed a new PB (1:5:57) and Matt Simmerson did a very creditable 1:7:27 for his first 25!

CC Sudbury Open "25"

Normally this event produces some of the fastest times of the year, but not this year alas. A blustery wind caused most riders to go 3 or 4 minutes slower. Our only rider was Evert who raced through to a time of 1:2:19. National Champion Michael Hutchinson won the event in 50:06!

Bike(s) For Sale

Peugeot Cyclo-Cross bike, size 52 cm suit rider 5' 9" tall, good condition, SPD'S, 8 speed Shimano STI, new tyres - £200.

Contact John Gabriel on 01394 278473 .

Geoffrey Butler Road Bike 52cm £195 ono. Tim Butler Ipswich BC.

01473 414546 or tim.m.butler@ntlworld.com

And Finally... Good News !

Experts dispel 'drink water theory' and say beer will do

Nutritionists have criticised people's obsession with drinking water and say beer can help give us the liquid we need. They say the claim we need to drink eight glasses of water a day is a myth. The British Nutrition Foundation claims any liquid will do - including a cup of tea, a can of pop or a pint of beer. Foundation spokeswoman Dr Gail Goldberg told The Daily Mail: "The commonacceptance is that we need eight glasses of water a day - where does this number come from? "We can work out how much liquid the body needs ... but we get liquid from all sources. It's in our food, cups of tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice and even a pint of beer."

Foxhall

There will not be any race or training nights at Foxhall Stadium this year due to modernisation of the track.

June 2001