There is very little race reporting in this month's newsletter, partly due to the fact that I have received little or no feedback as to what people have been doing.

Anyway there are plenty of things happening in the near future so look out and note the important dates in your diary. Especially the AGM and the Prize Presentation / Dinner.

September Club Run

Oh dear why do I always pick the rainy days?!

There were three brave souls out on the Club Run this month - me, my dad,Tony & first timer Patrick. The weather forecast was absolutely pants for the day but being (fool)hardy types we went for a ride anyway. The strong wind led to a last minute 180 degree direction shift of the route, heading inland south westerly from the starting point at West Bergholt. Patrick had already braved the rail system and had a ride up from Colchester station before we started and came on a rather slinky bike with a fixed gear (great for the hills!)

We cycled out through Great Tey to Coggeshall, once a quaint small town, now a set for 'Homes and Gardens' and 'Antiques monthly' magazines, riding into the strong head wind and showers. Patrick unfortunately had a puncture so we had to stop to fix that before heading out of Coggeshall, over the very busy A120 and on to Pattiswick and then to Stisted. The pub we stopped at in Stisted was quaint and low beamed with great Ridley's beer, but seemed to cater only for the 'Sunday lunch/blue rinse' brigade in terms of food.

So after a pint we rode on to Earl's Colne and had some posh nosh (and another pint!) in a rather different pub called the Carved Angel complete with comfy chairs/sofas to sit in! Unfortunately they were obviously a little too comfy as by the time we finally headed home the rain had set in and didn't get any better! At least we had a tail wind for the last leg and that helped get us home for a welcome cup of tea! By the end of the day we'd done about 35 miles and got quite damp and blown about, but we all enjoyed riding over some new roads (to be fair they were all new to Patrick!)

Jon

October Club Run

We will coincide our run with the Suffolk CTC Off Road Ride on October 21^st, see article below. Meet at Bromeswell Rugby Club at 09:00am.

Dates For The Calendar

Here are a few forthcoming events at which there may be a Plomesgate CC presence :-

14^th October - CC Sudbury "25" - Risby
21^st October - CLUB RUN - CTC  Off Road Rough Stuff, Bromeswell.
21^st October - Godric CC Gas Hill Gasp Hillclimb, Norwich.
28^th October - VC Baracchi Hilllcimb - Bramerton.
4^th November  CC Sudbury and East DC Championship Hillclimb - Semer Hill.
10^th November - Godric CC Roller Contest.
11^th November Club Run in Thetford Forest. Starting at Brandon Heath, details to follow.

Club Annual General Meeting

The Committee has fixed the date of this years AGM as Wednesday 21^st November. Notices will be sent out to all members about a fortnight before.

Vacancy !

Unpaid though I am afraid.

I am hoping to step down as General Secretary at this years AGM partly to concentrate my efforts on next years British Time Trial Championship which I am running on behalf of the East District. (work has already begun !!).

So if you are interested in taking over the post of Secretary, then contact either myself or a member of the committee.

Trevor Figgitt 01728 723701

Trevor.figgitt@btinternet.com

Prize Presentation / Dinner

This will be on Sunday November 25^th at 7:30pm at the same venue as last year, which is The Lighthouse in Aldeburgh.

The committee were considering holding the presentation this side of Christmas any way, and when Evert made his announcement (see below) it became apparent that we had to find a suitable date before he left, hence the earlier date and different evening of the week.

We Bid a Sad Farewell

It was a sad Evert who announced at the last committee meeting that he and Annelie are leaving the UK in the New Year. Unfortunately Evert's work is taking him to Germany. He and Annelie are already making arrangements to move. I know that in the short time that Evert has been with us he and Annelie have made a very positive impression on us all and I hope they will take away happy memories of their time with Plomesgate CC and Suffolk.

I am sure you will all join me in  wishing them the very best for the future and thanking them for their support over the last couple of years.

If you can make it along to the presentation on Sunday November 25^th then hopefully we can take the opportunity to say goodbye properly.

Wolsey RC Club Sale of Cycle Equipment

The Wolsey Annual sale will be on October 15^th (Monday) at Tower Street, Ipswich, 7:30pm. All are welcome to either buy or sell. Admission is 50p.

Suffolk Coastal Byways Audax

This annual audax over 104km of Suffolk lanes starts from Blaxhall Village Hall at 09:00am.

Details from organiser Derek Howard on 01284 750940.

Fancy a Dirty Weekend in Suffolk.

Suffolk CTC  -  Ruff-Stuff 25

25 miles of off-road forest tracks & bridleway

DATC counting event

Start & Finish at Bromeswell, Nr Woodbridge

Sunday, 21st October

Call Colin Clarke for more details on 01473 403704

www.irene.org.uk/ctc/ctc.htm

GHS (Under 16) National 10 mile TT

A very nervous Becky Figgitt travelled to Sawtry, Cambs, to ride the National Championships for  16s and under. 110 riders had qualified via their respective regional heats to ride the championship. The course used straight and exposed B roads running alongside the A1, just south of Peterborough. Anybody expecting a fast course or fast day was in for a surprise. The course was described by one observer as 5 miles up to the turn and 5 miles back downhill, and a very strong headwind out to the turn didn't help matters. Becky rode herself to a standstill tough with a new pb of 31:12, and was pleased to finish ahead of some of her rivals from the same age group. Other locals were Andrew Whelan who did extremely well to return a 25:47, and Paul Watts who was nursing a bandaged knee and finished in 33:31.

Godric CC Gas Hill Gasp

Godric CC challenge you to race up the steepest hill in Norfolk. Gas Hill is off Riverside in Norwich and is 800 yds long with the steepest part being 1 in 6 (17%).

Entry on the line only at £1 or 50p for juniors.

The event is on 21^st October at 11:00am.

Moer details from Geoff Mayne on 01986 893653.

Shaftesbury Off Road Events

Shaftesbury CC are running a series of Off Road races at Thriftwood Scout Activity Centre, Brentwood. Races are on 21^st October, 16^th December and 27^th January 2002. Racing starts at 11:00 amd until about 1:30pm.

See Trevor Figgitt for more details and brochure if you are interested.

Open Event Dates for 2002

I know for some of you this season still hasn't finished but already arrangements have begun for next year.

Here are our dates:-

2-up, solo and Tandem "10" March 23^rd 2002. B10/9.

Solo and Tandem "25". May 18^th.

B25/2.

GHS, Solo and Tandem "10". 29^th June. One lap of new course based at Stradbroke and to be used for Championship see below.

British Time Trial Championships. 32km and 48km. Saturday 14th September.

I have included the last event for your information. It is not a Plomesgate promotion but I (Trevor) am the organiser on behalf of the East District CA so ALL East District clubs will be expected to help out in some way.

These are just the open events, the club events will be decided at the next committee meeting on October 17^th. If you have any comments or suggestions then please feel free to contact one of the committee or perhaps you would like to come to the meeting to air your views.