PLOMESGATE CYCLING CLUB
PLOMESGATE CYCLING CLUB
August Club Run - Beach Barbie
The weather forecast didn't sound too promising as we parked up at Sizewell beach. The rain clouds were gathering as Becky and I unloaded the bikes and waited for people to arrive. First to arrive was Steve followed by Jon Smith who cycled over from Eastbridge. Last to arrive was John and Phoebe looking a bit apprehensive on her trailer bike. The weather and other commitments had obviously dissuaded others from joining in so our small but merry bunch set off inland. John took us on a winding route past Leiston Abbey and around Kelsale before circling back towards Knodishall. As we approached John's house the weather broke again and we were lashed by winds and horizontal rain as we sprinted for the door. As we sat drinking tea and coffee an executive decision was made to abandon the beach barbecue and to relocate the barbecue to Johns slightly more sheltered garden. This proved to be a good idea and after myself and Steve had returned with our vehicles and our food we were able to tuck in without getting to wet and wind blown.
September Club Run
Jon Smith has offered to do another ride from his home in West Bergholt, near Colchester on 30th September. Try to arrive at Jon's in time for a 10:30 start and prepare to be entertained by Jon's choice of route and pub which are usually excellent.
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 :-
8th September Norwich & Region "10" Earsham.
9th September West Suffolk Whlrs "50". Risby.
15th September CC Breckland "10" Wymondham.
15th September National 10 mile Championships. Sawtry, Cambs.
16th Sept - Anglo Polymer Road Race - St Ives.
23rd Sept - Norwich ABC "50".
29th Sept - East Anglian CC "10" - Earsham
30th Sept - East Anglian CC "25" Earsham
30th Sept Godric CC Cyclo Cross - Broome Heath.
30th September - Club Run
6th
October - Norwich ABC "10" - Earsham
7th October - Norwich ABC "25" - Earsham
7th October - 7th Annual Holkham Cycle Ride - See Trevor
Figgitt for details.
14th October - CC Sudbury "25" - Risby
21st October - CTC Off Road Rough Stuff, Bromeswell.
21st October - Godric CC Gas Hill Gasp Hillclimb, Norwich.
28th October - VC Baracchi Hilllcimb - Bramerton.
4th November 0 CC Sudbury Hillclimb - Semer Hill.
10th November - Godric CC Roller Contest.
GHS (Under 16) National 10 mile TT
I am sure you will all join me in wishing Becky Figgitt the best of luck as she represents the club in the National Championship on Saturday 15th September in Cambs. Becky will be one of the youngest riders there and hopefully will have the chance to ride in the championship on at least 3 more occasions. Will this the first appearance of a Plomesgate jersey at a National Championship ?
All the best also to other local participants Andrew Whelan and Paul Watts, both regular faces at our evening TTs.
Re-scheduled Open '10' - August 25th
With many of usual club members away Hilary did a sterling job running the event with a depleted support team. The event went well, helped by the excellent weather which was almost too hot. The field of riders were some what depleted also with many non starters. A little surprising considering how many bemoaned the loss of events earlier in the season due to the F&M. Well those that did ride were rewarded with higher placings than normal and therefore extra points towards the SPOCO competition.
Plomesgate success on the day went to Evert and Steve who won the fastest club team prize in the 2 up competition. Steve was a fine example of digging deep into the body's reserves to extract that extra energy. The result being that he was so shattered after their 24:17 winning ride that he couldn't quite make it back to the HQ at Sudbourne without a well earned rest.
The solo event was won by Martin Pyne in 22:11 from Geoff Frost in 22:29. Jim Ingram was 8th in 24:32.
Fancy a Dirty Weekend in Suffolk.
• Suffolk CTC - Ruff-Stuff 25
• 25 miles of off-road forest tracks & bridleways
• DATC counting event
• start & finish Bromeswell, nr Woodbridge
• Sunday, 21st October
• Call Colin Clarke for more details on 01473 403704
Mildenhall Rally
Becky rode the grass track again at the Mildenhall Rally on Bank Holiday Saturday. She was once again the youngest rider and the only girl in the juvenile category, but showed she was not going to give in easily with her opening ride in the one lap TT. Fastest times being set were in the region of 28 seconds, Becky did 32 secs as did Paul Watts (Ipswich BC) and Bruce Edgar (West Suffolk Wheelers) who was a silver medallist at the National Track Champs at Manchester.
In the scratch sprint events Becky was outclassed but in the handicap sprint she came second to Bruce Edgar. The final event of the afternoon was a 2 lap handicap sprint open to all riders resident in East Anglia. Becky and Paul were on the same mark, so started together, Andrew Whelan was on scratch. Into the final bend and Becky was just leading Paul with one rider to catch, but with Andrew gaining fast. Into the final straight and Becky was leading, having pulled away from Paul, and a glance over her shoulder confirmed Andrew was gaining rapidly. She managed a final kick but it just wasn't enough as Andrew pipped her right on the line, with Paul in 3rd place.
On the Sunday Plomegate colours were represented by Harry Figgitt in the cyclo cross. Harry had an accident free ride and paced himself well to finish strongly as one of the youngest riders in the under 12s category.
Evening Club Events Results
August 9th
Due to torrential rain and flooding on the course this event was cancelled.
August 23rd
Well that was the last one of the season and we saw a record number (29) of riders turn up on what looked like a fast night but the times suggest otherwise. Apart from a few riders who improved, including the brilliant 23:06 by winner Robert Hobbs. Other improvers were Richard (on Hilary's bike) with 25:04, for second fastest Plomesgate rider, and Becky in 31:33, wondering whether she had done enough to take the handicap trophy. Fastest Plomesgate rider was Evert again in 23:43. Robert Robinson got close to his best with 26:41. Hilary and Trevor did the timekeeping, the number of riders facilitated the need for 2 timekeepers.
Racing Results
Godric CC '10'
Evert eventually proved just how much quicker he would go on a decent course when he rode the Earsham course on a breezy warm afternoon. He finished 10th with 22:35. Jim Ingram was not too far behind with 24:01. The event was won by Jim Burgess in 21:11, in one of his rare outings this year which has been disrupted by back trouble.
Mid Suffolk Road Race
On a very wet and awful day in August, Evert got the closest yet to winning his first road race in PCC colours. Evert was in an early break which soon split with Evert in the small group in front. Unfortunately the puncture plague hit him, but they had accumulated such a lead that he was able to change his wheel and still finish in front of the remainder of the bunch, in 5th place. This gave Evert enough points to progress to second category.
CC Breckland Bank Holiday "10"
Rob Cotton was our only representative on the Wymondham course on Auust Bank Holiday Monday. After a long time off the bike with illness it is good to see Rob back in action. He turned in a 25:17 in windy but sunny conditions.
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