A good turnout of 9 mountain bikers arrived at the Brandon car park and transferred their barbecue food to the Broughton’s car, for onward transfer to High Lodge and the club’s Summer barbecue.

Unfortunately there have been lots of trees felled in Thetford forest recently, and the forestry commission have cut short the MTB black route.  This didn’t stop us from entertaining ourselves in the bomb holes (who could get the biggest air?) and cycling the ‘beast of the east’ three times.  Jon Smith and Viv vied for points in the Abdu award, tumbling from the lip of one of the bomb holes into the nettles, but there were no serious injuries and both survived to the end of the ride.

The barbie charcoal didn’t want to light, so thanks to our guest Aussie who collected wood, we eventually burnt our food about an hour later.

Thursday Night TTs

8^th August

Although it was wet and thundery further inland it stayed dry for us, although a strong wind promised to make it tough on the outward leg. Still the mention of a "challenge" seems to bring the best out of some people. Where were the Tri Club ? Still the Wolsey turned out in force and thanks to them for making a competition of it.

There were some good times posted by members of both clubs. First place was Pete Whelan in 24.17. Earlier finisher Rob Cotton set the standard when he improved his best time to 24.42 only to be matched 5 minutes later by Jim Ingram, both setting their fastest times this year. After Pete finished we only had to wait another 3 minutes for more excitement when Richard finished in a pb for the course in 24.29. Next to come was Steve being chased by John.  Steve pulled one out of the bag to stay well ahead on the road and finish in his fastest for a while in 25.28.  Fastest lady on the night was Viv with a massive improvement and a club course record of 27.33.  Looks like she has got her name on the Ladies Trophy.

The other big battle still raging is for the handicap trophy.  Paul Davis did just enough tonight by improving to 29.17 to take the lead from Becky by 11seconds.  Although Jon Smith improved he still needs to find another 40 seconds or so to beat Paul.  Other improvers were new member Valerio who took nearly a minute off his previous time.

The results of the challenge Plomesgate CC = 24 points. Wolsey RC = 59 points. (Best Lady + 1^st 4 riders)

Trevor

22^nd August

A huge turnout for the last race in our evening series - and good to see a few new faces, even this late in the season.

The black clouds looked ominous just before the start, but the rain held off.  The wind was niggly and certainly didn't appear to help anywhere, but somehow there was some of the closest racing we've seen this year.

The conditions didn't seem to slow down Angus, who scorched round to beat Pete and Bev on the tandem by nearly a minute, while Nick was only 5 seconds off his best, set earlier in the year.  Behind them, Jim was fastest Plomesgate rider, getting the better of Richard this time out, and they were followed in by 6 riders separated by just 40 seconds.  The next group, around the 27-28 minute mark, was another six riders, with just over a minute covering their times!  Meanwhile, in the battle of the borrowed go-faster bikes, Jon Smith failed to take advantage, while Paul Davis managed to shave another few seconds off his time, which should secure him the handicap trophy.

Full results available here

Steve

October Club Run

Sunday 20^{th - r}eserve this date in your diaries.

Still to be confirmed whether the ride will be the CTC off road ride from Bromeswell or a road ride from Framlingham.

BC/RTTC British Champs 14^th Sept

If you are available to help on the 14^th, and haven’t yet volunteered, please contact Trevor at

trevor.Figgitt@btinternet.com or by phone.

More Information can be found on the website at:-

http://www.2002ttchamps.org.uk/

Talent Team Update

13th/14th July

Becky had chance to hone her mountain biking and bmx skills at her latest Talent Team training camp. After receiving her team issue Kona Nunu the first day was spent in Sherwood Forest practising downhilling and cross country, under the guidance of Gary Coltman, and fellow talent team member Nikki (I'm going to the World's) Harris. After a swimming session and bowls in the evening they stayed overnight in the relatively new and plush Youth Hostel in Sherwood Forest (not like the Youth Hostels when I was a lad). The second day was spent at the BMX track in Mansfield, and fortunately there were no serious accidents this time.

August

On the 14th the Talent Team had a training camp at Wolverhampton Track. They were able to meet and train with Huw Pritchard who was there along with his Commonwealth Silver Medal. In the evening Becky rode the Track League races mixing it with the Under 16 boys.

On the 19th it was an early start for Becky as the team started out for a 4 day training camp at Calshot activity centre south of Southampton. To cyclists Calshot is better known for the tight indoor velodrome which is 142m long with 47 degree bankings and "is like riding a rollercoaster" and "makes you dizzy" according to Becky.  Calshot is also, however, a multi discipline activity centre catering for sailing, windsurfing, rock climbing etc....The camp covered cyclo cross which was mainly off road riding through the neighbouring New Forest, Track and Grass Track.  On the track Becky got to ride a Team (Olympic) sprint with James Taylor (current leader of the sprinters league) which again was invaluable experience.

Becky was hoping to come out of the camp with good legs ready for Mildenhall, see other report to she if she did.

Results

Grass track at Mildenhall 24^th August

Becky and Trevor were pre-entered for the Mildenhall Grass Track possibly the second largest meeting behind the York Rally.  Becky was invited to ride with the Women (taking the Women's entry to 14) but due to her age was not allowed to compete in the Women's 800m National Championship which was won again by Vicky Pendleton from Chrissima Pearce (Brixton Cycles) and Kathy McLelland (VC Londres). Trevor rode the Men's National 800m but only lasted as far as the first round repechages, the Men's title going to Evan Oliphant from Scotland.

Other results from Saturday were :-

Men's Devil - Trevor 10th.
Men's 800m Handicap - Heat 3 - Trevor 3rd ( not good enough to get to the final).
Women's 800m Handicap Final - Becky 4th.
Women's Devil - Becky 5th.
Women's 3000m - Becky 5th.
Team Sprint - Team Suffolk (Trevor, Pete Whelan and Andrew Whelan) 71s ( not a bad time but not good enough for the final unfortunately).
Men's Unknown Distance - Trevor 4th.

Grass Track Sunday 25th August

Sunday saw the Plomesgate ranks swell to three as after much elbow twisting Steve Jones decided to have a go on a borrowed bike.  Mildenhall is quite a big meeting to start as a novice and can be a bit of "out of the frying pan and into the fire" but Steve did really well and hopefully has not put him off having another go at track racing. Women's 550m (2 Lap) Sprint - Heat 1 Becky 1st and through to the final.

Results from Sunday:-

Women's 550m Sprint Final - 1st Becky, 2nd Chrissima Pearce, 3rd Kathy McLelland. Becky had a really good start and held her position on the inside line right to the line, forcing Chrissima to go the long way round, although Chrissima started to get alongside Becky managed to hold her off for an excellent win.

Men Novices and Vets 550m sprint - Heat 2. 2nd Trevor (and through to the final), 6th - Steve Jones.  This was Steve's introduction to grass track and immediately the gun fired he was battling for position with wily campaigner Ken Downing who is not afraid of a bit of bumping and barging.

Men Novices and Vets 550m Final - 4th Trevor. Trevor didn't get a bad start and held second position for while before being overhauled in the last 250m.

Men's Devil - Trevor and Steve rode this one, but didn't win anything.

Men's/Ladies/Juniors - 400m Handicap Sprint - Heat 1 Trevor 3rd. Heat 3 - Steve 5th. Heat 8 Becky 1st and through to the final.

Men's/Ladies/Juniors - 400m Handicap Sprint Final - Not quite sure what happened here but perhaps a bit of over enthusiasm and inexperience from Becky who was determined to give the big boys a run for their money. So much so that she completely misjudged her start and fell flat on her face. The race carried on without her and provided a furious sprint including the only crash of he day. Becky's pride was battered but no more fortunately.

Women's Devil - Becky 5^th

Men's Unknown Distance - Trevor 6th, Steve in the bunch.

Under 12's Cyclo Cross Sunday 25th August Harry Figgitt was our sole representative for the cyclo cross with the under 12s covering 2 laps including a 2 plank height jump.  Harry got off to a good start and after the first lap was lying in 6th place.  Unfortunately he had to throw his bike over the jump with such force his chain jumped off and got jammed.  Helped by a spectator he lost quite a bit of time but got back on and although he made up a few places couldn't get back into the top 6.  He finished in fine spirits and is determined to have another go.

26^th August - 10 mile TT

Well done to Rob C, who took 43 seconds off his PB, with a 22:52 on the B10/3E.

26^th August - MTB races at Thetford

Sport - Rob R had a reasonable start and missed the crash which was good!  He was passing people throughout the race and at the end got past a person with feet to go with a good inside pass around a corner.  He came 13^th with time of 26.58 for first lap and 26.39 for last lap total - 53.37

Vets - Mark set off steadily, and managed consistent laps of 26:37, 26:21, 26:58 and 27:36 to finish in 6^th place.

Vet Women - Viv hung on to people for the first lap, and suffered as a result with lap times of 30:49, 32:59 and 34:21.  Finished in 1:38:09 and 3^rd place.

WCRA MTB Champs - This race was over the first 3 laps of the women’s race, irrespective of how many laps they were racing altogether.  Viv came in third and won a bronze medal - see the WCRA web site for results and pictures.

Plomesgate Competitions

Dave Bott trophy - John Chalker
Handicap - Paul Davis
Fastest Thursday Ride - Richard Tateson
Fastest on Vet standard - Trevor Figgitt
Fastest Woman - Viv Broughton
BAR - not awarded.

Dates For The Calendar

7^th September - Norwich & Region CA Open 10
14^th September - BC/RTTC Champs, Stradbroke
15^th September - CC Breckland Open 10
22^nd September - ERMA MTB at Shrublands
22^nd September - Norwich ABC Open 50
28^th September - East Anglian CC Open 10
29^th September - East Anglian CC Open 25
29^th September - VC Baracchi Brome Heath Scramble
5^th October - Norwich ABC Open 10
6^th October - Norwich ABC Open 25
14^th October - Wolsey RC.  BRING & BUY SALE OF CYCLE EQUIPMENT.  Tower St. Ipswich.  7.30pm.  Small entry charge.
3^rd November - CC Sudbury Hill Climb - Semer.
3^rd November -  Round 3 National Cyclo Cross Trophy, Suffolk College, Ipswich.

Night rides

Starting from Thursday 26^th September off road night rides will be setting off from Sizewell T car park at 8.00pm.  Riding for about an hour, it’s great fun so give it a try!

Newsletter 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