Newsletter - December '97

Editorial

Hi, welcome to the Christmas edition of the Ythan CC Newsletter. I hope you are all settling in to the festive period and are looking forward to a successful cycling season in 1998.

Looking forward to 1998 and beyond I have included a questionnaire designed to help the committee shape the club into where the membership want it to go. Remember if you don’t get involved you won’t see any changes. A stagnant club is boring, activities and membership soon start dwindling. Lorna has done a marvellous job organising activities throughout the winter from canoeing in Peterhead swimming pool to 10 pin bowling in Aberdeen (don’t ask who won). Unfortunately the numbers at these have been poor.

Looking forward we revert to our normal training schedule of Tuesday evenings on the 6th January, so I hope to see you all at the community house in Castle Park in Ellon.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

End to End

Tom Gunn is preparing for a Land's End to John O'Groats run in June organised by two business friends from London who are keen cyclists.

1998 Events

The 1998 club open events are:

Confined Time Trials

The 1998 series of races starts in April. I will keep you up to date with developments for any new courses etc. One change for next year will be the inclusion of the Ythan CC 10 mile TT. This means that members taking part in this "open" event will generate points for the series.

SCU & District News

Ythan CC results from the SCU & Aberdeen District for 1997 are:

SCU Scottish silver medal Junior Pursuit Neil Gerrard Middle distance BAR (25,50 &100) Bob Hill 59th, Andrew Morrison 71st ABERDEEN DISTRICT    Gold Medal Junior Road Race Champion Neil Gerrard Senior Time Trail BAR Bob Hill -7th Veterans Time Trial BAR Bob Hill -5th Mountain Bike District Championship Masters Graham Parley -5th

Neil in action!

Winter training

Abby has bought a set of proper rollers from a mate for a tenner. From his first initial wobbles on it and a few near misses Abby is quite happy to pedal all day on the roller while doing the dishes, making the tea, Quality Control at work. When asked what his secret was Abby replied that his big mistake at the start was to try and remain sober. A few glasses of the amber nectar cures Abby of all balance problems!!!!!!!

Winter training starts in earnest on January 6th at the Castlepark Community House in Ellon. Kick off is at 18.30 hours. This will continue until the summer arrives and we can once again emerge from our enforced captivity indoors to the bright sunshine and warm light breezes for which the NE of Scotland is so famous. hopefully we will all emerge a bit fitter than we are at the moment.

10th Anniversary Club Run

Due to a lack of numbers the Talk by Sarah Philips and the meal at the New Inn had to be cancelled. A brave 11 members of the Club did however cycle the double circuit of Methlick to recreate the first cycle run ten years earlier. The weather also played its part by recreating the wind and drizzly conditions of that first run. Charlie Allan stood us all a cup of tea at the Ythan View in Methlick which was well received.

Sarah told Graham she would come out to Ellon some other time possibly in the New Year.

Graham's Worst Moment

Graham Gerrard revealed a secret nightmare of his that came true in the early season. Whilst racing a 25 at Loch Ness Graham was not doing too well. He was passed by a "vet" lady who took pity on him and asked "are you O.K. ?".

Club Runs

The Sunday morning club runs now start at the Ellon Community Centre at 10am.

These are usually quite popular depending on the weather. Over the last few weeks the weather has not been too kind but I have been assured that this is about to change.

So instead of lying about in your bed on Sunday morning get out there and get some fresh air in your lungs. You can always fall asleep in front of the Grand Prix on telly in the afternoon.

New Bike Shop

As some of you will know John Dean (ex Cycling World) is opening a new bike shop in Aberdeen (Ellon would have been better). The shop is called St. Andrew Street Cyclery and is located on St. Andrew Street. The shop is now open for business.

We all wish John and his staff good luck in their new venture.

John Hamilton

Lorna received a nice letter from John Hamilton's mum regarding the 10th anniversary run. John was a very fit young athlete who enjoyed cycling and took part in a lot of the Club's activities including a great deal of racing. John suffers from M.E. and is unable to cycle but has battled through his illness to lead a reasonably normal life.

John's mum writes "John is away at university and so will be unable to attend the 10th anniversary lunch. We all have very happy memories of the time John spent with the club, and it is with great sorrow to John that he is no longer able to cycle. However the determination that saw him through 25 mile time trials on cold windy days has been of great benefit to him in coping with his M.E."

Gillian on Skis again

Gillian Sowden is off to Norway again to compete in her number one sport, cross country skiing. The trip takes in a week of training followed by a week of intensive competition.

District Dinner

Charlie was the main speaker at the Aberdeen District prize-giving. He had the audience in stitches as he recalled tales of his exploits as an athlete.

Charlie was also at the SCU training weekend at Largs where he was seen on a chaingang with the likes of Robert Millar and Graeme Obree. 3 days of that and Charlie has been pooped ever since.

1998 Confined Events

At the last committee meeting a suggestion was put forward that we try and vary the format and the venue of the confined time trials. This could mean we do some of the runs at Peterhead or the Methlick course or the Pitmedden course. In addition we could run the occasional 25 mile time trial. I am all for trying to keep interest up by varying courses but I am not sure how we would work the points system for league positions. What do you think ?

Down Under

Frankie seems to be getting on well in Australia with the family settling in. Frank has found a job, they are living in a lovely house and he has bought a new bike - a motorbike!. He has also joined the local triathlon club but hasn’t yet dared to go for a swim in the sea (too many sharks).

Mountain Bike Runs

In an attempt to resurrect our mountain bike runs there is to be a run at the start of each month. Graham Parley has offered to organise these.

Kirkhill forest is now a Trailquest orienteering site and Caroline Alexander was in Aberdeen to publicise the opening. For more information contact : Kincardine Forest District Office, 01330 844537.