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Newsletter - February '99
As the cold north wind bites deep into the Buchan countryside Ythan CC members lie dormant waiting for that first burst of spring to arrive and sweep out onto the roads. Piling on the miles with a grin and a wave for each pedestrian that slowly trudges along the pavement and a generous salute to the hoards of car-trapped commuters on their way for a nice Sunday run or queued on the Balmedie bypass at five-thirty in the evening. But wait, this year there is an urgency about our intrepid YCC rider, for this year he (or she) has been doing a little more, been out in a bit fouler weather than usual. This year there is the Magic 1999 Mile Barrier to be broken. Yes, we are running a wee competition to see how many YCC members can pedal out 1999 miles in 1999. Remember this is the last year you can do it and by this time next year you will be bored stiff with anything that has 2000 in it. Make 1999 the year to remember !!!
Lower your saddle in the winter. If you don’t, your position will be too high because of the extra clothing you’re sitting on !!!
Due to frugal spending in 1998 we are again able to keep the membership prices the same as last year. This is the third year running we have managed this - It just gets better and better !! A membership form should be included in this newsletter if Mark stops playing motorbike racing games on his new computer.
This year's AGM will be held on March 22nd at the Tollbooth in Ellon. This starts at 7.30pm. Drastic decisions will be made which may affect you and your club. Please try and turn up even if it is just for a last pint before serious training starts.
The 1999 confined time trial series starts on April 6th or 13th. Starts are as usual from the Mace Supermarket in Ellon at 6.30pm There may be slight changes to the format for this year; suggestions so far are:
Thanks to everyone who organised and helped out at the '98 events. They all were a success and ran very smoothly.The club appreciates the time given to help fellow cyclists. I hope we can continue the level of activity in '99.
In 1998 cycling became one of the sports that was selected to become involved with the ACTIVE-8 sports campaign. Funding is available to Local Authorities if they can demonstrate with an action plan that they can promote their sport to encourage youngsters from the age of 12 through to elite athletes with proper coaching to develop their full potential at their sport. Norman Ramsey, from Huntly, of Aberdeen Wheelers who is a qualified coach, in conjunction with the SCU has set up the campaign for Scotland and Aberdeenshire. YCC had three interested parties last year. In the Club’s Newsletter in Autumn '98, the weekend training sessions were listed but no YCC members entered the first training session in November. The next session was in February for ladies only. There were 27 ladies registered including Lorna and ex-member Sally Ashbridge (27 totty on bikes, a missed opportunity there!). As the lassies have put us completely to shame we can still get a good turnout for the last open training weekend on the 6th/7th March. It is hoped that Chris Newton of the Linda McCartney team will be involved in the training sessions (Chris is a qualified sports scientist from Tees-side University - the one where Neil lasted 11/2 terms). The Sunday morning session could involve an APR. More details are available from Graham Gerrard. If you are interested please forward your name to Graham who will pass it on.
The organisers have been chosen for the '99 race events. The dates have yet to be ratified by the SCU. Hilly 20 - Graham Ward & Bob Hill 24/4/99 Road Race - Graham Gerrard & Colin Allanach 5/6/99 10 Mile TT - Sean Monaghan & Lorna Adam 4/7/99 25 Mile TT - Colin Allanach & Abby McHardy 5/9/99 Dates to be confirmed in the SCU handbook due out in March. It would be nice to go back to the days when we had a few more events on our calendar but unfortunately the volunteers to organise races are few and far between. Other suggestions for races are ; 40 Mile APR (perhaps in the Peterhead area like the one we used to do?) Duathlon Organising the races does take up a lot of time, but at the end of the race there is a tremendous sense of achievement and the feeling that you have put something back into the sport. If you are interested in organising a race please contact Graham Gerrard before the end of August so that we can apply for the races through the SCU. In addition other events will be the planned long runs, the childrens' run to Udny, and a sponsored run in conjunction with the Round Table.
Graham Parley and Steve Argo are arranging the mountain bike runs on the first Sunday of each month. See the diary for details or contact Graham on Ellon 722172 or Steve on Ellon 721896.
For the younger cyclists there is the 99 challenge, in the format that most members saw at the Bikefest in October (i.e. an obstacle course followed by a short circuit TT). We have agreed to organise two of these events in 1999. Pat Flanaghan has volunteered to do one in Fraserburgh and the club will organise one in Ellon. The winners go on to heats, with a National final in Manchester. This needs six helpers for each event. Saville Gunn of GS Corsa is co-ordinating the events in Aberdeenshire but no dates have been fixed yet.
The Sunday morning club runs now start at the Ellon Community centre. These are usually quite popular depending on the weather. So instead of lying about in your bed on Sunday morning get out there and get some fresh air in your lungs. Details of club runs can be obtained from Abby McHardy (Club Run Captain) on 01358-721007 Start Time is 10 am until the clocks change for Summer. Then start time is 9am.
Anyone who has ordered kit please do not despair. It’s on it’s way. I was slightly slow putting the order in to TAL (sorry, but I was waiting for a decent order - not just one top and a handkerchief) Anyway I’m expecting it in any day now - Honest.
Training sessions started on Tuesday 27th October. The venue is the Community house in Ellon's Castle Park estate. The Aerobics sessions had to be cancelled as Mandy was double booked. If you want to do a session with Mandy she is working most days in and around Ellon at very reasonable rates. Her Monday night session at the Craighall Inn attracts about 40 women !!! Tuesday night training is a not quite as well attended but about 10 die-hards make it each week to pound the streets for a jog, stretch, circuit train and do a turbo session. All the while chatting away about bikes.
The next meeting is at Stoneywood Social Club on the 15th March at 7.30pm. the District is desperate to attract more Commissaires to spread the load. Our District has 8 at present, which is a big improvement, but none from YCC. If a few more people passed the test then it would involve only 3 events per season. It may be that clubs who do not have at least one commissaire are excluded from organising events in the future.
Due to public demand there will be three planned long runs in '99. The venues have been decided but the dates haven’t. Venues:
Peter Wright is looking for volunteers to assist with essential duties at the 2-day stage race on the 1st & 2nd May. Any volunteers to assist with this prestigious event in Aberdeenshire should contact Graham Gerrard.
This years tour ends in Edinburgh in May with racing round the city centre. If anyone is interested in making a day trip or weekend to see this great spectacle then email me and I will see what I can organise. Cash up front !!
Charlie Allan came up with a suggestion for 1999. Charlie will organise teams to go to the local events. Instead of individuals turning up at races you will now be part of the YCC Team. Charlie will draw up a diary of events when the SCU handbook is published.
The next Newsletter will be the May(ish) edition and your input is desperately required. Any race reports, items for sale, tips, general chit-chat should be sent to... Colin Allanach |
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Colin's Bit
