Newsletter - May 2002

  AGM

There was a good turnout of eighteen souls at this year's AGM in the upstairs snug at the Tollbooth in Ellon. Charlie Allan demitted office without a struggle and Graham Gerrard was unanimously elected Chairman and President. The all-important job of General Secretary has been undertaken by Jack Grant who being with the council doubles as our courses and logistics consultant. Lorna Adam is the Treasurer; Dave Allan is Club Run Captain; Mike Harper is Race Secretary; Charlie Allan is to do the SCU's coaching course and join Bob Hill as an official coach. Other committee members elected were Flora Mason, Dave Carnegie, Bill Dallas, Norman Fraser and Alan Yeatman.

It was decided that the scheme to subsidise club members who enter open races had been so successful that we could not afford to continue to refund half the cost involved in entering all District races. It was decided only to continue with the subsidy for Ythan CC races but to make the full District subsidy available to anyone who had not had a subsidy last year.

  Confined Time Trials

These are organised magnificently by Flora Mason our official commissaire and time-keeper. We are so fortunate to have her coming out every two weeks in all weathers to keep us right.

This year's series has got off to a flying start with attendances up some 40% on last year. It is good to see former stars like Malcolm Cooper out again and had the third TT not been fogged off Gilbert Runcie would have made his comeback after 4 years. Both of those seem to be in great shape. Good too to see newcomers Gordon Cairney, Willie Tocher, Stuart Scott and John Bruce. Golden Oldie Boyd Ross came out for the Hilly dressed like Scott of the Antarctic, but he is gradually shedding clothes and getting back to his true form.

Results of the Training 10-Mile TT on 21/05/02, and series points scored up to that date.

  Hilly 20-Mile TT

A high class field involving all the leading time triallists in the area competed in dull drizzly conditions with little wind in the club's first open Time Trial of the season on Sunday 14th of April. Aberdeen's Norman Skene, last year's winner, was pipped by Brian Duncan from Peterhead. The winning time was 49 mins and 59 secs, a margin of 36 secs.

The best Ythan performances came from Steve Argo who was four minutes adrift and Charlie Allan who, though eight minutes late, lifted the vets' prize by virtue of the huge handicap due to a man of 62 years.

The event went off without a hitch despite a farmer from Auchnagatt who decided Sunday was the ideal day to "caw oot some muck". Several riders skidded on the corners immediately after passing his fields.

Result

We had 13 competitors and provided nine stewards so it was a pretty good effort by the club. Well done aabody.

  Pitmedden 10-Mile TT

After the disappointment last year when the Pitmedden 10 had to be cancelled for lack of entries it was good to see 25 racers this year. We had competitors from as far north as Tain and as far south as Glasgow and Kirkaldy. A stiff headwind coming back increased times except, it seemed, for Brian Duncan from Peterhead who was more than a minute clear in 23 mins and 57 secs. Jonathon Copp of Deeside Thistle was second in 25.08 and Phil Allan of Scotoil was third in 25.22.

Of the Ythan team, Mike Harper was seventh in 26.25 and Charlie Allan was tenth in 27.10. Lorna Adam was in 21st place with 31.57 and Norman Fraser was 22nd in 33.07.

Club President and race organiser Graham Gerrard was disappointed that there were only four Ythan competitors whereas there were seven from the Aberdeen Wheelers, a club of similar strength. We are to look at whether we should shift the venue for this race perhaps onto the faster Balmedie course.

  Aberdeenshire League

This is a six event series of time trials at Garlogie in which points are awarded for each place; 30 for first, 20 for eleventh and 2 for twenty-ninth and so on. Each competitor's worst performance is ignored and the one with the most points at the end of the series is the Champion. It costs £3 per event and entries are accepted on the night. Mike Harper won last year and Charlie Allan was declared the Fastest Overall though no one could work out what that meant. So let's see you.

The first race was a 10 on 9th May and Dave Carnegie was our best man with a 27.07 while Boyd Ross got under 30 minutes for the first time since coming out of retirement.

Dave did well on the second race (17 miles Hilly on 23rd May)and is well placed after two events but our star turn was Gilbert Runcie who was fifth despite choosing gears to suit a hammer thrower or a Clydesdale horse. Once he gets these legs spinning there'll be no holding him.

The remaining fixtures are on Thursdays at 7pm:

  Lorna's 2-Up

Lorna is again going to organise two 2-upTTs. For this you need a partner of like ability. The race will be over about 20 miles and will be handicapped to give each pair an equal chance. The dates are Tuedsay evenings at 6.30 on 9th July and 20th Aug.

  Paul's APRs

Paul is again going to organise two evening races under Australian Pursuit Rules. That is where riders set off at different times and in groups according to ability. They will again be based on Mintlaw and will run to about 25 miles. They were great fun last year and promise to be so again. Dates to be announced.

  Rotary Club of Ellon Gala Day Charity Bike Run

Sunday 9th of June. Entry for the 20 mile run is free but you must have at least £10 of sponsorship proceeds to "Alec" and "Cash for Kids". There are three feeding stations and children are welcome with proper parent consent forms, and everyone must wear a lid.

  Club Discounts

Now that Cycling World has been taken over by the Edinburgh Bike Co-op they are no longer giving any club discounts. Their prices are fixed. Manager Les Simpson says that some of the prices are reduced and gives as an instance tubes for under three pounds. But they are no longer giving 10% across the board - not even on energy drinks etc.

On the other hand, Duncan Cycles of 5 Errol Street, Peterhead wants your business and will give 10% to all club members though not on whole bikes.

And Ishbel Dunn (who came 17th in the Pitmedden 10) of Changing Gear, Granery Street, Huntly is keen to quote for parts, bikes or accessories. She'll give 10% on production of membership cards and has special offers such as two for the price of one for all energy foods…Hi Five, power bars etc. As the name implies she is into sports Gear for all triathlete events and will give discount to club members on all ranges. She also gives discounts on frames and parts and will build your bike free.

  The Lunatic Fringe

Russ Allen is away in Portugal competing in a heat of the Hawaiian Iron Man competition. He must swim 2.6 miles, cycle 100 miles and then do a full marathon. If he qualifies for the final he has to do it all again and, as a tie breaker, he has to put a smile on the face of three Hawaiian ladies.

And his younger brothers Charlie, and Dave Allan are going with Mike Harper to the Gran Fondo in Italy in mid June. That only involves 208 kilometres including four climbs up the Dolomite Mountains to altitudes of over eight thousand feet. Mike, who completed the course last year in eight and a half hours, says it is just like climbing Craigie Brae(Raxton) for up to three hours at a time. Other hazards to watch out for include descending at fifty mph and being overtaken by others among the 4,000 competitors, doing around seventy. Brake blocks can go on fire and hands can freeze to the handlebars as you try to hang on for descents which can go on for twenty miles. What some folk will do for a laugh!

  Sunday Runs

Sunday attendances are up with Dave Allan, the runs captain, putting on some interesting and challenging longer runs. Plenty of scope for doing shorter distances.

Graham Parley is organising a mountain bike run from Dufftown to Ballindalloch on the first Sunday of June. Meet at the usual time (9am) and Place (Ellon Community Centre). Drive to Dufftown and return to Ellon in the mid-afternoon. All welcome.

  Notes on Nutrition by Elsie Carnegie

Which Fuel for Best Results?

Have you mastered drinking enough prior to and during your cycles? Weigh yourself pre and post session. Early in the season is the time to get these things right.

What does the body use for fuel? Muscles need glucose as their fuel. This comes from metabolism of either carbohydrate or fat. By far the most efficient source is carbohydrate. The body has to work harder to use fat for energy and the products of fat breakdown tend to make you feel ill.

Does the body have a reserve energy supply? Once the circulating glucose has been used up the body mobilises energy from glycogen stores. Glycogen is stored in muscles and the liver. It is stored from carbohydrate eaten but not immediately needed. As time progresses during exercise your body breaks down your glycogen stores to give you energy. When the glycogen stores are empty you will be unable to continue exercising.

How do you keep up your glycogen stores? Eating a diet high in starchy carbohydrate (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, pulses, fresh fruit and milk) is best to keep up good stores. The biggest portion of meals and snacks should be carbohydrate.

Sugary foods (sugar, sweets, ordinary fizzy and diluting juice, cakes, biscuits and puddings) are also a source of carbohydrate but they are digested very quickly releasing lots of glucose into the blood stream at once - useful sometimes during exercise but not good for sustained effort. Because starchy foods tend to be very bulky in order to get enough calories you will probably need to include some of these sugary foods in your day.

Although the body is continually topping up glycogen stores, just after exercise we are more efficient at this. In the two hours after exercise you store a much higher percentage than at other times. Make a big effort at a decent starchy snack/meal in that two hours e.g.. banana sandwich, cereal and milk, toast.

Remember it is just as important to get things right in training than for events. You can only improve through training and if you dehydrate or run out of energy you will not benefit at training.

This article has not given specific quantities as this depends on your weight, height, sex, level of activity etc. for this you need individual advice.

  Next Newsletter

Please send articles and/or gossip for the next Newsletter to Charlie Allan or Ian Jones.

Charlie Allan