Newsletter - November 2000

Editorial

Firstly I must apologise for the short version of the newsletter because it is I (Lorna Adam) making it up. Unfortunately our president Colin Allanach is resigning from his post due to work pressure, extra interests, college course, etc, etc... I would like to thank Colin for all his hard work he has put into the newsletters, time trials and mountain bike races he has organised, ordering the kit clothing, the list goes on. He will be greatly missed from this position, thanks again Colin.

Xmas Lunch

Sunday 3rd December 12:30 for 1pm

This year's Xmas lunch is being held at the Ythanview Hotel in Methlick so please come along with your family and friends. This will be our 3rd year here and we have enjoyed extremely good service and of course the grub is delicious. The menu is attached so please mark down your choice and send your order to me with cheque payable to "Ythan Cycle Club" at 74 Ness Circle, Ellon as soon as possible.

Trophies

Last year's trophy winners, can you please pass on your trophy to Colin Allanach, 25 Caroline's Crescent, Ellon.

Club Runs

The clock has gone back - Club runs are now at 10am at the community centre so look out your overshoes, thermals, Gore-Tex and join us on a Sunday morning.

Postman Pat

Postman Pat is coming to the Victoria Hall on Saturday the 18th November so write out your Xmas present list for Santa and Postie Pat will forward it to Lapland.

Guides Cubs & Scouts Run

On Sunday the 18th June we all met up at the Guide Hut in Ellon where we were graced with warm weather and sunshine. There were 40 riders taking part ages varying from 2 years to 50 plus. We cycled 5 miles to Udny Station Hotel on the old disused railway line where they served us a delicious lunch, which gave us all the energy for our return journey to Ellon. Ythan Cycle Club provided free raffles for the children who were delighted with their prizes.

On the return journey Ian Jones (Bike Doc) and Lorna Adam (First Aid), being 8 months pregnant and carrying her 2-year-old daughter on the bike seat, had a very near collision with each other. Fortunately for Lorna she managed to avoid being hit by Ian who hit a clay boulder and came down with major impact - have you heard of the saying 'the earth moved' - well that's exactly what happened to Ian. Ian came out with a few choice words whilst Lorna covered up her daughter's ears. Lorna made a quick examination of Ian and only saw a grazed shoulder and knee so decided to clean him up at the Guide Hut. Once back at the Guide Hut Ian got cleaned up and complained of a sore shoulder but assured Lorna that it was muscular. Lorna did offer to put on a triangular bandage and drive him home to Hatton, but Ian being the brave heroic man as he was said he was fine.

Three hours later Lorna received a phone call from Ian to say that he had just returned from A&E at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and to inform Lorna that the severe pain was due to a broken collar bone. Unfortunately for Ian he has to take 2 weeks off work and has been forced to watch the football on TV which is very bad timing when the Tour De France is just coming up.

Apart from Ian's accident the rest of the riders thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are keen to cycle back to Udny Station next year.

Ian has added the following PS to this story:

Nearly five months after my close encounter with the gravel I had to have a plate bolted onto my collarbone. The break was refusing to heal on its own, probably because of the extra damage I did when I insisted on riding back to Ellon and then driving home afterwards - like a hero (and a prat).

Despite asking for a titanium plate, I ended up with stainless steel - just as well, as titanium would probably fall foul of the new UCI equipment regs! Fortunately the surgeon kindly drilled lots of holes in it to keep the weight down.

With a bit of luck I should be back on the bike by March, just in time to catch the worst of the icy roads!

I learned several things from this little adventure:
1. I don't know whether wearing a cycling helmet can save your life, but it can certainly prevent a nasty gravel-rash if you land head-first. It's worth wearing one just for that.
2. If you hit the deck and it hurts a lot, don't try to ride home if some kind person offers you a lift in a nice comfy car. Just say "Yes, Please".
3. Even on a nice sunny day, riding on a wide, straight, level track, you still have to look where you're going!

Last but not least, a great big "Thank-you" to Lorna for mopping up the blood after I fell off. That first-aid training came in useful sooner than she expected!

Confined TT Series 2000

The winners of this year's Series are on the Championship Winners page. The fastest times recoded during the 2000 Confined 10-Mile TT Series are here.

Championship Winners 2000

 The winners of this year's Club Championship Trophies are on the Championship Winners page.

Personal Bests in 2000

 The fastest times recoded by Club members in open events during 2000 are on the PBs page.