Newsletter - November 2002

  Message from the President

Ythan CC has had an other good year for membership(see page 6), and I would like to welcome the new members. We have also seen some past members coming back, and it was good to see Gilbert Runcie return to competitive cycling after a few years off with health problems. He did not have a full season, but his placing in the first five in most of the races he did at the end of the season were excellent, as was his second place in the Aberdeenshire League. We look forward to seeing what he can do in 2003. Mike Harper did well, and seems to be doing well in the Vets. 2003 could also see the Ythan having a ladies team, as Lorna Adam now has Ellen Thornall and Caroline Runcie competing in open events as well as Kay Stott.

I would like to thank the Committee for their work during the year, in particular to Jack for taking over as Secretary, and Dave Allan for Club Run Secretary and organising the runs, which I hope members will support as often as possible (10.00am at Ellon Community Centre in the winter). I would also like to record my appreciation to all the YCC open event organisers and helpers in 2002 for giving our members a varied calendar of events; next year looks even better. My thanks to Flora and Mike for another successful year of the Confined Time Trial Series.

I hope to see you all at the Family Xmas Lunch and Presentation.

Graham Gerrard, President

  Presentation Lunch

The presentation lunch will be held at the Mcdonald Golf Club in Ellon. We are to start with the presentation at 12.30 because if we left it until after the meal it would be more difficult for the photographers and we would be invaded by boozing golfers by mid afternoon. It is hoped that all those who were unlucky enough to win nothing will be along to applaud the lucky sods who are getting all that silverwear to polish for a year. New members and even potential members and friends will be welcome and a jolly time is expected.

  Trophy Winners

The Trophy winners winners are:

The Junior, Juvenile and Mountain Championships were not awarded.

Confined championships

The under 16 and under 12 trophies were not awarded.

Handicap

It is a pity we don't have an award for the best iron man. As the only competitor this year that would have gone to Russ Allan for an outstanding performance in Germany. He completed the 2.4 mile swim, 100 mile cycle and 26.3 mile run which was surely feat enough. But he finished in the 600s out of 2000 competitors.

Russ recommends Iron Manning as he only has to be fit once a year. That means for the rest of the time he can tuck into the beer and the cookies while we who do normal races have to be watching it all the time.

Well done Russ.

  Stephen Roche Cycling Camp, October 2002

Read about Graham's second trip to the Stephen Roche Cycling Camp in Majorca.

  Winter Training

Training for next season starts in earnest on the first Tuesday of the New Year at a completely new venue. Dave Allan's place, just outside Methlick, will host a turbo session every second Tuesday. Charlie Allan is keen to get everyone who is serious about their cycling tested to find out their maximum heart rate and threshold as a first step towards structured training and competing. Dave is buying another club turbo and all the club's turbos will be in action at Dave's. Those who have their own please bring.

On the alternate Tuesdays we move to Inverurie for a spinning session. This is the ideal way to get the speed, both of foot and of heart, up.

  YCC Open Races 2003

This is a list of YCC open events for 2003, as submitted to the SCU. Unless the organiser has been contacted by the SCU, then the event should be held on the date we submitted.

Take part if you can, but keep date clear in your 2003 dairy, as we need lots of help, especially on the road race.

Graham Gerrard

  Cairn O'Mount Run

On a cold frosty sunny morning in October my chauffeur Dave Allan picked me up - his cap was replaced with the helmet, but hey you can't be fussy when you get a free run over to Stonehaven. We met Graham Parley at the community centre in Ellon and expected hoards more cyclists due to it being such a beautiful day. However it was their loss so the three of us started our cycle ride from Stonehaven whereupon the 1st word I heard from Graham was "shit" who then explained his outburst on a fine Sunday morning. He forgot his cycle shoes, which was rather inconvenient so Graham being the hero cycled 56 miles on extreme hilly terrain with his trainers on.

We cycled to the slug road so we could observe the Aberdeen and District Hill Climb Race. There were maybe 15 riders plus at least 30 spectators so after cycling this hill in a record speed of 10 minutes we then cheered on the competitors including our ex member Andy Turner. Even though he deserted us, he still did remarkably well apart from the fact that he was too much of a wimp to join us for our wee cycle ride up the Cairn O Mount that has only 14% and 16% gradients. We said our farewells to other cyclists and continued our trek up the mountain. I was hoping that Graham would struggle behind me due to his foot wear, but the cad over took me up the 2nd steep hill and I never saw him until we reached the top. Naturally our Dave was extremely strong and zoomed up the mountain leaving all the deer and us behind.

We stopped at the top to admire the stunning scenery (me) and whilst gasping for air I thought to myself how lucky I was to be alive and fit to enjoy this wonderful day. Once the photo was taken Graham and Dave sped down the hill to the 'Clattering Brig' which serves the most delicious hot chocolate and scones. My 2 fellow cyclists obviously were not on a detox diet as they tucked into their cream scones. (emm, Graham I won't tell Wendy)

We paid our bill and back on the bike to face yet another up hill where upon my legs started screaming out 'no, no' but being a woman I had to get on with it and continue our journey home to Stonehaven. Once we left the 'Clattering Brig' we doddled along, Graham and Dave blethered whilst I concentrated in my breathing. I must confess that when I did see Stonehaven I was rather relieved and it was even better knowing that the last 2 miles were all down Photo on the website

Lorna Adam

  Deeside Thistle Cycling Club 50th Anniversary Dinner

Ardoe House Hotel, 2nd November 2002

YCC were well represented at the anniversary, with Lorna, Flora, Ellen, Dave Allan, Boyd Ross, and Graham & Neil Gerrard. On arrival we signed in and got our complementary glass of wine. The reception area had been well set out with DTCC memorabilia over the last 5 decades. There was a display of bikes, including a Flying Scott from the 1960,similar to the one that I used to ride.

As we went in to the dining room they put on a PowerPoint photographic presentation. There was a lot of laughter as people recognised themselves or others from yesteryears; the biggest laugh was Dave Anderson's (ex Ythan Cycle Shop in Station Road Ellon) wedding with a guard of honour from DTCC holding cycling wheels.

The Master of Ceremonies was Peter Mitchell from the P & J, who was not a cyclist, due to his rather portly figure, which he said, was due to his fight against anorexia.

The meal was excellent, then after a brief introduction, Phil Liggett addressed the meeting. His speech concentrated on the commentary side of cycle racing, saying that the commentator can not prepare anything for the event, but watches a monitor and tries to inform the audience of what is happening. No script, but lots of historical info available to help. Paul Sherwin & Phil get on really well, but he had a few horrendous rides with Stephen Roche, in particular up l'Alpe d'Huez one year. Phil ended his speech with some sports commentator's unfortunate comments and yes; there were some from Murray Walker, although there were also some classics from other commentators.

The closing address was from Alan Campbell, Chairman of DTCC who rides events regularly and does the Tour D'Etape every year (Mike Harper met him in 2000). He went through the club history from the fifties, asking if anyone remembered the DTCC clubrooms in the basement of the Seaton Church. Then Alan asked if anyone remembered the teashop at Blairs Ferry or the Linksfield cinder track and I had to admit it that I did, much to the embarrassment of my son Neil who said I showed my age.

There was a raffle at the end, with a Scott Expert Road Bike as the first prize. It was won by Phil Liggett who donated it to Ashleigh, a young Deeside Cyclist who last season had not got a very good bike.

A good evening - well presented, Peter Mitchell & Alan Campbell were very entertaining and funny. Phil was a very sincere person; he loves all aspects of cycling, and is a very professional commentator.

Graham Gerrard

  Tour d'Etape 2003

Mike Harper, who almost killed the editor of this newsletter by organising a trip to the Gran Fondo in Italy last year has lowered his sights. He is only organising a party (it certainly will be no picnic) to the Tour d'Etape which is an amateur run along a stage of the Tour de France in 2003. Get in touch with Mike if you think you can hack it and the wife will let you go. Speak nicely to the postie.

  Bill Hart

We hear that Bill Hart the best male cyclist we have ever had has retired. Bill, the record holder of our 10 mile course, is a former Scottish Champion in the 25 and 50 mile TTs and an Elite racer. They also say that he never had to train in the winter so it will be easy for him to make a comeback. Hopefully that won't be too long but in the meantime….all the best Billy.

  Next Newsletter

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

Charlie Allan