Sherwood Cycling Club -- Acorn News -- October 2002

More Club records are being broken this year than for a long time. Neil Walker smashed Nigel White’s 10-mile record doing 20:47 in the North Notts Olympic event on 31 August and then improved again to 20:40 in the Rockingham 10 where Chris Draper knocked a minute off his pb with 21:44 to win first handicap. Nigel then knocked 40 seconds off Neil’s 50 record to win the Rotherham Wheelers event with 1:50:54. Rod Corbett was back riding this event after being out of action for eight weeks with a knee problem needing and operation. His ride of 2:7:30 was creditable under the circumstances.

Neil and Nigel won the Gran Prix des Gents section of the Rutland 2-up 25 with a superb 51:38 while Chris Draper rode with Mapperley’s Jason Varnam to record 55:49.

It is amazing how one meets Sherwood members in unexpected places. Pat and I have just had a week in Cornwall and were riding along a minor road near Hayle when Alan and Dawn Dowlman spotted us from their car and stopped for a chat. Alan was pursuing his hobby of photographing unusual pub signs.

Club nights and open Committee Meetings are held on Mondays towards the end of each month at the Burton Road Community Centre, (opposite Walker’s Garage) Carlton 7.30-9.30 p.m. The next two meetings are 28 October and 25 November.

CLUB HILL CLIMB

The Club Hill Climb is on Terrace Hill on 6 October starting at 10.30 a.m. We will have a club run (9 am Shearing Hill) out to the event and follow with the hotly contested freewheeling competition down Harby Hill before the tea stop at Margaret’s.

To celebrate the end of the season we are having an informal skittles evening at the Robin Hood and Little John pub in Lambley starting at 7.30 p.m. on Sunday 27 October. Come along and join in the fun – if you prefer you can just come along for a drink if you don’t fancy showing off your skills.

The start of the event was quite chilly with little wind. Going past Cranwell a light breeze helped the riders but then for the last half of the event it blew from the sea making it a difficult finish. Nigel White ignored the condition and rode through the field and ran out with the fastest handicap time as well. Despite his super fast ten the previous evening Neil Walker was not far behind and had the consolation of winning the Halford Trophy for the handicap as Nigel was ruled out by the “one trophy” rule as he took the D H Brooks Trophy for fastest.

Numbers were down this year and only six rode on the club run that took a slightly different route enjoying quieter roads particularly over the last 25 miles. Rob and Jude, Dave Woodward, Don Cunningham, Pat and I enjoyed the ride together at a nice steady pace on what turned out to be a pleasantly warm sunny day at Skeggy. Woody entertained us on the way with songs from Calamity Jane to pass the miles. After reading in “Cycling” about the need for recovery drinks, re-hydration and replacement of energy and protein after a long ride I met the need with two pints of Guinness and fish and chips at Wolfies Bar!

With reduced numbers we made a loss on the coach hire this year. Will we get more support next year or shall we make do with cars?

	Name	Actual Time	Handicap	Handicap Time	Acorn Points
1	Nigel White	2:51:40	Scr	2:51:20	8
2	Neil Walker	2:56:10	3:30	2:52:40	6
3	Chris Draper	3:10:32	9:00	3:01:32	2
4	Chris Pearson	3:22:34	10:00	3:12:34	1
5	Martin Edjvet	3:35:26	30:00	3:05:26	1
6	Craig Watson	3:37:27	35:00	3:02:27	1
7	Kevin Newbury	3:40:20	40:00	3:00:20	2
PT	Jason Varnam	3:40:04

Wayne needs to sort out all the trophy engraving and awards ready for the Club Dinner. He asks that all trophies be returned to him together with all claims for club records, BAR competitions and road race points by 17 October. If you have won a numbers of medals you do have the option of having a shield or something similar instead of a load of individual medals. Let Wayne know what you would like.

Club runs meet at the Shearing Hill/Burton Road junction on Saturdays at 9.30 a.m. and Sundays at 9.00 a.m. until 13 October when it becomes 9.30 a.m. Wednesday runs meet at Lowdham War memorial 9.15 a.m.

The ANDCC 25 was made an open event this year but with the ANDCC trophies being confined to member clubs. It was a hard day with a fresh North wind slowing the riders. As expected Nigel was our star rider finishing third in the Open behind Matt Bottrill (54:23) and Geoff Platts (55:31) and winning the Mick Oldnall Trophy for best ANDCC rider. He also won third handicap to make it a rewarding day. Ex-comp record holder Paul Bennett who also rode the event at a more sedate pace than in his prime presented the prizes.

Neil Walker’s 58:38 was a classy ride for the day but was overshadowed by Nigel’s performance. Unfortunately, Chris Draper went down with a virus and couldn’t start and this weakened out team with five riders to count. Even with Chris we wouldn’t have beaten the Ashfield as he would have needed to do 54:32! Perhaps next year we can focus a bit more and get six or seven contenders in the event. See next month’s issue for some training advice!

John Duckworth rode for Clarion (his first claim club) and won first handicap. It was good to see so many members out at the event (most in club tops – but not all!) supporting the riders who do appreciate it.

Name	Actual Time	Handicap	H/C Time	Acorn Points
Nigel White	55:49	03:15	52:34	8
Neil Walker	58:38	04:00	54:38	6
Rob Stevens	1:00:42	04:15	56:27	2
Chris Pearson	1:02:54	06:30	56:24	1
Maria Haynes	1:11:37	15:45	55:42	2
Craig Watson	1:12:39	16:00	56:39	1
Lesley Cliff	1:15:40	16:00	59:40	1
Wayne Bradley	1:16:29	18:00	58:29	1
John Duckworth	1:01:11	10:30	50:41

ACORN POINTS LEAGUE AND CLUB BAR

Name	Acorn Points	The battle between Nigel and Neil this season has been intense. Neil has won the Acorn Trophy, based on points for fastest and handicap in club events, by just four points. Last month they were equal on points but Nigel missed the BDCA (club champs) 50 and Neil picked up the maximum 8 points. Nigel then scored maximum points in the Skegness race and the ANDCC 25 but Neil wasn’t far behind with 6 points in each. Not only have they scored well on fastest but have been picking up valuable handicap points reflecting their continuing improvements and the fact that on hard days the stronger riders always go back less than the rest. Twenty five club members have scored points in the Acorn league this year.
Neil Walker	62
Nigel White	58
Chris Draper	31
Rob Stevens	25
Terry Kelly	16
Dave Bostock	15
Chris Pearson	14
Chris Frost	13
Wayne Bradley	11
Craig Watson	10
Maria Haynes	9
Barry Shelton	8
Kevin Newbury	7
Jude Stevens	7
Steve Long	7
Lesley Cliff	6
Orford Spencer	6
Rob Godfrey	4
Trevor Adams	3
Ian Savage	2
Neil Copeland	2
Keith Jackson	2
Tim Pigula	2
Nigel Moreland	1
Martin Edjvet	1

Black TA chainrings 42t and 53t used for one event, as new, to fit Shimano chainset £25. Profile-design Boa Ahead stem front loading in silver 40degree downwards pointing 95mm £10 (ideal for lowering your TT position). Giant carbon aero seat post 27.2mm, for seat tube to saddle rail length of 225mm to 265mm, as new £45. Steve Long e-mail stephen.long2@ntlworld.com tel 0115 9138647

The dinner, dance and prize presentation is being held on Saturday 23 November at the Westminster Hotel, Mansfield Road, Sherwood priced at £18 (children under 11 half price). Numbers are limited. There will be a three-course meal with a vegetarian option. There will be a disco after the meal but there are quieter bar areas for those not so inclined. It is always a good social night out and an opportunity to applaud the prizewinners.

Bookings to Ann & Orford Spencer, 9 Woolacombe Close, Spring Lane, Mapperley NG3 5SL (tel 0115 92009710) with payment – cheques payable to Sherwood Cycling Club. Book by 28 October for free entry into prize draw.

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Editor: Ed Ward	52 Shearing Hill, Gedling, Nottingham NG4 3GX	Tel: 0115- 9615477	e-mail
Secretary: Dave Bostock	61 Shelford Road, Gedling, Nottingham NG4 4JB	Tel: 0115- 9521301
Membership Sec: Orford Spencer	9 Woolacombe Close, Mapperley, Nottm NG3 5SL	Tel: 0115- 9200971


7.10 a.m. and the club run is about to set off.		Trevor Adams pushes off eventual winner Nigel White.