A Happy New Year to all our readers

 

A welcome to new member David Mclean from Cambridge who is at the University of Nottingham and is already a regular rider on club runs.

Despite the winter weather Nigel White’s enthusiasm doesn’t wane. He came second in the Chesterfield Spire Christmas “10” on the Cuckney course with 22:34. Stuart Shawcross, Team Lighthouse with 22:22, won the event and Sam Barker, API came third with 22:48. The “festivities” continued with Christmas handicap Road Race at Barrow on Soar where Rob Stevens joined Nigel. Rob was in a front group but the organisers were aware of Nigel’s form and put him in a later group with the 2^nd category riders. Rob’s group worked well and five of them managed to stay clear. Rob had worked so hard he had little left for the uphill finish but fifth left him in the prizes. Nigel took it steady for a couple of laps and then demolished his group and escaped with another rider, as the first cats were getting close. A couple of Elite riders did manage to catch them and Nigel came 9^th.

As the year draws to end I have just been looking at my mileage records and 2002 saw my highest for some years with 11,700 logged. This brings my recorded total to over a quarter of a million, but this does not include 14 years of club riding for which I have no record, so my true total must be 350-400 thousand miles – I might get used to it soon!

SPORTS NUTRITITION SEMINAR

Mick Fish (J E James RT) has arranged a sports nutrition seminar with Tim Lawson form Science in Sport on Thursday 9th January; this will be based at Sherwood Pines Visitor Centre (off B6030 Ollerton- Clipstone road) starting at 7pm with a £2.00 admission to cover the hire cost.

This will be a talk on most aspects including how to shed those excess Christmas calories effectively; there will also be a Q & A session.

CLUB RUNS

Club runs meet at the Shearing Hill/Burton Road junction on Saturdays and Sundays at 9.30 a.m. Wednesday runs meet at Lowdham War memorial 9.15 a.m.

Regulars on recent runs are now developing webbed feet. Let’s hope for some more pleasant days soon!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM was held on 9 December and it was disappointing to have just 14 attendees – less than one fifth of the current membership. Perhaps it reflects that everyone is content with the running of the club? There were no major changes to the committee apart from the addition of Dave Woodward. Keith Jackson and Orford Spencer were persuaded to become official club timekeepers and handicappers.

The full committee is now:

Orford Spencer (Chairman and Membership Secretary), Ed Ward (Captain and Acorn News Editor), Press Secretary (Pat Ward), Craig Watson (Club Representative), Wayne Bradley (Club Racing Secretary), Trevor Adams, Keith Jackson, Rob Stevens, Roy Elliott, Frank Beale and Dave Woodward.

The posts of Social Secretary, Ladies’ Rep and Younger Members’ Rep were unfilled. As the Committee Meetings are open any member can attend to put forward proposals.

The finances of the Club are healthy mainly due to profit made on open and club racing, which have all been well supported this year. There was concern raised at the lack of support for the coach on the Skegness Race and the recent Club Dinner costing the Club over £100 on each occasion. The Club is run by the members, for the members. Although the Club is over 70 years’ old we do try to keep up with the needs of members. The tricky thing is trying to ascertain what the members actually want – especially when few turn up even for the AGM!

TIME TRIALS

You may be aware of the changes of the governing body, which is now known as Cycling Time Trial (CTT) instead of the old RTTC. The new body is now a limited company to limit the possible consequences of litigation. There is also a new time trial entry form to be used henceforth and this can be accessed from their website (linked from our own web site). The new form includes provision for more contact details of the entrants. For team time trials, hill climbs and under 18 riders the reverse of the form also needs completing.

Open time trial details are listed in the CTT Handbook. Orford is ordering a dozen copies so if you need one contact him to reserve one.

BOXING DAY 10 THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER

The weather can only be described as atrocious for this year’s ten. Not only was it raining heavily there was also a very strong southerly wind although it wasn’t too cold if you were riding. No surprise that Nigel won but I don’t think he was giving it 100% - saving himself for the Road Race next day, perhaps?

The rest of us were not really enthused either with winter bikes and mudguards being popular. In fact I don’t know why we did it!

Wayne sacrificed his chance of riding by doing the timekeeping. 

HOVERINGHAM LUNCH

Around 30 attended the lunch at Ferry Farm for an excellent meal and enjoyable get together. The weather was not good and only Dave Woodward and Keith Jackson turned up on their bikes. I chose to go home first to get dry and warm – must be getting soft.

Thanks to Orford for efforts in organising the meal.

DRAMATIC PARROT RESCUE – anon

On Thursday 12 December an eagle eyed dog-walker, attracted by carrion crows circling above, found a rare parrot in the hedge bottom of the Bulcote Farm Road. Nearby lay a bike with wheels pointing skyward. The parrot seemed oblivious to the danger of an attack by the crows; in fact it seemed oblivious to most things and quite content to snooze peacefully in the late afternoon cold.

As the walker got closer she recognised the smart green and yellow plumage and detected a familiar aroma of fermented grapes and cherries. The parrot had apparently overindulged on these fruits and had lapsed into premature winter hibernation something like a coma, but a happy one – from the grin on its beak.

This overindulgence had lulled what was a mature male parrot into a false sense of everything, including security. Something had to be done to avoid polythermia setting in or an attack from the growing black cloud of crows. Luckily our Samaritan didn’t have to resort to mouth to beak resuscitation or help from paramedics but managed to perch the parrot on a fence and keep it more or less conscious awaiting a rescue vehicle to return the parrot to its roost on Shearing Hill. Mrs Parrot welcomed him with a peck on all cheeks (ouch!).

And the name of our Good Samaritan? – Linda Collins wife of Dennis. Never again, said our rescued parrot, would he partake of so much juice of the fruits, even in the festive season! He is undergoing treatment for paramnesia about the incident but is expected to make a full recovery.

Entry for the Acorn News Polytzer Prize at the discretion of the Editor.

TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, CANCUN, MEXICO Lesley Cliff

Back in England on a grey murky November, I reflected on the prospect of long cold wet club rides if I am to get gold next year. I had just returned from the Triathlon Worlds in Mexico where it was 33-35°C and 90% humidity – difficult to acclimatise in just 5 days.

The days before the event were a mixture of rest, light training, checking the course, equipment. Then there was the parade of nations, opening ceremony and, of course, the pasta party (which I missed to get rest and my choice of food). A stomach upset didn’t help.

Up at 5 a.m. and not feeling too positive. A light breakfast and plenty of water and then check the kit. The event started for us at 7.45 with the swim in a fairly calm warm sea. Run through sand and up a steep ramp to the transition and onto the bike. The bike course was quite technical with tight turns and loose gravel. Quite a few crashes occurred. It was most important to keep hydrated – at least 2 litres – because of the heat. Drafting was not allowed. Even with 250+ riders on the 10k circuit you could keep apart. I am against drafting even though it would benefit me as a weak cyclist and strong runner.

After 35k I concentrated on keeping my speed without building lactic acid whilst preparing mentally and physically for the run. A group of women passed me before the transition but I got them back on the run.

After the first of two 5k I didn’t really want to go on – so hot, leaden legs – but the British supporters kept me going. The finish up a ramp was cruel – I didn’t bring my finish photo home, not a pretty sight!

Once through the finish it was into welcome shade and a cooling overhead spray system. Then, drinks and food in athletes’ recovery. With the different age groups competing together it is difficult to know how you are faring in the race but a scan of the results shows I was fourth and top GB over 45. Mixed feeling of disappointment at not finishing higher but then 4^th isn’t bad considering last winter I could neither run nor bike due to injury.

Then it was the presentations – it felt so good to go on the podium for my 4^th place medal – and the celebration parties. The next few days? Holiday, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, attempting surfing (I stick to triathlon) and a little culture with a couple of tours. Now its back to the drawing board and save, save, save and train, train, train for New Zealand next year – I want GOLD.

TRAM LINES

Whilst the new tram system in Nottingham may help to reduce road traffic it does present a new hazard (or resurrect an old one) for cyclists. Martin Edjvet recently came off while riding to the University and had to cancel his 9a.m. lecture (on finitely generated Abelian groups for those interested) to get medical treatment. He has sore ribs and a broken helmet (head is fine). His advice is to make sure you cross the lines at right angles and don’t let a wheel drop in

CLUB NIGHTS

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 dates for 2003 are 27 Jan, 24 Feb, 24 March, 28 April, 2 June, 30 June, 28 July, 1 Sept, 29 Sept, 27 Oct, 24 Nov and the AGM on 8 December. Put them in your diary.

We should be sorting out the new Club TT programme on 27 January so come along if you want an input.

CLUB CLOTHING

I have some stock of club clothing but have been getting short of popular sizes in some summer items. I have ordered another £2k worth of clothing including Coolmax racing jerseys, some full zip S/S tops and a few skin suits. Let me know if you want to reserve any particular item.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2003

Club membership is now due for renewal, please renew promptly so that Orford doesn’t have to spend lots of time chasing up late payers! You can use the form below or just let Orford have the money and note any change of details. 

Membership Secretary: Orford Spencer, 9 Woolacombe Close, Spring Lane, Mapperley, Nottingham. NG3 5SL Telephone: 0115 – 9200971

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 Please accept my application for 2003 club membership, I enclose payment of £ ................

(Cheques to Sherwood Cycling Club)

Name ...........................................………………	Telephone ...................................……………….
Date Of Birth…………………………………E-mail………………………………………………
Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………...   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

I have insurance through membership of :	CTC	BCF
(tick as appropriate)	Other (please state)

Alternatively, you can also pay an extra £10 for 3^rd Party Insurance through the Club’s CTC affiliation but this does not include legal assistance. Tick if you want this     ÿ. 

Fees :–  Seniors £10, Vice Presidents £12, Juniors £5, Juveniles £3 (1^st year free), Associates (non-cycling members) £3, Second Claim £5