July 2004

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Sorry the Acorn News is a bit late this month but holidays have intervened.

Welcome to new members Mike Dickson and Sandor Daxner who have joined the Club recently.

RACING NEWS

Nigel White had a good day on 5 June. First he rode the Derby Mercury Hilly 21 at Windley where he won the event with 51:52 beating Mark Lovatt, then he rode to fourth spot in our Open 25 with 52:17 and led Neil Walker (53:40) and Paul Monaghan (54:30) to team victory. Our other riders in this event were Rob Stevens 55:57, Giles White 56:19, Dave Woodward 58:32, Chris Pearson 58:39 and Rod Corbett 59:15. Thanks to Wayne for another successful promotion.

Kris Pradel won the Peterborough CC Road Race at Helpston with Neil 7^th.

Paul was 8^th in the Meersbrook 25 with 56:54.

Nigel was 5^th out of a very strong field in the Meersbrook 25 with 52:40. He then won The Melton 25 on Granby with 56:28 but was beaten into second place next day in the VTTA Open 50 with 1:57:29. This event, based on two laps of the Granby Circuit, was also designated as the Club Championship 50. Neil was placed 4^th with 1:58:18 after being held up by a herd of cows – moving away from fast dual carriageway courses can have some drawbacks! Chris Pearson did 2:08:30 to give us another team win. In the VC Chesterfield 25 Jon was 9^th with 53:13.

Our Open 10 on 3 July was very successful and ably organised by Rob Stevens. It was quite a windy evening but the rain held off until after the finish. Second claim member Andy Proffitt won the event in an excellent 20:15 after a string of recent wins in events around the country, but of course, the win was under his first claim club Arctic–Shorter Rochford RT. Jon Hunt did a great ride with 20:40 for 3^rd place. Neil was 6^th with 21:13 and Paul 7^th in 21:16 to give us the team prize by 3 minutes! Giles did 22:12, Matt Shaw 22:53 (his first 22), Chris 23:35 and Wayne was ecstatic with his p.b. 25:17. Nigel was DNS with some sort of virus that also meant a DNS for our team in the National 50km 3-up the next day.

If you are interested in track racing, since the demise of the Harvey Hadden Track the only local opportunity is the Dare League at Forest Town Track (near Mansfield) on Wednesdays at 7 pm. The track is not an ideal shape but it at least usable. Details from John Forman 0152 9413097. Adrian Staiano has ridden there with some wins in the Juvenile events.

CLUB NIGHTS

Monthly Club nights and open Committee Meetings are on Mondays at the Burton Rd Community Centre, (opposite Walker’s Garage) Carlton 7.30-9.30 p.m. The next meetings are 26 July and 23 August.

FORTHCOMING CLUB TIME TRIALS

The Club Championship 25 is on Sunday 18 July on the Granby circuit. Start is at Barnstone Village 9.00 a.m. The Halford Trophy also goes to the winner of the Handicap.

Don’t forget to bring a completed entry form. No form, no handicap, no Halford Trophy!

Weekly Tuesday Evening Tens start, Old Epperstone Road, Lowdham (near Springfield Pub) 7 p.m.

OPEN 25-MILE TT (SLOWEST 120 RIDERS) SATURDAY 31 JULY

Craig invites entries (£6 with completed form by 20 July) and any offers of help for this event starting at Cromwell 5 p.m.

Craig Watson, 9 Glendale Close, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 4FD, tel. 0115 9566385

If you are riding an Open Event you are not allowed to wear Trade Jerseys with advertising. It must be a plain jersey or, more appropriately, a club jersey.

3^RD  25-MILE TIME TRIAL SUNDAY 20 JUNE

In contrast to the last 25 on the Granby course the 3^rd 25 was held on a cool, wet and windy morning and only attracted three riders.

Thanks to Terry Kelly and Ryan Bradley for timing, handicapping.

ACORN POINTS TROPHY

Not a lot of change but Lesley and Chris have leapt up the charts after the 3^rd 25.

Nigel White 15; Paul Monaghan, Neil Walker 14; Matt Shaw 13; Giles White, Lesley Cliff 12; Chris Pearson 10, Martin Edjvet, Craig Watson 9; Barry Shelton, Simon Nicholas 8;

Jon Hunt, Dave Ashcroft, Michelle Higgs, John O'Neill 7; Matt Hawcroft 6;

Steve Jeremiah, Wayne Bradley 5; Tim Fowkes 4;

Tom Buss, Dave Woodward, John Phimister, Judy Stevens, Stephen Adams 3;

Gavin Wilkinson 2; Rob Stevens, Steve Flaherty, Trev Adams 1.

ROAD RACE IN 2005

Oliver Mehmet has proposed that the Club run a Road Race next season. Ideas will be discussed at the next Committee Meeting.

Any suggestions or offers of help in putting this event on will be welcome.

EVENING TENS LEAGUE

47 members have now ridden in the Evening Tens League this season. On the points scoring system only the best ten scores count and a few riders have now ridden more than ten. Paul Monaghan has taken the lead in the Senior Fastest competition ahead of Neil and Nigel but it can all change as Nigel has only ridden 7 events.

Wayne is leading the handicap section with Matt and Craig equal second.

Stephen Adams leads both sections of the Junior League.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Unfortunately, we could soon lose our “10” course as traffic lights are proposed at the junction with the road to Calverton. Other Club courses will also be affected i.e. Circuit TT, Epperstone 25, Ollerton and back. Our intended course for the Rudy Project event next season will also be ruled out.

The lights are intended to reduce speeding – a welcome 50 mph limit on the A6097 is also to be introduced. Speed cameras would be a more effective way of reducing the speeding as the 50 limit in Lowdham is generally ignored despite the traffic lights at Ton Lane – last Tuesday I was passed (in my car), by several motor bikes doing at least 80 in the current “50” zone!

One option for the Evening Tens will be to move to the course starting on Oxton Lane and turning at Northgate Island. Mapperley C.C. use this course on a Tuesday but they don’t start until 7.30 p.m. so it shouldn’t be a problem. We will have to try and sort out new routes for other events.

CLUB RUNS

Club runs meet Shearing Hill/Burton Rd junction on Saturdays at 9.30 a.m., Sundays 9.00 a.m. Wednesday runs meet at Lowdham War memorial 9.15 a.m.

We continue to get a good turn out on all the runs. This does make it difficult keeping track of all riders – we do aim to wait if someone gets dropped. If you are at the back of the group and see someone in difficulty please let the others know! Similarly if you decide to turn off, or turn back, tell someone so that we are not waiting in vain.

Some welcome news is that Swinderby (Birch Lea Diner) is now open again on Sundays and we have a new venue at Lakeview Fishing on Landyke lane near Scalford. Both these can cater for our numbers.

GITE IN FRANCE

Karen Lifford’s mother has a 2-bedroom (1 double, 1 twin + sofa bed in lounge) stone barn with swimming pool (shared with owner) in the Lot Valley near Puy L’eveque in southwest France. It is great cycling country and surrounded by vineyards. Owner lives on site and is well used to cyclists and their needs. Cost is from around €350 a week.

Contact Karen on 01949 850326 or karenlifford@woodland-trust.org.uk

SOUTH AFRICA RIDE 2005 –Derek Coyne

I am going to visit my family in South Africa next year in March and am thinking about stopping in Cape Town on the way through and doing a cycle race/tour. I got to thinking that there might be others in the club who wouldn't mind a really good ride, as well as some warm weather training for a week or so.

It is normally the last stage of a professional race over there and is probably one of the biggest cycle events in the world. The route is 108km long and is quite an enjoyable ride (scenery and all that, if you have the time, there are a few climbs but nothing to bad). It is very well organised. The date of the 2005 race is 13 March and entries open September 04. When you enter you submit race results and the organisers seed riders accordingly. If anybody is interested I would be able to help with info as to where to stay, more about the race etc. derekcoyne@amphenol.co.uk. The entry fee is €50. See the link www.cycletour.co.za for more information.

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