Club Notes - 12th October 2003

We have a guest writer this week yours truly taking the day to recover from over indulgence in off season revelry or the Stoke Beer Festival as its better known so with no further rambling I will hand you over to Mr H:-

“Was it amateur dramatics or the antics of a new secret society? These were the questions asked by observers when Leek cyclists’ Club held their annual OSCARS night at Den Engel.This was a dramatic occasion destined to grow with the new Den Engel Belgian Bar as members and associates of Leek Cyclists’ Club recognize significant achievements throughout the year that are not focused on racing capabilities as are the annual awards to be held later in November.

The OSCARS incorporates the famous World Muffin Eating Championships, which now in its second year looks set to attract competitors from far and wide who can profess to eat cake very quickly. With home made championship muffins provided by that famous Brenda, the eight finalists sat down to do battle.

The cycling prowess of rapid cake consumption was clearly demonstrated by one Gary Thomas, Leek Cycling Centre proprietor and accomplished cyclist to say the least. Gary set a new world record for the consumption of three muffins and a pint of his choice of one minute and thirty-eight seconds.

The other major championship to be held on the OSCARS night was the National Junction Shouting Competition. This originates in the safety requirements of group riding with clear verbal commands to warn of the impending danger such as potholes or to ensure safety at junctions.

This year saw a visitor from Congleton Cycling Club, Katie Austin, taking the junior title with shouting that was clearly competitive with the adults. Fortunately the reigning national senior champion is from Leek with that well known character Wizza, (Alias Paul Whiston) demonstrating the power of sound to redirect lawn mowers and vacant pedestrians throughout Cheshire and some parts of Derbyshire!

The Oscars themselves took the main part of the evening with a total of ten awards being determined by the Leek Cyclists’ Club Academy from the nominations provided by the members.

This prestigious event was held for the last time in the present Den Engel with next year’s event promising to be even more flamboyant with floodlights and the famous red carpet. However, for this year’s event Den Engel provided the evening’s hostess, Sharon, to ensure that the ‘gold envelope’ containing the winners was opened in suitable style.

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No doubt, as last year, many of Leek’s cyclists and there associates will be looking to enhance their performance both on and off the bike as the OSCARS become an alternative way of recognizing both performance and contribution to a great sport.”

I’m sure you will all agree an excellent report of an excellent bash however before we go a couple of foot notes. Congratulations to Ex Pats Roger and Dave Stonier who have recently completed a 320 mile for a charity more details next week. On a sadder note the club would like to offer its sympathies to the family and friends of George Longstaff who died after suffering a heart attack whilst out on a club run on Sunday the 5^th of October.

Winners and categories were as follows:

Best supporter of the British Cycle Retail Industry.	Gary Thomas.
Best clubhouse performance.	Graham Jones.
Best leading role	Kelvin Milward.
Best supporting performance	Paul Whiston.
Best reason for none attendance of a club run	Dave Cooper.
Best co-ordinated cycle and rider	Andy Bain.
Nothing wrong with Pre 2000 technology	Dave Blakeman
Best promoter of the enjoyment of cycling	Paul Whiston
Best entertainer	Phil Jones.
Best action sequence	Paul Whiston.