Club Notes - 29th June 2003

Just in case you missed it the 14^th to the 22^nd was national bike, week it was a bit of a puzzle then that there were no events on the local courses last weekend. However the nearest local course uses Chelford Island with riders passing Astle Park a number of times depending on the distance, last weekend the Park hosted the Annual Steam Rally, now having ridden in events that coincide I support any organizers for not promoting as the traffic for this major rally tend to make the race a bit of a lottery, not to mention a tad embarrassing when you are stuck in a queue on a bike with carbon fibre wheels, tri bars and wearing a lycra-suit and pointed helmet! All of which meant that with the exception of Adam Kenway there was no one racing, the club took the opportunity to promote one of Mr. & Mrs. Haldens excellent muffin rides to fill the gap both activity and Gastronomically!

First up though Adams' impressive performance in the Newcastle open track meeting, although Adam as been enjoying success in the local track leagues events on Thursday evenings it was his first time in an open event, where any cyclist from up and down the country can ride. On the day however Adams main rival was closer to home, Ladderidge way in fact, in the shape of Andrew Magnier, who rides for Newcastle R.C. 2001. The pair battling it out in the juvenile Omnium a series of 4 events with riders picking up points for wins seconds etc. Andrew claimed first blood in the 200 Meter time trial leaving Adam to pick up 2^nd, things were closer in the Devil take the hind most event, where the last rider across the line per lap gets eliminated, but an apparent tactical error gave the event to Andrew with Adam once again picking up 2^nd, this meant the pressure was one for the points race where riders collect points for sprints, etc throughout the race, at the end both riders were equal on points but the was given to Adam on count-back as he had more 1^st places. In the final event the scratch race, Adam was the clear winner with Andrew coming in second. This gave the pair equal numbers of wins and seconds, however in track racing in the event of a draw the position in the final race decides the outcome giving Adam overall victory by the narrowest of margins.

Moving onto more social matters on Sunday and the afore mentioned Muffin ride. These popular rides are developing into events proper with riders from outside the area attending such as Ruth Gamwell and Phil Jones who rode over from Macclesfield, and back despite taking part in a 90 mile mountain bike ride the day before! The route was a bit more challenging this year as Graham and yours truly tried to take folk on roads that they may have never been on before, and as some said will probably never go on again, I suppose we did get a bit carried away a result of planning these things in the Clubhouse! All in all though the ride was taken at a leisurely pace. The faster riders being put through their paces on a longer variation of the route by Pat Kinch, both groups enjoying the excellent weather once again organized by Graham, how he does it I don’t know. Muffin rides have in the past finished at the Brewery, however thanks to the co-operation of our new sponsors Den Engel, we finished in the club house where Brenda’s Strawberry (Wimbledon you know) and Blueberry (by demand) muffins went down a treat with riders and others who just came along for the après activities, we even managed to take a few shots courtesy of Neil Armstrong, of members in the new team kit in the courtyard of the new clubhouse. Well done all those who took part especially the ones who rode in such as Dave Bridden and Pete Key from Kingsley and Dave Cope from Cheddleton. Plus thanks to Brenda for all her effort in the Kitchen, and Geoff and Hilary at Den Engel’s for allowing us to invade the bar and providing some where safe to park the bikes.

Last but not least the final item on the agenda was the club Championship 25, that took place during the latest interclub event on the Tuesday, this years event was exceptionally well attended I would probably put it down to the good weather as the Chain and gate course is not the quickest or easiest around with lots of corners, pot holes and nasty little climbs, although some of the less gravitationally challenged describe it as merely rolling. It also could be that it’s on the doorstep. Whatever the reason it was good to see 9 members taking part, plus a number of spectators who came out to watch, the final results are below. Bad luck award on the night went to Mark Poyser who had to pull out after a severe attack of cramp on the second lap, fairing better with one of the surprise rides of the evening was Leek Cycle Centre proprietor Gary Thomas putting up an excellent time of 1-00-59 for second place in the club championship despite minimal training. The event winner and second pace rider though came from Maccslefeild with Time trial specialist Roger Wrenn pipping roadman Richard Jagger with times of 58-02 to 58-07. YT only managing third ahead of Congleton's Karl Austin with times of 58-47 too 59-54. Karl getting under the hour for the first time on that course. I will leave you with the full results in order see you next week.

R.Gould	1.14.42	D.Butterworth	1.10.45	D.Bridden	1.09.27	S.Cope	1.08.49
M.Briand	1.05.24,	A.Bain	1.04.47	A.Kenway	1.03.02	G.Thomas	1.00.59
K.Milward	58.47