ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Enclosed is the Agenda for the Club Annual General Meting on 15th November. If you can make it please come along and have your say on matters that interest you and elect your officers for the next year. Refreshments will be on offer, together with parking at the rear of the building.
CLAIMS FOR 2010.
If you have not already made your claim to Colin Kindred with your times, you just have time to do so, on 01473 463009.
CLUB TROPHIES
Would present holders of Club trophies please bring them to the AGM or return them to Maureen.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new member Colin Wilkinson from Newmarket. Colin was one of the founder members of the Wolsey in 1961 and has now moved back into Suffolk.
BOXING DAY
Stowmarket CC will be organising a Fun Speed Judging Time Trial followed by the ICA Prize Presentation organised by the Wolsey. All at Henley Community Centre from 11 am.
MEMBER'S NEWS
· Colin K is continuing to tread the miles in, on 13th October he left for Leamington to attend the reunion of his Irish "South to North" ride. During his stay he did an extra "ton" to make 410 miles in a short week.
· Fergus Muir had his Brompton stolen on 30th October in St Albans, from outside the Tourist Office. If you spot it about anywhere it is quite distinctive with TA badges on the frame tube. Frame number 167408. Contact Fergus on 01603 615000
RACING NEWS
A good year, I would say, with five Club records being broken, members winning 24 awards in Time Trials and four in LVRC events, while one of our new members rode four open events at the end of the year.
TEAM CAMBRIDGE 10 - (F16/10) - 17TH OCTOBER
In a final effort to increase his SPOCO points total John Tovell travelled to the Barton-Wimpole course on the A603 SW of Cambridge which features a three minute climb in each direction. John's 29.30 was on par for the course and other, riders and hopefully gained enough points to justify the journey.
CC SUDBURY HILLCLIMB - (BHC/1) - 7TH NOVEMBER
A field of 38 riders was the best entry for many years for the event, which incorporated the East District Championship, on a sunny but cold morning at Semer. A small piece of Club history was made, when for the first time in the 46 year life of the Tyler Trophy, the Cup was won by a lady as Karen Eaton, one of five lady entries, successfully rode the event in 1.33.6. Her ride was made more commendable because Karen could not get one foot clipped at the start so rode the hill with it unclipped. All this was made possible by Colin K who was the finish timekeeper.

FASTEST OF THE YEAR (To 17/10/2010 ) FINAL
MEN
10 John Parkes 23.08 CC Breckland B10/3 30th June
25 Bob Quarton 58.41 VTTA E2/25 4th Sept
50 John Coles 2.07.56 ECCA E2/50C 22nd May
100 Andy Pearson 4.49.13 Nth Middx &Herts CA F1/100 18th June
WOMEN
10 Maureen Nichols 29.45 Norwich ABC B10/43 3rd July
25 Maureen Nichols 1.13.32 VTTA E2/25 12th June
50 Maureen Nichols 2.41.36 Godric CC B50/18 27th June

DIARY DATES
November 15th Wolsey RC. AGM. 17 Tower Street, Ipswich. 7.30
20th Norfolk Nip No 1. 100km Audax .Hellesdon. Norwich £4. 0900
28th VTTA (East Anglian Group) Lunch and Prize Presentation, Holiday Inn, Ipswich. Preceded by AGM.
December 11th Norfolk Nip No 2. 100km Audax
26th Ipswich Cycling Association. Prize Presentation and Speed Judging Henley Community Centre. 11 am. Bar open at 12 noon
2011
January 15th Norfolk Nip No 3 100 km Audax
30th East District CA Prize Presentation
CC Sudbury Reliability Trial. 27or48 miles.
Gt Cornard. Stevenson Centre 09.30
February 6th CTC and Wolsey RC Annual Lunch and Prize Presentation,
Holiday Inn, Ipswich .
Tickets from Maureen £16.50. Details and menu enclosed.
12th Norfolk Mardle 100km Audax £4. 0900
The Old Squit 200 km Audax £5. 0800

Final Instalment of "A French Trip" - Andy Pearson
It's now hot as hell as I trudge along the road to Allemont and up the sweeping road which we came down in the first few km. It's now quite a steep ascent although it's only 2km.. for the guys doing the 109km… I go straight on at the bifurcation for a 10km 1 in 10 climb. A succession of really slow riders come past me. I'm going really, really slow now and chat with a guy from Dereham for a few km before his hill training in Norfolk has clearly surpassed mine.. no, he has a triple chainset on AND a 27 tooth sprocket. I limp to the top of this climb and then traverse to Huez.. only 4km to the top of Alpe d'Huez from here. Surprisingly, I feel a bit better as I'm thinking I know the road. It rises and rises and eventually get to the next feed stop. Almost everything has gone as I'm near the tail end. I have to ask for de l'eau .. that would be the three taps right in front of me… doh! And then after a few mins back on the bike and chatting to Bryan as we ascend the next uphill to Col de Sarrenne.. 250m higher than Alpe d'Huez.
We'd done a bit of this in 2006 but given up when it went back downhill as it was a cart track… well, things haven't improved over the years and it is still a cart track but the potholes are now craters only punctuated by great culverts that you have to traverse every 200m or so. On the steep climb Bryan drops me.. I'm in sight of the col but can't go on anymore and stop for a breather. Once more up and over the col. Grab some water and now, and only now I think about the descent. It's 1 in 10 and deep sandy gravel.. with a 500m drop over the side. Not really the place for 23mm tyres and 140psi in them. I can't even take my hands off the brakes for long enough to get the chain on the big ring and change into a reasonable gear. After approx 3km there's a party going on in the middle of nowhere and suddenly tarmac. Slap it into big gear and speed down the descent, over a massive dam and back onto the road to Bourg d'oisans. Now this is familiar as it follows the route of the Marmotte. No right turn this time to go up Alpe d'huez but grind on and back to Allemont. That sweeping descent from the morning is now VERY steep but I go reasonably well up to the water stop. What I don't realise in my fug is that it is only 100m round the corner to that short hill that we'd climbed in the first few minutes of the ride. Pressing on alongside the dam and back past the start.. 80m further up then the bottom of the 5km climb to Vaujany. Get up here in 48 minutes and you've got a silver. 1km further up and a stop only 36 minutes to go. I have to stop again. I meet a mad man called Fruit and we decide together to ride 1km then have a stop. Soon the motorbike marshal comes to inform us that the last man on the road is only 500m behind us. We do another 1 km and stop for a break. Then 2km and finally the road levels out to 1 in 10! With a final push we make it… Fruit gets ahead and then I finish with Alistair giving me a push in the last few metres. It transpires that sense got the better of him and therefore didn't have the pleasure of Alpe d'Huez or Col de Sarrenne.. clever boy. Approx two minutes later Monsieur Lanterne Rouge appears, arms aloft to great applause.
Next day was spent doing not very much and going out for a 5-6mile ride 3km downhill and we'd found a slightly easier way back up to our accommodation. We noticed that we're both good on 5-6% but when it goes steeper, we're rubbish.
Next day we go up to the Col du Sabot. We'd gone up here a little way before on a previous trip but today we'd decided to do no more than an hour and see how far we got before turning round and descending back to our accommodation. After all, we had our 40km race tomorrow. So as it approached the 1-hour mark we were both knackered but knew we must be near the summit. Reason said we should stop and turn round. We stopped, admired the view and after a quick discussion decided to ride on round the next corner, and the next and finally got to the col, which was still covered in ice and snow. It was at 2100m. Then the descent on the famous 'gravillons'… tiny spherical chippings, specially designed to scare cyclists to death on downhill hairpins.
Morning of the Prix des Grand Rousses, a simple 25 mile jaunt through the French countryside. 1) Simply climb Alpe d'Huez (hairpin 10 no longer has Wolsey RC, Saunderson or Selmes in 3ft high lettering) then descend to Huez, 2) traverse the ridge and 3) descend to Allemont , 4) along the lakeside and 5) short sharp climb to Vaujany. Simple.
Alpe d'Huez, we've done that in little over an hour before. This time nearer 1.20
Across the ridge on little more than a cycle path with dodgy surface
Descend slower than normal, why? I really can't explain
Powered along the lake
Died on that hill, several times over
And 6) the one nobody told us about. When you think you are at the finish, look around. It isn't where you thought it was. Confer with fiche and see that the finish is…2km further up the 1 in 10! Arrrrgggghhhh! Time 2.46 for nearer 27 miles and 1 mile vertical ascent. Very slow.
Next day we decided that we wouldn't do any biking. Learning from our experience we thought we'd relax. We took the car up to yesterday's finish and thought we'd walk up one of the ski pistes to the waterfall opposite our apartment. After walking up a 60% slope we got to the cable car station at 2000m and decided that we couldn't continue in the heat and started walking down. Sideways. Straining our thighs and at times stopping because we just couldn't make it done in a controlled manner. Some way to take it easy.
That evening was spent having a quick spin on the flat near the lake before meeting up with Alistair's brother in law and his mates who were also tackling the Marmotte. Whilst we were up in the rarified air of Vaujany we came down and met them by the lake at Allemont. There were plenty of mosquitoes and I appeared to have been their buffet for the evening. I had hundreds of bites. Luckily Alistair had some anti-histamine tabs, which reduced these unsightly blisters.
Next day. Absolutely nothing done. Lazed around and waited for the big event. Bikes in car for early start.Up early. Stuff face full of breakfast. Motor in convoy, seemingly with everyone staying in Vaujany all going to Bourg D'Oisans. Hundreds of cyclists gently pedalling to the start. We get to the aire du chainage and park the car. Go towards the start. Once again Alistair and I are in different start pens. His number getting him in at the start with speed freaks and mine getting me in at the back of my 300-2000 group as I'd been misdirected to the pen.
Eventually it's time to go 7.23 and I go across the line. Should've started at 7.00. Quick pace down the main road back to Allemont, try and get behind a stout Belgian but fail. Notice some Shaftesbury cc guys hammer down on the outside. Move up on the climb up the dam then the short flat before the climb up to Glandon. It's harder than I recall. It's much further than I remember to the flat bit at La Riviere. There's a small descent before it starts to get really steep so take it easy.
Continue on and then I see a familiar face standing at the side of the road. I shout at Alistair to get back on his bike. We chat (sort of) before I edge ahead and get to the summit of the Col du Glandon. I'm getting a drink and just as I have Alistair arrives. I get back on and start descent remembering to take it easy on the first few corners, as this is where we witnessed the crash in 2006 where some riders had gone straight over the edge on a hairpin and landed on the road below. It stated that this was not a timed descent but what I failed to realise was that this was not included in the overall time allowance. Anyway a couple of mistakes on the way down but most corners taken OK at reasonable speed. Then along the valley to St Michel de Maurienne and the start of the Telegraphe, I just can't seem to get going and every train of riders that catches me I just can't hold on to. It's just too hot. It's horrible. The start of the climb goes through a housing area but it must be 1 in 7. Worse still is that it says 34km to the Galibier on the roadsign just as you start. I trudge along up and up. I stop at the water stop, and then the last few km to Telegraphe. Stop at the summit and get more water, standing in the shade just trying to reduce my pulse. Then a short 5km descent to Valloire and a horrible climb up to the feed station. Once again, it seems much further than before. Much needed food is scoffed. Bottles recharged and off up the 6% climb towards Plan lachat where I'd mentally promised myself a ice cold coke. I had to stop a couple of times up this interminable ascent but eventually arrived at the café I'd remembered. Coke purchased in what resembled somebody's front room and sat down for 10 mins.
Back on the bike for a few hundred yards, get some water and continue. This is the bit that I actually like.. the steep bit of the Galibier. It gets really cold over 2000m but I'm making progress.. even overtaking a few people. Ice melt is bringing stonechips onto the road. I stop just by the tunnel before the final ascent up to the col… and pose for my picture as I go past one of the appointed photographers.
At the summit there is the usual army tent and a cheese baguette is most readily accepted. I fill my bottles up again.. extra weight for the downhill and pull my plastic bag from my pocket and put it underneath my jersey. Instant warmth. I set off rather gingerly and descend down the poorly surfaced road towards the tunnel. Only cyclists use this road as everyone else cuts through the tunnel. Where the road joins there's roadworks and loads of debris. Continue down the thin ribbon of tarmac down to the Col du Lauteret., onto the main road. Catch up with some maniac Spanish guys and a big Belgian. We descend at huge speed. I try to go to the front but the Belgian guy wont let me… fine, I'll sit behind. Maniac Spanish guys really lean it over in the corners and there's only one line at that speed.. right in their wheel tracks. Soon get down to the Deux Alpes turn off and inexplicably the Spanish guys disappear off. I have a short rest at the short climb up before speeding down the descent to Bourg and the final feed stop. It is so hot.. I get some food and more water before continuing on my way. I start the long climb up to corner 21, I eventually reach this and have to stop soon after. It is 1 in 8, I climb on and stop halfway between corners 21 and 20. I nice Dutch couple come past and offer water. It's kindly poured over my head. I continue to 20 and after a few minutes conclude that I cannot continue for another 19 corners to the top of the Alpe d'Huez. Turn round and descend about 2km to the valley floor passing a continuous stream of riders two and three abreast. Maybe I wasn't doing so badly after all. Too late, I'm not climbing up again.
I go to the car and change. Waste around, put bike in car and then text Alistair. He's on corner 6. How did he get up there? He can only have been just behind me. When I drive up it's so easy. I catch Alistair about corner 15. He's counting up not down! I give him a shout and continue up. I stop at 10 where we wrote on the road in 2006. Wait and shout him on. I carry on this routine shouting encouragement and giving the occasional push until he gets to Huez. It's a water stop. A guy comes up phones someone and says he can't go on. The Rapha Condor car arrives and suddenly the guy is gone. A succession of riders and support cars come and go. Alistair arrives and says he's had enough. By now it's cooling down a bit and he has a 15 minute break. I send him back on his way and slowly but surely he makes progress. I push him again at the flags and a Norwegian guy says, me as well please.. he gets a push. I stop just after the photographers and rescue some guy under his Boardman bike. I see Alistair and run along pushing him towards the last hairpin. He speeds up the last climb into the village and he's almost there. I park the car and meet him after the finish. We get back to the car and realise it's nearly 9 o'clock.
We go to one of the restaurants we've been to before. Some guys ask whether there is any room and get a firm no from the hostess. I ask in my best Franglais and we are immediately seated. Best part of an hour later we still see people going through. Then a great cheer goes up as the final rider comes through with the route car behind him. it's pitch black and it seems this year the Marmotte organisers have allowed people to finish.
Alistair didn't attempt to ride the Grimpee the day after this. I did say it would be silly to enter this. We had to leave to get to the airport. As it was the winner, who had ridden the Marmotte the day before did it in 43 minutes. Marco Pantani holds the record in 37… he was assisted by some artificial substance.