GENERAL MEETING 6TH SEPTEMBER

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE AGM
For any resolutions to be included on the Agenda, Maureen would need to receive these by 25th October. They should in writing and signed by the proposer and a seconder.
CLAIMS FOR 2010
As soon as you have finished racing, Colin Kindred, 27 Diamond Close, Ipswich IP1 5HN.
Tel: 01473 463009 would like any claims for time standards, Club records and Club trophies that you feel that you may have won.
COMMITTEE MEETING - 7TH OCTOBER
· Apologies Mark and Bob.
· It was noted the 2010 Open 25 had made an acceptable profit.
· Possible for date for the proposed 50th Anniversary ride were identified.
· Due to the capacity of the normal room used for the Club lunch, Maureen is enquiring about a larger room at the venue because of the expected larger than normal attendance.
· Colling Burton - Prp Maureen, 2nd Ken and Karen Eaton - Prp Mick 2nd Ken were elected as members.
· John T and Mick attended the EDCA date fixing meeting at which the proposed date of May 15th for the Open 25 was accepted and Mark has now booked the HQ.
· The Committee will present a resolution to the AGM to change the date at which members join and would qualify for the following year's membership.
· Next meeting AGM 15th November.
MEMBER'S NEWS
· A steady north west wind on a bright sunny day provided a headwind for more than the first half of the St Elizabeth Hospice "Constable Country 50" (actually 53 miles) starting at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook on the 12th September. Colin Clarke, Dick Coe, Karen Eaton and Mick Pepper were among approximately 140 riders who tackled the ride, which took an anticlockwise loop to Lavenham and a lumpy return via Great Waldingfield, Boxford and Polstead that provided 700 metres of climbing.
· An occasional flooded road with much grit and sand about greeted 69 riders, including Colin Kindred and Mick, who was riding his 10th similar event this year, for the CTC Suffolk 124 km " Suffolk Saunter" Audax on 2nd October. On a fine warm day with a light southwest wind, riders took an anticlockwise route from Blaxhall via Aldeburgh, Dunwich, Heveningham and Framlingham, where Ken and Maureen were manning the control, and Westerfield before the rather hilly return to the start. Determined to record his first ton of the year Colin rode to and from the event.
· On a wonderful sunny day for the time of year, ideal for cycling and particularly off road,saw 93 riders signing on for the 25 and 30 mile CTC Suffolk Roughstuff events on 10th October starting at Butley and following a course through Rendlesham and Tunstall forests. Among the field were Colin Kindred, Ken Nichols and John Williamson who chose the 25-mile option. Mud spattered Colin and John completed satisfactorily but Ken was a DNF.
RACING NEWS
The last month of local time trialling saw members riding in nine events, winning four awards, all by the Coles family and posting one new FotY line. One Club trophy remains to be claimed, the Hill Climb on 7th November so don't forget to enter the CC Sudbury event!
VTTA (East Anglian Group) 25 - (E2/25)- 4TH SEPTEMBER
Originally planned as a 30, the event was changed on the day to a 25 because of traffic congestion at the rab turn, due to an air show at Duxford. If it was a good afternoon for an air show it was also good flying weather for the riders with a temperature of 20 degrees and a gentle side wind providing an even ride with many PBs being done. Bob Quarton our only rider was one of the smiling faces as he produced 58.41, which is his best for seven years and a new FotY by two minutes.
STOWMARKET AND DCC 10 - (B10/38) - 5TH SEPTEMBER
There were reasonable conditions next morning on the A14 between Rougham and Woolpit with a rising wind on the left shoulder to the turn. John Parkes returned as our leader with 25.18 backed by John Coles 25.40, brother Ged 25.47, which won him the 70+ age group award and John Tovell 26.26. This was all with the help of Colin Kindred who was the finish timekeeper.
NORWICH ABC 10 - (B10/43) - 11TH SEPTEMBER
A very breezy afternoon in the Waveney valley did give riders the advantage of an extra mile with the wind behind them between Wortwell and Bungay. Bob carrying his form over from the previous Saturday recorded 24.28 followed by Ged whose 25.19 saw him take 2nd Vet of Std award. John T returned 27.35 while Karen Eaton was very near a 20 mph ride in her first ever open event, with 30.25.
CC BRECKLAND 50 - (B50/18) - 19TH SEPTEMBER
A difficult day with a very strong wind blowing straight down the A11 on the two and half lap course between Browick and Eccles Road coincided with Andy Pearson choosing to ride a fixed wheel. On this he rode for 2.16.19 while Mark Pearce had a choice of gears for his 2.21.08 ride.
EASTERN COUNTIES CA 10 - (E2/10) - 25TH SEPTEMBER
A stiff NW wind on a dry afternoon provided a rapid trip to the turn on the A 11 course from Six Mile Bottom and saw John C record 26.08.
EAST ANGLIAN CC 10 -(B10/44) - 25TH SEPTEMBER
The same wind was mainly on the side on the Waveney valley course from Earsham but accompanied by heavy rain showers, which deterred many riders from starting. This left Andy, still persevering on his fixed wheel, to record 25.25 while Ged returned 26.51 which continued his winning streak as it won him 1st Vet on Std award.
EAST ANGLIAN CC 25 - (B25/24C) - 26TH SEPTEMBER
Miserable conditions continued for the weekend of racing at Earsham with a strong cold wind, now NE, and regular squalls of chilling rain. 33 of the 71 entrants, including four of the Club entry DNS, leaving Andy to push his 102-inch fixed for 1.4.58 while John C recorded 1.6.45. Karen riding her first ever 25 had a difficult baptism but returned 1.19.25.
NORWICH ABC 10 - (B10/43) - 2ND OCTOBER
This weekend the events started from Wortwell along the Waveney valley with a west wind that gave a tail wind on the longer outward leg. Andy put his fixed gear up to 110 this week and was only on the road for 23.48, with Bob recording 24.37 and John C 25.30.
NORWICH ABC 25 - (B25/50) - 3RD OCTOBER
Next morning, again at Wortwell the last local time trial of the year was graced with a mild morning with a SW breeze that was not extreme in either direction. Andy dropped his gear back down and recorded a good 1.2.57, while John C was pleased with his 1.5.42 which won him 2nd Vet on Std award with a 14.59 plus. John T recorded 1.9.37 to collect a few more SPOCO points while Karen improved nearly three minutes over her previous ride with 1.16.39.

FASTEST OF THE YEAR (To 3/10/2010)

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
Nov 7th CC Sudbury and District Championship Hill Climb, Semer. This incorporates the Club Hill Climb Championship entries as CTT handbook.
This is your last chance to win a Club Trophy this year.
15th Wolsey RC AGM. Tower Street, Ipswich
28th VTTA (East Anglian Group) Lunch and Prize Presentation, Holiday Inn, Ipswich. Preceded by AGM.
2011
January 30th. East District CA Prize Presentation
CC Sudbury Reliability Trial. 27 or 48 Miles. Gt Cornard. Stevenson Centre 09.30
February 6th CTC and Wolsey RC Prize Presentation Lunch, Holiday Inn, Ipswich

A French Trip - Andy Pearson Part Two
Next day was spent riding around Nuits St George and then packing bikes ready for the return home. On the way home we got pulled over by the Gendarmerie.. they asked a few questions, where we'd been and what we'd been doing. When we said cyclosportive.. one said "Mont Ventoux?" We said "Oui" and then with an exaggerated Gallic wave he signalled for us to go. All this had made us late for getting the hire car back, we took a wrong turn and were on the autoroute towards Grenoble. Three weeks early for me, anyway. Quick look at the map and we cut across country very slowly. Now we were going to be late. Time to test the Corsa. We can confirm that it does 170kph despite having a 1.2 litre engine.
Back to Blighty. The bike remained in the bike box for the next 10 days. Then Alistair suggested going out for a ride on the Thurs. I quickly knocked it together and we went out. I was surprisingly OK and bike riding had resumed. Work was not as manic so I was slightly more refreshed when we left to go to the airport. We went in Alistair's car… somehow fitting my bikebox, his bag and our luggage in.
Everything went smoothly and we were soon at Lyon airport. Collected our stuff went to the bus stop and promptly got on the bus… it only dawned on us as we left the terminal area that everyone was French.. (they would be wouldn't they?).. and that we were on the car park bus. Luckily we know the airport well and we got off only 100 yds from the car hire depot. Wow, we even got the type of car we booked.. a Golf Diesel.. in we get and off up the Autoroute. It was only after about 20 mins we both said about this vibration and droning noise. We got out checked the wheels and concluded that one wheel had lost its balancing weights. Should we go back and get a different car.. or should we continue?? We went on as it only really impacted over 60mph. Soon we were at Grenoble and joining the rush hour queue. We get to our overnight hotel and decide to go for a quick ride. One way was typical French social housing.. rough.. the other was straight into the mountains and towards Chamrousse. We sped along up a gentle climb and back to the hotel. Quick showers and over to the hotel restaurant, Campanile, same chain as in Orange, but we were the only ones in the restaurant. We tucked in anyway. Next day, up big breakfast and now a spatial awareness test: How to get two bikes (now built up) , a bike bag, bike box and two big bags in the back of a Golf. Using our ingenuity we managed it and off we went to Vaujany. Got our accommodation early and then went to sign on. No Cotes du Ventoux this time.. Grand Trophee cycling socks… nice.
Alistair mentions his bike's seat has a slight split. I have quick look and note that it is actually split right across and only the covering is holding the thing together. A quick trip to the Casino supermarket to get the food, we're sort of self-catering this time. Then round the Bourg D'Oisans bike shops.. not Ribble prices.. and into Cadre Rouge. There it is at €20… a half decent saddle at half a decent price.
Quickly back through the valley and up the 5km hill to Vaujany.. it doesn't look that bad and it's only 5km (of 1 in 10 to 1 in 8). Big meal, loads of carbs and early night. Wake up. Loads more food. Bottles, more food in pockets. Armwarmers? No. Off we go. Descend the 5km to start of the Vaujany Sportive, even on the way down it feels longer. Alistair has a really good start position as he's entered all 4 events. Mine is OK in the second bunch. I wish Alistair all the best and we go our separate ways to the start pens.
Soon the people in front of me start moving and we start that familiar scooting until we are over the first timing mat. As I clip into my pedals maniacs are already sprinting down the slope at 35mph. I refrain and wait for a slower moving train. Past the dam at Allemont and up a short sharp hill and then the descent down to 400m from 700m. I wave to Alistair as I go past as I'm in a great express train of nearly 200 riders sweeping down the main road at 30mph before the first climb at 20km.. another 1000m up to Alpe du Grand Serre. This was a slow but not too painful experience but was getting very hot.
Quick stop at the top for water and then the descent. Just got to remember, whenever there are houses it gets technical otherwise full-bore descending. Get into a group with a couple of French guys and we speed downhill. Take it easy at the junction as our recce in the car said really dodgy before a 1km uphill to kill the legs. No problem, move up in a big bunch and then time for continued descent on reasonable roads. Down to main road, past a refreshing waterfall.. temp drops by 10 degrees and then the slog of a climb to halfway and the feedstation. Quickly grab bananas, cheese baguette and more drink and set off for the climb up to Col d'Ornon. A long 5% drag.
Dutch guy on my tail, flick the elbow for him to come through… he doesn't, flick it again… doesn't, stare at him- he doesn't. Time for a quick stop in the shade. Then get back on.. down at 800m now and climb up to 1400m to col seems forever - in that bottom gear again 34/27 this time as bought a bigger cassette after the Ventoux. Still not low enough. Get to the water stop and some crazy guys sprints through on the big ring… at maybe 25mph… everyone thinks "why?" as he's probably 2hrs down on the leaders and is clearly a mere mortal like the rest of us. We all pass him on the descent.. if we hadn't I suspect he was in the ambulance we passed on the descent with its blue lights going in the same direction as us. I chat to a guy called Bryan as we wait to pass the ambulance as I'm going sensibly on this bit, learnt from the recce. Then it gets really fast as sweeping bends take us to the valley floor………………………………. Wait for the last instalment in the next issue