75th Anniversary Celebrations

Preparations are under way for the several events forming our celebrations next year. Cavin has unearthed records of the first General Meeting of the amalgamated Club in November 1928, when the highlight of the social calendar was a "Smoking Dance"! We are hoping to have a big "do" at the Pump Rooms, inviting as many of the older members and former members as we can contact. The National 10 mile Champs is another event well under way, and we hope to promote a circuit race in the town centre, with a couple of citizens races to make a bit of local interest. Invitation rides will also be arranged. It is unclear at the moment what the Athletes' plans are.

National Championship 10 mile TT

Steve Walker have secured the services of Princethorpe College Sports facilities, thanks to Alan Edwards contacting Gwyllim Price, an Athlete member of the Club, who runs the College's Sports Department. They have ample parking for the three events we intend to run on Sunday 18th May 2003. Catering will be out of our hands, as the College can offer this service as well as their excellent changing and showering facilities (I can hear Jan Ford and Liz Gardner breathe a sigh of relief already). A special course has been measured, it needs approval from the Midlands DC, but this is how it will look for this event. The Start will be in the narrow lane that emerges on the second bend a half mile from the current start. Riders will immediately join the B-road and ride the current route along the Straight mile, and continue along the A45 past the Ryton slip road to turn off just past the Peugeot works. This extra distance brings the Finish on the A423 nearer the top of Bull & Butcher Hill, so riders will have to save their energy for this tough climb; it's not steep, just seems to go on forever! This finish will give spectators the opportunity to see the competitors in their final efforts, while only having a half-mile walk from the HQ. Riders setting off to the start should not need to get in the way of riders returning from the finish, or that's the intention, at least.

Club Championships

We have missed the extra buzz of competition between Dave Bennett and John Herring this year, Dave started the year with high hopes, but Anita changed her job for a better one and this meant that Dave has to stay in and look after the bairns when he would rather be on his bike, I know how he feels! Best wishes to you both. John H hasn't had it all his own way, there's a rapidly improving youngster or two to keep him on his toes. Arthur Beeton deservedly won the first title race, the 15 with a PB ride. John came back from a bout of illness to claim the Hilly 22 two weeks later, then Arthur took the 10, beating Tony Smith, former 10 Champ, into second place. A week later, Tony got his revenge in the 30, Arthur trailed by 23 seconds. The 2-up 25 had some unusual pairings, or perhaps that should read irregular. John teamed up with Adrie Breugelmans, and finished third. Ahead of them was the experienced team of Alan Edwards and Phil Galpin, riding together for a second year, but the winners were Chris Blomfield and Paul Preston, winning after two years of minor placings. The 25 solo Championship produced another surprise, from Tim Cadd who prefers Road racing, an excellent ride and a 5 minute improvement to go under the hour, on an evening when all the favourites turned up. Arthur, Tony and John could only wonder where they went wrong. Full results in time trials section.

National Velodrome

Does any member wish to join a party of members going to Manchester to ride the boards that Chris Boardman set his hour records? We have had a few sessions in recent years, you get a whole hour on the track, after suitable guidance from the Track coaches. Bikes are provided in the hire costs, probably £6.50 to £7, and we will need to make provision for transport. Steve Walker needs to know how many, so that he can arrange a visit to a "Taster Session". As before, this will be midweek, so be prepared to take time off work. Contact Steve by the end of September.

Autumn Touring Weekend

Roger Gardner is planning a late autumn weekend touring for members. Previous rides have been to the Malverns, into Northamptonshire, and down to see the Severn Bore. The destination is not settled yet, but any interested members should contact Roger.