Newsletter ALL ABROAD! - gravesendcc.org.uk · Diary Note - Forewarned is forearmed – make a note in your diary that the Club Dinner & Awards Presentation will be the first week

Gravesend Cycling Club Newsletter Issue 82 April 2016

Presidents: Dorothy & Ian Stone

www.gravesendcc.org.uk Secretary – M Coulter 01474 814475

Newsletter

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Hours of leisure

Miles of pleasure

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ALL ABROAD!

GCC is going to Ventoux for

the 1st weekend of September.

It is a magical climb; Tom

Simpson’s memorial, the

cycling history, the views……

How can you miss it??? If you

are interested then contact Steve

Harrington asap 0794 6844152

or [email protected]

A professional team? You’d think so by the team strip. Just the GCC trip to see the

Paris-Roubaix and do a 65m ride including some of the Arenburg pave, which you can

see stretching behind them. From left-right: John Milner, James Smith, Jason Tibbs,

Mark Simms, Terry Simms, Tony Jacobs, Steve Harrington & Mark Watkins.

Not in the picture but Roger Stevens also went.




RACING RESULTS

Time Trials Sportifs

13/3/16 GCC 10 Q10/24 20/3/16 Evans Cyclopark sportif N Harrigan v 24.45 Tony Jacobs 72m 5hr 30m

S Hunter v 28.26

M Sims v 33.09

K Ward v 30.22

R Tuck 33.23

D Abbotts v 35.01

C Abbotts jv 41.37* (Cameron’s 1st ever compet ride so very

well done)

13/3/16 PMR 25 Q25/20 K Gleadow v 1.08.18

20/3/16 GCC 10 Q10/24 L Geuijters 26.38

D Evans 27.18

S Harrington 29.41

R Tuck v 30.05

K Ward fxd v 30.08

L Harrington 30.32

C Hargreaves jnr 33.04

D Abbotts v 35.05

B Wilson v 36.46

C Abbotts jv 44.37 (Cameron’s 1st TT so well to him & the

1st TT for Bob in 25 yrs, so good effort)

5/4/16 GCC 10 Q10/24 L Harrington 27.50

M Gardiner v 27.52

K Ward v fxd 28.45

L Gardiner jnr 31.04

M Harrington v 32.10

B Wilson v 38.22

C Abbotts jvl 40.50PB

3/4/16 KCA/Eldridge 25 Q25/8 J Smith v 1.06.51 (James wins Eldridge Trophy)

Editor/Secretary commentEditor/Secretary commentEditor/Secretary commentEditor/Secretary comment…..

This year has started really really positively for the Club. I’m impressed and encouraged. Former members have rejoined, together with their offspring, male and female, and in one of the Sunday 10m TT races 60% were non-vets!! Amazing and just what we need. Club Nights are thriving and really vibrant, and very enjoyable. So if you haven’t tried one, what’s keeping you. As I write this there is a GCC group on a Paris-Roubaix trip and there is a trip planned to Ventoux in the 1st week of September. Plaudits must go to Steve Harrington though, who is doing a really good job on our foreign trips. The previous racing core of Vets are out with injury at the moment but this opens up new opportunities and there is already a new winner of the Eldridge Memorial Trophy, James Smith. There seems to be a definite buzz about the Club at the moment – long may it continue




Evans Cyclopark Sportif by by by by Tony Jacobs

I started the Evans Cyclopark Sportif at 08:32, finishing the 72 miles at 14:02, completing in 5

and a half hours.

Around 300 riders that participated in the 4 possible routes -the Fun at 15 miles, Short, 34 miles,

Medium, 50 miles and the Long, 72 miles. I chose the latter but was the only GCC (Gravesend

Cycle Club) rider, so apart from the odd accompanied cyclist I was pretty much on my own the

whole time. (Ed – Well done Tony. Where were the rest of you??? Tony put out the information and challenge to

you well in advance, and it’s right on our doorstep!!!)

The start was one lap of the Cyclopark and then we were off, beginning the adventure, taking you

down the cycle path and over the A2.

We then went out towards Fawkham, Horton

Kirby, through Eynsford, up Knatts Valley and

then onto Sevenoaks, taking us down ‘Terrys

Lodge’ and along, out past Seal and taking in

some of the infamous ‘Lens Route’. Heading back

through Plaxtol and Offham, knowing that once

you reached Trottiscliffe, you would be upon the

dreaded Vigo Hill!……Gawd help me!!

I made it, phew! just passing some riders taking a

breather, poor souls.

I knew at this point I must be at least halfway,

heading back towards Meopham, with a small

loop thrown in, eventually I was passing

Cobham and Shorne, it was there that I passed a

fellow GCC member, Jason, who shouted to me,

‘how far in are you?’, my reply being, ‘hopefully 50-55 miles’.

I would soon be passing through Higham and out to Cliffe before my route would start to bring

me home. With one final small climb around the back of Shor ne and out into Thong Lane, I

knew it could only be downhill from there. My legs by now were complete jelly.

With the finish line in sight I gave it one last push to the Cyclopark, finishing with a ‘victory lap’

of the park.

One of the best things about the finish, apart from resting my jelly like legs and numb bits, was

to see my wife, Emma, cheering me on and taking photos (this was a good thing, because she

normally misses me at the finish line).

Well done Tony for representing the Club and carrying our colours.Well done Tony for representing the Club and carrying our colours.Well done Tony for representing the Club and carrying our colours.Well done Tony for representing the Club and carrying our colours.

Caption competition??????

“He should be behind bars”




WOMEN'S TOUR by by by by Roger Stevens

Ken Rouse Former member Ken passed away at the start of the year. Ken was a

member in the late 50s and early 60s and then made a return in the late 80s, the strip he is

wearing in the picture. He won the Sydney William Goldsmith trophy in 1987.

Lone breakaway rider powering

along 10 miles before the finish at

Clacton. Unfortunately she was

caught.

One for diary next year –

definitely one not to be missed.

Went to see the Women's Tour

recently. Always a good event to

watch. Good aggressive racing, and

very well organised.

The start at Braintree, below. It stands

out that the girls are having a really

great time.

Thanks to Ken Dyke for

supplying this information.

They were former clubmates

and Ken D and went to the

funeral.




This & That ………………. � a very warm welcome to the latest members of the Club – juvenile (under 16) Cameron

Abbotts, junior (under 18) Cameon Hargreaves and veterans Dave Abbotts, Bob Wilson and

Reg Smith. All have history!!

Young Cameron has to contend with dad, Dave – no wonder he goes so fast, just to get away and

get some peace and quiet!!! Welcome Cameron – we hope you enjoy your riding with us. Then

there is Cameron H who I am led to believe has already been out on Club runs and is beginning to

build up a reputation and a list of memorable experiences!!! (Mum’s the word; least said the better,

eh????!!!!) Again we hope you enjoy riding with us. Then there is former member, time-triallist,

Club statistician and well respected local timekeeper Dave. Dave is dipping his toes in the water

again (he rode bike & trike) in the 70s & 80s) and is now encouraging Cameron to have a go as

well. That’s really good, as former member Mark Gardiner rejoined last year with his son, Luke –

getting back to the old days of a family club. Then there is former member Bob, who likewise is

testing the water again – Bob rode and time-trialled in the late 80s and early 90s. For many Reg

will need no introduction – a stalwart of the cycling scene for 55 years, former professional and

now a regular local time-triallist, a regular rider in our Evening 10 series. His experience will be a

great help for the younger members.

* Thanks to Patrick McMaster who did his usual sterling job of organizing the CTC/GCC

Reliability Ride in aid of the Air Ambulance. There were 52 riders and £263 was raised – a really

good achievement. There were more than 13 GCC riders participating. Well done to them.

Well done Patrick & thank you.

Diary Note - Forewarned is forearmed – make a note in your diary that the Club Dinner &

Awards Presentation will be the first week of December 2016

SUBS. . ?

Now due - £15 if in 2nd

yr +,

……. free for 1st year

Pay to Jason Tibbs….. at Club Night

… or…… 0797 3794493, or

[email protected]




� Since the last letter I can report the Accounts have been fully audited and we are in a good

financial position. Well done to Jason Tibbs Well done to Jason Tibbs Well done to Jason Tibbs Well done to Jason Tibbs for his Treasurer role and to Roger Stevens Roger Stevens Roger Stevens Roger Stevens & David Barnes & David Barnes & David Barnes & David Barnes for their auditing duties.

Club Nights continue apace and very successfully too. At the March meeting, in the dire depths

of winter, there were 17 members, including Bob Wilson, a former member (I would say older

member but……!!) who is looking to test the water again. Then at the April meeting another 15 –

all in all a good social event. If you haven’t been then it’s worth a visit as there is cycling going

on the track, which when the evenings lengthen you watch if you find the company boring!!!!

No need for a timekeeper as miraculously all times get faster the more the ride gets recounted!

But how could that be? We are GCC!!

* Good to see Graham Terry out and about again. His latest innovation of having his

beard colour-coded to his GCC Club strip is real innovation. This could be the way forward!!

* Patrick McMaster is organising Audax rides from Meopham Scout hut (opposite

Bartellas) on Sunday May 8km – 200km starts 0830; 160km starts 9am and 100km at 10am. If

you want further details please contact Patrick 01474 356181, [email protected]

Success - great success great success great success great success –––– the GCCthe GCCthe GCCthe GCC Jumble!Jumble!Jumble!Jumble! Thanks to the organization of Roger Stevens who has again ensured a very very successful GCC

Jumble, making a substantial profit for Club funds. The whole of the Hall was booked out and

there were many sellers in the car parking area as well. GCC members has 3 tables – Roger,

Kevin Gleadow and Bob Crayford, all making a very very healthy profit. Then a big thank you to

Marlene, Jacinta and Andy Sangster and the boys for all their hard work providing the

refreshments; to Steve & Luke Harrington who acted as gate keepers to extract the entrance

fees …. and were very successful in so doing! Patrick McMaster and Mike Coulter helped as

and when necessary; a good improvement this year was being able to use the field as the car

parking area which kept cars off the narrow road outside the Hall. Apart from all these

members Mark Watkins, Karl Norton, John Milner, Hayden Tucker, Mark & Luke Gardiner

turned up to see what all the fuss is about. There were many ‘old timers’ from the local cycling

circuit and it was a good social occasion for them as well. Our Jumble has got a good name on

the Cycling Jumble circuit and Roger is always asked when is the next one. So a hearty

congratulations to Roger….again.

According to Jason we made just under £70 profit more than last year, which equates to 17.5%!

Roger says “Just a 'thank you' to you all for making Saturday's Jumble a sucess. This is

our third one at Southfleet, and it gets better each year. Believe me, I get a really great

feedback from both buyers and sellers. This year the dry weather allowed use of the

field for parking, which also made a big improvement, as congestion in the road could

have been an issue”.




Boris in Brighton by by by by John Milner

It seemed like a pretty crazy idea but I signed up anyway. The crazy bit came home to

roost halfway up Ditching Beacon trying to find a non existent 4th gear on a 23kg bike.

Riding around in aid of housing

charity Shelter, 7 of us set off from

North London for a housing conference in Brighton. There would be no difficult

punctures or mechanicals as we had 3 spare bikes on a roof rack. Actually they were

thrown in the back of a hired van but I like the mental picture of Boris Bikes on the roof

rack of a Jag! (Ed:Aka Sky – like the style!) The low gearing meant that there was quite a bit

of downhill coasting and

opportunities for some very funny

double takes from other cyclists the

further we got out of the charging

zone.

GCC members will be pleased to hear

that one of their members was the

first to ever reach the top of Ditchling

Beacon on a Boris Bike and to hit the

seafront. If only that placing could be

regularly repeated on Sunday rides.

Going….Going .. free to anyone who wants an old, well used, but still functioning turbo trainer. It’s

you or the tip …. now what choice is that??? Mike Coulter 01474 814475

Have you tried The Freewheel at Graveney?????

The Freewheel Pub & Cycling Café is an inviting

place for all cyclists of any age or riding any kind of bike to re-

fuel and relax in the heart of Kent. There is a cycle workshop ..

also bike festivals, cycling on the big screen, bike jumbles etc

Head Hill, Graveney, Nr Faversham ME13 9DE 01795 538143.

www.freewheel.pub. Facebook /thefreewheelgraveney

information supplied by Roger Stevens




GCC 2016 Racing Progamme

TIME TRIALS

March 13 GCC 10 (road bikes only) Sun 1100 Q10/24

20 GCC 10 (road bikes only) Sun 1100 Q10/24

April 3 KCA 25/Eldridge Mem Sun 0700 Q25/8

5 GCC 10 (20 riders) Tues 1830 Q10/24 (max 20rdrs)

12 GCC10 (20 rdrs) Tues 1830 Q10/24 (max 20rdrs)

19 GCC 10 (25 rdrs) Tues 1845 Q10/24 (25 rdrs)

26 GCC 10 (25 rdrs) Tues 1845 Q10/24 (25 rdrs)

May 1 Wigmore CC 25 Sun 0615 Q25/8

3 GCC 10 Tues 1900 Q10/24

10 GCC 10 Tues 1900 Q10/24

17 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

24 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

31 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

June 5 KCA 50 Sun 0600 Q50/11

7 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

12 KCA 100 Sun 0600 Q/100

14 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

19 VTTA 25 Sun 0630 Q25/8

21 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

28 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

July 5 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

12 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

17 VTTA 50 Sun 0630 Q50/11

19 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

26 GCC 10 Tues 1915 Q10/24

August 2 GCC 10 Tues 1900 Q10/24

9 GCC 10 Tues 1900 Q10/24 (max 35 ridrs)

14 KCA 50 Sun 0630 Q50/1

16 GCC 10 Tues 1845 Q10/24

23 GCC 10 Tues 1845 Q10/24

28 Catford CC 25 Sun 0700 Q25/12

30 GCC 10 Tues 1845 Q10/24

Sept 11 KCA 25 Sun 0730 Q25/10

18 Hill Climb (Exedown) Sun 1100 QHC/1

(NB – events in bold are qualifying events for the Club Championships)

TRACK

Bearsby Challenge Shield - Fastest timed track lap. If interested contact Mike Coulter




S E Open & Association Events

(Open events are ones which an official entry form is need and has to be submitted 10-14 days in

advance)

Apr 17 VTTA 30 Q30/2 0700 £10

23 Catford 10 Q10/19 0615 £8

24 KCA 10 Q10/22 0730 £8

May 1 Wigmore 25 Q25/8 0615 £8.50

7 CC Bexley 10 Q10/24 1500 £8

14 Southborough 10 Q10/33 1430 £8.50

15 San Fairy Ann 50 Q50/1 0630 £10

21 Medway VC 10 Q10/24 1500 £8

29 Bigfoot 25 Q25/8 0630 £8

June 4 De Laune 10 Q10/24 1500 £8

5 KCA 50 Q50/11 0600 £8

12 KCA 100 Q/100 0600 £8

18 Thanet 10 Q10/42 1500 £8

19 VTTA 25 Q25/8 0630 £7

26 Thanet 25 Q25/10 0630 £8

July 3 VTTA 10 Q10/30 0700 £7

7 PMR 10 Q10/1 1900 £8

9 KCA 10 Q10/42 1500 £8

10 Gravesend 25 Q25/8 0630 £8

14 PMR 10 Q10/1 1900 £8

16 San Fairy Ann 10 Q10/22 0730 £10

17 VTTA 50 Q50/11 0630 £8

21 PMR 10 Q10/1 1900 £8

28 PMR 10 Q10/1 1900 £8

30 VTTA 10 Q10/1 0730 £7

31 West Kent 25 Q25/20 0700 £8

August 7 De Laune 25 Q25/20 0700 £8

14 KCA 50 Q50/1 0630 £8

21 KCA 12hr Q12 0530 £12

28 Catford 25 Q25/12 0700 £8

Sept 11 KCA 25 Q25/10 0730 £8

18 VTTA 25 Q25/12 0730 £7

25 Bigfoot H/C QHC/1 0930 £8

Oct 2 Wigmore H/C QHC/11 1030 £8.50

9 VTTA 15 Q15/20R 0800 £7




2016 Awards – what you are competing for!

Gravesend BAR (Best All Rounder)

This is the lowest aggregated time for a 10*, 25, and 50 mile rides in Championship

designated events. (* from a Club 10)

Senior Men’s Championship

The highest number of points accumulated from 5 Gravesend Championship events

with 2 events from the 50 and 100mile events.

Veterans’ Championship

The highest number of points accumulated from 5 Gravesend Championship events –

with 2 events from 50 and 100mile events. Points will be calculated based on veteran

age standard times.

Evening 10 Championship - Senoirs The lowest total time of 5 events. (Times adjusted pro rata if non 10m course)

Evening 10 Championship - Veterans The highest total age standard time from 5 events. (Times adjusted pro rata if non 10m course)

Bearsby Challenge Shield

This is a track award. The fastest flying track lap. Unlimited attempts, but officially

timed.

Handicap Championship

Calculated from the difference between the two combined fastest times minus the two

combined slowest times.

The Tom Taylor Trophy The best improvement in a 10 mile time from the previous season to the current season.

The Tom Medley Trophy The time nearest to the hour in any event without breaking the hour

Hill Climb Championship The rider with the fastest time in the Gravesend Hill Climb event.

The Eldridge Memorial Trophy The first Gravesend rider in the designated Eldridge 25 mile time trial

Attendance Trophy For the Gravesend member who has accumulated the most points by attending the most

Club activities. Attending any one activity gains 1 point. All activities carry equal points

– riding, Club night, marshalling, time keeping etc




Pym Hill Trophy

For outstanding contribution(s) to the Club during the season.

Half Wheel Trophy

Awarded by the Runs’ Captain at his/her discretion for half wheeling or other generally

provocative tendencies with the bunch!

The Sydney William Goldsmith Trophy Awarded at the discretion of the Club for any special achievement.

The Road Race Award

Awarded by the Club to recognise achievement(s) by a Gravesend rider in road racing.

The Touring Award

Awarded by the Club to recognise achievement(s) by a Gravesend rider in cycle touring.

The Mountain Bike Award Awarded by the Club to recognise achievement(s) by a Gravesend rider in mountain

biking.

Ramsay Cup A team award, awarded to the fastest team of 3 riders in the Ramsay Cup 25.

Wooden Spoon Awarded, at the Club’s discretion, for an event or action which has caused a ‘stir’!

Ground Rules for CompetitionsGround Rules for CompetitionsGround Rules for CompetitionsGround Rules for Competitions

1. In riding in these competitions it is expected that, if a winner, you will receive your

award at the annual Club Dinner and Presentation. (This is just showing respect to

those that have competed but have not been successful)

2. It is your responsibilityyour responsibilityyour responsibilityyour responsibility to send anyanyanyany event results, GCC, Open or otherwise to the

Race Secretary. GCC will not trawl around to find your results. You need to

provide (i) the promoting club (ii) course code (iii) date (iv) your time. If you are

submitting road race, mountain bike or touring results or information then the

corresponding information is required.

so don’t say you haven’t been toldso don’t say you haven’t been toldso don’t say you haven’t been toldso don’t say you haven’t been told!!!!




FRANCE 2016

The bracketed letter after a place name indicates the nearest large town. A + indicates slightly

further than the main town. I work on the rough calculation that Boulogne (B) is approximately

20 miles from the Channel Tunnel , Le Touquet (LT) 35m, St Omer (SO) 30m and Calais (C) 5

miles. Some events have specific MTB (VTT) routes also.

Date Event name Start Distances

April 24 Rand de la Baie St Jean Wimereux (B) 30/75/100

May 1 Les Traces de Napoleon Le Portel (B) 50/90/150k

Rand de la St Michel Roquetoire (SO) 40/60/80/100/VTT

5 La Route le Portel-Bon/gues Le Portel (B) 50/75/100k

8 Rand de Lyderic Aire sur la Lys (SO+) 55/75/VTT

Le Carre de Vallees Ardres (C) 60/100/150k

Randonee de la Biche Samer (B) 60/90k

15 Rand d’Ambleteuse Ambleteuse (B) 60/90k

29 Rand des 2 Caps St Martin (B) 50/80/120k

La Rande de Potiers Desvres (B) all VTT 20-60

June 5 Rand des 6 Bourgeois Calais (C) 54/81/109k

La Cycl’isques Isques (B) 50/75/109k

(12 Paris-Roubaix – depending on start point 70/120/210k)

12 La Ronde Verte Marck (C) 65/95k

L’Assaut des Monts St Martin (B) 90/130k

18 Rand Same-Le Crotoy Samer (B) 95/145k

19 Rand de Solidarite Le Portel (B) 40/70k

26 Balade Etaploise Etaples (LT) 60/90k

Les Coteaux de la Hem Zutkerque (C) 60/90/120k

July 3 La Ronde des Clochers Hazebrouck (SO+) 69/90/VTT

Rand de la Mouette Neuf-Hardelot (B) 60/80k

10 Brevet des Estivants Cucq (LT) 60/90k

14 A la source de la Lys Merville (SO+) 60/80/100/VTT

17 Rand Estivale Le Portel (B) 50/70/100k

24 Rand de la Moule Wimereux (B) 40/70k

August 14 Brevet des Monts Cucq (LT) 60/90k

21 Rand de l’Oree du Bois Rand du Fliers (LT) 50/100k

Sept 4 La Cambraisiene Cambrai 60/90/100k (twinned with Gravesend/Gravesend CC)

Cap Gris Nez et …. St Omer 50-150/VTT25-

45 17 Rand des As Isbergues (SO+) 45/85/125k

NB – this listing is a selection based on the ease of access, the hour’s time difference and

registration times and what I have found that works. For a full listing in the Pas de Calais and

Nord departments try the www.ffct5962.com website.

Documents

Newsletter ALL ABROAD! - gravesendcc.org.uk · Diary Note - Forewarned is forearmed – make a note in your diary that the Club Dinner & Awards Presentation will be the first week