Malcolm Eccles Inter Club Competition

& Club 10 Championships

This took place on August 3rd on our Hapton course and then on 4th August on their Bashall Eaves course (which incoporated our 10 mile championships). Once again this year we finished 2nd (the combined time difference this year being a more respectable 4 min 19 sec. The full results can be found on the RESULTS page. A special thank you to Dave Brown who took over the timekeeping duties on our Hapton course in the absence of Harry Law. Thanks also to all the riders from both clubs

Club Polo Shirt

Julian has sourced a local firm that can produce polo shirts embroidered with the club name and a logo (click for illustrations) there are choice of colours and the price would be about £10 with a minimum order of 12. Please let Julian know asap of your preference.

The Pendle Witches Vintage Velo Charity Cycle Ride

starts and finishes at the Craven Heifer Pub Burnley Road Rawtenstall ,mass start 9.00am 4/4/2010 .Postal entry forms maps and routes can be printed of the web site which is www.pendlewitchesvintagevelo.co.uk

It is £10 pounds to enter and all proceeds go to Cancer Reasearch and Steping Stones local charity.We are trying to get as many classic and vintage road cycles as possible but if your members dont have access to one a modern road bike can be used as long as you dont make it look to easy going over the Nick o' Pendlle.

Club AGM November 2009

Paul thanked everybody for coming and singled out Roy Flanagan for looking after the finances, Derek Schofield for the secretaries duties and Adrian Watts for the website.

Special mention was made of the continued work of Harry Law and his timekeeping duties. Harry informed the meeting that he had resigned his assistant timekeepers duties. He will be available for some of the club events, but cannot commit on a regular basis.

Harry was thanked for all he has done in the past and the members resolved to keep the club events going on a self help basis.

• A healthy increase in attendance at the club evening l0s — thanks to all those who marshalled and helped Harry with the timekeeping

• A good turn out for the Malcolm Eccles trophy. Pity about the result 3 rd time lucky?

Due to work commitments, it’s likely I’ll be missing much of the 2010 season and must, therefore, resign my post.

The balance sheet was presented which showed a small deficit for the year of £77 with outstanding payments due for kit of £317.

Chairman Adrian Watts proposed by Harry Law and seconded by Paul Warrener; carried

Secretary & Race Secretary Paul Warrener proposed by Roy Flanagan seconded by Adrian Watts; carried

Social Secretary Julian Monk proposed Adrian Watts seconded Paul Warrener; carried

CLUBMAN of the YEAR vote; a secret ballot was taken and Harry Law took the votes away to count.

Adrian Watts asked if there was money available for some coaching kit to be purchased, quotes to be obtained.

BTA Affiliation: There had been interest expressed by some potential and current members into the club affiliating to the BTA. The club agreed in principle as long as there was enough interest to justify the expense.

Subscriptions: It was decided that subs for the next financial year starting 1 st November 2010 will increase to £15.

Club 10 mile series: Due to the increase in members riding it was discussed as to what the scoring should be after the 9 th rider, it was resolved that subsequent riders should get 1 point.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

It’s coming to the end of another year for the Rossendale Road Club, one which has seen a healthy increase in the number of riders taking part in our evening 10s, and a number of new members – welcome to you all. Please note:

Please come along for a chin-wag, catch up on news and to plan the club’s 2010 activites – training rides, social rides, events etc.

Any riders who are interested in Sunday rides, non-members are welcome, should contact Paul Warrener on 01706 215123 or Adrian Watts (01706 601793) for further details.

Throughout the winter, the club are continuing with their mid-week evening training rides. These leave Kay St. (Rawtenstall) car park on Tuesday and Thursday at 6.15pm. Tuesday is intended for training pace, with Thursday at a more leisurely pace. All riders are welcome.

It’s important that anyone who wants to see the club survive and prosper in the future comes along to the AGM, to volunteer for office and to air their views. There is certainly no ‘clic’ of hierarchy in the Rossendale Road Club and everyone is welcome, members, non-members and potential members alike, to come along and have their say. New members are especially welcome.

Finally, if you do have an e-mail address, please let me know – it’s a lot easier than post!

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

I'm now collectiong orders for the next delivery. Please let me know if you want anything. I need a minimum of 5 of each garment type to place an order. Remember, there are still some spare garments from the last order at Adrian's, which are still at the old, lower, price. New Price List

If you've ordered and taken kit and not yet paid, please settle up with Roy as soon as possible. I've attached the last list I had, together with the price list. There may be some additions or alterations since I don't have full details of what has been returned or taken from Adrian's. The Euro fluctuation has seen an increase in what the club has been billed since the original invoice, so if you paid earlier - you got the best deal! Order List

Firstly, after a long time coming, I think it must be congratulations to Adrian on setting a new PB for a ‘10’ under 24 minutes, and in no uncertain terms too – with a time of 22.58 last well at Levens. Well done!

And, in the same event, another cracking ride from Paul in breaking the club record again – this time in 20.35 ( I think). Whatever he’s been on this year – I want some. And I don’t think it’s Cheadles best pizzas and buns! (20.25 on19/9/09)

The Crown Point open hill climb is on Saturday 3 October – full details in the CTT handbook. Any entries to Paul.

Date for 2008 presentation dinner is Saturday 30 January 2010 at Sykeside Hotel, Haslingden. Full details will follow.

Please forward any items for discussion for the next meeting or the AGM to myself. Also, if you’re keen to help out the club with any administrative help or organisation, or have any other ideas, please let me know or come along to one of the monthly meetings.

After last month’s meeting, I’ve checked the previous years’ AGM minutes and can find no record of a policy being agreed to eliminate any rider from the club evening 10 championship if they don’t marshall at least one event. Open for discussion at he nexrt meeting.

PS. I have a Giro ‘go faster’ helmet for time trialling, free to a good home. It’s not a safety helmet, but looks good and keeps your ears warm!

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

No apologies for the Ozzy hello – if you don’t know the ashes test result by now, just stick to cycling!

Just about time to sneak in abit of news for August. First – congratulations to both Adrian and Julian for setting PBs last Tuesday at Hapton. And my apologies to anyone else who set PBs that I haven’t mentioned on what was a good night. The Tuesday 10s have been blessed with decent weather this year, with the odd exception, and have seen a good increase in rider numbers. Thanks to all who have turned out – riders, marshals, Paul for putting out the flags and Harry for his timekeeping.

Tomorrow night sees the last of the 10s for this year. That mean that, next week, it will be the Roadman’s hill climb from Townley to Deerplay. Signing on will be from 6.30 to 6.45 at the Deerplay pub, and start at 7pm from Townley. We’ll be heading down to the Hargreaves at Lumb for ‘re-hydration’ afterwards, please come along.

We still have plenty of spare club kit available, please come along to Adrian’s shop to see what there is. This is on a ‘first come first served’ basis until I place another order.

At the next club meeting, we need to set dates for the 2010 season. We’ve also had a request for affiliation to the British Triathlete Association for 2010, so need to consider that move.

That’s about it for now - this next club meeting is Monday 31 August at 8pm, Watts News, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot. Please come along and support the club.

PS. I have a Giro ‘go faster’ helmet for time trialling, free to a good home. It’s not a safety helmet, but looks good and keeps your ears warm!

MAY NEWSLETTER

Le Grim Pierre - at Monday’s meeting, the majority decision was for Sunday 5 July, start 9.00 am at Kay St car park, Rawtenstall. This is now a definite date so please put in your diaries. The ride is intended to be a club day out, not too long (about 70 miles) but taking in a lot of steep, short climbs. There will be a brew/dinner stop somewhere along the route. All are welcome and no one will be left gasping up the best climbs of East Lancs and West Yorks. I’ll be preparing some route plans and maps for the ride. The route is on the web site but is likely to be amended slightly to avoid a loop back around Hebden Bridge.

Anyone who has ordered kit but not received it yet – there is the following spare kit at Adrian’s, all without names on. Please note first come, first served:

I am now preparing a new order but am awaiting an updated price list from the supplier. In the meantime if you want anything and it’s not available from the spare items above, please let me know.

We are now in second place in the Spoco league table, but have a few clubs snapping at our heels. If we can retain 2 nd, that will be our best club performance for quite a few years. If you fancy a Spoco event, please make an effort. It is a great series with some cracking routes.

Final reminder that our own mid-week tens will start on Tuesday 5 May at Hapton. Sign on latest 6.45 pm at Bentley Wood Farm.

You may have already seen the note from Adrian for a charity Velodrome session on Monday 6 July, arranged by John Leach. Please let Adrian know if you want to attend. I think the time is 8 – 10pm, but contact Adrian for details.

There are still the regular mid-week runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and occasional Sunday rides. Please keep an eye on the web site for details. Please let me or Adrian know if you want to circulate any news or to place anything on the web site.

I’m trying to get a weekly entry in the Rossendale Free Press on behalf of the club, but can only report on what I know. If you’ve entered any events – road, track, MTB or tiddleywinks, let me know and I can include in the report. Last copy date is Monday night for the Friday’s paper. If you know of anything else remotely cycling related that might be of interest to others, please send it to me.

April Newsletter

Well,. It seemed to have during the first two laps of the Buxton Mountain Time Trial this morning. But then the brief shower which was threatening over the Northern part of the course opened up into a torrential downpour. April showers! It reminded me of the weather we’ve just returned from in Mallorca, so I suppose we were accustomed to it. The rain turned the minor country lanes into a lottery, covered as they were with muck from the surrounding fields. Paul and myself were mid-field so our performances were, I suppose, reasonable.

Anyway, the main reason for this newsletter is to finalise Le Grim Pierre. We’d originally fixed the date of Sunday 19 April for the ride. I’m now aware that several of our members cannot make this date so I’m asking everyone’s opinion. Do you want to stay with the 19 th or suggest an alternative? I’m quite willing to go along with the majority and produce route details – route, maps, lunch stop etc., for the preferred date. I know it would be impossible to cater for everyone but I reckon the majority rules. Please let me know your thoughts and preferred date.

I’m assuming now that you’ve all received the kit you ordered. In case you didn’t there is still some kit with names on at Adrian’s so please can you collect this asap, thanks. This will leave us with the following spare items:

If you want any of the above, please could you attend the next meeting, Monday 27 April, or confirm with me, thanks.

There are a few spoco events coming up over the next few weeks – Wigan Wheelers 30 25 April and Shap HC 4 May. We’re doing OK as a club at the moment, not far off winning individual event team prizes but need to keep plugging away the finish in the top 3 overall. We’re in a good position to do this year so all entries would be appreciated. If transport’s a problem , I’m sure a ‘phone call may result in a car share.

March Newsletter

I know we’re only just into March, but I thought I would send out a newsletter. First thing is to say thanks again to all who helped and marshalled at the Bolton by Bowland Spoco event. I’ve had several e-mails from riders who thanked the club for the event and it just wouldn’t happen without all the support.

Since a few of us will be away at the end of March, our next club meeting will be on Monday 23 March, usual time of 8pm at Watt’s News, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot..

I’ve now received the remainder of the club kit that was ordered, so I would be grateful if all those who ordered kit would come along and collect, then we can see what is surplus for others.

The Spoco season is now with us with plenty of events over the next couple of months. As a club, we have a really good chance of a top placing this year, but individual riders have to complete a minimum of 8 events to qualify. The Spoco championship is now being run by Paul Warrener, and Adrian has built the links to our own web site, so a good showing by Rossendale Road Club is essential!

By a huge vote (there really are some strange folk riding bikes!) Le Grim Pierre will be run this year on Sunday 19 April, starting at 9.30 am from Kay St car park. I will be sending our further details soon, but please put this date in your diary. There will be a café stop and plenty of escape routes if you wimp out!

February Newsletter

If you’re still digging yourself out of the snow – good luck! Let’s just hope it’s cleared ready for our first event on Saturday 28 Feb at Bolton-by-Bowland. If you’re not riding or I haven’t got your name down, we’re still looking for helpers and I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. But, of course, if you just want to come along and watch, you would be very welcome, and I’m sure you could cadge a brew from our ladies in the village hall. It might just cost you though!

The week before that, there’s a 10 mile 2 up TT at Garstang. Maybe taking part as a light hearted start to the year could be attractive. We have 3 pairs already booked in, so why not get yourself a partner and have a go.

For those of you waiting for kit, I’ve heard from the importers that it’s due for dispatch this Friday, so should be with us sometime next week. If you’ve not ordered kit and are looking for something, I have ordered a few extra items, so please let me know and we might be able to sort you out.

A big thank you to all who came to dinner and presentation at the Sykeside. A great turn out of 40 made for an excellent atmosphere and everyone seemed to say this was the best meal we’d had at this venue. Thanks to Adrian for the arrangements. I just hope Mr.Warrener has invested in a big tin of Brasso – he’s going to need it to keep all those trophies polished!

I’ve had no feed back on a possible velodrome booking for the club. Unless I receive any interest then I can’t make a booking – remember it’s pay up front, with no rebate for no-show.

Also, I’ve had no replies about Le Grim Pierre (has there sense come to this club?). Anyway, the suggested date is Sunday 19 April, the week before the 3 Peaks ride. Again, please let me know if you’re interested. Although it’s some off, it must be booked in with HWMBO.

That’s about it for now - the next club meeting is Monday 23 February at 8pm, Watts News, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Here’s hoping you and your friends/families all the very best health and good wishes for the coming year – and a few PBs, of course!

And 2009 is looking promising for the RRC. Plenty of folk are out riding – midweek and on Sundays, So, it’s thanks to Adrian who’s keeping everyone abreast of the, now regular Sunday outings. Please keep checking the club web site or contact Adrian (tel: 01706 214892) to keep up to date.

Membership fees are now due for 2009, fees to Roy Flanagan please. At just £10, we must be the club with the cheapest fee that’s both CTT and BCF affiliated. It’s worth joining, if only to buy decent quality, subsidised kit. We would be pleased to enrol new members so please ask around mates or anyone you know who may be interested in joining a club. I’ve attached a Membership form and I would ask if you could all complete this and return, to make sure our records are up to date.

Our dinner is on 24 January at the Sykeside., at 7.15pm, for a 7.45pm start. Please contact Adrian with your choice of menu, latest 20 Jan.

Our first event, and the first Lakes & Lancs Spoco of 2009, is the Bolton-by-Bowland TT on Saturday 28 Feb. I’m now compiling a list of potential helpers, so if you could marshal, or help with the start/finish, please let me know. Any help, even if it’s only for part of the day, would be greatly appreciated.

Another event, though not our club, is the annual bike sale at Manchester Velodrome on Sunday 18 January. If you’re after some bike bits, or clothing, it’s well worth going along. Be careful though, it’s odds on you’ll come home with a light wallet and weighed down with piles of stuff you never even knew you needed – just ask Paul Warrener!

And talk of the velodrome, we’ve previously booked a Taster session for the club. The most convenient times are 6 – 7pm on Saturday, and 5 – 6pm on Sundays. If there’s enough interest, I’m perfectly happy to make a booking. Please let me know if you’re interested and the preferred slot. I’ll go by the majority and book accordingly. You must pay in advance for this, I think it’s about £10 including bike hire.

Also, I know a few have expressed a desire to ride Le Grim Pierre – there really are some strange people about, or is this a case of post-beer talk? Anyway, the suggested date is Sunday 19 April, the week before the 3 Peaks ride. Again, please let me know if you’re interested.

That’s about it for now - the next club meeting is Monday 26 January at 8pm, Watts News, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot.

Hearts of Heroes!

A few years ago, I was asked in a survey to name my sporting heroes. I named two locals, David Lewis and a cyclist named Eric Wilson. There was one other local hero that I didn’t mention at the time, but I will tell you about that later. As for David Lewis, we know all about him.

Eric Wilson was the first National Champion as far as I know who came from ‘the Valley’. He was a hill climb specialist and was National Hill climb champion several times over a ten year period.

Hill climbs are done on very steep tarmac roads. They are time trials in which the riders are set off at one minute intervals. Eric won on Ambergate in Derbyshire, on Whinnats Pass and on a hill near Stratford-on-Avon. A reporter for the Daily papers once said of Eric ‘he is the unlikeliest looking hero that I have ever seen and he looks like he should be at home getting on the outside of a bowl of hot soup’!

After interviewing Eric he said ‘the things he said hadn’t much to them, the way he looked there wasn’t much to him, but you can’t see the heart that is underneath.’

In 1964 the National was held on Peaslow Hill, near Chapel-en-le-Frith and my hero wasn’t even mentioned in the ‘Cycling Weekly’ magazine as a possible contender, although they named about ten other ‘top riders’ as favourites.

Eric asked me to give him a time check about half way up or down on the top men. When I asked which of the top ten did he want a check against he said ‘just Brooks and Lightfoot’ and I wasn’t to worry about anybody else.

Having taken my position with a friend I picked a mark on the road to time at. All the red hot men usually go off on the tens e.g. ten, twenty, ninety etc. Eric was I think no. 110. The crowd could be heard chanting louder as each of the ‘stars’ were coming up the hill. Lightfoot came through really fast and the time at my mark was 2m15secs-Wow! He was about twenty years old and I thought ‘What chance does Eric have at the age of thirty-two!’

Brooks was about no.100 and he was moving faster than Lightfoot, he looked about twenty years old as well, his time at the mark was 2m15secs ‘Good God’! I said ‘how fast can they go?’

Some ten minutes later I could hear the crowds lower down the hill roaring and shouting louder than ever, (he wasn’t just my hero). I leaned out to look down the hill. I could see him about a hundred yards away, he looked unhurried and quite relaxed, and ‘why is he not rushing?’ I thought to myself. He was getting near the mark; I looked at my watch, 2m12sec.

I held three fingers up to him and screamed ‘you’re up, you’re 3secs up’. He seemed to vanish up the hill still not appearing to try, but you could hear the chants of ‘Up, up, up!’ getting faster as he headed for the top.

My friend and I set off walking towards the top after the last rider had come past. There are usually 120 riders in the national. As we were walking up someone was coming down and a friend said ‘Ave ye bin up t’top?’ ‘Aye’ came the reply, ‘Wilson by 3 secs’.

What a feeling, Lightfoot was second and Brooks was third, proving that my hero knew what it was all about!

Now to my previously unmentioned sporting hero, or heroine, to be precise. When I gave the time check for Eric, the friend that was with me was a beautiful young lady who was almost twenty years of age. We were engaged and two years later married.

She has never won any sporting titles nationally or locally, but tries her best at running. She is also quite good on a bike. She has never given up her sporting efforts despite many adversities and major surgery. Many times I’ve thought ‘She won’t run again after this’, but she has always bounced back (thankfully). Any person in the street who doesn’t know her would think she’s a healthy looking fifty year old (although she has a bus pass). She never says a lot and she may not seem extra special, but you can’t see the heart that’s underneath!