July 2008

Monday 30th June saw the club night moving to the Manchester Velodrome, where club coach John Leach put on a 2 hour session for novices and more experienced riders. There were 24 riders of various abilities and our thanks go to John for a very enjoyable evening.

The weekend of 5 & 6 July saw the finale of the 2008 Lakes and Lancs SPOCO Time Trial series with double header races at Penrith on Saturday and Longridge on Sunday. The Rossendale Road Club were pushing for their best ever placing in the series and the top 3 clubs were all in contention for the leader’s jersey.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go there way when, in atrocious conditions on the Saturday, Paul Warrener missed a marshall’s signals and went off route, failing to post a finishing time. Derek Schofield finished 15 th overall and 1 st Vet 50 in a time of 59:15, followed by Damien Ludlow in 1.00:25. Ludlow’s time was the most impressive, this being his first season in open event time trials.

Warrener bounced back on Sunday though, fininshing first club rider home in the Tour of Longridge in a time of 48:39, with Schofield at 48:59 and Ludlow on 50:12.

In the final reckoning of the series, the Rossendale club finished 3rd overall, behind Border City Wheelers and the sponsored club of Pro Bike Kit. A frustrating result after pushing th top clubs so close, but bodes well for the 2009 season with several new members now making their mark on the North Western time trial scene.

The season now concentrates on the faster, flatter courses, starting on Saturday with a 25 mile circuit in Cheshire around Jodrell Bank and Cranage, with Julian Monk moving up to his first open event at this distance.

Don’t forget this coming Tuesday is the Whalley – Settle event, rehydrating restocking with carbohydrates afterwards at the Boars Head in Long Preston. Some riders are leaving their vehicles at Whalley and others at Long Preston, cycling down to the start and back from Settle.

15 July will see the 10s back at Hapton.

Hope to see you there

June 2008

The club evening 10s championship is now hotting up with Paul Warrener taking the latest win on 10 June. Warrener has now taken over the series lead from Roy Flanagan, who finished in 3 rd place on the night behind Derek Schofield.

In open events, the club is closing on Pro-Bike Kit, the sponsored club that is presently leading the Lakes and Lancs Spoco Championship. At The Condor RC event on 11 June over the tough Buckstones Moss circuit from Ripponden, it was Schofield leading the club home in 4 th place overall. He was closely followed by Damien Ludlow in 6 th, having a great first season with RRC. Warrener wa s3rd club counter, finishing just outside the top 10, but still gaining valuable championship points.

Cockerham was the venue on Sunday, 15 June, hosted by the West Pennine Road Club. This was a 25 mile event comprising a 2 lap circuit heading out to Cockerham sands, returning via Winmarleigh. The coastal circuit is reknown for being windy and Sunday was no exception, with not many riders beating ‘the hour’. However, it was in-form Jimmy Wright of Preston Wheelers who won in an exceptional time of 55.20 min., reportedly a new circuit record. Warrener finished in 1.00.59, 10 th overall, with Schofield closing the gap at 1.01.15, 12 th overall and 1 st vet 50.

There are now just 3 rounds left in the series, and the club is looking for its best placing for many years.

A reminder that the latest order for club kit has arrived. Those who have ordered garments please let me know and I can arrange collection/delivery. Socks and caps are available, priced at £3.59 and £2.84, and are complete in club colours and are of excellent quality. These are on a first come - first served basis.

The next club meeting is due on Monday 30 June, and it is intended to hold this at Manchester Velodrome, courtesy of John Leach, who has arranged a 2 hour ‘come and try it’ session in aid of the Rotary Club. Please let Adrian Watts know if you wish to come along.

May 2008

 Cyclo-Sportives are the fastest growing activity in the cycling calendar, with accessible events available nearly every weekend throughout the summer. These are long distance challenge events, generally over hilly terrain, the most famous being the Etape de Tour, held annually over a mountain stage of the Tour de France. Many of the events involve raising money for charities and arguably the toughest of the UK events, the Fred Whitton Challenge, was held on 11 May. Starting and finishing in Coniston, this covered 112 miles, climbing all the famous climbs in the Lake District.

Nearly 1,000 riders started the event and first home was Rob Jebb, well known in local fell running circles, in a new record time of 5:40:40. 7 riders from RCC took part and Roy Flanagan finished in an outstanding Elite time of 6:37:37, 47 th overall. Ist class award winners were Derek Schofield 7:16:01 (138 th), Damien Ludlow 7:16:33 (142 nd) and John Ealing 7: 20:31 (159 th). Richie Watts 8:56:49 (553 rd), Mike O’Shea 8:56:57 (555 th) and Paul Warrener 9: 13:44 (624 th) completed the squad.

On Thursday evening, 2 teams from RRC rode in the Preston Wheelers 10mile 2-up Time Trial on the St.Michael’s circuit. Perhaps feeling their legs from the Fred Whitton ride, Schofield and Warrener posted a disappointing time of 22.32, well down the field. However, Adrian Watts and Julian Monk gave an excellent performance to finish in 24.40, at their first attempt at a team event.

Warrener and Schofield bounced back to some form on Saturday in the West Pennine Road Club’s 10 mile event on the Garstang circuit. Warrener finished a creditable 7 th overall in 22.39 and Schofield was 2 nd Vet 50, 12 th overall, in 23.10.

With 6 local rounds remaining, the club are in their best position in the Lakes & Lancs Spoco Championship for some years, and riders are urged to complete their qualifying 8 rounds to ensure a top placing for the club. The final event and presentation is the Tour of Longridge organised by the Ribble Valley RC on Sunday, 6 July.

The Rossendale club’s evening 10s series continues on Tuesdays, sign on at Bentley Wood Industrial Estate 6.30 – 6.45 pm. Everyone’s welcome to come along and have a ride, spectate or help with marshalling. 3 June will see the Tuesday event transferred to the Bolton by Bowland circuit for a 2 lap, 22 mile event. Again, entry will be on the line, £1.50

Next club meeting tonight, Monday 26 May, at Watts News, 8pm.

March 2008

The Spoco season is well under way now and let’s see if we can get a minimum of 3 members who have completed 8 rounds to ensure we can qualify for the team prize. Rossendale have finished regularly in the top three teams and there should be a great chance of making it again this year. Please check out the calendar and try to get 8 rounds in.

On Saturday, Derek Schofield gained his revenge on Paul Warrener for the previous week’s defeat, by posting a PB in the classic Tour of Ingleborough time trial. Schofield finished in 1:12:03, 23 rd overall, with Warrener in 41 st with a time of 1;15:43, Unfortunately, Rossendale RC didn’t complete a team with Adrian Watts having to withdraw.

The 27 Mile event is one of the true classic hilly time trials of the North, starting from Ingleton, via the back roads to Clapham and over Buckhaw Brow to Giggleswick. The route then takes in several sharp climbs through Horton and Selside. A blustery wind troubled the riders until Ribblehead, when speeds of up to 50 mph were enjoyed with the tail wind through Chapel-le-Dale back to the finish in Ingleton.

Adrian Lawrence of Lancashire RC looked to have taken the overall win in a time of 1:05:31 until the time of the last rider, Andy Jackson, came up on the finishing board, winning by just one second in 1:05:30.

The next round is on Saturday 29 March, when several Rossendale RC riders will be attacking the notorious Birdy Brow, in the event starting from Hurst Green, Longridge.

Next meeting, 8.00 pm Monday 31 March at Watt’s News, Waterfoot.

January 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hope everybody who attended enjoyed the dinner at the Sykeside last Saturday. A healthy number of 33 folk made the ‘do’. And it was good to see a few different faces. It was the first time I’d met Eric Wilson – a great character, still looking pretty fit, so thanks Eric to you and you lovely wife for coming along as our guests.

And at our first monthly meeting of 2008, it was good to see a few new faces. Let’s hope we have enough going for you at the club and in cycling to keep you interested. Please let everyone know if you want to do something special – a weekend ride, an evening at the Velodrome, a bike jumble, a social event – whatever.

We still have our mid-week rides, leaving Kay St (Rawtenstall) car park at 6.15 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

And this Sunday, 3 February, Paul Warrener will be leading a ride from Whalley at 9.30 am. The pace will be suitable for all and will include a café stop. Please ring Paul on 01706 215123 or e-mail him at havinitlarge@talktalk.net for further details.

Our next event is the Bolton-by-Bowland SPOCO on 23 February, starts 2.00 pm. I know several people have already volunteered to help out as marshals, but additional help is always welcome. For those who wish to ride, entries must be on the official CTT form and must reach me latest 13 Feb, with £6 entry fee.

The combined clubs 10 Mile event will be Saturday 8 March on the L101 course at Garstang, starting 2 pm. Entry fee is £1.50 and must reach me latest 25 Feb. This is run as a handicap event and is ideal for first timers.

The latest club kit order form and price list can be found on the News page. Derek is about to place an order but he needs a minimum of 5 garments of each type to make up an order. The main interest appears to be caps, socks, windtex tops, short sleeve tops and bib shorts. We have some orders already, but please confirm if you need something (‘need’ maybe not be the correct word but it should be good enough!).

That’s about all for now.

AGM, 26 November 2007

Present:

 Chairman Paul Warrener, Treasurer Roy Flanagan, Harry Law, Harry Bowler, Julian Monk, John Hartley

Apologies: Derek Schofield, Adrian Watts

Meeting Minutes

P.Warrener took the chair and H.Law deputised as secretary.

The secretary’s report was received and noted. D.Schofield had suggested that entry fees for Combined Clubs events be paid by the Club. It was agreed that entrants are to pay their own fees, but the Club will reimburse the member submitting the entries and recover the fees when membership fees are paid, via the treasurer. DNS will not be an excuse for non-payment.

Members are encouraged to enter the Spoco series and ensure they get the full qualifying number of events recorded to ensure a decent Club finishing position.

The treasurer reported a loss for 2007 of £123.00, partly accounted for by the loss on the open hill climb and other factors. The balance was adjusted by factoring in outstanding payments for club clothing.

The meeting thanked the secretary and treasurer for their efforts.

H.Law proposed that the Club events for 2008 are based on the corresponding 2007 dates, including the Club 10 Championship and the Malcolm Eccles Trophy. Note: D.Schofield has the details and will make the submission.

Open events for 2008 have already been applied for and confirmed.

H.Law and R.Flanagan are certain that the CTT affiliation fee for 2008 has been paid.

H.Law will check with the NLTTA treasurer for their affiliation details.

The British Cycling affiliation fee is due prior to 31 December. D.Schofield has the details and will submit. Note: a cheque is required from the treasurer.

D.Schofield will order the CTT handbooks. Requests from R.Flanagan, J.Monk, H.Law, J.Hartley, P.Warrener, A.Watts, D.Schofield and J.Ealing. Any further requests, please contact D.Schofield.

There were no further requests for club kit.

H.Law confirmed that he now has 2 no. cheques totalling £890 for donation to Rochdale Hospice in memory of Malcolm Eccles. He will contact Marie, with a presentation to be made to the hospice and a possible photograph opportunity. H.Law and H.Bowler will attend.

It was agreed to invite Eric Wilson to the Club dinner to present awards.

A Christmas social night will be at the White Lion, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall at 7.45pm Monday 17 December – all welcome.

Election of officials

Chairman Paul Warrener proposed H.Bowler seconded R.Flanagan

Secretary Derek Schofield proposed H.Law seconded H.Bowler

Race Secretary Derek Schofield proposed R.Flanagan seconded J.Hartley

Recorder Adrian Watts proposed H.Law seconded R.Flanagan

Social Secretary Adrian Watts proposed H.Law seconded R.Flanagan

Clubman of The Year, 2007

The club has voted Paul Warrener to take this accolade for 2007. We all know of Paul’s accident earlier in the year. As soon as he was fit enough, he took on marshalling and timekeeping at Hapton and was soon back on his bike, although an inside turbo. It didn’t take him long to be back on the road, and now seems to be better than ever.

Congratulations Paul!

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm.

News from New Zealand

(Kevin & Delphine Smith)

Malcolm Eccles Memorial Ride 4/11/07

Road club members and friends on Nick O' Pendle

(more photos)

Evening 10's 2007

Final Results

In the final time trial Derek Schofield secured the extra 2 points he required to overhaul Jerry Peel for minor places, after Roy Flanagan had wrapped up the series with maximum points 3 weeks ago, in this years season long competition of evening 10's based at Bentley Wood. The full results can be found on the results page

Inter Club Challenge

The inaugural Inter Club Challenge between Rossendale Road Club and North Lancs Road Club was completed this week (7 & 9 August 2007) and a new trophy was presented in memory of Malcolm Eccles.

The challenge took place over two nights, Tuesday on Rossendale's Hapton course and Thursday on the Bashall course with the top three riders times from each club on each night being added together and the fastest cumulaive time deciding the winner.

This years winner was North Lancs Road Club who won by 42 seconds, the trophy was presented on Thursday by Harry Law at the Edisford Bridge Hotel.

Full Results can be found on the Results Page.

Club kit