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WIN
TER
CO
201
4
UR
IER
The Magazine of SOUTH PENNINE ROAD CLUB
COMMITTEE
VICE PRESIDENTS – RICHARD ALLEN – JOHN STEWART – SUSAN BOWLER
COMMITTEE
General Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Secretary
TimeTrial Secretary
Magazine Editor
Social Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Sue Bowler. 14, Sunny Hill Avenue, Littleover,
Derby. DE23 1JP
e-mail : [email protected]
Tel 01332-763775
Richard Allen. 38, Highfield Road, Littleover,
Derby. DE23 1DG
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel 01332-768572
Jeff Bowler. 14, Sunny hill Avenue, Littleover,
Derby. DE23 1JP
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel 01332-763775
John Stewart. 20, Main Street, Hilton,
Derbyshire. DE65 5GG
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel 01283-732852
Barbara Wiltshire.12, Dix Ave, Smalley .Ilkeston
Derbyshire. DE7 6ES
e-mail ; [email protected]
Tel: 01332 781911
Veronica Stewart. 20, Main Street, Hilton,
Derbyshire. DE65 5GG
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel 01283-32852
Jim Sugden.27,Hobart Close Mickleoveer.
Derby. DE3 9LJ
e-mail; [email protected]
Tel 01332 12901
Nigel Briggs. 41, Belfield Road, Etwall,
Derbyshire. DE65 6JN
e-mail ; [email protected]
Tel.01283732925
Paul Martin. 11, Bensley Close, Chellaston,
Derby. DE73 6TL
e-mail [email protected]
Tel : 01332700993
Melvyn Roberts 10, Romsley Close Mickleover
Derby DE3 0SD.
e-mail [email protected]
Tel : 07752444800
Tony Wiltshire 12 Dix Avenue, Smalley,
Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 6ES
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 01332 781911
www.southpennineroadclub.org.uk
EDITOR
PRODUCTION
Barbara Wiltshire
Jeff and Sue Bowler
Email: [email protected]
Barbara Wiltshire
EDITORIAL
Hi All,
I hope you are all well and happy with your season‟s results and performances. What a glorious summer and
autumn we have had and hopefully plenty of outdoor activities with barely any cancelled due to bad weather.
I think Chris Storer would have been proud of our success with his Hill Climb this year at Crich and the
weather could not have been more perfect for mid October. There is a short report with some stunning photos
on pages 18 & 19.
Don‟t forget to let me have any Classified ads you wish to go in the Spring Courier by the first week in March
please.
Don‟t forget your membership renewal by January to Jeff Bowler. Please ensure you completely fill in the
membership form so we can keep our database up to date. Your email and address are very important as
these are the two main means of contact when we need to let you have important news and notices as well
as sending you your copy of the Courier. Only paid up members will get a copy of the Courier and your
Courier contains important information about your club and gives details of forthcoming club events and
social evenings. Please read the magazine fully and take note of any events, dates etc which
are relevant to you, to keep up to date with what we are all doing. You may even find you
enjoy the read!!
Several people have missed events because they failed to read their Courier!! With that in mind, please go to
back page for details of the Presentation Dinner evening and make sure you get your tickets in plenty of time,
from Veronica.
Finally, welcome to new member: Tony Wiltshire, who has jumped in at the deep end and become a
Committee member too:
It just remains for me to wish you all a very
Happy Christmas and a successful, peaceful
and safe New Year.
Barbara
Cover Design by Barbara Wiltshire
Next Edition due mid March 2015: Contributions always welcome and send to Editor by end of February 2015 please. Send classified
ads, articles on any topic, cycling or otherwise, which may be of interest to other members to [email protected]
SOUTH PENNINE ROAD CLUB
GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT 2013 – 2014.
2014 has again proved to be a successful year for the South Pennine Road Club with
membership still at a healthy level. We have welcomed several new members this year and we
hope they enjoy their time with us.
In 2014 the Club promoted three 25 mile time trials on A25/11. Sue Bowler promoted a BDCA
25 in April and John Stewart promoted, as usual our Open Solo and Tandem 25 in May. Joe
Summerlin promoted his Diamond Jubilee 25 in May also but, unfortunately, the weather was
inclement. The Club also provided marshals and helpers for the BDCA 50 and BDCA 100.
As in previous years the Club promoted a comprehensive list of club events which were more
popular that 2013, probably due to the better weather. The Committee would like to thank all
those who gave up their time to help.
Barbara Wiltshire continues as Magazine Editor with the majority of editions being sent out by
email, thus saving the Club postage. Those who require them by post will continue to receive
them this way. 2014 has been a difficult year for Barbara and we are grateful for her continuing
diligence.
Winter Clubroom was again held at The Green Man, Willington but was sparsely attended.
Summer Clubroom was held at Etwall in conjunction with the Club Evening 10s. An informal
Christmas meal was enjoyed at The Green Man, Willington. The Summer Social barbecue was
at its usual venue in Hilton.
The Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation was held at The Hilton Hotel, Hilton in February.
The Guest of Honour was Jim Hopper, Derby Mercury who entertained everyone with a very
witty speech. Although guest numbers were a little disappointing everyone who attended
enjoyed themselves. Our thanks go once again to John and Veronica for their diligence.
2014 has been a year of highs and lows for the Club. The high were in July when Charles
Taylor won the RTTC National 100 mile Championship on a course based at Swaffham,
Norfolk. It was my privilege to be the CTT National Committee representative on the day and I
was honoured to present Charles with his Championship medal. The low was the death of
Chris Storer in a time trial in March. Chris had started his cycling career with the South
Pennine. He had then pursued a road racing career with various other clubs before returning to
the South Pennine four years ago. He successfully promoted the Hill-Climb at Crich in October
2013. From 2014 this event will be called the Chris Storer Memorial Hill-Climb. The Club has
also decided to purchase a trophy to be awarded to the first South Pennine member in this
event. This trophy is to be called the Chris Storer Memorial Trophy.
On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank all those who have ensured the continued
success of the South Pennine and we look forward to continued success in 2015.
Sue Bowler.
S.P. R.C. Clothing
If you need any new kit for next year contact Iris Stevens who holds the
clothing stock. You can email Iris on [email protected] or ring
01283 732660
South Pennine Road Club clothing
Garment/Size
XS
S
Training Jersey full zip
Short Sleeve Road Jersey
Bib Shorts
1
2
M
L
XL
1
3
3
2
2
5
1
S/S Skinsuit
1
L/S Skinsuit
2
Bib Tights
1
Leg Warmers
3
New design
1
XXL 4XL w10 Total
1
1
1
3
3
new design
3
Thermal
1
Caps
7
8
£55
5
£55
10
£55
£90
1
Arm warmers
Price
2
3
£95
1
£55
6
£15
1
£15
3
£18
1
£18
3
£18
7
£8
Father of the Year!
A man boarded a plane with six children. After they got settled in their seats a woman sitting across the aisle
from him leaned over to him and asked “Are all of those children yours?” He replied, “No madam, I work for a
condom company. These are customer complaints.”
Damn! I wish I could think that fast!
The Economy of God?
Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God.
Looking up, he asks the Lord, "God, what does a million years mean to you?"
The Lord replies, "A minute."
Smith asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?"
The Lord replies, "A penny."
Smith asks, "Can I have a penny?"
The Lord replies, "In a minute."
Thank you Brad for these gems!
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale: LDV Maxus Campervan. 06 Reg: new clutch: New Brakes: Diesel:
MOT Feb 15. Hardly used since last MOT: New petrol generator. Ideal for
sporting events and festivals. Many Extras. £5950 ono.
Contact: Barbara Wiltshire 01332 781911 for more pictures/details.
The Begging News Column
How many people does it take to run a series of time
trials? Every one needs a timekeeper and a pusher-off.
The short-distance events need a second timekeeper and
the “25s” need a turn marshal. The quick mathematicians
amongst you have already calculated that this adds up to
117 “duty turns” in the season and these duties have, of
late, been shared by too few people.
We have always had a timekeeping rota but pushers-off
have been left to chance on the night. For the last few
years Iris has arranged a rota of turn marshals from
among the current active racing members. Some of the
racing members are also timekeepers so are pulled in all directions. I am very much aware that we
have a large membership who could volunteer for these tasks, relieve the small band currently
covering them and allow people who want to ride the events to do so.
So, I would like to sign up more volunteers for two jobs. The first is to expand our panel of
timekeepers. The main qualifications are the ability to tell the time, read a back number and then
subtract that number from the time recorded as the rider crosses the line. The second job is even
easier. We need 12 marshals for the turn at Uttoxeter and, recognising that it costs money to drive
there, the committee has agreed a flat-rate fuel
allowance of £5. This will be paid automatically if you go
by car although it wouldn‟t quite be in the spirit to
volunteer to do all 12 on your bike for £60! For the
moment, we are not intending to formalise pushers-off.
I will be putting together a list of volunteers over the
winter and making out a schedule early in the new year.
Please let me know if you can help; the Club cannot run
by itself, it needs its members to help in these jobs.
John Stewart, Hon. Time Trial Secretary.
Cou
ld y
ou
do
this
?
South Pennine Expeditionary Force 2014
Nothing beats the centenary of any event to make us think, so 100 years, almost to the day, after the start of
the Great War Ken and Iris Stevens once again crossed the Channel (actually they go under it) to fly the flag
for the South Pennine at the SemaineFédérale de Cyclotourisme. In 2014 they were joined by occasional
visitors, think of the reserve forces, John and Veronica Stewart. The SemaineFédérale is a sort of heaven
where cyclists outnumber the local population but are met with nothing less than open arms and discounts at
all the restaurants. It wanders around France and this year it was at St. PourçainsurSioule in Allier
Department. For those with hazy French geography that is in the middle between Moulins and Vichy. How
does a town about the size of Ashbourne accommodate 13,000 visitors? The answer is with meticulous
planning spread over the previous three years, a small paid staff and dozens of volunteers. The
organisational skill put into the annual SemainesFédérales far exceed anything we see in Britain. If the best
years of the York Rally rated two-stars, these get five.
We left home on the previous Thursday, took Eurotunnel to Calais and stayed a campsite on the banks of
the Somme at Feuillères, taking an inevitably excellent French provincial dinner at Péronne. This is a part of
France that takes the Great War seriously with monuments and memorials all around and plenty of literature
available. The cynics may say that is because it is good for the tourist business but there is a deep feeling
of remembrance in this part of France that suffered so much in that conflict. Friday had St. Pourçain as its
target and I followed the Michelin recommended route through Paris. Recommended route my posterior!
After taking 3 hours to cover some 10km I vowed never again to go near Paris on the first Friday in August.
So, over two hours down we pressed on south to reach the check-in area at St. Loup around 18-30. Armed
with all the literature our designated camp site, CF2, was reached at 19-30. By magic my request on the
booking form had been in adequate French to put us right next to Ken and Iris and their friends Andrew and
Vanessa; a British outpost amongst the natives. However, thoroughly cream-crackered, I managed to pitch
the caravan the unhelpful way round. The camp site seemed to be owned by an adjacent engineering
company which was a sponsor of the week. I‟m sure that it had been arable last year and then left fallow.
As a result rainfall, of which we had huge amounts, soaked in rapidly but the lack of firmness soon turned
access areas into a quagmire.
There were no formal rides on Saturday so it was spent on a town familiarisation course; at least we had the
strength to pick one of the local restaurants for an evening meal. The whole town was covered with publicity
for the SemaineFédérale and welcoming posters for the cycling visitors; we felt very much at home. The
mass tourism rides are an experience not easily forgotten. Imagine a clubrun where, no matter how fast or
slow you are, there are always others on the road both in front and behind you. Whole villages are organised
to provide refreshment stops (Acceuils)on a grand scale although these can become overwhelmed when all
participants decide to turn up at their favourite lunch time. Each day the rides set off towards a different point
of the compass but are arranged in a series of loops to cater for all abilities. Typically there would be five
circuits from 50km for those who cycled once a year to 170km for the hard men for whom a ride is not
enjoyable unless done at chain gang pace.
On Sunday we headed east across the Allier Valley into the hills beyond with Acceuils at Montagu-le-Blin,
and, for the more adventurous, Jaligny-sur-Besbre, Le Donjon and Lapalisse. Monday was south-west with
stops at the ancient village of Charroux and the somewhat mundane town of Gannat. Those who wanted
could tackle the 174km to Commentry and back. Tuesday was north-east by north day, again across the
Allier. The three British tandems from the corral on CF2 chose circuit 2, 60km with a lovely lunch break at
St. Gerard-de-Vaux. The mileaters went via Beaulon and Moulins.
I‟m afraid that we missed Wednesday‟s north-west runs to Villefranche-d‟Allier, Tronget and Laféline for a
car trip to Vichy.Nice as are Bath and Harrogate, continental spa towns have a sophistication not found in
Britain and Vichy is one of the best sitting alongside a length of the Allier which has been dammed to create
a broad lake for water sports. The town centre has seen many improvements to the public realm that show
off its beautiful 19th century buildings to greater effect. Its wartime reputation has been shaken off;
unsurprisingly there is not a statue of Pétain in sight. Thursday rather fell apart. We had every intention of
riding to the picnic at Vichy but the regular late-afternoon downpour moved to the morning and very few did
the ride. Another car day then but we did get to the Chateau de Billy where there was hilarious medieval reenactment battle. As I said to the guide: “Ilssont bon comediens, mais, comme des soldats, je ne sais pas”!
They reminded me of a Roman re-enactment at Chesters on Hadrian‟s Wall where the gladiators looked like
bouncers from the nightclubs of Newcastle.
Friday at last saw cycling reinstated with a southern route. We elected for the short circuit to St. Didier-laForêt but those who went the longer way round via Randan had left early and everyone reached the lunch
place within an hour of each other. It was overwhelmed and after a scrum to get a drink we thrashed down
the main road to McDonald‟s at St. Pourçain. Normally I have no problem ordering in France but this one
was just too clever; ordering was solely on a touch screen so linguistic ability was useless and IT skills were
required. Saturday‟s rides went north north west towards Lurcy-Lévis; well they did if you wanted 150km
and most of us settled for Treban and Besson.
Other rides which required a car journey to the starting point
were on offer but none of us tried those. If you look on a map
the countryside around St. Pourçainseems nothing special. It
is rolling with some modest climbs to test you but nothing
frightening. However, like so much of France, charm can be
found everywhere from the ancient villages and small towns
with their chateau to the sophistication of Vichy.
For that essential part of any cyclist‟s holiday, feeding, there
was a wide choice from simple restaurants at the auberge to
high-class ones that knew how to charge. It was usually on
feeding expeditions that we found our friends Terry Williams
Ken finds the natives are friendly
and Fred Dolman. And of course there was the option of home
cooking or eating at the dedicated on-site restaurant organised by the FFCT. We tried that twice, including
the last night when it was Ken‟s birthday and he was given the full publicity treatment. It was well worth it as
all the French ladies at our table gave him a birthday kiss, see the evidence printed here! I understand that
he‟s going to make sure that he is at a SemaineFédérale every 9 August.
After St. Pourçain Ken and Iris headed west to meet Rob and Heather whilst Veronica and I went south for
two nights at Souillac on the Dordogne, where we managed to visit the medieval cliff-side village of
Rocamadour. This really is one of the sights of France that you must try to do one day. Then it was off to
Tillac, almost down to Tarbes, to see founder member Mary Swann, now Mary Douche, and her husband
Yves. (Mary sends greetings to all who remember her). Three wonderful nights in a house rather than a
caravan with lovely hospitality set us up for our final target of Joyeuse in the Ardeche, the French residence
of old members Geoff and Rose Harper. Again we dropped onto a very good campsite within walking
distance of their house; very fortunate after the amount of wine we all got through! There were rather a lot
of ankle-biters at the site but that had the advantage that the clown / comedian giving the kids‟ show spoke
so slowly and in such simple language that I could understand him.
Then it was the long haul home. Firstly via the A7 and A6 to Beaune and the best municipal site that I have
ever been on, very handy for a last stock up of wines at the nearby Leclerc and a last night at Feuillères
where we fell into the alleged best restaurant in Péronne by chance. A long trip but with cycling activities
mixed with studies of local life and history and plenty of socialising.
John Stewart
The new Derby Velodrome is due to open its doors in the New Year and Derby cyclists and their
clubs are keen to ensure they get their fair share of sessions. It is proposed that Wednesday nights
will be “Derby Nights” and will be for the exclusive use by Derby Clubs.
The cost will be around £15 per person, per session, which can include the hire of a bicycle if
required.
There will be sessions for beginners, intermediates and experienced riders.
We at South Pennine want this to be a success and obviously want our club members to have
access to the Velodrome and to this end I should be grateful if you would let me know if you are
interested. Places will be limited so your rapid response would be much appreciated so I can
register our interest in the scheme.
We have waited a long time for a Velodrome nearer to home and we need to ensure the local clubs
are fully represented so please email me or give me a call to find out more or to register your
interest .
Sue Bowler
[email protected]
Tel: 01332-763775
The Party of the Year— or the Septuagenarians’ Rave !!
Was the invitation in the last edition useful in raising partygoers? Amazingly we still had to pester many
people to come to a free celebration so these things aren‟t just price sensitive. Here‟s the proof that the stars
of the evening have survived to celebrate their birthdays; wasn‟t 1944 a good year!
Centre spot, posing as the proverbial rose between two thorns, is Maureen Wagstaff who, as Miss Tinker,
was one of the founding Members back in February 1962. Maureen has moved around the country a bit for
family reasons through her life but has now been back in native country for a few years. Maureen and Cyril
always support our social events and, building on her financial background, she has acted as the Club‟s
auditor for the past few years. We are very grateful for this; it is a job that requires someone not on the
committee but with a commitment to help us run properly. Incidentally, Maureen and John met first as kids
of 11 but then came into the same club, the CTC Derby Section, when both were just 16. Cycling gives you
friends who endure that long.
On the left is John Stewart, the original “needs no introduction” guy. Another founder member, John is the
Club‟s current chairman, has missed only five years committee service in the last 52 and has been time trial
secretary for the last 39 years and is now kept in order by Veronica. You might not believe it now but John is
one of those who has done time trialling, road racing, cyclo-cross, hard track, grass track, roller racing,
audaxes (which he insists should be called audaces) and extensive touring. Nowadays, apart from work with
this Club, John is principally active in Cycling Time Trials at District and National Council level. It is rumoured
that, when asked at a medical how many hours exercise he took a week he replied: “If you ask my wife she‟ll
say 168 but that would be a slight exaggeration”.
On the right is Jeff Bowler, a famous son of Ripley who first came down to Derby on the coal train from
Denby Pit. Jeff started his racing with Belperion, then became a founder of Ripley Road Club before joining
the South Pennine in 1965. So, with 50 years under his belt with us, acceptance is just around the corner.
Jeff tried the other disciplines in his youth but his real fame is as the club‟s most consistent time trialler over
that period, being the holder of countless records. Jeff has also done much for the organisation of the sport.
Many years ago he was pressed into being Membership Secretary on the grounds that managing Mercian‟s
shop gave him unlimited access to potential recruits. He has been very successful in that task and continues
so today. Jeff combines cycling with walking, not you understand the common Derbyshire stuff, but in the
Himalaya, whence he and Sue, his so-patient and organised wife, are heading this Christmas.
John Stewart
With lots of lovely food and drink and a very
friendly atmosphere may I say, on behalf of all your
guests, a big thank you for an excellent evening.
Barbara
SOUTH PENNINE ROAD CLUB
Time Trial Secretary’s Report for the 2014 Season
2014 was a year which started off very badly for us when, in March, Chris Storer was killed in an accident in a time trial
on a hilly circuit course in Staffordshire. Chris started his competitive career with the South Pennine and, after trying a
few other clubs, returned to the fold just a few years ago. I will not reproduce yet again the many histories of, and
tributes to, Chris that have appeared in the magazine and elsewhere but I would record, from my position as Time Trial
Secretary, how much his loss was felt and how we all hold the greatest regard for Barbara who has had to deal with
such a sad loss. It is 11 years since we lost Roland in a competitive accident and, despite the passage of time, these
things never fade totally from our memory.
With a much better summer we lost one 5 and two 10s to the weather although two of these were more a case of its
being too grim to attract entries rather than formal cancellation. One 25 was abandoned owing to a surprise lane
closure that would have meant undue risk on the return leg.
Open and Association Events
Events were promoted by the Club on three days in 2014 although they appeared as more than that in the handbook as
several were split into nominally separate events to enable local riders to gain entry on the very popular A50 courses.
Sue Bowler ran a BDCA 25 on 12 April and John Stewart did the Bill Spencer Memorial 25 on 10 May. Unfortunately
this suffered from weather not much better than 2013 and only three ladies rode; however 60 men started so it did
seem worth the trouble. 12 October saw what is now the Chris Storer Memorial Hill Climb at Crich. Organisation was
divided between Barbara and Jeff. Entries were slow coming in but after Jeff kept the event open as long as possible
we did get 37 and all went well with much kinder weather than in 2013. This was a charity event to support the funds of
the Mercian Regiment and was most successful in that respect. As always, we gave much help to the BDCA events
run by others, both the “50” at the end of June and the “100” on 6 September. Next year the 100 is on the 5 September
and we will be expected to give substantial help again.
Club Events
The participation for this year and the previous two years is set out below.
Number held
Type of event
Total riders
Average
2014
2013
2012 2014 2013 2012 2014 2013
5 miles Thursday
2
2
2
3
16
10
1.5
8
5
10 miles Thursday
20
20
20
293
268
205
14.6
13.4
10.2
10 miles Tuesday
3
3
3
28
21
24
8
7
8
18/10 miles hilly
1
1
1
4
4
3
4
4
3
25 miles
13
13
13
197
158
111
15.2
12.2
8.5
totals
39
39
39
525
467
353
13.5
12
9.1
These statistics show an improvement over last year, although only 36 events rather than 37 took place.
However, on some evenings conditions were acceptable in safety terms to run the event but grim enough to
deter many. Also (and I note this regrettably in open events which are oversubscribed) there is a tendency
to seek a personal best for the season and not to bother again if conditions suggest that it won‟t happen
again. We do have the Mercian Challenge Trophy designed to reward persistence as much as ability and
this year‟s results show the three medal placings well ahead of the rest. The hilly circuit event for this
season was moved to Windley but entries were no better.
Prizewinners
In events where no claim is necessary the results are:
25 championship
1 Charles Taylor
2 Dave Bates
3 Scott Bull
(6 rode)
25 veterans
1 Dave Bates
2 Ken Stevens
3 Scott Bull
(5 rode)
10 circuit champs.
1 Charles Taylor
2 Dave Bates
3 Nigel Briggs
(3 rode)
Mercian Challenge
1 Dave Bates
2 Nigel Briggs
3 John Stewart
(13 qualified)
Matthew Atkinson 10
1 Mev Roberts
2 John Leeming
3 Charles Taylor
Hill Climb
1 Nigel Briggs
2 Mev Roberts
(9 rode)
2012
Congratulations to all those in placings. However, don‟t forget to claim for the following competitions:
(1) The 10 mile championship; (for seniors and veterans this the six best in SPRC Thursday events only; for ladies and
juniors it is the four best).
(2) The Club BAR, (25,50,100);
(3) The veterans‟ BAR, (10,25,50),
(4) The junior BAR, (2 x 10 and 2 x 25).
If you did anything in other club‟s open events, such as establishing records, I really do need to be told because I will
not pick them up in any other way.
Charles Taylor‟s wonderful season was crowned by his winning the National 100 miles Time Trial Championship,
collecting seven other firsts and breaking our club 25 and 50 records. Slightly up the age scale, Ken Stevens and Ron
Hallam continue on form. Dave Bates has dominated club events until a crash in the BDCA finished his season
painfully. As Charles didn‟t start that event owing to illness your Time Trial Secretary was the club‟s only finisher; a real
case of reward for persistence rather than ability. Gail Summerlin has ridden in many open events but wouldn‟t it be
nice to have more ladies ride?
Courses
Most evening events are on the A50 road, except for early and late season events where we would have to be on that
road whilst traffic is still heavy. For some years traffic levels forced the summer Sunday events to clear the road by
0900 with the result that events are now all on Saturdays. Our new hill climb course at Crich does, I think, fill the gap
between soft courses and those so fierce as to scare off all but the experts, but we do need to educate hill-climbers as
to the need to enter in good time. The local 50 and 100 courses now have an enviable reputation and the 30 course,
which is just a five-mile leg added on to the A25/11, must be about the best in the country. We have had an accidentfree year in our own promotions and, both as a rider and an observer; I believe that drivers are giving us greater
consideration although the occasional cowboy still tries to disrupt riders. I still wonder as to the benefit of course risk
assessments when accidents continue to occur solely owing to driver error at places where no discernible hazard could
be found when undertaking such an assessment.
Administration of the Sport
The Club continues with a high level of involvement in the promotion of the sport. Sue Bowler has completed her third
year as a member of the CTT National Committee and has undertaken much extra work in conjunction with the National
Chair. Joe Summerlin is also on the National Committee and he too has carried out much extra work. Joe‟s links to
the national drug control regime is invaluable to our sport. Sue is Chair of the Central District, a timekeeper and
National Council Member. John Stewart is an assistant secretary, handicapper, timekeeper, course measurer, risk
assessor and National Council Member. Iris Stevens is a timekeeper and Jeff is part of the course measuring team.
He uses his Garmin on his bike for this work; I must tell him that it is easier by car with an assistant to do the writing!
Both Sue and Iris have been prepared to do extra timekeeping shifts when we are tempted to ride on a good night. All
of the committee, plus Norman Simpson and Janet Briggs, help with timekeeping and this is very welcome with such a
large programme.
John Stewart, Sue Bowler and Barbara Wiltshire / Jeff Bowler acted as event secretaries this year. Richard Allen‟s
reputation as an expert sign placer was dented slightly by his head-butting a road sign. We really do need more help
on this task as Richard currently misses the tea and buns after events. We need more volunteers in all departments,
particularly on the timekeeping rota. I hope that all have read the appeal in the current magazine for more help at next
year‟s events; the sport does not run itself. You can all tell the time and, I am sure, stand at the turn in becoming yellow
jacket, so why not come forward and spread the burden? The catering team, which is organised through Veronica
Stewart, continues to provide a very welcome service to riders and to make as significant contribution to Club funds.
These people, together with those who do marshalling, pushing off, timekeeping and number taking are essential to our
sport and I thank them for their efforts.
Finally, I hope that we can all look forward with confidence to unlimited years of time trialling in fair and safe
competition. Remember, it‟s now only seven years to our Diamond Jubilee and it‟s never too soon to start preparations.
With the year just commencing I will have done 40 years in this job so I might give up by then, sooner if someone
volunteers!
John Stewart
Hon. Time Trial Secretary
An old man placed an order for one hamburger, French fries and a drink.
He unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half, placing one half in front of his wife. He then carefully
counted out the French fries, dividing them into two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife.
He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them. As he began to eat his few
bites of hamburger, the people around them were looking over and whispering. Obviously they were thinking, 'That
poor old couple - all they can
afford is one meal for the two of them.'
As the man began to eat his fries a young man came to the table and politely offered to buy another meal for the old
couple. The old man said, they were just fine - they were used to sharing everything.
People closer to the table noticed the little old lady hadn't eaten a bite.
She sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink..
Again, the young man came over and begged them to let him buy another meal for them. This time the old woman
said 'No, thank you, we are used to sharing everything.'
Finally, as the old man finished and was wiping his face neatly with the napkin, the young man again came over to the
little old lady who had yet to eat a single bite of food and asked 'What is it you are waiting for?'
She answered
'THE TEETH.'
Since the snow came all the wife has done is look through the window. If it gets any worse, I'll have to let
her in.
Two Indian junkies accidentally snorted curry powder instead of cocaine. Both in hospital...one's in a
korma.. The other's got a dodgy tikka!
Gearing made easier
When the pedals are turned through a complete circle the number of times the rear wheel rotates depends
on the number of teeth on the chain wheel and rear sprocket. For example, if the chain wheel has 44 teeth
on it and the rear sprocket 22 teeth, the back wheel will turn twice for every turn of the pedals. The bicycle
will travel just as far as if the pedals were fixed directly to a wheel twice the size. So if the back wheel was
26” in diameter then every turn of the pedals would make the bicycle travel as far as an old „penny farthing‟
bicycle with a wheel twice as big, that is 52 inches in diameter. This bicycle would then be said to have a
gear of 52 because gearing is expressed by reference to the old „penny farthing‟. The formula for calculating
the gear of a bicycle is : number of teeth on chain wheel divided by number of teeth on rear sprocket x wheel
diameter in inches. For most people a gear of 65 is suitable but variable gears are very useful so that a
change can be made when desired; lower gears when going uphill or against the wind and higher gears
when conditions are easier.
A short extract from : Know the game.Cycling: printed 1964.collaborated with the C.T.C.
Jeff Bowler
South Pennine Road Club
The Chris Storer Memorial Hill Climb, Crich Stand - Sunday 12th October 2014
The day started off very foggy and chilly but by nine o'clock the summit and the Memorial Stand were bathed
in warm sunshine with hardly a breath of wind. The view across Derbyshire was obscured by the low lying
mist giving it an ethereal appearance almost like small islands in a floating sea.
Soon the riders were turning up to get ready for signing on and preparing their bikes. Only a couple of people
were unable to attend due to ill health. The atmosphere was electric and the great camaraderie between cyclists was very evident. There was a lot of friendly banter and a competition seemed to be developing as to
who would win the Lanterne Rouge (last place) prize!
At 10.32am the first man was off and a steady stream of ladies and gents of all ages started on the relatively
flat section in front of the Cliff Inn public house and fought the deceptively hard ascent to the Stand. Their
efforts were etched on their faces with grim determination getting them to the top. \\9Someone has suggested we also hold a gurning completion amongst the riders.) Then thankfully they could ride back to the
cafe for a welcoming hot drink and maybe a slice of cake. We supplied the tea/coffee/milk/sugar/cakes to the
Stand Café on which they made a nice £90 profit.
Chris was keen to encourage young children into the sport, which is why he was adamant there should be
an U12 event, so this year's lack of any junior riders was disappointing, but hopefully is something we can
put right for next year's event. At last year's inaugural event we had 8 junior riders so next year we are going
to have to make a special effort to encourage the younger riders of the community to have a go. Chris was a
dedicated and successful racing/hill climb/time trial cyclist and at age 51 in 2013, he saw his dream of being
able to put something back into the sport by organising this unique event at Crich. Sadly he did not live to
see this year's event, but I am sure he would have been looking down on us with pride and certainly must
have had a hand in the beautiful weather as it could not have been more perfect.
We thank the Warden and tea lady in the cafe at Crich Stand for their help and support and the people of
Crich Village for turning out to cheer the riders on. Thanks to Andrew at the Loaf Bakery, Crich for his sponsorship and support and to Alan and Helen Cherry of Cherry's Cafe in Matlock Bath for donating a very
unique trophy and further sponsorship. These are two very good cafes who welcome cyclists and are well
worth a visit. Thanks next go to Sponsors Mercian Cycles, Derby, a cycle shop which goes that extra mile
and is well known with all range of cyclists and last, but certainly not least to Doug Forrester for his valuable
sponsorship and support. Several individual donations ensured there were some excellent prizes to be won
and we can confirm that we raised £164 for the Crich Memorial Stand Charity, plus what they took in extra
parking levies.
Chris Storer riding the 2013
Crich Hill Climb.
The Chris Storer Memorial
Hill Climb at Crich
Sunday 12th October 2014
Pennine Winter Round Up
Well here we are at THAT time of year. Do I go out, DO I have to ! Oh a bit of sunshine, NO
ICE ,YES lets go!
We are now well into winter (they tell us snow is on the way) and forecast is all doom and gloom.
Best bikes are polished and put away in the warm to await those nice balmy days and mudguards
are de rigueur. Still it‟s the time for ogling over the latest gear in the Christmas editions of the
cycling magazines and planning for 2015. Holidays are planned subject to racing programs. Some
of us are already making plans. Next week Jeff and Sue are off for Christmas and New Year
walking in the Himalayas, we wish them a good and safe trip. Most of us will be looking for
somewhere with good cycling weather and not quite so mountainous.
We rounded off the time trial season with some good rides by our vets (are there any others), Ron
& Ken both did well in the closing events of the season and with Jeff took team prize in Notts &
E.Mids VTTA 25. Not to be out done Charlie stormed around the Manchester Wh. 50 on the A50
course to a 1.36 and yet another club record! The Manchester event proved a good one for Ron as
well giving him our VTTA Group Senior BAR.
The Chris Storer Club Hillclimb was a great success due to the hard work of Jeff and Barbara,
they even got the day right, beautiful sunshine, except at the start where it was freezing! The
views from Crich Stand were fantastic as we watched the mist clear from the valleys. The event
incorporated the Club hillclimb trophy which was won by Nigel Briggs who with Melvin Roberts,
were our only starters.
With time trials over we are well into the cyclo cross our only contender being John Leeming, a
novice at this discipline he is revelling in it. This year due to our small and ageing numbers
( Heather‟s words )it was decided to co-organize our round of the Notts & East Mids league event
with the Mercia CC who also have problems with help on the day, despite having a large active
membership. The event was held at Swadlincote on a beautiful day and with our usual supporters
went off very well. When Russell commented on how lucky we were with the weather it being a
rather exposed position, Heather pointed out it was a SPRC promotion and we always have good
weather!
The AGM went off with reasonable support. A long discussion was had on the timetrial programme
for future years and the number of events we promote, which stretch the current helpers to the
limit. Officials being a problem especially at 25 turn, a very important position, also the danger of
using the Etwall-Mickleover leg of the A516 due to the narrowness of the carriageway. The new
committee will be looking into this and make suitable adjustments to the programme.
A noticeable absence from the cycling scene has been Dave Bates who after throwing himself off
his bike in the BDCA 100 has not been on one since. The injured shoulder has refused to heal and
Dave is now awaiting a date for an operation to plate the crack. We wish him all the best and of
course Ellen who is being driven mad by his inactivity!
In November we were all invited to a joint birthday gather when John, Jeff and Maureen reached
70 and a very convivial evening took place. The next social function will be the Christmas meal
followed on February 7th by the club Dinner. Next morning on the 8th the Freewheeling, 11 am top
of Radbourne Lane. Followed after by a short ride then the Fuddle 1pm onwards at 45 The
Bancroft Etwall.
See You There
IRIS
SNIPPETS
Need a tie ! John Stewart has 40!! Which Veronica is trying to persuade him to thin out.
Ron is having some senior moments. On the day of Notts & East Mids. AGM He went to the
wrong venue despite assuring Patricia he knew where it was. He eventually arrived at the correct
village hall to a round of applause. On leaving he put everything in the car then Pat said where is
your bike? Oh he had forgotten he had come it. Good job he has got a good minder.
As promised a result of the 10 SERIES.
1 Charlie Taylor 19.57 2. Dave Bates 22.06
5.Nigel Briggs 23.59 6. John Leeming 24.14
John Stewart 26.53 Melvin Roberts 30.58
3.Jeff Bowler 23.39
7.David Fear 25.56
4.Craig Clayton 23.56
8.Ken Stevens 25.58
****************************************************************************************************************
1950s —v— 2014
Scenario :
Johnny and Mark get into a fight after school.
1950s - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends.
2014 - Police called, and they arrest Johnny and Mark & charge them with assault.
Both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Both children go to anger management programmes for 3 months.
School governors hold meeting to implement bullying prevention programmes.
Scenario :
Robbie won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1950s - Robbie sent to the office and given six of the best by the Principal.
Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2014 - Robbie given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie.
Scenario :
Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1950s - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful
businessman.
2014 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care; joins a gang; ends up in jail.
Scenario :
Johnny takes apart leftover fireworks from Guy Fawkes night, puts them in a paint tin & blows up a wasps‟
nest.
1950s - Wasps die.
2014 - Police & Anti-Terrorism Squad called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, investigate parents,
siblings removed from home, computers confiscated.
Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly in an aeroplane again.
Scenario :
Johnny falls over while playing football during morning break and scrapes his knee.
He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. She hugs him to comfort him.
1950s - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing football. No damage done.
2014 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in prison.
Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy and ends up gay.
Thank you Brad for reminding us how crazy the world has become!
2014 Tour de France Individual Time Trial, 26/7/2014
Bergerac - Perigueux
Saturday‟s time trial turned out to be an excellent trip out on a hot, still and very sunny afternoon.
Unintentionally, we ended up nearer the finish than intended, at the final intermediate time check point at
Coulounieix – Chamiers at 48 kms with 6 kms to go, to see the last 120 or so riders pass through.
The first rider to really raise a stir was French newcomer Florian Vachot, starting no. 94*, just two minutes on
the road behind starters nos. 115 and 116 and it was to be a further 32 minutes before a later starter,
Matteo Trentin of OPG, starting no. 92, passed through. Whilst all riders receive enthusiastic encouragement
and support, the interim half hour saw Cyril Lemoine (Cofidis), Europcar's sprinter Bryan Coquard and most
neutral's second favourite current rider, the timeless Jens Voigt (Trek) on his way towards finishing his 19th
and final TdeF.
Riders came and went : Sergio Paulino, Rein Taarame, Nicki Terpsta, Sky's Vasil Kiryenka, Martin
Elmiger, and earlier stage winner Blel Kadri, the latter being only 9 seconds off being caught for 32
minutes by Jan Bartha who was to place in the top five on the day. The Japanese fan alongside got an
excellent shot of his compatriot Yukiya Arashiro before the disagreeable (to me) Peter Sagan came through,
followed by Australia's Adam Hansen, about to extend his record to 9 consecutive major Tour finishes (TdeF,
Giro D'Italia and Spain's Vuelta.)
About 15 mins now to the expected arrival of Tony Martin, odds -on favourite to win the stage, but not before
the unexpected but most welcome appearance of the one and only Raymond Poulidor, who I suspect will
never, ever, be surpassed in the hearts of Frenchmen everywhere - whether cycling fans or not. I believe
this to be his 52 year on the Tour, which has to be a record of some sort!
And then, Martin was come and gone, his arrival time confirming that, barring crashing, his place on the
podium was assured. A lull and then Joachim Rodriguez passed through, then Rafal Majka, the King of the
Mountains before Movistar's Jon Izagirre, on his way to a deserved top 10 time. Two minutes later, and a
tremendous crescendo of applause : I was already pencilling in Thomas Voeckler before he grimaced into
view, the current darling of the French - but about to be replaced by the rising stars of the future.
Ireland's Nicholas Roche, son of Tour winner Stephen, was next to arrive, but it would be only 45 seconds
before he would be caught by Holland's Tom Dumoulin, doing the ride of his life, for 2nd place : he had
started 26 minutes behind Roche. Then it was Sylvain Chavenel, on his 14th Tour, and another French 2014
stage winner Tony Gallopin, Michal Kwiatowski, and Australia's Michael Rodgers, preceding the arrival of
Sky's Welshman Geraint Thomas and Tasmanian Richie Porte, who was losing almost 6 mins to his teammate and also dropping his overall placing below him.
We were approaching the final twenty riders, where the starting interval changes from 2 mins to 3mins, and
the expectation of seeing the top names in quick succession was lifting the atomesphere from that which had
been steadily building earlier. Chris Horner, last year's 42 year old Vuelta winner was well received, along
with previous GC podium third place Frank Schleck. Unsung Spanish veteran Heimar Zubeldia was on the
way to his accustomed top 10 GC placing, and Europcar's disappointing Pierre Rolland who was now
belated in damage limitation mode. Leopold Konig was justifying his team leadership role with the low
budget Netapp-Endura team, but he could not see the way the Belkin duo of Laurens Ten Dam and Bauke
Mollema were falling apart in this time trial, the latter particularly so. He had been caught for 6 mins 25
seconds by Teejay Van Garderen who was to take full advantage to go 5th on GC, but this collapse had let
both Konig and Zubeldia rise above both Belkin riders to finish 7th on GC.
Although those of us out on the roadside were not aware of the drama (technical problems) affecting the two
AG2R riders Romain Bardet and Jean- Christophe Peraud. With three French riders in the top 5 on GC at
the start, the fans were now really up for it. I suspected that Peraud would receive better support than the
young pretenders, as if anyone has seized his chance with both hands (? feet !) in this Tour, it was him. At
thirty 37, he would probably not get another chance of the Paris podium. He had taken exactly two minutes
out of the already resigned Alejandro Valverde in 4th place, and for me it was a just question of how long
before Thibaut Pinot came into view. Peraud had passed at 17.23.35, and the clock was ticking.... 17.24,
17.25, 17.26, 17.26.36 meant that Peraud had moved up to second on GC on the road! Pinot passed at
17.27.09: unless Peraud "died" in the last 6 kms, he would have settle for 3rd place on GC and the white
jersey of best young rider.
All that remained was for a very deserving Vicenzo Nibali to be feted, and he did not keep us waiting much
longer. He passed at 17.29.00, having already put time into all the main contenders with his 4th place time
trial finish : a most worthy champion.
So, almost the end of a remarkable Tour on many levels, and the best stage I have managed to see - only
regret being that I was already in France for the stage into God‟s County: Derbyshire! (With apologies to
Nick Hook! – see Autumn “Courier”)
Finally, I gave you all a wave as Pinot came past us at the end, and yes, it was briefly shown on ITV4 !!!
Athol Whitbread
* NB : In the TdeF time trial, riders start in reverse order of the General Classification, hence higher starting
positions / numbers can be caught by those in lower starting positions / numbers – the opposite from a
conventional time trial.
Vincenzo Nibali
Stage winner: Tony Martin
Winter Club Nights every Monday
Please check website for updates regarding winter club night events
Club Dinner and Presentation evening
A note for your diaries next year‟s Dinner will be on 7th February 2015
at the Hilton House Hotel, Hilton.
The Menu is as follows:STARTER
Smoked Salmon Pate served with toast
MAIN COURSE
Roast chicken Breast served with a Port & Bacon Sauce
VEGETARIAN
Mediterranean Risotto
DESSERT
Bakewell Tart & Custard
Tea & Coffee
Arrive 6.30pm for 7.00pm
Tickets on sale at a cost of £20 from Veronica