Newsletter ALL ABROAD! R

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Sharon Arnold
5 years ago
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some of the Arenburg pave, which you can

Not in the picture but Roger Stevens also

1 Gravesend Cycling Club Newsletter Issue 82 April 2016 Newsletter Hours of leisure Miles of pleasure ALL ABROAD! R G R A V E S E N D C Y C L I N G 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. C L U B 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 or steve.harrington@live.co.uk Secretary M Coulter

2 RACING RESULTS Time Trials Sportifs 13/3/16 GCC 10 Q10/24 20/3/16 Evans Cyclopark sportif N Harrigan v Tony Jacobs 72m 5hr 30m S Hunter v M Sims v K Ward v R Tuck D Abbotts v C Abbotts jv 41.37* (Cameron s 1 st ever compet ride so very well done) Editor/Secretary comment.. This year has started really really positively for the Club. I m impressed and encouraged. 13/3/16 PMR 25 Q25/20 K Gleadow v /3/16 GCC 10 Q10/24 L Geuijters D Evans S Harrington R Tuck v K Ward fxd v L Harrington C Hargreaves jnr D Abbotts v B Wilson v C Abbotts jv (Cameron s 1 st TT so well to him & the 1 st TT for Bob in 25 yrs, so good effort) 5/4/16 GCC 10 Q10/24 L Harrington M Gardiner v K Ward v fxd L Gardiner jnr M Harrington v B Wilson v C Abbotts jvl 40.50PB 3/4/16 KCA/Eldridge 25 Q25/8 J Smith v (James wins Eldridge Trophy) 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 1 st 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 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.

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.

!!) 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. Caption competition?

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

just passing some riders taking a breather, poor souls.

3 Evans Cyclopark Sportif 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. Caption competition?????? He should be behind bars how far in are you?, my reply being, hopefully miles. 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, 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.

WOMEN'S TOUR by Roger Stevens Went to see the Women's Tour recently.

Good aggressive racing, and very well organised.

It stands out that the girls are having a really great time.

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

4 WOMEN'S TOUR by Roger Stevens 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. 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. 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 Thanks to Ken Dyke for supplying this information. They were former clubmates and Ken D and went to the funeral.

5 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. SUBS..? Now due - 15 if in 2 nd yr +,. free for 1 st year Pay to Jason Tibbs.. at Club Night or , or jason@jasonscontractsltd.co.uk 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

6 Success - great success great success the GCC the GCC 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. 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 for his Treasurer role and to Roger Stevens & 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 , pmcmaster@blueyonder.co.uk

7 Boris in Brighton 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. 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 refuel 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 Facebook /thefreewheelgraveney information supplied by Roger Stevens 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

8 TIME TRIALS GCC 2016 Racing Progamme 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/ 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

9 S E Open & Association Events (Open events are ones which an official entry form is need and has to be submitted days in advance) Apr 17 VTTA 30 Q30/ Catford 10 Q10/ KCA 10 Q10/ May 1 Wigmore 25 Q25/ CC Bexley 10 Q10/ Southborough 10 Q10/ San Fairy Ann 50 Q50/ Medway VC 10 Q10/ Bigfoot 25 Q25/ June 4 De Laune 10 Q10/ KCA 50 Q50/ KCA 100 Q/ Thanet 10 Q10/ VTTA 25 Q25/ Thanet 25 Q25/ July 3 VTTA 10 Q10/ PMR 10 Q10/ KCA 10 Q10/ Gravesend 25 Q25/ PMR 10 Q10/ San Fairy Ann 10 Q10/ VTTA 50 Q50/ PMR 10 Q10/ PMR 10 Q10/ VTTA 10 Q10/ West Kent 25 Q25/ August 7 De Laune 25 Q25/ KCA 50 Q50/ KCA 12hr Q Catford 25 Q25/ Sept 11 KCA 25 Q25/ VTTA 25 Q25/ Bigfoot H/C QHC/ Oct 2 Wigmore H/C QHC/ VTTA 15 Q15/20R

10 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

11 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 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 responsibility to send any 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 told!

12 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 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 /VTT 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 website.

Gravesend Cycling Club Newsletter Issue 85 February 2017 Presidents: Dorothy & Ian Stone NEWSLETTER WE DID IT! 2016 AWARD WINNERS

Gravesend Cycling Club Newsletter Issue 85 February 2017 Presidents: Dorothy & Ian Stone NEWSLETTER WE DID IT! 2016 AWARD WINNERS Presidents: Dorothy & Ian Stone NEWSLETTER Hours of leisure Miles of pleasure G R A V E S E N D WE DID IT! 2016 AWARD WINNERS C Y C L I N G C L U B Top l-r: Reg Smith, Neil Harrigan, James Smith, Steve