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DE LAUNE CYCLING CLUB FOUNDED 1889
Sponsored by EVANS CYCLES (UK) Ltd. & SPECIALIZED CYCLES
MIKE PEEL COMPLETED HIS 25th LONDON MARATHON
May
2005
THE PRESIDENTS REPORTS Collins Dictionary describes a Nomad as a member of a tribe who will move from place to place to find pasture, food, and drink. A Wanderer. Well, as you know, we sold our old clubroom and we lost our clubroom at Herne Hill, so you could say we are, at the moment, Nomads! Guess what? Due to the help of one of our old club members, Dave King, who is one of the big wigs at the British Legion Club in Peckham, we have been allowed to use his premises for club nights and committee meetings. I do not know if we have found a pasture new, but at the bar you can get a nice meat pie and the beer is only £1.30 a pint. Thanks Dave. In this modern day a lot of amateur clubs employ professional types of people to do specialized jobs. I can think of a Golf Pro. A Personal Trainer, or amateur Football clubs who employ Professional Trainer/Managers. I bet you are thinking “ Does Kav want to pay all the club officials”? Heavens no! We all do our jobs for the love of our club. We attend committee meetings once a month. If we miss one or two months the job is still there so we just get on with it but we have one official who has to do his job week in and week out be it raining or shining. I am talking about a Club Run Captain. This is one of the most important jobs in the club to bind our club together and we do not have one. I know that guys are racing in the summer but to have no club runs in the winter… think about it. A Cycling club with no regular club runs. I know that Bill. Nick, Cliff have all tried to fill the gap but have other things to do, bless them. We have no Jack Young’s in the club anymore (or have we?) who would do the job. So what about if we paid a person say £25 week expenses? Be it a club member or an outsider, but to do the job on a regular basis? The requirements of the job would be to make out a club runs list for 6 months ahead, showing the route, meal stops, mileage, etc. places to meet the club run at say midday after a race. In this day of cars, cyclists are used to driving out to events to race or to start reliability events, so why not start a club run at a car park outside of London? Who wants to ride for say 45 min to one hour in heavy traffic before they see green countryside? The days of meeting at the Windmill at Clapham Common have gone. The guy who does the job would have to do it on a regular basis and I mean on a regular basis. I have put the idea to our committee and got a mixed reception, so I am putting the idea to you now. Please let me know what you think. Do you remember the advertisement we had in the Cycling magazine every Thursday? It read “Join a mans club. We meet every Sunday morning at 9am at the Windmill Clapham common for our club run, so why not join us”. If only I was 30 years younger and still riding a bike!! I can dream. I can remember a trial club run with the Tooting Bec CC through a similar advert in the Cycling. I got dropped after three miles because the bottom of my overcoat got stuck in the back wheel! It was sad to hear that Ron Beckett of the Bec died last month. Those of us who attended most cycling events in the south of England will remember Ron as one of the most efficient officials. He was doing his stuff at the Herne Hill meeting last Good Friday but died a few days later of natural causes. He was 75. His son Garry said it was the way he wanted to go. I sent a wreath on behalf of the club. Garry said this was appreciated by him and his family and it was nice of the guys from the De Laune to attend the funeral. Mike Peel, Brian Dacey, Brian Saxton, Bill Wright, John O’Brien, Mike Rice, Michael Moore and myself. Those of you attended the Good Friday meeting at Herne Hill will know that a De Laune member was presented with a gold badge of honour for his services to cycling. His name is Michael Moore. I know that a lot of members, especially the new ones, will say who is Michael Moore? We have never seen him! Well, not a lot have! Michael joined the De Laune over 50 years ago. Has always paid his subs on the dot and has been very generous to the club with donations. He is one of the back room boys who work so hard for cycling in general. If you go to any of the big events be it Crystal Palace or Herne Hill you will see him with a clipboard and stop watch. Michael, on behalf of the club, Congratulations. PS have you paid your subs this year? We have our AGM coming up on the 20th of June. This will be held at the British Legion Club at 97 Barry Road, East Dulwich, London SE22. We hope to start at 8pm if we can get you away from the bar.
Kav. Southborough & Dist Whs Open '10' March 19th
North Hants RC “10” 26th March
ROY ON HIS WAY TO A NEW AGE RECORD
Result 34 Nomads Inter Club Hilly 9th
April 2005 Posn Name Club Time 1 I O’Hara Sydenham Wh 33.53 2 S Hicks Catford CC 34.28 3 M Newton Sydenham Wh 35.53 4 M Thorogood Sydenham Wh 36.00 5 J Walker Sydenham Wh 37.22 6 M Porter 34 Nomads 38.11 7 P Hamilton 34 Nomads 38.31 8 A Beswetherick Catford CC 39.27 9 G Ward Sydenham Wh 39.54 10 E Rieu Sydenham Wh 42.08 11 B Loader Sydenham Wh 44.31 12 D Leith 34 Nomads 46.43 13 L Clarke 34 Nomads 52.42 Temperature at start –1 C, which equals b cold. Congratulations and thanks to all those who rode on what
was a particularly unpleasantly cold morning and thanks to Brian Skelton, Dave
Little, Irene Barnes, Norman Stone, Len Crickmore, Ron Stevens, John Percival
and Alan Rowe for coming out to support the lads. 2004 Richard Hallett` 34.09 Syd ELITE “10” – 9th April
More times by Roy Savery Thames Velo “10” 27-28... SCCU (Association 25) -17th April
KCA Open '25' April 17th 2005
COURSE DETAILS G25/53 START in Robin Hood Lane at LP1 about 30 yards from Robin Hood roundabout on west corner of entrance to disused road. (TQ164324) Proceed to Robin Hood roundabout. Take first exit (Left) and follow A24 to Great Daux roundabout. (0.61 miles) Take second exit (right) and follow A264 north via Rusper Road roundabout to Moorhead roundabout. Take first exit (left) and continue on A264 via Faygate roundabout to Bewbush Manor roundabout. Take second exit (straight on) and follow the A2220 via Breezehurst roundabout to Broadfield roundabout. (6.5 miles) (TQ256353) Encircle roundabout (CARE) and retrace on A2220 via Breezehurst roundabout to Bewbush Manor roundabout. Take first exit (left) and follow A264 to Tollgate Hill roundabout (8.95 miles). (TQ260336) Encircle roundabout (GREAT CARE) and retrace south on A264 via Bewbush Manor roundabout. Take first exit (left) and continue on A264 via Faygate roundabout to Moorhead roundabout. Take second exit (right) still on A264 via Rusper Road roundabout to Great Daux roundabout. (15.26 miles) Take first exit (left) and follow A24 via Robin Hood roundabout to bear left up slip road to Farthings Hill roundabout. Take second exit (straight on) and rejoin A24. Proceed south via Hop Oast roundabout to Southwater Roundabout. (21.03 miles) (TQ162252) Encircle roundabout (CARE) and retrace north on A24 to Hop Oast roundabout. Take the second exit (straight on) and follow A24 bearing left to FINISH on slip road 370 yards before Farthings Hill roundabout at 25th joint in kerbstone from beginning of sliproad and approximately 80 yards before entrance to WSCC depot and Tesco lorry exit. (Q153309) THE REST OF THE RACING RESULTS & NEWS 2005 Gorrick MBC Exodus Spring Series R4 3 April 2005
1
01:15:06 Rob Lee Extreme Endurance
POINTS TABLE
1 2 3 4 5 T
Eastway
Supporters League Spring Rumble held at Eastway on April 2 The race stuck firmly together until Andrew Griffiths (LVYCC) attacked & went clear & with no one willing to sacrifice themselves in making a chase of it, Griffiths was on his winning way. Behind Griffiths' the field was spending much time checking each other & no one made a real move, thus it came to a mass gallop win which Louis Charity (Sutton CC) just fended off first under 14 Dominic Schils (Interbike RT).
1
Andrew Griffiths LVYCC 28.36.9
2005 Southern XC Series R1 East Grinstead 10th April Youth
Men Fun Men Veteran Men Hillingdon LVRC Crits – 13th April Race 1 of the Wednesday League of Veteran Cyclist's series held at Hillingdon
Cat F
LVRC Epsom Classic – 17th April
CATEGORY F POSITION
Crystal Palace Circuit Races The 1st night of racing on April 26 drew an excellent field in youth & senior races. The bad weather that had dominated London all day dispersed leaving a clear sunny sky – Youth The race went off at a fast pace & at the front a lead group soon developed featuring 7 riders, these 7 stayed away & to their great credit each took turns to make the break work. From the break Simon Lewis (VC Londres) & Alex Aldham Breary (PCA/Ciclos Uno) gained a few metres in the later stages & in the contested sprint Lewis won. Erik Rowsell (Sutton CC) placed 3rd just a few seconds down, with Sam Fensterheim (De Laune CC), Ben Ladbrook (VC Londres), Amy Thompson (GB Cycles) & Louise Mahe (Sutton CC) close at hand. Throughout the race there were many great tussles & sprints for position, & when others get a few more laps in at the demanding circuit we can expect to see even more close racing. 1 Simon Lewis VC Londres 2 Alex Aldham Breary PCA/Ciclos Uno 3 Erik Rowsell Sutton CC 4 Sam Fensterheim De Laune CC South East Road Race League The 2nd race of the South East Road race League held on April 3. The first lap saw a lively start with the field strung out for most of the lap. The first half of the race saw a number of attempts to get away all bar one containing Richard Friend (Gemini BC) back after a year's absence from racing. By the fourth lap Friend had joined forces with Reg Smith (Chevin Cycles), Nigel Brazier (VC Elan) and Ian O'Hara (Sydenham Wheelers). Over the next three laps O'Hara dropped back. Chasing at one minute were Rob Powell (Ogmore Valley) Sean Mcgibben (Dulwich) and Matthew Lucas (Sydenham Wh). By the start of the last lap Friend and friends were one and one half minutes clear of the immediate chasers and four minutes up on the remains of the bunch. The three sprinted it out with Brazier getting the edge on Friend, followed by Smith 1. Nigel Brazier VC Elan 2. Richard Friend Gemini BC 3. Reg Smith Chevin Cycles 4. Cesar Coco VC Deal 5. Matthew Lucas Sydenham Wh. 6. Ian O'Hara Sydenham Wh. 7. Dominic Whitten Sydenham Wh. 8. Andrew Macpherson Liphook RT 9. Dan Horton Gemini BC 10. Nick Gilding Willesden CC. We had to provide all the help needed for this event and what a great turn out we had, Pres. Kav in the lead car one, Mark and Jason Ballamy lead car two in the thired car was Brian Saxton and Bill Wright (assist comisare). There were marshals on ever corner and I will try to name them all, Roy Savery – Terry Deeley – Tich Shambrook – Mike Peel – Alan Rowe – Nigel Scales – Cliff Steele – Ross Fryer – Alan Constable – Frances Rudd and Friend not forgetting the ladies who looked after the canteen I believe these to be Mrs Rudd and friend. Even more member turn up at the race head quarter after the race, Sam Fensterheim and James King who had both been riding in another event and were accompanied by Dave King.
Merida 100 Now in its 6th year, the Merida 100 has become the UK’s premier endurance event series and has branched out from Wales to include a round in Scotland and even a round in Austria to coincide with the World MTB Marathon Championships. The first round of the year was held in the original venue of Builth Wells, mid-Wales and included for the first time ever, a night enduro race on the Saturday night followed by the regular race (70km instead of the usual 100km) on the Sunday). Ross and I had entered both events; Cliff was also there for the main event on Sunday. Both Ross and I had got our entries in early and were rewarded by the free use of USE’s new headlight, the ultra light Super LED ‘Exposure’ light. We met up at the campsite on Saturday afternoon, collected our hire light and goodie bags and prepared for the ride. The weather in the campsite was cold and everyone underestimated the clothing needed for the ride. A lot of people stopped on the first climb to remove excess layers, as the heat generated by riding was more than enough to make up for the chill of the wind. About 250 people had entered this, the first ever night-time enduro race and we set off just as it was beginning to get dark at 7.30pm. The course took us along a 5 mile section of road to thin the bunch out before turning off onto a brutal climb up onto the moorland to the east of Builth Wells. Looking up, I could see a string of lights weaving up the climb in front of me. After 15 minutes of climbing we traversed along the moorland for a while before dropping on a fast grassy descent to a lower track and climbing back up again. By this time, it was pitch dark on the moors and I was glad of my normal lighting power in addition to the hire light, my 40W Storm headtorch. I stopped briefly at the food station at the half way point before continuing on the course. Ross had pulled out a substantial gap on the initial road section and I knew I wouldn’t see him again until I got back to the campsite. The course ended with a great singletrack descent through the trees, just muddy and rooty enough to demand maximum concentration. It spat me out on the road section about 45 minutes later, leaving me with 5 miles to go to the campsite. About a mile from home, another rider caught up with me, a girl I knew quite well and we rode back to the finish together. I was just gathering myself for the sprint finish when she charged off ahead, beating me by a second across the line! I finished in 49th position in a time of 2.38; Ross had arrived back at the finish 15 minutes in front of me in a time of 2.23 in 25th place. 25 miles (40km), 2638ft of climbing, 250 starters. Sunday dawned grey but with the promise of later sunshine; the wind had dropped considerably too. The main event started at 10.30am to allow sleepy riders from last night to wake up properly. Ross, Cliff and I lined up together but within seconds of the starting gun being fired we were separated in the crush of riders. Ross managed to get a great start, slipping through gaps in the bunch and getting out onto the course with the leaders (which included such people as British Olympic riders Nick Craig and Oli Beckinsale as well as former National Champion, Barrie Clarke). Cliff and I were comfortably up the top 100 or so out of over 600 starters. I rode the course at my own pace, I could see Cliff about 200m in front of me all the way up the first climb but then I lost sight of him as he pulled away. I knew a good few of the riders there and exchanged pleasantries with people as I passed them or (more commonly) they passed me. The course was the same as last nights course for the first 10 miles or so before it split off dropping sharply to a road before turning off and heading up a long and incredibly steep climb onto the back of the moorland. I simply enjoyed the scenery and chatted to a few other riders, hooking up in small groups with riders who were at roughly the same pace as me. I stopped at each of the two feed stations, refilled my supplies, stretched my back out and carried on. I knew that Ross and Cliff would both be faster than me as my form has been up and down since I fractured my pelvis last year and I’d only done 3 or 4 long MTB rides since then. The course was mostly grassy moorland with a massive amount of climbing, the climb after the second feed station being so steep that everyone was walking it. I made it about 2/3rds of the way before admitting defeat. A road descent was followed by another big climb before it finally reached the top of the singletrack that we’d finished on last night. It was much muddier by this time, churned up by the previous nights rain and the tires of the leaders as they’d slithered down the treacherous off-camber sections. It took about an hour to get from there back to the campsite where I made up for the Saturday night error by beating a fellow rider in the sprint finish for 146th place! Ross had come in at 49th in a time of 4.24, Cliff had finished in 4.44 to get 83rd and I finished 25 minutes later in 146th in a time of 5.10 (actual riding time 4.42). 42.5 miles (70km), 5305ft climbing, 650 starters. One of the toughest Merida course I’ve ridden, with a leg-shattering amount of climbing involved. A good turnout from De Laune, with all of us riding our team bikes. The next Merida event is at Rhayader on May 28th-29th, more details on www.mtb-marathon.co.uk Words of advice on the basic contents
of your race bag and general preparation for racing from Val the Peach
These ramblings have been prompted by witnessing some riders at a recent event who were clearly lacking the basic equipment for racing. I thought this information would assist riders in avoiding the race morning panic at the headquarters – finding out that a vital piece of equipment is at home 20 or more miles away. Some may find it useful to start with, to have a check list to cross items off, after a while your needs will become automatic. Not quite sure which way to start so I decided to start from the bottom and work up. 1. Race shoes and a pair of flip flops or trainers, cycling shoes are very uncomfortable to walk in. 2. Socks to protect toes from friction inside shoes. 3. Overshoe covers; these are especially useful if it is cold. 4. Leg warmers, over knees and/or tights. If you can afford it, two pairs in case you get wet warming up. 5. Shorts, racing jersey/skin suit, again spares if you can afford it. 6. Under vests, again more than one so that you can change after warming up, to a dry one for racing. 7. Track suit top or warm jersey or gilet. 8. Crash hat – this is mandatory for all riders under the age of 18 – optional for the older riders. 9. If you are follicly challenged a cotton cap is useful, to keep the rays of the sun at bay whilst walking around and/or a wool hat to keep the grey matter warm after racing. 10. Gloves and or track mitts, arm warmers (useful early and late season events). 11. Sunglasses for the posers – and of course to keep the blazing sun out of the eyes. 12. Spare handkerchief or at least tissues. 13. Licence if you are riding any British Cycling road or track event. 14. Your own identification. A simple piece of paper is adequate which gives your name, address, home phone number and a next of kin contact address and phone number. Medical registration letter if necessary. 15. Drink for pre-race and after-race – plain water or a proprietary drink of your choice. 16. Start sheet, giving you details of the course and your number etc. 17. Plastic supermarket bag for dirty or wet clothing on the day to be emptied out into the washing machine at home. Make sure you either change out of your racing gear as soon as possible after finishing or at least put extra clothes on so that you keep warm, your body will be susceptible to minor infections at this time. Always ensure that a complete change of ‘normal’ clothes are in the bag, for emergencies, just undies, a shirt and trousers are all that are needed, the shoes mentioned above can be teamed with these. Don’t forget; when all or any of the above are put aside for laundering REPLACE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Check your bag regularly and always pack it yourself, only you know what you need. Remember the items listed above should be the minimum. Other small items worth including are - a small basic first aid kit of plasters, antiseptic cream, safety pins you never know when the zip on your skin suit will break, a safety pin can be a life saver, scissors or nail clippers, any medication you may require, toilet roll, moist wipes, embrocation cream for cold mornings to keep the legs and knees warm if you are brave enough to bare them and don’t forget something to clean your hands afterwards (I keep a Homebase spray bottle filled with water with a some eau de cologne in it – very effective and it smells good), sun lotion. If you take regular medication or use an inhaler for asthma you need to ensure this information is registered with British Cycling at Manchester. You should make a short visit to your GP who can supply you with a letter confirming your need for the medication or inhaler, you should send a copy of this is letter to British Cycling who, in turn, will record this information on UCI lists. Any rider can be randomly drug tested at any event at any time (not only ‘international riders) Keep a copy of the GP letter and the response from BC with your own identification. This may seem a lot of equipment but believe me it takes up very little room, you can customise it to your own needs, if you keep it all in one bag, you can just pick it up and walk out on race day with a clear conscience that you have everything you need. Now that you have your bag ready, make sure you enter the event before the closing date, allow plenty of time to warm up on the day and arrive at the start line at least 3 minutes before your allotted time to avoid starting late.
UK bike check
By Garry Birch (I found this article on the FFBC web site and thought it may be of help to our younger rides especially as it was written by a ex-De Laune Member Ed.) Introduction The promoting club or organization appoints sensible personnel to take your bicycle from you and subject it to a series of tests. Subject to your bike being given the OK, you would then receive a token that you would have to submit when you register for your race. No token with the license equals no race. The average bike test, performed by an experienced checker takes only 30 seconds or so, but it is a very worthwhile exercise. All sorts of little problems could be found. Some would not constitute a fail, but some others could prevent serious injury both to the rider of that bike, and also to his or her fellow competitors. Before I came to the United States I had been a member of a large cycling club in London for 20 years, and in that time I have checked hundreds, if not thousands of bicycles. I have heard many lame excuses, but more often than that I have heard a thank you that a problem was brought to light. One of the most laughable moments was when I bicycle was found to have the open end of the front brake shoes facing forward. Obviously under even ordinary braking the pads could have shot out, rendering them useless. The owner had the nerve to tell us that he had raced on them only last week and that they had been fine and thus he expected them to be ok for our race... FAIL. At our bike checks we always had a selection of tools and spare parts, such as toe straps, handle bar end plugs and tape. The screwdriver was the most useful tool, followed by the 5mm and 6mm hex wrench. The Check Front End
While applying the brakes a check is made to ensure that the brake pads are fully engaged on the rims without the brake levers touching the handlebars. You would be surprised how many bikes failed this part of the test. I would then check the brake shoes visually to make sure that they were installed properly, both in direction and for direct application onto the rim, avoiding contact with the tire sidewalls. Check that there are handlebar plugs in each end and that the handlebar tape is secure. This would conclude the front-end check. Saddle Wheels The check is made by attempting to push the tire off the rim with the thumbs. Start to one side of the valve, hold the wheel with both hands and apply force to the tire sidewall with both thumbs, about 1-2 inches apart. Repeat the test at about 5-6 locations around the wheel. If the tire lifts, FAIL the wheel, not the bike. Give the rider a chance to replace the failed wheel with a spare if he has one, or to even go and reattach the tire and then retest. On some wheels, the tires have been glued on for such a long time that the glue between the base tape and the tire carcass fails and the tire will roll off. This is especially prevalent on track wheels, which rarely flat and receive little wear. After checking the tires for correct attachment to the rim, do a visual inspection of the tread and sidewalls, looking for cuts, exposure of the tire carcass and broken threads on the sidewalls. Many bicycle tires will be perfectly fine with a few strands of the sidewall carcass fraying. The rule of thumb I use is when there are a number of broken strands in a clump, look very carefully for sidewall bulge. A pass or fail is still subjective though. Transmission The bike checker lifts the rear wheel off the ground by holding the saddle. The owner rotates the chainring AT RACE CADENCE and the bike checker operates the gears. (This is because the owners may well be aware of the fact that the gears need adjusting and just have not got around to fixing it). The full range of motion of the rear derailleur is checked first, with the chain going from the smallest to largest cogs and then back again. If the chain is on the small chainring and the chain will not engage the smallest cog, THIS IS NOT A FAIL. Many bicycles have this problem. The checker then operates the front derailleur and puts the chain onto the other chainring and then operates the rear derailleur again, checking for an accurate range of motion. Again, if the chain will not engage the largest cog while on the largest chainring, THIS IS NOT A FAIL. The checker should make sure that the pulley wheel cage on the rear derailleur does not hit the spokes. (Seen it happen at a bike check-the bikes owner got really pissed. But he had not adjusted the gears, so when the CHECKER operated the gear lever, the cage moved to it's farthest extent and WHAMMO. Gear changing when the heat is on can sometimes be done without the finesse of a gear change on training ride.) Other bits Gear development The roll out is measured by placing the bicycle on a path of known length (7.93m) with the cranks vertical above the start line. The bicycle is then pushed backwards, in a straight line, forcing the cranks to revolve. The cranks must do one complete revolution before or at the finish line. If the cranks have not completed the revolution, the bike has failed the gear size test. The rider as a few options to rectify this problem, the easiest being to screw the gear mechanism cage travel screw so that the chain will not engage the cog on which it was originally rolled. This however can present the rider with a significant under gearing compromise. A change of chainring by one tooth down or more commonly the change of tire to a lower profile (not under inflated) is the most efficient problem solver. Track bikes Check chain tension by holding the rear wheel up and spinning the rear wheel slowly. Check that there is no more than 1/2 inch allowable vertical travel along the long length of chain. If the chain is tight, re-adjust the rear wheel to provide more slack. When you have the optimum chain tension you can achieve, spin the rear wheel fast, pick the bike up such that it is parallel to the ground and the chainset is pointing down and shake the bike backwards and forwards. If the chain is too slack it will fall off the chain ring. Readjust to achieve a tighter chain. The use of a lock ring that tightens against the cog and prevents it unwinding under reverse pressure is advisable but not required under NCNCA rules. The cog will be secure enough if properly tightened with a chain whip tool. I had the following letter re: David Millar published in this week's "Cycling". (To avoid any suggestion that De Laune has a "soft on drugs" view, I didn't mention the club's name when I sent in the email.) (6th April)
Nigel Scales
Would you also please publish the enclosed photo taken in Melbourne in January this year? I was staying with Stuart Campbell known to his friends as Scamp who Brian Dacey stayed with when riding the World Masters championships a couple of years ago. Scamp used to live about 1/2 mile from me in Godalming before he retired to Oz, his wife Jenny was born and bred in Melbourne. Scamp is well known for his commisaire duties in various road races in the Surrey area and I am sure that many of our current racers will know him. It is myself on the left next to Alan Radford of the Bec. He is an old mate of mine who emigrated to Oz in 1966 with the guy next to him, Mick Ward of the Clarencourt and finally Scamp who is ex Redmon and Charlotville and currently VC Meudon. I understand that Mick Ayliffe of the Clarencourt was going out to stay with Mick Ward and his wife Jan shortly after we left. I know that a lot of other club cyclists look at our excellent website including another old mate of mine Norman Hill ex Kentish Wheelers and an ex pro who I visited a few years ago in Vancouver whose wife Harma wrote to the DeLaune news recently.
Kind Regards, John Geoghegan. MEMBERSHIP We welcome new members, James King, who lives in Putney, London SW15 and who was proposed by Geoff Heaton and seconded by Harry Corbett. We assume, therefore, that James is a triathlete. Also Helen Morrissey from Chelmsford, Essex; Helen, too, is also interested in triathlons as well as duathlons. Finally, John Starsmeare, who lives in Bromley, Kent and is rejoining us after a few years’ break. John is, of course, a member of the Clan Starsmeare. In the late 1980s there were nine members of the Starsmeare family in the club; Uncle Eddie is still a member, together with his daughter Yvonne Gregory (nee Starsmeare). I know President Kav has written to these three members concerning the delay in their election which was due to a number of problems, not least of which was the closure of Herne Hill Stadium, thus cutting off our venue for committee meetings. This resulted in our first meeting this year being held on the 7th April at the British Legion Club in Peckham, on which occasion the above members were elected. For information, the manager of the British Legion Club is our own Dave King and it is thanks to him that the meeting went ahead at the this venue. Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to Stephen Brierley who is moving to live in Tokyo. Stephen says in his letter of resignation that although living in Essex has prevented him from participating in club events, he suspects that living in Japan will make it even less likely; however, he assures us that he will follow the fortunes of the club on the internet site. Apparently it had been his intention to have a go at a TT with Harry Corbett this year but this will have to be put on hold while he trains in Japan and he hopes to give Harry a shock on his return! A bit nearer to home, you will, of course, know that Mike Peel completed yet another London Marathon! Also, Mark Wadley, who recently joined the club, completed the course in 3h 33m 55s; I feel sure there is lots more in the tank as, although Mark is an athlete, he had done very little training prior to the race. Lastly, to add to the names of members making donations towards club funds, we must add Brian Dacey. Brian Saxton RON BECKETT OF THE BEC CC Although Ron was never a member of the De Laune, I feel that we should acknowledge his death on Good Friday, on March 25th. Anyone who has been in the cycling world in the London area will have known of Ron, even if they had not actually met him. He had been at the Good Friday Track Meeting and was his usual jovial self; however on his return home that evening he apparently died whilst sitting relaxing in his chair. He was 75 years of age. Ron was cremated on Friday, 8th April at Croydon Crematorium. The chapel was packed with his family and many friends from the cycling world. His son Garry gave a humorous tribute to his father which helped to lighten what was, of course, a very sad occasion. According to Garry, there were “Ron’s Rules” and other people’s rules. The first of “Ron’s Rules” was that you always adhered to time and Garry gave an example of when he was a youngster he often looked out of his bedroom window to see a group of cyclists wandering around. This was because Ron, who was to transport them to an event, had told them to meet outside his home at 09.00; they were there at three minutes past nine and Ron had gone! They quickly understood that when Ron said 09.00 he meant 09.00! Another of his rules was that you never “packed” in an event. If Ron had transported you to that event and you had “packed”, then you made your own way home! Garry had first-hand experience when riding in a “100” he decided to quit and seeing his father in a lay-by on the other side of the road, thought his father would give him a lift to the finish. Not so, Ron just drove off! Ron will be sorely missed, not only by his large family, but also by all those who either participated in or were spectators at Herne Hill meetings. He will also be missed at the annual Bec Hill Climb, the 50th anniversary of which takes place this year where it is hoped there will be a field of 100 riders. The other two branches of the sport he loved were, of course, roller racing and cycle polo. Kav arranged for a wreath to be sent on behalf of the club and he, Brian Dacey, Michael Moore, John O’Brien, Mike Peel, Mike Rice, Brian Saxton and Bill Wright represented the club at the service. After the service, everyone was invited back to Henry’s Table Function Room in Wallington, Surrey for refreshments. Brian Saxton
CYCLING PARTICIPANTS British Cycling has 16,000 members. The Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) has 55,000 members (including associate members) and Sustrans has 38,000 ‘supporters’. Cycling is the second most popular sport for 6-16 year olds, beating football and just pipped by swimming. 51 percent are swimmers. 49 percent are cyclists. 37 percent are footballers. However, 18 percent particupate in no sport whatsoever, up from 15 percent in 1994. (Source: Sport England survey of 3000 children, 2003) Cycle sport participation Road racing: 2101 events with 126,060 participants Time trials: 1932 events with 85,000 participants MTB: 138 events with 20,700 participants Cycle speedway: 373 events with 6500 participants Track: 383 events with 10,250 participants BMX: 79 events with 8000 participants Cyclo cross: 210 events with 11 000 participants (Source: British Cycling, 2002) A BIGGER AND BETTER TOUR OF BRITAIN After the successful resurrection of the Tour of Britain last year, the Union Cycliste Internationale has decided to extend the length of the event from five to six days, starting on August 30. In addition, the tour will be supported by a series of promotional events and races at each stage. Each stage finish will host British Cycling Go-Ride events, and the final day in London will see a mixed-ability race, a women's grand prix and a repeat of the London Grand Prix, for the Bob Chicken trophy, before the Tour of Britain peloton speeds around Westminster. The six-day tour will start in Glasgow before making its way down to the finish in London. SweetSpot, the official organisers have not, however, released the full details of each stage route - watch this space! TOUR OF BRITAIN 2005 Crystal Palace circuit races start on 26 April - our event is on the 14 June
NOTICE BOARD
A
NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY
SUNDAY 22 MAY 2005.
MORNING COFFEE FROM 11.00 ONWARDS.
PRODUCED
by MARK & JASON BALLAMY ***end***
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a.jpg)
Dear
Mark, Herewith a photo of Roy Savery (see above) breaking his own Club 10 record
for a 68 year old at Bentley Hants on Easter Saturday. It was not the easiest of
days with a tough headwind on the return journey which is longer than the
outward. There is a lot more to come I feel sure. 
I
am also enclosing a photo of Suzanne and Mike Ridding at a barbie in their
garden in Adelaide where we drove to from Melbourne to visit them and also Dot
and Ken. The last photo is at Suzanne's barbie with my wife Eileen on the left,
myself, Suzanne, Dot and Ken. We had some lovely days on the beach with Dot and
Ken and were very sad to leave especially as Ken and Dot still had another 4
weeks or so left. 
Incidentally
whilst in Melbourne we went to watch the Australian Madison championships at the
Vodaphone arena and whilst in Brisbane we watched a criterium on the coast won
by Bradley McGee with Robbie McKeown second. In Melbourne on a Saturday and
Sunday there are around 1000 cyclist riding the coast road round the Mornington
Peninsular area which is where Scamp lives, in the town of Mornington itself.
