May 2003

Mallorca 2004

Kate & I will organise a group for Mallorca in March/April 2004. We aim to go for 4 weeks but will organise different periods depending on demand. We have a problem as the travel company (Portland/Thomson) we have used for our Hotel (Uyal) have not signed a contract yet for 2004. We are waiting replies from them & alternative companies. Will anyone interested in going to Mallorca next year let us know of their interest (01244 301412 or petenkate@dial.pipex.com) & proposed length of stay so that we can negotiate?

Peter Hudson

Susy Massey - Queen of the Track!

A year after becoming the Under-16 Sprint Champion, Susy Massey won the Junior Sprint title at the National Junior Track Championships last month.

As a first-year junior, Susy might not have expected to do as well, but she posted the fastest time in the qualification flying 200m (13.512s). She then easily won her first-round heat, leading from start to finish to go through to the semi-finals. This she also dominated, winning the best-of-three series 2-0.

The final, against Samantha Colley of Yasumitsu Schlapp (now there’s an interesting club name!) was not as easy though. Colley sat on the front in the first leg, and Susy couldn’t get past her. In the second leg, Susy made no mistake, taking the lead at the bell and holding her off. The decisive final leg looked like it would go like the first, but this time Susy came past on the final bend to take the sprint and the title. Well done!

Susy and Samantha Colley line up for the final

The podium - Jo Tindley (bronze), Susy, Samantha Colley (silver)

Thanks to Steve Light and Doreen Mahar for ensuring that I was aware of this story! The pictures (and the race reports!) come from the BCF’s website.

Hilly 22 - A Nice Way to Start Easter!

The North End’s traditional Good Friday Hilly 22 time trial saw some exceptional weather for an 8am start in April. As someone whose debut in this event saw him finish with snow caked over his shoulders and helmet, it was wonderful to be able to wear just a skinsuit and armwarmers and not feel a chill at all!

The good weather unsurprisingly saw a clutch of fast times, with five riders going under 50 minutes (although your correspondent was not one of them!). The winner was N.Hughes of Deeside Olympic (someone’s going to tell me what the ‘N’ stands for, I can tell!), who clocked 47-12. He was a full 1-37 ahead of second-placed P.Holt of Wrexham RC, with R.Iddles third, just seven seconds further back (I know that ‘R’ stands for Roger but it would seem a bit odd if I put in his name but not the others’ … oh, too late!). Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that the North End had 14 finishers, we won the team prize: those whose times mattered were John Moore, Pete Davies and Jeff Vernon.

Congratulations to Mal Dunphy for another flawless presentation.

The full results are available from the Events page.

Club Time Trial Results

The club time trial season got underway last month as well, and the opening ‘10’ was won by Pete Davies, with Andy Peden winning the handicap prize.

Open Result
1. Pete Davies 22-03
2. Ian Hawkins 22-17
3. Andy Walsh 22-35

Handicap Result
1. Andy Peden 24-00 (20-00 nett)
2. John Kent 23-51 (20-51)
3. Dave Thomas 24-23 (20-53)

Again, the full results are available from the Events page.

Thanks to Steve Light who organised this event in Pete Byrne’s absence.

Pete was off on his honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, following his wedding to Linda. Congratulations to you both, and many wishes for a long and happy life together!

Marshalling Rota

A reminder for everyone to keep an eye on their Marshalling Duties, once again on the Events page

We have been handed an extra duty by British Cycling, as we did not have to get anyone out of bed for the Divisional Championships (or whatever name they go by these days!). On Sunday July 13 we have to marshal the Northwest Road Race Champs for Juniors and Ladies at the Clieves Hill circuit, time TBA. Geoff Brandt has already volunteered himself for that duty, but we need 3 more people. If you’re willing to put yourself forward for this, please contact Geoff (652 0217 or geoff.brandt@ntlworld.com), club secretary Andy Templeman (336 1535 or andy@templeman.org.uk) or myself (the usual bnecc@bigfoot.com) to let us know.

Wild Wales Challenge

The club is once again being invited to take part in the Wild Wales Challenge. Organiser Denis Holder tells us that this is their 20th year, and so, as he says, they’ve been going for one-fifth as long as the Tour de France!

This year’s event, which is on the 24th of August, goes into the heart of Snowdonia, with "tremendous close-up views of the Snowdon massif." From its usual start in Bala, it heads to Cwm Penanner and the Fairy Glen before stopping at Betws y Coed. Then it goes down past Capel Curig to Nant Gwynant, then over to Porthmadog and back via Gellilydam to Bala.

Entry costs £8, and entry forms are available either from Jack McAllister, or from Denis (send an SAE to 4 Stockton Lane, Grappenhall, Warrington Cheshire WA4 3HQ), or you can download one from the event’s website - www.wildwales.net. Entries must be in by the 9th of August, they are limited to 500 people, and it’s strictly first come, first served.

In the past the North End has won the prize for most finishers - it would be nice if we could do it again!

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