September 2003

Doug Phillips

Sadly I have to announce that Doug Phillips passed away peacefully in his sleep during the night of Monday 8th September.

Doug was one of the longest-serving, and most dedicated, members of the North End. When I was gathering old black and white photographs for the Centenary two years ago, his face appeared again and again, in both racing and relaxing shots (but usually racing!)

Anyone who ever came down to the clubroom knew Doug. He was never without an opinion (usually expressed forthrightly!), but was passionate about the club, its fortunes and its members.

He was also a prominent member of the local Shotokan Karate club, and frequently raised money for prostate cancer research at Clatterbridge Hospital, getting himself frequent media exposure, including TV.

He leaves a wife and son Paul. When Paul phoned Andy Kelly to tell him of his father’s passing, he said "He did too many miles yesterday!"

Ruaraidh Gillies

Clive Walmsley and Mel Vasey

Clive and Mel have both been involved in serious accidents over the last few weeks.

Clive fractured his pelvis in two places during a vets’ race in Preston. He is at home recovering, although has had to make visits to Arrowe Park Hospital.

Mel crashed during a clubrun, descending from Bwlchgwyn, and was out cold for a few minutes. He’s spent time in Wrexham and Arrowe Park Hospitals, and is also recovering at home.

National Track Championships

Once again Susan Massey has done the club proud - this time at the Senior National Track Championships. Competing once again in the sprint competition, she qualified 6th fastest in the flying 200m, progressing to the quarter-finals.

Although she was beaten by Karen Cullen, the eventual bronze medallist, she returned to win the 4-up minor final and claim 5th place.

British Cycling's website report on the competition included the following comment:

"In the minor final, it was good to see young Susan Massey, the national junior champion, winning and laying down a marker for the future - it will certainly be a catastrophe for the sport if this talented and elegant rider doesn't make a major impact in the next few years."

There you go Susy - no pressure! :-)

In her other events, she came 6th in the 500m time trial (time of 41.36 seconds) and was 10th in the 15km Scratch race.

(Thanks to Geoff for bringing this to my attention).

Winter Track Sessions

So, for those of you who fancy becoming the next Susy Massey, the club has arranged three winter track sessions over the coming months, on the 9th of October, the 15th of January and the 19th of February. The February session will be this winter’s Club Track Championships.

Entry fees will be £7.50 per Senior with Juniors & Juveniles free. The October monthly club meeting will now be held on Thursday 16th October. Geoff has 2 club bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis (bring your own pedals). You can contact him on 652 0217. Or ring the Velodrome on 0161 223 2244 to arrange bike hire from them.

Roadworks

The nice people at Cheshire County Council have informed us that, from the 6th of October, the stretch of the A540 between The Yacht and the Little Chef roundabout will be closed southbound during the day (9:30am - 7pm) - weekdays only. Traffic will be diverted via the Welsh Road and the A5117.

From the 20th of October, in addition to this daytime work, the road will be closed in both directions overnight from 7pm to 6:30am.

Woodbank Lane and Lodge Lane (the road running across to Saughall across the dual carriageway) will be closed throughout this period.

The work should be completed by Friday 24th October.

Members can see that this will not affect the weekend club, but will force the Wednesday runs to go via Capenhurst

Wanted

Bill Hanson wonders if anyone has a left-hand handlebar changer for a front mech that they’re willing to sell. If you do, then please contact him on 0151 339 5881.

Helmets

I would like to propose the wearing of safety helmets on all club runs and events. I know this proposal will cause a good deal of controversy in the club but this is a serious subject and needs to be discussed calmly and carefully by all members of the B.N.E.C.C. at an arranged time.

Members wishing to vote against this proposal need only to put their names and reasons to the club, but in my opinion the reasons listed below are not valid.

Serious head injuries would be prevented by wearing a helmet.

It has been said to me that putting this proposal forward I will be subjecting myself to a lot of ridicule but I am prepared to accept this as this subject is too important to ignore. I just want to enforce the point that helmets are necessary and that in all race events it is now compulsory for cyclists to wear helmets.

I would have preferred it if this proposal had been made by a long-term member of the club but unfortunately I feel I have to take matters into my own hands.

To summarise the proposals are:

1. The wearing of helmets on all club events and rides.

2. The carrying of Identification and 2 phone numbers by each cyclist.

Dave Newby

I have reproduced the above as Dave sent it to me. However, I believe that his point about members wishing to vote against needing to write in is incorrect: the vote can only be among attendees at whatever meeting discusses it, although arguments for or against the proposal can always be passed along.

This proposal will be put forward for a vote at the AGM in December.

Stop Press: since the original newsletter went to print, containing this item, the notion of compulsory helmets was discussed at the September monthly meeting, and is now not likely to be proposed for a rule change at the AGM.

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2002 January February March April May June July August September October November December
2001 January February March April May June July August September October November December
2000 January February March April May June July August September October November December
1999 January February March April May June July August September October November December
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