September 1999

Champion!

Whilst it is not a total surprise, it is still very nice to be able to say that the National Junior Road Race champion for 1999 is a North Ender. Steve Cummings dominated the race, held last month near Market Harborough, eventually coming in 1-36 clear of the silver medallist Nils King (Taunton CRC), and over two minutes ahead of everyone else. Mike Garner also represented the North End, and together with Mark Baker and Ed Leary of the Chester RC they formed a four-strong ‘Merseyside’ team who all worked for each other. This teamwork was called into play in the opening lap, as Steve had a mechanical fault, and had to be paced back to the peloton.

He wasted little time in dictating the play, attacking at the 20 mile point, along with James Shaw of Stourbridge CC. The two stayed together, maintaining a lead of some two minutes over the main group, with occasional attempts to bridge the gap coming to naught.

As they started onto the first of three laps of the finishing circuit, the road went upwards and, from Shaw’s point of view, so did Steve! At the first crossing of the finish line he had a twenty second lead, and Shaw was eventually caught by the main group. From then on the result wasn’t in doubt, and Steve was applauded all the way up the final climb to take the medal, jersey and title.

Amongst other things, taking the title means he qualifies for the Worlds’ team, so make sure you know someone with Eurosport come October!

(Yes, I did gather most of that report from Cycling Weekly! So sue me!)

The Wild Wild Wales

Oops, no, I’m confusing it with the Wild Wild West, aren’t I? The Wild Wales tourist trial, held on Bank Holiday weekend, saw a group of around a dozen North Enders take part, in an attempt to win the team prize (result unknown at time of going to press). The route set off from Bala, going north to Llansannan, Denbigh, then across to Prion, Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion and back through Llandderfel to Bala. The day was reasonable, clouds keeping the temperature down, but a stiff southerly wind made the exposed stretches of road around Llyn Brenig quite tough. But if you were still out on the road at 5 o’clock, you got soaked in a downpour. Step forward Phil Nobes, recipient of the Jay Sweet Award for services to lanternes rouges, who completed the ride at 6:30. And everyone who took part knows who didn’t - the man whose motivational speech on winning the team award brought out several North Enders: Les Kennedy! Sore throat my foot!

Club Dinner

After first mentioning the dinner in the May issue, I’ve been a bit quiet on the subject: symptomatic of the fact that I haven’t done much about it! To remind you, it will again be held at the King’s Gap Court Hotel in Hoylake, on Saturday the 11th of December. I can now reveal that Willie Moore will be one guest. For those of you who don’t know (which included me, to be honest!), Willie was a Worlds’ silver medallist at the team pursuit. The other guest is currently unconfirmed.

Because I have no desire to be having to chase round people for money at 7:30pm on the night (who said that’s part of the fun of the job?!), and to encourage prompt purchasing of tickets, I intend to run a incentive scheme, whereby people who order and pay for their tickets before the 1st of December will get them at a discount. As I do not yet have the final price, I can’t confirm what the prices will be, but this information will be detailed next month. So be ready!

New Kit Order

An order will shortly be placed for some more Impsport kit to see us through the Winter and into the 2000 racing season. Don’t miss out on this opportunity, as any future orders would be at the new 2000 prices! Lead time will be approximately 6 weeks from order date.

Please return all forms to Les Kennedy no later than 7th October.

• Mitts - Velcro fastening with the Flames on the back. Les still has some mitts available on a first come – first served basis. Sizes seem to be a bit on the small side though. £9.40
• Bandanna - made of Airtex polyester, again with the flames design. £10.00
• Red Bib Shorts - in Lycra with Teflon-coated Lycra for the seat. and yellow side panel. £38.20
• Sleeveless Gamex Racing Jacket - with mesh on lower back to show race numbers. Suitable for TT’s or Road racing. £29.40
• Cap - very popular item: cotton cap in club colours. £4.50
• Skin Suit - anatomically shaped, with red Lycra shorts, yellow side panel, and the usual short sleeve top. £51.70
• Bib Knickerbockers - as per the shorts, but extended below the knee. £42.30

Winter Selection

• Thermolycra Bib Tights - fleecy lined Lycra, no seat insert, footloops and yellow side panel £40.50
• Lined Gamex Jacket - windproof and showerproof Gamex, with a ribbed waistband, and warm polyester lining. £48.20
• Lightweight Gamex Rain Jacket - windproof and showerproof Gamex, folds easily into your rear pocket. £32.90

Clothing Sizes in Inches

(Please state if any garment is to fit a female)

Please enclose £10 cheque made payable to BNECC for each item of kit you require as a deposit (or £5 for mitts and £3 for cap). These prices should be subject to a 10% reduction, dependent upon our order reaching a certain level. If this is the case, then all items will be reduced accordingly, and the correct price calculated upon your receiving the items.

Please print out and return this order form to Les on a Club Night, or post, with cheque payable to BNECC, to 1 Yardley Drive, Spital, Merseyside, L63 9NS.

And Finally…

The Prutour, Liverpool, and Stuart O’Grady realises that the UCI will never allow him to race in Chris Boardman’s Lotus Elise!

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