DLN Apr 2001

OFFICIALS
PRESIDENT JOHN KAVANAGH 40 Beverley Road Barming Maidstone Kent ME16 9JP 01622 726959	SECRETARY PETE HARRIS 91 Ashbourne Road Ealing London W5 3DH 020 8997 7852	TREASURER STEVE CARTER-SMITH Winchelsea Upper Hartfield East Sussex TN7 4AN 01892 770245

Thank you all who contributed to last months DLN. It is nice to get the news. We even had a page from Malcolm Adams, and it was all in rhyme! As Malcolm gets older he is starting to talk in rhyme all the time. It is sending Linda around the bend.

My old friend and tandem partner, Arthur Howe, got to the last round on the quiz programme, Fifteen to One. Well I never, he must have got a lot of questions right. When I used to ask him questions, like how far is this tandem event, or what gear are we pushing, or is that tyre safe on the front, he would say he didn't know. The truth was that it was 50 miles, and he told me it was 30; the gear was higher than we normally push; and we had a dodgy tyre on the front. You little devil. Well-done Arthur.

Looking down the list in the DLN of members who have Big "O" birthdays this year, I see two of my heroes, Ken Fuller, and Geoff Sinnett, who are both 70 this year. They do not look 70, but must have done at some time. When I joined the club, Ken was winning all the hill climbs, and Geoff was one of the first in the club to " get under" and I was 10 minutes back. What a nice guys they are.

I can remember riding the Portsmouth Hilly many years ago with the lads. We had digs just outside Emsworth and it was freezing. I was sharing a double bed with Ken. We took the heavy curtains off the curtain rail to put on the bed for more warmth. I had to say to Ken, do you mind if give you a cuddle to keep warm? He said, I thought you would never ask. Well that is what club mates are for!

I have just read that Bill Wright, Alan Male and Alaric Lester are studying to be BCF coaches. Fantastic. This is just what the club wants. Our new riders and old ones will always need advice. New training methods and information will come down the pipeline via the BCF coaches. Well-done lads.

I would always take on board training methods and ideas from everybody and then write them down and keep them. We had a BCF coach visit our clubroom in the late 50's. It was Norman Shiel, then the reigning world amateur pursuit champion and national 25 champion. I think I sat there for two hours just listening and taking notes of basic ideas. Yes basic and simple ideas we tend to forget about. I will sort out my little book and share the ideas with you in our next DLN.

Thank you Monty for your letter and your kind remarks re our club. You say the club has a new lease of life and newfound enthusiasm, and perhaps a new Chip, Ken, or Frank stirring the pot. Well Monty, we have. They are called John O, Alaric, Ben, Bill, Peter, Steve, and many more.

Again, thanks to Mike Peel and Mark and Jason Ballamy for letting us know what is happening, through the DLN and the web. You are the lynch pin of the whole thing.

PS: Did you see the picture of the old people on a mountain, which was on the front of the DLN last month? Please do not worry; they got them all back to the home before it was dark!

PPS :On Good Friday we have got to support our lads at the Herne Hill Track Meeting. You will find our noisy lot in a group just before the first bend, or in the bar! We have our club prize presentation at 5pm at the clubroom after the meeting. Please try to make it. It was good last year.

Our Webmaster had an e-mail from Patrick Larkin who has been reading our DLN over the web (we are getting famous) and he said,

"I have visited your roll of honour site and I am contacting you, as I will be cycling to Brussels over the period 14th-17th June this year with up to 100 other cyclists to raise money for the Royal British Legion. I will be laying a wreath at the Memin gate in memory of my former regiment (Royal Irish Regiment) at the 8pm Last Post ceremony.

If you would like a cross or poppy laid in memory of your roll of honour, please contact me. (This I have done)

Alternatively if any of your members would like to take part, please contact me at rpride@britishlegion.org.uk"

A worthy cause I would think. We are getting a lot of readers visiting our site, other than our members. I had an e-mail from a cyclist in Canada who wanted to know the best way to go from London to Madrid, avoiding all hills! I had an e-mail from a company asking would we be interested in buying 100, minimum, "Bubble Pack" saddles. The mind boggles.

It is with regret that I have to report that Doreen Miles, Bill’s wife died on Saturday 17^th March, she will be missed and remembered. May I offer our condolences to Bill.

I AM SURE THAT ALL MEMBERS WILL JOIN WITH ME IN WISHING YOU A VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE SIXTEENTH AND CONGRATULATE YOU ON BECOMING AN OCTOGENARIAN. Ed.

Please note that the OMA 10 has been moved to Sunday 2 September and the Autumn 25 is on Sunday 16 September not as in print at present.

Saturday 21 April 08:30
12.2 Mile Interclub Hilly GS310 Start Goathurst Common (Ide Hill) Sevenoaks Weald Circuit

Delaune V 34 Nomads, Catford CC & Sydenham Wheelers. Saturday 21 April 08:30 am GS310 12.2 Mile Interclub Hilly Start Goathurst Common (Ide Hill) Sevenoaks Weald Circuit.

Other interclub events this year ride and win points & CASH (I THINK) see DLN for details.

Marshals needed for the Fred Peachey 25 Sunday 15 July and the SCCU 100 29 July (min one De Laune member)

1 Tim Stevens                           Team Clean 53:37
2 Reg Smith                              Team Omega 55:41
3 Andrew                                 Archer G.S Invicta 56:10
4 Matt Goodes                         De Laune CC 56:46

7 Shane Rookhuyzen                De Laune CC 58:28
33 John O¹Brien                       De Laune CC 1:05:41

I read the DLN with interest, as usual, and as our dear President 'rite', good word, I have obliged as hereunder.

When I worked at the 'Ministry' I use to bike to and fro. Best job in the world (Civil Servant). Three piece suit every 18 months, shirts, ties, footwear and driving allowance. When I did not feel 'well' just ring in 'sick' and go shopping or other! As was my wish sometimes I used to stop, on the way home, at the 'Black Bull'. Very nice purpose built gate with metal at rear to lock my bike to for safety. Of course sometimes I would go home and in the morning wonder where my bike might be!! Happy days. At the end of my seven years service (made redundant -lots of beer money and freedom) when they (Them) had a do' I would walk or go by taxi. One can drive or walk if very 'happy' but not ride a bike. Ken Fuller told you of my downfall' earlier, a bollard hit me. One day after a very happy' time I cycled homeward. Civil (what a stupid word) Servants cannot drink much or even less hold it, so I helped out. Super day, cycled home very happy. Well one for the road, 'The Black Bull'. This was a failure. Bid farewell to my friends and commenced home. Very small alley, one of the concrete posts or fence jumped out and hit me. I was in shirtsleeve order' (as military types would know), result, bleeding arm. Rang front door bell, injured soldier, Elizabeth not at all pleased.

But I digress, back to the verger. Mind you all the jobs I have had since leaving full time employment, 1 have not volunteered. People ask me!! One day Elizabeth said the Rector wished to speak to me. I thought, as I visit the 'Black Bull' on my way the 'House of My Lord' had I fallen off the pew? "Could I be the verger for the marriages?" I was honoured. "There would be a small honorarium". I carried out that task for four years. I gave in my notice, the congregation, sometimes, did not behave. I had to ask one gentleman if he would remove his hat. He reached for his knife! Later I asked the usher what was his problem? He just used one word 'ignorant'. I now am the verger for funerals, much nicer occupation. No hassle. Mind you they are drawbacks. The Landlady of the 'Black Bull' and I have a special relationship, as Mr. Blair would say. After seeing the cortege into the church I retire to remove the 'no waiting' and other notices and return to the 'Black Bull' to arrive at the church for the second or third hymn. There are occasions when the Rector is at a loss and asked through the public address system for the Verger'. What Len Danby! On one time he tried to reprimand the offender. To which the reply was "I will withdraw my labour, an more of this!" At this point the crestfallen clergy withdrew.

The landlady at the said' pub has asked if I could carry out certain duties. Which would be quite nice as I have to ask her for hot water to clean the Cenotaph at the church next door, (as part of my Royal British Legion tasks). Which reminds me of some wonderful German words "Die Kirche und Fass gehõren zussammen". Or in other words 'The Church and Pub belong together.

I cannot leave you my good friends without telling you about my job at the 'pub' and the place next door." Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him" 1 Cor.xvi.2.

Each time I enter into my garage, I look at my bike hanging on the roof.. It is not one of the fine bikes I had years ago. It is a 'hand me up' from my number one son. 'Dawes' bent (sometimes I erred), scratched and miss used. But then I think of those so happy days I spent with my friends in the De Laune Cycling Club. One thing which cannot be taken from us Memories'.

Race Planning Meetings
(for road, off-road, time trials and track)
26 April
31 May
28 June
26 July
30 August
All on Thursdays, 8:30 pm at the clubroom.

Want to ride more events with team-mates? Fancy sharing petrol costs?
Need to give your season some structure? Want to win some team
events?
Race planning meetings will be happening on the LAST THURSDAY of the
month until the end of August, 8:30 pm. Bring handbooks & an outline
of the events you want to ride. Alternatively, email me your plans and
we'll see what we can arrange.

Alaric

" a box of tricks…."(d.duffield cliches part: 2)
Road race news bought to you in conjunction with the Rhino Press!

With the spread of Foot and Mouth becoming wider and wider, races have been few and far between over the last month. Even training rides have become a matter of conscience even when you stick to the A roads. Luckily the circuits of Eastway and Hillingdon have remained open and a few of the races originally planned for the SERRL and Surrey leagues have, and are being, transferred to them when possible. More of our riders have been 'giving it some' off the front but with the amount of riders wanting to race and the lack of races available it has proved very competitive. I've even heard rumours of 1 & 2 cats. entering 3/4/j races, trying to keep their heads down so as not to be recognised. A bit hard when they end up winning the event (suprise, suprise!). Illness/Injury has also been another factor for some of us (myself included) who went to the Calshot weekend, except Dan Haynes. He has managed to transfer the form he picked up there to his first duathlon (run/bike/run….nutter!!) of the season. He entered the Hillingdon Tristars Duathlon based on the Hillingdon circuit and, riding his new Specialized SL team frame (an absolute peach of a bike!), pulled off a top ten placing overall and fifth in his catagory. Next stop for him is the London Marathon and that rhino suit. I think he'll wish he had his bike with him after about……1 mile. Good luck Dan.

The Calshot track weekend was fabulous, whatever your chosen discipline. I along with a few other converts have become addicted to g force and cannot wait for the next weekend/day to be organised. Day one was an introduction for all of us that had never ridden the track before (about half of us). Whilst day two was a much more intensive effort with riding against the clock and team/individual competitions. The finale of which was an excellent piece of tactical riding by James Peckham in the 'devil take the hind most'……hook, line and sinker as they say.

The wonderful David Duffield complete with stream of consciousness style of commentating is back on our screens at last. With Channel 4 dropping their coverage of the Tour de France in favour of an alleged sport called 'cricket' (bunch of losers stand around in a glorified cow field for hours on end, and all for an old ashtray!) Eurosport will become essential viewing this year. Zabel has already taken Milan-San Remo but the Belgian cobbles are just around the corner. Unmissable!

I now have the SERRL/Surrey league rider affiliation cards. It costs £6 to affiliate yourself then the club pays your pre-entry fee (I need your race date two weeks in advance to pre-enter you) for as long as the kitty lasts. If you want a card drop me a line and I'll send it by return post.
A bit of everything this month. Variety is the spice of life after all!

EACH YEAR, rain or shine, I have delivered the Brampton Parish News on eleven occasions with happiness in my heart. I enjoy being outside. The one time I very much dislike is the collecting of the £3 annual subscription. For a whole year the sum is less than a pint and half of ordinary ale (beer). There is a small minority that makes this task so unbearable. One has to return three or more times to collect same.

Being polite and magnanimous, tidily dressed, I always address the person opening the door in a courteous and dignified manner, stating who I am and why I am at their front door. On one occasion before I could speak a 'person' appeared from the rear of the house. "What do want?" (Only £3!) "Rabble." Eventually I did obtain the required amount from his wife. Or the husband will appear. "Do we want the Brampton Parish News?" he asks of his wife. "There is nothing in it, it is up to you" says she. I await patiently.

The worst households are the ones with 3 or 4 cars in the drive. "We do not have any cash in the house, we pay everything by card", or "I am very busy now, how can I contact you?" (Should I make an appointment, I ask myself). Sometimes I am asked, "Do you require the money now?" (Maybe I could return each week!)

WHEN THE vicar announced one Sunday that he was leaving to go to another parish he was touched to find the Verger (who had seen a number of incumbents come and go) sitting at the back of the church with his head in his hands and eyes full of tears. He tried to reassure him.

"Don't be upset," he said, "there'll soon be another vicar here, and I've no doubt he'll do a lot better that me."

"Oh no, he won't" replied the Verger, "the last vicar said that when he left, and it wasn't true"!

"I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God: than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness" (Psalm 84)

THE LAST DAY FOR COPY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT ISSUE IS WEDNESDAY 25th April 2001

THIS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
MARK BALLAMY
41 MAYES CLOSE
WARLINGHAM
SURREY CR6 9LB

Phone & Fax 01883 627809 - e-mail mark.ballamy@virgin.net

Founded 1889

INTERCLUB & OPEN EVENTS