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DE LAUNE CYCLING CLUB

FOUNDED 1889

Sponsored by EVANS CYCLES (UK) Ltd. & SPECIALIZED CYCLES

KEN FULLER, SOME WHERE IN FRANCE
WAITING FOR THE TOUR DE FRANCE TO PASS BY

 August 2004
No. 866 -75th Year

www.delaunecc.org

THE PRESIDENTS REPORTS

Did you see the Tour the Tour of France? If not you must have been in another world! This year it was extra good, even to watch it on the box. Some of our members went over to France to watch the Tour in two journeys.

First we had a group to watch the team time trial at Arras and boy did it rain. (See the photo of Ken Fuller who got a good spot and would not move from it!) The worst part of the day was getting back to our hotel at St Omer. The traffic was at a stand still so our group booking for the 19 at the restaurant had to be put back one hour. The manager was not a happy bunny, especially as we turned up in dribs and drabs.

We counted the places at the table and found one empty and do you know we did not know who was missing! We found out it was that woman again Mrs Mary Dods The one I have told you about. The one who just turns up!

I found her wandering the streets of St Omer looking for a restaurant. I must keep an eye on her in the future. The restaurant I can recommend. It is the Cygne (www.le-cygne.net) Without boring you with all the names I would like to thank Clif and Kay Pendleton who came up from their home in Grenoble to be with us and who helped to sort out the menus.

Even though it was only a two-day trip, I think a good time was had by all.

A week later four of your observers, Stax, Titch, Gordon and I went down to the south of France to pick up the race and of course to taste and test the food and wine. Someone has to do it. The race details and results you must all know by now.

One thing we have learned is that it is not getting to the race or watching the race that is the problem but getting away from it. The traffic is getting worse. From the stage finish at Villard-de-Lans we arrived back at our hotel at Grenoble at one in the morning and the hotel gate was locked. Can you imagine four old guys in their seventies trying to climb over an eight foot gate. Not a pretty sight.

Another problem we had was getting out of an underground French car park. You get a ticket when you go in. When you come out you put your ticket in a machine and pay your dues and out comes the ticket. You then put the ticket in another machine at the barrier to get out. Are you with me so far?

We then had another ticket from the Hotel to give us a discount, which was put into the machine after the first ticket. Guess what! - neither of the tickets come out of the machine. Now we had to get the man down!

Who would explain to the man what had happened, in French? Titch did his best and it went something like this ‘Mwar tickee lostee in the machinee’ well what more can you say! We just fell about. The man must have said to himself ‘who let them out’ Tich, I must remember the French phrase ‘Mwar tickee lostee in the machinee’ it might come in useful one day.

On our way back to the UK, Clif and Kay invited us back for lunch at their lovely home at Le-Pont-de-Beauvoisin. It was appreciated, thank you. Clif is still getting the miles in and will be riding the old members ten in September. (Look out Terry Deeley) Stax just had to have with him a full set of De Laune vest and racing shorts, which Clif just had to have! Clif has also ordered the new De Laune dressing gown which we are having made.

Good news, Alan Rowe is now out of hospital and was at Malcolm and Linda’s BBQ last Sunday at Herne Bay. Good to have you back mate. The BBQ as always is a good do and open to all De Laune members, thank you Linda and Malcolm for opening up your home to us all.

Sad news, we lost Phyllis Wood who died in hospital last Monday. Phyllis was always with George at most of the De Laune do’s and will be remembered by most of us. Condolences from us all, George, keep your pecker up.

Kav.

Friends of Herne Hill outline planning approval for regeneration plan achieved

Southwark Planning Committee have on 30th June approved British Cycling’s outline planning application to regenerate the Velodrome, in the face of stiff ‘not in my back yard’ opposition on grounds of traffic & development on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Good sense and reason prevailed however and the Planning Committee agreed with the Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome that the proposals were well thought out, reasonable and that they would not only have a low impact on the Velodrome’s neighbours, but would provide an exciting flagship development for Southwark and South London, and provide a valued amenity for Dulwich and Herne Hill.

The Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome presented a petition in favour of the proposals with more than 1,000 signatures, and twice as many people wrote letters to Southwark in favour of the proposals as people who wrote against. After an hour and a half of vigorous debate for and against the Planning Committee vote was four in favour with only one against.

The opponents of the regeneration plan are finding it difficult to believe that they have been unable to stop through planning technicalities and scare tactics the reasonable proposals of a bunch of cyclists. There are mumblings about a legal challenge to Southwark's decision, but these are likely to come to nothing.

Because the development is on MOL Southwark’s planning decision now needs to be ratified by the Government Office for London (GOL), before the consent can be formalised being formalised.

In addition to achieving a fundamental pre-condition for raising funding the Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome have really raised the public profile of the Velodrome, and in the process built the political support needed from Southwark Councillors and officers which will be essential in the future if our plans are to come to fruition. This effort will need to be continued on both a local & London wide basis.

The Dulwich Estate appear willing to confirm the in-principle issue of a long term lease to our proposed Herne Hill Velodrome Trust, however formal confirmation of their acceptance of the proposed heads of terms this is still awaited at this time.

Next steps Funding applications on behalf of Herne Hill Velodrome Trust’s to potential major funding partners can now be developed on the basis of a truly deliverable scheme, however the planed Lottery Fund application can not be made before December when Sport England have put their new funding arrangements in place. In the meantime discussions will be taking place with the Greater London Authority as well as Transport for London, and other key partners.

The continuing task for the Friends of the Velodrome is continue to raise the profile of the Velodrome and promote the potential of the project to meet funder’s objectives with respect to cycling development, regeneration, schools and community links, healthy living, etc..

Thank to everybody, including Southwark Leisure, British Cycling and their Consultants, who has helped to get us through this first but crucial part of the process of securing the Velodrome’s cycling future as a charitable trust. There are still many more hills to climb but we are at this time much stronger & better prepared than when we started.

Graeme Geddes Secretary Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome

There are not many racing results this month, each month I spend hours searching the web trying to find any mention of a De Laune rider this is how I get most of the results to put in this mag. Is it to much to ask that members just e-mail me the results from the event that they ride in?

I will wait and see…………………………………………………Ed.

ALL THE RACING RESULTS

Brixton Cycles Beastway MTB - held on

30^th June and hosted by De Laune

Youth A Men

OVERALL SERIES POSTIONS BY CATEGORY :

AFTER 7 ROUNDS

Master Men

Veteran Men

Round 9 - 14^th July

Veteran Men 

Round 10 – 21^st July

Master Men

VeteranMen

OVERALL SERIES POSTIONS BY CATEGORY :

AFTER 10 ROUNDS
 
points have been adjusted to reflect only 7 scoring rounds. The points for marshalls have not yet been worked out, so these are not the final standings

MASTER MEN

VETERAN

YOUTH

Race Reports - Northern Contingent
Well short report from us up north. Working pretty hard on my dissertation and summer project at the moment but finally started to get some solid races in, just before I move house. Yes on the move again now of to Yorkshire with my new job. I am hoping to get a few more races in for next months report though. So enjoy the little snippets from the De Laune up north group.

James Peckham

NW Crit Champs (3,4,J,W) - 3rd July 04
Low entry made this champs rather a poor quality event. With only a dozen starters in very windy conditions it soon split up. I managed to stay in touch with the front and 5 of us rode through and off for 40km. With 3 riders from the same club in the 'break' it was always going to be a tricky finish so 4th was a reasonable effort for the day.

BTN RR 1,2,3 11th July 04
This was a race I really should not have turned up for. Flat out working on my dissertation and still not 100% recovered from flu riding a race with 650m climbing per lap was not a great idea. Well 68 km and 1300m climbing later I climbed off, along with 75% of the starters. It was a race of attrition rather than a road race.

Salt Ayre Crit - E,1,2,3 13th July 04
This instalment concerns a standard mid week crit at Salt Ayre the local circuit. It is always a reasonably quick race and good training. I was unlucky not to get in the top 10 after being forced onto the grass by a rider with low tire pressure. I have finally starting to feel a little better after weeks trying to recover from the flu. Av Sp 42km/hr 50km.

Recycling League 3,4,J,W 18th July 04
I think this was my first 3,4,J race on a road circuit so I entered with high hopes after Salt Ayre earlier in the week. I did not really have the legs on the day which was a shame, just lacking punch. Working to hard and not training enough I suppose. Anyway usual 3rd cat race, tried to get in some mid race breaks nothing doing so sat in. Riders trying to kill themselves to get into position for the sprint forced me towards the rear of the field but some awareness of the very sharp corner taking us off circuit enabled me to get back into the thick of things. I rode flat out through the carnage of left a 3rd cat sprint finish, elbows out, and managed to pop up to 9th. Pretty pleased really given how I felt. 37km/hr 64km - 9th

Preston League 3,4,J,W 22nd July 04
James Lyon joined me for a wet evening racing at the Preston circuit. A fairly small field actually produced some high quality and fast racing. No real breaks getting away though James Lyon tried a lap pushing his hr over 190 for his sins. 3 to go I jumped the field hoping for the usual slow down 2 riders joined me and we settled in for some 50kph through and off. Looking behind to see the bunch strung out with team mates of one in the break chasing down for someone else. Not sure of their tactics! We got caught with 3/4 mile to go, pretty disappointed as I felt quite strong. James Lyon benefited from the fast lead-out and managed 3rd or 4th in the sprint, pretty good effort for a string bean (a very fit string bean that is).

Recycling League 3,4,J,W 25th July 04
Well summer really trying to skip this year spring wind and rain greeted the 30 hardy soles on this circuit. A 3.2 km route using the perimeter road of a trading estate did not provide the most inspirational setting though the high winds and slight drags did make the legs hurt. After trying a few goes myself a break of 4 formed never to get more than 20seconds on the bunch. The same club that had chased its team member down on Thursday was doing a lot better job and the bunch never quite clawed the break back. I made the decision quite early that they would not stay away and saved my powder for the sprint. This did not happen though as several riders let gaps open in the final lap leaving small groups all over the place, I placed just outside top 10 feeling very wet. 41.2 km/hr 64.6 km - in

The De Laune Northern Contingent Race Reports, July 2004

Preston Crit, 22/7/04 (by JL)
There were only about 20 riders in the bunch this time, probably because of less-than-pleasant weather and the lure of the Tour de France highlights at 7pm. There were points on offer for the first rider to cross the line each lap (making every lap a prime lap effectively) and this led to some fairly tactical racing followed by a quick sprint to the line. I kept trying to get a break going by the simple method of diving off the front at every opportunity but, although at one point I got away for 2 laps on my own, no one wanted to join me. JP got into a useful looking break with 6 laps to go but, in spite of me blocking on the front of the bunch, the gap was closed with 1 lap remaining. I got a cracking lead out from a friend as the bunch began getting hectic and managed 4th in the bunch sprint. JP tailed in at the back of the bunch, exhausted by his efforts in the earlier break.25 miles, max spd 32.9, avg 24.9mph. Max HR 190(!), avg 163

Salt Ayre 27th July 04 E,1,2,3 55km
James Lyon and I went for the Tuesday night experience this week at Salt Ayre. Smallish field of 20 riders did not affect the quality of the race with several cat 1 riders out for a hard training session. Anything that moved for 30km was chased down until a Lune rider took a chance, James Lyon went after him and the pair quickly gained 20 seconds on the bunch. The pair rode hard for 3 – 4 laps before a combination of headwinds and a couple of attacks in the bunch brought it back togethor. A further series of attacks resulted until a group of 6 including myself clipped off the front. The group was quickly organised and riding hard, it seemed to be the move of the race. Unfortunalty the bunch put in a relentless chase not allowing so large a group to get away and it all came back togethor with 5 to go. James Lyon offered his services as lead out man and who was I to refuse. Five rather nervous laps later James got me into the final bend in about 7th and I powered down the long straight to pip into 3rd. Pretty pleased overal, thanks to James Lyon.

James Peckham

Hi Mark and Kav, Monday 26th July 2004.

Have just enjoyed another cycling "feast" watched every stage of Le Tour, sometimes twice, as it has been on here three times each day. Well Lance Armstrong is the undisputed Le Tour Champion, his feat is simply amazing. It was nice to hear that when he finished in Paris yesterday President Bush telephoned him personally to congratulate him, cannot imagine Tony Blair doing that if it were a British guy?

When you realize that at age 25 years Lance Armstrong almost died of cancer, he underwent maximum Chemo, his six successive Tour wins are all that much more incredible. I was sorry to see that David Miller who did so well last year was not riding this year, apparently he had been "doping"

I have had successive letters come in from Dan and Katie in North America, their reports are quite good reading so I am attaching two of them. Please feel free to edit as you think fit.

The weather here is a bit wet right now, we are almost in our monsoon season so cannot complain. Last week Jead and I were in Bangkok doing some paperwork, Jead renewed her passport and got her Visa from the New Zealand Embassy ready for our month in New Zealand this coming November. While in Bangkok we had some really good gourmet meals, found it hard this morning when I went for my morning bike ride, those pedals did not want to turn!

That's it for now,

John Darroch

John I have been keeping up to date with the Round-the-Earth ride via their web site, I did ask in the last DLN if members would like me to keep them up to date, but have had no response. Ed.

Dear Fellow Cyclists I have been meaning to write to you on the attached for some time. Reading the August 'Parish News' brought it, once again, to my feeble mind! As you see the gallant gentleman was once the Brampton Rector (present one employs me!). The badge is very interesting. 'Huntingdonshire'. Worn by the 'Combined Cadet Force (CCF)' of Kimbolton School (originally Huntingdonshire now sadly in Cambridgeshire). Kimbolton School has the mould and produced same (badge) for many years. Pictured in 1984, Richard as the Cadet Warrant Officer (the highest CCF honour) and Mark as a mere Sergeant! Richard entered RMA Sandhurst in 1985. What goes round, comes round. Cycling world, poems and Brampton! On another topic I was in northern Spain during the last Tour de France, one quite happy Sunday we were stopped by the Spanish police for a Road Race, did I see Kavanagh, Saxton and assorted DLCC persons following? In Spain, when the police tell you to stop, one does! Not as in UK, only interested in PC matters! Best regards Len PS Mark, if short of copy, the poem may be of interest in the De Laune News? I think Len is referring to his two sons. Ed.

“DE LAUNE GREATS” H.B. (Charlie) CARLTON Having a job finding what he was good at, was it on the: TRACK MASSED START TIME TRIALS CLUB MAN I think I have found it with the attached photo WAS IT HE WAS NUMBER ONE AT SUPPORTING THE BAR

PRODUCED by MARK & JASON BALLAMY
DISTRIBUTED BY BRIAN SAXTON

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