DLN Jan 2002

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 JAMES LETT 102 Park Road Kingston Surrey KT2 5JZ

By the time you read this report, we will be into 2002 and Christmas will be forgotten, and so we look back on 2001.

I think the club has had a good year, be it racing or socials. The old members lunches never fail, thanks to Dot. Our Belgium night went down well thanks to Quil (full house) but most important with this occasion, we had old and young members together and every one agreed, we have got to do it again.

Two people have appeared this year, and both God- sends. Quil is our new Social Sec, and has a lot of new ideas (he was looking for a Father Christmas to give out the presents to the kids the last time I saw him) and Cliff Steel our fantastic club chef who wants to do more for the club than cook. He wants to look after new members and help our Treasurer to chase up subs. If you get a phone call from someone with an Irish accent " I think you have not paid your subs mate " beware!

In the engine room, (the committee meetings) we have the same faces working for the club. Bill, John'O, Peter, Ben, Alaric, Quil, and now Cliff and not long ago, we lost Steve, our Treasurer, Kate, our Secretary, and Jeremy our time trial sec and all due to work commitments. We could be losing John 'O who could be moving to the West Country in the near future.

So how about joining the committee, or better still how about taking on a job, I know we are desperate for a Time trial Sec?

The racing side has been very active. We all know how well the lads did at the end of the season with the hill climbs. Our riders worked so hard at road and circuit racing, but did not get the regular top three placings we deserved, so keep at it lad's, it will come.

Time Trialing. We have had good results from Matt Goodes, who won the overall individual prize for the inter club competition. The event was run through 2001 with the Sydenham Whs, Catford, and the 34th Nomads. (See full results)

Those from the old peoples home did well, the vets, bless them. The high light of the year for them must be the team we had in the National Vets 12 in Kent. It was not a case of winning the team event but just finishing, and this they did. Alan Rowe is going to talk to Terry, Malcolm and Charlie about having another go next year! Will they ever learn? (Thank you for your article Alan)

Did you see the picture in last months DLN of Jeremy Briggs who had just finished a 24-hour ride? Well done Jeremy, pity about the wild dog getting at your vest! We are looking forward to your report, as promised.

We have a new down hill champion by the name of Richard Hill. A new young member who has only been in the club a few months. Picture the scene. A cold windy December day at Godstone. Only four riders. Bill Wright, Cliff Steel, Richard and our champion for many years Terry Deeley, but what quality.

Down came Cliff with the hump! (It is a flexible water bottle you have on your back with a tube to your mouth!) It is all the rage at the moment. He thought the extra weight would help to go down faster but you have got to go up hill as well! Back to the drawing board Cliff.

Down came Terry and as normal, set the standard. Bill and Cliff could not get near him. Richard who was getting the hang of it (after help from Terry) went further and further and beat terry by six inches. We would not let Terry have another go, as Carol wanted him home to decorate, I think.

It was good to see club members out giving support, especially Ken & Dot Fuller who braved the cold. Brian Saxton, I think you have heard of him, came out with the special cup, or tea urn, or what ever it is for the event on his back (see photo) After the event, it was all down to the pub.

It was nice to have a few words from Mark, our Editor in the Christmas DLN. He is so right about feedback. It is all right for us the older members waffling on about the old days. We need news and articles from the younger set. If not, I am sorry but you will get another 6 pages of Malcolm's Adams 'poems.

Did you notice that our editor said he was pushing 70!! Bless him. (Bill have a word with him, he is going down hill fast)

Training Seminars
To kick off the 2002 season, Alaric will be starting training seminars at the clubroom. Subjects will include up-to date coaching advice from the BCF, weight training and planning the season.
The first seminar will be on Thursday 17th January at 8:30 pm.
All most welcome.
More info next DLN....

The following are two E-mails that Mike Peel has received from a Belgium gentleman, who had seen the clubs web site on the internet, and he tells of what they have done to honour one of our members who lost his life in their village in the war.

If you have access to the Internet, and are interested then may I suggest that you look at his web site, see address below. Ed.

Hello, Mike. Sorry but my Englisch is not so good, I was surfed on the Roll of Honour of your website and i find the article abouth P/OFF HINDE . You see Hinde has crashed with his Lancaster in my village 21/22 May 1944.I was seeking a long time for information about the crew members. I was on the crash location at that time en I have seen the dead boys . We have a memorial stone dedicated to the crew members, and I have made a small website with photos from the unveiling. Greetings Louis.

Hello,Mike, My website is not a big one, I have seen ith more as a tribute to P/OFF Hinde and his crew members after all this years. I have also made a videotape on that special day, if you like I will send a copy iths tape. I send also a photo of his stone on the Antwerp Schoonselhof cemetery.

Pilot OFFICER G. W. HINDE RAFVR
Born: Manchester - 10 November 1922
Enlisted: 2 April 1941
Lived: London Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Squadron: 550 Squadron - Bomber Command
Trade: Pilot Service No: 175573
Rank: Pilot Officer
Commissioned: 4 May 1944

Maximum of 6 per table. Smaller numbers will be invited to form a table with others

Some of these events may appeal to the hardcore nutcases out there but listed below are a few of the dates for the international events.

Grand Raid Cristalp The original Euro nutter's event. Started in 1992, it has been growing year on year since then. Usually consists of a 130km Alpine route with about 15000ft of climbing including several 3000ft Alpine passes. Always oversubscribed so get your entry in early! 25th August 2002

TransAlp Challenge An eight-day stage event that covers about 600km through Germany and France. Teams of two riders with a field of about 700 riders max. This event is sometime in July and again is often oversubscribed.

Roc d'Azur The Roc is a week long series of MTB related shows with the main 55km race being held on the final weekend. Scheduled for 13-14th October 2002, it's within an easy flight or long drive of the UK in sunny Nice.

Any riders interested in any of these events, please let me know and maybe we can sort out a team or possibly even a holiday based around it.

Sorry to trouble you, but now and again we like to inform cyclists of special offers currently running. The Wheel Centre only place popular goods on special offer, at surprisingly low prices. Please take some time to view these below:-

Sella San Marco 'Era Pro Ti' Black Saddle = £29.99 (normal r.r.p. = £69.89) - whilst stocks last; New Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL (M10 only) Wheelset = £359.61; Michelin Road Axial Kevlar Ivory/Black 700c x 20c = £10.50 for 2 - whilst stocks last; Nalini Base Line Gilet (Blue only) = £12.50 - whilst stocks last Limar top-end F107 Road Helmet in Mercury Team Colours - £30 - whilst stocks last Limar top-end F107 Road Helmet in Telecom Team Colours (size 58/62cm only) - £40 whilst stocks last Shimano Ultegra Splined Bottom Bracket Italian Thread 70/109mm - £15.50 - whilst stocks last Look Patented Shoe Cleats = £3.00 per set - whilst stocks last; 600ml Isostar Water Bottle = £0.99 each - whilst stocks last; Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp 700 x 23c = £12.95 each - any colour

JANUARY
Burns Night at the Clubroom, 7pm to 10pm Friday 25th of January 2002

There will be a buffet supper of Haggis (offal or vegetarian) and Neeps. Tickets are £7 for the event, including supper and drinks, and an extra £5 for the whisky tasting. Please contact Quil on 020 7732 8808 or at quil@cyclemaps.com to reserve your place.

I hope that De Laune can enter at least 3 teams for this event, Road, Off-Road and OMA !

The evening will follow the same format as last year with dinner and then the prize presentation. All club members are welcome, but we request you book in advance.

The ticket price will be announced in the next DLN and include a 3 course meal and drinks. Please contact Quil on 020 7732 8808 or at quil@cyclemaps.com to reserve your place. There will be no limit on the booking and we hope for a large turn out on the evening.

If any member would like to volunteer to be the race organiser for the Open Roller Race held on Belgium Night in October 2002, your help would be appreciated.

The Clubs Christmas Lunch looks as though it was a great success if the photos are anything to go by, there are 18 of them and they can be seen on the WEB at the following address:

1. Mat Goodes De Laune 48
2. D Twin Sydenham 42
3. M Yeullett Sydenham 24
4. P Hamilton 34 Nomads 23
5. B Neville De Laune 17

11. Alan Rowe De Laune 12
15. Brian Dacey De Laune 10
22. Bill Wright De Laune 8
25. R Savery De Laune 7
26. Peter Jenn De Laune 6
26. Charley Curthoys De Laune 6
26. Mike Peel De Laune 6
27. Terry Deeley De Laune 5
35. R Fryer De Laune 2
35 Malcolm Adams De Laune 2
36 Richard Hill De Laune 1

1. Sydenham Whs = 150 points
2. De Laune = 139 points
3. Catford = 115 points
4. 34th Nomads = 60 points

THE LAST DAY FOR COPY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT ISSUE IS WEDNESDAY 23 January 2002

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

WINNER of THE DOWN HILL
RECEIVING THE TROPHY
FROM our PRESIDENT

Founded 1889

WINNER of THE DOWN HILL RECEIVING THE TROPHY FROM our PRESIDENT

WINNER of THE DOWN HILL
RECEIVING THE TROPHY
FROM our PRESIDENT