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DE LAUNE CYCLING CLUB

FOUNDED 1889

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

De Laune News     March 2001        No. 824 -72^nd Year

www.delaunecc.org

THE DE LAUNE SAGA SKI TEAM

 ALL WATCHING TICH

THE PRESIDENTS REPORTS

Not a lot to report this month. After the De Laune ski week in Austria thing are back to normal. Tich Shambrook's leg is on the mend, I have been told. You who have computers must have seen the 80 pictures that Mike "The Webmaster " Peel!! took, and sent out.

The DLN was a little thin last month. If it had not been for Ben Neville and myself, we would not have had a mag last month. Please, please can you send in your stories, be they about your racing, touring, things you did in the past. Most importantly, send in something. All members like to know what is happening in our club. Members who live in the UK, and half way around the world, like to know. Never mind about your spelling or grammar, Mark will sort it out for you, well he sorts mine out for me! Mark has said, "if you send in the articles and news you will have a DLN"

We had a good turn out for the committee meeting on the 1st Feb, and most important there was a good atmosphere. The meeting was chaired by our able "Her Vebmaster " Peel. The problem we have had, and still have, is what to do with the clubroom? To sell or not to sell? The situation will put a lot of member's backs up, be you for it or not. Not a lot discussed about the situation, hence the good atmosphere.

Boy was it cold at the meeting! The clubroom has always had this problem in the winter. It's also very damp. Well I did see a rainbow in the passageway! If you can imagine the committee all warming their hands on the teapot, you will know how cold it was.

In my last report, I said that at the Newnham church service, the Vicar passed the bag around and got £1.20 The Vicar did say he had counted his blessings, as last year he did not get the bag back! Well it was a joke, but some members thought it was true, and sent me cheques to be forwarded to the Newnham church restoration fund to the value of £55. I must tell that gag again next year! Thank you all, the donations were appreciated.

I had a nice letter from Sir Roger Moate who is the co-ordinator for the Church fund, thanking the De Laune for their " splendid assistance "

As you all know, we are always on the look out for new members, but see if you can find existing and past members in the block of letters. You should find 32. If you want to cheat, you will see the names on another page.

Kav.

EXPERIENCES OF A TV QUIZ CONTESTANT
by Arthur How

On hearing that I had made an appearance on television our Editor asked me to pen an item for the DLN - so here it is.

In the summer I applied to take part in the Channel 4 quiz programme Fifteen to One and in mid-September attended an audition at Wandsworth Town Hall. About a month later I received a letter from Regent Productions, part of the Pearson Group, advising me that had been placed on the reserve list and given a choice of recording dates in December. January or February from which I decided to go for the first of these sessions. Being a reservist it was necessary to be at Capital Studios in Wandsworth at 8.45 am so that I was available, if required, for the first recording of the day. Four programmes are recorded in a day and although it is transmitted between 4.00 and 4.30 in the afternoon it takes about an hour and a half of studio time. I together with contestants for the second recording of the day were invited into the studio to see the production procedures, which were very interesting. The opening captions of competitors and their images are all filmed separately and put together during the editing process. This enables individuals to check the correct spelling of their names and also the towns and counties from where they live. In the first round you have to answer at least one question correctly. Two wrong and you are eliminated. In the second round the first of the remaining competitors is given a question and if answered correctly is asked to nominate another contestant to be given the next question. If that person gets it correct they in turn nominated someone else; if they get it wrong the nominating goes back to the original person to nominate another competitor. This process of elimination continues until only three are left who go through to the final round. For this part the set is revamped by installing the podium in the centre of the studio which incorporates the three buzzer buttons and the screens showing the individual competitor's score. I won't explain the final method of scoring as readers who watch the programme regularly will know the procedure and others can view it any day from Monday to Friday on Channel 4 between 4.00 and 4.30 pm. Excellent facilities are made for disabled contestants in wheelchairs by providing ramps and platforms so that they appear at the same height as those standing behind the semi-circular console. Although viewers hear applause at the conclusion of each round it may have been noticed that at no time during the programme do you see an audience in the studio. This is because there isn't one - the applause is all canned!

Before going into the studio for the recording one of the producer's assistants comes into the Green Room and gives a quick look at what you are wearing as some colours and checks cause vision problems with the end result produced by the cameras. If it is necessary to change a shirt, jacket or dress the Wardrobe Department has a wide choice of alternative clothing. Finally a brief visit to 'make-up' and you are ready to face the nation!

So far I haven't made any mention of the presenter of Fifteen to One - William G. Stewart. To many he comes over as a cold stern schoolmaster but in reality he is a charming and affable man who is affectionately addressed as Bill by all members of the production team and contestants. Before the show starts he has a chat with each of the fifteen competitors and attempts to put at ease those of a nervous disposition. Off camera he frequently makes witty comments especially if something goes awry such as a piece of equipment playing up and giving problems to the recording.

During the day at Capital Studios we were well looked after with refreshments freely available including an excellent lunch. Being a reserve contestant I spent a lot of time in the Green Room which afforded me the opportunity of meeting a wide range of people from all walks of life with differing backgrounds and occupations from students to many who are retired. One person, a lady from Upminster, was in a small group talking sport which had arisen because the Sports Personality of the Year programme was due to be televised the following weekend and naturally discussions of the possible winner concluded that it could only be Steve Redgrave. I brought up the subject of cycling and this lady revealed that in the 50's and 60's she was an active racing member of the Bec CC. and a contemporary of Keith Bentley. Many members will recall this 6ft plus tall cyclist who was a brilliant time trialist and pursuit rider. His speciality was at 50 miles and during his career was a national champion and record holder at that distance.

To conclude, I did have a most enjoyable day (apart from the questions I didn't get correct!) and if any Club member would like to take part in a future programme they can contact:

Debbie Traynor
Fifteen to One
Pearson Television Limited
1 Stephen Street
London
W11PJ

Tel:020 7691 6305
Fax:020 7691 5098
e-mail:fifteentoone@pearsontv.com

Thank you Arthur and I believe I am right in saying that you made it onto the podium - well done and congratulations. Ed.

Mountain Bike Racing 2001

For all those who want to do some proper racing this year here are the latest mountain bike dates.

Welsh Series
1st April Margam Park
13th May Afan Argoed
10th June Rhondda Valley
8th July Kilvey Hill
19th August Margam Park
23rd Sept Abergavenny

National Points Series
25th March Thetford Forest
15th April venue tbc
3rd June venue tbc
1st July venue tbc
30th Sept venue tbc

There are also four more Gorrick races, for details of those phone Bill.

As promised I have the dates and venues update:

National Points Series
24/3 Thetford Forest
14/4 Margam Park
1/6 Innerleithen
29/6 Eastridge
28/9 Dumfries

National Championships are on 20th July at Ludlow.

Southern Area Championships on 14th & 15th July, venue TBC

Red Bull 24hr Mountain Mayhem June 23rd-24th
Sandwell Valley, Birmingham. New 13 mile course. It would be good if De Laune could field three teams for this year.

For all those hardy enduro types or for any especially masochistic souls the Enduro Six is back for this year at Trentham Gardens again on May 5th-6th and the South Downs Way Randonee takes place on June 16th. 100 miles, 10,000 feet of climbing and all in one day.

Details on this from: www.randonee.org.uk

Contrary to all the rumours earlier, the Southern Area Mountainbike Series (SAMS) IS happening. Here are the dates / venues…….

29th April venue tbc
27th May Ashton Court, Bristol
17th June venue tbc
12th August Aston Hill, Wendover
9th September venue tbc

Southern Area Championships
15th July venue tbc

More info as and when I get it. Please note that these dates are NOT in the BCF handbook and the date of the Area Champs as shown in the handbook is WRONG.

mbr-Schwinn 100k off-road ride, Builth Wells, Mid-Wales. This was apparently a really good event last year. It's similar to the Salisbury Plain Challenge although it should be slightly drier and a bit more hilly. If anyone is interested in doing this we may be able to get a team together.

July 7th-8th
Contact Builth Wells Cycles on 01982 552923 for more info and an entry form.

James Lyon
MTB Sec

SUNDAY 11th February

A quick email to let you know the De Laune Team - James Peckham, Ross Fryer, Cliff Steele & James Lyon were 2nd overall in the London Cyclo-Cross Assn Team event at Eastway this morning. James P had an outstanding ride and finished 2nd behind Chris Remnant of VC Meudon, despite putting his excuses in early that he was on antibiotics from flu. Ross put in a good solid ride to finish 11th, and Cliff was not far behind, with a meritable (not heard of this word Ed) ride. James Lyon had recovered strongly from a bad start, but was eventually forced to pull out with knee trouble.

The winners were a team from new club London Phoenix CC, based in Brixton.

Bill

TRACK STUFF

Alaric
Superb addition to the web site. Lots of excellent info for both the novice and experienced rider. Hopefully the club will get plenty of interest in getting a squad together. I liked the advice about training together reduces times. Many, many years a ago in a galaxy far away the De Laune rode all the major TTT events. I think you even rode some as a member of the junior teams along with Toby, Danny, Dick St. P, etc. I used to ride with Andy and Glen a lot, and although individually we were not the fastest we trained specifically for TTT and pursuits, at least twice a week for the month before. (We used to ride out at Thamesmead, wide well light roads on a horseshoe shaped course, with one rise in it. This enabled practicing alternating which side we changed, out of the saddle efforts and lots of communication). As a result we took the scalps of many teams made up of faster riders.

Anyway, hope you are well and fit and healthy

All the best
Gaz
Garry J. Birch
Fremont Freewheelers (California)
De Laune C.C. (London, U.K.)

Track Report - February
On a personal level, I'm a bit disappointed. I was ill for most of January, so am unlikely to be properly fit in time for Good Friday. On the club front, though, things are looking good. The Calshot training weekend is just around the corner, and a few track novices have signed up. Quil Forbes has been making regular use of one of the club track bikes, and one or two others should soon be set up.

Dan Haynes & I are aiming for the Olympic sprint, while Matt Goodes & Ben Neville are interested in doing the team pursuit, with me as a probable reserve. These teams have the potential to be very competitive, but we need more riders. Ideally, we want a squad of four for the Olympic sprint and six for the team pursuit, but the bare minimum will do for now!

For those of you with internet access, there is a new track racing section on our web page. There's also a new track notice board down at the clubroom. Both resources have stuff not seen in DLN, so do have a look when you get the chance.

I haven't yet been in contact with any of the regular riders from last year. I hope to see you down at Herne Hill once the season starts, though.

Alaric

" Now that's what I call bike racing….." (d.duffield-coming soon)

Welcome to the new season. We are heading out of the neutralized zone and onto the open roads!

Seven De Launies/ites have, to my knowledge, entered races in the early season and the results are already coming in. James Peckham took an excellent third place in the Simon Hook Memorial Road Race 3/4/W/J promotion - with a broken rim! This goes with his individual second place at the SE London Team Cyclo-cross Championship the previous week (De Laune second team). Danny Rudd was also spotted at the 'Simon Hook' but my spy left before the end of the E/1/2 so I do not know how he got on.
I myself competed in the last few Ciclos Unos winter series races at Eastway in late January along with Dan Haynes (debut rr), Bill Wright, Ross Fryer (debut rr) and Alan Male - wearing a lurid yellow and black number, and him the club clothing sec'! I got a first, third and fifth along with quite a few intermediate sprints along the way. I'm feeling good so as soon as my license arrives I'm heading out to the main races.

James P. and Ross were also in the San Fairy Ann criteriums , again at Eastway, and by all accounts it was quite hairy. The equation went something like this: big field + high speed = lots of crashes, though they both made it through unscathed.

Well done to everybody! With a few more riders still to enter the fray it looks like being a bumper season for road racing.

The South East Road Race League AGM has taken place and as predicted we have been given the 1/4/01 event for 3/4/J/W at Sevenoaks Weald to organise. So far I have had seven offers of help, all gratefully received. However, three are from people who would rather, and I would rather see, enter the race so I am still drastically short of the personpower required to run this event. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH NOW!!!!!!!!!!YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The full SERRL series calender is as follows:

NB. Always ring the serrl hotline the night before to check the event is going ahead as planned: 020 8301 0060. Members pre-entry: £7.00 / E.O.L: £10.00. Membership forms are available from me (soon!), you the rider will be responsible for paying your serrl membership (£4 last year - I'll confirm price with the forms asap) and the club will cover the race entry fee (for pre-entry only).

The Ciclos Unos 'summer' series for novice/third/fourth commences on 4/03/01 and continues on most Sundays until late August for anyone wanting a good introduction to the sport. As usual no license is required to enter these races.

If you take part in any races please let me know how you got on. That way I can give a comprehensive report each month - and it stops me banging my own drum too much!

Avec travail d'equipe!

Ben
b.neville@lcp.linst.ac.uk
or 020 8692 9918

PS: GET IN TOUCH NOW!!!!!!!!!YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

0. M. A. NEWS.
We have a date for you all - first Social Event of 2001.

Our Annual supper at the Blackheath Clubhouse in Hayes, on Saturday 3lst.March. All members and friends are welcome, so come and join us for an evening of food, drink and chat, always plenty of that around when the De Laune get together, so bring your family and friends - will enjoy it! But first you will have to phone me as soon as you get this DLN as the event will be only about 4 weeks away - phone number - as always is 01689 851241.

I notice in the list of De Laune birthdays that we have a few big "O"s this year

FEBRUARY

4th ANDREW PEEL was 30
15th GARRY our USA correspondent was 40 (hope it was a good one Gassa)!
22nd ALARIC LESTER was 30.

APRIL
12th GEORGE WOOD 80

MAY
5th MAUREEN STARSMEARE (but I'm not saying)
18th MATT GOODES 30

JUNE
13th GEOFF SINNETT 70

SEPTEMBER
17th. KEN FULLER 70
24th. CLIF PENDLETON 60

Well these are the only ones in my 'secret files'. Now you will have to think do they all look the age I've told you. I know someone who doesn't look his age, although its not an "0" BILL MILES our Leap Year Babe will be 89 on - well there isn't a 29th Feb this year, so maybe he isn't counting, all the best to you and to Doreen.

DOT…….

STOP PRESS: BRIGHTON 'DO' 27th MAY

LETTER FROM AUSTRALIA

We have received the following letter from Monty Watkins in Australia in which he thanks the Editor for sending out the DLN so regularly and goes on to say:

"I must say that upon reading the Jan 2001 No 822 I wondered what had suddenly happened to the club - there seems to be a new lease of life - new activities, events well publicised and a new found enthusiasm is obvious - just like the good old days! Could it be that there's a Chip, a Ken Hill or a Frank Holland stirring the pot? Anyway, good luck to the club this year -keep up the good work, congratulations to all responsible.

You will be interested to know that Florrie Took (nee Fletcher), Les Took and Rob Fletcher kindly phoned me from Billingshurst, Sussex on the occasion of Florrie '5 82nd birthday (and, incidentally, my 80th).

Had our usual letter at Xmas from Pam (Daphne Chip's sister); she is bravely battling indifferent health.

Kindest regards.

According to our records, Monty celebrated his 80th birthday on the 23rd October 2000. Monty joined the club before the war and has been a stalwart supporter ever since. lie enclosed with his letter his usual generous donation to club funds. I'm sure we all join in wishing him belated birthday congratulations.

DEAR KAV

DEAR KAV WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?
I AM SORRY I HAVE NOT WRITTEN FROM HERNE BAY.

FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR I LIKE TO REST,
SO THAT WHEN THE SPRING ARRIVES I'LL BE AT MY BEST.

BUT NOW YOU HAVE FORCED ME TO LOOK FOR A PEN
AND START TO THINK IN RHYME AGAIN.

SO LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I PLAN FOR THIS YEAR
ONCE I LOSE SOME WEIGHT AND GET INTO MY RACING GEAR.