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Page 12 Committee
01234 857131 07858 402683
BRCC Membership Sec., Southill Road, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK44 3SX
01234 857131 59, Ridge Road, Kempston, Beds. MK43 9BS
website:- www.bedsroad.org. Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
President:- Chairman:- Secretary:- Treasurer:- Membership Secretary:- British Cycling Secretary:- Club Events Secretary:- Captain - Men:- Captain - women:- Road Racing Co-ordinator Time Trial Co-ordinator Sunday Rides Time Trial Recorder:- Junior Secretary & Go Ride:- Clubhouse Secretary:- Maintenance Secretary:- Social Secretary:- Communications Secretary Website Home Page Webmaster Editor:-
Written magazine
Terry Bush Ian McDonnell Jon Carver Jackie Popland Jon Carver Manz Khan Mick Case David Cook Joy Wilkinson Jason Green Mark Gray Vacant Patrick Smith Sam Baylis Ian McDonnell Ian McDonnell Chris Wilson Mark Gray Graham Laming Graham Laming Terry Bush contributions to —
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Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
What’s on
Notices
Membership
Open T T Results
Beautiful Beds
New Committee
Go-Ride
Cyclo Cross
Children’s Page,
Editorial
The Bedfordshire Cyclist
October 2017
It has often been muted in this column that the most difficult part of the Editor’s job, except perhaps, persuading people to contribute, is finding something new to say. This month is no exception. There is a pleasant and very welcome addition to the usual racing results in an article from our Ladies’ Captain. It may be too optimistic to expect reciprocal works from other Club members, but we live in hope! The weather remains a topic of discussion as it fluctuates from warm and sunny to cold and wet, before becoming
windy but dry, followed by frost and fog: and that was all in one week in October. Still, variety is the spice of life we’re told. The GoRide squad are en-joying the opportunity to get dirty without being told off now that the Cyclo Cross and Muddy Monsters season is well under way. This is the foundation for the Club’s future and much gratitude is felt toward the dedicated band of parents and friends who make it possible. Keep up the good work!
TAB
PARKING AT THE CLUBROOM We have agreed with our neighbours not to park opposite their entrances. In fact it is not always our members who are responsible but never-the-less we have obtained some “NO PARKING” signs which we hope you will observe .
Issue 102
Special points of interest: Updated methods for joining P 3 Rural Rides Pp 5-8
GoRiders ride Cyclo
Cross Pp 9 & 10
Contacts. P 12
Membership of the Club is open to all interested in cycling. Further information is available on the Club’s website www.bedsroad.org Information on subscriptions is on page 3.
Bedfordshire Road Cycling
Club
2
3
3
4
5 - 8
9
9 -10
9 -10
11
Inside this issue:
Diary of Events
Page 2 The Bedfordshire Cyclist
Turbo training sessions begin. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, Icknield RC - Shuttleworth College Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, RAF - Halton Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, Corley Cycles - Milton Keynes Bowl Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, Kettering CC - Kettering Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Ashwell Grass Track SG7 5LT
2018 NYD Lottery Ride Clubroom 11.00 Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Hinchinbrooke School PE29 6GP Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Welwyn Track AL8 6XE Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Ashwell Grass Track SG7 5LT ——————————————————————————– Wecyle Wednesdays meet at Barkers Lane entrance to Priory Park. 09.30 Contact Rick - 01767 651097 or Terry - 01234 857131
Go-Ride sessions. Various locations, based on Priory Park. 0.900 (Check with Alison Cooper 07835 236 640)
Club-runs leave from Swan Hotel at 09.00 (check web site) Club-runs for less ambitious riders leave from the Swan Hotel at 09.00
Thursday 2nd November Sunday 5th November Thursday 9th November Thursday 16th November Sunday 19th November Thursday 23rd November Saturday 25th November Thursday 30th November Saturday 2nd December Thursday 7th December Sunday 10th December
2018 Monday 1st January
Sunday 7th January Sunday 14th January Sunday 21st January ——————————— Wednesday Mornings
Saturday Mornings
Sunday Mornings
4 1 6 5
4 3 1 2 5
6 5 3
Issue 102 Page 11
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SUDOKU
For Our Younger Readers
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4 5 3 1 4
1 2 3 6
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1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 4 laps 31:19 Vets Male 40-49 77th Jonathan Narbett 5 laps 48:39 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 6 laps 42:42 Vet Male 50+ 33rd Alastair Fadden 5 laps 42:19
1st Roy Chamberlain, Team Corley Cycles 6 laps 41:54 Novice Men 1st Simon Norman 4 laps 36:00 Vet Women 4th Gill Fullen 5 laps 44:27 1st Helen Boatman, Team Milton Keynes 5 laps 42:35
16th James Baylis 6 laps 39:09 1st Ethan Stevenson, Team Milton Keynes 7 laps 37:28 Vet Male 40-49 21st David Course 9 laps 43:59 55th Oswin Grady 8 laps 42:20 1st Roy Chamberlain, Team Corley Cycles 9 laps 40:25 Vet Male 50+ 34 th Alastair Fadden 8 laps 42:03 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 9 laps 41:13 Novice Men 24th Chris Priestley 5 laps 33:56 1st Steve Wootton, Team Milton Keynes 6 laps 33:22
------ Sunday 15th October Race 4. Hemel Hempstead CC U10 Girls 3rd Cecelia Linden 5 laps 13:06 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 6 laps 12:38 Vet Male 40-49 29th Oswin Grady 6 laps 40:45 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 7 laps 40:21 Vet Male 50+ 21st Jon Friend 7 laps 46:24 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 7 laps 42:16
------ Saturday 21st October Race 5. Team MK U10 Girls 3rd Cecelia Linden 4 laps 10:23 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 5 laps 11:15 U14 Boys 11th Jake Manning 3 laps 32:35 15th James Baylis 3 laps 35:36 16th Alexander Norman 3 laps 35:36
1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 4 laps 32:30 Race 5 (Continued) Senior Male 37th Michael Laborero 8 laps 1:09:41 1st James Hyde, Renvale RT 9 laps 1:01:47 Vet Male 40-49 26th David Course 6 laps 51:00 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 6 laps 43:50 Vet Male 50+ 17th Jon Friend 5 laps 42:01 41st Alastair Fadden 4 lps 39:40 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 5 laps 38:35
------ Sunday 29th October Race 6. Kingston Wheelers & GS Prestige Vet Male 50+ 24th Alastair Fadden 5 laps 43:41 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 5 laps 38:04 Vet Women 4th Gill Fullen 5 laps 47:25 1st Helen Boatman, Team Milton Keynes 5 laps 45:48
------ Sunday 5th November Race 7. Icknield RC U10 Girls 4th Cecelia Linden 3 laps 10:59 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Streamers 4 laps 11:28 U14 Boys Jake Manning 3 laps 31:17 Alexander Norman 3 laps 32:46 James Baylis 3 laps 35:35 Jack Peters 3 laps 38:44
Issue 102 Page 10
Continued on P.11
Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
CLUB MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE ON JANUARY 1st
Joining Fee** Senior 18+ Couples Family (Couple +under 18’s in full-time education) Junior (16-17 yrs) Juvenile (12-15 yrs) Under 12 years old 60+ on 1st January ** Applies to new members and ex-isting members who renew after 31st March . Members who have not renewed by 31st March are presumed to have resigned. They will need to re-apply for membership after this date.
Issue 102 Page 3
Magazine distribution Please read carefully.
Members for whom we have no e-mail address will continue to receive the magazine in the post. Members for whom we have a current e-mail address will receive an e-mail containing a link to the Club web site, where the magazine can be read or downloaded. If this does not happen it means that we do not have your correct address and you should contact the Editor as soon as possible. Members with an e-mail address, but who prefer to receive a paper copy, can still do so by contacting the Editor (details on back page.)
£ 5 £20 £25
£33 £ 8 £ 6
Free £10
Membership Secretary:- Jon Carver. Subscriptions may be renewed by contacting Jon in person at the Clubroom, on line via the Club website, by post to :- Membership Secretary, Bedfordshire Road C.C. Southill Road, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK44 3SX Please make cheques payable to ‘Beds Road C.C.’, Or by Bank Transfer to :- Lloyds TSB, High St, Bedford. -- Account Name Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club Account No. 01293926 - Sort Code 30-90-66 Please use the reference Joe Bloggs-subs* so that we can identify from whom and why re-mittance was made. *Change to your real name (some people didn’t)
British Library A copy of this magazine is kept in the British Library and forms an important part of the Club History. It is vital therefore, that accounts are as complete as possible. Would you all please send results, reports and stories to the Editor so that a true picture of Club activities is recorded.
Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
Page 4 The Bedfordshire Cyclist Open Time Trials
Wednesday 19th July VTTA 10 miles F11/10
Results 9th Paul French Winner Geir Robibson Regents Park Roulers
------ Saturday 22nd July N&DCA 25 miles F14/10 19th Andrewmark Smith 21st David Cook Winner Paul Pardoe Peterborough CC
------ Sunday 23rd July Verulam CC 25 miles F1b/25 13th Matt Donovan Winner Matt Sinclair Lutterworth Cycle Centre RT
------ Saturday 29th July Chronos RT 10 miles F2/10 43rd AndrewM Smith Winner Ross Clarke TMG Horizon Cycling Team
------ Sunday 30th July East Anglia VTTA 25 miles E2/25 46th Jon Friend (+11:57) 58th Grant Orsborn (+11:03) 60th David Cook (+10:55) 70th John Mitcalf (+9:38) Winner Kevin Tye (+20:08) VeloRefined.com Aerosmiths
------ Sunday 6th August Beds Road CC Charity 25 miles F1b/25 8th Thomas Robb 15th Grant Orsborn 19thCody Nelson (J) 22nd John Mitcalf
24th Matthew Cook 25th Jon Friend 29th David Cook 32nd Mick Case Winner Leon Wright Race Hub
------ Sunday 6th August RTTC National Championship 25 miles =132nd Paul French Winner Daniel Bingham Brother NRG Wattshop
------ Sunday 20th August CC London 25 miles F10/25 10th Jon Friend Winner Luke Clarke TMG Horizon Cycling Team
------ Sunday 27th August VTTA Championship 25 miles E2/25 28th Grant Orsborn +15:39 54th Jon Friend +13:22 69th David Cook +11:16 Winner Peter Horsnell +22:19 Chelmer CC
------ Saturday 2nd September N&DCA 10 miles NC16H 24th AndrewMark Smith David Cook Winner Scott Walker Team Bottrill/HSS Hire
------ Saturday 2nd September Team Velovelocity 25 miles E2/25 59th Paul French 78th Jon Friend 80th Grant Orsborn Winner Kevin Tye VeloRefined.com Aerosmiths
________________
57:21
51:27
21:06
19:00
1:02:26 1:03:22
55:05
52:33 53:32 53:36
47:08
55:20
45:50
22:46
19:51
56:17 58:31 59:43 57:01
48:57
1:00:21 1:00:22 1:02:17 1:04:04
52:35
55:29 58:22 59:37
1:00:05
25:43 26:22
22:04
53:55 55:04 59:22
1:07:45
59:08
53:18
Continued on P.10
Page 9
-------------------------------------------------
Cyclo Cross Central League Series Saturday 23rd September Race 1. Welwyn Wheelers U10 Girls 4th Cecelia Linden 2 laps 12:31 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 2 laps 07:42 U14 Boys 15th James Baylis 4 laps 37:06 19th Jack Peters 3 laps 33:19 1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 5 laps 31:14 Vet Male 40-49
25th David Course 7 laps 44:47 31st Oswin Grady 6 laps 39:23 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 7 laps 38:30 Vet Male 50+ 20th Jon Friend 7 laps 45:57 45th Alastair Fadden 6 laps 43:41 1st Simon Hime, Finchley RT 7 laps 41:32
------ Saturday 30th September Race 2. CC Luton U10 Girls 4th Cecelia Linden 3 laps 11:23 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 3 laps 08:22 U12 Boys Harvey Taggart 4 laps 16:19 1st Oscar Martin, Team Milton Keynes 6 laps 12:27 U14 Boys 14th Jake Manning 3 laps 34:16 17th James Baylis 3 laps 37:32 1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 4 laps 33:33 Vet Male 40-49 31st David Course 6 laps 53:31 44th Oswin Grady 5 laps 45:52 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 6 laps 46:23 Vet Male 50+ 43rd Alastair Fadden 5 laps 48:05 1st Roy Chamberlain, Team Corley Cycles 5 laps 38:08
------ Sunday 8th October Race 3. Leighton Buzzard RCC U10 Girls 5th Cecelia Linden 3 laps 13:26 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 3 laps 10:33 U14 Boys
Issue 102
New Committee. The following have been appointed to the committee. Chairman, Ian McDonnell Secretary, Jon Carver Treasurer, Jackie Popland Membership Sec., Jon Carver British Cycling Sec., Manz Khan Club Events Sec., Vacant Captain - Men, David Cook Captain - Women, Joy Wilkinson Road Race Co-ordinator, Vacant Time Trial Co-ordinator, Vacant Evening League Sec., Mick Case Junior Sec & GoRide Sam Baylis Clubhouse Sec., Vacant Maintenance Sec., Vacant Time Trial Recorder, Patrick Smith Social Sec., Chris Wilson Webmaster, Graham Laming Editor, Terry Bush Communication Sec., Vacant Club Kit Coordinator, Simon Stevens
Page 8 The Bedfordshire Cyclist
Beyond this, long downhill sections en-able a quick recovery, before the route rejoins the outward journey at Wilden, with a second chance to appreciate Barford
Bridge before eventually arriving back at the clubhouse. Alternative cycling routes are present in the form of Sustrans route 51. Not to be confused with Area 51, which is a US air force base in Nevada rumoured to hold alien life, route 51 offers its own hazards in the form of walkers, dogs, and chil-dren on bicycles. From Priory Park in Bedford to Sandy, the route follows an old railway link, offering flat, traffic-free cycling. It is feasible for a road bike but is better with a hybrid or mountain bike to cope with nature’s offerings of leaves and twigs that litter the surface, in addition to
a few cattle grids which require careful negotiation, particularly when wet. A great place to stop and admire the river Great Ouse is at Danish Camp in Willington,
an unexpected Norwegian log cabin providing refreshments and various entertainment events throughout the year. For those whose love lies in moun-tain biking, head to Chicksands Bike Park for high octane jumps; or to the trails near Woburn Sands, and the Forest of Marston Vale in Marston Moretaine for the low octane ver-sion. And if all this cycling ends in an un-expected mechanical, two local bike shops offer coffee and cake alongside repairs, and the opportunity to gaze at new shiny things: Flamme Rouge Cy-cles in Bedford; and Stripes Bikes in Woburn Sands, the kick off place of choice for heading to the mountain biking trails. So what does Bedfordshire offer the cyclist? Quiet roads winding through tidy farmlands and wood-
lands, with wildlife aplenty. Not for-getting the numerous cafes on hand offer-ing succour to the weary. Still want hills? Two legendary slopes offer the autumnal hill climbing challenge for local clubs: Sharpenhoe Clappers (maximum gradient 15.5%) and Bow Brickhill (maximum gradient 19.5%). Each will test you to the limit and are definitely not for the faint hearted, even without a headwind. Joy Wilkinson (Ladies Captain, BRCC) Copyright © 2017 Joy Wilkinson, all rights reserved.
Gt. Barford
Issue 102 Page 5
Continued on P.6
Cycling inspiration: Beautiful Bedfordshire (This article first appeared in Cycling World magazine May 2017, with the title “Cycling Challenges in the Quiet Bed-fordshire Countryside”) It doesn’t take long to realise that flatlands have their own arsenal to throw at you to test your cycling mettle. Having moved from the somewhat hilly environment of Yorkshire to the county of Bedfordshire, I made the mistake of thinking that cycling would be easy. But the agricultural landscape, where fences and hedges are few and far between, allows fierce winds to stream across the land and test your resolve. I now always check the local weather forecast to determine whether to face the headwind, or have the aid of a tailwind to grab a Strava segment. Days with no wind are a rarity to be savoured. What else does Bedfordshire offer? Towards the end of the long winter months local clubs offer their Reliability Rides, with a chance to test yourself against sometimes pretty adverse weather before spring takes hold. Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club offers not one but two such events during the month of February, an excellent way to get out and explore the local region. The 60 mile route offered by the club is an opportunity to clock up a metric century and starts and finishes at the club house which lies in the small village of Cardington to the south east of Bedford. Before starting the ride proper, it’s worth taking a short detour, turning right out of the club house and heading west. The road quickly takes a sharp turn to the left. After 100 m or so, look across the field
to the right and you will catch a glimpse of the two Cardington Sheds, huge structures which dominate the skyline for miles. These were originally built during the First World War for the construction of airships. More recently, they have pro-vided cavernous space to build the large sets used in the filming of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and rumours of the latest film stars to grace the sheds abound. Coming full circle, the sheds are currently used as the home for the development of the Airlander. If you spot a line of people holding binoculars to their faces staring across the field, this usually means a flight is imminent and well worth the wait. Returning past the club house, the route heads towards Cople, turning right through the village. Grassy fields lie on both sides before reaching the first test: Moxhill. Well, to be fair, most people would consider this just a slight undulation in the landscape but the previous fast run along the flat has lulled you into a false sense of an easy ride. A few gear changes and you’re at the top. Avoid the enticing long straight downhill section and instead
turn left past Sheerhatch Wood. Take a deep breath of damp, loamy woodland
Page 6 The Bedfordshire Cyclist
air and, if you’re heading this way at the start of spring, have a careful look into the trees to spy the carpet of bluebells amongst the shadows. Other things to keep an eye out for on the ride are the elusive and shy muntjac deer, badgers, foxes, hares, rabbits, and don’t forget to look upwards into the blue sky for buzzards circling overhead searching for prey. The route now takes you through a series of villages: Moggerhanger, Chalton, and Blunham, before crossing the River Great Ouse over Barford Bridge and into Great Barford. This is a good chance to appreciate traditional English villages with thatched cottages, quiet roads, cosy Tudor style pubs, and marvel at the engineering feat of the bridge as you look down at colourful narrow boats lazily floating down the river. The A1 provides a natural boundary to the east with few places for cyclists to cross safely, and most cycle routes take the safer option heading north over the top of the busy A421. If you feel in need of a coffee or more substantial sustenance, a short detour following signs to Chawston will take you to the Edible Kitchen, a cycling friendly café situated on a chilli farm. Retrace your steps to continue to Colmworth, where gently rolling countryside gives way to a more lumpy roller coaster ride-like experience. Trees on the right hide
the Augustinian Bushmead Priory, open only on the first Saturday of the month. It does, however, provide a useful off road space for a brief rest, adjustment of pesky mudguards, puncture repairs, and the like. Once past Little Staughton, head towards Pertenhall, Swineshead and Yelden. An alternative route for another occasion is
to continue onto Great Staughton from Little Staughton, and then to Perry and the shores of Grafham Water. A café at the visitors centre gives stunning views across the reservoir, denoted as a site of Special Scientific Interest with diverse habitats for birds. A ten mile circular cycle track takes you around the water’s edge, a trail most suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes and great with children. The land evens out once more towards Yelden, with gently rolling curves helping you glide past peaceful pastures. Be careful of taking too deep a breath of the fresh country air, a recent spread of manure on the land can make this an unpleasant
Yelden
Continued on P.8
Page 7
experience. This peace provides prepa-ration for the only busy stretch, a short stint on the A6 on the way to Wymington. Straight roads now give way to ones which curve around the contours of the landscape as they sweep around fields and farms. Take a chance to admire 18th century thatched stone cottages in the vil-lage of Podington. Feel free to take a deep lungful of air, you may just catch the perfume of honeysuckle emanating from someone’s garden. Next stop: Harrold - Odell country park with refreshments and cycle racks available at the Dragonfly café in the visitors centre. The cake selection is usually amazing and you’ve earned it by now! Be aware that the café can get very busy, particularly if the sun is shining which attracts walkers
and cyclists alike. But this does give you chance to rest and admire the wildlife skimming across Grebe Lake – over 160 species of birds can be spotted, and if birds are not your thing, study the wild flowers and see if you can spy a fox or a weasel or even a shrew amongst the
ubiquitous rabbits. Continue on from the park to Chellington where a sharp left forces you to conduct a speedy gear change as the road suddenly slopes up without prior warning. A long uphill drag where dry stone walls frame views of fields with woodland beyond. Curvaceous lanes snake up and down, leading eventually down to the river at Felmersham, with more stone cottages to admire before heading on to Milton Ernest. Here the Coffee Shop at the garden centre provides a further option for refreshments to celebrate completing two thirds of the ride. The final third takes you back across the old A6 to the windmill at Thurleigh, currently a B&B which provides a useful marker for the right hand turn past Salph End Farm.
Another tearoom awaits with coffee and cake as well as tea. One final challenge re-mains to further sap tired legs and this is Church Hill in Ravensden. It starts off with a gradual incline, then a slight pla-teau before the gradient increases. Looking up, you can see the top. Or what you think is the top because the road sneaks away with a sharp angled bend to the left. And
slots in a final kick in gradient, just as you think you have finished, forcing an even greater effort before the relief as the road eventually levels out. On a 20 mile trip, this hill is just a slight irritation but now, towards the end of a 60 mile ride, it requires slightly more effort.
Issue 102
Grebe Lake at Harrold - Odell country park
Page 6 The Bedfordshire Cyclist
air and, if you’re heading this way at the start of spring, have a careful look into the trees to spy the carpet of bluebells amongst the shadows. Other things to keep an eye out for on the ride are the elusive and shy muntjac deer, badgers, foxes, hares, rabbits, and don’t forget to look upwards into the blue sky for buzzards circling overhead searching for prey. The route now takes you through a series of villages: Moggerhanger, Chalton, and Blunham, before crossing the River Great Ouse over Barford Bridge and into Great Barford. This is a good chance to appreciate traditional English villages with thatched cottages, quiet roads, cosy Tudor style pubs, and marvel at the engineering feat of the bridge as you look down at colourful narrow boats lazily floating down the river. The A1 provides a natural boundary to the east with few places for cyclists to cross safely, and most cycle routes take the safer option heading north over the top of the busy A421. If you feel in need of a coffee or more substantial sustenance, a short detour following signs to Chawston will take you to the Edible Kitchen, a cycling friendly café situated on a chilli farm. Retrace your steps to continue to Colmworth, where gently rolling countryside gives way to a more lumpy roller coaster ride-like experience. Trees on the right hide
the Augustinian Bushmead Priory, open only on the first Saturday of the month. It does, however, provide a useful off road space for a brief rest, adjustment of pesky mudguards, puncture repairs, and the like. Once past Little Staughton, head towards Pertenhall, Swineshead and Yelden. An alternative route for another occasion is
to continue onto Great Staughton from Little Staughton, and then to Perry and the shores of Grafham Water. A café at the visitors centre gives stunning views across the reservoir, denoted as a site of Special Scientific Interest with diverse habitats for birds. A ten mile circular cycle track takes you around the water’s edge, a trail most suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes and great with children. The land evens out once more towards Yelden, with gently rolling curves helping you glide past peaceful pastures. Be careful of taking too deep a breath of the fresh country air, a recent spread of manure on the land can make this an unpleasant
Yelden
Continued on P.8
Page 7
experience. This peace provides prepa-ration for the only busy stretch, a short stint on the A6 on the way to Wymington. Straight roads now give way to ones which curve around the contours of the landscape as they sweep around fields and farms. Take a chance to admire 18th century thatched stone cottages in the vil-lage of Podington. Feel free to take a deep lungful of air, you may just catch the perfume of honeysuckle emanating from someone’s garden. Next stop: Harrold - Odell country park with refreshments and cycle racks available at the Dragonfly café in the visitors centre. The cake selection is usually amazing and you’ve earned it by now! Be aware that the café can get very busy, particularly if the sun is shining which attracts walkers
and cyclists alike. But this does give you chance to rest and admire the wildlife skimming across Grebe Lake – over 160 species of birds can be spotted, and if birds are not your thing, study the wild flowers and see if you can spy a fox or a weasel or even a shrew amongst the
ubiquitous rabbits. Continue on from the park to Chellington where a sharp left forces you to conduct a speedy gear change as the road suddenly slopes up without prior warning. A long uphill drag where dry stone walls frame views of fields with woodland beyond. Curvaceous lanes snake up and down, leading eventually down to the river at Felmersham, with more stone cottages to admire before heading on to Milton Ernest. Here the Coffee Shop at the garden centre provides a further option for refreshments to celebrate completing two thirds of the ride. The final third takes you back across the old A6 to the windmill at Thurleigh, currently a B&B which provides a useful marker for the right hand turn past Salph End Farm.
Another tearoom awaits with coffee and cake as well as tea. One final challenge re-mains to further sap tired legs and this is Church Hill in Ravensden. It starts off with a gradual incline, then a slight pla-teau before the gradient increases. Looking up, you can see the top. Or what you think is the top because the road sneaks away with a sharp angled bend to the left. And
slots in a final kick in gradient, just as you think you have finished, forcing an even greater effort before the relief as the road eventually levels out. On a 20 mile trip, this hill is just a slight irritation but now, towards the end of a 60 mile ride, it requires slightly more effort.
Issue 102
Grebe Lake at Harrold - Odell country park
Page 8 The Bedfordshire Cyclist
Beyond this, long downhill sections en-able a quick recovery, before the route rejoins the outward journey at Wilden, with a second chance to appreciate Barford
Bridge before eventually arriving back at the clubhouse. Alternative cycling routes are present in the form of Sustrans route 51. Not to be confused with Area 51, which is a US air force base in Nevada rumoured to hold alien life, route 51 offers its own hazards in the form of walkers, dogs, and chil-dren on bicycles. From Priory Park in Bedford to Sandy, the route follows an old railway link, offering flat, traffic-free cycling. It is feasible for a road bike but is better with a hybrid or mountain bike to cope with nature’s offerings of leaves and twigs that litter the surface, in addition to
a few cattle grids which require careful negotiation, particularly when wet. A great place to stop and admire the river Great Ouse is at Danish Camp in Willington,
an unexpected Norwegian log cabin providing refreshments and various entertainment events throughout the year. For those whose love lies in moun-tain biking, head to Chicksands Bike Park for high octane jumps; or to the trails near Woburn Sands, and the Forest of Marston Vale in Marston Moretaine for the low octane ver-sion. And if all this cycling ends in an un-expected mechanical, two local bike shops offer coffee and cake alongside repairs, and the opportunity to gaze at new shiny things: Flamme Rouge Cy-cles in Bedford; and Stripes Bikes in Woburn Sands, the kick off place of choice for heading to the mountain biking trails. So what does Bedfordshire offer the cyclist? Quiet roads winding through tidy farmlands and wood-
lands, with wildlife aplenty. Not for-getting the numerous cafes on hand offer-ing succour to the weary. Still want hills? Two legendary slopes offer the autumnal hill climbing challenge for local clubs: Sharpenhoe Clappers (maximum gradient 15.5%) and Bow Brickhill (maximum gradient 19.5%). Each will test you to the limit and are definitely not for the faint hearted, even without a headwind. Joy Wilkinson (Ladies Captain, BRCC) Copyright © 2017 Joy Wilkinson, all rights reserved.
Gt. Barford
Issue 102 Page 5
Continued on P.6
Cycling inspiration: Beautiful Bedfordshire (This article first appeared in Cycling World magazine May 2017, with the title “Cycling Challenges in the Quiet Bed-fordshire Countryside”) It doesn’t take long to realise that flatlands have their own arsenal to throw at you to test your cycling mettle. Having moved from the somewhat hilly environment of Yorkshire to the county of Bedfordshire, I made the mistake of thinking that cycling would be easy. But the agricultural landscape, where fences and hedges are few and far between, allows fierce winds to stream across the land and test your resolve. I now always check the local weather forecast to determine whether to face the headwind, or have the aid of a tailwind to grab a Strava segment. Days with no wind are a rarity to be savoured. What else does Bedfordshire offer? Towards the end of the long winter months local clubs offer their Reliability Rides, with a chance to test yourself against sometimes pretty adverse weather before spring takes hold. Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club offers not one but two such events during the month of February, an excellent way to get out and explore the local region. The 60 mile route offered by the club is an opportunity to clock up a metric century and starts and finishes at the club house which lies in the small village of Cardington to the south east of Bedford. Before starting the ride proper, it’s worth taking a short detour, turning right out of the club house and heading west. The road quickly takes a sharp turn to the left. After 100 m or so, look across the field
to the right and you will catch a glimpse of the two Cardington Sheds, huge structures which dominate the skyline for miles. These were originally built during the First World War for the construction of airships. More recently, they have pro-vided cavernous space to build the large sets used in the filming of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and rumours of the latest film stars to grace the sheds abound. Coming full circle, the sheds are currently used as the home for the development of the Airlander. If you spot a line of people holding binoculars to their faces staring across the field, this usually means a flight is imminent and well worth the wait. Returning past the club house, the route heads towards Cople, turning right through the village. Grassy fields lie on both sides before reaching the first test: Moxhill. Well, to be fair, most people would consider this just a slight undulation in the landscape but the previous fast run along the flat has lulled you into a false sense of an easy ride. A few gear changes and you’re at the top. Avoid the enticing long straight downhill section and instead
turn left past Sheerhatch Wood. Take a deep breath of damp, loamy woodland
Page 4 The Bedfordshire Cyclist Open Time Trials
Wednesday 19th July VTTA 10 miles F11/10
Results 9th Paul French Winner Geir Robibson Regents Park Roulers
------ Saturday 22nd July N&DCA 25 miles F14/10 19th Andrewmark Smith 21st David Cook Winner Paul Pardoe Peterborough CC
------ Sunday 23rd July Verulam CC 25 miles F1b/25 13th Matt Donovan Winner Matt Sinclair Lutterworth Cycle Centre RT
------ Saturday 29th July Chronos RT 10 miles F2/10 43rd AndrewM Smith Winner Ross Clarke TMG Horizon Cycling Team
------ Sunday 30th July East Anglia VTTA 25 miles E2/25 46th Jon Friend (+11:57) 58th Grant Orsborn (+11:03) 60th David Cook (+10:55) 70th John Mitcalf (+9:38) Winner Kevin Tye (+20:08) VeloRefined.com Aerosmiths
------ Sunday 6th August Beds Road CC Charity 25 miles F1b/25 8th Thomas Robb 15th Grant Orsborn 19thCody Nelson (J) 22nd John Mitcalf
24th Matthew Cook 25th Jon Friend 29th David Cook 32nd Mick Case Winner Leon Wright Race Hub
------ Sunday 6th August RTTC National Championship 25 miles =132nd Paul French Winner Daniel Bingham Brother NRG Wattshop
------ Sunday 20th August CC London 25 miles F10/25 10th Jon Friend Winner Luke Clarke TMG Horizon Cycling Team
------ Sunday 27th August VTTA Championship 25 miles E2/25 28th Grant Orsborn +15:39 54th Jon Friend +13:22 69th David Cook +11:16 Winner Peter Horsnell +22:19 Chelmer CC
------ Saturday 2nd September N&DCA 10 miles NC16H 24th AndrewMark Smith David Cook Winner Scott Walker Team Bottrill/HSS Hire
------ Saturday 2nd September Team Velovelocity 25 miles E2/25 59th Paul French 78th Jon Friend 80th Grant Orsborn Winner Kevin Tye VeloRefined.com Aerosmiths
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Cyclo Cross Central League Series Saturday 23rd September Race 1. Welwyn Wheelers U10 Girls 4th Cecelia Linden 2 laps 12:31 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 2 laps 07:42 U14 Boys 15th James Baylis 4 laps 37:06 19th Jack Peters 3 laps 33:19 1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 5 laps 31:14 Vet Male 40-49
25th David Course 7 laps 44:47 31st Oswin Grady 6 laps 39:23 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 7 laps 38:30 Vet Male 50+ 20th Jon Friend 7 laps 45:57 45th Alastair Fadden 6 laps 43:41 1st Simon Hime, Finchley RT 7 laps 41:32
------ Saturday 30th September Race 2. CC Luton U10 Girls 4th Cecelia Linden 3 laps 11:23 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 3 laps 08:22 U12 Boys Harvey Taggart 4 laps 16:19 1st Oscar Martin, Team Milton Keynes 6 laps 12:27 U14 Boys 14th Jake Manning 3 laps 34:16 17th James Baylis 3 laps 37:32 1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 4 laps 33:33 Vet Male 40-49 31st David Course 6 laps 53:31 44th Oswin Grady 5 laps 45:52 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 6 laps 46:23 Vet Male 50+ 43rd Alastair Fadden 5 laps 48:05 1st Roy Chamberlain, Team Corley Cycles 5 laps 38:08
------ Sunday 8th October Race 3. Leighton Buzzard RCC U10 Girls 5th Cecelia Linden 3 laps 13:26 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 3 laps 10:33 U14 Boys
Issue 102
New Committee. The following have been appointed to the committee. Chairman, Ian McDonnell Secretary, Jon Carver Treasurer, Jackie Popland Membership Sec., Jon Carver British Cycling Sec., Manz Khan Club Events Sec., Vacant Captain - Men, David Cook Captain - Women, Joy Wilkinson Road Race Co-ordinator, Vacant Time Trial Co-ordinator, Vacant Evening League Sec., Mick Case Junior Sec & GoRide Sam Baylis Clubhouse Sec., Vacant Maintenance Sec., Vacant Time Trial Recorder, Patrick Smith Social Sec., Chris Wilson Webmaster, Graham Laming Editor, Terry Bush Communication Sec., Vacant Club Kit Coordinator, Simon Stevens
16th James Baylis 6 laps 39:09 1st Ethan Stevenson, Team Milton Keynes 7 laps 37:28 Vet Male 40-49 21st David Course 9 laps 43:59 55th Oswin Grady 8 laps 42:20 1st Roy Chamberlain, Team Corley Cycles 9 laps 40:25 Vet Male 50+ 34 th Alastair Fadden 8 laps 42:03 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 9 laps 41:13 Novice Men 24th Chris Priestley 5 laps 33:56 1st Steve Wootton, Team Milton Keynes 6 laps 33:22
------ Sunday 15th October Race 4. Hemel Hempstead CC U10 Girls 3rd Cecelia Linden 5 laps 13:06 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 6 laps 12:38 Vet Male 40-49 29th Oswin Grady 6 laps 40:45 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 7 laps 40:21 Vet Male 50+ 21st Jon Friend 7 laps 46:24 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 7 laps 42:16
------ Saturday 21st October Race 5. Team MK U10 Girls 3rd Cecelia Linden 4 laps 10:23 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Slipstreamers 5 laps 11:15 U14 Boys 11th Jake Manning 3 laps 32:35 15th James Baylis 3 laps 35:36 16th Alexander Norman 3 laps 35:36
1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 4 laps 32:30 Race 5 (Continued) Senior Male 37th Michael Laborero 8 laps 1:09:41 1st James Hyde, Renvale RT 9 laps 1:01:47 Vet Male 40-49 26th David Course 6 laps 51:00 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 6 laps 43:50 Vet Male 50+ 17th Jon Friend 5 laps 42:01 41st Alastair Fadden 4 lps 39:40 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 5 laps 38:35
------ Sunday 29th October Race 6. Kingston Wheelers & GS Prestige Vet Male 50+ 24th Alastair Fadden 5 laps 43:41 1st Dave McMullen, Cotswold Veldrijden 5 laps 38:04 Vet Women 4th Gill Fullen 5 laps 47:25 1st Helen Boatman, Team Milton Keynes 5 laps 45:48
------ Sunday 5th November Race 7. Icknield RC U10 Girls 4th Cecelia Linden 3 laps 10:59 1st Katie Allsop, Hillingdon Streamers 4 laps 11:28 U14 Boys Jake Manning 3 laps 31:17 Alexander Norman 3 laps 32:46 James Baylis 3 laps 35:35 Jack Peters 3 laps 38:44
Issue 102 Page 10
Continued on P.11
Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
CLUB MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE ON JANUARY 1st
Joining Fee** Senior 18+ Couples Family (Couple +under 18’s in full-time education) Junior (16-17 yrs) Juvenile (12-15 yrs) Under 12 years old 60+ on 1st January ** Applies to new members and ex-isting members who renew after 31st March . Members who have not renewed by 31st March are presumed to have resigned. They will need to re-apply for membership after this date.
Issue 102 Page 3
Magazine distribution Please read carefully.
Members for whom we have no e-mail address will continue to receive the magazine in the post. Members for whom we have a current e-mail address will receive an e-mail containing a link to the Club web site, where the magazine can be read or downloaded. If this does not happen it means that we do not have your correct address and you should contact the Editor as soon as possible. Members with an e-mail address, but who prefer to receive a paper copy, can still do so by contacting the Editor (details on back page.)
£ 5 £20 £25
£33 £ 8 £ 6
Free £10
Membership Secretary:- Jon Carver. Subscriptions may be renewed by contacting Jon in person at the Clubroom, on line via the Club website, by post to :- Membership Secretary, Bedfordshire Road C.C. Southill Road, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK44 3SX Please make cheques payable to ‘Beds Road C.C.’, Or by Bank Transfer to :- Lloyds TSB, High St, Bedford. -- Account Name Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club Account No. 01293926 - Sort Code 30-90-66 Please use the reference Joe Bloggs-subs* so that we can identify from whom and why re-mittance was made. *Change to your real name (some people didn’t)
British Library A copy of this magazine is kept in the British Library and forms an important part of the Club History. It is vital therefore, that accounts are as complete as possible. Would you all please send results, reports and stories to the Editor so that a true picture of Club activities is recorded.
Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
Diary of Events
Page 2 The Bedfordshire Cyclist
Turbo training sessions begin. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, Icknield RC - Shuttleworth College Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, RAF - Halton Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, Corley Cycles - Milton Keynes Bowl Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Central League Cyclo Cross, Kettering CC - Kettering Turbo training sessions. Clubroom. Time to be announced Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Ashwell Grass Track SG7 5LT
2018 NYD Lottery Ride Clubroom 11.00 Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Hinchinbrooke School PE29 6GP Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Welwyn Track AL8 6XE Muddy Monsters Cyclo Cross Ashwell Grass Track SG7 5LT ——————————————————————————– Wecyle Wednesdays meet at Barkers Lane entrance to Priory Park. 09.30 Contact Rick - 01767 651097 or Terry - 01234 857131
Go-Ride sessions. Various locations, based on Priory Park. 0.900 (Check with Alison Cooper 07835 236 640)
Club-runs leave from Swan Hotel at 09.00 (check web site) Club-runs for less ambitious riders leave from the Swan Hotel at 09.00
Thursday 2nd November Sunday 5th November Thursday 9th November Thursday 16th November Sunday 19th November Thursday 23rd November Saturday 25th November Thursday 30th November Saturday 2nd December Thursday 7th December Sunday 10th December
2018 Monday 1st January
Sunday 7th January Sunday 14th January Sunday 21st January ——————————— Wednesday Mornings
Saturday Mornings
Sunday Mornings
4 1 6 5
4 3 1 2 5
6 5 3
Issue 102 Page 11
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1st Euan Woodliffe, Welwyn Wheelers CC 4 laps 31:19 Vets Male 40-49 77th Jonathan Narbett 5 laps 48:39 1st Neil Ellison, WDMBC/Specialized Ruislip 6 laps 42:42 Vet Male 50+ 33rd Alastair Fadden 5 laps 42:19
1st Roy Chamberlain, Team Corley Cycles 6 laps 41:54 Novice Men 1st Simon Norman 4 laps 36:00 Vet Women 4th Gill Fullen 5 laps 44:27 1st Helen Boatman, Team Milton Keynes 5 laps 42:35
Page 12 Committee
01234 857131 07858 402683
BRCC Membership Sec., Southill Road, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK44 3SX
01234 857131 59, Ridge Road, Kempston, Beds. MK43 9BS
website:- www.bedsroad.org. Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
President:- Chairman:- Secretary:- Treasurer:- Membership Secretary:- British Cycling Secretary:- Club Events Secretary:- Captain - Men:- Captain - women:- Road Racing Co-ordinator Time Trial Co-ordinator Sunday Rides Time Trial Recorder:- Junior Secretary & Go Ride:- Clubhouse Secretary:- Maintenance Secretary:- Social Secretary:- Communications Secretary Website Home Page Webmaster Editor:-
Written magazine
Terry Bush Ian McDonnell Jon Carver Jackie Popland Jon Carver Manz Khan Mick Case David Cook Joy Wilkinson Jason Green Mark Gray Vacant Patrick Smith Sam Baylis Ian McDonnell Ian McDonnell Chris Wilson Mark Gray Graham Laming Graham Laming Terry Bush contributions to —
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Deadline for copy for next edition. Monday 4th December 2017
What’s on
Notices
Membership
Open T T Results
Beautiful Beds
New Committee
Go-Ride
Cyclo Cross
Children’s Page,
Editorial
The Bedfordshire Cyclist
October 2017
It has often been muted in this column that the most difficult part of the Editor’s job, except perhaps, persuading people to contribute, is finding something new to say. This month is no exception. There is a pleasant and very welcome addition to the usual racing results in an article from our Ladies’ Captain. It may be too optimistic to expect reciprocal works from other Club members, but we live in hope! The weather remains a topic of discussion as it fluctuates from warm and sunny to cold and wet, before becoming
windy but dry, followed by frost and fog: and that was all in one week in October. Still, variety is the spice of life we’re told. The GoRide squad are en-joying the opportunity to get dirty without being told off now that the Cyclo Cross and Muddy Monsters season is well under way. This is the foundation for the Club’s future and much gratitude is felt toward the dedicated band of parents and friends who make it possible. Keep up the good work!
TAB
PARKING AT THE CLUBROOM We have agreed with our neighbours not to park opposite their entrances. In fact it is not always our members who are responsible but never-the-less we have obtained some “NO PARKING” signs which we hope you will observe .
Issue 102
Special points of interest: Updated methods for joining P 3 Rural Rides Pp 5-8
GoRiders ride Cyclo
Cross Pp 9 & 10
Contacts. P 12
Membership of the Club is open to all interested in cycling. Further information is available on the Club’s website www.bedsroad.org Information on subscriptions is on page 3.
Bedfordshire Road Cycling
Club
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