June Monthly Meeting

Posted on 19/May/2012 by Gladys Purdy

The Manor Farm Hall in Ruislip has been booked for Thursday 7th June for the next club meeting  starting at 8pm.  Great if you can make it after training.

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Randonnee on the Isle of Brown

Posted on 15/May/2012 by John Wheatley

Top tips for keeping your bike clean

1. Avoid riding in wet weather
2. Use a sturdy pair of mudguards
3. Stay away from bridlepaths and dirty tracks

Top tip for an enjoyable weekend

1. Ignore the above and get yourself and your bike to the Isle of Wight Annual Wayfarers Randonnee!

26 Willesden members did just that for the May Day weekend, and had a great time. The number of punctures must have reached double figures. Our bikes got horribly filthed up. At one point, people were seen taking their water bottles into public conveniences in order to fill up and squirt water on bikes to try and find them beneath the mud. This was after riding from a great stop at the Garlic Farm the day after the randonnee itself, through cycle tracks resembling Paris Roubaix without the cobbles. Then the sun came out and we had wonderful chips in Newport.

On the day of the randonnee, the hills around the Isle had once again been made steeper. It’s a 100k ride that feels like a 200. WCC set off in carefully managed groups in order to stagger our arrival at the excellent PTA run checkpoints, where cakes, tea and bananas were served by friendly, welcoming helpers. It is a free to enter event that this year attracted nearly 1700 riders. A real credit to everyone involved in the organisation. They don’t have to go round putting arrows out though – the round the island route is permanently signposted. But there were volunteers out in wind, rain and cold to make sure people didn’t miss the checkpoints.

Once again Sandown made us welcome at the St Michael’s hotel, which John Davies had fully booked for the Willesden. Neil brought us tea on arrival and after the ride, rushing out as every rider returned to open up the garage.

Sandown on a wet bank holiday was quieter than in previous years, but the Pier was open. Crazy Golf and bowling took place, but mostly it was the 2p machines. They certainly gripped Eliz. Just look at that focus in the photo below.

I was delighted to find that the beer festival was on at the Castle Pub, and more pleased to find Max the Beer Mat Catching Wonder Dog still there and as keen as ever to catch the beermat time after time.

Another trip is possible in the third week of September – the Isle of Wight cycling festival.

Posted in Audax, Events, Miscellaneous, Social | 2 Comments

RIP Wrighty

Posted on 15/May/2012 by John Wheatley

An estimated 300 people said farewell to Wrighty today. Rest in Peace Brian.

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PURDY TRI-UMPHS AGAIN

Posted on 14/May/2012 by Gladys Purdy

On Sunday Ron Purdy took part in the Hatch End/Harrow Triathlon and for the second year running won the age award for 80-84 years old. He swam 400 metres, cycled 17Km and ran 3Km. He was suffering from a painful right arm during the week but still  took part as he was being sponsored by friends to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

Posted in Charity Rides, Events, Triathlon | 1 Comment

Pictures from Youth omnium at Welwyn

Posted on 14/May/2012 by Tony Woodford

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Kirsten and Connor in National Youth Omnium Round 1

Posted on 13/May/2012 by Tony Woodford
On Saturday Kirsten Savage and Connor Woodford rode the first round of the National Omnium  Series at Welwyn.
Kirsten was 14th in the Scratch race, 14th in the Devil, 7th in the points, 10th in the sprint, and 9th in the TT finishing 10th overall in the under 16 girls category.
Connor was 12th in the scratch, 13th in the Devil, 12th in the points, 11th in the sprint and 11th in the TT  finishing 12th overall in the under 14 boys Category.
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Connor Woodford wins at Welwyn

Posted on 13/May/2012 by Tony Woodford

Friday 11th May Connor Woodford rode at Welwyn (Under 14’s) and was placed 3rd in the 5 lap scratch, 3rd in the Devil, 3rd in the Points race and won the 4 lap handicap race catching all those in front and winning on his own.

Posted in Miscellaneous, Track | 2 Comments

Ditchling Devil 200K on June 10th

Posted on 13/May/2012 by Ian Oliver

A Willesden Audax, the Ditchling Devil, is on June 10th this year.

LOCOG bagged our weekend from last year to open the Olympics(!) so it’s relocated to June 10.

The Ditchling Devil is a 200km round trip from London to the Brighton via Ditchling Beacon and The Devils Dyke, organised by Paul Stewart. We start outside the Windmill Tearooms, Wimbledon Common between 7-8am and finish in Richmond Park at the Roehampton Gate Café with refreshment controls Ardingly (50km) and Upper Beeding (110km) and Chiddingfold (150km). This is a great route through rolling countryside with the odd bump over the Downs.

If you haven’t ridden an Audax event before – the Ditchling Devil is a sort of organized ‘day tour’. We provide a detailed routesheet and GPX track for those with GPS, and controls & refreshment points round the route. It’s definitely not a race though there is an overall time limit around of around 13.5 hours for an accredited finish for those that want (Paul has a home to go to!). Most get round in 10~12 hours overall but if you want to stop off at Brighton, wherever, that’s fine too. Having a great day out is the name of the game.

See http://tinyurl.com/85nxvpu for a review of last years event.

Online entry is £11 for AUK/CTC members, £13 for others, and includes detailed routesheet, GPX track and refreshments.

Entry details are at http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/12-888/ with no faff online entry using Paypal or debit/credit card possible.

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A couple of pictures from the recent Isle of White Randonee

Posted on 11/May/2012 by Rich Cooper

Here are a couple (okay lots!) of photos from the recent washed out, cold, windy, hilly (and yet somehow fantastic) Isle of Wight Randonee. I’m sure there will be more photos to come.

Posted in Audax, Club Runs, Social | 3 Comments

New Willesden CC email newsletters

Posted on 11/May/2012 by Rich Cooper

We are launching our new email newsletter system very shortly. Sign up using the simple form below and recieve Willesden CC news directly in your inbox.

Signing up couldn’t be easier, just fill in the form below and hit ‘subscribe’ then follow the onscreen instructions.


Posted in Membership, Website News | 3 Comments

Bike Thefts – Hog Hill

Posted on 10/May/2012 by John Williams

A word of warning for anyone using the Hog Hill circuit about security. You may or not be aware that there have been a number of bike thefts recently so people have taken to locking up their bikes when not racing. Well it seems that a small ‘deterrent’ lock isn’t sufficient, make sure you take a hefty lock with you and use it.

 

Here’s a plea for info regarding the latest theft….

Not from our club but the theft of a bike from Hog Hill should alert us all. Pictures of the thief stolenbikethief.pdf and the bike stolenbikeposter.pdf are linked too. See the message below from Steve Jensen:
Hi everyone,
My son Georg had his bike stolen from Hog Hill yesterday after the youth race today. The bike was locked up, but the thief cut the lock and made off. Luckily it was all filmed and one of our club members photographed the assailant. I’ve attached information about his bike (which he saved for and built himself) and the mug shot of the mug who took it! The car number plate is from Sidcup. If anyone hears or sees anything about this please let me know. Not so much fun up at Hog Hill these day! If you can forward this to any club members or friends of cycling who might appreciate the information, or who might help Georg. Please contact me on 07810333722 or LVYCC Bob Griffiths (Club Secretary) on 01708 550738. Thanks a lot. Regards
Steve Jensen

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

Up-date Brian’s Funeral.

Posted on 09/May/2012 by Gladys Purdy

Jenny has now given me the details of arrangements regarding donations which are as follows:- Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by writing a cheque payable to British Cycling and sending it to-

Brian Wright Donation, Finance Department, British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ

Alternatively, individuals can telephone British Cycling’s Finance Department on 0161 2742050 and make a donation by credit or debit card.

Once collected, the donations will be divided equally between the main cycling groups which Brian supported to enable them to do something in his memory.

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European Duathlon Championships 2012

Posted on 09/May/2012 by John Wheatley

The European Duathlon Championships were held in Horst, Holland on 29th April and the races were divided into 5 year age groups. Ray Tucker, a member of Willesden Cycling Club, was selected to compete for Great Britain in the 70 – 75 year team.

Ray was in the silver medal position after the running phase behind a Dutchman but was caught on the cycle phase by a Belgian and Frenchman so got pushed into finishing in 4th place. Britain sent a team of 67 athletes and came back with 10 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze.

[Thanks to Ian Why for forwarding the information]

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Club Runs May 2012

Posted on 09/May/2012 by John Wheatley

May 13:       Waddesdon Plant Centre    (n.b. Club Captain not out – riding out from Central London)

May 20:  Cheddington – Canal Cafe

May 27:  Great Missenden  – Goat Centre

 

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Brian’s Funeral

Posted on 08/May/2012 by Gladys Purdy

The funeral will take place on Tuesday,15th May at 3.15p.m. at the Amersham Crematorium.  A floral tribute will be sent from the club but Jenny has asked  that others send donations to a fund which is being set up in Brian’s memory. Further details to follow.

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Club Run 29 April

Posted on 29/Apr/2012 by John Wheatley
Some 30 riders turned out in very wet and windy conditions this morning to ride a club run following the untimely death this week of Brian Wright, WCC Chairman.  The club rode out to Wendover Woods only to find that the 364 days a year cafe was closed –  exceptionally stormy weather had brought trees down and blocked the entrance roads.
The club rode on to the Worlds End Garden Centre for much needed hot drinks, where we were joined by several riders from the Westerley CC.

Earlier many more members and friends had seen the club run off at Denham.   

The whole day was a fitting impromptu tribute to Brian, who would have really enjoyed an eventful club run in adverse conditions.  More photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/104767262568679083235/albums/5736867109436875457?authkey=CMq09o_dya3gJQ
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Club run in memory of Brian – Sunday 29th, 9:20am

Posted on 26/Apr/2012 by Richard Jerome

This Sunday 29 April the Willesden Club Run will ride to Wendover Woods.

The ride will be in memory of Brian Wright, who very sadly passed away on Thursday 25 April, while at a training camp in Majorca.

Please would all members and friends attend, if you can. Kindly assemble at Denham by 09:20, ready to depart at 09:30.

The ride will be conducted at a pace to suit ALL RIDERS.

Posted in Events | 4 Comments

Brian Wright RIP

Posted on 26/Apr/2012 by Miles Back

Brian Wright – husband, father grandfather, cyclist, club mate, chairman, engineer, coach, motivator, Tool Maker, organiser, manager, motivator, bike mechanic, fixer, doer, shaper, fighter, leader, positive thinker and fan of all females is with us no more.  He leaves a hole in each of our lives. Thank you Brian for all you have done for the Willesden and for each of us in it. May the wind be under your wheels forever.

John Davies

Posted in Miscellaneous | 12 Comments

BRIAN WRIGHT

Posted on 26/Apr/2012 by Gladys Purdy

Jenny has asked me to let you all know that Brian died last night,(April 25th) in Majorca. He was at a training camp with Don Mason. Full details will be available later. I am sure that we all extend our deepest sympathy to Jenny and family as he will be sadly missed by so many in the cycling fraternity.

 

Posted in Miscellaneous, Website News | 21 Comments

Track Training 26th May

Posted on 25/Apr/2012 by Tony Woodford

We have hired Welwyn track on the 26th May. Club members £5.00 and non members £10.00.  Bike hire is available £3.00. All levels welcome including novices who have never riden on the track before as we have coaches available. Please arrive at 1.30 as we need to be on the track for 2.00.

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