Training Camp – Majorca April 2008

Hi All

I shall be going to Majorca in April 2008 as previous years.

You are all invited to come along it is a good training camp with rides every morning. In the afternoon you can lay about the pool or bars. The beach in just across the road about 500 yds.away.

We stay in the Hobby Club which are apartments and eat in the Hotel a short walk away. We like to fill the Hobby Club with our riders and normally have 80 to 90 riders. Each morning after breakfast we have a ride in groups with a leader. There are a variety of rides each day between 50-100 miles.

If interested please book with Roy Gardiner use my name at a contact with him.

Please see wed site for booking form http://www.roygardiner.com/ciclosol/ and deposits are now being accepted. For every everyones protection the money is being help by Idea Travel,

At the time of writing October 20th 2007 we haven’t yet identified our nominated flights that will connect with the transfer to the hotel.

Regards

Brian Wright

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Westerley Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation

10th November 7 for 7:30pm
Uxbridge Golf Club
The Drive, Uxbridge, UB10 8AQ
Ticket price still only £20

Guest speaker: Sean Bannister, World Masters champion, as well as being a regular competitor in local events including the Hillingdon circuit.
Please contact me Roland Collicott on rcollicott@chalpharm.com to reserve your ticket
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

PBP Reunion

The 2007 PBP reunion took place last Friday (12th October) to honour and thank the PBP support team for all their hard work in helping the Willesden riders round the event. It also proved a useful open forum for comparing numb bums, toes and pinkies.

Mike Ellison and Reveller-in-Chief did a great job of organising the evening. He booked the greater part of the appropriately French style Café Rouge in the 21st Arrondissement, or Ealing as it is more commonly known. In total we had 24 people in attendance, which included the entire support team. Akiko made the trip from Tokyo via Paris for the specially for evening.


Bob applying his networking skills


Plenty of drained glasses, most of them Mike’s!

Mike getting in his stride

One of the highlights of the evening was the surprise cake.

Good food and wine at reasonable price (plug for Cafe Rouge)


An appropriate French theme for the evening


Akiko rounds off her Willesden CC weekend by meeting up

with the Two-up Time Trialists on Sunday morning.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Tandem Weekend

Mark Brooking has found a very interesting Tandem event, which is now in its 43 year! Haven’t got a tandem? Not to worry solos are welcome too.

Details are as follows –

TANDEM WEEKEND 2007
9th, 10th, 11th November

FRIDAY 9th November

Meet at 7.15pm at the “Forest Gate Inn”, junction of Theydon Road and Bell Common. 60yds South of B1393, ½ mile south of Epping. Postcode CM16 4DZ. Here a luggage van will take your belongings onto Friday night destination (please label your luggage with name and address). Leave pub at approx 8pm and onto a regrouping stop at the “Rose and Crown” at Bentfield Green (Stansted Mountfitchet) ¼ mile off the B1383, then onto Crest C.C and Easterly club bungalows at Ugley, Essex, please bring a sleeping bag or sheet sleeping bag.

SATURDAY 10th November
Breakfast 8am; superbly cooked by the famous Crest due of Sue and Willy Rogers. Leave at approx. 9.15am with back up luggage van, complete with tandem spares supplied by Ciclos Uno Cycles of Hainault and Berny the Bolt.

On to a pre-booked pub lunch followed by singing from Paul O’Kelly and “Twiggy” on the spoons. New songs this year, specially composed by “Twiggy” himself. Backing guitar by Johnny “Guitar” Baker. Dinner at hotel being approx. 7.30pm.

½ yard ale and fancy dress competition Saturday evening

Overnight stop at the “George Of Colchester” hotel, Essex.

SUNDAY 11th November
Leave hotel at 9.45am onto a pre-booked pub for lunch. Then onto a tea stop late afternoon.

COST
All in £103 except for own drinks and tea stop. Or £96 if not staying Friday night. All lunches, evening dinner included.

If you are interested send an email to willesdecyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk with Tandem in the Subject field, I’ll then forward you the events organiser’s contact details.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

More Paris-Brest-Paris Stuff

Mark Black of the Wycombe CC signed up for support from the Willesden CC crew during the PBP. He has written his personal account for The Sprocket, the Wycombe’s excellent news letter. You can down load a copy at –http://www.highwycombecc.org/documents/sprocket37oct07.pdf

On the Audax email group, Leonora Wells has brought our attention to an on-line PBP survey. Every 70th participant will receive a 1-year subscription to Bicycle Quarterly (or a 1-year extension of their existing subscription), and every 150th participant will receive the book ‘The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles” with color photographs of French randonneur bikes from 1903 until 2003.

Give your feedback at –
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Audax News

Paul Stewart, WCC Auax and Touring Secretary reported a good turn out on the lastest Willesden organised Audax. He had 33 riders sign on for the Anfractous and a dozen or so so for the Nytophobic. This completes an excellent year of WCC Audax events, including a full “Super Randonnee” series of events, which includes a 200, 300, 400 and 600 km events. Thanks to Paul, Mark Brooking, Liz Crease, Chris Beynon, Rocco and all helpers for making this possible.

Paul is starting off 2008 with the “Little Willy”, a 100km ride to Pangbourne and the now famous, “Willy Warmer” 200km. Both events will run on 26th January 08 from Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Simon Doughty – Update

Ray and Janice Kelly recently visited Simon in his new care home. Here is their news.

“Jan and I visited Simon last week. Not much to report on any progress. We met his mum who was very pleased that we had visited. Simon needs as many stimuli as possible and visitors can provide this.

The home is excellent. A large private house in a leafy road. The staff that we saw were really friendly and welcoming. There are only 6 patients there so they get the staff’s full attention.. They were clearly caring well for Simon.

Simon is at Rowland House, 1A Lime Tree Avenue, Weston Green, Thames Ditton, KT7 0NY. The home is near to Hampton Court, on the way to the Scilly Isles roundabout.

Any visitor should ring the home first just to make sure that it is convenient as Simon has lots of treatments and isn’t always available.

The phone number is 020 8972 9143 The manager is Pam and the team leader is Lisa

By the way, it’s Simon’s birthday this week. 17 October. I’m sure that a birthday card or three would be welcome even if they arrive late. It may be an idea to include a photo or two with the card to remind Simon who you are and perhaps jog his memory of events.

Cheers

Ray”

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

PBP – Video

Good mix of PBP stills and video with a reasonably rockin’ soundtrack

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

1st January 2008 – London Parade

The first social event and the shortest club ride of the year blend together on Tuesday 1st January 2008. Yes, the London New Year’s Day Parade will once again have the privilege of the Willesden CC’s presence.

Ray Kelly is organising our appearance and needs as many people as possible on bikes, the more unusual the better. The wearing of any marque of Willesden Kit is obligatory so as to make as big an impact as possible.

Full details of the day will be confirmed nearer the day. However in previous years we have met late morning down near the “old” Tate Gallery on the north side of the river. As Ray says “It’s a fantastic event and don’t let those hangovers stop you from coming along. It doesn’t start until mid-day”.

More detials about the event will be posted on http://www.londonparade.co.uk/

Interesting kit, but probably a bit nippy for 01/01/08

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Place your orders……

The Willesden’s adventure into democracy is now complete. In what was neck and neck voting the Retro look jersey polled 56 votes to the Modern’s 42.

Ray Kelly will now finalise the design and will be placing an order for following only

  • Shorts
  • Short sleeve jerseys
  • Long sleeve jerseys

If you require any other bespoke apparel (eg Skin suits, thermal tops, Willesden furry hand cuffs etc.) then contact Ray Kelly directly at

willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk , putting “KIT” in the email header.

Ray will be announcing the costs and revealing the pre-production design shortly.

Thank you to everyone who voted. Both Jerseys were excellent designs, showing what talent we have in our club. Perhaps we should offer Richard and James’ design consultancy services to this club who have a serious kit problem……..

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Turbo Torture – Starts Tonight

A reminder that Tuesday Night Turbo Torture starts this evening (9/10/07) at 8pm for that heady mixture of loud music, oxygen debt and Ray Kelly’s own brand of humour. Turbo is an excellent way to keep your fitness and motivation throughout the winter months, plus it also gives you the opportunity to sample the wide variety of musical tastes that exists within the club! The session lasts for one hour and costs £2 for WCC members, (Junior riders – free).

Remember to bring the following –
– Bike
– Turbo
– Water Bottle
– Towel
– Change of clothing

Tea and light refreshments available afterwards.

WCC Club Rooms are at the bottom of London Road, Wembley

Posted in Miscellaneous | 2 Comments

Vote for your new Club Jersey

Ray Kelly has to put in the order for the new club jersey design, but which is to be …. Retro or Modern?
So here is a unique chance to vote for your sartorial future. We have two alternative designs as previously posted on the blog.
Modern design

Retro Design

To submit your vote click on the voting panel on the right hand side of the blog (just under the Willesden Logo).

Ray has pointed out that the rigours of finalising the detail design will involve some changes to the final layout and colour of the jersey.


Voting closes on 5th October 2007

Posted in Miscellaneous | 7 Comments

Torture on a Tuesday night returns on 9th October 2007. Ray “Turbonator” Kelly will be meting out the punishment from 8pm every Tuesday till spring 2008 arrives. God save us all!

Start setting up your gear from 7:45pm
Turbonator blows his whistle from 8pm.
Willesden CC Club Room, London Road, Wembley
All the oxygen debt you want for just £2.00 a session.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

More PBP Photos

Tim “Rainlegs” Wainwright has loaded his full set of PBP photos on to his virtual photo album. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagesbytim/sets/ for the complete set.

A job well done Tim.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

PBP Reunion


Our wonderful PBP Support team will be the Guests of Honour at the PBP re-Union Dinner to be held on 12th October in Ealing, West London. Mike Ellison is organising invitations and we hope to see the whole WCC PBP squad there. For more details contact Mike via Willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk, or via his personal email address.
John Davies
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

The PBP in the 1980’s

Dodgey haircuts and even dodiger sunglasses feature in this 1980’s film of the PBP.
See if you can spot a h*lmet. I saw two…

Comments
Dear Miles,

Re the PBP video on the blog. The young lady showing a bit of cleavage (after the Sheila Simpson bit*), is Christine Archer from The Snowdonia CC. Simon Jones and I rode with her on the 1987 PBP. She kept me going through the night telling mucky jokes. She also still has Simon’s long-sleeve Willesden top. He loaned it to her to ward off the cold as she only had a short sleeve top and some home-made arm warmers. Happy memories.

The Turbonator – AKA RAy Kelly

* 2:08 on the video counter. Miles B.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

As many of you may know there is now a pro cycling team called Slipstream-Chipotle. They recently launched a world wide web competition for a new design for their kit.
They had over 353 entries from 21 countries. Out of the massive entry they have short listed five designs for final selection. WCC rider Richard Melik’s design has been selected as one of the final five designs! Richard’s design is leading the voting at the moment, but we can help him a lot more, but we need to act NOW……

“I have found out this morning that I have been shortlisted in the top 5 designs in a competition to design the new jersey for Slipstream for next year (David Millar’s new team). There is a voting process which ends on Friday to choose the winner, so any Willesden votes would be most welcome!
This is the voting page…
http://www.slipstreamsports.com/fun.jerseytop5.php

Thank you for your help, Richard Melik
Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

Willesden Road Race – Report

Full Road race report and pictures now available on the new look Willesden website. Many thanks to Richard Jerome for his hard work in restoring the site.

https://willesdencyclingclub.co.uk/ then press the “News“tab.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Jayne’s Race Report

The John and Dulcie Walker Road Race – Sunday 16th September 2007

I had my special formula in my bottle—1/3 Red Bull, 1/3 Coca-Cola, 1/3 water (honest), left overnight to de-effervesce. I had learnt the hard way about fizzy drinks! Brian Wright had prepped me with clues to winning – all involving peddling a bit sharpish. I was keen!

Well, the HQ in Cheddington was brimming with the crème de la crème of the lycra-wearing, cycling fraternity (paternity, in some cases), some of whom snubbed the usual facilities and changed in the hall. “Life doesn’t get better than this,” I thought.

I had been under the impression that I was the only female contender (in my head I was going to be 1st, 2nd and 3rd). Consider my dismay when I spotted something hard and sinewy with breasts signing on! I was going to have to use something more than ability to see off this one, I could tell!

Well the E’s, 1sts and 2nds all shot off, like they do. Then us 4ths and 3rds went off at a bit of a clip, and I soon found myself at the back of the bunch (but I was thinking of you, Miles!). The view was quite nice, but I knew that Brian would not be pleased and something had to be done! I found that by going right over in to the path of oncoming traffic, I was able to pick off several riders at a time. The patrol car hooted its encouragement—must have had a Willesden driver in it!
After just one lap (about 10 miles) disaster struck; my front wheel punctured, and all hopes of glory evaporated! Barely had I time to burst into tears when Jumbo, spotting an opportunity, slipped a fluorescent gillet over my head and a red flag into my hand. As riders came whizzing down the road and in to a very sharp left-hand turn , it was my job to startle the on-coming cars into swerving out, in order to pick off anybody who had stupidly swung too wide. Oh, how I laughed!
Anyway, round and round they went. Two hours later, it was back up to HQ for tea and buns and clapping and cheering. Various blokes from various clubs won assorted prizes; Ray and Jumbo said some nice things; and I tried to pass my number to the rather dashing chap who won the cup.

To summarise:-
Richard Jerome won out of the Willesden men
Jayne Paine won out of the Willesden women
and we all had a very jolly day!

Jayne Paine
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Track Training – Newport


Keith Elliot has forwarded the following Track day details at Newport. This is in addition to Brian Wright’s track Training days at the Welwyn stadium. Miles Back

Track Training – Intermediates and above
Newport track booked for two hours on Tuesday 25th September, primarily for drill for the Agiskoviner Team Pursuit team. As they will only be on the track for part of that time, they have opened up the session to anyone who is interested. This session is for competent riders and would not suit track novices.

Preceding this slot there is also another session organized by Courtney Rowe, so it is possible to have four hours track time if you wish/have the legs!

Details as follows:
25 September Newport Velodrome
12:00-14:00 Courtney Rowe’s Drop In Session:
14:00-14:30 Break
14:30-16:30 Agiskoviner Private Session:

If you would like to be included, please let Keith Elliot know ASAP via willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk.

Track Training – 17th November, 4-6pm (2hrs)

This session is aimed at beginners and intermediates. That’s people who may never have been on a Track Bike, let alone a Track; or those who have ridden at Reading, Calshot or Newport only once or twice and would like to repeat the exercise and develop the skills (intermediates)

For this session the limit has been set at 15 riders and will cost £12.50 each. Velodrome bikes are available for hire. These use Look pedals which you are NOT allowed to change. If you can’t ride Look you will have to ride in toeclips

Track Training – 9th December, 12-4pm (4hrs)
For the second session in December we have a serious chunk of time at 4hrs. This will be for riders from the first session back to build upon their skills, plus a more regular crowd of experts.

The limit can be up to 24 riders. Costs will vary according to the final size of the group, but is expected to be in the range of £15 to £20 per rider.

————–

All sessions will need to be paid for in advance, no entries on the day. If you would like to reserve a place email Keith Elliot at willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment