February 2000
Condolences
It was a sad loss for John Burgess and Family. His brother Terry Burgess was laid to rest on Thursday 20th January at Landican. Thanks to all North Enders who attended.
The Club Track Night
Manchester velodrome has been booked for another club track night. Thursday17th Feb, 8pm start, members without bikes will need to phone the track on 0161 223 2244 to hire a bike, in advance. . Clive Walmsey and Jeff Brandt are great coaches and provide excellent advice for riders of all abilities. These sessions are well supported by young and old, but everyone is welcome to come down and have a go.
Ho Chi Minh City
"We did not plan to stay 9 days, but…
Why are we here 9 days? We set off from Hanoi in glorious weather, but on traffic-choked roads. Choked with slow-moving bicycles, that is. There were quite a few motorcycles, and dilapidated buses (more so than I). No-one signals - for slowing down, stopping, or changing direction. If a cyclist looks back, that means he/she is turning left - across the traffic. No hesitation - just goes - but slowly. After 2 or 3 days we hit ‘roadwork’s’. Except there was no road, and no-one working on this, the only highway south. There would be a couple of kilometres of ride able, fairly smooth, then 5 kms of rough potholes, red gravel and sand and some hardcore. Buses and a few trucks ground slowly past, zig-zagging to avoid the worst. There had been and still were so many bikes and motorbikes that they had formed their own route - still zig-zagging, and more often that not, on the wrong side of the road.
I’m still not absolutely sure which is the correct side to be on. I do not believe the Vietnamese care, either. Even here in the city centre, bikes and motorbikes ride against oncoming traffic.
After four days of this, it started to rain. Never stopped for six days, and the road, of course, deteriorated. On the sixth day, still raining, my bottom bracket disintegrated. That was good luck. We walked for a couple of kms to Lanco (I’m not sure I’ve read that right - Ruaraidh) at the foot of the Haivan Pass. As we trudged along, we were joined by two 12 year old boys, one of whom spoke perfect English (and French and some Spanish and German). He assured me that there was a beach hotel 50 metres on the left and that his uncle could repair my bottom bracket. There was and he did. In the evening, typhoon 12 hit us. The seas were enormous, the wind howled and rain sounded as though someone was filling a bath. Next morning we set off and the bottom bracket came loose. Eventually we hired a minibus to take us to the next town - Danang. We would never have got over the mountain, the road was washed out. Vehicles were stranded but somehow ours got there. Danang was flooded. We were lucky to get a plane out. 5 days later the road is still impassable (I expect the rail is too).
We cannot change our tickets out of Vietnam. That is why we are to stay here for 9 days.
Wish you were here?
Regards,
Alan and Marina
Doug Philips is pictured with consultant Mr Parr, after his epic ride at the Manchester Velodrome. Doug went round with his hat at the World Masters Champs and collected £96. Doug raised in all £400 and would like to thank The Club, the Bike Factory and the Club Members for contributing to this very important and worthy cause. This money helped to buy a scope, which detects prostate cancer, which can affect male or female of any age.
Doug Philips
REMINDER
The rota is out again, could everyone pick 2 events or they will be picked for you. See Colin Gray at the Club meetings.
Also subs are due could everyone please pay as soon as possible.
EARLY SEASON B.C.F Road Races
SAT 4 Mar
Eddie Soens Handicap E/1/2/3/4/W/V/J
Darley Moor Road Race E/1/2/3/4/W/V/J
Sat 11 Mar
Darley Moor Road Race E/1/2/3/4/W/V/J
Mersey Roads 2 Day E/1/2/3/4
SAT 18 Mar
Southport Crits U16/14/12
SUN 26 Mar
John Cull 4/J
EARLY SEASON R.T.T.C TIME TRIALS
SUN 12 Mar
D14/2 Chester R.C
SUN 19 Mar
D25/12 Portsunlight Wheelers
SUN 2 Mar
D10/19 Merseyside Ladies C.A
SAT 8 Apr
D10/2 D.I.W Wheelers
SUN 9 Apr
D25/9 West Cheshire
Lets try and get a good North End turn out at these local advents and get some good results.
For more information about these advents contact
Mike Garner B.C.F R/R Tel:0151 648 3843
Danny McDonough R.T.T.C
MERSEY ROADS 2 DAY
Would anyone in the North End be willing to help Steve Light out with neutral service on Saturday11 Mar. He hopes also to have a good turn out by North Enders riding the 2-day.
Steven Light Tel: 0151 228 2562
FOR SALE
22" Road Bike, Triple Chain Set, Good winter training bike, only 6 months old
£150 no offers
D.Philips Tel: 0151 648 9313
CLUB NEWS INFO
Any info for the news letter please send or Email me. With the racing season starting soon remember to send me all your Results.
Good look everyone in their races this season and lets have a good North End turn out at local events.
Previous Newsletters: 2000 January
1999 January February March April May June July August September October December
Email Chris about
anything in here