October 1999

World Championships

"And it shall come to pass, in the last year of the millennium, that a North Ender shall go unto the land of the pizza, and shall be crowned king of the world, and all will bow down before him."

That's the problem with predictions - they’re a load of rubbish!

We all had the highest of hopes for Steve Cummings’ participation in the World Championships in Italy - especially me, because it meant this newsletter would almost write itself! However, he recorded 33-21 for the 25.85km course, against the Swiss Fabian Cancellara’s time of 30-36. To put that into a more ‘British’ context, Steve’s speed would have produced a mid-20 minute ‘10’, while the champion would have recorded an 18-56 (this year’s fastest ‘10’ is an 18-51!) But he didn’t even get shown on TV (although David Duffield and Russell Williams did give him a decent namecheck)!

Check out the results of all the World's events at http://www.uci.ch/english/road/worlds_99/results.htm

Nevertheless, Steve has consistently produced the goods this season, going all the way back to his historic win in the Eddie Soens, and we can all be proud of his achievements in 1999.

Merseyside Ladies ‘10’

The MLCA ‘10’ saw a glut of BNE names in the frame. Top of the heap was Rachel Heal, who won the women’s category with 23-18 (knocking 1-44 off her personal best), taking the MLCA BAR title to boot, with the fastest times for 10 and 25. Oh, and she won on handicap too! Apart from Rachel, Andrew Massey won the juveniles section with 25-26, whilst Doug Watson won the ‘vets over-60’ with 23-05. John Moore completed the list, coming second overall with 21-12.

In other racing news, the BNE won the team prize in the Anfield BC ‘25’, with John Moore, Steve Cummings and Chris Byrne. John was the best placed of the three riders, taking third overall with 54-56. Steve was fourth with 55-08, and Chris completed the team’s time with 57-11.

Club Track Championships

Thursday the 21st of October will see the first North End winter track session, held as usual at the Manchester Velodrome, from 8-10pm. That evening will include the running of the 1999 BNE Track Championships, with a trophy at stake, so it would be nice to see a good turnout. There will be another track session in November as well, on the 18th.

Club Dinner

As promised last month, I can now give out more information regarding the club dinner.

Last time, I had told you that the dinner and prize presentation will take place on Saturday 11th December, at the King’s Gap Court Hotel in Hoylake. Willie Moore had confirmed as one guest, whilst the other had yet to confirm. A discount scheme would run to encourage you to buy your tickets early. Now read on… (what is this, an old Saturday morning Flash Gordon?!)

I can now say that the other guest will be Bob Memery, who will be presenting the prizes. Most of you will know that Bob is the organiser of the very popular Merseyside Wheelers Invitation time trial at Hatchmere, which had several of our club members amongst its field this year (unfortunately I couldn’t write a report because nobody gave me one!).

Ticket prices will be £15 per person. However, as I’ve mentioned, if you order and pay for your tickets before 1st December, then they will only cost you £14. Tickets are available now - you can buy them from me at club nights, or by post: please send me a cheque (payable to BNECC), together with a SAE. Email me if you don't know my address, and I'll let you know. Please state when ordering if any vegetarian meals will be required. Festivities will get underway at 7:30 for 8.

Regarding the prize presentation, Danny McDonough asks you to submit time trial results quickly for the calculation of the club’s best all-rounder competition. His address is 12 Norbury Avenue, Bebington, CH63 2HJ. And all trophy holders are also asked to pass them back - nicely polished, of course!

Club Weekend

"Once again at Llanrhaeadr-yn-Mochnant and this time we will see that bl#*@* waterfall! Date 23rd/24th October. Names and £5 deposit to Jack McAllister. Special discount rates for juvenile and junior riders.

"Choice of routes: road or roughstuff. Meeting at the Eureka at 10am, where Harry and Doreen will pick up our overnight bags."

Jack McAllister

Club Hill-Climb

The club hill-climb will take place on Sunday 31st October. Meet at 9:30 at the Eureka to travel out (I expect it’s at Hope Mountain again!). Hopefully there will be better weather (and a larger field) than last year.

And Finally…

Thanks to Chris Smith for bringing this to my attention - a US advert for a mountain bike that obviously doesn’t cause any long-term damage to the rider! Apologies to those of you of a sensitive disposition (it’s the saddle - honest!).

Ironically, the bike is a Klein: German for ‘small’!

And Finally Finally…

This picture appeared in an advert for a Harley Davidson exhibition at Liverpool Museum. Could we have just found a club mascot?!

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