Well after a full night of wind and rain the day turned out to be very pleasant although a mite windy

He grass verge was totally sodden and I managed to get the car stuck in it and had to be pushed out, so my thanks go to Barry Deacon who helped me.

The field was very small with only 10 rider but the times were excellent almost 2 ½ mins quicker than last year

1st Steve Woodbridge 23.25, 2nd Charlie Parsons 25.08 and just one second behind in 3rd place was Paul Gosling 25.09 will this be the start of a very exciting year of nip and tuck between these two Mike Leonard 26.05, Alan Bowry 29.09, Elaine Scott 30.21 and Barry Deacon 32.15

BEST OF THE REST
Tony Reeve (G. S. Stella) 23.58, David Galle (Arun Adur WS CTC) 30.02 and George Vargha (Steyning AC) 31.56

My thanks go to Keith Balcombe for putting the signs out and pushing off.

It was smashing to see some old friends and club mates today with Pete Fray and Bob Davies coming out to watch the event and then ‘dragging’ Keith & Mike to the pub for a New Years drink

The real fun began for the rest of us with our New Years Day visit to Bob and Collette’s the welcome was warm and the table was over flowing with delicious food, and as a trifle enthusiast I can report that this years was partially tasty

And it was smashing to see friends from my work there; it is always nice when we meet other cyclists not just from our club at Bob’s

We have an early season 5 mile ‘leg loosener’ on 17th April, start at 6.30pm at Hamme Farm, just to get us all in the mood before the 10’s start on the 24th April at 6.45pm

Our annual Dinner & Dance is on 24th February contact Dick Jones for tickets

I wish you the best of years with loads of PB’s and even more laughs at the road side.

It s always nice to have a new course and this is the 2nd one that Brighton Excel have instigated the resent years, this has 2 advantages, it keeps the evening series fresh and expands the courses available to be used by us and other local clubs

We had 17 riders turned up to christen it, with prizes and a BRAND NEW course record also up for grabs

1st Steve Woodbridge 11.17 (NEW COURSE RECORD), 2nd George Higgs 11.35, 3rd James Hodge 11.44,

Paul Gosling 11.45, Chris Hodge 11.49, Roy Page 11.55, Charlie Parsons 11.56, Stu White 11.56, Claire Leonard (1st Lady) 12.54, Bobby Harber 13.01, Chris Shearn 13.05 Mike Bentham 13.10, Ben Miller (VCJ) (1st jun) 13.33, Robert Coombe 13.44 (new member) 13.44, Elaine Scott 13.53, Ian Essex DNS

BEST OF THE REST
Tom Shearn (Cambridge University CC) 11.59 and Ben Cook (private rider) 16.42

I love this time of year and the weather is often nicer now than in June, and what better way to spend a spring evening than in the company of like minded people enjoying themselves

22 solos and 1 tandem took part and the times reflected the conditions

1st George Higgs 22.49, 2nd Steve Woodbridge 23.04, 3rd Stu White 23.22

Chris Hodge 23.27, Paul Gosling 24.03, Carl Walker 24.07, Claire Leonard 25.08, Alan Bowry 25.42, Chris Shearn 26.25, Ben Miller (VCJ) 26.43, Stan Cox 26.45, Elaine Scott 27.29

BEST OF THE REST
Dan Paine (Crawley CC) 20.59 WOW!! that’s almost a course record, and in April look out for his times during the season, John Limpus and Mike Kennard (Tandem) G. S. Stella) 21.55, Tony Reeve (G. S. Stella) 21.58, Tom Shearn (Cambridge University CC) 23.18, James Stone (West Ken CC) 23.18

Thanks this week to John Roberts for starting, Rick Stringer pushing off and Keith Balcombe for the signs

See you next week at same time, same place and let’s hope same conditions

It was also the 1st evening for ages that we had more riders from other clubs than our own with only 7 BECC members turning out, could it have had something to do with the big football match going on?

1st Steve Woodbridge 22.57, 2nd Chris Hodge 23.47, 3rd Ruth Mordaunt 25.02

Bobby Harber 26.21, Rupert Coombes 27.29, Elaine Scott 28.17 and Stan Cox DNF

BEST OF THE REST
Paul Byford (Crawley CC) 22.32, Kevin Shaw (Crawley CC) 22.37, Richard Weatherstone (Crawley CC) 23.06, James Stone (West Kent RC) 24.07,

My thanks to the A team this week go to Rick Stringer for starting and Keith Balcombe for doing the signs and pushing off

Next week it’s our 16.7 mile T.T. with a 7pm start

Still the hardy few had a wonderful time and are all looking forward to next week’s race J

1st Chris Hodge 42.57, 2nd Charlie Parsons 43.28, 3rd Paul Gosling 43.50, 4th Ben Miller (VCJ) 48.30, Chris Shearn DNF

ALL THE REST
Dan Paine (Crawley CC) 38.18, Tristan Court (B’ton Mitre) 39.17.Adrian Brown (Steyning AC) 47.30, Jon Brook (Steyning AC) 48.10, Jane Priddis (Steyning AC) 50.52 and George Vargha (Steyning AC) 55.29

My thanks to Keith Balcombe for the signs and pushing off

And a special thanks to Dave Dallimore who came out to get a bit of timekeeping practice and ended up going onto the course and picking up Chris Shearn who got a puncture at Ashington and was facing a very long walk back to his car

And lastly can you all keep a look out for Dave Dallimore’s bike, which was stolen out of his garage last week, just after he had returned home from a ride

LLLL

It’s a red Masil frame with alloy Columbus tubing and carbon pro forks its worth upwards of 2K and as a pensioner he will find it very difficult to replace and could mean the end of this season’s racing for him

Until next week take care and keep an eye on your equipment

3 people did turn up but they had to be protected from themselves as it was so gloomy and all the cars had their headlight on from 5.30pm that I thought it was just too risky

It was nice to met new ‘2nd claim’ member James Stone who come down to see us and pay his subs

Thanks to Keith, John and Rick who turned out to help, which made a small crowd huddled shivering round the car until 7.01 when we all rushed home to a nice hot cuppa

See you all next week when we are confident that the weather will be fantastic and the rider turn out will be in the high 30’s

And the turn out was super with 26 riders, 12 of which were B’ton Excel

I think that everyone was out for a good time

1st George Higgs 22.37, 2nd Steve Woodbridge 22.56, 3rd Chris Hodge 23.10

Paul Gosling 23.51, Ben Miller (VCJ) 26.04, Michael Bentham 26.11, Chris Shearn 26.32, Bobby Harber 27.02, Stan Cox 27.07, Elaine Scott 27.18, Rupert Coombes 27.40, Rob Merrington 28.06

BEST OF THE REST
Tristan Court (B’ton Mitre) 21.50, Kevin Shaw (Crawley CC) 22.15, Tony Reeve (G. S. Stella) 22.59 Tim Homes (B’ton Mitre) 23.12

Thanks this week to Rick Stringer for starting and Keith B for the signs and pushing off

Note to Ben – I love getting post and you’ve given me something to look forward too this week:-)

Have a smashing Bank Holiday; hope to see some of you at the B’ton Mitre hilly on Bank Holiday Monday,

Wrap up warm though as they say it’s going to be really cold and there might even be some snow in Scotland

The huge ruts in the lay-by were so full of rainwater we could have swam lengths as a warm up exercise

None of which seemed to bother one of our regular friends who join us from other clubs, Dan Paine who did at long 21

But the recent bad weather and the windy conditions of Tuesday was enough to keep most people away with only 10 riders turning up, so we were a very small and chilly band of cyclists huddled around the signing on sheet

We did have 2 lady riders however showing that the girls don’t let a little spell of challenging weather put them off having a great timeJ

1st was Steve Woodbridge 23.52, 2nd Chris Hodge 24.18 and 3rd Roy Page 25.28

Clair Leonard 25.55, Chris Shearn 27.16, Rupert Coombes 27.32, Stan Cox 27.34 and Sally Page 32.13

BEST OF THE REST
Dan Paine (Crawley CC) 21.59 and Paul Carruthers (Crawley CC) 26.06

Thank tonight to John Roberts for starting, Rick Stringer for pushing off and Keith B for the signs

Lucky Stan, who left his mobile phone on top of his car and drove off, hearing it fall to the ground along the by-pass he managed to find all the bits in the grass, put it back together and was delighted to find it still worked

I need to apologise as I forgot to put the usual early season 2 up on the card this year

So for anyone that’s interested we are going to make Tuesday 12th June into a 2 up race, obviously anyone can ride a solo or indeed a 2up in any of our races so come along anyway and join in with or without a partner

But I thought it would give all you keen cyclists the opportunity to get some practice in for the Clarencourt

Next weeks start is at 7.15pm, as the evenings are getting lighter so the starts get later

I look forward to seeing loads of you on the line then

And we had 24 rider which is well up on the last few weeks

1st George Higgs 22.28, 2nd Chris Hodge 23.21, 3rd James Stone (2nd claim) 23.28

Paul Gosling 24.06, Roy Page 24.33, Rupert Coombes 26.13, Chris Shearn 26.21, Ben Miller (VCJ) 26.44, Rob Merrington 26.49, Elaine Scott 27.51, Ben Cook 30 41 Steve Woodbridge DNF (puncture)

BEST FO THE REST
Dan Paine (Brighton Mitre) 21.19, Simon McNamara (Team Wildside) 22.06, Mike Coyle V. C. Etoile 22.19

Welcome to Ben Cook a new member riding his first race with us tonight and he is very keen to do under 30 next time out

My thanks this week goes to Rick Stringer for starting and Keith Balcombe for pushing off and the signs

Don’t forget its an impromptu 2up next week or a solo as normal if you prefer 7.15pm start

On the 19th June its our annual ‘Come and try it’ events and I’ll be looking for some accompanying senior riders for the junior 3 ½ mile T.T starting at 7pm, which in previous years has been used as a warm up ride for the following 10 mile ‘Come and try it’ T.T

Also any prizes you can find in the bike room for the junior riders would be much appreciated

I had a really good time last night, everyone seemed in a good mood and that always makes for an interesting and entertaining evening

We had our impromptu 2up and had 4 pairs and 13 solos

All 2 up results
Chris Hodge and Steve Woodbridge (both B.E.C.C.) 22.10, Stuart Edmonds and Ade Ferero (both Sussex Nomads) 25.02, Elaine Scott (B.E.C.C) and George Vargha (Steyning AC) 27.34, Sue George (Dorking & Mole) and Colin Simpson (B’ton Phoenix) 29.30

Solos
Stu White 23.29, Mike Leonard 24.16, Ruth Mordant 24.51, Claire Leonard 25.39, Rupert Coombs 26.03, Ben Miller (VCJ) 27.36, Ben Cook 29.59

BEST OF THE REST
Richard Weatherstone (Crawley CC) 22.34, Paul Byford (Crawley CC) 22.46, Neal Coleman (TM Racing)

My grateful thanks this week goes to Rick Stringer for starting and Keith Balcombe for pushing off and the signs

Next week its our ‘Come & Try It’ events and I’m looking for some help with accompanying the juniors in the 3 ½ mile race, I’ll also need a couple of marshals

The 3 ½ mile race starts at 7pm and you can use it as your warm up for the 10 which starts at 7.15pm,

Also any small gifts that you might have for the prizes would be warmly received.

On a foot note there is an unwritten race etiquette that everyone racing should follow, and tonight it was breached by an un-registered rider jumping on the wheel of one of our competitors right off the start

Everyone was taken by surprise and the official rider was given no choice and had no option but to ride with this person hanging onto his wheel

To his credit the violated rider did not complain and his finish time was well down on what I know he is capable of doing, as I imagine he must have just ‘sat up’ and just got round the course

If this happens again I will make an official complaint to the un-registered riders own club and if necessary the CTT

Well what more can I say about Tuesday evening – not my finest hour by any means – and I can only apologize to everyone for the mix up at the end

I managed to get all the times down but the riders and times were harder to match up and proved to be a bit of a lottery in the end

With everyone trying to remember who crossed the line when and what number they where wearing and more to the point what number they actually went off at

The mix up was accumulation of late starters, non starters and numbers so scrunched up that I could not read them

Anyway here goes:-

BEST OF THE REST
Dan Paine (Crawley CC) 22.10, Ian Clarke (Fenland Clarion) 23.15 Anthony Gritton (Tuff fitty/Cycleworld) 24.48

Now I have listed everyone that I know rode, if anyone else rode and I’ve missed you, can you let me know what your number was and what time you started cos I have one time left over with no one to go with it

My extra big thanks this week go to John Roberts for starting, Rick Stringer for pushing off, Keith Balcombe for pushing off, the signs and trying to keep some sort of order on the start line, Mike Murray for marshalling, Bob and Collette Harber for the bag of choc’s and bananas, Sally Page for filling in the certificates and the prizes, Chris Hodge and Roy Page for accompanying the Junior riders

On a lighter note its our Inter Club Event with Brighton Mitre next week 7.30 start and it’s a team event with PRIZES so lets have a big turn out from both clubs

PHEW!!!! I wouldn’t want many evenings like this one in a season, I was worn out when I got home

See you next week

What a difference a week makes

This week was so nice, everyone was in a good mood and the first of our 2 inter club events went really well with 10 Excel and 7 Mitre riders turning out

The team was won by Brighton Mitre with a overall total time of 1 10.54 with Martin Potter, Paul Goodwill and Charlie Sayer carrying the banner of victory

And Mitre also won the fastest rider prize with Charlie Sayer doing 22.50

We’re already looking forward to next years event

1st Charlie Sayer (B.M.C.C) 22.50, 2nd Chris Lord (B.E.C.C) 23.11, 3rd Martin Potter (B.M.C.C)

Mike Leonard (BECC) 24.27, Paul Goodwill (B.M.C.C) 24.47, Dale Scott (B.M.C.C) 24.53, Roy Page (BECC) 25.09 Ruth Mordant (BECC) 25.09, Jay Chisnell (B.M.C.C) 25.24, Ben Miller (VCJ) 25.30, Robin Johnson (B.M.C.C) 25.58, Michael Bentham (BECC) Rupert Coombes (BECC) 26.11, Chris Shearn (BECC) 26.31, Rob Merrington (BECC) 26.43, Phil Beecher (B.M.C.C) 27.17, Ben Cook (BECC) 29.20

BEST OF THE REST
Dan Paine (Crawley CC) 21.47, Tom Shearn (Cambridge Uni CC) 23.38, Colin Miller WECC) 28.23 and Dennis Worster (Redhill CC) 35.31

My big thanks this week go to Rick Stringer for starting and Keith Balcombe for pushing off and the signs,

There are photos of the winners on the website

Don’t forget it’s at Washington next week 7.30pm start

It was dry and a little breezy tonight, but at least we had no rain

Although on the way to the event the traffic was awful and at one time we were concerned that we wouldn’t get there at all, but all’s well that ends wellJ

A good turn out from both clubs with Stella having 8 riders and Excel having 8

Well done to G. S. Stella for winning the team prizes with a very impressive 1.06.01 with Dan Paine, Mark Jones and Paul Byford being the crowned kings

1st Dan Paine (Stella) 21.20, 2nd Mark Jones (Stella) 22.18, 3rd Paul Byford (Stella) 22.23

Richard Weatherstone (Stella) 22.39, Stu White (Excel) 22.47, Steve Woodbridge (Excel) 22.47, (one to watch for the future) Chris Hodge (Excel) 22.53, Steve Trott (Stella) 22.57, Kevin Shaw (Stella) 23.12, Lawrence Clifford (Excel) 24.15 (nice to see him back from Switzerland for a visit), Paul Carruthers (Stella) 24.35, Ruth Mardaunt 25.04, Rupert Coombes (Excel) 25.16, Rob Merrington (Excel) 25.32, Nigel Forkett (Stella) 26.05, Ben Cook (Excel) 28.19

BEST OF THE REST
Mick Coyle (V. C. Etoile) 22.17, Michael Valks (Sussex Nomads) 22.53, Tim Holmes (B’ton Mitre) 23.06, Adam Gent (In-Gear Dev Squad) 23.28

See the web page for photos of the prize giving

My thanks this week go to John Roberts for starting, Rick for pushing off and Keith for the signs

It was a super event and we are looking forward to doing all again next year, when Excel will be hoping to get their revenge

Next week we are at Washington 7.30pm start

It was a bit windy, but nothing my guys couldn’t handle

1st Chris Lord 23.07, 2nd Chris Hodge 23.17, 3rd Paul Gosling 23.52

Ben Miller (VCJ) 25.03, Rupert Coombes 25.45, Rob Merrington 26.05, Elaine Scott 29.27

BEST OF THE REST
Dan Paine (G. S. Stella) 21.45, Stuart Tarry (Team Sanjan Design) 21.47, Ade Fadero (Sussex Nomads) 24.17, Nigel Herron (Brighton Phoenix Tri) 24.24

My grateful thanks this week go to Rick Stringer for starting, Keith for pushing off and the signs

It was nice to see the Steyning AC guys again it’s been a few weeks and I’ve missed you all

Also could Simon Palmer (Tuff Fitty) 24.55 please arrange for the number 8 to be returned to me before next week

I tell you these numbers have a better social life than me; they are always going on trips with different men

See you next week

And I swear that the ruts in the lay-by are getting bigger by the week, one is the size of an Olympic swimming pool and a couple of the riders were doing lengths as a warm up

Still the weather was sunny and warm although breezy and the atmosphere was friendly and I don’t feel you can ask for much more in an evening 10

We only had 3 pairs the rest all did solos

2UPS
Keith Balcombe & Keith Pettifer 26.49
Sally Page & Ben Gerry 30.16
Elaine Scott & George Vargha (Steyning AC) 27.37

SOLO’S
Chris Lord 22.32, Chris Hodge 23.31, Ben Miller (VCJ) 24.55, Stan Cox 27.44, Ben Cook 28.51

BEST OF THE REST
Lawrence Wintergold (Hounslow & Dist) 22.41, Tim Holmes (Brighton Mitre) 23.19, Simon Letts (Worthing Excel) 24.55

My big thanks this week go to John Roberts for starting, Rick for pushing off and Keith for the signs

Don’t for get the club picnic on the 5th August after our Open 25

We also had a good sized field which always makes it more interesting and exiting for everyone

The good times reflected the conditions and almost everyone seemed happy and Dennis Worster (Redhill CC) was so pleased he thought he had gone off course to get his 28.48, which I can confirm he had not, as he was seen taking the correct exit into Ashington

1st Chris Hodge 22.18, 2nd (by 1 sec) Chris Lord 22.19, (I think this is one to watch for next week), 3rd Steve Woodbridge 22.44

Paul Gosling 22.57, Ben Miller (VCJ) 24.05 (he seems to getting faster by the week), Rupert Coombes 24.20, Michael Bentham 24.25, Chris Shearn 25.09, Rob Merrington 25.15, Stan Cox 25.50, Keith Balcombe 26.46, Elaine Scott 28.00

BEST OF THE REST
Dan (If I get any quicker I’ll sprout wings) Paine (G. S. Stella) 20.49, Mark Paton (Sussex nomads) 21.33, Martyn Potter (B’ton Mitre) 21.45, Nigel Herron (B’ton Phoenix Tri) 22.32

Thanks to Val Stringer for starting, Rick for pushing off and Keith for the signs

Only one more week and our 2007 evening 10 season is over and just the Hill Climb to look forward too in October

Its at Steyning next week 7pm start, and maybe if we’re lucky to the pub for a bit to eat afterwards, be prepared I will be looking for photos next week to mark the last race;-)

Don’t forget it’s the BECC Open 25 on Sunday, its too late to enter but the riders would love your support around the course and of cause there is tea and cakes in the hall afterwards

Congratulations to Steve Woodbridge this year’s winner

1st Steve Woodbridge 59.40, 2nd George Higgs 1.02.48, 3rd Michael Leonard 1.05.51, 4th Ben Miller (V. C. Jubilee) 1.07.10, 5th Claire Leonard 1.07.30, 6th Bob Harber 1.07.32, 7th Elaine Scott 1.17.33

Ben Miller was also fastest Junior for the event

Afterwards we held our annual picnic at Bob and Colette’s house where we presented a sliver salver to Bert Absolon to celebrate and honour his 60 year membership with Brighton Excelsior

Dick Jones dressed up in original club kit (although he does still wear it quite regularly I understand) to make the presentation (see our website for pictures of the day)

All our thanks go to Bob and Colette for opening up their home and welcoming us all in, and making the day one to remember for everyone

Numbers have been down all summer and tonight we had 30 riders 14 of which were from B’ton Excel

We also had a 2 up team and a 3up team giving it their best shots

1st Chris Lord 22.17, 2nd Steve Woodbridge 22.36, 3rd Ruth Mordaunt 25.05

Bob Harber 25.19, Robert Coombes 25.30, Simon Roberts 26.22, Claire Leonard 26.33, Ben Cook 27.36, Elaine Scott 27.45, Stan Cox 27.59

2up team Keith Pettifer and Keith Balcombe 26.10 and 3up team Roy and Sally Page and their friend Bjorn Suetens 26.29

BEST OF THE REST
Mark Winton (Lewes Wanderers) 21.16, Dan Paine (B’ton Mitre) 21.28, Mark Paton (Sussex Nomads) 21.38

My thanks tonight and for the year go to john Roberts, Rick Stringer, Keith Balcombe and Val Stringer; none of us would have an event without your help and support throughout the year

Well gang there is only the hill climb on the 21st October to look forward to in our club cycling calendar although I hope to see lots of you on the start line in the remaining club and open events that I’ll be timing before then

Congratulations to Mike Bentham who has won this year’s Hill Climb with 5.21.

1st Mike Bentham 5.21, 2nd Lawrence Clifford 5.30, 3rd Charlie Hefferman (VCJ) 5.38.

Ben Miller 5.40, Roy Page 6.38, Nicolas Smith (VCJ) 6.48, Elaine Scott 7.13, Ben Cook 7.23, Bob Harber 7.40, Ashley Dennis (VCJ) 7.51, Sally Page 8.26 and Amy Jacobs (VCJ) 9.17.

Afterwards all of the VCJ and some of the BECC riders went on a well deserved social ride, which must have been fantastic as it was perfect cycling weather.

My thanks for today go to Rick Stringer for starting and Keith for pushing off.

This season has been a team effort again and I really could not even begin to run our evening programme without your help.

I hope to see most of you at the Christmas lunch on the 17th December Contact Rick Stringer for more details.

There are a couple more events before my season is over so I might see you a few of you on the line if not have a great Christmas and the BEST New Year ever.

Don’t forget our New year 10 on 1/1/08 with an 11am start on the G10/97 Steyning course.

Take Care.