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The Annual Report 2011 This Report summarises Club activities and achievements in 2011 for reference by SWRC members and potential new members. In terms of membership, the Club is strong, vigorous and growing. It is financially sound, is involved in a wide range of activities and has 159 members, including 20 new members in 2011.
The Club has moved the venue of its clubroom from the Hook & Southborough Village Hall. From October 2011, our new home is the Oxshott Club, meeting from 8.30pm the first Tuesday of each month. All SWRC members are now also members of the Oxshott Club & you are welcome to meet there at any other time of the week for a drink and a chat. The full address is The Oxshott Club, Oakshade Road, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0LE. These are very comfortable surroundings & we look forward t seeing you there.
Things are changing in our sport & the SWRC will change to meet these challenges. The traditional training weekend ride toEastbournewas cancelled due to lack of interest by our members & as we believe this is a trend we will not organise this event in 2012 unless the membership advises the Committee of increased interest. Riders are much more self sufficient these days with the advent of the Internet & e mails. They are fully informed about forthcoming events & make their own plans accordingly. No longer do riders expect their cycling club to organise everything for them as was the case in past years.
Unfortunately the SWRC Surrey League Race scheduled for October 2011 was also cancelled due to lack ofmarshalls. The late summer ‘Tapas Tour’ trip to Majorca did not take place nor did the Club’s End of Season Party night which was a result of lack of interest from Club members in the 2010 event Turn out for time trials at Club level has been virtually non-existent & your Committee have decided that they will not organise time trials in the foreseeable future unless demand increases.
We would stress that without organisers & support personnel the events we have enjoyed in the past will not take place. This means we need help from club members not just the Committee.
The membership and the Club Committee need to think carefully how we take the club forward in 2012.
Committee Activity
Elected Committee members met 6 times in 2011 to agree club activities and respond to needs as required. The AGM is an opportunity to thank all Committee members for giving their time for the benefit of the Club at Committee meetings and for fulfilling their individual responsibilities.
Club Runs
The centre of Club activities remain our ever popular Saturday morning Club Runs. The four groups, A, B+, B- & C cater for all abilities and riding styles and attract consistently large turnouts. A more regular feature of the current year has been ‘Uppers & Downers’ 3 hours non-stop hilly rides for those on a tight time schedule.
All Road Groups continue to start at 09.30 from Cobham (or Betchworth on the first Saturday of each month). We benefit from the amazing knowledge of our Runs Leaders about the side roads and lanes ofSurrey,Sussex, Hampshire andKent, giving us access to some of the best cycle rides in theUK. Those with “the knowledge” include Trevor Lenthall, Patrick Cangley,Dave Pinder, Sabin Gaztelua, Mark Packman, John Harris,Ant Frend, Paul Foster,Tony Sayers, Dave Jordan, Gary Smith, Alan Brunsden &Bob Maylin. Thank you to all of them for the rides we have all enjoyed - and for their knowledge of the best tea stops.
New technology, in the form of Garmin satnav cycle computers is trickling down through the groups. Undoubtedly this improves the navigation on preplanned routes but at the expense of the thrill of spotting a familiar junction or village at those moments when riders suddenly have no idea where they are! The telemetry gathered can be used to while away many happy hours reliving routes via Google Earth and Google Street View.
The snow in the closing weeks of 2010 saw many riders switch to mountain bikes to avoid the treacherous roads and as in 2009 resulted in some good business for bike shops as diehard fans of the road caved in and bought mountain bikes. Throughout the remainder the year the weather has been kind to the club run with hardly any weeks without a good turnout of riders.
As ever we are on the lookout for alternative Club Run destinations to add to the variety of the lists.
Time Trials
The Club received approval from the National Governing Body for Cycling Time Trials for the Open 10 mile TT, which was held on 23rd April 2011. The weather was hot for this first open TT in many a year.Sixty riders were on the start sheet which included current male and female TT "Best All Rounder" BAR, Julian Jenkinson (Utag-Yamaha.com) & Julia Shaw (Drag to Zero). There was only a handful of non starters as they lined up at the start lay-by alongside the A31 at Bentley for the straight out and back course. It was down to the last man off, fastest on paper, Stephen Whitewick (Utag-Yamaha.com) to put down the fastest ride of the day when he passed the finish timekeeper in a time of 19:32. It was no surprise that current 10, 25, 50 & 100 mile champion Julia Shaw was fastest woman which also placed her 6th overall with a time of 21:20. Second woman was Joanna Rowsell who took a break from winning world titles on the track to record a time of 22:11.
There was a major lack of interest this year in time trials at Club level. In the 2-up, only one rider turned up. In the Interclub TT’s with the Epsom CC and the SWRC, only between 2 & 4 SWRC members showed any interest and the Epsom CC far outnumbered the SWRC at these events.
The Committee reluctantly came to the view that there was little point in trying to encourage further participation and that meant the end of Club TT’s for the SWRC in 2012. If things change and Members begin to show an interest again then the Committee will review how that can best be addressed.
Despite this general lack of interest, there have been some impressive individual performances.
Colin Parkinson rode 28 Open events. His is the performance of the year for continuing commitment to top flight competition. He was 5th in the Vets BAR and recorded three new club records over at 10 miles, 50 miles and the 12 hour event.
Fastest times of the year:
10: 20.16
25: 52.54
50: 1.47: 52
100: 3. 52: 20 BDCA
12hour: 281.63 miles
Alan Parkinson & Matt Scholes competed in the National 24hr time trial Championship, which for the first time in over a decade was down south, run on roads around Sussex over the mid summer weekend. In their first attempt at this distance, Matt complete 385 miles for 37th place, while Alan managed 369 miles and 45th place. The winner Andy Wilkinson of Port Sunlight Wheelers set a new competition record with 541miles.
Vets TT Champion – Colin Parkinson 2011 Club TT Champion – Colin Parkinson 2011 Fastest 10 - Colin Parkinson 2011 Vets TT champion – Colin Parkinson
Hill Climb Alan Parkinsonbeat three other SWRC challengers to take the SWRC Championship held as part of the Kingston Wheelers ‘John Bornhoft Memorial’ Hill Climb. The course was Leith Hill, approached fromAbinger Rd). Alan completed the 1570 yards climb in 4:45 minutes. 2011 Hill Climb Champion –Alan Parkinson Road Races Our pre-eminent racer, the reigning Percy Stallard championAndy Hicks, has had another stellar season. Choosing not to defend his title this year, he concentrated instead on the MSTina SouthEast England race series. In 11 starts he achieved a remarkable 4 wins, 4 second and 2 third places to win the series. In other events he racked up another win and 4 further podium places. More than enough to win his most prized award, the SWRC Vets Road Race trophy for 2011. Otherwise it has been a quiet year for racing, with Karl Halliday the only other participant, achieving promotion to 3rd category with two good second places in Surrey League races at Dunsfold aerodrome. 2011 Road Race Champion – not awarded. 2011 Vets Road Race Champion -Andy Hicks Track
Colin Parkinson showed the Club’s colours at the 2011 UCI Track Cycling Masters World Championships atManchesterin October. He rode the 3Km Pursuit, the 20Km Points Race and the Scratch Race. Unfortunately, Colin never made World Champion but we are all very proud to have a Club Member riding at such a prestigious event and high competitive level.
The Club has managed two visits to Newport Velodrome this year, a weekend in March and a single evening session on Saturday, October 22nd.
The weekend session was a success with good numbers, with many staying overnight in the excellent nearby Express By Holiday Inn, for the remarkable price of £58 for a twin room, including an excellent breakfast. The club continues to underwrite these track weekends, which permits us to cost it at just £10 per session for members. Kids, over 10, go free, which lends the weekend to a great dads and lads trip, and sometimes daughters.
The single Saturday session was less popular, but still a fairly high percentage of club members, with best turn out in club colours that has seen in a while, which was commented on by the coach.
The track organizer, Roger Jackaman, is prepared to continue with these sessions but looks to more support from club members. Securing and confirming dates will always cause headaches though.
Mountain Biking
Our intrepid MTB racers, Paul Facer, Raymond Hallam and Jane Geddes have again been racing both here and around Europe. The year started with them all riding the Thetford winter series where Jane placed 2nd and Paul 4th overall.
In April Ray & Jane were in Spainto ride the Ochentayocho event. They rode as a team and finished 5th overall. During May Paul returned to race the 5 day Rally di Romagna event in Italy, placing 12th in vets. During June Raymond and Jane both won their categories in the Sant Joseph Extreme which is a one day race in Ibiza. In September Paul took 12 hrs to complete the Kielder 100 (mile) in very wet conditions. Later that month, Paul rode the 3 day Douro bike race in Portugal where he placed a creditable 39th from 600 starters.
To avoid the worst of the dangerous weather, small groups of riders got together throughout the winter for off-road rides in the Surrey Hills. |
Sportives Interest in cyclosportives remains high with many top performances from club members. 2011 club champion is Richard Gordon again, with gold medal rides in both SWRC sportives, six otherUKsportives and most impressively the Marmotte. His main competition came from Paul Alderson who was first home in the Spring Onion, the Burgess Hill sportive and the Addiscombe Challenge with top 10 finishes in two other events. There was a string of other great rides, mostly gold medal, fromSimon Howard, Trevor Lenthall, Richard French, Niall Clutton, Nick Allen andMartin Koester. Special mention must go to Peter Dewis and Laurie Clark who, only recently graduated from the C group, both got silver medal times in the Marmotte. The club’s events were very well supported by members with 16 taking part in the Spring Onion and 9 in the May Flyer.
Other club members took part in the many sportives that are now available throughout the year.
All in all, a bumper year in what is currently the most popular branch of the sport. More reports and pictures can be found on the club blog at http://southwestern-swrc.blogspot.com/.
2011 Cyclosportive Champion - Richard Gordon
Audax 2011 saw unprecedented participation in audax, partly because it was a Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) 1200km Randonneur year and partly due to presidential enthusiasm. The Hon Pres has ridden at least one event a month this year and has managed to rope in other A group riders on a number of occasions. The first half of the year was therefore dedicated to completing qualifying rides for this year’s event. A SR (Super Randonneur) series of 200, 300, 400 & 600km is the pre-requisite for entry into this marathon event. This meant that in May, Paul Alderson,Alan Parkinson, Nick Allen and new SWRC member Matt Scholes rode the Audax UK’s premier event, the awesome Bryan Chapman Memorial, a 600km event aroundWales- Chepstow to Chepstow viaAnglesey!!!!!
Paul Alderson was first club man back in a sleepless 28h50m, withAlan Parkinsonand Nick Allen home in 34h45m after three hours of sleep; the Kernow and SouthWest 600km which saw such suffering that the president rolled home after 38 hours wearing a pair of ladies tights for knee support (which he has taken to sporting at regular intervals since, and not just for knee support).
The 1200 km PBP took place in August and there were 3 SWRC riders on the start line. Paul had completed it twice before, both in 70hrs, The event only held every 4 years & Paul finished in an incredible 54hours, Alan in 63h and Matt Scholes in 66h. All of them amazing rides.
Meanwhile Ann Marshall has carried the SWRC jersey far and wide, including the challenging ‘Maratona dles Dolomites’ in Italy, finishing 2nd GB rider in a competitive 40-54 age group.
She has focused on hilly Audax rides throughout the year, with a concentrated effort in September-October to achieve her goal to become the top scoring woman in the UK with 61.25 points – she won the Audax Altitude Award (Opposite Sex) and is ranked 10th overall out of almost 1100 riders.
With all the extra interest in this aspect of the sport, the SWRC has moved up from 81st place in 2010, to 19th place in the National clubs point’s competition in audax events.
2011 Ladies Cup Winner – Ann Marshall
Club Activities
As usual, the Club had a very full calendar of events in 2011 including:
Social Events
The 2011 Christmas and Trophy Presentation Lunch has been organised by Jeremy Nason.
The forthcoming lunch will be at The Parrot Inn, Forest Green, Surrey, RH5 5RZon Sunday, 11th December. The traditional walk, will leave the hotel car park at 10.00, returning in good time to freshen up for lunch, which will be at 2 pm. We encourage those on the walk to bring a hot drink and maybe mince pies, for elevenses.
The menu choices are in a recent club e-mail and on the website. Cost £20 per person which is subsidised by the SWRC, & all are welcome.
“Bottom Gear” – the voice of the SWRC
This year we have issued three editions of “Bottom Gear” which continues to be a compendium of cycling stories, tips and news where all members have the chance to contribute their thoughts and experiences. What is particularly pleasing is that club members of all ages and abilities contribute their stories.
Electronic copies of the magazine are available on the Club website, where you can now also read copies dating back to 1945 (http://www.swrc.org.uk/bottom_gear.html). The latest editions may be seen on the website in full colour.
Press Coverage
SWRC had another successful year and “South Western Road Club” appeared in various local newspapers during 2011 relating to sportive and road racing events. Andy Hicks, our Press Secretary in 2011, points out that these newspapers are particularly interested in reporting the achievements of SWRC members living in their specific area of newspaper distribution, especially if accompanied by good quality jpg pictures relevant to the event.
Club Kit
Dudley Samuels managed the club kit during 2011. We are currently using Kalas clothing which is extremely well made. Club kit is subsidised by the Club who pays the VAT.
The Committee has agreed that new summer kit to the value of over £2000 should be ordered. This has recently arrived & will be available to purchase at the AGM on 8th December.
Other 2011 Activities
In addition to the activities noted already, your SWRC Committee has overseen the following:
Donations The Club donated £250 to the Dave Rayner Fund for young racing cyclists & and £60 to the Betchworth Hall whose Car Park is used when departing from Betchworth. A further £250 was donated to the Surrey Air Ambulance.
Sponsorship
The Club’s May Flyer sportive was used to sponsor the Full Circle Fund which provides an award-winning Supportive Therapy Programme for premature babies, children and adults with life-threatening illnesses atSt George'sHospital. Club member and former cyclo-cross regional champion Alan Brunsden was instrumental in this choice because, as a leukaemia patient, he benefited from the hospital’s and the Fund’s services.
Rider donations and Club sponsorship enabled the former Club President, Geoff Redhead, to hand over a cheque for £2,500.
Financial Position
The SWRC remains financially strong, with a healthy margin of assets over liabilities which enables it to offer subsidised clothing to members, make charitable donations, and promote cycling events. Many thanks to our TreasurerTed Collinsand to Niall Clutton for auditing the accounts.
Club Subs Membership Subscription for 2012 remains at £25 individual and £30 for family membership. As always cheques or confirmation of electronic bank transfers should be sent to Ted, his address as in the Club Handbook.
Club Affiliations 2011
British Cycling, CTT, Surrey League, WLCA (West LondonCA), Southern Counties Cycling Union & London Women’s Cycle Racing Association
Plans for 2012
Expect a similar set of activities in 2012 to those held in 2011, but specifically:
Remember that each member of the Club should commit to helping out in AT LEAST ONE Club event in 2012. Please put the dates in your diaries now and contact the organisers to volunteer your services.
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