Ross-on-Wye and District Cycling Club: January 2013

The Haul

With the new season getting closer, Ross & District Cycling Club finished last years proceedings with their annual Awards ceremony to celebrate everyone who took part in last years events; winners and losers.

Bill checking no ones watching before trying to sneak off with a trophy

A fine meal started the evening at the Wilton Court before Club Chairman Mark Lavington welcomed guest of honour for the evening Dennis Beard who took the stage for a few words.

Tony, always ready for that quick shot

Dennis is the oldest competing member currently riding in major open events. Known affectionately as The Silver Fox, his 80 years have shamed many younger people over the last few years. Dennis was the fourth counter in the Welsh Championship 12 hour race last year with a distance of 178 miles. What was remarkable, Dennis was 70 before he did his first one.

Adams driving, hard to sit there when everyone else is enjoying a lemonade

Destroyer trying wine for a change

Tom 2 club dinners in a weekend Knight

Sammie thinks its my turn to get the sherberts in

Once the all the preliminaries were done, race secretary Paul Stephens took over to award everyone a certificate of their achievements throughout the 2012 campaign. Never in memory have so many different people won so many cups .

Bob the Boats shocked to be told it's his round

First big winner of the evening was Will Bevan. Will was the person to beat last season, he won the The Don Woodman memorial 25 mile trophy for fastest Ross rider, the 25 cup, The Mountain 25 cup, The Hill climb cup (he was only seconds off the record), The Kilometre Sprint and the Abergavenny & Back trophy. He failed to qualify for club best all rounder due to the fact he did not ride a 50 mile event. He did however manage to break one course record for the Old Gore 10.

The Chappes & Aireys posed as soon as the camera turned up

Richard Harrington won the Blue group in the 753 competition in his first season. The 753 is a little like the football league tables. Nigel Skyrme won the Green group, with Paul Stephens the yellow. Jon Airey won the Handicap 10 cup, somehow finding an extra 45 seconds to clinch it.

Young Matthew Fallon won the juvenile Best All Rounder. During his season, he won outright the Long Hill Climb, and was 3rd overall and 2nd in Team Ross in the Vintage Tankard, taking some very fast scalps along the way. He should be one to watch this season.

The battle for the top titles was as close as its ever been. Paul Stephens finished just behind the top 2, we’re talking seconds, but ended up winning the prestigious Riders’ Rider cup, as voted by the members of the club, which he found a real honour, and left him speechless for about 5 seconds..

Graham Carter won the veterans Best All Rounder, a competition taking in the riders’ best performances at 10, 25, and 50 miles. Vets are 40 plus in age, with a set standard for an expected time to do for a given distance. Graham ended up with a plus of 25 minutes 56 second quicker than the standard for his age. Graham also won the 50 cup, Matthews Cup (first Ross Vet in Ross Open 25) with an average speed of 24.854 MPH

Paul Fallon was the overall Senior Best All Rounder beating Graham by .013 MPH. Along the way Paul won 10 events, ending up with The Jack Morgan 10 tankard, 100 miles cup and the Red category of the 753.

Julie Suff won the ladies Best All Rounder, in the process setting a new club ladies record for the distance.

Bill Reay won the Hall Trophy for his contributions to club life during the season. The trophy no one wants to win, The Entertainment Trophy, went to Mark Herriot who was unfortunately not there to receive it for his antics choosing to walk across the slippery bridge next to the ford near Eastnor, only to slip off landing in the water.

All are now fired up for the new season, for the fresh challenges and battles to come.

Graham Carter (The Destroyer)ran out of hands Vets BAR Winner

Paul Fallon Senior Bar Winner, also struggling with the quantity of silverware

Man with bad back receives The Riders Rider award

Bill receives the Hall Trophy for his efforts over the 2012 campaign


The winners 2012 left to right- Jon Airey, Richard Harrington, Dennis Beard,Nigel Skyrme, Paul Stepehens, Paul Fallon, Matt Fallon, Graham Carter,Will Bevan.