Club Prize Dinner and award Evening

What can I say about this year’s event?

Taff did a really good job of organising this year’s event at the Wilton Court Hotel. The hotel put on a really good spread for the 54 odd people who turned up with exceptional service.

Our Guests of honour were unable to attend, which left us with the decision of who to replace them with. One quick phone call later had Matt Heaman of the Forest cycling club secured.


Once the splendid meal was over, Taff said his words (thinking about it, he said his words several times), introducing Matt. One got the impression Matt was delighted to have been chosen for the job as he was like a dog with 10 tails….

Matt recalled some of his experiences of the Ross club over the years he’s known us, before trying to explain how and what Ross time is to everyone. We now know that it could soon be an international standard around the world.

Then the nitty gritty of the evening started, with Matt and myself doing a double act presenting the certificates and trophies.

Wobbly Bob got the mention I promised after forgetting him last year. The proudest person to pick anything up was Matthew Fallon's mum, who picked up his certificate on his behalf.

Bill Reay picked up the trophy for winning the blue category in the 753 competitions.

Wayne Mason won the green category trophy in the 753 competitions

Will Bevan took the Yellow 753 trophy and the handicap cup

Jerry Roberts took his usual Hill Climb trophy & the Cross Ash Mountain 25 cup. I suspect he may have a little more competition next time though.

Colleen Mullarkey won the Ladies Best all rounder. Charlie Bowden won the Junior Best all rounder. The main Pot chasing champion was Alan Cook

He won –753 Red Category
Senior Best all rounder
Vets Best all rounder
Don Woodman 25 Cup
Jack Morgan 10 Cup
The Abergavenny & Back Cup
25 cup
50 cup
100 cup
Matthews cup for fastest vet on standard in a 25.

New for this year was the Riders' Rider Cup, as voted by the whole club. This years winner was Cookie well done fella

The Hall cup was won by Derek Hill for his contribution to club life.

The final award was the entertainment award. Cookie came so close to winning this one as well, but Dave Harwood just sneaked in the win having lost his bottle in the Aber & back, then letting everyone know about it for the next 4 months. I’m willing to bet he mentions it again before the 1st anniversary of losing it.

Is it a fish story or meditation?

If the wind changes direction your face will stay like that!

Bill resting his eyes during Matt's speech

The sign of a good evening!

Last of all a big thank you to

Revolutions in Ross

Climb-on- Bikes in Hereford

Echelon Cycles in Pershore

for their kind donations to this years Raffle

Betws y coed on Fri 9th and Sat 10th of April

Mark has just put the deposit down for a trip up to betws y coed on Fri 9th and Sat 10th of April (last weekend of Easter Hols). He has booked only 20 places at present. What he needs now is names with £42 of everyone’s hard earned to secure your place.

This is a different location to usual, and part of that £42 note will cover breakfast in bed each morning (I might be lying about the location of breakfast). For lazy gits like me, that sounds Good, real good!

For the roadies out there, you are not excluded. The bunkhouse has secure area for bikes, with plenty of terrain suitable as training for the coming season. So don't feel excluded!

More info contact myself or Mark

Get in early to avoid disappointment

Boxing Day 10

Good conditions greeted the enthralled masses at the meeting point before the traditional Boxing Day 10. Due to a landslide on the course, a change of start and finishing point was needed. Kerne Bridge was used for this purpose, which meant the length of the course was reduced to a mere 6.9 miles. Even reduced, it still felt hard, as there was a light breeze on the return leg, with large amounts of cold air just to hurt the system even more.

We had a few riders from around the district, even one from as far afield as Japan. We obviously have an international appeal! Fastest rider of the day this year was not a Ross rider.

Ian Rivers from Hereford came along on his best TT machine to set the pace this year. Even with the roads clear Ian was having trouble getting the power down, reporting he was having traction problems. Colin took second spot on his winter hack giving an impressive sprint over the line at the finish. Talking of a Parry, I hope Papa Parry’s problem heals up soon……

Our international rider Keith managed to get into the top 3. When I was e-mailing him I did suggest he would not like our cold winter roads, to which he replied they had cold winter roads over in Japan complete with snow on them, so it would be a home from home. Another Hereford rider came next, again on TT bike. In fairness at the finish Dave did look like he had tried, blowing like a good un at the at the assembled group of spectators.

Another fast finisher over the line was Gordon from Gloucester, in his 3rd go at the Boxing Day 10. Every year he has just pipped me. This year was no exception. With the pre race hype (had been going on for a few weeks) the battle between Will and myself was going to be close (whilst the cat was away, we knew there was going to be a different winner). All season there was a bit of nip and tuck, with Will just coming out on top. I have to thank Will for the loan of his Turbo after my accident, which did the trick of knocking him into second Ross rider. I rode my old Giant with drop bars, which felt good uphill but not very aero dynamic on the flat. Will on the other hand did use his winter hack with mudguards.

James had made up his mind he wanted to get inside the 20-minute bracket, just failing, leaving him slightly disappointed. Personally I think it was one of James’ best rides. We need to follow it up in the new season, maybe even investing in a new TT bike, failing that a set of tri bars.

Clive the Animal had let his fitness drop off slightly, but I’m sure he will be pushing James in the new year, whilst looking over his shoulder for the ever improving Fletch, who has a lot of potential for spoiling everyone’s parties next year if he works on his speed. New man Neil put in an excellent time for a first go at time trailing. His mountain biking background helped, and I’m sure were going to see more of him. Alistair did his first Boxing Day 10, finding his lack of fitness became a bit of a lung buster. More winter work required as I think his result in the new season will improve greatly. At the post race de-brief, I’m afraid yours truly got the accolade of rider of the day.

Thanks this year to Julie for time keeping, Paul Fallon for launch control, and at the turn including signing Steve Millard & brother in law with John & Audrey backing them up.

Don’t forget the Ross and District Cycle Club Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony taking place at the prestigious Wilton Court Hotel, on Saturday the 30th of January 2010. Get your order off to Taff A.S.A.P. Information and menu on the link off the web page.

Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Ross and District Cycle Club Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony
I am very pleased to bring you the menu choices for the Annual Dinner, taking place at the prestigious Wilton court Hotel, on Saturday the 30th of January 2010.

Places can be booked by sending a cheque payable to Wilton Court Hotel, for the full amount, to:

Mark Lavington
22 North Road
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 5LZ

Please do not send cash …. and don’t make the cheque out to me!

Please list the full names and menu choices of all on the back of the cheque.

Here’s looking forward to a great evening on the 30th.

Regards

Taff

The Menu

£20.00 per head

Chicken liver parfait with a red onion chutney and walnut bread


Homemade leek and potato soup


Smoked salmon with pickled beetroot and a horseradish dressing


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Braised blade of beef with horseradish pomme puree and caramelised carrots with braising liquor

Slow cooked pork belly with fondant potato, Savoy cabbage, apple puree and a cider sauce

Lemon and herb crusted fillet of Pollack with celeriac and potato Boulanger with a watercress veloute

All served with a selection of braised red cabbage, cauliflower cheese and carrot and purple sprouting

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Brioche bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream and crème Anglaise

Sticky toffee pudding with toffee ice cream and a caramel sauce

Dark chocolate tart with a dark chocolate sorbet

Selection of local and continental cheeses accompanied by grape

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Freshly brewed coffee and mints

The Veggie option is now Here

Good afternoon all.

And in particular good afternoon to any of our vegetarian contingent.

Fear not - you have not been excluded.

Wilton Court have added a Veggie main course of Butternut squash roulade ricotta and spinach with tomato suce.

Apologies for the initial ommission.

To keep the menu cost to £20/head we have agreed to stick to a limited and set menu and to order in advance.

Please note down your menu choices for me when paying.

I will pick up any special dietary requirements in the New Year once this Christmas maddness is out of the way.

Cheers for now.

Happy Christmas.

Taff

(aka Mark .. or the Chairman .. )

a blast from the past

Four winners in one year!

Too many beers?

The Hill Climb Champion resting

The Vice Sec has spoken about The Holly Run

HOLLY RUN
Sunday 13th December 2009

Start: 10am from Ross

Lunch: from noon at the Neville Arms Abbeydore

Cost: 3-Course Carvery £9.95
Children’s Menu about £5
Vegetarian Option available

Thank you, James, Will, Tim, Ryan, Wayne & Paul F. for letting me know already.

Everyone else, please let me know by the 10th.

Phone: 01452 830633
E-mail: bill.reay@btinternet.com

Words from the Secretary

Reliabilty Rides

Hi Chaps,

I attach some flyers with details of V C Sevale Reliabilty Rides on 10th January 2010. I'd be grateful if you would post the details on your web sites/let your fellow riders know/add to dates in your diary. The more the merrier :-)

Many Thanks
Eric Gorton
VC Sevale (Malvern)




Choice of 2 routes – Circuit of Bredon Hill, 52 miles
Tewkesbury Circuit, 35 miles

HQ - Barnards Green Cricket Club
North End Lane
Malvern


Sunday 10th January 2010

Sign on from 09:00
First Group Departs 09:30

Timed Rides with Certificate for Finishers

Further Details from EK Gorton 01684 568015 or ekgorton@tiscali.co.uk