This year has been a year of saying goodbye to people. Firstly, in March George Powney died: at the age of 84 it was not a surprise, particularly as he gave us a scare at the Phoenix Dinner by getting lost on his way there with Glad; and then in September John Ibbotson dropped dead at the age of 30. George was one of the few remaining links with the club pre-war and over the years held a number of posts within the club, culminating in a spell as timekeeper until Den Rosendale took over in the early 1980s. John was a member of the Festival RC, but joined us second claim in 1992 in order to ride our Club Events. It was clear from the beginning that this carrot-topped bean-stick was good on a bike and we watched as he progressed to a minor pro career in Belgium before deciding that the seedier side of the sport he loved was not for him. He was just at the beginning of a new career as a trainer for cyclists and triathletes alike. He always tried to put something back into the sport and his Fit-For team was just taking off, attracting experienced athletes and beginners and looking as though he would benefit the cycling world tremendously. Two other cyclists who died this year were known by many of our members: Ron Beckett of the Bec CC died after a hectic and successful day at Herne Hill on Good Friday, and then shortly afterwards Ken Atkins of the Central Sussex CC died whilst out on his bike (natural causes rather than an accident). And finally the London South District has said goodbye to Chris Watts who is now enjoying a well-earned retirement after many years as District Secretary.
Last year I started the report with the news of Chris’s retirement and that no one had come forward as a replacement Secretary. Fortunately, at the last minute, Brian Dalton of the Norwood Paragon stepped forward and took over the job so the threatened suspension of the District did not happen. He has stood again this year, but as he now has a new job, might not remain in the job for more than a couple of years - already we need to consider who could take over after Brian.
I stood on the District committee last year because I passionately believed that the way forward for Time Trialling is to make use of the internet, and it seemed that the only way I would get the O.K. for a website for the London South District was to join the committee myself to push it. We now have a fledgling website for the District, but I have found it time consuming work to build it up and to try to keep our own club website up to date. The latest idea is for a weblog or “Blog”. I can update it from anywhere that I can connect to the internet, and all members can sign up for a blogging account and accept an invitation from me which will then allow them to post to the blog themselves. Hopefully then all the “internet-savvy” members can post their results to the blog each weekend and also let each other know what they are planning to enter. Almost all of the members who are active, particularly those who do not get to the clubroom each week, do follow things on the website - and all our new members in recent years have come to the club via email/internet contact. http://www.kprc.org.uk is the club website address, and there is a link to the blog from there. If anyone would like to write articles for the web then I’d be delighted to receive something.
The membership is slightly down on last year: with the loss of George P to Old Father Time; Lisa Mercer left to join the Twickenham CC; Jackie & Ben Morgan-Smith were effectively poached by the Addiscombe CC because Jackie was asked to ride for their Ladies team in Women’s Team Series events and advised that she could ride for them AND us. This was further confused by the way British Cycling allow riders to have two clubs named on their licences. Jackie thought that this meant that she could ride for both clubs, sadly this is not allowed by the rules. I pored over the rule book, and all I could see was to advise Jackie to move to the Addiscombe as a First claim member - before she raced again in the name of the Kingston Phoenix which would then have put her in breach of the rules. I have since tried to clarify this with British Cycling who have been of little or no help in the matter and with the Women’s Team Series, who indicated that Jackie was riding for a composite team, and have rephrased their rules slightly for 2006 to make this a bit clearer. I am saddened that Jackie was not allowed to choose to ride for the Addiscombe and very frustrated that British Cycling couldn’t care less about the little clubs and whether their rules are understood by the members or even themselves. Ian Burt has officially resigned as a KPRC member because he wishes to remove any possible urge to race in the future.
On the plus side, we have this year welcomed to the club Florence Hallett , an enthusiastic addition to the “Ladies Racing Team” and brothers Andy and Paul Day who seemed to enjoy their step up from complete novice status. Sadly I believe that Andy will be working abroad next year, so we won’t be seeing him for a while. However their father Ken , a past member of Grant’s old Club, the Sorian CC , has now also joined for next year although I’m not sure if this indicates a desire to return to competition.
We have also had a blatant attempt at poaching our ladies from one of the sponsored teams this year - I suppose we should be flattered really - except they were using the underhand tactic of telling each of the ladies that the others had already agreed to join their new ladies team. Nobody contacted me though - are they trying to tell me something?!
The ladies have had a good year this year, I think that five qualifiers for the Ladies Championship must be a record, and the same five rode the National Championship 100 in July with four of us setting and then breaking the Womens 100 Team Record - it’s only taken 69 years to get 3 Phoenix ladies to finish the same 100 and then we managed 5! Once again our Club Champion is Ann Bath and having ridden a 12 hour for the first time in 10 years I am the runner-up. Once again none of the males in the club braved a 12 hour, but perhaps that will be different in 2006 as it is the 70th anniversary year and we will be offering a special award to all members who complete the Championship distances.
The first batch of the new design for the club kit has arrived. The changes are only small and will not totally outdate the existing clothing, but it does look rather smart. A pattern has been registered for pretty well everything this time: shorts, longs, long sleeves, mitts, socks, overshoes. There is still time to get your order in to Simon, but don’t delay. The biggest hassle is that an order for less than 6 items costs 20% more per item than an order for 12 items.
Joe has told me that he will be stepping down from the committee at the AGM. His shift pattern means even more early Saturday mornings, which don’t mix well with a committee meeting the previous evening. So we will be looking for a replacement for Joe on the committee at the AGM. Also, following the death of George Powney , we require a replacement auditor. Jen stepped into the breach at the request of the committee to assist Ray in auditing the 2004/2005 accounts, but we need to officially appoint someone new at the AGM.
We again enjoyed a trip to Majorca in April, and Jake has already booked for 2006 this time going with a group organised by Gary Smith of Evans Cycles.
Jake has also been the driving force behind our new Saturday morning club rides, which have been christened the “Winter Warmers”. Leaving from the car park at Horton Country Park, where there is parking for anyone needing to drive to the start, and toilets if required, at 10am. They have been attracting quite large numbers for a regular ride to Ripley at a brisk pace, with off-road or slower rides as required.
Once again the Dinner and Prize Presentation is to be held at the Hotel Antoinette, Kingston. The date will be February 25th 2006 - as usual, the last Saturday in Feb. Enquiries to Jake Dodd .
We are also planning a Sunday afternoon buffet for November 19th 2006 to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Phoenix. All members are invited as are any and all past members who would like to come along. More information closer to the date, but put it in your diaries now. If you are in contact with any past members who would like to come then please let me know, as we need updated contact info in order to contact past members and invite them.
Once again best wishes for a Safe & Speedy 2006
Lisa Colombo: December 2005
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