Veteran Leaguer - LVRC

LEAGUE OF VETERAN RACING CYCLISTS
The
Veteran Leaguer
The official newsletter of the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists
Volume 13 No 04 Winter 2004
Inside
Editorial 2
Amendments, announcements
& corrections 3
Reports of National Officers 4
Annual General Meeting 5
Chairman’s Report 2004 6
Point of View: Tom McCall 6
International News 6
Regional News 7
John Flear Interview 8
Race results 10, 11
Picture Pages 12 – 13
Percy Stallard Series 14 – 15
How to cook pasta 16
Pedal Power: ABCC Conference 18
Letters 19
Reviews 20 – 21
Regional Officers 23
Coaching Page:
15 – 30 Ultra-short intervals 24
AGM: read all about it!

LEAGUE OF VETERAN RACING CYCLISTS
The Veteran Leaguer is the
official Newsletter of the
League of Veteran Racing
Cyclists
Newsletter Editor
Ray Minovi,
45 Augusta Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AE
Tel/fax: 0121-449-1347
email: raminminovi@cnews.freeserve.co.uk
Executive Committee
Chairman
Peter Ryalls, 11 Devonshire Close, Dronfield,
Sheffield S18 1QY 01246-413515
Secretary
Peter Wilson 52 Knoll Drive, Southgate,
London, N14 5NE. 0208-368-0698
Treasurer:
John Flear, 14a Water Lane, North Hykeham,
Lincs LN6 9QT 01522-687738
Newsletter Editor & Coaching Secretary
Ray Minovi, 45 Augusta Road, Moseley,
Birmingham B13 8AE Tel/fax: 0121-449-1347
email:raminminovi@cnews.freeserve.co.uk
Registrar
Colin Dooley, 62 Gillhurst Road, Harborne,
BirminghamB17 8PB 0121-427-2149
Stock Controller
Jean Flear, 14a Water Lane, North Hykeham,
Lincs LN6 9QT 01522-687738
Event Co-ordinator
Colin Willetts, 201 Mildenhall Road, Great Barr,
Birmingham B42 2PE 0121-358-6768
Results Co-ordinator
Tom McCall, 1 Norfolk Road, Thornton Heath,
London CR7 8ND 0208-7680081
Plus one representative from each region
LVRC Website: www.lvrc.org
Webmaster: roy@roygardiner.com
You can see The Veteran Leaguer
on the website in full colour
We welcome all contributions from
anyone – letters, comments, results,
articles, reports, pictures, even
abuse as long as it’s in the best
possible taste. We’d rather have
your stuff handwritten than not at
all, but if you can type it or supply it
on computer disk we’re even happier.
Word, .rtf, or ASCII are all fine.
Deadline for next issue: 25 March
If this issue of the Veteran Leaguer looks a bit unbalanced it’s because of
the Percy Stallard results which should have appeared in the last issue are,
instead, in this one. The AGM annual reports of officers take up another
three pages. This means that some material has had to be held over until
the next issue. One of the casualties is the detailed consolidation of the
League’s accounts which will appear then.
This is in fact the fourth of your 2004 Veteran Leaguers; the third was
held back at the request of the Executive Committee to ensure that all
members would get notice of the AGM and Agenda in good time, so
everything’s running late. Everyone should have received theirs by Christmas
– it was delivered to regional distributors on 13 th December, and was
in the hands of members in some regions by 16 th .
We’re all grateful to our regional distributors – but would you please
check what your local post-office charges (costs can vary) for a copy of the
Veteran Leaguer in a labelled manila envelope. At the time of writing
(January 2005) a single copy of the VL in a lightweight manila envelope
costs 35p at my post office. But if you’re using heavyweight envelopes, then
adding two A4 pages of your local news to your Veteran Leaguer raises the
cost in a single bound from 35p to 47p.
Remember: just because it says ‘first class’ and ‘second class’ on stamps
doesn’t mean that anything, of any weight, will go at that rate. ‘Second
class’ is 21p, ‘first class’ is 29p. They’re only valid for mail up to that
weight.
A big thank-you to all contributors, especially to all the photographers:
Steve Bennett, Sam Bills, Ruth Brown, Ken Haddon, Steve Haines, Jerrard
Lockett, Peter Northing, Peter Hitchen, Heather Sims, Mike Smart,
Self-help: last year a note from a member diagnosed with epilepsy
produced at least one response from another member with the same
problem, offering advice and encouragement. Last issue’s request for
advice/help produced a letter from former British sprint champion Dave
Handley. I’m impressed at the way vets will put themselves out to help
others. The medals and trophies, and the wins painted on the side of your
car are all well and good, but this is more like what we’re really about.
We’re very happy to be a postbox, staging post (or whatever metaphor
takes your fancy) for this kind of thing.
Here’s wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a successful season.
Deadlines and intended publication dates of future issues
Issue Deadline Publication
1/2005 25 March 25 April 2005
2/2005 10 June 1 July 2005
3/2005 10 September 1 October 2005
4/2005 20 December 15 Jan 2004
Cover Pictures
The key break in the Tour of the Abberleys CDEF Race. Left to right: Trevor Horton,
Pete Halliwell, Gordon Smith, Phil Bayton. Photo: Steve Haines
Small picture: Region 9 stalwarts Roly Crayford (left) and Brian Dacey, six medals
including 3 golds between them at the World Track Masters in Manchester.
Page 2 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

Additions, Announcements, Amendments
Glendene Road Race
3 July 2005
This Region 9 race was
accidentally omitted from
the Handbook.
Starts 09.30hrs
Nearest Town: Great
Bardfield. Distance: 48
miles (all Cats) Groups
dependent on entries.
Organiser: Tony Woodcock
14 Littlebury Court,
Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood,
Essex CM15 0XQ
Track Training at
Manchester Velodrome
Saturday 12 March, 3 pm – 6 pm
These sessions are suitable for all
levels of ability including absolute
beginners.
Entry fee: £6 per event. Please
use a standard entry form and
enclose a stamped addressed
envelope. Multiple dates on one
form are acceptable.
Bike hire: please specify size
required and pay on the day.
Entries to Dave Watson, 207
Manchester Road, Greenfield,
Oldham OL3 7HX.
AGM
2005
is on 27th November 2005 in
the Village Hall, Newton
Regis, Staffs. Meeting begins
at 1 p.m.
Objective of the LVRC
The provision of a programme
of competitive and
social cycling events for
male and female members
of 40 years of age and over
Additional event
Sunday 10th July Region
2
Scotch Corner Road Race.
Undulating course. Starts 11 a.m.
ABC, 56 m; DEFG, 45m.
Paul Stubbs, 79 Dean Park,
Ferryhill, Co Durham DL17
8HS Tel: 01740-653147
Milbury’s Road Race, 12
June: change of address
Paul Ruta has moved house and
now lives at 14 Scotter Square
Bishopstoke Eastleigh Hampshire
S050 6NW, tel: 02380 615405.
Other details as in Handbook. Paul
is also Event Coordinator for Region
10: see page 23.
CANCELLED
The Nene Valley Road Race
scheduled for 5th March is
cancelled.
Mid-Devon RR, 5th June:
change of time
This event will now start at 11 a.m.,
not as in Handbook. All other details
remain the same.
Tourist board numbers: Exeter
01392-265700; Newton Abbot
01626-832047; Dawlish 01626-
215665; Teignmouth 01626-215666.
Regional address labels
Regional registrars can save themselves
a lot of donkey work by ordering sets
of computer-printed labels from Colin
Dooley, telephone 0121-427-2149. A
set will cost you betweent £1 – £2.
SPAIN
Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca
www.bikenbed.co.uk
Welwyn Track League
CORRECTION
Some of the dates shown in the
Handbook for these events are
incorrect. There is no meet on 18
May, 8 June, or 22 June. Please
note correct dates in box below. All
other details as in Handbook.
Track league
meetings 2005
Welwyn Gosling Sports
Park Welwyn Garden City
May 4th &19th
June 1st,15th & 29th
Start time 18.30
Pete Wilson: 0208-368-0698
Eastway Crits, 10th April
ADDRESS CORRECTION
Please note that Roger Friend’s
address is 49 Knole Road,
Dartford, and not as in Handbook.
Other details correct.
Wingfield bicycle
James Cruttenden of East Sussex is researching
the life of an ancestor, William
Wingfield, who ran the Rainbow Engineering
Works in St Leonards, Hastings
from 1880 to 1900, producing a bicycle
called the Wingfield. If anyone can help
with any information please contact him
at 5 Higham Gardens, Guesthing Green,
Near Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4HR.
Self-cater or B+B base for
training and touring. Guided
riding and pre-planned
routes. Inclusive of airport
transfers. Vehicle-supported long
and short distance tours.
Trips to Spanish cyclosportives.
See the website for details,
or telephone Terry Kerr:
0034 965 780 132
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 3

Reports of national officers for 2004
Treasurer
The report covers the 15 month period from
August 2003 to 31 October 2004. Finances
remain relatively healthy when compared
with last year. The credit balance of £30559
comprises £17346 in national funds, £13213
in regional accounts. Funds currently available
would normally be sufficient for immediate
needs if the status quo were maintained.
Membership remains steady at approx
2000. For example, receipts by Nat. Treasurer
for the period were: 270 late for 2003
(Reg.8 ) + 1899 for 2004 + a further 17 late
for 2004 (Reg 8) since closure of accounts.
The cost of publications compares favourably
with previous years as do Executive
Committee costs. Insurance costs rose from
£3969 for 2003 to £4676 in 2004. Accountancy
charges rose from £1336 to £1498.
As National Treasurer I fully endorse the
remarks made by Peter Ryalls regarding corporate
status and the responsibilities owed
by event organisers and regional officers. (see
Veteran Leaguer, Autumn 2004, Page 4.) We
have a legal liability to produce accurate
returns such as event balance sheets and
regional accounts, properly audited. An inordinate
amount of time is spent in dealing
with those organisers and regions which fail
to comply.
The ‘official’ balance sheet will be circulated
to all regions and will be available on
request to any LVRC member.
Executive Committee Statement 2004
INCOME of £20719 and EXPENSES of
£18903 giving a surplus on operations of
£1816. Cash readily available to Executive
is £17346 and was £15529 in 2003.
LVRC Limited Statement 2004
For LVRC as a whole, INCOME was £49851
and EXPENSES £46129, giving a surplus on
operations of £3722.
Current Cash assets for the club as a whole
are:
Executive Committee. £17346
Regions 1 to 10 inclusive. £13213
Total £30559
J.R.Flear, Treasurer. 20 January 2005
Editor
It has been a good year for the Leaguer, in
particular as regards photographs. As members
will have seen, they have improved in
both quantity and quality. Around a dozen
people have been sending in prints or digital
images by e-mail or on CD throughout the
year, all of excellent quality, and covering
events from Kent to Yorkshire. Thanks to everyone,
and please keep them coming.
At present costs remain stable and we have
been able to stay within our budget of £6000
(net) for four issues and the Handbook; but
the League should remember that they can
rise at any time. Combined cost of production
and carriage to regions works out at
about 57 pence per copy (£1324 approx per
issue, Handbook £900). Postage at 38p puts
it up to 95 pence per member, or £3.80 per
year, but some regions deliver at least partly
by hand. Delivery to regional distributors by
EzeHaul continues to be excellent.
Please remember that we can only publish
the material that’s sent in, and that the
Editor’s time is limited and better spent on
producing a publication that is attractive to
as many members as possible rather than
chasing people for copy. We welcome requests
from members for additional kinds of
material, or comments on what we publish.
If members experience difficulties with distribution
they should talk to their regional
distributors, who should note that, at present,
postage on the VL is 35p, more if you include
local material.
The present Editor is willing to carry on
for another year, but is equally willing to
stand down if anyone else wishes to take
over. However, the LVRC must bear in mind
that none of its officers can go on for ever,
and it would be wise to look for a potential
replacement. Ray Minovi, Dec 2004
Results Co-ordinator
2001 has been an unbalanced year in respect
of race results appearing in publication.
Due to the phasing of the Veteran
Leaguer, many of the season’s race results will
appear in the issues due for release in December
and January. All results that have
been sent in will be featured in either of these
two issues. Most results are sent in to me for
inclusion in the Leaguer, but not all of them.
Percy Stallard Series. 230 riders gained
points by coming in the first 10, with many
more entered. Efforts will be made next season
to consolidate the series to avoid overlaps
with other important events.
Over the past year, we have had reasonable
coverage of our results in Cycling Weekly’s
tabulated sections, which I would call
‘just on the right side of acceptable’. When,
over a period of time, very few LVRC race
results appeared, I would chase up both
Snowdon Sports and Cycling Weekly and a
backlog of results would then appear. Snowdon
Sports have always guaranteed that all
LVRC results received will always be featured
at least in the tabulated columns, and I have
to take their word for that, as I can’t know
who has sent a result in, and who hasn’t.
Sometimes, they say, the space allocated for
race results is cut down by the Editorial of
Cycling Weekly to make room for features.
We have had some reporting in the earlier
pages of Cycling Weekly, but not much, and
we only rarely get a race report printed along
with a result. Additionally, our International
achievements have been largely overlooked.
My message to members is: Please send
in race results – both to me for the Leaguer,
and to Snowdon Sports for Cycling Weekly.
Please also send me any International results
achieved – I don’t see any of these at all,
and I will do my best to keep up the pressure
to get these into Cycling Weekly.
Tom McCall
International Racing Secretary
Once again LVRC members have had a very
good year on the continent. Congratulations
to Tony Woodcock for his solo victory at St
Johan. Tony has been knocking on the door
for several years and this was just reward.
Many members made the trip to Holland and
hopefully the same will apply when the 2005
Championships are held in Ostende. I have
asked on many occasions for riders to let me
have full details of their performances but
few seldom do.
In Holland Tony Woodcock and Phil Axe
were both 4th in the ICF Champs, with Phil
Bayton 12th and Barrie Mitchell 13th. In
Belgium both Mick Ives and Phil Axe gained
outright victories in 2 events each, Ives’s 2nd
victory incorporated the WAOD World
Champs for 65+, and Ken Haddon, Jack
Watson and Pete Ryalls were also well
placed. Jack Watson won several cat wins in
Belgium also. In January I had the pleasure
of winning the UCI World Masters Cyclo
Cross Championships for the 3rd time at
Mol in Belgium.
I now have full details of the UCI World
Road and TT Champs in Austria and will forward
these to the Editor. I received my latest
edition in the first week of Jan 2005.
It was agreed at the latest Ex Committee
meeting that the 2005 domestic race programme
would give consideration to major
events abroad, such as Championships. I
have to register my disgust to find that the
LVRC National Road Champs, clashes with
the UCI World Road and TT Champs and
the World Cup, preventing riders riding both
(There is in fact no clash – details on page
6. Ed.), i.e. if Tony Woodcock wishes to retain
his World Championship in 2005, then
he will have to miss the British Championships,
this seems crazy to me.
Mick Ives
It isn’t me!
Your Veteran Leaguer is posted
to you by your regional distributor.
If you have a problem,
please contact him. His
name is in the Handbook and
in this issue, page 23.
The Editor has
nothing to do with
distribution
Page 4 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

Despite spiralling insurance costs, subscriptions
increase will be steady rather than drastic
AGM
Last year’s increase of £2 has stemmed the tide of losses, leaving the
League with a surplus on operations. But despite the fact that we have
never made a claim, insurance costs continue to rise, and it was clear
that a further rise would be necessary to allow for such a contingency
during next year. The Executive Committee proposed asking the meeting
for a free hand to raise subscriptions when insurance costs become known,
but the meeting preferred to vote for a £2 increase at once. A proposal to
go straight to £15 was rejected as too steep, and the LVRC’s subscription
remains well below that of any other UK cycling organisation.
Minutes of LVRC AGM
Newton Regis 23rd January 2005
Main Points
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Annual Subscription goes
up to £12
12
No more tri-bars even in
time-trials
£1000 000 to David Rayner
Fund
und
Barrie Mitchell replaces
Colin Willetts as Events
Co-ordinator
ordinator
Organisers urged to think
of the G Cats
Wanted: good ideas for
LVRC’s 20th Anniversary
International Secretary
dropped
Apologies, Attendance, Minutes
Apologies: Wally Hodge, Barrie Mitchell,
Mick Ives, Alan Jones, Clive Pinfold, Dave
Watson, Dave Hamilton, Arnie Russell.
Members present: 27
2003 Minutes: Acceptance proposed Bill
Ollis, seconded Jenny Downing. Accepted
unanimously.
Reports
Chairman, Peter Ryalls; Treasurer, John
Flear; Results Co-ordinator, Tom McCall;
Newsletter Editor & Coaching Secretary,
Ray Minovi; International Racing
Secretary, Mick Ives; Secretary Pete
Wilson reported that he was carrying out
secretarial duties as usual and had nothing
further to add. See Reports, facing page.
Treasurer John Flear reported a healthy
year. Figures based on a ‘year’ of 15
months (August 2003 to end October
2004) showed a surplus on operations of
£1800 in central funds, in marked contrast
to 2003 when the association ran at a loss.
Regions also showed a surplus of £1900.
Stock Controller, Jean Flear said that in
the last two months sales of clothing had
soared. This is partly owed to the reductions
on the surplus of over-size jerseys.
Registrar, Colin Dooley said that he is
happy to supply printed labels to regions at
cost.
Election of Officers
All positions were elected unopposed.
Colin Willetts stands down after many
years as Events Co-ordinator and was
accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his
work. The meeting confirmed Barrie
Mitchell as his replacement. However, it
was felt that the post of International
Racing Secretary had become superfluous:
the volume of work is small, and is
handled by other agencies. Since the
present occupant had expressed a wish to
stand down for personal reasons, the
meeting decided to let the post lapse.
Chairman: Peter Ryalls
Secretary: Peter Wilson
Treasurer: John Flear
Newsletter Editor: Ray Minovi
Coaching Secretary: Ray Minovi
Registrar: Colin Dooley
Stock Controller: Jean Flear
Event Co-ordinator: Barrie Mitchell.
Results Co-ordinator: Tom McCall
Proposals and discussion
Proposal that the requirement for organisers
to send in a balance sheet should be
abolished as ‘unenforceable’ was defeated
by 25 votes to two. Chairman Peter Ryalls
pointed out that loss of the rule would
remove controls and give organisers the
power to do as they liked with income
from entry fees. He emphasised that as
‘LVRC Limited’ the submission of proper
accounts is a legal requirement.
A proposal to raise the race levy from
50p to £1 was also defeated.
A proposal to scrap tri-bars in all LVRC
races, even time-trials, was greeted
enthusiastically and carried by 18 votes to
2. Potential entrants for the TT championships
please note.
Insurance premiums for 2005 are not yet
known, but anticipating a substantial rise
the Executive Committee asked for approval
from the meeting to raise subscriptions
when the need arises. It was generally
felt that this should not be an Executive
decision, and a counter proposal for raising
the subscription at once to £12 was supported
unanimously. Division of the extra
£2 between central and regional funds has
yet to be decided, but regions will probably
get 50p of it.
The LVRC will give £1000 to the David
Rayner fund for the fifth year running. On
Derek Smith thanked the LVRC on behalf
of the fund.
The need to cater for our older riders
was once again discussed. Methods
proposed so far have proved difficult to
implement, but organisers are asked to
look at ways of providing effective handicapping,
spreading prize money further
down, and applying ‘one rider, one prize’
rules. The Executive will monitor results
during the year.
The meeting confirmed that in the event
of a rider’s birthday falling between the
dates of two championships, making it
theoretically impossible to ride either
because as too young or too old on either
date, the rider will ride the event for the
younger age category.
2006 is the twentieth anniversary of
the founding of the LVRC. Members are
asked to submit ideas for celebrating the
event to the Committee via the Secretary.
Dinners, memorial races, and randonées
were suggested.
The next AGM was fixed for 27th
November 2005. The venue will be
announced later.
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 5

Report of Chairman for 2004
Despite continual criticism from one member
of the Executive Committee, I consider
that we have had another successful, if
unspectacular year. Membership now appears
to have levelled at 2000 with little
increase over the past 4 years. As indicated
below event promotion has also remained
reasonably steady, but region 9 dramatically
demonstrates the advantage of having
closed circuits available.
Events
Region 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
2000 8 11 2 3 10 16 6 2 *43 7 108
2004 8 10 2 5 12 9 8 5 *58 7 124
Region 9, Year 2000, total includes 17 weekend & 15
evening closed-circuit criteriums; for 2004, the figure
is 14 weekends and 31 evening closed circuit events.
As in previous years our editor has continued
to produce a first class magazine,
which is a credit to our organisation and
well worth the large proportion that this
takes of our subs. We have managed to
maintain our very cheap membership fees
due to our good insurance claims record
and to a very advantageous deal from the
underwriters. I must advise you all that the
underwriters have given notice, that due
to (unknown) change in company policy
they are no longer able to offer us cover.
We will now have to face up to the possibility
that our membership fees may have
to double to cover insurance renewal. Our
Secretary will have the latest information
at the AGM.
International Racing Secretary
As noted in his report the organisation
comes under continual flak from Mick Ives.
It has been clear for some time that
Peter Ryalls
Mick’s interest is in creating some sort of
elitist body of veterans. This all began at
the ill-fated AGM where he introduced
plans to have LVRC teams in international
events, subsidised by the LVRC membership.
A subsequent SGM threw this out.
Since that time he has advocated service
vehicles, guaranteed prize money, set race
distances for the Percy Stallard series and
National Championships and reducing the
number of Stallard events so that any
possible winner would have to travel
to most events. None of these ideas
is accepted by any other member of
the Executive.
In terms of any advantage to be
gained by having an International
Racing Secretary, this can be judged
by the advance information we get
about forthcoming events? and the
reports we get in the Leaguer about our
members achievements abroad?
It is no coincidence that the only published
reports on International Racing are
those directly concerned with MI Racing
and more specifically with one individual!
Apparently someone is responsible for our
55-plus National Championships clashing
with St Johaan? Most of our race programme
was finalised in November, and a
special meeting held, specifically at Ives’
request, in December to review and avoid
clashes. No dates were available from the
International Racing Secretary for any international
events.
Mick Ives has now advised that he is no
longer willing to serve on the same Executive
Committee as Ray Minovi. I will therefore
be proposing, backed by members of
the Executive Committee, that the position
of International Racing Secretary be made
redundant as serving no useful purpose
International News
From Graham Webb
On behalf of Freddy De Roo, the
ICF and myself I would like to wish
everyone in the LVRC and TLI a
very Happy New Year.
Hope that you are all ready for the
new season. Freddy De Roo has
asked me to remind you not to
send any more cheques, as the
bank charges for clearing them are
very high here. Despite my pleading
last year there was still a cheque
for signing on at the worlds sent,
this one cheque cost the ICF
• 18.48 (nearly £13.00) to clear! So
any money should be sent cash (in
Euro’s) or to Freddy De Roo at the
ICF account bank N° I BAN BE61
0012 9644 5517
St Johann 2005
Dates
World Cup events
21 – 23 August 2005
UCI World Masters events
Time-trial: 24 August 2005
Road Races: 25 – 28 August 2005
Details from Harald Baumann, A-
6380 St Johann-in-Tirol, Postfach
77, Austria.
Point of View
I would like to wish all members a happy,
healthy, and successful New Year. The racing
season will soon be in full swing, and
because I have to tabulate the results I am
making the following appeal to promoters.
I well know how much time and organisation
it takes to promote an event. However,
in spite of this workload on the day, the details
of the result need to be attended to, or
the event will go unreported. When I used
to promote, I was very specific about getting
my result in to Cycling Weekly, and I would
follow it up to make sure that my event
gained some exposure. It doesn’t seem much
extra work, but for some of our promoters, it
doesn’t seem important.
I send a pack of information to the promoter
with all the necessary forms and a reminder
of what needs to be done. One form
is for sending to Snowdon Sports for Cycling
Weekly, and the other is for sending back to
me for the Leaguer in the SAE enclosed.
So, my New Year request to promoters is:
please attend to those results – your event
does need and deserve the exposure. On top
of that, riders are an egocentric lot, and we
all like to see our names in the result. If you
are promoting a Percy Stallard event, this is
doubly important, as I cannot keep the GC
figures up to date if I do not have the result.
Unfortunately, this did happen this year, and
I was unable to produce any GC tables till
later in the year. If the Stallard result is sent
to me immediately, I will do my best to get
an updated GC to the promoter of the next
round so that they can display it in the event
HQ.
Tom McCall
And while I’m on the subject, I’d like all
you guys who do not promote to take a
moment to reflect on the amount of work
and organisation that it does take to put on
a successful LVRC event. Why not offer some
help to a promoter? It’s a small gesture towards
putting something back into the sport.
Overheard in an LVRC race.
First rider: You have no right to speak to me
like that.
Second rider: Maybe so, but you can’t stop
me telling you anyway.
At a race HQ
Rider: I’m afraid I’ve forgotten my licence.
Promoter: That’s the first sign of Alzeimer’s
Disease.
Rider: ‘No – because I remembered I had
forgotten.
Page 6 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

News from the
Regions
Region 1
Only eleven of the Region’s 151 members
attended the AGM on 9th December.
Wally Hodge will carry on as Secretary
and Treasurer for another year, but
will then retire. It would be good to see
some of the younger members offering
their services – all the existing officials
have been in service for a good number
of years, and next year we can expect
to lose several events.
All the Region’s officials were reelected
except for Dave Edge, who
stands down after many years as distributor
of the Leaguer. Thank you Dave for
all your work. Dave is replaced by Tony
Money. See page 23 for details.
Clubruns will still go out on the first
Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. from
the Priory Cafe, Scorton, where club
meetings are held on the first Thursday
of each month, 7.30 p.m.
Jazz night, with Harry Colledge and
his band, is on Wednesday 9th February,
7.30 at the Priory Cafe, tickets £8.00
include Hot Pot meal. Details from Harry
or any Regional official. Harry Benson
Region 5 News
Bob Richards sends his thanks to the
Notts Velo RR helpers and paramedics
who attended him when he collapsed
after their event on the 8 th August. Bob
made a quick recovery in hospital from
what turned out to be heat stroke.
The Tom Simpson Memorial RR was
well over-subscribed again this year with
many riders on the reserve list. This has
led to Jenny Downing to request that the
event is not included in the Percy Stallard
series for 2005. Donations made at the
event helped to raise £80 for the Notts
and Lincs Air Ambulance fund. A special
thanks must go to John Scott for his
donation to the over 70s prize list and
to top man Julian Earle and his motor
cycle skills in leading the A&B race at
short notice.
Ron Day
Region 6
The region is putting on nine events this
year (11 days racing). It’s down a bit on
two years ago, but it does include the 3-
day Tour of the Abberleys, the National
Handicap championship, and a Percy
Stallard event. Good to see Les Archer
back promoting his Enville road race on
3rd April.
Region 7
Richard Abbott, Registrar for eleven
years, stands down – a big thank-you
from everyone in the Region for all his
outstanding work. Gordon Batcock takes
over.
Ron Day
Region 9
News for attendees at the AGM that the
Region is in a healthy position – near
enough five hundred members and a
few shillings in the bank. But concern
was expressed by the current officials
who confirmed that they wouldn’t be
continuing forever, so new blood will
soon be required.
Superb achievements at world level for
three of our riders. In the UCI Masters
at Manchester, 65+ age group, Roly
Crayford took Gold (Sprint), Silver
(500m), Silver (10k points), and Bronze
(2km pursuit); while Brian Dacey took
two Golds (2km pursuit and 10k points).
But the jewel in the crown must be
the evergreen Tony Woodcock with Gold
at the UCI World Road Race Championships
at St. Johann, Austria, in the 60-
64 age group. He decimated a field of
60 riders in foul conditions to come
home after 50 rain-lashed miles 22 seconds
ahead of a Pole and 40 seconds
ahead of a German with the bunch at
over 2 mins. Well done Tony! Fantastic!
61 events are planned for 2005 on the
road and at the Eastway, Hillingdon and
North Weald circuits with a brand new
5-series track meet at Welwyn Gosling
Stadium. This new series is planned by
Pete Wilson for a 6.30pm start on May
4th, 18th and June 1st, 8th and 22nd.
These dates alternate with Bill
Butterworth’s circuit races at Hillingdon.
All welcome. If you feel your region is
not providing sufficient racing, just sell
the house and come and join us.
Good fields were reported for virtually
all events in 2004 with often over
20 starters in the 60+ races at Eastway
and North Weald while Hillingdon rarely
boasts sufficient for our own race. It must
be the jellied eels they eat in the east.
Most successful and proficient winner
of 2004 was our superb flying Frenchman
Dominique Gabellini, thankfully
back on song after a horror crash at
Eastway in 2003. 20-odd wins, despite
twice coming second to Russell Williams’
iffy track tactics.
2004 saw National Secretary Peter
Wilson return to the fray, picking up a win
and several placings – not bad after a decade
of leisure riding and eating! News that
John Macmillan is again in full time employment
will be greeted with relief
throughout the land – it may slow him
down a little. On a sadder note, G cat.
John Merrall recently lost an eye in a
golf accident. While not racing again he
has promised to come and cheer us on.
Reportedly eager to get back into the
action are Alf Howling (Castile & Raphael
Geminiani) and Albert Roberts (Highgate
& Condor Mackeson). Both have been
turning up at the Eastway Wednesday
Merchant Bankers Club rides (start 1.00
pm-ish, throughout the year – all welcome)
while Doug Collins (Twickenham
& Condor Mackeson) is said to be in full
training over on the west side.
Expect a clash of the Titans in 2005!
Richard Wall
Region 10
Sometimes criticised for being dormant,
Region 10 is really quite active. Currently
we have 140 members, and although
they’re not all racing, a number play
major supporting roles in enabling others
to race.
Last year the Region promoted seven
races, and the good news is that ten are
proposed for 2005, with new ones near
Guildford, Wareham and Exeter. It’s particularly
pleasing to pick up these new
races as we are now represented in Dorset
and Devon – but it would be even
better if we could get more races in
Devon and Somerset.
We have also been awarded the DEFG
National Road Race Championships, to
be promoted by the Fareham CC, a good
organisational team and always keen, on
21st August.
At the same time Regions 9 and 10
are jointly promoting a points series of
seven races, the Yellow Jersey Series.
Three of these are promoted by Region
10: the GS Europa on 22nd May, the
Milbury’s on 12th June, and the Meudon
on 10th July. We are also putting on a
Percy Stallard Series event. Paul Ruta
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 7

Roger Hobby interviews
LVRC Treasurer John Flear
71 – and
still counting
CH: John, you started cycling in 1949,
formed a club in 1950 and in 1952
joined the Lincoln Imps, a club with
a strong grass-track team. So you
rode mainly grass track in your early
years?
JF: Yes. Anything over ten miles was
frowned on – the trainer thought
you’d lose your speed. With two
meetings a week, sometimes, there
was plenty of racing. In the autumn I
rode the hill climbs: the Lincolnshire
climbs are fairly short and suited a
sprinter-type like me.
CH: Your first road race win was in
1953 …
JF: All I can remember is the finish, in a
thunderstorm. Back then most
massed-start races were on redundant
airfields – this one was on
Dunholme. Most of them were a
matter of attrition – only the fit and
foolhardy survived, and I beat Fred
Hurt to the line. That was an NCU
race. Although I joined the BLRC, as
the NCU controlled the grass-track
meetings, that was my priority.
CH: 1953 seems light years away and
here you are, at 71, enjoying the
best success rate of your career.
How do you account for it?
JF: I can’t understand it myself, but I’m
very relaxed about the whole thing.
There’s no pressure, and if I ride well,
then OK. If not, then hopefully there
will be another day.
CH: Do you follow a training programme
religiously?
JF: No, it’s very much ‘listen to your
body’. I need to ride most days as I
suffer with arthritis and too many
misses means I start to seize up.
CH: Do you ride all the year round?
JF: Yes, mainly for the fitness reasons I’ve
mentioned. As a child I was a real
Billy Bunter and I can easily put on
weight even now.
CH: How many miles do you get in
before starting racing?
JF: I like to do at least 2000 before my
first race.
CH: How many hours a week?
JF: Well, two to three hours a day for
about six days. Say 15 to 20 hours.
CH: On your own?
JF: Mostly alone, but not all the time.
CH: Do you go out with the Lincoln
chaingang?
JF: No. To be honest, I don’t think I’d
last long, and I’d be on the rivet from
the off.
CH: Having said that, you train at 15
to 17 mph, don’t mind the odd café
stop – and then you race at 24 –
25 mph. Do you make the adjustment
all right?
JF: I seem to. Sometimes, in the early
laps, I think to myself, ‘Why am I doing
this?’ and it can be purgatory. And
then I end up doing a good ride.
CH: Over the years you’ve raced at all
levels and in most disciplines.
Which British cyclist has made the
biggest impression on you?
JF: Without a doubt Tom Simpson. Two
reasons: during the track years we
used to ride the shale tracks in Yorkshire,
like Askern and Brodsworth.
The first time at Askern we came
across this young lad who lapped us
all in the five-mile event, and in the
same year, 1957, he won the Monsal
Head hill-climb. It was truly impressive
– he just flew up the climb and
didn’t bother to stop at the top. He’d
be 17 then.
CH: His death, through drug misuse,
doesn’t colour your judgment of
him?
JF: No, because I personally accept that
Doing it the hard way: in the
Casse Déserte on the Izoard.
After winning his age category in
the Côte Picarde cyclo-sportive.
all the continental pros did it, and it
wasn’t illegal until 1963.
CH: Your views on LVRC races run
counter to the accepted format:
they prefer bunched racing, you’d
rather have handicap racing?
JF: We’ve discussed this at recent
AGMs, and I think it applies particularly
to the older categories. I
feel that if we used the handicap
Page 8 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

format, then more of the older guys
would feel like competing as active
racers.
CH: I agree with you, John.
JF: I just feel that handicap racing gives
a good race for everyone. If the
scratch group catch you, as they invariably
do, and are too fast to hang
on to, at least you’ve had a good
workout. I don’t want to harp on
about the Velo 99 model, but I do
see that as being quite good, because
the groupings aren’t just on age, but
on ability too. However, I can see the
organiser’s problem, as he needs to
know the ability of all his riders. But
we do this in Region 5 with two races
– Colin Abdy’s at Barton-on-Humber,
and Bob James’ race at Newark.
CH: You ride the cyclo-sportive events
in France three or four times a year
and regularly win your category –
so obviously you’re better than your
French counterparts. These events
are up to 120 miles, a little bit further
than your average G Category
race. What’s the secret?
JF: I just treat them as part of my training
programme and have a relaxed
attitude towards them. And of
course, competition is within age
groups and categories.
CH: I think perhaps you’re being a bit
modest. For instance, this year, at
71, you won the 60-plus category
in the Côte Picarde event.
JF: I suppose I must have been on a good
day.
CH: You’re seventy-one year-old pensioner
with arthritis. You like to potter
about on your bike, and if you
don’t feel like training, then you
don’t. And on this programme you
beat the best riders in France. Perhaps
we should re-write the training
manual.
Cycling in Provence
Delightful sunny climate
Wonderful traffic-free routes
Stunning scenery
Ideal base for tackling Mont Ventoux
Excellent standard of accommodation
One week packages available from £85
per person, per week, includes 7 nights
accommodation
Groups of 2 to 40 people accommodated
Call Colin or Helen on 0161 928 4965
or visit www.propertyprovencal.com
ASSOCIATION
OF BRITISH
CYCLING COACHES
Want to be a
Cycling
Coach?
The ABCC has for over 30 years
provided coach education for all
disciplines, and now offers you
the opportunity to become a
qualified coach.
You can qualify in as little as 10
weeks, either by distance
learning or through a fast-track
course, followed by a period of
practical experience supported
by a senior coach – the ABCC
has over 450 registered
coaches.
For its qualified coaches the
ABCC provides full insurance
cover, its journal, Cycle Coaching
News, four times a year, and
its annual coaches’ conference,
Pedal Power.
For details of ABCC Courses
contact:
Jim Sampson,
19 Forbes Avenue, Beverley
High Road, Hull HU6 7AJ
Telephone: 01482-857774
E-mail:
jsampson@jsampson.karoo.co.uk
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 9

Racing Results August – October 2004
Saighton Road Races, Chester 1 August
Race 1, AB
1 Mark Hammersley, 56 miles in 2hrs 2mins;
2. Phil Rose st; 3. Steve Davies at 15 secs; 4.
M. Perry; 5. G. Wallace; 6. L. Teal; 7.Ray Pugh;
8. G. Wilcox; 9. D. Clough; 10. I. Holohan, all st
A 1. M. Hammersley; 2. S. Davies; 3. M. Perry
B 1. P. Rose; G. Wallace; L. Teal
Race 2 , CD
1. Mal Fraser, 49 miles in1hr 45min; 2. Mike
Duffy; 3. Dave Scargill both st; 4. A. Ramsay at
5 secs; 5. A. Swimby; 6. G. Smith; 7. P.
Tabron; 8.M. Loughran; 9. J. Beard; 10. Dave
Large;
C 1. M. Fraser; 2. M. Duffy; 3. D. Scargill
D 1. A. Ramsay; 2. A. Swimby; 3. C. Poole
Race 3, EF
1. Les West 42 miles in 1hr 36m; 2. Jocky
Johnstone at 5 secs; 3. Peter Matthews at 10
secs; 4. Bryan Sedgley; 5. Bernard Garnett; 6.
Brian Ellis; 7. John Lyth; 8. George Bennett; 9.
Kerry Kennedy; 10. Roger Smith, all st
E 1. L. West; 2. J. Johnstone; 3. P. Matthews
F 1. B. Sedgley; 2. B. Ellis; 3. J. Lyth
GOLDEN OLDIES RACES,
Siddington, Cheshire, 8th August
Race 1 A/B
Mark Hammersley got away early in the 55 mile
event with team mates Steve Hulme and Gary
Wilcox, together with Steve Davies (Warrington
RC), Phil Rose, and Ray Pugh. Keith Jones
jumped across to the break on the drag to the
finish with two laps to go. Wilcox and Pugh
were then dropped when Jones upped the
pace, and Jones also proved strongest in the
sprint at the finish in searing heat, and with a
strong crosswind.
A 1. Keith Jones; 2. Mark Hammersley; 3.
Steve Davies; 4. Steve Hulme; 5. Gary Wilcox;
6. Mike Gormley.
B - 1. Phil Rose; 2. Joe Williams; 3. Gerald
Sturdy; 4. Roy Francis;5. John Stanistreet; 6.
Mick Davies.
Race 2 C
With the National Championship over 70 miles
only a week away, organiser Jim Golden upped
the distance to 55 miles after some requests
from those wanting to get in more distance.
Virtually from the start, Dave Cuming and
Graham Cuming got away and rapidly opened a
gap, which, like topsy, grew and grew with
each lap. A chasing group of Alistair Cameron,
Kev Shand, Dave Newby, Ian Potts, and Dave
Pollard took up the chase, and, after dangling
just off the bunch for a couple of laps, finally
moved clear with just over lap to go. However,
at the finish, they were 5 minutes in arrears of
the first two. Late lone chaser Nigel Harrop also
came in ahead of the bunch.
1. Dave Cuming; 2. Graham Cuming; 3. Alistair
Cameron; 4. Dave Newby; 5. Kev Shand; 6. Ian
Potts; 7. Dave Pollard; 8. Nigel Harrop; 9. Mick
O’Connor; 10. Mike Wilson.
Race 3 D/E/F
Evergreen Les West won alone after chasing
down Allan Ramsay halfway through the event.
Unfortunately, Ramsay punctured, leaving
Westy on his own. In the last few miles F rider
Brian Ellis got away to win his category,
chased in by fellow F Ian Moore, while Trevor
Horton, two weeks short of becoming an E,
took the sprint from the small bunch.
D - 1. Trevor Horton; 2. Alan Swimby; 3. Pete
Halliwell; 4. Dave Hargreaves; 5. Paul Fisher; 6.
Allan Ramsay.
E - 1. Les West; 2. Pete Matthews.
F - 1. Brian Ellis; 2. Ian Moore; 3. Derek Smith.
NORTH WEALD SERIES Harlow 12 August
C/D Handicap 1. Terry Devine (D); 2. John
McMillan(D); 3. Chris Badell(A); 4. Barry
Ford(B); 5. Colin Mannakee(D); 6. Tony
Woodcock(E).
E/F 1. Alec Bentley (E); 2. Dave Whybrow(E);
3. John Norris(F)
NORTH WEALD SERIES Harlow 19 August
1. Terry Devine(D); 2. Ron Hewes(C); 3. Ron
Crawley(C); 4. Alac Bentley(E);
5. Graham Temple(C); 6. Arnold Russell(F).
WOODBANK TROPHY Congleton, 29 August
1. Dave Stevens(A); 2. Dave Cuming(C); 3.
Peter Greenwood(C); 4. M. Hammersley(A); 5.
L. West(E); 6. K. Jones(A); 7. J. Lowe (A); 8.
A. Swimby(D); 9. A. Ramsay (D); 10. M.
Davies(B).
A 1. D. Stevens; 2. M. Hammersley; 3. K. Jones
B 1. Mick Davies; 2. G. Sturdy; 3. I. Holohan
C - 1. Dave Cuming; 2. Peter Greenwood; 3.
Ivor Thomas
D - 1. A. Swimby; 2. A. Ramsay; 3. P. Halliwell
E - 1. L. West; 2. P. Matthews; 3. P. Keeley
F - 1. Jack Watson
N. BUCKS RC RACES Towcester, 29 Aug
Race 1 A/B
1. Dominic Gabellini(B); 2. Dave McMullen(B);
3. Peter Taylor(B); 4. Chris Badell(A); 5. P.
Freeman(B); 6. S.Cook(A); 7. N.Jones(A); 8. S.
Thomas(B); 9. Joe Quill(B); 10. M.Warner(A).
A 1. Chris Badell; 2. S.Cook; 3. N.Jones.
B 1. D. Gabellini; 2. D. McMullen; 3. P. Taylor
Race 2 C/D
1. Eddie Adkins(D); 2. Gordon Walters(D); 3.
Terry Devine(D); 4. T. Williams (C); 5.A. Clarke
(D); 6. C. Mannakee (D); 7. M. Hackley (D); 8.
L. Ravenhill (D); 9. P. Murphy (D);10. G.
Weston (C).
C 1. Tony Williams; 2. Gary Weston; 3. Mike
Wilson.
D 1. Eddie Adkins; 2. Gordon Walters; 3. Terry
Devine.
Race 3 E/F
1. Sid Lovatt(E); 2. Mick Ives(F); 3. John
Elliott(E); 4. B. Richards(E); 5. B. Page(E); 6.
K. Haddon(E); 7. D. Benger (E);8. E. King (E);
9. A. Russell(F); 10. P. Gresham (E)
E 1. S. Lovatt; 2. J. Elliott; 3. B. Richards
F 1. M. Ives; 2. A. Russell; 3. G. Harding
BRIGANTE RR Boroughbridge, 29 August
Race 1 A/B
1. Kevin Byers(A); 2. Paul Stubbs(A); 3. Steve
Marrows(A); 4. D. Ferguson(A); 5. B. Davison
(A); 6. B. Field(A); 7. A. Mitchell(A); 8. J. Cullen
(A); 9. B. Kipling(B); 10. Colin Bell(A)
A 1. K. Byers; 2. P. Stubbs; 3. S. Marrows
B 1. B. Davison; 2. B. Kipling; 3. S. Macklin
Race 2 C/D
1. Andrew Donaldson (C); 2. Mick Holmes(D);
3. Chris Bishop(C); 4. Steve Davies(C); 5. Dave
Maughan(D); 6. Nigel Clifford(C); 7. Ken Corbett(C);
8. Ken Cowdell (D); 9. Dave Hargreaves(D);
10. Dave Scargill(C).
C 1. A. Donaldson; 2. C. Bishop; 3. S. Davies
D 1. M. Holmes; 2. D. Maughan; 3. K. Cowdell
Race 3 E/F
1. John Ford(E); 2. Bernard Garnett(E); 3. John
Tingle(E); 4. Terry Smith(F); 5. Ian Moore(F); 6.
Brian Northing(E); 7. George Bennett(F); 8.
Roger Holmes(E); 9. Arthur Lawton(E); 10.
Roger Smith(F)
E 1. John Ford; 2. Bernard Garnett; 3. John
Tingle
F 1. Terry Smith; 2. Ian Moore; 3. George
Bennett
SOUTHEND WHS HOLIDAY CRITS
Eastway 30th August
Race 1 A/B
1. Dominic Gabellini(B); 2. Chris BadellA); 3.
Vincent Davison(B); 4. C. Cleminson(B); 5. J.
Cann(A); 6. K. Chambers(A); 7. S. Smith(B);
8. D. Young(A); 9. C. Hughes (A); 10. Sai
Yeung(A).
A 1. C. Badell; 2. J. Cann; 3. Kevin Chambers
B 1. D. Gabellini; 2. Vincent Davison; 3. Colin
Cleminson
Race 2 C/D
1. Clive Burr(C); 2. Colin McSweeny(C); 3. Oliver
McPherson(D); 4. Terry Devine(D); 5. C.
Gooch(D); 6. S. Giles(D); 7. C. Broadway(D);
8. D. Wright (C); 9. D. Williams (C); 10. R.
Fraczek(C).
C 1. C. Burr; 2. C. McSweeny; 3. D. Wright
D 1. O. McPherson; 2. T. Devine; 3. C. Gooch
Race 3 E/F/G
1. Brian Dacey(F); 2. Arnold Russell(F); 3.
Dave Fleming(E); 4. Pete Wilson (F); 5. Dave
Page 10 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

Friend(F); 6. Roger Hornsby (E); 7. John
Duckworth(E); 8. Eric Martin(E); 9. Alec
Bentley(E); 10. Kerry Kennedy(E).
E 1. Dave Fleming; 2. Roger Hornsby; 3. John
Duckworth.
F 1. B. Dacey; 2. A. Russell; 3. Pete Wilson
G 1. M. Brushett; 2. R. Godbeer; 3. J. Murrell
LOU MILLER SERIES: HOT POT Road Race
Elswick, Preston, 5th September
Race 1 A/B
1. David Ferguson(A); 2. Lewis Teal(B); 3.
Colin Bell(A); 4. R. Pye(A); 5. B. Pearson(B); 6.
D. Clough(B); 7. J. Field(A); 8. R. Archer(A); 9.
Geoff Wood(B); 10. Martin Brass(A).
A - 1. D. Ferguson; 2. C. Bell; 3. Rob Pye
B - 1. L. Teal; 2. B. Pearson; 3. David Clough
Race 2 C/D
1. Dave Hargreaves(D); 2. Jeff Standley(D); 3.
David Newby(C); 4. M. Robinson(D); 5. P.
Goodall (D); 6. A. Cameron(C); 7. D. Pollard
(C); 8. M. Fraser(C); 9. N. Harrop (C); 10. J.
Beard(C).
C 1. D. Newby; 2. A. Cameron; 3. D. Pollard
D 1. D. Hargreaves; 2. J. Standley; 3. M. Robinson
Race 3 E/F/G
1. Pete Matthews(E); 2. Jocky Johnstone(E);
3. Brian Ellis(F); 4. Bernard Garnett(E); 5.
George Bennett(F); 6. Terry Smith(F); 7. Peter
Ryalls(F); 8. Bryan Bliss(F); 9. Eddie Dixon (Erecat);
10. Peter Keeley(E).
E - 1. Pete Matthews; 2. Jocky Johnstone; 3.
Bernard Garnett
F - 1. Brian Ellis; 2. George Bennett; 3. Terry
Smith
G - 1. Clive Williamson
Series overall winners
A/B - Rob Pye; C/D - Dave Hargreaves; E/F/G
Region 1 - Tony Money
E/F/G Other Regions - Pete Matthews
BRIAN HAWKRIDGE MEMORIAL RACES
Sevenoaks Weald, 12th September
Race 1 A/B/C/D
1. Martin Hulbert(B); 2. Reg Smith (D); 3.
Gary Fry(A); 4. Ron Hewes(C); 5. Julian
Cann(A); 6. Dave Griffiths(C); 7. Mick McManus(C);
8. Ken Baker(B); 9. Nick Whitney(C);
10. Andy Hicks(D).
A 1. Gary Fry; 2. Julian Cann; 3. Paul Doel.
B 1. M. Hulbert; 2. K. Baker; 3. C. Bateman
C 1. R. Hewes; 2. D. Griffiths; 3. M.McManus
D 1. Reg Smith; 2. Andy Hicks; 3. Shay Giles
Race 2. E/F
1. Dave Fleming(E); 2. Eric Martin(E); 3. Brian
Bulmer(F); 4. Geoff Mindham(F); 5. Arnold
Russell(F); 6. Tim Elsdale(E); 7. John Duckworth
(E); 8. Alec Bentley (E); 9. Paul Foster
(E); 10. Tom McCall(E).
E 1. D. Fleming; 2. E. Martin; 3. T. Elsdale
F 1. B. Bulmer; 2. G. Mindham; 3. A. Russell
VIC SUTTON MEMORIAL RACES
Hull, 12th September
Race 1 A/B
1. John Murray(B); 2. Colin Bell(A); 3. Mike
Milen(A); 4. Brian Field(A); 5. Keith
Richards(A); 6. Simon Wright(A); 7. Lewis
Teal(B); 8. Steve Macklin(B); 9. Tony
Boynton(B); 10. John Galway(B).
A 1. Colin Bell; 2. Mike Milen; 3. Brian Field
B 1. J. Murray; 2. L. Teal; 3. Steve Macklin
Race 2 C/D
1. Nigel Clifford(C); 2. Garry Hill(C); 3. Andrew
Donaldson(C); 4. Dave Maughan(D); 5. John
Clarke(D); 6. Alistair Cameron(C); 7. Kenneth
Corbett(C); 8. Dave Holmes(D); 9. Cliff
Beldon(D);10. Paul Ruta(D).
C - 1. N. Clifford; 2. G. Hill; 3. A. Donaldson
D - 1. D. Maughan; 2. J. Clarke; 3. D. Holmes
Race 3 E/F/G 1
1. Ron Pyne(E); 2. John Kenna (E); 3. John
Ford(E); 4. Jack Watson(F); 5. Ron Bennett(E);
6. J. Wright(E); 7. A. Lawton(E); 8. B. Northing
(E); 9. Tony Beech(E); 10. George Bennett(F).
E - 1. Ron Pyne; 2. John Kenna; 3. John Ford
NATIONAL ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS A/B/C
F - 1. Jack Watson; 2. George Bennett; 3.
Bryan Bliss
G - 1. Andrew Penny
YORKSHIRE COAST RR
Burton Fleming, 19th September
Organiser Jim Morrison’s enterprise was
rewarded once more with a good quality entry,
with spirited racing despite the tough course
and high winds on the day. The tough race
conditions were offset by a generous prize list,
boosted by numerous sponsors, and an
excellent buffet.
A 1. Keith Richards; 2. Colin Bell; 3. Johnny
Lowe.
B 1. Brian Davison; 2. Barry Kipling; 3. John
Galway.
C 1. Garry Hill; 2. Dave Scargill; 3. Nigel
Clifford.
D 1. Mick Holmes; 2. Clive Pinfold; 3. Dave
Maughan.
E 1. Brian Sunter; 2. Ron Pyne; 3. Brian
Northing.
F 1. Jack Watson; 2. Ian Moore; 3. Bryan
Bliss.
15th August
The strength in depth of veterans’ cycling was demonstrated on a hot Sunday morning over
67 miles of an undulating course near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire. 108 riders competed
for the medals in this Leeds Mercury promotion. The A category race was taken by Steve
Marrows in a large bunch sprint from which a surprising number of the 46 starters had
survived. In the B race Brian Davison clipped off in the last mile and held on for a narrow
victory. Constantly attacking, Phil Axe finally broke the resistance of a tiring C Category field
to retain his title.
A - 1. Steve Marrows; 2. Colin Bell; 3. Kevin Byers; 4. Roland Tilley; 5. Keith Lilley; 6. Mark
Hammersley; 7. Russell Hepton; 8. Steve Davies; 9. Robert Blackburn; 10. David Garrett.
B - 1. Brian Davison; 2. John Flanagan; 3. John Murray; 4. Steve Jolley; 5. Roy Francis; 6.
Joe Williams; 7. Keith Middleton; 8. Steve Wharton; 9. Mike Davies; 10. Steve Macklin.
C - 1. Phil Axe; 2. Peter Greenwood; 3. Andrew Donaldson; 4. Ron Hewes; 5. Chris Bishop;
6. Ivor Thomas; 7. Dave Scargill; 8. Nigel Clifford. 9. Steve Davies; 10. Trevor Cameron.
NATIONAL TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP, Newark, 5th September (22.5 miles)
49 riders faced the timekeeper after early mist had cleared by the first man off, to give a clear
blue sky and warm sunshine with a light breeze - perfect conditions for clock-bashing! Five
riders beat the old course record of 52.29, with three more a couple of seconds outside.
Despite it being a rolling course with only a couple of miles of flat, Roger Iddles flew round in
a new course-record to claim the prize donated by Parker Int. His winning margin of almost
two minutes was despite the fact that he had ridden the BC Champs on the Saturday. On top of
that, he was off to another event on the Sunday afternoon. (No comment). The best ride on a
standard bike was 57.19 by Nigel Clifford, who also rode out 15 miles, and rode home again.
The fastest team of two was Messrs Greenwood and Metcalfe of Clayton Velo. Twice Pro Crit
Champion Dave Miller presented the prizes. A Newark Castle promotion.
1. Roger Iddles(E) 50.49; 2. Peter Greenwood(C) 51.25; 3. Mike Donnelly(A) 51.43; 4. N.
Goscinski(A) 52.28; 5. Chris Bishop(C) 52.37; 6. Brian Sunter(E) 52.40;=7. John
McMillan(E) 52.41; =7. D.Metcalfe(A) 52.41; 9. M.Wills(B) 53.30; 10. Kevin Shand(C)
53.35.
A - 1. Mike Donnelly 51.43
B - 1. M.Wills 53.30
C - 1. Peter Greenwood 51.25
G - 1. John Lawton 1.12.14
1st Team - Clayton Velo
D - 1. Barrie Mitchell 53.38
E - 1. Roger Iddles 50.49
F - 1. Mick Ives 54.58
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 11

Picture
Clockwise from top left:
Abberleys, Race 2, Day 2
second place in the E Ca
Tony Woodcock(Sam Bill
and Phil Bayton in the k
Nick Yarworth by a tyre f
O’Connor third, Race 1,
tight finish at Horsmond
wins the G Category in t
September; Clive Pinfold
(both Jerrard Lockett); C
& Andrew Donaldson va
egory Road Race Champ
Page 12 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

Page
Vinny Smith leads the chase in the
(Steve Haines); Les West takes
tegory Road Championship from
s); Pete Halliwell, Gordon Smith,
ey break, Abberleys Race 2, Day 2;
rom Russell Harrington, with Rob
Day 1 (both Heather Sims); another
en in May (Ruth Brown); Jeff Warren
he final Stallard event at Stafford in
takes the D Cat in the same race
entre: Peter Greenwood, Ron Hewes
inly chasing Phil Axe in the C Cationships
(Peter Hitchen).
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 13

THE PERCY STALLARD series has
just drawn to a close for the
second year, with 9 events from
the originally-scheduled 10. Apologies
for the lack of information about the
GC standings earlier in the year, which
is down to the late receipt of results,
some very late indeed.
The overall winners were announced
after the final round, the Staffordshire
Oatcake races at Swynnerton. Each
category winner receives either an
LVRC training top, or a pair of LVRC
bibshorts, and there are medals for the
first three in each age category. Anyone
who has not yet received their
awards can claim them from Jean Flear.
Category Reports
A – (54 classified points winners).
Martin Sladdin won overall. Most of
his points were gained in early races,
but he never lost his lead. Steve Davies
and William Belcher edged nearer with
late results which were enough for Silver
and Bronze respectively.
Smith, only one point clear of Andrew
Donaldson, who in turn was only one
point clear of Phil Bayton. Dave
Cuming was a late arrival in the top
ten with two wins from two rides.
D – (45 classified points winners).
Sheer persistence paid off for Don
Parry, much-travelled, and scoring
points in every round he rode in. He
led the table from early in the series,
built up a commanding points lead,
and was never headed. Again, the next
few places were closely fought, with
Allan Ramsay gaining Silver one point
ahead of Dave Rutherford who was just
ahead of Gordon Walters - again by
one point. John Powell, Dave
Hargreaves and Clive Pinfold were all
in close attendance, separated by only
two points.
E – (32 classified points winners).
Mick Ives came out as winner of the
group due to three wins in his five
counting events. However, Brian
Sunter ultimately came close due to his
consistently high placings. Sid Lovaatt
injury, finished in the Bronze medal
position, with Dave Elliott not far behind.
G (7 classified points winners). Despite
the small entry numbers, this category
developed into a spirited fight
for overall honours between Barrie
Bodenham and Roy Godbeer. After the
final event, it resulted in a dead heat,
as they could not be separated, with
identical results – a just conclusion after
a season-long battle. Alan
Edmondson was third with two wins
from only two rides.
The tables were compiled from the
results as passed to me. For reasons of
space only the top ten are classified
here, but if anyone would like a copy
of the full points table, or feels that
they’re not accurate, please contact
me: Tom McCall, 1 Norfolk Road,
Thornton Heath, London CR7 8ND
Tel: 0208-7680081
Percy Stallard Series 2004
Consistency is the key
Tom McCall reports
B – (50 classified points winners). Nick
Yarworth was unassailable with the 40
points he gained from four wins in earlier
rounds. Brian Davison and Roger
Bishop both had wins in late rounds
which brought them close, but not
close enough - however, still good
enough for a final Silver and Bronze
respectively. There was Southern representation
in the table from consistent
Malcolm Whitehead, and also from
Martin Hulbert.
C – (45 classified points winners).
Peter Greenwood emerged as a clear
winner due to his consistent quality
riding with three wins, a second and a
third from only five rides. The next few
places were closely fought, with a dead
heat for second, shared by Dave
Scargill and well-travelled Gordon
(waving the southern flag) took Bronze
from only four rides. The next few
placings were closely fought, and the
order was not settled until the final
event. Long distance travellers Bob
Richards and Eric King emerged as next
best in that order, with King on the
same points as John McMillan. Another
Southern traveller, Roger Hornsby, finished
a well-balanced season one point
further in arrears.
F – (21 classified points winners). For
the second year in succession, Jack
Watson was supreme - this time with
five wins from only five rides! Derek
Smith moved gradually up the table
with good results over the second half
of the season for a final Silver place.
Our Chairman Peter Ryalls, showing
good form after a long recovery from
Above: B winner Nick Yarworth;
below, D winner Don Parry
Page 14 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

Percy Stallard Series: last three events
ROUND 7: CIRCUIT OF MENTMORE
15 August
ROUND 8: LA FLECHE WALTONNE
Lutterworth, 22nd August
ROUND 9: STAFFORDSHIRE OATCAKE
Swynnerton, 12th September
A - 1. Scott Holmes 10pts; 2. Simon Williams
9; 3. Andrew Barnes 8; 4. Robert Hemmings 7;
5. Mark Harris 6; 6. Mark Ingram .
B - 1. Martin Hulbert 10pts; 2. Barry Ford
9pts; 3. Peter Taylor 8pts; 4. Steve Thomas
7pts; 5. Joe Quill 6pts; 6. Roger Bishop 5pts.
C - 1. Dave McMullen 10pts; 2. Dave Griffiths
9; 3. Mick McManus 8; 4. Chris Gunter 7; 5.
Tony Williams 6; 6. Dave Roberts 5; 7. Andrew
Milner 4; 8. Dave Terry 3.
D - 1. Tony Woodcock 10pts; 2. Terry Devine
9; 3. Eddie Adkins 8; 4. Don Parry 7; 5. Dave
Rutherford 6; 6. Gordon Walters 5; 7. Dave
Woods 4; 8. Martin Hackley 3; 9. Oliver
McPherson 2; 10. Sean Bannister 1.
E - 1. Mick Ives 10pts; 2. Sid Lovatt 9; 3. John
McMillan 8; 4. Roger Hornsby 7; 5. Dave Benger
6; 6. Eric King 5; 7. Tom McCall 4; 8. Eric
Martin 3; 9. Bob Richards 2; 10. Bill Rains 1.
F - 1. Brian Dacey 10pts; 2. Roger Smith 9; 3.
Derek Smith 8; 4. Dave Elliott 7; 5. Roly Crayford
6; 6. Arnold Russell 5; 7. Pete Wilson 4.
G - 1. Roy Godbeer 10pts; 2. Barrie Bodenham
9pts.
A - Steve Hulme 10pts; 2. Trevor Mayne 9; 3.
Mark Burnham 8; 4. Sonny Lowe 7; 5. Guerino
Cooke 7; 6. D. Garrett 5; 7. P. Varian 4; 8. J.
Hopper 3; 9. P. Tomlinson 2; 10. Brian Austin 1.
B - 1. Brian Davison 10pts; 2. Joe Williams 9;
3. Peter Taylor 8; 4. M. Davies 7; 5. T. Kott 6; 6.
J. Gyte 5; 7. M. Hopkins 4; 8. G. Sims 3.
C - 1. Peter Greenwood 10pts; 2. Phil Bayton
9; 3. Andrew Donaldson 8; 4. Kevin Shand 7;
5. Gordon Smith 6; 6. David Newby 5; 7. Tony
Williams 4; 8. Mick O’Connor 3; 9. Gary
Weston 2; 10. Dave Terry 1.
D - 1. Don Parry 10pts; 2. Dave Maughan
9pts; 3. Gordon Walters 8pts; 4. Michael Allen
7pts; 5. John Clarke 6pts; 6. John Powell 5pts;
7. Malcolm Church 4pts; 8. Mike Wilson 3pts;
9. Cliff Beldon 2pts;10. Ivor Thomas 1pt.
E - 1. Roger Iddles 10pts; 2. John McMillan
9pts; 3. Mick Ives 8; 4. Brian Sunter 7; 5. Sid
Lovatt 6; 6. Jack Wright 5; 7. Bob Richards 4;
8. Bob Page 3; 9. K. Haddon 2; 10. R. Pyne 1.
F - 1. Jack Watson 10pts; 2. Geoff Mindham
9pts; 3. Derek Smith 8pts;4. Arnold Russell
7pts; 5. Peter Ryalls 6pts.
G - 1. Roy Godbeer 10pts.
A - 1. Charles Zanettachi 10pts; 2. William
Belcher 9; 3. Gary Wilcox 8; 4. Mark Hammersley
7; 5. C.Fenwick 6; 6. S. Davies 5; 7. Martyn
Sladdin 4; 8. David Fox 3; 9. M.Gormley 2.
B - 1. Roger Bishop 10pts; 2. N.Giles 9; 3.
Brian Davison 8; 4. Chris Duffield 7; 5. Gerald
Sturdy 6; 6. P.Freeman 5; 7. Mike Hopkins 4.
C - 1. Dave Cuming 10pts; 2. Peter Greenwood
9; 3. Phil Bayton 8; 4. Ivor Thomas 7; 5.
Gordon Smith 6; 6. Dave Scargill 5; 7. Jack
Belcher 4; 8. P.Tabron 3; 9. Ian Potts 2; 10.
Mick O’Connor 1.
D - 1. Clive Pinfold 10pts; 2. Allan Ramsay 9;
3. Gordon Walters 8; 4. Roger Barnes 7; 5.
Alan Swimby 6; 6. Dave Rutherford 5; 7. Dave
Hargreaves 4; 8. Don Parry 3.
E - 1. Les West 10pts; 2. Trevor Horton 9; 3.
Mick Ives 8; 4. Pete Matthews 7; 5. Brian
Sunter 6; 6. Ken Haddon 5; 7. Bob Richards 4;
8. Eric King 3; 9. Roger Hornsby 2.
F - 1. Hugh McGuire 10pts; 2. Dave Elliott
9pts; 3. Derek Smith 8pts; 4. Peter Ryalls 7pts.
G - 1. Jeff Warren 10pts; 2. Roy Godbeer
9pts; 3. Barrie Bodenham 8pts.
Below: probably (we can’t be certain)
Charles Zanettachi, winner of the A
Category race. Photo Jerrard Lockett
Percy Stallard Final Classification after 9 events
A Categories
1. Martyn Sladdin 34
2. Steve Davies 28
3. William Belcher 23
4. Paul Stubbs 15
5. Mark Burnham 14
6=. Robert Blackbur 12
6=. Gary Fulstow 12
6=. Peter Varian 12
9=. Martin Ashall 11
9=. David Ferguson 11
B Categories
1. Nick Yarworth 40
2. Brian Davison 35
3. Roger Bishop 34
4. Malcolm Whitehead 22
5=. Martin Hulbert 18
5=. Steve Jolley 18
7=. Phil Rose 17
7=. Joe Williams 17
9=. Barry Ford 16
9=. Peter Taylor 16
C Categories
1. Peter Greenwood 47
2=. Dave Scargill 32
2=. Gordon Smith 32
4. Andrew Donaldson 31
5. Phil Bayton 30
6=. Chris Bishop 20
6=. Dave Cuming 20
8=. Mick McManus 16
8=. Joseph Rowe 16
10. Tony Williams 15
D Categories
1. Don Parry 43
2. Allan Ramsay 29
3. Dave Rutherford 28
4. Gordon Walters 27
5. John Powell 25
=6. Dave Hargreaves 23
=6. Clive Pinfold 23
8. Barrie Mitchell 19
9. Geoff Standley 18
10. Dave Maughan 17
E Categories
1. Mick Ives 46
2. Brian Sunter 40
3. Sid Lovatt 34
4. Bob Richards 28
5=. Eric King 27
5=. John McMillan 27
7. Roger Hornsby 26
8=. John Ginley 24
10=. Ken Haddon 19
10=. Trevor Horton 19
F Categories
1. Jack Watson 50
2. Derek Smith 39
3. Peter Ryalls 37
4. Dave Elliott 34
5. Arnold Russell 26
6=. Hugh McGuire 25
6=. Geoff Mindham 25
8=. Les West 24
8. Roger Smith 18
9=. Nev Ashman 15
9=. Roly Crayford 15
G Categories
1=. Barrie Bodenham 47
1=. Roy Godbeer 47
3. Alan Edmondson 20
4. Jeff Warren 10
5. John Flear 9
6. John Lawton 6
7. Ken Roscamp 5
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 15

How to Cook
Pasta
PASTA IS PROBABLY the most popu
lar source of carbohydrate for
professional racing cyclists. It’s a
starch-based carbohydrate with a low
glycaemic index and is an excellent
choice for the evening meal when you’re
racing the next morning. Pasta should
not be cooked until it’s floppy and slimy.
‘Al dente’, tender but firm when bitten
is the aim. Cooking time depends on the
shape, but as a rough guide, 10 ounces
of penne (see below) needs about 8 minutes.
Food snobs do rather go on about
the superiority of fresh pasta, but experts
rate dry pasta as equally nutritious and
good to eat.
Use a big pot filled with plenty of
water so the individual pieces of pasta
can float freely. About 5 pints per
pound of dry pasta should do. Bring
the water to a rolling boil.
Add a teaspoon of salt. Cookery experts
no longer recommend adding
olive oil.
Bring the water to a vigorous, rolling
boil before you add the pasta. Put it
in a handful at a time and give it a
stir to prevent the pieces clumping
together. When cooking spaghetti or
lasagne, push down the stiff strands
as they soften, using a long-handled
spoon, until they’re all under water.
If the water stops boiling, cover the
pan and bring to a boil again as soon
as possible.
Pasta is done when it starts to look
opaque. Lift a piece of pasta (with a
fork) from the water, let it cool briefly,
then pinch or bite it. It should feel
flexible but still firm inside.
When the pasta is done, drain it into
a colander. Shake the pasta briefly to
remove excess water, then return it
to the pot or to a warmed serving
bowl.
Twenty-Six Varieties
Pasta comes in at least 26 shapes, ranging
from plain spaghetti strands to bow
ties. All the shapes are made from the
same wheat-and-water dough, sometimes
tinted with vegetable juice (spinach,
tomato). The best pasta is made
from durum wheat that has been ground
into fine granules called semolina or into
durum flour. Durum wheat has a high
gluten (protein) content that gives the
pasta a firm texture. Whole wheat pasta,
in comparison, tends to have more fibre
and is softer; soy pastas are still softer.
When deciding which shape of pasta to
use, the rule of thumb is to use twisted
and curved shapes (such as twists and
shells) with meaty, beany, and chunky
sauces. These shapes trap more sauce
than spaghetti or linguini would.
Commonly-available shapes:
Capellini d’angelo: Angel hair
Conchiglie: Shells
Conchigliette: Little shells
Farfalle: Butterflies or bow ties
Fettucini: Flat, wide spaghetti
Fusilli: Twisted spaghetti strands
Linguini: Thinner than fettucini; wider
than spaghetti
Manicotti: Big tubes
Penne: Short, medium tubes with
pointed ends
Rigatoni: Tubes
Rotelle: Twists
Route: Cartwheels
Stelline: Little stars
Vermicelli: Thin, flat spaghetti
Ziti: Small tubes
Faster-cooking shapes include capellini, farfalle and stelline. V
Chicken Pasta Special
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast
fillets [approx. l00g (4oz) raw
weight each]
½ tbsp sunflower oil
½ medium onion, finely chopped
juice of 1 lemon
75g (3 oz) low fat soft cheese
50g (2oz) mushrooms, sliced
175g (6oz) pasta spirals
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
1. Slice the chicken fillets into 1
cm/½ in wide strips.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan and
add the chopped onion, cooking
gently until softened but not
browned.
3. Add the chicken slices and cook
for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally
to avoid browning the chicken.
4. Add the lemon juice and soft
cheese and stir well so that the
mixture resembles a smooth
sauce.
5. Add the mushrooms and leave
the chicken sauce to simmer
gently.
6. Cook the pasta as directed on
the packet.
7. Drain the pasta and serve with
the chicken sauce.
SERVE WITH: Green side salad or
green beans
Nutrition at a glance (per serving)
535 Calories, Protein 37g, Fat
14g, Carbohydrate 69g
Contributed by Will Carling
Page 16 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

LVRC Shop
Clothing
LVRC Jerseys, short-sleeve £35.00
LVRC Jerseys, long-sleeve £37.50
Bib Shorts £35.00
Cloth badges £2.00
Metal badges £3.00
Post & packing for jerseys £1.50
Bib shorts, Size 5 £12.50
Bib shorts, size 6 £10
Please ring beforehand to
check availability
Please make cheques payable
to LVRC
Never mind
the quality – feel
the width! Size 6
jerseys and shorts,
only £10 each
From:
Jean Flear, 14A Water Lane,
North Hykeham,
Lincoln LN6 9QST
Telephone: 01522-687738
Envelopes: use big ones
A plea from all organisers to everyone
who plans to enter an LVRC
event this year:
Please enclose a stamped,
addressed envelope of a reasonable
size with your entry form.
Most programmes are A5 size, 21 x
15 cm (8¼ x 6 inches), and they
need an A5 envelope. Some of the
envelopes we get haven’t got room
for the address and the stamp,
never mind about two or three
sheets of A4 paper. A5 envelopes
are nominally 9 x 6 inches. They’re
expensive if you buy them one at a
time, but you can buy a pack of 25
from your local newsagents for
around £1, so £2 should last even
the most active rider a whole
season.
Please – do us all a favour.
LVRC Public
LiabilityInsurance
Tell your friends: for the over 40s
this is without doubt the best value
on the market.
Covers members for both social and
competitive cycling at all times in
United Kingdom and all European
countries except Switzerland.
Limit of Indemnity Five million
pounds.
All this free with LVRC membership
Cycling in
Provence
(South of France)
We are an English couple living in a large, Provençal style country house with
walled garden and large swimming pool. The house has been renovated to
include 4 large, self-catering apartments in the village of ORGON, set in the
Durance valley 25 km south of Avignon.
We can offer superb cycling routes for training, touring and VTT, covering the
Luberon National Park and The Alpilles. Secure parking and cycle storage is
available. Individuals and groups are welcome. Open from March to end of
October. Special price of £85 per person per week is offered to cyclists
during October and from March to third week in May.
For further information and brochure contact:
Mike Grayson, Mas de Bazarde,
6 Route de Bazardes, 13660 Orgon, France.
Telephone & Fax: 00.33.4.90.73.09.73
Website: www.masdebazarde.com
e-mail: masdebazarde@aol.com
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 17

Pedal Power 2004: ABCC Annual Conference
Backstedt makes it
THERE WAS A GOOD reason why
Magnus Backstedt was late for
his appearance as principal
guest at Pedal Power: the Paris –
Roubaix winner was in Stockholm to
receive Sweden’s Sportsman of the
Year award, flew straight from the presentation
to Stansted, and then, with
his Bianchi special on the roof-rack,
made the two-hour drive to Coventry
where the audience in the lecture theatre
at the TechnoCentre hung on his
every word as Lewis Hall interviewed
him, furiously scribbling down outlines
of Magnus’s training schedules so they
can clip off to South Wales and emulate
him: four-day blocks of four to six
hours at around 33 kph at an average
power output of 270 watts, with a fiveminute
hill interval every twenty minutes
or so during the first two hours.
Your rest day is only two hours on the
road.
Afterwards there was a lot of autograph
signing (‘it’s for my teenage son’)
and standing around the bicycle, stroking
it, like the crowd in the paddock
after the Derby. Which is perhaps not
such a bad analogy.
When you’re 1m 88 (6ft 4) and
around 92 kilos, you need a solid bike.
Ordinary ones just bend. Magnus’s
special Bianchi is built of thick-walled
titanium tubes filled with the sort of
dense foam that supports aircraft
wings, and it stays in one piece over
the cobbles. Higher, faster, stronger.
Bigger.
In the season, when they’re not racing,
what pros do mostly is resting. All
those ten minute, one hour, two hour
kips in the plane, team car, TGV, can
add up to the difference between winning
and losing a stage.
Dave Lloyd is a natural athlete, rode
for TI-Raleigh, fell out, like all British
riders, with Peter Post, quit pro cycling
on account of a heart arrhythmia, won
135 RTTC time-trials including national
championships, then retired.
A good cross-country runner, Lloydy
suffered like many kids in Britain from
a school sports culture centred entirely
on ball games. A work-mate sold him
a Harry Quinn for £5 and Eddie Soens
said he looked like ‘a monkey on a
stick’, but told his wife, ‘I’ve found
another one’. Eighteen months later he
rode the pursuit, team and individual,
the team time-trial and the road race
in the World Championships: ‘What
was all that about?’
Jan Raas told him, ‘You can’t ride the
third week of the Tour de France on
mineral water.’ Not being prepared to
enhance his performance artificially
was one of the factors, along with Post,
that drove him out of pro cycling. After
that his time-trial career in the UK
was, he says, second best, but seven
years of enjoyment. What was all that
about?
Chips Rafferty used to be in the
Army where he trained soldiers in
things like abseiling down 2000 foot
vertical rock-faces, or covering 85 kilometres
in a night march across the Iraq
desert. It’s about horses for courses,
Chips says: however great a Grand
National competitor, Red Rum could
never have won the Derby. Marching
six hours without water may be unavoidable
in the military, but when
you’ve got a backup team and lots of
opportunity to buy drinks, then avoiding
drinking just to prove that you’re
well hard seems just bloodyminded.
But I seem to remember from my National
Service that the Army tends to
make you that way.
Geoff Cooke is a horses-for-courses man
too. It was only when he realised that
he was never going to be a great endurance
athlete, gave up his dream of riding
the Tour de France, and settled for
being an outstanding sprinter, that he
began to enjoy his cycling. Geoff started
racing in the days when the received
wisdom was that you drank as little fluid
as possible because … Well, nobody
actually knows why, but it was supposed
to be a good thing. Then he got dehydrated
at a track meet, swigged a litre of
water, and went out and won. QED. And
if he has a message for the up-and-coming:
‘Every sport is extreme if you do it
properly.’
Matt Bridge works for the Human
Performance Unit at Birmingham University,
an outfit richly endowed with
high-quality sports scientists doing cutting-edge
research with real bike riders.
He gave a run-down on the Unit’s
nutrition work of the last six years accompanied
by the very best
PowerPoint presentation you’ve seen.
A mountain stage in the Tour can use
up 9000 calories, which is 28 cheeseburgers,
but as we know, they tend to
go mainly for pasta. On the rest day
the experts recommend a nice meal –
you know, roast chicken, potatoes –
not just pasta again – again.
We know a lot more about nutrition
in sport now, but there are plenty of
unanswered questions: why does sugar
instantly cure hunger knock, for instance,
long before the body can assimilate
the food? It’s probably down
to receptors in the mouth sending a
message to the brain which the brain
passes on to the legs: ‘It’s OK, he’s
eating again, you can start working’,
but we’re still not a hundred percent
certain. And how does caffeine work?
You can get 90 grams of carbohydrate
from: four medium, ripe bananas;
100 grams of cornflakes; a litre
or so of sports drink; 400 grams of spaghetti;
or half a bag of jelly beans. The
lads at the HP Unit make their own
sports drink, a fraction of the price of
SuperWhizz Fuel and every bit as good.
As one attendee pointed out, what you
save in a season on your sports drinks
will pay your £45 Conference fee,
which included a three-course lunch
and seems practically free nowadays.
See you next year. V
Page 18 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

From Dave Handley, Bracknell
Dear Mr. Shy & Retiring,
As I was reading my biography in the
LVRC magazine a couple of days ago it
gradually dawned on me that it wasn’t
about me but someone else. Everything
was my current lifestyle – food, weight
(varies between 12.12 and 13.1, about
6 lbs heavier than when I was racing at
25 years old), drink – it takes about a
week to down a bottle of Cabernet
Sauvignon – and the training is about the
same.
A couple of years ago an old friend
took me to Herne Hill to watch the
British Masters Championships. I had-n’t
sat on a bike for 15 years so I was
amazed to see so many old friends and
rivals, Geoff Cooke, Dave Le Grys, Andy
Coady, Steve Cronshaw and so more.
They all told me to start racing again as
it’s terrific racing against old rivals,
people of one’s own age. Everyone was
so friendly and I was offered so much
help from guys prepared to ride very
slowly up the road with me until I
reached a modicum of fitness and could
fend for myself. Trevor Maddern of
Ciclos Uno gave me two bikes, a turbotrainer,
shoes, hats, lots of clothing,
everything I needed to train and race.
After six months came my first race,
the British Masters Sprint Championship
at Heme Hill. I couldn’t believe how
hard it was to race 400 metres flat out
and afterwards I couldn’t believe that I
was the British Champion for 2003.
After this I elected to have a go at a
younger category and finished second to
World Masters Champion Brian Dacey. I
was absolutely over the moon.
My feelings of self-worth were at first a
bit low when getting thrashed by local
vets on our 15 miles route from a cafe
19 miles from home. But after the Herne
Hill episode feelings of self-worth were
at a high. I could catch the postman on
his rounds and even beat some of my
training partners up hills – providing they
were short enough.
My advice to anyone our age is ‘little
and often’ – couple of hours every other
day. Continue to eat and drink as you
do. Finding someone to train with is
imperative – it’s soul destroying on your
own unless you’re going to be only a
time triallist. I assume you want to be a
road rider or even would like to join us
at Herne Hill or Manchester. When you
were in your 20s you were a star, a
professional bike rider. So with a bit of
training it shouldn’t be too difficult to be
able to race at a very high level in LVRC
or other organisations’ events. It usually
takes a couple of years to be competitive
after a long layoff but you’ve been doing
it for two or three years now.
So when we eventually meet I’d like to
be able to congratulate you on your
performances thus far.
Dave Handley was British Track
Champion six years running, had 751
wins from 910 starts, and in taking 3rd
place in 1960 was the last British
winner of a medal in the individual
World Sprint Championship.
So the LVRC Self-Help Wing is born.
From Eric Dyer, Adel,Leeds
Correct me if I’m wrong (I’m sure
somebody will), but I rather felt that
Mick Ives’s letter in the last Leaguer
(‘Terrible race calendar’) was rather
mean-spirited, a slap on the wrist or a
poke in the eye for all the volunteer
regional and national officials who give
their time and energies, not for money
or personal publicity, but for love of the
sport. Don’t they deserve better than this
kind of wholesale, all-round slagging-off?
I imagine that organising a single event,
let alone fitting in with 125 others
nationwide, is far from being a ‘simple
straightforward procedure’. I know that
if I were a regional or national coordinator,
and that if I thought Mick’s
views were held by the majority, I’d soon
vote with my feet and leave someone
else to get the abuse next time.
Incidentally, do we want to attract
greater membership? Surely only if
they’re going to take their share of
organising, marshalling, etc. Isn’t our
major priority at the moment to get
enough organisers and officials to
continue running at our present level?
The truth is that for some years now the
LVRC has been in danger of becoming a
victim of its own success.
Fircroft Hotel
Family hotel close to the sea and shops.
All 51 bedrooms en suite, with colour TV
and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Superb restaurant, large car-park, bike
store, free entry to hotel-owned sports and
From Chris Singleton
In his letter Mick Ives complains about
the Race Calendar. He says it’s the
flagship of the LVRC and describes it as
the worst he can remember. Mick is in
no position to point the finger. You
shouldn’t throw stones when you live in
a glass house. In 2003 he did his best to
damage my 3-Day Tour of the Abberleys
by taking his MI team to a race in Spain
on the same weekend, and I also know
(because they told me themselves) that
he advised others not to ride but to go
to Spain too. And then he says he wants
a high profile for stage races and
complains that people don’t support the
calendar.
In the same year he discouraged his
MI team riders from riding the National
Handicap Championship, and the lack
of entries was the main reason why I had
to cancel it. When did Mr Ives ever care
about the Calendar? Or about providing
a service for members? It’s one thing to
complain about things being wrong
because you want to make them better.
But Mick just wants the calendar to suit
him, and give him a lot of personal
publicity. There’s a word for people like
Mick, but the editor probably wouldn’t
print it anyway so I’ll have to leave it to
your imagination.
Proprietors: Mr & Mrs Barry Clarke
AA
RAC
ETC
Owls Road, East Cliff,
Bournemouth BH5 1AE
Tel: 01202-309771 Fax: 01202-395644
fitness club 9 a.m. - 6 pm, indoor pool,
jacuzzi, steam room, gym.
Cyclist discount of 20% when you mention
this advertisement (except where discounted).
Sponsor of Bournemouth Arrow CC Co-sponsor: Maestro-Fircroft
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 19

One More Kilometre and We’re in
the Showers: Memoirs of a Cyclist.
Tim Hilton. Harper Collins 2004. 396
pages hardback. £16.99. ISBN 0-00-
257194-3.
Tim Hilton’s parents were Bohemian
communists who had met at Oxford in
the thirties, and lived for a time in
Edgbaston, a bourgeois suburb of Birmingham.
Rodney and Margaret (the
children of Party members called their
parents by their first names) left for
France leaving young Tim behind in the
care of his maternal grandparents resin
Raynes Park. This proved to be the catalyst
for his introduction to cycling.
In a lengthy anthology and memoir the
author breaks the surface of post-war
cycling in Britain and on the Continent.
Club cycling reached its zenith in the fifties
and he brings back memories of reliability
trials, track racing at Easter, the
Isle of Man, fixed wheels and the BLRC.
He sees the classless ideal of communism
as making him perfect material for
a cyclist, and references to the Left crop
up regularly.
Fausto Coppi, who appears throughout,
in the Tour de France or the Classics,
is a touchstone for contemporary,
modish, Italian life, the radical, supposed
atheist, versus Bartali, conservative,
Catholic, robuts. The Campionissimo’s
life, after the scandal of the ‘White Lady’,
slowly went in to free-fall as his personal
affairs unwound and his athleticism declined.
The Clarion movement is explained
and the link between it and Percy Stallard
– innovation – identified. Introverted
British club cycling clashed with the extroversion
of the Leaguers, dark glasses,
jazz and Italian road jerseys. The Clarion
movement encouraged fellowship
whereas the BLRC became divisive and
foundered on amalgamation.
Reg Harris was a perfectionist and professionally
ruthless. Stories of him pedalling
around his beloved Cheshire lanes
were evidently a figment of someone’s
imagination in the Raleigh marketing
department. He was also something of
a ladies man and far removed from the
cosy picture of the pipe-smoking champion.
Heroes of the Tour have their place,
especially those of the fifties. Bobet’s
metamorphosis from callow aspirant to
champion is uplifting. Obsessive and selfcentred,
he regarded other cyclists as
enemies or as servants. There are vignettes
of Koblet and his effect on the
Tour – at once romantic and short-lived,
yet unforgettable. Robic, aggressive and
bad-tempered, and the volatile
Geminiani both add colour whilst the
taciturn Vietto, although influential, was
destined never to win the Tour de
France. The arrival of the unsentimental,
pragmatic and calculating Anquetil
challenged the received wisdom of how
a champion behaved in his professional
and private life.
The atmospheric description of the
Classics reflects knowledge of geography,
buildings, social history and culture.
But despite his classlessness author
is a traditionalist. In
comparing modern racing
with history, he
opines that races belong
to newspapers and not
TV companies.
A return to Oxford and
undergraduate days allows
some pondering on village
halls and the coming demise
of domestic time
trialling. Ray Booty
emerged towards the end
of a golden period. Later, the eccentric
Alf Engers and the determined, gritty, obsessive
Beryl Burton paved the way for
Chris Boardman, sports psychology and
modern (laboratory) technology and
training.
Despite his erudtion, the writer is
prone to unforced errors. A wordy description
of cycle gearing (‘a complete
revolution of the front wheel of a
“penny-farthing” would cover the same
amount of road as the wheel’s diameter’)
makes no mention of pi. ‘The League
International exists to promote massedstart
events for veterans.’ In fact, TLI
caters for juveniles up to veterans of 75+
years. ‘There are no cyclists in the Navy.’
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Cycling
Association (a hundred-plus members)
might have something to say about
that. And for the pedant, ‘Lucien
Lazaridès was the younger brother of his
better-known sibling and protegé of
Vietto, Apo’. Lucien was actually the
elder. There are other examples to irritate
the devotee.
However, this book is written with
authority and relish. Often light-hearted,
Tim Hilton does not take himself too
seriously and is consequently more readable.
Sentimental and nostalgic for the
past, he seems uncomfortable in a world
dulled by materialism and high disposable
income. Gordon Daniels
The Tour de France 1903-2003. A
Century of Sporting Structures,
Meanings and Values: Edited by Hugh
Dauncey and Geoff Hare. Frank Cass
Publishers 2003. 289 pages paperback,
£18.50. ISBN 0-7146-8297-7.
This collection of essays is the work of
British, French and American academics
with interests in French popular
culture, sport and broadcasting in
France and the cultural history of the
Tour de France, tracing it from its
inception to modern times, setting the
race in a political, cultural and
social context, identifying important
historical milestones and
major French heroes, discussing
organisation and management.
The newspaper was the foremost
means of popular mass communication
and from the outset,
Desgrange and other Tour journalists
adopted a florid style.
Through the columns of L’Auto,
they created a mythology, turning
exploits into epics and riders
into heroes. The Pélissier brothers’
abandon in the 1924 Tour is depicted as
a clash between Left and Right, drawing
an obvious comparison between the riders
as slave labourers and critics’ depiction
of capitalism’s abuse of factory workers.
Until 1930 the Tour’s function was to
sell newspapers and bicycles. Bicycle
manufacturers contracted the best riders
and controlled the race. The national
team formula introduced in 1930,
funded largely from the new publicity
caravan and increased subsidies from the
host towns raised prize money from
150,000 to 800,000 francs in ten years.
After the war, while France enjoyed a
consumer boom, the sales of bicycles
plunged, and the race ran in deficit for
several years. Professional cycling survived
on the introduction of extra-sportif
(i.e. not bicycles) sponsors forcing a return
to commercial teams. The Tour’s
television and on-air coverage expanded
with media deregulation: TV rights fees
increased from 12 million francs in 1990
to 85 million francs by 1998. French television
is the Tour’s main financial partner,
owns the television rights, and uses
its enormous influence to slant the
broadcasting towards tourism; and increased
corporate influence enables
Coca-Cola and Nike to disseminate their
brand images worldwide.
The Tour hero is a mix of the racer’s
Page 20 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

ability and his perception by the fans,
and may become a ‘popular champion’.
In France there has been a reassessment
by the public as to how drug-charged
performances should be viewed. The
race’s physical demands are so enormous
that survival, never mind success,
are supposed to depend on some bending
of the rules. Whistle-blowers, for example,
Christophe Bassons, and champions
who stand against drugs receive a
mixed reception from press and public.
Those at the sharp end of the syringe
have ways of rationalising their behaviour.
Riders, buttressed by doctors and
trainers, pick it up by a kind of osmosis
and become adept at self-deception in
explaining their conduct when challenged
from outside the cycling cocoon.
The Tour, following more intense media
coverage, has been the subject of
demonstrations, both social and political,
and may be seen as a last resort for
expressing deep social unrest. However,
the organisers have learned to anticipate
potential risks to the smooth running of
the race and are skilled negotiators. From
experience, they have developed means
of incorporating protests into the needs
of the Tour. The media platform afforded
to social movements to enable the publicising
of grievances reinforces the image
of a popular race. Anyone who has
waded through lightweight contemporary
books on the Tour de France will
find these essays challenging and rewarding.
Gordon Daniels
A Significant Other: Matt Rendell.
Weidenfeld and Nicholson 2004. 182
pages hardback, £12.99. ISBN 0-297-
84716-3
Most cycling writers want to write a history
of the Tour de France. But when
you try, you find that you can’t – not in
any conventional sense anyway. For one
thing, a mere summary of each year’s
race plus a list of results, while being a
valuable record, is neither satisfying to
write nor to read; for another it’s been
done already, notably by Pierre Chany,
whose 950-page work is at once history,
commentary and record book. You need
another angle, a different perspective.
Geoffrey Nicholson set his two fine
Tour histories in frames, the first (The
Great Race) that of the 1976 Tour, and
the second (Le Tour) in the 1990 event.
Matt Rendell has created a double
frame. The first a single, pivotal stage,
the 15 th of the 2003 Tour, with the finish
at Luz Ardiden. The second is the perception
of the event through the senses
of a single rider, Lance Armstrong’s
domestique Victor Hugo Peña, normally
a barely-acknowledged servant, but now,
as the first Colombian to wear the Yellow
Jersey, a Significant Other.
But Peña can’t tell the whole story by
himself, so from here on Peña’s story of
Stage 15 is intercut with Rendell’s own
history of the Tour: its origins in the
Dreyfus Affair, sponsored by an antisemitic
millionaire, its growth, its economic
importance, its globalisation. It’s
a satisfyingly complex structure. A further
strand is the author’s account of the
nature of cycle road racing, based as it
is on the idea of slipstreaming, which
itself creates the idea of the domestique,
a shadowy figure who (despite
Desgrange’s opposition) appeared even
in the earliest Tours. If there were no
slipstream, the domestique would have
no labour.
As anyone who’s read his Kings of the
Mountains knows, Rendell is a Spanishspeaking
social historian with a special
interest in Colombia, that tragic country
of self-inflicted injury, where 99 percent
of the wealth is owned by one percent
of the population, and where cocaine
and civil wars blight any growth towards
a better life. The great days when they
hosted the World Championships are
gone, along with the coffee boom and
the promise of economic prosperity.
Peña is the son of a postman, brought
up with enough food but little else in a
single-room dwelling. Yet a month before
the start of the Tour, lured by wild
stories of his fabulous wealth, that he had
$120,000 in a safe, masked bandits entered
his house and robbed him at gunpoint.
He nearly didn’t make the Tour.
But he rode a good prologue, and the
team time-trial put him in the lead.
This book is better-written than Kings
of the Mountains, the style easier and
more fluid, but there are still sections
where figures, dates, places, names and
numbers are excessively dense. You ask,
‘Wouldn’t it have been simpler to put
this in some sort of table?’
Rendell’s thesis is that internationalisation
has not benefited the sport as, for
instance, the same process has benefited
football. The great event, now more than
ever before, is the mighty Tour, a race
dependent on the efforts of a labouring
class on behalf of an aristocracy. The
cycling World Championships and World
Cup (which in football are everything)
are to all intents and purposes, sideshows.
Cycling has not been ‘socialised’:
it’s still an aristocratic and hierarchical
sport based on patronage, virtually feudal.
The modern sponsored professional
cyclist is a ‘startling embodiment of the
business philosophy, developed in the
mid-1980s, that successful corporations
should primarily produce brands as opposed
to products.’
It’s a hierarchy supported by ‘anonymous
travail’, from the Taiwan sweatshop
where the frames are mass-produced,
to the sweating domestique on the climb
to Luz Ardiden, the victim of ‘a Faustian
pact gone wrong’.
At the end we do get a table, in which
Rendell attempts a classification based
on points which ranks the participating
nations (fifty of them by now) according
to their success. Not very surprisingly
France comes top, but the USA was already
up to fifth (it’ll be 4 th now), Ireland
is 10 th and Britain 18 th .
The index is mostly based on names
of people and places, which is useful
when you want to look at something a
second time. And you will, because it’s
not only a fine piece of story-telling, but
also a masterly analysis of a sport and a
world which may have taken a wrong
direction.
Ray Minovi
LVRC Gran Fondos 2005
June 5: Polkadot Challenge, 100
miles and 72 miles
September 4: Spud Riley
Memorial, 100 miles and 54 miles
Both events cover very testing
Peak District routes. Pre-entry
£10, entry on the day £15. Fee
includes food and drink.
Good HQ, ample free parking,
fully-signed routes (over 100
arrows). Two feeding stations
and controls. Route sheets and
timing cards.
In 2004 Polkadot there were 547
starters in the Polkadot, in the
Spud Riley 175 starters.
After costs are paid all moneys
go to Christie’s Cancer Hospital
in Manchester. Last year we
presented them with a cheque
for £8019.
The new website is not fully
completed but is up and running
at www.polkadotchallenge.org
where you can get more information,
entry forms and photos.
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 21

Page 22 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004

Regional Officers 2005
REGION 1. N.W. . ENGLAND
CHAIRMAN
Dennis Agnew 44 Commonside, Ansdell, Lytham, Lancs FY8 4EX 01253-739428
REGISTRAR
Ray Groves
2 Locks View, Ince Wigan Lancs WN1 3HL 01942-495214
SEC, TREASURER & CONTACT Wally Hodge 43 Wyre Avenue, Kirkham Preston Lancs PR4 2YE 01772-682531
EVENT CO-ORDINATOR
Rober
obert t Pye
4 Fairways Avenue, Broughton, Preston Lancs PR3 5JP 01772-866070
N/LETTER CORRESP
Harry Benson ‘Fylde Cottage’,1 Havenlyn Park, Cabus, Preston PR3 1BF 01524-791604
N/LETTER DISTRIBUTOR Tony ony Money 79 Longhouse Lane, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancs FY6 8DE 01253-883512
QUARTERMASTER
Keith Wright
29 Church Street, Kirkham, Preston PR4 2SE 01772-499213
REGION 2. N.E.ENGLAND and YORKSHIRE
C/MAN & EVENTS CO-ORD
Derek ek Smith 15 Moor Grange View, West Park, Leeds LS16 5BN 0113-275-9733
SEC, & QM
Alan Edmondson ’Seven Oaks’, Newlay Wood Ave, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4LN 0113-258-7194
REGISTRAR
Fred Lee
15 Grangefield Avenue, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley LS29 7HA 01943-864360
TREASURER
Tim Teale
1 The Birches, Guiseley, Leeds LS20 9EH 01943-878600
N/L CORRESP
David Hamilton 332 Spen Lane, West Park, Leeds LS16 5BA 0113-278-2093
N/LETTER DISTRIBUTOR
Ian Moore 24 Rombalds Crescent, SILSDEN, BD20 0LE 01535-654070
REGION 3 NORTH WALES and MERSEYSIDE
LIVERPOOL ORGANISER Paul Paterson
50 Ennismore Road, Liverpool L13 2AT 0151-259-6083
WIRRAL ORGANISER
Brian Ellis 1 Priory Road, West Kirkby, Wirral CH48 7ET 0151-625-8896
WALES ORGANISER
Richard d Lang
The Lodge,Cerrigilwydion Hall, Llandyrnog, Nr Denbigh, LL16 4LE 01824-790398
ADMINISTRATOR
Geoff Brandt 29 Templemore Road, Oxton, Birkenhead, Mersey-side, CH43 2HB 0151-652-0217
EVENT CO-ORDINATOR
Keith Boardman
19 Clydesdale Road, Hoylake, Wirral, CH7 3RP. 0151-632-3185
N/LETTER DISTRIBUTOR
Eddie Hayes 45 Leominster Road, Wallasey, Merseyside CH44 5UT 0151-691-1458
REGION 4 MANCHESTER and NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE
CHAIRMAN/REGISTRAR
Dave Watson
207 Manchester Road, Greenfield, Oldham OL3 7HX 01457-837113
CONTACT/EVENTS
Nev Ashman 77 Hulme Hall Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 6JZ. 01614-857969
N/L CORRESPONDENT
Jim Golden Foxglove Cottage, 18 The Village, Keele, Staffordshire. ST5 5AR 01782-624631
TREASURER
John Carter
41 Holthouse Road, Tottington, Bury BL8 3JP 01204-886635
N/LETTER DISTRIBUTOR Les Bailey 51 Romans Rd, Northwich, Cheshire,CW8 1DE. 01606-781760
REGION 5. EAST and NORTH MIDLANDS
C/MAN, N/L DISTRIB & QM
John Downing
REGISTRAR
Jenny Downing 33 Doncaster Road, Costhorpe, Worksop, Notts, S81 9QY. 01909-732764
SECRETARY
Jean Flear 14a Water Lane, North Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9QST 01522-687738
TREASURER
John Flear 14a Water Lane, North Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9QST 01522-687738
NEWSLETTER CORRESP
Phil Etches 12 Hereford Way, Grantham, Lincs NG31 8AX 01476-577262
EVENT CO-ORD
Dave Gretton
7 Lorimer Avenue, Gedling, Notts NG4 4BS 0115-987-8700
e-mail davegretton@hotmail.com
REGION 6. MID WALES and WEST MIDLANDS
CONTACT
Ray Minovi 45 Augusta Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AE 0121-449-1347
REGISTRAR/TREASURER
Colin Willetts 201 Mildenhall Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B42 2PE 0121-358-6768
N/L CORRESP & DISTRIB
Colin Dooley 62 Gillhurst Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 8PB3 0121-427-2149
REGION 7. S.E.MIDLANDS and EAST ANGLIA
CONTACT
Ron on Day 11 Kingsbridge, Furzeton, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK4 1EH. 01908-501461
REGISTRAR
Gordon Batcock 58 Derwent Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 2QW 01525-374035
TREASURER/EVENT CO-ORD
Mike Burns 14 Briars Close, Long Lawford, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9DW 01788-567637
N/LETTER DISTRIBUTOR
John Powell
19 The Rookery, Orton Whiston, Peterborough PE2 6YT 01733-756042
REGION 8: S.WALES and WESTERN ENGLAND
CONTACT
Chas Bland Poplars, Hillside, Long Ashton, Bristol, Avon, BS18 9LG. 01275-393696
SECRETARY
Austin Heath Melrose, 12 Heol Morlais, Llannon, Dyfed SA14 6BD 01269-832975
TREASURER
Kevin Green
een 107 Cherington, Yate, South Glos BS37 8UT 01454-881486
REGISTRAR & DISTRIBUTOR
Ralph Wilson 42 Bradstone Road, Winterbourne, South Glos BS36 1HQ 01454-776062
EVENT Co-ord, QM, N/L Corr
Martin tin Bush Mobility House, Aberaman Park Ind Est, Aberdare, Mid-Glam CF44 6DA 01685-884226
REGION 9: LONDON and S. EAST ENGLAND
CHAIRMAN
Ian Tollady
9 Rosecroft Avenue, Hampstead, London, NW3 7QA. 0207-794-3410
SEC, EVENT CO-ORD,QM
Fred ed Little 45 Hillhouse Close, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0BB. 01277-658807
REGISTRAR
Bill Ollis 157 Cedar Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2JR. 01634-721502
TREASURER
Peter eter Wilson 52 Knoll Drive, Southgate, London, N14 5NE. 0208-368-0698
N/L DISTRIBUTOR
Arnold Russell 94 Thetford Close, London N13 6AU 0208-352-8780
N/L CORRESPONDENT
Richard Wall
1 Adelaide Cottage, Homesfield, London NW11 6HP 0208-458-9214
REGION 10: SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
REGISTRAR
Peter Rigby 18 Dryden Close, Fareham, Hants PO16 7NJ 01329-822046
EVENT CO-ORD
Paul Ruta 14 Scotter Square Bishopstoke Eastleigh Hampshire S050 6NW 02380-615405
N/L DISTRIBUTOR
Tony White Three Gables, Colesbrook, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4HH 01747-821803
TREASURER
Bob Lyle
The Heath, Byles Green, Upper Bucklebury, Berkshire RG7 6SD 01635-865637
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004 Page 23

A lot of very short intervals add up to a training system that really works.
15 — 30
Short intervals are the brain
child of German coach
Woldemar Gerschler, who
used them to train track athletes over
50 years ago and found that they
were more effective in developing
both speed and endurance than
long, continuous training runs. He
got the idea from heart specialist
Herbert Reindel who used a type of
interval training to treat heart patients.
Canadian master coach Guy
Thibault, who is a firm believer in
interval training of all kinds (and is
always looking for new disciples),
bases his 15 – 30 intervals on the
principles evolved by Gerschler.
They can be done on the road, but
as with all interval training they’re
more controllable on the turbo.
You warm up for ten minutes, then
make a hard effort for 15 seconds,
then 30 seconds recovery. You can
work out that each effort plus
recovery interval totals 45 seconds,
so if you do it for ten minutes, that’s
thirteen hard efforts in the block of
ten minutes. Then you recover for
five minutes, riding easily on a lower
gear: it’s important to keep riding
because the gentle activity promotes
blood flow in the muscles and
speeds up the elimination of lactic
acid. Then do another ten-minute
block of 15 – 30. Have another fiveminute
break, then do a third tenminute
block.
The most difficult bit is establishing
the right intensity for the initial
efforts, especially the very first ones.
The tendency is to do the 15 seconds
just a little too fast – they
mustn’t be actual sprints. You have to
do all the 15-second efforts at an
intensity that you can repeat each
time without flagging, from the
beginning to the end of the session.
Never go flat out. If you go too fast
(and even experienced athletes do
it), you end up paying for it: either
you have to slow down, or you finish
exhausted, which isn’t really the aim
of the exercise.
The 15-30 formula is only one of a
number of types of short interval
training. Gerschler says that you have
to do effort periods of 15 seconds or
less, divided up with recuperation
periods of the same period, or up to
double the time. The idea is that as
long as you stick to 15-second efforts
with a recovery time the same or up
to double, you’re OK.
Contrary to what you’re led to
believe, it’s not necessary to push
yourself to the limit during an
interval training session in order to
derive benefit from it. When you do
short intervals, from the first effort
periods, 15 seconds or whatever, it’s
your own responsibility to find an
intensity that’s high enough to
achieve a satisfying level of fatigue –
a matter of not finding it too easy –
but not too intense either, a matter
of being able to raise your effort
noticeably from the first repetition to
the last, without exhausting yourself.
A beneficial side effect is that you
lose more weight doing short intervals
than you do in continuous riding.
The idea is that you develop at the
same time your maximal aerobic
power (VO 2
max), and your anaerobic
capacity, the two most important
determinants of performance in
cycling, and, of course, in many
other sports. Short interval training is
Winter training – a brief guide
practically the only type of training
which works both physical systems at
the same time, as Gerschler pointed
out, and as recent studies in Japan,
the US and Scandinavia have
proved.
When you do the fast stretch,
you’re working your neuro-muscular
system at an intensity which easily
reaches and even exceeds your
VO 2
max, even if you don’t go flat
out. Hence the improvement of your
anaerobic capacity. During the
period of recuperation, say 30
seconds, your cardiovascular system
has to transport oxygen to the
muscles to compensate for the
oxygen you’ve used up during the
effort. That’s why we say that short
interval training develops maximal
aerobic capacity at the same time as
anaerobic capacity. Even while
you’re recuperating, you’re soliciting
your cardio-vascular system.
When Denis Roux was coaching
the Canadian National Squad he
drew up a winter training schedule
for Clara Hughes based on short
intervals, but misheard the original
instructions. Consequently he had
her doing 20 seconds of effort,
followed by 40 seconds of active
recovery, for an hour, on a Compu-
Trainer. Every day. She won two
bronze medals in Atlanta.
AS WE’VE POINTED out before, it’s
silly to waste all the fitness you
achieved during the season by
having a complete lay-off: even for
veterans, it’s an all-the-year-round
sport now. So after your threeweek
break in November you
should be moving into preparation
for next season.
Include other forms of fairly
vigorous exercise, anything that
works your cardio-vascular system.
To maintain your condition you’re
going to need 100 – 150 miles a
week, or the equivalent. Remember
frequent short rides are better
than infrequent long distance ones.
Continue to do a little work at
Level 2, and once a week do a short
(20 minutes or so) ride at Level 3 on
the turbo.
Eat well, don’t worry if you put on
a little weight.
Don’t go out when it’s very cold,
always assume that it’s colder than it
looks, take something to eat and a
bottle on any ride, stop at cafes
whenever you feel like it, and don’t
train if you’ve got a heavy cold or
any kind of virus.
Page 24 The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2004