Welcome to Issue 25.

In this issue we have:

The meeting of the Clan

Prizes Galore

Something for the weekend?

Hello and Goodbye?

Why is a newsletter like a can of larger?

Raiding Party Heads For Warm Weather

Events for 2003

 Firstly though, lets get it out of the way. If you want to remain a member of our little band, then if you haven’t already, you will have to pay up soon. Club fees are due now, and remember if you do not renew by Feb. 28^th it will cost you a little bit more! Details as below. You can send it direct to me at the address at the end or drop it in to Don Valley Cycles, when you’re next in town. Couldn’t be simpler. Please remember cheques made payable to ‘Doncaster Wheelers’ please, and a receipt will only be sent on request.

 Club Room Notice: Please note that as from now there will be no room booked at the Mencap building for Club meetings on a monthly basis due to poor attendance. More details are in the AGM summary.

 Hello and Goodbye?

Welcome to the following new members (If you have not been mentioned in dispatches before, and you should have, sorry!) Graham Briggs, Roy Williams, Bill Kirkwood, James Marriot, Chris Wallis, Bob Burleigh, Kevin Russell, Ian Hindley (AKA Charlie), and Chris Horne. That makes a round total of 90 current members in the year 2002. So with another year like this, and everyone else re-joining we will make the magic 100 in 2003.

 Unfortunately as we give Graham Briggs a belated welcome we also say a Bon Voyage and Good Luck to his as he is now to ride with the all conquering John Tanner in the Compensation Group Team. An up and coming star, so we wish him well.

 Meeting of the Clan - Summary of AGM – 3rd December 2002

The usual suspects were rounded up and a quorum was reached to allow the meeting to go ahead. The following are a summary of the key points/issues raised.

Officials

President:Bob Waddington            Chairman:Trevor Siddons

Secretary:Dale Coan                   Social Sec:Martin Maltby            

Vice Club Captain:Bud Kendall       Club Captain:Trevor Siddons

RTTC Racing Sec:Trevor Siddons  RTTC Delegates:            T. Siddons & P. Henson

Road Racing Sec:M. Maltby          BCF Delegate:M. Maltby & C. Green

Committee: All of the Above

 Time Trial Report (T. Siddons)

Rudy Project Sporting course TT was well ecieved by all, riders and national RTTC committee. A profit of £16.95 was made. In 2003 the event wil be run as a district and not a national event, but may return to a national event in future years. The circuit in 2003 will return to the Beckingham based course.

Open 25 mile TT – Entries again down due to unpopularity of course but as A1 will soon be unavailable we will persist in this alternative one. A profit of £22.27 was made. Thanks was given to all marshals and officials for their help in supporting the events. Next year the event will have a new organiser, Chris Green.

Evening 10 Series was a success although short lived due to roadworks at Blaxton.

Prize for Series Fastest, and Riders with fastest avareage of 5 events.

Club BAR to be run as this year with Senior’s to complete either Short course Senior 25, 50 & 100, Long course Senior 50, 100 & 12Hr, Vets 25, 50 & 100 and Junior 2x10,2x25.

Road Race Report (M. Maltby)

Road races in 2002 were run successfully and with a profit largely due to entries on the line being taken. Thanks given to all those who supported the events in whatever way. The Autumn road race was well received and went well for a new event and course, however this event will not be run in 2003.

The Pickburn circuit event is to be run again in 2003 along the same lines, on the 2^nd Wednesday in June 2003.

Social Secretary’s Report (M. Maltby)

The 2001 event was well received and made a profit for the club funds. The 2002 event is to be run along similar lines with a buffet at the Docaster Catholic Club. (Note: this event again went well, however a small loss was made on the event due to poor ticket sales compared to previous years.) The event is proposed to be run along similar lines in 2003.

 Any Other Bussiness

Club Room: The issue of club room attendance was raised, in as much as there has been little attendance. As we still have to pay for the room, alternative ideas were discussed as to other options available. Numerous options were discussed, with the following being suggested and agreed upon. There will be no more monthly club room meetings until support is sufficient or a meeting such as the AGM is required. The room will be booked specifically for this. Any general social meetings will be arranged to be at the Dome Sports bar or other agreed place. Instructions were given to arrange the cancellation of the regular Club Room with Mencap but that we keep the storage facilities available.

Accounts: The year ended with the accounts in the black, with a surplus of approximately £150 on the year. This was after the purchase of new race numbers and signs which were in need of replacement. The overall accounts are in a healthy state, and we shall survive yet again. Suggestions for things to spend the funds on, which are generated from subscriptions, are always welcome.

 Prizes Galore

The presentation was a social success again and many thanks go to Martin Maltby who organised the event. There was a slight drop in numbers of tickets sold this year compared to last and as such we incurred a slight financial loss on the event (only 11 more ticket sales were needed to break even). This is not insurmountable as we have now sufficient funds to cover eventualities such as this. The event is a key part of the social side of the Wheelers and not an event to raise funds, so roll on the 2003 presentation.

 Why is a Newsletter like a can of larger?

This Club letter now reaches the parts other letters cannot reach; yes you’ve guessed it France. Our very own Alan Mattinson is now a chalet maid in a French Ski resort, and this letter should hopefully reach him there. Yes, our young? And intrepid Alan has now based himself abroad, to take advantage of high altitude training. All I can say is that it’s a bit much just for the Club 10’s! Some people are taking this sport far too seriously. Best of luck Alan from all at the Club.

 Something for the Weekend?

The youth hostelling season is now upon us, and the first went well. Only a small turn out due to the inclement weather but a good weekend off road was had by all. The next is planned for the 22-23^rd February at Helmsley. If you are interested in taking part, give your name to Martin at Don Valley Cycles with a £10 deposit ASAP.

 Raiding Party Heads For Warm Weather

The Wheelers once again are sending their best to quell the natives in Majorca on their annual training (I cannot believe this after seeing photo’s from previous years!) camp. The trip is fully booked, and the gang leave on the 4^th of April for 7 days. The trip has gone very well in past years, and should do so again this year although, Trev ‘Sizzler’ Siddons is at the helm, so they could end up anywhere.

 Events for 2003

The following are a list of events that may be of interest to you. Some are Club Championships, some are just Club events

Time Trials

Beckingham Circuit (16)                Sun 23^rd March                           (Club Event)

Evening 10 Series                        Tues 22^nd April-Tues 26^th Aug      (10 Champ)

Pooled Clubs 25'                          Sun 4^th May                                (25 Champ)

Beckingham Circuit (16/32)           Sun 15^th June                             (Open Event)

NMCF 50                                   Sat 5^th July                               (50 Champ)

NMCF 12Hr                                Sun 10^th Aug                               (12Hr Champ)

NMCF 100                                  Sun 7^th Sept                               (100 Champ)

DWCC Open 25                           Sun 21^st Sept

Pooled Clubs 25                           Sun 28^th Sept

 Road Race

Don Whs Road Race                     Wed 11^th June                 (Pickburn Circuit)