Youth
Hostel Trip
32 members made the trip to York youth hostel on the 11th Dec04. Most rode up on the Saturday morning, the rest came in cars with the luggage.
The route out was via Boothferry where we picked up Steve Maltby and Kevin Russell then on to Howden, Foggathorpe ,Seaton Ross, Hayton, Nunburneholme, Warter, Huggett and onto Fridaythorpe for dinner. A fairly flat routes until we reached Nunburnholme where it got a bit lumpy. Not everyone took this route and four decided to take the shorter and flatter route via Pocklington then straight to York.
After about one hour at Fridaythorpe we set off on the A66 main road towards Stamford Bridge before turning right into the lanes for a while and onto very muddy roads made worst by the local fox hunters and there vehicles. Then on towards Buttercrambe and picked up the A19 into York arriving at the hostel at 4pm.
The hostel is brilliant and recommended. After a three course meal and a pint we prepared to go out for the night round York, returning at various times.
We set of the following morning at 9.30 on a route devised by Martin and went north slightly on the A19 before turning left towards Linton on Ouse. Then south via Wighill, Tadcaster, Towton and onto Sherburn in Elmet for dinner. After a short stop made our way home the direct route.Russ, Tony and Leslie made there own way home and chose to go on the cycle track to Selby.
Overall every one seems to have enjoyed the weekend and York is well worth visiting again.
Trevor Siddons
Chesterfield Spire Christmas 10 TT
Due to an interest generated on the Web site’s forum, several members entered the Chesterfield Spire Christmas 10 Time Trial. Although four members signed up, two had to drop out at the last minute, leaving Levi Huck and myself to do the
honours.
The weather was kind to us. Levi won the fastest junior award and I finished in under 30 mins, which I was happy with. The winner was Sam Baker who did 23:18 . Ed
CTT Handbooks
Cycling Time Trial Handbooks are available mid Jan 05. Anyone who requires one should let Trevor know ASAP 5 pounds each. This handbook lists all open events throughout the country And names and addresses of event secretaries.
T'internet
On the 27th December the new web site had its 2000th visit, since its launch on October 18th. In the first month it had 1000 visits, in the wake of the Autumn Road Race and its accompanying report and photos. After the initial flood of visitors from all over the country, the traffic slowed down a little, giving us a well deserved breather.
Soon after the web site launch a couple of requests from members were put forward for a forum. We introduced a forum but it was not without its problems. After much communication between the forum provider, (Doncaster online) to try to sort out problems, it was decided to pull the plug and search for an alternative.
A week later (1st Dec) a new forum was set up, giving us more control over how it looks and how it is administrated. Within a week 21 members had signed up and posted over 300 messages.
The Web site now boasts about 50 pages, with member profiles and event reports, photos, information and news. The combination of the Web site and forum has become a valuable asset to the club and its members. Its initial aim was to provide a positive club image thus promoting the club and also to provide a communication tool for its members. I think you will agree, it has done just that.
Additionally, as a new way of contributing to the Wheeler’s funds the site had links to Amazon.co.uk who supply books, videos etc. If members bought items from Amazon, through the links on the site, the club would benefit in the form of a small commission. Despite over 60 links being made to Amazon no one actually purchased anything in the run up to Christmas. So just to reiterate, anything you buy through the links from our web site to Amazon will cost you no more than if you went direct to Amazon, and we get a small commission for our funds.
This too applies to anything that is sold by the site. Just another extension of its benefits for the club.
Finally, I upgraded my system over Christmas after technical problems. These have been sorted, but I was unable to receive or send emails for a time so if anyone emailed me, and I didn’t get back, then please try again. I also lost a bit of data including email addresses, most of which has been retrieved, but time will reveal other missing data.
And Finally
In looking forward to the New year, and taking things a little easier over the holiday period, I sat down to read an issue Cycling Weekly, which highlighted how well the sport was doing in the wake of the Olympics.
This took my thoughts back to our Autumn Road race in September when, in conversation, a new member said that the “club has a great buzz about it”.
Why is this? Why is there an infectious enthusiasm amongst its members? I don’t think there is a single answer. Suffice to say it has got to be a good thing.
As Dale Carnegie said, “success breads success”. Every one of us contributes to the image of the club and its success. I am sure you will agree with me when I say we have had an excellent year. If we maintain a positive mental attitude the next will be even better.
Here’s to 2005. Have a very Happy and successful New Year.
