Saturday 8th June 2002

Mick Morris rode the Thanet RC 10 on the Q10/30 (Thanet Way) and recorded a respectable 25 min. 16 sec. which shows he is taking off this year. Well done Mick. Brian Debonnaire was due to ride but had a spill on the "Wednesday Wobblers" run 3 days earlier which shook him up a bit and damaged his bike. (not the one he would have been riding) No serious injurys however, so lets hope he recovers and quickly regains his confidence.

Sunday 9th June 2002

Many club members were out riding or helping out in the KCA 50 at Brenzett in Kent. The Tricycle Association SE Region 50 was held in conjuction. Tom Wakefield was event secretary, thus CC Bexley and Gemini BC could not escape his approaches for help. The event went well and we must have had the only reasonable weather for some days. The event started in warm sunshine which burnt off the fog and mist that was widespread around the south east at sunrise. Clouds soon blotted out the sun however, but it stayed dry. It was hard back from Ashford to Brooklands, which, having to ride this leg twice, must have slowed riders down as there was not a sub 2 hour ride.

CC Bexley riders recorded the following times:-

Tricycle Assocation SE Region 50

In the solo event Ken Gardner recorded 2 hr 23 min 12 sec giving him a +13 min 30 sec on his Vet. standard. Mick Morris also rode but, flushed with his success on the previous day, "gracefully retired" at the Brookland Roundabout after about 25 miles to man the result board.

Weekend 15th/16th June 2002

Saturday 15th June saw 3 riders compete in the VC Elan 10 mile time trial. The event was won by Paul Woodman (Eastbourne Rovers) and Steve Castle (G. S. Invicta) who tied with a 21 min. 08 sec. Our results were:-.

Bill Finch and Dave Heighway were in France for the St Marsault Tricycle Challenge. Situated quite close to the Loire Valley they naturally soaked up plenty of sunshine as well as plenty of beer and wine. John and Pat played host to them at the same time welcoming all tricyclists in their usual style.

In between the eating and drinking they did find time to ride their trikes with Bill coming ?th in the 15 Km. time trial and Dave becoming the first winner of the Marjorie Heighway Memorial Trophy for the fastest Tandem Trike, in company with his son-in-law Frank DeHorney. It is a fitting tribute to Marjorie that her husband's name shall be the first on this trophy. It was presented by the French organisers in memory of Marjorie who attended the first 3 challenges that were held prior to her death. We also understand that 40 riders attended a Sunday run where they swamped a local restaurant with hungry tricyclists!

Back in rainy UK tricyclists from the CC Bexley who did not receive a long weekend pass supported the Thames Valley social ride that graced their presence in our area. they stayed at the Kemsing Youth Hostel with Tom, June Owen and Carol meeting them on Saturday night in "The Bell" at Kemsing and downing a few ales with them. Roy Canning was on his way down after getting a few miles in but, after suffering a puncture and finding he had left his tyre levers at home, transferred his train of thoughts from "having a few beers" to "how do I get home?". On the Sunday however he did join up with them on his trike at their stop at Bough Beech Resevoir Visitor's Centre. From there they went to "The Wheatsheaf" at Bough Beech, arriving at about midday, where other trikies, both from CC Bexley and other clubs, joined them for lunch. We left them to continue their tour at about 2:30.

Weekend 22nd/23rd June 2002

Three riders in the GS Invicta "10" on Saturday 15th afternoon produced 3 26's The course was the Q10/22. Results were:-.

David Morris also recorded a 1 hr. 12 min 58 sec time in the VTTA '25' on Sunday.

Bill Finch and Roy Canning went up to Leeds to meet Dave Heighway for a weekend at the CTC York Rally. It proved an interesting weekend, although it must have been a bit of a comedown after the high jinks in France the weekend before.

After meeting fellow TA members at the York Racecourse on Saturday where the Rally was being held, we rode off to the start of the NE Region '25' on the course V133. This was about 14 miles, but there was a determination to keep the pace up by those not riding the event!

The course could be a flyer. It starts just north of Wetherby on the A168, which until recently was the A1. It proceeds north over three roundabouts to turn near Dishforth and retraces to a point about three quarters of a mile north of the start. Roads are fairly flat and traffic free. Trouble was that our day was not a flyer as there was a rough crosswind which made things hard. Bill Finch recorded a 1 hr. 16 min. 02 sec. and Roy Canning came in with a 1 hr. 19 min. 18 seconds. We consoled ourselves with a stop in a village pub on the ride back to York downing pints at the novelty price of £1.15p each. Back at the showground we saw the final hour or so of the auction where old bikes and accessories were being sold off.

We spent most of the evening at the York showground where the TA organised a Barbecue with plenty of wine and beer, imported by Dave Heighway from the St Marsault trip, to wash things down. The rest of the evening was a bit of a waste of time really. A merry ride back to Dave's van followed along traffic free cycle paths.

We attended the short service in York Minster on the Sunday morning organised by the CTC for the rally attendees. This was followed by an escorted ride back to the rally site. The rest of the day was spent sorting out the junk at the saddlebag sale, looking at the exhibits and searching out the bargains at the trade stalls. There were some grass track events, one of which was a tricycle race of two laps. The first lap was supposed to be neutralised but no-one told those up front so it was a mad dash for the line. Bill was in front of Roy who was in front of Dave, but as for the positions, I don't know.

Wednesday 26th June 2002

A warm sunny evening for us to bring out the barbie and get a good fill of the tum. The club barbecue was blessed with summer weather and there were few club members that did not come along. Also with us were many members from the Gemini BC. Many thanks to them and members of other clubs or cyclists in general who supported us. Wine included, and enough food and drink to cater for seconds, thirds and 'n' ths, the £4.00 charged proved good value for money. (We still charged only £2.50 if you did not have wine) Tom left with plenty of left-overs for June to hand up to him in the TA 100 on Sunday.

Tom and June arrived prompt at 6.30 pm to light up our new club barbecue set. A few technical teething problems were soon sorted out with a box of Swan Vestas and we were away. The cricket club were there unexpectedly for a junior match, but they did not interfere with our evening, and were gone by about 8:00 pm. .

The club extends its gratitude to our social secretary Tom Wakefield and June for the hard work that they put in, not only on the evening, but also in procuring and preparing the food and drink beforehand.

Weekend 29th/30th. June 2002

Saturday afternoon in the Gravesend CC open "10" on the Thanet Way (Q10/30) saw some excellent rides from our riders which pleased everyone. If not personal bests of recent years they were certainly close. Results were:-.

Sunday saw three riders in the Tricycle Association Fliss Beard Memorial "100" which was held in conjunction with the KCA hundred on the Q100/5 starting at Bethersden in Kent. After over 35 years Pete Reynolds club record was broken by Chris Bramwell with a 4 hr. 49 min. 58 sec. ride. He also won the event. Roy Canning recorded 5 hr. 46 min 54 sec but Tom Wakefield did not finish thus ensuring the almost equally old tricycle team record at the distance was also safe. Well done Chris.

Weekend 6th/7th. July 2002

Personal best records were set yet again on Saturday in the VTTA London & Home Counties "10" . Mick Morris is benefitting from the winter months on his super techno turbo-trainer that simulates real time rides. Results were:-.

The event was won with a 20 min 20 sec ride from R. Iddles

CC Bexley and the Gemini BC took part in the Summer festival at Danson Park, Bexleyheath by providing visitors with a chance to try there skill at riding bikes on rollers. Many young, and older, bystanders tried their skills with members from the two clubs holding them up. A very enjoyable day

CC Bexley members attended the Kent and Sussex Cyclist's Fellowship President's Run on Sunday. A circular ride over the marshes from "The World's Wonder" pub at Warehorne, Kent, via elevenses, high on the Isle of Oxney, at Chris Bonsall's place ended with a few ales and a ploughmans lunch.

Weekend 21st/22nd. July 2002

On Saturday in the VTTA Group Championship "10" on the Q10/30, Mick Morris recorded 24 min. 32 sec. Roger Bunnett 25 min. 36 sec. and Pete Holbrough 30 min, 44 sec.

On Sunday, three trikes and two solos from the Bexley rode in the Ashford Wheelers "25" on the Q25/12. Results were as follows:-

Sunday 28th. July 2002

Three CC Bexley pairs rode in the Invicta Trophy Tandem Tricycle 30 mile Time Trial on the Q30/1 on Sunday morning. It seemed to be a fast morning at first but the air became very heavy in a hot, humid atmosphere as the sun came up. Tom Wakefield and Chris Bramwell (stoker) won the event on their fixed wheel machine with a 1 hr. 22 min. 50 second ride followed by Ian Kitt and Roy Canning (stoker) almost catching them with a 1hr. 23 min. 35 second time. Bryan Heasman and Bill Finch (stoker) clocked 1hr. 36 min. 35 seconds.

On the same day in the Medway Velo "25" on the Isle of Grain, Roger Bunnett recorded a 1 hr. 9 min 31 second time.

Sunday 4th August 2002

The club was down in force supporting the Kent Cycling Association 12 Hour on the Romney Marsh. Members provided the drinks and sponges at the 75 mile point at New Romney. No CC bexley riders were in the event and it was a bit disapponting to see only 18 riders, including a sole trike in the TA event. None the less full support was given, following which we all had breakfast in the local Greasy Spoon. Some of us had ridden down part of the way and we left breakfast just in time for the afternoon torrents of rain. Roger Bunnet was the last man marshall giving support for the whole day.

Sunday 11th August 2002

In the Alton CC Open 25 mile event on the H25/8 (Farnham, Hampshire) Mick Morris recorded 1 hour 2 min. 04 seconds, and Dave Morris clocked 1 hr. 4 min. 55 seconds. For the second week in succession Ken Gardner and Brian Debonnair could not ride at Harrietsham due to a last minute cancellation. This weeks problems were due to unschedued road works, and last week an accident on the M20 diverted all traffic to the A20. Lets hope we do not get any more of these problems. The rest of us went for a breakfast at the Aero Cafe at Pollhill where Jimmy Powell put in his first cycling appearance following his recent op. Hope he can now ride in the fold with us again

Week Commencing Sunday 18th August 2002

Congratulations to Chris Bramwell who rode the Eastern Counties (National Championship) 12 hour event with a new club trike record of 233.51 miles beating Pete Reynolds record set way back in 1966. He did not beat Ralph Dadswell as he hoped, who did 244.27 miles, but he gave him a run for his money.

Also this weekend Mick Morris recorded a 2 hr 22 min 41 sec ride in the Norwood Paragon 50 on the G? and his son Dave rode the Gravesend "25" with a 1 hr 9 min 25 sec.

Some of us rode up the the Aero Cafe again to find John Coster tucking into a full English instead of his usual egg sandwich. He says it is worth it for £1.00 extra, but still complained because he had to pay extra for the tea. He couldn't manage the last sausage so he tried to flog it to one of us. Having no takers and finding there was no refund from the management he set off home in a very dejected mood.

Wednesday saw John out with the Wednesday Wobblers with only one brake on his trike. As his brakes have a habit of failing we elected that he should go on ahead of us, but we thought it highly unsociable that he did not race ahead and get the teas. The evening saw the hillclimb, our final event in the Wednesday evening series. Results are on the Evening 10 Results Page.

Week Commencing Sunday 25th August 2002

Bank Holiday Monday saw Mick Morris flying around again recording a personal best for the year and certainly taking the fasted "25" for the year. The event was the Essex Road CC "25" on the E72/25. Mick recorded a 1 hr. 00 min 45 sec with Brian Debonnaire clocking a 1 hr. 04 min 02 sec. ride. The event was won by John Woodburn with a 54 min 21 sec. ride.

Mick's son Dave rode the Old Portlians CC 25 on the G25/? and came in with a 1 hr. 05 min 19 sec. Ken Gardner recorded 1 hr 05 min 32 sec.

Week Commencing Sunday 1st. September 2002

Well! we now have to address Mick Morris as "sir" when we speak to him after recording a personal best of 58 min 49 secs in the ECCA championship "25" on the E72/25 on Sunday. It just goes to show that you can get faster as you grow older. Brian Debonnaire also rode recording a 1 hr. 01 min 12 sec. ride thinking he was teaching Mick a lesson for riding away from him last week. At least it was his pb for the year also. Roger Bunnet also rode recording a 1 hr. 3 min 54 sec which was also a very good ride and it was a shame it was eclipsed by our new star.

On the same day we also had riders in the KCA "50" on the Harrietsham course in Kent. I am told that itwas not an easy morning as was indicated by the winning ride being only a long "59". Dave Morris did a 2 hr. 26 min 19 sec ride and Biull Finch did 2 hr 45 min 00 sec on his trike. Unfortunately Chris Bramwell did not finish thus not yet achieving a fast "50" for the trike championship this year.

On Saturday 7th. Mick Morris shaved a second off his personal best to record 23 min 57 sec. in the San Fairy anne "10". Roger Bunnett also rode clocking 25 min 28 sec. Mick stated that the next day (Sunday) is his "day of rest".With two pbs in a week we hope he makes it a "day of rest" for us also.

Week Commencing Sunday 8th. September 2002

Sunday morning started warm and dry - but not for long. Roy Canning picked up Bill Finch at the bottom of Wrotham Hill at about 5 : 15 am just as the first few drops of rain started falling. They were on their way to Brooklands to ride the VTTA Kent Group 25 mile event on the Romney Marsh. (Q25/12) The rain continued all the way down, and on the Marsh it seemed as if it had been raining all night. Riders were dropping out one by one but the start was delayed by half an hour and in that time there was some improvement. Bill and Roy started on their trikes and recorded 1 hr 17 min 58 sec. and 1 hr. 19 min. 08 sec. respectively. Roger Bunnett decided not to be a DNS after all and did his best ride in Kent this year, 1 hr. 9 min. 10 sec. The event was won by P, Woodham of the Eastbourne Rovers with a lond "54". (unofficial)

On Saturday afternoon (Sept, 14th) Ian Kitt and Mick Morris rode in the Bishops Stortford CC Tandem 10, and won the event by 1 second. They recorded 22 min 23 seconds beating J Weatherburn and N. Farrer of thr Glendene CC.

Week Commencing Sunday 15th. September 2002

Mick Morris and his son Dave rode the Grand Prix des Gentlemen 20.2 mile event clocking 52 min 32 sec gaining 5th. overall on standard.

Roy Canning went over to France to ride the last "En Haute de Pays Artois" audax event which starts and finishes in Bolougne. This had been a popular event with English riders over the 25 years it has been run, but with the withdrawal of the Folkstone to Bolougne ferries and, more recently, the diversion of the Seacat to Calais, patronage has declined. It was decided that a twenty fifth anniversary event will take place as the last ride. Roy usually gets up at an unearthly hour to get the 5 : 15 ferry to Calais. He then rides to Bolougne and rides the 100 km course. This year he drove over on a special deal with Eurotunnel intending to ride the 150 km course. Alas the train was an hour late. Roy did ride the 150 km course, but missed the ceremonies at the finish. Although a windy and overcast day, he did enoy the ride, and a few "pressions".

On the first Tuesday clubnight ken brought the rollers up and they are now being stored up there. A few of us gave them a bashing to get the cobwebs off but we have yet to use them in earnest.

Good to see Ray Appleby out again with the Wednesday Wobblers. Hope to see him on his bike a bit more from now on.

Week Commencing Sunday 22nd September 2002

An end of the season burst saw Mick Morris record a 24 mon 30 sec ride in the E.C.C.A. "10" on the E71. the event was won by Zac Carr with 19min 37sec.(it was a fast morning!!) In the tandem event Mick and Ian Kitt did a 22min 33 min ride thus not beating their own record from the week before.

Roy went over to France again as the weather was favourable and rode the 100 Km course of "En Haute de Pays Artois" while the blue arrows were still fresh on the road. 60 mile. The traffic free back roads are a delight, so much so that on encoutering a car rally checkpoint was even told to look out as there were cars on the road up ahead. He also called on Dave Nash as he missed him at the event. There was a bit of a hilly wander round before he found his house, but was welcomed and asked to relay his best wishes back to the club. On getting back to the car however I was confronted by a parking ticket on the windscreen placed by Sticker Licker in Chief for Bolougne, Mr D Nash. The 500 Euro fine is payable to his personal bank account so I must get the IOU off to him.

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