CYCLE CLUB BEXLEY

Welcome to the Cycle Club Bexley Web site. We hope that our site will interest you if you have found it by chance, and that you find the information you are looking for if you came here by design.

We have an active membership who ride Time Trials, Road Races and Tourist events. We also enjoy social rides, and generally having fun in the cycling world. If you want to read more of our member activities click on "Club Log" at the foot of this page.

Although adopting the name of Cycle Club Bexley, membership is geographically spread over North West Kent, and we meet at the Horton Kirby Cricket Club in Franks Lane, near Farningham Kent. If you have any questions please mail us and we will try to give you a quick reply

Happy Cycling.

Notices and Forthcoming Events.

Evening "10" Series 2008. (Update 11th. June)

An inspection of the course this morning showed that the lights have gone.

Hopefully they will stay gone and there will be a "10" tonight.

Results of the only "10" this year so far, the 2007 series, and those of earlier years, can be followed from the link below.

Club Barbecue 2008

This is set for Wednesday July 2nd at 7:30 pm. Come along and enjoy a natter and a good fill of the tum with your clubmates.

Championship 25 2008 : Results

A bright sunny but windy day greeted the five members competing for this years 25 mile Championship on the Chilham to Ashford Q25/8. The conditions were favourable with the wind blowing the riders up to Ashford but in their faces for the last eight miles.

First off was reigning 12 hour Champion and Magazine Editor, Malcolm Strickland who recorded 1.14.39. Next to face the timekeeper was Ian Finch finishing in eventual second place with 1.00.50; This was his first bicycle race since 2004 and he found the course a completely different proposition without his customary third wheel!

The 2007 Champion Andy Williams made the long trek down from Yorkshire to defend his title; He took third place despite a massive improvement on his previous personal best by over three minutes to record 1.01.29.

Next came the oldest of the riders, Richard Goodchild; He finished with a 1.11.30 despite racing the previous day; He looks ready to battle for the Vets evening 10 this year.

Our final rider was new member Jim Evans who probably hadn't seen the course profile before deciding to ride 112" fixed, but continued with his recent run of good form to improve his seasons best by two minutes to become the 2008 Club Champion with a time of 1.00.43.

Congratulations go to Jim, a worthy winner and new name on the Championship Shield in what was the closest finish since 1991 when Dave King , Pete Jackson and Roger Woods were separated by similar margins.

Bill Finch and other Tributes.

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of Bill Finch, aged 72, after a long illness on 10th January 2008.

Bill was a founder member of the club, coming from The Ruxley Wheelers which was one of the clubs which merged to form the CC Bexley. He worked tirelessly to promote the club and its activities as well as keeping old members of the Ruxley Wheelers in touch. He and his wife Chris were made life members at our 40th. Dinner & Dance in 2007.

Equally energetic in their cause he was a long time member of The Tricycle Association where he held national committee posts and was their President when he died. Many other cycling organisations benefitted from his enthusiasm

Our sympathies go to Chris, their children Ian and Carolyn and all his family.

The funeral was held at the Bluebell Hill Crematorium on Thursday 24th January 2008. A large crowd of family and friends attended. If you feel you would like to make a tribute in memory to him donations to the Ellenor Lions Hospice will be appreciated, sent c/o Welham Jones, 31, Station Road, Swanley, Kent. BR8 8ES.

Bill Finch, on a run at St. Marsault, France, in 1999, suspects that we are flashed by a speed camera!

Photo by Roger Alma

We have some other sad announcements.

Many will remember Terry Stone, a star rider of the 1950's and early 60's. He was a member of one of our founder clubs, The Ruxley Wheelers, but was never a member of the CC Bexley. Many ex Ruxley Wheeler members are with us though. It is with sadness that we advise of his death in Canada in early April.

Jean, wife of Jimmy Powell also passed away over the weekend of 19/20th April. Our sympathies go to Jimmy and his family.

We are also sad to learn of the passing of Jill Bull on 3rd. May, one of our friends from the Horton Kirby Cricket Club. Our sympathies are with husband Graham and the family.

We heard of the passing of Ron Akehurst in mid May. Ron was a member of the Thames Road Club in the 1950-60s but he had left before the Thames Road Club merged with the other clubs to form the CC Bexley. Ron's son took an interest in cycling in the 1990's. Our sympathies are with his family.

Letter from Derek Munday.

Friends of Derek Munday will know of the sad loss of his wife Janet recently and have expressed their sympathy to him in many ways.

Derek has sent Mick Morris a letter in appreciation for the support he, and other friends from the Bexley, has given to him at this stressful time. You can read his letter to us here

On a Happier Subject.

Congratulations to Andrew and Dawn Rudkin on the birth of their boy in May.

Charity Rides.

I am often asked to advertise charity rides on the website. I have decided therefore to list some of them on this page. Those that are local to our area, or that one of our members wish to support will be included in this list. I will put them in date order.

The Rotary Club of Gravesend are promoting "On Your Bike 2008" on 27th April 2008. Closing date for entries is 20th April. The ride is in aid of The Lions Hospiceand the Ellenor Hospice at Home including 'Shining Lights' Childrens Hospice at Home plus some other charities. Rides are at 15, 30 and 45 miles. Ring 01474 568853 (Daytime) or 01474 745032 (Evening and Weekends) for details or you can go to their website here

NGO Médecins du Monde is a medical charity based in Canary Wharf that provides healthcare for vulnerable people around the world. They are currently organizing and promoting a London to Paris bike ride to raise vital funds for our emergency projects. Last year, Médecins du Monde UK ran their London to Paris Bike Ride with great success. Our 44 participants raised over £40,000 for our association. The Third Annual MdM London to Paris Bike Ride will take place from the 12th to the 15th of July 2008. If you are interested, please call Elsa Lieto on 020 7515 7534 or e-mail bike@medecinsdumonde.org.uk Click here for their website.

Clubnight Schedule 2007/ 2008.

Clubnights have now reverted back to Wednesday Evening weekly. Meetings will continue until the Christmas Social on 19th December 2007 and will recommence in 2008 on Wednesday 9th Jan 2008.

Annual General Meeting 2007.

The 2007 AGM was held on Wednesday 5th. December 2007 at our clubroom, The Horton Kirby Cricket Club.

The elected comittee for 2008 is as follows:-

Chairman	Roy Canning
Secretary	Anne Heasman
Treasurer	Richard Boxall
Time Trial Secretary?Recorder	Ian Finch
Road Race Secretary	Ken Gardner
Social Secretary	Debbie Boxall
Magazine Editor	Malcolm Strickland
Other Comittee Members	Mick Morris Pete Holbrough (Vacant Position)

The proposition "That the Annual Dinner, Dance and Prize Presentation be replaced with an Annual Luncheon and Prize Presentation" was defeated.

There were no objections to the adoption of a Club Handbook and no significant changes or additions were suggested to the draft published in the Club Magazine of 18th. July 2007. Minor corrections and information on unknown data had been forthcoming prior to the AGM. It was decided that the final format be concluded at comittee level.

Club Dinner & Dance : Saturday 9th. February 2008.

The 2008 Dinner and Dance went off well again at The Woodlands, Swanley. Time Trial personality of the 1960's and 1970's Mick Ballard toasted the club after a very humourous and professional speech. Our Chairman, Roy Canning, responded after which the season's prizewinners received their awards.The evening finished with music and dancing.

We must extend our thanks to Debbie Boxall for organising the evening.

Roller Competition - 13th February 2008

We had quite an eventful evening with a lot of club support. Paul Mepham graced us with his presence and had a go on the rollers challenging some of our contestants.

In the results:-.

First Round :
Andy Elford bt. Terry Ansell
Mark Evans bt. Dave Morris
Jim Evans bt. Ken Gardner
Ian Finch bt. Roy Canning

In the Semi Final : Mark Evans bt. Andy Elford
Jim Evans bt. Ian Finch by just 0.2 sec

In the final, Mark Evans bt. Jim Evans in the fastest time of the evening, 24.8 seconds.

CC Bexley Reliability Trial, 20th. January 2008.

The event was held on a reasonable weather. Details will be posted when they are available.

CC Bexley Off Road Event 2008.

Alas! After Malcolm's hard work only 5 of us turned out for our event.

This was especially sad as Malcolm had worked out a very challenging course which he said was 10 miles, but I am sure was 20 and felt like 100

Roy Canning, Andy Elford, Ken Gardner and his daughter with her partner set off, but we were plagued by punctures so that in the end Roy finished just ahead of Andrew who had to stop to nflate his tyre every half mile. The other three gave up so that they could get home before it got dark

The box of chockees was won by Roy who will donate them to Ken's daughter for being such a sport.

Club Championship Events 2008

The following events will be used for our Championship trophies in 2008:-

Date	Distance	Event	Course
11th. May	25 Mile	Wigmore CC	Chilham
17th. May	10 Mile	CC Bexley/TA	Harrietsham
8th. June	50 Mile	KCA/TA	Q50/11
22nd. June	100 Mile	KCA/TA	Q100/5
17th. August	12 Hour	ECCA	Essex

The Championship "25" is run in association with the Wigmore CC "Bill Philbrook Memorial" event and has an impressive prize list one again. The Event Secretary is Doug Laidlow and a prospectus for the event can be viewed by clicking here. Please ensure that you use the January 2004 entry form.

Club Championship Events 2007

Winners of the 2007 Championship Events are as follows:-

The Speedwell Trophy for the year's fastest 25 was won by Mick Morris, with 1 hour,03 minutes and 51 seconds.

There were no Tricycle award winners in 2007.

The CC Bexley " Dave Ashdown Memorial" Open "10" : Saturday 19th. May 2007.

We had a total of 60 entries for the event including 9 tricycles in the incorporated SE Region TA "10" event. The weather was fairly warm and dry but a strong westerly wind was blowing. Riders claimed that it was in their faces in both directions however.

The event was won by Tim Bailey, Arctic Shorter RT with a 22min. 09 sec. and the Dave Ashdown Trophy was won by Alan Priddy, closest to Dave's best time, (25 min 30 sec) with 25 min 11sec. Mark Vowells, San Fairy Ann CC, won the Tricycle Association SE Region event with 27min 25 sec and John Hastings winning the handicap with 25 min. 03 sec. on a minus 9 min 00 sec. from his actual time.

The full result sheet can be viewed by clicking here

New Racing Vests

Our new racing vests are now being used. Guide prices are given below. The actual price is dependent on ruling prices at the time of order, and the quantities involved in the bulk order. The orders for 2007 will be collected and sent off soon after Christmas. Please contact Anne Heasman if you want any clothing.

Short Sleeve Road Vest... ..................£45.00

Long Sleeve Road Vest... ..................£50.00

Short Sleeve Time Trial Vest.............£40.00

Shorts...................................................£40.00

Bibshorts...................................................£50.00

Tracksuit Top......................................£51.00

Skinsuits...............................................£60.00

And Finally, but Most Importantly

Welcome to our new member who have joined since our AGM in December 2006:-

Barry Adams
Martyn Davenport
Paul Davenport
Joshua Ingray-Goodchild
Adam Loft
Andrew Rudkin
Andy Williams
Alex Buckwell
Chris Bramwell (rejoin)

We hope that their association with us will be long and joyous.