T H E D U C K E GG

AUGUST 2003 No. 630

MONTHLY NEWS LETTER OF

THE DUKINFIELD CYCLISTS' CLUB

AUGUST

17th Hazel Grove 8-30am prompt Llangollen

"B" run Hollins Lane 10am Dones Green

24th Hazel Grove 9-30am Hartington

"B" run Twinnies Bridge 10am Hopley Farm on A535

31st Hazel Grove 9-30am Two Mills

"B" run Twinnies Bridge 10am Pool Bank Marina?

Check the August runs. Some have been changed.

SEPTEMBER

1st Club night Jolly Sailor Woodsmoor Stockport

7th Hazel Grove 9-30am Grindleford

"B" run Twinnies Bridge 10am Spinney

14th Hazel Grove 9-30am Hen Cloud

"B" run Hollins Lane 10am Dones Green

21st Hazel Grove Autumn 25 Middlewich

"B" run Twinnies Bridge 10am Middlewich

28th Hazel Grove 9-30am Delamere

"B" run Twinnies Bridge 10am Delamere

"WHAT'S ON"

Committee Meeting

Wednesday 3rd September 2003

Items for discussion will include Date Fixing for next year.

Hot Pot

Dinner and Prize Presentation

Any other business, please let Janet know if you have anything else for the agenda

Date for the Diary is 3rd September, 8-0pm At Janet's, 34 Bracadale Drive. Davenport.

Tel 0161 456 0499

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OLYMPIC CYCLING TRIALS

This week at the Velodrome - August 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

If you are on the net, more information at :- WWW.OLYMPICCYCLINGTRIALS.CO.UK

RACING RESULTS

6/7/03 M&DTA 100

Winner K.Austin 4:15:55

Rob Nelson 4:38:51

Rob Shaw 4:46:54

10/7/03 9th Club 10 Chapel Course

Rob Nelson 22:49 (0.40) 22:09 4pts

Adrian Thorp 24:22 (1.40) 22:42 3pts

17/7/03 10th Club 10 Chapel Course

Rob Nelson 22:57 (0.40) 22:17 4pts

24/7/03 11th Club 10 Chapel Course

Jimmy Froggatt 23:20 2pts

Rob Shaw 24:53 (4.40) 20:13 4pts

Adrian Thorp 25:40 (1:40) 24:00 1pt

Dave Colley 26:50 (6.00) 20:50 3pts

26/7/03 M&DTA 50

Winner B.Chorlton 1:51:38

Rob Nelson 1:57:15

Brendan Casey 2:11:35

Rob Shaw 2:11:55

Colin Ellis D.N.F Bang go my predictions of the Championship Winner!

31/7/03 11th Club 10 Chapel Course

Jimmy Froggatt 24:04 1pt

Brendan Casey 24:35 (4.00) 20:35 3pts

Rob Shaw 24:43 (4.40) 20:03 4pts

Adrian Thorp 24:43 (1.40) 23:03 2pts

2/8/03 YCF 30 V243

Winner K.Saint 1:2:31

4th Rob Nelson 1:9:24

7/8/03 12th Club 10 Chapel Course Last of the Series

Jimmy Froggatt 22:16 3pts

Angela Hunter 22:58

Rob Shaw 24:33 (4.40) 19:53 4pts

Megan Nelson

Last year we had a report of Megan riding the 58 miles Manchester to Blackpool Charity ride.

Well, another year older but still only 11 years of age, Megan not only rode the event again

recently but she started from home in Hazel Grove. This time, not satisfied with just riding

TO Blackpool she also rode back to Manchester.

130 miles Megan clocked up which is some ride at that age - and was up bright and early for

school the following morning. Well done Megan.

630/3

3/8/1980

That date is quite a long time ago BUT the name on the Database may be on the return. Who

do you think last raced 23 years ago in the Dukinfield Open 25 but has borrowed a racing bike

of late. Who may be making a come back? Answers to:- 0161 285 0236 ekearns@cwcom.net

This possibly has turned out to be the easiest poser I have put to the club!

Every answer I have has came up with ONE name…… Quentin Blagg and how RIGHT

you all were!!!!

To quote one reply:- "Who else would be "blagging" bikes (and shorts!) but the man himself

Mr Q Blagg."

He is on holiday right now but we await his return and maybe his first result for the Database

for over twenty years. Quite a long time out of racing, most of which he kept up his interest

by being Handicapper. I was reminded about his Handicapping reign by a note at the bottom

of one answer ……… Please, please, please, can I set his handicap!!!

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Did you enjoy Ian Kemp's account of his experience in the 2003 Saab Salomon Mountain

Mayhem? I certainly did and look forward to more articles from him. Three years ago Colin

Ellis and Adrian Thorp rode L'Etape de Tour, cycling up Mount Ventoux. Neither have been

back, but Colin sent us that moving account of the ride. My Son-in-law works for an

international electronic firm and he sent me a website for an event that a number of their staff

in various European offices rode earlier this year. I've downloaded some parts that may

interest those with continental aspirations.

MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES: ITS HISTORY

Dedicated to those who love enterprises. Personal ones. Those that you feel inside, under the

skin. Dedicated to those who love mountains and the spectacular landscape of the Dolomites.

The mountains that stay in your eyes for a long time, when you go up and down and know

that there is a finishing line and lots of friends waiting for you up there. But also along the

route. Dedicated to those who are pedalling beside you and can no longer get their breath

back to keep up with you. Dedicated to all, really all, these friends of the Maratona dles

Dolomites which, believe me, is a unique event, unique in its style, its numbers and the

human warmth and landscape surrounding it. An event that has to be experienced to believe

it, even if it is shown well on TV... An event that you have to attend at least once in your life

and I answer that I'm there once a year. Each of us with our personal challenge and a charge

of energy and feelings, memories and new sensations that are enough for a whole year. Then

the Maratona dles Dolomites is back. See you on the pass. Nothing is impossible in life, not

even crossing the Dolomite passes on a bicycle. The Maratona dles Dolomites is fun and you

don't have to have powerful legs to take part, but you have to have the right mind and a smile

to tame it.

"Giving a smile gladdens the heart as well, enriches those who receive it without

impoverishing those who give it, only lasts a second but its memory remains" all this is what

you feel in these marvellous valleys on the occasion of the Maratona dles Dolomites.

Fabrizio Macchi - Testimonial Maratona 2003

The route

A unique route of 175 Km, with no fewer than seven Dolomite passes to cross; 166 fearless

spirits of the bicycle that with great courage and fair play struggle to reach the coveted

finishing-line: this was how the fascinating adventure of the Maratona dles Dolomites

began, attracting year after year an increasing number of fans, to become one of the most

important amateur cyclist events in the whole of Europe. Conceived as part of the tenth

anniversary celebrations of the Alta Badia-Raiffeisen Cycling Club, its organisers certainly

never dreamt that they had created an event which in such a short period of time would have

become one of the most important annual events in the Alta Badia valley, attracting thousands

of fans, many of whom enthusiastically take part every year.

The great success of the Maratona dles Dolomites is certainly based on the splendid setting of

the Dolomites, the striking routes that follow legendary runs where great champions have

written a rich and glorious page in the history of cycling. The great organisational effort that

involves a whole community with the specific aim of presenting a high level and smoothly

organised competition capable of coordinating such a high number of competitors, must not

be forgotten. Seven thousand cyclist have taken part in recent years, divided into the various

categories and routes offered. One of the reasons for the great satisfaction that encourages us

to continue despite all the difficulties, is the enthusiasm and friendship that we find in all the

contestants, who every year create not only a competition but a celebration of sport, where it

is especially the desire to prove oneself against the magnificent surrounding scenery that

remains alive.

Locations

Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Livinallongo, Colle Santa Lucia, Selva di Cadore,

Cortina these are the locations that host to the "Maratona dles Dolomites" every year, with

the valuable support and grateful comprehension for the inevitable discomfort the event may

cause to citizens and tourists.

Valleys and resorts in the Dolomites where history and traditions combine to give life to a

unique reality, the Ladin culture: an ancient people that grew in these wonderful but

impervious regions, and learned how to live in close touch with the surrounding nature, while

preserving their language, customs, and traditions in time. A two-thousand year long history

that we may perceive in so many small things: from architecture to local art, from craft to

music and, particularly, in their language that remained almost unaffected by external

developments until our time, keeping its Raethian-Latin origin unchanged. Each valley uses

the Ladin language with different nuances, often even changing from one village to the next.

A stay in the Dolomitic-Ladin valleys is a unique experience if you get deep into this

atmosphere of a past time, into a world that is still made of simple and genuine things. To

unveil those long-forgotten customs, even if for a short time, and restore feelings that no

longer exist in our modern world. Linked with each other through the Dolomitisuperskipass,

the world's largest ski area, where you may ski from one valley to the next without using your

own transport means, and linked together by the same, wonderful Dolomitic landscape, they

create an exceptional, huge tourist feature, ready to satisfy even the most demanding

requirements. Experiencing the Dolomites in winter snow or in the untouched natural summer

landscape will be a never-ending emotion.

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630/5

Belleville Rendez-Vous

Brendan sent a note about an animated movie that's due out in early September. It's a French

one about cycling! Here's the blurb from www.virtuetv.com

Adopted by his grandmother, Madame Souza, Champion is a lonely little boy. Noticing that

this lad is never happier than on a bicycle, Madame Souza puts him through a rigorous

training process. Years go by and Champion becomes worthy of his name. Now he's ready to

enter the world-famous cycling race, the Tour de France.

Anyway, you can catch the trailer at http://www.virtuetv.com/film/trailers/index.asp, and it

looks very good indeed. Not kiddie fare by the looks of it. As at today (16th August), it's

the one below Johnny Depp (some of the ladies might appreciate that).

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SHORT DISTANCE HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP

At 10miles and 25 miles and 50 miles "J" courses only

1. Brendan Casey 28.46mph (24:10 2:30) ( 59:27 9:40) (2:11:35 22:40)

2. Rob Nelson 27.44mph (22:21 0:10) ( 56:03 4:50) (1:57:15 2:30)

3. Jimmy Froggatt 26.94mph (21:20 0:00) ( 54:41 0:00) (1:58:46 0:00)

4. Rob Shaw 26:49mph (24:33 2.40) (1: 4:36 9:20) (2:11:55 11:30)

Well, now then, our two riders with the three rides completed has now double, with Brendan

and Rob Shaw both getting in a "50". Colin Ellis didn't finish, a 2:30:00 would have given

him a average of 29.14mph and a lead over Brendan ….. how about it Colin??!!

Scratch Best All-rounder Competition At 50miles & 100 miles

At 50 miles 100 miles 12 hours Any course

1. Rob Nelson 24.49mph (1:57:15) (4:16:29) ( )

2. Rob Shaw 21.83mph (2:11:55) (4:46:54) ( )

Handicap Best All-rounder Competition At 50miles & 100 miles

At 50 miles 100 miles 12 hours Any course

1. Rob Nelson 24.77mph (1:57:15 2:30) (4:16:29 0:00) ( -- 00)

2. Rob Shaw 24.07mph (2:11:55 9:20) 4:46:54 28:40) ( -- 35)

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A note from Brendan with his latest rides

2nd August ABC Centreville 10, J2/1

Winner...Charles McCulloch 20.52 (on 98" fixed!!)

Brendan Casey 24.31 (should have ridden fixed)

9th August VTTA 25, J4/6 (bloody King Street)

Winner Nick Giles, Warrington RC, 57.27

Brendan Casey 1.7.11 (91" fixed...should have ridden gears!)

I can't tell you how hard that event was. 35 degrees in the shade, and we all know what twice

up King Street can do. I really need to get bootle cage bosses fitted to my fixed! Out of about

60 starters on the sheet, 17 were DNS (wise move), and 17 packed on the first lap before the

Three Greyhounds pub.

Only three riders went under the hour. Plus, I was nearly taken out at Byley crossroads! (I'm

beginning to think that our jersey's render us "invisible" to motorists, as if we become "Stealth

Cyclists". Maybe that's how Harry gets to the cafe before anyone else; you just don't see him

approaching.) To cap it all, I had to ride home as well! At least it's not only Lance who suffers

in the heat.

Club Website www.dukinfieldcc.greatnow.com

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philip.cunningham/duklings.htm

Thanks to Chris, Bob, Karen, Brendan, Rob Shaw, Rob Nelson, Janet and Jimmy for

contributions this month.

Eric Kearns 228 Turncroft Lane. Offerton. Stockport. SK1 4AX 0161 285 0236

ekearns@cwcom.net