Cross results

We had five riders riding cross races on Sunday - a record. Tom Spreckley, Shaun Smart, Pete McGuiness and Simon Pattinson rode at Lancing with the latter taking a nasty fall. Simon decided to test the hardness of a tree with his helmet, and guess which one cracked first? Concern was expressed for Simon on the LCS website. Fortunately Simon, in true Bond style, was shaken but not stirred. There is no truth in the story that he was heard to mutter "Put me back on my bike ...".

Tom rode impressively to finish 16th out of 83 starters. Shaun, riding his first cross, was 38th and Pete 64th.

Tim Costello rode at Newbury Showground, to score Wessex League points, and was robbed of a certain win (it's no good they don't believe you) by a puncture with a lap to go. He lost four places on the last lap to finish 27th out of 79 riders. The first cross he has ridden where it was big ring all the way and no use of the brakes. Very fast and more like a criterium on grass. And no mud!

Picture copyright Dennis Sackett. See more pics of Southdown Velo.

Club night

This coming Sunday, 2nd December is club night at 8pm. Usual place - Vestry public house, South Street, Chichester.

National cross champs

The national cyclo-cross championships are on Sat/Sun, 5th/6th January at Sutton Park, Birmingham. The closing date is 9th December. You can enter online. There is no entry qualification. All you need is a BC licence. Vets ride on the Saturday and under 23s/seniors on the Sunday. So we old fools can ride on Saturday then watch Tom on the Sunday.

New member

Welcome to new member David Lack.

Vote for Sustrans

The National Lottery, I know, I know, it's the Devil's work, but ... are going to give £50 million to one, and only one, of four organisations. Sustrans are one of the contenders. These are the people who build decent cycle paths - like the Centurion Way. The winner is the one who gets the most votes. You wait, we'll be voting on which patient gets the transplant next. More details here.

Surrey League money

The Surrey League money was paid out to Uncle Eugene at the SL AGM where Chris and Toby received their prizes.

The amounts were ...

- Toby Neave £226.75

- Tim Costello £62.75

- Mark Trevis £42.50

- Chris Burningham £41.75

- Shaun Smart £21.50

- Jospeh Marchant £14.75

- Eugene Bardwell £5.00

- Alex Stirling £4.75

- George Phillips £2.00

- Benjamin Stirling £1.00

- Mark Warrington £1.00

- Tom Spreckley £0.00 (£10.00 - £10.00 registration fee)

The club was 11th best in the league in money terms and 8th best in points. Not bad out of 55 clubs who scored points.

Cross results

On Sunday we had three riders taking part in two different cross events. Pete McGuiness and Tom Spreckley rode at Stanmer Park, Brighton in the London League, whilst Tim Costello rode at Basingstoke in the Wessex League.

Tom finished 21st out of 84 starters, a ceditable ride, with Pete 62nd.

Tim finished 14th out of 44 runners - his best result yet.

An incredibly cold day. Oh joy!

Picture copyright Dennis Sackett. See more pics of Southdown Velo.

New member

Welcome to our newest member Pete Dennis from sleepy Up Marden.

AGM

One of our most well attended AGM's took place on Sunday at the Waverley. A brief summary follows ...

Eugene Bardwell reported that club funds were so healthy that he could afford to retire to the Cayman Islands. We scuppered these plans by agreeing to reduce membership to £10 each for seniors and £1 each for youths.

Eugene and his dear wife Christine were proposed as honorary life members in recognition of their contribution to running the club and Christine's sterling work running the Angmering series. Motion carried. That's it, we're stuck with him for life.

It was agreed that the club would buy a small stock of clothing - two tops and two shorts.

Tim Costello agreed to add a membership form on the website.

Mike Marchant reported that he hoped to run an open time trial on some back breaking course in 2009. This was approved.

Mark Trevis was awarded the prize for most improved rider for moving up from 4th to 2nd category in the season including a broken collar bone.

Chris Burningham was awarded the best newcomer prize although has has been with us for a while.

After we retired to the bar.

Members list

The following joined or re-joined the club at the AGM:

Chris Burningham

Mike and Joseph Marchant

Alex and Benjamin Stirling

Mark Dinwiddy - recently joined

Phil Phillips

Annette Taylor - new member

Richard Bevan - new member

Mark Holland - new member

Paul O'Donovan - new member

Shaun Smart

Dave Pothecary - technically a re-joiner although over 20 years later

Pete McGuiness

Tina mcGuiness - new member

Toby Neave

Mark Trevis

Liam Terry - re-joiner

Richard Broadribb - recently joined

Tom Spreckley

Christine and Eugene Bardwell - honorary life members

A very warm welcome to all the new members and re-joiners.

Hill climb

In a virtual repeat of the Bognor Hilly result, Team Southdown Velo went home with the team prize of this year's team prize, relegating A3CG to second place. A3CG were overall winners with Phil Sykes, but our team of Mark Trevis, Toby Neave and Tom Spreckley took home the shield once again. Results here. Some pictures here...

Style guide

The photographic evidence of Sunday demonstrates the need for me to issue guidance on what to wear before and after races, especially on the podium.

Study the photograph above and see if you can spot the six glaring style errors. One rider stands held and shoulders above the others in terms of style. Who is he?

I will be consulting with my cousin Paul and we will produce some style guides.

In the meantime, on a more serious note ... those of you with legacy Southdown Velo kit, please take your permanent marker pens to the High 5 logos. We are supported by SIS and they are direct competitors.

National rankings success

Toby Neave finished 20th overall in the British Cycling national rankings for all senior riders.

Chris Burmingham finished 5th overall in the youth A category.

Southdown Velo finished 40th team in the national rankings.

National points scorers for Southdown Velo:

- Toby Neave 438 points

- Chris Burningham 147 points

- Tim Costello 25 points

- Jospeh Marchant 23 points

- Benjamin Stirling 21 points

- Alex Stirling 9 points

Our national ranking placings was a contributor to SIS deciding to support us.

Getting cross

Pete McGuiness and Tim Costello made their cyclo-cross debuts for the season last weekend. In Pete's case it was his first ever cross race.
Pete and Tom Spreckley rode in the London league. Tom was in the top 10 when he dropped out with gear problems. Pete finished 32nd out of 56 finishers which was a good first attempt. Tim was riding in the Wessex league and is not sure where he finished yet, but was pleased only to fall off twice.

This man must be on drugs!

Pete McGuiness in action.