CUCC Newsletter, December 1992 (Racing, rules of the road, touring and training)

5 Nov 1992

aka C'.UCC: newsletter, first-of-the-year 
variety.

Here, as promised (if you attended the Soc. Fair) or 
expected (if you're an on-
going member of the Club), is the first newsletter of the 
new academic year. Things aren't going too badly - 
we've managed a training ride, two touring rides and 
the novices' time trial - in between organising the usual 
recruitment drive, the acquisition of a new type of 
membership card and a change of clothing 
manufacturer. Before the racing and touring secretaries 
give their accounts, the latter three points deserve 
notice:
1 - While we've managed to attract a plethora of new 
members - mainly from the new first years - we know 
that there are many more cyclists out there just waiting 
to join up. If you meet any non-members interested in 
cycling then bring them along to a club event and get 
them to join. We've also noticed that several members 
aren't members any more – principally first year 
postgraduates and second years who only joined for 
one year; such 'members' are strongly advised to rejoin 
A.S.A.P.
2 - The membership cards are being created as you 
read this - to get one you'll have to turn up to a social 
with a passport-type photograph; alternatively contact 
James Farnhill (B3, New Court, St.John's) to arrange a 
time and place. Note that you must acquire a new card 
by Sunday November 15th - after this Howes and 
Haywards will be instructed not to accept old-style 
cards. Existing members must acquire one of these 
cards -they are not just for this year's intake. Note that 
replacing the new type of card will cost you, so when 
you get yours, LOOK AFTER IT.
3 – CLUB CLOTHING: We want to place the order 
with ALEXA (who make v. nice clothing, I reckon) 
before the end of November, so that the kit will be 
available early next term; the next newsletter will give a 
deadline but PLEASE get your order in as soon as you 
can. Various jerseys, shorts, skin suits, tights and 
gloves will be available - details will be finalised at the 
next two club evenings. We encourage EVERYONE to 
get some clothing (particularly warm stuff - 
Cambridgeshire doesn't warm up until April!) whatever 
type of cycling they do - it's so much more comfortable 
in proper kit. Anyone wishing to road race or enter team 
time trials MUST have club kit - solo TT-ists are v.v.v. 
strongly recommended to as it looks better if we all 
have the same outfits.

Actually, Aled and Chris are going to have to 
wait just a little longer, as I think this is a suitable place 
to remind you about the Club social events on 
Wednesdays (always):-OCTOBER 21st – James 
Farnhill's room (B3 New Ct. St.John's) followed by a 
nearby pub (Mitre?) – meet the President, get your card 
(?) and place a clothing order... ! OCTOBER 28th - 
Aled's abode (172 Sturton St.) - racing sec. hosts event 
no.2. NOVEMBER 4th - Churchill Formal Hall - sign up 
at either of the above or by contacting touring sec. 
Chris Jones (who hosts the aftermath) at Churchill 
(network phone 30426). NOVEMBER 11th – not yet 
known - hopefully to be hosted by one of our newer 
members. Details will appear in the next issue...
The socials start "after 8" - try and turn up by 
9.30 that we can get to the pub before closing time...! 
The FH arrangements are different - meet 7pm in 
Churchill bar (raised section); wine may be purchased 
here but you may prefer your own! If you want to meet 
Chris but can't make the FH then turn up for a touring 
ride or see him at 11J at Churchill.

OK - now it's time for news of the first rides.....
RACING 
/ TRAINING

Aled: 
"Not a 
total 
disaster 
then?"
If you're reading this then you must have 
survived last Saturday's training rides -let's try and keep 
this up. Organising a big group of cyclists isn't easy and 
to do it properly, cooperation is needed. In short this 
means everyone obeying the rules listed below; those 
found flouting them will be switched into the nearest 
hedge/ditch etc. by a member of the Committee - the 
resulting stay at Addenbrookes will be supervised by 
myself and I wouldn't wish that on anyone...! Seriously, 
PLEASE take care - we don't want any accidents.

THE RULES OF THE ROAD: –
1 - There will be two groups of riders each week. The 
first group is the faster - if you're not sure of your pace 
then go with the second group and move up (rather 
than being sick on your bike through trying to stay with 
a group that's too quick for you}. Routes will vary - 
watch this space for details....
2 – No attacking/sprinting/dropping people this term for 
the first three-quarters of the run. These early rides are 
for everyone to get used to riding in a group, not so you 
can show off your climbing prowess - there will be 
plenty of that AFTER Christmas.
3 - WAIT for regrouping after 
climbs/junctions/punctures/bike problems etc. – 
dropping riders in such circumstances will make you 
VERY unpopular indeed!!!!
4 - Once the ride has turned back towards Cambridge, 
the pace MAY increase a little. Anyone dropped at this 
stage' should be able to find their way home easily, 
but...
5 - If you think you are about to be dropped (it helps to 
be aware of how many are behind you) and you don't 
know your way back to Cambridge, SHOUT LOUDLY ! 
- these outings are not intended to leave people 
stranded in the middle of nowhere.
6 - It is EVERYONE's responsibility to make sure no-
one is dropped and/or left in trouble - experienced 
members (and in particular the Committee) will do their 
best but it's much easier with help.

Some of the above may seem obvious, but 
they've all been broken in previous years. The racing 
secretary (ME) or some appointed (responsible) cyclist 
are in charge of the outings - please don't piss us off by 
disregarding the rest of the bunch. For the novices (and 
rusty oldies) here are some hints on general group 
riding technique:
Standard formation is two-abreast (once 
OUTSIDE the city - Ed.) - close up any gaps and leave 
only one odd rider at most. Follow the wheel of the rider 
in front without touching or overlapping. Think of those 
following your wheel BEFORE braking, changing gear 
or getting out of the saddle - the latter can throw the 
bike back considerably even though you may not 
notice...be sure the rider behind will.
Take turns at the front if you can - note that 
fitness determines how long you ride at the front rather 
than how fast. To change formation - wait for a clear, 
straight road; the two front riders move apart and 
SLOW DOWN - the bunch moves through the gap 
WITHOUT speeding up - the former front two then join 
the back and rest. The line can subsequently change to 
allow people to skip turns and/or talk to other riders - 
don't do this during the front change as it leaves big 
holes everywhere.
Shout/sign conventions: "CAR UP", "CAR 
DOWN" (up = from behind); "ON THE 
LEFT/RIGHT/MIDDLE" to indicate obstacles/pot holes 
better avoided, often accompanied by hand pointing at 
the offending thing.
Bring mudguards in wet weather - nobody likes 
getting a muddy face because someone else isn't 
'guarded'.
Bring lights at the height of winter – the local 
Police love handing out spot fines to errant bikers...
Bring a spare tube, tyre levers, puncture kit and 
pump (securely attached to your bike); a drinking bottle 
and a bit of food are also good ideas.
DON'T bring tri-bars (Laurie, Jeremy etc.) – use 
of these is strictly forbidden on training rides except for 
the special 4-up sessions next term.

2
DO dress warmly - shorts aren't sufficient from 
October to March if you wish to avoid hideous knee 
problems and strained muscles & tendons - buy some 
tights if you haven't got any now. Warm hats and crash 
helmets are recommended strongly. REMEMBER – it's 
better to be too hot than too cold.....

Thus ends the Michaelmas lecture. And now, 
this......

RACING RESULTS: –

CUCC Club time trial (10 miles) - course F2a - 
Saturday 17/10/92:
I'm afraid these results are going to have to wait until 
the next issue as Aled hasn't yet supplied me with 
them and it's time to print and copy this so you get it 
before this week's social Congratulations to all who 
completed the event, particularly those racing for the 
first time. Don't forget to ride the hill-climb in two 
weeks' time!
1991 BSSF/Varsity results will appear in the 
next newsletter due to a lack of space in this one. We 
convincingly beat Oxford in the 4-up, 10, 25 and 50 - 
the Varsity-counting events - winning the 50 and 
coming a close second overall in the 10 and 25. 
Awarding of Blues (half and full) is a complex 
procedure - the fastest team in each of the above 
events (i.e. 3 riders in the solos) become eligible for 
half-blue status. There are however only 6 available, 
so some performance-related measure may have to be 
introduced by the Captain (i.e. Aled – "Direct debit 
payments acceptable") to sort this out. 
DISCRETIONARY Full blues are available to those 
who attain half-blue status AND either win a BSSF 
medal in an individual event (10/25/50) or beat the 
following times in any official TT twice in the 
appropriate year:
10 – 20:30 25-54:00 50-1:50:00
This may seem tough - that's because it is! It's also 
unfair - the above represent very good national-level 
standards, while certain other University clubs 
(football, rugby....) would get crapped on at an 
equivalent level.
WOMENS' BLUES:- Half blues are awarded to 
those who beat 1 hr 5 min for a 25-mile TT, and full (if 
you can persuade the Blues Committee) if you beat the 
hour. Don't despair – there are a few 'fast' courses 
around Cambridge, and with some training, a club disc 
and determination, who knows...? Standards required 
in 10's and 50's will be published as soon as we're told.

ROAD RACING NEWS: None. Sorry about this, 
but there isn't the space in this newsletter so you'll 
have to wait for the next one, and a soon-to-be-
finalised club evening where the National vets' 
champion (Ken Platts) will hopefully tell us how it's 
done. The club is active in road racing - it's just more 
people time trial and the Varsity events are TTs so we 
thought it best to deal with those first.

EQUIPMENT NEWS: We have 2 disc wheels 
(for tubs) and an aero spoke (HP-rim type), a track 
pump, wheel jig, a roof rack and a turbo trainer. Details 
of these are best obtained from Aled, as he looks after 
them. Note that the wheels are for TI"s only, and for 
BSSF events will be awarded on merit to those that 
need/would like them.

FORTHCOMNG EVENTS:
Saturday October 24th - ordinary training ride - 2 
groups at different paces etc.
Saturday October 31st – HILL CLIMB - Gog Magog hills 
(not exactly Alpe d'Huez but
enough to get your pulse beyond 200!)
Saturday November 7th - training ride – every Saturday 
for the rest of term.
All the above - meet at Brookside at 2pm. Later in term, 
rides may leave earlier to avoid
excessive darkness.....

3
Training rides also leave the roundabout outside 
Addenbrookes at 9.30 am on Sundays – these 60-70 
mile rides are good training for those aspiring for Blues, 
and are organised by the town cycling clubs so 
BEHAVE YOURSELVES - we're guests on these rides.

Now for all those who prefer a more sedate form 
of cycling, Chris Jones (the touring sec.) writes....

CUCC TOURING RIDE. 11-10-92

The turnout for the first touring run of the year 
was smaller than we'd hoped for due to the October 
weather - "Patchy drizzle clearing later" said the 
weather forecast - this happened (Wow ! - Ed.). 
However, a few brave souls ventured out to see what 
Cambridgeshire countryside looked like in the rain.
Having met in Market Square at 10 o'clock and 
made our various introductions, we set off southwards 
along Hills Rd. towards the Gog Magog hills. Once out 
of town, we turned down Wort's Causeway over the 
hills into Fulbourn and hence towards the All. After a 
variety of attempts to cross this road were confounded 
by large piles of 'road-improvement rubble', the lads 
(where were you, ladies? ) followed Stephen's route to 
the Wilbrahams, two attractive villages East of 
Cambridge, proceeding along a triathlon running course 
towards Lode (on the very bottom edge of the fens). 
The B1102 then led past Anglesey Abbey and on to the 
Wheatsheaf pub in Stow-curn-Quay.
The pub proved a tad unsuitable - a less than 
enthusiastic reception and a lack of snacks (slightly 
pricey, Ploughman's or 3-course only) – but sufficiently 
tasty and plentiful
Into a traditional Fen headwind a refreshed 
group headed for Fen Ditton, (de-)touring back to 
Cambridge via Waterbeach and Landbeach, into 
Cottenham and along the B1049 (with the help of a 
tailwind now) via Histon to the city, most of the 5-strong 
ride returned to Churchill for coffee and fruit cake 
(thanks, Stuart!) after an enjoyable Sunday outing.
Touring rides still depart from the Guildhall at 10 
am on Sundays.

ATB NEWS: I don't have any as no-one's given 
me any. However ATB rides leave the Guildhall at 
10am on Sundays, so if you want to meet other 
mountain-bikers then turn up, get organised and tell ME 
what you're doing so I can let everyone know what's 
happening... !

Right, that's enough! If you want to get in touch 
with me then pigeonhole me at Churchill (or use the 
ICMS) or phone 423692 in the evening - if you want to 
buy/sell anything, arrange teams for races (see Aled as 
well) or organise training etc.....contact me and I'll put it 
in the next edition. See you all soon at a social or 
training ride !

P.S. If anyone (particularly ladies) wants to train at a 
steady (slowish) pace MIDWEEK then contact Susan 
Belmonte at Jesus - she'd like a few training partners.