The end of the summer' mixed fortune being enjoyed, or rather endured, by our racing team, although from a series of D. N.S.'s, D.N.F’s, fallings off and blowing up, a few bright spots shine out. The E.S.C.A. ' 50 ' provided a few surprises for us - Maurice managed 4th place, 3rd handicap and 1st vet., Martin did a very praiseworthy 2.23.32, Tim finished with a credit able 2.29.40 and Terry did 2.31.21. In the E.S.C.A. '25' Tim deservedly won the 1st handicap with a two minute improvement to 1.8.29, with Stephen, our only other finisher, recording 1.11.15. The following week, Tim was 2nd fastest Juvenile in the K.C.A. ' 25 ' on Romney Marsh.
On the last Sunday in October, twelve people set off on our 50 in 4 trial. At the end of the madcap dash to Ringmer and back, only one person failed to report to the timekeeper within the allotted time. He was a member of 'another club', and succumbed to the siren lure of home as he rode through Sidley. Dave and Audrey even had time to partake of a. mini-banquet which they produced from their saddlebag and ate in a bus shelter. Robin Peters made one of his rare appearances, and rode round in fine style. This was David Kitching’s (" no relation" he laments), introduction to our way of club life; he and his wife Jennifer have joined us from the Hillingdon C.C., and we are very pleased to welcome them.
At our A.G.M. in mid - November, there was little change in the hierarchy. A few minutes aberration were sufficient to see Esther elected President for 1978. Martin has taken over from Dave Morris as Runs Captain, and Ron Longley and David have been added to the committee. We decided to introduce a new category of membership -· it was agreed that O.A.P' s. should pay the same reduced membership subscription as the juniors. So far, the expected hordes of senior citizens, brandishing their pension books and demanding membership have not materialised, but when word gets round, who knows what may happen!
At the moment we are all on tenterhooks for Ted Coussens, who only needs to ride just over 1,000 miles to achieve his ambition of reaching his 400,000 mile target. All being well, he should make it by spring of next year. We have seen little of John Lawrence throughout the summer, although he assures us he has been getting in the miles in the New Forest area. A long way to go for secret training rides, we thought, until he confided that he had relatives down there in the licensed victuallers trade, and they supplied the digs.
The Carpenters gave their recently acquired tandem an airing on the afternoon of the E.S.C.A. tourist trial. After one or two rather wobbly permutations had been tried, it was decided that Maurice and Esther should ride the machine to Hellingly, closely escorted by Tim and Stephen. They agreed that their journey was well worthwhile, as they demolished their share of the splendid tea provided by the Southboro' Ladies, although they felt rather shamefaced when they saw all the people who had been brave enough to start in the event in the morning.
Guy Little who celebrated his 70th birthday this year, is looking forward to next season, when he hopes to complete a hundred mile ride. Provided he can get through the winter, and given the right sort of conditions, he is confident he will succeed. Whilst tidying out his garden shed, Ernie Spray came across an article which he was able to identify as a bicycle, and he has promised that he will be in attendance on some of the more leisurely clubruns! This seems to be an ideal opportunity to thank the 'Rovers' for the hospitality they extended to us on a recent Monday evening. We are not quite in the same class as them at ping-pong, though Richard and Joanne did their best for us. We held our own at the more sedate games, and it was generally agreed to be a very jolly way of spending an evening.
As I seemed to have filled my quota of space, it remains only to wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year. As ever,
Ragged Shorts
