Weekly update and club runs for w/e of 9-10 September

[George]

With many people returning from their holidays and the weather gods delivering a glorious weekend of unseasonable warmth (all the more unexpected after the unsummery months that preceded it), we had a full programme of club runs last weekend. Although the planned A run was ultimately cancelled, we still had a B run to Evesham, a longer C run to Kenilworth, a shorter C run to Hillers (featuring the long-lost Mr Botfield, no less), a D run to Hillers, and a BC guided ride to Earlswood. Many thanks to Matt, Ced, Pete, Paul and Rich for doing the honours.

There was also plenty of Beacon activity in other fields. Has the winter cyclocross season ever before started with the thermometer reading 30C, I wonder? Whether it has or it hasn't, Matt Russel's form has certainly never been hotter. At Redditch, Matt once again featured high in the under-12 rankings category, while Martin Davis, Jason Halstead and Michael Stanford all delivered creditable performances in the Vet 50+ race.

Beacon was also ably represented at the Hell of the North Cotswolds by Helen Jamieson, while Ed Moss obliterated all his rivals' times in a Solihull CC club 16-mile TT. At a more leisurely pace, the intrepid trio of Simon Turner, Simon Walker and Alan Weaver kept our touring flag aloft in Spain.

However, we had some sad news as well. Geoff Mann – chiefly associated with BRAT, but also a participant in many Beacon club runs and known to many through his various roles in the sport – has passed away. Details of memorial services will follow when we have them.

This coming weekend's club run programme is starting to take shape. On Saturday, Ced is leading an easy-paced 200km run to Buckingham. On Sunday, Mick will be taking a BC guided ride (incorporating Beacon intro ride) to Earlswood, and I'm hatching plans for a slowish B ride to Aston Cantlow. Anyone fancy putting on an A run, Sunday C run or D run? Go on! You won't get many more chances before the mudguard weather starts.
Tuesday and Thursday evening rides continue to go ahead until the clocks change.

Looking a little further forward, Stuart Jones is organising a one-hour, just-for-fun session at the Stourport closed circuit on 15 September. Tuesday 12 September is our Club Championship 10-Mile TT, and the Club Hill Climb Championship (you can't miss that!) is scheduled for the 24th. Meanwhile, Phil Whiteman is taking entries for the Beyond the Dyke audax on 30 September. Now's the time to get your name down for perhaps the last local audax before the weather turns. The route explores the hills and valleys of Marches, passing underneath the magnificent castellated viaduct at Knucklas.

On the social front, Nick Shenton is recruiting for a couple of nights out in the autumn. And the Dinner Committee hopes to announce plans for this year's event before too long.

Check out Facebook and/or the message board for details of all upcoming activities.

[AlanW]

IMG-20230908-WA0021.jpg (828.37 KiB) Viewed 6183 times

Hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil, but which is which?