The Pedal Club
Victor Berlemont Trophy Race
Rowan Baker (Saint Piran) was the clear winner of this classic race, with his team mate James McKay in second place – a resounding success for the Saint Piran team.
With a distance of 112 (hilly) miles, this is the longest and probably the toughest National B race in the calendar. even so, it attracted seventy entries; of these only twenty one finished on the same lap as the winner.
The great majority of the field had no experience of racing this distance, so it was surprising that seven brave souls saw fit to start a break on the first lap, these included: James McKay (Saint Piran) who finished 2nd, Josh Housley (Huub BCC), 3rd, David Hird, (Cycling Sheffield) 5th, Nick Tyrie (Foran CT) 10th, and Jordan Giles (Richardsons Trek DAS) 17th. For much of the race, it seemed they would stay clear to the finish, gaining an advantage of over two minutes by mid distance.team.
More.......................
The Victor Berlemont Trophy Race is promoted by the:
Raleigh UK sticks with Eastwood, Nottinghamshire for relocated HQ
-Jonathon Harker
Raleigh has revealed details of its long-trailed UK HQ re-location, with the firm moving to Durban House in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire – less than a mile from its former site on Church Street, Eastwood, where it had been since the early 2000s.
The significant move follows difficult trading for Raleigh UK’s owner Accell amidst a tough global cycling market. The KKR investment firm-owned group last year revealed Raleigh UK would be relocating, shedding UK warehousing and quitting P&A in favour of its bike business in GB.
Raleigh’s rich history in the area extends back to 1887 when it launched in nearby Nottingham. Raleigh UK’s new home of Durban House dates back to a similar time in the late 19th Century. It’s renowned for its historical significance as it was once the wages office for the local collieries where the father of the famed writer D.H. Lawrence worked. The property, which later became a D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre, has been a symbol of local heritage and cultural pride, we’re told.
The council had two primary objectives: to restore Durban House to its former glory and to create a functional business space. Raleigh’s move to the premises achieves both goals, marking just the first stage of a longer-term plan between the council and Raleigh.
Work started on turning Durban House into a Community Hub began in 2021, but a bid for Levelling Up Funding was unsuccessful. The challenges this created have now been solved by the agreement with Raleigh. The Council, through UKSPF, has identified new locations for community activities. Some community projects connected to the Hub, such as the Gardening Group, will continue to work on the grounds of Durban House and the surrounding area. Raleigh is committed to supporting community activities outside of working hours wherever possible.
The successful execution of this project was made possible by local businesses, said the press statement, underscoring Raleigh’s dedication to supporting local talent.
Chris Slater, Managing Director, at Raleigh UK said: “We are pleased to remain in Eastwood and deeply appreciate the ongoing support and collaboration from Broxtowe Council in facilitating this move. Raleigh’s rich heritage is deeply intertwined with the Borough, making it essential for us to stay connected to our local roots. Durban House represents an exciting next step in our long-term strategy, offering a space that not only honours our storied past but also aligns with our vision for future growth as we continue to invest in our ambitious plans for the bicycle business.”
Milan Radulovic MBE, Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council said: “I’m delighted to welcome Raleigh to Durban House in Eastwood. It’s vital that we support our local businesses and particularly strategically important businesses like Raleigh. We’ve been working on this partnership for a number of months to secure Raleigh with a new home. As soon as we heard the news that they needed to relocate their head offices we wanted to ensure we worked with the team to support them through this change. It’s also been really important that we ensure that we can keep these jobs in the local area and help support our local economy”.
“The project was made possible by support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and used a new local enterprise – Wilborne Painting & Decorating Limited to complete the renovation, further supporting local jobs.”
Pedal Club – August Lunch
Our speaker at the August lunch was Mariam Draaijer, the CEO of JoyRiders
This is an organisation (founded in Waltham Forest* in 2016) which provides social bike rides for women. From modest beginnings, just a few women meeting up for social rides, it has now grown into a significant national institution with branches in Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge plus groups all over London.
The organisation’s aim is simple: to get more women riding bikes – at the moment, in England, 70% of regular riders are men, whereas in Holland the numbers are pretty well equal. One important strategy to achieve this goal is to encourage diversity. Some cultures do not see cycling as a normal or desirable activity for women. JoyRiders is keen to overcome this prejudice and has had much success in recruiting from all ethnicities, in fact the membership quite accurately mirrors the ethnic diversity of the areas where it functions.
Training activities form a big part of the offering and these include not just how to ride, but where to go and how to fix your bike. There is a website which gives comprehensive information:
A question which will probably occur to Pedal Club members may be: does this organisation have any relevance to the sort of cycling which we practise? The women pictured on the website certainly look a long way from the sporting cyclists we are familiar with.
Well, many club cyclists started as mere utility riders and got drawn into our world. Mariam mentioned one young woman, a complete beginner when she first came to Joyriders who, after a little instruction and riding, entered the Ride London 100 intending to do the 100 kilometre course but, mistaking a turning, ended up finishing the 100 mile event. That sounds like potential talent, even if navigation skills still need a little work!
JoyRiders is clearly an organisation with its heart in the right place; let’s hope some of its members do join the ranks of club cyclists.
The Lunch was held at the Civil Service club and attracted 30 members and guests.
*’Waltham Forest’ is a London borough, not an actual forest.
Chris Lovibond
August 2024.
John Morris has just recently passed away after a long illness and there is a provisional date of 7th/8th Aug at Chesham crematorium for his funeral, the date will be firmed up as soon
Read more.........
Vern McClelland passed away last week after a long illness. His family is taking comfort from the fact that he is no longer suffering. He was a BC National Track & Road Commissaire and will be familiar to many of you. He officiated at many Grass track, National and International meetings including the Olympics and taught me a lot. A lovely bloke who I will miss.
-Chalky
https://www.thepedalclub.org.uk/vern-mcclelland-r-i-p
SOME MORE SAD NEWS
I am sorry to report that
John Miller passed away at the weekend.
I will forward details of the funeral when I have them.
Also Ron Gray came off his bike and is in hospital with a couple of broken
ribs and damaged pelvis.
Paddington reunion
Friday 9th August 2024
-updated Michael Clark
Situated by the gates of Paddington Recreation Ground, Carlton Vale, NW6 'Carlton Tavern' has been an integral part of West London cycling scene for over 100 years and past-owners Charringtons supported racing as well as quenching thirsts after a hard evening's track acing on Tuesday & Friday during summer months.
Built in 1920 the pub survived heavy bombarded in WW2, coming away fully intact however suffered partial demolition in 2020 from new owners who applied to Westminster Council to demolish and rebuild as flats. Westminster refused stating 'Carlton Tavern' was a historic feature in a landscape of high-rise flats surrounding it and would be awarded Grade 2 listing immediately.
Next day locals awoke to the sound of a contractors wrecking ball smashing into the upper floors and contacted Westminster immediately who ordered an immediate halt to proceedings. The new owners were taken to court and ordered to rebuild the pub brick by brick back to it's former glory.
'Carlton Tavern' opened for business in April 2021 under ownership of two local people (one attended
Brad Wiggins old school St. Augustines although they never met).
Paddington's final meeting was held on 9th August 1988 and the first reunion last year to celebrate 35 years. It proved to be very popular and recently repeated again this year. Tuesday's track League provided hard racing for riders in and around London however Friday's '100' races gave an opportunity to rub shoulders with World class riders like Hugh Porter & Les West in a series of 4 x 25 mile races sponsored by Charringtons which led to future sponsors like Curry Sark whisky, Chrysalis Records and Pernod getting involved.
Paddington Track has disappeared (part of the banking coming into the home straight is still here) but memories remain and can't be erased as long as the yearly reunion continues which is already being planned for 2025
