News

VELO HEADLINES....read on for the latest news

7th July Tour de France in London

Your intrepid reporter was there with his photographer looking for the top stories of the day, gossip and any other juicy bits...and no I’m not talking about Tony Moffa’s new commercial juicer he has just purchased at huge expense....just ask him for his carrot and banana recipe. Adrian Rowland has got some great photos which will be on the website any minute. It was a superb day, sun shining, perfect temperature, hundreds of thousands of people watching the worlds greatest cyclists riding past Buck Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park Corner and througn Hyde Park itself. I walked most of the course on your behalf and have very sore feet as a result...unlike Bob Cabot who bagged a ride in the Astana car courtesy of BMC...one of the perks of owning a bike shop.

You probably know the result already, our Bradley couldn’t quite do it finishing 4th ahead of David Millar, (11th I think) Cancellara was just awsome winning in convincing fashion. The tele just doesn’t do justice to the speed these guys are travelling, incredible. It was great day out, good to  see Andy Ilton, Mick Higginson, Pete Ilton, Rob, Andy Scrimminger, Burt, John PB and Moffa man all there enjoying the fun. Such serious exercise requires a careful diet as we know...not sure a few pints of London Pride & a big mac (I tried to keep em out) is quite what the doc ordered...but he wasn’t there.

Peter

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ETAPEDUDALES: A group of four Velo riders (consisting of Des McClelland, Mike Mitchinson, Mick Higginson and Steve King) made the journey North to the Yorkshire Dales to participate in one of the increasingly popular sportives.  They climbed over 3,500m and cycled approx 110 miles.  Steve, Mike and Mick completed the Sportive in 7 hrs 40 while Des crossed the finishing line just 50 minutes later.   For more information on the Sportive see www.etapedudales.co.uk or choose your seat carefully at NorthPoint on a Saturday!

SCHOOLS CHALLENGE:  On Saturday 14 July, up at Quennevais, up to 7 schools will be taking part in the Schools Challenge, a Track Championship, aiming to introduce youths to cycle racing.  Volunteers are needed to encourange and organise the participants.  Please contact peterderrick55@hotmail.co.uk with offers of assistance.

GET FASTER!  Want to know your Max Power, Max HR and what you need to work on become faster?  Garry Palmer is over from the UK on Wed 16 & Thurs 17 May with his testing equipment and has a few slots left - £195 for 2.5 hours testing.  Call 01384 70099 or e-mail g.palmer@sportstest.co.uk to book!  For more info see:  www.sportstest.co.uk

TOUR DE BRETAGNE - 25 April - The esplanade was closed off for the day to allow 22 teams to time trail the 4.7km from West Park to the "Burger Bar" and back.  Twelve VSJ members offered their services as Chaperones to the teams. Adrian Rowland acted as official photographer.

ISLAND GAMES TEAM SELECTED... On 11 April the JCA Committee met and selected the Men’s road team including Dave Jardine, Richard Tanguy, Chris Spence, Sam Firby and Vince Peron with Adam W in reserve.  Women’s road team selected including Jim Davis and Sarah Smith.  The MTB team was James Patterson, Kieron Mills and Robin Ovenden.  Congratulations to them all, especially Dave, Richard and Jim.

RACING IN FRANCE...Sarah Smith has the race calendar for the Bretagne Road Race Series, e-mail her at sarahsmith@jerseymail.co.uk if you want to know more.

THE SEASONS STARTED...Go to racing 2007 to see the results of the first race 

SOCIAL...A very enjoyable evening was enjoyed by 15 members at Cafe Spice on Saturday 3rd Feb, excellent food & drink together with good company, the perfect combination (helped by England beating the Scots at Twickenham, no apologies to any of our members who hail from north of the border, tee hee). Thanks to Paul Lipscombe & Nikki for organising the event.

LADIES CAPTAIN...Jim (Jemima, but don’t ever call her that) Davis has kindly volunteered to fill this role (as well as becoming Secretary). As a club we want to do all we can to encourage riders of either gender and feel that it would encourage potential female members to get in touch if they have someone to contact of the same sex. Thanks Jim

CLUB RIDES...These are going well with good numbers attending. To accomodate as many different levels of ability and preferences as posssible the rides have been splitting as follows:

Saturdays...start off in sixes from the Steam Clock as usual, come together at Gorey and then split where the road to St Martins goes left after St Catherines Hill. Those wanting a shorter and slightly slower ride keeping going toward the zoo, those wanting a longer and faster ride turn left to St Martins.

Sundays... start from the Steam Clock all together, split at the Corbiere loop. Those wanting a slower/shorter ride miss out the lop and go straight down to La Pulente whilst those wanting a longer, faster ride go round Corbiere.

TOUR DE BRETAGNE...The list of Chaperones is now full but if you are interested please let me know and I will put you down as a reserve in case anyone drops out.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED....Eleven volunteers are needed to chaperone the teams taking part in the Tour de Bretagne prologue on the 25th April in Jersey. Each volunteer will meet their team off the boat on the evening of the 24th, take them to their hotel, eat with them and attend a briefing session for all the team managers at Fort Regent. The next morning meet up for breakfast, take them for a quick spin if they want to and then deliver the team to the start in good time to warm up etc. After the event you need to get them back to the terminal and wave them off. All you need is a reasonable idea of how to navigate your way around Jersey.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a major cycling event, meet proffessional cyclists and watch it all happen from the inside, including the start/finish paddock during the event. You will need a day off work and if you speak French that would help, but is not essential (in the hope that someone on the team will speak English...thats terrible!). I already have a number of people signed up so please come back to me asap if you’re interested...positions allocated on a first come first served basis.

A GREAT EVENING was enjoyed last Friday at the clubs annual prizegiving dinner held at Rocco’s, Les Mielles Golf & Country Club. The food and company were excellent and a great time was had by all. Congratulations to all the prize winners who are listed below, particularly young Cormac Bloomer who was voted Riders Rider of the Year for his determination and commitment to the sport...fantastic. The feedback I have had has been very positive apart from a complaint that the evening ended too early...12.30 was pretty late for an old man like me. Please let the committee have your feedback as we strive to keep improving and want an even better event next year. Finally it was a great pleasure to welcome Elaine Richomme to the event to present the Tony Richomme memorial trophy to Richard Tanguy, collected by RJ senior.

Prize Winners

ANOTHER DATE FOR YOUR DIARY...Wednesday 25th April the professionals are in town. Starting at 12.00 the prologue time trial of the Tour de Bretagne begins on Victoria Ave. The course starts at West Park to the hambuger shop and then back up the other carriage way. Both lanes will be closed for most of the day. VSJ have met the organisers and they are keen for both local cyclists to be involved in the event as much as possible so watch this space... more updates to follow.

Prize giving dinner update...it will be a five course meal with a choice of 6 starters and main courses to be chosen on the night. The menu looks good and caters for all tastes including vegetarians. Arrive 7.30 p.m. sit down to eat at 8.00

TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT PEDAL POWER FOR THE PRIZE GIVING DINNER NOV 24TH...PLEASE HAVE EXACT MONEY (cash or cheques) £20 ADULTS & £15 UNDER 18’s INCLUDING COACH THERE AND BACK

Sorry guys but Roccos let our booking go before we had chance to confirm so its now on for Friday 24th Nov at the same place. A coach will be arranged, cost GBP20 for adults and GBP15 for juniors which includes the coach. More details to follow.

PRIZE GIVING DINNER...put the date in your diary now...Sat 25th Nov at Rocco’s (Les Mielle Golf & Country Club, Five Mile road). Bring your partner, mistress, wife or somebody elses!! All welcome.... cost and how to get tickets to be advised shortly. And yes we are planning to put on a coach (if we can’t get Johns wife to borrow the train) to pick up and drop off.

Great to see so many at the Anthony Nolan ride, together we contributed over GBP200 to the charity (including GBP50 from the club). It was a large group of nearly 30 riders setting off at the start, but rapidly broke into smaller groups with Jim deciding to keep Chris Spence company; Bill, Mike Mitch, Mick Higginson and Bob Cabot setting a fast pace with a chasing group of yours truly, Jim Davis, Sean Twohig, Steve Whiteside, Simon, Mike Keighrey, Adrian, Peter Ilton. Further back John Pallot-Brown and Des McClelland were setting a respectable pace with a number of other club riders dotted amongst the field including two of our junior members...Karl Laugeard taking an abbreviated route and Sam Carney who covered the full 60 miles finishing ahead of many older riders, a great performance...well done. 

Click on Duo Normand for a full, un edited, no holds barred, report on what went on over the weekend plus photos!!!....over 18’s only and you need a strong stomach

New page added giving full details of latest JCA news, just click to go straight to the site.

Tuesday evenings the CCC’s are organising an end of season 5 mile TT series from La Saline which is open to Velo members.