News Archive 2008

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29 Dec 08: Added report for League round 12 at One Tree Hill.

28 Dec 08: Results are posted for League round 12 at One Tree Hill.

28 Dec 08: A numer of items of clothing were found after today's race. We have a jacket, gloves and overshoes. To claim, please contact Tim Butler on 01473 414546 or tim.butler1@ntlworld.com.

23 Dec 08: Added a race report from Broome Heath.

21 Dec 08: Results are posted for League round 11 at Broome Heath. Mark Cozens will be uploading photos to www.mphotography.co.uk.

21 Dec 08: Added a map link for the Gateway Cross on 28 December 2008. The postcode is SS17 9NH for those of you using SatNav. Note that this is not the location given in the handbook.

11 Dec 08: Added a race report from Wilmington.

11 Dec 08: Corrected a number of errors in the results from the South Eastern Regional Championships and the league placings.

7 Dec 08: Results are posted for the South Eastern Regional Championships (League round 10) at Wilmington. To any London League riders not familiar with this site, check out the lap-o-meter link on the results page. John Mullineaux has uploaded photos to the gallery at www.londoncyclesport.com.

3 Dec 08: Added a race report from Hempton.

3 Dec 08: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from Hempton to www.mphotography.co.uk.

3 Dec 08: Added some missing entries to the start lists for the Regional Championships.

30 Nov 08: Results are posted for League round 9 at Hempton.

29 Nov 08: The race times for the Regional Championships have been adjusted slightly, presumably to give more warm-up time before the Jun/Vet/Women race. Organiser Paul Warner has provided a course map and some notes about the race.

29 Nov 08: Added start lists for the Regional Championships.

29 Nov 08: VC Deal are promoting an additional Cyclo Cross race on Saturday 17th January 2009 at Fowlmead Country Park, Sholden Nr Deal, Kent, CT14 0BF. There's a full programme of races starting at 12:00. More information on the London Cycle Sport site.

29 Nov 08: The West Stow Mountain Bike Challenge takes place on Sunday 14 December 2008. It's open to all comers. More information, including an entry form is on the West Suffolk Wheelers site or you can enter on-line at www.everydaycycling.com.

23 Nov 08: Results are posted for League round 8 at Davy Down.

23 Nov 08: A pair of wheels and a gilet were found after today's race. To claim the wheels, please contact Tim Butler on 01473 414546 or tim.butler1@ntlworld.com. To claim the gilet, please contact Geoff Bores on 01277 652220 or gbores@ford.com.

22 Nov 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These riders are eligible for League points at league round 8 at Davy Down.

16 Nov 08: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from Redgrave to www.mphotography.co.uk.

15 Nov 08: Results are posted for League round 7 at Redgrave.

12 Nov 08: Corrected the times of the Regional Championships, which are wrong in the handbook.

12 Nov 08: Geoff Bores has passed on some information regarding the Davy Down Cross on 23rd November 2008: "The car park is 200 metres past the pumping station. Signing on and toilets are at the information centre adjacent to the pumping station. Please be aware that there is a height and width restriction of 6' 6" on the exit if Davy Down. Large vehicles and cars with roof racks must use the entrance when leaving the venue. I'll tie bits of barrier tape so they dangle down the height barrier to help visibility. The last thing we want is riders wiping bikes off the top of their cars."

12 Nov 08: Upcoming cyclo-cross training sessions:

Go-Ride Holiday Programme: Sat 22nd November Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City (already announced). Sat 6th December Danbury Outdoors (new date). Free British Cycling Beanie Hat for anyone who books on both of the above sessions. Sessions run from 10am until 3pm. Download a booking form from the British Cycling website. Or contact Mark Wyer to email you a copy.

Ipswich BC: Saturday coaching sessions with Russell Parkins (ex elite level 'cross rider) at Foxhall Stadium from 10am until 12 noon, 7 upwards, £2 per rider. Sat 8th Nov, Sat 22nd Nov, Sat 29th Nov. For more details contact Adam Keer.

Welwyn Wheelers: Evening 'cross training at Welwyn Track, Wednesdays, 7pm - 8.30pm (bring trainers for running warm up).

Team Welwyn: Wednesday evening training, Sele School at Hertford from 7pm.

10 Nov 08: Remember that the closing date for entries for the Regional Championships is 16th November 2008. There are no entries on the day except for under-12s. Please use the entry form from the British Cycling website. This event counts towards the Eastern League.

9 Nov 08: Results are posted for League round 6 at Mistley.

9 Nov 08: Here's the report from the Inter-Areas including the Eastern Region Women’s team's historic win.

9 Nov 08: Ipswich Bicycle Club hold a series of winter coaching sessions. Sessions are off road and inclusive of all abilities and they welcome adults and parents joining in. Riders need an offroad bike and helmet. Please dress according to the weather. For more details, including a calendar, see the Ipswich Bicycle Club web site.

9 Nov 08: The guys at the Hog Hill Circuit have asked us to remind people that its official name is the Redbridge Cycling Centre so bear that in mind if you're searching for information.

9 Nov 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These riders are eligible for League points at league round 6 at Mistley.

3 Nov 08: The Eastern Region Women’s team won the Women’s title at the Inter-Area Champs yesterday at Lutterworth. Rachel Moss lead the team home in second overall backed up by Faith Addison, Susan Wood and Anna Buick. This is the first title the Eastern Region has ever won at the Inter-Areas. Full report to follow.

28 Oct 08: There's a report, photo gallery and video from Sunday's National Trophy race at Chantry Park, Ipswich on www.eadt24.co.uk/sport.

28 Oct 08: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from the Ipswich National Trophy race to www.mphotography.co.uk.

24 Oct 08: After further consultation, the committee have decided that all remaining League events (starting with round 6 at Mistley) will follow the format that was trialled at Hillyfields. That is, veterans and women will race for 40 minutes at 1pm while seniors and juniors will race for an hour at 2pm. The only exception is the Regional Championships which are not under Eastern control and have their own schedule.

24 Oct 08: A reminder that round 3 of the National Trophy is at Chantry Park in Ipswich this Sunday. Come along to watch if you're not racing. If you're able to give a hand with marshalling, please contact Steve Grimwood.

22 Oct 08: Go-Ride/Talent Team 'cross session: a reminder to all young 'cross riders that they need to book in advance for the Chantry Park sessions on Friday 31st October. If we don't have enough bookings then the sessions will not run. Please email Mark Wyer or phone him on 07534 281271 if you are having problems booking.

19 Oct 08: Results are posted for League round 5 at Hillyfields. Today was the first time we've had to split the race due to the number of riders. Thank you to all riders for your understanding and co-operation. If you have any comments on this matter, please contact League chairman Chris Gooch.

19 Oct 08: In order to help the organiser's planning, League round 6 at Mistley will be split regardless of whether it reaches the 90 rider threshold. As an experiment to help even out the number of riders in each race, veterans will race for 40 minutes at 1pm, while seniors, juniors and women will race for an hour at 2pm.

15 Oct 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These riders are eligible for League points at league round 5 at Hillyfields.

14 Oct 08: There will be a Talent Team/Go-Ride Cyclo-Cross training session as part of the Go-Ride half term activities. This will be held at Chantry Park, Ipswich (National Trophy venue) on Friday 31st October. Talent Team coach Tim Buckle will be bringing his infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy to liven up the session. In addition top local coach/rider Nathan Miller will bring his considerable experience to the sessions. To book, check out http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/clu/News2008/easternholidayprogrammes.asp. For more information contact Mark Wyer on 07534 281271.

14 Oct 08: Pete Whelan, on behalf of Suffolk CTC, wishes to thank all riders who came along to support the Rough Stuff ride on Sunday. The large turn out made their efforts in putting it on worthwhile. If anyone has left any items, then contact Paul Remblance (he had collected a couple of bits - mudguard, pump, helmet). It is planned to run the event next year on 11th October.

13 Oct 08: Corrected Matt Gallagher's result from Welwyn.

12 Oct 08: Results are posted for League round 4 at Welwyn.

10 Oct 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These riders are eligible for League points at league round 4 at Welwyn.

6 Oct 08: Correction: someone lost a track pump at Baldock last week. If you picked it up by mistake or know where it might be, please contact Mark Wyer. It's made by Decathlon.

4 Oct 08: Signing-on for League round 4 at Welwyn will be at the start/finish area and not Stanborough School as last year. Changing and refreshments are available at Stanborough Lakes, which is adjacent to the course. Access to the course is via the underpass that runs alongside the river - mind your head! There is free parking in the Stanborough boating lake car park, which is located at the bottom of the course.

4 Oct 08: Someone left a track pump at Baldock last week. Contact Mark Wyer to claim.

1 Oct 08: Don't forget that you need to enter in advance if you wish to ride the National Trophy round 3 at Ipswich. The race is on 26th October 2008 and entries close 20 days before, which is 6th October.

1 Oct 08: Corrected senior league placings - two riders had been missed.

29 Sep 08: Paul Douglas has uploaded some photos from Baldock to Picasa.

27 Sep 08: Results are posted for League round 3 at Baldock.

27 Sep 08: In future League events, if more than 90 riders sign on (or it looks as though more than 90 will sign on), the race will be split as follows: Veterans and Women will race for 40 minutes at 1pm, followed by Seniors and Juniors, who will race for an hour at 2pm. This is for safety, to reduce the amount of lapping and to make the judges job manageable.

24 Sep 08: Don't forget that the venue for this Saturday's league round 3 is Baldock, not Stevenage as previously advertised.

24 Sep 08: XRT and Team Ipswich would like to invite you to the official launch of IP-CROSS 2008 – 2012 UEC European Cyclo-Cross Championships hosted by Hugh Porter MBE, former World and Commonwealth cycling champion and current BBC cycling commentator, Karen Pickering MBE, Great Britain swimmer and sports ambassador for Ipswich and Nick Craig, Olympic cyclist and International Cyclo-Cross rider. Our hosts will also take part in a Q&A and we hope you will join us to discover what IP-CROSS could mean to you and how you could become more involved. We expect the launch to be an hour in duration and light refreshments will be provided. The launch is on Wednesday 1st October 2008 at 12 noon, Council Chambers, Town Hall, Cornhill, Ipswich.

24 Sep 08: The venue for Gateway's league round 12 has moved to One Tree Hill, near Basildon. More details to follow when we have them.

24 Sep 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These riders are eligible for League points at league round 3 at Baldock.

24 Sep 08: Added list of age categories and prize fund to the race organisers and officials page.

14 Sep 08: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from Foxhall to www.mphotography.co.uk.

13 Sep 08: Results are posted for League round 2 at Foxhall.

11 Sep 08: This year's Tour of the Cornfields raised over £1000 towards developing youth cyclo-cross in the region. It can only run with the help of some great volunteers who gave up loads of time. Thanks must go to Mark Wyer (organiser), Tom and Francis Gallacher (car park marshalling), Knocker and Colin Edwards (signing on), Stevie Wyer and Margaret Betts (feed station), Vincent Friedlander (course checking), Stuart Chatting (broom wagon), Julie and Bob Griffiths (refreshments), www.riderhq.com and Dave Copland (website entries and information).

10 Sep 08: Posted final results for the Tour of the Cornfields Cyclo-Cross Sportive.

10 Sep 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These riders are eligible for League points at league round 2 at Foxhall.

8 Sep 08: Results are posted for the very wet League round 1 at Brickwall Farm.

4 Sep 08: Updated the list of registered riders. These are the only riders who will be eligible for League points at the first event on Sunday. If you haven't entered the League yet, please do so as soon as possible so that you will be eligible for the next race.

4 Sep 08: Added provisional results for the Tour of the Cornfields Cyclo-Cross Sportive.

4 Sep 08: Added more documents to the race organisers and officials page.

27 Aug 08: The CC Ashwell event on September 27th has had a change of venue due to problems of possible vehicular access required during the race at Fairlands Valley Park. The new venue is The Knights Templar School, Park Street, Baldock, Herts, SG7 6DZ. The new course is all grass playing fields with no tarmac or woodland, but it is more compact with the HQ nearby and it will be fantastic for spectators.

24 Aug 08: Here's a start of season message from our Chairman:

"Hello everyone. I hope you are all looking forward to the new cyclo-cross season as much as I am. During the spring and summer your Eastern Cross committee have been busy making improvements and implementing changes as passed at our last AGM. As you can see on this site, we have an exciting programme of races lined up for you including two completely new events and the return of two old favourites with new organisers.

We open the league at Brickwall Farm on September 7th. I know this is an early start to the season but please support your own association's event.

We thought an early start necessary to fit everything in the calender and importantly to give our National Trophy entrants good practise before Round One at Abergavenney. This is the first time a Trophy event has been run in September. There are six in all through the winter. Don't be afraid to enter our local one at Ipswich on October 26th but remember that you need to enter in advance.

If you have any queries or feedback on our local cyclo-cross administration please contact me via goochiec@btinternet.com.

Finally if you are reading this as a newcomer (or as a parent of an Under 12 or youth rider) and you wonder about trying cyclo-cross, I can assure you of a warm welcome from our local cyclo-cross community . You may not end up clean and glittering as they do on the velodrome, nor do we yet have olympic status, but we are the friendliest branch of cycle sport!

See you all at Cross." - Chris Gooch (Chairman E.C.X.A.)

24 Aug 08: Updated the list of registered riders. It's only 2 weeks to the first race of the season and you need to be registered one week before your first race, so don't delay. Remember that your registration will pay for itself in just 3 rides.

24 Aug 08: Added a new page to collect information of interest to race organisers and other officials.

24 Aug 08: Added the new season's brochure (Word format).

14 Aug 08: Added this year's league registration form and latest list of riders.

14 Aug 08: Adam Keer will be riding the Foxhall course on Monday 18 Aug 2008 at 6pm. Riders are welcome to join him for a preview of the 13 Sep 2008 race course.

14 Aug 08: The Association has two cyclo cross bikes available for loan on an occasional basis (e.g. for someone who wants to try 'cross before committing to purchasing a bike, or as a spare for an important race). Contact the secretary, David Triggs, on david@dtriggs.wanadoo.co.uk to book.

14 Aug 08: There is a new prize structure in place for 2008-9 to reflect participation levels, in line with what was agreed at the AGM. We've increased the number of prizes for women and juniors and added prizes for the 50+ and 60+ age groups. The senior prizes have been replaced by an "open" category to avoid the situation where (e.g.) the 3rd junior might finish above the 6th senior but be denied a prize. The one prize per rider rule remains.

14 Aug 08: Corrected race entry fees. Standard fees are £12 for seniors, vets and women (£10 for league members); £10 for juniors (£8 for league members); £7 for youths (£5 for league members).

15 Jun 08: Ipswich has been successful in its bid to secure the 2012 European Cyclo Cross Championships. Organisers Steve Grimwood and Carl Thompson wish to offer a big thanks to all of you who have helped out at Ipswich Cyclo Cross events over the years to get us here. They hope that you will all want to be a part of this event and the events they will be hosting in the lead up to 2012.

Please take a look at British Cycling for a report on how the bid was announced. Keep up to date on all the latest news on the Ipswich Cyclo Cross plans at www.ip-cross.com.

15 Jun 08: Next season's fixture list has now been confirmed.

22 Mar 08: Added more info about the Tour of the Cornfields Cyclo-Cross Sportive.

12 Mar 08: the Tour of the Cornfields Cyclo-Cross Sportive will be on Sunday 31st August this year. There will be a new HQ at Bassingbourn. The route retains the fabulous drag strip by-way from Ashwell to Bassingbourn but there will be a couple of new sections to add to last years favourites. If the summer’s weather is reasonable the infamous Porter’s Way will be a feature this year. The off-road signage is being improved for this year’s event.

You can enter on-line at www.riderhq.com or email Mark Wyer for an entry form. There will be no entry on the day this year and there will be a maximum of 175 riders.

Meanwhile, you can whet your appetite by reading about last year's event.

23 Feb 08: To raise further funds for the EC-CA we have linked up with Parent Pages to provide cash back from Internet Shopping. If you purchase items from the relevant suppliers through Parent Pages, up to 5% of the value of your purchases comes back to the EC-CA. Click here to find out more or use the Shopping link at the left.

23 Feb 08: Organisers and prospective organisers can find a number of useful links and documents on the British Cycling web site.

23 Feb 08: It's a bit late to be mentioning this, but the BC Cyclo-Cross Commission Conference agenda is available on the BC web site.

16 Feb 08: Minutes from the recent AGM are posted.

10 Feb 08: Results of the end of season MADison are posted. This was followed by the league prizegiving, which brought the season to a close. Thanks to Dom Castle and Tim Butler for presenting the prizes, and Mildenhall CC for hosting the event.

10 Feb 08: We're looking for people who are willing to help with scoring on an occasional basis, ready for next season. Full training will be given. Please email the webmaster with your contact details if you can help. Thanks.

7 Feb 08: Senior rider Ian Newby, who crashed at Sunday's race, has asked us to pass on this message: "I think my head and neck took the main impact (I will let you make the jokes). I think I got off lightly, with just bruising to my left shoulder, left hip, right knee and right wrist. Thanks to Nathan Miller and Robert Hunt who both took time out during the race to help, and a big thanks to the Newsteads who tried to patch me after the race (if only to get my top off). Seriously, it's good to know these people are out there. Thanks again."

4 Feb 08: Added sub-categories to veteran league placings.

3 Feb 08: Results are posted for the final League round 15 at Hillyfields, together with final league placings. Medal winners are summarised here.

3 Feb 08: A wooly hat was found after today's race. To claim, please contact Tim Butler on 01473 414546 or tim.butler1@ntlworld.com.

2 Feb 08: Don't forget the Association AGM at 3pm after tomorrow's race. Please come along to share your views on the running of the League. Click here for the AGM agenda and here for the 2007 AGM minutes.

2 Feb 08: We'll be collecting League numbers after the final race tomorrow. If you're not racing, please arrange to get your number to the Tim Butler, the league adminstrator. Thanks.

29 Jan 08: Recalculated league placings. With round 14 being cancelled, the "60%" rule means that the league is now best 8 counting rides.

22 Jan 08: League round 14 at Eccles Hall School on 27 Jan 2008 is CANCELLED. Organiser Darrel Glover explains that the landowners wish the event to be cancelled due to the course being waterlogged.

21 Jan 08: The Association AGM agenda is now finalised. The AGM will take place after the race at Hillyfields on 3 Feb 2008. Click here for the 2007 AGM minutes.

21 Jan 08: Corrected under-12 league placings - two riders had been missed.

20 Jan 08: There will be a celebration of Ron Hunt's life at 1pm on Thursday 24 Jan 2008 at St. Mary’s Church Yaxley, Nr Eye, following a family funeral. Everybody and then some are welcome to come along to give him a fantastic send off and any cycling friends and colleagues are more than welcome if they see fit to arrive by bike in cycling gear. Donations are to be made to the Stroke Association or to the Rotary charities, as it has been requested for family flowers only.

20 Jan 08: Results are posted for League round 13 at Mistley.

17 Jan 08: Proposals are invited for the Association AGM, which will take place after the race at Hillyfields on 3 Feb 2008. Proposals must be received by the League Secretary by Sunday, 20 Jan 2008. Click here for the 2007 AGM minutes.

12 Jan 08: Ron Hunt, MBE 1930-2008. It is with great sadness that we report the death of Ron Hunt. Ron died peacefully on January 11th, at his nursing home, following a short chest infection. Ron was the League's press officer until he suffered a serious stroke in December 2006. He was an enthusiastic supporter of all cycling but especially cyclo-cross, possibly due to the high standard of cakes usually on offer. Ron would be seen at most races cheering on the riders and marshalling, often with his wife, Joan. Our thoughts are with Joan, Robert and the rest of Ron's family.

Older news can be found here:   2007   2006   2005   2003-4