News Archive 2003-4

23 Dec 04: The Eastern Cyclo Cross Association AGM will take place after the Norwich ABC race at Eccles Hall on 6 Feb 2005, and not after the West Stow event as previously announced. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please attend if you can and have your say in the running of the sport.

23 Dec 04: Corrected the league placings - some points had been omitted from the Mistley race.

21 Dec 04: Added a report on Broome Heath.

21 Dec 04: Some clothing was left at last week's Redgrave race: an ERV top, an Interbike top and a James Hay top. Contact the webmaster if they're yours.

20 Dec 04: League placings now include yesterday's result.

19 Dec 04: Results are available for today's League round 12 race at Broome Heath. League placings are still as of last week - update in due course.

16 Dec 04: Joe Waller's funeral service will be at Poringland Church, Poringland, near Norwich, at 2pm next Wednesday, December 22, preceded by private cremation.

16 Dec 04: Photographs from the Redgrave race may be purchased from www.flashharryphotography.com.

12 Dec 04: It was with great sadness and shock that we learnt of the death of Joe Waller. Joe rode Eastern 'cross races for many years and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Riders, officials and spectators observed a minute's silence in his memory before yesterday's main race at Redgrave. Joe died on Friday in a motor accident on his way to work. Our thoughts are with his family.

12 Dec 04: Results are available for yesterday's League round 11 race at Redgrave. Sorry for the delay in posting the results - it was your webmaster's club Xmas party last night. What's more, the party was at his house. EADT deputy editor Dominic Castle raced in his first ever competitive cycle event. Look out for a piece in the paper describing his experiences as a novice racer.

9 Dec 04: Added report to the Regional Championships and updated the tables of Eastern champions.

7 Dec 04: Corrected Vets result for the Regional Championships. Alan Chapman did finish after all.

5 Dec 04: Results available for the Regional Championships. Thanks to Richard Wood and his team for an excellent day's racing at Lydden Hill.

28 Nov 04: Results and report are available for League round 9 at Stibbington.

27 Nov 04: Start lists are posted for the Regional Championships next Sunday. Race entries will be accepted on the day but these will only count for race prizes and Eastern League points (for League members, obviously), not for the championship itself.

23 Nov 04: This Sunday's race has been moved to a new location: Stibbington, near Peterborough. Sorry for the short notice but it was unavoidable - construction had spilled over onto part of the original course. All races will start 45 minutes later than normal to accommodate those riders who haven't seen this notice.

23 Nov 04: We now have an Iron(wo)man amongst our riders. Debbie Knott of Bedfordshire Road CC recently completed Ironman Florida in a time of 15 hours, 58 mins and 23 secs. Debbie was 4th GB Lady finisher in this gruelling event, which combines a 3.8km sea swim, 112 mile bike ride and a marathon run with no rest in between. Your webmaster takes his hat off to Debbie - he's only ever managed half that distance.

17 Nov 04: Richard Wood has extended the closing date for pre-entries to the Regional Championships to 26-Nov-04. So get your entry form in now if you haven't already done so. Remember that this race counts towards the Eastern league as well. Entries on the day will qualify for league points but not for the championship.

17 Nov 04: Corrected some of the lap-o-meter times for (the leaders') lap 5 at Mistley.

14 Nov 04: Results and report are available for League round 8 at Mistley.

7 Nov 04: Results and report are available for League round 7.

7 Nov 04: Found (on course): a USB memory drive. Contact the webmaster to claim.

29 Oct 04: An amended Regional Championships entry form is available. All BC members are eligible for the regional championships.

28 Oct 04: Remember that the Regional Championships requires pre-entry. Closing date is 15-Nov-04. Click here for the entry form.

24 Oct 04: Results and report are available for the League round 6, the Interbike Cross.

22 Oct 04: Please remember that this Sunday's Interbike event is at The Strood, Essex, and not as printed in the cyclo cross handbook.

20 Oct 04: Due to an error in the cyclo cross handbook, the Regional Championships on Dec 5 will accept entries on the day, but only advance entries will actually qualify for the championships. Remember that this race also counts for the East Anglian Daily Times League.

10 Oct 04: Results are available for League round 5 at Nowton Park. Perfect weather produced fast racing conditions and a record size field including many first-timers. All three race winners extended their respective leads in the leagues: Shaun Aldous in the senior race, Carl Harris in the Youths and Hugo Robinson in the under 12's.

6 Oct 04: This Sunday's race at Nowton Park is being sponsored by Shires Estate Agents and has an overall prize list of £250. This means a bigger first prize and a prize list extending further down the field. The course is changed slightly from last year and it should make for even better racing with plenty of vantage points for spectators.

Please be aware that parking at the Park might be restricted and your help in parking tidily would be really appreciated.

26 Sep 04: Another week, another new course, this one for league round 4 at Hillyfields in Colchester. Once again an outstanding mixture of climbs, twisty wooded singletrack and fast open sections. Thanks especially to Ben Paton the organiser and Stuart Chatting who designed the course for getting it spot on first time. Ian Field won the senior event again (though he's not in the League). Carl Harris won the youth race from Amy Thompson in a sprint finish after a race-long cat and mouse tussle. Daniel Young won the under 12's.

25 Sep 04: League member Jay Hunter (01787 312210) is looking to purchase a 2nd hand complete bike, size approximately 52cm, with funds up to £350. Shimano SPD pedals would be a bonus.

25 Sep 04: Corrected Eastway results. Oliver Rossi won the under 12's and Dennis Reeve had been missed on the first lap.

25 Sep 04: The Interbike event on 24 October has been moved to The Strood, Essex.

19 Sep 04: Results are available for round 3 of the league at Brickwall Farm. This was a cracking new venue, with a mixture of tough climbs and technical sections together with faster portions. Thanks to Jean and Robert Fuller (aka Katie Rossi's mum and dad) for the use of their land and facilities and their can-do approach. We hope this will become a regular fixture. Visitor Ian Field won the senior race after a good battle with Carl Davey. Andrew Griffiths continued his winning streak in the youth race and Oliver Rossi won the under 12's.

14 Sep 04: Corrected the map reference for this Sunday's race at the new Brickwall Farm venue.

11 Sep 04: Results are available for the league's round 2 race at Eastway. Shaun Aldous won the senior race and touchingly dedicated the win to his late mother. Andrew Griffiths won the youth race and Oliver the under 12's. Unsurprisingly, the promoting club Lee Valley Youth CC cleaned up in the team competition. Your webmaster lost contact with his bike at one stage: people who were at last season's opening race at Eastway will know what he means when he says he "did a Farrow".

6 Sep 04: Baking hot conditions made the first league race at Thorndon great for spectators and hard work for the riders. Carl Davey kicked off the defence of his league title with a convincing win in the senior race. Tom Smart won the youth race and Hugo Robinson the under 12's.

3 Sep 04: Just a reminder that the league starts on Sunday (Sep 5) with the first race at Thorndon. There's a coaching session before the racing led by ex-National champion Martin Eadon so beginners and experienced riders alike will be able to learn something. Note that the coaching session means we have non-standard start times.

30 Aug 04: You can now load race information directly from the web site into Microsoft Outlook or other Personal Information Management programs that accept "vCalendar" files. Browse to the race(s) you're interested in and click the "Add this to my calendar" link.

23 Aug 04: This year's league entry form and league rules are now on the web site. Don't forget that you must send in your entry before Sunday 29 August if you want your result at the first race of the season (Thorndon on 5 September) to count for the league.

20 Aug 04: A message from the chairman Chris Gooch: During the summer months the committee of Eastern Cyclo-Cross has been busy putting together a full calender of sixteen League events with three new venues in north Essex. But the really exiting news is that Eastern Cyclo-Cross has secured a three year sponsorship deal with the East Anglian Daily Times.

The new league will be known as East Anglian Daily Times Cyclo Cross League run exactly as before but of course still remembering Ivan Jeckell through his Team Trophy. League entry-forms should be sent out soon so get them back promptly in time for the first race. Well done to Ian Poole and Ron Hunt for great work on the sponsorship opportunity Portfolio and thanks to all the committee for their enthusiasm and efforts during the summer.

Good Luck in the new season I look forward to seeing you at Cyclo-Cross!

25 July 04: Does anyone out there know of or work for a business that would like to sponsor the League? We can offer a variety of packages from being headline league sponsors down to straightforward advertising space on banners at league fixtures. Opportunities for publicity include the sponsor's name on race numbers, the web site and printed brochures. If you have any ideas, or you're interested in sponsoring us yourself, please get in touch with the webmaster.

1 July 04: We're on the lookout for new commissaires and lap scorers. Perhaps you're a racer who'd like to help once in a while, or an "other half" who'd appreciate something positive to do while your loved one is getting muddy. If so, get in touch with the League secretary Tim Butler or phone him on (01473) 414546. Full training will be given and you'll gain that warm feeling that comes from contributing to a good day's racing.

1 July 04:The 2004-2005 Cyclo-Cross Handbook is now available, price £5, from British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, MANCHESTER, M11 4DQ (cheques payable to "British Cycling"), or ring 0161 274 2020/2024 to purchase by credit or debit card.

31 May 04: The fixture list for the coming season is taking shape and you can now see a provisional list of events by clicking League 2004-5 on the menu. This season's programme carries on later than previous years, with four league events in 2005 plus the end of season madison. This brings us more into line with the European 'cross season. We're very pleased to have some brand new courses and promoters at Brickwall Farm (Sible Hedingham), Colchester and Copford.

30 May 04: The demonstration cyclo-cross on Saturday 5th June 2004 has been cancelled due to lack of interest. Only four riders had entered the race.

12 May 04: Mildenhall CC are hosting a demonstration cyclo-cross event on Saturday 5th June 2004. The idea is to attract new riders for the coming season, so please support this event if you can. Of course, if you've never ridden cyclo-cross but are thinking of doing so, we'll be delighted to see you. Contact Ian Poole on 01284 705734/07879 877480 or ian.poole@tesco.net. To read the event brochure you'll need Adobe Reader. You can Get Adobe Reader here.

17 Apr 04: Well, it's not really anything to do with cyclo cross but your webmaster couldn't let our adopted hero Magnus Backstedt's win at Paris-Roubaix pass without mention. Also a great result for Roger Hammond who got third place. Can't wait for next year's rematch...

8 Feb 04: The 2003-4 league is well and truly over. The now traditional end of season Madison provided light relief for the riders who had contested the league, and a taste of action for some who had never ridden a 'cross race before. The ride was followed by the league presentations and we were delighted to have Carol Jeckell once again to present the prizes. After that was the league AGM. I'll post the minutes here as soon as they're available.

This site will be getting quieter until the new season in September, but do check back in the meantime for any important news.

3 Feb 04: Added a page of League medal winners.

3 Feb 04: World Championship results are on the UCI's web site.

29 Jan 04: An amended 2004 AGM agenda has been posted. The original version erroneously contained some of last year's proposals. To read it you'll need Adobe Reader. You can Get Adobe Reader here.

27 Jan 04: The Madison at Foxhall on 8 Feb 2004 will be followed by the Eastern Cyclo Cross Association AGM at 2pm. Click here for the 2004 AGM agenda and here for the 2003 AGM minutes. To read them you'll need Adobe Reader. You can Get Adobe Reader here.

25 Jan 04: Fourteenth round results from West Stow are available. This was the last league race of the season. Carl Davey won the senior race, Josh Ibbett won the youth race and Mathew Cook rounded off his season with another under 12 win.

25 Jan 04: Final league placings for 2003-4 are up on the site. Please be aware that you must turn up to the Madison at Foxhall on 8 Feb 2004 to collect your prize if you have won one. Prizes will not be forwarded to riders who are absent without a good excuse.

4 Jan 04: Thirteenth round results from Hempton are available. Russell Parkins won the sprint to take the senior race. Andrew Griffiths won the youth race and Mathew Cook won the under 12. Andrew's brother Steven Griffiths was first Junior home and so he takes the Junior league title. Their contribution also helped their club Lee Valley Youth CC to win the club legaue. There's still plenty to fight for in the silver, bronze and minor placings of most categories at West Stow on Jan 25 though.

4 Jan 04: A special mention to Magnus Backstedt who presented the prizes at Eastway yesterday. Magnus is a Tour de France stage winner and yet he was happy to put out cones for the under 12s and do lap scoring for the senior race. That willingness to muck in is one of the things that makes cyclo-cross such a great sport.

3 Jan 04: Twelfth round results from Eastway are available. Greg Simcock won the senior race on a very slippery circuit. Russell Hampton won the youth race and Mathew Cook made sure of the under 12 league title with another win. Mark Farrow is now unbeatable as veteran champion. Karin Newby wins the ladies championship and Andrew Griffiths wins with maximum points in the Youth championship. The team and junior titles are still open.

31 Dec 03: The league tables have been reformatted. You now don't need to scroll around so much to see the whole season's results.

31 Dec 03: Don't forget that the next race at Eastway has non-standard start times. Make sure you get there at the right time for your race.

28 Dec 03: Eleventh round results from Mistley are available. The circuit was the same as for Round 7 in November but the temperature was down, as were many of the riders on the slippery corners in the woods. Carl Davey clinched the senior league title with his sixth win in the senior race. Andrew Griffiths repeated his Round 7 win in the youth race and Luke Newby won in the under 12. Rising starlet Emily Grimwood made a spirited debut in the under 12, almost completing one lap with some parental assistance.

28 Dec 03: Found at Mistley: a camera. Email our newly appointed lost property officer Tim Butler or phone him on (01473) 414546 with a description to reclaim it - even with his new loft conversion he needs the space.

21 Dec 03: Tenth round results from Broome Heath are available. Many thanks to Russell Parkins for stepping in at short notice to organise this event after the original organiser pulled out. Thanks also to the many marshals, officials and helpers who provided a very smoothly run event, at equally short notice. Chris Skinner won the senior race, though he gets no league points as he hasn't entered. Andrew Griffiths won the youth race and Matthew Cook won again in the under 12.

14 Dec 03: Ninth round results from Redgrave are available. A strong wind made half of this course very hard work. Carl Davey won the senior race, Carl Harris won the youth race and Matthew Cook continued his winning run in the under 12. Your webmaster apologises for being a day late with the results - his swimming club's Xmas dinner was on the evening of the race.

14 Dec 03: Fixed a couple of errors and omissions in the tables of Eastern champions on the previous years page.

9 Dec 03: The results page for the Regional Championships now has a table of Eastern Champions and the previous years page has been updated.

7 Dec 03: Regional Championship results are available.

30 Nov 03: Eighth round results from Whittlesey are available. Russell Parkins won the senior race on this brand new and muddy course. Andrew Griffiths won the youth race and Matthew Cook won the under 12. Lap-o-meter data is also available on the results page.

30 Nov 03: Found at Whittlesey: a multi-tool. Email Tim Butler or phone him on (01473) 414546 with a description to reclaim it. Tim will be at most or all of the races this season.

19 Nov 03: There's a venue change for the Whittlesey Cross on 30 November. It's now at Gildenburgh Water, Eastrea Road, Whittlesey. All other details remain the same.

19 Nov 03: Entries are now closed for the Eastern Regional Championships at Eastway on 7 December.

16 Nov 03: Seventh round results from Mistley are available. On a faster than usual course (most of the climbs were ridable) Carl Davey won the senior race. Andrew Griffiths won the youth race and Matthew Cook took his 2nd successive win in the under 12. Don't forget to try out the Lap-o-meter race breakdown on the results page. If it doesn't work first time you may need to click Refresh on your browser.

15 Nov 03: Starting with round 6 at Eccles Hall, the results now include a link to our new Lap-o-meter feature. Now you can re-live your personal grudge matches, or see just how quickly you lost time to the fast boys.

11 Nov 03: Amended senior results from Eccles Hall are posted. Jason Turner did complete the race after all!

9 Nov 03: Sixth round results from Eccles Hall are available. Greg Simcock took his first win this year in the senior race. New rider Daniel Parker won the youth race and Matthew Cook the under 12.

9 Nov 03: Found at Eccles Hall (on course): a watch/monitor with broken strap. Contact Tim Butler on (01473) 414546.

8 Nov 03: Remember that it's advanced entries only for the Eastern Regional Championships at Eastway on 7 December. Closing date for entries is 17 November. Follow the link for entry details.

29 Oct 03: Revised results from the fifth round are now posted. Respect to Tim Butler who had the unenviable task of fixing the errors in the provisional results.

27 Oct 03: Provisional results from the fifth round are available. This double header event with the London League was the biggest field we've ever had to deal with, so please bear with us until the official results are available. A big thank-you goes to all the judges and timekeepers, including Jack Oleman and Caitlin Perret who were officiating directly after racing. Results of the Youth and under 12 races are official.

23 Oct 03: Clarification: All Eastern League events (and certain other local events) offer entry on the day. These events are suitable for experienced riders and novices alike. Some other events mentioned on this website have different rules. In particular, for national events you must enter in advance and you're only allowed to use proper 'cross bikes (no mountain bikes allowed). If in doubt, check with the race organiser.

23 Oct 03: The Mildenhall 50th anniversary race at Nowton Park wasn't the only anniversary that day. Ian Poole of Mildenhall CC was presented with a cake to mark his 30th year (uninterrupted) of promoting cyclo-cross races. Needless to say, the 60 or so riders present showed their appreciation in the usual way by helping to dispatch the cake.

12 Oct 03: The fourth round repeated the venue of the third, but ran the course the opposite way around the park to keep things interesting. Ian Newby won the senior race, Carl Harris the youth and Matthew Cook the under 12.

12 Oct 03: Nathan Miller has started doing training sessions on the Valley Road Hill in Ipswich on Tuesday nights from 6.30 for 1 hour. Contact Nathan on (07901) 902447. He also runs a BC Academy session on Saturday mornings at Foxhall Stadium.

4 Oct 03: Belleville Rendez-Vous is now showing at Ipswich Film Theatre. It's a full length French animation about someone whose grandmother enters him in the Tour de France. Apparently it has little or no dialogue, so don't worry about subtitles. Every single review I've seen has said it's brilliant. It probably won't get to many cinemas so this is a great opportuninty to see it if you live locally.

29 Sep 03: Third round results from Nowton Park are available. A shower during the senior race forced riders to adjust their technique but didn't stop Carl Davey from taking his second win. Martin Beech won the youth race and Luke Newby won the under 12.

29 Sep 03: Found at Nowton Park: a track pump. Contact Tim Butler on (01473) 414546.

13 Sep 03: We now have fuller details for the Whittlesey Cross on 30 November.

13 Sep 03: Second round results from Thorndon are available. A bumpy ride for all concerned brought wins for Carl Davey in the senior race, Andrew Griffiths again in the youth and Luke Newby in the under 12.

13 Sep 03: The event on 12 October will have a special race aimed at Triathletes. If you're a triathlete, come along and find out what 'cross is all about. If you know a triathlete, tell him or her to come along. More details here.

6 Sep 03: Results available from the first round of the league at Eastway today. Wins for Steven Price in the senior race, Andrew Griffiths in the youth and James Wade in the under 12.

6 Sep 03: Found: a wristwatch. Contact the Eastway office on (020) 8519 0017.

30 Aug 03: Today is the last day to register if you want to ride in round 1 of the League at Eastway on 6 September. It will not be possible to count rides completed before your membership application is received. Get your entry in NOW if you haven't done so already.

28 Aug 03: There is a new league event at Whittlesey on 30 November. We're still waiting for full details of location etc.