45 Road Club

2018 Club TT Series begins.......

The 2018 Club TT Series starts this coming Sunday, the 11th March with the challenging Whiston Hilly. We need a volunteer please for pushing off.

R1: March Sun 11th 11 NCC/13 Whiston Hilly 10.00am Road bike event (means no NO points for riding a TT bike) TK:M Smith , PO:??, Signs:M Ainge

 Booking in will open around 9am.

Club Calendar 2018

The 2018 Club TT events calendar has been approved by the required authorities and is now published here.
You will notice that there is now an alternative (back up) course listed for each event which have also been pre-approved in the event that the primary course is unusable.
You will also notice that we need to fill up the support team, without this support we cannot run these events.

Your support is required
If you wish to volunteer to support any of the events please just contact Mike Smith. If snyone would like to learn the timekeepers role and how to do this I am very happy to teach and support anyone who would like to do this important role.

Thanks - Mike Smith 

AGM 2017/8

The 2017 AGM and Prize Giving was held today, Wednesday 31st Jan 2018.

Full minutes will be available after they have been approved. 
Club balance sheet is available in the members only area of the site.

The new committee was elected and here is the full committee...

	Club Officials:
	Chairman		: Simon Fitzhugh
	Hon Secretary		: Stuart Ross
	Hon Treasurer		: Mike Smith
	Time Trial Sec		: Neil Barford

	Ex-Officio Members:
	Membership Sec		: Dave Mann
	TT Rota and Signs	: Ben Elderton
	Website/News Editor	: Mike Smith
	Race Captain		: Steve Brierley
	NCRA Liaison		: Tom Perry
	Handicapper		: Paul Bowman
	Ordinary Member		: Rob Weall
	Ordinary Member		: Ruth Freestone-King
	Ordinary Member		: Graeme Freestone-King

Presentations:
Unfortunately due to roadworks during the year we were unable to ride on our fastest and biggest course, the A45, and this resulted in all the longer distance trophies not being contested. However now that these roadworks have now completed. With a fresh new super smooth surface now along the complete length of the A45 that we use, we are all looking forwards to this years TT series, some super fast times, and probably new course records........

The awards we were able to present this year were as follows.....

	Whiston Handicap	Tryston Barnett		H/Cap 20:42
	Club Hill Climb		Tryston Barnett		
        Fastest Junior 10	Tryston Barnett		26:27 - Salcey course
	Fastest Club 10		Fabos Young		21:48
        Ladies Club 10		Jodie Redden		27:21 - Salcey course
        TT Series Women's Pts	Jodie Redden		97 pts
        TT Series Men's Pts	Simon Fitzhugh		228 pts
        Kilo Sprint		Steve Brierley		
        Beer & Pudding 10	Rob Weall		
        Whiston Hilly Fastest	Neville Bradshaw	28:29 - Whiston course
        Clubman of the Year	Paul Bowman		
        Road Race		Jamie Tuttle		

Club Runs - Social Rides

Note that these are informal social rides and are not  organised club "events",  therefore not covered by the club insurance. The weekly informal club rides are good for your regime of training, and also if you want a chat and to see some nice countryside in and around Northamptonshire. Details about runs and training rides varies dependant on the time of year, information about these rides is available if you contact the club or sign up to our facebook presence. All are welcome. Wednesdays & Fridays: (contact Mike or John for details) There are a few retired riders who are out on a Friday and the average drops a little to 12mph.  We start from Doddington around 9:30 am, after the rush hour and often ride for 45 miles'ish,  depending on the weather! We begin our rides in and around Wellingborough depending which way we are heading and take scenic routes to Rothwell, a nice café in the centre, or over to Carlton and visit the Emmaus Community Shop and Restaurant, or even around to Thrapston.   Sundays: (meet at the club point in Gt Doddington 8am depart) Many of the members regularly meet for a training ride, and often are joined by riders from other local clubs. The Sunday run starts at just after 8am from the junction of Wilby Lane and High Street (B573) in Great Doddington and can be found by clicking the link.  These rides take in the quieter country roads for about 60 miles, and will include a tea stop at a local café about half way round.  Depending on wind direction, these are shown below. Often there can be well over 20 riders initially, but after just a couple of miles it splits into the normal two groups.  Those that cannot keep up and resort to a more moderate pace of 13 to15 mph average, and those that are fighting their testosterone and will average 16mph upwards.

New to group rides, view some helpful info...

Regularly frequented half-way refreshment points:

Bedford: ≈52.5m

The river through Bedford provides very nice scenery and whether coming in or going out it provides a pleasant ride through.  The outdoor cafe is found on St Pauls Square adjacent to the Church on the A6 and High Street.  There is ample seating and tables and is ideal for a summer stopover.  For the girls there is a McDonalds just opposite for a visit if you don't like the public convenience.
 

Carlton Emmaus: ≈43.5m
Not usually far enough away on a longer run but ideal stopover for the mid week cuppa.  Out of Carlton on the Turvey Road, turn left before reaching the church, and the "village" is a quarter of a mile at the end of School Lane.  Emmaus specialises in recycling and exceeds as a shop outlet, restaurant and workshops for homeless people finding a better way forward in life.  Good food, plenty of tables and ample bike parking.

 

Catthorpe: ≈52.5m
The "Manor Farm Shop and Tearoom" is a very well organised shop and restaurant along Main Street on the right hand side heading out of the village, west towards the A5. Large car park, plenty of bike spaces.  The eating area at the rear of the shop caters for many types of food from snacks to full meals.  Overflow seating outside during the summer months.  A very pleasant stopover.  Worth a visit for the local produce.

Salcey Forest: ≈40.0m
The cafe in Salcey Forest is a favorite stop for those shorter midweek winter rides, with variations that give 30 to 40 mile route distances.  We have used the "Forest Cafe" for many years.  Plenty of inside and outside seating and tables. The proprietor and staff are always very welcoming and helpful.

 

 

St Neots: ≈60.5m

The centre of this rather quaint town boosts a number of cafes and restaurants.  We have used the "Market Cafe" on the corner of Market Place facing the square.  Plenty of outside seating and tables during the summer months.  Toilets are difficult in bike shoes up a winding stair to 2nd floor, but the proprietor and staff are very obliging.

Oundle: ≈48.7m
The "Coffee Tavern" can be found on St Osyths Lane facing the Market Place in the centre, on the main A427 through town.  Minimal seating downstairs but more upstairs.  Probable not the cheapest cafe we stop at, but good food and service.  Couple of trees over the road to stack the bikes, and in view of seating inside.

Market Harborough: ≈54.6m
An alternative ro Catthorpe if the prevailing wind is not suited but KJ's cafe in the centre of town through Adam& Eve Street, a one way from the main A4304, St Mary's Road.  A reasonable amount of pavement for bike stacking, and with shops closed it is usually no problem on a Sunday.  There is a Starbucks on the corner if this cafe is closed.  Small inside but caters for a group quite well and good service.

 

Potterspury A5 [Towcester S]: ≈54.3m
With a strong westerly wind this stopover, the Super Sausage Cafeteria on the main A5 Watling Street, south of Towcester, caters for big bikers [with engines] on Sunday outings also.  Not gourmet food but really good fast service at the right price, if you want a good breakfast and a large mug of coffee try this place. They have a link at supersausagecafe.co.uk if you really want to save this site!  Plenty of tables inside and out, and ample bike room.  On the corner of Moorend Road, where there are car boot events on Sundays and traffic can be a bit congested.

 

Towcester A5 [N]: ≈51.7m
An alternative venue depending on your route but this cafe, known as "Jacks Hill Cafe" on the main A5 Watling Street north of Towcester, caters for big bikers [with engines] on Sunday outings also.  Not gourmet food but if you want a breakfast and a large mug of coffee it makes a good stop.

Rockingham: 

The Village Shop. A small café adjacent to the Sondes Arms public house, near the base of Rockigham  hill. Very friendly place, really nice food, with free wifi! Not a large place so if there is a big group they prefer to be informed so additional help can be arranged!

 

 

Rothwell: 

A small café just off the roundabout in the main through road the B576 High Street, and junction with Bridge Street.  Known as the "Windmills" it will cater for small groups and the pavement parking for bike stacking is a little bit limited so tend to use this for the weekday rides only.  Very friendly proprietor and often open when many others are closed in the area.  Does a nice bacon and egg baguette! … at a good price.  Good food selection all round.   Cellar toilets with a steep stairway down; be careful.

Winslow:

Just a little bit further a field into a pleasant little town in Buckinghamshire, to "Jennie Wren's Tea Rooms" over looking the square in Church Walk.  Just off High Street, and the main A413, these tea rooms are a favourite meeting place for cyclists from other clubs in the area.  There is a small yard at the back for stacking bikes, but also a fair amount of space on the frontage where there are occasional tables in good weather.

Club AGM 31st Jan....