VICTORIA CYCLING CLUB
Founded 1900
www.victoriacyclingclub.co.uk E-mail:info@victoriacyclingclub.co.uk
Victoria/Ciclos Uno/PCA/ Pro-Lite C.C. Governed Solely By & Under the Rules & Regulations of Victoria C.C.
Hon. President: Mr. W.P. Wermerling
NEWSLETTER – DECEMBER 2011
London at Half-Term. I thought the following might bring a smile to those members with young families
and also re-awaken those golden moments for the more senior of our membership!
Our day started with us duly arriving at Hertford East Railway Station (my daughter-in-law dropping us
off) with Olivia (11yrs) and Thomas (7yrs) in good time to catch the 10.40am to Tottenham Hale only to
be informed by a “hidden” voice that the “10.40am has been cancelled due to overhead wires being
down; the next train will be the 11.10am”! Team Leader duly went for a short walk with Thomas whilst
Olivia produced her camera to show me her pictures and I endeavoured (bearing in mind the sunshine
was really strong) to squint and make the necessary “oohs” and “ahs” in the right places – no problem.
Sure enough at 11.05am our train duly arrived and I’m pleased to say left on time. We alighted at
Tottenham Hale and proceeded to the Underground for we were going to The London Aquarium. Whilst
Team Leader was pathfinder, I required some simple rules to be followed during the day i.e. through the
barriers Uncle Doug first, then Thomas, then Olivia and then Nana bringing up the rear, the same for the
escalator; once at the bottom each child must hold an adult’s hand at all times. Simple. However, I had
overlooked the fact that at 11yrs of age it isn’t really cool to be seen holding hands with Nana so
improvisation was in order, which meant walking side-by-side with my bag looped over my arm shielding
my hand which was locked firmly onto little fingers! Where there’s a will there’s a way!
We eventually arrived at Waterloo to discover that it was pouring with rain.
However, undaunted ‘cause Team Leader had brought his umbrella (silly
boy, he thought it was for him!!!), we walked to The London Aquarium
where we were met with a “gynormous” queue. It was endless.
Eventually and I do mean eventually – it took 1½ hours solid – we made it
inside. The children were brilliant as, I must say, were all the children; it
really is a big ask waiting for that length of time. We managed to find a
seat (it isn’t seat friendly trust me!) to have our picnic and then we were off
with Team Leader always bringing up the rear; just waiting at each exit in
case Thomas made a dash for it (we had been warned by my daughter-in-law that he sometimes “sprints
off” – nice one!!) It really is a great place but the highlight must surely be the penguins; they were
fascinating and much time was spent just watching them. At one point, I thought we had lost Team
Leader but on further investigation, he was found to be resting by the shark tank but due to the very dim
light, I mistook him for a shark! lol!
We left about 5pm (still raining but I had the umbrella – ha!ha!) and made tracks for home knowing full
well that we would be in the rush hour –ugh! It couldn’t be helped so we battled on regardless and
caught the underground to Tottenham Hale. Our carriage was full to capacity but the doors didn’t shut
‘cause, according to the driver, there was a delay further along the line. So there we waited; standing
like sardines getting hotter and hotter; Team Leader with one haversack on his back and carrying
another; me doing my bit by carrying the children’s’ coats plus my own and their haversack. At long last
the train eventually started moving. We managed all of three stations when the train stopped again –
this time in the tunnel! No panic in front of the children, please! Thomas piped up “I’m bored”. To which
I responded, “Let’s play Eye Spy”. I failed miserably at this (probably ‘cause my mind was elsewhere!!)
when quite unexpectedly we started to move. Brilliant I thought we’re on our way. However, when the
train reached the next station, it stopped again! This time the driver indicated that there could be a
problem and it might be an idea to consider using an alternative route!!! By this time I have to admit that
I was feeling decidedly sick and faint but desperately trying not to show out. I looked at Team Leader
and there he was standing almost to attention, deathly white and fiercely concentrating so I knew he felt
the same as me! Nil desperandum, we’re British, cyclists and Grandparents to boot!
At this point, we decided to leave the carriage (not easy, trust me!) to use another route; we managed to
get onto the platform and as we were looking at our map, the driver announced, wait for it, “this train is
about to leave the station”! I did no more that grab both children and dashed back onto the train – yep
you’ve guessed it – I forgot all about Team Leader only to hear a commotion, as the doors wouldn’t shut!
Pathfinder had somehow managed to acquire three bags plus umbrella and was well and truly stuck in
between the doors. Two men very kindly came to his rescue by which time he was not so ashen-faced!
We arrived at Tottenham Hale and then caught a train back to Hertford East. Now it was best foot
forward for a meal in Hertford by which time Team Leader was now on automatic and fading fast (he
really had been absolutely brilliant all day). On arriving at the restaurant at 7pm, we were kept waiting
for quite a while; no record of our reservation and very short staffed. So we did no more than walk out,
as Team Leader had most certainly ‘faded’ to go to another restaurant, which was found to be fully
booked; we then went to another one where there was a 40-minute wait (all this on a Wednesday
evening!); we then did the obvious and went back to the original restaurant! Smiled sweetly and were
then shown to a table of 4 immediately! Unbeknown to me Team Leader had doubled back and
complained about the service previously (when he ‘fades’, he ‘fades’!) – talk about eating humble pie!
The meal was lovely and all appeared to be going well. When suddenly and without any warning,
Thomas began to choke – tears, gagging, the whole works! I shot up from my side of the table and was
with him within micro-seconds another P.B. for Nana! Eventually, I managed to avert a potential crisis
(phew!) at which point Olivia casually interjected “ Now, Nana the question is do we tell Mummy or not”!!
After some ‘serious-faced’ discussion, I said, “Yes, we should”.
My son came to collect us at about 8.15pm and the first thing Thomas said on seeing him was “I’ve just
choked Daddy”! Martin just pulled a dismissive face and proceeded to get the children into the car. I
whispered “I nominate you to tell Mummy about the ‘incident’!”- Nana’s are allowed to pass the buck; it’s
goes with the territory! They both wanted to hear all about our day and the children were so excited.
However, we declined a cup of tea and chat ‘cause at this point had we sat down, I don’t think we would
have been able to move! We eventually arrived home about 9.15pm absolutely exhausted and totally
shattered but would we do it all again – you bet we would!!
Quiz Evening Saturday 15th October. This was organised by Jacky and Graham and, as usual, was a
great success making a profit for the Club of £50 after donations were made to the Barkingside D.T.C.
and East Anglian Children’s Hospice.
A.G.M. Just to remind all members that the Club’s A.G.M. will be held on Sunday 12th February 2012
at 1pm finishing 3pm at the Club’s Ugley H.Q., Nr. Stansted Mountfitchett. This will be preceded by the
Fixed Monthly Meet leaving 10.30am sharp from the H.Q. Contact: Jim Conway/Vin Davison.
All Club Run Riders will be supplied with hot soup and rolls. Don’t forget hot
showers also available (bring your own towels).
Members on their bikes 2011.
Peter Arden:
Chris Attelsey:
Phil Baldwin:
Ian Bell:
John Bonnyhood:
Bob Brabbins:
Simon Brown:
Conor Murphy:
Jim Conway:
Tim Davis:
Vin Davison:
Jeanette Degiorgio:
Circuit & Road Racing/Club Runs
Riding lanes
10/25m T.T. & Club Runs
World Vets Track Championship and other Track Events
10m T.T./Club Runs/Mallorca
10/25m T.T.
Audax & Runs Essex/Herts Border
Circuit & Road Racing/Club Runs/ Mallorca
MTB Sportif Hill Climb/ Audax/Hilly T.T./Road & Circuit Racing/Club Runs/Mallorca
10m & 25m 2-Up T.T.T.
MTB Sportif Hill Climb/Audax/Hilly T.T./Road & Circuit Racing/Club Runs/Mallorca
T.T’s & Circuit Racing/Club Runs/Mallorca
Roy Gardiner:
Pat Hayes:
Simon Hotchkiss:
Geoff Hunt:
Fred Jefcoate:
Stuart Jefcoate:
Noah Knock:
Peter Lock:
Mark McGahern:
Steve May:
Michael Phelps:
Stan Phelps:
Matt Pilgrim:
Paul Ratcliffe:
Dave Rudkin:
Sue Rudkin:
Tom Smith:
Diane Steptoe:
Phil Steptoe:
Brian Turvey:
Paul Vann:
Steve Ward:
Christine Yareham:
Doug Yareham:
Kieron Yates:
Circuit Racing/Mallorca
Circuit Racing
MTB Sportif/Audax/Hilly T.T./Duathlon/Club Runs10/25/30m T.T./Great North Run
Rides to work
Circuit & Road Racing/Club Runs/Mallorca
Club Runs & Triathlon/Club Runs
10/25/30/50/100m T.T./Club Runs
10/25/30m T.T./Triathlon
Audax & Runs Essex/Herts Border
Circuit & Road Racing/Audax/Club Runs/Runs Essex/Herts Border
Riding lanes
Riding lanes
Road & Circuit Racing/Hilly T.T./Audax/10m T.T./Club Runs
Road & Circuit Racing/Hilly T.T./Audax/10m T.T./Club Runs
10/25m T.T./Audax.Circuit Racing/Club Runs
10m T.T./Audax/Club Runs
Road & Circuit Racing
Circuit Racing
Road & Circuit Racing/MTB Racing/T.T. in Belgium
Riding lanes
Road & Circuit Racing/Audax/ Club Runs/Majorca
Riding lanes
10/25m T.T./Tandem/Club Runs/Mallorca
10m T.T./Tandem/Club Runs/Mallorca
Paris-Brest-Paris and other French Events
Herts & Essex Border Members
Chris Attelsey
Bob Brabbins
Simon Brown
Jeanette Degiorgio
Simon Hotchkiss
Fred Jefcoate
Mark McGahern
Steve May
Sue & Dave Rudkin
Tom Smith
Brian Turvey
Steve Ward
Christine & Doug Yareham
Stansted
Bishop’s Stortford
Harlow
Braintree
Thaxted
Harlow
Audley End
Bishop’s Stortford
Clavering
Sawbridgeworth
Thaxted
Harlow
Elsenham
Would anyone be willing to organise an easy riders’ section from this area and/or a meeting point similar
to the very successful Hatfield Heath Autumn/Winter Meets (not to clash with Hatfield Heath dates)?
Thank you. Contact: Doug.
2012 National Handbooks – you are advised to obtain as soon as possible.

C.T.T. National Handbooks are available direct from Cycling Time Trials, Handbooks, 1 Pinfold
Court, Sherburn in Elmet, LS25 6LD at a cost of £10.00 including postage. All cheques to be
made payable to “Cycling Time Trials” (name in full, please). When ordering, please state the
Club’s name as well as your own name and address for receipt.

London East Time Trial Handbooks are available direct from Wendy Dorling, “Willows”, Henham
Road, Debden Green, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3LZ at a cost of £3.50 cheques made
payable to “Cycling Time Trials” (name in full, please).

Road Race Handbooks are available direct from British Cycling, Stuart Street, Manchester M11
4DQ (tel. 0161-2742000).
Riders’ Achievements:
Sprint Triathlon. It was the Jones Lang La Salle Property Triathlon on 8th July at Dorney Lake in Eton.
It was a spring (swim 750m, bike 20k, run 5k) and the weather was awful considering it was July. It had
stopped raining when I started but I still got wet on the bike because the cross wind was blowing the
water off the surface of the lake! I did my slowest time on the bike in the 6 sprints I have ever done –
40.23 for 20k, compared to 37.47 on the same course the year before. I finished 291 st out of all 997
starters. I don’t know what my position in my age category was.
So not a busy year but I will enter the same tri next year along with some cycling Time Trials and races.
I have also entered the London Triathlon on 23rd September next year. Stuart Jefcoate.
Paris Brest et Retour 2011. Maybe if I wasn’t living in Paris I would have thought a little longer and
harder about entering a second Paris Brest Paris. My memories of the bitter cold, rain and winds of my
first PBP in 2007 had faded long ago and filled with the pleasant sensations of a warm Parisian spring by
the end of June, I had worked my way through the series of four qualifying rides. And then I decided, if
I’ve done the qualifiers you may as well enter the main event. So, I duly sent off my entry to join over
five thousand other rides on pilgrimage from Paris to the Atlantic Coast and back!
Although Paris Brest Paris is billed as a randonnée organized by the Audax Club Parisian and the
French Federation of Cycle Tourism, its roots reach deep into the historical heart of French road racing
and it is considered the world's longest continuously running cycling event. First run and organized by
Pierre Giffard in1893 to promote his tabloid, Le Petit Journal, the near 1200 kilometre race was an
immediate success. At the time it was considered so tough it was only run every 10 years. Gradually, as
the demands of professional racing changed in favour of the grand tours and the one day classics, the
multi-day super endurance events such as PBP and Bordeaux Paris became considered too difficult to
prepare for and competition was left to a dwindling band of specialist professionals and hardy amateurs.
The last professional PBP was run in 1951 after that it became an event left to the amateurs alone.
Come Sunday, August 21, I had a short ride out to the western Parisian of Saint Quentin, for the start.
Passing through Versailles I hooked onto the tail of a triplet being ridden by three German brothers who
guided me through the streets of the town whilst eerily playing the German national anthem through the
sound system on their bike!
In Saint Quentin, as I waited for my own departure time, I caught a glimpse of the vedettes — the stars
or celebrities of Paris Brest Paris — as they left town; the fastest riders hoped to be back in under 45
hours! I had a couple of hours to soak up the atmosphere and the heat in the baking afternoon sun and
with little else to do found myself a comfortable spot in the shade and checked out the hundreds of other
riders who were queuing for the start. Riders had come from all four corners of the earth - America,
Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, India, China, Japan and Australia; in total 52 different countries had
representatives.
I managed to sneak my way into the first wave of 500 early starters, a group hoping to finish the ride in
less than 90 hours or by midday on Thursday. At precisely 6pm we were released from the start area
and sent on our away towards the Atlantic Coast through an applauding crowd of well-wishers.
The start was frenetic with ambitious riders hurrying to the front, edging riders less comfortable with
group riding out of the way. Lights and bags falling off bikes and had to be dodged. I hung back a little
giving myself space and time to manoeuvre and was glad to reach the wide-open plains of the
department of Yveleines where the bunch began to break up.
With the heat of the afternoon being so intense by the time I'd ridden 50 kilometres both my water bottles
were empty. I made a quick stop at a small store and bought a litre bottle of coke and downed it all in
one go! A little further up the road I stopped again for another refill from a family at the side of the road;
like many other families out that evening they were waiting with the express purpose of supporting riders
by providing refreshments.
We rode on through the sunset and by 11pm I was at the first official refreshment stop of Mortagne-auPerche, a little hilltop market town 140km from the start. I'd been running out of steam about 10
kilometers before Mortagne and took a break at the side of the road where I had a little to eat,
consequently Mortagne was just another chance to fill water bottles and swiftly move on into the night.
Being relatively close to the start it was still possible to latch on to groups of fast moving riders and we
made steady progress across lower Normandy. Given that we were travelling late in the night, it was
amazing to see cars parked in lay-bys with people out cheering on riders. In villages the bars and
bakeries stayed open and women stood on the balconies of their houses applauding us as we sped by.
By 4am I’d got as far as Villaines-La-Juhel at 221km where I had enough time for a couple of cups of
coffee and some much needed sustenance in the form of two apple stuffed French pastries!
The adrenaline must have still been running at this point, as I didn’t yield to the need for sleep at this
stage. A further 50 kilometres down the road I was struggling to stay awake and chose to take a catnap
at the side of the road. I found a comfortable patch of grass and began to doze as the sun began to rise.
When I woke I found a Japanese rider 10 yards away who had decided to adopt the same strategy as
myself except rather than lying in the grass at the side of the road, he’d chosen to sleep on the tarmac at
the verge of a side road which was getting a few comments from other passing cyclists!
The weather stayed good through Sunday and we made steady progress through Normandy and on into
Brittany. I rode with a group of French riders for a while who dragged me on into the town of Tinteneac
and then I was on my own for a while to the town of Loudeac 440km and 23 hours into the ride!
Beyond Loudeac I took a break at the top a climb and sheltered in a bus stop. The sun was beginning its
descent, the road became quiet and then a car with flashing lights came over the brow of the hill followed
by a group of cyclists — the vedettes, now three hundred kilometres ahead of me, heading back to Paris!
By chance I met and teamed up with an old cycling companion, Tom Deakins from Flitch Crono at Great
Dunmow. Tom and I worked well together and made good time as far as Carhaix-Plouger, arriving at
what was to be our first proper sleep-stop at a little before midnight with 525 kilometres in our legs!
Whilst Tom went off to get something to eat I decided to take a shower but discovered one couldn’t have
a shower without being booked into a bed in the dormitory. I decided first I needed something to eat and
headed off to the refectory. Rain was beginning to fall heavily and a volunteer was busy paving the
floors with flattened cardboard boxes. After eating I tried the dormitory again. This time there was a
long queue for beds and no prospect of getting one until after 1am. I went back to the refectory and
found a spot on the floor under a table — trying to keep away from the heavy snorer fast asleep in the
corner!
As I slept, more and more people arrived, ate food, slumped listlessly at the tables where they ate or
collapsed in huddled heaps, basting in foil survival blankets on the floor. I managed to get a couple of
hours sleep before the continual noise of scoffing, snoring and shuffling forced me to get up.
I left Carhaix with Tom at five in the morning in darkness leapfrogging from one group of riders to
another, trying not to get caught up with any riders that were looking too tired and hazardous to others.
Before long we were on the only truly significant climb on PBP, Le Roc Trevezel, more of a twenty
kilometre drag to a summit of 1300 feet — in itself not terribly fearsome but after nearly 600 sleep
deprived kilometres it managed to sap my legs. Tom was much stronger than myself and I let him go.
Climbing on alone, I followed the twinkling tail lights of bikes up ahead through the dark, drizzle and mist
that shrouded the summit for the last few kilometres — it felt a little like chasing the dying embers of a
rain dampened fire!
The descent was slowed by the fog and rain and my fatigue. I felt myself becoming drowsy and stopped
for another rest by the road. A little revived I couldn’t entirely shake off my tiredness and stopped at a bar
a short while later for coffee. There was now only another 30 kilmometres to the turning point in Brest so
I mustered all my resources and set off on my way again and soon found myself moving in a small
pelaton led by a tandem.
Shortly after 9am we crossed the Pont de Plougastel into Brest. Rather than take us on a direct route
into Brest, the local Mayor had ordained that we should follow a circuitous trail around the outskirts
taking in what he believed to be the town’s finest tourist attractions. It was whilst going through the
docks that I thought I caught sight of Tom up ahead. I decided to speed up to try and catch him but was
only caught out myself. Numerous old railway tracks crossed the dock roads and my front wheel caught
one of them at a bad angle and I came down hard on my left side!
A Danish rider stopped to help, handing me bits of broken light from the road. I checked over my bike
and was relieved to find no damage apart from a twisted brake lever, which was easy enough to
straighten out. It was then that I realised the potential severity of what had happened and thought I’d
better check over the damage to myself! There was already a large bruise developing on my hip and a
small graze on my elbow; I thought I’d better take off my jersey to check it more thoroughly but when I
tried to raise my arm I found the pain in my shoulder was too much and I couldn't do it.
I got back on my bike and made a slow trek up to the control in the centre of town where I found the first
aid station. A Canadian rider with injuries similar to my own was being tended to by the medic and was
asked to rotate his arm about the shoulder. When he couldn't do it he was told to go to the hospital to
get it looked at properly. As I waited I tried the same exercise for myself but could barely manage it.
The first aider’s assistant cleaned up my elbow. I didn’t mention my shoulder, telling myself that as I’d
made it to the control it couldn't be too bad. I idled around the control for another forty minutes.
Eventually I gathered myself together and continued on my way.
The road back to Loudeac passed quickly and uneventfully. I took catnaps and rested when and where I
could. I slept for a couple of hours at a dining table in Loudeac and got another couple of hours on a
judo mat in a village hall at the secret control in Illifaut. By Wednesday afternoon the skies were
brightening and I joined up with a large group of French riders. We arrived en masse at the Villhaine-laJuhel control (1009 Kilometres) to a roaring welcome from a huge crowd of locals who had turned out in
support.
At the control I spoke with a few other riders about strategy for the remainder of the ride. I couldn’t
decide on whether to ride through the entirety of Wednesday night to arrive back in Saint Quentin in the
early hours of Thursday morning — and a sub-84 hour finish — or to try and get a few more hours sleep
and finish at a more sociable time. In the event decisions were made for me. Although I was back in
Mortagne au Perche (1090km) at 9pm a long rest for food and another snooze at an impromptu roadside
tea stop in the early hours of the morning meant I arrived the last control at Dreux at 2.30am. I found a
bed in the dormitory and slept until 6.30 and was then straight back out on the road for the last 65
kilometres of riding.
From there it was really just a gentle roll into the suburbs of Paris. Our group was guided back into town
by a motorcycle escort who took on the job of marshalling the traffic allowing us a clear run. I swung
around the roundabout outside the Gymnasse des Droits de l’Homme and was then back where I had
started nearly ninety hours earlier!
The finish in itself is a little under whelming. There’s little to do besides getting one’s card stamped for
the last time and chatting with fellow finishers over a beer about the pain and folly of it all. Around midday I wandered off to the train station and within an hour I was back in the comfort of my own apartment
- my thoughts turning to the possibility of completing a third PBP in 2015! Unlike in 2007 when my mind
was very ambiguous about taking part again, this time I was sure I’d like to be back again in 4 years
time. Kieron Yates – Paris.
And
I
thought
I
had
achieved by
attaining 1500 miles this year – thanks, Kieron you certainly know how to boost a girl’s confidence!!!!
On a more serious note, this really was an awesome ride and on behalf of all members, who I’m sure,
like Doug and I, are amazed at the discipline, tenacity and sheer willpower shown by you to complete
such an epic event, we all salute you, Kieron and hope that you have recovered from the injuries
sustained.
Club Subscriptions. Club Subscriptions are due at 1st January 2012 as follows:
18yrs -59yrs of age
£20.00 p.a.
Couples or 2 family members at same
address £30.00 p.a.
Up to 17yrs of age
60yrs of age and over
Students, Second Claim,
Unemployed
£15.00 p.a.
Couples or 2 family members at same
address £25.00 p.a. (one 60yrs of age)
Please note that all cheques must be made payable to “VICTORIA CYCLING CLUB” (name must be in
full). The Club’s Banking details are available, upon request. ALL Club Members, please note.
There will be a surcharge made of £5 on any late Subscriptions to offset the costs incurred in
“chasing” these payments. However, if you do not wish to renew your membership, please let me
know. Thank you. Christine.
On behalf of the Committee, Doug and I wish all members a very Merry Christmas, a Happy and Healthy
New Year with those ever-elusive targets being reached in 2012. Good luck.
Christine
Tear-off portion:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Club Subscriptions
18yrs -59yrs of age
£20.00 p.a.
Couples or 2 family members at same
address £30.00 p.a.
Up to 17yrs of age
60yrs of age and over
Students, Second Claim,
Unemployed
£15.00 p.a.
Couples or 2 family members at same
address £25.00 p.a. (one 60yrs of age)
Name: …………………………………………………. ………. (Dated: ………………………………………
Cheques made payable to Victoria Cycling Club (name in full, please)
Mrs. C. Yareham
3 Haileswood Close
Elsenham
Bishop’s Stortford
Herts CM22 6EN