CRABWOOD NEWSLETTER
Autumn 2014
Dear Crabwood members,
NEWS
Firstly some sad news, Harry Gower our ex-president has passed away. Harry served as club President for over 30 years until his health deteriorated a few years ago.
The Unlikely President (Armchair cyclist) By Vernon Moore.
Harry took over the presidency of Crabwood Cycling Club around 1974 from Alex Shergold (Geoff’s father). This was the start of the twinning events Southampton/Le Havre where the parents would enjoy the social parties whilst the young riders concentrated on just trying to survive the fast and furious road races in France.
Harry never rode a bike himself but enjoyed helping the younger Crabwood riders in the early days of presidency by handing out buff envelopes if they did well. This certainly gave them an incentive to ride well when Harry was watching the next time out.
When Harry moved to Lyndhurst and built a swimming pool, it didn’t take long to coax Geoff Greenfield that the tea party should end up at Harry’s so that everyone could have a cool down in the pool after many a tortuous treasure hunt, which continued many more years on.
He moved to Romsey in his later years but still wanted to put on the yearly tea party which he did for many years, making the Crabwood Birthday cake.
He will always be remembered for being jolly, generous with his time and funds.
NEWS Cont’d
A.G.M.
The AGM will be held at the New Inn, Hounsdown on Tuesday 4th November at 8pm. Any motions, or nominations for club officers to be notified to any committee member no later than 28th October.
I would like to welcome John Winchester back to the club. He has re-joined the club, having spent the last few years splashing around in a swimming pool.
The new web site is available for viewing; there are still some pages that need a few tweaks. Many thanks from the committee to John Winchester for all of his hard work in getting it up and running. www.crabwoodcc.org.uk
We now have a national champion riding for the club, congratulations to John SB who won the T.L.I. age group Time Trial.
JSB sporting his national champ jersey and JSB in the Perfs Pedal race many years ago.
THE BIRTHDAY TEA
The day started with a club ride and a lunch stop. For once the weather was on our side it was warm and sunny. Not only was the weather good, there was a good turnout of 11 riders. We all had a pleasant ride which was followed by an excellent lunch at The Wheatsheaf, Braishfield. Many thanks to Pat and Helen for hosting the tea, but for also laying on a superb spread. It was good to see so many people turn up for the tea. It was also good to see Ivy there, one of our founding members. For those of us with a nosey disposition it gave us a chance to see all of Pat and Helens hard work that they had put in on renovating their bungalow.
SOCIAL RIDES
Meet at Redbridge 09.30, The Plaza Romsey 10.00, or meet at the pub 12.00.
19th October The Hampshire Bowman, Dundridge.
9th November The Rockingham Arms, Canada road, West Wellow.
30th November The Wheatsheaf, Braishfield.
On one of our recent social rides Pat “the human sat nav” managed to get us lost, we were due to get to the pub at 12.00, but instead we were miles from the pub getting wet. It started to rain at; you’ve guessed it bang on 12.00. Thanks Pat.
Mince Pie run
21st December. Cyclists meet 09.30 at Eling Tide Mill. Drivers and walkers meet at the New Forest Wildlife Park 12.00 for food and drinks.
Time Trials
Club championship events.
The 25 championship was held on 25-6-14 on the P128/25 circuit. Circuit? You go around it so many times you get dizzy. It was quite a nice evening with just a gentle breeze.
1st Pat Lafford 1.03.03, 4th Claire Newman 1.07.09,
2nd Alan Bigwood 1.05.11, 5th John Sanchez Bisson 1.13.25.
3rd Simon Wheeler 1.06.03,
Congratulations to Pat, who also managed to beat the handicapper and win the handicap prize as well. A special mention to John who having visited Hargroves to look at an aero helmet, was somewhat shocked at the cost of them. He had an idea to make his own, so he wrapped his normal road helmet in cling film. Unfortunately the cling film came loose and ended up flapping around behind just like a flag.
The 10 championship was held on 31-07-14 on the P164 New Forest circuit. It was a nice warm sunny evening with a north westerly breeze (a helpful direction for that course). With the helpful breeze several riders record their fastest times for seasons.
1st Pat Lafford 24.20. 5th Dave England 25.52.
2nd Simon Wheeler 25.13. 6th John Tunney 27.14
3rd Alan Bigwood 25.45 7th John Sanchez Bisson 27.53
4th Claire Newman 25.49
Congratulations to Pat……..again. Congrats to John as well for winning the handicap prize, who had been forced off the road (by a car, what else) just after the start. Third place was almost a photo finish, with just 7 seconds between 3rd and 5th. The evening was finished off with a fine post-race meal at The Forest Inn.
I would like to thank Jacky, Pete, Roy and Dave C for timekeeping, Colin for pushing off and anyone else who helped with marshalling, without their help we wouldn’t be able to run any events.
The Presidents Cup 
1st Alan Bigwood 42 points, 2nd Pat Lafford 40 points, 3rd Simon Wheeler 36 points
4th David Doherty 34 points, 5th Claire Newman 21 points , 6th John SB 15 points.
7th Dave England 14 points, 8th John Tunney 13 points, 9th Andy Stevens 4 points.
It was a close result in the end, but finally someone else other than Pat won something.
CYCLO CROSS
Now the Time trial season has finished, the Cyclo-cross season has started. There are a couple of events to look out for. The National Trophy event at the Sports Centre Sunday 26th October, this is not a Crabwood event but promoted by Kerie Wallace. The Crabwood event, incorporating the club championship, also at the Sports Centre on 28th December. Anybody who would like to help at these events, please contact Kerie.
