Archives 1996

Winning start for Brooks

CYCLING. Marston Magna time trial expert Clive Brooks opened his seasons campaign with a win in the Chippenham and District Wheelers 27 mile hilly event.
His time of 1.01.22 was two minutes slower than his course record of 59.14 dee of last year, but still over a minute ahead of Welshman Colin Wallace (Hirwaun Wheelers) who clocked 1.02.40. Brooks VC Camelot team mate Andrew Horner was third with 1.03.18.
Camelot missed out on the team award when their third man Danny Ellery was unable to start suffering from cold, and Mendip CC took the prize.
Stoke-sub-Hamdon rider Cathrine Fraser (Exeter Wheelers) was the only local deer in the ladies event and clocked 1.23.25.

14 March 1996

Mark Plummer Works too hard

YEOVIL Cycling Clubs road race team opened the season in South Devon last Saturday. The first of three Springtime Pursuits promoted by the Mid- Devon Club, covered eight laps of a circuit of just over four miles near Chudleigh Knighton.
The 58-rider field was divided into four groups with the first and second category scratch group giving six minutes start to the first group of veterans and juniors. `
Veteran Nick Armstrong started in the first group and despite only a few of his companions working at the front they stayed in' the lead for 23 miles. The third category group that caught them contained Yeovil-based airman Mark Plummer, riding in Yeovil CC colours for the first time. The scratch men soon make contact with Yeovil’s top roadman Chris Absolom.
Mid-Devon’s Andrew Parker and CS Purbeck’s Jeremy Cusden broke away in the closing miles to take first and second, leaving the now depleted bunch to contest third place.
Absolom led out the sprint from the last corner with 400 yards to go, and only three riders got him. Absolom finished close behind in the bunch with Plummer playing for his hard work in the early stages just off the pace.

15 February 1996

CYCLING. Chris Absolom was Yeovil Cycling Clubs only representative in the third and final Springtime Pursuit at Liverton in Devon on Saturday. He came 12th in the 35-mile handicap race. Winner Craig Gillman of Mid-Devon RC was the strongest on the tough uphill finish.

29th February 1996

Mitchener’s top man

YEOVIL Cycling Club members have elected Garry Mitchener as the new President. The proposal at the clubs 68th annual general meeting stressed his feeling for an active cyclist rather than a figurehead.
Garry (58) joined the club in 1978 as a comeback racing man, having beens first category roadman with the Bournemouth Olympic Road Club in the mid 50s.He also continues as Chairman; Press Officer and Club Runs Leader.
The road race team rode the second of the Springtime Pursuits in Devon on Saturday. This week’s course at Bovey
Tracy was a hilly one Which soon split the field. Nick Armstrong started in the first group of veterans and juniors and rode strongly to finish in the top 20 on a course not really suited to veterans. Chris Absolom was in the scratch group but allowed a gap to open on the climb and was unable to regain contact and retired debutant road racer John Hinds, a Yeovil fireman, was also in trouble on the climb., choosing the wrong gears. But he' chased gamely to finish the 35 mile race. Winner was again Andrew Parker from the promoting Mid Devon Road Club.

Stars of future head for the Pittard race

YEOVIL Cycling Club plays host to some of the top racers from the region on Sunday when they stage the Pittards Road Race for juniors and third category riders. Now in its 34th year, the previous race winners include Jeremy Hunt, now with the Banesto team of Tour de France giant Miquel Indurain. So it is obviously a great opportunity to see stars of the future.
The Ham Hill Road Race for senior riders up to professional level also takes place over the same course on the same day.
Both events will start at Ilchester Town Hall. The race will proceed into Yeovil, climbing Coppitts Hill and Marsh Lane to join Mudford Road, then out to Queen Camel via Mudford and Marston Magna, through to Yeovilton and on to Ilchester, then back.
There will be three caps (43 miles) for the Pittards race and four (58 miles) for the senior event.
Chris Absolom and Mike Loader are the Yeovil club representatives in the Ham Hill race. Favourite in this event is Ben Luckwell. Now that the sport has gone open, he is one of the professionals with the new Elite category licence which is also obtainable by top amateurs.
The Yeovil club will have six of their members competing in the Pittard Trophy event.
The Ham Hill will start at 10 am and the Pittards at 10.45 am. Both should finish between 12.30 and 13.00 outside RNAS Yeovilton.

Clive’s bad day

VC CAMELOT’S Clive Brooks slumped to an unaccustomed fifth place in the Sotonia 10- mile time trial on Saturday. A cold had been troubling him all week and the chilly conditions did not help as he found himself struggling.
A good many riders would like to be able to record 20 minutes 37 seconds on an off day, just 15 seconds down on winner Mick Yarworth.
Camelots new Cambridge based rider Andrew Horner was third, clocking 20.33 and veteran Alan Brimecombe recorded 22.56.
Sunday morning was disappointing for local riders who travelled to Hampshire as thick fog caused cancellations. Brooks had hoped to get back to winning ways in the Sotonia 25 near Winchester, and Yeovil’s road race team had expectations in the Salisbury RC event at Nomansland.
Yeovil’s Chris Absolom found better weather in the Circuit of the Mendips and performed very well in a good class field. Six riders broke away in the early stages of-the hilly 60 mile race and held out to the finish with John Tonks (Parker Intimation RT) getting the verdict from Salisburys Harry Lodge who was with an Italian pro team last season and Ben Luckwell, another continental exile. Absolom was well up in the chasing group, talking ninth place.

21st March 1996

Brooks at the double

CLIVE Brooks, the VC Camelot rider from Castle Cary, scored two wins over Easter in Very different circumstances.
On Good Friday morning in the Bournemouth Arrow 10, riding into a cold easterly wind, he found it hard going. He woke up when he realised the race was slipping way from him and finished strongly.
Recording 21.42 he just pipped New Forests Tony Green by four seconds.
Alan Brimecombe (VC Camelot) and Cathrine Fraser (Exeter Wheelers) from Stoke-sub-Hamdon clocked 24.24 and 27.47 respectively.
Sundays Charlottville 50, traditionally the years first event of this distance and in its 67th year, saw Brooks in great form. Clocking 1.50.48 - a course record - he destroyed the field with last years winner Glen Pickford (Antelope RT) nearly six minutes in arrears with 1.56.40.
It is Clive’s first win in the classic race and a nine minute improvement on his previous best in the event. A large number of spectators were lining the course and they lifted him to pull out something special.
Yeovil CC stage their first open time trial of the year this Sunday - a ten mile test on the A303 from Podimore to the Ash Flyover and back. First of the 60 riders is away at 08.30 with Brooks on scratch, the last one off at 09.30. Local clubs are well represented with eight Chard Wheelers, six from Yeovil CC an five from VC Camelot

11 April 1996

Brooks close to his best

VC CAMELOT’S Clive Brooks was just five seconds outside his personal best time in Sundays Mid Oxon Cycle Race Team 25 mile time trial at Botley, recording 50.04.
The morning was very cold with only a light breeze and not the conditions usually associated with fast times. Brooks had to settle for second place as former competition holder and Olympian Gary Dighton (Leo RC) clocked 49.09 - the fastest time of the year. Camelots Andrew Horner recorded a creditable 53.18.
Yeovil’s road race Team rode the Tom Hawkins Memorial race at Woodbury in Devon. The 40 mile event is very tough with the long climb of Woodbury Common and an uphill finish.
Darren Edmonds from Long Sutton, riding in only his second road race, collected his first ranking points when. he sprinted into 10th place in a tight finish which again required a video to sort out a 20 strong leading group.
Yeovil fireman John Hinds and Somerton junior Douglas Northcott led in the main field but the other two members of the team were out of luck. Chris Fendt was involved in a crash in the first five miles losing some spokes and collecting some grazes.. The same incident delayed Mike Loader but just as he regained the main bunch another crash occurred which stopped him once more leaving him with too much to do

4th April 1996

Video camera had to sort it all out

AFTER 43 hard fought miles only inches separated the first seven riders in Yeovil Cycling Clubs Pittard Trophy race on Sunday morning.
Nigel Polkinghorne from the St Budeaux club won by the narrowest margin from Somer Valley junior Mark Perry, with video evidence necessary to place the next five sprinters.
Mark Lightfoot (Bath Uni) was third, Alan Griffith (Severn RC) fourth, Jason Burkett (Simply the Bike) fifth and sixth place shared by Nick Philpott (JPM Racing) and Paul Berry (Portsmouth North End).
Darren Edmonds was Yeovil CCs only finisher, just out of the top ten in a 30-strong bunch after being baulked in the run in. But he was pleased with his performance in his first road race.
Another Yeovil rider, Mark Plummer, had the misfortune to crash when a deer switched across his path resulting in stitches in an elbow and a wrecked front wheel.
The 58 mile Ham Hill Trophy senior race was a very good contest with plenty of action after a four man group went clear just before the first climb of Coppits Hill.
This move turned out to be the race winner, but with a lead never more than two minutes there was constant pressure from the main field.
Yeovil’s Chris Absolom was prominent in several chasing groups but the leading quartet worked well together and stayed clear.
Attacked
On the last corner with 400 yards to go Andy Hornby attacked. His three companions hesitated and it was all over as he crossed the line with three seconds in hand. Elite rider Ben Luckwell (Global Racing) took second from Keith Liley (St Budeaux) and Andrew Parker (Mid Devon).
Hornby, riding for Brough Wheelers-British Aerospace had combined a family visit to Taunton with this race. He is not well known in this area but had already one win this year and is shortly off to France for the remainder of the season.
The chasing groups split up on the last lap with Absolom taking seventh place well ahead of a depleted main bunch.
Yeovil veteran road racer Nick Armstrong travelled to Worcestershire for the LVRC Pinvin Road Race near Pershore. Riding an attacking race which impressed some of his peers, he crossed the line in fifth place overall but more importantly third in his 50-55 age category.
Clive Brooks returned to the top of the time trifling scene with an impressive ride in the Salisbury RC 25 at Andover on Sunday. Clocking 54.33 on a hard windy morning he was two minutes faster than second placed Paul Foxwell (Bournemouth Jubilee).
Closer to home, Yeovil’s Steve Oxbrow organised a medium gear 10 mile event for his his Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club on the Podimore course.
In a medium gear event riders are restricted to a 72 inch gear which is intended to promote fast pedalling skills.
Winner was Ray Hughes (Clarence Wheelers) clocking 23.12 with VC Camelot’s Andy Millward in fourth place recording 27.15, and Mark Porter with 32.58

GARRY Mitchener, president of Yeovil Cycling Club hands the Pittard Trophy to Nigel Polkinghorne from Cornwall after Sundays photo finish. Picture by Clive Davies.

28th March 1996

Mendips Russell beats the spray at Merryfield

THE weather was awful for the start of the local evening cycle sport with the Merryfield circuit event very wet. The 30 strong bunch were racing around the airfield in a cloud of spray..
Fifteen riders were attracted to the 10 mile time trial on another wet evening which was also very windy and half of them averaged 30 mph on the return leg.
Mendips Dave Russell was fastest with 22.56 ands team mate Gary Fouracre was second in 23.19.
Somerton mountain biker Peter Kench was third clocking 24.35 on a borrowed road bike. Veteran roadman Nick Armstrong recorded 25.29 and another Mendip rider Stephen Padfield Was fifth 25.51.
Yeovil’s Steve Ashford was sixth with a time of 26 minutes.exactly taking one.of the newly introduced spot prizes the other going to the winner.
Clive Brooks(VC Camelot) had to settle for second place in Sunday mornings Bournemouth Arrow .25 when he recorded 53.44. The in-form Chris Ball (Harlow CC) was the winner, turning a 95 inch fixed wheel to great effect to clock 52.09.
Nick Armstrong continues to rid strongly in the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists events, this week a Thruxton he was eighth across the line in a 60 man race over 45 miles but more importantly fourth in his age group.
The mountain bikers were in action at Puddletown in the first of this years SAMS (Southern Area Mountain Bike Series) events.
In the expert category race Peter Kench. (Ben Hayward Cycles) and Montacute’s. Rob Kilvington rode very well to finish 25th and 26th in a good class field of over 100.

25th April 1996

Armstrong leads Yeovil’s Merryfield contingent

YEOVIL Cycling Club have their strongest road team for many years and fielded nine riders in Saturdays Merryfield Circuit Races.
The 50 kilo third category race was fast, around 26 mph, and all attempts to escape the 54 ride inch ended in failure.
The eight strong Yeovil contingent were prominent throughout the race but in the final run-in Veteran Nick Armstrong was best placed.
Using experience gained in the recent veterans league races he positioned himself well amongst the leaders and took fifth place on the line behind Welshman Steve Thomas (CC Abergavenny).
There was a crash in the rear of the field at the finish but all the Yeovil riders avoided it. Taunton veteran Pete Sandy was not so lucky. He struck a faller and snapped his carbon fibre frame in two.
The race for first category riders was not very well supported with under 20 entries. Yeovil’s Chris Absolom was ninth behind Taunton’s Greg Sandy who won after a race-long breakaway with ex-Italian pro Harry Lodge, now
aback riding for his old club Salisbury.
Absolom also rode the Totnes - Vire Twinning Road Race, a 100 kilo event at South Brent in Devon on Monday, where he finished 13th.

Vegetarians
VC Camelots Clive Brooks rode the London CA - Vegetarian C&A C 50 mile time trial at Didcot on Sunday. 'Although not fully recovered from a virus infection Brooks decided to ride because the course is so good he didn’t want to miss an opportunity for a fast time.
His time was a good 1.46.00, just 49 seconds outside his best but on the day wasn’t quite enough for the win. Readings Robin Jackson recording a personal best time of 1.45.49 took the honours.
Tuesday evenings Merryfield training races again reflected Yeovil’s strength in number with the Green & White jerseys always in the thick of the action and Absolom and Armstrong in the winning break.
Thursday evenings time trial on the Podimore - Ash Flyover was a 10 mile two up team race. The very strong N.E wind propelled the riders at speeds up to 40 mph to the turn but the return leg was hard.
Yeovils Absolom and Armstrong were fastest recording 24.21 followed by Chards Rolfe and Woodsell in 25.03, and another Chard pair - Lawrence and Moran third, clocking 26.03

9th May 1996

Kench fifth in National Series

SOMERTON mountain biker Peter Kench had a good result in the National Points Series at Hopton Woods Shropshire, taking fifth place in the expert class after a derailed chain robbed him of third spot.
In the Female Sports Class Jane Nutkins of VC Camelot came sixth. The field of 15 tackled a fast course, with a challenging descent at the finish.
The Yeovil club played host to 50 veteran road racers on Sunday for the Oldsters Road Race. The 45 mile event runs under the rules of the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists included three ascents of Coppits Hill and was organised by Nick Armstrong with officials and marshals from the Yeovil and Taunton Vale clubs.
The League caters for riders over 40 and they race in five-year age groups, the A Category being 40-44, B 45-49 up to F for over 65s. There were two races with the and and B groups starting and the C-F ten minutes later. The young mans event was won by Welshman Martin Bush (Mount RT) from
Bournemouth Arrows Peter Wilson and Howard Jones of Wyre Forest. Lew Gardiner of Hardly Athletic was fourth and took the Group award.
Nick Armstrong designated his organising duties and rode well in the C to F race, instigating a four man break on the last lap and splitting the Edgeware RC pair John Miller and Roger Little to take second place.
The D Group winner was John Murphy (Gloucester City), E Group Danny Morgan (Mount RT) and Taunton’s Pete Sandy took the Over 65s.

16th May 1996

Time Trials

The time triallists had a full weekend with two 25s to ride. With the Andover Wheelers event late Saturday afternoon, and the Bristol South early Sunday morning, there were some tired legs in the second event.
VC Camelots Clive Brooks won both events, clocking 53.35 at Andover to beat Salisburys Harry Lodge by a minute, and recording 55.22 at Gloucester in the Bristol event.
Mendips Gary Fouracre overcame the strong wind to record an excellent 22.37 to win Yeovil’s Thursday 10 mile time trial from teammate Dave Russell (23.09) and Camelots Alan Brimecombe.

16th May 1996

VETERAN roadman Nick Armstrong tried time trifling on Sunday with dramatic results.
He stormed round a fast Didcot course in the Oxford City 50 to break the two-hour barrier for the first
time and improve his record time by a massive seven minutes and 20 seconds. He clocked 1.57.54 `
Leading lady Linda Blackwell was in top form recording a personal best 2.22.10 in the Wessex Road Club race on Dorset roads.
In his first 25 of the year Douglas Northcott clocked 57.35 to come fifth in the St Budeaux 25 at Buckfastleigh. Steve Ashford of Yeovil clocked 1.02.50.
Somerton mountain biker Peter Ketch beat regular time trialists in the Yeovil clubs Thursday evening ten. His 22.10 beat Mendips Gary Fouracre by 20 seconds with keen off- roader Rob Kilvington,
of Montacute, third in 23.19.
Chris Absolom was Yeovils only representativein the 100 mile Western Division Championships at Wellington, he came 12th

6th June 1996

Ashford’s best yet

THE weather over the holiday weekend was very difficult for cycle racing with the wind slowing the time trialists and the rain turning the mountain bike courses into quagmires.
Saturday was the best day with the Crabwood 10 at Thruxton in the afternoon. Steve Ashford was the best of the Yeovil club riders recording a personal best 23.47, a 42 second improvement. Dave Notley clocked 25.01, his best this year, Mark Johnson 25.08 and Stuart Wroot slipped to 25.10 after going off course. The winner was Nick Hutchings from the Isle of Wight with 20.13.
Yeovil allrounder John Hines moved up to the expert class for the first time in the second round of the Southern Area Mountain Bike Series at Bix Hall near Henley on Thames on Sunday.
Hines was placed 20th in a big field, his best performance to date eating him his first ranking point on his licence.
Nick Armstrong continues to ride well in the Veterans League events taking second place at Bovington Camp on Monday. The strong wind again made racing hard but Armstrong was soon in a six man breakaway.The group was whittled down by punctures and fatigue and Poole Wheeler Terry Icke took off on his own leaving the Yeovil man chasing him with one other who also punctured. He was joined by a rider who eventually beat him to the line in the sprint for second place. This rider, Tom Woolard of Antelope RT was judged to have received assistance from riders in the other age group race which
was running at the same time so was relegated to fourth place with Armstrong given second.

30th May 1996

Clive Brooks slips to 22nd in ‘national’

MARSTON Magna's Clive Brooks was disappointed with his performance in Sundays 10 mile National Championship on the Marlow Bypass in Berkshire. A 21 minute 40 second ride placed him 22nd compared with last years fifth position.
Bouts of flu and heavy colds have contributed tohis lack of form but things are improving and he hopes to go better in the National 25 in two weeks time.
Now the sport has gone open it left the way clear for professional Rob Hayley (Team Ambrosia) the champion in 1994 to win with 20.06.
Veteran Nick Armstrong had a good week winning a cold and windy Yeovil 25 on Thursday evening recording 1.03.34 to beat Chard Wheeler Dave Bidgood (1.04.00), with Yeovil pair Douglas Northcott and Dave Walters both Clocking 1.04.40 for equal third.
On Sunday, Armstrong again rode well in the Veterans League A5 Rangers Road race at Towcester in Northants. The 36 mile event with 40 in the 40-49 age group, 50 in Armstrong’s 50-59 race, all there were also 30 in the over 60s.
An early breakaway by three riders gained a small lead and as the main field were making no impression on the Armstrong set off on lone pursuit but was joined by another rider. He eventually finished fifth.

23rd May 1996

Junior records fastest time in trial

TIME trialists have been revelling in the warmer weather with the Salisbury Road Club 10 on Saturday afternoon near Andover producing personal best times for local riders.
Yeovil clubs hard-working newsletter editor Dave Notley recorded a 45 second improvement when he clocked 23.33.
Steve Ashford was 33 seconds up recording 23.14 and Stuart Wroot improved 12 seconds clocking 22.11.I Junior Douglas Northcott was the fastest Yeovil rider recording a rapid personal best 21.10 and seventh place over all. Mark Johnson’s 23.37 was his fastest for three years.
Clive Brooks won with 20.09 showing a return to form. His VC Camelot team and Linda Blackwell recorded a personal best 24.54. Super veteran Jim Bartlett from Ansford clocked a creditable 25.39.
Times were a lot slower in the Chippenham and District event at Devizes on the same afternoon with Camelot’s Andy Millward clocking 24.17 and Mark Potter recording 30.20 - 90 seconds better than his last ride.
There was plenty of mid-week action. Brooks scored a narrow five second victory when he clocked 52.54 in the Poole Wheelers 25, beating promoting clubs veteran Terry Icke and Brimecombe who recorded 59.06.
Brimecome rode again in the Exeter Wheelers 25 and clocked 1.01.24 with Yeovil’s Nick Young getting a time of 1.02.45.
On the same evening on local roads the Yeovil club 10 also enjoyed good conditions where Mendips Gary Fouracre won with 21.28 gaining revenge over Peter Kench of Somerton, who beat him last week and even recorded a personal best of 21.40.
Rob Kilvington was third in 23.03 and Adrian Mead (Camelot) and Dave Walters (Yeovil) tied fourth clocking personal bests of 23.14.
The road racers were in action on Sunday with Nick Armstrong claiming a fifth place in a veterans 37-mile race near Newbury. Chris Absolom was tenth in the 52-mile event at Thruxton motor circuit.

13th June 1996

Absolom turns on the power to take sixth

YEOVIL’S top roadmap Chris Absolom performed well in the Chequers road race at Lytchett Matravers on Sunday. The 72-mile event on a tough Purbeck course attracted a top class field of 70 riders. .
Absolom led the sprint on the final hill and was more than pleased with sixth place.
Nick Armstrong was once more well to the fore in a Veterans League event near Winchester.
The 41 mile Preshore road race had nearly 60 riders in the over 50s section. He had the satisfaction of holding off some of the big sprinters to take seventh place.
Clive Brooks has not fully recovered from his mystery viral infection and found the 50 miles a bit too much in the Salisbury road clubs time trial at Andover on Saturday afternoon. He was going well up to 35 miles but in his words blew up. His time was still a creditable 1.52.17.
The highlight of the mid week sport was the Taunton Vale four-up team time trial at Wellington. Yeovil fielded three teams with the A team taking second place out of 15 teams. Douglas Northcott, Peter Kench, Nick Armstrong and Chris Absolom clocked 44.34, nearly 28mph on the hilly circuit, breaking the existing record and just 1.47 behind the victorious Wellington A.
Darren Edmunds, Rob Kilvington, John Hinds and Duncan Cook were fifth in 48.36 and Dave Notley, Mark Johnson, Steve Ashford and A J Raybold clocked 49.55 for ninth place.
There was still a 16 rider turnout for the Yeovil club 10 on the same evening won by Mendips Gary Fouacre in 22.01. VC Camelots Adrian Mead was second with a 23.13 personal best and Taunton’s Ian Hounsell third clocking 23.25. Craig Broadway also recorded a personal best 24.00 in fourth place.
Partially disabled Ron Clint riding for Sid Valley CC clocked 30.31 which is only 49 seconds outside the British record for his disability -he only has the use of one leg. He is hoping to beat the record this season.

20th June 1996

Vegetarian title for Clive Brooks

CLIVE Brooks rode strongly to win the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club hilly time trial on Sunday morning. The 50 mile event was based on three circuits of Sparkford- Wincanton-Castle Cary- Sparkford and was promoted by Yeovil’s Vegetarian Club member Steve Oxbrow with the help of local clubmen.
Brooks was in his element on his home roads and recorded an impressive 1.56.34 in the tough windy conditions. Mendips Dave Russell was second in 2.00.48 and Andy Cook from Chippenham third in 2.01.33.
Another Chippenham rider F Alway took the prize for the best improvement, or nearest to their best at the distance in this case, with a minus of 2.19.
Brooks had won the Weston Wheelers 10 the previous evening on the Bridgwater Flats clocking 21.14 in another wind affected race. He led his VC Camelot club in the team award backed up by veterans Alan Brimecombe (24.09) and John Saunders (24.59). Andy Millard clocked 25.08 and Linda Blackwell won the ladies race with 27.32.
Yeovil CC riders were Nick Young (25.23) and Dave Notley (26.32).

Personal best
Yeovil’s Thursday evening 10 was won by Peter Kinch in 21.55 with Adrian Mead (VC Camelot) second in a personal best 22.47. Veteran roadman Nick Armstrong also recorded a personal best clocking 23.01 in third place.
Chris Absolom represented Yeovil in the National Senior Road Race Championship at Abergavenny. The gruelling 138 mile event was based on a circuit around Monmouth with the final 50 miles made up of the 10 circuits of Abergavenny itself.
The 111 man field included the likes of Chris Boardman, warming up for next weeks Tour de France, and American-based pro Malcolm Elliott.
With so many riders on the narrow roads of the first part of the course the field was strung out and Absolom missed a split and try as he might he could not regain contact with the leaders and was eliminated on the final circuit.
It was probably due to the fact that his companions had resigned themselves and he was forced into a lone chase to narrowly miss the cut.
Closer to home, a Yeovil team rode the Lloyd Coward Memorial race at Ponland Heights. The CC Weymouth promotion is a 50 kilo 20 lap event on a difficult course with a drag up the finishinig straight which soon becomes very hard.
Darren Edmonds took seventh place and Rob Kilvington ninth after two riders had escaped early on and worked well to stay clear. Under half of the 39 man field finished with Steve Ashford, Martin Bailey and Stuart Wroot all finding the pace too hot.
Nick Armstrong never Seems to be out of the top ten in the Veteran League this season. He was seventh in Sunday s Circuit Off Bredon Hill a 46 mile event near Tewksbury, after riding an aggressive race and a solo breakaway attempt.

27th June 1996

Clive Brooks meets his match in Prebble

THERE was a full and varied programme of racing for Yeovil area cyclists this week with something to suit everybody.
VC Camelot had a good weekend with Clive Brooks winning the Crabwood 25 north of Winchester on Saturday afternoon, clocking 54.15. Ex pro Harry Lodge (Team Energy) was second 19 seconds in arrears whilst Yeovil’s Dave Notley recorded 1.07.02.
On the same afternoon at Devizes Camelot took the team award in the Trowbridge 10 with Geoff Giddings third in 22.52 backed up by Alan Brimecombe (24.08) and Andy Millward (25.37). Linda Blackwell clocked 28.07 in the ladies section.
Brooks was back in action on Sunday morning in the Clevedon 25, noM of Bristols He was up against the in-form Richard Prebble (Wembley RC) who had taken the National 50 mile title the previous weekend. He clocked 52.40 to beat Brooks by two minutes.
Camelots Danny Ellery recorded 1.05.55 riding an 82 inch fixed gear and Linda Blackwell clocked 1.13.40.
The premier road race was the 83 mile Tour of Cranbome Chase. A very tough event which included climbs of Zig-Zag hill and two of Spreadeagle. Yeovil’s Chris Absolom was in an early break which soon became the decisive move as they were joined by the strong Team Energy squad.
Pulled away
The main bunch never got on terms with the leaders who gradually pulled away. In the closing miles Team Energy attacked and as the group split up they went on to take the first four places with the judges giving the verdict to newly crowned National Road champion David Rand. Absolom held on to take sixth place. .
The High Summer Road Race was a very different event of 100 kilometres on the flat but windswept Merryfield airfield. The wind made the race hard and the 67 starters were soon strung out as seven riders broke away.
The breakaways were reduced to four in the final laps with two riders trying to join them so the depleted main bunch were sprinting for sixth place. Yeovil’s Nick Armstrong made his move too early and had to be content with 15th place and fourth veteran.
Junior Douglas Northcott was fastest in the Yeovil Thursday evening 10, recording 22.02 to beat Peter Kench 22.21 and Chris Absolom 22.50.

4th July 1996

Northcott chips over a minute off his record

SOMERTONS flying junior time trial star Douglas Northcott sliced a further one minute 29 seconds off his own Yeovil CC Junior record on Saturday evening.
Riding the VC Slough25 event on the Al south of St Neots in Cambridgeshire he recorded 53.33 for seventh place in a good field, under three minute behind winner Leo RCs Brett Harwood who clocks 50.42.
VC Camelot continued their good run with Cliv Brooks leading two team wins at the weekend. On Saturday afternoon they triumphed in the CC Weymouth 10 on the Owermoigne - Winfrith course
Brooks Winning in 21.06 from Bournemouth Arrows Brian Taylor, with Camelot’s Geoff Giddings third clocking 22.41. Alan Brimecombe was close behind with 23.20 to clinch the team prize and Andy Millard clocked 24.57.
In the windy conditions very few riders got near their personal bests but Mark Plummer actually beat his by exactly one minute clocking 29.20 take to the best improvement award. Stoke-sub-Hamdons Catherine Fraser (Exeter Wheelers) recorded 27.43 in the ladies event.
It was unseasonably cold on Sunday morning in the New Forest CC 25 but the wind was low enough at the early 6am start. Brooks was once again fastest, recording 53.27, over two minutes faster than promoting clubs Tony Green - 55.38. Brimecombe clocked 59.22 and Danny Ellery, again electing to ride a fixed wheel machine recorded 1.01 .52 to complete the winning team. John Saunders clocked 1.02.41 and Linda Blackwell 1.09.50. Fraser was second in the ladies race with 1.09.35. |
Another Somerton rider is leading the way in the mid week sport. Peter Kench was second in his first time out at the Merryfield circuit event on Tuesday riding strongly in a three man breakaway. In Thursdays 25 mile time trial he came out on top clocking 59.57 with veteran Nick Armstrong finishing second in 1.02.02 and Craig Broadway third recording 1.05.03 in his first attempt at the distance.
On Sunday coming Yeovil Club stages an open 25 on the Podimore-Cartgate-Petherton-Podimore course and the first of the 66 riders is away at
7.2am. Local fast men Brooks and Northcott both ride.

11th July 1996

Brooks justifies his top seeding

CLIVE Brooks justified his seeding as last man off winning Yeovil Cycling Clubs 25 mile time trial on Sunday morning, recording 54.12. Nearly two minutes separated him from second placed Andy Winterbottom (Wellington Wheelers) who clocked 56.07 with Mendips Dave Russell third in 56.21.
Yeovil’s Douglas Northcott was fastest junior in 58.09, Virginia Cox (Western Wheelers) was first lady clocking 1.11.36 and best veteran on age standard was Mike Lawrence (Clevedon & District) who recorded 59.40, beating the standard for a 59 year old by 16.23.
VC Camelot took the team award with Ian Wallace 59.38 and Alan Brimecombe 1.00.07 backing Brooks. The other local performances were Camelot's Adrian Mead (1.01.41), Danny Ellery (1.02.35), Andy Millward (1.03.27), Mark Porter (1.12.46) and Linda Blackwell (1.13.08).
Chard Wheelers - Stuart Woodsell (1.01.00), Joe Wenglorz (1.01.28), Dave Bidgood (1.0l.55) and Alex Rolfe (1.06.48).
Yeovil CC Stuart Wroot (1.01.5), Dave Notley (1.06.48) and Dave Walters (1.06.52).
Brooks had warmed up on Friday evening by winning the Clevedon and District10 mile trial on the Bridgwater Flats clocking 20.57, with Brimecombe 23.23 and Linda Blackwell 27.05. .
Mountain biker Rob Kilvington, a Westfield school teacher from Montacute, hit top form in the Mendip Mania races at West Harptree where there were over 300 riders in the diferent classes. Kilvington mastered the tricky rock strewn course which included a very slippery descent on each of the four laps in the16-mile expel class event. Taking the lead on the second lap he romped away to win by two minutes which should please his sponsors, X- Lite.
Armstrong was narrowly beaten into second place after 46 miles when the breakaway group sprinted for the line in the North Bristol road race.
The Veterans League event was well supported with races for 40 to 49 and Armstrong s 50 and over event

18th July 1996

100 mile best for Camelot’s Brooks

CLIVE Brooks bid for a high place in the British Best All-Rounder competition relieved another boost on Sunday in the Westerly Road Club 100 mile time trial at Didcott, when he recorded
a personal best time.
The Wind that had been blowing all week subsided and conditions were ideal for long distance time trialling. The full 120 rider field included many of the top distance men and women.
Brooks, riding for VC Camelot, was second, clocking 3.38.52, over seven minutes better than his previous best 100 recorded three years ago, but his effort was eclipsed by the winner.
Newly crowned 100 mile champion Andy Wilkingson (Port Sunlight Wheelers) made the journey from Merseyside to ride the event and stunned the time trial world as he shattered the British competition record by 4.14. His time of 3.27.39 was almost at an average speed of 29mph.
Local lady rider Catherine Fraser from Stoke-sub-Hamdon clocked a creditable 4.47.06.
The BBAR competition is based on the best average speed over 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hour time trials. Brooks now has a very good 50 and 100 mile times so everything depends on the Poole Wheelers 12 hour, which this year is the National Championships event on 1 September. Willingson who also holds the Lands End to John O’Groats record will start favourite.
VC Camelot riders at the other end of the spectrum also achieved success this weekend. Riding in the English Schools CA events at the Castle Coombe circuit, Mathew Law took first place in the under 13s race with clubmate Russell Bennett second in a close sprint finish. Watching their brother riding so well inspired Rebecca and Tommy Law to have a go. Rebecca came second in the under 10s beating nearly all the boys and Tommy won the under 9s.
The Western Wheelers 10 at Axbridge was very wet and Danny Ellery was Camelot’s fastest with 23.53 with Andy Millward clocks 24.04 Ladies Linda Blackwell recorded 27.52 and Pat Ellery 29.1 1. Somerton’s Peter Kench was fastest of 18 riders in Yeovil’s Thursday evening 10 clocking 21.51 with Stuart Wroot 23.11 and Nick Armstrong third in 23.18

15th August 1996

Clive gets ready for title bid

VC CAMELOT'S Clive Brooks continued his build up to the National 12 hour championship with two time trials last weekend. `
On Saturday afternoon he had to settle for second place 18 seconds behind Chris Ball (Harlow CC) who clocked 20.28 in the Westbury Wheelers ten at Devizes.
Yeovil clubs Douglas Northcott was fastest junior with 22.34, and other Camelot times were Alan Brimecombe (22.42), Andy Millward (23.46) and Adrian Mead (24.33) after losing time when his chain came off.
Local lady rider Catherine Fraser (Exeter Wheelers) clocked 27.34.
Chris Absolom (Yeovil CC) has recovered well from a six week layoff following an operation and took sixth place in the Morden CRC Older Mans Road Race. The 65 mile event was only open to riders over 35 and was ridden at a fast pace with no breakaways of note until the closing miles when six gained about ten seconds.
On the long drag to the finish line Absolom leading the chasing bunch managed to overhaul just one of the breakaways.
Veteran Nick Armstrong was also in action on Saturday in the Welsh CA 52 mile time trial at Abergavenny recording a personal best 59. 12.
Brooks was back to winning ways on Sunday morning in the Mid Devon 25 at Buckfastleigh clocking 51.26 to beat Wellingtons Andy Winterbottom by nearly two minutes.
Yeovil’s popular evening time trial series comes to an end for this Season on Thursday with a 10 mile as the light fails.
Last weeks event was also a 10 and 26 riders enjoyed good conditions as nine recorded personal bests. Peter Kinch was fastest recording a personal best 21.17, Northcott clocked 21.22 and Absolom 22.10.
The Yeovil club Handicap Championship was run in conjunction with the main event and Mike Loader won clocking a personal best 24.04 which gave him an adjusted time of 22.49. Chris Williams was close
behind with 22.54 after clocking another personal best of 25.09.
There were also personal best times for local riders Criag Broadway (Yeovil CC) with 23.20, VC Camelot’s Mark Porter (26.35) and 12- year old Steve Oxbrow (Vegetarian C & AC) with 34.01. Oxbrow has
improved over eight minutes in the three weeks he has been time trialing

22nd August 1996

Rain doesn’t deter Clive Brooks

THE weather was not very kind to local cyclists over the holiday period with nearly everyone getting a soaking in either racing or training. -
VC Camelot’s Clive Brooks had a quiet weekend with just one race on Saturday but a lot of training miles in preparation for next weeks national 12-hour event.
The North Hampshire Road Club 25 on the A4 near Newbury is a popular event and attracted a full field of 120. Brooks, off number 120, rode most of the race in torrential rain and was worried by poor visibility and braking efficiency. He still managed to win with an impressive 52.15 - a minute in front of ex-pro Harry Lodge (Team Energy), who started number 50 and had a dry ride.
Yeovil clubs Nick Armstrong and. Stuart Wroot rode the Barnstaple Imperial Wheelers 25-mile two-up team time trial on the Exeter-Barnstaple road on Monday monrning.
A team trial is even worse in the wet with the added spray from your partner. The Yeovil pair were fifth, clocking 1.00.52 with the winning Camel Valley team of Chris O’Niell’ and John Bullington recording 55.51.
Yeovil’s last Thursday evening 10 of the year had to be cancelled. The overcast skies and wet conditions with the resulting spray on the A303 would have made racing too dangerous.

29th August 1996

Clive chips over four minutes off his 50-miile record

CLIVE Brooks of VC Camelot rode the race of his life in the South London Combine 50 at Didcot on Sunday, slicing a massive 4 minutes 30 seconds off his personal best, averaging just under 30mph to record 1 hours 40 minutes 51 seconds. But he had to settle for second place behind Gary Dighton (Leo RC).
The former-olympian was 39 seconds outside Graeme Obree’s Competition recor- with 1-39- 40.
Ian Cammish, who held the record from 83 to 93 was third in 1.41.00.
In the same event Twickenhams Jenny Derham broke the late Beryl Burtons 20-year- old British Women’s Record by nearly two minutes, clocking 1.49.31.
Brooks had won the St Budeaux 25 in Devon on Tuesday clocking 52.45 with Yeovil CC Junior Douglas Northott recording 56.46.
VC Camelot veterans Alan Brimecombe and John Saunders rode the Bournemouth Jubilee 25 on Sunday, Alan clocking 59,10 for second fastest veteran and Saunders recording 1- 01-02, his best time this year.
Riders in Yeovil’s John Andrews Memorial Race on Sunday had to endure one of the hottest days of the year as they rode 88 miles, which included six ascents of
Coppits Hill.
It may have been a combination of the heat and distance, but attacks were few and shortlived. Simon Baynes (Bristol South) got the verdict by inches from Peter Mars (Swindon) and Ian Church (Cheltenham) Veteran Nick Armstrong was Yeovil’s best at 13th with Darren Edmonds, Mike Loader and Rob Lemmey all
close behind in the bunch.
Armstrong clocked up another first on Thursday when he beat the hour for the first time in the Abergavenny time trial. His 25 mile time was 59.25.

25th July 1996

Wind ends Brook’s record bid

SATURDAY evenings Salisbury Road Club 25 mile time trial at Andover looked like an opportunity for some local riders to excel.
Clive Brooks in particular was hoping to capture the course record and others were chasing personal bests, but the wind was just. a little too strong and Brooks settled for a convincing win clocking 50.54. In second place was Mike Hutchinson (Cambridge University) in 52.52. .
There was a personal best for Yeovil’s Steve Ashford who recorded 1.01.02 beating his previous best by three seconds.
VC Camelot collected yet another team award with Alan Brimecombe (58.35) and Andy Millward (1.00.09) counting with Brooks. John Saunders was close behind clocking 1.00.48.
Yeovil clubs leading time trialist Douglas Northcott made the long journey to Kings Lynn in Norfolk for the National Junior 25 Championship the following morning. The warm conditions seemed to aggravate a recently
diagnosed broncial condition and he was over seven minutes outside his best recording 1.00.59. The venue was flat but not that fast and winner Ceri Pritchard (Olympia Sport) rode well to clock a course record 54.37.
Yeovil duo Mike Loader and Rob Lemmey fared no better in the VC Taunton two stage race at Merrytield. A 5km time trial was followed by a 100km road race. The rising wind on the exposed airfield helped to break up the 68 man field of second and third category riders in the road race and neither of the Yeovil men were among the 31 finishers.
Yeovil’s Nick Armstrong is now a marked man in the Veterans League races after his run of high placings and Sundays Marches Road Race on the Welsh border at Ewyas Harrald was no exception. Try as he might he could not escape the bunch in the 57 mile event. An attack on the last hill with just 0.7 mile to go nearly came off but it was into the wind and two riders caught him just before the line.
Brimecombe won Yeovil’s Thursday evening 10 clocking 23.25 in windy conditions. Armstrong was second in 23.57 with Chards Dave Bidgood third in 24.23. Some 23 riders turned out including disabled competitor Ron Clint from the Sid Valley Club. He clocked 32.03.

8th August 1996

More records for Brooks

HEADLINE maker Clive Brooks proved unbeatable on his local roads, Winning the Somer Valley CC 25 mile time trial in a course and event record time of 52.18. The event had been switched to the Yeovil club course on the A303 after road works ruled out the original A38 Bridgwater Flats venue. The change proved popular with the riders and there were some personal bests recorded. Mid Devons Steve Batsford was second, three minutes in arrears. He clocked 55.36 and Mendips Dave Russell was third in 55.58.
Yeovil clubs Douglas Northcott was fastest junior recording 56.07, with the team award going to VC Camelot after Brooks team mates Ian Wallace (57.00) and Andy Millward (59.29) providing the support.
Camelot’s Linda Blackwell was second lady with 1.10.16 behind Wellingtons Jane Parsons and veteran John Saunders clocked 1.02.22.
Stuart Wroot was Yeovil’s best senior recording 59.44 taking one of the spot prizes of £5 for 20th place out of 93 riders. Dave Walters clocked a personal best of 1.00.32 and Dave Notley 1.05.25.
Ansford super veteran Jim Bartlett (Frome & District) recorded 1.08.31.
Northcott won the warm-up event, the Yeovil clubs evening time trial which was a 25 mile ride on the same course. He clocked 56.23.
There is just no stopping Yeovil’s veteran roadman Nick Armstrong. He rode another aggressive race at Bovington Camp on Sunday. After 45 miles of racing in the veterans league event only three riders remained of a 20 mile breakaway and at the line Armstrong took second place behind Bournemouth-Jubilees Mike Tarrant.

1st August 1996

Another title for Clive Brooks

CLIVE Brooks under lined his superiority in the Westcountry time trifling with a resounding victory in last Sundays Vegetarian C &AC 50.
Recording 1.52.09 on the demanding A303 based course he was seven minutes 42 seconds faster than second placed Mendip rider
Dave Russell who was the only other rider to break two hours. Westons Mike Potter was third in 2.01.00.
Yeovil’s Nick Armstrong was hoping to round off an excellent season with a top ten placing in the national over 50s championship at Great Whitley near Stourport last Sunday, but had to settled for 14th.
Yeovil club promotes its final open event of the season next Saturday afternoon. The 10 mile time trial on the Podimore-Ash flyover and back course has attracted a field of 95 riders.

26th September 1996

Wroot rides well in world masters event

YEOVIL’S Stuart Wroot performed well in the World Masters Track Challenge on the boards of the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday.
Riding the Kilometer Time Teal in the 35>39 age group he recorded 1 minutes 14.786 seconds, a fraction outside his personal best, and took eighth place, the gold medal going to Finlands Sixten Wackstrom with 1 minute 9.722 seconds.
All the riders experienced trouble With a slippery track which had been cleaned and polished on Friday for Chris Boardman’s hugely successful Hour record ride. Tyres had to be roughened, then thoroughly
warmed up.
Clive Brooks did not show any ill effects from last weeks gruelling 12 hour ride when the won the Frome and District time trial on Saturday afternoon.
The 10 miles on the A361 Frome Bypass took him only 20 minutes 39 secs, a stark contrast to the 274 miles he ground out for sixth place in the National 12 hour championship.
Long distance events can often blunt a riders. speed but he had a comfortable margin over Somer Valleys Richard Scott, second in 22.17.
Yeovil’s Nick Armstrong Won his over 50s age class in the Bovington Circuit races. The 45 mile veterans league race was quite eventful with a seven man group going clear early on and then Armstong joined Bournemouths Peter Wilson at the head of the field. Taunton’s Peter Sandy joined them but did not contribute to their efforts and remained a passenger for the last 20 miles.
At the finish Wilson was the strongest in the sprint but he was the youngest, also winning the over 40s section. Sandy took the over 60s.

12th September 1996

Early bird Jason catches the prize

A RISING southwest wind that reached near gale force played a big pan in shaping the result of Yeovil Clubs 10 mile time trial on Saturday afternoon.
Victory Went to early starter Jason Bohin (CT Nevada) from Bristol, off at number 15 he recorded I 21.41, before wind reached its peak. Roadman Lee Davis (IPM Racing) was second in 21.53 and Bournemouth Jubilee’s Eammon Deane was third clocking 21.55.
Pre race favourite Clive Brooks, off at number 90, caught the worst of the wind taking over 14 minutes to reach the tum but only just over seven minutes on the return averaging 40mph. He recorded 21.57 for
fourth place. Weymouth rider Matthew Doe took the remaining prize in the overall class fifth in 22.07.
Veterans (40+) made up half the field and there anotherfive prizes on offer for veteran on standard. Bournemouth Jubilee Wheeler Ken Swan clocked 29.21 (76th overall) but the standard for his 81 years
is 35.12 giving him a winning plus of 5.51. Dave Barnes (Team Zoyland) recorded 22.50, a plus of 5.48 for a 55-year-old. Salisburys Tom Lodge was third with a plus of 5.46, clocking 24.44 at 63 years.
Somerton’s Douglas Northcott (Yeovil CC) was the fastest junior clocking 22.35 while veteran Jane Burfoot (Antelope RT) took the ladies prize with 26.42.
Mendip CC took the team award with a three man aggregate of 1.09.12. Two riders actually achieved personal bests on the day, Yeovil’s Rob Kilvington clocked 22.46 - a 17 second improvement, and
Swindons Chris Lowe (23.07) - a 33 second best.
Local times - Yeovil CC - Dave Walters (25.40), Neil Boxall (26.28), Mike Tetley (27.46). Chard Wheelers - Stuart Woodsell (24.12), Dave Bidgood (24.34), Junior Neil Tinson (24.27), Andy Lawrence (26.l2), John Trout (26.49). VC Camelot - Andy Millward (24.34), Mark Porter (31.17).
Clive Brooks fared better on Sunday morning in the Sotonia 25 at Andover but the weather was even worse with rain and wind. He won easily clocking 54.17 over a minute better than Nick Gardener (55.44).

3rd October 1996

Dave Akam breaks Clive’s record

VC Camelot rider Clive Brooks achieved another double at the Andover Wheelers Weyhill Weekend On Saturday he recorded a personal best 19.20 to win the ten mile event - the only rider under 20 minutes. There was, however a downside as his course record had been beaten last week by ex-pro Dave Akam (Wembley) and he failed to regain it by one second.
Other Yeovil riders times were Dave Walters (23.10), Steve Ashford (23.20) and Dave Notley (23.36).
In the earlier veterans race Camelot’s Alan Brimecombe clocked 21.58 and John Saunders recorded his best for three years of 22.28.
It was a lot colder at 7.30 on Sunday for the start of.the 25 mile event and times reflected this. Brooks clocked 54.44, over a minute ahead of second placed Eamon Dean (Bournemouth Jubilee).
Saunders clocked 1.02.30, Notley a disappointing 1.07.23 and Ansford veteran Jim Bartlett 1.10.36 Westfield school teacher Rob Kilvington has good form after spending five weeks of his vacation racing
in Canada where he had wins on his road and mountain bikes.
In Sundays Diamond Back Series in the Forest of Dean he was placed fifth in the 28 mile expert section. The course was a good mix of forest tracks, technical descents and climbs.
Yeovil veteran Nick Armstrong took yet another second place on Saturday in the 40 mile Tour des Geriatriques - a veterans league race at Great Witley in Worcestershire.
Steve Oxbrow is promoting a 50 mile time trial next Sunday morning for his Vegetarian Cycling Athletic Club with the help of local clubmen. The course is a new starting on the old 303 between Sparkford and South Cadbury. The riders will go west on the A303 Petherton roundabout, turn and Proceed eastwards past Wincanton to the Tinkers Hill flyover and then back to Sparkford.

19th September 1996

Brooks ends season with 28 Victories

VC Camelot’s Clive Brooks finished his season paired with veteran teammate John Saunders in the Wessex Veterans Grand Prix des Gentlemen in which a veteran is paced by a younger rider.
It had been a very good year for Brooks with personal bests at 10, 50 and 100 miles, also at 12 hours.
He was only five seconds off his best in the 25, and clocked up 28 victories. In the British Best All- Rounder he finished in fourth place with a 26.679mph average over the 50, 100 and 12 hours.
In the latest outing with Saunders, the couple took some time to find the level at which the older rider could perform best. Over the last half of the 25 mile course from Woodbury Cross near Bere Regis to the Upton Bypass and back on the A35 they were going well and recorded 54.48. It was by far the fastest 25 Saunders had ridden and he was third on standard in
the over 50s class and they were the fastest club team.
Camelot’s Andy Millward partnered ex-Yeovil rider Pete Blackshaw in the over 40s and they rode well together to clock 57.56.
The Yeovil clubs junior time trial champion Douglas Northcott finished with a 22.20 ride in the North Bucks 10 at Milton Keynes on Saturday.
Only two local riders made the annual pilgrimage to Marigny in Normandy for the Duo Normand team time trial. The classic event was contested by around 700 riders ranging from novices to world record holders in their own classes.
Yeovil veteran Nick Armstrong was paired with Thames Velo’s Sandy Came who had trouble on the starting ramp as his chain jammed. They still managed fifth in the over 50s, clocking 1.24.53 on the undulating 52-mile circuit. The other local rider, Steve Paul (Heron RC) rode with a novice to record 1.28.00.Britains Chris Boardman, teamed with under 23s road champion Paul Manning, were fastest overall clocking 1.02.15, a new course records. Both riders were warming up for this weeks world championships at Lugano in Switzerland.
Yeovil club and Chard Wheelers are holding their Hill Climb championships at High Ham on Sunday morning, first rider off at 10.30 am.

10th October 1996

Absolom breaks hill climb record

YEOVIL CC welcomed Chard Wheelers at thier annual hill climb championship at High Ham on Sunday morning.
In cool conditions with the wind against them, competitors tackled a climb of just over half a mile on the Pedwell side of the hill.
Yeovil’s road racing champion Chris Absolom riding a fixed wheel track bike recorded two minutes 59 seconds, the first rider to beat three minutes on the hill. His previous best was last year when he clocked 3.08.
Mountain biker and roadman Rob Kilvington pushed him close on his road bike clocking 3.02, with Darren Edmonds third in 3.15.
Rex Facey took the Chard title, riding a mountain bike equipped with road tyres, recording 3.25. Stuart Woodsell was runner-up with 3.31, Neil Tinson clocked 3.32 and Dave Bidgood 3.35. Veteran and oldest contestant John Trout clocked 3.51 for fifth and Dave Moran recorded 4.25 for sixth spot.

17th October 1996

Armstrong heads the veterans

WEST Camel’s Nick Armstrong confirmed his position as Yeovil Club veteran road champion with his third win of the season on Sunday.
The Southern League of veteran racing cyclists held their annual meeting at Thruxton preceded by a 26 mile race on the motor circuit.
Noting due prescence of some well known sprinters in the field, Armstrong knew his best option was to get into a breakaway group and not leave it to a bunch finish. When one of the strong riders attacked|
Armstrong was quick to join him with two others. The quartet worked well and held their lead.
On the final lap Armstrong tried one last attack but his three companions, all from the 40-45 class quickly caught him and he could not match the younger men in the sprint but easily won the over 50s.
This must be his best ever season with three wins, four seconds and two third places among 16 in the top seven veteran league events and 12 points in open senior races. He was also successful in time trails with personal bests over 25mph at 10, 25 and 50 miles.
Yeovil’s senior road champion Chris's Absolom collected as total of 68 points last season riding in top class events, well over 40 required to retain his first category licence. `
Somerton’s Douglas Northcott is confirmed the Western Junior best all-rounder, with an average speed of 26.483mph for two ten and two 25 mile time trials on Western courses.

24th October 1996

Jane Willmott’s an expert now

SOUTH Petherton’s Jane Willmott, the VC Camelot mountain biker, moved up from sport to expert category for the first time on Sunday and was not out-classed.
Riding the first round of the GT Winter Series Bristols Ashton Court, she was placed third in a good class field, only bettered by sponsored riders Liz Salter (Marin) and Kim Hurst (Giant).
The Women rode three five mile laps of a tricky tree root strewn circuit, made worse by the wet and windy conditions
Yeovil s veteran roadman Nick Armstrong rode consistently in this year’s evening time trial series and is confirmed as winner of the points competition
Not the fastest but always well placed he scored 110 points to beat Peter Kench (95) and an improved Dave Walters (88). Also doing well were Craig Broadway (78), Dave Notley(75) and Chris Williams (69).

31st October 1996

Jane third in Gwent

VC Camelots Jane Willmott rode into third place once again in the second round of the GT Winter Series at Chepstow Park in Gwent on Sunday.
The cold and wet conditions made the 315-mile technical course of forest tracks, rocky descents and stream crossings, very difficult. Rocky Mountain team riders Gaynor Lee and Kay Robins finished first and second in the women’s expert class in front of Camelot’s lone rider.

21st November 1996

TROPHY WINNERS: Yeovil Cycling Club president Ivy Walker, third right, presents trohies to club racers, from left, Douglas Northcott, Chris Absolom, Michael Loader, Nick Armstrong and David Notley. Picture by Nigel Andrews.

Biker Nick rides off with five cups

NICK Armstrong cycled off with a haul of trophies at the Yeovil Cycling Club Annual Awards.
Nick, of West Camel, carried off five cups These included trophies for best national championship performance, best 10 mile time trial and best veteran all rounder.
He is pictured being presented with his awards by long serving club member Ivy Walker.

12th Dec 1996