Year: 2004

Young Sydenham member Harry Royston (13) rode through thunder, lightening and torrential rain, to take second place in the Kent Division juvenile 10 mile time trial championships at Tenterden on Saturday 17 July 2004. His time of 27 minutes 37 seconds was a two minutes better than his previous personal best for the distance, securing him a place in the National Championships for under 16 year olds, taking place in Yorkshire during September. Good luck to Harry in the National Champs. Perhaps in a few years some club records might need rewriting!

It was one of those mornings you hope for, basically no wind and watching as the sun burnt the mist away. 5 members from the club attempted to make the most of the conditions. Paul Bellamy once again took the honours as fastest member on the day, with a new personal best of 21.22. Dave Twin did a 21.54, Robert Royston a 23.05, Tim Morton a 23.12 and Harry Royston also did a personal best of 25.44, beating his previous by nearly 2 minutes (perfect timing as he rides the GHS National 10 Championship in Yorkshire next week). The overall event was won by Simon Cope of Team Edwards in 19.32.

Following showers during the night, Paul Bellamy and Dave Twin were greeted with blue skies as they started from Robin Hood Lane. Dave recorded 1.00.56, with man of the moment Paul finishing with a 57.18, nearly catching Dave in the process. At the time of leaving Paul Mill of Team Edwards was leading with a 52.46.

This event was originally down to be held on the E4/25 but due to road works got moved to the more sporting E1/25b course. Three members made up the start sheet and in breezy conditions recorded the following times. Dave Twin 1.02.45, Tim Morton 1.03.55 and Paul Bellamy in 58.58. Paul won the overall event, Dave came 7th and if there had of been a team prize that would have gone to the Sydenham.

On a rather damp but warm morning both Dave Mulford and Dave Twin rode this popular Surrey course. Dave Mulford riding his first event for a while recorded 1.14.13. Dave Twin did 59.22. The overall event was won by Steve Dennis of East Grinstead CC in 53.44.

David Twin was the only entrant into the event after Paul Bellamy’s entry form disappeared in the post (with 5 others according to the event secretary). In very misty conditions Dave had to fight the head wind out to the turn, before gaining its assistance on the return to record a time of 2.01.00. The overall was won by Ian Cammish of Sonic Cycles in 1.48.41.

Robert Royston, Richard Hallett and David Twin made up one of the 50 teams entered. After some very steady riding by the trio over the undulating circuit, in various weather conditions, including steady rain in the last third of the event. The team finished in 1.17.05, taking the Ron Finch Trophy for the fastest vet team (26th overall) and £30.00 in prize money. The winners were Charles McCulloch, Stuart Shawcross and Craig Simpson of Blue Sky Cycles who recorded 1.06.39.

After his early evening event the night before Paul Bellamy returned to Kent roads and turned in a 59.06 on this rolling course to take 3rd place. The Winner was Ray Hughes of Clarence Wheelers in 55.52.

In this early evening Bob Loader and Paul Bellamy rode this straight out and back course, based on the A11 in Cambridgeshire. In damp and blustery conditions Paul finished second on his new tt bike in 54.48. Bob recorded 1.07.??. The overall event was won by Richard Bray of Rugby Velo in 53.52.

On a warm but rather breezy evening which was against you on the way out up the hill, Tim Morton and David Twin made up 2 of the 21 starters in this well organised and friendly club event. Tim finished with a time of 25.19 and Dave came second with 23.47. The winner was A.Brim of London Fire Brigade in 23.12.

On a warm, sunny morning Bob Loader and David Twin travelled down to wind exposed joys of Romney Marsh to fight it out for the Singer 50 (scratch) trophy. With a rising wind on the way out making it harder on the second lap, David eventually won the duel in a time of 2.07.32, with Bob recording 2.29.57. The overall event was won by Keir Williams of San Fairy Ann CC in 1.55.40.

On a warm, cloudy morning with only a light wind, six members of the club rode this rolling course. Mike Molineaux unfortunately punctured but the others finished as follows: Mike Thorogood 1.00.10 (joint 9th), Paul Bellamy 1.00.26 (11th), David Twin 1.00.29 (12th), Derek Taylor 1.09.24 (32nd) and Bob Loader 1.13.38 (38th) out for 44 finishers. The overall event was won by Andy Proffitt of Arctic R.C. in 55.11.

Richard Hallett, David Twin and Matt Lucas made up one of the 32 teams that rode the course that will be used for the National 3-Up in July. On a bright morning with little wind the team turned in a very respectable 1-16-51, which gave them 7th place. The winners were Steve Freeman, Anthony Stapleton and Ian Browning of Chelmer C.C. who recorded 1.14.16.

Paul Bellamy and Dave Twin travelled up to Essex to ride this rolling course. On another sunny morning with light wind Paul recorded a 59.14 and Dave a 1.00.04. It looks like Paul was 4th and Dave was 6th. The overall event was equal first for Steve Freeman Chelmer CC and Neil Dowie Crescent Wheelers who both recording 58.41.

On a bright morning with only a light wind the club had a good turnout for the second consecutive weekend on this course. Robert and Harry Royston were the first to ride and won the tandem event in 23.48. Mike Thorogood was up next (riding Simon Cope’s TT bike) getting back to his best with a time of 22.26. This was followed by Mike Molineaux 25.05, Luke Evans 23.03, Paul Bellamy 21.34, Bob Loader 27.06 and Dave Twin 22.26. It would appear that Bob was 5th vet and Paul was joint 10th overall. The event was won by Andy Naylor in 19.39.

Paul Bellamy, Mike Thorogood and Dave Twin all rode the Syd Wightman Memorial for A,B,C. cats over 6 laps of the circuit. Malcolm Whitehead of V.C. Deal went away on the second lap in a group of three and eventually Mr Yarworth of G.S. Stada/Pinerello won the event. The Sydenham boys all rode hard and had goes at getting away in small groups but had to settle for finishing in the main bunch. Dave Fleming rode the Johnny Chivall Memorial for D,E,F,G. cats over 5 laps of the circuit. He also finished in the main bunch. Mike Ives won the event once again having gone away in a three man group.

Two teams travelled down to the Surrey lanes to ride the course that will be used for the National 3-Up Team Time Trial. On yet another cold but bright morning, Paul Bellamy and Mike Molineaux finished 6th in 1.34.07. Dave Twin and Luke Evans finished 3rd in 1.27.55, winning the club’s 2-Up trophy. The overall event was won by P. Pickup and P.Kench of Liphook Cycles RT in 1.17.03.

On a bright but chilly morning, with hardly any wind. Paul Bellamy and David Twin once again travelled to Surrey to try yet another course. Paul unfortunately went off course and did not finish. David recorded a 59.32. The over event was won by Laurence Harding of Willesden C.C. in 52.42.

In near perfect conditions for this rolling course, four members took part: Paul Bellamy recorded a personal best of 59.00. Dave Twin 1.02.12, Tim Morton 1.05.57 and Mike Molineaux 1.08.24. The overall was won by Simon Cope (Team Edwardes) in 54.43.

Three riders from the club rode the San Fairy Ann sporting 25.5 mile. The course is twice round an extended version of the Horsmonden road circuit but starting and finishing around Marden. On a bright but still chilly morning Matt Lucas recorded 1.08.05, Luke Evans 1.07.39 and Dave Twin 1.05.18. In the process winning the team prize. On fastest vet against target time Dave came 5th and Luke came 7th. The overall event was won by Paul Mill of Team Edwardes in 58.41.