This year, our annual Christmas Ride and Dinner was held at the Rolls Royce Social Club in Barnoldswick.
As is traditional, the day started with a short ride, led by our President: Ian Lowcock, heading out via Thornton-in-Craven through West Marton and Newsholme before dropping down into Gisburn. Dinner wasn't until 3pm so we had time for a snack in Gisburn before heading up a very muddy Coal Pit Lane. Walking this section was the only option, and we had to wash our wheels in the stream once we got to the other end. After joining Brogden Lane, we all returned to Barnoldswick with a hearty appetite.
After dinner a short presentation ceremony was held where riders of our 100km and 100mile challenge rides earlier in the year were presented with certificates of achievement.
As is traditional, the Bill Heywood trophy is always awarded at our Christmas dinner, and this year, for his services as club Secretary for many years, it was presented by Ian to John Ramsden.
This year, a second trophy has been added to our collection, donated by the wife of Jack Harrison, who sadly left us earlier this year. The committe, in agreement with Joan Harrison, decided that the "Jack Harrison Memorial Trophy" should be awarded to the "Rider of the Year", and was presented by Joan and Ian to Dorothy Altham, for her rise from beginner to A-team rider within 2 years.
Congratulations to all our award winners.
Monday 15th February was Quiz Night !
With last years winners from Blackburn section setting the questions, we were expecting some stiff competition.
Embarrassingly, we were thoroughly useless at identifying the sponsors from the professional cycling team jerseys, and had to put in an extra effort in the ensuing rounds.
Luckily pie and peas have a wonderful way of boosting the brain cells, and we had three clear rounds with full points to help us catch up, but in the end it wasn't quite enough, and we came a close second to Pendle Forest, who claimed the "Old Cranks" trophy, and the dubious honour of setting next years questions.
Photos of the second and third place teams, and the individual runners up trophies.
Thanks to all those that attended, and to Boyce's Barrel for providing the venue for the second year running.
Traditionally, our Christmas Lunch is held at the Copy Nook, Bolton by Bowland, and this year was no exception.
Several riders met at Langroyd for a short ride to the Copy Nook, riding back after the meal, whilst others met at the Copy nook, for a shorter, circular ride thtough Waddington. Both groups enjoyed a bright sunny December morning, which was a nice change after the recent wet weather.
It's also traditional for some (read that as one!) of our members to turn up in fancy dress.
We then met in the bar at around 12:00 relaxing whilst other guests arrived, bringing the total to around 40 members.
We also use this annual event to present the Bill Heywood Trophy, which this year, by unanimous agreement was presented to David Wilkinson in recognition of all his work for the group over the years. The title photo shows it being presented to David by last years winner, Jim Duerden.
On Thursday, 22nd October 2015 we took a break from cycling for a social evening, 10-Pin Bowling.
15 of us took to the lanes for a nights competition, with not a bike in sight (apart from Jim, and his "guest" rider!). As we had three lanes, the plan was for a few games in each lane, and them the highest scorers from each team playing in the "final".
Well, we assembled for the final, only to be disappointed after 3 frames when the lanes were simply turned off. Apparently it was closing time, so we never found out who won,!
Sunday 16th December 2012.
Our Christmas Meal was again held at The Copy Nook, Bolton by Bowland, and was attended by 36 members and friends. There was time to socialise in the bar area before heading into the function room at 1:00pm for the 4 course meal.
Seven members joined the morning ride, on a 22 mile route from Higherford over to the Copy Nook, on what was as good a December day as we could have hoped for, with blue skies, and even a rainbow visible over Rathmell. Richard Armstrong deserves a special mention as he took it upon himself to open all of the gates on Tod Holes Lane for the rest of the party.
Meanwhile several other members had driven to the venue and then done a short circular cycle ride from there, while others just met up for the meal.
The Bill Heywood Trophy is awarded annually, in honour of our former Club President. A secret ballot is held at our AGM in November to determine the recipient of the trophy, in recognition of the work they have done for the club.
This years vote had resulted in a four way tie between President Ian Lowcock, Secretary John Ramsden, Rights & Planning and Off-Road Representative Chris Marshall and Former Secretary Norma Duckett. Following a short discussion between the relavent parties it was decided that this years trophy should go to Norma Duckett in recognition of all the work she has done for the club over many years on the committee and as Secretary.
Previous winners of the Bill Heywood Trophy:
2012 - John Ramsden
2011 - John Ramsden
2010 - Graham Shutt
2009 - Andrew Jennings
Sunday 18th December 2011.
Our Christmas Meal was held again at The Copy Nook, Bolton by Bowland, and was attended by 40 members and friends. There was time to socialise in the bar area, as well as during the 4 course meal in the function room.
Again the number of riders cycling to the meal was depleated this year as members from the Burnley area awoke to several inches of overnight snow. However members from the Colne area arrived at the meeting point at Higherford having not seen a single flake of snow, although they did encounter icy conditions on their way over towards Bolton by Bowland.
The Bill Heywood Trophy is awarded annually, in honour of our former Club President who sadly died in 2008 at the age of 93. A secret ballot is held at our AGM in november to determine the recipient of the trophy, in recognition of the work they have done for the club during the past year. This year the trophy went to John Ramsden for the second year runing, although the vote had been a close run thing with Peter Gott in 2nd place.
Previous winners of the Bill Heywood Trophy.
2011 - John Ramsden
2010 - Graham Shutt
2009 - Andrew Jennings
Sunday 05th December 2010
Our annual christmas meal was held again at the Copy Nook, Bolton-by-Bowland.
This year the event was attended by 41 members and friends, who enjoyed a 4 course meal in our usual private function room. As always there was plenty of time to socialise during the meal, as well as before and afterwards in the bar area.
Unfortunately this year, due to the very bad weather conditions and icy roads, only one member managed to cycle to the event, while others that had intended to cycle made alternative plans. We do normally have a club ride to the meal, where some members have in the past decorated their bikes for the day, and even provided some christmas music to accompany the riders.
The Bill Heywood Trophy is awarded annually, in honour of our past Club President who sadly died in 2008 at the age of 93. A secret ballot is held at our AGM to determine the recipient of the trophy, in recognition of the work they have done for the club in the past year. This year the trophy was presented to John Ramsden by Club President Ian Lowcock.
Previous winners of the Bill Heywood Trophy.
2009 - Graham Sutt (posthumously).
2008 - Andrew Jennings.