Rye & District Wheelers enjoyed a day of record breaking on Sunday 10 October when a record ten riders took part on the V.T.T.A. 15 Mile time trial at Bethersden. Continue reading The “Sprocket” Page
The racing members of the club were busy over the first weekend in September with some riders competing in threee time trials. The final Tenterden Evening “10” 0f the year was won by the Wheeler’s man of the moment Barry Goodsell. He has been the fastest rider in no less than nine of the Tenterden events this season against riders from all the prominent local clubs. Continue reading Sprocket Page Oct 2004
The Wheelers have retained only one of their original prewar trophies, the others were lost in the period 1950-54. That is why the 25 Mile Championship Shield is so highly coveted by the Club and is so fiercely fought over each year. Continue reading The “Sprocket” Page
Wheelers New Tuesday Runs are a Success
Up to eight riders have been getting out regularly every Tuesday to enjoy a sociable run with Rye’s Cycling Club. Places visited have included Pett, Appledore, Lydd, Stone and Brenzett, all short rides at speeds within anyone’s capabilities. More riders can be accommodated. Anyone who wants to join the group, old or young alike, can just turn up at the Riverhaven Hotel Car Park any Tuesday at 1 pm. There are no formalities and the group will ride at the speed of the slowest rider. Continue reading Sprocket Page
Adventures of the Rye & District Wheelers – Past and Present
The Annual General Meeting of the Rye & District Wheelers took place at the Riverhaven Hotel on Thursday 12 February. The majority of the club’s members attended and elected officials for the coming year. Chairman Jim Hollands, Secretary Gemma Glover, Treasurer Granville Bantick, Racing Secretay Gary Booth and Club Captain Roy Fritchley.
The Chairman reported that the club had lost a valuable member in Harry Walker, who died recently. He had held the post of treasurer since the club was re-activated in 2000.
Richard Mwangi, who was a member during his six months stay in Rye has written to thank the members for the £750 raised in a 24 hour indoor cycle marathon. This had paid for his first two terms of further education and with help from friends at St. Mary’s Church he has negotiated his first year.
The members thought it might be a good idea to repeat the money raising event, with some modifications, and help Rye St. John Ambulance towards getting their new vehicle. Various ideas were discussed and eventually it was decided that a 12 hour 3-up relay on rollers, continuous live music and a 1000 balloon race would be a fun way of raising a good sum of money. Various sites will be investigated with a provisional date for the Whitsun Bank Holliday Saturday.
The Racing Secretary told of great events to come and took orders for more Rye Wheeler Racing Vests. There are up to eight racing members for the 2004 season, so team victories could be possible.
The Sunday and Tuesday runs from the Riverhaven at 9am. and 1pm. respectively are attracting more riders and prospective new members are invited to turn up for these, or phone Jim Holllands on 222420 or Gary Booth on 222701 for further details.
2003 was a good year all round for the Wheelers and with many Runs, Races and Social Events planned,2004 should even better.
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After a long and arduous journey taking twenty three hours on four different aircraft (Turkish Airlines to Bangkok and Vietnamese Airlines to Dangang in Central Vietnam) the Group (there were 57 of us) eventually assembled to be taken to our hotel. Continue reading The Vietnam Bike Ride – 2003
Gentleman Jim Catt, who was one of the Club’s few surviving prewar members has died.
Jim, who moved away from the town when his job as mechanic to Odell the Cycleman in Market Road came to an end with the closure of the business in the sixties. He was in his nineties and cycled, albeit on a battery assisted tricycle, until very recently. Continue reading The Sprocket Page
John and Dave Ashdown joined the Rye Wheelers in 1957. They came from a bike racing family, their uncles had been grass track riders before the War. Soon John and Dave were joined by a third brother, Edward. The trio made up a very important part of the Wheeler’s Grass Track Team. They also rode time trials. Later Mike Ashdown, a cousin, joined the club. Mike was a sprinter of extraordinary talent. He won the Sussex Sprint Championship at his second attempt and went on to lead the Wheelers in a never equalled three time triumph in the Gasson Team Competition at the Rye Sports Festival.
John Ashdown makes a last mile effort in a 1960’s Time Trial.
Mike Ashdown (left) with Celia, John and Mr & Mrs. Wall at a 1967 time trial.
With membership steadily growing and more and more riders getting out on Sundays the New Year looks good for the Rye & District Wheelers.
Starting from Tuesday 6 January and every Tuesday, there will be a short afternoon run, taking at the most two hours including a stop for a cuppa. A run that can be managed by beginners and novices of all ages and sexes, young and old alike. A good starting point for those that want to get fit and lose a little weight while enjoying companionship and the beauty of the countryside.
Sunday Morning runs cover more ground but are split into two separate groups if need be, both groups meeting up at eleven for breakfast.
The racing contingent are looking forward to another good season with seven riders already preparing for the first races. Roy Fritchley, the 25 mile record holder, threatens to take his record down ‘under the hour’. Barry Goodsall the present 25 Mile Champion also has this target in mind. It should be quite a contest.
After last year’s great effort in the East Sussex Cycling Association “100” mile race both Barry Goodsall and Mark Nash are planning to have another go at the distance, it may be that a third rider will be willing to ride with them and make up a team.
The evening “10” competitions will be hard fought again with Mark Nash defending his points competition championship. This event, spread over fifteen races, requires a high attendance percentage and allows the slower but more regular competitors a chance to be in at the finish with possibilities of winning.
The Club A.G.M. will be held at the Riverside Restaurant, Riverhaven Hotel at 7.30 on the second Thursday in February. All members are requested to attend along with anyone else interested in the Activities of the Rye & District Wheelers.
All articles, photographs, films and drawings on this web site are World Copyright Protected. No reproduction for publication without prior arrangement. © World Copyright 2015 Cinque Ports Magazines Rye Ltd., Guinea Hall Lodge Sellindge TN25 6EG.
Town Crier, Rex Swain set the wheels in motion at Rye Community Centre at 12 noon on 15 March when he ‘belled off’, Gary Booth for the first hour stint in a 24 hour marathon event to raise money for the Club to help Kenyan member Richard Mwangi with his Further Education. Continue reading Wheeling In The Money
News and Adventures of the Rye & District Wheelers Past and Present
Well Attended A.G.M.
The Annual General Meeting held at the Riverhaven Hotel on Thursday 13 February was attended by more than half of the membership. Continue reading The Sprocket Page March 2003
