Cheryl Trueman,
Calder's current BAR
champion) looking
happy at the finish of
the Vets event at
Ranby in March
2006 after clocking
33m 09sec on
the 18k course

Cheryl is currently
training for the
National Women's
BAR competitition.

Some of Calder's Belgian weekenders cheer on Tom Boonen (seen here on team mate Serge Baguet's
wheel). This was just before our group repaired to a local pub, packed with Belgium's avid Cycling fans,
watching the Tour of Flanders on TV.

To their delight, it wasn't long before Boonen 'put the hammer down', in David Duffied parlance, and
rode away to a comfortable home win.

Joe Cooke has sent in the photograph on the right, showing
a Calder trio of (Left to Right) Kevin Hartley, David Smithers
and Joe Cooke, just after winning the Yorkshire Cycling
Federation 50 mile TT in 1980.

Click here for Larger Photograph

A Temperature of Minus 1.5 degrees confronted the starters in
West Yorkshire's traditional opener , the Featherstone Hilly
17 mile TT on 5th March. Ian Furness,Doncaster Wheelers,
was quickest on a new course near Sherburn in Elmet
with 41.57.

Calder had two starters; Andrew Spittalhouse clocking
55.15 and George Masson  65.41. Digby Rusling was
one of many non starters who perhaps wisely opted
to wait for warmer weather

Richard Fenn pictured right, on his way to 8th place in the 2005 National Clarion
Hill Climb Championship on Finkle Street, which climbs from Wortley Top Forge
up to the edge of the village.

Andrew Spittalhouse took 3rd place behind Andy Horner and Phil Albiez, both of
Bury Clarion.

Photo reproduced by Kind permission of Boots & Spurs Magazine.

The annual dinner and prize presentation was held on the 4th February at the Dimple Wells Lodge Hotel, Ossett. Oorganized
by Jean Burton in surrounding's enhanced by John Clayton's artistic creations (see ceiling rose and coving below), the biggest
attendance for years, were entertained by a 'riveting' explanation of the Sturgess Trophy by George Masson who also read
out a poem, 'The Clarion Riders Creed', penned by Jean Hall. It was then the turn of the Annual prizewinners to be awarded
their medals and trophies.More highlights followed with the 'Alternative Awards' presented by Steve Burton who created much
hillarity when Steve Swift was awarded a new training aid, a Catheter Bag...don't ask.      
 For more photographs and details click here.                                   

The organizers have clinched the chance to get a special Guest of Honour for the Easter Meet dinner and prize presentation
Adrian Timmis. Adrian rode for Cannock Chase Clarion in the late 70’s. He competed in the Tour de France, Olympic
Games and world championships on the road, track and mountain bike. He is now a sports masseur for the Great
Britain Mountain Bike Team. This winter Adrian won the British V40 cyclo cross champs even finishing 11th in the
senior elite event the following day.

Other developments include a civic reception given by the Lord Mayor of Shrewsbury to welcome the meeting.
The programme of events has been announced and promises to be the biggest for years featuring social and
racing events, the AGM and a mass ride to Industrial Revolution birthplace, Ironbridge.

A group of 4 Calder members, Steve Burton, John Clayton and Ian and Bob Steeper enjoyed a trip to Holland to
watch the world cyclo-cross champinships on 29th Jan. While the group managed to visit the famous Bridge at
Arhem, scene of one of the decisive battles of World War II,

Unfortuantely the British weren't victorious in the battle in the Elite Cyclo Cross Championships, when
the only representative, Jody Crawford was deliberately pushed into a post by a Czech rider on the
opening lap which wrecked his chances.

Struggling up Pineapple Hill from Heath Common is not everyone's idea of fun on New Years morning,
but there were plenty of masochists who chose to do just that as they rode the Calder New Years
day 5 mile Time trial.

Ian Cooke took advantage of his cyclo cross fitness by romping around the course (except for a grovel
in a huge gear up that hill), in the fastest time. Nick Griffiths, guesting from Featherstone RC came
second with Tim Moss just getting the better of Steve Tallant, Stuart Hinde and Scott Kelly in a tight
battle for 3rd.

After the event the race and 'caravan' transferred to Crigglestone for a superb New Year Breakfast
at George and Lesley Gilliland's.

Result and Pictures from New Year '5'                                                                     Stuart Hinde on Pineapple

Temperatures didn't get much above freezing point for the 21
riders who turned out for the final club run of 2005, from
Horbury Bridge to Sid's cafe of 'Last of the Summer
Wine' fame, Holmfirth, on Boxing day.

After the ride, there was a Christmas get together with
other Calder Clarion members and friends at Boon's Pub
in Queen Street Horbury

Richard Fenn (seen left in 2005 Three Peaks Race) was Calders only
representative at the 2006 National Cyclo Cross Championships held
in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield on 7th January. Richard finished
58th in the Veterans event.

The Elite mens race was a classic, with Discovery Channel
Pro Roger Hammond outsprinting LIam Killen (Specialize)
and Jody Crawforth (Evans Cycles). Best Yorkshire finishe
r was 9th placed Rob Jebb.

See Cyclo Cross Section for Yorkshire CCA fixtures.

The 2005 bike week abroad, was held in Italy in May. This took the same
format as the Majorca trips of the last few years.

Those who went to Italy took the opportunity to get some miles done in the
sunshine as well as spending time touring and sightseeing

Ian Steeper had his bike wrecked
in an argument with a white transit
van which left him shaken and
nursing sore knees and shoulder.
Undeterred he was out mixing it
on the club run to Langsett three
days later on his best bike.