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NORTH the Saturday 22 February group committee meeting
Gavin Russell will be published in the next Veteran magazine.
Annual Luncheon Sick Parade
On Sunday 5 January 2020, 58 members and News from across the group has identified that one
guests sat down for our annual luncheon and prize of our members, Ben Lane, who was a member of
presentation. All were welcomed at our usual both the group and club (GS Metro) winning team in
venue at Hardwick Hall Hotel, where as in previous the 2019 National VTTA 15mile Championship,
years, we were provided with good food quality, an organized by the North Group, was hit before
excellent function room together with very good, Christmas by a vehicle, when cycling north of
efficient and exceptional service. The three course Newcastle. Sustaining a number of fractures, most
meal, which was enjoyed by all. serious being a fractured femur, he has been
consigned to the use of crutches for the near future.
With the number of attendees relatively static form
last year, a number of the regulars were absent, for By the time you read this, with the modern
various reasons, however it was comforting to not approach to the healing of this type of injury, he will
only welcome the regulars, but a number of the new hopefully be riding his bike (or turbo) again. We
members and their guests. look forward to his return to winning ways in the
coming season. Also it appears good news
Our Guest of Honour Don Urwin (Cleveland regarding Steve Fullerton, with his period of
Coureurs CC), known to many of the attendees, has recuperation continuing after surgery, he has been
supported our region for many years as a spotted out on his bike again (big mileages
timekeeper and handicapper and has served the reported). We hope to see him facing the
Teesside Cycling Time Trials district as treasurer for timekeeper again in the near future.
nearly 3 decades. Now in his late 80s, he was an
active time triallist for a great number of years, 2020 Event Participation Initiatives
riding for both Cleveland Wheelers and Cleveland The 2020 season will have commenced when you
Coureurs. During the afternoon, following the meal, read this, with some of the first events held in
he assisted the group recorder David Oliver in the hopefully better and warmer and drier weather than
presentation of the group prizes and the individual we are experiencing at present. In an initiative to
standard medal awards. Following on from the increase participation (and hopefully gain new
VTTA presentations, a number of Teesside District members) the group together with the Teesside
CTT awards were made. It was good to see this District are gradually moving away from dual
year so many of our prize and standard medal carriageway courses and adopting single
winners attending the luncheon. carriageway roads. New courses (some on smooth
roads) have been designed to encourage increased
The raffle, with prizes donated by attendees and
generously from the hotel, concluded the entries from riders who no longer wish to ride on
afternoon’s activities, with an excellent sum of just what they perceive as more dangerous courses. In
less than £200 raised to support the group and go addition to all group events being open to all ages,
some way to offsetting the cost of the engraving of all events now have a road bike category
medals and trophies. Many thanks go out to those incorporated.
who donated raffle prizes, to the Dawson family Croft Closed Circuit 10mile Time Trial Series
(Janet and Steph) for selling the tickets and to The group members are also supporting the Croft
everyone who generously purchased raffle tickets.
10mile Time Trial Series, now in its fifth year. This
The event and venue were once again organised by is a series of five 10 mile time trials around the Croft
Ruth Crossley, our social secretary, to whom our Motor Racing closed circuit, open to all ages from 5
thanks must go. Ruth is currently establishing the to 90+. They are based on the “Come & Try It” club
requirements and making the appropriate event principal. All are Wednesday nights, with sign
arrangements for next year’s luncheon. on starting at 5.30pm, with first rider off at 6.30pm
Confirmation of the luncheon details, as agreed at at 30 second intervals.

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