The year may not be quite over yet for those members who like getting muddy and running with a bike but as the year draws to a close it seems as good a time as any to look back over the past year and reflect on the season.

There were many highlights and I have tried to cover what I recall as the most memorable events, so I will apologise in advance for any significant events or individual achievements that I have overlooked.

Racing really is all year round now and road and circuit racing are the main activities. Road riding started last winter with many of our then 4th category riders in particular racing in the winter series at Hillingdon. It proved a happy hunting ground with wins or high placings for Richard Black, David Rees, Simon Bird and Kevin Ball. Dulwich riders dominated the series and started the season proper in good shape.

The SERRL events were well supported by the Dulwich and this year a curious phenomenon known as tactical team racing emerged. Whether by accident or design, through a combination of team riding and good fortune our riders scored consistently in the series although perhaps without as many high placings as we might have expected.

For some, the season starts with our ‘home’ events – the Tuesday night Crystal Palace criteriums where good bike handling, positioning and big lungs are critical. We were well represented at every level, with our women and riders of every category getting in the points. Mr Anne’s potato-fuelled triumph sporting his customary helmet with mtb peak was especially memorable.

Stage races tend to be few and far between but thanks to the Surrey League there were two five-day races in the region and Dulwich had teams in both. The Surrey League Pearson Jaunts saw Kevin Knox, Dan Felstead, Simon Bird, Craig Northam and Oscar Challis entered. Inspired no doubt by a first outing for the new design Giordana kit the team started well and seemed to get stronger as the event went on, with Kevin and Dan both scoring stage wins and Dan narrowly missing out on winning the GC. Our riders earned the respect and admiration of the other competitors for their team riding and contribution to the race. In the even harder Revolutions Five Day our reduced team of Kevin and Simon overcame several set backs to finish the race, which included the national champion Rob Hayles in a very classy field. It was also a very pleasant surprise to pick up a trophy at the Surrey League AGM on behalf of the club to recognise the contribution we made in supporting the League and providing marshals and officials for the Revolutions race in particular.  

In the SE regional rankings we had our best performance ever, finishing second only to London Dynamo. By the end of the year 23 Dulwich riders had scored regional points. The rides by our women in particular saw us score 449 national points and we were placed in the top 50 in the national rankings, which is a big improvement on last year.

Next year promises to be an even better one on the road for the club. We have a strong core group of 2nd category riders, some of whom have switched to the Dulwich from other clubs. Kevin Knox managed to gain his 1st category licence this year and more riders have the potential to do so next season.

For the first time in a few years, riders ventured abroad to compete, with Craig Northam, David Jones, David Rees and Richie Roberts doing a stage race in France with the squad supported by Bob and Mark Orphan. Andy Waterman, Kevin and David Rees raced in a town centre criterium in France. Everyone enjoyed the experience and it looks as if we will be invited back for more races next year. Even further afield Andrew ‘the Rack’ Eagles finished the tough UCI ranked Tour of Southland stage race in his native New Zealand, while as we went to press Patrick Jones scored a notable victory in Dulwich colours in a crit back in Australia.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive club and it was pleasing to see so many of our women riders competing on the road and track and even, in the case of Julene, beating the men on the track. With growing interest and many of our women wanting to give racing a try, next year is looking very promising.   

The Monday Comp and midweek track events ran when the weather allowed with Craig Northam, Steve Sorba, Tom Freke, Maria David and Sarah Atkinson, among others, competing regularly. In August we promoted an open track day which was well supported and a great success thanks to Steve’s excellent organisation along with help from the club and HH regulars.    

The time trial season was quiet with no spring 25 but the ever popular Harry Must 10 series on the ‘sporting’ Cudham course was well supported and keenly contested. Series leader David Rees was pipped at the last event by Craig but I’m sure he will fight back to win another year. Mark Parsons stepped forwards this year to be our time trial secretary and it is likely that there will be more interest next season given the number of trophies and awards that stand to be won. It was pleasing also to see good turnouts and support for the downhill and uphill (hill climb) autumn events.

Cyclo cross continues to grow in popularity and we have a strong team this year with Kevin and Andy Waterman getting regular top ten places in the London League events and both finishing top ten in the South East Championships. They’ve been ably supported by David Rees, Kevin Ball, Alex Robbins, Gareth Welch, David Switzer, Charlie Codrington, Mark Brown and Maria David together with many others from the club trying this branch of the sport for the first time. Good luck to Kevin and Andy who have qualified to ride the national championships in January.

Sportives and endurance rides continue to grow in popularity. We seemed to have riders in most of the leading domestic and continental events with Paragon jerseys prominent on the photo galleries. Sportives are not races but it is clear from the message board posts that there is healthy competition to achieve gold or silver standard awards and some nice examples of Paragon riders supporting and looking out for each other in events. We were well represented in the Time Megeve, and the annual spring trip to Flanders with the battle bus is now a fixture on the calendar. 

The Saturday rides are still the main activity in terms of the number of club members out on the road at one time. It’s the ‘billboard effect’ from the club being seen out in numbers that leads to new members joining and it’s especially pleasing to see the posts on the forum from first time riders who appreciate the advice and support they get from the group leaders. Thanks to everyone who assists with the groups and David Rees for producing our riders’ guide and route map.  

Our membership has continued to grow and has prompted debates about how big we want to become and whether the club can continue to cater for everyone. Bob has pointed out that there is no blueprint for how to run a cycling club – the club is its membership. With membership close to 300 and 100 British Cycling members we are successful but how we sustain this without losing the essence of what makes the Dulwich the club it is will be considered over the coming months. Something that we could consider is combining competitive events with a social event where everyone can get together. Perhaps a picnic in the park when we have the club road race or a barbecue at the track event? All ideas gratefully received.
 
There are many cups and trophies that are awarded for all the different competitions and there have been some great individual performances this year. However, I would like to nominate my own personal rider of the season. He started the season in January riding as a 4th cat at Hillingdon and by August had earned a 2nd category licence and was riding a five-day stage race, finishing, on one stage, ahead of the elite national road race champion. His raw account on the forum of how tough the race was and his sheer determination to finish was inspirational and made me choose Simon Bird. Newly married and with shoes to die for I’m sure Simon will do well again next year.

In closing, a big and sincere thank you to all the committee members, especially Julene as our very able secretary, for their work and contribution to the club. Meetings are open to all and I would urge anybody who has a particular skill or resources that they can offer to the club to come forward. In the past we had a position of Press Officer and with the media attention we now get – riders featured in Cycling Weekly, the Guardian, Rouleur calendar, LCS website etc. – perhaps it’s time to revive it.

As I am sure everybody knows, many of the jobs now performed by the Committee have for years been carried out by Bob Ruszkowski single handed, leaving those of us who have taken on the jobs wondering how he found time to work and sleep let alone ride the bike. On behalf of the club I would like to wish Bob well with his sabbatical and hope to see him back refreshed and invigorated next May. 

With best wishes for a happy, successful and safe 2009. 

Nigel Wood, Chairman.

Pearson 5 day, after the final stage.

South East cyclo-cross championships.

Hog Hill, inaugural women's race

Racing abroad at Montreuil-sur-mer, France.

Revolutions stage race.

Pearson 5 day stage race, last stage.

Dan felstead winner of stage 3 of the Pearson 5 day.

Kevin Knox winner of stage 5 of Pearson 5 day.

Simon Bird racing at the Good Friday meeting, Herne Hill.

Charlie racing at Crystal Palace

David Rees at Crystal Palace