Wheelers celebrate 2019 awards

On Sunday 19th January Wheelers' members gathered at Mayflower Place in Hertingfordbury for their annual dinner and awards ceremony. This year the start time was put back to 4:00 pm so many had been able to complete club rides in the morning, thus providing themselves with some justification to indulge fully in the food provided.

2019 had been a good year for the club with good turn-outs on the weekly club runs as well as some new recruits to the racing scene. Once again the club organised a successful Open 10 mile time trial and "Audax" rides of 200km and 100km. The latter attracted many riders from the surrounding area and raised over £1000 for charity. In the summer two groups enjoyed trips to France to combine cycling on well surfaced roads (a change from local conditions!) good food and the odd beer. Much of this was documented in the club's annual "Mudguardian" magazine which was distributed at the event - its 67th year of publication.

Unsurprisingly Gareth Wignall was the most frequent visitor to the front to receive awards from club president John Pearson. He had a remarkable season, breaking club time-trial records at 100 miles and 12 hours as well as coming 17th in the national "Best All-Rounder" competition which combines times at 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours. Gareth and Bri also acted as official photographers, successfully juggling cameras, trophies and daughter Ada in the process.

There was a notable success for Yiannis Gopoulos who won the club's 10 mile time trial league in his first season and a special award for Peter Walton who completed his second Paris-Brest-Paris ride - a 1200 km ride in under 90 hours. The Pat Player trophy - awarded to a member making an outstanding contribution to the club - went to Nathan Brede for successfully establishing faster club rides which now take place each week.