News

Hillingdon

Well done to James Platt* for winning at Hillingdon in the third category race. After a lively race including a couple of breakaway attempts, he bossed the sprint to take the win. New joiner Andy Edwards took ninth and other Wheelers were in the thick of it. You can read the full account on the forum.

* We've got two James Platts in the club, it was James "Doctor James" Platt who won, not the South African rouleur.

Photo: West London Combine, 28 September 1975

Former member Philip Ames has been in touch and sent a copy of the above photo. "I was a member of KW in the 70s", writes Philip, "and just dug up a picture of the team taken after the West London Combine, 28 Sept 1975." Click on the picture for the full size version.

NSPCC Update

Our affiliation with the NSPCC started shortly after the AGM in February, writes Nick Hussey. Unfortunately this missed the bulk of KW membership renewals (at £5 a pop donation), and quite a bit of revenue was 'missed' this way. But it was important to get members' thoughts before jumping in. This year it is fully in place and membership donations will be far higher. The take up rate of members donating online was almost exactly 75%. Thus £455 was raised. £5 per jersey sold was also donated, on the same percentage, and £220 was raised this way. Again, this should be higher in 2010.

So from a slow start to the year, £675 was raised, but with Gift Aid, this will rise to £864. The big NSPCC star fundraiser was Naz and colleagues, who raised £5700 by running the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which is an incredible effort! The hope this year was for KW members to help the NSPCC with it fundraising and sponsored cycle events. However, due to a number of NSPCC staff changes within the year, it wasn't possible for Nick Hussey to make the necessary connections in time. These are being established now and hopefully next year we can help them in many ways, specifically with their Big Bike Ride (marshalling, route advice, policing, PR, etc) through volunteers. Thank you for your support of this affiliation, it is helping children in difficulty in the Kingston wider area.

2009 Trophies and Awards

Well done to all those who picked up some silverware on Sunday. For a full list of award winners, go here. Click on the photo above to launch a gallery of images from the party. If you have any additional photos, please send them in.

Swiss Role

I'm off, I'm moving to Geneva in January, writes webmaster James Beaumont. There's some good riding in the area and I'm looking forward to joining a local team. I'd been interested in a move abroad for sometime and finally things have made it happen. I'll be following the route taken by Ian Collins and more recently Steve Saunders, although at the other end of the giant lake from Steve.

I'll remain a member of the club and for the time being will continue to run the website as it's something that can be done from anywhere with an internet connection. I joined the club in 1990 and it's been great to watch the club grow. I've enjoyed riding, racing and emailing with lots of you. I'll be back from the odd weekend so hope to try a few local races.

Leaf Cycling

Long standing Kingston Wheeler Richard Williamson has launched a new business specialising in exotic holidays which will be hotel or villa based. "For 2010 we are running holidays in France (15 day) and France ((12 day), Barbados (8 day) and Brazil (13 day). For full details please see our website", or contact Richard on 01372 383 199. All fully paid up members of the Kingston Wheelers are being offered a 5% discount from any of the holiday prices shown on the website, providing they are booked and the deposit is paid for before the end of January 2010.

New Team for Luke Wallis

After a promising season with the club this year, Luke Wallis is on the move to join a new development squad backed by Pearson Cycles. He'll still be a member, expect to see on on training rides at at the club 10s but he'll be doing road races in 2010 with the new outfit. He's also promised that his dad will be available to help the club's racers, Mark Wallis has been a real support this year as some will know. Luke's pictured above with new teammate Felix English, click on the image for the full size picture. Best wishes to Luke for next year, he's one to watch especially in the hillier races.

Stewie Martin moves
Stewie Martin's on the move too. The second category Sussex strongman moved near Ardingly some time ago but kept racing with the club but now he's hooking up with a team that's more local to him, the One Life Fuga racing team. In his time with the club Stewie delivered several impressive results, for example second overall in the Surrey League's Easter-3 day this year. Best wishes Stewie.

Christmas Dinner

Annual Awards and Prize Presentation

The club's annual Christmas lunch will be on Sunday 6 December at 4.00 pm in the Wagon & Horses pub in Surbiton. Click here for a map. This is the annual get-together for all members, family and friends. The guest list is now closed and so if your name's not on the list, you're not coming in. There will be a buffet meal and of course the bar. After some food and banter, there will be a review of the year from club MC Mark Briers and the awards ceremony will take place for those club members who've bagged some silverware.

Club Kit

The latest batch of club kit has arrived from Italy. Martin Anscombe and Keith Griffin have the supplies, including winter wear like warmer long sleeve jerseys, thermal jackets and gilets. For more information on stock, pricing and availability, visit the club kit page.

There is a limited stock of older kit available and it's going at a discount. Similar looking, only with the older sponsors displayed. Ideal for winter use or if you just want a bargain. Ask Keith or Martin about this.