Welcome
|
|
Worthing Excelsior CC is a friendly group of cycling enthusiasts based in and around Worthing. We provide a wide range of cycling activities to suit all abilities, and the spectrum of group rides covers everything from relaxed tourist through to chain-gang training sessions. This is supplemented by an extensive active social calendar which is enthusiastically supported by our members.
Time trialling is well catered for. The club promotes a large number of events throughout the season. In addition several of our riders compete in open events throughout the region and have recently been increasingly successful in gaining representative honours for the club. Road and track racing is increasingly popular too. If you want to know more then please contact us. |
Quick Links
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMORIAL TO A CLUB LEGEND
Details of the sculpture unveiling from Andrew Lock.
In the summer of 2015 my late father, Don Lock was killed by a mental health patient in Findon Valley. Over the subsequent weeks and months, many people made donations towards some type of memorial in my father’s name.
After a lot of hard work exploring designs, suitable locations, planning permissions and sourcing the necessary materials we can finally unveil the commemorative sculpture on the promenade adjacent to the new Bayside development on Worthing seafront.
The plan is to carry out a brief ceremony to unveil the stone sculpture with a few words and to give all those people and businesses that donated money a chance to be there in person. We intend to unveil the stones at 11.30am on Saturday 30th October 2021 and it would be great if your publication could support this to let the public know.
There will be a plaque adjacent to the sculpture which will include the following words to provide some background and context to the sculpture:-
In July 2015 Don Lock was killed in an unprovoked knife attack at the age of 79, 2 weeks after having been given the all clear from prostate cancer.
Don had been a Worthing resident for over 55 years and a member of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club all of that time too. As a member, as well as organising, supporting and being a long term member of the club committee he had raced competitively well into his 70’s, at distances from 10miles to 100miles as well as 12hr and 24hr long races. At the time of this stone being placed, he was still a holder of the club record of 429 miles for the 24hr.
As well as his cycling, Don worked for local solicitors Miller Parris for over 40 years providing guidance and support through his work to many people.
In July 2015 when Don was killed there was an overwhelming expression of shock and drive to raise funds for some type of memorial. This was not just from local people, but from the whole country and abroad, from all walks of life and a massive amount from the nationwide cycling community. Many people started making donations, fund raising events were held and a large donation from the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club culminated in creating this sculpture of substance and meaning.
The family of Don Lock would like to thank everyone for the amazing support they received through such a difficult time and hope that this sculpture will provide inspiration for many people, for many years, to take up cycling, explore the countryside and create many friendships along the way.
In the summer of 2015 my late father, Don Lock was killed by a mental health patient in Findon Valley. Over the subsequent weeks and months, many people made donations towards some type of memorial in my father’s name.
After a lot of hard work exploring designs, suitable locations, planning permissions and sourcing the necessary materials we can finally unveil the commemorative sculpture on the promenade adjacent to the new Bayside development on Worthing seafront.
The plan is to carry out a brief ceremony to unveil the stone sculpture with a few words and to give all those people and businesses that donated money a chance to be there in person. We intend to unveil the stones at 11.30am on Saturday 30th October 2021 and it would be great if your publication could support this to let the public know.
There will be a plaque adjacent to the sculpture which will include the following words to provide some background and context to the sculpture:-
In July 2015 Don Lock was killed in an unprovoked knife attack at the age of 79, 2 weeks after having been given the all clear from prostate cancer.
Don had been a Worthing resident for over 55 years and a member of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club all of that time too. As a member, as well as organising, supporting and being a long term member of the club committee he had raced competitively well into his 70’s, at distances from 10miles to 100miles as well as 12hr and 24hr long races. At the time of this stone being placed, he was still a holder of the club record of 429 miles for the 24hr.
As well as his cycling, Don worked for local solicitors Miller Parris for over 40 years providing guidance and support through his work to many people.
In July 2015 when Don was killed there was an overwhelming expression of shock and drive to raise funds for some type of memorial. This was not just from local people, but from the whole country and abroad, from all walks of life and a massive amount from the nationwide cycling community. Many people started making donations, fund raising events were held and a large donation from the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club culminated in creating this sculpture of substance and meaning.
The family of Don Lock would like to thank everyone for the amazing support they received through such a difficult time and hope that this sculpture will provide inspiration for many people, for many years, to take up cycling, explore the countryside and create many friendships along the way.
Phil Frean celebrating his win in the 2021 WECC Tourist Trial with tea and cakes at Ken's. What could be better?
FLYING THE CLUB COLOURS OVERSEAS
Joan Lennon having a brief 'rest' during three weeks of cycling through France and Spain in autumn 2021.
OUR NEWEST (AND MOST REMOTE) MEMBER
The club has a new member, Thomas Green.
You won't see him on a Sunday club ride as he lives in Australia. He has joined our club because he used to live in Worthing and has always wanted to join an English club.
He is also a member of BiciSport in Sydney. Here he is (the leading rider) in action at a recent road race.
You won't see him on a Sunday club ride as he lives in Australia. He has joined our club because he used to live in Worthing and has always wanted to join an English club.
He is also a member of BiciSport in Sydney. Here he is (the leading rider) in action at a recent road race.
Rick Hughes feature in Cycling Weekly (21 May)
CLUB RECORDS IN 2019
On Saturday 21 September 2019 in the Leo 30 Nik Allen set a new WECC 30 mile time trial record and has claimed one of the club records that he didn't previously hold. His time of 1:04:12 means that Richard Shipton's very long-standing 1991 record of 1:06:09 has finally been broken.
On Saturday 14 September 2019 in the Paceline RT 10 Nik Allen set a new WECC 10 mile time trial record of 19:46 (beating his 2018 mark by 10 seconds).
On Sunday 25 August 2019 in the Southdown Velo 25 Karen McGrath set a new WECC ladies 25 mile time trial record of 1:03:24 (beating her 2018 mark of 1:06:46 by over three minutes).
On Thursday 1 August 2019 in the WECC Evening 10 Karen McGrath set a new WECC ladies 10 mile time trial record of 24:11 (beating her old 2017 mark of 24:16). It is also a new WECC ladies G10/98 record.
On Sunday 28 July 2019 in the Sussex CA 30 (incl WECC 30 Champs) Karen McGrath set a new WECC ladies 30 mile time trial record of 1:21:11 (beating her old 2016 mark of 1:23:34 comprehensively).
On Sunday 23 June 2019 in the Blazing Saddles CC 50 Trevor Leeding, Ian Cheesman and Spencer Kirkham set a new WECC 50 mile time team time trial record of 5:49:20 (taking more than 4 minutes off the 1992 mark of 5:53:32 set by Paul Toppin, Richard Shipton and Jeremy Wootton).
On Saturday 15 June 2019 in the Sussex CA 15 (incl WECC 15 Champs) Nik Allen, Spencer Kirkham and Nolan Heather set a new WECC 15 mile time team time trial record of 1:42:52 (beating the 2017 mark of 1:44:49 set by Nik Allen, Dom Maxwell and Nolan Heather). Karen McGrath set a new WECC ladies 15 mile time trial record of 40:04 (beating her 2016 mark of 41:23)
On Sunday 2 June 2019 in the Portsmouth North End 25 on P881/25 Nik Allen (51:42), Simon Steeles (56:08), Trevor Leeding (56:32) set a new WECC 25 mile time team time trial record of 2:44:22 (taking more than 20 seconds off last year's mark as set by Nik, Trevor and Neil Crowther).
CYCLOCROSS
On Sunday 13 October 2019 in only her second race in this discipline Karen McGrath gained a fine third place.
PARIS-ROUBAIX CHALLENGE
13/03/2019. Club member Jamie Newton on the Arenberg 5-star sector on his way to completing the Paris-Roubaix Challenge. The route was 172kms, 73 kms shorter than the pros the following day, but still included all 29 pavè sectors, totalling 54.5 kms.
CLICK FOR DETAILS OF OUR MEMBERS' EFFORTS - 30/03/2019
WECC - Performance Club Kit
WECC have developed their ongoing links with NOPINZ. Our members are now able to buy performance club kit in WECC livery direct online (and in single items)
RIP
The long standing member, Dave Funnell, who joined the WECC in 1958 passed away on Sunday morning (24 Feb 2019) at 4.00am. He had been unwell for sometime. Dave had been a strong competitor during the 1960's winning many events and club championships. He had also attended each club dinner since 1958 except for one when he was ill.
The long standing member, Dave Funnell, who joined the WECC in 1958 passed away on Sunday morning (24 Feb 2019) at 4.00am. He had been unwell for sometime. Dave had been a strong competitor during the 1960's winning many events and club championships. He had also attended each club dinner since 1958 except for one when he was ill.
WECC - Branching Out
There has been some interest expressed by members in cyclocross.
Here we see John McGrath before the start of his first event in Nov 2018.
Here we see John McGrath before the start of his first event in Nov 2018.
Club Newsletters
Now available on the website via the Quick Links above.
Changes to club competitions - 2019
(now in effect)
WECC Feature in Cycling Weekly
Click on page to expand
Latest News
A CORNUCOPIA OF CLUB RECORDS IN 2018
On the Evening 10 on Thursday 2 August 2018 the club's 10 mile team time trial record was broken once again. Gavin Ash, Nik Allen and John McGrath's combined time of 1:00:58 was a 3 seconds improvement.
=========
In the Club Championship 30 (held within the SCA 30) on Sunday 29 July the club's 30 mile team time trial record was broken by Nik Allen, Gavin Ash and Neil Crowther and Neil in a combined time of 3:31:41. This beat the 3:33:09 set by Richard Shipton, Paul Toppin and Colin Miller back in 1992.
=========
On the Evening 10 on Thursday 19 July 2018 Nik Allen regained the WECC G10/98 course record from Gavin with a fine yet agonising 20:00.
=========
On the Evening 10 on Thursday 12 July 2018 the club's 10 mile team time trial record was broken for the second successive week. Nik Allen, Gavin Ash and Spencer Kirkham's combined time of 1:01:02 was 8 seconds quicker than last week.
=========
On the Evening 10 on Thursday 5 July 2018 the club's 10 mile team time trial record went yet again. Gavin Ash, Nik Allen and John McGrath’s combined time of 1:01:20 was exactly one minute quicker than the time that they set two weeks ago. And Gavin established a new WECC G10/98 course record, taking 15 seconds off the record that Nik set just four weeks ago
=========
On Sunday 24 June 2018 it seemed that the club's 50 mile team trial record had been broken at the Blazing Saddles 50 on P885/50. The combined time for Ian Cheesman, Neil Crowther and Martin Booker was 5.47.10 and this would have eclipsed the 1992 club record of 5.53.32 (set by Paul Toppin / Richard Shipton / Jeremy Wootton).
HOWEVER in October the CTT ruled that the event had been run on a short course (49.8 miles) and that all times from the event were nullified. Thus the record reverts to the 1992 mark.
HOWEVER in October the CTT ruled that the event had been run on a short course (49.8 miles) and that all times from the event were nullified. Thus the record reverts to the 1992 mark.
=========
On the Evening 10 on Thursday 21 June 2018 the club's 10 mile team time trial record went. Gavin Ash, Nik Allen and John McGrath’s combined time of 1:02:20 beat the 2017 record (set by Nik, Dom Maxwell and Mike O’Gorman) by 59 seconds. It’s the first time that the club has had three riders finish under the 21 minute mark.
=========
On Wednesday 13 June 2018 Nik Allen smashed his existing WECC 15 mile time trial record. His time of 31:26 on the ...a3crg 10 on P881R/15 was almost three minutes faster than his 34:23 set last year on G15/93.
=========
On Sunday 10 June 2018 in the Hampshire Road Club 25 on P881/25 Nik Allen / Trevor Leeding / Neil Crowther set a new WECC 25 mile time team time trial record of 2:44:42 (taking more than 4 minutes off the 1986 mark as set by Pete Danckwardt / Andy Smith / Paul Toppin).
=========
On the Evening 10 on Thursday 7 June 2018 Nik Allen set a new WECC G10/98 course record His time of 20:22 beat Guy Smith’s 2005 time by 14 seconds.
=========
On Wednesday 30 May 2018 Nik Allen gained another major landmark in the ...a3crg 10 on P881/10. Following on from smashing the club's 25 mile record a month ago Nik has now gone on to obliterate his own WECC 10 mile time trial record set last season. He went sub-20 for the first time ever as he improved his record by 18 seconds.
=========
On Sunday 13 May 2018 in our very own club Open 25 Karen McGrath achieved a major target by breaking the WECC ladies 25 mile time trial record set by Jan Scotchford back in 1992. She now holds the records at 10, 15, 25 and 30 miles.
=========
On Sunday 29 April 2018 Nik Allen travelled to Newmarket for the VTTA East Anglia 25. His time of 51:42 was 59 seconds quicker than the previous record of Jeremy Wootton set back in 2011.
This means that he has added the WECC 25 mile time trial record to the 10 mile and 15 mile benchmarks that he set last year (plus the 10 mile team record).
This means that he has added the WECC 25 mile time trial record to the 10 mile and 15 mile benchmarks that he set last year (plus the 10 mile team record).
Strava
|
Week To Date: Summary
|
|
|
Rides
|
|
News
NEW CLUB RECORDS - BY THE BUCKETLOAD IN 2017 !!
10 MILES
On 10 May in the a3crg 10 Nik Allen stormed round to a 20:29. This beat Guy Smith's record of 20:34 which was set in 2015.
On 6 July Karen McGrath improved her existing club record with a 24:16 on the Southdown Velo 10 on P901/10.
On 16 September in the Paceline RT 10 Nik Allen took another 15 seconds off his previous record (set in May) with a 20:14.
On 6 July Karen McGrath improved her existing club record with a 24:16 on the Southdown Velo 10 on P901/10.
On 16 September in the Paceline RT 10 Nik Allen took another 15 seconds off his previous record (set in May) with a 20:14.
10 MILES TEAM
On 27 April in Evening 10 Event No 2 Nik Allen (21:12), Dom Maxwell (21:17) and Gavin Ash (21:28) produced a combined time of 1:03:57. This beat the 2015 figure of 1:04:08 (set twice by Guy Smith,Simon Atkinson, Mike O'Gorman and also by Guy Smith, Mike O'Gorman, Mark Newnham).
On 8 June Nik Allen (20:44), Dom Maxwell (21:12), Mike O’Gorman (21:23) with a total time of 1:03:19, beat the April record by 38 seconds.
On 8 June Nik Allen (20:44), Dom Maxwell (21:12), Mike O’Gorman (21:23) with a total time of 1:03:19, beat the April record by 38 seconds.
15 MILES
On 10 June Nik Allen, in 10th place overall in the SCA 15 with 34:23, set a new Excelsior club record for the distance and secured the club’s 15 title for the season.
15 MILES TEAM
On 10 June in the SCA 15 Nik Allen (34:23), Dom Maxwell (34:53) and Nolan Heather (35:33) rode an aggregate 1:44:49 for a new record.
100 MILES
On 19 June in the ECCA 100 Mike O'Gorman (4:06:24) beat the record set by Andy Smith back in 1987 by just over two and a half minutes.
EXCELSIOR GET DOUBLE PAGE SPLASH in CYCLING WEEKLY (9th FEB)
Ian Cheesman gets his moment of fame
LAND'S END to JOHN O'GROATS (1984)
|
In July 1984 Don Lock and John Mansell undertook a ride from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise funds for St Barnabas' Home. Don prepared a detailed scrapbook of the adventure. Maureen has provided us with access to that scrapbook and it has now been scanned for inclusion in the Archive Section.
|
|
WORTHING WHEEL
A special one-off edition of Worthing Wheel was produced in 2016 as a tribute to club legend Don Lock. Printed copies were made available to members at the Awards Evening. A on-line version is available for all. Click on the cover picture. |
|
|
SCA COMPETITIONS - FINAL PLACINGS
|
|
Well done to all those who competed throughout this season in WECC colours. The final SCA tables are now out.
The club has had a great year with the following team awards:
1st 15 mile (Dom Maxwell, John McGrath, Mike O'Gorman)
1st 30 mile (John McGrath, Trevor Leeding, Mike O'Gorman)
1st 100 mile (Mike O'Gorman, Martin Booker, Nicole Patterson-Lett)
1st Hill Climb (Chris Putnam, John McGrath, Mike O'Gorman)
1st SPOCO (Mike O'Gorman, Martin Booker, Ian Cheesman)
1st Vets Middle Distance BAR (Mike O'Gorman, Rick Hughes, Ian Cheesman)
1st Short Distance BAR (Mike O'Gorman, Martin Booker, Rick Hughes)
1st Vets Short Distance BAR (Mike O'Gorman, Rick Hughes, Martin Booker) - new SCA record
Plus quite a few individual awards, including John McGrath winning the Vets Hill Climb.
The club has had a great year with the following team awards:
1st 15 mile (Dom Maxwell, John McGrath, Mike O'Gorman)
1st 30 mile (John McGrath, Trevor Leeding, Mike O'Gorman)
1st 100 mile (Mike O'Gorman, Martin Booker, Nicole Patterson-Lett)
1st Hill Climb (Chris Putnam, John McGrath, Mike O'Gorman)
1st SPOCO (Mike O'Gorman, Martin Booker, Ian Cheesman)
1st Vets Middle Distance BAR (Mike O'Gorman, Rick Hughes, Ian Cheesman)
1st Short Distance BAR (Mike O'Gorman, Martin Booker, Rick Hughes)
1st Vets Short Distance BAR (Mike O'Gorman, Rick Hughes, Martin Booker) - new SCA record
Plus quite a few individual awards, including John McGrath winning the Vets Hill Climb.
|
WINTER WARMER - 11 FEBRUARY
|
TOURIST TRIAL - 16 OCTOBER
Mick Irons wins the trophy!!!
|
CLUB RUNS COMPETITION - FINAL POSITIONS
|
At Worthing Excelsior we are passionate about safety, in particular the safety of all our members whilst riding their bike. If one of these unfortunate events should happen, we want first responders to have access to your IN CASE of EMERGENCY (ICE) contact and medical information as soon as possible.
So, we have worked with the team at OneLifeiD www.onelifeid.com to offer an ICE tag unique to WECC members in club colours which looks great and allows those first responders to gain access to whatever information you think they need. For £5 you will be provided with a set of 3 tags, each one third the size of a credit card which will look like this . . . .
So, we have worked with the team at OneLifeiD www.onelifeid.com to offer an ICE tag unique to WECC members in club colours which looks great and allows those first responders to gain access to whatever information you think they need. For £5 you will be provided with a set of 3 tags, each one third the size of a credit card which will look like this . . . .
. . . and can be attached to jersey and/or bike.
|
INTER-CLUB EVENT (CLONMORE TROPHY) - SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2016
Worthing Excelsior regain the trophy that they last won in 2014
Unfortunately two of the 'competing' clubs failed to provide the minimum six riders
so it was just down to us and Southdown Velo
Unfortunately two of the 'competing' clubs failed to provide the minimum six riders
so it was just down to us and Southdown Velo
|
SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER
COMPETITION UPDATES - FIND OUT HOW WECC RIDERS ARE DOING IN THE TWO SETS OF COMPETITIONS
COMPETITION UPDATES - FIND OUT HOW WECC RIDERS ARE DOING IN THE TWO SETS OF COMPETITIONS
CLICK FOR COMPETITION DETAILS
|
CLICK FOR COMPETITION DETAILS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIMON ATKINSON'S EPIC ALPS / MONT VENTOUX TRIP
All the photographs and action recounted from a truly awesome journey with cols and climbing by the bucketload. Click on the photograph for the full story. |
|
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM GOODWOOD - AARON, DARRON, NEIL, SCHAEFF IN 4 UP TTT ACTION (13 JULY)
(click to expand)
(click to expand)
Full results can be found here
|
WECC CHAMPIONSHIP 50 : SUNDAY 3rd JULY 2016 (Held within SUSSEX CA 50)
Mike O'Gorman narrowly retains his club title, just finishing ahead of Trevor Leeding.
Ian Cheesman finishes in third place.
WECC finish in second place in the SCA Competition. Mike retains his Sussex CA 50 Vets title.
Ian Cheesman finishes in third place.
WECC finish in second place in the SCA Competition. Mike retains his Sussex CA 50 Vets title.
Joan Lennon is a national champion !!!!
|
To find out more click on the picture:
|
|
|
WECC CHAMPIONSHIP 25 : SUNDAY 5th JUNE 2016
A fine win by Dom Maxwell as he takes the 25 title held by Simon Atkinson for the past three years.
|
Paul Townsley in action in Italy, and tackling some major climbs - Sunday 15th May
|
|
Club Open 25 mile Time Trial
Our Club Open 25, held on Sunday 15th May, is a big success. For the first time in quite a while there is a full entry of 120 riders plus reserves. The weather is favourable and the whole event goes extremely well.
Huge thanks are due to the event promoter Mick Irons and the large band of helpers without whom it just couldn't have taken place. The subsequent feedback from several riders was highly complimentary. The whole thing was a real credit to the club and the members - an excellent advert indeed.
The club had ten riders and well done to Nicky Carsons for giving it a go. That was her first time trial at that distance. Full results can be found here.
Huge thanks are due to the event promoter Mick Irons and the large band of helpers without whom it just couldn't have taken place. The subsequent feedback from several riders was highly complimentary. The whole thing was a real credit to the club and the members - an excellent advert indeed.
The club had ten riders and well done to Nicky Carsons for giving it a go. That was her first time trial at that distance. Full results can be found here.
|
Skittles Evening (Monday 15th May)
That old perennial favourite reappears on the social calendar and is thoroughly enjoyed by all.
|
Click on the photograph to find out more.
|
Riders in action in two different sportive events of Sunday 8th May.
|
|
Click on each photograph to find out how they did.
|
To find out what links these two seemingly unrelated photographs click on them to find out how our club members have been able to help a charitable cause whilst thoroughly enjoying themselves.
|
|
|
Some of our club members enjoying a recent social midweek ride
|
|
|
(Not exactly the) Latest News |
|
A reproduction of the club's first ever issue of the wheel as launched by Don Lock.
Includes a piece by Beryl Burton - especially for us. Click on the cover to see the issue from 1968. |
