Friday night saw Ross-on-Wye and District Cycling Club hold its annual Prize presentation dinner, which this year was held at the Chase hotel.

The evening saw just under 60 members and guests enjoy what turned out to be a very entertaining evening. Mark Lavington, chairman, welcomed everyone and thanked Bob Hill for organising the event.

The guests of honour this year were Hannah and Imogen Spector, whose mother Jennifer sadly passed away in a cycling accident earlier in the year.

Race secretary Paul Stephens traditionally leads the presentation, and has done so for 15 odd years, but unbeknown to the rest of the club, he decided it was time to train a new person. James Coull stepped up to the mark to bring his own brand of humour to the proceedings, sharing the role.

For many years, the trophies had gone mainly to a couple of people, but this year was different. In the 753 point competition, similar to the football league tables, Paul Cooper won the blue category and was absolutely ecstatic. Tom Knight won the green and Jon Airey the yellow. Hardest fought for was the Red group which Rick Harris won by a single point.

Will Bevan won the Jack Morgan 10, 25 mile cup and Don Woodman open 25 cups. Rick Harris also won the 50 cup, KM sprint, and the Cross Ash Hilly 25 cup. Catalin Patrichi won the Hill Climb trophy, with Bob Davies getting the Riders’ Rider cup as voted by the whole club. The Hall trophy went to Angie Downs for services to the club over the past 12 months.

Julie Stephens won the Ladies Best all-rounder title and Jim Matthews the 25 cup, with husband Paul winning the Senior and Veterans Best all Rounder cups along with the 100 mile cup and the Abergavenny and back trophy. James Coull won the coveted entertainment trophy for all the entertainment /mishaps during the year.

Possibly the most moving presentation was the Jennifer Hill trophy, a new trophy this year. It recognises both participation and completion, values that were important to Jennifer. Rachel Woods, in her first year, was the worthy winner, having also won the Handicap 10 cup earlier in the evening, showing what determination and commitment can achieve.

Now with the coming season only months away it’s back to the grind of training for next year. Ross Cycling Club has many social rides nowadays, alongside training rides and racing, and an ever growing ladies section. In February 2017 our first Reliability Ride will take place. An exciting year is in prospect!