February 2004

http://www.sherwoodcc.org.uk  

A warm welcome to Tim Fowkes, Kris Pradel and Darrell Stocks, who have joined the Club during the past month.

This makes four new members so far this year after achieving a remarkable 31 new members for the whole of last year. To help new members the Club is working on a Welcome Pack to give an overview of contacts, how to enter events etc. Jon Hunt has made a very professional start on this and we should soon have something ready to issue.

At the last Committee Meeting we confirmed that the offer of a new Trophy from Jack Sharp would go to the Club 25-mile Champion.

It was also suggested that a “Pasta Party” is held before the Skegness Race.

Steven Adams had an eventful ride in the Schoolboys’ National Cyclo-cross Championship. Despite a couple of crashes and mechanical problems he still finished in 27^th place.

CLUB NIGHTS

Monthly Club nights and open Committee Meetings are on Mondays at the Burton Rd Community Centre, (opposite Walker’s Garage) Carlton 7.30-9.30 p.m. The next meetings are 26 January and 23 February and 29 March. Remember that Keith Stocker from British Cycling is coming to the meeting on 23 February to talk about the “Go Ride” scheme.

 VIRTUAL CLUBHOUSE

If you are “on-line” then make sure you register on http://www.scc-racing.org.uk if you haven’t already done so. It is quick and easy to register – even I had no difficulty. Non-de-plumes are discouraged. Why try to keep your identity secret on a club only site. It’s OK where we all know, say, who “Animal” and “Wheezer” are (Nigel White and Rob Stevens) but how can you communicate with someone if you don’t know who they are? 

About 35 have registered so far and there are regular lively debates on all sorts of topics. Riders are also sorting out training, which events to enter, arranging lifts, asking advice, giving news etc.

It’s a great success and good fun so join in if you can.

 ROAD RACING

If you are intending riding British Cycling Road Races next season you need to have at least Silver membership (£32 or £44.50 with Race Calendar) and a Racing Licence (£30). Membership also gives you Third Party Insurance (if anyone makes a claim against you in an accident) and Legal Support (if you are claiming against someone else). Gold membership (£58) also includes Personal Accident Insurance (when cycling in the UK).

You must also wear a Club jersey and a helmet in all British Cycling road races.

Entries to BC road races are best made well in advance (minimum 3 weeks) or, in some events you can enter on the line (it often costs more!), provided there is not a full field. There are not a lot of events in the calendar and you will have to be prepared to travel to compete regularly. Seniors start off at Category 4 and progress up the rankings as points are earned for placings. Aim for a category of race in keeping with your ability. You don’t want to find yourself against top riders if you are a novice – it can be disheartening to travel 50 miles to an event and then get dropped in the first mile!

Events on short circuits tend to be fast from the start but are generally shorter races anyway. On a large open road circuit the early stages can often be a bit steadier with the speed building up, but you can’t be certain and you need to remain vigilant. Sometimes the pace will be very fast early on as riders try to thin out the bunch. Hang in there and it may settle down later.

If you feel strong don’t just go to the front and start driving the pace – the others will be grateful though and let you do all the work, until they pass you just before the finish!

Veterans are more fortunate in having LVRC events to ride. Membership of the LVRC is £10 and events are just £6 to enter in advance (£12 on the line). The events are run in separate age categories and the standard of riding is good as many riders are top riders from their youth (and still fit!).

The League International (TLI) run events, normally on a handicap basis, with low entry fees. Membership cost £16 but there are not many events locally.

BC, LVRC and TLI all have web sites linked from our web site. If you are not on-line someone who is will help get the necessary forms.

TIME TRIAL HANDBOOKS

If you are riding open time trials next season you will need the Cycling Time Trials Handbook that list the events with entry details. Orford has some at  £5 so contact him if you want a copy. (Phone 9200971 or e-mail A14ORF@aol.com).

CLUB DINNER SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER

Make a note in your diary now. The same venue as last year has now been booked. The date has been changed because of availability of the room at the Richard Herrod Centre. The Price is to be confirmed. More details later.

We will not have a disco this year but some music will be laid on for after the Dinner.

Orford and Ann Spencer are again organising the event.

CLUB RUNS

Club runs meet at the Shearing Hill/Burton Road junction on Saturdays and Sundays at 9.30 a.m. Wednesday runs meet at Lowdham War memorial 9.15 a.m.

Apart from a few bad weather days (ice, rain, snow etc) we have good attendance on all the runs. A recent Sunday had 23 riders and there was also a separate training run. Wednesday runs are getting more popular with as many as 15 riders. Saturdays generally get the most riders but half the bunch normally disappears up the road quite early on leaving the rest of us to a pleasant ride.

On 1 February we even had the Evening Post turn up at the start to take our photo. Pity we didn’t know in advance so we could have at least had our hair done. The photographer missed a good photo by not following us to Mountsorrel. The River Soar had flooded (have we still got a drought?) and some of us ignored the “Road Closed” signs. The water was up to 2 feet deep with strong currents. George tested the depth and practised the breaststroke for a bit. He then decided to turn back as he didn’t fancy a café stop when soaked. (At least he didn’t have wet hair).

TRAINING RUNS

On Sundays there is now a separate training run normally meeting at the same time as the club run. These are group-training rides and have been incorporating a café stop but normally with a longer route. Riders are recommended to carry food and drink. The runs are intended for members only as we don’t want them to deteriorate into a competitive free for all. Over the coming weeks some riders will be taking part in some Reliability Trials instead of going on separate training runs.

CLUB CLOTHING

I now have a new stock of Pro-vision clothing.

The bibtights were missing from the delivery but are to follow.

I also have some of the new Pro-vision overshoes and gloves in lightweight windproof, waterproof and breathable material at just £12.

Neil has shown us some Leisure Clothing in dark blue that will have the club logo embroided on the upper sleeve and the club name and website on the breast in yellow. Guide prices will be T-shirts £5, Polo Shirts £9 and Fleece Jackets £14. An initial stock will be obtained.

CLUB TIME TRIAL PROGRAMME 2004

'100' Championship Trophy can be won by entering any open 100 mile event entered under CTT regulations, Finish sheets to Racing Secretary before October 3^rd 2004, Fastest rider wins!

Note that the 50-mile Championships is incorporated in the VTTA 50 on 27 June. You have to enter this event in advance per CTT Handbook – it is open to all riders, not just veterans. 

Tuesday Evening Tens -- 7:00pm Start -- Old Epperstone Road 13 April until 17 August.

Entry fees (on the line) for Club Events (not Opens) are £1 and 50p for Juveniles. You can buy a Season Ticket for £15 (Juveniles £5) to save money. For handicapped weekend events you need to bring a completed CTT Entry Form. If you do not bring a form you will not get a handicap. There is a medal for the fastest rider and the fastest on handicap.

The Acorn Points Trophy is awarded based on 4, 3 and 2 points for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places on fastest times and handicap times. All other finishers get one point.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2004

If you haven’t paid yet please do so promptly. Cheques payable to Sherwood Cycling Club. 

Fees :–  Seniors £10, Vice Presidents £12, Juniors £5, Juveniles £3 (1^st year free), Associates (non-cycling members) £3, Second Claim £5

 http://www.sherwoodcc.org.uk