January 2019 newsletter

From all the committee and officials of the club, a Happy New Year!

The days are beginning to get just a little bit longer now and we've escaped the bad weather of December 2017 which saw many rides cancelled because of snow and ice. Let's hope our luck holds throughout the rest of winter.

Please send any comments, ideas or proposals regarding the contents of the newsletter to the Press Officer. Copies of all previous newsletters can be found on the club website - About BSCC

Presidential ponderings

So that's it for 2018 and what a year it was not just for the club but UK cycling in general thanks to the efforts of British riders on all three Grand Tours which continued to keep our sport at the forefront of the public's awareness . Closer to home I've eulogised plenty at the AGM and the annual dinner about all the great things we achieved this year and the contribution made by so many members who have grafted tirelessly in the background to bring this about. Our hard work has been rewarded because we end the year with a record 196 members which clearly demonstrates we have created a club that continues to attract.

2019 will continue the trend with a mix of our tried and tested events and rides augmented with a dash of new ideas to keep things fresh - more on this in coming newsletters. 

I'll sign-off with one more "thank you" and that goes out to my long-suffering partner Nicki. Since taking on the role of President two years ago she's given me her total support, plenty of helpful advice from her time in professional sport and the encouragement to keep this great club going for future generations to enjoy.

I wish you and your families a prosperous New Year and look forward to seeing you on a ride soon.

Paul

2019 Time Trial season information

As mentioned in last month's newsletter our Hardriders Open time trial takes place on Sunday 3rd March and that's only 63 days away. Entries are now open via the CTT website link below and the closing date is 19th February (this is an Open event so no on-the-day entries are allowed).

The club's weekly Wednesday time trial season then starts at the end of March with our 5 mile "Come and try it" event out at Gaydon on 27th.

The calendar for our club time trials has been produced and submitted to CTT and the relevant police authorities for approval. We won't be using any new courses in 2019 but will introduce a Saturday race in September.

Membership renewals now due - 1st Jan.

Even in the darkest month of the year we've continued to attract new members to the club and we welcome into Banbury Star:

Adam Crisford, William Morgan, Stephen Davis, David Hubbard, Graham Furby and Larry Parkes.

Renewals for 2019 are now due for members who joined before 1st September 2018, if you joined after that date your membership rolls over to December 2019 and there's nothing more to do. Details of subscriptions are as follows;

Standard First Claim (First claim to BSCC for BC and CTT events) £20 No change

Second Claim (Second claim to BSCC) £10 No Change

Student (16-17) and senior citizen (65+) on the day of joining £10 No change

Rising Stars £0

Juvenile (12 to U16) on the day of joining £0 Reduced from £5

Membership upgrade for entire time trial season (only available when (re)joining and only for First Claim members) £25. Increased due to mandatory CTT levy rise

Subscriptions should now be paid direct to our new Nat West account and details are as follows:

Sort code = 53-61-33

Account = 65953886

As previously advised, we have now moved entirely to online banking and no more cheques will be accepted for membership or payment for club services. 

Quarterly Meeting

The Winter Quarterly Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5th January at Wroxton Sports Club. This is your chance to take an active part in club life, hear the plans for 2019 and suggest new ideas or initiatives.

Club trip to Mallorca - latest information

As we write around 10 members have expressed an interest in the club's planned Mallorca trip. However, if you have not already confirmed your interest to Matt Sleath, who is coordinating the trip, then please do so by tomorrow - 2nd January. Bookings for accommodation, flights etc, plus initial deposits will then be required w/c 6th January.

To recap, the trip will be for the period 23/03/19 to 30/03/19 and based at Puerta Pollensa in northern Mallorca. 

The company we will be using is Mallorca Cycling Tours, who will create a bespoke program for us. All levels of cyclist are catered for, with daily guided rides including support vehicles etc.

Costs: Half board accommodation at Aparthotel Duva. Guided rides for 6 days all abilities catered for, bars and gels. £750 (based on two people sharing a multiroom apartment) and Mallorca airport transfers

Return Flights estimated: £100 (plus £85 to transport bike)
Bike Hire: £20 per day for a mechanical Ultegra standard bike.

In the press

It was good to see that although our press report to the Banbury Guardian was somewhat edited, the headline was spot on, recognising Mark's award in their 22nd November edition.

The winter is always a quiet time for news, but if you are still competing, or doing something interesting on your bike, then please let the press officer know.

The Racing Calendar

The club's website has been updated with the details of all the club time trials entered into the Race Calendar.

In the coming weeks this will be added to:

• dates of time trials, crits and road races throughout our region to give members more information as they chose which events to enter.
• the marshal and pusher roster for our club TTs

Follow the links below to see what we've got planned so far.

World Cycling - Main UCI 2019 events

The UCI recently annouced the dates for the main one day Spring classics and the major tours. The link below will take you direct to the cyclingstage.com page where all these events are listed.

The main ones are as follows:

Paris - Roubiax 14th April

Giro d'Italia 11th May - 2nd June

Tour de France 6th - 28th July

Vuelta a Espana 24th August - 15th September

Tour of Britain 8th - 15th September 

However, the big UK event of the year will surely be the 2019 World Championships to be held from 22nd to 29th September in Yorkshire. This will comprise a (mixed) Team Time Trial, as well as individual TTs for both men and women. There then follows the road races for both men and women with the finish at Harrogate.

A new local cycling themed cafe

Facebook friends of member Carmen Hancock may already be aware of her new venture, which will open in February. The above is a snapshot of a flyer she's recently had printed. We've been invited to have a look around before the opening and we will include further details in the February newsletter.

Don't forget the mudguards rule

Members are reminded that mudguards are now mandatory on all club rides until the clocks change once more.

The only exception to this new rule is if dry roads and weather are forecast so watch the club's Facebook group for any announcements.

The reason for introducing this amendment is to make riding in wet/muddy conditions more pleasant for the riders behind you so as they aren't continually sprayed when riding in a tight group. Please note that mudguards of the "ass-saver" type don't count, your guards should extend to below a line horizontal with the skewers. If not you'll need to fit an extension flap

Broadribb Cycles hold a small stock of BSCC branded flaps and they cost £8 each and can be fitted in two minutes by anyone with basic bike maintenance abilities. 

Race Squad news

One of the club's success stories last year was the setting up of the race squad and the subsequent interest it generated within the club. Mark Boyles is already looking at ideas for 2019, a few of which are given below.

1. A race calendar for 2019 will be launched shortly with highlighted TT and road races.

2. Turbo evenings to continue on Wednesday's. Arrive 6.45pm for prompt 7pm start.

3. In Jan/Feb we’ll be looking to launch race boot camp with training sessions and coaching, plus some additional sessions on off bike advice, such as stretching and nutrition.

Mark would also welcome any feedback on 2018, good and bad, plus any other ideas or proposals, so we can make 2019 even more effective.

Rising Stars - youth section news

Rising Stars Saturday sessions will continue in the New Year, weather permitting, so please keep an eye on the group Facebook page for any updates. Two dates are planned for January, the 12th and 26th, at the usual location, Banbury Rugby Club from 9.30am.

So, if your child had a new bike at Christmas, what better way to get started and learn how to ride in a safe off-road environment. We know a couple of the regular attenders were hoping for new bikes at Christmas, so come and join Lee and Katherine for some cycling fun and tuition. 

Club kit

At the AGM the possibility of changing kit supplier to a company that is more flexible was proposed and we are currently looking at the feasibility and practicality.

Dave Speck currently has in stock the following:

Short sleeved Classic jerseys priced at £54.18. 

The winter long sleeve range comprise: Jersey £61.20, Roubaix  Jacket £73.20 and Pro SL Waterproof Jacket £136.80 

If anyone is not sure of the procedure for ordering new kit, then please contact Dave Speck via the link below.

New members qualify for a £20 refund from the club when you make your first purchase of kit.

The 5 Weekend Club Rides

Five weekend club rides are now available, please make sure you pick the one to suit your ability and speed.

Have a look at the club's website and Facebook group for details of the rides, all of which have downloadable Garmin maps:

10am Saturday: easy café ride: 25 miles, 12-14mph

10am Saturday: intermediate café ride 35 miles, 15-16mph

9am Sunday: fast non-café ride 50 miles 18mph*

9am Sunday: intermediate non-café ride 50 miles 16-17mph*

10am Sunday: intermediate café ride 35 miles 15-16mph

All rides will start at Broadribb Cycles, meeting 15 minutes before the departure time.

* may be quicker depending on who is riding

Banbury Star CC monthly social evenings

The first club social night of the new year takes place on Thursday 3rd January from 7.30pm, at our usual friendly venue the White Horse.

A great opportunity for members to discuss the new season ahead.

As usual, family and friends are welcome and food will be available.

Upcoming events

Social night - White Horse 7.30pm Thursday 3rd January

Rising Stars next sessions 12th and 26th  January - 9.30am 

Winter Quarterly Meeting - Tuesday 5th February

Wednesday night turbo training sessions - Wroxton Sports Club 6.45pm prompt.

Hardriders Open TT - Sunday 3rd March

Spring Reliability Ride - Sunday 10th March

For more details and other events please look at the calendars on the club’s website or Facebook group.

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