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We've had some fairly cold, icy, wet and windy weekend rides already this year, but it doesn't seem to have dampened the enthusiasm of many members to get out on their bikes.
Our AGM was a few days past and now we are only just over four weeks away from our first major club event, the Hardriders TT on 4th March. Read on for more details on this and what else is in store for 2018.
Please send any comments, ideas or proposals regarding the contents of the newsletter to the Press Officer.
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All 10 of last year's newsletters are now available to view on the club website and can be viewed by clicking on this link:
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Thank you to all members who have renewed their memberships for 2018, the online system is working well and making life a whole lot easier for Ian, our Membership Secretary.
My thanks to those members who came along to the AGM on Tuesday, for those who were unable to be there some of the more salient points are highlighted below. The highlight was the election of Matt Sleath to become the club's Treasurer. Matt will bring his business experience to the role, keeping the club on a sound financial footing whilst maintaining transparency in our financial dealings which have become quite significant with the increase in the numbers of members and the events we organise.
It's been a year since you all put your faith in me to assume the Presidency and I'm proud to continue to serve the club in this capacity and, with the committee, look forward to a very exciting 2018 - one which will prove pivotal in the future direction of the club.
As part of the effort to further improve the club ride experience and the continued safety of the members who come along, we intend on running some skills sessions during 2018 and I'd encourage as many members as possible to come along and join in. It doesn't matter if you're new to cycling or have been around the proverbial block a few times, we can all benefit from a refresher and so the first one will focus on group riding skills and etiquette.
Finally, it's great to see the race squad already representing the club on the local race circuit and our club's profile will be raised even further in the coming weeks with the start of the Abingdon winter criterium. Best of luck to those taking part!
Paul
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Group riding skills session
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As Paul mentioned in his introduction, the club intends on holding a series of training sessions during 2018 with the goal of improving riding skills and which will be applicable for riding alone or as part of a group on any of the club rides and will be suitable for all abilities.
The first session will concentrate on group riding and we'll cover how this works on club rides, what the benefits are and where you'll play your part towards making it a smooth and safe operation.
It will be held on Saturday 24th February instead of the usual Saturday rides, meeting at Broadribbs for a 10am departure out to some quiet country roads where we can practice group riding. To complement the session, the club will shortly be issuing an online guide which sets out the club's expectations and rider responsibilities and this first practical session will be a great way to put into practice what is defined and make the club rides even more enjoyable.
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Banbury Star welcomed some new members into the club during January:
Anthony Ackner, Harvey O'Rourke, Lisa Ansell, Matty Heron, Philip Griffiths, Thomas Greatorex, Roger Foster, Rob Wilcock and Denise Shepherd.
If you haven't renewed it's now time to do so if you want to continue taking part in the club rides and events. We have decided that membership renewals will be done online so as we get up to date records for everyone which are then securely stored in compliance with the Data Protection Act and to also ease the burden on the membership secretary now we have so many members. Please note there is an increase in the price of the time-trial supplement for 2018.
If you are an existing member you can do it by following this link:
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Hardriders TT - our first 2018 event
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We're just four weeks away now from our first open meeting of the new season, the Hardriders TT on Sunday 4th March. Twenty six local clubs were sent details of this 23 mile individual time trial from Wroxton to Ettington and back and entries are already well up on last year.
This year there will be additional prizes for the fastest men's and women's teams (time for three to finish) and also a KoM and QoM prize for the fastest ascent of Sunrising Hill.
Entries close on 21st February, details of which can be made via the link below. Because this is an Open event, there are no on-the-day entries.
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The full minutes of the AGM will be issued in the coming weeks but the highlights were:
- election of Matt Sleath to become the club's Treasurer
- Andy Perry volunteered to help with the running of the website
- full mudguards to become mandatory for club rides next winter
- creation of new club trophies for women to compete for: fastest 20k course time and fastest hill climb.
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Whether you're racing, time trialling, or even out on a club ride, it goes without saying that the correct pedalling technique is one of the main essentials when out riding. Roadcycling UK recently posted an interesting article on their website on how to improve your pedalling efficiency and technique, which is well worth a read.
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Banbury Star Road Race Sunday 27th May
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Now you've all got new calendars and diaries, our annual road race, on the above date, can now be added. This is the club's main event of the year - so if you're not entering, we really need your help and support on the day. We continue to receive excellent feedback from British Cycling officials regarding our smooth organisation which many members contribute to by giving freely of their time both in the build-up and on the day.
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Spring Reliability Ride Sunday 11th March
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The 2018 Spring Reliability Ride will take place on Sunday 11th March over the familiar 61 mile route that always lives up to its name with the physical challenge it poses to both (wo)man and machine.
The Headquarters and ride starting point will be at Woodgreen Leisure Centre, Banbury, OH16 0HS which will be open from 0830. The entry fee remains the same at a mere £2.
The departure times are:
0900: Leisure pace
0915: Intermediate pace
0930: Fast pace
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The Merrie Lion, Fenny Compton
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Yet another great local pub on one of our intermediate routes that offers a warm welcome to cyclists with coffee and cake. Built in 1710 the Merrie Lion is situated on Brook Street (CV47 2YH) in the centre of Fenny Compton. More details can be found via the link below.
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Mark Boyles writes:
"The season is just kicking off and already we’ve seen Jonathan Ward race at Stourport and this coming Saturday we have have a team of 9 riders representing the club at the first of Abingdon’s winter criterium series. We’ll have the largest team there which is a great step to getting BSCC back on the racing map.
After Hardriders (for which we are hoping to get 20 members racing for the club), our goal will be the Milton road race during April.
We are also seeing interest from some of the club's female members who are keen to dip their toe into the racing waters.
A calendar of local races will soon be published on the website.
Race squad training rides have been well attended despite the weather and these will continue on Saturday afternoons. We’ve been practicing paceline riding, hill reps up Sunrise hill and sprint training.
The regular Wednesday night turbo training sessions held at Wroxton Sports Club will continue from 6.30 to 7.30pm to which all members are invited. please arrive 15 minutes early to set up. You'll need your bike, a turbo plus skewer, towel, drink and £3 for room hire.
Please note: Further details and updates should be sought via the club's Facebook page."
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Our Go-Ride coordinator, Lee Heron, reports on the latest news.
"2018 promises be a pivotal year for youth cycling in Banbury as our vision for the youth section of our club , the Rising Stars, is realised.
We are pleased to confirm that the home for our training sessions will be Bodicote Park, home to Banbury Rugby Club. The first open training session will be held on the Saturday 21st of April. Exact timing will follow in due course but please make a note in your diaries.
This is a fantastic venue for us. Not only do we have a large area with multiple surfaces to use for training but we also get the benefit of the facilities, including toilets and the old players bar where refreshments will be made available to purchase.
We will be holding a taster session on the 10th March where we would like to have some youth volunteers come forward to be ‘Guinea pigs’ for the morning. The date will be confirmed in the next Newsletter. If you or your children are interested in helping please contact me via the email link below.
The success of the Rising Stars will largely be down to parental support and club involvement so please, if you would like to get involved with helping the club do get in touch."
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The monthly mountain bike rides have continued throughout the winter, encountering some "interesting" levels of mud and weather. Steve Goddard will once again be leading February's ride which takes place on Saturday 17th starting at the Giant's Cave layby on the Broughton Road. Expect 15-18 miles over the two hours and the slight possibility of some mud!
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Below are some of the major tour and race dates in 2018
Paris - Nice 4th - 11th March
Milan - San Remo 17th March
Paris - Roubaix 8th April
Tour de Yorkshire 3rd - 6th May
Giro d'Italia 4th - 27th May
Banbury Star CC Road Races 27th May
Tour de France 7th - 29th July
Ride London Classic 29th July
Vuelta a Espana 25th August - 16th September
Tour of Britain 2nd - 9th September
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New club kit - important information
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In case you haven't seen it, this is a message Dave Speck posted recently on Facebook.
" As promised the new order is up and running and all members should have received an email from Endura advising you of this. If you haven’t please let me know. Login as before. I have included everything we have have previously ordered - if there is anything you think is missing please let me know. We can’t include the whole available range as we simply wouldn’t meet the minimums required. I have set the closing date as 9th February. I am advised the lead time is currently 6 weeks so allowing a little extra the order should be with us around last week March/1st week April. As advised I will be ordering a small quantity of S/S Road Jerseys for stock in S/M/L. If anyone wants one sooner I have a large in stock."
So, please note 9th February closing date.
New members qualify for a £20 refund from the club when you make your first purchase of kit.
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Want a new bike, or some new gear, then don't forget the London Bike Show is on at Excel at the end of the month. Click on the link below for full details.
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Please have a look at the club's website and Facebook group for details of organised rides, all of which have downloadable Garmin maps:
10am Saturday: easy café ride
10am Saturday: intermediate café ride
9am Sunday: fast ride
10am Sunday: intermediate café ride
March: 9am Sunday: intermediate non-café ride
All rides will start at Broadribb Cycles
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Since we started the club blog page in September 2016 we've had 25 blogs posted on a whole range of interesting cycle related topics. However for the first time, nearly two months have passed, since we last received a blog from someone. So come on Stars, let's hear from you with some interesting cycle related stories, opinions, ideas, comments, achievements, ambitions, targets, or just why you like riding your bike.
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So please think about writing something on these dark winter nights - blogger@banburystar.co.uk is waiting to hear from you. Your name can be withheld if that is your preference.
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Banbury Star CC social evenings
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February's social night is tonight (Thursday 1st) at our usual venue the White Horse pub in the centre of Banbury starting at 7.30pm. This is now becoming an increasingly popular monthly event and following the AGM, plus the season ahead, they'll be plenty to chat about. All members are invited.
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Registered for the Velodrome visit yet?
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You've got just a couple of days left if you want to come to the next velodrome trip which is being held on Friday 9th March and the cost should be less than £30. If you have not yet registered your interest then please do so as soon as possible. Visit the club's Facebook group where you will find the event is already in the calendar and confirm your attendance. It will be necessary to pay the full amount in the next couple of days.
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Social night White Horse tonight at 7.30pm Thursday 1st February
Race Squad Turbo Training 6.30 to 7.30pm every Wednesday
Mountain Bike ride: Saturday 17th February
Skils Session: Saturday 24th February
Hardriders Time Trial: Sunday 4th March
Derby velodrome trip: Friday 9th March
BSCC Go-Ride Test Event: Saturday 10th March
Spring Reliability Ride: Sunday 11th March
New Sunday 9am Intermediate Ride: 18th March
Come And Try 5 mile Time Trial: Wednesday 28th March
For more details and other events please look at the calendars on the club’s website or Facebook group.
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Follow Banbury Star on social media
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