Newsletter #3 – 8th July 2012

What a busy month the club has had since the last Newsletter! We have had some really great events over the past month, and everyone seems to be getting out and about despite the bad weather. I'd just like to say a special welcome to the newest members of RLS Cycling Club. We are now up to a grand total of 55 members, which given the age of the club is fantastic! Thank you all for joining us, helping support the club, and spreading the word about the this sport that we all enjoy so much.

Recent Events

On the road, there have been scores of personal best performances for the guys and girls doing the Tuesday night Rugly Velo 10km time trials. If you fancy having a go, and seeing just how quick you are on skinny wheels, then get in touch with James Meadows, Grahame Lock, or theBikeyard, and they will give you details.

We have also had the fabulous Giro d’cakia! It was a great day, combining our two most favoritest things – bikes and cake! We will be having another longer road ride soon, so keep your eyes peeled on the FB page and the website for details.

The Big Wales Epic ride was, well, epic! 8 ½ hrs of riding over the Brecon Beacons with awesome scenery, and some of the longest and most technical descents some of us have seen. I suppose I should mention the climbs, all 3,500ft of them. Still, all the best things in life are well earned, and as the ride was a loop, that meant 3,500ft of descent too. One of which being 9km long! The next big day out of natural off-road trail riding will be in September, and I’ll post the route as soon as I’ve decided which one to do!

There was also Bling Mike’s Dunfries & Galloway Big MTB Trail Centre Weekend Odyssey Weekend. 4 days away, and three days of riding some of the best trail centres in Britain. Despite the rain, it was brilliant to be able to take our time and session trails which were alternatively fast and flowing then bouldersome and technical. With great après riding socialising in the pool/sauna/restaurant/bar, it was a truly brilliant weekend. We will be going back again next year!

The club is really lucky to have Bev and Michelle who have become fully qualified British Cycling ‘Breeze’ ride champions. Breeze is the biggest programme ever intended to get more women into riding bikes for fun. The aim is to help women feel confident and comfortable about going on a ride. RLS CC is organising a series of ladies only rides, starting with a couple of Sunday afternoon MTB rides, with road rides to follow. If you or someone you know would like to join in and have a go at cycling, maybe for the first time for a long time (ever?!), then Sunday 12th August is the first one. See our website for details.

The FNSS XC Team relay was a great night too. We had a total of 5 teams racing, out of a field of 19, including one of only two ladies only teams. Our quickest team placed 7th, but its more about the fun and banter than the results. At least it didn’t rain, which is more than can besaid for most of the FNSS events this year. Ask Ben Neaves and Caroline Ditum, our most prolific entrants, for tips on drying out XC racing kit.....

You may have also seen the local press last week, in which Josh Bremidge, RLSCC Member, Nukeproof/theBikeyard sponsored rder, and ASDA athlete was reported as getting a podium place for coming 5th in the 3rd round of the British 4X series at the redhill Rxtreme Track in Gloucestershire.

Nathan Parsons competed in two rounds of the 4X Pro Tour in June. The first, which was Round 3 in Val di Sole, Italy, was a great result, in which he battled his way to 16th overall. The 4th Round was at Fort William, but unfortunately ended early with a broken hand, torn ankle ligaments and a badly smashed helmet.

Upcoming Events

So a quick round up of a selection of things to look forward to in the next few weeks. Check Facebook and the website for details:

-Sunday 15th July, 11:30am. Napton Charity Family bike ride

This is an 18 mile bike ride designed to be do-able by 7 year olds and upwards. How long it takes depends largely on how many ‘refreshment breaks’ you take in the various pubs en-route! A number of us are taking our whole families, so check the website for details and hope to see you there.

-Sunday 22nd July, 6.00pm . RLSCC Social event #2. Rock up 6pm with a burger, bap and a bevvy of your choice at the top of Leamington 4X track (Campion Hills, off Leicester Street).

-Wednesday 1st August, 6:30pm. Rd 1 of the RLSCC Off-Road TT at Adventure Sports, Warwick

-Sunday 12th August, 2pm. Ladies only off-road introductory/social bike ride

Other News

We are gradually getting more Committee Members 1st Aid trained to make our club rides even more safe. The Club has bought 6 portable First Aid Kits for ride leaders to take out on clube rides, along with a comprehensive kit for Club events.

The Club has also bought a set of four 2-way radios for use on all tyrpes of club rides to make it easier and safer to organise the large groups e are attracting on our club rides. If you are organising an event for RLSCC members that could benefit from having long range comms, then please get in touch with the Committee, and you would be welcome to borrow them. These are for Club use in any cycling discipline.

The second batch of club shirts has been distributed, and the third batch of club shirts is now on order. It is great to see our members out and about wearing the RLSCC colours. I have had several people outside the club letting me know that they have seen us out and about, which is a brilliant feeling for such a young club.

Well, as always, thanks for reading this and supporting your club. I'll keep sending one of these updates out after each Committee meeting, but remember that this is your club, so if you have any thoughts or ideas please let me or any of the Committee members listed below know.

Cheers,

Dave Newton

The Committee, working on your behalf:

Dave Newton – Chair

Michelle Paget – Secretary

Kevin Hawley – Treasurer

Bev Smerklo – Child Welfare Officer

Chris Barrett – Social Secretary

Andy Robson – Media/Advertising

James Meadows – Website Development

Nathan Parsons – 4X Rep

Elliott Thompson-Knight – DH/Enduro and Youth Rep

Graham Lock – Road Rep

Andy Roote – XC Rep

Richard Cheetham/thebikeyard- Sponsor