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Reliability Rides
All in Feb as threatened a while back.
RR1 and RR2 will be the 50 mile loops used last year (no 60 mile option).
I could use some input from people on who if anyone is up for the 20mph options. Cos you need at least 2 and ideally 3+ to make it worthwhile (its still hell). The 20mph options for RR1 and RR2 will be slightly easier than last year in that you wont have to cover an extra 10 miles as well as average 20mph. Of course this means however that the timekeeper will have to hang around for an extra half hour at the start - which is precisely why I will cancel the 20mph option unless there is reasonable interest.
Paul and I are yet to confirm the route for RR3 - we are going to test ride a route and cafe some time soon - I am sure it will retain some foundations from the recent Autumn 2011 RR3.
RR1 Route
RR2 Route
RR3 Route: Coming in a few weeks time
And for those that have no idea what on earth I am talking about...welcome to the world of club cycling
Rob Jones
Club Nights
Friday 25th November - Rollers
There is no doubt that our brave members, most of whom are up for almost anything, are faint hearted when it comes to getting on those rollers.
To show how it is done, and to prove how exciting it can be, Chris Tasker our most excellent coach, is coming along this Friday with the set of Competition Rollers (2 rollers connected by cable to a very large clock calibrated in metres) and will demonstrate. Chris has been secretly practicing all week in St Athan. The idea is that you bring along any bike you like, with shoes and some shorts and you have a go under an expert eye.
If we can get about 8 Oggies on rollers by Christmas (there will be other opportunities on the 16th and 23rd December) we can run a Competition in late January. I have in mind Saturday 22nd January between 11.00am and 1.00pm.
This competition could have prizes (is there a sponsor out there with £50.00) and we could have a parallel Turbo challenge. Both restricted to 80 inch gears?
We could invite families and make a bit of a party of it too, in the dark days of January that would be a bit of fun.
I could organise this myself but I would much prefer if it were a Club effort with people volunteering for gear checking, handicapping, judging, timing and a tea making and anything else we could add to make a bit of an event for families and widen its appeal generally.
Perhaps we can discuss this on Friday
Please also be aware that Glyn of Ffotoimage Cowbridge, took photos of the Cyclo Cross last weekend and is bringing a DVD of all his shots along on Friday too.
Finally, this is your last weekend before the Auction on Friday 2nd December to clean off that tat (sorry, that nice spare gear you no longer have a use for) so get out the DuraGlit.
Tim Raine
Thinking of joining?
What cycling is the club involved in?
The key element of our club is social cycling. Our club runs cater for varying apetites and abilities, from those wishing to enjoy a gentle amble in the lanes, to those aiming to complete some sportives, to those maintaining fitness for competition.
What are the benefits?
If you're reading this page, the chances are you have developed an interest in cycling, and you will definitely get more out of it if you join a club. You may have cycled all your life, and just want to meet some new people, you may be relatively new to cycling and want to learn from more experienced riders, you may be a recent convert to cycling from another sport and wish to start competing, or you may want to just keep fit and want to discover good routes in the area. We have members from all those categories.
What do you compete in?
The club is active in road racing, time trialling and cyclo-cross, and we also have mebers who ride on the track and in mountain biking.
What if I don't want to race?
Then you'll be in the majority. Although many of our members compete, most do not, and get their enjoyment from cycling with company and feel no need to prove themselves against the clock or against the racing snakes.
I'm not sure if I'm fit enough.
You almost certainly will be if you're reading this. We have two club runs on a Sunday morning - one for amblers, and a faster one for those looking to push themselves a bit. If you're not sure, start with the amblers, and if you find that too easy...move on up. Keep an eye on the club forum - members post messages on this with suggested routes. Numbers on the club run tend to decrease during the racing season from March to September, but there are usually still a few people out.
How do I join?
The best advice is to come along and try a club run. If you're doing a reasonable amount of cycling, and are perhaps aiming to complete a sportive, then you may be okay with the faster group, but if in doubt, try the amblers. Alternatively, you can come along to the club on a Friday evening to introduce yourself and meet other members.
Testimony
Read some of our current member's stories about why they joined, and what they've gained from the club.
OVW triumph in Triple Climb
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Rob Jones above - I know he loves this photograph
Congratulations to Rob Jones and Chris Chick who were first and second respectively in the Cardiff Byways triple hill-climb on October 2nd. For Rob, this caps a particularly good time trialling season. Chris was not too far behind him though, and this is his second podium finish of his first competeive season, after his first at a Llandow Crit in the early summer.
Chris Chick below
Mallorca March 2012
Steven Madeley will be organising our trip to Mallorca in 2012. Thanks Chris for doing such a great job over the last few years. There are many similarities and a few changes from previous years which were agreed at the Managment team meeting last Friday.
1) Book your flight. Flights out are Sunday 18th at 0710 and return on Saturday 24th at 1420. You can go earlier, come back later or do both. Your alternatives are Sat 17th at 1045 or Monday 26th at 1000 (no flights on Sunday 25th). Do this NOW! Email Steven with your flight booking number.
2) Decide if you want a single or twin room. Tell Steven what nights you are staying and who your room mate is - no drawing of straws this year!
3) Tell me if you want travel to and from Bristol and to and from Palma airport to the hotel.
4) I will book the hotel for you (I may need a deposit which I will get the club to hold). I can also help with advice for anyone interesting in going for the first time.
Rooms need to be reserved at the Hotel by 31st October. The price is approx 200 Euro per person (half board) if you share.
Latest news
Coaching
Chris Tasker from RAF St Athan is providing coaching sessions on Friday evenings through the Autumn....more here
Celtic Series
Discussions are progressing with respect to a new time trial series to fill the gap left by the demise of the Magic Dragon series last year.. Details are still to be ironed out, but thanks to everyone who has contributed to the debate on the form it might take, and on offering support to organising an event. More news soon hopefully.
Simon Richardson
Simon is making good progress following his well publicized accident last month....more here
There is also a frequently updated blog posted by his sponsor, Phil Jones.
Submit Results
In response to a suggestion from Rob Powell, I have added a database for members to post race results on the site. This is in experimental form at the moment, but please try it out, and I will attempt to iron out any user-issues as we go. Once it is working OK and I am happy with its design, I'll link to it from the side bar.
Fat Boab