Archive for IMPORTANT information!

Meeting Feedback

February 24, 2015 / / No comments

As most of you know we held a club meeting on Monday the 23rd Februrary at Blaydon Rugby Club. Here is a summary of what went on and anything that came of it.

Membership – (updated to time of writing) Currently we stand at 76 members. With 8 expired, 2 of which have moved away from the area and we expect another of those to re-join soon. That puts up 10-15 up from our peak membership for the whole of 2014 with the vast majority returning.

Club Accounts Kevin gave a brief description and run down of money in and money out. Most money that went in has went out, a few minor expenses such as stationary and plug-ins for the website have been used. We’re keeping funds until we can find something ultimately in the best interests of the club. Our biggest outgoings were club kit. Asides affiliation costs most membership funds remain in the bank. Anyone who wishes to check out accounts is more than welcome to with some notice so we can get you what you want to see.

Race Team Paul gave us a quick run down of the clubs new Time Trial and Race Team, it’s new, we’ve done a few Croft sessions, and it’s a work in progress. To race you must have a SILVER British Cycling Membership and a race license. (cost is in the area of £70 to race). We are also affiliated with CTT enabling us as a club to take part in certain TT events. Anyone wishing to join the race team please join our race Facebook group, talk to one of the Blaydon Racers or contact our new race lead, Ben.

Affiliations it was pointed out who we are affiliated with. The two main ones are British Cycling and CTT (Cycling Time Trials)

Sponsorship it was suggested we should seek sponsors. The room agreed that the moment we are self sufficient, we may not immediately seek a ‘Jersey Sponsor’ but if we run events we may explore than avenue.

Website and Social Media it was generally agreed that out website and social media output was adequate.

Club Trips Ayr and Spain this year, a strong interest in club trips in the future. They’re to be inclusive so we won’t designate trips as a ‘fast lads holiday’ or suchlike. We need to work on being inclusive to all both on this as well as in club rides.

Club Runs – minor alterations to club runs may take place, we will take advantage of a slightly earlier start (8-830 for fondo rides) and club rides will gradually become 8:45 for 9. Development rides may also be altered in due course depending on route and location.
We also want to encourage all on club rides and remove any perceived stigma that it is a ‘fast’ ride. Club rides are at the heart of the club, they must be inclusive yet remain at a standard that will satisfy the majority. It was agreed that people will take turns in helping out and we’ll try to adopt an approach where we can keep people happy this as we mentioned relies on numbers and the reputation of these rides picking up. This will be a continual work in progress, it may mean staggered start times slightly (a few minutes head start for some) or a more neutral ride start so no-one flies off at the start. Again a work in progress and we’ll trial a few ideas, any additional suggestions are more than welcome.

Development / Easy Wheelers – Iain was appointed as our Development lead. We discussed assigning new members to the club a mentor for rides so they will have someone to ride with and get to know. This as well as we need a pool of volunteers for both rides so Ride Leaders are not always committed to the Easy Wheelers or Development rides and can pursue their personal goals more. All of these will be lead out and developed by the new ride lead.

We are also going to look into a basic maintenance course and a session to educate riders on pre-ride checks, and keeping their bike in good working order following mechanical problems on rides.

Club Kit – Suggestions were made to get a gillet for spring and autumn, enquiries to be made on this. Caps are another possibility and we’ll do our best to get caps ordered if possible in the near future. Again enquries to be made.

Ride standards – when we have new members especially, and on all club rides (additional to Development Rides) a pre-ride briefing, any known hazards (e.g. A ‘surface dressed’ road) , a head count, information on where we are stopping.
Additionally on development rides an explanation of the various hand signals and calls such as hazard reporting, stopping, and changes of direction.

Other Business – Mountain bike rides, (down the tracks and to parkhead station etc etc) I am happy to lead these, again I may need some help. so that is in the works. They are likely to coincide with development ride weeks so club weeks are kept clear.

Parking at our meeting point of La Taverna/Michelangelo was discussed. Due to a new car park layout the parking has been slightly reduced. Both premises are very busy at weekends and we wish to minimize cars in the car park. The management have been VERY good to us since the club started. We want to encourage riding to rides. for some this is not possible. Parking is suggested at Ryton Rugby Club, Newburn Riverside or just off Newburn Bridge road (king Oswald Drive) and for you to ride along. We strongly encourage either of the above options so we can maintain a good working relationship with La Taverna and continue to meet there.

Category: Blogs, Club News, IMPORTANT information! /

Emergency Info

February 13, 2015 / / No comments

When you sign up for a BCC membership or British Cycling please ensure you fill out your emergency contact details on your profile. Existing members can log into their dashboard.

Sign up shot.

Category: Club News, IMPORTANT information! /

Outstanding annual subs

February 13, 2015 / / No comments

If there’s anyone out there who’s still wishing to join us on our 2015 journey please remember to renew your subscriptions for the year.

Pay Club Fees

Category: Club News, IMPORTANT information! /

Club meeting 2015

February 2, 2015 / / No comments

It’s been over a year since our last meeting – finally we will have a 2015 one, ideas for agenda items can be messaged to us, please use the form at the bottom of this blog and reference ‘Meeting 2015’ in the email so we know it’s for the meeting.

Time:  19:00 for a 19:10 meeting start
Date: 23/2/15
Location: Blaydon Rugby Football Club (Hexham road – swalwell / Blaydon) – upstairs room.

Event Link: bit.ly/bccmeeting2015

First of all let me thank each and every one of you for choosing to ride with us and become a member, your support goes way beyond my gratitude, everyone of you has made progress in your cycling abilities and made some fantastic friends along the way, we have also probably eaten a great deal of cake and downed a few Olympic pools worth of coffee.

Due to our expansion we want another two members up on the committee. alongside our current roles of Secretary (Rob) Chairman (Paul) and treasurer (Kevin) as per the running of a club, nominations for all roles is open. further details on how we are going to run said ballot to follow as soon as possible.

However the two new roles will be:

  • Development Ride Officer
  • Race Officer

Both of these roles will allow for the two newer arms of the club to have some greater assistance in their running, the lead/rep/officer (exact title to be decided) will help in the organization of events, help us get in touch with the relevant organizations and help us network in general within the cycling community. Development Rides are incredibly popular and we feel it is time to have further people helping us along the way this also takes a great deal of pressure off the main committee members and will allow for events to run in their absence. Again as with the existing roles they will be open to ballot when we get this up and running. Our race team is very new with our first races taking place in early 2015, We are also time trial affiliated allowing us to compete in TT’s and races. (races may be subject to British Cycling license requirements).

Our meeting will be held at the place stated at the top of this post, and there will be a Facebook event to mark your attendance.

We will discuss where we have come in the last year, where we are going, and open to any suggestions on the future, we’ve had our first official year, it’s been a massive learning curve. we are still learning, but I have every confidence with your support and the current attitude within our members we can go a whole lot further and retain the what I feel is unique club atmosphere within Blaydon Cycle Club, I’ve already heard newer members compliment on the way we run our club, the atmosphere between each other on rides, as well as our open communications especially via social media and our website.

[contact_bank form_id=2 show_title=true ]
Category: Club News, IMPORTANT information! /

IMPORTANT: Ride Alteration.

January 31, 2015 / / No comments

Please note the changed time and route for the club ride:
10:00 start @ La Taverna

Please also make sure you are aware of the slightly changed route, these have been changed due to forecast weather. the late start will allow for the roads to clear slightly. Due to overnight temperatures please take care on exposed stretches of road and minor roads on the ride as well as whilst coming to and from the rides. As always please do double check the club facebook & twitter before you set off in the morning.

Category: 'Main' Club Rides, Change To Ride, IMPORTANT information!, Ride Alert, Ride Info /

Club ride cancellation. A club first.

January 18, 2015 / / No comments

As most of you are aware the decision was made to cancel today’s ride.
This was due to overnight sub zero temperatures and early morning snow fall.
Thanks to all that fed back the road conditions to us and apologies if you began to make your way to our ride.

Keep an eye on the twitter / Facebook before winter rides for the latest.
This is amazingly a club first. We’ve never previously cancelled a club ride.

bit.ly/BlaydonWinter explains a little more about us cancelling or changing rides and why we do it

Category: Club News, IMPORTANT information!, Ride Alert, RIDE CANCELATION /

Membership Update: 2015 subs & member files.

December 11, 2014 / / No comments

Member Info: After a quick reminder I have added a few COMPULSORY fields for new members when they sign up via British Cycling:
Emergency contact name, emergency telephone number and a yes/no check box so we know which of our members hold relevant first aid skills.
The above we field is essential, and we would find it useful to know in advance who can help with our group rides getting larger

a non compulsory text field will also allow you to enter any allergies or suchlike we may need to be aware of should the need arise.

This information will be collected when we take 2015 subs. We are still waiting on our 2015 confirmation. I will let you know in due course via a blog when this is ready to roll.

This data will be held for club admin purposes, it will not be used anywhere else, only for reference in an emergency should one arise.

Any questions please ask below.
^rh

Category: Club News, IMPORTANT information! /

Winter Rides

November 23, 2014 / / No comments

Winter Rides: *Updated November 2015*

Please Read the below so you fully understand our intentions for winter club events. 

Unfortunately living in the North of England we are at the mercy of mother nature. Just to re-address the issue of winter rides.

We try our best to keep club activity to as near to as full time as we can, we were lucky in previous winters as we never really had any severe weather.

Safety of all members is our top concern and it may get to the point where for these reasons we call off a ride. If you don’t feel confident riding in the weather that has been forecast, there is no shame in dropping out of the ride if you think you won’t be to manage for whatever reason.

We recommend lights for all rides during the winter months due to visibility being lower than the brighter summer months, especially for the ride to and from the club rides. For our week night training sessions they are mandatory (these rides take place in the hours of darkness, it’s also a legal requirement to be lit up at night) – as a minimum, on a club ride a flashing rear light is suggested in daylight hours. (just think if there was an insurance claim, have you took reasonable precautions to aid your visibility) It is your responsibility to make yourself visible to others.

Regarding club rides and events, the decision to cancel or alter a ride will be made where we can, the evening before so during the winter please make sure for our events you check the social media channels (usually this will be decided

We will post a message on one of the following (twitter and main club page are interlinked):

  • Our Facebook page
  • The Event Page
  • Twitter

This decision will be made amongst a group of our regular riders from observing the current conditions, forecast and any weather warnings in place. Rides may be also subject to delay, cancellation or alteration on the day if we feel that it may not be safe to continue due to sudden weather or forecasts received. Please check the individual events and main page for any relevant messages before you leave the house that morning.

Category: 'Main' Club Rides, Club News, Development Rides, IMPORTANT information!, Ride Alert, Ride Info / Tags: , , ,

Affilation: Blaydon Cycle Club and the year ahead (Please Read)

November 22, 2014 / / No comments

In the next week or so we will be submitting our British Cycling affiliation forms again.

We will have a few new options available:

first of all you will be required to submit emergency contact details. this will be a mandatory field when you sign up, as of the new year we want to make sure we have a contact for all should we need it.

Secondly there will be a few membership options, the majority of new members will be standard members and that remains at £10 a year. We will also be offering a discounted second club membership. This will be only open to members who have a primary club already (we can and will check!). Some members will be racing there’s extra costs to this so a small extra amount may be added to cover racing affiliation costs. This hasn’t been confirmed yet and will be arranged when subs are due. We will keep the half year membership, but again, this won’t be due until mid-summer for new members. on all memberships British Cycling levy a £1 charge unfortunately this is a small fee we pay to BC to enable us to keep all record electronic and less paper!

We are Time Trial affiliated. More on this to go on the website soon for anyone interested.

2014 has been a big first year, a big learning curve. We have done things right, done things wrong. we hope to build on the lessons learned of 2014. While we have aspirations of a race team and Time Trials please do remember this is just natural progression and development of the club, We have members of mixed ability down from the newest cyclists, right through to those who have raced across a country. We need to be able to accommodate everyone, the club will do its best to strive and preserve that yet it is very important to get the key messages out that although you may see chatter about racing, time trials and competitive cycling we have something for everyone, In numbers on every ride we can have groups of riders matched to their ability, and we are always open for questions if you have doubts about a ride.  We don’t want people to be ‘scared’ of a club run due to distance, speed, or its terrain, a simple post on the event could be all it takes to have your mind put at ease. Our main focus is and always will be catering for anyone who has an interest in cycling.

What we have done well we want to do better, where we have let people down we don’t want to repeat. We hope to see you on the other side (in 2015 that is!) and help us to build on the foundations that have already being set for a club that is getting some great attention.

As always any feedback or suggestions drop us a line.

Category: Blogs, Club News, IMPORTANT information! /

Blaydon: our rides and what purpose they serve

September 14, 2014 / / No comments

At Blaydon Cycle Club we have three ‘levels’  all will be explained, what they are, what they are for, who they are for and why we run them.

This post has been commissioned as we have a considerable amount of new members, and a few questions have been asked and we want to make sure that everyone understands how we operate and how we are trying our very best to be as inclusive as possible. We understand a lot of our social media traffic might sound like everyone’s wanting to go around winning Le Tour but that’s more than likely isn’t the case (but we can dream, right?)

The three rides are graded as follows:

  • ‘Easy Wheelers’ rides
  • Development Rides
  • Club Rides

‘Easy Wheelers rides’ Occasionally when time allows we operate an ‘Easy Wheelers’ ride, these are open to all. but the focus is on new riders, those ‘fresh out the box’ these rides are shorter (10-15 miles) and are there for any new riders, or those new to riding in groups simply to get used to cycling on the roads (we pick quiet roads for these rides) and riding in groups. everyone is welcome to these but you must remember if you are experienced already these rides are exclusively for the newer riders to learn new skills and gain confidence, more able riders should be prepared to help others and be fully aware the ride will be geared for the new riders.

Development Rides Dev Rides are our middle tier of rides, generally they are every second week and run any time from 9am to 10am start. They usually run a length of 30-40 miles and are planned with a route that is not too challenging. Being Northumberland a few lumps and bumps are inevitable but these are kept to a minimum and around the top we will regroup. These rides are in essence for development and improvement, right from how to climb, corner, even eat and drink on the go. We want people to develop their skills, teach others, learn from others, the rides name is pretty self encompassing when we label it! Blaydon Jerseys will always be on hand and your ‘ride leaders’ will be pointed out at the start, these are your port of call if you have ANY issues on the ride be they mechanical or physical. We also think these are a great ride for your first ride if you have never been out in a club,you get to ride in a group, and meet many of our regulars. The intention is development rides are there to prepare you for and work your way to club rides as your confidence and skill sets grow.

 

Club rides perhaps the most confusing of late. We have operated a few ‘big’ club runs of late, more notoriously our recent ‘Hilly Fondo’ has caused some panic within the club. We want to reaffirm that challenging rides such as a ‘Fondo’ happen occasionally as we do have a very diverse group of riders. Club rides are not there just for the fast, the racers, they are all inclusive as is any ride. As you can imagine with 20-30 people on a ride it is hard to put a maximum speed or time limit out there and have such a large group out in one go. What generally happens now on the club rides is a ‘breakaway‘ group forms which contains a small group of riders who are capable of 16-18mph averages, behind those is the main group these generally are 13-15mph average depending on the terrain and course, if the group was even larger there is a chance of having a 3rd group.

Having mixed abilities is a hard balance to strike within cycling, and it can be hard to plan for from our end, and its with your continued support that allows us to facilitate the group rides. Quite simply put we need members of all abilities to make the rides a success. In no way are club rides designed for the ‘fast lads’ (as they get called) they are inclusive for everyone.

If you have concerns over   a particular route please raise them on the event page or direct message the club page (or email us) we will do our very best to help everyone, and make any adjustments or reassurance to anyone who needs it. Some club rides are challenging, some will be easier, we just want to strike a fair balance to all of our members and offer a bit of everything, all feedback of late has been noted, we really do need that feedback if we are going to be able to try and help everyone. The support can be and will be out there for all.

if you have ANY questions please to sign in with one of your social media accounts below and post a comment and we will do our very best to answer your questions. It’s with everyone’s great support the club is where it is. and it’s with this continued support and occasional feedback that we can plan for the future.

Thanks for reading this, and if you have any questions regarding how we grade and deliver our rides again, please do comment below (on this page as opposed to on twitter or facebook itself please) any feedback is appreciated and this is a great open forum to facilitate this.

 

Category: 'Main' Club Rides, Club News, Development Rides, IMPORTANT information! /
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