Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club newsletter 11th November 2009
Welcome to the second in our long running series of newsletters. Note that I know have a proper "Boarsonbikes" email address (Thanks Paul), and your email addresses are now hidden (sorry!)

Saturday Rides
Saturday rides continue to be well supported and are suitable for anyone who can ride a bike without stabilisers! The weather doesn't seem to have put anyone off yet and remember it is still dusty out there; it's just that the dust is sticky now! Meeting at the bike shop at 10am, the leader this weekend is Boris (Me!)

Night Rides
The darker the night, the more fun we have, so don't be shy come and join us on a Wednesday night. We have several sets of lights within the club for you to borrow, and if you get the bug and want to buy your own, an excellent helmet light and bar light can be bought for around £60 ask Boris for details. We meet in the car park at 6.15. Don't be late as we lock the gates at 6.30 to keep your car safe. This week's leader is Dave Coppins.

Trail Build
Saturday 21st November is a club trail build day. If you want to get involved with improving the trails and see what some of the club members look like under their helmets then this is the day for you. Trail building is immensely satisfying particularly when you ride down a great new bit of trail thinking "I helped build this". Tools are provided, but if you have a spade or mattock and want to bring it along, then that will be great as we sometimes have more people than tools. We use bikes to get to the work area, and we advise bringing a packed lunch. Meeting point is at the bike shop at 10am, and we work until around 3pm although you can of course leave at any time. Ian Smith is our trail chief.

Club Merchandise
Due to popular demand there will soon be a new design club shirt made by a well known, quality manufacturer of bike wear. There will also be other club merchandise available soon such as Beanies and Buffs. More details as soon as we have them, or keep an eye on our website.

Christmas Nightride
There will be a special Christmas nightride on Wednesday December 16th. Cover your bike in tinsel and fairly lights and join us in a winter wonderland. Led by Andy, we will need to know nearer the time how many people are coming so we know how much (non alcoholic) mulled wine and hot mince pies to bring along.

Coaching
Now we are in the months of shorter days and stickier dust, coaching has ended for the year. In the last few months Gary and his team of Tim, Carl and Michael have run more coaching sessions than ever before and have trained all ages from primary school children to those in their second or third childhood. Details of next year's courses will be announced in the new year, but in the meantime the club would like to thank the coaching team for their hard work over the past twelve months.

Racing
Five club members competed in the inaugural Insomnia night race - the Boars on Bikes team made up of Paul Stevens, John Rivett and Tim Bizley placed fourth in the threes category, John Kelly placed seventh in the solo event and Ian Smith rode as part of a non-BFCC team which placed second in the threes category.
This has inspired eight club members to enter for the Muc-Off 8 hour enduro to be held on April 2010 at Pippingford Park. First to enter were the Bedgebury Belles, a team of three ladies, followed by a mens team and two solo riders (John Kelly and Ian Smith).

Pippingford Park has a great reputation for challenging single track riding and the enduro course also features a timed downhill section. It would be great to make this a really big event for Bedgebury, so the more teams and solo riders the better, and supporters are extremely welcome. Entries are open to solo riders, pairs and teams of 3 or 4, with categories for male, female and mixed teams. The cost is £40 per rider and entries are open at Muc Off

BEDGEBURY WINS TOURISM AWARDS!
At the Tourism South East Awards, Bedgebury received the Tourism Excellence Award for Sports Tourism. On the same day Bedgebury won the Medium-sized Tourism and Leisure Award at the West Kent Business Awards. Bedgebury Director, bike club member and all round good guy Dave Hiscock said "This is down in no small amount to the bike club! Please pass on my thanks to all. I hope to be out riding again soon!" Thank YOU Dave, hopefully we will see you out soon

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