Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club newsletter 18th Feb This week the newsletter has been delayed by a bad case of weather forecast writer's block. How can I write something amusing about the weather when it changes every twenty blinking minutes? I see the sun shining and feel the gentle heat of the early spring sun. So I get my riding kit on (3/4 length shorts, long sleeve jersey and a gille), then I go in to the garage to get the bike out and when I come out it's snowing! So I start writing the newsletter with a moan about the snow, and before I get to send it, it's torrential rain outside. And that's just in Maidstone. In Tunbridge Wells, there is probably a typhoon. Or a plague of locusts. Or something.

The funny thing is that when I actually get to ride, I always seem to be suitably dressed whatever the weather. Maybe I'm just happy and comfortable on a bike. Well why wouldn't I be! And remember, every cold, wet ride you do this time of the year entitles you to a warm, dry, dusty ride in the summer. Mmmm, dust...

First of all

A big thank you to all those who turned out for the Club ride on Feb 6th. Oli and Luke can now regard themselves as officially welcomed to their new roles!

Membership Renewals

It's that time again folks. Watch out for your renewal forms coming through your letterbox any day now.

South Downs Way

The club outride to do the South Downs way has been confirmed for the 10th and 11th July. Starting in Winchester on the Friday night we will ride the length of the South Downs Way (100 miles) over the weekend. Rumours of trying to beat the non-stop there-and-back record (200 miles) of 17 hours were confirmed to be untrue after the critical word "hours" was apparently originally read as "days"...

Training Sessions 2010

This year the training sessions start on the 20th March for adults and Easter Weekend for juniors. There will be regular "Saturday Club" sessions for juniors running every fortnight until the middle of September. Adult training will include cornering, drop-offs, bunny hops and jumps. Ladies specific sessions are also on the programme. More details will be released shortly so keep an eye on the website for information.

Website Forum

Don't forget the forum is there for all to use. If you have any question about bikes, kit, riding, training, or you have something for sale, or you just want to meet up with other cyclists in the real or virtual world, then the club forum is where you need to be.

Saturday and Wednesday Club rides

These rides are still happening at 10am and 18.30pm respectively - and boy was it cold last Saturday! Keep an eye on the forum though in case of last minute problems, generally of a weather related nature.

Boris

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Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club newsletter 4th Feb The Boy Scouts have a motto which is "Be Prepared". As I was a good boy scout in my younger days, before I rode from Maidstone to Bedgebury last night for the committee meeting, I was very well prepared. Lights charged, spare batteries for rear lights, tyres pumped, spare clothes, hi vis clothing, high energy food, usual tool kit. What could possibly go wrong? Well riding to Bedgebury was fairly uneventful apart from very nearly being wiped out by our esteemed web master - thanks Paul...

The journey home though took a little longer than expected. Within a few hundred meters of leaving Bedgebury my left hand crank came loose. This was despite me fitting the crank bolt with loctite. So I stopped and tightened it. It came loose again, so I stopped again, and again, and again, and again. Having limped to within 8km of home I got a puncture. And then the heavens opened. I may just have said a rude word. Next time the Boy Scouts can take their motto, and I'll take the car. To sum up, I'm in a bad mood!

Anyway, to this week's news:

Club Ride Saturday 6th Feb 10am

Don't forget this Saturday's ride is the big one to welcome Oli and Luke to the forest. It would be great to see a big turn out on the day, so if you fancy meeting two really nice guys and have a great mornings ride with fellow members then please come along. The ride suits all abilities, and we occasional split large groups by ability to ensure everyone has fun.
The ride meets at Quench Cycle shop at Bedgebury and leaves promptly at 10am.

Trails to avoid

The recent weather has taken its toll on some of the trails in the forest. Worst hit are the bermed section of the singletrack in the cleared area previously known as Gloomy Wood, and the unmarked "racetrack" to the right of the initial fire road climb. We would very much appreciate it if riders could stay off these paths as continued use in these conditions will make repairs much harder when it starts to dry out.

BFCC Beanie Hats

The hats have arrived now and look fantastic, Thanks Malky! They cost £ 8.50 if you collect from Malky or £ 9.50 if you want him to post it to you. Contact Malky through Personal Message on the forum user name is gingerbloke. Any problems, please mail me and I will pass on the details. Supplied are limited, so get in fast!

Races

This year the club race series will run on 15th May, 5th June, 26th June and 17th July. So put the dates in your diary now whether you want to race or to assist as a marshal/time keeper.

Celebrate Cycling at Bedgebury

Advance notice of a cycling celebration day to be held at Bedgebury at a date to be confirmed this summer. Stay tuned for details...

Outrides

The regular monthly outrides will start again next month. If you have knowledge of a ride away from Bedgebury which you would be happy to navigate round (not necessarily "leading" the ride), then lets hear about it. Outrides a little further away from home this year will include a trip to Afan in south Wales, and a weekend ride along the South Downs Way complete with support vehicle.

BikeRadar Live

This year the BikeRadar Live festival will take place at Brands Hatch on 10th - 11th July. Plans are afoot to ride there offroad from Bedgebury, but meantime if you want tickets, you can get a 20% discount if you book before the end of February if you use the code CL30 in the discount box. http://live2010.bikeradar.com/

RoadID

As many of us ride on the road as well as off road, the question of identification in the event of an accident is always worth a thought. The American Company www.RoadID.com makes a variety of products to assist emergency services. As an incentive, the first 20 people to use the code ThanksSimon616123 in the next 30 days will get a small discount off their order.

Boris

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