So it’s been a wee while since we last communicated with you all, but with a handful of committee members away on the ‘Ride Across Britain’ event this September, writing the Club newsletter had to be popped onto the back burner to be kept warm for a bit.
It is now fairly traditional that we open with a little ditty about the weather (well, we are British after all!) and after experiencing pretty much ALL the types of weather known to man over the past couple of months, with rain, rain, and did somebody mention rain? To those heady days of glorious sunshine that made riding our bikes even more of a pleasure, only to be closely followed by a batch of ridiculous gusts and gale force winds (the remnants of Hurricane Dorian) that could take you clean off of your trusty steed in one fell swoop!
We hope this newsletter will inform you on what club members have been up to and what is coming next…
SOCIAL NEWS
Club Treasure Hunt & BBQ
Back in August (when it was really, really hot) the Club held its Summer Social at our HQ, the Chippenham Sports Club. As Wheeler’s gathered and formed small groups of 2’s and 4’s, they were given the all-important route map and picture clue sheet, and were sent off into the Wiltshire countryside to take on the mighty Treasure Hunt.
It was a good couple of hours before some of them arrived back at base, but we are pleased to report that nobody got drastically lost and everyone (we think?!) eventually returned. After totting up the scores and adjudication from the powers that be, we managed to find our winners. Congratulations to The Bateman Family who located the most items and had the youngest average age.
We were then treated to a BBQ cooked by barbecue-expert, Jamie Currie, all served with some delicious accompaniments and salads made by Club members. With lunch done, it was onto an afternoon of bike handling skills on the obstacle course with Jacqui Cook – this was met with much amusement (particularly by those who had been consuming fermented apples all day!) and some super impressive limbo action from Nicholas Ferris!
A fantastic day was had by all and its overall success means we will look to run the event again next year, so if you missed it this time, where on earth were you? Hopefully we’ll be blessed with the same stunning blue skies next time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club Hill Climb – Saturday 5th October
For any event to run, as always, we need helpers, volunteers, marshals, cake makers etc, so we’re reaching out for any offers of help on the day.
If you are available to lend a hand next Saturday morning, please contact Nick Ferris at: nickferrit@gmail.com
Event HQ: The Manor Room, East Street, Lacock SN15 2LF. Opens 9.00am. Event starts 10.00am.
Club Hill Climb – New event organiser required
After many years of organising the Club Open Hill Climb on Bowden Hill in Lacock, Nick Ferris has decided to step down as the event organiser. The Club would like to give its thanks to Nick for what has proved to be an extremely popular event over the years.
A schedule of events is currently being agreed for 2020, with next year’s date potentially being held on Saturday 3rd October, so we are looking for a new organiser. Ideally the volunteer should be available to shadow Nick at this year’s Hill Climb next Saturday 5th October at 10.00am, so they can understand what’s needed. We need to commit to organising the event by 1st October so that our submission can be made to National for the 2020 calendar.
If you are interested in offering your services as a volunteer organiser, please contact Paul Winchcombe at: paul@winchcombe.net
Help organising the event will be provided by Paul Winchcombe, but since he enters in the forlorn hope he has got better at hills he cannot be the event organiser!
Breaking News. Ian Potts has volunteered to run the event in 2020. Well done Ian, apparently Paul didn’t even have to twist your arm as you volunteered before he got to you.
Club Curry Night – Friday 8th November
Our Club Curry Nights went down rather well last year, so we’re pleased to announce more are currently being arranged! Make sure you pop the date in your diary, we want to see even more of you there this time. More info to follow shortly…
AUDAX NEWS
Paris-Brest-Paris update
Starting on the 18th August, three members of the Club rode the Paris-Best-Paris 1200km Randonneur, one of the oldest cycling events in the world. Two of them, Sheni Jiwa and James Bradbury, completed the ride within the 90 hour time limit, but for Rob Duncumb is was to be a difficult experience after so much hard work to prepare. They’ve each written their own stories of a rather long bike ride……
Check out their incredible adventures here
Chapeau, Sheni, James and Rob.
CHALLENGE RIDES
Ups n Downs 200km Challenge Ride – 7th September
Sheni’s report:
“Six of us rocked up for this little outing across the North Wessex Downs. Weather was cool and dry, with a north-westerly breeze. The first stage over to Chiseldon went well, arriving just after the Three Trees had opened. Fuelled with a good second breakfast we headed over the M4 and into some interesting lanes to Ashbury, where we picked up the Valley of the Racehorse for a lovely blast down to Lambourn. We were soon heading up the first proper climb of the day, no complaints on this one. However no-one was too pleased with the unexpected climb up to Faccombe, or the climb up Combe Hill, but we were rewarded with amazing views from the top of the almost-highest point in south-east England. We plummeted down from there to our lunch stop at the Honesty Café on Inkpen Common, where they had kindly reserved a table for us. Paninis, chips, tea and cake consumed, we then headed over Hungerford Common and south for the big climb of the day up Combe Gibbett. At this point the group split with Andrew and David going ahead. The rest of us re-grouped at the top for the obligatory photo, before beginning the long descent to Hurstbourne Tarrant. From here we turned north-west into the headwind and then the conversations stopped for what was to be a really hard slog to Pewsey. A brief stop at the Spar shop for coffee, milkshakes and flapjack helped to lift our spirits for the final 45km. We finished as the sun was fading, but 3 of us managed to summon the energy for the final climb of the day, up the stairs to the Sports Club bar, to down a pint. A good days upping and downing.”
COACHING NEWS
Spinning Classes
Following the success of last winters coached club indoor cycling (spinning) with Martin Priestley, sessions start the evening of Monday 30th September from 7.30-8.30pm.
Having looked at various venue options, Martin has secured the Springfield Sports Centre in Corsham. It has a large number of bikes located in a bespoke full-time Spin studio which are expected to be in a better state than those at the previous venue! There’s capacity for at least 30 bikes in the room so this time we have invited Corsham CC to join us.
Sessions will focus on maintaining cycling fitness up to Christmas, then from the New Year will be more structured aimed at developing fitness for the Spring.
Cost will be £3.00 per session to cover room booking with any profit once again going to charity.
To book a place or for more information please contact coaching@chippenhamwheelers.org.
Martin also hopes to run his ‘Strength & Conditioning” classes again and is just in the process of confirming dates, venue, etc. Details to follow soon.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS
If you have a cycling-based tale you’d like to share with other Club members, contact us at: comms@chippenhamwheelers.org
And that’s your news for September and October. Whatever and wherever you ride, ride safe.
