Hello everyone

It’s always a bit sad when we wrap up the Tuesday evening multiple ride programme – it’s a sure sign that autumn is coming! I must say though that it has been another really good club year and it has been great to see so many people, old hands and brand new arrivals, riding with us. A few things to bring you up to date on:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, EVENING OF MONDAY 22nd OCTOBER
We aren’t big on formality and bureaucracy, but this is our one relatively formal annual business event for all members. We will present some reports on the club year (which runs from 1 Oct 2017 to 30 Sep 2018), discuss any Motions and award two prizes – Best Newcomer and Best Club Person. You will note that these gloriously vague categories tie in with our generally non-competitive approach to life. We will also elect a new Committee for the coming year. Please note that the following existing role holders have said they are willing to stand again (or, in the case of Jo, transition from a general role to the role of Secretary):

Chairman – John Tranter
Secretary – Jo Little
Treasurer: Roger Postbeschild
Rides Secretary – Jon Townsin
Publicity – Steve Boreham
General Committee Members – Steve Swanton and Karen Townsin

Sara Ward is stepping down as Secretary and we want to extend grateful thanks to her for service in this position. We are also very grateful to Jo Little for offering to stand in this role. Paul Jarvis is stepping down from a general role and David Smith is stepping down from the formal role of Webmaster, although he will continue to support the website on an informal basis (for which we are very grateful).

It would be great to have one more person to join us in a General Committee role – ideal for someone with ideas on improving our communications and links to the local community beyond our existing baseline of general publicity, particularly with the perspective of someone who has joined us in the last couple of years. Also, as noted in my last Newsletter, we would really appreciate anyone with website skills to offer support to David in managing the club website.

Please note that all roles are up for re-election at the AGM, so if you feel strongly about taking on any of the roles listed above, you just need a proposer and seconder. We also always welcome any additional General Committee Members. The work is not onerous – the Committee meets five-six times per year usually on a Monday evening at Old Mill Hall. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you want more details or have any queries. Please make any nominations to Sara (secretary@cyclingukwantage.org.uk) by Monday 8th October at the latest.

Any member can put forward a Motion for discussion at the AGM. Again, please submit any Motions to Sara (secretary@cyclingukwantage.org.uk) by Monday 8th October at the latest.

I really encourage as many of you as possible to come along to the AGM – it is a very useful way to get a good overview of what the Club does and how it is doing. Please put the date in your diaries for now. Full details will be on the website shortly.

TURBO TRAINING SESSIONS
The club will be running a series of 10 Turbo training sessions every Wednesday evening in the Dixon Suite in Old Mill Hall, Grove. The first session will be on Wednesday 3rd October, then on all following Wednesdays until 12th December inclusive, barring Wednesday 7th November when the room is unavailable.

In order to cover the cost of hiring the room we are asking any members interested in taking part in the series of training sessions to each make a contribution of £20 to cover all 10 sessions.

Don’t worry if you don’t have your own turbo trainer as the club has 2 that can be made available.

If you are interested, please contact Karen Townsin (karen.townsin@acintya.co.uk, 07768 066413) for further information and check out the following information on the website: http://www.cyclingukwantage.org.uk/blog.php?p=751

CALSHOT VELODROME – ADDITONAL BEGINNERS’ SESSION, SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER
A number of you expressed an interest in experiencing the fun of riding the banked track at Calshot, but couldn’t make the beginners’ session last Saturday. As a result, another beginners’ session has been added, on the afternoon of Saturday 10th November. Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in joining that – places are limited.

MINCE PIE RIDES, SUNDAY 9th DECEMBER
A date for the diary – hoping to avoid last year’s snow adventure, the Mince Pie rides will be on Sunday 9th December. For those new to the club, this is our primary charity fundraiser event. We run rides at all 5 levels from Wantage market place up to the top of Uffington White Horse Hill, where we serve up mince pies and amazing home-brewed mulled wine (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). We invite all the local clubs to join us and it is always a great event. More details to follow.

And – don’t forget to check the website for the many and various rides continuing into autumn and winter. Just a note on that – we have found it helpful to vary the start times of the Saturday half day rides to give people a bit more choice and we are leaving it up to the individual ride leaders to decide. So keep an eye out as the initial default time may vary once ride details are posted by the leader.

John