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Hostel Weekend - Kington, spring 2011

We have booked Kington hostel for our sole use for Friday 4th & Sat 5th March 2011 (2 nights); one of the best (& most expensive!) small(ish) places around; located on the edge of the town, a few pubs in walking distance & we hope to reserve the best food place for a Sat pm meal. 31 beds: 1x2, 1x3, 4x4, 2x5 bedrooms; the 3 rooms with odd number of beds have a double bed; 4 rooms with en-suite; 3 rooms with showers; 2 communal toilets; 1 communal shower; all linen provided, but bring your own towels. Parking for 7 on site; ample parking on road.

Reminders will be sent out in Jan 2011; the cost is £875, so if we get 20 the cost per person would be less than £45 Guests/friends/partners welcome Further/updated details nearer the time; but if you need more info before then please contact Derek 0121 458 2886; 07957 888412

Touring Weekend - 16-18 July 2010

The tour starts from Speeds on Friday 16 July and heads down to YHA Welsh Bicknor. The route will take in quiet roads around Worcester, through Hanley Swan and passing south of Ross on Wye. A leisurely day arriving tea time in Welsh Bicknor. Saturday will see the group heading up to YHA Leominster, picking up a couple of club members at the train station in Hereford. Again a leisurely pace taking in the scenery with tea stops along the way. Sunday will see the group heading for home. Approximate mileage is 60 miles per day.

This is an unsupported tour with riders carrying their own kit. Individuals will need to book a bed directly with the YHA at www.yha.org.uk. Welsh Bicknor provides meals but Leominster is a self catering only hostel, although there are plenty of places in Leominster to buy food, eg pubs and takeaways.

Any queries please speak to Jackie or contact the Chairman via email chairman@bromsgrovecycling.cc

Clun - Feb 2010

Another successful ‘spring’ hostel weekend, the 10th year in succession & 8 different hostels, where we have had sole use; this year it was Clun, our 2nd time here & it’s improved from a ‘simple’ hostel (2004) to one of the best small hostels around, with improved bedroom arrangements & showers; it’s even got central heating now! 14 of us; 6 cycled from home, worked hard against a strong wind (unless Jackie on the back of the tandem wasn’t peddling!); others drove, although Blaine (seldom seen kid) & Mr C managed a short ride from Clun to Knighton, the 9 miles took over an hour (hills/wind), & back the flat valleys way. Saturday it was uphill to the Welsh border at Kerry, gradually getting colder with altitude, & sleeting at the summit; a spot of luck on route when Sponge’s cassette failed just as we were approaching an open garage; sorted. Big busy cafe in Newtown, stayed for ages trying to get warm & dry out ready for the return loop via Montgomery (sun came out) & Bishops Castle, great little cafe (owners are from Dudlay); tough fiddly lanes back to Clun & an excellent meal at The White Horse. Sunday saw the 6 making their way home with a tail wind, & 6 of the ones with cars cycled straight to that cafe at Bishops Castle again for more cake.

Next year: Kington

Membership Renewal - £11 (Price freeze due to current economic crisis*)

Its that time of year again, where I have to rob you of your cash. Yes that's right, its membership renewal time!

There is no need for existing members to complete a membership form as we have your details. Unless you have changed your details; for example you are no longer known as Sam, but Samantha.

Simply send your cold hard cash to Graham, either a cheque or an online payment (ask Graham for the bank details) and then we can send to you a membership card which can be treasured for ever! Yes I know Bromsgrove Olympique Membership Cards are like gold dust, that's because I never sent them out last year!

Anyway, no money, no membership and stictly speaking you are not allowed to enter events as a BOCC member and (this is for you Nigel) you are not entitled to points on the Club Runs.

treasurer@bromsgrovecycling.cc is Graham's email address for details to make arrangements to pay. Alternatively, if you prefer to use snail mail and send a good old fashioned cheque then use the address from the membership form which you can download here.

The sooner you send us your membership fees, the sooner you get your shiney new membership card! Who can complain at these prices? Its a steal. If there are any new members looking to join please contact me, the membership secretary or any other member of the committee.

Yours, Sponge

*Still a bargain and infact not really a price freeze more of an oversight, we never discussed increases at the committee meeting so I guess you can say we were stupid and forgot (blame all of the committee).

BOCC have been successful in securing another 3 hour indoor track session at Newport Velodrome on Sat 6th February 2010 , from 2pm - 5pm, & our track coach will be (as before) Alan Davis

Cost: BOCC will be paying £195 for the 3 hours hire of the track plus about £30 for Alan Davis; Total £225

For this 3 hour session, I will try to limit the number of riders to around 25-30.

I propose to charge £12 seniors, £6 juniors

The above charges will be adjusted a little either way if numbers/income is less or more than envisaged

Bike hire (well maintained, lightweight, fixed wheel track bikes) is to be paid for on the day, at the Reception desk upon arrival; £7 seniors, £3.50 juniors

The hire bikes have Look pedals; if you don't have Look shoe plates, the peddles can be fitted with clips & straps, so bring recessed plated shoes (mtb type), or trainers.

Alan Davies will divide us into three groups: 1. First time on track/track bike; 2. Done it before but not regularly, or not fit; 3. Regular, experienced & fairly fit Riders can move into another group as Alan sees appropriate

Bring normal summer cycling kit, with helmet & mitts; the Velodrome can be quite cool (but not cold), so I recommend shorts, but bring arm warmers, & something warm to put on when not riding.

It would be great if we could fill this session with BOCC riders only; priority will certainly be given to our members.

However, to ensure I get enough riders/income, I might need to invite a couple of local Midlands clubs, & Alan Davis usually offers to bring about 5 of his youth team from S.Wales.

So could I ask you to let me know ASAP if you want to go, so that I can assess whether I need to invite riders from other clubs.

Payment can follow later, when I have a better idea of numbers

Thanks

Derek

Welcome to the Velodrome or Bromsgrove goes to Newport

Starring Mr P, Mr C, Graham (OAP), Gary (let me out), Posh Paul, Rufus, Sponge, Matt, Adrian, Mike (Gary's mate), Kevin (Rufus' cousin), Jordan and her Dad (Albion fan - big respect!)

Bromsgrove Olympique does it again. Venturing far and wide to all corners of the globe, on this occasion sunny Newport in South Wales (well it was sunny for our journey there and then it started to rain). The rain didn't put us off though, 'cause we were indoors! An amazing feat of achievement was the fact that we were all there on time. In fact we were there too early, perhaps hoping to catch site of others using the track before us, but to our dismay there were none. Which begs the question of whether the track is truly fully booked.

Nonetheless we sat down and ate our sandwiches and another amazing feat was that Mr P turned up ahead of schedule with Alison in tow together with a shopping trolly. She was off to Aldi to do a mega shop. All these amazing feats and we're not even on the velodrome.........yet.

Those with previous track experience got off to a flying start, well almost both Mr P and Adrian had new tyres so kept slipping. Tut, tut experienced riders as well. Adrian had a piece of sandpaper to hand to rough his tyres up and was quickly back in the saddle, but no one wanted to cycle behind him in case he slipped and fell off (Sponge was the only one to admit it though).

As for the newbies, they were flying round the track like professionals in not time at all, except for Graham that is. His feet came out of his toe clips and his legs were flapping around like a rag doll's. Matt made up for the fact that he didn't travel to the Pyrenees earlier in the year. He was riding the banks of the track as if they were cols for nearly the entire session. He looked like he was enjoying himself though.

The newbies joined the main bunch and then some smarty pants decided that it would be a really good idea to ride in pairs around the velodrome. Sponge tried to make a hasty retreat but Alan the coach was having none of it. Next came holding hands (ooh err missus) and riding on the drops with one hand! Alan said it was to improve handling, he must have meant bike skills not handling each other or probably to see if there was a pile up of bikes and bodies.

The session drew to a close with a team pursuit and the only team to win was Jordan's. She beat all the boys and kept the flag flying for team Bromsgrove. Well done!

We're back in Newport on 6 February 2010, so let the Chairman know of your interest. Well done everyone and thanks to Derek again for organising another great trip.

Hostelling weekend in Shropshire

Two nights (26th & 27th Feb 2010) at the YHA Hostel, Clun Mill,Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 8NY. Arrive late afternoon Fri 26, vacate midday Sun 28th Feb. 23 Beds: 2x4, 1x7, 1x8, all ensuite with shower toilet washbasins; all linen provided; self-catering kitchen. Bring your own towel. Parking: 7 cars on site; extra available nearby. No pets; no smoking.

Actual cost: BOCC have paid £649 we are expecting 23 to go (@ £30) but there might be a small adjustment when actual numbers are known.

Please send/hand £30 to Derek Yapp 126 Station Road Kings Norton Birmingham B30 1DB Tel. 0121 458 2886 Mob. 07957 888412

Reliability Ride

Bromsgrove to Broadway and back (50 miles) - Sunday 21st Feb 2010. Start from the Scout HQ, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove. First group depart at 10:00 a.m. Entry fee £2:00. Contact Glenys (01527 833144) or Derek (07957 888412) for more information.

Annual Club Dinner

Venue HANBURY TURN public house on Saturday 30th January 2010. Menu is here.

To book tickets contact Mick Dalton social@bromsgrovecycling.cc

AGM

Club Annual General Meeting. Will be held at the Clubroom, DDS&S club at 8:00 p.m. Monday 26th October 2009 . All welcome. Contact Derek (Chairman) for details.

American Supper

Annual American supper - 8:00 p.m. Monday 28th September 2009, will be held at the Skittles alley, DDS&S club. All welcome. Contact Glenys (Social Secretary) for details.

Reminder start-time for Club Night

Now that the Time trials and Go-Ride sessions for the year have finished, we are back to the earlier start-time of 7:30 p.m. for the Monday evening Club Night. Bring along your own bike for a session on the rollers, or just come for a relaxing drink and chat with other members.

Club Kit

Club Kit in stock. Jerseys and other items of kit in various sizes are available from Ian Billington (President).

Charity ride

St. Richards Hospice annual bikeathon - Sunday 19th Apr 2009. This weeks club run will meet here at 9.45 for a 10.00am start. This will be the 3rd year the club have supported this event run.

The 2007 ride.

The 2008 ride.

A café stop near to Upton is planned on route. Contact Stewart (Club Run Captain) for more information.