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The latest and one previous Club Members Newsletters are available here. Please contact us with any news or articles. See the contact details below.
After a short gap following the AGM, we’re back to look forward to the spring ramp up of cycle sport after a wet and miserable start to 2024
The annual reliability rides on 11th February were our 2024 curtain raiser, and were a great success, raising more than £600 for Warwickshire Air Ambulance.
Newsletter distribution – from Cliff Dobson
This is the final newsletter that will be issued using the 2023 membership list. If you have not renewed your membership this will be the last one you will see. When we refresh the mailing list, any mistakes in the email addresses will mean a handful of members might not get the April news. If this happens, let me know at newsletter@solihullcc.org.uk
Club Code of Conduct – from the Committee
We have created a code of conduct for all club members and guests. Download it from the website at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/documents
Club kit redesign – from Phil Hitchmough
Thanks for the entries received so far. The kit design competition is open for entries until Easter. Full details can be found at https://solihullcc.org.uk/kit-design-competition
SCC Zwift rides – from Ian Cowan
I know spring is here and the last thing you are probably thinking about is Zwift, but just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse, or you are wondering what you can do indoors later in the year, I just want to let you know about some options for riding on Zwift with other club members.
There is a WhatsApp group for anyone who is interested in riding indoors on Zwift. You can ask to join this group, where you can see if there are any planned Zwift activities you would like to take part in. You can share your plans as well and see if other club members want to join you.
If you want to join this group, post a message to the club WhatsApp chat, and ask to be added to the “SCC Virtual/Indoor Riders” group.
Club Rides – from Cliff Dobson
https://solihullcc.org.uk/club-runs
The Spring programme is now up and running. Most ride series’ now use WhatsApp groups to notify changes, especially when weather disrupts the plans – which has been far too frequent recently!
Time Trials – from Dave Fellows
All of the club TT dates are now on the website at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/time-trials
There’s a few new courses for 2024 and 4 events which are part of the inaugural “Bas Francis Road Bike Cup” which is a handicapped league of road bike only time trials in the Warwickshire area. I will attempt to keep you posted as best I can on the website and WhatsApp group for updates on this league.
I will update the course maps on the website in due course - so keep an eye out on there.
Also, I proposed to the committee, and they accepted, that from January 2025 all trophies handed out at the club dinner for time trialling will be under CTT road bike regulations in order to make the competition more inclusive and attainable to a wider portion of the membership. This will be the case going forward for as long as the club hands out these trophies.
If anyone has any questions please get in touch on 07837 974 224
Vintage bike rebuild – from Cliff Dobson
I’m renovating my 1968 Carlton touring bike but have hit a snag. The front forks were slightly bent when the bike fell off my roofrack, so I’m trying to find a pair of 531 steel forks with mudguard clearance, or failing that find someone who might be able to straighten them up. 1 inch threaded steerer. Frame size is 20.5 inch, so short head tube. If you can help, please email me on cvmk125@gmail.com
Dates for your Diary – planned but not promised
May Wednesday evenings – No Frills racing at Tudor Grange
8-9 June – BMCR racing
You can read this and the previous month’s newsletter at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/news-items
Expect the next newsletter to appear in your inbox around 8th April
e&oe
Having skipped the newsletter earlier this month, because we had little to tell you about, this bulletin has a couple of admin matters and a much bigger item.
Club Membership Renewals
2024 membership is now overdue, Thanks to the 350 or so members who have renewed before the cut-off date. Pete James will be chasing non-renewals for the rest of February before he hands over to our new Membership Secretary, Jean Brownsword. Obviously it would be better if we have a clean and orderly transfer of this, so if renewal has slipped your mind, please get in touch ASAP. membership@solihullcc.org.uk
Newsletter mailing
I use the membership list to email the newsletters and bulletins. The March Newsletter will be the last one I issue using the 2023 membership list. If you have not, and do not intend to renew your membership, these will stop hitting your inbox from April.
Club Runs
The Spring club runs programme is being checked for clashes etc and will be loaded on the website very shortly. March 2024 will be posted this weekend. clubruns@solihullcc.org.uk
Club Kit review
Now the main reason for this bulletin…….
We are experiencing supply issue with our club kit. The supplier of our premium kit has withdrawn from small scale club kit sales. The level of purchasing of the standard kit has reduced as more members elected to buy the premium kit. So, because we need to deal with this, your committee, listening to feedback from members, has decided to refresh the club kit design this year. We do recognise that not only is the appreciation of the design of our kit subjective, but it can also be an emotive subject. However, we also recognise that wearing club kit while participating in club activities has reduced (racing excepted).
We want a kit design that represents the identity of the club as we are today, and that members can be proud to wear in every cycling situation – be that club runs, competing or just representing SCC on the roads of the Midlands or further afield.
So how to go about deciding a new design? - A competition!
The committee invites club members to submit designs for eventual consideration by the whole membership. Depending on entry numbers there may be multiple rounds in the competition, but the favourite design will ultimately be chosen by a membership vote.
How do I enter?
You can enter by submitting your design on paper or digitally as long as it shows a representation of a short sleeve jersey and bib-shorts – as these are the staples of a cyclist’s wardrobe.
Entries will be accepted up to 28 March 2024.
Digital entries (also scans of your paper artwork) can be emailed to scc.clothing@gmail.com
Physical entries can be posted to Phil Hitchmough, 83 Wychwood Ave, Knowle, Solihull. B93 9DJ.
Please write your name on the back of physical entries.
What happens next?
All postal entries will be scanned to create digital files, and then all entries will be uploaded to a website where a voting system can be implemented. After that we will have a winning entry that will become our new club kit design. The winning designer will be invited to work with the committee and the selected clothing provider to arrive at the finished products.
This is just the bare bones. To see the full picture visit the website at https://solihullcc.org.uk/kit-design-competition
Over to you, and happy designing.
New year, but the weather hasn’t made a resolution to improve. Our hardy cyclo-crossers finished off the old year in style with Zoe and Sam standing on the top and third step in their races at Kenilworth on Boxing Day.
January and February are rest months for most of us – and time for the club to look forward to a new year with our AGM, and to celebrate last year’s achievements with the awards dinner.
New members – from Pete James
This month we welcome Carolyn and Rob Jennings and Karen Taylor
Membership renewals 2024 – from Phil Rosenbloom
Final notification
Club membership subscriptions will remain unchanged for 2024. If you pay by direct debit your subs will automatically be paid via your existing mandate. Do not fill in another Direct Debit form. If you want to set up a new Direct Debit, for the first time, please fill in the direct debit form and the membership application form and send both to Pete James. If not done already, these must be received by him, as soon as possible after this newsletter hits your in-box.
The forms are available to download via the website at https://solihullcc.org.uk/documents
Membership Payment.
Existing Direct Debit - there is no need to send in an application form.
BACS - there is no need to send in an application form but please let Pete know how much you are paying.
Cheque - please send your cheque and a completed application form to Pete.
Direct Debits will be collected on or shortly after the 5th February 2024
If you have any membership queries please contact Peter James at cpjames49@gmail.com
For direct debit queries contact me via e mail to phil.rosenbloom@blueyonder.co.uk
Please don’t let this slip your mind, because once the renewal cut-off date (29/2) has passed we will see a new membership secretary take the reins from Pete James – who’s stepping down after doing a sterling job for absolutely ages. Thanks – and happy retirement Pete.
Annual General Meeting – from Ailsa Neely
Wednesday 24 January 2024 @ 7.30 pm
Solihull Sports & Social Club
Brick Kiln Lane (off Widney Lane), Solihull B91 3LE
Agenda: (abridged – see website for full agenda)
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of 2023 AGM
3. Acceptance of 2023 Accounts and Balance Sheet
4. Matters Arising
5. Appointment of Officers – Committee and Non-Committee vacancies
6. Any Other Business
2023 Awards presentation dinner – from Mike Wood
Saturday 3 February 2024
Robin Hood Golf Club, St Bernard’s Road, Olton
https://solihullcc.org.uk/2023-awards-presentation
Some details are still to be finalised, and will follow in a member’s bulletin as soon as possible. Once again, thanks to a healthy operating surplus from 2023, we will be subsidising the price.
Those who were awards winners in 2022 will have to clean and polish their silverware a ready for this year’s recipients. Please can these be returned before Friday 19 January(to allow time for engraving) to either Keith Jones or Ailsa Neely as follows:
Ailsa Neely Keith Jones
126 Ralph Road, East Worcestershire Farmhouse
Shirley B90 3JZ Icknield Street
Kings Norton B38 0EP
Reliability Ride – from David Fellows
Sunday 11th Feb 2024 - Red Lion Pub - Knowle
Our Reliability Ride is running again on the 11th Feb same format as last year with the HQ & sign on being the Red Lion pub in Knowle. It’s £5 cash donation to ride - all proceeds to Midlands Air Ambulance
The route details are on the website and Facebook page
I am looking for a few volunteers on the day to help with the sign on, ushering the groups out of the car park and serving tea, coffee, and cake afterwards. I will also be looking for cake donations please.
The timings of the event
HQ open 0800
Long route start 0900
Medium route start 0915
Short route start 0930
First riders expected back 1130
HQ Closes 1500
Please let me know if you can help out - all the donations are for a cause which we are grateful to have as cyclists, but hope we will never need. The event can’t run without volunteers - so even if it’s only a few hours at the end of the event please can you let me know… djohnfellows@gmail.com
Club Rides – from Cliff Dobson
The January and February club rides programme are on the website.
Club run leaders are monitoring weather and road conditions and will modify or even cancel led rides if they consider the risks justify it. As these decisions usually happen as late as possible, we will be using WhatsApp groups to notify riders. If you are not registered to one (or more) of the Club’s WhatsApp groups, ask the run leader to get you added.
Safety and welfare – from the committee
If something goes wrong while you are a participant in an official club activity, would you have everything in place to deal with the incident? This could be the tools and knowledge to fix a mechanical, or the means to summon help to get home in case of illness or non-emergency injury.
We ask members to fill in emergency contact details on the back of your membership card, and to carry this with you when on club rides or training / coaching events etc.
While fellow club members can be relied on to help, it is your responsibility to be properly prepared for the unexpected.
Dates for your Diary – planned but not promised….
Wed 24 Jan Annual General Meeting – Solihull Sports & Social Club
Sat 3 Feb Annual Awards presentation – details to follow
Sun 11 Feb Reliability Rides – Red Lion, Knowle
You can read this and the previous month’s newsletter at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/news-items
Expect the next newsletter to appear in your inbox around 11th February
e&oe