Author: vcneditor

Membership

As George Harrison sang..’Here Come’s the Sun, do do do do’

OK, maybe I’m a week or two too early but it won’t be long. So now’s the ideal time to think about retrieving the summer bike
from the garage/spare room or wherever you stored it, feather brush the dust/cobwebs off it and check it’s ready for riding.
You don’t want to miss out on that chance of the first warm, sunny Sunday ride this year.
Oh, and whilst you’re at it, why not re-join the VC for 2024 if you haven’t already done so.
Your cycling club friends are looking forward to seeing you again this year and riding with you.
Don’t delay, get that membership arranged today so you can straight away enjoy the benefits of the VC and the
group Sunday rides. We’ve tried to make re-joining nice and straightforward. Just follow this link:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/club/profile/3596/vc-norwich where you will find our club profile on the British Cycling website,
and ‘click’ on BUY CLUB MEMBERSHIP where you can re-join and pay online. Remember the membership fee for this year is just
£10 per member and this includes the £1 BC admin fee.

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will be held on the 17 March 2024. As we did last year, we will roll this into one of our regular Sunday club rides, which will
set out from the Forum at 9:30 to meet at Cafe Verde in Mattishall where food and drink will be provided by the club. If you cannot make the clubride there is parking at Cafe Verde and we will aim to gather there at 11:00am for a quick catch-up chat and nibbles/refreshments with the aim to start the AGM at 11:30am.
As well as the usual look back over the past year, we will be using the AGM to discuss what you, the membership, want out of the Club as we move forward into 2024. We already have a few dates in the diary but let’s hear your ideas for how we can make the Club as welcoming and rewarding as possible. We are also looking for willing volunteers (as always) to help out on the committee and this will be a great way to win your year’s membership for free.

Time Trialling

Our Club is organizing two ‘Open’ events this year and the beauty of being a club member is that this year if you want to race you get free entry to these two events. (You’ll need to complete the usual advanced entry request).
The 25 mile event this year is being run in honor of Mark Smart who sadly and suddenly passed away just recently.
For those newer members that may not have been fortunate enough to have met Mark, he was liked by all and was a prominent, active and enthusiastic member of this Club for many years; only leaving because he moved north to Scotland.
His contribution to this club was immense; participating in everything the club arranged, helping new members, competing, organizing events,
being on the Committee including the Chair role and just generally loving cycling. He leaves behind a lot of friends.

The events dates are:
 Sun 28th April 0900. 25 mile TT – Mark Smart Memorial (Wortwell HQ/ Bungay course)
 Sat 6th July 1400. 10 Mile TT. (TBA)

Nearer the time we will also be looking for volunteers to help marshal etc

Maybe if an ‘Open’ event is slightly too daunting to start, you just haven’t got all that aero equipment and paraphernalia, or you just fancy giving it a go, then our series of Evening 10’s are an ideal place to start. These are run in conjunction with other clubs on Wednesday evenings in summer from 29/05 to 14/08 from 7pm with the starting HQ at Morley.
Just turn up on the night, sign on, pay the entry fee and race. What could be easier ?
And then there’s the added bonus that there is a category specially for people on standard road bikes, so you get a fairer comparison. You never know, you could get hooked!

Clothing

We still have stock of summer club kit (which is made by Castelli). Our November 4th newsletter catalogued what is still available.
This can be ordered by email from clothingvcn@gmail.com

Majorca

Don’t forget we have linked up with Total Velo if you fancy a week riding in lovely Majorca in April.
The dates in 13th to 20th April 2024.
Details can be found in the email sent out on 7th Jan or by contacting:
Antony Stapleton : 07881-502505
Dawn Riley : 07789864303
Email – totalvelo24@gmail.com

British Cycling Coaching Courses

Do you want to become a cycling coach? British Cycling are running three courses over the coming months. If you are interested, please see below from British Cycling and click on the links for more details.

Intro 2 Coach – Multi – Redbridge – 11th May 2024 – 7147
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/course/details/8783

Intro 2 Coach – Off Road – Redbridge – 13th July 2024 – 7149
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/course/details/8785

Intro 2 Coach – Multi – Redbridge – 12th Oct 2024 – 7150
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/course/details/8786

Well, that was quite a long update but I think that’s about it for now.
We look forward to seeing you out on your bikes again this year and at the AGM. See you soon.

Stewart Lyons – Chairman

On Sunday 5th December 2021 a motion was passed at the Cycling Time Trials AGM which comes into effect immediately affecting both time trial and hill climb events.

It is now compulsory for all riders that enter CTT events wear helmets and that you have a working front light fitted for events. (It is already a requirement to have a working rear light fitted.)

As this has come into effect immediately please note you will be required to abide by these new requirements at any CTT event you take part in from now. You will be refused to race should you turn up without the correct equipment.

April 2021

Hi All,

Hope you are all managing to keep well, safe and get out on your bike.

AGM

The club held the Annual General Meeting on Monday 22nd March 2021. Due to COVID restrictions the meeting was held virtually via Zoom. Thank you to those members who found the time to attend. The committee for 2021/22 was agreed, (welcome Ian Cannell) and at the committee meeting held on 19th April the committee nominated the following officers:

Officers

• Chair – Dawn Riley chair@vcnorwich.co.uk
• General Secretary – Robert Smith
• Welfare Officer – Adam Simmonds
• Minutes Secretary – Adam Simmonds
• Membership Secretary – Lorraine Jarvis
• Time Trial Secretary – Markos Janes
• Road Race Secretary – Paul Dolphin
• Treasurer – Dawn Riley
• Trophy Secretary – Stewart Lyons
• Clothing Secretary – Clive Rayner clothing@vcnorwich.co.uk
• Communications Officer – TBC info@vcnorwich.co.uk

Committee Members with no office

• Ian Cannell
• Rob Stronge
• Steve Swift
• Ian Doe – BC Rep

The club can only function with the support of its members. If you feel you would like to support the club and get more involved, we always welcome new committee members. We meet approximately every 6 – 7 weeks for a couple of hours. At present this is via Zoom, but you never know we might get back to being able to meet in the pub soon! Please contact me chair@vcnorwich.co.uk if you would like more information.

Club Rides

With the easing of lockdown and the Governments COVID road map, VC has once again commenced organised club rides. It’s been good to see the number of riders joining the rides increasing each week.

Although British Cycling have announced that BC affiliated clubs can ride in groups of up to 15 riders, VCN have decided to follow the rule of 6. This enables us to manage the amount of people standing at the Forum and maintain the club’s reputation in terms of public perception.

All rides are posted on Facebook on a Thursday and members are requested to vote indicating which ride they wish to join. This helps us to comply with Track and Trace. Please could I take this opportunity to ask members not to vote if the ride is already full. We are monitoring the site and if a ride becomes full a second group will be created. This prevents groups of more that 6 congregating in one location.

At the AGM on the 22nd March 2021 members asked the committee to create a VCN COVID road map. Key dates in the Government road map are the 17th May and 21st June.

VCN Road Map

• 19th May – Wednesday evening club rides (no drop) will commence. 18:30 at Cringleford Green. Maximum groups of 8. We will post these on Facebook and will only be open for VCN members.
• 23rd May – Rider numbers will increase to 8 riders. Indoor café stops can resume. All rides will commence from the Forum. We will continue to use the Facebook poll system. Rides will continue to be only open to VCN Members.
• 21^st June – Pre Covid the Committee had concerns about the size of groups. We would therefore like to continue limiting the size of groups to a maximum of 8 riders. Limiting the rides to 8 brings about several advantages:
  • Easier for the rider leader to manage the group.
  • Safety of riders.
  • Respect for other road users
  • Cafe stops easier.

We await further guidance about Track and Trace as to whether we can dispense with the Facebook poll. We will consider opening rides to Non- members at this point.

Club Clothing Orders

We are pleased to announce that we have now received the new summer kit. If you have already placed an order, please get in touch with Clive and arrange a suitable time to collect your kit. We do still have some of the old design kit left. This is now half price. If you wish to purchase some, please email Clive clothing@vcnorwich.co.uk

Events 2021

We are all keeping our fingers crossed that 2021 will be a better year and we can once again hold events.

DATE	EVENT	LOCATION	CONTACT	OTHER INFO
13th May	New Interclub TT League	Morley Village Hall	Dan Blackburn	This will run every Thursday through the summer months. Just turn up, pay and ride. If you don’t want to ride your support to run the event would be welcome
16th May	Open 10 TT	B10/43 Rendenhall-Bungay-Wortwell	Markos Janes	Marshalls required
6th June	Road Race	Wretham	Ian Doe/ Paul Dolphin
8th August	Open 25 TT	B25/8 Larling-Wymondham-Larling	Markos Janes	Marshalls required

Discount for Members

The Tri- Harder cycling/ triathlon shop in Dereham have kindly agreed to offer all VCN members 10% discount. To take advantage of this offer all you need to do is present your VC membership Card. The shop holds a wide range of clothing and accessories.

All we need now is for the weather to warm up !!

Regards,

Dawn Riley

VCN Chair

Club rides with VC Norwich are due to return. As the UK follows its roadmap out of lockdown 2021 restrictions are being lifted allowing the club to reintroduce club rides.

It is planned for club rides to recommence on Sunday 11th April 2021 in groups of 6 people. For further information about club rides and how you can attend please click here

Thank you for your continued support.

During the current restrictions introduced by the government the club committee has postponed all club rides between Thursday 5th November and Wednesday 2nd December. This is inline with current government guidance which requires all club/group sports to stop during the lockdown period to reduce virus transmission.

Once lockdown restrictions are lifted further information will be issued by the club committee with guidance over what will be allowed to restart and how we will be going about restarting club rides and events.

As during the first period of lockdown in England outdoor exercise is being encouraged by the government as long as social distancing guidance is adhered to. VC Norwich is also encouraging people to continue their outdoor exercise as long as members follow social distancing and all current legislation outlined briefly below:

• Exercise by yourself where possible
• You may exercise with one other person from a different household outdoors as long as social distancing measures are observed.
• You may exercise with your own household or support bubble

If you are out riding please feel free to wear club kit if you are riding solo, however the club committee requests all members not to wear club kit if you are riding with others.

Please stay safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.

Sportive Award – Dawn Riley

Most Improved Rider – Vicky Ford.

Club Member of the Year – Lorraine Jarvis.

10 mile TT cup – Dan Blackburn.25 mile TT cup – Dan Blackburn.

BAR award – Dan Blackburn.

50 mile TT cup – Mark Smart.Ladies 10 mile TT cup – Louise Marsden.

Audax award – Jonathan Greenaway.

Mens Senior Road Race Shield – Sam Davey.

Veteran Mens Road Race Shield – Brian Spooner.

VCN Newsletter-Apr 2017

Official VC Norwich evening rides will recommence in the week commencing Monday, May 8th.  So here’s a reminder of what our evening rides are planned to be:

1.  Tuesday Evening Training Ride:  Meet by Trowse/County Hall roundabout for 6:30pm prompt. (spring & summer only.)  Open to other clubs.  Usually two groups comprising a very fast “Chaingang” and a fast training ride.  Only experienced group riders should attend.

2.  Wednesday Evening Club Ride:  Meet at the green at Cringleford to leave at 6.30 pm. (spring & summer only.)   A steady ride at the pace of the slowest rider.  This is a club ride so don’t come along expecting a fast ride, and don’t take it upon yourself to up the pace once we’re going. It’s a VC Norwich only ride, with the usual proviso of being open to people for a couple of times before they join.

3.  Thursday Evening Training Ride:  Meet at the green at Cringleford to leave at 6.30 pm. (spring & summer only)  A fast training ride at approx. 20+ mph average.  Only experienced group riders should attend.  Sometimes splits into 2 groups but don’t come along expecting a club ride. It’s a VC Norwich only ride, with the usual proviso of being open to people for a couple of times before they join.

vcn-newsletter-dec-2016

Yes it’s that time of year again, the Annual General Meeting looms and we’ve some important stuff to deal with this year:

• Club kit – do we change, and into what? A survey will go round with the email invitation
• Club constitution – we propose making chairmanship a one-year job with a vice-chairman ready to pick up the reins the following year
• Club committee – we really need a treasurer, the accounts are no harder than keeping abreast of your own money really, and it means committee meetings at roughly six week intervals, could you step up and do this for a year?
• and we need to hear from the members what they think of what we do, what we should plan in the future, and how they want to help make the club what they want.