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A year on from the reformed committee structure and it’s time to see how it’s working.

There’ll be coffee on tap for all, possibly even a biscuit or two, and it would be great to see the membership turn out to either support the committee in what they have been doing or come up with suggestions and ideas of how we could do better.

Your committee is happy to stand again for election but we would really like to be joined by a couple of other active members. We’re not looking for anyone to do any specific job, but we would like some more people with enthusiasm and ideas about what they want from their club.

It’s not onerous – the committee meets roughly six-weekly throughout the year and does accept apologies for the meetings you can’t attend! But even if you don’t want to join us – please make an effort to attend this key meeting….it’s your opportunity to shape your club for 2013.

VC Norwich AGM agenda

a.             2012 Reports

b.             Election of officers for 2013

c.              Fees for 2013

d.             Club strategy for 2013 and the Norfolk cycling scene

e.             Opprtunities for “active members” to get involved in running the club

f.               AOB (items to be submitted in writing to newseditor@vcnorwich.co.uk  prior to the AGM)

Vicky Williamson makes it 3 silvers with another podium position in the women’s kierin on the final day of the national track championships! Thanks Victoria for showing off the VCN colours at Manchester and we all look forward seeing your photos and thoughts in the newsletter once you’ve got your breath back. In the meantime her’s our girl collecting her sprint silver.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Auger who last night won the last few British Cycling points required to gain promotion to Elite Category status.

Mike has been riding for the Strada Racing Team this year, but he rode for VC Norwich for a number of years with much success and was a major contributor to the club’s high positions in the British Cycling rankings and the Eastern Road Race League.  He remains a VCN second claim member.

This puts Mike into the top road racing category, an awesome achievement and one which he richly deserves.

Whilst we miss Victoria on the club rides since she moved up to Manchester to take her place at the British Cycling track academy… she keeps notching up the results. She has bagged another silver in the national women’s sprint to go with the one she won earlier in the week for  500m TT.

The championships aren’t yet over. Keep an eye out for the speedy woman from Norwich in her final event, the Kierin, on Sunday 30th.

More here.

Photos courtesy of British Cycling.

VCN TT riders have notched up some excellent results to round off the season:-

In the EACC 10 VCN got fastest team with Neil Vaughan, Stewie Lyons and Will Bamber all within 6 seconds of each other. Neil was fastest vet, Sally Withey was fastest lady on the day and Tom Sharpe notched up a pb! Not a bad day’s work.

And in the CC Breckland 25 Sally was fastest lady again earning herself a mention in the EDP along side James Browne (see article below). Beth Coley wasn’t far behind in third place and Markos Janes marked up a pb in the men’s category.

Keep it up folks!

A second place in the Gravesend round of the SERRL league on 20th Sept gave James Browne the final points he needed to secure a coveted 2nd Cat racing licence. We all know how hard you have worked for this James… Well Done!

Sunday 16th September saw the first of Norfolk Cycling Academy’s coaching sessions at the Airport Park and Ride Circuit. Louise Marsden and Beth Coley tried the ladies only session and got the chance to practice their cornering technique under the guidance of local British Cycling coach, Russell Parkins. Both riders said they enjoyed the session and found the coaching really useful. Beth added, ‘today was very good for understanding the line to take through a corner and full of top tips about how to keep my speed up.’ The next Norfolk Cycling Academy session is on Sunday 30th September, details can be found here
In a few weeks Louise Marsden, Beth Coley and Erica Howe will be representing VCNorwich in their first women’s only, closed circuit race at Hillingdon. Good luck ladies!

Club members who have supported a VCN night at the Belgian Monk before will know how much fun they are, and it’s a fine chance to put down a layer of fat to keep us warm in the winter with plenty of beer and a main meal from the Dubbel Deal menu. The night is booked for Thursday 4th October for 6.30pm. The meal is £5.50 and we need to confirm numbers and orders before the 24th September. Check out the menu below and then if you have lost the email with all the details contact info@vcnorwich.co.uk to confirm your choice and payment details …. See you there…

1. Mature Cheddar and Red Onion Quiche and Fries(V)
2. Cheese Kroketten and Fries (V)
3. Mussels Mariniere and Fries
4. Wild Boar Sausages and Mash
5. Steak and Belgian Beer Pie, Fries and Peas
6. Gehaktstaaf and Fries
7. Scampi and Fries
8. King Prawn and Crayfish Salad
9. Vegetable Kroketten and Fries (V)
10. Belgian Meatballs and Fries

What could be better… after a summer of awful weather the day of the ToB sportive dawned fine, clear and still. Several groups of VCN riders were out, more than 40 in all with some taking the train to Ipswich to ride the 203km Pro Ride whilst the rest rode out from Norwich to the Great Yarmouth start and the 97km Challenge Ride. Almost everyone rode a sportive PB for their season in what turned out to be a perfect sunny day. The club spirit was inspiring and it was great to see so many VCN members setting an example in group riding. The Pro Ride fast group were even treated to a police rolling road block through Great Yarmouth as the boys in blue practised their technique for the Tour of Britain proper which started the next day!

There will be no official club ride this Sunday 9th September. But many VCN members will be meeting at the Showground on Sunday afternoon to cheer on the pros at the finish of the Tour of Britain stage 1 finish… as well as sample the entertainment on offer and enjoy the late summer sunshine. Come and join us there.