SCC Members Newsletters

Just like last December, I’m writing this after a thoroughly miserable weekend thanks to Storm Darragh. I wonder whether anyone was riding cyclo-cross in that lot? 

Thanks for reading and here’s to a happy Christmas and a safe and healthy 2025

Club Subscriptions and Direct Debits 2025 – from Phil Rosenbloom

Notification 2 of 3

Club membership subscriptions will remain unchanged for 2025.

If you pay by direct debit your subs will automatically be paid via your existing mandate. 

Do not fill in another Direct Debit form. Direct Debits will be collected on or shortly after the 4th February 2025

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 Jean know how much you are paying.

Cheque - please send your cheque to me at 19 Thornby Avenue, Solihull B91 2BJ referencing who the member is.

Any cash payments (hopefully few) should be put in an envelope with the members name and put through my letterbox.

If you have any membership queries please contact -Jean Brownsword at membership@solihullcc.org.uk

For direct debit queries contact me via e mail to phil.rosenbloom@blueyonder.co.uk

Mince Pie Run 2024 – from Cliff Dobson

Despite the hostile weather on the morning of the Mince Pie run, the turnout was another great example of how good our club is. After costs, we again raised around £400 for Solihull Wheels for All.

A big thank-you to our ever-reliable band of home bakers. I sampled quite a few examples, but there were just too many for me to taste them all. The Solihull Wheels for All team managed the event with their usual efficiency. Resilience prize goes to three Evesham riders who set off as the sun came up and braved cold and rain.

Club Rides – from Cliff Dobson

The Winter 24/5 club rides programme is complete and December’s list on the website. January and February to follow after checking. The Tuesday C run will start at 10am, and the Tuesday D run will be a hybrid D/E pace with “Decide on the Day” in January 

Club run leaders are monitoring weather and road conditions and will modify or even cancel led rides if they consider the risks require it. As these decisions sometimes 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.

Club kit revamp

The new design club kit, and a slightly modified race ready jersey, had a very successful launch with two heavily subsidised promotions leading to many people ordering a new jersey. The new recreational kit made its first appearance at the mince pie run and attracted many compliments.

Looking ahead, the new kit will now be available directly from Kalas, via a Solihull CC web store, which will open at approximately 2 month intervals – the 2025 store opening windows will be published soon, but we expect the first store opening to be two weeks starting Monday 20 January. All orders will be placed online and each store will have a specific link for the race kit and the recreational kit. From January you will be able to order from the full range of club kit, including skin suits, and shorts/tights in the club colourways.

Although the Kalas range is very extensive, including premium as well as standard garments, we have retained our arrangement for race kit from Nopinz for those who prefer to stick with this premium brand.

Keep checking the website for details on club kit at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/clothing

Club Dinner and 2024 Awards presentation – from Mike Wood

Saturday 8 February 2025 

Robin Hood Golf Club, St Bernard’s Road, Olton

Details are still to be finalised, and will follow in a member’s bulletin as soon as possible. Once again, we will be subsidising the ticket price.

Those who were awards winners in 2023 will have to clean and polish their silverware a ready for this year’s recipients. Please can these be returned before Friday 24 January (to allow time for engraving) to either Ailsa Neely or Keith Jones as follows:

Ailsa Neely             Keith Jones

126 Ralph Road,       102 Creynolds Lane

Shirley B90 3JZ        Cheswick Green

                               Solihull  

                               B90 4FB

Discounts for club members.

Several local bike shops traditionally offer SCC members a discount on purchases and services so long as you present your membership card. Joining the list this month is Cycle Studio in Redditch, for cycle sales and service, with coffee and a comfy sofa. https://www.thecyclestudio.co.uk/

Existing arrangements apply at Red Kite Cycles in Shirley, Scott Cycles in Hall Green, and Boston Tea Party in Solihull.

A-Wheel club dinner edition – urgent call for contributions.

If you would like to see an annual edition of A-Wheel, our editor, Steve O’Hara needs your articles… and soon because the deadline for printing is 8 January! 

At the time of writing, we have almost no contributions. editor@solihullcc.org.uk

Annual General Meeting – Wed 29 January 2025

This year’s AGM will see a changing of the guard, with new key vacancies appearing, alongside some unfilled committee roles from this year. 

Your club doesn’t run by magic, so we do need to find new people to take things forward. 

In particular, this AGM will see the following new vacancies, Chair, vice-chair, treasurer to add to the existing unfilled positions. We will send out a separate bulletin about the AGM shortly.

Dates for your Diary – planned but not promised….

Wed 29 Jan 25 Annual General Meeting – Woodbourne Sports Club, Earlswood

Sat 8 Feb 25 Annual Awards presentation – Robin Hood GC

Sun 23 Feb 25 Reliability Rides (provisional)

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 13th January

e&oe

Solihull CC Members News - November 2024

Clocks gone back – mudguards fitted, and wet, muddy roads already the norm. Time for shorter club rides, and the start of the social season.

Incident on Bidford-on-Avon Bridge – from Ian Cowan

We have received a complaint from a gentleman who lives in Bidford-on-Avon concerning the behaviour of one of our members. A cyclist wearing Solihull Cycling Club kit rode over the bridge ignoring the red cyclist dismount sign and when the cyclist was challenged by the gentleman who was accompanied by his wife, the cyclist verbally abused the gentleman using foul language which was overheard by the gentleman’s wife and other passers-by. 

The gentleman was incensed by this behaviour and the attitude of the cyclist and has complained to us as well as taking further advice on the incident from the police.

Unfortunately, the behaviour of the cyclist has reinforced the impression with the gentleman, that many cyclists are increasingly bitter and aggressive towards other road users and members of the public.

I do not think this one incident is representative of the general attitude and behaviour of most of our members.

However, all members of Solihull Cycling Club must abide by the code of conduct that is published on our website. Any contravention of the code of conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken against the member. Amongst other things, the code of conduct requires that all members: follow the Highway Code, obey the law and “Conduct themselves in a reasonable manner relating to offensive language and temperament”.

The behaviour of the cyclist was reprehensible and embarrassing for the club. This incident has brought the good name of Solihull Cycling Club into disrepute and is exactly the reason why the code of conduct exists. 

You are not an anonymous cyclist while wearing club kit and you should always be aware of the potential consequences of your actions, which may impact the reputation of the club, fellow club members and the wider cycling community. Until the bridge at Bidford-on-Avon is reopened you must dismount as instructed by the signs that are displayed.

In general, please be aware of the potential impact that your actions may have on other road users and members of the public. The behaviour of those people does not provide an excuse for us not following the code of conduct.

We all enjoy the experiences and benefits we get from riding our bikes, we should always try to share our general positivity with fellow road users and club members, not the opposite.

Club Subscriptions and Direct Debits 2025 – from Phil Rosenbloom

Club membership subscriptions will remain unchanged for 2025.

If you pay by direct debit your subs will automatically be paid via your existing mandate. 

Do not fill in another Direct Debit form. Direct Debits will be collected on or shortly after the 4th February 2025

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 Jean know how much you are paying.

Cheque - please send your cheque to me at 19 Thornby Avenue, Solihull B91 2BJ referencing who the member is.

Any cash payments (hopefully few) should be put in an envelope with the members name and put through my letterbox.

If you have any membership queries please contact -Jean Brownsword at membership@solihullcc.org.uk

For direct debit queries contact me via e mail to phil.rosenbloom@blueyonder.co.uk

REMINDER It’s a condition of SCC membership that everyone has competent personal liability insurance that covers participation in recreational cycling. The most reliable way to achieve this is through membership of British Cycling (mandatory if you race in BC events) or Cycling UK.

Club Kit - from Cliff Dobson

The 2nd and final try-for-size event at the annual Bring and Buy evening was very well attended, and orders for new jerseys at heavily discounted prices flowed in. The promotional period will end on 30 November, so if you want to get your hands on a new club jersey, check your inbox for a separate bulletin that provides a very comprehensive guide. It’s too long to include here.

Kalas have been busy manufacturing club jerseys ordered in September, and we expect these to be delivered during November.

Mince Pie Run – from Cliff Dobson

The best way to start the advent season is this familiar fund raiser, supporting our charity partner Solihull Wheels for All. Sunday 1stDecember at Lowsonford Village Hall from 10:30.

Donations of store bought or home-made cakes all help boost the money going to our charity. I know our SCC star bakers will provide lots of home baked goodies, but I still get nervous – not sure why, because you always deliver!

We'll notify drop off points for donations soon. Deadline 5pm on Saturday 30 November. 

Dates for your Diary – planned, but not promised

Sun 1stDec – Charity Mince Pie Run – Lowsonford

Wed 29 Jan – AGM – Venue TBC

Sat 8 Feb – Annual Awards dinner – Robin Hood Golf Club

Sun 23 Feb – Reliability Rides Venue TBC

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 9 December

e&oe

This Thursday 7th sees our Bring and Buy sale, but this year with the added attraction of the “try for size” club jersey showcase.

Venue: Woodbourne Sports Club 

           The Burrows, Rumbush Ln, Earlswood, Solihull B94 5LW

Sellers arrive at 6:30pm. Doors open at 7pm

Bring and Buy

This is your chance to sell unwanted cycling kit to club members, and for buyers to pick up that item they have been looking for. Great way to sell or buy components that have been superseded, but have plenty of life left. This is a “cash only” event – so you will need to visit the cashpoint.

There will be a “club table” where you can donate items which we will sell and use the proceeds to subsidise club activities. Please only donate sellable items – we don’t want to be a recycling centre.

New Club kit.

Our new club kit supplier Kalas will bring examples of the jerseys we are offering club members at a substantially reduced introductory price. You can try the jerseys on for size, and submit your order on the night. This marks the start of our 2nd and final promotional window. This is your opportunity to get hold of either the new recreational jersey, or the revamped race jersey before the kit returns to Kalas brochure prices in December. The club is funding this subsidy.

Fully paid-up members on 1 September are entitled to order one jersey for their personal use. Here's a reminder of the range available at this introductory price: 

Short Sleeved standard

Elite Spinn Adult (£12)

Elite Spinn Junior (£0)

Short Sleeved premium

Pro Razor Adult (£52)

Long Sleeved standard

Devan is lightweight, Andorra/Flanders is warmer fabric

Devan Adult (£7)

Devan Junior (£0)

Elite Andorra (£18)

Active Flanders Junior (£7)

Long Sleeved premium

Temps Adult (£57)

No payment required on the night, - payment will be by BACS on or before the date you collect your jersey – details on delivery / collection will be available when we know Kalas has manufactured the jerseys.

We issued a bulletin about this in September, and added further information in the October newsletter. Top tip…. Why not bring along your best fitting club jersey so you can compare it with the jersey you plan to buy?

Can’t make it on Thursday? You can order your jersey after Thursday’s showcase, but will have to work out the right size by visiting the Kalas website at: https://f28ac303-4765-ef11-a670-7c1e521e1d5f.myshop.kalas.cc/en/size-guide/

You will then have to order via a special club order form – details will be repeated in the November newsletter – expected around 11 November

After an indifferent summer, winter seems to have arrived early, with cold wet days bringing slippery roads. Add in low morning sun, kamikaze squirrels and we need to keep our wits about us. Just two more weeks until the clocks go back, and we dust off and fit mudguards – although quite a few of us have done this already.

Our annual open cyclo-cross event on 13 October was the usual success with lots of racing and not too much mud! With the club hill climb the previous day this brings an end to our competitive programme, although the cross racers have a few more events left in their season. The rest of us can already look forward to the social season.

Club Kit - from Cliff Dobson

This is an update on the information in the September newsletter

The initial promotional window saw a good response. The first orders for new club kit in the  recreational design have gone to Kalas, with a target delivery to a single address around mid November. Orders for the revamped race kit were lower, so we have held these back until the 2nd and final promotional window opens at the beginning of November.

Kalas will bring samples of all the jerseys on offer in the promotion to the Bring & Buy sale on Thursday 7 November at Woodbourne Sports & Social Club, Earlswood. This will be the start of the 2nd promotion.

Some questions have inevitably arrived:

Sizing? – Kalas use European numerical sizing 1-8. Tall slim people have an additional option for a longer bodied jersey. Visit https://f28ac303-4765-ef11-a670-7c1e521e1d5f.myshop.kalas.cc/en/size-guide/ for ALL the sizing information.

As an example, I would say men’s size 4 is equivalent to L in our old Giordana kit, and 5 is Giordana XL. The fabric on the garments I saw at Tudor Grange seemed super stretchy, so it’s fair to describe the jerseys as snug fitting, but with room for a thicker base layer if it gets cold.

Payment?  – We are massively subsidising onejersey per member, in either race or recreational design, from a restricted list of the standard and premium kit. See September newsletter for the range, and the price you will have to pay to get your jersey. 

To pay please use BACS if at all possible, because we will expect most members will want to buy a jersey, and we want to make our treasurer’s life as easy as possible!.

Account Details:  Solihull Cycling Club. Sort code 090154  Account 44043489 

To make it easy for us to match payments to orders, please use reference Kalas Surname and for family orders the number of jerseys, eg Kalas Bloggs (3)

If you are unable to pay this way, we can accept payment by cheque.

How will I get my Jersey?

The delivery of promotional kit will be to a single committee address. Once we have matched the jerseys to the order and payment, you can either collect your jersey from a pick-up point, or at a specified event (eg Mince Pie Run). We’ll let you know once the first order has been delivered.

What if I want to buy additional kit or items not included in the promotion?

The focus to start with is getting as many members ordering their subsidised jersey.

Once we have received all orders for promotional kit, Kalas will then start to supply individual orders via their website, at FULL PRICE, with payment made directly to Kalas as a normal customer. The full range will include skinsuits, water repellent jackets, and plain or printed shorts / tights to match both jersey types.

As this is a completely new range of custom club kit, it will inevitably take time for the web-store ordering process to bed in. 

Road closures affecting cyclists – from the committee

You may have seen the recent news item about tensions in Bidford following the closure of the bridge to motorised traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists are permitted to use the bridge, but cyclists are REQUIRED to dismount, - a red road closure notice is mandatory. Blue notices are advisory. The same applies to other road closures, and there have been plenty of them this year.

We received a complaint that an SCC club rider cycled over the bridge, and when challenged responded in a hostile manner. We understand there have also been similar complaints about other cyclists not walking across the bridge.

However frustrating this is, we have a club code of conduct that expects us to respond in a courteous and polite manner to any challenge, even if this appears to be unreasonable or there is provocation. We all know there are many unreasonably and even aggressive challenges, but two wrongs don’t make a right. Sometimes it might be better to ignore challenges and get on with our ride?

Dates for your Diary – planned, but not promised

Thu 7 Nov – Bring & Buy sale and 2nd Kalas showcase of the 2024 club race and recreational jerseys. YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS

Sun 1 Dec – Charity Mince Pie Run – Lowsonford

Wed 29 Jan – AGM – Venue TBC

Sat 8 Feb – Annual Awards dinner – Robin Hood Golf Club

New Club kit unveiled

Our club kit has been refreshed, and we have added a brand new recreational or leisure design to expand how we get noticed in races and on the road. Our new supplier Kalas is now ready to kit us out. 

We want to return to the days when almost everyone wore club kit, and to encourage this, we are offering a massive promotional discount on a range of club jerseys in both the existing race kit and our new leisure design. This introductory promotion is available in two order windows, and for one jersey for the personal use of all paid-up members on 1 September.

Those who wish to race in BC road races and cyclo-cross events need to wear the existing registered race jersey. Either design is OK for CTT time trial / hill climb events.

We’ve never done anything this ambitious before, so please bear with us during the introductory offer. We expect a huge uptake of the new kit, so have restricted the offer to what will be the most popular jerseys. There are men’s, women’s and junior kit in both designs, and as well as the standard short and long sleeved jerseys, there are premium versions for those who prefer to buy these.

You won’t want to miss this – so act quickly to avoid disappointment. Once the promotion has finished, members will be able to buy from the full Kalas range at their RRP. 

Our Chairman Ian Cowan has worked ultra hard to sort this out, and his detailed note follows. Keep checking the website and look out for Facebook and WhatsApp message during the promotional period.

Ian’s note – also posted on the SCC WhatsApp group

Last night Gavin from Kalas came to the Tudor Grange circuit with a selection of Kalas products so that we could check the sizing out and see what the kit "looks" like. We don't have the actual kit yet, just samples of the standard garments.

We are offering every active and paid up member of the club, one discounted jersey from the following list: The price in brackets after the name of the jersey style, is the balance of the discounted price that you will have to pay before you get your jersey. 

Short Sleeved standard

Elite Spinn Adult (£12)

Elite Spinn Junior (£0)

Short Sleeved premium

Pro Razor Adult (£52)

Long Sleeved standard

Devan is lightweight, Andorra/Flanders is warmer fabric

Devan Adult (£7)

Devan Junior (£0)

Elite Andorra (£18)

Active Flanders Junior (£7)

Long Sleeved premium

Long Temps Adult (£57)

Everyone who wants to take advantage of the promotional offer must order using the following form for each member who would like a jersey, this includes each child in a family. 

You can only have one discounted jersey! 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_oOASXBkEkyHNgx1nQ280fkQME-PpnhEudNiJMtq3CVUMDJHU1NKVEhZQVZESkdUR1dTVDhOWVczQS4u

Fill in the form carefully to make sure you order the correct jersey and pay particular attention to the size selection part – it’s catching a few people out! If you have trouble filling the form in, send me a note and I will help you complete the form. We will be creating a single order to send to Kalas for this promotion.  The order will be delivered to one location, so you will have to come and collect your jersey when it arrives. You must pay before you collect the jersey, probably by BACS to keep our admin and costs down. We will send details on how you can do this later. 

We needed to get our first order into Kalas by Sunday evening 22nd September, and we expect to receive the jerseys before the end of October. If you've missed the cut-off date, don't worry.....

We will have a second promotion around November for any club members who have missed this first promotion, and this will also give you a chance to see real examples of the new design before you make your choices. Kalas will be coming back to see us at the bring and buy on the 7th November, so you have another opportunity to see the range of kit and try it on for size.

Delivery of orders from the second promotion will be around or just after Christmas.

Outside of the promotion process which uses the form, you can buy anything you want from either of these websites shown below. The prices displayed there are what you will pay. 

Why not visit the Kalas web store to see the full range for the new and existing kit, and look at their size guide?  Sizing is European 1-8 rather than S/M/L/XL etc. The good news for taller members is sizes 1-4 are also available as 1+ to 4+ options.

New design

Kalas | Your Ride Made Better | Úvodní strana

Existing design (needed for BC promoted races)

Kalas | Your Ride Made Better | Úvodní strana

The website(s) will only be "open for business" at pre-arranged times, so that we can efficiently manage the ordering and manufacturing process. We will send out a calendar for the site opening times in the next few weeks.