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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.
Apologies for missing a newsletter in April – editor on the sick-list again.
This edition has lots of things to tell you about, so why not grab a cuppa and find out more.
Membership – from Jean Brownsword
This month we welcome: Victor Lau, Sarah Kelman, Ian Matts, Ishaal Mir, Karl Field, Matt Rogers, Claire Hughes, John-Evan Jones, and Gregory and Zosia Latuszynski
Club kit redesign – from Phil Hitchmough
We received 47 entries to the kit design competition. Based on this large number of entries, the committee reviewed how to proceed at the meeting on 1st May.
We're now asking you all to help us create a shortlist by ‘taking the pulse’ of the membership through an online vote.
Shortlisting runs from 4th to 18th May. Please follow the link below to the website where you can find more details, a preview of the entries and instructions about how to vote.
https://solihullcc.org.uk/2024-club-kit-competition
Club Rides – from Cliff Dobson
https://solihullcc.org.uk/club-runs
The summer programme is almost ready to appear on the website. On two Sundays we are suspending the club runs so members can support our flagship open road races. Our memorial rides in June and the charity Cream Tea run in August will offer a chance for a social gathering combined with a good bike ride.
Old Sols Lunch – from Phil Rosenbloom
Thursday 20th June at The Robin Hood Golf Club, St. Bernards Rd, Solihull B92 7DJ .
The 'Old Sols' dates back to 1950 when it was agreed that there would be a reduced club subscription to allow non riding members to keep in touch with the Club. Since then the original idea has been maintained but modified somewhat, and became an annual lunch for members over 75 years old. Post Covid, we decided to link it to the Thursday Club Runs and reduce the qualifying age to 70. So, if you are 70 or above, not necessarily still riding, you are invited to attend this year's lunch. The buffet will be served from 1.00pm but we can meet up from 12.30pm
If you would like to attend, please email me at - phil.rosenbloom@blueyonder.co.ukor 07939 067 367
No Frills evening races – from Ian Cowan
The No Frills races start on Wednesday 8th May 7:00PM at Tudor Grange and continue each Wednesday evening in May.
I need some help with these races please. We need 6 – 7 people each night to help with setup, marshalling and sign on. If you can help for an hour or so on Wednesday evening.
….and British Masters National Championship road race
I am also organising the 2024 BMCR Solihull Cycling Club Road Race on Sunday 9thJune at Bearley. The races start at 10:00AM with setup and signing on from 8:30. There won’t be any organised club rides on that Sunday so that club members can help with running the race. Lunch will be provided for any helpers, but I do need 6 cars and drivers plus 30 volunteers to help with setup, signing on, food and marshalling.
If you can help with any of these events, please let me know on 07977 237 040 (call, text or WhatsApp). It would be nice to meet some fellows club members off the bike, hopefully on warm sunny days in early summer!
Coaching – from Mike Brownsword
We have started this season’s training sessions at Tudor Grange covering our youth and offering adult coaching focused on group riding skills. However, we have reduced the number of youth training sessions because we are short of coaches! Consider improving your riding and others by learning to coach, share in the sense of achievement as you help riders to improve.
The club will support you and your coaching both financially, and as you grow in confidence. For more information contact coaching@solihullcc.org.uk
Charity and other events – from Ailsa Neely
Saturday 11 May St Basil’s Canal challenge
The Canal Cycle Challenge (stbasils.org.uk)
Sunday 19 May – 103rd Cycling UK memorial service at Meriden. 11:00
Solihull CC used to be well represented at this national memorial to cyclists who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2, but less so in recent years. Why not turn out in club strip this year?
Sunday 26 May - ACEF charity rides starting Old Yardleiands Rugby Club, Shirley see Eventbrite on-line booking page
Shenstone Spring Classic Audax Rides
Sunday 23rd June 2024 (Nr. Lichfield)
Start / finish: Shenstone Village Hall, Shenstone, Staffs, WS14 0LT. See Audax UK website
Saturday 18 May - Bard's Ride 100k and 25 mile Rides around the Warwickshire countryside www.bardsride.co.uk
Dates for your Diary – Planned but not promised
Sun 9 June – BMRC road races, Snitterfield **Volunteers required**
Thu 20 June – Old Sols lunch
Sun 30 June – Tour de l’Avenir Circuit races – Fen End
Sun 30 June – Club Memorial Rides – 9am – 9:30 start from Woodbourne Earlswood
Sun 30 June – Tour d’Ilmington - combined with Memorial Rides
Sun 14 July – SCC BCF road races – Inkberrow - ** Volunteers required**
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 10 June
e&oe
Check your inbox for the latest Member’s newsletter This edition was distributed to the new 2024 membership list. Things did not go as well as hoped, so 114 members will have received two emails. Most will have received it just once.
If you have not received your copy, and HAVE renewed your membership, there may be an issue with the email address we have on record. Please message me at newsletter@solihullcc.org.ukwith your correct email address, and I will sort it.
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