Hello everyone

I realised that I had not sent out one of these Newsletters since just before our AGM in April. Apologies, it’s amazing how time passes! It feels like ancient history now, but the online AGM did go very well.

Since then, it has been great to see Covid restrictions gradually ease and as of last month we are able to operate in an essentially unrestricted manner. Under the bizarre circumstances we have found ourselves in, it has actually been a really encouraging and successful summer season so far. All the normal ride categories have been strong, from the Tuesday evening programme to the Thursday morning cafe rides to off-road to a wide range of weekend rides. Highlights have included the inaugural Oxford May Day ride, the Century ride from Wallingford, a soggy but fun Summer Solstice ride mini-series and a recent collection of Oxford specials. It has been really wonderful to see so many people joining us, with a great combination of regulars, newcomers and folk returning after a few years away.

Looking forward now, a few things to highlight:

Ride protocols
As mentioned, restrictions are essentially lifted now. Cycling UK nationally is recommending a maximum group size of 15, but in practice we would always split a ride before that level anyway. One thing we have debated in the Committee and with Ride Leaders is the question of pre-booking for rides. It is clear that the booking system had been appreciated by most of our Ride Leaders who like to know how many riders they are expecting ahead of the ride. There are other positives for booking:
it is easy to set off when all have arrived; it helps leaders to plan the ride appropriately and to enlist the support of additional ride leaders where necessary; it makes it easier to book in advance for refreshment stops. We therefore agreed that all rides will continue to be bookable for the benefit of the leaders, and that this wording be included in the ride details: ‘As a courtesy to the ride leader, we ask that you pre-book for this ride.’ It was also agreed that the maximum size of groups would be up to the leader to decide, as they feel comfortable.

Pub night is back!
Do you remember pub nights – when we used to arrange for all of the Tuesday evening rides to end at the Fox at Denchworth once a month and excellent food and drink was consumed? It seems a very long time ago, but the good news is that we have been in discussion with Steve at the Fox and have arranged to have at least one pub night this season – on Tuesday 31st August. Their outdoor seating is still arranged in their pod set-up so we have booked out three pods initially for that evening. There is no need to book with them individually, but we ask that you let the ride leader know when you book onto a ride for that evening whether you will be staying on at the Fox or not. That way we can hopefully add more capacity if we need it. Very much looking forward to that!

Club social evening
As you may remember, in amongst all the Covid complications we have also transitioned to a new club reporting year running from April through to March. This means the AGM’s now take place in the spring. However, it still feels appropriate to gather in some form at the end of the summer season, so we have booked the Challow Cricket Club for the evening of Monday 4th October. We will arrange pre-ordered food as we have for AGM’s in the past and the bar will be open. This will be primarily a social occasion to give us a chance just to get together and chat, but we will also give a short update reflecting on the previous season and discussing plans for the future. By then we will have our rides programme posted on the website through to next spring, so it will also be a chance for Ride Leaders to sign up for rides.

It only remains to say thank you to the Committee and to our Ride Leaders, who have responded to all the challenges Covid has thrown at us with good humour and patience. And thanks to you all for bearing with us and coming out on rides!

See you on a ride soon,
John