Hello everyone
It’s been hard to fit this Newsletter in, such is the pressure to get out on my bike with this remarkable late summer we are experiencing. I hope you have all been able to enjoy some of that as well. A few things to bring to your attention:
Summer recap
It was a slightly strange summer weather-wise, with some perfect weather and some pretty awful weather, with some wonderful rides and quite a few cancelled rides, but overall a great programme with the highlights probably being our 30th Anniversary celebrations in July (and I was personally very humbled and appreciative of your gifts and good wishes at that event), plus the July century ride up into Warwickshire and the Isle of Wight ride in September. Thanks as always to all our amazing ride leaders for putting on such a great programme,
Tuesday evening Virtual Turbo sessions
This is an interesting example of an emergency response to the restrictions of Covid lockdowns ending up working really well and becoming a permanent feature – this year’s autumn programme of Virtual Turbo sessions started last week and has already attracted a good group. All are welcome to join – you don’t need any particularly smart indoor training set up, but you will need your own turbo trainer and a computer/laptop/mobile device with Zoom version 5 installed. See the website for all the details.
Mince Pie Rides – Sunday 10th December
It’s always a slightly difficult moment in our Committee Meetings when we find ourselves having to think about Christmas and the depths of winter in planning ahead, but we forced ourselves to do it again recently and so please note a date for your diaries and calendars – the club Mince Pie Rides this year will take place on Sunday 10th December. Another Covid legacy success is the related White Horse Cycling Challenge and we plan to open this up to the local community and local clubs thus time running for the whole of December. More details to follow.
Cycling UK national Trustee election
Many of you will have just received the latest edition of Cycling magazine. The package contains a voting paper for elections to the Cycling UK national Board of Trustees – please don’t throw it away! Our very own Robin Tucker was elected to this Board three years ago and he has been doing a great job in representing members’ views and providing strategic insight in the Trust discussions. His three year term has come to an end but he is standing again and is on the ballot paper. As it happens this year there are two vacancies and two people standing for election, so not too much of a cliff-hanger; however, it would be great if you could show your support for Robin by voting for him.
Active Travel consultation by Wantage and Grove Active Travel (WAGAT)
I know that many of you have already responded to this online survey which is seeking the views of the local community on their travel choices and aspirations for short local journeys. There has been a really good response already and (wearing one of my other hats as Chair of WAGAT) we are really pleased that several hundred local residents have taken the time to participate. The survey closes on Sunday 15th October and so this is a last encouragement for you all to participate. The survey can be found here and should only take 10 minutes to complete.
I hope to see you on a ride soon.
Best regards
John
