Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas-There’s always room at the NBC Inn!


I want to personally thank you for making our club such as success in 2013. Your club now has over 110 financial members. As the club continues to grow, we don't want to forget our founding members and what they want from the club.
The club is unique in its attempts to welcome riders of all abilities, and offer recreational, social and competitive riding. We welcome your feedback and talents to ensure we have happy members!

With the majority of our members being migrants from other countries or from interstate, we can’t replace your extended family, but we hope we hope to share some festive and social times with you. Why not form some new Christmas traditions with your extended cycling family? Stuart Marr has organized a Boxing Day ride from Jindalee (6.00am) to Trigg. Mark Watts has organized a 6.15am Friday ride from Jindalee to Fremantle. Friday night Daz Hall is the DJ at Chippys on the Jindalee foreshore. Saturday is the Cheeky gang ride. Saturday Night 28/12/13, back at Chippys, an organisers committee (fixies optional) is gathering to plan for the Yanchep National Park Challenge (put that in your diary-2/2/14). Sunday is our regular club ride. Why not post a ride or catch up yourself? Find and post here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthernBeachesCyclingClub/

I can genuinely say we are one of the most recognizable clubs in WA and not just for our great lime green kit. From Kalgoorlie, to Margaret River and Perth, we get compliments on the positive energy we have brought to cycling in WA.
Some milestones from 2013 include
•    Conducting a very successful first race event, the Yanchep National Park Challenge.
•    Engaging The City of Wanneroo, Water Corp, and Lendlease in the Alkimos Bike Town proposal, which aims to provide infrastructure for all level of recreational and competitive cycling, (including a Criterium course and 5km road circuit).
•    Becoming one of the pillar clubs in the rebuilding of Cycling WA, and shaping the direction of cycling in this state.
•    Engaging the talents of its members to manage the diversity of the club, including finances, ride organization, and event management.
•    Welcoming the continuing major sponsorship of ABC Blinds
•    Welcoming the major sponsorship of Alkimos Beach Estate
•    Commencement of both a NBC women’s group and a Youth Development Squad.
In 2014 we plan to
•    Continue in providing fun, friendly, social rides for all abilities.
•    Drink coffee and chat
•    Conduct the Yanchep National Park Challenge on 2/2/14
•    Provide the loudest supporter base for our riders competing in events
•    Aim to have a club house by mid 2014
•    Drink more coffee.
•    Explore cycling interests with a mountain bike group and Fixie group.
We encourage our members to explore cycling events across the State. The club has a focus on charity rides, the BWA cyclosportif events, the 3-5 dam challenges, together with the Tour of Pemberton, Goldfields Tour, and Tour of Margaret River. We also are considering a cycling-themed weekend in Margaret River, where you can ride as little or as much as you like (including the 24 hour delirium event).
Along with your feedback, and your continued financial membership, we ask that every member put back into the club, such as; volunteering time, helping the smooth running of group rides, adding to the services on offer from the club, or tracking down sponsorship monies.
May you have a relaxing Christmas break, and I look forward to seeing you safe on our roads in 2014.
Chris Howard
for Northern Beaches Cycling Clubhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthernBeachesCyclingClub/

Sunday, December 22, 2013


Northern Beaches Cycling Club (NBC) continues to challenge more established clubs in the Summer Criterium series. NBC was well represented in the juniors with Shawn Wright, Curtis Atkinson, Barnie Wolfe, Abdullah Bayatly, and Joshua Lewis lining up in E grade.  Abdullah came 2nd in Under 15 age group, Shawn Wright 1st in Under 13 and Curtis Atkinson (8) had a hotly contested duel finish 2nd in Under 11. 

 NBC blended youth with experience with 5 riders in D grade, David Self, Chris Howard, Jacob wood (16), Brendan Atkinson and James Wolfe.  

From the off the average pace was fast, averaging well over 36kmph through the 15km of racing.  With the lead changing constantly and no thinning out of the pack it was all on the last lap before things heated up.  All NBC riders performed well, with a third place bagged by James Wolfe.

Zac French represented the club in C grade  on his own,  Despite having no team, only one race under his belt, and a nearly full field of over 50 riders,  Zac held his position near the front.  Throughout he looked at ease and on target for a good finish.  Boxed-in in the last lap, Zac forced his way to the sprint finish for 5th behind the impressive 3rd place by local junior Jayden Waters.

B grade saw Connor Beadsmore out for revenge, having been dropped in his last outing.  The 'wild-card' Ricky Andrews rode in his first Bentley criterium.  The pace once more was blistering but the group stayed together with both Connor (racing for GDT Flanders) and Ricky looking well placed in the field and being cheered on by the boisterous NBC cheer squad. Unfortunately both were caught behind a last corner crash and missed the opportunity for the sprint finish.  

  Next race is the 5th of January where we hope to see another great turnout.  NBC  welcomes riders of all ages for recreational or competitive cycling. 




Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Race Report for NBCC Sunday 14th December 2013 Technology Park-Smashfest Criterium Series




As the Mercury rose on an already warm Sunday morning, the first round of races in the 2013/14 Smashfest Criterium series, got into full swing.  Four races over the holiday season, grades for everyone, active club competitive riding, the scene is set for high thrills and spills over the Crit season.  All that is required is:

1.    A bike (no problem, check)
2.    A number (too easy, $15 and you are off, check)
3.    Legs like pistons forged from pure steel (er, well maybe, ish)
4.    Lungs like V8’s (Prius maybe?)
5.    Nerves like a Tibetan Monk (that NBCC marquee is looking lonely, Ill be over there)

In all seriousness, if you are looking for an introduction in to club racing and fancy testing your metal, you can not go wrong by entering into an event like this.  Wonderfully hosted by Roues Chaudes CC, the rider can enter in grade E to A with E starting off doing 15 minutes of laps followed by two more laps. 

The circuit is opposite Curtin University on the Technology Park circuit.  Laps are only about 1km long with next to no gradient.  An ideal safe environment to forge any NBCC newbie from casual Sunday rider to Nitro powered Tour de France contender (maybe).

A selection of adult club members attended the first meet with Connor Beardsmore, David Self, Zac French, Neil Foster and the ever popular with the ladies, cavalier, Jimmy Wolfe pulling on the Green for eternal glory.

Youth were very well represented with, Shawn Wright, Mathew Lewis, Nathan Venter, Jacob Wood, and Curtis Atkinson. E grade was split in to a senior junior and junior junior and staggered at the start.  All put in solid performance with Curtis Atkinson the stand out, staying on the drops, not backing off even when left behind.  Even the commentators marveled at his dogged head down style. One to watch in the future.  Shawn Wright notably performed well in his group finishing 4th despite mechanical issues.

D grade saw David self, Jimmy Wolfe and the young Jacob Wood cut his teeth in his first ever event.  If there were any reservations or doubt or worries by Jacob, they were firmly put to bed by a solid performance.  Finishing 5th with a pack of more experienced PIH seniors behind him it was a performance that will only improve. 

Second place was claimed by Wolfe, who wound it on at the last minute to take second by a wheel.  When interviewed by the world press later, he could only explain his watery eyes as A) dust off the hot circuit or B) pride at Jacob’s efforts.  Self, finished with the leaders and will be out for a podium next week I’m sure.

C grade is where it all got serious.  With many solo B graders bumped down to C, 40 plus riders made for a fast and exciting race.  The pace from the off was intense, with both Foster and French contending with the leaders.  Foster’s experience showed, as he seemed at ease throughout, moving with the lead group. French performed ahead of his young years and demonstrated that he has plenty yet to give in the near future.  Both finished well, with NBCC clearly making an impression on the day.

Connor Beardsmore although representing GTD Flanders in B grade had not forgotten where he came from.  NBCC support was huge for what looked a daunting race.  Due to the now spiraling heat, 5 mins was taken off the race time (much to the delight of the riders).  Connor put in maximum effort throughout the race, which averaged 40 plus km/h the whole race!  Once you are lapped you are out and Connor was one of the last of GDT Flanders to be eliminated after 25mins of frighteningly fast paced riding. 

All riders surpassed themselves that day with members shouting support from the route.  Riders were overheard to say that it was a huge lift to hear NBCC shouting at the sidelines.  A big thank you to the parents/wives/girlfriends etc. who braved a hot day to cheer the Green shirted (and Red Connor) riders on that day.  Although it might seem daunting, racing and testing your legs against others, can be the summit of amatuer riding.  If you have been thinking about it, go on, have a go, it won’t hurt, much.

Next round is on Sunday 22nd December at Technology Park.  Bring money, balls of steel and spare lungs.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Yanchep National Park Challenge 2nd Feb. 2014

The Yanchep National Park Challenge is a great day to celebrate the bike! With family entertainment, a beautiful setting and surrounds, all cyclists are welcome. The feature event on the day will be graded criterium racing where spectators are close to the action. Why not bring the family and have a ride though the park? Entry to the park is free when you arrive by bike. Registrations will be open soon.

7.30am Women’s Novice event (ungraded) 20 minutes plus 2 laps
 8.00am D Grade Men/C Grade Women 20 minutes plus 2 laps
8.30am C Grade men/B Grade Women 30 minutes plus 2 laps
 9.10am E Grade/ U15 / U13 / U11 15 minutes plus 1 lap
9.35am B Grade Men/A Grade Women 40 minutes plus 2 laps
10.30am A Grade Open 45 minutes plus 3 laps
11.30am TWEED run (no entry fee)
12.00 Presentations & prize draws

 Register by 14/1/14 and vote to decide which bike will be 2104 Participation Prize.

 Race Entry: $30 NBCC Members: $15 Race license juniors: $20 Fee includes entry to Park (normally $12)

 Gold Day license: $33 3 Day license:$44

 Online Registration Here soon.









 Please support our generous event sponsors (logos to follow) Just Ride It BikeForce Joondalup Peard Real Estate