Members Forum 21/7/13

I love the spirit of this club!

Despite the freezing morning ride we had a great turn out for the members forum. Key points from the forum:

NBC is a unique club with rapid growth and a diverse rider group with a range of interests in both social and competitive cycling. A good number of members enthusiastically put their hands up for coordinator roles.

Treasurer: Jane Potter.

Secretary: Tammy McDonald

Sunday Club Ride Coordinator: Richard Stokes 0416 241 918, stokesys@gmail.com

Women in Cycling committee: Toni Kerr, 0409889471 toni.kerr@iinet.net.au.  Wilna Kemp 0407573337,wilnakemp@gmail.com.  Riana Rose. 

New Member Contact: Toni Kerr, 0409889471 toni.kerr@iinet.net.au

Social Event Coordinator: Darren Hall, Daz Hall 0415101973 Dazzer7@bigpond.com

Youth development/Coach/NBC racing: Chris Howard 0421 083 688 northernbeachescycling@gmail.com

I.T. support: Nghia Hang 0403200911, hanzao888@yahoo.com.au

NBC Website manager: Kieren Barnett.

Sponsorship/Grants Applications: vacant.

Acting Cycling Calendar Coordinator: Chris Howard 

Priority Events: Yanchep National Park Challenge, Kings of Wanneroo, 3/5 Dams, Freeway Bike ride, Great Perth Bike Ride, Swan Valley Cyclosportif, Pickering Brook Race series (and others with similar formats). 

Alternative Sunday ride options are provided are provided at a 1 in 4 Sundays ratio to regular Sunday rides> contact Richard Stokes to confirm.  

Club Individual Time Trials provided once every 3 months as regular calendar items. 

NBC Facebook 'Group' versus 'Page'.
The NBC Facebook 'group', which most people currently use is for posting informal rides and general cycling related topics.  This can get off-topic and comes with a lot of banter, and stirring: be warned! 

The NBC Facebook PAGE is like a webPAGE, and is the source for formal rides and events only. We aim to keep this tidy and specific to priority issues for the club. When you 'like' this page, you will be automatically notified of posts. 

Sponsorships: the 2014 round of sponsorships are now being considered. Please email Chris at northernbeachescycling@gmail.com with your expression of interest.

Kit design: a general consensus to keep the general colour and design elements so the existing kit does not go out of date. We love our NBC green. 

A new member info kit will be developed and then coordinated by Toni Kerr. 

Funding sources: memberships, racing events, fundraisers, funding grants.

Chris Howard 
President
NBC

Notice of Members Forum

Following the Sunday Club ride on Sunday 21/7/13 we will have a members forum and invite Coordinators for key roles. Please do not organise other rides on this day to ensure a good turn out. The direction of the club will be determined by those who are prepared to commit to these roles. 

 The Objects of Association as stated in the NBC Constitution:

Northern Beaches Cycling Club Inc. aims to;

1) Encourage and support participation in cycling & healthy living, 

2) Provide a fun & challenging environment for a community of cyclists,

3) Provide opportunities for equitable access to cycling in all its forms.

4) Act to address obstacles that result in under-representation sections of the community in accessing cycling.

5) Provide opportunities for local youth and adults to access competitive cycling sports.

5) Optimise the development of cycling talent through coaching, training, equipment and facilities.

6) Represent local cycling interests through liaison with the appropriate authorities to improve conditions for cycling and cyclists.

7) Improve public perception of cycling through media, events, and, personal example of its members.

8) Be a key stakeholder in the development of cycling facilities in the region.

Some evident characteristics of the club that make it distinct in an respect are:

·       Welcoming social, friendly rides for riders of all abilities.

·       We don’t take ourselves too seriously,

·       Facebook community. The strongest I’ve seen of any social club. Has allowed an openness of communication, a brainstorming of ideas, bonds of connection, and chance to access a range of formal and informal rides. It has lead to a growth in member numbers.

·       A strong volunteer base with a broad base of skills that even other clubs comment on.

What we lack:

·       Women and youth are underrepresented in the club.

·       An infrastructure to support competitive cycling

·       Local cycling facilities such as a track and off road training facilities.

·       The resources to conduct a road-racing event.

·       Coaching pathways for members

 My experience with various stakeholders in trying to get dedicated cycling facilities in our area, comes down to the question is ‘How many members do you have?’ & ‘Do we represent the broader demographic?’ . In reality cycling competes with other traditional ball-sports for resources. These clubs have hundreds of members, enabling them to better advocate for their sport. For this reason alone, we need a strong member base.

To support this I believe we need to retain a small committee for overall management, namely: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. A small committee is more practical in terms of keeping positions filled.

I propose the role of President be separated into two distinct roles. President (SRC) representing the interests of Serious Recreational Cycling. The primary role is the smooth running of the Sunday club ride and ensuring social outlets.

The second is President (RD) of Racing Development. I believe the roles need to be separated as both social club rides and racing occur at the same time. The Vice-President supports both roles.

Apart from these committee positions I believe there are significant coordinator roles to be filled. The roles I propose include;

Website Manager: the Website is the often the first point of contact, and feedback from new members that ‘at least your website seemed current’ was the reason for them approaching the club. The role of website manager includes extracting articles, reports and photos from members.

Coordinator, Marketing/Sponsorships/Funding: This involves the promotion and positive image of the club in local media, together with scanning for opportunities for funding for the club

Coordinator Event Management: responsible for arranging and delivering of NBC run races, with an initial aim of 4-5 in 2014. Also for NBC run community rides.

Coordinator, Women in Cycling Programs: with an aim of addressing obstacles improving participation in cycling by women.

Coordinator, Junior development/schools programs/talent identification. This could be the President’ (RD) role or work in close conjunction with.

Coordinator: New/novice member support: Ensuring a positive experience for new riders to the club, particularly during rides. A coordinator could ensure a roster of support from existing members. This role could be a role of the President (SRC) or work in close conjunction with them.

I am sure there are other roles, and welcome members input. I think we need an expectation of every member that they at least 4 times a year, support novice/junior riders, and volunteer support twice for NBC run events.

Personally, I would like to focus my efforts in the Racing Development President and Junior Development while assisting and supporting the coordinators of other roles. I am willing to support many novice riders on Sunday club rides, but attending and supporting NBC members in races would become a priority. I am also working with delivering cycle-friendly facilities in the Alkimos Beach development. For this, we need a large and vibrant member base.

Chris Howard  

Goldfields Classic Weekend

The Goldfields Classic, run over 2 days of the WA Foundation Day long weekend, is one the few Handicap events on the Cycling WA calendar. Having had bikes transported by truck the day before, Stephen McNielly and Chris Howard took the $220 return charter flight on offer with about 80 other participants.

We arrived in  Kalgoorlie, and had a race briefing before hurrying to assemble our bikes in time. We met Greg Pengelly and Brooke Colton at the start line and braced ourselves for a cold ride.

The D grade experience....Kalgoorlie-Menzies 135km

D grade had 52 of the total 150 entries. The pace was brisk without being hard, but a good number were immediately dropped towards the rear of the peloton.  Not a good day out for them. The lead group had varying experience in rolling, and with the chaos that followed I decided it was a safer bet to stay off the 25 strong roll until they sorted their differences about 15 km in.  There were numerous sprint points along the way, but it was soon clear at least 10 others would whip me in a sprint, so I decided to conserve the limited energy for the 135km. A solid tail-wind had the lead breakaway D group, of about 22, humming along at 45kmph for the first 60km. The group was rolling so well, my pre-arranged musette back went flashing by at the 70km mark. I was already at 95% of my effort and I couldn't afford to slow and risk being dropped.

I knew that the A group had reeled all grades by the 60km mark last year, but with a tail-wind it was going to be harder. It was relayed to us that the C group was 8 minutes behind, with no word of the dreaded A group juggernaught. By the 90km mark my lack of conditioning was taking its toll, but with a rare chance of a D grade win, I took as many turns in the roll as I could. With about 10km to go we heard that C grade was about 1 km behind, but our roll was starting to fracture as fewer could help the pace. With no food or water left, it was a case of give it all you've got. A railway line indicated about 1km to Menzies and one last dash, I got to third wheel with open space on the left side, but dismayed as we had to pass 3 recreational riders who I knew would drift into my line. That was my missed opportunity I should have committed. With my left thigh seizing up I could barely get out of the saddle to sprint but finished 10th in the sprint finish.

With the endorphins, exhaustion, elation and realisation at what we'd done I found myself welling up with tears.

C and A grades followed within 3 minutes of our breakaway win, so the Handicapper was pretty spot on. I now was leading the GC on time!

Day 2 Menzies-Leonora 105km

Day 2 saw cross-winds and reduced handicapped times make for a hard day for D graders. I had nothing in the tank and could offer little to the pace as each attempted roll left me tired. I wasn't going to be able to contribute to the pace. The combined D-E group of about 50 quickly fractured to a lead group of 16 then 12 as the roll improved. At the 20km mark I was briefly caught behind a tiring cyclist, I soon found myself adrift of the lead group by 4 lengths and it took 5 minutes of max-heart rate just to get back on. I recovered by staying at the back, and could only roll through a couple of times.  In quick succession C grade and A grade swept past us, some of able to hold onto their wake for longer than others. The D grade breakaway was now fractured and working with splintered C grade riders. I encouraged a D grade foursome to push up with a hard pull, but only one came with me (thanks Justin Ing from PIH). We worked at our limit to reel in one, then two C grade riders who worked for a bit with us before they dropped as well. It was an agonising 30 metre gap to the leading D grade riders who were working with C graders. It felt like forever, but with one final push we got on their tail. We were immediately told to roll through, I won't repeat what I said! With 20 km to go every slight incline I felt like I was going to snap, but reminded myself how long and slow a solo would feel and how many would overtake me in packs. By the 10km I finally snapped, and did my best to stay on the drops and roll through a steady cadence, and tried to reel in Justin who snapped off the group a few kilometres later.

To my relief, the 80km sign appeared and shortly after the crowded street. I rolled through the main street for the first time and all the cheers were for me as I was solo. The finish involved completing a anti-clockwise loop around the town. It was hard to keep my balance in each corner, and I was grateful no one was behind me as a slowed and drifted wider each time. I tried to stand for one last gasp for the finish line as my hands and feet went numb.  I stopped, exhausted and shaking. Not enough to not go and check my times! I again choked up in tears as I found out I'd managed 5th in D grade, 29th in General Classification out of a finishing field of 114, and only 8.03 minutes behind best time. I'm not going to be humble about it, it was the best effort I've ever put in.

I hope to see you all there next year!

Chris

Things I've learnt on the Goldfields Classic
1) It can be cold....and wet. Be prepared and have spare kit for day 2.
2) Pay attention, you can be easily dropped from a big peloton, and its a long way to the finish.
3) Use your Garmin, otherwise you get out caught out while others are getting ready for the numerous sprint points.
4) Carry enough food and fluids for the full 135km and 105km days. Although there is a feed station on the first day, the pace may be too hot to slow down enough to get food.
5) Ride your own race, ride to your strengths. Don't be pressured into pulling a turn if it results in being spat out the back from over-exertion.
6) Unless your mobile phone network is with Telstra, Your phone is a glorified camera once you leave Kalgoorlie until you get back to Perth.
7) Kalgoorlie-Menzies-Leonora is true Ocker Australia, experience it.
8) It's a superbly run event, with PLENTY of catered food for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.
9) You'll meet some great people and share a yarn.
10) All the better for sharing it with a friend.

 Brooke Colton (the 'cyclist formerly known as NBC') and Chris Howard at the Kalgoorlie start.

 Elated and exhausted at the end of Day 1 in Menzies. My bike might as well have been a rock-star to the local kids.

 Main street Menzies, Population @200. A pub, a town hall, a cafe, caravan park and footy oval.

 Stephen McNielly resting and warming at the Menzies Pub after a tough day.

 Menzies Pub, a warm respite with warm Guinness as recovery fluid.

 Menzies Caravan Park. A $35 tent does not guarantee dry feet. There is bus transport to basic mine-site accommodation out of town.

 Menzies Town Hall. A huge variety of food is provided for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.

 Greg Pengelly and Stephen McNielly at the Leonara finish day 2. Well done boys.

 Leonora, Population @1000  The event is shared with the Leonora Golden Gift foot races, and attracts a crowd. A great welcome to be individually cheered home.

Northern Beaches Group rides and NEW ALLOCATED speeds

The philosophy  of Northern Beaches Club Sunday club rides has always been to provide sociable and friendly rides, ridden as a group.  We have always prided ourselves on welcoming all riders, and not dropping riders. With this aim in mind, and a recent audit of the speed of groups, the following changes have been made. Average speeds of groups have risen as regular riders have improved. The speeds listed here are a guide, and based on good riding conditions over the Two Rocks route, (43Km distance). As a very rough guide, some regular riders names are listed. The Stretto is for competitive souls who like riding hard, and are prepared to be dropped. Stronger riders, WITHIN each group, may hit the hill climbs, but regroup and support slower riders after each climb.

COMMUNICATION
Group leaders can opt for stronger riders to do most of the lead work, or for an anti-clockwise roll. Learning to roll is a skill in itself, and surging can destroy it. Most new riders, overcompensate and push too hard when it is there turn at the front. This results in the pace gradually over-doing it. 

Some tips. 
When moving to the front of the peloton, you should only be slowly overtaking the left-side column of riders. My own weird approach is to imagine I am towing a road-train, and gradual actions are required to prevent the concertina effect or a jack-knife of the 'trailers' being towed. Gradual up or gradual down to prevent an accident. The pace is called by the rear. 

'Down-One' means ease off the pace JUST A FRACTION (same gear, still roll) this enables someone who has been dropped a few bike lengths to get back on without disrupting the pace too much.

'Down-two' means off a bit than this, but do not sit up.

'Drinks' means ease off as someone may be over 50metres off for some reason. Gradually ease off to a slower pace.

'ALL-ON' called from the rear to indicate the last rider is back on and pace can gradually increase to the group speed. 

 6.45am - Juniors - The Chinos Group 

0645 - 24-29kph The Affogato Group (Derek, Toni, Edward) This group may be split further depending on composition. 

0645 - 30-32kph The Macchiato Group (Neil, Richard, Mark)

0655 - 32-34kph The Espresso Group (John & John, David, James)

06.55 - 34kph+ The Stretto (open ride, all out, prepared to be dropped. Head out just before Espresso)

Apart from the Stretto 'group', all ride together in your group and support each other. At least one person stops to support those with punctures or mechanicals. Ensure new faces do not get dropped or lost and make them welcome. 

You may join an overtaking group.

 If you wish to open up and go faster than your group pace, wait until the group leader says so (usually half-way back between Yanchep and Jindalee). Re-group at Cafe de Carlo to brag about your exploits. Give feedback to committee members to improve our rides and events. 

New Sunday Club Ride Times AMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Following discussion at last Sunday's ride and a consensus to keep times early, we will trial the following times and discuss further.

6.45am Chinos (Teens), D (Affogato) and C (Macchiato)

6.55am Espresso

7.00am Stretto

Apart from the Stretto 'group', all ride together in your group and support each other. At least one person stops to support those with punctures or mechanicals. Ensure new faces do not get dropped or lost and make them welcome. 

You may join an overtaking group.

 If you wish to open up and go faster than your group pace, wait until the group leader says so (usually half-way back between Yanchep and Jindalee). Re-group at Cafe de Carlo to brag about your exploits. Give feedback to committee members to improve our rides and events. 

IT IS CLUB POLICY THAT EACH RIDER MUST CARRY THEIR OWN PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT AND MOBILE PHONE

With Barista jersey comes great responsibility!

Firstly, the latest order of club kit has arrived (hopefully all of it, I'm heading down to the post office now), including the limited edition Barista jersey sponsored by Café de Carlo.  This distinct, predominately white, Jersey is only worn by members in the role of ride & group organizers.  They will stop for mechanicals (or ensure another member does if they need to stay with the peloton or support riders new to the club or ride route).  They command respect because of their contribution to the club.  If they give instructions on a ride, listen, or else! Their rider etiquette will be impeccable and they will expect other riders to be considerate of other road users. They will report any rider misbehavior to the NBC committee. The Barista jersey wearer is also the team leader in Cyclosportif events.  To reflect this, Club Barista's will be formally presented with their Jersey following the club ride this Sunday 21/4/13. 

Darker mornings

With many recent bike/car accidents during the gloomy mornings, rider safety is paramount at this time of year,. While most of us have front and backlights, please consider your visibility from the side, where drivers may be approaching intersections or roundabouts. Car drivers are not expecting bike riders and visually only scanning for cars (as wrong as that is, it is the reality). Consider reflective/flashing items on your bike or person to draw attention. Also in the event of an accident make sure you have personal identification on you.

.

With more rain and subsequent debris washed onto the roads, a reminder that EACH rider MUST carry their own spares tubes/puncture repair kit and have a back up plan (such as a mobile phone).

Priority Ride events.

With so many events in the cycling calendar NBC would like to have some priority events where members are encouraged to enter. Top of the list is the Armadale Grand Fondo, and then the subsequent Cyclosportif events (these are found on the BWA website). 

New Ride Times

From Sunday 10th of April 2013. the new ride times apply for Sunday club rides departing from Jindalee Medical Centre.



6.30am - Juniors - The Chinos Group 

0630 - 24-26kph The Affogato Group 

0645 - 27-29kph The Macchiato Group 

0655 - 30-32kph The Espresso Group 

0700 - 33kph+ The Stretto Group (open ride)

Apart from the Stretto 'group', all ride together in your group and support each other. At least one person stops to support those with punctures or mechanicals. Ensure new faces do not get dropped or lost and make them welcome. 

You may join an overtaking group.

 If you wish to open up and go faster than your group pace, wait until the group leader says so (usually half-way back between Yanchep and Jindalee). Re-group at Cafe de Carlo to brag about your exploits. Give feedback to committee members to improve our rides and events.