Just in case you haven't heard, Alan Green has broken his collar bone whilst riding the Cotswolds sportive, weekend before last. Tough events these sportives. Alan, get well soon and all being well you'll be competing again well before the end of the season.

Yes, it's sad, but true! I've crunched some calcium bits and pieces and picked up an extensive case of road rash. Thanks for the mention Derek and hope to be along to the hardriders to do some marshalling if the Bone Dr lets me out. PS Learning Point: Don't follow unknown rider's wheel who might stick their brakes on, down a hill on a straight bit of road....
PPS Whatever format we go for, I'll be needing a new club top. Mine looks like a string vest now. Bah!!

DURSLEY ROAD CLUB OPEN 25 MILE TIME TRIAL TUESDAY JULY 8, 2008
WTTA Hard Riders Points Counter
Here are a few details on the course and HQ:-
Course details U109
Start by BT building approx 0.7 miles west of Didmarton on A433 (GR 806869). Go east on A433 through Didmarton to cross roads immediately past Hare & Hounds Hotel (4.42 miles). Left, with care, onto minor road to met A46 (7.46 miles) where left, again with care, to meet A433 at Dunkirk (12.84 miles). Left again to pass start, Hare & Hounds cross roads (18.26 miles), minor road to A46 (21.32 miles). Left to finish (25.09 miles) opposite north end of lay by on right hand side of A46, (GR 800886).

Headquarters (GR 821913), Leighterton Primary School,
Boxwell Rd., Leighterton, Tetbury, Glos, GL8 8UH
There is plenty of parking at the HQ, which will be open from 18:00.

I have a conflict of interest in that I'm the club press secretary but am getting headlines about my performances extracted and written as headlines by the Gazette. I don't like blowing my own trumpet. Is there anyone else that would like to take over press secretarys role?

Does anyone know who Debbie is?
As metioned on ITV4 TDF coverage. She apparently danced with Paul Sherwin at the Dursley RC Dinner in 1980.

Great ride in the 100 Derek !!!

Just a thought before the winter runs get going. We had a fairly poor turnout on last winter's club runs yet this season our club events have been more popular than ever.

Our main attraction to newcomers in the season are the Thursday evening club events yet we need to offer them something more than a club run at breakneck pace during the winter.

How about a different format for the club runs to enable riders of all abilities to meet up? Instead of a cafe stop about halfway around the route, maybe we could have it at at about 2/3? In this way, the faster riders could get in a good mileage from Frocester before the stop AND other club members still could meet up at the cafe.

This would inevitably mean a much smaller number of cafes, eg Tetbury, Malmesbury etc, but their proximity to home would make club runs more accessible to everyone.

What does everyone think?

Meeting at Frocester might not be helping with the poor turnout.Years ago we always met in Dursley,then Ned took over running the club runs and as we had 4 or 5 regular riders from Stroud it made sense to meet half way.
I dont know where the majority live now but perhaps a new meeting place would benefit.
We have met at tescos in Cam at 8.45 and then ridden to frocester to find nobody there at 9. Perhaps all meeting at tesco's for 9 would help as there is a large car park for those who wish to drive to the meet.Or Kingshill by Somerfields,which is where we used to meet in the 80's

Any other suggestions????

I think Mike's suggestion make's sense as if anyone (sorry when everyone) is dropped they can make it to the cafe via a shorter route.

And I think Neil's suggestion is also good. We have more people Dursley or thereabouts and the furthest away members are in all directions (Severn Beach, Tetbury, Stroud, Thornbury) so I think Tesco's carpark in Cam is ideal.

I plan to go to Majorca with some friends at the end of March next year (22nd-28th), staying at Club Pollentia (a superb place to stay and great hotel). We are looking to book in the next week or so. If anyone on here is interested in joining us, you are welcome but you need to make a decision SOON. The others are non-racers but are fit enough to get out every day.

27.08.08
As a new club member I was pleased to read that there are plans to make the Sunday winter ride better attended.

Edited by author 05-09-2008 02:27 PM
a 2 stage open hill climb event near Broadway,Gloucs!

oct 5th,Dovers and Saintbury,a one off extravaghanza,and also the first ive ever promoted,so its imperative you all enter for the "experience"lots of prizes inc a signed olympic t shirt,ladies and juniors

closes 23rd sept,but enter TODAY

23 ascot close
stratford upon avon
CV37 9FN

01789 205974

spread the word!

Sunday Rides; Would it be worth considering two groups meeting and leaving the same time and place-each with a leader and predetermined average pace (say 17 mph and whatever the quick riders do) with routes designed to meet at the coffee stop.If this works then it might be used also for Reg's Winter Warmers.
It may also be worth considering continuing the Sunday rides thro' the summer on a reduced basis to keep the group together.

Sunday Rides
the Idea of two groups is a great Idea but this will surely need to depend on the numbers that turn out? But I do agree with Peter that the idea of keeping the rides going year round for the members that don’t race regularly would be a good. This could also be double edge sword, as it could be good way to attract “new” members to the club?

Sunday Rides.
Most clubs have a "club ride"and a "fast ride". If it is club policy to attract new members then these may be put off by having only the fast ride option. It would be important and not too difficult to keep the groups together at the start and at the coffee stop.
Of course if the club aims to attract new members then the Sunday rides would be only one part ofan overall recruitment programme.

We've finally got the new Forum off the ground and invitations have been sent to all those club members I have email details for.

Derek's just joined and hopefully there'll be many more soon.

For anyone who has NOT received an email invitation, please let me know via the "contact us" button on the club's website at http://www.dursleyroadclub.org.uk/contact