Unfortunately due to the recent snowfall and low temperatures at night, we have reviewed our road rides planned for this weekend and reluctantly we have to cancel these rides.

However, the XC MTB ride is still on from the Pump Rooms at 9 am but with some minor changes to avoid potentially icy roads. If anyone wants a safer alternative to an icy road ride, this ride is suitable for cross, gravel and hardtail mountain bikes and will be led by our XC rocket, Mo.

So all is not lost, and do support our off road riders and still try and have some fun, though remember your thermals!

Congratulations to Clive Lewis and Chris Vevers who’s names were pulled out of the scull cap. Your £20 Leisure lakes vouchers are on the way to you.

All you need to do is put your name down to lead a Saturday or Sunday ride and you will be entered into the draw.
You have to be in it to win it

Well done

Chris Booth

Road Captain

So that you can choose mountain bike rides that suit you, categories have been added to the mountain page and will be included against rides on the calendar in advance.  I hope to see many of you on an off-road ride soon.

I am pleased to advise club members that following a Committee Meeting held on the 23.01.19, that our Martin Cain willingly accepted (and was voted in by a unanimous show of hands) to take on the Role as the clubs Interim Chairman,  until our AGM is held at the Norwood Arms on the 13.11.19. He will then have the opportunity to review his situation and club members also have the opportunity to vote accordingly.

Martin has demonstrated good leadership skills since joining the Committee last year, when he also took on the clubs BC road race which was a huge success.

I look forward to working with him on more day to day matters, and I hope club members will value his ongoing contribution and future communication with you all, going forward.

I provide below a statement from him, which reads as follows:

Gary Rickards

Club Secretary

Chairman’s Introductory Statement.

Hi All,

Heraclitus (535 BC) once said that “There is nothing more constant than change”. Well, he certainly knew what he was talking about!

Firstly, I’d like to personally thank Robin for the enormous effort and enthusiasm he had put into the Chairman role over the last couple years, much of which went on in the background, which helped make the club the enormous success it enjoys today.  We have all benefited hugely and had much fun due to his efforts, so please when you get chance, say thank you.

Being an active member of the road section for the last four years and on the committee last year, many of you may recognise me from my shouting northern dialect leading some of the rides, or as the clubs Secretary organising the 2018 BC road race, or may even be just at the cafe! If not, come and say ‘Hello’.

I promise to provide a translation for those that have no idea what I’m saying!

Change brings opportunities. We have a great club, maybe one of the biggest and best in the country. With the support of the committee and collaboration of members I am committed to work with the committee and take the club forward to even greater things. I look forward to representing the club as the interim Chairman up to the AGM in November, and I intend to work with the committee and carry on from Robin’s achievements, with the aim to further develop the club that you can be even more proud to be a part of.

Please feel free to talk to me, or contact me by email if you would like to discuss any ideas or issues.

Catch you on a ride soon.

Martin.

If you would like some fresh air and a gentle spin to work off Chrimbo lunch, I am happy to lead a group ride on Boxing Day to Pendock via Tewkesbury, 40 miles at a steady 16mph. Let’s leave the Pump rooms at 9:30am, back in Cheltenham for 12:30. We’ll have a coffee stop in Tewkesbury , if you need to get back earlier you can skip the cafe and be back before 12pm.

Merry Christmas and hope to see you all.

Chris V