Dear Slipstreamers Riders and Parents,

Welcome to our weekly newsletter, filled with latest club news, special announcements, reminders, and of course the all important race results. This week we focus on a very special award awarded to our Chair, Alison; photos from the recent TDF Grand Depart; the first circuit danger poster is in; and of course a few really important reminders.  Enjoy!

 

Alison Grant Receives Points of Lights Award!

On the 7th July, our very own Chair, Alison, was awarded the Points of Light Award by the Cabinet Office for her volunteer work at Slipstreamers. As per the official statement on the government website: "The Points of Light award recognises outstanding individuals - people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others." Congratulations Alison - we trust we speak for EVERYONE at Slipstreamers when we say that this is truly an award well deserved, and that you are indeed truly outstanding for all the incredible work you have put in to make our club a success!

The award was presented to Alison by the Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, and you can see the full storyboard of photos by clicking here.
If you'd like to read the full BC press release, do go here.

 

And Now, A Special Note from Alison:

Firstly a big thank you to both John Gunn and Stuart Smith for suggesting to British Cycling that they nominate me for this award. It was quite a shock to get a phone call and a voice say " Hello, this is the Cabinet Office speaking. Congratulations, the Prime Minister would like you to receive the Points of Light award for all the volunteering work you do ". That may not be word accurate but very close. At the time I was icing a birthday cake - it went all wobbly as my hands shook a bit.

The Cabinet Office thought it was appropriate for me to receive my award from the Minister of Sport, Helen Grant, at the Tour de France in London. However they didn't tell me officially until late Monday morning, so a bit hectic getting ready and going to the Mall with my husband. After getting accredited and being allowed into the VIP area, we first talked to the Cabinet Office staff to explain in a bit more detail about what we do at Slipstreamers. Rather nicely, you could sit at a table on the Mall with drinks and canapes being served. Once the Minister arrived, I was ushered to meet her and she was absolutely charming. Maybe because we have a common surname, but actually because we both have a genuine love for all sport, we chatted and talked for a very long time. She was fascinated to know about all we did at Slipstreamers and often asked questions.

Soon, her press secretary decided it was time for the presentation. However the downside was all this happened whilst the caravan went past and I missed it all! My award was actually two pieces of paper and an envelope! One was a personal letter from the Prime Minister, signed by him, and the other was a certificate. It was the envelope I loved though as it has " Prime Minister" on one side and 10 Downing St on the other. They didn't come with a frame so obviously cutbacks have hit hard. Photos were taken, and quotes were asked for and then it was all over.

This meant I could sit and relax a bit and chat with my husband; and watch what was happening on the Mall and catch up on the Tour from all the televisions that were placed all over the VIP area, as well as the big screens. However, I kept finding people wanting to talk to me, spoke to Ian Drake and John Mills from British Cycling; and then, something I do quite often at Slipstreamers, found a lost child and reunited him with his mum ( she had gone to the loo!). Speaking of which, the VIP portaloos were very posh with wooden doors and flowers.

So then I was whisked away by the Cabinet team to sit in the grandstand and watch the sprint to the line. So exciting to be so close up to all the stars of the Tour. Trying to spot them after they had crossed the line, watching the replays and then being given champagne and scones in our seats. The atmosphere was amazing and a day I will remember for a very very long time.

Thank you John and Stuart, and all at Slipstreamers.

 

The Tour De France Grand Depart - Slipstreamers Experiences...

Loveless Family At the Opening Ceremony:

Caitlin and Erin Loveless were lucky enough to attend the opening ceremony, and sent in these amazing photos. From what we've heard, the ceremony was quite an experience and well worth the drive!

 

Emma (Your Sign On Manager) Reports:

The Grand Depart was an amazing success, the crowds far exceeded what was originally thought, the atmosphere was akin to the Olympics, the weather was sunny and the racing was incredible. I was lucky enough to go to the Festival of Cycling at Harewood house for Stage 1, and once the riders set off we spent the day partaking in all the amazing events put on. We watched the sprint finish on the big screen, the collective gasp when Cav went down and the silence that followed showed how much everyone was hoping he could do it. Stage 2, we had a fantastic position along the A59 just outside York, a great view of the straight stretch of road, the buzz of the helicopters in the distance, the outriders , cars and support vehicles that preceded the break and the peloton just added to the atmosphere and the build up. Chatting to others at the roadside, many who cycled to the spot, those that lived near by and those like us who traveled miles just to be part of this awesome event, the tension was palpable. Then they came through: the sound of the wheels, the noise of the 6! Helicopters, the riders shouting at each other and the crowd to keep back, the long line of back up cars and support vans. It was intense and crazy.Then they were gone! The crowd dispersed and we all went our separate ways. An experience never to be forgotten.

Do you have more photos and stories to share?
We look forward to receiving these so please do email  to signon@slipstreamers.co.uk as soon as you can! If you have a particularly interesting experience or photo you'd like to share, don't forget to write an article for publication in our fantastic magazine, due out soon - email your contributions to magazine@slipstreamers.co.uk  - remember, if you get published, you'll receive shopping vouchers!
 

 

 

Rider Development Programme - A Few Updates

Further to the June assesssment results published in last week's newsletter, please note a few additions and corrections:

The following riders will be able to move to the Gold Squad – once they have completed their BCE training. Please talk to Steve or Paul M for dates to complete this:

• Stephen Rabey
• Anastasia Vockic
• Millie Coleman

 

Race Chatter: Reports, Updates and General Chit Chat

Club Race Day 2, Saturday 19th July - Preparation Information

As you should all know by now, and following the success of our first race day, our second race day will celebrate the Tour De France coming to the UK and is incorporating the British Cycling Go-Ride Tour event. It promises to be even better than our first race day - albeit that was slightly marred by the wet weather!!! - so we do hope you're as excited as we are.

The World Class Warm Up

At British Cycling all levels of riders use the twenty minute warm up routine. When you warm up you will ride hard, you will break sweat, and will be out of breath at some points. Riding a good event requires a rider to have felt, in the warm up, the effort that they will need to sustain in the race. However the balance is ensuring that the warm up does not detract from the event itself. This is achieved by controlling all warm up efforts, concentrating on bringing the effort to a peak just before heading to the start ramp or line.

The aim of the session is to progressively increase the intensity, culminating in some very intense six second efforts. To enable you to carry it out effectively you will need a bike and a turbo trainer with the ability to measure cadence. You could also use a Wattbike, a bike on rollers or a static bike in a gym. As part of your training plan, you can use the twenty minute warm-up as a warm-up for intense turbo sessions or if repeated as a primary session in itself. Use a relatively high gear, but one that allows use of the same gear throughout. Example: Large chain-ring, halfway up the rear cassette.

When using the below table you should start in a gear you can pedal easily, when increasing your cadence you should reach a stage at 11 minutes where you should be starting to sweat and be slightly out of breath. At this point drop the gearing by one cog to an easier gear, pedal easily and prepare for the rev-outs. Rev-outs are not to increase power, they are there to increase leg speed. 

Time	Cadence	Instruction/Focus
5 Minutes	90	Smooth Pedalling
2 Minutes	95	Smooth Pedalling
2 Minutes	100	Smooth Pedalling
2 Minutes	105	Smooth Pedalling
1 Minute 30 Seconds	110	Smooth Pedalling
30 Seconds	120-130	Maintain Form
2 Minute	90	Relax and Recover
6 Seconds	150+	Max Rev Out
1 Minute	90	Smooth Pedalling
6 Seconds	150+	Max Rev Out
1 Minute	90	Smooth Pedalling
6 Seconds	150+	Max Rev Out
2 Minutes 42 Seconds	90	Smooth Pedalling

After the warm-up, make sure you replace fluids by taking a drink, and replace lost energy by taking an energy gel or similar.

Slipstreamers in Action - A Few Random Race Snaps ...

Guildford - Wednesday 8th July

Herne Hill Velodrome Youth Team Championship - Sunday 29th June



A Few Random Race Evenings at Slipstreamers - 24th June (U16s) & 1st July (Aaron & Finn)



 

Dews Farm Mountain Bike Session - Saturday 12th July

Please note that there is NO mountain biking at the clubhouse this weekend! Indeed, it's time for our monthly off site mountain bike session at Dews Farm Quarry in Harefield, UB9 6JN! ALL Slipstreamers (parents may ride too) are welcome to attend, BUT you need to be aware the quarry is fairly technical terrain, and you must have a suitable level of mountain biking ability to attend. You will also need to ensure you have an appropriate off road mountain bike with gears. If you are in doubt, please contact Paul Wood directly on pdw327@pdw327.plus.com for further details, or talk to the Mountain Bike coaches.

If you will be attending, please kindly confirm by emailing sigon@slipstreamers.co.uk ASAP. And if you are unsure about attending, and need some convincing, check out the photos from our previous session by clicking here, or do email us with any questions.

And finally, as per usual, if you are attending, whilst off-site, this is a Slipstreamers session so the usual safety and code of conduct rules apply; as well as a sign on fee of £3 per rider. Please be prompt and make sure you arrive by 9:30am to sign on and be ready for a 10:00am start - we have to lock the gates to the car park, so please don't be late. The session will end at 12pm. Also, due to the nature of the terrain, please remember to wear long sleeves and trousers; or cover your skin with insect repellant!


 

Circuit Signs for the Park - First One In, We Need More!

The first batch has come in, and we are VERY impressed. Well done to Cameron Still for producing these - which we have on good authority are MUCH better and so much more impressive that what any of the adults came up with.


But we NEED MORE! As a reminder, we need you to use your imaginations and come up with a design for a sign to be used on the circuit. Unfortunately, there have been MANY instances where pedestrians are wandering onto the circuit from the footpaths just as high speed peletons come round, resulting in some really nasty accidents! The adults are struggling to come up with a design that would deter pedestrians from wandering onto the circuit from the footpaths - and of course, since we all know children have the BEST imaginations, we'd ike you to have a go at creating one for the park.

So, just like Cameron, please put on your creative hat, grab some pencils and paper, and see if you can come up with a sign that all people, no matter what language they speak, would understand means do NOT walk on the circuit and to keep to the footpaths. All designs will be reviewed, and while we cannot guarantee they will be used on the circuit as official signs, we'll definitely publish a few in our Newsletter and perhaps even the Magazine to show off your hard work and creativity! Please email signon@slipstreamers.co.uk with a scan of your artwork as soon as you can!


 

Diary Dates - Upcoming..

• 12th July :
  • Early practice session, Time Trial, please arrive early, with your rollers to be warmed up and ready to go for 8:30 sharp!
  • Normal circuit session, sign on between 9am and 9:30am
  • Dews Farm Quarry - Mountain biking off site. Sign on from 9.30am - 10am
• 19th July:
  • Race Day 2 - Go Ride Tour. Our second race day will celebrate the Tour De France coming to the UK and is incorporating the British Cycling Go-Ride Tour event. There will be Go-Ride prizes available to win, including t-shirts, bottles and other goodies!
  • Normal sign on between 9am and 9:30am - do not be late!
• 20th July:
  • Lookout Mountain Bike Session. Family/ friends ride in Swinley Forest, Bracknell. Arrive 9am for a 9.30am start.
• 20th September:
  • Safety Saturday - details to follow soon...
• 27th September:
  • Family Fun Day!! Details to follow soon...

   

And finally, do remember the following important things:

1. Dress for the warm weather (but be ready for 4 seasons in a single day!), eat a healthy breakfast before you head out, and drink plenty of water!
2. Parents: park safely when you arrive please, i.e. stay off the grass verge at the gates, and park in the spaces provided!
3. Arrive on time for sign on - we start at 9am, we close at 9.30am!
4. Let us know ASAP if your phone numbers, address or emails change!


Stay safe and we'll see you on Saturday!

The Slipstreamers Team
 

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IF YOU'VE MISSED A FEW OF OUR PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS, HERE ARE THE LINKS TO OUR ARCHIVE:

• 3rd July: Le Tour, Assessment Results, Timetable, Race Reports, and MUCH more...
• 26th June: Special Issue - Nationals Feature!
• 19th June: National Series Prep, GHS Results, Awards, Ride Chilterns, and More...
• 12th June: Race Day Special, Velodrome, GHS Startsheet, and MUCH More...
• 5th June : Race Reports, Club Race Day, Kit Update and More...
• 29th May: Nationals Update, Olympic Velodrome, and More...
• 22nd May: Inter Club TT Report, Assen Update, MTB Dews Farm, and More...
• 15th May: Rider Safety, Time Trials Galore, National School Games, and More...
• 8th May 2014: Kit Sale, Time Trials, Results, and More...
• 1st May 2014: Promoting Cycling Event, Condor London, and More...
• 24th April 2014: Dews Farm MTB Session, Westerley TT Results and More.