Welcome to "The Hub" April 2021 - the Newsletter of Mid Devon Cycling Club  

In Memory of Max 
 

We are delighted to say that the fundraising for Rowcroft Hospice in memory of our former  Vice Chairman has raised £1405 + £300 in Gift Aid. The page is open until the end of  Monday 5th April: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MidDevonCyclingClubMaxMemory

Thank you to all those members who made this possible. The committee has also decided  to rename the cup that is awarded annually to ‘Club Member of the Year’ will now be  known as the ‘Max Vautier Trophy.’  

Welcome from the new Chairman 

Today is one of my favourite days of the year. The day when you get back on your summer bike. After months of crawling around on a heavy steel frame with mudguards, I'm back on my racer. It's so light I feel like I'm flying! Hill's that I've been crawling up seem to be effortless. Plus, it's sunny for once and  the endless cold and rain have been banished - at least for today!  

It's actually a nice metaphor for what we have all been going through for the last year. Seemingly trudging along on our winter bikes, going from lockdown to lockdown without much to look forward to. The last 12 months have been tricky for everyone but we are all hoping as the restrictions ease we will start to get back to enjoying some of things that have been missing from our lives once again (and riding our summer bikes!)  

As a club, our activities have been largely suspended but we now have a road map back to events and group riding. I'm privileged to have recently been elected as Chairperson of the  committee. We are looking forward to being able to deliver quality events for our members and the out side wider cycling community as we have always done. As a committee we've got some great ideas to  move the club forward, but if you have any ideas or you want to help in any way - please reach out. It's  your club too, so feel free to add me on Facebook or drop me an email: mike@middevon.cc 

As the year goes one, I hope to be able to ride with all of the different club rides that we offer, so I get a  chance to engage with all of the many facets of the club. We are a broad church from aspiring professional riders at the top of Cycle sport like Harrison to people who ride only occasionally and socially but  we are bound together by a love of riding our bikes. Here's to a summer of sunny days, tailwinds, awe some cafe stops and great laughs for every member on every ride.  

Mike Gratton   

Secretary’s Report  

Following the recent AGM there has been a lot of activity on a range of fronts. Many are to do with taking forward  the action plan set over a year ago but others come from a desire to move the club forward to a more digitally  based platform.

Some key points are:  

Club Rides Booking System - a new system fully incorporating track and trace requirements is in operation and  will be used for the first time this Sunday 4th April, all riders must sign into this system. Eventually we hope to have  a separate calendar for each ride group and the invite can include the route details and gpx/tcx files. Once established the plan is to extend the system to booking for all club activity and payments including trips.

The track and trace Google doc can be found here: http://bit.ly/middevontrack

Document Storage - In any club the changes of key officers mean that a lot of paperwork needs to be handed on  and this has not always happened back in time. The intention is to now bring as much of the club’s documentation  onto a platform that will e shared by all committee members. The new email addresses you will see listed against  the officers have all been registered on the Google Docs platform where it is proposed we will store all important  information including historical information. 

Trophy Cabinet - The previous Chairman had arranged for the club to have space at Cafe 3 Sixty in the upstairs  area where the club could display such items securely and also have a more public presence of key information.  The original plan is now being taken forward with the cafe and the carpenter and we hope that production will be  completed the coming weeks.  

Paul Martin - paul@middevon.cc 

Events Committee Promotions  

Many club members take part in these events and we have well advanced plans for the next few months. 

Mid Summer Fish n Chip Ride - We had hoped to run this event but indoor hospitality is only planned to open on  20th June at the earliest. We’ll see if you we can do an alternative date once the situation becomes clearer.  

Camelford Ride Back - The first event that we lost a year ago is now planned for Sunday 11th July. We have  booked the coach, a minibus and 2 vans to transport bikes and as soon as Camelford Leisure Centre re-opens we  hope to confirm our start point with toilets and maybe a quick coffee. A booking link will be sent to all members, so  make sure you’ve kept your membership up to date. The only cost for you on the day will be your food and drink as  all other costs will be met by the club. An event such as this costs around £6-700 so 60/70 members will effectively  gain that much back on their membership fee. 

Membership 

Please remember that you need to have renewed your membership to take part in any club activity including club  rides. Removal of non members from the Facebook page will start at the end of April. This is the last edition of The  Hub that will be sent to former members.  

Youth Academy 

The academy will hold its first session at the Velopark on Saturday 17th April at 0930h when the facility has re opened.

After the training there are then races available and any one can do these races but you must sign up using the  link. More information on coaching will come out soon. There will be a programme of races for the adults as well.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/237823/Mid-Devon-CC-Spring-Circuit-Races

British Cycling - Volunteers in Focus - February 2021  

South West special mentions: Mike Gibson and Rob Woodger from Mid Devon Cycling Club. Mike is the South  West Youth Team Manager and co-delivers Development Centres with Alistair. Rob Woodger also supports the  sessions with his regional coaching knowledge and expertise, helping us to link to younger riders with Go-Ride  Cluster sessions. 

Paramedics recommend ‘What 3 Words’ 

A committee member was recently involved in an accident and fortunately was not badly hurt. The paramedics  who attended recommended that anyone with a smart phone use the app ‘What 3 Words’ to report their location.  Readily available in your app store and very easy to use.

https://what3words.com/

Teign Estuary Trail - Consultation Report  

A large number of members inputted to this survey and the results and very encouraging with overwhelming sup port for this to happen. Still a long way to go though. The possible Chagford extension to the Wray Valley trail has  now moved into a feasibility stage with a successful Crowdfunding initiative.  

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/overwhelming-support-for-new-traffic-free-trail-linking-newton-abbot-and-teignmouth

Club Officials for 2021  

President - Colin Lewis

MDCC Events - 2021 Dates 

Wednesday 14th April - Club Time Trial, 10 miles on the Teign Valley course and generally every 2 weeks there after ending on 25th August 

Saturday 17th April - Velopark Racing 

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/237823/Mid-Devon-CC-Spring-Circuit-Races

Sunday 18th April - Club ‘Reliability Rides’ with 50km/30 miles, 80km/50 miles and 100km/62 mile routes on offer.  Route files will be sent out nearer the date. Start in groups up to 6 by signing in at Abbrook between 0845 and  0930h. Ride your chosen course which all have a cafe stop option then sign back in when you finish. 

Tuesday 18th May - Open 10 Time Trial on the Buckfastleigh course 

Wednesday 16th June – Open 25 Time Trial on the Buckfastleigh - Chudleigh course 

Sunday 20th June - Dartmoor Classic Sportive Wednesday 7th July - National Youth 10 Time Trial Sunday 27th June - The ‘Nello’ Topsham 55 & 100 miles Sportive 

Saturday 3rd July - National Youth 10 mile Time Trial, Torbay Velopark or Teign Valley 

Sunday 18th July - Best Memorial Open 25 mile Time Trial on the Buckfastleigh - Chudleigh course Saturday/Sunday 24th/25th July - National Cross Country Championships, Plymouth 

Sunday 8th August - Triple Trophy on 8/08/25 – Best Memorial Open 25 mile Time Trial on the Buckfastleigh -  Chudleigh course 

Friday 3rd - Sunday 8th September - Tour of Britain Ride YHA Weekend, Penzance - 30 people  

Monday 9th September - Tour of Britain Day 2 - Sherford, Plymouth to Exeter , rides to include viewing at 1 or 2  places 

Saturday 25th September - Haytor and Widecombe Hill Climbs 

If you want to update us with any of your races or exploits - please use this form here:

https://www.middevon.cc/race-result-form

Stop Press:

Good Friday ‘Hilly 23’ TT  Update - photos courtesy of Graham Brodie 

http://www.pixelworkz.co.uk/mdcc_hilly23_020421/

Results here courtesy of Ian Myers and his fantastic work using the Webscorer app

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=237052

Promoter Andy Perkins reports as follows:

A huge thank you to everyone who helped with this morning’s club promotion of the Teign Valley Hilly TT.
It was an early start with our own Elaine Mason first off of the 109 riders - a record SW field.
Leading UK pro Steve Lampier proved a worthy winner finishing in 50:06 smashing the previous course record and taking the race by 19 seconds from Exeter based pro, Fred Scheske of Ribble Weldtite.

Don Brooks and Harry Jukes won their respective categories (Vets and Juniors) ensuring MDCC took home some prize money - with Harry getting the Kelteign Trophy for the fastest Mid Devon rider and a new junior course record. MDCC alumni - Harry Birchill, now riding on the GB U-23 squad took the road bike category with a scorching 53:39!

We’ve had loads of great feedback on a well run event - so well done all and thanks for you contributions.

MDCC Primal Club Kit  

Sizes Available: S, M, L and XL in most items, some larger sizes in some items. For sizing information refer to:  www.primaleurope/pages/size-chart Orders to: paul@middevon.cc 

 Men's/Women's Short Sleeve Evo Race Jersey  £55  

  
Men's/Women's Long Sleeve Jersey £55

  
Men's/Women's Gilet £50

Unisex Arm Warmers - £25