Issue 09/02                                                                        January 14, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 18 - Tokio Youth MTB Series - Ferry Reach - 2:30PM

January 18 - Conrad's MTB Series Race #6 - Ferry Reach - 3:30PM

January 21 - Road Race Season Planning - Casa de Amaral - 6:30PM

January 31 - Tokio Youth MTB Series - Arboretum - 4:00PM

February 1 - Conrad's MTB Series Race #7 - Admiralty House - 8:30AM

February 8 - Conrad's MTB Series Race #8 - Ferry Reach - 8:30AM

February 15 - Bermuda Century Ride - Get Training Now!

February 22 - Winners Edge National Mountain Biking Championship - Ferry Reach - 8:30AM

CYCLING NEWS

2009 MEMBERSHIP

Time to renew your membership for 2009.  Fees are remaining at a modest $20 per individual adult or $10 for juniors.  Family membership  (includes all household members) is merely $30.  If you became a member as part of a bike purchase in 2008 then the free ride is over.  The form can be downloaded here or you can get one at Winners Edge, Sportseller or Bicycle Works where completed forms can be put in the BBA drop boxes.

IT'S TOKIO TIME AGAIN!

The fifth event in the 2008/9 Tokio Youth Mountain Biking Series will be held this Sunday at Ferry Reach at 3:30, immediately before the Conrad's MTB race.  Bring your primary school children and their friends to this great chance to ride, learn some skills and do a bit of racing.  If you don't have kids or just can't find them then please come along and volunteer, Ed and Neil need all the help they can get.

BACK FROM CUBA

I know, you're all relieved to know that I've returned to Bermuda after the COPACI congress in Havana, Cuba.  I've got to tell you that Cuba is an incredible place and I'd recommend visiting.  The people are very nice, it seems very safe and if you like to watch your expenses, it is the perfect place for a vacation.

The meetings were productive and the current COPACI executive from Cuba was returned to office after some very heavy politicking.  The conference was also attended by Mr. Pat McQuaid, the president of the UCI, our international governing body.  Just so that you don't think the entire trip was just one rum-soaked jolly, above is proof that I did attend the meetings.  In the picture is me (guy on the left with the red eyes), Carmen Torres, president of the Puerto Rico Cycling Federation, Mr. McQuaid and Chris Gill of Trinidad & Tobago Cycling Federation.

We also spent some worthwhile time with the representatives of USA Cycling and feel that we will be able to get some assistance from them on various issues, such as coaching and training.

I'll post a few other pictures of Cuba on the blog site when I remember how to do it.

SPRING RIDE IN NEW YORK

Last week to get in touch with Chelsea for this social group trip to New York in the spring.  After researching costs for the New Paltz century ride $800 seems to be about right, that includes Flights to JFK, accommodation based on two sharing and car hire(van) this could go up by a little, if less than 4 people decide to go. We will be based in Poughkeepsie at the Courtyard Marriott, a single room supplement of $250 will apply if anybody is shy. Deposit of $400 to be paid by February 6th.

If you think this is of interest then contact Chelsea at ride@bicycleworks.bm or stop in to see him.  Open to anyone who is interested.  Prefer to drive and watch cyclists toil up mountain roads?  Always looking for support vehicle drivers!

RACING MATTERS

2008 RACE SURVEY - QUESTIONS, RAFFLE AND PIZZA

Before the 2009 calendar and race formats are set the Racey Boys (Duncan, Jeff and Martin) thought it prudent to take the temperature of the members on how the 2008 season went. They have compiled the survey with the help of Heather Cooper and request that all members complete it.  This can be done very easily by clicking on the little monkey above or go paste the following address in your browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ITmPRnEXlEuuFIaKdW8WEA_3d_3d

As an incentive to complete the survey, all those who take the survey will be entered into a draw for some big value gift certificates.  If you have not yet completed this please do so before next Monday, January 19th.

And if that isn't enough, the boys are planning a pizza night to discuss the findings and get more in depth details on the format for 2009.  This will be held on Wednesday, January 21st at Jeff Amaral's house and is open to all members who want to come along and make a contribution.  The pie is on the BBA so why not venture out and voice your opinions on racing?  If you want to attend please RSVP to Jeff at jeff@conrads.bm.

MTB RACE #5  - HOG BAY

MTB organizers and race directors for last Sunday's race at Hog Bay set up a great new course on the frequent site of mountain biking action.  Congrats to all who had a hand in creating something new for the racers.  Full results for the event can be found here.  Remember that the next race in the series is out at Ferry Reach this coming Sunday starting at 4:30, right after the Tokio Youth MTB Series event.  Come on out and race or just enjoy watching a few folks tackle another modified course.  Rumor has it that Jeff Amaral and Paul Jacks have been clearing new sections to make the track even more exciting.

Picture of the week

Butterfield Third In Australian National Road Race Championships!

Nope, not Tyler, but Nikki, the latest to join the Butterfield clan.  In a great race last weekend Nikki finished with the same time as the second place finisher, 40 seconds behind the new champion.  Nikki is racing for the American team Webcor who have visited Bermuda on many occasions for the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix. Thanks to www.cyclingnews.com for the picture.

If you want to submit a picture or two for the next newsletter then please forward the image to newsletter@bermudabicycle.org.