Issue 09/03                                                                        January 21, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 ALWAYS TOKIO TIME

Thanks to all of the volunteers who came out to support this series last Sunday afternoon at Ferry Reach.  With over three dozen particpants it was a great success.  The next one is on January 31st at the Arboretum starting at 4:00PM.  Come on out and see how well this group has done and lend a hand.

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!

RIDING IN THE DARK REMINDER - LIGHTS!

It has been commented that there are many people out doing their training in the dark (by this I mean before sunrise or after sunset, not ignorant) without any lights on the bike.  The road act (or whatever that law thingy is that governs cars, bikes and other devices on the roads of Bermuda) requires you to have a white light up front and a red one in the back.  This will help you live a longer life.  Please do it.  There are already enough motorists who are grumpy about our non-mechanized status and we would not want a flood of calls to CrimeStoppers.

GOT ROAD SHOES?

The cycling program at the secondary schools is going well and I'm now trying to find road shoes for a few students.  Maybe you have an older pair that is sitting around and you just can't find the courage to dispose of them.  This is the chance to make some room in your closet (this means you can get a new pair to replace them!) and help some of the students progress in their cycling.  If you think you have something that still is functional and does not smell too bad (I know, this is a relative term) then drop me a note at president@bermudabicycle.org.

RACING MATTERS

2009 RACING, THE NEXT STEP

We had a strong response to the racing survey and tonight we are hlding a planning session to format the 2009 season, including series format, categories and dates.  The evening kicks off at 6:30PM at Jeff Amaral's house for pizza and then the work of creating the season details begins.  We're expecting about a dozen people but if you would like to add your voice to the group then call Jeff at 535-8623 and tell him you are coming.  With any luck we should have the calendar drafted by this time next week.

MTB RACE #6  - FERRY REACH

There has been no lack of creativity with course design for this year's  mountain bike racing.  Once again Jeff Amaral with assistance from Paul Jacks has been able to add enough new sections to a well-worn track to create a new and challenging course.  Full race results can be found here but the finish order doesn't tell it all.  Check out today's Royal Gazette article or get the full scoop from Ed Jordan on how he pipped Charles right at the line.  Nice way to treat the sponsor!

I received several great shots of the race from Liz Browne and Sarah Jordan but for a spectacular album visit http://me.edafe.com/_sites/0901fre/index.html

Next series race is February 1 at Admiralty House Park starting at 8:30AM.

Picture of the week

As mentioned above,  Angelina McDonald posted a bunch of awesome pictures from the racing at Ferry Reach and I've "borrowed" this one (thanks, Angelina!).  This is the start of the junior categories, though Christian Oatley seems to have misplaced his saddle and seatpost.

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