Issue 09/07                                                                        February 18, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

March 1 - Hill Climb Series #1 - Sayle Road - 8:30AM

March 1 - Conrad's MTB Series Prize Giving and Fun Race - Admiralty House Park - 3:00PM

March 8 - Hill Climb Series #2 - Harrington Hundreds Road (at Harrington Sound) - 8:30AM

March 15 - Hill Climb Series #3 - Fairmont Southampton - 8:30AM

March 22 - IBC Front Street Races - Hamilton - 8:00AM

CYCLING NEWS

BERMUDA CENTURY

Sunday's Bermuda Century ride was a great success in bringing out dozens or riders to try the four loop course.  Congrats to all those who completed the full distance and to all those who raised funds.  We are still receiving pledges so if you have yet to do so then please drop it in the box at Winners Edge or Bicycle Works by the end of the week.  It looks like we will be able to make a meaningful contribution to St. John's Ambulance and we'd like to do this sooner rather than later.

Special thanks to Samantha Stephens for organizing the morning and providing food and drink at the base.  Other than one bit of rain, the day was great and a wnderful opportunity to bring some new people into group riding.

If you have any thoughts on how to improve the event for next year then please contact Sam at  shood47@hotmail.com.

2009 MEMBERSHIP

Road racing season is here and you need to be a paid up member to race.  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.

RACING MATTERS

2009 RACING CALENDAR - IT'S HERE!!!

The Racing Committee has produced a guidline for the road race season that deals with points series, categories, distances and all sorts of wonderful tidbits.  You can read it all here.  Next week we'll give you a preview of who is intending to ride in which category, hopefully giving you a bit of assistance as to which category might be right for you.

2009 RACE SEASON GUIDE

2009 RACE CALENDAR

JUNIOR GEARING  - 2009

Junior gearing is a topic that is widely endorsed by cycling federations around the world and the BBA executive has concluded a look at our regulations relative to those of many of the leading cycling nations.  At it's essence, by restricting the size of gearing permitted to be employed by younger riders they do not overly tax their growing bodies.  Our review looked at many standards , including those of Australia, Great Britain, Canada, USA and the Caribbean counties.  We have concluded that we will amend out standards to be consistent with our regional cycling body (Caribbean Cycling Federation) as follows:

Riders 17 & 18 years of age: maximum roll out distance of 7.93 metres

Riders under 17 years of age: maximum roll out distance of 7.4 metres

We will provide a docuument detailing this next week.

Junior gearing restrictions will be enforced through the race season starting with the IBC Front Street Race.  We have four individuals who will help us with this process during the year and they will make sure that all riders are in compliance and do so in a supportive manner.

We will allow gears to be blocked during competition but the option of using a different cassette and chain ring is the most effective way to be compliant and utilize that range of functional gears on your bike.  For this you should chat with your favorite local bike shop.

If you have any questions on this then please contact Jeff Amaral (jeff@conrads.bm).

WINNERS EDGE NATIONAL MOUNTIAN BIKING CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION

Time to register for the National Championships which will be held at Ferry Reach on Sunday, February 22nd.  This event requires advance registration and the form is below.

National Mountain Biking Championships Entry Form

MTB SERIES RESULTS

Now that all of the emotion has faded we can provide you with the final standings for the Conrad's MTB Series.  The last race did a few people favors (Norbert is now polishing Fred's bike for the next year) and suggest that more than just a title will be on the line at next Sunday's National Championsip.    For those who participated in the 08/09 season they are reminded that the fun race and awards will take place on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00PM at Admiralty House Park.

Conrad's MTB Points Series  - FINAL

HILLS CLIMB SERIES TO START THE ROAD SEASON

The flyer says it all (except for price). Entry is $2 per event or $5 for all three.  Same price for adults and juniors.  Come out and see how much fun/pain these can be. 

Picture of the week

A little selection of the 9:30 start at the Bermuda Century ride last Sunday.  Anticipation of big things, Hubbard a few pounds less than 2008 and Miguel Butterfield just back from a cruising holiday.

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