Issue 09/09                                                                        March 4, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

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.   Questions?  Contact Jeff (jeff@conrads.bm), Martin (martin@transact.bm) or Duncan (duncansimons@gmail.com).

2009 RACE SEASON GUIDE

2009 RACE CALENDAR

POINTS SERIES PRE-PAY FORM

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).

2009 RACE CATEGORIES, A BIT OF INSIGHT

If you are wondering where you should race this yearin the modified categories, don't be afraid.  More than one person has sat alone in the dark of night wondering if they are an A or B, Junior or Adult, Male or Female.  We've taken an informal poll of some well-known riders who have agreed to have their category selection revealed.  Hopefully this will help you make up your mind:

Male A: Martin Bolton, Jeff AMaral, Darren Glasford, Neil de st Croix, Arthur Pitcher, Chris Faria, Charles Dunstan, Grant goudge, Garth Thomson, Ian Port, Greg Reid, Peter Dunne, Mark Lombardi

Female A: Kim Naude, Dee Thomson

Male B: Nigel Godfrey, Arthur Glasford, Spike Tomlinson, Jason Piney

Female B: Hayley Evans, Clair de st Croix

Junior A:Mark Godfrey, Dominique Mayho, Izabella Arnold, Sophie Adams

Junior B: Daniel Oatley, Christian Oatley, Daniel Hetzel, Molly Pilgrim

Junior C: Jessie Godfrey, Max de st Croix, Cameron de st Croix

Social: ?

Parents, the race committee has provided anbit of background on the junior categories and this document is below:

Junior Categories Letter

MTB SERIES AWARDS PRESENTATION

Yet again, Jeff Amaral convinced his long sufferin wife Lara to allow the muddy crew to invade the house for a post-race party.  In exchange for having such a generous spouse the participants gave Jeff and Nathan the win in the adult/junior relay race.  Good job Jeff!  The official BBA MTB season is now finished but we are fortunate to have Conrad's (Jeff and Charles Dunstan) confirmed as sponsors for the 2009/2010 season already.  Thanks to all those who have made the season so enjoyable and to Kim Day for coordinating the party on Sunday.

HUBBARD TAKES FIRST HILL CHALLENGE

Elliot Hubbard put aside his legal wig and flew up Sayle Road to win the first of the hill climb events.  Full results are below.  The next event is Sunday, March 8th starting from the parking lot below Harirngton Sound School. Entry is $2 unless you pre-paid last week.

Sayle Road Climb Results

IBC FRONT STREET RACES, SIGN UP OR VOLUNTEER (please)

The season opening IBC Front Street Races are just around the corner and you need to register in advance for the race. 

Picture of the week

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