Thanks to everyone who took part in the Santa Dash Tinsel Ride 2021.

Bath CC Santa Ride/Tinsel Ride is 18th and 19th Dec 2021. All ride categories are included so everyone can have a go at dressing up your bikes with tinsel or as Santa. Please take lots of photos to show us your efforts and spread the cheer.

Fellow Club Members, please be aware over the coming Winter months and onwards, of extra road hazards caused by Ash Die-Back. Although local Councils have taken a number of trees down already, the problem is now so widespread that you may come across twigs, branches, boughs and even trees across your path. Cycling after windy weather may also increase the amount of debris from Ash.

The Friday women’s rides are back after the Summer break. These highly sociable rides have groups ranging from steady to medium to quicker. The quicker rides have longer routes to the cafe stop to make sure we all get there at the same time for a good chat. Do join us whatever your standard.

There is a suitable ride for everyone.

As we cast our minds towards the 2021 Club trophy awards, it seems a good time to think back to the restricted cycling days of 2020. Whilst the number of organised events was extremely limited, there were still some outstanding performances to celebrate.

Kim Barfoot-Brace, 100 mile champion, 12 hour champion 272.3 miles (overall club record), Best All Round at 50, 100 miles and 12 hours, fastest woman over 25 miles, Woman’s Best All Round at 10, 25 and 50 miles, and the Tempest Trophy awarded by Bath CC committee for “an outstanding achievement with a bias to long distances”.

Kim Barfoot-Brace, Bairbre Doyle, Heather Fell and Claire Parkin, South West Team Time Trial Champions.

Rob Pears, 50-mile champion, Road Race points champion.

Claire Philips, Club Woman Champion for contribution to club rides for the year.

Aileen Brown, Club Run Champion, best attended club run rider.

Dennis Davis, Merit Cup for outstanding services to the club.

Sam Duffy, Road Race Performance.

Steven Cottington (below), Best All Round, and fastest veteran at 10, 25 and 50 miles.

Peter Cottington, fastest 25 miles of the year.

In 1905, my Great Grandad, Harry Maslen (on the left in the old photo) set a Bath C.C. 12 hour distance record of 148 miles. He did this on fixie dressed in tweed (He’d missed the club kit officer’s order deadline for the skinsuit).

With a lack races to go for this year I decided in a moment of madness I’d try to equal his record and to do right by Harry, I’d do it on the oldest bike I have, my 3 speed Raleigh Superbe. This former Policemen’s bike weighs a measly 16KG stripped down, 1KG of which is rust. The bell stays on as it gives me something to do.

I’ve done TT’s, a sportive, triathlons and lots of training rides but I’m still a way off 148 miles and I’m starting to realise Harry Maslen was more than a bit handy on a bike and he was definitely BAD ASS. Our lives overlapped by one year and we did meet. I can’t actually remember this but whilst trying to get me to burp over his shoulder he must have passed me the family bicycle pump, a metaphorical baton for the love of bike riding because it’s definitely in the blood.

To honour the heritage of the record I have trained and will riding in a Bath CC jersey (kindly loaned to me by David Stoyle). I will be however riding in the East Midlands, venturing into the Peak District where I know the roads and strategically the cafes. I know as serious cyclists we accomplish many amazing feats of endurance on a regular basis but to me this is a bit special, it’s definitely a one off. So in doing this I’d like to try to make a little money in aid of Rainbows Hospice, the only hospice in the East Midlands for children and young people. (Rainbows.co.uk) If you’d like to support my efforts that would be wonderful. Please gift aid if you can. My just giving page is:- https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-redding2 or go to Just Giving and search Chris Redding.

PS Does anyone know who my Great Grandad’s pal is on the right in the old photo above?

The update of this is in June I equaled the Bath CC 1905 12 hour record of 148 miles which I did on a vintage Raleigh Superbe for charity. With that came 6,936 feet of ascent (plonker). On a 3 speed I paid for this BIG time but at least standing up my bum got a break. My finish line was rather conveniently a pub car park which is another good reason why not to do this record stuff on a dual carriageway. I had to ride very hard in the last 20 miles to match the record as it became clear I’d overcooked the scenic route idea and was in danger of missing the record altogether. I’m no stranger to racing but this final 20 miles was probably the deepest I have had to dig riding and where my admiration of true 12 hour riders was forged. As the pocket watch struck 12 hours I had ridden 147.976 miles. I’m rather hoping I can round up because I’m not doing it again.

To date this challenge has raised over £1,300 for a children’s hospice and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, thank you!!

PS I’m now really hoping that one of my other Great Grandparents DID NOT swim the channel!

We have been working on the awards the Club makes each year with a view to making them more relevant to all members.  The result is 33 awards for racing activities and 16 awards for non racing activities.  You can see the detail on the BCC Annual Awards 2021

The numbers in the green boxes refer to the Trophy allocations 2021 that will be awarded for each event.

While respecting the racing heritage of the Club this is a great step forwards as it allows everyone in the club to join in without having to enter events.  Although we will making awards to the winners the real fun is seeing how you do against your friends that you ride with week in and week out.

If you haven’t tried them yet you can find the segment for the Club Climb here:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34914887

And the Club Sprint here:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34914943

Later in the year we will be asking members about how many miles they have ridden and feet they have climbed so we can pull a league table together (unfortunately we can’t get a league table for these off strava).

So while the sun is shining, the roads are warm and the air is thin get out there and have a go!

This is the message sent by David Oliver, club captain, to all members yesterday following the tragic death of Matthew on Thursday evening’s club ride.

‘I am very sorry to have to report that Matthew Reeves had a head on crash with a car on Bonhill Lane, Bishop Sutton while on the Thursday Social ride last night. In spite of the best efforts of other riders in the group, tragically, he died at the scene. The Police have informed his parents. Matt was 26 and had only joined the Club in July 2020. He quickly established himself in the Club as a strong and popular rider. He was about to complete his PhD at Bath University having just made a break through discovery in the use of infrared technology. He was excited for the future and putting his work to good use. He absolutely loved the club and was a pleasure to ride with. Matt will be sorely missed. As a mark of respect to Matt and his family we are cancelling all Club rides this weekend.’

For anyone who needs help from the club following Thursday’s tragic accident. Darren Edwards is our Welfare Officer and can be contacted via committee@bathcc.net to offer support and advice.