South Bucks Midweek Cycling Newsletter - October 2023

David Ullathorne has been in contact with the designer at Kalas and after many iterations the committee has agreed on the design which will be available to order shortly.  Kalas has sent a generic sizing kit, not in our design, and a printed sample jersey front.  These are available to see and try on at Chiltern Velo Cafe in Hawridge from Tuesday the 26 th September to Friday the 6th October. Please note they are closed on Mondays. Ladies and Gentleman’s samples are available downstairs in the corridor to the bike workshop.

Chiltern Velo are not charging the club so it would be nice if you buy a tea or coffee and cake whilst you’re there. For those that can’t get to the Café over the next 2 weeks please refer to the Kalas Size Chart, which is pretty accurate. Note: Jackets and Gilets tend to come up a little large, so useful for extra layers or if you prefer a tighter fit, go down one size. Kit will be available to order from the 6 th October.

Full details and the web shop log in details will be distributed on or before the 6 th October.  You choose your items and pay Kalas for them and they will than be delivered about 6-7 weeks later in one shipment to David's house.  We will then arrange collection at a Coffee Pot or other social event.

DON’T ‘DO’ LYCRA?

Please consider adding a club Gilet or Jacket to your cycling wardrobe. Greater visible presence for the club is a huge help towards the club maintaining and growing its membership.

Chiltern Velo Café, Hawridge Lane, Hawridge Chesham HP5 2UQ

Questions: Please call or what’s app David 07802 625876

Our webmaster and Rides Secretary Phil Jarvis has added an extra column to the rides list, next to the leader, where ride coordinators can add a web link to the intended route.  If routes are planned on GarminConnect, Strava, Plotaroute, RidewithGPS or one of the many other route planning websites then a link can be added so that the route can be viewed, and if required downloaded to a GPS device. 

At present it is only the MF group publishing the link, but it does make the route easy to find rather than trawling through WhatsApp messages.  We are hoping that this will make it easier for people to join or leave the route part way.  Leaders still can and do have to change the route sometimes on the day.

Cycling UK has asked us to have a Safeguarding Officer on our committee, as an understandable response to the abuses that have emerged in some sports organisations.  This is not something that affects only children, though clearly they are particularly vulnerable.  We have been very fortunate that member Paul Marchant has agreed to take on this role and introduces himself below:

"With over 20 years as a school designated safeguarding lead I have taken on the role of safeguarding officer for South Bucks Midweek Cycling group.

Much of this is common sense but if you see or experience anything that makes you feel uncomfortable (no jokes about tired legs please!) then please let me know. Actions such as inappropriate touching or suggestive comments fall into that category.

If you have any questions please email me. paulmarchant2409@live.co.uk"

Unfortunately several members have had accidents while cycling over the summer, due to driver errors.  Fortunately they haven't resulted in broken bones, but still considerable trauma, wrecked bikes, time unable to ride and the enormous hassle of dealing with insurance companies and trying to find a suitable replacement bike.  The picture is of Richard Waring's bike not Julie's.

Julie Willis has summarised her advice as follows:

* Keep your helmet on if you’ve hit your head.

* Cycling UK cannot help you claim if there aren’t any personal injuries but minor ones can count and if not, unless the driver informs their insurance company, which is often unlikely, even if you get the driver’s insurer’s details, it’s rare that you can make a claim on the driver’s behalf so best to call police.

* get photographic evidence of damage to car, bike, rider, clothing, and witness statements

* get to A&E either by calling an ambulance or your own way, whichever’s quicker. Do not be taken home by the driver. Ideally, get someone to collect your bike or get driver to take it to the local bike shop.

* keep receipts of proof of purchase of bike before damage and receipts of anything you’ve replaced since.

If you have any advice or experiences to share please get in touch.

Christmas seems a long way off, but not in terms of booking a venue.  We have booked a room with a bar at Chartridge Park Golf Club for Wednesday 6th December.  I will be producing an online booking form as I did last year.  It worked well last year, but if you don't do things online don't worry, someone else can fill it in for you.  The bar will be open from midday with lunch served at 1pm.  Rides coordinators should please make Chartridge Park Golf Club their lunch venue that day.  Please feel free to invite your spouse or partner to join us and meet your cycling friends.  There is plenty of parking for those wishing to drive.

The booking form including the menu choices will be available soon.

I know this isn't a topic to set the pulse racing, but David Ullathorne and I have managed to open a MetroBank account for the club, so that we can collect money for events etc without having to use personal accounts.  Our old account could not be managed online but the new one of course can, with David and I authorised to make payments, such as the deposit for the Christmas Lunch.

Thanks to David Gregory from reporting that:

Shimano have issued a product recall for a safety check on selected bonded Dura-Ace and Ultegra 11-speed HOLLOWTECH II road cranksets produced between June 1, 2012, up to and including June 30, 2019, for a possible bonding separation issue.

Click on the link below to see if you have a crankset that could be affected.