Chairman's Message: October 2017

Ian McDonnell - Chairman



It has been 3 weeks since the BRCC AGM in September so I would like to update everyone on what happened then and with the club's committee since then.

Mark Gray stepped down as Chairman of the club and I was appointed as the new Chair.

Mark has given many years' sterling service to the club, not only as an accomplished rider but also in a number of committee roles and for the past few years as the Chairman, for which I would like to thank him on behalf of the club members, the committee and myself. Mark has been a very prominent figure and will be a hard act to follow.

Additionally Mantz Khan has stepped down as Club Secretary, Simon Norman as Men’s Captain, Aimee Campbell as Kit Coordinator and Graham Laming as Treasurer. I would like to thank all for their hard work and services to the club. Simon retains his role as Captain of the Race Team so we'll still see him representing the club on and off the bike and Graham will continue to look after the Club's Webpages.

I would also like to welcome some new faces to the Committee, some of them very new to the club and some well known to most of you:

• Jon Carver takes over the Club Secretary role
• David Cook is the new Men’s Captain
• Jackie Popland takes on the Treasurer role
• Patrick Smith returns as TT Recorder
• Simon Stevens takes on the role of Club Kit Coordinator
• Chris Wilson is the new Social Secretary

Additionally the following will continue with their existing roles – this is very much appreciated:

• Terry Bush as President
• Sam Baylis as Go-Ride Leader
• Mick Case as Evening League Coordinator
• Jon Carver looking after Membership
• Graham Laming as Webmaster
• Simon Norman as BRRT’s Captain
• Joy Wilkinson as Ladies Captain

The committee is currently planning next year's cycling and social events and we could really do with your help. In December we would like club members to come along to the Committee Meeting on 4th Dec where we will be discussing a number of social and riding events including the Annual Awards Dinner - we'll remind you nearer the time.

BRCC is your club so all members are welcome and indeed encouraged to help make it the club that you want to belong to.

We have some ideas for some new cycling activities too, which we'll expand upon over the next few weeks, but include:

• A new addition to the '100' series of rides. We have a 'Hilly' and a 'Flat' 100 (miles and km) and are planning a new 'Night' 100 too - 2 loops from the clubhouse – a 100 km loop then a 60km loop to make the full 100 miles. Soup etc served at the club house before, during and after the ride.
• A 'Top 20 Local Climbs' list with various targets to complete these and some simple rules – such as a climb can only be 'bagged' if part of a ride with 10 miles per climb – and of course they only count if climbed ;-)
• Shorter winter Sunday Rides from the Club House – in addition to the standard Sunday rides from Bedford's Embankment

Well – enough from me for the moment – I wish you all well and happy riding.

Ian McDonnell: - Chairman