IN THIS ISSUE:

·                     RACING CALENDAR

·                     RACING CALENDAR ONLINE

·                     RACING CALENDAR UPDATES, AMENDMENTS, CANCELLATIONS

·                     VOLUNTEER QUESTIONNAIRE

·                     I-TEAM TROPHY - REYNOLDS/LEMOND ROAD RACE SERIES

·                     FOURTH CATEGORY RIDERS WELCOME IN ARCHER JUNIOR RR

·                     WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GO-RIDE IN THE SW?

·                     SOUTH-WEST DIVISION NEWS

·                     REYNOLDS

·                     SOGGY BOTTOM CROSS COUNTRY SERIES

·                     ONABIKE DOWNHILL WINTER SERIES

·                     FORT WILLIAM WORLD CUP

·                     WINTER BMX

·                     NEW BMX CLUB

·                     MANCHESTER WORLD CUP TICKETS

·                     BRISTOL CYCLING DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MEETING.

BRITISHCYCLING.ORG.UK

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk  this week has a huge gallery of photos from the weekend’s Revolution meeting in Manchester, plus many Features, including interviews with Russell Downing and Jamie Staff. GO THERE >>>

RACING CALENDAR

The Racing Calendar magazine should now be with Gold members and other subscribers – please email membership services membership@britishcycling.org.uk if your copy has failed to appear. Please note that the Racing Calendar will have a free copy of Mountain Biking UK magazine with it.  GO THERE >>>

RACING CALENDAR ONLINE
The full Racing Calendar is now on-line at http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/calendar/2004/calendar_contents.shtml  GO THERE >>>

RACING CALENDAR UPDATES, AMENDMENTS, CANCELLATIONS

Extra services you will find in the calendar section of the website include an event updates page, where new events, amended events and cancelled events are listed. The Calendar itself is also amended where necessary and all changes are clearly marked. If you are an event organizer and you have an update concerning your event which you would like to communicate, please send it to the appropriate contact, who will process it and ensure it appears both on the website and in this newsletter -

Road and Track – Paul West paulwest@britishcycling.org.uk
MTB and BMX – Roger Wilbraham rogerwilbraham@britishcycling.org.uk

Cycle Speedway and Cyclo-Cross – Brian Furness brianfurness@britishcycling.org.uk

VOLUNTEER QUESTIONNAIRE
British Cycling is undertaking a review of volunteering throughout cycle sport. The objective of the review is to develop a volunteer strategy to support and build volunteering in our sport and increase participation opportunities. This relates to club volunteers and race officials, as well as those working in divisions.  Whether you volunteer your time at the moment in cycling or not, your views are important to us and we would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete the questionnaire, which can be accessed via the website. Your help in completing this questionnaire will play a major role in British Cycling's volunteer strategy.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/news/2004/01_january/22_volunteer_questionnaire.shtml   GO THERE >>>

I-TEAM TROPHY - REYNOLDS/LEMOND ROAD RACE SERIES

The national women’s road series for 2004 starts with round 1 promoted by http://i-team.co.uk  - internet cycling club, on the Portsdown Hill circuit Southwick, nr. Portsmouth in Hampshire, Sunday 28th March 2004. The event has over £500 in the prize fund, with race sponsors Wheel 2 Wheel Cycles providing the first 10 places to celebrate the opening of there new shop in Cowplain.

Tony Childs, of Wheel 2 Wheel cycles says, “We are proud to be supporting the i-team Trophy. We have been working with i-team for the past year and have been really impressed with what they have done for cycling, locally and nationally - when they decide to do something, they don’t hold back - this promises to be a great event”.

With prizes down to 30th place, a prize for best rider in 2/3/4 category along with the Queen of The Mountains prize of £60 sponsored by Portchester Cycles this is one of the richest women’s races. The event takes in 5 ½ laps of the ciruit, making a race distance of 75km.Queen of the Mountains sprints will be held at the end of laps 2,3,4 with point to the first 3 across the line.

To help with the running costs of the event, organizer Andy Verrall is running a Reliability Ride on the 22nd Feb, again at Southwick with testing routes of 55km 85 km & 130km.Starting at 08.30,all profits from this ride will be split between a donation to Rowans Hospice & the i-team Trophy. For more details & entries for the both events contact Andy Verrall on 07967 966719 or email mailto:andy.verrall@ntlworld.com  9 Alton Grove Portchester Hampshire PO16 9NG. GO THERE >>>

FOURTH CATEGORY RIDERS WELCOME IN ARCHER JUNIOR RR

Fourth category riders ARE welcome to enter the Archer Junior RR on 4 April, although this is not shown on the British Cycling Calendar. Third category riders can ride this or the Archer Spring RR on the same day. Entries for both, which are restricted to 40 each, close on 8 March, earlier than normal, as they are support events for the Archer International GP. Entry fees for the support races are £11 and £20 for the main event, to be sent to Stuart Benstead, 1 Brackendale Close, Hounslow, Middx. TW3 4AZ.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GO-RIDE IN THE SW?

British Cycling will be hosting a number of meetings locally for anyone who would like to know more about the Go-Ride programme.  The invitation is open to divisional officials, club representatives, sports development officers, coaches, parents and volunteers and will focus on explaining what the Go-Ride programme includes, the importance of club development and what training and support is available at a local level.  If you would like more details, please contact your Regional Coaching & Club Development Officer.  The next meeting will be held at: Exeter - 28th February 2004 GO THERE >>>

SOUTH-WEST DIVISION NEWS

The South West Division would like to budget for Junior Teams from the SW Div. to possibly compete in the following Stage races :- The Junior Tour of Wales & The Junior Tour of Ireland, both in August 2004. The Division would like to hear from any SW Juniors who are interested in competing in these events. The team will be selected on merit ie; results in road races throughout the season. The Junior Tour of Wales is included in the National Junior Series. SW Division Senior Riders are also reminded of the Star Trophy Shield Events for the 2004 season, which are:- Stags Head RR 14th March, Channel Atlantique RR 25th April, Totnes Vire 2 Day 1st & 2nd May, Trinity RR 9th may, Spry Memorial RR 16th May, Mounts Bay RR (Div Champs) 30th May. Finally, whilst the Division hopefully has enough officials to cover this seasons events, they are mindful that, in their own words, “its the same old names who keep appearing on the list ,some of whom are getting on and some who would like to do other things. We have not yet reached crisis point as in other divisions, but the gaps need to be filled.” So the Division is looking for volunteers to sit in this season with established Commissaires to learn the ropes.

Please contact Eddie McLean (SW Div. Competitions Administrator) for more info on any of the above - jeaned@tinyworld.co.uk

REYNOLDS

Reynolds Cycle Technology are seeking input from BC members in a survey aimed at helping them develop their product range. Reynolds have been long term sponsors of the BC Women's National Road Race Series for the Jo Bruton Trophy and the BC Junior National Road Race Series for the Peter Buckley Trophy.The survey will  only be used for analysis, not for any marketing-related reasons. As an incentive, Reynolds are offering one of their new Etape road bar and stem sets in a draw for all BC members who fill in their on-line questionnaire.The direct questionnaire link can be accessed on the http://www.reynoldscycles.co.uk  website in “About Us” or http://137.205.180.30/forms/index.php?module=pnesp&func=view&name=re  

GO THERE >>>

OFF-ROAD NEWS

SOGGY BOTTOM CROSS COUNTRY SERIES

It's not called Soggy Bottom for nothing, but with the first 3 rounds going down very well, expect round 4 at Ashcombe to be another cracker. For further information on events, sponsors, categories and on-line entry forms, go to: http://www.inevent.co.uk

Race Dates:

February 1 Ashcombe Round 4

March 21 Newnham Round 5

Contact Martyn Salt Tel: 01752 344517 Email: soggybottom@inevent.co.uk or Sallie Burnham Tel: 01392 276122 Email: mailto:coaching@sallieburnham.co.uk  GO THERE >>>

MTB Commissaire Training

Also at Ashcombe, on Sunday the 22nd of February is the final MTB Commissaire training course. This will be the last course for around 18 months, so if you are interested in officiating MTB events, email mailto:mtb@britishcycling.org.uk .

ONABIKE DOWNHILL WINTER SERIES http://www.naccevents.co.uk

Dave Morgan is taking the series to Blanford, near Shaftsbury next weekend. It's the penultimate event of the 6 round series and apparently camping is available for the well hard. There will be trophies for the top 3 on the day and the top 10 in the overall series after round 6.

Event info: Format Run to 2004 age categories

Sign on 8.00am onwards

Practice 9.00am until 11.30am

Racing 11.45am until finish

Race Dates:

February 8 MTB Freeride Park, Blanford Round 4

March 6 Combe Sydenham, Birds Hill Round 5 (New Course)

March 7 Combe Sydenham, Round 6 (New Course)

Contact Dave Morgan Tel: 0870 8000 234 Email: mailto:sws04@naccevents.co.uk= 0

GO THERE >>>

FORT WILLIAM WORLD CUP

The official website – http://www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk  - is now being updated. The website will be relaunched in February with lots of information and online ticket sales. Just a reminder that accommodation in Fort William can be busy so if you haven’t booked somewhere to stay yet, do this now! The Official World Cup base hotel is the Milton Hotel. We have blocked off rooms in the Milton for mountain bike teams and officials. Details are as follows:

Hotel: Milton Hotel, North Road, Fort William

Contact Name: Angela Bates or Lindsay Welsh

Email: mailto:salesmilton@strathmorehotels.com

Telephone Number: 00 44 (0)1397 702331

Rates (In United Kingdom Pounds):

£91 for twin room (2 people), including dinner, bed and breakfast

£60.50 for single room (1 person), including dinner, bed and breakfast

 If you want to book a room(s) at the Milton please do so as soon as possible. Please mention to Angela or Lindsay that you are a MTB World Cup team or rider. Rooms are subject to availability so if you want to stay at the base hotel book now!! If you want to stay in alternative accommodation, please call the Visit Scotland booking line on 00 44 (0)845 2255121. You can also view accommodation options at http://www.host.co.uk  or http://www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk . Accommodation in Fort William in June is always busy so it's essential to book early, especially if your team wants to book several rooms in the same establishment.

GO THERE >>>

WINTER BMX

The BMX Winter events are about halfway through now, but with 2 Indoor events coming up in February and March, you can bet that riders will be out there this weekend, whatever the weather. On the subject of Weather, please check with the relevant club contact before travelling to any event.

Jan 31st Round 3 Burnham BMX Club (Apex Park, Highbridge, Somerset)

Web http://www.burnhambmx.co.uk

Tel Ian Curry 01278 427386

Email mailto:an@tcurry.freeserve.co.uk

(Evening racing) Mixed age groups. all 3 to count. Top 8 receive Trophies.

GO THERE >>>

Feb 1st Open Braintree Bullets BMX Club (Deanery Hill, Braintree)

Web http://www.braintreebmx.netfirms.com

Tel Julie Watts 01376 346523

Email mailto:Julieannwatts@aol.com

Braintree Winter series. 1st Sunday of every month. Racing starts at 2pm.

GO THERE >>>

Feb 1st Round 3 Heywood BMX Club (Queens Park, Heywood, Lancashire)

Web http://www.ride4life.co.uk

Tel Simon Barber 07776 297487

GO THERE >>>

Feb 1st Open Bournemouth BMX Club (Iford Playing Fields, Iford Lane)

Web http://www.bournemouthbmx.co.uk

Tel Geoff Routledge 01202 475810

Email mailto:the_routledgez@madasafish.com

Bournemouth Winter Series First Sunday of each month. November through to April

GO THERE >>>

NEW BMX CLUB

Marc Mchale and a group of riders have got together and reformed a BMX Club in Andover.  Marc should have a new website set up soon: http://www.andoverbmx.co.uk   Anyone interested in riding the track, information on practice days, events or wish to be part of the club, Marc can be contacted at: mailto:marc@ttracing.co.uk  GO THERE >>>

MANCHESTER WORLD CUP TICKETS

Tickets for the Track World Cup, Manchester Velodrome 9-11 April, are now available by calling 0871 230 2621 or at www.worldtrackcycling.com  GO THERE >>>

BRISTOL CYCLING DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MEETING.

The SW Regional Club and coaching Development Officer Dan Coast is hosting a second meeting concerning the setting up of a new Bristol cycling club at the Tobacco factory, Bristol on Monday the 9th of February 2004 starting at 7pm. Dan says, “Emailed invites have also been distributed to all the Local authorities Sports Development Officers. At this point I have not invited any new schools along, as this is already being done through the Talent Team & myself in my professional capacity, If you however are linked to a school in anyway such as you know of a teacher or know a family member who attends a secondary school please let me have the details & myself & the Talent Team will make arrangements to introduce the school to our sport. The planned agenda for the next meeting is as follows:

1. Bristol Cycling Development Squad Presentation- 20mins (For people unable to make the last meeting)

2. Questions/ matters arising from presentation/ last meeting

3. The Child Safe scheme- Local Scheme to educate club welfare officers

4. Bristol Cycling Development Squads Logo & Website

5. A.O.B

I look forward to seeing you all on the 9^th

Contact Dan on develop.ssw@britishcycling.org.uk for more details.