Eastbourne Weekend 2009 On Febuary 28/29 a group of Gemini cyclists rode to Eastbourne and back with an overnight stop.
AGM 5 February 2009
Active cycling membership of the club is dwindling. A resource of potential Gemini BC recruits has been identified, but at present the club does not have an organised or structured club run to invite potential members to try. Consequently, a club run for Gemini BC members and potential members only is to be organised. Consequently, it was agreed that a proper "Gemini BC club run" should place each Saturday morning commencing Saturday 7 March 2009. These will be exclusively for Gemini BC members and potential recruits. The aim is to allow cyclists aged 16+ years wishing to join the club, to meet Gemini BC members and to participate in an exclusive Gemini club ride, run at a sensible pace.
Potential recruits will be advised at the outset that it is hoped/expected they will pay the full subscription fee and join the club. It is likely that no more than two "taster" rides will be permitted. Riders expressing no interest in joining Gemini BC will be asked not to participate. Initially these runs will be promoted by "word of mouth". If successful, then external promotion is likely. New members will be encouraged to lead runs in due course.
The club run will only take place on Saturdays and will be led/supervised by one or two members of the club acting as "club captains" (or ambassadors). To promote the club, Gemini BC members will be encouraged to wear Gemini BC clothing. A collection of club members is needed to work on a rota basis to lead these runs, hopefully not more than once a month (assuming sufficient members volunteer).
Riders are expected to be capable of riding approx 40 miles at a reasonable speed equipped preferably with a road bike. In other words, the pace will steady and aimed at those who currently struggle to keep up with the existing Saturday runs! These are not intended to be "races" or interval sessions, (nor are they intended to be run a 10 mph average speed).
The route will follow be the traditional Saturday club run circuit starting and finishing at the Bus shelter at Dartford Heath, starting at 9.30 am, (not 9.35 or later). There will be a café stop at the "Saddlery Café" (off Gabriel Spring Road, (East) - the usual Saturday run venue!
Riders who have no experience/ability/unsuitable equipment/intention of joining Gemini BC/ability to keep up, will be politely directed to the runs organised by Sidcup Cycles in Sidcup until they are of sufficient standard.
Gemini BC Cyclo Cross 27th December 2009
The Club has been involved with this event each year since 1969. 2009 will be the 40th anniversary. This is the longest running annual event in the south east (possibly the country).
Chris Pryor is unable to run the event this year and has resigned from the Cyclo Cross Secretary post. I have agreed to take on this task (with assistance from the club). The club agreed at the AGM to run this event and agreed to assist (as has Chris thankfully).
The Club committee will deal with this at the committee, but we need the club members to commit to turn up and help on the day. I know it is a busy time of the year, but if those club members who do not usually help do, it will make the event a success! You have advance warning!
HILL CLIMB 9th OCTOBER 2008
EXDOWN HILL, WEST KINGSDOWN , KENT
10 degrees Celsius at the top. Cloudy with bright intervals and a bit of a helping breeze.
Those who turned up early enjoyed an entertaining morning with team games, Morris dancing, mulled wine and a hearty fry up breakfast and a true competitive atmosphere pervading the hilltop. NOT, on second thoughts I’ve not been well myself and it may have been sheep! Those gentlemen still abed in England may wish themselves here etc etc. What’s He On? ( sorry Will )
Anyway 5 riders faced the obstacle and with the start order agreed the Gemini Hill Climb Championship of 2008 took place. (it was touch and go but what the hell. We were there and well wound up for it. As they (?) say. Lewis Hamilton, competitive intensity, well, he just don’t know.
THE RESULT NEIL PEARSON 3 . 53
MARCO COPPOLA 4 . 26- ALAN ELSE 4 . 43
- RICHARD MacFARLANE 5 . 08
- RAY HARRAD 7 . 44
Richard Friend also had a ride up the mount after overseeing the start and holding the watch. He had a chest bug so was excused any proper exertion.
Bill Bell where were you?
Many thanks to Fred Ebdon and Phil Willamson for looking after the time keeping at the top and to Gillian and Trudi Else for keeping their man warm, inspired and supporting the event.
We look foreward to seeing the photographs taken by Bernie Lloyd on the hill at the dinner.
Last, but not least by a very long way, Thank you Derek Chisnell for putting the event on.
Phil williamson
This page was last modified on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 02:00:43 PM