GODRIC CYCLING CLUB NEWSLETTER February/MARCH 2022
INTRODUCTION
Hello everybody. Not long now till the clocks go forward and easter, then we can all look forward to some nice spring/summer riding. Quite a lot has been happening since the last newsletter in December, so time to update you on what has been going on.
Best wishes, Dave Walden
NEW WEB SITE
Your Committee, mainly Larissa and Kevin, has been getting the new web site up and running. If you haven’t done so do have a look at it. It’s such a big improvement over the old one and the aim is to keep the content up to date and relevant. It’s still work in progress so if anyone has any ideas of ways it could be improved please do get in touch. can even join the club, or renew your membership on line with Paypal. Quick and painless. Which leads me to………
MEMBERSHIP
Many thanks to those who have renewed their membership, and we have gained some new active members. On the other hand it is disappointing how many of the old members haven’t renewed after the free year in 2021, at a time when we are confident the club is on the up again. Hopefully we can also look forward to a fairly normal summer as, fingers crossed, the threats of Covid do seem to be receding a bit. So if you are thinking of renewing please do so soon as there will be a cut off point of March 31st when those who haven’t will not be able to access the Member’s area of the web site or some social media platforms, and this will be your last newsletter. We really don’t want to lose you but we do have to draw a line somewhere. But of course if you do leave then regret it you can always rejoin!
PRESENTATION DINNER
The presentation dinner at Bungay Golf Club on 5 February was enjoyed by about 40 members and guests. It was really nice to see our president Daphne enjoying herself!
The meal was a 3 course carvery + coffee and mints and for £23.95 was probably cheaper than going to the pub.
Tim Gregory from Smile Bikes was our guest of honour and gave a really interesting talk about his history in BMX, and more recently selling E bikes. Thanks go to Karle Howard for organising Tim’s attendance. Tim's partner Jane helped chairman Kevin to hand out the awards. Most of the competition ones were won by Karle Howard and Jo Fisk. Perhaps there are some members out there who would like to challenge them this year?
As well as the normal awards there were 2 special ones. Paul Vergette was presented with an engraved glass tankard in appreciation of his dedicated work to the club. As Chairman, and I’m sure he won’t mind me saying a reluctant one, he saw the club through the difficulties of recent years before handing the reins to Kevin, and organising the TTs despite a journey over from Acle. Though he remains as TT secretary he has stepped back from his primary organising role.
And though sadly they couldn’t be there to receive them, the club bought a pair of engraved wine glasses for Pam and Peter Milner. After more years than most people can remember they have retired from their timekeeping role and this award was a small token of our appreciation.
The evening was also a chance to present some life membership certificates after the Committee’s decision to award this honour to any member of more than 40 years. They weren’t all present but the recipients were:
Barry Minns, Barry Debenham, Peter Bourchier, Richard Avery, Patrick Sheppard, and James Caplin.
Special thanks must go to Larissa who made a splendid job of organising the evening, and to Margaret for providing flowers for the table as well as Bouquets for Daphne and Jane. Thanks also to John Swanbury for the photos. There are many more on the club Facebook page.
RELIABILITY RIDE
The club’s 50 mile reliability ride took place on 13 February. It was a disappointing entry of 27, but the cold and windy conditions put a lot of people off. Though it was good to see 16 of the riders under the Godric banner. The last part of the ride back from Loddon was particularly demanding into teeth of the wind. The refreshments back at Ditchingham went down very well, with home made cakes from Margaret, and lovely Friends Farm (Alburgh) sausage rolls organised by Mark. Friends Farm shop has a great selection of local produce including quality meat, awesome sausages as well as the sausage rolls and pastries. Well worth a visit if your’e passing. Hopefully when other club events resume the weather will have improved. You will find details of these on web site.
GODRIC WAY RIDE
This event was first run as part of the ??? Jubilee celebrations in ??? and the leaflets of the route have been available since. To the uninitiated it is a signposted 25 mile ride through some of the landmarks around Bungay, starting from the Buttercross. With the Queen’s platinum jubilee happening 2022 would be a fitting time to reinstate it. Watch this space for further details.
SUFFOLK SUNRISE
https://www.sportive.com/events/ride-suffolk-sunrise/2022-05-15/5970/cycling
This is a sportive organised by Action Medical Research on 15th May. Full details are in the link. The club was approached by the organisers and we have agreed as a club to run the feed station at Holton Village Hall. In exchange the organisers have given the club a code that will allow a 40% reduction in the entry fee for club members. If you would like to take advantage contact me and I will provide the code. PLEASE, PLEASE don’t abuse this offer and publicise it outside the club. If you aren’t planning to do the ride please consider helping out at Holton. This will be a good way of raising the profile of the club in the area. Full details will be provided nearer the time but if you are able to help perhaps you could just let me know so we have an idea.
We will also be given a code that will allow 6 free entries for Ride Essex in September. I did this last year and it’s a fab route starting at Writtle College, meandering up to the Suffolk border via Felsted and the Hedinghams, and back via Finchingfield ,Thaxted and Dunmow. Plenty of climbing!. Priority will go to those who help out in May but there might well be spares. Again watch this space.
KIT
As you should know by now we have some splendid new kit. If you haven’t seen it in the flesh it is in the photos of the reliability ride. If there is enough interest to make it viable (the economies of scale are quite significant) we can order some more in the spring. Please contact Mark Goodridge if interested, and he can give details of pricing, sizing etc. m.j.goodridge@outlook.com
That’s about all from me for now. Happy riding
Best wishes,
Dave Walden
