Monthly archive for March 2022

Our friends at Charlotteville Cycling Club (based in Guildford) have been in touch about a new initiative to encourage more women to discover the joys of road bike cycling.  Their Women’s Open Rides, which are being organised by Elodie Hudson at Charlotteville, will run from Stoke Park in Guildford starting at 6pm on Tuesday evenings,from 12 April 2022.  The rides, which will last 1-1.5 hours, are open to all, and will go at a pace to suit everyone in the group.

Further details can be found at:

https://www.charlottevillecc.org.uk/rides/women-s-rides/

We wish Elodie and her colleagues all the best in making a success of this venture.

Although government restrictions have been removed, and many of the health risks associated with Covid have eased, the virus is still circulating widely and a number of club members have suffered from Covid infections in recent weeks.  When infection does strike, its impact on health and wellbeing is often very unpleasant, and can in some cases be dangerous.  

Ultimately, everyone must take personal responsibility for the risks they are prepared to take when mixing with others, but the committee has decided that we should take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of infection whilst on club rides.  With that in mind, we have agreed that the following rules should apply to WSCC rides:

Please do not attend club rides if any one or more of the following applies:

• You are testing positive for Covid;
• You are at risk of infection from sharing a house with someone who is testing positive for Covid (even if you yourself are testing negative – the early stages of infection are often not detected by LFTs); or
• You exhibit any of the cold and flu-like symptoms associated with Covid infection (sore throats, coughing, high temperature etc.)

We anticipate that these rules, which are designed to protect all members, will need to remain in place for the foreseeable future.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

WSCC Committee

March 2022

Following the very sad news of Paul’s death, please note that his funeral will take place at midday on Thursday 24 March at St Nicholas’ Church in Chaldon Herring, Dorset, with the wake a short cycle ride away at Winfrith Village Hall, from 1.30pm.  A number of club members are planning to attend, and if there are any more who would like to join them please contact me and I can pass on the RSVP details.

Donations can be made to:• St Luke’s Cancer Centre at https://www.royalsurreycharity.org.uk/inmemoryof/paul-gillingham; and• Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice at https://paulgillingham.muchloved.com/

Derek

The club will no doubt receive several approaches inviting WSCC members to apply for charity places on the RideLondon 100 ride on Sunday 29 May 2022.

The page will be updated as we receive more requests so please keep an eye on it if you are interesting in entering.

1). Eikon Charity – supporting the most vulnerable children in Surrey. 

https://eikon.org.uk/ride-london-2022/

The Eikon Charity is Surrey based and they have an exciting opportunity that they think will be of interest to the West Surrey CC. They have places in the 2022 RideLondon 100 available and would love for members of your group to join Team Eikon and take part in this fantastic event.

Life in general can be challenging for children but the past year or so has really taken its toll on the mental health and well-being of young people. We are hearing more and more from our colleagues how children are suffering with complex issues from bullying, depression, isolation and addiction, to eating disorders, self-harm, domestic issues and even sexual abuse. It is more important than ever that we can support these children and by riding for Eikon, you can help us support them.

RideLondon 100 is back for 2022 and will take place on Sunday 29th May 2022.  By taking part in this iconic road race with The Eikon Charity, you will be helping them to support the most vulnerable children in Surrey.  You will receive dedicated and expert support from their staff who will help you every step of the way.

Ride for them and you can expect:

• an Eikon Charity cycling vest to wear as you train
• a fundraising pack and help in setting up your fundraising page
• expert advice along the way to help you get to the finish line

They have a limited number of places available, so register now if you want to secure your place.

2). MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Firstly, to introduce ourselves, we’re a small national charity called MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support) and we support children who have been born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes. In the UK, 90 children are born with MACS conditions every year.

We’d like to highlight the charity spaces we have available, which may be of interest to your members. We have fifteen places in the 100 mile sportive, with a registration fee of just £25 and a fundraising target of £500 per cyclist.

We can even offer your club multiple places, so your riders can take part together whilst jointly raising funds in support of children with MACS conditions. Places will be given on a first come, first served basis and upon agreement to our T&Cs (including fundraising targets).

Cyclists can simply sign up for a place with MACS before the registration deadline of 29th April using this link: https://macs.org.uk/want-to-help/fundraise-for-us/ride-london/ Alternatively, you can drop us an email or give us a call for more information and an informal chat.

As some of the Midweek G4’s know I am a trustee of Tourettes Action, which is the nationwide charity for people with Tourette Syndrome (An inherited neurological condition causing involuntary and uncontrollable motor & vocal tics which can be painful, disabling and affect the quality of life of over 300,000 people in the UK.)

We currently have 1 possibly 2 charity places for Ride London this year.

There is a normal fundraising target we set but are willing to be flexible on this.

If anyone is interested please drop me an email ianrayres@hotmail.com

Ian Ayres