August update
AGM and Do you want to be a director?
As we wind down another year, the board is turning its attention to planning the AGM for 2024, which will be held at the Unicorn pub in Marden on 12 October following the club runs.
I hope everybody is aware that we have a great team of directors on the board and officers helping us deliver all aspects of what makes our club what it is, but we always need additional people with new ideas and enthusiasm to maintain our progress.
We have roles right across the board, and there are always new things we can do in the club to make the San Fairy Ann experience even better. We particularly need a Time Trial Secretary and more help with racing after a really impressive racing season this year.
We Need You!
If you would like to volunteer even a small part of your time to take on a
job in the club, please talk to me or email Chair@SanFairyAnncc.co.uk
Fairies Autumn rides
Time is running out
Entries for the Fairies Autumn Rides close on 24 August.
We are really excited to be running completely new 100, 150 and 200 km Audax routes taking you to delightful villages and through areas of outstanding natural beauty, keeping to pretty lanes where possible: see the map on the Club Events page.
The start and finish is Linton village hall, Sunday 1st September 2024 at 8:00 for the 200km, 8:30 for the 150km and 9:00 for the 100km. Entries through the Audax UK website and are just £9 to £11. There are no entries on the day.
As always, there will be a warm welcome and a decent spread of food both before and after the event. We hope to see lots of club members and maybe introduce some Audax novices to the delights of these events.
Still undecided? Contact Bob Watts at audax@sanfairyanncc.co.uk if you need advice about not sitting on the fence.
Racing Update
It’s been a very busy June, July and now into August with no less than 10 Abellio SFA Race Team riders racing.
This has seen some great results with Tommy Walden Smith, David Harris, Dave Richards, James Lawrence and Ed Cox all finishing in the top 10 of road races. Ed Cox even managed a win and in doing so was promoted to his 3rd CAT. Tommy also managed his 3rd CAT after finishing brilliantly in every race he’s entered.
Mark Cain has continued his great performances in Masters racing with 3 top 10’s in his last 3 races. He was also the fastest Road Bike at the latest VTTA 10-mile TT. He is currently top of the Kent Cycling Association (KCA), TT leaderboard with 2 races to go. He also came 2nd on the KCA 50-mile TT with a sub 2 hour time.
Martin Kober has shown brilliant form with PB after PB after PB. No matter the course or distance this season, he has shown that every race he enters, he has been at the very top.
More races to come, can we manage another win?
Maintenance Workshops
We are excited to announce our first Bike Maintenance Workshop, scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd at The Vestry Hall, Marden, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This session will focus on "All Things Tyres" and provide hands-on practice in fixing a puncture on your own bike.
During the workshop, you will:
• Remove your wheel
• Identify and fix a puncture or fit a new inner tube
• Reinstall your wheel
We will repeat these steps several times to ensure you are confident in doing it on your own.
The class is limited to 6 participants, so it will be first come, first served. Don’t miss your chance to become more independent with your bike maintenance!
The cost is £10 per person, payable in advance and non-refundable. The session will be light-hearted, fun, and supportive.
Ladies, I am running the puncture workshop, so no excuses, please! To book your place, SFA Store
STOP PRESS: The first workshop is now fully booked! Watch out for more dates!!
Sportive 2025
Planning is very much underway for a revamp of the annual sportive. Next the event will be on May 11th. We have two brand new routes (to be revealed soon). There will be a breakfast bacon or sausage roll with tea and coffee to get you started. A new feed station with a mechanic on site in case of bike issues. Once back you will be welcomed with a finishers medal, ice cream and a goodie bag. There will be a King and Queen of the Mountain prize on both the long and the short route. Then enjoy a drink and hopefully entertainment at the Unicorn Pub, Marden. More information to follow as and when. A few more surprises in the planning phase. Please sign up for this if possible.
Stephen Harmer
Christmas Party
The Christmas party will be at the Unicorn Pub in Marden again on Thursday December 12th. Starting at 7pm. Music and a buffet included in the ticket price of £20.Tickets are available now here SFA Store. Due to the size of the venue and as it was so popular last year tickets are first come first served.
Stephen Harmer
Christmas Raffle
Win Big with Our Exciting Raffle: Get Premium Services from Senacre Cycles!
We are thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity to win amazing services from Senacre Cycles while supporting a great cause! Now, you can purchase raffle tickets directly through our SFA shop and stand a chance to win gold, silver, or bronze services from Senacre Cycles, valued at £100, £80, and £50, respectively.
Here's how it works:
Each raffle ticket costs just £1.
For every £1 spent, your name will be entered into an online random name generator.
Spend £5? That's five entries in your name!
Buying tickets is easy! Just follow the link to our SFA store SFA Store and secure your chance to win big. The more you spend, the higher your chances of winning one of these fantastic prizes.
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to enjoy top-notch cycle services while contributing to a worthy cause. Head to the SFA shop now and purchase your raffle tickets today!
Good luck! 🚴♂️💨✨
Did you know?
Note from the Membership Secretary
Hello everyone,
I've been your Membership Secretary for a few weeks now and have been diving into some interesting bits and pieces about our club. One of the first things I checked was our membership count, and I'm pleased to announce that we have exactly 365 members! Not bad, right?
While browsing through the feedback forms from members who left or chose not to renew, a few comments stood out. These forms could be from anytime in the last 18 months, so there's no guessing who said what. Here are a couple of highlights:
The Worst:
"Some club riders do not follow the club etiquette." 🙁
The Best:
"Made many friends and have gone on numerous cycling holidays together. Super exciting years." 🙂
It's clear that while we have some areas to improve, many members have had fantastic experiences and formed lasting friendships.
I'm also super busy organizing a few upcoming events:
Maintain Workshop: Learn how to keep your bike in top shape.
Christmas Raffle: Win exciting prizes just in time for the holidays.
Next Year’s Sportive: Get ready for an exhilarating ride!
Make sure you sign up for all these events to stay engaged and make the most of your membership.
Happy cycling!
Enhance Your Road Cycling Skills with Free Safety Training!
Want to be a safer, more confident cyclist on public roads?
Join our Road Cycling Safety Training sessions led by San Fairy Ann CC member Tony Palmer, who holds a 1st4sport Level 2 Award in instructing cycle training. These sessions are designed to enhance your cycling skills and safety on the road.
What’s in it for you?
Focused, personalized training with no more than 3 participants per session.
Expert guidance from an experienced instructor.
Best of all, it’s FREE until end Oct 2024.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to become a more confident and safer cyclist. Book your spot today! contact Tony Palmer (ants.palmer@btinternet.com)
Maidstone Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) want to hear your views on proposals for new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes. This consultation aims to gather your views on the proposed cycling routes and walking zones to enable residents and visitors to make more journeys on foot or by cycle. Your feedback, local knowledge and insights will be invaluable in understanding the challenges and opportunities for active travel improvements in Maidstone Borough.
As a SFACC member and regular cyclist you are in a great position to add value to this consultation so your contribution would be much appreciated. (Consultation closes: 19 August 2024).
Many thanks,
Russell Chidwick
Introducing Our Cycling Club's New Saddle Lending Library
We're excited to announce a fantastic new initiative that brings our cycling community even closer together—the Saddle Lending Library! This innovative program allows our club members to donate their unused bike saddles, allowing others to find the perfect saddle without incurring extra costs. Whether you're new to cycling or experienced, finding the right saddle can make all the difference in your ride comfort and performance. Let's dive into how this new facility can benefit you.
Why a Saddle Lending Library?
Cycling can be expensive, especially when finding the right gear that suits your body and riding style. Saddles, in particular, are highly personal items, and the wrong one can lead to discomfort and even injury. Our Saddle Lending Library offers a cost-effective solution, allowing members to test different saddles before committing to a purchase. This initiative saves money and reduces waste by encouraging the reuse of gear that might otherwise sit unused in a garage.
How You Can Contribute
We encourage all our club members to participate in this community-driven effort. By donating saddles that you no longer use, you help fellow cyclists in their quest to find a comfortable and effective saddle. Search your garage or storage space for any saddles that are still in good condition but aren't seeing any action. Donating is a simple process, and those who benefit will greatly appreciate your contributions.