Minutes for the meeting of Penzance Wheelers 9/7/24
Present:
Beth Berriman, Jon Butt, John Fazakerley, David Goodrich, Mike Tonkin, Mark Travis, Sarah Tregear and non committee members Stuart Hunter and Jim Payne.
Apologies:
Tristan Harris
Sunday Social Rides:
Beth explained that members of the committee had been contacted by members who were keen to restart a faster group 1 ride. Subsequently, they have organised a group 1 ride and intend to continue to do so. Both Jon Butt and Stuart Hunter commented that this would help to reduce previously large numbers of riders within existing groups. A maximum group size of 10 was suggested.
Beth commented that the introductory rides had been well attended and asked attendees for feedback on other group rides.
Stuart stressed that not dropping riders was important and group leaders need to continue to look behind to ensure this.
Jon Fazakerley commented that, upon occasion, large groups could pull over to allow traffic behind to pass.
Mike and David expressed concern and frustration regarding near miss incidents whilst riding on the roads with vehicles, especially with the following slow police investigation. Jon Butt re-emphasised the need to report. Beth suggested contacting the local Member for Parliament.
Several members said they enjoyed meeting at the same café, whatever ride group they chose.
Ladies Rides
Beth said that,via Stuart, she had learned that club member Janet Pye was keen to encourage other ladies to join group rides. With Janet unfortunately not being present, Beth expressed her opinion that there exists demand for ladies only rides, when these are promoted and that women are often more likely to attend these rather than a mixed gender ride. However, she also said, that she had personally found they require the commitment of extra time as a wide range of abilities attend.
David suggested a clear cut off time for the rides be recommended.
Stuart thought that Janet wanted more women to attend group rides rather than ladies rides per se.
Sarah, being a previous Breeze leader, was asked by Beth to consider the question for future discussion.
Racing Report: Jon Butt gave the following report:
1st batch of TT’s for the season went by smoothly without incident - thanks again to all the helpers and marshals. We need to plan a thank you meal (fish n chips) for the helpers.
Wheal Jane Classic (2 day 4 stage race in June) which the Wheelers supported by donating mugs for the prize winners had 90 riders right across the age spectrum – there was a slight issue with the mug design but we had a couple especially made for the event sponsors.
Tour de Kernow Ultra 300km endurance ride – 19 signed up for the event, a few non starters and a couple finished at 150km. They raised £1200 for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity. Tristan Harris completed the event in 13 hours at just over 14mph.
Next batch of races the club is running are in September where we are running a 10 mile TT (Jack Rackham) a 3 up team time trial and also the hill climb.
After the Lands End event I did donate 6 of our more tatty cycle event signs to Kernow Racing Team – as the smaller yellow cycle event signs they were using weren’t suitable for faster roads that they are hosting events on.
Next year I would like to suggest that the club runs only Club events rather than a mix of Club and Open events – the Open events require us to have 2 official time keepers that the club no longer has – so I think it’ll be easier for the club to run Club events. I also would like to see other club members step up to help run the TT’s.
Cornish Cup 2024 – the club (or me) is overseeing this seasons Cornish Cup – each of the 10 clubs paid £30 to affiliate to the series so have a budget for prizes and possibly a free coffee and cake presentation afternoon for the winners. I’m currently looking at getting mugs printed and also recyclable wooden medals for the winners in each category. Currently Beth Berriman is leading the series in 2 categories as she is the only rider to have completed 6 of the 10 events. We still need to make sure Wheelers ride the remaining events as we need 3 riders to score in the team competition.
Jim asked if a 5mile TT had been considered or a one way TT from Mount Misery to St Just.
Beth suggested that Jon should not be the sole TT organiser for the club next year, Sarah, John F and Jim expressed their intentions to organise TT’s on behalf of the club.
Treasurers report:
Mark shared account balances with the committee and noted that there are enough funds to subsidise events members might like to organise.
Jim said that the club once supported a race team and this could be an option. Jon replied that the club has supported racing via donations to Wheal Velocity but that there is no current Penzance Wheelers race team.
Jon Butt suggested the money could be used to hire a minibus to run club cycling trips elsewhere.
John F put forward the idea of a tour, Beth proposed an away day and Sarah mentioned a velodrome trip.
David asked how we could encourage younger riders as part of this. Jon explained the challenges of safeguarding, however, he is currently looking at taking a British Cycling Safer Wheels course, which any club member can take to enable younger riders to join club runs. Beth expressed an interest in the course and in sharing the information about it within the club.
Club Kit:
Jon reported reasonable stock of Endura kit – cap stock is getting low but no demand at the moment – Hari Slade can custom print caps and other clothing so we may look into this at some point.
Jon is also looking at the idea of getting some custom made retro jerseys based on the very original PZW jersey design (based on the USA national kit) – Lloyd is looking into this at the moment.
Mark put forward the idea of a jumble sale for old kit. David mentioned many riders did not wear club kit and Mark considered kit could be subsidised.
A.O.B:
Mark gave the date of the club charity ride as September 1st, which last year supported British Heart Foundation but had previously donated to the Prostate Cancer Charity. He has discovered that the Prostate Charity are running a fundraising drive of asking cyclists to ride a hundred miles, not necessarily in one ride, and then donate to the charity. He suggested club members may like to do this.