SPRING QUIZ

9 March 2012

Four teams battled it out in the Otley CC Spring Quiz. Whilst attendance wasn't as high as the quiz last year, I don't think the enjoyment and laughter was any less.

After a classic gaff by myself where I gave the answer away by trying to provide an additional clue, I think that really broke the ice. Also during the music section, Linda Lewis was so ecstatic by her answer to 'Reg Dwight' that she helped all the other teams by second guessing the next question and gave everybody the answer. I was really happy that I managed to thwart Brian Keighley in the music section when he didn't recognise the White Stripes. That with Brian's knowledge of music was a major coup for me.

After 2 hours of stiff questions 2 points separated the top 2 teams. The winning team was Brian Keighley, Paul Agar and Tony Selby.

Who will win the Summer Quiz? Keeps your eyes peeled for details of the next quiz and make sure you come along to support the club.

Alison Baxter.

WEDNESDAY EVENING RIDES

Wednesday evening social rides commence on 4 April until the end of September. Rides depart 7.00 pm from the Buttercross. Lights are required during the early weeks. Routes, distances and pace are decided on the night to account for those who turn up

NEW KIT HITS THE ROAD

EXCITING NEWS FOR WOMEN CYCLISTS

Two new opportunities are "brewing" for women cyclists at Otley Cycle Club.

1. Women Only Rides
We are proposing to set up a women's section or at least start some women only rides during the Spring and Summer months. These will be on a weekday evening (to be confirmed) and will initially take place on a monthly basis. So, look out for details on the club website/ notice boards/'Ot News etc in the coming months.

2. The Breeze Network
British Cycling launched the "Breeze Network" last year, with the simple aim of getting more women riding bikes. The outcome of this campaign is that they are asking women of all ages (cyclists and non-cyclists) to step forward and complete a Breeze course, become a Breeze Champion and then take small groups of women out on their bikes, road and off-road.

The course is a one-day course, completely free of charge, lunch and refreshments are provided and once completed, you become a Breeze Champion and are provided with appropriate British Cycling kit. This year's courses run from May to July and for the North of England are likely to take place in either Leeds, Bradford or Manchester.

The rides need to be attractive to women who might not have ridden a bike for a few years and who perhaps need to regain their confidence on the road again. Ideally they are quite short, steady and sociable. To carry out a Breeze ride on the road then British Cycling are asking for two ladies to lead a ride, for off-road rides then only one leader is required.

Otley Cycle Club would like to support this campaign. There is currently one Breeze Champion in Otley and it would be great if there were more so that rides could be offered and it is not just the same Breeze Champion attending all rides. It is a great opportunity to promote the benefits of taking exercise and to make new friends.

Do hope you take a moment to look at the Links below. Also, if you have any queries or want to know more about any of the above, just ask either Linda Lewis, Sarah Cullen or Rebecca Middlebrooke.

Skyride Breeze
Breeze Champion Information Leaflet
Become a Breeze Champion

OTLEY RELIABILITY RIDE

19 February 2012

Overnight frost and patchy icy greeted the 122 riders who signed on at the Buttercross for Otley Cycle Club’s annual 100K and 50K to Kettlewell and Bardon Tower respectively. The day stayed cool but very sunny, with bright blue skies throughout. This year’s event was organised by Otley Cycle Club’s Parent & Child (PAC) section who co-ordinated the signing on of the event and provided refreshments at club rooms afterwards.

In a change to previous editions the 100K riders kept on the main road all the way to Kettlewell, returning on the back road and signing off for both events took place at Otley Cycle Club new partner Chevin Cycles.

38 different clubs were represented. Harrogate Nova being the biggest presence with 15 members and Steve Green of Garforth Wheelers was just the biggest.

First riders returned to Chevin Cycles after 2 hours & 40 minutes, easily inside the 3 hour 30 minute time limit. Mr F Lyn of Seacroft Wheelers proved just how reliable he was by producing a fine solo ride (..he was late to start) finishing precisely in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Fortunately there was just enough tea & cakes left for him. In between the sign on & sign off 10 PAC riders rode to Weeton Huby & Almscliff Crag and back (a steady 16 miles).

Many thanks Megan & Sarah Cullen, Peter, Rebecca & Emily Middlebrook and Vicky Brown for fantastic catering and help signing people on and to Chevin Cycles for staging the signing off.

Looking forward to next year.

Ian Cullen

OTLEY CC 2012 PRIZE PRESENTATION



Over forty club members and guests gathered at Old Otliensians Rugby Club to celebrate the club members' achievements during 2011 (and have a couple of drinks as well.....).

Several members needed large holdalls to carry their haul of trophies home, and several others to carry home their pile of raffle prizes. Many thanks to Linda Lewis and Madeleine Smith for organising the evening and awards respectively. Thanks also to Chris Baxter for the photos, check out the Gallery page to see them in detail.

OT' NEWS - WINTER EDITION

The latest edition of Ot' News is available to download here >>Ot' News Winter Edition

NEW CLUB CLOTHING

Samples of Otley Cycle Clubs new clothing are available to view in Chevin Cycles. Samples are also available to help with sizing (you can try different sizes, men’s or women’s, from Children’s sizes extra-large, to get the perfect fit).

This very popular design, which received final design decisions, was voted for by a large majority of the membership. Each club members will receive £19 off the price of a new short sleeved jersey (this will either be £19 reduction or a voucher for free membership for 2013). Chevin Cycles will stock the new kit. The new kit will be available for the end of February. We want to see as many Otley Cycle Club members in the kit as soon as possible. There will be press release with a photo shoot of club members in the new kit towards the end of February.

To help Chevin Cycles with an idea of an initial order members should visit Chevin Cycles & place their order with shop staff by Sunday January 29th. Be clear what size you require. Please consult the attached Otley Order Chart . Remember his is an initial order kit you will be able to get other items throughout the year. :> New Kit Order Form

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - THE C.A.RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD

Bryan Peel

The C.A.Rhodes Memorial lifetime achievement award is to be made to Bryan Peel in recognition of over sixty years of administrative and support work in furtherance of the sport of cycling.

The memorial was instigated in 1961 as a tribute to the memory of Charles Arthur Rhodes (1895-1961) doyen of the Yorkshire Road Club, co-founder in 1932 of the Yorkshire Cycling Federation and a nationally recognised timekeeper and administrator. This is the First Lifetime Achievement Award ever given by The Memorial. The Award is regarded as the greatest distinction Yorkshire Cycling can bestow.

:> Brian Peel Citation

CLUB RUNS TROPHY - 2011 STANDINGS

The club runs trophy winners for 2011 can now be announced. Overall winner, with a remarkable 103 points is Paul Agar. Section winners were Matt Green for the A Section with 78 points, Janice Hutchinson for the Intermediates with 71 points and Adrian Rodgers for the B Section with 94 points. The final standings are here:>

2011 Club Runs Trophy.

Remember the competition runs January to December, with the person with the highest points over the year being the overall winner, with separate prizes for each section, though if you win the overall the second highest total in the section will take that sections trophy.

OCC CAVING TRIP



I'm not built for crawling along narrow passages and I'm not that keen on getting dirty and the dark. I still signed up for the club's caving trip on the basis that it would be an experience and Ian Cullen promised me he'd look after me. Martin Tallontire, Greg Jessop, Dave Burrows and I met Ian in Otley on Friday evening and we travelled to Kettlewell. Ian generously loaned us caving suites and helmets.

We walked for 20 minutes through the dark to the Dow Cave entrance. It didn't matter it was dark outside, because it was about to get a lot darker. We climbed down into the cave over boulders and within 15 minutes we were inside a huge cave. Our helmet lamps lit up the roof and we could see stalactites and all sorts of incredible rock formations. It was easy to feel we were the first ever people to explore the cave. As we continued deeper into the cave I kept behind my smaller and more nimble adventurers, as they jumped from rock to rock and scurried down the smallest gaps. I swam where I could - it was easier and faster!





























Ian led us down a narrow water filled corridor which opened into another small cave where we worshipped the cave's Buddha - to understand you'll have to join the next event, hopefully next year. Returning back along the corridor - more swimming - we returned to the larger part of the cave. Crawling back I was sure I could hear voices, surely not, but as I climbed out it was clear we had the company of more cavers. I tried to look like I knew what I was doing; I was fooling no one as I got a little stuck in another tight gap. Once free I greeted the other cavers. One was wearing marigolds gloves - top caving tip everyone!





























Two short hours underground was one of the most extraordinary experiences I've had. It's a different experience to walking in the Dales, which is my more usual activity around Kettlewell. The beauty and scale of the cave's interior; the silence and peace inside the cave is like nothing I've experienced. Thank you Ian for leading us on this adventure. Where next?

Stephen Gallagher

DANNY HORTON

Most club members will probably have heard the news of the death of former club member Danny Horton. Danny was one of the best cyclists this country has produced, his race record is incredible, so Sheldon Howcroft thought he would do a bit of research and share his findings with you. Click here for details:> Danny Horton page

OT' NEWS AUTUMN 2011

Click here for the latest edition of Ot' News, featuring a fascinating article by Chris Boulton on his Paris - Brest - Paris ride.> Ot' News Autumn Edition

2011/12 MEMBERSHIP FEES

A reminder that membership fees are due on 30 September and are as follows:

Seniors - £19
Juniors - £13
School person - £9.50
Senior Citizen - £11
Family (2 adults + children up to 13 years old) - £38

Click here for full details and a copy of the membership form: > Membership Fees and Form

OT' NEWS - MIDSUMMER EDITION

The latest edition of Ot' News, featuring a report on several members riding the Way of the Roses, is available to download here >>Ot' News Midsummer Edition


The Way of the Roses team reach the finish - to see more pictures check out the Gallery.

LEISURE SECTION

Got a bike, but not getting out on it as much as you’d like to? Put off by the hills in this area? Need some company to ride with and encourage you? Think that cycling clubs are only for super-fit enthusiasts?

THINK AGAIN!

We plan routes to account for a range of abilities and experience, so no one is left behind. You don't need any particular type of bicycle. These rides are a good introduction to riding with a cycle club and you could progress to joining the longer rides. Alternately you may decide shorter more leisurely rides are for you. Click here for more details:

Leisure Section

A SECTION MALLORCA TRIP

May 2011



Eight members of the A Section travelled to Mallorca at the end of May for a week of riding up large mountains in blazing hot sunshine. Read my blog, and check out the photos by clicking the link:>> Mallorca Blog 2011

If this sounds like fun Dave Harrison is looking to book for next year, probably for the 19-26 May 2012. If he can get 10 names as soon as possible, he can book the flights as a group, which means only £25 deposit, and the cheapest flights. Contact Dave on harrisonplasterers@tiscali.co.uk