On Sunday 4 December, we’re going to be helping to organise a round of the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League at Walsall Arboretum. Volunteers are required to help make the event a success, just like our October 1962 ‘cross event, which was the first British race to feature a World Champion in the discipline, Renato Longo! For inspiration, you can read about the 1962 event in the official programme, which we’ve recently digitised, and in our recent 75th anniversary souvenir booklet. If you’re able to volunteer, please put you name down here. For those keen to race, online entries are now closed, but entry on the day is possible.
This month’s Intro Ride is going to the café at Earlswood Craft Centre. Here’s a map of the route we plan to follow, which you can download to a GPS device:
We’ll cover roughly 52 kilometres (32 miles), mostly on quiet lanes. We’ll stop for refreshments at Earlswood Craft Centre, approximately two-thirds of the way through the route.
Will it be hard?
You should be fine if you can already ride for an hour or two at an average of roughly 16-20kph (10-12mph). We’ll stick together and go at the pace of the slowest rider. We’ll ride for a total of about three hours, with a break at the café and maybe a breather at the top of one or two hills.
Who can join in?
Our Intro Rides are mainly for people new to club cycling and not yet confident about doing one of the main club runs. They’re ideal if you already cycle and fancy getting a bit more involved, or if you’re returning after a break. They provide a chance to get to know the club and decide whether it’s for you. If you’re very new to cycling, it’s probably best to do a few independent rides first, and join an Intro Ride once you’re comfortable riding for 90 minutes or so. Under-16s need an adult with them.
How do I join the ride?
Intro Rides are limited to eight people, including the leader(s), although if we have interest from more people then we do our best to try to find a second ride leader. For this reason, everyone needs to be signed up in advance. To put your name down, either mail clubruns@beaconrcc.org.uk or answer the post on our message board.
Do I need a fancy bike?
No. For an Intro Ride, the main thing is that your bike is comfortable and reliable. Of course, it must also be legal, which basically means having two working brakes. For safety reasons, we don’t allow use of tri-bars on group rides.
Do I need special cycling gear?
No. Proper cycling clothing is generally more comfortable, especially for people riding far and/or fast. But Intro Rides aren’t like that. It’s good to avoid things that flap about and you certainly don’t want anything that chafes. But things like sweatshirts, close-fitting jogging trousers and trainers are fine. Two or three thin layers are usually a good idea, especially in autumn, when it’s often chilly early and warm later. With lightweight clothes you can stuff in a pocket or bag, you can add or subtract layers as conditions change.
What should I bring?
Bring a bottle of water and maybe something like an energy bar. You’ll also need a little money for refreshments. If there’s a chance of rain, have a lightweight waterproof in your pocket or bag. Most club cyclists carry a mobile phone and a credit/debit card in case of emergency.
Anything else I need to know?
Yes, you need to read our Club Run Guidelines. Also, while we’ll always do our best to help, it’s important to recognise a rescue service isn’t part of the deal. So have a think about how you’d manage if you were miles from home with a bike that won’t go. Could you phone home for a lift, for example?
This month’s Intro Ride is going to The View café in Wootton Wawen. Here’s a map of the route we plan to follow, which you can download to a GPS device:
We’ll cover roughly 52 kilometres (32 miles), mostly on quiet lanes. We’ll stop for refreshments at The View, approximately half the way through the route.
Will it be hard?
You should be fine if you can already ride for an hour or two at an average of roughly 16-20kph (10-12mph). We’ll stick together and go at the pace of the slowest rider. We’ll ride for a total of about three hours, with a break at the café and maybe a breather at the top of one or two hills.
Who can join in?
Our Intro Rides are mainly for people new to club cycling and not yet confident about doing one of the main club runs. They’re ideal if you already cycle and fancy getting a bit more involved, or if you’re returning after a break. They provide a chance to get to know the club and decide whether it’s for you. If you’re very new to cycling, it’s probably best to do a few independent rides first, and join an Intro Ride once you’re comfortable riding for 90 minutes or so. Under-16s need an adult with them.
How do I join the ride?
Intro Rides are limited to eight people, including the leader(s), although if we have interest from more people then we do our best to try to find a second ride leader. For this reason, everyone needs to be signed up in advance. To put your name down, either mail clubruns@beaconrcc.org.uk or answer the post on our message board.
Do I need a fancy bike?
No. For an Intro Ride, the main thing is that your bike is comfortable and reliable. Of course, it must also be legal, which basically means having two working brakes. For safety reasons, we don’t allow use of tri-bars on group rides.
Do I need special cycling gear?
No. Proper cycling clothing is generally more comfortable, especially for people riding far and/or fast. But Intro Rides aren’t like that. It’s good to avoid things that flap about and you certainly don’t want anything that chafes. But things like sweatshirts, close-fitting jogging trousers and trainers are fine. Two or three thin layers are usually a good idea, especially in autumn, when it’s often chilly early and warm later. With lightweight clothes you can stuff in a pocket or bag, you can add or subtract layers as conditions change.
What should I bring?
Bring a bottle of water and maybe something like an energy bar. You’ll also need a little money for refreshments. If there’s a chance of rain, have a lightweight waterproof in your pocket or bag. Most club cyclists carry a mobile phone and a credit/debit card in case of emergency.
Anything else I need to know?
Yes, you need to read our Club Run Guidelines. Also, while we’ll always do our best to help, it’s important to recognise a rescue service isn’t part of the deal. So have a think about how you’d manage if you were miles from home with a bike that won’t go. Could you phone home for a lift, for example?
Go to www.beaconrcc.org.uk/ and scroll down to the Message Board link in the green box. Click the link. Alternatively, navigate straight to http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/message_board/. The screenshots here are from the mobile version of site; the desktop version has slightly more detail on display.
At the top of the Message Board, click the Register link.
Accept the terms and conditions.
Fill in the registration form. Tip: if you can’t work out the answer to the final question, it begins with sa and ends with le.
Wait for your registration to be approved. This might take a day or two.
Once your registration is approved, you can log in to the Message Board using the username and password boxes at the bottom of the front page.
Now that you’re a registered user, you’ll see that you have access to more parts of the Message Board, including the Beacon Academy forum; click Beacon Academy to access this. (Notice that Club Runs has a red icon: this means that there are new posts in this forum since your last visit to the Message Board.)
You can start a new discussion topic by clicking New Topic once you’re in the Beacon Academy forum, or view an existing topic by clicking on its name.
When viewing an existing discussion topic, you can reply by clicking the Post Reply button at the top or bottom of the screen.
In the closing weeks of each year, we get together to recognise the achievements of our members during the season just ended. The Annual Dinner is the centrepiece of our social calendar, when we celebrate everything our club stands for.
Following the success of last year’s 75th Anniversary Dinner, we’re returning to the same venue and we’re hoping for another good turnout and a similarly buoyant atmosphere. This year’s Dinner will take place from 18:00 to midnight on Saturday 19 November 2022. Highlights of the evening will include:
Award presentation Medals and trophies will be presented to club members who have excelled in a wide variety of fields, including time trialling, road racing, track racing, cyclo-cross racing, touring and audaxing. Many Beaconites have done amazing things in the last twelve months, so come along to hear the details and show your appreciation.
A presentation by author and broadcaster Matt Rendell Matt has written a series of award-winning books about bike racing, including The Death of Marco Pantani, A Significant Other (about Lance Armstrong) and, most recently, Colombia Es Passión! His book on Pantani was made into a film, he’s a regular contributor to numerous newspapers and magazines, and can often be seen on TV, notably doing background features for ITV’s Tour de France coverage. Matt will entertain us with his favourite memories from twenty-five years of race coverage, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and chat to him personally later in the evening.
A three-course meal
With a choice of dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options at every course.
A plush venue
Kings Norton Golf Club is a listed building with a spacious function room and a cosy bar, in a leafy setting on the edge of town, close to the Alcester Road (A435) and the M42.
After-awards music and dancing, led by our very own cycling DJ Vince! (Not your thing? Don’t worry, there’ll be quiet areas where you can chat and drink.)
Reception with Prosecco and non-alcoholic alternatives
Plus ample after-dinner opportunity for mingling, catching up and making the most of the evening.
Everyone is welcome: current, former and prospective Beacon members and friends of the club, plus their partners, family and guests. Whether you’re a newbie or an old hand, a racer or a pootler, you’re an important member of the Beacon family, and the Dinner is meant for you.
Although the Dinner’s structure is formal, the atmosphere is very relaxed, with party poppers and rocket balloons, plus jokes and banter aplenty. Even in the coldest winter, a warm glow is guaranteed!
A three-course meal, an evening of great entertainment, plus music and dancing – all for £40, or £75 for a pair of tickets (£37.50 each for two). You can’t say fairer than that, now can you?
This year’s Beacon Track Championships will be held at Halesowen ACC’s outdoor track, off Manor Way in Halesowen, at 12:00-16:00 on Saturday 24 September, after the original event planned for 25 June had to be called off due to rain.
To assist in the organisation of this year’s club track championships, we’d appreciate it if you could book a free place if you’re intending to compete. Entry is restricted to Beacon RCC and Beacon Cycling Academy members. Please book a place even if you booked for the original 25 June date, to let us know you can make the rearranged event.
Come and join us for what promises to be an exciting afternoon’s racing for all ages.
Spectators will also be most welcome, and the programme will be along the following lines:
Senior flying 200m
Academy time trial
Senior sprint heats
Academy 1-lap handicap
Senior 10-lap scratch race
Academy 2-lap handicap
Senior sprint repechage
Academy 3-lap handicap
Senior sprint semi-final
Academy ‘hare and hounds’
Senior sprint finals
Senior 20-lap ‘hare and hounds’
Racing starts at 13:00, with a training session beforehand at 12:00. Unless you are UK track accredited, you must attend the training session. All adult riders must have prior experience riding a fixed-gear bike. We’re looking to put some adult training sessions on prior to the event.
Hire bikes will be available. If you require the use of a hire bike on the day, please select the relevant Eventbrite add-on item and let us know what size you need.
Volunteers to assist with pushing off riders, working the lap board, assisting the judges, timing the pursuits, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
In the event of bad weather, a track inspection will be made at 11:30 and a notice posted on Facebook.
This month’s Intro Ride is going to the Earlswood Craft Centre café. Here’s a map of the route we plan to follow, which you can download to a GPS device:
We’ll cover roughly 49 kilometres (30 miles), mostly on quiet lanes. We’ll stop for refreshments at the café at Earlswood Craft Centre, just after half way through the route.
Will it be hard?
You should be fine if you can already ride for an hour or two at an average of roughly 16-20kph (10-12mph). We’ll stick together and go at the pace of the slowest rider. We’ll ride for a total of about three hours, with a break at the café and maybe a breather at the top of one or two hills.
Who can join in?
Our Intro Rides are mainly for people new to club cycling and not yet confident about doing one of the main club runs. They’re ideal if you already cycle and fancy getting a bit more involved, or if you’re returning after a break. They provide a chance to get to know the club and decide whether it’s for you. If you’re very new to cycling, it’s probably best to do a few independent rides first, and join an Intro Ride once you’re comfortable riding for 90 minutes or so. Under-16s need an adult with them.
How do I join the ride?
Intro Rides are limited to eight people, including the leader(s), although if we have interest from more people then we do our best to try to find a second ride leader. For this reason, everyone needs to be signed up in advance. To put your name down, either mail clubruns@beaconrcc.org.uk or answer the post on our message board.
Do I need a fancy bike?
No. For an Intro Ride, the main thing is that your bike is comfortable and reliable. Of course, it must also be legal, which basically means having two working brakes. For safety reasons, we don’t allow use of tri-bars on group rides.
Do I need special cycling gear?
No. Proper cycling clothing is generally more comfortable, especially for people riding far and/or fast. But Intro Rides aren’t like that. It’s good to avoid things that flap about and you certainly don’t want anything that chafes. But things like sweatshirts, close-fitting jogging trousers and trainers are fine. Two or three thin layers are usually a good idea, especially in autumn, when it’s often chilly early and warm later. With lightweight clothes you can stuff in a pocket or bag, you can add or subtract layers as conditions change.
What should I bring?
Bring a bottle of water and maybe something like an energy bar. You’ll also need a little money for refreshments. If there’s a chance of rain, have a lightweight waterproof in your pocket or bag. Most club cyclists carry a mobile phone and a credit/debit card in case of emergency.
Anything else I need to know?
Yes, you need to read our Club Run Guidelines. Also, while we’ll always do our best to help, it’s important to recognise a rescue service isn’t part of the deal. So have a think about how you’d manage if you were miles from home with a bike that won’t go. Could you phone home for a lift, for example?
Newcomers are warmly invited to join us on our next Introductory Ride.
Date
Sunday 14 August 2022
NB: Our Intro Rides are usually on the first Sunday of the month, but it’s the Commonwealth Games road races on 7 August.
Where and when does it start?
The car park of the Black Horse, Bristol Rd South, Northfield, B31 2QT. We’ll set off at 08:30 [NB: note changed start time due to heat forecast], and we’ll meet ten or fifteen minutes before that to say hello and chat about the ride.
Where’s it going?
This month’s Intro Ride is going to the Earlswood Craft Centre café. Here’s a map of the route we plan to follow, which you can download to a GPS device:
We’ll cover roughly 52 kilometres (32 miles), mostly on quiet lanes. We’ll stop for refreshments at the café at Earlswood Craft Centre, approximately two-fifths of the way through the route.
Will it be hard?
You should be fine if you can already ride for an hour or two at an average of roughly 16-20kph (10-12mph). We’ll stick together and go at the pace of the slowest rider. We’ll ride for a total of about three hours, with a break at the café and maybe a breather at the top of one or two hills.
Who can join in?
Our Intro Rides are mainly for people new to club cycling and not yet confident about doing one of the main club runs. They’re ideal if you already cycle and fancy getting a bit more involved, or if you’re returning after a break. They provide a chance to get to know the club and decide whether it’s for you. If you’re very new to cycling, it’s probably best to do a few independent rides first, and join an Intro Ride once you’re comfortable riding for 90 minutes or so. Under-16s need an adult with them.
How do I join the ride?
At the moment, because of COVID restrictions, Intro Rides are limited to eight people, including the leader(s). Everyone needs to be signed up in advance. To put your name down, either mail clubruns@beaconrcc.org.uk or answer the post on our message board.
Do I need a fancy bike?
No. For an Intro Ride, the main thing is that your bike is comfortable and reliable. Of course, it must also be legal, which basically means having two working brakes. For safety reasons, we don’t allow use of tri-bars on group rides.
Do I need special cycling gear?
No. Proper cycling clothing is generally more comfortable, especially for people riding far and/or fast. But Intro Rides aren’t like that. It’s good to avoid things that flap about and you certainly don’t want anything that chafes. But things like sweatshirts, close-fitting jogging trousers and trainers are fine. In summer, it’s tempting to dress lightly. However, do check the forecast and be ready for conditions maybe changing while you’re out. If it’s going to be sunny, remember to guard against sunburn.
What should I bring?
Bring a bottle of water and maybe something like an energy bar. You’ll also need a little money for refreshments. If there’s a chance of rain, have a lightweight waterproof in your pocket or bag. Most club cyclists carry a mobile phone and a credit/debit card in case of emergency.
Anything else I need to know?
Yes, you need to read our Club Run Guidelines. Also, while we’ll always do our best to help, it’s important to recognise a rescue service isn’t part of the deal. So have a think about how you’d manage if you were miles from home with a bike that won’t go. Could you phone home for a lift, for example?
The South Salopian is cycling at its best. It’s about a good distance in a day, riding at a sensible pace with good company, travelling through quiet and pleasant countryside in the orange glow of an autumn day before winter arrives. This 207km audax takes place on 1 October and entries are open now.
For full details and the entry link, please see our full event page.
Organiser Philip Whiteman is also organising another audax on 12 November, in collaboration with our friends at Droitwich CC. Details of this event are available here.
The Beacon Cycling Academy hosted the British Schools Cycling Association Regional Grass Track Championships on 9 July. The full results from the day are now available here. A collection of photos taken by the Beacon’s George Barker is also available for download here.
