Hitchin Nomads - "Families and Newcomers" ride - 21 Oct 2012

Hitchin Nomads led a second "Families and Newcomers" ride around the leafy lanes of Hitchin, Gosmore, Preston and Charlton yesterday (21 October 2012).

Several new riders joined established and experienced club members on a guided route which illustrated the benefits and fun of club cycling. The ride coincided with the annual hill climb time trial which took place on the climb from Charlton towards Preston.

Stay tuned for details of future rides and for our 2013 coaching programme.

Riders prepare for start of the ride (N Hickman).

Young and old (and ages inbetween) ride towards Gosmore on quiet, leafy lanes (N. Fraser).

"Family and Newcomers" ride - 21/10/12

Next Sunday 21st October 2012, is our next family and newcomers ride. These “mini-club runs” are designed for those new to cycling or experienced cyclists who want to bring friends and family along. Especially welcome are accompanied  children, women, commuters wanting to get a little more from their cycling and anyone wanting to find out more about the Nomads.

This ride will be on quiet roads and a little bit of flat non-technical off-road, suitable for all types of cycle.  The ride will be about 7 miles around Charlton and Preston with the intention to meet up with the rest of the Hitchin Nomads at their annual club hill climb near Charlton at 11:30 (all adults and accompanied children are welcome to ride as well). Afterwards we will head to The Windmill pub in Charlton for refreshments.

There will be a few hills, but we have plenty of time to get up them, even if some have to walk…

Provisional OS map of family ride route

Please meet in Hitchin Market Square close to the clock at 10:00 am. All riders must wear a helmet. A bike safety check will be conducted before heading off, so please be prompt. If you require further directions, please call Nick Senechal on 01462 641745.

Upcoming events

Autumn Hilly

Saturday 13th October 2012 sees the penultimate time trial in the Nomads calendar. The Autumn Hilly is open to all members and riders from other clubs. It covers two laps of the sporting Whtiwell road race circuit, covering 18 miles in total.

First rider off at 8:30am, so please be there by 8:15am to sign on. £2 for Nomads, £3 guests.

The start and finish is in the lay by to the east of Whitwell towards the Codicote Road (marked on this map). It's the same course as the Spring Hilly, so a good opportunity to put down a target time to improve on next year.

Club run

Sunday 14th sees the club run head out to Ware. Meet in Hitchin Market Square at 09.00am.

Hill climb and new riders events

The annual hill climb at Charlton (followed by grain based refuelling in The Windmill) takes place on 21st October, first rider 11.30 am. The second of our introductions to cycling events will depart Hitchin Market Square on 21st October at 10.00am. Details to follow.

This month's events are listed here.

News round-up - 23 Sept 2012

The weekend of 22-23 September 2012 saw a range of Nomad activity.

New riders and families ride
As part of the club's efforts to introduce new people to cycling, Nick Senechal and Frank Turner organised a "new members and families" event which saw 22 riders take in an 8 mile "out and back" trip from Hitchin to Graveley's Carousel Cafe.

Using quiet roads and sections of the Letchworth Garden City Greenway, the route introduced the fun and benefits of club cycling to a number of prospective new members and enthusiasts. The route was guided by experience cyclists and also had mechanics on hand to deal with the various bike tweaks and questions.

Frank Turner providing the pre-ride briefing at Purwell, Hitchin.

Riders assemble - young and old alike.

Club Chairman Nick Senechal commented:

"The club aims to encourage new members at every opportunity. Following the success of Team GB and a number of British riders at many levels this year, we are keen to share the benefits and experience the club has to offer to a new generation and also to those interested in returning to cycling. We will be running a series of additional events of this kind, with the next one pencilled in for late October 2012."

 This initiative complemented the weekly club run which saw a number of more experienced riders take on a longer run to Hoddesdon.

Racing news
Three Nomads took place in the Beds Road CC promoted Northampton and District CA open 10 mile time trial on the F15/10 Brogborough course. Simon Doyle posted 23.21 for the distance, James Gomm 25.24 and Clive Collins 26.22. Second claim member Ryan Witchell recorded 23.58.

Despite tough outbound conditions Ashley Cox of Spirit RT won the event with a course record of 19.21.