Sleaford Wheelers Newsletter February 2025

Hi all.

At last, January is finally over, the Cyclo-cross series is complete, there are glimpses of sun and the temperature is slowly creeping above zero. So now it is time to look forward to some more social rides, sportives, mountain biking, road racing and time trials. The Sunday Club rides are back to starting at the Market Place, leaving at 09:15 unless otherwise informed by Facebook posts.

Membership

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already done so, it is time to renew your membership. The latest membership renewal form is on the SWCC Website.

Bike Workshop

We are proposing to run a bike maintenance workshop on 15th March if there is sufficient interest. The workshop will be in St Denys Church Hall, Sleaford, 09:00 to 12:00. This was a great event last year in which all of us that attended learnt something.

Proposed agenda is

1. Pre-use checks
2. Weekly checks
3. How to change an inner tube using a variety of tools that are now in the market
4. What to do on a ride if your chain breaks, your derailleur cable snaps, your tyre has a sidewall blow out
5. Simple bike maintenance such as the correct way to clean and oil your chain

Let us know if you would like to attend and if there is another topic you would like to be included.

Refreshments will be available on the day.

Return of the Charity Open 10

The Sleaford Wheelers Easter Charity 10 Date returns this year, date for the diary – Saturday 19th April 2025. Chocolate prizes on the day. This is now open for entry on the CTT website https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/32037-easter-charity-10

Race HQ is Silk Willoughby Village Hall (NG34 8PG). The start is 2.37 miles away from HQ on the A15 just down from Grantham Road roundabout.

We also be raising money for this year’s charity, MEN’S MINDS MATTER, a charity that is close to the hearts of many SWCC members. Refreshments and cake available on the day.

Kit Orders

A reminder that a kit order will be going in in February, please let me know if you would like to purchase an item of cycling kit from either Pactimo or Impsport.

Pactimo short-sleeve jerseys will cost £50. Equivalent Impsport short-sleeve jerseys will cost £43.50.

Other kit is available and can be viewed on their respective websites. 2

Mountain Biking

If you want to take part in some organised mountain bike rides, then the Focus Rides are for you.

If you want to get ready for them, there is a preparation event on 15th February at Sherwood Pines. This is an MTB day which includes skills training. More details are on the Facebook posts.

Go Ride

Go ride sessions start on Tuesday 4th February and run for 2 weeks before the February half-term break on Tuesday 18th Feb. They will then run again for 6 weeks until 1st April when we break once again for Easter.

60th Anniversary

Proposed date for the 60th anniversary celebrations is 28th June 2025. There will be options for a 60 mile or 60 kilometre ride followed by a celebration at a local venue. More details to follow in the next Newsletter.

Website development

Work on the new website is continuing but we are still looking for more photos that capture the spirit of the club. If you have any pictures you would like to share, then please send them in for us to look at.

Photo Guidelines

1. Ensure the photos are as high resolution as possible.

• If people are clearly identifiable, please make sure they are comfortable with their photo being used online.

• Feel free to include a short description of the photo (e.g., the event or year it was taken). Your contributions will help us create a website that truly reflects the vibrant, inclusive, and active community that makes up Sleaford Wheelers. Thank you in advance for sharing your memories and moments!

SWCC Lottery

We are still looking for a volunteer to set up and run a weekly lottery to raise money for junior rider development, if you are interested then please let me know.

Events

Events coming up in February.

Saturday 15th February – SWCC Focus Ride at Sherwood Pines. MTB day with skills training

Events coming up in March

Saturday 1st March – Ladies ride.

Saturday 15th March – Bike Maintenance workshop, St Denys Church Hall at 09:00. 3

Sunday 23rd March – Focus Ride at Belvoir Castle

Events coming up in April

Saturday 5th April – Ladies ride

Saturday 19th April – SWCC Charity Open 10 TT. Race HQ at Silk Willoughby Village Hall.

Sunday 20th April – Focus Ride at North Willingham

Wednesday 23rd April – First TLI race of the season. Race HQ is Digby Village Hall. Volunteers required to marshal. The Club will re-imburse the £5 registration fee for marshalling.

Emergency Contact Information

Polite reminder.

All riders are required to carry emergency contact information whilst out on Club rides. This can either be on a smart phone or a card/piece of paper so that the Ride Leader can contact someone if required.

Did you know?

Lilian Irene Bartram known as Billie Fleming and/or Billie Dovey (13 April 1914 – 12 May 2014), was a long-distance cyclist who set the woman’s record for greatest distance cycled in a year in 1938 at 29,603.7 miles (47,642.5 km). Her record still stood until 2015.

Happy Cycling and see you soon,

Kind regards

Nige