Author: Dave Gerrey

Now that track league has finished for the year, I thought I would unashamedly highjack the league posting to publicise the VC Jubilee cross race, both to get more entries and to ask you to support VCJ (and me) by helping out on the day if you can.  We are back with the opening race of the cross season on the 4^th September but since the university have their 60^th birthday that weekend which means we can’t use Stanmer Park we have found a new venue.  The races this year will be in a field that is a natural valley in Coombes Farm near Steyning.  It won’t be the most inspiring of courses, basically a steep climb up to the top (with stunning views) and then zig-zag back down.  But it is a race!

The race on the 4^th is the first race of the London and South East Cyclocross League which has races most weekend up until the end of January with a team championship on February.  Three of the races are in Sussex (18^th September in Crawley and 6^th November in Brighton) and these form their own mini league as well with separate prizes.  There is more information on the league itself on  https://www.londonxleague.co.uk/ and to enter our race go to the British Cycling website here.

If you won’t be racing (or even if you are) VCJ (me as organiser) could really do with some help.  It’s a big event for a small ‘youth’ cycle club to put on but the profits from this race really help us to keep doing what we do, getting young riders out on their bikes.  If you can help please go to https://volunteersignup.org/AFKY7 where you will find everything listed out and you can put your name down (still plenty of choice left).  I have split some of the tasks into different time slots during the day but please don’t think this is rigid.  Basically, put your name down then let me know what you can do.  You can put yourself down in both marshalling slots for example if you are free all day, or swap to another job.  Again, ask if you are not certain.  Please do sign up as soon as possible so we have an idea of numbers.  Better to sign up (as long as you do have the intention of turning up) then letting me know if you do have to cancel as opposed to waiting to nearer the time just in case something else turns up.  Thanks

Dave

Really sorry to have to do this but, along with there being only 2 volunteers stepping up for tomorrow as marshals, due to holidays and other demands on the “usual ssupects” time I am the only “official” available to do sign on, judging and be organiser. I’m afriad it isn’t going to happen. If it was needed, this is a stark reminder of how dependant the league is on just a few very active and ever willing volunteers. Something has to change.

I will attempt to get an email out to everyone who has booked and figure out how to move your bookings to another time. Please be patient as the booking system is not something I have first hand experience of.

Next week hopefully

Sorry to mess you all about but it is now very clear the track won’t be safe enough for racing tonight. I was pushing teh track sweeper over one of teh damp patches try to help it dry but slipped over.

Next week hopefully

Just got here and can’t believe it but the track isvirtually dry. A few damp patches on teh corners but hoping they will dry by 7 so unless things change racing is currently on.

I’ll put that in words “SUNSHINE DOES NOT EQUAL RACING”. Sure it’s not raining rain but is also not raining VOLUNTEERS. Without enough volunteers there won’t be any racing tonight, and the same applies to the circuit races on Friday, period. If you can help out the please go to our volunteering page and put your name down on the spreadsheet (or you can email volunteering@scrl.co.uk but easier for us if you do the spreadsheet). If you are racing then give a shout out to your family, friends, club mates and even your neighbours. We are not fussy.

And lets not have this conversation again next week. We need help every week, don’t leave it to the same few each time. Bookmark the volunteering page.

Dave

I know I’m always nagging for help with our events but this time I am after some volunteers to help VC Jubilee out at their cross race in Stanmer Park on the 1st September. When the date was set I was a little concerned that it may just be a bit to early given school holidays would still in full swing but the following week wasn’t available. Turns out my fears about the holidays was correct, everyone seems to be away.

As the race organiser I am beginning to tear my hair out which isn’t a pretty site so I thought I would turn to the wider cycling community – you lot. If you happen to be free that day and would like to help I would be eternally grateful, I might even refrain from nagging you next track season (I said “might” so it’s not a promise). I have set up an online signup form for volunteers at volunteersignup.org/BQJB9 or you can just email me at contact@vcjubilee.co.uk. Oh and did I mention free refreshments for all who help.

Thanks in advance

Dave

I’m sure you have all been expecting it, tonight’s racing has been cancelled and that’s it for the season, that is apart from the AGM which is on Saturday 5th October in Knowle Hall @ 5pm.

I will be at the track myself from around 6:30 this evening for half an hour so if you are about you can drop your numbers back then otherwise please post to me 45, Brittany Road, Hove. BN3 4PA. PPYCC riders can drop them back on a Saturday morning of course.

Dave

A massive thank you to all those that helped out with the circuit races at Preston Park especially the riders that took time out either before or after their races. Putting on this series of races has put quite an extra load on the committee and our other usual band of volunteers so it is really helpful to have others step up and share the load. Please pass on our thanks to anyone you know who helped out.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel the circuit racing planned for this Friday evening (14th) as we have not been able to get the services of a commissaire. Please pass this information on through your clubs etc and social media to save people wasted journeys.

This is an extension of the problems we are having getting enough marshals etc. Just like the rest of us commissaires are volunteers and the we can’t expect the same few individuals to give up there time every other week. Watch out for a call in the future for those willing to train as commissaires, if we can get a bigger pool then the demands on each individual will be less.

Thanks to those who did volunteer to help out Friday evening, we had just about managed to gather enough help. We do have another 3 races planned for the 28th June, 12th and 26th July so please do try and get along to help with these. Let Anthony know by emailing volunteering@scrl.co.uk if you are available for any of these.

Apologies to anyone who turned up last night with the hope of racing since the rain had decided to go east, only to find we were missing a gate and had to cancel. The news is that we have tracked the gate down. The council’s contractors have taken it away for repair, that despite assurances that it would be repaired on site! We have been told it will be back tomorrow so as long as this great British Summer allows it, there will be racing next week with the postponed Points Championship.

And whilst I am online, a big thank you to everyone who responded to my email last week for Friday night volunteers. Turned out to be a great night both weather and racing wise. No racing this Friday but we are doing it all again next week (14th). To save us panicking last minute can I ask once again for volunteers, as always email volunteering@scrl.co.uk.