NEWS LETTER JANUARY 2003

“ Lets start at the very beginning, it’s a very good place to start” (copy right The Sound Of Music), a very happy and winning New Year to all of our club members and supporters. 2002 was our most successful year to date with you the members achieving success in every event that EMBC members have entered. During the past year club members have excelled in Downhill, Cross-country and Cyclo Cross. Whilst some of you must have bulging trophy cabinets others have worked equally hard to achieve personal goals, WELL DONE TO YOU ALL.
CONGRATULATIONS
Three cheers for James Spragg, known to one and all as “SPRAGGY” EMBC have a potential Olympic winner. Spraggy is one of only 14 youngsters in an area stretching to Gloucester in the North and Southampton in the East who has been selected after competing in the National Identification Programme for World Team members. After some very demanding training co-ordinated by our No1 coach, Sallie, Spraggy is now part of the 2003 British Cycling Talented Performance Squad. WELL DONE SPRAGGY
AGM
With spring fast approaching its time for our AGM. This years AGM will be held at the KINGS ARMS Cowick St EXETER starting at 19:30hrs on Tuesday the 4th March 2003.
This AGM gives all club members a voice as to how you would like to see the club progress during the coming year.
All positions on the committee are due for re election, if you have any ideas (lets hope someone has) as to the future and direction of the club, get your name down on the enclosed nomination form and get it in by Feb 28th 2003.
We need new blood and inventive ideas to continue the growth and influence that EMBC has attained during the previous year. The club funds and bank balance are quite healthy at present, so get to the AGM and help to decide the policy and direction that your club is going in 2003.

AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER
MEMBERSHIPS
Membership renewals are due by the end of February 2003 as bonus to existing members you can renew your membership at last years price if you renew before the last day in February. The coming year will see EMBC move up a gear, many surprises are in store for you the details will become public in the coming months. Your committee have worked very hard behind the scenes and put in place the foundations for a brilliant year ahead. Get those renewals in now to stay a member of the EMBC Team driving MTB forward.
AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER
XMAS BASH
The Xmas Bash turned out to be an entertaining evening and was enjoyed by all. With a cost to the club funds of £10 this events must be considered a success by our standards. The club members who enjoyed a good night will I,m sure like to join me in thanking James and Co for all their hard work in running this event for you the members. A final bonus from this Xmas extravaganza meant that as no one was arrested, the money put by for bail went back in the bank. Plans for this year’s event are already being discussed, if you have any ideas or requests please let your committee know.
AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER
2003 CLUB PROGRAMME
The new programme for Spring 2003 should be up and running by the end of February. During 2003 it is our aim to focus on the younger side of the club, it is the younger members who will become the driving force of the club after most of the present old *arts are put out to grass. (No names no pack drill!!!!)
Jon Vessey will be organizing and co-ordinating a series of family and fun rides in various locations around the South-West. Perhaps fun is misnomer, if you’ve ever been on a Vessey ride you provide your own Survival Kit!! We see these rides as a good entertaining day out as well as good training for the competitive riders amoungst you. I’m sure Jon will tailor these rides to different ages and abilities, the good news is that we will be setting up BBQ’s and drinks at the finish of these rides, if this doesn’t encourage you to the finish line nothing will. The mobile bar will be under the stewardship of Terry, you may question whether this is a good or bad thing? This additional avenue for the club will not detract from the traditional support given to you all whilst competing or just enjoying yourselves out on your bikes.
AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER

NIGHT RIDES
Traditionally a quiet time of year. Please therefore try and support these fortnightly rides. It's fun and improves your technical skill no end. Forthcoming dates: Wednesday 22nd January, 5 and 19th February, 5th and 19th March, Woodbury Common. See the website for more information WWW.EMBC.UK.NET
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EMBC WEBSITE WWW.EMBC.UK.NET
Now up and running and being regularly updated. However, it is your site and for it to work effectively, we need your input. I'm willing to look at anything for inclusion so if you have any good ideas...particularly the under 18's. Contact me on fiona@fvessey.fsnet.co.uk

AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER

E_GROUP exetermountainbikeclub@yahoogroups.com
Don't forget to register if you want to organise something or keep updated as to what's going on. Remember that the more people that register, the more likely you are to find something for you. Details on the website. WWW.EMBC.UK.NET

AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER

LAZYDAVE'S SALISBURY CHALLENGE - 5TH JANUARY
In Dave's own words...
"An absolutely freezing day, the land white with frost and the thermometer stubbornly sticking near freezing point. Set on predominately military land, with three different terrain varieties; tarmac road, gravel fire-road or rutted farm tracks.

About 1,500 people braved the extremely cold weather to ride this first enduro of the year. This caused a considerable amount of congestion at the start, with long tailbacks. The hardest part of the event, apart from the distance, was having to cope with extremely cold body parts. I suffered badly from frozen feet, making the ride un-enjoyable towards the end, despite two pairs of socks.

This benefited the trail conditions, being cold enough to freeze the mud, resulting in faster progress through what would have been boggy mud. It was still extremely slippery, and very bumpy. Being loose with the bike and not hesitating were the keys to maintaining speed through these tricky sections. Generally, the course was flat, with undulating hills through the fields, and some long and slow climbs to take their toll on the already tired riders.

All in all, a great event. The course was not the most technically challenging or much fun to ride, but it was a great kick-start to 2003." For more photos try this link:www.justride.co.uk/salisbury.htm
EMBC MINEHEAD
EMBC MINEHEAD have quietly been plugging away at the young riders in their area, with 2 new coaches and a MTB riding area to die for, the signs are good for many new members to join the EMBC family. This group have private access to some familiar riding sites, which are not available to non-members. If anyone in the EMBC would like to have a ride out or somewhere different to hone their skills contact Jennie Adams who is keen to organise some dates for club members. jennie.adams@zoom.co.uk:
EMBC DORSET
EMBC DORSET has in the last 6 months established a good core of riders in the area. They have had trips out to Ham Hill nr Yeovil, thanks to Jezzer Card for leading the way, Haldon Hill with the EMBC Junior crowd and weekly trips to the local Puddletown Forest. If any EMBC members would like to join them for a blast around Puddletown Forest contact STEADY EDDY on Email stevewhite.Dorchester@virgin.net ( Matty & Spraggy came up for the day and in Spraggs words “Its wicked” The Dorset lads are arranging a trip up to the Bike Show is anybody else planning to go, maybe we could buy advance tickets in bulk that way they are much cheaper, contact Eddy if anyone is interested
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BCF
EMBC have established a very good rapport the governing body, we are lobbying for more recognition and funding for mountain biking in the UK and through Sallies efforts on the SW Board we are able to promote MTB in the South West which will in the long term benefit us all. This lobbying has seen us gain a positive response in our efforts to promote downhill to become a recognised Olympic sport.Watch this space.
AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER

FITNESS FIRST
After a great deal of hard work it was surprising that the offer from Fitness First was not taken up. The total use of the excellent facilities and trainers plus the use of sun beds steam rooms etc at minimal cost to you leaves us somewhat amazed that your fitness levels are so superb that you didn’t feel the need to improve them. I think it safe to say that there offer of sponsorship has now been withdrawn. We can only look forward to the improved results during the summer season from the fittest of athletes.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER

YOUTH COMMITTEE
The youth committee is almost ready to be launched, due to the hard work put in by Spraggy and Eddy. Once they have everything in order and sorted a mandate the Youth Committee will be looking for funding to give them their own voice and independence. The EMBC main committee are looking forward for the revelations and innovations from the lads and lasses.
AGM 1900hr 4th MARCH 2003 KINGS ARMS EXETER
EMBC EVENTS
The club has for some months looking to sponsor and promote some unique and innovative events in the South West. We are proposing to run a Downhill and Cross Country event this year; we already have some exciting sponsorship lined up. These events will promote both EMBC and MTB in the South West, to achieve our aims we require all of your help with both ideas on format, venues and what you as competitors demand at the best events in the country. This is an opportunity for you ALL to shape the events so that they become recognised as the events that MUST be entered. We have a few months to finalise the outlines and objectives, get your thinking caps on and let us know your ideas and what help you can offer.
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CLUB EQUIPMENT
If anyone has any club equipment could they please return it prior to the AGM so that a full inventory can be produced?
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HOT NEWS
Putting this news letter together the morning after the clubs trip to the Velodrome at Calshot, which is the fastest and steepest track in the UK I’m sure that those who conquered this exciting track had a brilliant time. That must be true because they ALL want to go again!!!! I hopefully will get something on the club Web site this week; check it out it was awesome.

Did I mention the AGM on March 4th 2003 at Kings Arms Exeter at 1930hrs?

This month’s newsletter was one finger typed and spell checked by Steve White EMBC Dorset

� British Cycling 2002/2003

British Cycling Awards Photos

BC Annual Report

Great Britain Racing Team