Committee Minutes

Minutes of committee meeting 02/10/25

MINUTES

WHW committee meeting Thurs 2nd Oct 25 @ 1930: 

1. Present Dave Parfitt (DP) Jacqui Parfitt (JP) Doug Little (DL) Marian Austin (MA) Steve Bradley (SB) Henry Cairns(HC) Gregor Muir (GM) Claire Abernethy Kennedy (CAK) Norman Clark (NC)  Apologies  Karl Bungey (KB) Gill Barnes (GB)  Mark Clark (MC) and Lance Marshall (LM)

2. Minutes of last meeting / actions: 

– Weds Night Rides  Achaderry was good, plan a social ride for the next calendar block (glen nevis or nevis range HC to action)

– Winter League (LM) 

LM has proposed a series of races. Has not confirmed dates yet with organisers, dates discussed as follows: 

  • Can we bring 1st race (nov 23rd) forward as clashes with LAC and DP not available?  HC could organise this on 16th nov (cour loop) instead
  • Duror date 7th Dec Ben Miller tbc
  • Memorial date (21st Dec) clashes with usual xmas handicap date, Andy has offered to do xmas handicap again therefore ? change this date to Sunday 28th Dec (DP and DL to organise) 
  • 18th Jan North face loop Zeemon Erhardt organising .. clashes with LAC puggy line plod race so not ideal ? change to 11th to avoid clash8th Feb 
  • Ariundle oakwood KB organising tbc
  • 1st march NACC tbc
  • 15th March Achaderry tbc
  • 5th April Wolftrax .. is easter sunday therefore need to change as wolftrax are  unlikely to want us on this date as will be busy ?29th March instead
  • 28th april Glen Loy tbc with MC

Running races under SOAC (max 30) 

CAK to email kids club parents to see if any interest for a kids winter league 

– Kids Club (CAK / GM)  having to cancel uplift day due to forecast storm, in general club going well, 50ish kids, the waiting list is reducing. More adults have completed Level 2

– Pumptrack (GM) race went well as part of saturday kids club. timing equipment worked well. BMX bowl would benefit from improvements, quote for £10000, HIE will  possibly offer £5000 , £2500 from velosolutions and hopefully funding from Breedon. Bank balance ticking over with donations. 

The wheelers have got £1200 funding for womens sport and are using some of it to pay Mel and Steph to run womens only sessions at the pumptrack, 1st one already happened. Any remaining funds will go to running trail sessions for women

– L2 Assessments plus first aid (DP) succesful level 2 assessment ran 

Booked conference room at Nevis Range for £50 a day for weekend 29/30th Nov to run a 1st aid course  Nevis Medics running it

2nd course running in conjunction with nevis canoe club 14/15 nov

10 members booked on to the 2 courses over the 2 weekends

– Shed Maintenance unfortunately Nevis Range have plans for old high wire hut, DP will ask if we can have temporary use.

CAK to ask Stewart to fix shed roof, club has money for this, if decent period of weather DL will try and varnish it. 

3. Just Go (CAK) 

System now running quite well to keep track of all new members PVGs etc

Has everyone down as never a member of british cycling and CAK is chasing this up

CAK and MA getting emails regarding affiliation hoping it will make it simpler. CAK will see how gets on

JP to send email asking if anyone would like to declare a disability and to encourage any members of british cycling to complete the just go link that was sent

4. LTA (MC)  MC messaged asking if any possibility of WHW helping out LTA with annual funding to contribute towards insurance and maintainence of hand tools .. MC not present.. Agreed need proposal of what money is being requested which we can then discuss in more detail .. Action reply to MC as above

MC asking that dig days are added to website/ newsletter . currently calender on website not being used but can send out info in newsletters..  MC To email HC if has info to send out in newsletter

Laggan dig crew are going to put out dates for digs, still struggling to sort out becoming a satellite dig crew of Badenoch and Strathspey trail association, could potentially be satellite with LTA but Wolftrax have some reservations..  Being discussed!

5. F2F (DL) 

Permission given, may be forestry work at well of seven heads but not sure of date yet. There will be a diversion if there is but will be a bit steep for bikes but this can be pushed if required

Date 26th October starting 10am meeting at Moorings carpark riding Fort william to Fort augustus

Registration 9.30 £5 to go to LMRT 

JP away so not able to time keep 

Request time keeper on email (DP as back up) and other volunteers,  also suggest car shares

High School kids can do on own with parent permission primaries  need to be accompanied by an adult. Action HC to send out email

6. Date / Venue AGM 

Most improved lady and downhiller discussed and agreed. 

Kids club to discuss most improved junior male and female

20th Nov Bike park will also have AGM

? yacht club 7.30pm MA to see if available

Cups need to be got back 

If we can get a venue with a screen try and get a short film to show 

7. AOCB

Jerseys CAK looking at interest in jerseys Action HC to put email out asking if anyone interested in purchasing if an order going in

Cheque written for  DL for refreshments and prizes at kids club pumptrack race

Dirt Crit 

No recent communication from Scottish Cycling

Nevis Range are running kids enduros which are free for wheelers kids and they ran a successful 10 under the ben junior which has meant kids racing has / is happening locally although no dirt crit currently planned

Committee Minutes

Minutes of Committee meeting -24/04/25

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting Tuesday 24th April 2025

  1. Present
    Gregor Muir, Norman Clark, Dave Parfitt, Jacqui Parfitt, Steve Bradley, Claire Abernethy, Gill Barnes
  2. Apologies – Mark Clark, Marian Austin, Karl Bungey Henry Cairns
  3. Minutes of Last meeting
    Wed nights
  • Henry to put Achaderry onto the rota .. liaise with Ruari
  • option of social ride followed by a drink in Glen Nevis/ Nevis Range occasionally
  • 2 evenings a month at Nevis Range to encourage more folk plus 1 Erracht then fourth at
    harder venue
    Time Trials
    Started, schedule planned and on website, plenty of folk turned up for 1st
    Winter league
  • Lance has offered to take over coordinating league and is liaising with Marian
    -Kids races have been poorly attended (apart from Barcaldine) so plan to stop these at present
    Kids Club
    planning on races as part of club
    starts back 3rd May
    GM pumptrack
  • SC assisting with intro races at the pumptrack. Offered to organise 1st one and provide
    timing kit
  • 1st one planned for potentially Saturday 17th May but may be running out of time to
    organise. GM to liaise with Scottish Cycling
  • Bobble hats and buffs as prizes CK to check numbers
    4 Gazebo
    New gazebo arrived, £592.99 larger than previous .. 4.5 x 3m , LSA funded 50% (£296)
    order new pack of sides action DP
  1. Level 2 Assessments
    Got 4 dates from Jules Tansy can do any, Robbie can do none, still waiting to hear back from
    Es and Shaun. If cant get a date fixed people will need to book independently
    If date fixed will request funding from LSA
  2. Shed maintenance

DP no opportunity to speak with NR about High Wire shed. Park Run also enquiring. If no
progress need to set date for shed maintenance party DL/DP

  1. AOCB
  • SB struggling to get volunteers to help at Laggan. Had tried to get involved with Badenoch
    and Strathspey but not progressing so currently liaising with Lochaber Trail Association
    regarding the possibility of operating under their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
  • CAK could DP talk to Nicky about the outstanding uplifts .. 2 possibly 3 still to take. If Blue
    Doon not opening could they offer something else.
  • DP still waiting to hear back from Lewis re SC providing a coach for the leaders
  1. Treasurers Report £11750 in bank account

8 Date of Next Meeting

Committee Minutes

minutes of committee meeting 11/02/2025

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting Tuesday 11th Feb 2025

1. Present

Gregor Muir, Henry Cairns, Norman Clark, Marian Austin, Dave Parfitt, Jacqui Parfitt

2. Apologies – Steve Bradley, Claire Abernethy, Mark Clark

3. Minutes of Last meeting

Wed nights

– Date tbc for Weds evening ride at Achaderry in the spring, Ruari Watt liaising

Winter league

– No one has volunteered to take over from Marian as coordinator yet

– NACC S. Grove 2nd March – kids race tbc (Sam Wood)

– 16th March Achaderry then Wolftrax 6 April – potential prize giving (last one) – Lance org. permissions in place

Kids Club

– Potential start after Feb half-term tbc…

– NR funded uplift days can’t convert to coached days …potentially 2 days…ask again in the Spring…

3. Replacement gazebo leg

– we think it’s been done by CW

MA BC affiliation all done

– BC dashboard management changing but unlikely to affect us much

GM pumptrack

– Chris doing intro 17th Feb (Adult) 6:30pm – 8pm

– Annual maintenance done

– Spring Jam 28th Feb (everyone) bikes, ramps, music

– Adaptive sessions for summer

– Action GM chase school/Eric Groat about adaptive bike sessions

MA Neil at Scottish cycling has changed job, Lewis is now contact, Dave has spoken to him already. Marian has not had response from MW re races so it was agreed we would look to organize kids race as part of a North series. DP to liase with Lewis re SC involvement and to see if Neil already had a plan in place for this?

4 Gazebo and Flasks

– New gazebo NC to find details of last one ? LSA funding DP

– New catering flasks x 2 JP

5. Level 2 Assessments and 1st aid

– Anna Trafford has done 1st Aid

– KB Organizing another course in October tbc KB to inform club when date confirmed

– L2 assess. Candidates x 4 (Cameron B. another possibility) hopefully date end of March, CA coordinating with Tansy, Es, Robbie, Sean. ? possibility of a 5th (/Cameron) JP to check

6. LSA funding

– Gazebo, flasks, L2 course DP

7. AOCB

– PVG ok

– Get back to Lewis re SC providing a coach for the leaders DP

– Karl is now a Bikeability trainer and is also undertaking a study on the peninsular regarding provision for cycling within the community

– ‘Shed Maintenance Day’ – date tbc, DL to liaise with Stewart re suitable date as would be good to have Stewart along to help with roof

– Potential of HWA shed? DP

8 Date of Next Meeting

– Thurs 24th April

AGM Minutes

AGM MINUTES – 14/11/24

Minutes  West Highland Wheelers AGM 14th November 2024

7pm Lochaber Rural Complex

Present Dave, Jacqui and Daniel Parfitt, Nix and Damien Forster, Gregor Muir, Stefan, Emma Pearce, Bridget Thomas, Chris Waters, Doug Little, Alastair Maclennan, Steve Bradley, Claire Abernethy, Gill Barnes, Norman Clark, Henry Cairns, Bronagh Wishart, Ruari Watt, Marian Austin, Andy Rogers

1 – Apologies  Karl Bungey

Dave thanked everyone for coming along and the Rural Education Trust for providing the venue.

2 – Minutes of 2023 AGM  Proposed as accurate by Gregor Muir, Seconded by Emma Pearce

3 – Chairman’s report

The club has had members competing in a wide range of mountain bike competitions over this year from mini dhs  to world champs, just missing Olympians.

Notable achievements

Cross country/ Cyclo cross Lily and Isla Cant and Kai and Aaron Tressider have been flying the club flag for these, ( as well as competing in other disciplines) winning the Scottish Schools Mtb mixed team champs.

Lily Cant got 5 x 1sts and a 2nd across SXC, 10 under the Ben , Tweedlove and Muckmedden

Isla Cant was 1st at Muckmedden, Tweedlove and an SXC

Kai Tresidder won all 5 of his SXC races and the series

Aaron Tresidder was young in his category this year but was still sitting 3rd in the series until his last race (which didn’t go as planned!) , he was also 1st junior in 10 under the Ben and 1st junior in the Fort to Fort and 7th overall. He was also 6th in the 1st cyclocross race of the season.

Es Tresidder has also been flying the flag in the cyclocross over 40s

Gary MacDonald had a quiet race season but still managed to win a couple of SXCs and become Scottish SXC champion in the 40 to 49 category

In Enduro Mia Jackson was 1st overall in the Hope womens enduro at Ae forset (1st in category and fastest lady overall)

Cole Jackson was 3rd overall in the national enduro series (U21) came 12th in the Open EDR in Loudenville France and was 3rd in the Southern Enduro series

Ava Marsh was 2nd at Muckmedden and 2nd at Laggan Tweedlove enduros

Charley Kennedy got a 1st and a 2nd at the Hope PMBAs, finishing 2nd overall.

Downhill.. In DH its been great to see loads of riders  (both male and female) from the club taking part across the different age groups with

In mini DH Archie Rodger was 3rd at Learnie, Mia Jackson was 1st in Learnie and Nevis Range and at the mini DH final at the World cup at  Nevis Range the club took 1st female in (U12), Lily Cant,  U14 Mia Jackson and U16 Isla Cant

At a National/ Regional level

Alexander Pervan was 1st in the SDA overall, 2nd in the Scottish Champs and 5th in the national series overall

Sorley Swabey was 1st junior and fastest time of the day in the national race at Glencoe and 2nd overall in the British series

Danny Parfitt was 3rd at British Champs

Mikayla Parton was 2nd at British champs

At the Scottish Champs club ladies took 1st (Nina Cameron) 2nd (Tiandra Anderson) and 3rd (Laura Jackson) and Marcus Scott took 1st in the 40 plus category.

Nina also took 2nd elite female at the British round at Nevis Range

At a European level Hollie Alderson, Aidan Baltrunas, Alexander Pervan and Mikayla Parton all headed out to race at the European champs.

At World Cup level the club was represented by 3 juniors (Daniel Parfitt, Sorley Swabey and Alexander Pervan) and by 2 elite females (Nina Cameron and Mikayla Parton)

Daniel Parfitt was 3rd at Nevis Range and finished 10th overall (and top British junior) in the junior male world cup standings.

Mikayla Parton finished 9th at Fort William

Both Daniel and Mikayla competed in the world championships.

Time Trials

No national level time trial competitors that we are aware of but thanks to Emma Pearce for organising the local series. 26 men and 12 ladies competed across 7 races. In the overalls 1st male was Oli Warlow, 2nd Robin Downie, 3rd Donald Paterson and 1st female Iona Hamilton, 2nd Emma Pearce and 3rd Nix Forster. No juniors competed this year.

The series included 2 gravel rounds this year.

Winter League

Last winter 7 races , thanks to Marian and Andy and everyone who ran them

1st male Liam Moynihan, 2nd Ben Miller,  (27 riders overall)

1st junior male Aaron Tresidder (and 6th overall) 2nd Alexander Pervan

1st female Lily Cant (also 1st U18) 2nd Katie Maclennan (14 in total)

1st Ebike Stewart MacMillan 2nd AJ MacDonald (5 in total)

U12 boys 1st Kaiden Springett

U10 boys 1st equal Kai Tresidder, Harris Thompson and Alastair Cant

Thanks to Marian for organising once again. This will be the last series Marian organisers so we are looking for  a new organiser to take over from her. No organiser will equal no winter league

Thanks also to Nix/ Lochaber Athletic Club for sharing their winter league dates so we could aim to avoid too many clashes this year.

There are 8 provisional races with the best 6 counting for the overall

Aim is to have kids races at at least 2 of the races.

Races will be free of charge to members, £5 non member adult and £2 non member child

There will also be the annual xmas handicap, thanks to Andy R for organising

Provisional Schedule
MonthDateVenueOrganiser
DEC8thDurorBen M
 22ndGlen Nevis (Xmas Handicap)Andy
 29thNevis RangeTBC
JAN19thCour loopDave
FEB2ndStrontianKarl
MAR2ndArgyllNACC
 16thAchaderryTBC
APR6thWolftraxLance
 20thGlen LoyMark C

Fort to Fort Held last Sunday in October, 25 riders making just over £130 for Cancer Research

Bike and blether rides are still going well,

Members have helped with adaptive sessions  at the pumptrack for disability Scotland and Glencoe House

Members have been helping at LTA dig days at Allt a Mhuillin and Erracht

Mandy and Claire ran a successful mini DH at Nevis Range (assisted by several other members)

Wednesday Night Rides continue. Thankyou once again to Gregor for keeping on top of the schedule and his unwavering enthusiasm and to Henry for finally taking this job off Gregors hands

Membership

Total members 432, slightly up on last year (416)

249 males, 168 female, 15 prefer not to say

4 – Treasurer’s report Thanks to Gill for keeping on top of the accounts

Gill had brought along  treasurers statements for the year to 1st November 2024 which were available to all attendees.

Approx £7000 at start of year, now just over £10000 in the bank.

Membership subs up slightly to £4235

Mini DH was a great event raising £1194

We have spent £1500 on training, 6 people have done level 2 training and 1 assessment

5 – Kids Club report

Great to see kids progressing from kids club to racing with special mention to Steve Bradleys group who started age 5/ 6 and several have now raced at world level

Kids club is running well, with 56 kids in place at the moment and a good band of 10 level 2 and parent helpers committed to helping each week.

We have 4 volunteers who have completed their level 2  training and are awaiting their level 2 assessment.

We have kids from Skye, Oban and Fort Augustus attending every week.

The waiting list currently has around 8 kids on it, unfortunately the running theme is 8-9 year old boys, we already have 2 groups of this age group and unfortunately although we have a fair amount of level 2 we do not have them all, every weekend – there are some spaces further up in the groups and ages.

The last session will be on the 7th of December, we will do the presentation of the most improved boy and girl then and serve up hot chocolates, at the moment there are no plans for club to run over winter, and we will resume after the Easter Holidays.

6 – Election of office bearers and committee

•              Chairman Dave Parfitt proposed Steve Bradley, seconded Gregor Muir

•              Secretaries – official secretary  Marian Austin proposed Dave Parfitt seconded Jacqui Parfitt

  • Minutes secretary…. No volunteer

•              Treasurer  Gill Barnes Proposed Jacqui Parfitt seconded Dave Parfitt

•              Membership  Jacqui Parfitt Proposed Gregor Muir seconded Dave Parfitt

•              Junior rep  no volunteer but Robbie Cant will ask Lily if interested

                Social / Website  Henry Cairns Proposed Jacqui Parfitt, seconded Marian Austin

General members Claire AK, Doug Little, Norman Clark, Karl Bungey, Steve Bradley all agreed to remain on committee

7 – AOCB 

As no one offered to run the winter league series it was agreed an email would be sent out

LTA Mark Clark reported they had had quite a good year with 13 digs organised, the next one planned for 24th November on the CIC path with Friends of Nevis, then there will be one in Glen Nevis in December and in February a dig as part of the mountain festival working on sunset with Trash Free trails, Tracy Mosely and Marcus Stix. The association works in 4 regions, Glen Nevis, Torlundy, Strone, Glen Loy. Trails are inspected every year and a hierarchy of need created from the most pressing issues, this directs the dig days. The 1st 2 years have focussed mainly on safety issues but now there should be more progress to trail improvement. Also looking at trails in Inchree to see if can do anything there.

Emma Pearce how folk could register interest that easier trails be built, Mark said that they have been working on Sunset to make it an easier trail but that in general they are maintaining existing trails rather than building new and it would not be appropriate to change the nature and difficulty of existing trails.

8. Trophy presentations

Quick end to the evening as no trophy winners were present! But trophies will go to the following:-

Most Improved lady Jenny Beattie

Benji Fair Memorial Trophy for most improved downhiller Alexander Pervan

Mens Time Trial Oli Warlow

Ladies Time Trial Iona Hamilton

Most improved junior male .. Archie Rodgers

Most improved junior female… Charley Kennedy

Committee Minutes

committee meeting minutes 10/10/2024

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting Thursday 10th October 2024

  1. Present

Gregor Muir, Henry Cairns, Claire Abernethy, Norman Clark, Marian Austin, Dave Parfitt, Jacqui Parfitt,

  1. Apologies – Steve Bradley, Gill Barnes, Sam Potter, Karl Bungey, Doug Little,
  2. Minutes of Last meeting

Time trials

Need to ask for trophies back and engrave with new winners (Oli Warlow and Iona Hamilton) for AGM

Wed nights

Agreed we have run out of light evenings for leons croft, defer to spring.

Winter league

Marian looking for someone to pass it over to.. please.

Kids Club

All running fine

Nevis Range “owe” for 2 uplift days from grant funding, agreed ask whether funding could be used for coaching days with leaders and helpers instead

Action CA to contact Nikki Howie

AOCB

  1. DL and GB not present.. to check whether new gazebo leg paid for and ordered, to check at next meeting
  2. HC Nevis Tri Club doing bikers versus runners race again 9th November. Would like to run under wheelers insurance as per previous event … Marion confirms insurance cover OK

 

  1. FORT TO FORT

Start at 10am rather than 11am .  27th October. Registration 9.15 at main carpark

Fort Augustus to Fort William

Doug happy to put signage out and sweep at back

Jacqui happy to do timing unless other volunteers come forward

Marshall request to go on facebook and email

Teas and coffees and homebaking at end

Action HC email and facebook

 

  1. WINTER LEAGUE

Marian is looking to pass this job on to someone new, agreed ask at the AGM, if no one comes forward then appeal again next summer with a note that league can not run without coordinator

Marian has got dates from LAC so provisional dates of league to try to avoid clashes although LAC have 3 dates  in both  November and January leaving only 1 weekend free so may need to be a clash. The only free November date clashes with bikers vs runners race therefore agreed winter league will start in December

Nacc happy to do any date in march and going to plan their league around that date

Marian has  to fill in and submit forestry forms for duror and strontian ASAP, agreed Marian will let organisers know last years maps will be used unless different route submitted before her submission date

Provisional league schedule  run through, a couple of dates to firm up with organisers but should be ready shortly.

 

  1. AGM

£30 per hour cost of rural complex hire agrees and JP will confirm

7pm to 9pm

Bike park AGM will follow wheelers AGM

Teas coffees homebakes  DP to organize

Need to request trophies back   can be dropped in at nevis cycles and DP will get engraved with this years winners ready for AGM

(Last years winners Mia Jackson and Finn Watt kids club, Daniel P downhill, Sam P time trial, Bronagh W most improved lady, Alastair M time trials, Jacqui flying gorilla)

This years Most improved kids club to be confirmed by Clare and Gregor

Most Improved downhiller and lady discussed and agreed, to be revealed at the AGM

  1. AOCB

MA affiliation needs to be in by late November .. CA has kids club data and JP membership data

GM will give some info about pumptrack use. We are asked about members with disability but do not ask this on our membership form, to look into for future, kids club forms have this info, CA to include (numbers only no identifiers)

 

                MA Neil at SC trying to get calendar of events for North area, would hope to run a couple of mini dhs in collaboration with Wolfpax

CA reported re email from MW ..? has been attending SC calendar meetings and trying to organize pumptrack and mini dh/ short course races

Action Marian to contact MW to clarify

 

GM Bike Park

Hoping to schedule  dates for all activities… adult biking, ladies biking, adaptive biking, intro to skateboarding etc in the near future

Ran sessions at parasport festival which went well

 

CA  Nevis Cycles exploring the possibility of running a 2nd hand  bike/ outdoor sale at mart and would like to know if wheelers would collaborate, also asking Off Beat Bikes if they would like to be involved.  Working plan is £10 a table, agreed we would like to be involved, will advertise to members and ? club have a table for folk to drop off  if only one or two items to sell ?

 

  1. Date of Next Meeting

AGM  November 14th 2024

 

Action HC email out agenda and notification

 

 

 

Committee Minutes

minutes of committee meeting 04/06/24

Minutes WHW committee meeting Tues 4th June @ 1930:

  1. Present Jacqui p Marian A, Gregor M, Doug L , Gill B, Claire AK, Henry C, Mark C, Norman C

Apologies

Dave Parfitt, Sam Potter, Steve Bradley, Mandy Watson, Karl B

  • Minutes of last meeting / actions:

Mini DH (AW)

Race went very well, thanks to Mandy for organising

Costs

Timing £384.00

Medical cover £420

Bc levy £93

Food for pack lunches £54.64

Commissaire expenses £92.31

Commissaire accommodation £82.80

Medals £74.35

Number boards £44.90

Total spend £1210

Total income £2440

Funds to club £1230

Committee keen to explore running one again next year

Winter League / TTs (MA)

  • Thanks to Karl for putting on a good race at Strontian, nice to be back to the venue
  • Thanks to Lance and Doug for putting on Wolftrax
  • Thanks to Mark for putting on the finale at his croft, Norman for running the BBQ and everyone who has turned up to race and helped throughout the league
  • Insurance due for renewal, Marian will look into it for next year… agreed we need winter league on insurance
  • Next year permissions will need to be asked for earlier
  • Action DP  Put Winter league on agenda for next meeting

Time Trials

  • Happening some really busy some quiet
  • Actions HC  Send club email 1 week before each race and put on Instagram as well as facebook 

Wednesday Nights

  • Discussed rota with Gregor, all keen to retry Duror as a venue
  • Actions MA Ask Ben M if he can lead an evening at Duror

Distillery Access

  • Distillery path currently on back burner with access officer

L1 / L2 Training & Assessment

  • Sam Wood has completed his L2 and taking kids club group
  • Teenagers struggling with time and commitment at present so no L1 planned

New Jerseys

Thanks to Claire for hard work with these, al ordered jerseys distributed, spares available, looking good

  • WHW run sessions at the bike park  (GM)

Norman is now the  liason between whw and bike park. The bike park committee would like to see WHW running adult, ladies and kids intro sessions, the foxes are currently running ladies ones but query also sessions aimed at “older” ladies

Possibility of running kids sessions on the bike park in the holidays ? whether through active schools.. summer sessions still in planning stage but if not possibly through kids club

Chris Waters is looking at running adult male sessions.. to discuss further

Wednesday night ride is at the pumptrack on 26th June can we advertise it better to encourage more folk along

Agreed there is a challenge to finding leaders with extra time available, Norman is able to be there some evenings to give advice

Actions HC advertise 26th June pumptrack evening on facebook Instagram and in newsletter

NC/GM liase with Chris Waters

CAK/DL check with active schools re kids sessions/ organise kids club session

  • Bank Balance (GB)

£9683.64

5. AOCB

AW talking about pumptrack racing with Scottish cycling  and when she gets more info and a plan will be in touch,

Had email from British Cycling to say they have  opened up tender process for national dh events in 2025.. agreed we are not ready for this (yet!) and leave with SDA organising

Fort to Fort Doug put the date in last year

Action DL  contact again to check we have  permissions,

    Whitebridge access is there any resolution, are the road bridge works finished and pavement open?

Action JP … ask Bridget whether the road bridge pavement is now accessible/ any progress on old bridge access

Kids Club (CAK)

Going well, another group of 8 year old boys will hopefully start after summer. Approx 64 kids at present

Lochaber sports association (DL) no longer getting funding but have some money left .. max £500 per club and needs match funding ? use for 1st aid course.

Could use M and S dental practice or? yacht club over a weekend as venues

Action DP Speak to MF re possible date and costs

Action JP Check with KB re course in Strontian

LTA (MC)  dig at the end of the month , Sunset now open and running well

If anyone is keen to help run digs please get in touch with LTA..

Action MC to email club info and can be included in next club email(HK)

Glencoe House (GM/DL)

Have new adaptive bikes they cant use as no level 2s to help out. Looking for level 2 to volunteer to take out children that attend Glencoe House in school time. ? start with a 1 off session before summer holiday to get an idea of needs and commitment

Action JP Contact Melissa at Glencoe House and suggest second last Wednesday of term 4  bikes and 4 kids  11.15 to 1 (approx.) JP DL NC GM all agreed to help if date and time suit

Pumptrackathon (GM/CAK) 22nd June

Challenge to cover distance needed to climb various things of increasing height (from Cow Hill to Everest) booklets produced to get laps stamped as work way through. Looking for adult teams as well as kids, £40 min sponsorship

Action HC include appeal for adult teams in newsletter (HC)

          Skate park.. NC liasing with Craig about coaching for skate park, JP contacted Unit 23 re BMX coaching but  no response to email

Action NC  liase with Craig to see if any BMX  coach suggestions

  • Date for next meeting  Thursday 8th August 7.30 Marians
Committee Minutes

Committee Meeting minutes 29/02/2024

Minutes

WHW committee meeting Thurs 29th Feb @ 1930:

  1. Present:
  2. Steve Bradley (SB), Marian Austin (MA), Claire AK (CAK), Norman Clark (NC), Karl Bungey (KB), Mark Clark (MC), Henry Cairns (HC), Sam Potter (SP), Gregor Muir (GM), Amanda Watson (AW), Jacqui Parfitt (JP) and Dave Parfitt (DP).

Apologies:

  • Doug Little (DL) and Gill Barnes (GB).
  • Minutes of last meeting / actions:

Mini DH 23rd March (AW):

  • 45 riders booked (so far).
  • Timing cost £384.
  • 2 Commissaires (AW + 1).
  • Nevis Range to provide 2 x First Aiders £350.
  • SB said we could source tape from Frazer Coupland.
  • Helpers needed on 22nd March to help tape course.
  • HC to post on Socials asking for Marshalls.

Winter League / TTs (MA):

  • Wolftrax Sun 3rd March (no café).
  • Strontian (Ariundle) 24th March.
  • MC’s Croft 7th April + BBQ, CAK to source meat.
  • Emma Pearce happy to facilitate TTs plus try 1 x CX race (venue tbc).

Wednesday Nights (MA):

  • Look at other venues once we have more daylight, potentially Duror where winter league race was held.

Distillery Access (MA):

  • JP to put email around WHWs regarding access (Bridget Thomas).

L1 / L2 Training & Assessment (DP/CAK):

  • Only 1 candidate confirmed they could attend the date given by Cyclewild for L2 assessment therefore it won’t run.
  • Anyone needing to be assessed (or trained) can find a suitable ‘open’ course. WHW will fund if being done for the club.
  • MC running a L2 training, has space for 1 more on course.
  • KB keen to go through the British Cycling Coaching scheme, again WHW will help fund if awards are being used for the club.

Mountain Festival (DP):

  • Thanks to HC and CAK for flyers, etc.

New Jerseys (CAK):

  • (Fortan) Jersey ‘A’ chosen as design (vote taken by committee), CAK to proceed.

Adult Coaching Sessions (DP):

  • Antoine (Nevis Range Bike School) wanted to let the club know that he was keen to run more adult sessions as per last year. Feedback from the members who had participated was very good. There will potentially be a WHW discount for these sessions.
  • Thanks to MC for running the free coaching sessions which were well attended (20+ kids). Those who took had a great time and gained valuable skills.
  • MC wished to remind the club that Alba Mountain Biking very kindly offers a 20% discount for members.

Trail Names (JP):

  • Enquiry to the club about naming trails. This isn’t in the club remit and the member was referred to the LTA / Trailforks. FLS policy is that ‘unofficial trails’ aren’t named. JP replied to member with relevant information.

Bank Balance (DP):

  • £8296.64 (thanks to GB for dropping off the information)

AOCB:

  • We’ve had a kind offer for free club stickers and will get some printed (WHW logo) to see if popular. JP
  • Rock up and Ride keen to work with the club again CAK happy to proceed as per last year.
  • KB looking to set up a First Aid course (Strontian), will let the club know as members would be welcome to book if there are spaces.
  • NC kindly volunteered to set up the ‘user group’ for the pumptrack.
  • WHW to fund a BMX coach for the ‘BMX Bowl’. GM/JP

Date for next meeting:

  • Tues 21st May.
Committee Minutes

committee minutes 05/12/23

Minutes WHW committee meeting: Tues 5th December 20223

  1. Present: Claire Abernethy (CA), Karl Bungey (KB), Norman Clark (NC), Mandy Watson (MW), Mark Clark (MC), Marian Austin (MA), Sam Potter (SP), Jacqui (JP) and Dave Parfitt (DP)

Apologies: Gregor Muir, Gill Barnes, Doug Little, Steve Bradley, Aiden and Ava

  • Confirmation of committee roles: as noted in AGM minutes with the addition of MW(junior events co-ordinator) and KB (general committee member)
  • Minutes of last meeting: actions as noted below
  • Winter League:
  • Duror run under ‘Access Legislation’26 registered racers (WHW and NACC), an excellent race – many thanks to Ben Miller and his team for organising
  • FLS wish to have “honest discussion” re numbers at WHW races MA
  • KB now has permission from FLS for Strontian round
  • Nevis and Wolftrax permissions, etc. still tbc MA
  • ‘Gravel Group’ (North Of Scotland, SC) SP to attend ZOOM meeting first Monday of every month
  • Dates for L1 & 2 training / assessment:
  • MC to confirm dates for a Level 2 Training course (prov. 27th – 28th Jan) and Level 1 course (prov. 24th – 25th)
  • MC to liaise with CA regarding confirmation of dates and course participants
  • MC has kindly offered discounts to club members for different courses and also a free training day for kids (19th Feb) – details to be emailed to club, JP will send out with newsletter
  • Free online CPS course, MA to give those interested the code
  • First Aid course for 6, CA, to look at options
  • DP to look at funding options still available to us (£300 still use from LSA)
  • Mini DH and junior ambassador roles:
  • Aidan and Ava will put together a Google Doc Survey as part of their role as Junior Ambassadors for Scottish Cycling, CA to email around Kids Club
  • MW to organise a Scottish Cycling Mini DH at Nevis Range (MW will contact), this will be run on a course which is all rollable and therefore accessible to most riders from u10 – u16 level – prov. SAT 23rd March
  • Pre L1 coach programme for 14-16, MW more info to follow…
  • Mountain Festival:
  • WHW to have leaflets / poster / etc. on Nevis Cycles stand , if Off-Beat has a stand we will ask them as well CA
  • New Jerseys:
  • Agreed to pay Fortan £40 for new design, jerseys will be £32 Adults and £29 Youth CA
  • Community Sports Hub (CSH):
  • Overview of meeting attended by DP
  • Will look through links to funding options provided by CSH DP
  1. Bank Balance:
  • £6124.46 as of 04/12/23
  1. AOCB:
  • Funding for Adult Coaching Sessions DP
  • WHW LTA session, Torlundy SAT 9th DEC MC
  • LTA rideout SUN 10th DEC MC
  • LTA & FLS talking about re-opening ‘The Cackle’ MC
  1. Date for next meeting:
  • Thurs 22nd Feb @ 1930 (Dave and Jacqui’s)
Committee Minutes

minutes of Committee meeting -19/09/23

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting –Tuesday 19th September 2023

Present – Doug Little, Marian Austin, Gregor Muir, Gill Barnes, Norman Clark, Mark Clark, Steve Bradley, Dave and Jacqui Parfitt.

Apologies – Nathan Marsh.

Fort to Fort

  • Planned for Sunday the 29th of October.
  • Permission has been given from The Great Glen Way Events team to run the event.
  • The crash barrier on the pavement at Bridge of Oich is still there and the old pedestrian footbridge is still closed. It was agreed that we would pursue these issues further, but if nothing can be resolved we shall go from Fort William to Fort Augustus again. Gregor is going to send an email to Stewart Easthaugh to ask what can be done.
  • Sign on will be from 9.30 until 9.45 with the first riders leaving at 10.00.
  • It would be good to remind people that the clocks go back one hour on Saturday night.
  • Riders will be asked for a minimum £5 donation to take part in the event. This will be donated to Highland Hospice in memory of Lynsay Jarrett.
  • As per last year, rather than being run as a race this will be a “club ride”. We shall still provide timing so that riders can compare their times against each other, and against previous years. Riders will be covered for third party liability by Scottish Cycling. It would be good to remind riders that for this event, and other events that the club runs, that they should consider joining Scottish Cycling if they require more comprehensive insurance.
  • Doug will sweep at the back on his e-bike. It was decided that we did not have to have a sweeper van as most people will be able to call on their own back up.
  • We need to advertise for someone to do timing and for marshals.
  • Tea, coffee and tray bakes will be provided at the end.
  • High School kids are able to do the race unaccompanied.
  • Doug will write a newsletter to be sent out by Sunday 1st of October to promote the event and ask for Marshalls. Also included in this newsletter needs to be info about the AGM, Winter League and Wednesday night rides + an appeal for a new Chairman, social media person and someone to help with child protection issues.

AGM

  • Planned for Thursday the 9th of November at 7.30 -venue to be confirmed.
  • The agenda needs to go out 3 weeks beforehand.
  • The bike track AGM will follow immediately after.
  • Awards

           – Most Improved Downhiller  –  Daniel Parfitt

           – Most improved Lady -Bronagh

           – Most improved Junior male – to be decided by the kid’s club committee

           – Most improved junior female – to be decided by the kid’s club committee.

           It was agreed that the kid’s trophies would be presented at the final kid’s club session of the year.

  • Presentations

          – Doug will do a chairman’s report (including a kid’s club report)

          – Gill will do a treasurer’s report.

  • Committee positions.

  – Doug is definitely standing down as chairman.

  – We also definitely need to find someone to be social secretary and help with the flow  information  to members through newsletters, social media etc .

– We also need someone to help with child  protection .

  • Subscriptions for 2023/2024- agreed to keep the same for this year but to definitely look at increasing them next year.

         – Juniors/students  £8.00

         – Senior £17.00

         – Family £28.00

         – Small Family (it was agreed to keep this) £24

  • Doug will collect all the trophies for presentation.

Winter League

  • Agreed to hold 8 races.
  • The date for the first race is provisionally going to be the 19th of November, followed by the 3rd of December.
  • Marian is going to check with Vince re a date for the Clare Mackintosh memorial. There is only one bank holiday between Christmas and New year (the 26th) so it might be better to run it on a date after New Year.
  • Mark is happy to run a race at his Croft but would prefer if it was later in the year this time.
  • NACC have been in touch to say that they are keen to run a race.
  • Other possible organisers/venues are Leon (Achaderry Estate), Ben Miller (Duror), Lance/Stewart (Wolftrax using the new blue run) Vince???? (Invergarry), Doug???? (Nevis Range)
  • Marian will aim to put together a rough schedule for the AGM.
  • We need to decide how many races we are doing on Forestry land and decide whether it is best to apply for a multiple permission license from Forestry.
  • Andy has very kindly agreed to run the Xmas Handicap again on Sunday the 17th of December.
  • The best 5 out of 8 races will count towards the final table standings.
  • Kids’ club races may not be possible at all the venues and will be organized separately by the kid’s club.
  • Races will be free for members. £5 for non-members.

Wednesday nights

  •  Gregor has the 4 lights for night riding that we purchased last year. It would be good to put this info out in the newsletter.
  • Gregor has made a rough schedule for the next wee while and is open to any suggestions. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to use Nevis Range as a venue more often during the winter as there is always the option there of less muddy trails.

Kid’s Club

  • Will run up until the beginning of December before stopping for the winter.
  • Level 1 course booked for the 21st and 22nd October with Mark Clark.
  • Important for insurance purposes that Leaders are up to date with their first aid qualifications, Scottish Cycling membership, CWPS training and are disclosed.

Bike Park

  • Main pumptrack is now open. Aim is now to get the skatepark and Lighting finished in the next few weeks.

Lochaber Trail Association

  • Next dig is Sunday 30th September 30th at Glen Loy. The 3rd phase of Sunset trail.
  • Mark confirmed that Nevis Range re now maintaining trails only as far as Black Crane, Ridgeline, Buddies and the old red. Once Sunset trail is finished  LTA are going to make a phased approach plan for restoring the Cackle. Forestry are going to look at restoring Broomstick Blue once the works at The North Face car park are completed.

AOB

  • Facebook issues. The changes that Jacqui has made to Facebook controls appear to be working and we have had no further pornography posts appearing.
  • Nevis Range issues. Following on from the last meeting, Gregor sent a letter to Nevis Range asking for a meeting to discuss communication issues. So far, this meeting has not happened.
  • Nevis Range are offering members a 10% discount on the upcoming Night and day enduro. Jacqui will send out info about this.
  • New BBQ. It was agreed to pay Claire £200 for her unused BBQ (RRP £300)
  • Steve confirmed that the new blue trail at Wolftrax is scheduled to be ready for the October holidays. He also offered to guide a group ride around the naturals on the other side of the road.
  • New tops. It was agreed to ask Claire to get in contact with Fortan to get a design for new  tops. These tops should keep intact the essence of the old ones. If possible, it would be great to have a sample to show at the AGM so that we can ask for orders. To give everyone an idea of the correct size then it would be great if Claire could bring along a selection of Nevis Cycles ones to try on.
  • Following contact from Scottish Cycling it was agreed to ask at the AGM if there is any interest in the club running organized gravel bike rides.

Bank Balance – £14090  (£7000 of this is to go to the pump track)

Next Meeting – The AGM on Thursday the 9th of November.

Committee Minutes

Committee Meeting 25/07/23

West Highland Wheelers -Minutes of Meeting

25th July 2023

Present: Doug Little, Gill Barnes, Gregor Muir, Dave Parfitt, Jacqui Parfitt, Marian Austin.

Apologies: Steve Bradley, Lorraine Whelan.

Actions from Last Meeting:

  • Mark still needs to give us the costs for doing a Level 1 course on 2nd and 3rd September.
  • Congratulations to Zoe and Chris for passing their Level 2 assessment. Andrew is doing his assessment in August.
  • Gregor and Nathan still need to liase about doing a Scottish Cycling Club Protection Officer course.
  • Doug still needs to contact Simon at Highland First Aid about doing a free 2-hour refresher course.
  • Jacqui has sent out info about the rolling membership system in a newsletter.
  • The website has been updated re Bike and Blether.

World Champs Fringe Event- Wednesday the 26th of July at Achaderry Estate Roy Bridge:

  • Scottish Cycling are giving us £300 towards hosting this event.
  • Many thanks to Leon for hosting the event and coming up with the novel idea of holding a fun biathlon competition. The club will offer to pay Leon for any of the costs associated with running this event.
  • Doug will do the BBQ.

Nevis Range letter:

  • There have been some fairly significant communication issues recently between the club and Nevis Range. Gregor has drafted an email to be sent to Nikki at Nevis Range outlining these issues and asking for a meeting so that we can discuss how to address them and improve things going forward.
  • Marian will forward this email to the Nevis Range Board of Directors
  • It was agreed that Gregor, Gill, Doug and Ruari would aim to attend any prospective meeting.

Fort William Bike Park:

  • Plans are well afoot for the opening of the Bike Park on Wednesday the 2nd of August.
  • Marshalls are needed to help with the opening event. Jacqui will send out an e mail asking for marshalls and ask them to get in touch with Ruari.
  • As agreed at the last meeting, the Wheelers will contribute £7000 towards ensuring that the work is finished at the Bike Park. £3500 of this will be an outright donation and £3500 will be a loan to be repaid over the course of 5 years.
  • Work on the 2 pump tracks is finished, however there is still work needed to finish the skatepark. For this reason, the bike park will be open for a couple of days and then will close again until the skatepark is finished and a security fence has been put up around the whole development.
  • Once work is finished the bike park will not be open to the general public during school hours.

Opening hours for the public will be;

Mon to Thu 16.00 – 21.00

Friday 14.00 – 21.00

Weekends and School holidays 8.30 to 21.00

  • During school hours, recognized user groups will be able to book time slots. The board of the bike park will need to approve these groups and there will be an annual administration fee involved. The wheelers will be a recognized user group and it will be necessary to appoint someone who can verify any Wheelers members that wish to use the Bike Park during school hours.

AGM:

  • Provisionally planned for Thursday the 9th of November.
  • It was agreed that it would be good to hold it again at The Highland Soap Factory. Doug will liase with Mandy about this.
  • As per the last few years, the bike park AGM will be tagged on at the end of the Wheelers AGM.

Fort to Fort:

  • Planned for the last Sunday in October – the 29th.
  • All donations this year will go towards Highland Hospice in memory of Lyndsay Jarret.
  • The aim this year would be to run the race starting from Fort Augustus. It would be good to avoid the road bridge at Bridge of Oich and go over the old bridge. Doug will make initial enquiries with The Great Glen Events team about getting this bridge open for the event.

Wednesday Nights:

  • Going well, but it was agreed that there was a need to provide more info about meeting points for everyone.
  • Rather than naming leaders it would be good to just say that “there will be 3 groups of differing levels”
  • If Gregor is not going to be there and he has not found a specific replacement to run the teenager’s group then this needs to be made clear. Teenagers will still of course be able to come along but will need to join other groups.

Facebook/Social media:

  • There have recently been some issues with people posting pornography on our Facebook page. Fortunately, these were spotted reasonably quickly and removed. In order to try to avoid these postings in the future Jacqui has locked as many settings down as she can on Facebook. For example, people will only be able to post if they have been a member for a month. It was agreed that we should monitor how this goes before deciding if we need to take stronger action.
  • With the World Champs coming up Scottish Cycling have been reminding clubs of the need for websites to be as welcoming as possible to new members. Glasgow Wheelers website was specifically quoted as an example of good practice.
  • It was agreed again about the need to find a social media person who can monitor/respond to facebook posts, send out newsletters, forward relevant info from Scottish Cycling newsletters etc.

AOB:

  • BBQ – the need to do a risk assessment for this was discussed. We need to make enquiries about who could do a gas safety certificate for us and how much this will cost. In the meantime, Dave will see if he can get hold of a risk assessment for gas cookers from Nevis Range and we shall continue to do visual inspections and above all ensure that the BBQ is well cleaned.
  • Tops – we need to make a new order of tops.  It was agreed that we would use Shredz again. After the World Champs are done and dusted Jacqui will send out a request in a newsletter for sizes.

Bank Account:

  • Currently standing at £13507

Next Meeting

  • Tuesday the 19th of September at Marians house at 7.30