Committee Minutes

committee meeting minutes 16th may 2023

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting – 16/05/23

Present; Doug Little, Marian Austin, Gregor Muir, Gill Barnes, Norman Clark, Mark Clark.

Apologies; Steve Bradley, Dave Parfitt, Lorraine Whelan, Jacqui Parfitt.

Bikmo/British Cycling Club of the year award.

  • As part of this award we have £100 to spend on an event of our choice. It was agreed that it would be good to put the money towards an event to celebrate the opening of the bike park.
  • Also, as part of the award we also get a free year’s affiliation with British Cycling. Doug to forward details about this to Marian.
  • Bikmo would like to do a feature on the club and have asked for a video highlighting all that we do. This is in addition to the Scottish Cycling Bike and Blether video, which they would like to use. Doug to see if we can get anyone from kid’s club ( Ava/Aidan/Holly?) to do a video.

Winter League.

  • This year we held 2 races on forestry land and were not charged by forestry for this. If we are going to do more than 2 next year it might be worth applying for a licence to cover several events (£250) as per the athletics club. It was however generally felt that we might only be doing 2 races again on forestry land. If doing races on forestry land, it is important that we minimize the use of “guerilla tracks”
  • Mark is happy to do a race again at his croft, but would prefer that it would be slighter later in the series, so that he can combine it with a BBQ.
  • It would be good to approach the Foxes about running a race.
  • Our event insurance is up for renewal. The price has increased from £468 to £489. This covers us for 15 non-road events for up to 250 people. It gives us £20 million in public liability insurance which is what forestry require in order to run races. It also covers anyone volunteering at races. It was agreed that we would renew the insurance at the new price.

Time Trials.

  • Going well. It is great to get the Triathlon club involvement.
  • Norman is going to post on facebook about the “ Tour of the Pistes” charity ride later in the year. Norman would be happy to take anyone interested to Laggan to join in the ride to Fort William from there.

Wednesday Night Rides.

  • Numbers have recently been very good and it was agreed that having designated leaders for different level rides was working well.

Kid’s Club.

  • Mark is going to run a level 1 course for 6 riders on the 2nd and 3rd of Sept. Mark will let us know the cost for this. As an introduction to the course, he will run a taster session on the morning of the 10th of June.
  • Zoe Newson, Andrew O’Hagen and Chris Waters from the Bike Kitchen all needing to do their level 2 assessments as soon as possible. Mark is not yet able to do this for us, and Mike is away in India for a couple of months. Doug/Bridget to contact Karl at the college to see if they have any assessments coming up. The other option would be Glenmore Lodge.
  • Gregor/Doug to speak to Chris about doing a maintenance session/sessions for the club.
  • Nathan has offered to help out with Child protection. When we are looking for affiliation next year it is important that he has done the Scottish Cycling Protection officer’s course.
  • Doug to contact Simon at Highland First Aid about doing his 2-hour free refresher course.
  • As part of Nevis Range’s funding application to Sport Scotland for upgrading the downhill track it was verbally agreed the kid’s club would get three free uplift days. We need to work out the dates and logistics for this.

Festival.

  • Agreed that it was a great success. Would be good to look at collaborating with the Foxes on a smaller festival next year.
  • The final payment of £1250 should be made to us from Event Scotland on 24/5.

Bike and Blether.

  • Bike and Blether rides are now mixed rides.
  • We need to update the website about these rides.

Membership.

  • Jacqui has learned a bit more about things that we need to keep an eye out for in the new rolling system. A bit of monthly admin is needed to keep on top of this.
  • Jacqui is going to write some info to send out in a newsletter reminding everyone about how the rolling membership works.

Trail Association.

  • The next dig is this Sunday the 21/05 at Achaderry Estate.
  • Mark informed us of the following points agreed at a recent meeting with Forestry.
  • The Trails at Strone should be re-opening within the next month.
  • Forestry have pledged to provide £1500 per annum to LTA to help with materials for maintaining trails.
  • Subject to receiving a plan, forestry has agreed that LTA can take over the Cackle. It would be good to involve the Kid’s club in helping to develop this.
  • Forestry will be looking after Broomstick Blue and the puggy line.

Bike Park

  • Work is well underway and the opening date is planned for Wed the 2nd of August.
  • There is currently a funding shortfall of around £10,000. This is needed for the special sound protective fence, without which the project will not be able to go ahead. Gregor is working on making up this shortfall, it was however agreed that if it comes to the stage that a shortfall of cash is holding up the opening of the Bike Park, then the Wheelers would help out financially. We would provide up to £3500 as an outright donation and a loan of up to £3500 which would be repaid.

AOB

  • As of this year, Highland Council will no longer be providing any funding for Sports Councils. Once current reserves are spent, then the likelihood is that Lochaber Sports Association will wind down. It would be good to take advantage of available funds this year. We can apply for a maximum of £500 per application with a total limit of £1000 per annum. Any applications have to be match funded by the club. Doug to pass contact details to Gregor to see if the Bike Park can use any of the funding.
  • Ava and Aidan have applied to join the Scottish Cycling Young Ambassadors Programme. They will find out in June if they have been successful.

Bank Account– currently standing at £12700

Next Meeting – Tuesday the 25th of July at 7.30. Provisionally at Gill’s House.

Actions.

  • Doug to see if Aidan/Holly/Ava would be interested in doing a video outlining club activities which we could send to Bikmo.
  • Mark to give us costs for running a level1 course on the 2nd and 3rd of September + a taster session on the morning of the 10th of June.
  • Doug to liase with Bridget and Karl at the college to see if we can get Andrew, Zoe and Chris on any upcoming level 2 assessments.
  • Gregor/Doug to speak to Chris about doing some maintenance sessions for the club.
  • Gregor and Nathan to liase about doing a Scottish Cycling club protection officer course.
  • Doug to contact Simon at Highland First Aid about doing a 2 hour first aid refresher course.
  • Jacqui to write some info about the rolling membership system to send out in a newsletter.
  • Doug to update the website re Bike and Blether.
Committee Minutes

committee meeting minutes 7th March 2023

Minutes of Meeting

7th March 2023

Present: Doug Little, Gill Barnes, Nathan Marsh, Gregor Muir, Dave Parfit, Norman Clark, Lorraine Wheelan, Marian Austin, Steve Bradley. Fort William Foxes (FWF) members also attending were Rhiannan MacIntosh (RM), Stephanie McKenna (SM) and Elise MacGregor (EM).

Apologies: Jacqui Parfit, Mark Clark

Approval of Agenda and Minutes: all agreed

Doug welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Fort William Foxes representatives for coming along.

Bike Festival: 

  • General discussion around what is happening at the festival and what assistance FWF’s need from WHW. There are brochures available and all info can be found on the Foxes and Wheelers Facebook page or the festival page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/903444154302521/?ref=newsfeed
  • RM, EM and SM: the festival will run over three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (24th to 26th March).
  • Friday will be held at the Highland Cinema and is a Bike Film Contest “Why I love Cycling”, video entries need to be 3 minute long videos about cycling. EM asked if WHW could try and promote this competition to get more video entries, otherwise no further help is needed.
  • Saturday will be at Caol Community Centre, lots happening inside and outside; bucking bronco, bouncy castle, kit sale, stalls and raffle – see brochure or Facebook page for further info. Funds raised by the raffle will go towards the Bike Park. EM: asked if WHW could arrange the setting up and manning the Agility Course, volunteers needed for this and FWF’s have asked if WHW could also source volunteers to assist with parking duties.
  • Sunday is a combination of Social Rides at NR (Bike and Blether), Glen Loy (Foxes) and also a Dig Day (Glen Loy (Erracht side)). WHW and FWF’s leaders will run the social rides.
  • EM: there is a requirement for a wooden roll in feature to be built for the Giant Air Bag and she has asked for help to get someone to build this (included in budget) – NC has offered to do this and will liaise with EM for build requirements.
  • EM: stated that there will be T shirts given to all of the helpers (various sizes available).
  • EM: Nevis Radio will be at the Festival all day on the Saturday.
  • Suggested Volunteers/ride leaders: Jacqui Parfit, Jill Barnes, Lorraine Wheelan, Linzi Beckett, Doug Little, Gregor Muir, Norman Clark, Stefan Baltrunas, Nathan Marsh (tbc) and Dave Parfit (tbc), Ruby Clark and Ava Marsh.

Winter League Discussion:

  • Sunday the 19th of March at Wolftrax ( including a kid’s race) – Stewart and Lance are running this race. Permissions have been granted and the café are aware that we are coming. DL might also help. MA advised that Christian needs confirmation for the race plans/route from Lance and that Lance also needs to complete a Risk Assessment. DL and Lance are going to Wolftrax on 13th March to check out the route.
  • Sunday the 2nd of April at Nevis Range – Steve is running this race. Due to possible complications with the timing equipment, and the fact that it is the opening weekend of uplift, Steve is going to run this race as a cross country race. This race will be followed by the prizegiving and BBQ. DL stated that volunteers are needed for cooking, DL will buy the food. SB stated that he is still considering the route. MA will gather the trophies in. DL will do the kids race.
  • Every rider who has completed 3 races will get a WHW buff.

Time Trials:

  • Proposed dates on Tuesdays (organisers in brackets)

18th April – Commando Memorial (Emma)

9th May –Loch Eil 10 (Andy and Nathan)

30th May – Invergarry (Vince)

20th June- Laggan Dam (Nathan)

11th July- Loch Leven (?????)

1st August- Loch Eil 10 (Doug)

22nd August Commando Memorial (Spook?)

  • Best 4 races out of 7 to count.
  • Emma to register races with Scottish Cycling.
  • GM stated that the Triathlon Club are keen to help with the Time Trials, GM will contact Sam Potter to discuss further.

Wednesday Night Rides:

  • DL discussed having an introductory night after the festival.
  • Discussed options of separating the Weds rides and adult and youth specific rides, GM happy to continue Youth Rides regardless of outcome. NM suggested advertising for an evening ride specifically at Nevis Range, a consistent Youth ride to encourage more to come along. This needs to be explored further.
  • GM looking for suggestions for places to have future Weds night rides.

Lochaber Trail Association:

  • AGM on Tuesday 14th March at the Highland Soap Company. Mark is keen to get more committee members for LTA.

Scottish Cycling Rock Up and Ride Project:

  • The Isla bikes are arrived at the beginning of March and the first lessons were held at Inverlochy and Lundavra primary schools during the first week in March.

Pump Track:

  • GM updated everyone on the progress of the Pump Track; currently they are £5000 short which means that the fence build cannot be completed until the funds are in place, Gillies Fencing have the contract and will start building the fence the last week in March. Velosolutions and Concreate aim to have the whole project built by the end of July in time for the World Champs on the 4th and 5th of August.

Any other Business:

  • Simon at Highland First Aid has very kindly offered to do a free 2 hour refresher for all leaders before Kid’s Club resumes. Venue and times TBC – not discussed.
  • Brief discussion over a community Event around the time of the World cup.
  • Website/social media – not discussed.
  • JP stated that we need more ride leaders for the mixed Bike and Blether at the Festival on the Sunday.
  • NC suggested Pump Track donations tins be at the festival to help raise funds for the shortfall of £5k.
  • WHW Uplift Pass – adult early bird price is £181.95 (full price £194.95, non members £396.95). The U17s early bird is £97.95 (full price £104.45, non members £216.95) as per the WHW email sent out to members. Cut off date for the early bird tbc.

Bank Account:

£17165 (this includes a lot of money for the festival which will be going out of the Account soon).

Next Meeting:

Tuesday 16th May at MA’s house.

ACTIONS:

  • WHW members to spread the word re “Why I love Cycling” video entries for the first event of the Festival on 24th March
  • Volunteers needed for Sat 25th – Agility Course 2 x volunteers needed for parking duties, an extra person for the Smoothie Bike and also a volunteer to float for general enquiries inside and outside
  • More Ride Leaders needed for the Bike and Blether ride on Sunday 25th (festival)
  • Gear sales at festival – have two WHW tables to sell peoples second hand bike gear and ask for volunteers to run this
  • GM to take Pump Track donations tins to the festival
  • Lance Marshall and DL to confirm route plan for Wolftrax on 19th March with Christian
  • Lance Marshall to complete Risk Assessment for Wolftrax on 19th March
  • SB to discuss with the cafe re food available for Wolftrax race on 19th March
  • MA to gather in the Trophies for the Winter League from last years League
  • DL to arrange kids race on 2nd April and buy food for BBQ
  • DL to discuss TT at Invergarry with Emma
  • NM to discuss TTs with Sam Potter (Triathlon Club) and GM will discuss with Bronagh
  • Discuss Youth Rides separating from Adult Social Weds Rides
Committee Minutes

committee meeting minutes 07/02/23

West Highland Wheelers – Committee Meeting Tuesday the 7th of February 2023

Present – Doug Little, Gregor Muir, Mark Clark, Norman Clark, Dave Parfitt, Jacqui Parfitt, Gill Barnes

Apologies – Marian Austin, Lorraine Whelan, Steve Bradley.

Winter League.

  • Thanks to Vince and Cammie for organising a great race at Invergarry at the weekend.
  • The remaining races in this year’s Winter League are;

– Sunday the 26th Feb – Barcaldine (run by NACC)

–  Sunday the 19th of March  – Wolftrax. We still need a main organiser for this. Stewart MacMillan has said that he would be willing to help out but would like someone else to assist/lead. All permissions are done for this race, we just need someone to lay out the course, do the risk assessments and run the race.

-Sunday the 2nd April – Nevis Range ( including a BBQ and prizegiving) – run by Steve Bradley. This may or may not be an enduro. Spook is going to let us know the feasibility and cost of using the timing as this may have gone up significantly. This is the first weekend of the school holidays and the opening weekend of uplift. There may well also be a number of members away racing at Innerleithen.

  • Some research by Andy has shown that the number of racers over each race has remained fairly stable over the past 4 years. It was generally agreed though, that it would be a good idea to do a Facebook poll at the end of this year’s WL to get any ideas on how we might improve things going forward and attract more racers.
  • Ben Miller very kindly offered to do a race at Duror if we were unable to get a suitable date at Nevis Range. We are now ok for Nevis Range but would definitely be very happy for Ben to organize a race at Duror next year.

Festival on the 25th, 26th and 27th of March

  • Elise has started posting information about the festival and is going to ramp this up in the next week or so when posters and fliers are printed.
  • Jacqui is going to contact Elise about her being able to post directly on to our facebook page and the Instagram account that we have just discovered that we have had since 2014!

Time Trials

  • Emma and Vince have had an initial discussion about how to change things up a little and hopefully encourage more riders to take part on a regular basis.

Bike Park

  • Things are progressing slowly. Work should hopefully start in late March, early April and finish

just in time for the World Championships.

Scottish Cycling Rock up and Ride Project

  • Many thanks to Claire Abernethy for all the time and effort that she has put into organising this. The Isla bikes are arriving at the beginning of March and the first lessons will be held at Inverlochy and Lundavra primary schools in the first week of March.

Trail Closures

  • Concerns were raised about the current temporary trail closures and whether the Wheelers need to do anything to try to help to ensure the long term future of these trails. Mark reassured us that the Lochaber Trail Association are having a meeting with FLS in the next week to discuss this very issue. High up on the agenda for this will be the need to work together more.
  • Mark feels that the best way for the Wheelers to try to help to ensure the long term future of these trails is for more wheelers members to get involved with LTA. They are currently looking for more committee members and their AGM is on Tuesday the 14th of March.
  • The next Trail Association trail dig is on Sunday the 26th of February. Meeting at 10.00 at the North Face car park at Torlundy and working on Lockdown/Rob’s trail.

Bike and Blether

  • Lorraine has set up a specific Bike and Blether facebook page which is linked to the Wheelers page.
  • Jacqui confirmed that she will be around on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival to run Bike and Blether rides.
  • Jacqui is in the process of signing the club up to the SAMH and be a part of Scotlands mental health charter for physical education and sport . All agreed that the club would be very happy to continue with this process.

Scottish Cycling

  • Affiliation has been accepted by Cycling – Claire Abernethy, Robbie Cant and Kenny Forsyth to do their CWPS before kid’s club starts up again at the end of April
  • There is a youth development online meeting 21st Feb from 6-7. Doug has said that he will attend this.
  • There is time trial commissaire face to face training on the 25th of Feb at Forrres – do we have anyone interested?
  • It was confirmed that all the required certificates for coaches need to be sent to Marian ( with Gregor copied in) as and when they are acquired/ refreshed.

Wednesday night rides

  • Many thanks to Dave for sourcing 4 new night riding lights. These are now in Gregor’s possession for anyone who wishes to borrow them. We currently have one helmet mount and 3 handlebar mounts. Dave is going to get one more handlebar mount.
  • Numbers have been low recently but the weather has been fairly horrible. Might be worth doing another introductory night for different levels just after the festival.

AOB

  • Many thanks to Simon at Highland First Aid for running a course and getting 8 members qualified/ refreshed. Simon has very kindly offered to do a free first Aid refresher session for all leaders before the start of the next block of Kid’s club sessions. Doug will contact him to confirm this.
  • Mark is keen to get 4 candidates together for a British Cycling Level 2 course so that he can finish his British Cycling tutoring process. Mark will contact Claire to chase up potential kid’s club parent candidates. Gill will speak to Claire Beattie to see if she would be interested.
  • Doug still needs to organise a  meeting with Vince, Jacqui and Evelyn to discuss the website social media etc.

Next Meeting – Tuesday the 7th of March at Doug’s house.

Actions;

  1. Find an organiser for the Winter League race at Wolftrax. Doug to contact Lance and Leon to see if they would be interested in helping.
  2. Jacqui to contact Elise re posting directly on to our facebook page and Instagram.
  3. Doug to attend Youth Development Meeting on the 21st of February.
  4. Dave to source one more handlebar mount.
  5. Gregor to put an introductory night riding session into the schedule at the beginning of April after the festival.
  6. Doug to contact Simon at Highland First Aid re organising a leaders first aid refresher session.
  7. Gill to speak to Claire Beattie about possibly doing a level 2 course with Mark.
  8. Doug to organise a meeting with Vince, Jacqui and Evelyn to discuss the website, social media etc.
Committee Minutes

Committee meeting minutes 06/12/22


 
Present: Doug Little, Gill Barnes, Nathan Marsh, Gregor Muir, Dave Parfit, Jacqui Parfit, Norman Clark, Mark Clark, Lorraine Wheelan, Marian Austin, Steve Bradley
 
Apologies: N/A
 
Approval of Agenda and Minutes: all agreed
 
Doug welcomed everyone to the meeting and welcomed new members Lorraine Wheelan and Nathan Marsh.
         

  1. Trail Maintenance Day: Saturday 10th December 10am to 2pm at Nevis Range. DL asked if there was anything needing to be done; MC stated that everything is in place now. A reminder to be sent to Kids Club DL will email Claire Abernethy. The café may be closed, toilets open, DL will take the coffee/tea etc. out from the club shed, DL suggested people take flasks of hot water and food and MC to take cake.
  1. Christmas Handicap: Andy Rodgers is running this on Sunday 18th December in Glen Nevis, sign on is at 1030, £6 for the lucky dip gift.
  1. Winter League Discussion: Big thanks to Leon Sims and Lance Marshall for the huge amount of work they put in for the route on 4th December, even bridge building, it was also great having toilets for the course!
  1.  
  2. Glenloy (Upper) – MC organising this.
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  

April – Enduro at Nevis Range, no confirmed date yet, DL suggested dates of 9th April (Easter Sunday) or 2nd April – Waiting for confirmation from NR that the race can be held there. All discussed alternative venue if NR falls through.
 

  1. Clarify Committee Positions: DL stated that NM is down as General Committee or “Road Rep”.

Claire Abernethy has started collating information and will be doing the CWPS (Child & Welfare Protection in Sports) which everyone needs to do. Claire will also need to do special Child Protection office training.
GM will send training links to all leaders for Child Protection Training.
DL discussed who will take on specific rolls and responsibilities for social media, the website, newsletter, race results from previous years and keeping the Blog updated. DL to have a meeting with Vince Mackintosh, Jacqui Parfit and Evelyn MacLennan to discuss.
 

  1. Junior Representatives: Aiden and Ava have offered to be Junior Reps; NM will be a liaison between the Junior Reps and the Committee, so the Junior Reps do not need to attend Committee Meetings. NM will work with them on a list of things they would like to see happen at Kids Club and feed back to the Committee.
  2. Time Trials: DL will email Emma, NM and Vince Mackintosh in the new year re the schedule.
  1. Wednesday Nights: lights will be needed for the night rides; DP will go to the bike shops to purchase some new lights for the club; 2 sets from each shop. DL will check prices.

GM asked if Strone has reopened to which MC stated there has been to updates yet.
GM and MA discussed the 14th and 21st  December night rides; the 14th was going to be up Glen Nevis with the adults going to the pub and Kids Club to McDonalds however due to Richard Kidds funeral being on the 14th it was discussed and agreed by all that this be changed. The 14th will now be at Nevis Range and the 21st will be at Glen Nevis then pub/McDonalds. NM will run the Kids Club night ride.
 

  1. Kids Club: The last one of 2022 was on Saturday December 3rd. Well done to Joseph and Daniel for passing their British Cycling Fundamentals of Mountain Bike Leadership course. Thanks to MC and Mike Pescod from Abacus Mountaineering for the training.

DL advised that there is now funding for Level 1 training in April 2023.
MC stated he wants to do the Level 2 training but needs more people to sign up for the course for MC to be approved. Level 2 is an 18+ professional qualification that cab used at club level.

  1.  

April Fundamentals Level 1 – up to 6 people
DL stated that there is 5 or 6 kids and several adults up for doing the course; a mix of kids and adults would be good.
 

  1. Event Scotland/WHW/Fort William Foxes Festival: Planning for the festival is progressing well. Elise from the Foxes is very organized and is doing a great job putting it all together. The main part of the festival is going to be held at Caol Community Centre on Sat the 25th of March. More details to follow soon.

DL needs to arrange event insurance, and asked is anyone knows how to arrange this? MA advised we might get the insurance under existing events insurance. DL asked MA to check if WHW can get cover for a day event. MA stated that risk assessments would need to be carried out – DL and MA to discuss this further.
MA suggested it would be useful if Elise could email her a five sentence summary of the event.
 

  1. Pump Track: GM stated that the Pump Track is getting a free container from the Rock up Ride Program. They are awaiting permission to store this at the pump track, need confirmation of where the container will be situated and length of time it can stay there.
  1. Any other Business: GM stated that a venue is required for the 1st Aid course being run by Simon Wells on 21st and 22nd of January. MA will ask the Yacht Club.

GM stated that an evening for a Junior Leaders meeting, needs to be face-to-face and not online. Provisional date of 20th December, if this doesn’t suit then move to 10th January.
MA advised that there will be a new person running the bile kitchen from January; the bile kitchen could help with basic bile maintenance course; GM suggested this be revisited in January.
JP advised the club has been working with SAMH and Scottish Cycling to train mental health champions and have been encouraged to sign up to a mental health charter and include this on our website – all agreed and JP to take this forward.
LW asked if it mixed Bike and Blether rides could be arranged to encourage men to join the rides, all agreed – NC has volunteered to develop this.
MA advised that Affiliation for the club has now gone to British Cycling, DL thanked everyone involved with this and especially MA. 
 

  1. Bank Account: GB advised that the account currently has £12500 and that £2500 has specifically been marked for training Mountain Bike Leaders. GB advised that Scottish Cycling gave the club funding for this.
  1. Next meeting: this is scheduled for 7.30pm on Tuesday 7th February at NC’s house.

 
ACTIONS:
 

  • DL to email Claire Abernethy a reminder for Trail Maintenance Day
  • GM and DL to ask Lance, Leon and Stewart if they’d like to arrange Laggan on 26th Feb
  • GM to send CP training links to all leaders
  • JP and EM to discuss social media/blog/race results rolls and responsibilities
  • NM to create list with Junior Reps and feedback to Committee
  • DL to email Emma, NM and Vince re time Trials
  • DP to get lights for night rides
  • JP to speak to Elise re getting the SAMH/Scottish Cycling video played at festival
  • MA to check event insurance for festival
  • MA and DL to discuss risk assessments for festival
  • MA – to ask Yacht Club if the 1st Aid course could be held there
  • JP – to take forward adding Mental Health Champion info to website/Facebook
  • LW to make a Bike and Blether Facebook page up asap
  • NC – to develop the mixed Bike and Blether social rides
  • ALL – revisit the Bike Kitchen assisting with basic bike maintenance

Happy Riding 

Committee Minutes

committee meeting minutes 27th september 2022

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

Apologies – Steve Bradley, Ian and Ailsa Pooleman.

Fiona Gunn

  • Jacqui is going to put together a little piece in memory of Fiona and all that she has done for the club and cycling in general. This will go in a newsletter to go out this week and on facebook. She is going to check with Davie Gunn first that this is ok.
  • All entries from this year’s Fort to Fort will go to MacMillan Cancer support in memory of Fiona.

Fort to Fort

  • Planned for Sunday the 30th of October.
  • Doug has belatedly put in an application for it to check that all parties involved are happy with it. No problems are foreseen though for what is essentially a social event (with some competitiveness thrown in!)
  • Bridget and Doug have been in contact with Stewart Eastaugh  (environment – development and active travel officer) to see whether we can either get the footbridge at Bridge of Oich open or remove the barrier on the footpath across the road bridge. Stewart is keen to help but no progress has been made yet. It was felt by the committee that we need to pursue this further.
  • To avoid having to cross and then re cross the road at Bridge of Oich it was decided to run the race in reverse this year, so starting at Fort William.
  • Sign on will be in the Moorings car park from 10.30 until 10.45 with the first riders leaving at 11.00.
  • The course will finish at the top Lock at Fort Augustus.
  • Riders will be asked for a minimum £5 donation to take part in the event. This will be donated to MacMillan Cancer support.
  • 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.
  • As there are plenty of places to eat at Fort Augustus, we shall not supply refreshments at the end although anyone providing tray bakes would not be turned away!

AGM

  • Thursday the 3rd of November at 7.30 at the Highland Soap factory.
  • This will be advertised in the newsletter to go out at the end of this week. The agenda will follow slightly later (needs to be out 3 weeks beforehand).
  • The bike track AGM will follow immediately after.
  • The club will pay for a drink of choice and cake for all attending.
  • Awards

           – Most Improved Downhiller  –  Sorley Swabey

           – Most improved Lady – Sam Potter

           – Most improved Junior male – to be decided

           – Most improved junior female – to be decided

           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 at the end of next year. Dave has said that he                                    would be willing to take over.

  – Doug will check with the current committee who is willing to stay on for next year.

   – We definitely need to find someone to be minutes secretary and be proactive in getting

    information out to members through newsletters, social media etc.

  – We also need to find a junior rep.

  • Subscriptions for 2023 – It was agreed that, as the bank account is healthy enough, we would keep the subscriptions the same.

         – Juniors  £8.00

         – Senior £17.00

         – Family £28.00

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

Winter League

  • Marian has put together a provisional schedule of dates for this year’s Winter League. Exact venues and dates are still to be decided.

        Sunday 20th November – possible enduro.

        Sunday 4th December

        Sunday 18th December – Xmas Handicap (thanks Andy!)

        Tuesday 27th December – Hopefully the Claire Mackintosh memorial.

        Sunday 15th January

        Sunday 5th February

        Sunday 26th February

        Sunday 19th March

        Sunday 23rd April – possible enduro.

  • The best 5 out of 8 races will count towards final table standings.
  • Anyone completing 3 races will receive a Wheelers buff.
  • Kid’s club races may not be possible at all the venues and will be organized separately by the kid’s club.
  • We need to check with Spook and Nevis Range about whether we would be able to use the enduro timing equipment at Wolftrax (and at Nevis Range!)

Bike Lights

  • It was agreed that we would buy 4 handlebar mounted lights @ up to £80 each. Gregor will keep a hold of these to lend out. We will buy 2 from each bike shop.

Bike Festival

  • We are still awaiting confirmation as to whether we shall get funding for this (should come in the next week.)
  • The provisional plans are;

Friday the 24th of March – Film Night at the cinema in town.

Saturday the 25th of March – a day of fun filled family friendly biking (and non biking) activities                                                                                 at Caol Community Centre.

 Sunday the 26th March – Bike sale at The Auction Mart followed by led rides around Nevis Range with Wheelers and foxes leaders and World Championship biking ambassadors.

  • The Fort William Foxes are really keen to be involved with organizing all of this and Elise Macgregor has agreed to take on the chief organizing role.

Kid’s Club

  • Will run up until the beginning of December before stopping for the winter.
  • Stefan and Mandy have been investigating the possibility of having a residential at Glentress and Innerleithen in the spring.
  • Daniel Parfitt, Kai Frost, Cole Jackson, Finn Forsyth and Joseph Tait are hopefully going do their Level 1 Leadership course with Mike Pescod and Mark Clark in November.
  • We would be hopeful of doing another level 1 course in springtime for adults and Kid’s ( ideally, seperately and not mixed together)
  • Mark Clark is going to check whether people can do the level 1 on an e bike.
  • Doug will check with Simon Wells at Highland First Aid about the possibility of putting on a first aid course for those doing their Level 1 and any other leaders whose first aid qualification has lapsed or is about to lapse. In the future it would be good to alternate providers of first aid courses for the club.

Scottish Cycling Mental Health Ambassadors Project.

  • Jacqui Parfitt, Linzi Beckett and Lorraine Whelan have done their first tutorials on the road to becoming club mental Health champions.

Scottish Cycling Rock up and Ride project.

  • We are planning on taking part in this pilot program. In the initial phase 50 bikes and equipment would be provided for primary school kids who do not have a bike.
  • In return for signing up, the club would receive £2500 to help develop new leaders and a shipping container to store bikes (this is ours to keep)
  • Bridget is doing the bulk of the organising for this project – many thanks!

Lochaber Trail Association

  • Mark Clark is the new chairman and there are 6 new committee members.
  • Mark is keen to organize a Wheelers Led Trail building day.
  • Mark informed us that there are plans to clear access for the Strone trails by the end of October.

Bank Balance – £9500

Next Meeting – The AGM

Committee Minutes

COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES -AUG 15TH 2022

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting – Monday the 15th of August.

Present – Doug, Gregor, Norman, Norma, Dave and Jacqui.

Apologies – Marian, Steve.

Matters arising from the last Meeting.

  • The buffs have arrived. As agreed, they will be held over to be used for next years’s Winter League.
  • Doug still needs to try to organise some First Aid training and Level 1 and 2 coach training courses.
  • Gregor will get in contact with Ben Cathro to see what (if any) availability that he has for doing some club coaching later in the year.
  • A newsletter needs to go out soon to keep members updated as to what is going on in the club. Doug will work on drafting this.
  • Jacqui will contact Shaun to make the option of small family membership (1 adult and 1 child) available on the website. This membership will cost  £24 Which is a £1 discount off the individual price of 1 adult and 1 Junior added together. Jacqui will also write something about membership to go on the newsletter reminding members about the new rolling system and what they need to do.

AGM.

  • Possibly to be held at the Highland Soap Factory.
  • Ideally, it would be good to hold it on Thursday the 3rd of November.
  • Doug will liase with Mandy about about this.
  • Gregor asked if the bike park AGM could be added on at the end, as has been done in previous year. It was agreed that this would be fine.

Time Trials.

  • The last Time Trial of the season is the Commando Memorial tomorrow.
  • The committee would like to give a big thanks to all those who have helped with the running of this year’s events. Special thanks to Emma, Al and Dave.

Fort to Fort.

  • Planning to hold this on Sunday the 30th of October.
  • Doug to double check with Great Glen Events that everything is ok with this date.
  • In order to try to avoid crossing and then re crossing the busy main road at Bridge of Oich, Doug and Gregor are going to investigate an alternative off road route from Fort Augustus to Bridge of Oich.

Winter League.

  • Doug to liase with Marian as to whether she is happy to organize a provisional schedule of races as  in previous years.
  • Steve is provisionally happy to run an enduro and would like to possibly do it at Wolftrax.
  • It was discussed that it might be a good idea to have 2 enduros this year – one to kick off the series and one to finish it. If Steve does one at Wolftax, Gregor and Doug could possibly do one at Nevis Range.
  • It was suggested that Leon might be able to hold a race at Roy Bridge using the trails that Ruari is building (if they are ready of course).

Kid’s Club.

  • Restarting on Sat the 27th of August and running for 6 weeks up until the October holidays. Restarting after the holidays and running for another 6 or 7 weeks before stopping for the Winter.
  • Doug to check with Mark Clark about the possibility of him running some Coach Level 1 and 2 training courses and assessments.
  • At the moment we have a number 16 year olds possibly interested in getting their level 1 qualification – Daniel, Cole, Joseph, Josh, Cammie, Finn and Riley.
  • In order for coaches to keep their first aid qualifications up to date, Dave is going to check with Mark Fair about the possibility of running a Muddy Medics style course up at Nevis Range later in the year. Possibly in November time. It might be good to investigate options to do this over 2 separate days rather than one weekend. Doug will also liaise with Simon Wells as to what availability he has for coaches to book on to his regular courses.

Wednesday Nights.

  • The current schedule finishes at the end of August.
  • The night at Inchree was much enjoyed and has been requested again. Other possible venues suggested were Invergarry (possibly asking if Vince would be around to guide), Glenachulish, and Strone (starting from the large car park where Mark started his Winter League race last year)

Community Cycling Events Fund.

  • Funding up to £8500 is possibly available from this fund to help run a festival aimed at getting new people in the community out cycling and to celebrate next year’s World Championships.
  • This would need to be spent before the 30th of March.
  • Doug has had provisional discussions about this with Event Scotland and With Nevis Range. He needs to follow up on these discussions asap.
  • One thing which was put forward in an initial application made to the fund was the possibility of getting “newish” riders up to do the Blue Doon so that they could get a chance to experience doing a track starting close to where the World Champs will start. Bearing in mind the unpredictability of the weather and the worry of taking “newish “riders on a tricky and exposed track it was decided that this might not be such a great option. It would perhaps be better to investigate getting uplift to take people to some of the lower tracks.
  • If we do go ahead with organizing a festival, it would be good to use part of the funding to pay someone to help organize the event. Elise at Nevis Range was suggested as someone who would be a good person for this.
  • If we do go ahead with this, then we need to appoint a festival organizing committee. It would be great to have Bridget involved with this.

Scottish Cycling’s Rock Up and Ride Programme.

  • This is a new initiative from Scottish Cycling. Its aims are “ to deliver the Scottish governments manifesto commitment to give every child in Scotland who doesn’t have a bike a bike. The programme provides the bikes, a helmet, lock and gloves to each participant, along with a development grant for the participating club, and funding to allow the coaches to be paid to deliver the sessions.”
  • It was agreed that, as we are currently slightly struggling to find enough coaches for what we do at present, it might be worthwhile applying to this fund to help with Active Schools sessions. Doug to liase further with Bridget about this.

Scottish Cycling’s Bike and Blether Project.

  • James Brasher has been in contact with Jacqui about this project. The aim of the project is to support the mental health of club members, as well as to create a positive mental health environment for other who might want to join a club. In conjunction with the Scottish Association for Mental Health ( SAMH) they are aiming to provide some training ( online we think) to create a network of volunteer Mental Wellbeing champions from within clubs.
  • Jacqui is going to get in touch with James to find out more about the training and also about a potential Bike and Blether week that they are proposing. Once we know more then we shall send the info out via facebook and a newsletter to find out who might be interested.

Saturday Social Rides.

  • The aim would be to formally start these up again on the same day as Kid’s Club starts up again i.e Saturday the 24th of August.
  • Need to be advertised on facebook and in the bike shops.

Bike park.

  • Funding is in place to enable Velosolutions and Concreate to start phase 1 ( construction of the park and lights) in February next year. The aim is for it all to be finished and open by the end of May and for there to be a formal opening during the World Champs in August.
  • Gregor is keen to get fresh faces on the Bike Park committee.

Newsletter/social media etc.

  • There is definitely a need to find someone willing to take on the newsletter/social media role in order to get info out to people sooner.

Next Meeting – Tuesday the 27th of September at Norman’s house @7.30

Committee Minutes

Committee Meeting 17/05/22

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting held at Marian’s house on 17/5/22

Present – Doug, Marian, Gregor and Norma.

Apologies – Mark, Norman, Iain, Ailsa, Gill, Jacqui, Dave, Steve.

Bike Park

  • Around £500,000 funding has so far provisionally been raised for the bike park. The aim is to raise £555,000 which would include everything, including the lighting system .
  • Velosolutions have formally been invited to build the pump track.
  • It was agreed by the committee that the club would pay £2873.56 to EB Scotland in order to be able to access a grant of £25,000 for the Bike park. It was agreed that this was the club’s contribution towards the bike park and would not need to be refunded from Lochaber Wheeled Sports Society at a later date. Gregor did not take part in this decision, however Ailsa and Jacqui put in their vote earlier in the day.

Winter League

  •  The buffs to be given to everyone who completed 3 races this year have been caught up in the Shanghai lockdown. Maybe we could just use them next year?
  • Going forward to next year it was agreed that, as ever, it is important to make options so that a wide variety of riders of differing skill levels can participate.
  • It was agreed that it would before every race next year to give all riders a polite reminder about the correct etiquette as to letting faster riders pass.

Time Trials

  •  The Scottish Cycling policy on club confined Time trials has changed – “  club confined time trials should involve no more than 80 riders, cover a distance of no more than 25 miles and be confined to first and second claim club members only plus any invitees  who are not members of any cycling club and who have been invited to participate with a view to joining the organizing club”
  • A rider may now participate in “club confined time trials” of a maximum of two clubs in any calendar year.
  • Marian will let NACC Know that they can now take part in our club confined time trials.

 Wednesday Nights

  •  The introductory Wednesday at Nevis Range with 3 different levels of rides was very successful and bought in a number of new riders. Going forward, it was decided that it would be good to have regular rides like this at Nevis Range. It was suggested that to hold them on the 2nd and last Wednesday evening of each month would be a good idea.
  • Suggestions for possible new venues included -Caig falls path , Achnacarry, the Devil’s Staircase at Kinlochleven, and the Fersit loop. These rides would probably be for more experienced riders only .
  • It might be worth trying to ensure that there will be separate groups from the start rather than everyone setting off together and people feeling pressurised into keeping up with the fastest riders.
  •  If we have a night at Wolftrax in the future it would be good to ask about maybe having the café open.

Kid’s Club

  •  Going well but for one reason or another we are struggling to get the right number of coaches for this block of sessions.
  • The last session before stopping for the summer holidays will be the 18th of June, The aim would be to have one session on the Blue Doon and one at Wolftrax before the summer break.
  • Marian and Gregor will liase with regards to checking that we have got a list of all coaches and current up to date qualifications.
  • Doug to contact Simon at Highland First Aid about running a first aid course in the near future and on a regular basis going forward.
  • Mark Clark is keen to organize level 1 and level 2 coaching courses. Gregor will liaise with him regarding possible dates and prices. We should have at least 4 youngsters ready to do their level 1 qualification.

 Coaching

  • It would be great to have Ben Cathro or someone similar coming along and doing a weekend of coaching for all levels of riders as we did a few years ago. In the first instance Gregor will check with Ben regarding any availability for later in the year.

Web Site and Social Media

  • Minutes are not necessarily read by everyone so It would be great to have newsletters sent out on a regular basis letting members know of ant upcoming events. Perhaps every 3 months or so?

AOB

  • Helping to run the Scottish Enduro Series Races at Nevis Range  brought in £440 to the club. Ther were some really great results from club riders at the event
  • Lisa MacGilivary is going to organize someone to take over the running of the electric trishaw project. Lochaber Hope seem keen but as yet they have not confirmed. It will be necessary to find someone soon to run the whole project or the funds will have to be returned to Highland Council. Bridget is currently working on this.
  •  Many thanks to Mark and Bridget for the amazing job they did in moving the shed to its new position at Nevis Range.  The roof is leaking a bit – maybe we could contact Stewart about how we might best fix this?
  •  Membership- It is currently cheaper to buy one adult and one child membership rather than family membership. Unfortunately, the website will currently not recognize two individual memberships bought from someone using the same e mail address. Not everyone has 2 e-mail addresses , so it was agreed that we could have a new membership category at least for the time being. Rather than calling this category “small family” it was decided that it might be easiest to describe it as “ one adult + one child”. For next year it might be worthwhile either increasing the junior membership slightly or reducing the family membership slightly so that we do not have this issue.
  • Tops – Doug to order 10 tops of each size.
  •  Gregor thanked the club for the donation of £2,873.56 towards the funding from EB Scotland.
  • Marian has renewed the insurance for off road events – we are currently covered for 15 events.

Bank Account – £8400

Next Meeting – Provisionally planned for August the 16th at Gregor’s house.

Committee Minutes

Committee minutes 22/03/22

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting Tuesday the 22nd of March 2022 – held on Microsoft Teams

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

Apologies– Ian and Ailsa Pooleman

Winter League–

  • The final race of this year’s Winter League will be an enduro at Nevis Range on Sunday the 3rd of April. Steve has got 5 stages planned for the main race with the option of doing an “enduro Lite” with only 3 stages. There will also be a special power stage for e-bikers (this will be a stand-alone stage and will not count towards the overall race results)
  • There will be a kid’s version of the race with the kid’s departing at 11.15 after all the adults have gone out. The under 8’s will probably just do the first stage, the under 12’s might have the option of doing the enduro lite.
  • Sign on will be from 9.30 with the first riders potentially going out at 10.30. The aim would be to have the last stage closing at 1.00.
  • The numbers will be limited to 50 adults. Non members will need to pay £5.00.
  • The race will be followed by a BBQ and prizegiving. Doug will purchase the food for the BBQ and appeal for volunteers to do the cooking. Vegetarian and gluten free options will of course be available.
  • Spook has very kindly agreed to organize the timing. As a thank you for doing this it was agreed that the club would buy him a present(a bottle of whisky)
  • Steve will liaise with Carrie in the marketing department at Nevis Range re risk assessments etc.
  • Doug has ordered WHW branded buffs to present to anyone who has done at least 3 races. There is a slight possibility that these will not arrive in time. Cost of the buffs is £4 each + VAT.
  • The cost of the timing licence for the race will be £48 + VAT .
  • There was some discussion as to how best to include e bikes next year. Should they maybe go before the other racers or start after. This discussion needs to be revisited before next year’s races start.

Time Trials

  • Doug to check with Dave as to whether he is still keen to help to put together a TT schedule.
  • Gill is going to contact Emma Pearce to see if she would be willing to help put together a potential schedule. The aim would be to nominate specific people to organize each race rather than having one or two people organizing them all.

New Committee Members

We need to try to fill the following positions.

  1. Minutes Secretary. Doug will just double check with Ian and Ailsa that they no longer wish to do this.
  2. Website/social media coordinator. Hopefully this might be something that Jodie would be interested in. Doug to liaise with her about this.
  3. A Junior rep.

Scottish Enduro Series Kid’s Races at Nevis Range on Sat 23rd of April

  • The Kid’s Club are helping to organize these races – mainly by supplying marshalls. £5 from each entry will go towards the club.

Kids Club

  • Kid’s club will restart on Saturday the 30th of April. At the present time it is looking that we may well have a slight shortage of leaders available.
  • Mark is running a number of  Level1 and Level 2 courses in the near future. Once the club gets up and running again, we shall look at getting more people on these courses and qualified.

Bike Festival Week

  • It was decided that with a lot of things already potentially going on with the club this Spring that we would not hold a bike festival week this year. We shall however have a push to increase riders coming out on Wednesday evenings.

Wednesday Evenings

  • Numbers have gone down recently. Covid and some bad weather (until recently!) has not helped this. In a push to encourage more people out Gregor has proposed an introductory evening at Nevis Range on the 4th of May. The aim would be to have four distinct groups of differing levels, each going out with a leader.
  • It was agreed that Nevis Range would be the venue on the first and 3rd Wed of every month as this is the best place to be enable differing levels to be catered for.
  • Jacqui is going to be away for quite a few Saturdays this Spring, so will not be able to help out much with Saturday Social rides. She is however keen to introduce a block of ladies only beginner sessions on Wednesday evenings.
  • It would be good to put a poster advertising these in the local bike shops etc. If anyone wishes to design a poster that would be much appreciated.

Lochaber Trail Association

  • The Trail Association have got 6 dig days planned this year with The Fort William Foxes running a women’s specific one as well. The first of these will be at Torlundy on the 10th of April. Facebook events for these will go live at the end of March.
  • There may well be the opportunity to organize a Wheelers specific dig day in the future.

Moving the Wheelers Shed

  • We have been given a new position to place the shed over by the High wires.
  • The aim is to move the shed on Friday the 1st and Sat 2nd of April. Mark Clark is going to very kindly take the lead on this, but other offers of help would be appreciated.
  • Nevis Range have offered to help transfer everything over once it has been dismantled.

Membership

  • We are very soon going to get to the date when rolling memberships come up for renewal. It was agreed that we would move to a direct debit system for membership payments
  • Doug is going to organise a meeting with Shaun, Jacqui, and Evelyn about setting this up and to discuss other membership issues.
  • Gill is going to look into how best to resolve issues with Stripe.

Pumptrack

  • All looking promising. £480,000 has now been raised and an invite to the main contractors will go out on the 7th of May.
  • The Viridor application failed on a technicality so the club will not need to act as a third party and provide £2500.

British Cycling stuff

  • The offer from British Cycling for free membership to new club members is still available.
  • Before Kid’s Club restarts, Marian, Gregor and Doug need to get together to look at updating all the coaches necessary qualifications.
  • Doug has contacted Neil Wilson to say that the club would be interested in hosting a round of a Dirt Crit Series later in the year.
  • Marian is currently the only committee member receiving British Cycling e mails. It was suggested that it would be good for all committee members to receive them.

Next Meeting

  • Tuesday the 10th of May at 7.30 at Marian’s house.
Committee Minutes

Minutes of the committee meeting 08/02/22

 

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting – Tuesday the 8th of February on Zoom.

Present – Doug Little, Gill Barnes, Gregor Muir, Jacqui Parfitt, Dave Parfitt, Steve Bradley, Norma Marshall.

Apologies – Marian Austin, Norman Clark, Jodie Standen

Winter League;

  • All good to go for Strontian (organised by Joseph Tait) and Wolftrax (organised by Ian and Ailsa Pooleman)
  • The last race in the series is currently down for Nevis Range on the 24th of April as an enduro. This is not possible as the Scottish Enduro series is on that weekend at Nevis Range. Nevis Range have said that an enduro style race is not feasible for them at any time in April as they have events going on. Doug needs to check if it would however be possible to run a XC event up there during April.
  • If we do not use Nevis Range , then it is an option to have the final race and BBQ at Glen Loy on the 24th of April. This would need to be an XC type race rather than an enduro.
  • It was agreed that the final standings for the Winter League would be based on the final number of races run minus 2 (ie riders can discard their worst 2 races).
  • It was agreed that only riders who are members of the Wheelers can score points in the Winter League races.
  • There is a new visitor services ranger in Torlundy who now asks for a form to be filled in for all the rounds.

Festival;

  • It would be good for the last Winter League race to be incorporated into the festival. If need be, however, it could be separate.
  • Lochaber Wheeled Sports Society are keen to run a couple of events to help raise funds and also encourage the feeling of community involvement in the pump track. One of these would possibly be a pumpathon type event on one of the blues at Nevis Range. It would be good to incorporate this into a festival week. They are also keen to hold a film night/raffle/bingo night at the Highland Soap Factory Café. Again, it would be good to incorporate this into the festival week.
  • The date for the festival week will obviously depend on possible dates for the above events. Doug to make further enquiries with Nevis Range and Mandy Watson to confirm dates ASAP.
  • It would be good to obviously have a road based event during the week (possibly the first of this years time trials!)
  • It would be good if we could hold a dual slalom race at Corpach. Gill says that the original course has been fenced off, but there is a different course higher up. We need to clarify what permissions might be necessary for this. Gill has very kindly offered for everyone to come back to her house for refreshments afterwards.
  • All ideas for other events are welcome.

 

Scottish Enduro Series race at Nevis Range on the 23rd and 24th of April.

  • We have been asked to help with organising junior races for this event. These would be held on the Saturday. Doug, Gregor and Ruari have a meeting with Kerry from The Scottish Enduro Series to discuss this further on Thursday.

The Wheelers Shed at Nevis Range.

  • Due to all the new developments at Nevis Range, we have been asked to move the shed elsewhere. We are not sure exactly where to yet. Nevis Range have offered help in moving it (with the proviso that they are not held responsible if it should fall apart!)
  • Doug will try to have a meeting with Eliza at NR in the next few days to discuss the logistics involved.

Involvement with the pump track.

  • Things are progressing quite rapidly with the pump track, with work hopefully due to start in the Spring.
  • More funding is needed, and the pump track Committee have been busy putting in multiple funding applications. Two of these are with Waste Management companies who will give out grants, provided that a third party pays them 10% of what they donate. The Committee agreed by email that the Wheelers would be happy to act as this third party. The pump track committee have said that they would reimburse the Wheelers for the whole of these payments if that is what the club decides to ask for. It is by no means certain that the pump track will even be successful with these applications , but in the event that they do then the club need to agree as to what long term contribution the club wishes to make towards the funding ( i.e what percentage of the third party money that we put forward do we ask to be reimbursed). It was agreed that we need to come up with a consensus for this at committee level and then get consensus from the general club. It was agreed that, due to a potential conflict of interests,Gregor should not be present at the Committee Meeting to decide any amount donated.

Wednesday Night Rides.

  • Numbers are down at the moment, but it is fair to say that the weather has been pretty bad so far this year, and numbers will hopefully improve once the lighter nights come back.
  • It would perhaps be good to have a push for Wednesday night rides during festival week. Possibly a café night at NR?
  • Gregor is going to re add Invergarry to the venues list. He is keen to hear about any other suggestions.

 

 

AOB

  • James Brasher from Scottish Cycling is keen to come along and do some filming of Jacqui with her ladies group. He is keen to use it as an example for other clubs. No date has been set for this
  • There is currently a grant of £9800 in the Wheelers account to get the electric trishaw project underway. At the present time the lady who initially wanted to run the project has pulled back a bit, so we need to possibly start looking for someone else willing to spearhead the project, or in the worst case scenario return the cash .
  • It was agreed that virtual meetings still have an important part to play for the committee. Rather than paying for a zoom account we shall try to use Microsoft office or google meet.

 

Next Meeting– Tuesday the 22nd of March at 7.00

 

 

 

Committee Minutes

Committee meeting minutes 08/12/21

West Highland Wheelers Committee Meeting Tuesday the 8th of December 2021 on Zoom

Present; Doug Little, Marian Austin, Dave Parfitt, Jacqui Parfitt, Norma Marshall, Steve Bradley, Mark Clark.

Apologies; Norman Clark, Ian Pooleman, Ailsa Pooleman

Trail Maintenance.

Steve brought up that it is important for leaders at Kid’s Club (and for the rest of us) to take care in deciding which trails to go down according to current conditions. A lot of damage was done to Rainbow Nation last Saturday morning following the previous days torrential rain.

It would be good in the future to try to do some more trail maintenance sessions after morning Club sessions. Learning about how to build trails and proper trail etiquette is an important part of what kid’s club should be about.

Xmas Handicap.

  • Good to go for Sunday the 19th Dec.  on the normal route in Glen Nevis. Meeting from 10.15 onwards in Braveheart Car Park.
  • Everyone to bring presents up to a value of £6.00 for the lucky dip at the end.
  • As per the Winter League races, High School kids can race unaccompanied. Primary age kids wishing to do the whole race need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
  • There will be a shorter kid’s version which will start after all the riders in the main race have left.
  • Doug and Gregor are happy to help Andy out with course marking etc.

Winter League.

  • Numbers for the first two races have been relatively low. Not too sure of the reasons for this but we definitely need to make sure that information about the races gets out timely. With this in mind, Jacqui and Norma are going to have a separate zoom meeting so that Jacqui can pass on to Norma tips as to how best to use mail chimp.

Provisional Schedule for the rest of the series is below

            DATE                                    VENUE                             ORGANISER                        KID’S RACE

Tuesday 28th DecemberNevis Range – Clare Mackintosh Memorial raceVince and Cammie  MackintoshYes
Sunday 16th JanBarcaldineNACCyes
Sunday Feb 6thWhitebridge, InvergarryVince MackintoshPossibly
Sunday Feb 27thStrontianJo and James TaitProbably
Sunday March 20thWolftrax??????????????Probably
April 15th – 18thEaster  
Sunday ???????Nevis Range – possible Enduro?Steve?Probably
  • Wolftrax are happy for us to come on the 20th of March. For future reference, anyone organizing a race should contact Christian at Wolftrax in the first instance rather than Forestry to check if everything is ok. We need an organizer for this race ( risk assessment and course map have already been done by Jamie)
  • The planned date for the last race of the 24th of April clashes with a Scottish Enduro race at Nevis Range, so we shall need to look at an alternative date. Steve is happy to organize the race and will liase with Spook as to when would be a good date. It will definitely be important to limit numbers for the Enduro.

Committee positions.

  • It would be great if Jodie was willing to come on to the committee. Doug will check with her if she is still interested.
  • We need to get a youth representative. Maybe best to ask in a kid’s club email
  • Paul Jefferies has offered to help with Facebook.
  • We need someone who will keep on top of ensuring that all coaches qualifications are up to date and to look at organizing training courses.

Wed nights.

  • Storm Arwen has ruled out Strone as a potential venue for some time. All the other venues which Gregor posted recently are good to go, apart from the odd fallen tree.

Time Trials.

  • It would be good if Alastair, Dave, or Emma would be able to come to the next meeting in

February in preparation for next year’s series of races.

Kid’s Club.

  • The last session before the winter break will be this Saturday the 11th.
  • Cory and Nina recently completed their level 1 British Cycling leadership course with Mike Pescod – many congratulations. Daniel, Cole and Joseph also did some training with Mark Clark to get them ready for doing the official course next year. They, together with Evan, Fraser, Kai, Kieran, and Rory have all been doing a fantastic job in the kid’s club sessions helping out with the leading of the younger groups. We are hoping to run another Level 1 course for 16-year-olds in the Spring.
  • Many thanks to Lochaber Sports Association for giving us a grant of £380 to help with the course.

Pump Track

  • It has been confirmed that the pump track received a grant of £290,000 from the Scottish Cycling facilities fund. A further £75,000 is required to get the project started. If anyone has any ideas how to raise this money, then Gregor would be very keen to hear from them!
  • Other donations; Garfield Weston Foundation grant – £25,000

Adult Social rides

  • Formal club organization of these rides will stop next Saturday. However, the ladies’ group have intimated that they will carry on organizing rides themselves over the winter.
  • It would be great to start formally organized rides again in the Spring.
  • James Bracher at Scottish Cycling has written an extremely positive article about the ladies group. We are not sure yet where (or when) it is going to be published.

Bank Balance

  • Currently stands at £11,185. Doug estimates that it will go down to around £ 10,000 by Christmas as several payments will be going out soon for Child protection courses, a first aid course and Mike’s Level 1 course.

Any Other Business.

  • Electric Trishaw -we have been awarded a grant of £9800 from The Highland Council Wards Discretionary Fund. This will enable the Wheelers to become a “chapter” of “Cycling without age” which has proven so popular in Inverness. The grant will enable us to purchase one electric trishaw, to get training for pilots and insurance and maintenance for two years. Lisa McGillvray is happy to do all the administration for the project. She will also store the bike in her shed in the first instance. Once the pump track project gets going, then this might be a good area to store it as Gregor is keen to get disability cycling involved with the project.  The initial focus will be to get care home residents out for small journeys.
  • An order has gone into the Big Bobble Hat company for 50 Wheelers branded bobble hats. These cost £18 per person and the aim would be to sell them on at somewhere near this price. We are hopeful that they will be here by Christmas, but unfortunately this is not guaranteed. The Big Bobble Hat company can also do Wheelers branded buffs and it was agreed that these would be good to give out instead of T-shirts for anyone who completes at least 3 Winter League races.
  • Marian has done a great job in collating much of the information required from Scottish Cycling in order to get club affiliation for next year.
  •  It would be good for the club to organize a first aid course regularly every spring (and possibly in the Autumn) to help to ensure that all Leaders can stay up to date. It would also be good, going forward, to have a designated person who can keep on top of qualification requirements for all the leaders.
  • To help to ensure that all leaders are members of Scottish Cycling it might be good to look at discussing whether the club pays for this cost – further discussion needed.

Next Meeting – Tuesday the 8th of February at 7.00.