We’ve now got a page devoted to our supporters, so please have a look and visit their websites.

http://www.blackcanoncollective.co.uk/our-supporters/

The jump spot meeting was a great success with Chris Smith taking on the role of dig leader for the whole jump spot development.

Chris, Jack and Sam (Mondraker and recent MBUK fame) started working on the spot today; beginning the first of many jumps - a large table top.

As a result of the jump spot we will be receiving at least 4 new member applications (all of whom will be heavily involved in the development of the jump spot) not to mention the many more that we anticipate as the site develops.

All were very positive about what we are doing and agreed to operate within the rules and ethos that bind us all.

Chris will be taking photos of the work so that we can regularly publish progress on the website, and Neil will be publishing minutes from the meeting in the next couple of days so you’ll be able to get the full story.

We’re really picking up momentum now…..

For the past two years howies have held an event called ‘the do lectures’ where they arrange for people who do things to inspire others to go and do things too.

This years event took place between the 4th and 8th of September and was a real success with 22 speakers and 75 attendees. 

I must admit to being very jealous of those who were lucky enough to take part but thanks to the kind folk at howies we can watch all the lectures on their do website.  Have a look; theres loads to learn……

www.dolectures.com

Look here for a great lecture by Dafydd Davies who’s responsible for building the very first official mountain bike trails in Wales (at Coed y Brenin) and for masterminding the creation of the 5 main trail centres back in the mid 90’s.

For those who weren’t riding at the allotment yesterday:

Darren binned it on BBMS (his first run) whilst approaching the rock garden. He flipped over the bars and landed on his right shoulder separating his collar bone from its ligaments. Not good.

Sam (new member, Darren’s mate) took him to Bath A&E where he was told that he’d be off the bike for approx 12 weeks.

It’s our first ‘proper’ injury at the allotment since the BCC was formed and although mildly amusing (for Sam more than anyone else) it’d be good if we could all refrain from braking ourselves whilst riding there. I’m speaking to some bubble wrap suppliers about suffocation concerns but hope to have the first BCC full body suit on sale within the next few weeks…

The National Mountain Bike Conference 2008 is almost here:

“Are you on the right track to developing and providing facilities for off-road cyclists? Whether you are catering for family cyclists or mountain bike enthusiasts, the CTC & IMBA-UK conference at Earls Court is for you.”

“CTC - the national cyclists’ organisation and IMBA-UK are bringing together key speakers from across the world for this major mountain bike conference at Cycle 2008. The programme has been specifically designed for those who are passionate about off-road cycling including: trail builders, project managers, sports development officers, funders, landowners, AONB and National Park staff, and all those involved in managing or developing off-road cycling in the UK.”

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the people who spend their lives doing what have just started to.  I will be attending the conference on behalf of all of us at the BCC so want to make sure that we make the most of it by going prepared.

My intention is to attempt to secure a high profile contact that we can treat as a mentor, and to get some guidance on what we are doing  and how best to go forward.

If you have any thing that you would like to ask, or any ideas please let me know (either by e-mail or simply leave a comment below).

For more information and the full press release please see here

Cheers

Big things are gonna be happening at the allotment over the next couple of weeks and months…

We’ve just approved the build of a dirt jump spot (map shown below) to include both big and small and to cater for all. We chose the spot a few weeks ago because the ground is soft enough to dig, on a slight slope and shielded by the surrounded bushes and trees. Poifect.

But best of all we’ve got local Pro Chris Smith (of MBUK fame) to run the show! Yep Chris (BCC member) will be in charge of both the design and build of the jump spot ensuring that we end up with an awesome spot to call our own.  We’ll be posting progress here on the site so you can stay informed but if you wanna join in then please get in touch; all you need to do is join up and you can take part in this and any of our other projects.

Finally, after having failed miserably on our first dig day (the ground was stupidly hard) we’ve managed to erect two of our permanent signs at the allotment!

Neil, Chris Sheppard (new member) and I put two up; one at the top of the hill and one at the half way point.

As silly as this may sound; it makes the place really feel like it’s ours now, officially.

Well thanks to you we’ve got a load of work to be getting on with…

Here are some of the suggestions so far ;

1. Website Gallery - Work in progress.
2. Monthly Dig Day - Done! This is now the second Saturday of every month.
3. Track specific web page with detailed course info - To do.
4. Timing markers on every course - Work in progress.
5. PayPal donation and membership payment facility - Work in progress.
6. Monthly newsletter - Work in progress.
7. Video podcast - To do.
8. Club XC rides - Work in progress.

All great ideas so please keep them coming.

Earlier today Al, Caroline, Darren, Sam (new member), and I went out to the allotment to cut up a large tree that had fallen across BBMS - within 25 mins we’d turned it into a log pile thanks to a nice new bow saw. I like bow saws.

We then went about clearing and remarking Spoons which was really wet and lacking any direction in places.

We’d only gone out there because Darren had mentioned that he’d seen the tree yesterday and wanted to ride today - kind of like an MTB A-Team; “Today, still wanted by the Longleat Estate, they survive as builders of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… The BCC-Team.” OK maybe not.