We’ve had our existing constitution and club rules for two years now, and to be honest they’re outdated. When we formed the club back in spring 2008 we had very little to go on, so cobbled together what we hoped would be a good set of rules and a suitable constitution.

Since then the BCC has evolved from around 20 local riders who all rode the same trails, to over 110 members with many and different needs and riding interests. The Club has expanded in more ways than simply its membership base though, we now run a large number of led rides, events, provide training and organise trips (we’re doing great!)

But with all of this comes responsibility, so we have had to re-visit these documents to make sure that the club is sound – built upon solid foundations.

With the help of British Cycling (specifically national board member – Colin Docker) we have re-written both the Club Constitution and Rules, based heavily upon the BC template.

These documents will be proposed at the AGM and be subject to vote, so long as a 2/3 majority vote is cast in favour they will replace our existing documents.

Please have a read (you can browse the whole document below) , and come along to the AGM where you can vote…

This is fast becoming a classic and we can’t wait for this years event!

Check out our write up from last year here

With so many people away, revising, at work, hung over, injured or just all raced out from the national, and easter weekend at molfre this months TickerTape was at risk of being a little dull. Sure the trails are ace, and the prizes flipping lush as always…but would anyone show up???

Well they did, not many, but just enough to make for an epic afternoon of sweat, dust, midgies, speed, and the odd high speed front flip attempt.

Bob Darvill surprised everyone with his total disregard for his own well-being – hitting everything in sight but never quite landing smooth,like his bike was a bucking donkey!

Ben Lovell’s been putting in loads of riding recently and it certainly showed… looking fast on every section and carying loads of speed through the corners.

Big bird put in a short appearance but managed to set a good time right at the end, closing in on the faster times but now being chased by Ben lovell, meaning that the mid pack battles are now between Stace, Jim, Ben, Burd and Robin so expect to see some trash talking at the next event.

Will Hardy put in a whopping 13 timed runs, each time improving on the last and looking super fast down from the rock garden into the slam berm.

Ben Irons was flying the hardtail flag high, only being robbed of the second place on his last run due to a sudden and overpowering urge to try and do a front flip in sight of the finish line.

Chris Smith turned up earlier than anyone else, hoping to put in a few cheeky practice runs in his new matching race kit. Word on the street was that Chris was out for the course record and so was pulling out all the stops, new kit, new tyres and a new haircut too. He didn’t disappoint either, putting in a blistering 45.33 in the dying moments. All I can say is that he must have cheated, sure he’s a great rider, and yes he’s fast but I swear he did something funky to his freelap watch (what do you mean I’m bitter?)!

I managed to make up the numbers, riding with some gypsy style for the first half of the event and then on my all out run at the end locking up the rear a fraction too much on a corner coming to a stop then starting again in a tough gear. I say that, but while I would have been quicker I wasn’t close to Chris’s record breaking time.

So, beans were awarded to Will for treating it like a flipping enduro, Ben Lovell for showing us all up with his rate of progress, and Ben irons for his grit and determination. His showy, suspense filled time revealing antics helped too.

Next month we’ll be racing on puppets, yeah that’s right we’ll be racing on Puppets….Puppets, PUPPETS!!!!! (for the first time ever!) So get practicing. we’ll be using the Judy line and will also be using a mystery lower section… lush.

Special thanks to Max Bikes PR, Transition and Dakine for the prizes!

Note Chris’s trash talking to Zak, the previous record holder!

Just click on the image to see the latest news letter!

We’ve got some cool T-shirts from Transition Bikes to give away along with a Dakine Tract 3/4 jersey for whoever shows the most beans! The weather is set to be awesome, and the trail’s running fast..

(remember though, yr 2 membership runs out today so if you want to take part you’ll need to sign up for yr 3 membership today. Cheers!)

ok, ok…so not the CLUB but our members! Neil Cousins, head Technician at TFTuned, gets interviewed in this months MBUK. Lush! (p.s. I’ve always thought he had a small wig myself…)

Chris Smith talks about the BCC organised (and part funded) CTC Trail Leader Training he took part in, in this months MBUK!

Without the people who put themselves forward to take on club roles and dedicate time and energy towards helping the club to run and progress there would be no club. So thanks to all of this years candidates…

Only one candidate is standing for each role this year, meaning that the vote will be made in favour of the candidate or to call for the nominations to be re-opened at an EGM. Voting will only be possible by members attending the AGM on the 25th April 2010 so please make sure you come along!

The three Trustee roles (club officers, underwrite the club to Longleat, account signatories and have vote on all club activities. All Health and Safety, Insurance, and legal issues will be the responsibility of the Trustees. Essential roles for club to function):

Chairman

(Responsible for steering the club and overseeing all its activities including overall trail development)

Candidate – Andrew Denham

As with last year, I am focused upon further developing the club’s relationship with Longleat and the many other forest users, with a view to developing the allotment and surrounding area into a focal point for the local MTB community. I hope that my impact as Chairman over the past 2 years will be viewed as a positive one, having steered the club towards acheiving many of its goals, and hope to continue into year 3…

Secretary

(Responsible for all membership and meeting related administration for the club)

Candidate – Ian Crook

If elected as secretary I hope to continue to become more efficient at processing membership forms, replying to e-mails and generating meeting minutes.
I am most passionate about introducing novice riders to the club, mainly so I’m better than someone!

Treasurer

(Responsible for keeping records of all financial transactions, setting budgets and maintaining accounts for the club)

Candidate – Simon Truelove

I see myself as a rider. Not an XC rider or a DH rider, just someone who rides a bike and wants the local area to have a vibrant riding scene and some fantastic trails.
The Treasurer’s report (at the AGM) will show that my budget setting for last year will enable continual growth of the club and its activities. I don’t have any formal accountancy training, but I do have some handy maths skillz!

General Committee roles (a focal point for discipline specific trail development and activities):

XC Rep

Candidate – Chris Sheppard

As XC Representative I’d like to continue the development of the XC dimension to the club in terms of activities and rider development too. Whether it be someone new to mountain biking learning basic skills or someone training to compete.

DH Rep

Candidate – Ben Irons

I have been riding and building at the DH trails at Longleat for the past 7 years.
As DH Representative I’d like to see more DH trails developed with greater input from club members –encouraging members to test their ideas out by ‘sessioning’ together at dig days, testing alterations so as to produce even more great trails.

Freeride Rep

Candidate – Chris Smith

I would like to have the chance to represent the Black Canon Collective on the Freeride side of things again. I hope to use my experience – travelling the world competing and building freeride lines – and the potential of the site to build something special, a great skills area that caters for all.

IT & Welfare Officer

(Responsible for facilitating and maintaining the clubs IT & Website needs. Contact point for all Walfare issues also)

Candidate – Alastair Mackinlay

I’d like to put myself forward to the Website/IT position within the club. I’ve been handling the role for the past 2 years, and day to day work with websites and IT as an IT Consultant. I also run the back end for southerndownhill.com and am now familiar with WordPress and BBPress which the club uses for its website and forum. I’m a slow, social rider.