Black Canon Collective

Author: Archive User

  • XC y'all

    As versatile mountain bikers you will be aware of the fun that can be had riding Cross Country.

    As such on Saturday the 25th of October, the BCC will be hosting a XC ride.

    The ride will be an opportunity to ride with members of the club you haven’t met yet.

    The event is open to non-members too, so please invite friends and family or if a non member yourself – just come along.

    Ian will be leading the ride and will plan a route that has options for all, on the trails and paths surrounding Longleat, and he assures me the pace will not be too fast.

    The Ride will start at the allotment, meeting at 10:00 and will finish around 15:00. This will include a pub stop at the Horse and Groom, West Woodlands at around midday. For those of you that don’t know the the pub, it has a beer garden, welcomes families, does a range of good food and also (more importantly) good beer.

    So who is interested?

    E-mail ian.crook@blackcanoncollective.co.uk for more details.

  • Many hands make light work…

    Since the formation of the BCC and in particular since we took control of the allotment we have come across a fantastic amount of support and encouragement from our fellow mountain bikers. As a result we have grown and continue to grow as people join us all with the aspiration to develop our little allotment and meet some other like minded people.

    However we have also come across a very small number of people who have found it hard to grasp the concept of what we are doing.

    This could be for a number of reasons; perhaps we are not communicating our motives well enough or perhaps our motives simply do not fall in line with as many people as we had imagined. Either way I feel it’s important to make a few points clear:

    1. We are not charging for any reason other than to cover our costs.
    2. We are not trying to sell the use of two short DH courses for £35, this is the cost of a full membership based upon our projected membership numbers and first year costs.
    3. We have not placed a value on this opportunity to build a local, purpose built MTB venue, as stated above the membership fee is purely based on our costs, these will change each year based on the club’s expenses and membership numbers – the more members we have the more likely it is the cost will come down, as the big expenses would be divided between us all.

    You will notice the fact that these three points are all very similar – if not the same – however they do seem to be queried (in that order) by a few people. I hope that the above answers clear up any misunderstanding.

    Something else that has been said is “I would join but there’s not much there yet, so what’s the point?” Well the point is simple; it’s an opportunity to be a part of creating a local, purpose built MTB venue. Now I know that course building isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but surely the end goal is sufficiently attractive that people will be enthused to work at achieving it. The alternative is to let others (the BCC) do all the hard work and then later reap the rewards. Rather than complain that only two trails currently exist why not join up and help out? That way the rate of progress will increase and we will reach our shared goal far quicker.

    For those who wish that they had a place to ride, or get tired of having their illegal work destroyed by a land owner but haven’t joined up yet because there’s not much on offer –  this is your opportunity to contribute to a solution.

    Remember that our motive is simple; to create a place to legally ride our mountain bikes –  something we are moving towards nicely with the help and dedication of our current members.

  • Great Weekend…

    Thanks to everyone for all their hard work, I’m really pleased that everyone enjoyed themselves so much – makes it all worthwhile. 

    Both days had a great relaxed atmosphere with banter and conversation being just as cool as actually riding. Spoons and BBMS are like new – each riding fast and maturing nicely. Rudolph got the go ahead and will be a great addition, with work already under way on its build, and the jump spot is progressing fantastically. 

    Wills riding effort was v impressive, as was his eagerness to do his fair share.
    Bens commitment to ‘pinning it’ was a cut above, as always, his shear passion for the BCC, and good sportsmanship.
    Staceys effort whilst carrying his son on his back and Darrens with his injured shoulder.
    Garry with his kind generosity (gotta love sausages!) and tree hugging screams.
    Tom for always taking pics that capture the day.
    Chris for sorting out our freelap.
    All the dirt jumpers for creating a monster.
    Neil, Rob and Ian for their high standards and always giving their all – raking till their forearms are ready to pop.
    And of course everyone else for getting involved.

    Our new timing system was fantastic, allowed everyone to set personal goals and wind eachother up. Expect some club races in the near future…

    Ben and Will were chosen as the joint winners of the prize draw due to their unrivaled passion and commitment. Ben won the coin toss but gave Will the tyres feeling that he deserved them more, a very kind gesture that captured the mood of the weekend; everyone pulling in the same direction, egging eachother on and giving their all.

    Great weather, great people and great sausages!

    Bring on the next club weekend…

  • Goodies!

    Thanks to a cheeky smile and ‘don’t ask won’t get’ attitude I’ve leeched us some prizes for Sundays club ride day!

    Yep, we’ll be giving away 1 x pair of Continental Rain King DH tyres, 2 x Shimano Saint beanies, 3 x cans of Monster Energy drink, 1 x bottle of Green oil chain lube and 4 x Team Animal Commencal posters signed for us by current world champs Gee and Rachael Atherton!!!

    The first two prize spots will be given out specifically to people who turn up to both the dig day and ride day, with the rest given out completely randomly. The format will be the similar to a raffle with winners asked to choose their prize from the goody table – though how winners are chosen is yet to be confirmed…. biggest drift, most commitment, widest bars (please?!?!) or most earth moved. Who knows?

     

    We’ll also be giving away a booby prize, something that I’m sure every BCC member would kill for; a (faux) leather bound 2009 diary with our club name printed in gold on the front cover. It comes complete with an unreadable London underground map and useful conversion table (1 acre – 4,046.9 square metres!). Who knows what will qualify you to receive this unique BCC branded self management aid but rest assured one of you will.

  • An inspiring day

    Just back from London, been a really long 24hrs but has been very productive. My experience of public transport was tainted first by a crafty bus driver who decided it’d be funny to tell me to take a bus that definitely didn’t go where I’d expected and the fact that I spent most of my journey to earls court this morning running after the 171 bus until enough people had got off it to let me on.  When finally there I was greeted by tea and biscuits and lots of people from the MTB world – I however was a panting mess. 

    The conference was great with some fantastic speakers and lots to learn for even the most experienced delegates who, like me, looked hypnotised throughout. 

    I’ll give a full write up over the next few days but will try and capture the main messages here and now…

    It seems that the key topics were sustainability of both the physical trails, supporting infrastructure and human input. It is essential that this topic is addressed by lots of planning and foresight. Another topic was accessibility of the sport, and how retaining this element is critical to its success and ultimately its survival. This was illustrated by the fact that the vast majority of mountain bike owners don’t mountain bike, yet most probably would if suitably trails were built with them in mind, as has been proved by various case studies. Attracting these inexperienced novices into the sport is the fastest and most effective method of building it’s strength. Finally the issue of impact, and ultimately a reminder that despite the best of intentions trail projects can result in very negative impact to the surrounding area in terms of physical impact but also and social and economic. And lots lots more; all of which can be related to what we’re doing in some way.  

    I was lucky enough to speak to Ian Warby (CTC), Dafydd Davies MBE (world renowned trail builder and consultant) and Paul Hawkins (Forestry & woodland renaissance), and have learnt a fantastic amount as a result. I am pleased to say that Paul Hawkins was just as enthusiastic to meet and discus our proposal of a Longleat trail development as we are. Paul was really friendly and has inspired me to work even harder for this as there is so much potential especially when you look at the bigger picture of potentially linking such a trail with sustrans networks etc (he also said that he’d seen our website and really liked it!).  

    I must admit to being too tired to get my thoughts down clearly but I promise to give a full write up soon.

    My eyes have been opened to what is possible and sights set higher as a result – today has been a great day.

     

  • Diggity

    It’s that time again…

    As you are all aware this months dig day is Saturday 11th and we have quite a bit to do!

    The day will start at 09:00 at the ‘Allotment’ and will run until 16:00 ish (as it’ll be getting dark and some will want to tart themselves up for the NWD9 premier in Bath).

    The agenda is as follows:

    1. Registration
    2. Safety Talk
    3. Walk and roll through the proposed ‘Rudolph’ line (vote on it’s creation)

    Then we’ll all spilt up into groups to work on the following:

    • Tidy existing tracks (raking, course marking etc)
    • Erect the last two signs
    • Collect all fallen wood and cut into usable lengths then pile near the Jump spot
    • More digging at the Jump spot
    • And depending on the outcome of the ‘Rudolph’ vote we’ll have a team working its creation.

    Please bring your own tools, though remember – no power tools (Fin!). Park sensibly as per the club rules and try to car share wherever possible. Importantly you’ll need to bring your own food and drink as the club won’t be providing either this time. Sorry.

    We look forward to meeting the new members and really hope you can all make it. If you aren’t a member yet then please also come along we’ll be pleased to meet you and show you what we’re doing.

    Cheers!

  • Great news!

    Earlier today I spoke with Paul Grugeon and am pleased to say that he is very keen to learn some more about what help is on offer from the woodland renaissance and what can be achieved if we all work together.

    So with all parties showing interest we’re in good shape for a meeting in a months time. 

  • Woodland Renaissance

    “The South West Woodland Renaissance Partnership vision is to regenerate woodland and forestry in the South West for the benefit of the economy, society and the environment. Through the Woodland Renaissance Scheme the Partnership aims to inspire and sustain investment in woodlands, timber processing and all associated goods and services.”

    When not winning the 4X races or eating pudding Neil has an uncanny ability of making very interesting and valuable contacts.  The most recent of which was Chris Revill from Bath and North East Somerset Council who Neil met at the recent Bath BMX and 4X comp, they got to talking and Chris gave Neil the contact of Paul Hawkins from the South West Woodland Renaissance Partnership. Now from the very beginning we have made it clear to the Longleat estate that we feel the area would greatly benefit from a purpose built family MTB trail, Longleat have expressed an interest in this but were keen to see how things turned out with the BCC and the allotment before jumping in. What’s exiting about the woodland renaissance is that one of their focal points will be funding bicycle trails and supporting infrastructure in woodland areas!

    Although the partnership is not active for another month I’m already very excited about getting talks going and seeing what we can all achieve. There is great potential for some fantastic trails at longleat and with the many local riders and thousands of visitors I’m confident that there’s a market for such a development.

    Importantly the woodland renaissance are able to help with the initial stages of conducting a full feasibility study – something that is essential if any project is to succeed – and the first step needed before we get too carried away. The partnership is set up to deal with landowners rather than clubs and so it is important to realise that this effort would be for the benefit of the whole area rather than just the club, but we are dedicated to developing local mountain biking and although just a dream at the moment the prospect of a free and permanent set of trails in longleat woods is an incredibly exciting one.

    I spoke to the partnership on Friday and explained our aims, existing relationship with the estate and the location. They’ve stated that they are very eager to begin talks and will contact us in a month time when they are fully operational. In the mean time I’ll speak to Paul Grugeon on Monday to get the ball rolling, lets see what happens……

  • New Page

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

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

  • Birth of the jump spot…

    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…..