YOGi Cycling

Afan weekend of off-road japes with Rob Godfree and friends!!!

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:39:00 GMT

Rob, Chris Mather, Dave Elliott, Andy Powell already in! One place left in the cottage - see link for details Bryn Teg House

Leaving friday 27th Nov just after lunch (ish) to get to Afan for early doors!

£40 for accomm. and split the fuel costs. Grub, Booze and energy bars are down to you...

Contact Dave or Chris Mather asap

Children in Need Fun Ride - Today - STILL ON!

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:39:00 GMT

In the name of Charity today's ride will still go ahead. Weather forecast suggests rain will clear in the next hour or so. Hope to see you all there!

The Children in Need Family Fun Ride is Sunday 22nd November, we will be meeting at B&Q carpark at 11am for a leisurely ride up the cycle track towards the Skylark.

All welcome on this family fun ride, fancy dress optional to raise a bit of money for this good cause. Myself and a couple of others have already got some sponsorship and I'll have a collection bucket on the day for you to donate all your loose change!

Just a bit of fun for Children in Need.

Hope to see you there.

Intro/Saturday Road Ride - 21st November 10am

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:00 GMT

Please note 10:00am start for this week's combined Intro/Saturday Road Rides from B&Q Car Park, Coypool, Plympton

Despite the high probability of an onslaught from the sky above we are hoping to see a good number of first timers and regulars who are looking for a leisurely ride. For those who are not aware of the format; basically we ride at pace that is comfortable for the slowest rider with a club member leading and another one bringing up the rear, keeping everyone together. Of course all newcomers will receive the usual YOGi warm welcome.

If the weather is as challenging as predicted we will aim to stay reasonably close to the outskirts of Plymouth. If we are lucky and it looks like a dry window then we will head to Tavistock for a coffee and cake stop at the Pannier Market. Ride distance will be 25-30 (leisurely) miles.

All we ask for these rides is that you bring lights (if weather is inclement), you wear a helmet and your bike is road worthy - That's it!

Latest YOGi Jersey Order

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:34:00 GMT

The latest shipment of the classic YOGi Race Jerseys has arrived. Kim Wiltshire will bring the jerseys etc to B&Q on Saturday morning (10am) and to the Skylark pub (12 noon) on Sunday for people to collect their orders.

There are some additional stock jerseys available in some sizes, so if you would like one bring £40 (cash or cheque). There are also 2 spare lightweight gilets at £38 each - highly breathable and ideal for keeping the wind off your chest.

Lots of lovely jerseys justing waiting to go.

YOGi Christmas Social - wayhay!!!

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:16:00 GMT

Hello fello YOGi's

Listen up folks!

We are proud to announce :-

The YOGi Christmas Social!

Place: The Compton Inn
Date: Saturday 23rd January 2010 - (so we can get our cycle in without a hangover!)
Time: 7.30pm

We are also providing a buffet to ensure you all can do your other favourite past time which, apart from drinking, is of course eating.There will be veggy options too. How kind are we?

Looking forward to seeing everyone there for more fun fun fun!

Rides This Week - 16th November

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:21:00 GMT

It's looking like a case of more rain showers for the coming week but no doubt some hardy souls will assemble at B&Q and elsewhere for our regular collection of rides.

We are aware of the problems with the Tuesday MTB Ride i.e. the racers setting an infernal pace at the front! The ride is basically unled but perhaps if someone could take charge of the less fast group or perhaps the faster riders could pause for a regroup a little more often? We'd welcome any thoughts you may have on this.

You might be interested to know that we now have 120 members. The Christmas Do looks like it will be on Saturday 23rd January just as soon as the committee have checked their diaries! Watch this space. We will probably go out before Christmas for some unofficial drunken revelry in town.

Please note that for all evening rides you MUST have front and rear lights. Anyone not adhering to this basic requirement is not welcome on our rides!

Road Ride - Tuesday 17th November
B&Q Marsh Mills 6.30pm. Ride of around 30 miles in 2 hours. Sometimes the ride splits into two groups. The fast group can be as fast as 18mph average. Not led rides. Lights required.

MTB Cross Country Ride - Tuesday 17th November
Meet B&Q Marsh Mills 6.30pm. Fast, technical MTB ride. Lately these have been unled rides. The fast group is very quick. Hopefully this week someone will take charge of the slower group. However, this ride is most definitely not for novices. Good off-road lights are required.

Road Ride – Thursday 19th November

Both meet B&Q, Marsh Mills 6:30 pm. Pretty much the same as Tuesday.

MTB Adventure Ride – Thursday 19th November

Meet Yelverton Co-Op 7.15 pm. Windy does appreciate confirmation that you are riding so please confirm by e-mailing him. If you are new to this ride first contact us via our web site just in case of any late change of plan etc. There is an optional post ride social drink so bring a change of clothes. Off Road Lights required.

Steady Road Ride - Saturday 21st November

Meet B&Q Marsh Mills 9.00 am. Steady ride of 45-55 miles (or more if you want!). We incorporate a cafe stop where the group splits for either a shorter or longer route. The day’s route is usually posted on the website by Friday evening.

Introductory/Novice Road Ride – Saturday 21^st November

Meet B&Q Marsh Mills 10.00am. Nice steady ride for beginners, newcomers or those who just fancy chilling out with some good company and a cafe stop. Distance approximately 25 miles.

MTB Cross Country Ride - Saturday 21st November

Meet B&Q Marsh Mills 10.30am. Steady but technical MTB ride, not for beginners (see our MTB Intro Ride). Expect to be out for approx 3 hrs. Maybe worth checking with Wayne (07895 850757) to ensure the ride is actually on, it invariably will be!

Early Bird MTB Cross Country Ride – Sunday 22nd November

Meet B&Q Marsh Mills 8.00 am. Unless there's a local race, this ride will be on; rain, shine or snow! 3-4 hours at a fairly fast pace. Sorry only for experienced and pretty fit riders.

Our Ethos

We welcome all newcomers.
Our bikes are in a safe to ride condition.
We wear helmets on all road and MTB rides.
For safety reasons any type of music ear phones will not be worn, this ensures you can hear messages about cars/obstructions/directions as passed down the line.
We ride with front and rear lights in poor visibility and within normal lighting up hrs.
We remain aware that we are riding under the YOGI Cycling Banner and do not behave in a manner that can harm the clubs reputation, this means following all traffic rules, riding in single file when cars are behind, and refusing to get involved in any kind of abuse with other road users no matter what the provocation.
Caring passionately about the trails we ride.
Everyone shares our ethos and ensures YOGi Cycling is seen as an exemplary cycling club
Everyone brings spare inner tubes and basic tools

Yogi Hoodies

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:54:00 GMT

Sales of the Yogi polo shirts are going well. However now that winter's here you will might need something a tad warmer, so Ian is now taking orders for Yogi branded hoodies priced at £22. We already have a sample and they're great quality and really cosy; great for warming up after those cold winter rides!

Ian Roberts will be putting an order in as soon as he has a few requests so don't forget to put it on your list to Santa if you want it through in time for Christmas!

Hoodie £22

Logo detail

Polo Shirt £13

Sizes

small (34"-36")

medium (38"-40")

large (42"-44")

x large (46"-48")

2x large (50"-52")

Soggy Bottom 1

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:08:00 GMT

Lynda McTier won the Women's Fun Race and promptly went for an extra lap!

In an interview for British Cycling Lynda said, "That was fantastic fun, really enjoyable. I've never raced before so I was unsure which category to enter so I opted for fun to get a chance to see what it's all about. The descents were so much fun, the water was a shock I didn't know it was quite that deep, the first time it was a bit iffy but after that I just got on with it! I've only recently taken up mountain biking, I'm more used to riding on road, but I thought I'd give this a go for a change. It was brilliant, I can't wait to come back and have another go!"

Freckles McTier's okay for energy drink for a while.

Alli Northcott stormed the Women's Elite Race beating Maddie Horton by a considerable margin.

Interviewed for British Cycling Alli explained, "That was a real battle out there with Maddie and to be honest I thought she'd got it really but I stuck in there and a managed to get the lead on the climb and got the win. I quite enjoyed it out there wasn't quite as muddy as I was expecting I thought it was going to be horrendous, but it wasn't too bad in the end.
I still prefer my road riding, but I'll do the rest of the Soggies, it'd be rude not to really, what with such an excellent series and venue right on my doorstep. Plus it's great to mix this into my training plan; it's a great way to do a bit of top end in a fun way"

Steve Hodge powering his way to 5th place in the Sport Category.

More photographs by Vaughan Brean here. Flickr Photostream by Joolze Dymond. Full British Cycling Report. And Results and lap times.

A few were missing from the start line including Garry Pike, injured after 2 crashes on Tuesday night's ride and Keith Woodward with his hand in plaster!

British Cycling Membership and Racing Licences

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:23:00 GMT

Remember that as a YOGi Cycling member you can get FREE basic 'bronze' British Cycling membership for your first year with the option to upgrade to silver or gold for an additional fee.

A number of our riders have also taken out British Cycling Road Racing Licences for 2010 - why not join them.

Springtime Pursuits 2010

Whilst we're on the subject of road racing; Mid-Devon CC will once again be running their successful Springtime Pursuits in 2010, taking place on Saturday's 20th Feb, 27th Feb and 6th March with the HQ at Whimple.

Women's Racing

In 2009 the Mid-Devon CC arranged the Springtime Pursuits so that they sent off a group of women at the head of the field. This was successful in part, in that they had 7 women enter, however they had to face up to being caught by a large group of males travelling much faster than them. To address this issue and because they believe that there are now enough women racing in the Southwest, some of whom have been regulars at Ilton during the year, the Mid-Devon CC will be running a seperate ladies only race but still in conjunction with the Springtime Pursuits. This is how it is intended to work:-

The women will start as a bunch some 2 or 3 minutes after the scratchmen leave the start line.
They will have their own lead car and where appropriate race officials.
When they have the first two races that are over 3 laps the ladies will race over 2 laps i.e. 20 miles. On the final week they will do 3 laps i.e 30 miles. By doing this they will finish before the Pursuit ends.
The ladies will have their own prize list.

Better get training people.

Leadville 100 Film

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:09:00 GMT

Nice bit of footage for anyone looking for motivation?

MTB Intro Ride Photos and Report

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:34:00 GMT

Fifteen of us duly turned up for the November rendition of our MTB Intro Ride. Two newbies Dan (?) and Gareth George were duly welcomed as we set up for our traditional group photo (all Photos Here). Kim Wiltshire had found a nice little route that basically involved getting very wet, very muddy and err lost. And unusually a long down hill start. Mmm that means a long up hill finish then. I was hoping those on their first ride would appreciate that!

So to start; the pleasure of Cross Dresser descent which for those who don't know runs alongside the road past Tin Park Stables. A long and on this occasion exceptionally boggy affair. Boulders and tree roots a plenty. Lots of falls but no pain (we had sensibly briefed everyone to watch out! It was much too slow going for that after a week of torrential rain. Still we all arrived at the bottom in time for another form of a drenching as one of the promised squalls in turn duly dumped it's Atlantic Ocean derived load on to us.

And so to the climb out to the moonscape of the clay works, accompanied by the sound of Devon Gritstone grinding away gears and chains, yep that sand spoil sure loves attaching it's self to bits of shiny bike. Perhaps all the standing water would act as a lubricant and reduce the collateral damage. But hey what does it matter that's what MTB's are for eh!

So to the top of the climb and a lovely descent towards Newnham, it was here where things went slightly awry. Kim, Mike Deacon, Dan and Carl Hutchins went one way and the rest of us another. By the time we had negotiated a number of gorse bush stabbings we realised we had split up so it was about turn for a second dose. Hands up those who woke up this morning to find they now have a two flat inner tubes on account of minute holes in yer inner tubes! My hands are up! Luckily skin heals itself!

So all back together and we continue along towards the enormous sand heaps and a few tricky but harmless techy bits which basically gave us chance to get even wetter and even muddier. Right laugh this MTB stuff what. Well it wasn't for Kim cos he took a fall and gouged a nice slice of flesh out of his leg. Looked bad enough to end his ride so with Gwyn Morris and Justin Whyatt for company headed off to the Cumberland Centre, via his Bongo for medical attention. Post ride news is he escaped stitches on account of some medical technology. Glue! Cool. Much better than having a sowing needle repeatedly jammed into yer body.

The rest of us opted for a longer ride than we usually do on these Intro Rides and took in the fantastic Bombholes and the descent right into the bottom of the common land bordering Newnham Park. Another climb and we are watching the model airplanes as we head over the bridleway towards Wotter. This was a new trail for me and Steve Mitchelmore took over the leading duties, recalling riding this same place many years ago. One thing it did do was bring us out onto a spectacular contouring route alongside the turquoise waters of the clay works holding pool. A surreal place this.

So with the view soaked up its onwards, a tricky little drop off and then a tough old slog up a wide draggy sand road back to the car. We always relax our 'Stick at the Slowest Pace' rule for the last bit back to base and Mike Deacon and Clive Evans duly took off.

This ride was not quite typical of our Intro Rides which just goes to show we can change our plans according to the level and preferences of the slowest riders. I think Dan would hold his hand up for that award, after all he hadn't even seen his bike for 5 years. It had been under a tarpaulin all that time. I wonder if it will stay out from now on? I think so as he did enjoy! What do you reckon then Dan?

7th November Road Ride Report

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:43:00 GMT

"At last!" I shouted as I drew back the curtains to see the rain had finally stopped. The week 'til now must have been the wettest week this year and the coldest. There was no doubt that at some point on today's ride we were going to get a good soaking, but after a week of going cold bike-turkey, it had to be done. 15 other Yogis also decided to brave the elements, a quick discussion and it was decided to head to Buckfastleigh. The roads out that way are quite wide so at least we thought we would not be riding up any muddy lanes, (we were wrong, I'll come to that in a minute).

It was a pleasant blast out to Buckfastleigh with a bit of a gentle tail wind and we only had a little down pour which didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits. I think we were all ready for the all important cafe stop. We pulled up to one of our favourite haunts -the cafe at Buckfast Abbey - only to find it was closed for refurbishment, "Noooooooo!" However after a bit of an emergency meeting among the Yogi elders we decided to head out to Dartington Cider Mill, about five miles down the road. A new one to add to the Yogi cafe list, very nice if not a touch pricey. After filling our bellies it was decision time, do we head back along the very busy and fast Totnes road or head back along the road we had come from Buckfast adding a few more miles? Then someone pointed out a cycle lane sign posting South Brent on the other side of the road, "Perfect!" We set off following the signs and it wasn't long before this route started taking us down some back lanes which were like mud baths, our bikes were filthy. After South Brent it was back past Moorhaven into Ivybridge and home to sunny Plymouth. A good ride and the weather didn't spoil it one bit, clocking up a good 52 miles.

Want to Develop MTB Trails? And get paid to do it!

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:23:00 GMT

Jez Ralph at Silvanus says they have been given a multi-million pound pot of cash to develop trails at a number of sites across the South West and are now looking for someone to take the actual design, build and promotion of the trails forward. It's a management/development role rather than getting down and dirty with a shovel but some civil engineering experience is being asked for. Details here.

It's going to be a cracking job for someone so it may as well be a YOGi. If anyone wants more information use our contact and we'll put you in touch with Jez.

Saturday Road Ride 31st October

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:04:00 GMT

Big turnout again despite a lot of riders being off to ride the Exmoor Beast.

A couple more pics here.

Dartmoor Classic 2010

yogicycle@googlemail.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Entries for the 2010 Dartmoor Classic are now open with the online booking system. The event takes place on Sunday 27th June. We advise that you get in early to avoid disappointment.

The entry fee for both 100 kilometre and 100 mile distances is £25.

A small sample of last years riders.

A number of Yogi's have already signed-up and we'd advise you all to book early. Don't forget to enter under the club name of YOGi - you will find us in the drop-down list of clubs.

Last years event was extremely successful from a Yogi viewpoint with the club having by far the largest number of participants with over 30 entrants. So make sure you're part of the team that has the most fun. No doubt we will all go out for a few beers after the event!

Next year there is also a Pasta Party on Saturday 26th June between 16:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs. Tickets are £8:00 per person for a two course meal with drink. You can book your ticket at the same time as booking your entry.

More details on the booking page.