If you’ve been keeping up with the latest news from on the News Hub, you’ll be aware from this post here that this Saturday, 17th September, is our annual Family Fun Day and Club Champs kick-off. This is a very special day in the Club Calendar, where Slipstreamers members, friends and families come together for a bit of competition and a whole lot of fun, and we do hope you will all be joining us for the day – siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends – all are welcome! Check out our Flickr album here to enjoy a few photos from last year’s event.
Now Saturday is going to be super busy, with lots going on, and of course the first two Club Champs events – skills and time trials – kicking off. Our aim is to keep things within a schedule, and as such we’ve planned the day accordingly, but if things do run behind or are delayed we thank you in advance for your patience!
Please do read on right until the end of this blog to make sure you are clear on the time slots and what to expect, and parents do kindly pass this information onto our members – they are the ones who need to know what is happening!
Fun Day and Club Champs Sign On Process
Sign on times are as noted below, and we will have to be very strict with these – please help avoid disappointment by ensuring you plan your journey with some contingency, and arrive in good time so the children can sign on and get ready with minimal fuss. The Admin Team have a LOT to get ready to support the judging teams, and unfortunately latecomers will not be allowed to sign on – as this is not a regular coaching session, there are no exceptions. So if you wish to take part in your event, please be on time – there is no sign on outside the times notes below.
Early Sign-On Session: 8am – 8.15am
- Make your way to the Clubhouse as normal to sign on – ALL TT riders must sign on with payment at the main desk first.
- This is for Members [of ANY age group] who wish to do their Time Trial during the early morning session.
- Participation will be on a first-come-first-served process, and only the first 30 riders will get to do their TT in this window.
- If for any reason there are delays and the TT hasn’t started yet, at the sign-on team’s discretion, you may still be able to sign on for the early if you are late.
- Once the TT has started, all other riders wanting to participate will have to do so later.
Regular Sign-On Session: 8.45am – 9.30am
- This is for everyone else wanting to join the day’s activities.
- ALL members must please sign on as normal with payment – make your way to the Clubhouse as you normally would.
- Anyone who arrives after 9.30am will not be able to take part so please be on time to avoid disappointment.
- Remember this is not a regular coaching session!
Competition, Bike Track, Games, Police Bike Marking, Barbecue… And MUCH More!
There will be plenty for you and the family to do during the day, so please do join us from 9am until around 3.30pm and enjoy the many activities we’ve got planned for you. The weather promises to be cooperate and remain dry for a day of music, competition and fun, good food, and a whole lot more!
Club Champs Events
If you are planning on competing, be sure to take note of the event schedule (read on further for this), as well as the following:
- Click here for what to expect from the Club Champs Skills event
- Click here for what to expect from the Club Champs Time Trial event
Pump Track with Firecrest MTB
If you’ve never experienced a pump track, let alone a wooden track, now is your chance. Ian Warby from Firecrest MTB will be spending the day with us, and you are all invited to give the wooden track system a go! Designed by professional mountain bike riders and inspired by the timber mountain bike trails of Canada’s North Shore, we’ve been informed that this has all the excitement of a traditional fixed mountain bike trail and you should try it at least once! The track will be set up behind the clubhouse, so do join Ian and the Club MTB Coaches before and/ or after your Club Champs events, as this is a great opportunity to learn a few new skills and have some fun!
Important Note: Mountain bikes are best on the track and you are welcome to ride with clips or flat shoes – whatever you are most comfortable with. Helmets are mandatory as per normal club rules, as are gloves. Any family members (brother, sisters, cousins) who are not current Slipstreamers members wanting to ride may do so on the condition a disclaimer is signed – these will be available on the day.
Fun and Games Galore
Our Social Secretary, Mark Devlin, has – as usual – planned a set of activities to keep everyone entertained. Most of these will be taking place behind the clubhouse on the grass, and will include – but are not limited to – the following:
- Bike Jenga! A new favourite of ours, and something you should all try at least once!
- Bike relays and skills madness (not to be confused with the main Skills Club Champ event!)
- Tug of war, sack races and egg & spoon races!
- Face painting and tattoos! Come and get yourself all made up and give your judging coaches a giggle when you do your Club Champs event in full colour! If any parents have an artistic streak and would like to help us out, please do!
Police Bike Marking
The Metropolitan Police Safer Transport Team will be at the Club on Saturday from 9am until 1pm, to provide free bike marking for those of you who would like to have your bicycles marked and details stored on the Police database. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of this fantastic service by the Police, so do bring your bikes along – parents feel free to bring yours if you wish! – and add them to the system for peace of mind. The team will also be able to provide advice on keeping your bikes safe, as well as answering any questions about where and how you store your bikes safely! Please remember that if you do bring extra bikes, you need to make sure the one/s you aren’t using are securely locked – it is a public park after all so please do bear this in mind. The Club cannot be held responsible if your bike goes missing. If you want to hire a bike for the day, you may do so – but this will be on a first come first served basis – so make sure you are on time to avoid disappointment!
Kit Sale
The Kit Team will be out in full force this weekend and will be selling kit – including used – outside the Clubhouse on Saturday. So bring some cash (no cards!) and Pip and Corinne will be happy to help you. If anyone has a question regarding kit, don’t hesitate to talk to the team.
Food Glorious Food!
There will be a canteen operating inside the Clubhouse all day, serving tea, coffee and juices; healthy snacks, fresh fruit and treats; as well as fresh samosas for lunch. For those who prefer something hot of the grill, there will also be a BBQ on the go outside the clubhouse serving bacon rolls, sausage dogs, and beef burgers. As an extra treat in anticipation of the lovely weather, we have also organised an ice-cream for the day! Alternatively, do bring your own picnic and feel free to enjoy this whilst watching all the activities!
What is the Schedule for the Day?
This is an ALL DAY EVENT with activities spread out, and including fun and games planned to ensure everyone gets a go, and has a great day.
The anticipated schedule and running order (subject to change!) is as follows:
Running Order & Event Times
Club Champs Activity |
Time |
Fun Day Activities |
| Sign On – Early Time Trial – ALL AGES – 08:00 – 08.15 | ||
Early Time Trial (I)ALL Ages – First 30 Riders |
08:30 to 09:30 | |
| Sign On – Main Session. ALL AGES – 08:45 – 09:30 | ||
| Group warm-up on small circuit Volunteers set up skills area |
09:30 to 09:50 |
What Else Is On?Police Bike Marking (09:00 to 13:00) Bike Pump Track with Firecrest MTB Bike Jenga, Tug of War, Relay Races, &more! Face Painting & Tattoos Kit Sale Music BBQ, Canteen, Ice-Cream Van! |
| Briefing and Welcome Address
ALL Ages – Front of Clubhouse |
9:50 to 10:00 | |
Skills Event
|
10:00 to 12:00 |
|
| Pack up skills (warm up on small circuit) | 12:00 to 12:15 | |
Time Trial (II)Road Bikes:
MTB Bikes:
|
12:15 to 13:30 |
|
Time Trial (III)Road Bikes:
MTB Bikes:
|
13:30 to 15:30 | |
| Contingency | 15:30 to 16:30 | |
| *Cleanup And Pack Away* | ||
Volunteers Needed
Parents and Young Volunteers! We will need your help throughout the day – please make yourselves known to the Coaches who could do with some help setting up the skills courses, judging and recording and also help with similar jobs in the Time trials as well. We will also need a few helpers at the face painting tent, the canteen and barbecue team will need support, and there will undoubtedly be lots more odd jobs needing assistance! There is no need to email us in advance – when you turn up on Saturday, simply let us know you’re available to help and we’ll delegate accordingly.
Finally…
Do remember that Family Fun Day is all about having a good time, getting to know fellow members, and keeping in the spirit of camaraderie and friendship – all the while enjoying a bit of healthy competition with your peers. If you miss the Skills event and cannot attend on Saturday, you will get another opportunity to do the Time Trial a week later during the early session so don’t panic! And if you can’t make it next week either, there are still more races to come – click here for a reminder of the remaining 2016 Club Champs dates.
As usual, keep an eye out on Twitter for the latest updates and if you have any questions, please contact the Admin Team (contacts are your newsletter).