Latest Gateway News

Tier 4…….

Hi guys, All this talk of cafes and New Year reminded me to check the British Cycling website to see if they had updated their advice, bearing in mind I think they were blindsided by the last-minute introduction of Tier 4. To be fair the government site, at the time, also said, in so many words, ‘Watch this space’. Well BC did update on December 22nd. and there is a link to the government site. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20200512-about-bc-news-British-Cycling-Updated-Coronavirus-Guidance-0ee below: British Cycling Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 Guidance Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Saturday 19 December we are suspending all sanctioned activities in Tier 4 areas in England, with the exception of outdoor activities for under-18s and disabled people. Staying active is important, and those living in Tier 4 areas can continue to cycle … www.britishcycling.org.uk Once again some of the rules … Read entire article »

2020 Update – one amazing year!

Following a very difficult year for everyone it has been great to see how the Gateway Memebership has tried to keep the social rides going. Reading everyones posts about rides and Outside Cafe stops has been interesting and amusing and goes to show why we all love this club so much! The committee has met and discussed the membership fees for 2021 and have concluded that in the light of the current situation all current fully paid up members for 2020 will receive free membership for 2021. If for any reason a member wishes to withdraw their membership please contact the Club Secretary, Phil Baker,  and we will ensure your details are removed from all Gateway Cycling Club records in line with GDPR regulations. Additonally if any member has any changes to their … Read entire article »

Tier 3

Sorry for this late response to us going into Tier 3 but I was having difficulty undestanding the, what seemed to be, contradictory advice on the British Cycling website with regard to group rides. It took a call to them to clear up the confusion. The Rule of Six still applies and as a group ride you can cross tier boundaries (be they Tier 1, 2 or 3) providing you don’t stop for a break. You only stop in your own area. However, you should not travel across a tier boundary for a group ride. Apparently, this means you shouldn’t drive to start a ride in another tier area. Your group rides should start in your area. There are exceptions which I don’t think will apply to many at the … Read entire article »

Covid-19 update

No new additions to BC site that I can see despite the promise of an update. Anyway as far as I understand it, we are in Tier 2 from 00:01 today. I think this means reverting to the Rule of Six that we were operating before November 5th. So in theory the Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday rides can resume as long as people are able to organise themselves into sixes at the start. Worth remembering however the words of Boris ‘Tis the season to be jolly….careful.’ So metre+ and all those other annoying restrictions that have ………saved our lives. … Read entire article »

Sundays

Just a quick reminder that on the weekend that the clocks go back (this weekend) traditionally the meet time at Bulphan school carpark on Sunday changed from 9:00 am. to 9:30 for the winter. I think the theory is that it gives a little longer for any frosts to melt. So bear this in mind when organising any rides, remembering of course about the groups of six or less when outside (riding) and that in Essex, being in Tier 2 means cafe stops will need to be outside except for same households and ‘bubble groups’. Look on the bright side. It still beats housework or gardening. … Read entire article »

Tale of a Bespoke Bike Frame. End Of.

Tale of a Bespoke Bike Frame. End Of.

After 9 months in the making, this project finally came to an end when I collected finished BIKE today. Everyone involved were very pleased with final result even considering the odd compromise which had to be made. As I said from the start the whole job was completed locally within 30 miles of home which I am very pleased about. Thanks go to frame builder Mark Groves, spray artist John Callaghan and bike builders  at … Read entire article »

Rule of six.

Hi Gateway members, As you’re probably all aware, the law regarding meeting in groups changed on Monday as part of a strategy to limit the upsurge in Covid cases in the last week or so. As these laws and guidelines are complex, we have been influenced by British Cycling who stated in a recent communication: ‘For your ride-specific questions, as I say we are still waiting to see the exact guidance, however our understanding is that our current guidance for Club rides will be unaffected by the new changes. This means that they will still be capped at six riders, and that you should avoid congregating in groups of more than six (ie. by staggering start times and café stops).’ It seems that we might have been sailing close to the wind up until … Read entire article »

The “not the club night September 18th”

Ahh! The best laid plans of mice (other rodents are available) and men (women and everyone in between)……… Plans for the return of club night have been thwarted by yesterday’s government announcement that groups larger than six will be banned from next Monday. As it’s indoors, club night will definitely fall foul of this new restriction. Sorry Bob. … Read entire article »

Club night September 18th.

It’s club night but not as we know it, Back by popular demand! Thanks to the grace of God, HM Government and British Cycling. First post lockdown meeting September 18th. reverting in future months to the second Friday of the month. Sadly no refreshments and lots of other rules to be adhered to. Rules of the hall itself. Nothing to do with me guv! These will follow closer to the time. Might be a good time to remind people that we need to know who we are riding with and to keep a record for 14 days. On a Sunday I’ve been taking photos to record the whole group. I have asked people to keep a record of their riding groups. As I understand it if this isn’t done, if someone goes … Read entire article »