What a term!
I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone that’s got involved in the last 3 months, it’s been rad. We’ve smashed a chain of new milestones this year, and I’d like to say a few words on what we’ve achieved.
The term started off with a bang, as 80 bright eyed riders came out for the first ride of the year. After a spin around Bristol, this being a first for many, we headed to the pub for some well earned hydration.
The following Wednesday marked the second ride and our first social of the year. After arriving tight and bright, we departed spoons with clouded vision and stumbled onto the triangle. Lounge.
That weekend the roadies furiously pedalled to the Forest of Dean, meeting up with the MTB crew who had hitched a free lift there to experience the fantastic trails it has to offer. The sun shone and we couldn’t have had a better time.
After first weeks heavy night in Lounge, we opted for a calmer array of socials over the following month. With a trip to Roll for the Soul for some mechanic coaching, a Bike Polo taster session, a meal at sponsors Mission Burrito, a brilliantly curated quiz, a film night and quote Callum Hunter “the best night of my life”: SCORE. The participation of these nights has been great as has the quality of their delivery, thanks Andrew for the fantastic work.
With the club progressing so well over the last few years, it was time to give back to the cycling community. This term marked our FIRST EVER open hill climb. It was a great success with a huge field of riders; thanks Tom Hall and Connor for doing such a good job in organising.
To finish the Hill Climb season our fastest vertical ascenders headed up to the BUCS hill climb in the peak district, returning with a plethora of great positions. The following day alumni member Will Bourne placed an incredible 14th in the National Hill Climb Championships. Chapeau!
We’ve had loads of away trips that have all been great fun. Travelling to the Brecon Beacons, Afan, Bike Park Wales and Snowdonia. Conquering some of the best climbs and descents this country has to offer.
Our development and performance teams have gone from strength to strength taking part in interval sessions, spinning sessions and saturday training rides. The training has proved it’s worth with fantastic results coming from both cyclocross and closed circuit racing.
One further notable milestone from this term has been the creation of the Western Universities Race League. Cam has done a great job of getting local Universities together and the first event two weeks ago was a great success.
Next term holds a multitude of exciting events. Look out for more away trips, Tour de Burrito, our open time trial, loads of racing and there’s even rumours of THE PYRENEES.
So once again, thanks for getting involved. This club solely exists because of people like us that enjoy riding our bikes, and we’ve had a lot of fun doing just that!

Kit note: No news as yet on the kit. Keep an eye on the facebook group for more info.

Tuesday: 8pm, FREE Spinning at the Gym (NO GYM PASS Needed). This is now a regular session. Sign up will be via a post on our Facebook Group. The first 16 to reply will get a place. Anyone who doesn't get a spot will get priority for next week (so if you wanted to go and it's full, post to get on the list for next week).

Wednesday: 2pm, Last ride of 2014. See you at the bridge! And, as always, remember to bring your lights!

Thursday: 7pm, Development squad. See respective groups or email Cam (ct13975@my.bristol.ac.uk) for more info.

Odd Down Racing
A big weekend for UOBCC's road team who were down in Bath on Saturday for the first round of the Odd Down Winter Series. The nice weather was a good omen of things to come as we had five top-10 finishers across the three events. Special mentions goes to Barney and Becca who came 6th and 9th respectively in their first ever closed-circuit race. A fantastic effort from all involved - we're in for a good year!

Cyclocross
Two of our riders visited Lockleaze for Round 11 of the Western League this weekend. The course was all but relentless, with thick soul-sapping mud that had both Cam and Callum off their bikes and pulling clods from their brakes. Cameron, who after running over a Bath Uni CC rider, had a healthy 20 second lead in the first half of the race. However the sticky mud meant he had to stop and eventually finished in 3rd. Congratulations to Callum for pushing through to complete his first race in 16th.

We will be handing out membership cards on Tuesday (16th) and Thursday (18th) lunchtimes 1-1:30 in Queen's Building foyer.

Time: 8pm, 17th December.
Location: Beerd
Facebook Event

Thanks to all those who signed up to our Christmas meal. See you at 8 on Wednesday.

The menu includes: antipasti on arrival, a selection of Beerd's pizzas, salads, sweet potato fries and onion rings plus a good dashing of mulled wine.

For those of you hard core cyclists who can even manage more than one night out a term, we will probably be heading to Bunker for the last sports night this year.

Sign-up on British Cycling. Odd Down racing December 20th - (next weekend) if you're still in Bristol. Pre-entry closes on Thursday.

Want to race? You'll need a race licence and to get that you need to be a member of British Cycling. If it's your first year, get a £20 discount here. (Promo code: NEWCMRA)

Becca in the women's peloton at Odd Down on Saturday.

See our website for more info about our sponsors and what special deals they can offer.

Tuesday: 8pm, FREE Spinning at the Gym (NO GYM PASS Needed). This is now a regular session. Sign up will be via a post on our Facebook Group. The first 16 to reply will get a place. Anyone who doesn't get a spot will get priority for next week (so if you wanted to go and it's full, post to get on the list for next week).

Wednesday: 2pm, social ride from the bridge. (Bring lights!)

Thursday: 7pm, Development squad. See respective groups or email Cam (ct13975@my.bristol.ac.uk) for more info.

Saturday: 11am, performance/development squad training.

Sunday: 10am, social rides from the bridge.

UOBCC Does Coast-to-Coast

"Early on Sunday morning nine UoBCC members set off into the mist to ride the fabled Coast to Coast. Starting down at Clevedon with the compulsory back wheel in the sea photo, we rode past Cheddar and over the Somerset levels all the way down to Weymouth, clocking in at just over 90 miles. Stopping for coffee atop the local "mountainous" outcrop of Ham Hill with excellent views before heading to East Coker for a T.S. Elliot themed cultural moment. Some surprisingly steep climbs towards the end made us all feel like we'd earned the decent down towards the sea, and after the second (albeit dark and blurry) photo with the front wheels in the sea a hearty fish and chips.
One final challenge remained, getting all the bikes onto the train, but after sending the girls to sweet talk the conductor we all made it back to Bristol.
Thanks to all of you that came along and made for an excellent day of riding." - words Sam Maddrell-Mander

Time: 8pm, 3rd December.
Location: O2 Academy
Facebook Event

It's the season to be jolly so let's all follow Tom Hall's example and make merry for Christmas Score.

Pre-drinks to be confirmed. Tickets on sale at all social rides from your committee for £5. Only a limited number so get yours quick!

Theme is UOBCC Father Christmas' so we're thinking red jerseys and santa hats.

Stolen Bristol Bikes

CLUB BIKE STOLEN!

One of our hire bikes has been stolen from one of our members homes. Please keep your eyes peeled and if spotted (online or out on the streets) please contact the police immediately.

The bike is our 54cm Trek 1.2. Stolen from Montpellier on 28/11/2014.

Distinguishing features: No bottle cage and flat pedals (not up to the standard of the bike).

Facebook Event.

Here is the plan: We are going to be getting trains from Temple Meads, with the first leaving at 12.54. The trains run every half an hour, and hopefully they should be empty at this time of day however we will most likely have to split up to get all the bikes on. Please comment on the facebook event what time you can make the train.
We'll be organising teams when we get there, based on who turns up.

Aleksa being Rad in Snowdonia!

See our website for more info about our sponsors and what special deals they can offer.