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Good news... Champion System have emailed to say the kit order will be dispatched from its factory during the week of 28th November.

You can download the route from the ride database

https://swanwheelersforum.microcosm.app/conversations/283525/#comment12881508

@JamesT - it was VERY tough going into the wind today. Add in the cold and perhaps not the ideal conditions for a step up ride. Thanks for the note re the committee response - we try our best! Next step up ride is Sunday 4th December, plenty of turbo time between now and then and hopefully more favourable conditions on the day.

@Philmet1 - I think a chest strap would probably give a more accurate reading. I think a 16 and a bit average was good given the conditions. And CountryFile have just contacted me asking if you and @StephenT are available following your heroic bird rescue from the cafe at Canons Ashby!

Hi Jeff

Yep - there's a GPX file attached on this page or you can download a tcx by following the ridewithgps link on the same page:

https://swanwheelersforum.microcosm.app/conversations/285589

Cheers

Matt

It's a step up weekend so 'faster' medium riders wishing to try out fast are very welcome to join.

We're heading north (into the wind, then riding it back) to Preston Capes and then looping round for a warming cuppa and cake at Canons Ashby. 41 miles in total.

Looking at the forecast for Sunday morning, it looks bright and sunny but also that it might be a wrap up weekend as well as a step up one!

See you Sunday!

@JamesT and @Philmet1 - as promised, first step up ride scheduled for this weekend

So punk, you're thinking of moving up to the fast ride?

Well, excellent news because this weekend is a step up ride weekend! :-)

What's a step up ride
If you feel you're at the quicker end of your current ride bracket but are not sure whether the next paced group up is too fast, then this weekend is the perfect opportunity to try it out.

A step up weekend means you can move up to the higher paced ride safe in the knowledge that on a step up ride, the expectation on the rides is that the normal pace may not be achieved all the way round the route. In other words, we'll make sure absolutely no one who wants to try the next ride up gets left behind or finds it too uncomfortable.

Who should join a step up ride
Of course, please only move up a ride if you are finding the pace in your current usual on the easy side of comfortable. If you're normally towards the back of your usual club run group on hills for example, then a step up ride probably isn't for you just yet. Whilst the pace may be a little lower on your step up ride than it normally is, it would be unfair on the other riders in the step up group if you're trying to make too big a leap in speed.

To confirm the order window is now closed - no more kit can be ordered until the next window is opened.

We've had 19 items of kit ordered in this window. I've had confirmation from Champion System that the order has now moved to production. I'll keep you posted on progress.

@Chainreaction

After the quality issues we had with some of the previous garments, quality and consistency were high on the checklist for a new supplier. Of course, we need to balance this with affordability which we tried hard to do.

The jersey you have ordered is a thick, technical winter jersey and a quick search on similar quality products elsewhere shows the price is not dissimilar. Don't forget we're getting completely unique, custom Swan Wheelers gear - it's not off the shelf stuff that every Wiggo, Froome or Cummings has 😀

At the end of the day whilst it's nice to have club kit - purchase of any item is not at all mandatory!

Useful info, thanks @JamesDesp

Thanks Keith. It'd be a crime to miss out on an extra hour in bed! 😀

In direct competition with @JohnnyG 's vagueness in his post, this week's fast ride will probably involve some bikes, pedalling and riding on some roads. Hope to see you there!

(Actually there is a planned route)

As well as being Hallowe'en, the 31st October is the day our club kit window closes and the last day for booking on to the Christmas do. You need to sign up via the forum and give your £5 deposit to a member of the committee. The monthly social this Friday, 28th October, at the Mitre or the weekend's club rides would be a perfect time to do this. It would be frightful to miss out!!!

So...

1. click here for details of the October social
   
2. click here to sign up to the Christmas do (and don't forget to hand your £5 deposit to a committee member at the social or the club ride this weekend)
   
3. click here to order some club kit.
   
   
   

The design proofs for the gilets have been added to our site. If you haven't ordered one already (or indeed any other item of kit), you'll need to be quick - the order window closes on Monday.

Feedback was good about The Mitre as the new social evening venue last month so see you again there for the October one!

Hi Keith - sorry about that. Which link was it please and I'all correct it?

@TallTim - please see attached. I call it a spade.

Following a conversation with our contact at Champion System I've revised the instructions for how you access and register on the site. I've put this all into a downloadable guide which is also linked above at the start of this thread.

Please do continue to post any questions or queries.

Cheers

Matt

Hi @Philmet1

You are right that the site renders best on a laptop, but you can still access from at phone.

On the page look at the left hand menu in the grey bar:

• click on Cycling
  
• underneath you get more options, click on Cycling tops
  
• even more options appear, click on Cycling vests
  
  

The gilets are in there.

Hope that helps, please let me know if not.

Matt

Thanks for the offer Pete but Delboy Turnock (@StephenT) turned up at the door on Saturday with a rear wheel that did the job

Thanks @keithrose 😊

Sorry @Chainreaction - not with you. The sizing charts are in cm so if you want inches it's multiplied by 2.54

Is that what you meant?

Hi @PaulW

That's correct, it's 5% on each individual item. If you're ordering something for £40 then that's £2. If we were placing a bulk order of Club kit the postage the club would have to pay on the bulk order is £20-£25 which we'd have to pass on to the members anyway (Velotec was the same). So it should even itself out.

No one would be out of pocket should we not meet the minimum of 10. Given the placement of our windows I wouldn't expect us to ever reach that situation, but a fair question nonetheless!

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Matt

We now get our kit manufactured and supplied by Champion System.

Ordering is done online via https://eucustom.champ-sys.com/Login/en-GB/Default.aspx but please read the attached guidance notes first!

Sorry everyone, but my daughter isn't very well so my plan of getting the kit to the Swan Pool ahead of the ride on Sunday via the rest of the family going swimming isn't going to happen.

That does free me up this afternoon so I'm planning to be at Solstice Cycles with the kit this afternoon. Please head down there between 3:00 and 3:30 if you would like to try it on.

Apologies again for the late change of plans.

Matt