Could you contribute to the future of

time trialling in the South?

Your opportunity to get involved

Dear Rider,

As a rider competing in time trials in the

South District of Cycling Time Trials, you no

doubt enjoy your sport and the opportunity

to compete on regular (or even occasional)

basis during the racing season. Time

trialling in the South is made possible by

clubs choosing to organise both Club and

Open events and the whole programme is

co-ordinated by a volunteer District Committee. The sport relies on clubs and individuals who love the

sport - people like you - who are prepared to put a little back to make the whole system ‘work’.

If you are a rider who has been active in the sport for some time you may already being doing your bit

for time trialling by acting as an official or organiser and this is appreciated. Despite issues in the sport

caused by increased traffic levels and loss of some popular courses, there are still healthy ‘grass roots’

activities, particularly the club event programme, which is mostly run by the more well established

clubs. The current District Committee is keen to ensure the health of the sport in two main ways at the

moment and this why we are communicating directly with you, the keen rider.

Firstly, the committee is keen to attract new organisers of events. Over recent years some riders will

have noticed gaps have appeared in the event calendar as older organisers retire (often after many

years’ excellent contribution to the sport) or clubs disband. If you’ve ever

wanted to ride locally and no events are on that particular weekend, perhaps

you and your club/team might like to consider filling the gap next season?

Why not have a look at the calendar and see if you’d like to put on an event in

2014?

The second way keen time triallist like you might want to get involved is by

serving on the District Committee? The committee co-ordinates the

programme of activities and the courses that are used in the area and it is

important that it includes regular racing members (both quick and not so quick!) who know the events

and courses used across the District as local knowledge is important when deciding which course are

used or newly adopted. Serving on the committee is not onerous and involves attending just eight

meetings a year. There are no entry qualifications; you just have to be interested in the time trialling and

fancy helping keeping it a vibrant sport in the South.

If you’d be interested in getting involved and feel you’d like to make a contribution to your sport,

whether it be as a District Committee member or by getting involved in event organisation, in the first

instance please contact Alan Sharpen on 02380 768295 or email: alansharpen@hotmail.com without

obligation, for a chat.