You want to be in the know? OK! Here’s a quick update on what’s happening on the Hill over the past few months.
There’s had to be a last minute change of venue for the AGM this evening.
The new venue is the Holiday Inn in Aylesbury:
Broughton 2 Suite
Holiday Inn Aylesbury
New Road
Weston Turville
Aylesbury HP22 5QT
It’s here on Google Maps: http://g.co/maps/hyf8m
Time remains the same - 1930 (7.30pm) start.
See you there!
It’s that time of year again when those behind the scenes at Aston Hill look to you for your help.
We really need to know if we are running things the way you like it. Is there something that you would like to change (and no, you’re not getting an uplift service)? Or have you got any fantastic ideas? Then this is the time to get them on the table.
Yes, it’s true. After years of listening to riders saying that they want an uplift, the Aston Hill think tank have finally worked out a solution that should solve the problem for once and for all.
We all know how how hard it is pushing back up Aston Hill. The uplift should solve all this.
It seems that the fine folk of MBR and MBUK have written a few words about the Hill. Marketing bod Neil was briefly interviewed in February’s MBR and it seems that there are brief write-ups on the Hill in March’s MBUK and MBR.
As both articles were written mid-winter, it’s a given assumption the word ‘slippery’ was used at least once… (hey - it’s character building and improves handling skills!)
Keep your peepers peeled for both of them!
If you want to do some digging, then there’s two fast-approaching dates for your diary!
There will be a special extra dig day on Sunday 30 January. Chairman Pete will be running it and in true RAF style, it has a very specific target: re-open the alternative push up (you know the one - it was used during Foot and Mouth). Bring rakes if you have them; there won’t be much digging as it’ll be a case of clearing the path and re-establishing it.
Sunday 6th February is the date set for the next session on the 4X. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the difference made at the last session was amazing and it seems that everyone is super-keen to continue with the good work. All hands welcome - come on over and continue making a difference to the Hill!
It’s the same plan as usual for both sessions – meet at 10am in Aston Hill carpark for a quick briefing before heading off into the woods to work up some magic. It will be a full-on morning of getting your hands dirty, so come dressed to dig with warm clothes and gloves (protective footwear and eyewear is also advised).
Want to come along? Excellent! If it’s your first time (don’t be embarrassed – we were all there once) drop a line to gardeningwithoutthevegetables@rideastonhill.co.uk to let us know and we’ll be more than pleased to show you the ropes. There’ll even be tea and cake at the end (and some soup as well, to warm weary limbs).
Just a quickie to welcome Sam Wakefield onto the Aston Hill Committee as Junior Rider Rep.
Most locals already know Sam, which is why he has been asked to be the face of junior riders in all decision making regarding Aston Hill. He’s also an insanely quick racer and very good lad, and to top it all (and to quote chairman Pete) “if you cut him in half, you’d see he’s Aston Hill through and through.”
Looking forward to your ideas Sam - nice one!
Got an idea to improve the Hill? Got a spade? Then why not build a sick new line? I mean - who’s going to know?
It should be obvious that any sort of rogue building in a fenced-off, well-recognised and maintained bike park is not the cleverest thing to do. Riding on illegal trails in a bike park which is insured, monitored and regulated is a surefire way to piss off the people that look after it. Crashing on illegal trails in a bike park which is insured, monitored and regulated is a surefire way to begin the process of closing it down.
All in all, it’s pretty stupid.
The next opportunity to learn how to develop and maintain safe, sustainable trails that rock is here (well, not actually here as this is a website - it’ll be at Aston Hill on Sunday 12th December).
Ian and John will be taking the December trail maintenance and development session, and will be sharing their years of acquired trail development knowledge. It’s going to be a full-on morning of getting your hands dirty, so come dressed to dig with warm clothes and gloves (protective footwear and eyewear is also advised).
The plan is to meet at 10am in the Aston Hill carpark and then work through ’til 1pm when it’ll be time to down tools and warm up with some festive mince pies and mulled wine!
Drop a line to gardeningwithoutthevegetables@rideastonhill.co.uk if you want to get involved and join the digging list to be kept up to date about forthcoming trail sessions.
As you no doubt know, it was the Aston Hill annual general meeting on Thursday last week.
This was a chance for guys and gals in the club to have a say about Aston Hill in an open forum. It was also the opportunity for vacant roles in the Committee (the group responsible for the everyday running of Aston Hill) to be filled by those wishing to have a direct role in pushing the Hill forward.
After nearly three years of relentless hard work on behalf of the Hill, Richard Abbott stepped down as Chairman and was voted in as a Trail Manager (which will hopefully give him some time to get back on the race circuit!) Neil Cain also resigned from the Secretary post to concentrate on being Marketing Officer.
The husband and wife team of Peter and Nicole Way were voted in as Chairman and Secretary respectively. They bring a wealth of experience in organisational roles within the RAF and managing Armed Forces clubs, and a whole load of enthusiasm for mountain biking. If you see them about (and no doubt end up talking to Peter - he’s a very sociable fellow) please give them a warm welcome!
Peter Way*
