The Beacon Message Board

Hello all.

Following a successful event in 2022 Beacon RCC are hosting a round of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League at Walsall Arboretum on 26th November.

We will be looking for helpers:

To load equipment on to the van from the previous event Lakeside Campus, Holt on 19th November.

Helpers to set up early on the morning of the race and the day before
Sign on
•
Car Park Marshals
•
Course Marshals
Sweeper after each race
•
Helpers to pack up the course and load it on to the van.

Helpers to unload the van the other end.

Please save the date(s) and help out if at all possible. This is a big undertaking - but also a great way to put something back into our sport for all ages.


The format of the day is set by the League committee link here: https://wmccl.co.uk/events/

The sooner we have firm commitments of offers of help the easier it is to put a plan together.

Sorry, Ade... date clashes with a weekend away for my wife's birthday.

I'm available to help again Ade

George wrote: ↑

31 Jul 2023 11:20

Sorry, Ade... date clashes with a weekend away for my wife's birthday.

Understood George.

Simon Woodward wrote: ↑

01 Aug 2023 06:29

I'm available to help again Ade

You're a star!

I will be entering to race on the day but happy to help in any capacity before and after my race slot, if that works.

Jason H wrote: ↑

02 Aug 2023 13:38

I will be entering to race on the day but happy to help in any capacity before and after my race slot, if that works.

Great news on both counts - thanks Jason

Ofc I’ll help again

Hels147 wrote: ↑

15 Aug 2023 18:39

Ofc I’ll help again

Star!

I should be ok to help for the day.

Jumbo78 wrote: ↑

22 Aug 2023 22:21

I should be ok to help for the day.

Many thanks indeed Karl Any help meanwhile keeping this event on everyone's radar appreciated too!

ok - so one month to go. Five confirmed offers of help. If you are available, please can you post here? All the best, Ade

Ok some stats. Weeks to go till our cross event: 3. Firm offers of help received on the message board: 5. Percentage of the membership that has volunteered: 0.02. Offers of help received on the message board since last week: 0

I can be there from 09:30 if that's any good to you, Ade?...help with sign-on?

To confirm Ade, I'll be good for both days - the course building/marshaling.

Stuart

stuart jones wrote: ↑

01 Nov 2023 11:29

To confirm Ade, I'll be good for both days - the course building/marshaling.

Stuart

You're a star Stuart. I will get you a map for the coursebuilding. Is there a good email to get you on?

Thank you Dave Cole for your support.

AdeR wrote: ↑

02 Nov 2023 19:41

stuart jones wrote: ↑

01 Nov 2023 11:29

To confirm Ade, I'll be good for both days - the course building/marshaling.

Stuart

You're a star Stuart. I will get you a map for the coursebuilding. Is there a good email to get you on?

stuart.j30@hotmail.co.uk

Happy to help on 26th. I can be there all day.

Please let me know when and where you want me.

Ben Lowe

hi

i can help no problem

might need a lift though to get there and back as i do ot own a car

i could cycle there no problem, just depends how late i will be there till

Cycleperson698 wrote: ↑

03 Nov 2023 20:39

Happy to help on 26th. I can be there all day.

Please let me know when and where you want me.

Ben Lowe
07515866386

You're a star Ben. I'll be in touch with further details. Magic!

PaulB wrote: ↑

03 Nov 2023 20:55

hi

i can help no problem

might need a lift though to get there and back as i do ot own a car

i could cycle there no problem, just depends how late i will be there till

That's ace Paul! Thank you Where do you need picking up from?

hi ade

i live in Rednal, B45, but i can cycle to a pick up spot on my fold up then load it in back of car if that helps, if anyone lives 2 or 3 miles from me

I'm flexible like thst, can meet someone halfway as long as boot clear for my fold ip

I can help load and unload the van in Wythall, just let me know what time and where.

Jason

Thank you Richard Greer

Thanks Jason! Are you free on the 19th late afternoon/early evening (unload) 25th a.m. (load) or 26th early evening (unload)? 



Hi Ade,

I can help load and unload the van in Wythall if that's useful.

Cheers,
Jason 

Ade,

I am willing to help. I am an early riser, so don't mind helping with the setting up.

PhilG wrote: ↑

05 Nov 2023 18:53

Ade,

I am willing to help. I am an early riser, so don't mind helping with the setting up.

That's brilliant - really appreciated Phil

AdeR wrote: ↑

05 Nov 2023 17:29

Thanks Jason! Are you free on the 19th late afternoon/early evening (unload) 25th a.m. (load) or 26th early evening (unload)? 



Hi Ade,

I can help load and unload the van in Wythall if that's useful.

Cheers,
Jason 

Understood you can't do the 19th but can do the 25th and 26th. Magic!

I can help all day on the 26th. Let me know when you need me.

Helen wrote: ↑

06 Nov 2023 09:51

I can help all day on the 26th. Let me know when you need me.

That is magic Helen! Look out for a timetable coming here soon. It will be an early start as we need to set up

Briefing notes. Please could you have a read, Thank you.

WEST MIDLANDS CYCLO CROSS MARSHALS


Each marshal point will have a yellow and a red flag

• The YELLOW flag indicates there has been and incident and riders will need to slow down and proceed with caution. This is most likely to be a localised incident specific to your part of the course.
• The red flag STOPS the race. All riders must immediately stop, if the race is stopped all marshals shall use the RED flags.
• The commissaires team are the only officials that can instruct the stopping of a race. If you have a serious incident in your area, contact the commissaire team immediately, use the YELLOW flag and await instruction before using the RED flag.
• If you have any member of the public causing you concern, for example, they are on the course and refusing to leave, then politely ask them to leave. If they refuse to, then contact the commissaire team and chief marshal via the radio.
• If the course or marking is damaged near to you, please try and do a quick repair when safe. If you need more equipment or help then ask the officials via the radio.
• Marshals are very important to us and we appreciate your support. You are not there to be abused, if any rider or supporter does abuse you then take a note of their race number or name and report them to the Chief Commissaire in person at the end of your marshalling slot.




WEST MIDLANDS CYCLO CROSS MARSHAL BRIEFING NOTES
• Each marshal needs to wear a hi-vis vest. These can be collected when you sign on before the event or there will be one at the marshal point. Please pass the vest to the next marshal who replaces you.
• If you are due to finish you marshalling slot and the replacement has not arrived, please remain at the marshal point and contact the Chief Marshal on the radio for further instruction and the replacement is found.



• Each marshal point needs a radio. Note, these radios are to be used for official race information/issues only. Please do not engage in general chit chat to other users.
• Ensure the radio is set to channel (advised by Chief Marshal). The right hand switch turns the radio on and you will hear a message to say what channel is on.
• The left switch changes the channel and an audio will indicate the number.
• The radio talk function is operated by pressing and holding the button on the left side.
• Press the button in and hold but wait a couple of seconds before you start to talk.
• Once your marshalling duty has finished, please pass the radio on to your replacement.

Hello
I can help break down the course from 15.30 if you need, can also help drop off in Wythall
Leigh
07941355139

Leigh H wrote: ↑

21 Nov 2023 09:15

Hello
I can help break down the course from 15.30 if you need, can also help drop off in Wythall
Leigh
07941355139

That's brilliant - thanks Leigh We possibly might not need drop off in Wythall. All being well the Wolverhampton Wheelers will collect. I'll keep you posted. The wythall location is B38 0EN. bets//river//hips

AdeR wrote: ↑

21 Nov 2023 10:13

Leigh H wrote: ↑

21 Nov 2023 09:15

Hello
I can help break down the course from 15.30 if you need, can also help drop off in Wythall
Leigh
07941355139

That's brilliant - thanks Leigh We possibly might not need drop off in Wythall. All being well the Wolverhampton Wheelers will collect. I'll keep you posted. The wythall location is B38 0EN. bets//river//hips

Will I find you at race HQ or start finish line?

Thank you Jane Herrin and Tony Webb !

[/quote]
Will I find you at race HQ or start finish line?
[/quote]

Call me on 07906 179575

Thanks in advance for your time on Sunday to help with this WMCCL event at Walsall Arboretum. The organiser is Pete Varian, we (Beacon RCC) are sharing the work with our friends at Stourbridge CC – don’t forget to say hello to them at the Snowdrop Audax!

Volunteer briefing. Marshal points are shown on the last image within the document. Please read it! http://beaconrcc.org.uk/wp-content/uplo ... 231123.pdf

Volunteers spreadsheet, please take a good look at this and ensure that you are ok with the timing of your allocation – if not then please let me know as soon as possible so that there is time to amend the sheet. Most of you will have different marshal locations at different times, done to relieve boredom! I It will probably be cold so please bring enough warm clothing. Orange text SCC, green text Beacon. red text Walsall Bike Project. http://beaconrcc.org.uk/wp-content/uplo ... t1735.xlsx
Please note that the briefing doc has a marshals' briefing to help you with expectations.
A map image of the event car park location – it’s on the Broadway and is adjacent to the area we are using for the event. There is a second car park, at the B4151/The Crescent. http://beaconrcc.org.uk/wp-content/uplo ... cation.jpg
You will all get a voucher ticket given to you when you arrive, for food and drink, available from the catering wagon that will be by the signing on tent/toilet.
There will be a floating marshal to relieve you for a nature/food break if needed. See the spreadsheet.
You may notice that we are populating the whole field with marshals all day, even when the under 12’s are using a smaller course, this is because the rest of the field will be used for warming up so you will need to be in place for that too.
There will be marshals bibs for you to collect, I will have Beacon RCC ones, the box will be placed at the finish or will be with me. If you have one of our bibs, please return it to the correct place or give it to me when you finish. There will also be walkie talkie radios, instructions for use are in the WMCCL marshals pdf.
When you arrive, look for me or Roger Allen for advice where to be and for your food voucher/marshal bib/walkie-talkie.
For those building the course, it’s from 1130 on Saturday and from 0730 on Sunday.
Any questions, please reply to this email (don’t reply all) or you can ring/txt/please do not WhatsApp me (this would be as effective as putting a message in a bottle!) 07906 179575

Ade,

Looking on Google Maps it looks like Walsall Arboretum has several entances, but I haven't spotted anything that tells me which entrance to use.
Could you let me know which entrance to use?
Also, is there going to be any food available on site, and if so what?

Thanks

AdeR wrote: ↑

06 Nov 2023 08:06

PhilG wrote: ↑

05 Nov 2023 18:53

Ade,

I am willing to help. I am an early riser, so don't mind helping with the setting up.

That's brilliant - really appreciated Phil

PhilG wrote: ↑

24 Nov 2023 15:54

Ade,

Looking on Google Maps it looks like Walsall Arboretum has several entances, but I haven't spotted anything that tells me which entrance to use.
Could you let me know which entrance to use?
Also, is there going to be any food available on site, and if so what?

Thanks

AdeR wrote: ↑

06 Nov 2023 08:06

PhilG wrote: ↑

05 Nov 2023 18:53

Ade,

I am willing to help. I am an early riser, so don't mind helping with the setting up.

That's brilliant - really appreciated Phil

The car park to use is by The Grange playhouse
Here is a precise what3words address, made of 3 random words. Every 3 metre square in the world has its own unique what3words address.
What three words
///movie.part.banks

Last year there was a burger van and I believe there will be one this year as well.

All the info you need for the weekend is in one place now http://beaconrcc.org.uk/2023-beacon-rcc-wmccl-round/ links to volunteer briefing & rider briefing

First of all, I would like to say many thanks indeed for all of your help yesterday to make the event a success. I received a good number of very positive comments from riders; it ran fairly smoothly all day.
I hope that you were able to enjoy seeing at least some of the racing from your vantage point.
Around 20 Beacon members helped. Stourbridge provided about the same in terms of numbers. 3 helpers from the Walsall Bike project also put in big shifts too. Over the weekend alone I estimate over 300 person/hours went in.
There were 335 competitors – from a little ‘un on a balance bike in wellies to a rider about to compete in the vet 70+ world champs.
Apologies if any of you who had food/drink tokens rejected, it shouldn’t have happened, We would never expect people to stand for several hours in any conditions, let alone yesterday’s cold wet day, without any reward of free food and drink. Please let me know what you spent and I (or the club) will reimburse you.
Well done to Matt Russell for sporting our colours and a top 10 finish. Our co-hosts Stourbridge had a storming afternoon with Kevin & Tom Payton both claiming wins in their category. This success was all the more remarkable when you consider that they had spent all of Saturday afternoon & most of Sunday helping out.
We worked very well together with our friends from Stourbridge. I have made some notes about areas that we could do better if this is to be repeated in the future. Thank you to those of you who have already shared their thoughts. Building 75% of the course on Saturday was a bonus and made Sunday much easier. We got there on Saturday earlier this time and we had about half an hour’s extra light to work in. We also had nice clear course maps to work from.
A WMCCL event is a huge undertaking and we owe a big thanks to Pete Varian for taking this on. Big thanks also go to Roger Allen for his leadership of the Stourbridge side of the operation.
If anybody has any comments they will be welcomed. Please add your thoughts below – or e mail academy@beaconrcc.org.uk Here is something to get you going:
What worked well was …
It was good to see that …
If we did it again, we should try to …
We need to make sure that we … because …