Isle of Man Cycling is presenting a ‘school of racing’ aimed at 12 – 18 year old competitive cyclists looking to improve their race skills. The day long session focuses on bunch riding, gearing work, cornering, braking and criterium skills. The session is based on British Cycling’s Regional School of Racing and will be delivered by qualified and trainee BC coaches. The session is about learning not just training. This one session is not going to make you fit, the work you do in your own time is where the engine gets bigger, what we can do is help you use it better. This said, the riding will be tough because of the amount we do in the lessons and the speed we end up practicing at. Priority will be given to the 12 – 18 year old age category but if there is not sufficient numbers this session may be opened up to other age categories so please get in touch if you think this session will improve you as a competitive bike rider. The session will be free of charge and there will be up to 30 places available. Anyone interested in attending or requiring further info could you please email Rob at robholden@manx.net or phone 473055.

With the end to end mountain bike challenge full with still 7months to go to the event why not think about entering this Sportive around the historic isle of man's tt course. Due to take place on the 14th September. Click here 

Don't forget the Team Manx Telecom sign on night and social takes place in under two weeks time. The Creg Na Baa will be hosting the event with proceedings getting under way from 8pm. Turn up anytime from 7.30 for a drink and a chat and take a look at our new club clothing we hope to have delivered in time. The club is offering a meal to all members for just £5 consiting of hotpot and red cabbage or a vegeterian option of Lasagna and Chips. Non Club members also welcome at a small extra cost of £7. There is also a childrens option of sausage and chips £3 for members and £4.50 for non members. We need to confirm catering so please email your requests to Aaron Livsey at aaron.livsey@hotmail.com.

Look forward to seeing you all there. Untill then keep smashing the miles in and polish the aero helmet in readiness for the first time trial in three weeks time. 

We are pleased to announce our sign on night will be held upstairs in the function room at the Creg na Baa on Friday 24th February 7.30 for 8pm.

There will be hotpot served with red cabbage and a bread roll or, there is a vegetarian option of Lasagna and Chips £5 for members and £7 for non members. A Children's meal of Sausage and Chips £3 for members £4.50 for non-members is available too. We need to confirm numbers for catering so please confirm your attendance to Aaron Livsey by email aaron.livsey@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing you there, new members are most welcome to come and join on on the night too.

The Isle of Man Post Office has released it's set of Olympic Stamps for the London Games this year. The set designed by fashion designer Sir Paul Smith were one of the first to go on sale at one minute past midnight into the new year. Sir Paul Smith a great friend of World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish was given the task of designing these very special stamps and he has produced a spectacular design over six different sports. Dot Tilbury genereal manager of the IOM Stamps and Coins welcomed guests includingNational Archery champion Aalin George and her sister Kirsten, Olympian Marie Morgan (formerly Purvis) Tom Black (cycling) and Stewart Bennett (cycling training partner for paralympian Ian Sharpe) Red Cross chairman, Peter O’Shea who will be on first aid duty at the Games together with his daughter Sadhbh who is a volunteer at the Olympic cycling road races. Find out morehere

Happy New Year to everyone ! We wish you all the best for the new year and hope it brings lots of success and happieness. 2011 has certainly been a year to remember not just on the Isle of Man but throughout the world of cycling in general. Well done to everyone. 

For any of those keen folks there will be a club run departing new years day 10am from the gates. Hope to see you all there.

World Champion Mark Cavendish won todays Bikestyle sponsored Handicap hamper race with Cycle Premier bound Tom Black taking second. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year rode away from the rest of the field to take victory on a new course in the Ballaugh and Cronk area. After 3 laps Cav rode away from what remained of the field including top juniors Jake Kelly,Nick Corlett,Tom Mazzone,Josh Knights, Jack Wolstencroft and Warick Sanderson. Senior riders Tom Black,Christian Varley, Graeme Hatcher and Rob Sorby. Approaching the last lap Cavendish had well over a minutes advantage and it was left to the rest to fight it out for the remaining places. Christian Varley and Graeme Hatcher tried their luck but it was Tom Black who stayed away to the finish after escaping in the closing stages. Jake Kelly took third with Nick Corlett 4th. 5th place went to Tom Mazzone.

Thanks to all the sponors and organisers for a great event. Results here Pictures from Haddock here. Check out Three Fm's news page for an interview with organiser Brian Johnson here

Photo : World Champion Mark Cavendish recieves his Hamper for the Win. Far right organiser Brian Johnson. Thanks to Richard Draper for photo. Plenty of other photos on Facebook 

Merry Christmas to All at Team Manx Telecom and the Manx cycling community in genereal. What a year it has been ! 2012 is not to far away and we would like to wish all are members and everyone on two wheels the best of success in 2012. Enjoy Christmas day polish that 11 sprocket and the carbon wheels on boxing day and well see you all on the start line at the Hamper on the 27th. Remember its enter on the line so turn up with plenty of time please !

Sconner and Mary have asked for anybody who reguarly attends Geoffs or has been there in the past to pope into Abode in town to sign a card we have had made for Geoff for Christmas. Mary has also arranged a small gift and it would be appreciated if you leave a small donation "It's from everyone who attends on Wednesday" . This weeks "Soup" run is as usual but next week it's Geoffs annual party and we are all welcome from 10.30am onwards. 

Anyone planning on heading to Geoffs house in Ballasalla next Wednesday head to St Johns The Cat That for 10.30am instead. Tony Varley and Mary Mason are leading proceedings and as usual a group will be leaving from around 9.15 at the NSC Gates. We will take a slightly different route to usual heading right up the Ballamooda towards StJohns then a possible loop round Patrick into Peel depending on time. All Welcome. Nicho please dont be late this is an advanced notice !

Don't forget that Three Legs Cycling released there first range of Cycling dvd's last week. They are available to purchase online via their website here. You can also purchase them at Bikestyle or Europcycles or at the Sea Terminal Welcome centre. 

World Road Race Champion Team Sky rider Mark Cavendish spent a days filming at the new TopGear Live show. The show also featured Sabine Schmitz and Ben Shepherd who also took a turn at driving Reasonalby Priced Car and Jeremy, James and Richard entertained thousands with their usual antics in the Live Action Arena. The show was filmed at the NEC Birmingham. More here.

It's that time of year again and the Annual Dinner is just three days away. The fun starts at 6pm with drinks in the lobby/ reception area at the Mount Murray Hotel. Dinner will be called at 6.45pm. Emma Smettem says there are NO PAPER TICKETS this year if youve paid your money you are in. Please also remember its the James Berry Memorial ride on Saturday morning this year you have to sign on in Bikestyle in advance so call in there and put your name down if you haven't already. The list is hotting up and it will see lots of riders out remembering James. 9am at the QB Car Park on Saturday. 

The Annual Remembering James Berry Ride is next Saturday 5th November. Tickets are available for £10 from Bikestyle and cover refreshments at Silverdale and a donation to the James Berry Fund.

As usual there will be two rides for different abilities. The longer ride leaves the QB/NSC at 9.15 prompt and follows the route below. Groups will leave in sensible numbers at two minute intervals and usual open road rules apply,

A shorter ride leaves Silverdale at 9.15 ish and follows a route around the southern beauty spots ending back at Silverdale approximately 23 miles later. Helen and Amber are the duo responsible for the ride and all new riders are most welcome.

Both rides are in memory of James Berry who so tragically lost his life whilst returning from the Café with the islands now world famous professional cyclists, so please all come along and Remember James!

Long ride route:

Ballaoates left to East Baldwin 
Algare Hill left 
T junction to St Lukes right
Past St Lukes Church to Injebreck left
Back through West Baldwin to Mount Rule right
Back road to Crosby
Straight over TT Course up School Hill 
To Garff X Roads right
Past Eairy Dam
To Foxdale right
Left in Lower Foxdale up through Ballanass to Sleu Whallian climb left
Through ford and up to Rushen Mines left
Past mines to shoulder road right
Left at x Dalby x roads and down Colby Glen to bottom right
through sloc R’Bout to Ballafesson right
over Bradda Head through Port Erin to St Mary’s Road left 
follow St Mary’s Road to Port St Mary straight over X Roads
follow Gansey Coast Road to Fisher Hill Right
follow PooilVaaish Coastal Loop Road to other side of Fishers Hill right
1st left down Ballakaighan Straight to Ballabeg corner right
then 1st right towards Regaby/Ronague
at bottom of descent turn right owards Ballamodda
at junction turn left then right into Silverdale for refreshments
Return back to Douglas via the Phildraw Road, Gate, St Marks, Braaid, B+Q then Douglas.

Download the route here

The winter nights are upon us and we are all keen to get out after work and get some secret training in when we can. If you are heading out please remember to Light up Front and Back making yourself clearly visible with bright clothing where possible. The weekend club rides will be hotting up over the coming weeks meeting at the NSC gates around 9.15 groups will head out all over the Island. Please remember to keep the groups to a minimum along the Douglas to Peel road and use alternative routes where possible. 

This year the Cycling Association Annual dinner will be on Saturday 5th November at the Mount Murray Hotel.  Tickets are priced £35 and can be reserved from Emma Smettem (emmasmettem@me.com).

The Manx Road Club AGM will take place on Thursday 27th October in the function room upstairs at the Creg na Baa. All members are urged to attend, please come along and support your club.

The Cycling Association AGM has been set for Thursday 24th November, venue and time to be confirmed.

Please could all holders of Cycling Association trophies please return them to Bikestyle by no later than next Friday 14th October please make sure they have been engraved and are clean.

Finally, the popular Parishes ride is this Sunday (9th), the lads at Bikestyle are taking names for the food so pop in and put yourself down if you're planning to ride. We've not received any start times or info yet, but it usually heads out from the NSC gates with groups departing between 8:30 and 9 ish. There's a cakey pit stop around half way at St Johns to fuel your slog up Dalby. More info when we hear it.  

Gary Hinds has some important information regarding Majorca in 2012. Please click here to read the information. 

Missed some of the action, want to see what the Island was like or show someone who couldn't make it. Then check out highlights from all sports across the games on youtube. There are some fantastic highlights including action from the all cycling events. Click here

On the 28th August the MVW are promoting the Microgaming Sporting 25mtt Championships, the course has been changed and is a little more user friendly. All entries previously accepted will be carried over however please send a new form to Brian Johnson with the correct date and mark location as Silverdale. This event will also incorporate the IOM 25MTT Penrice Championship!!!!! The course is a variation of the old Fletcher Trophy Course with a few subtle changes.

Sign on from 0815 at Silverdale Café HQ. Start at bottom of Phildraw Road 0900hrs.

Phildraw Road – Up the Gate – St Marks – Bridge Nurseries – Braaid – Red Lion Hill – Eairy Dam – Tosaby – St Marks – Ballasalla – Right onto Phildraw Road to complete 1 lap.

2 lap the same. NB The loop around St Marks- Braaid- Eairy -Tosaby is the Stugadoo Circuit the correct way.

Note – This event is sponsored by our National Sponsor Microgaming and carries £350 worth of cash prizes along with some other goodies on the day. Please give your support to the sponsors that support us. More here

Steve Shimmin has sent the following regarding this years Commonwealth Youth Games. The event is only a number of days away. Please come forward and make this event possible !

I am in urgent need of more experienced cyclists to act as marshals (what a surprise!) for Friday night and Saturday.   There are many people 'missing' from the volunteer list that owe the sport something back having 'taken' a lot over a long period and I expect them to come forward !   As such can I task each road Club to produce a further 8 marshals (24 in total) please ? This is the minimum requirement to enable to event to take place under the Risk Assessment. It would be helpful to have more! Mountain Bike and BMX members will be most welcome, it's just that this is a road event and as such I feel responsibility should fall to the road based clubs.   Please ask the 'volunteers' to complete the VAF form attached and submit to me along with a passport size photo. My address is 4 Birch Hill Gardens, Onchan, IM3 4ET.   I apologise for communicating in this tone but as you can tell I'm pretty hacked off with the response I've had. Feel free to convey my feelings to your Club membership.   There is an element of urgency required and I need the names, photos and forms by Friday 24th August.   Thanks.   Yours in sport.   Steve

Please click here to see those who have volunteered already.