This scrapbook serves as a digital archive capturing some of Wheel Easy’s highlights from it’s inception to 2014 as captured by Gia Margolis. It features annual reports, ideas for challenge rides, early involvement with charity rides and much more, reflecting the essence of the Wheel Easy philosophy. You can explore our timeline to find out even more.
2016 Paul Tindle’s Chair’s Report
Another successful year for Wheel Easy. We ended 2015 with 262 members, 169 being male and 93 female. Of these 35 are new to Wheel Easy this year. Although the membership has dropped slightly this year which could be due to the number of cycling clubs in the Harrogate / Knaresborough / Wetherby area many feel just less than 300 is excellent and wouldn’t want Wheel Easy membership to increase beyond 300.
The success of Wheel Easy is due to many factors. The ethos created at the very beginning by Malcolm and Gia gives every member the opportunity to ride a distance and speed which suits them. The ethos has also encouraged members to develop good friendships.
Every member recognises what Wheel Easy has given them and therefore members are keen to contribute in many ways to ensure the club continues to be successful.
The routes we all follow every week were put together by Helen and Keith Tate at the beginning of the year and now by Liz Pugh and Alison Noble. They were supported initially by Terry Cushley who unfortunately had to step down due to other commitments. Without them putting in a great deal of time we wouldn’t enjoy our Sunday rides so much. They ensure new routes are put together and to see as much of North Yorkshire as is possible. We also have to be so thankful to the ride leaders who lead members around these routes and then write up the reports for the website. Martin Weeks and Justin Keen have been responsible for putting together the ride leader lists
Dave Siswick, Peter Jackson, Al and Malcolm Margolis ensure the website is up to date which keeps members informed and to encourage new members to join. Sue Oliver’s weekly report in the Harrogate Advertiser has encouraged people to give Wheel Easy a try.
This year has seen many organised cycling trips which has given us all the opportunity to experience cycle touring. Wheel Easy trips have seen Colin Thompson and John Russell organise a tour of Scotland, Angela Prescott London to Paris, Eric Waters Moselle / Rhine, Terry Watkin Slovenia. Many groups of friends have also organised tours amongst themselves and I’m sure if it wasn’t for Wheel Easy this would have happened. Travellers Tales has inspired many of us to try touring.
Throughout this year we have seen members who have been an inspiration to us all. Members coming back to cycling after serious operations quicker than we thought possible, members taking on new challenges, members well into retirement who seem to cycle further and faster every year and one member who cycled from London to Paris on a Brompton with only three gears.
Although there haven’t been many social events this year we have a team of members who are willing to give up their time to ensure the events run smoothly. Caroline Graham James Grimshaw, Sue Threadgold, Sarah Emerson M are always available to help out when called upon. Unfortunately we were unable to organise the annual Christmas lunch this year as the usual venue was booked at the times we wanted it. We will ensure that doesn’t happen again.
We have a committee who meet five times a year to discuss issues, listen to new ideas and plan to ensure Wheel Easy runs smoothly. The committee consists of Neil Ashton, Jill Fellerman, James Grimshaw, John Hackett, Gia Margolis, John Russell, Paul Tindle and Monica Webber. Although new members do put themselves forward to join the committee we would like to see more members putting themselves forward to make sure all groups of the club are represented and new ideas come forward. This year saw Gia stand as Chair for the third year although she felt it was time to stand down. Unfortunately there has been a reluctance to take on the role of chair so this year Paul offered to share the role with Gia in the hope that this would encourage that members would put themselves forward if they knew the role would be shared. Next year John Hackett and James Grimshaw take on the co chair role. We know Wheel Easy will be in good hands and will continue to grow.
This year the committee have discussed the following
Additional rides
The website
Ride Calandar
Ride leader training
Committee transitional plan
Wheel Easy Clothing
Annual calandar
Annual subs payment on line
10th Anniversary plans
Accident procedures
Clubs funds
Smoking on rides
