The benefits of group riding are wide and varied and by following a few simple tips and techniques, you can make the most of your time on your bike by maximising the camaraderie, support and slipstreaming effect of riding with others. Here's British Cycling's guide to riding in a group which should be good reading for riders old and new.

Commencing Monday 2nd January 2012 intense hill training sessions begin, meeting 8:00 am West Park and going forward every Sunday for the months of January and February. All are welcome and nobody is left behind. For more information contact Simon Fenton on fenton@localdial.com.

As part of The Cycle Centre's sponsorship of the Winter Mountain Bike Series, riders get the opportunity to try out some demo bikes. It is hoped to organise an open day in January where you will be able to sample a number of road and off-road bikes.

Here's some information from the Jersey Cycling Association on the 2012 Road season's JCA Road Race League covering both road and track races.

The CCC Management Committee requires the wearing of club kit in all CCC events as well as the stipulations laid down for JCA events - the minimum being a club top worn with club or plain shorts. It is acceptable to wear previous versions. In time trials, non-trade or sponsored skinsuits are permissible as in the JCA kit ruling

Members of the Committee have received a significant number of protestations at the proposed raising of the race fee from members of the club. After much debate and a review of the financial situation of the Club, which showed that the fee increase wasn’t needed at the present time, it was agreed that the CCC race fee should remain at £3.

Words of wisdom (and common sense) from Club President, Allan Miller: on clubruns (and any other time really) please fit a decent pair of mudguards to your bikes (but during the winter especially !!)---and also---when riders get to the café can you leave as much wet and soggy gear as possible outside the café under the canopy---including the likes of shoe covers---this not a request from the café---it's a request from me as on wet days we tend to leave the place looking like a swamp---not great for the café or its other customers so please be considerate---I repeat---the café has not complained to me.

Given the success of the JCA Youth Academy, we're looking for additional volunteers to help with the organisation. It doesn't need to be every week but if you can spare some time between 17:45 and 19:30 on Wednesdays it would be much appreciated. Please contact Shaun Bosio for more information at shaunbosio@hotmail.com or 07797 711801.

Would all competitors please note that it is their own responsible to know the course of the race. Furthermore, please do not approach the time keepers during an event. We appreciate how upsetting it can be to go off course, but please don't distract race organisers from performing their duties during the event.

Mountain Bikers' emailing List - are you registered? If not, you're missing out on MTB updates so pass your current email address (or let us know if you've changed it) to mtb@ccc.je.