Peter Loakes, DA Secretary
THE WESSEX NEWSLETTER Edited independently in our three areas and published quarterly. Please contact your section or the access the club website for information on any events
DA SECRETARY Peter Loakes, Church Cottage, West Stafford, DT2 8AB (01305) 263272 BOURNEMOUTH & DISTRICT SECTION Stephen Gray, 3 Wren Close, Christchurch, BH23 4BD (01202) 387071 SALISBURY SECTION Alan Clarke, “Hill House”, Kelsey Road, Salisbury SP1 1JR (01722) 322188 WEST DORSET SECTION Mike Durham, 74 Westhill, Wyke Regis, Weymouth DT4 9NE (01305) 770140
Main Calendar Dates For 2006 Sunday 12th Mar Sunday 26th Mar Sunday 9th Apr Sunday 9th Apr Saturday 29th Apr W/E 5th -8th May Sunday 7th May Sunday 7th May Sunday 21st May Sunday 25th Jun Sunday 27th July Sunday 10th Sep Sunday 10th Sep Sunday 17th Sep Sunday 24th Sep Sunday 8th Oct ALL
50 in 4 Shawn Shaw 01202 685014 100 in 8 Shawn Shaw 01202 685014 Dorset Coastlet 100km Annemarie Manley 01202 294835 Dorset Coast 200km Annemarie Manley 01202 294835 Cycle Jumble Sale Ken Reed 01305 772654 St Lo Twinning in Wessex Norman Payne 01202 695179 New Forest 50/Day Out 100km John Ward 01590 671855 New Forest Excursion 200km John Ward 01590 671855 Dorset Downs 100km Peter Loakes 01305 263272 Devon and Dorset Downs 300km Peter Loakes 01305 263272 New Forest 1000km John Ward 01590 671855 New Forest 50 and Coast 100km John Ward 01590 671855 New Forest On & Off Shore 200km John Ward 01590 671855 Dorset Dirt 50km offroad Ken Reed 01305 772654 Dorset Delight 200km Peter Loakes 01305 263272 Gridiron 100km Terry Walsh 01202 247888 WESSEX ACTIVITIES CAN BE FOUND ON: www.wessexctc.org
Autumn 2006 Musing on changes The AGM of the Bournemouth Section is on the 25th October at Pelhams Community Centre and I have already informed the committee that I will not be offering myself as Chairman again this year. We usually have a good attendance at the AGM and so I hope that will be maintained this year and we can vote in a new chairman. Please make every effort to attend. Your committee do appreciate your support. Clubnights are booked at Pelhams for the rest of 2006 but due to lack of interest, the committee have decided not to re-book for 2007. The Dawdlers continue to hold their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at Pelhams though, and I’m assured that other club members will be welcome. The committee held their summer meeting recently at the Conservative Club in Parr Street, Parkstone as we do not use Pelhams for our August meeting. The room seemed fine for our purposes and we were pleased to be able to use the bar too. Consequently the committee decided that we’d make this our regular meeting place next year. When I started riding with the CTC in the mid-70s I remember that the “list” of tea places was a jealously guarded thing. Cafes open on a Sunday were so rare. Many places we visited were based on tradition, meeting in the front rooms of people whose connection with CTC was even by then lost to those of us riding. There were rarely any new places and the committee often used to bemoan the passing of old ones. What a change to nowadays! I was asked recently by some touring CTC riders from “oop north” for our list of tea places and I had to reply that we didn’t have one, that the County is so stiff with cafes and tea rooms, we’d not be able to keep up with the listings. Terry Walsh as new organiser of the Gridiron is another change. Everything seems to be going well and he tells me that he has70 entries as at the end of August which is very good going. I have sent my entry in and hope to ride it for the first time ever!
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BOURNEMOUTH SECTION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 25th OCTOBER 2006 19:30 Sharpe Room, Pelhams Community Centre, Kinson Cups of Tea Available
WESSEX DA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 18th NOVEMBER 2006 11:00 Blandford Forum United Reform Church, Salisbury St Cups of Tea Available
GRIDIRON 100km Start Boldre Village Hall 10:00 8th OCTOBER 2006 Entries from:Terry Walsh, 19 Leydene Ave, Bournemouth, BH8 9JQ Dowload from www.wessexctc.org 2
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What’s On ? Blackmore Vale Section Rides Cycle Rides arranged by Richard & Margaret Nicholl. All rides meet at the Cafe at 10:00am for coffee and cake, departing at 10:30am. Please note that some rides are on a Saturday and some on a Sunday. Details (01963) 32840 Sun 10th SEP Sat 23rd SEP Sun 8th OCT Sat 21st OCT Sun 5th NOV
MEET: STOURHEAD, National Trust Cafe LUNCH: Norton St Philip. TEA: Radstock MEET: CASTLE CARY, The Old Bakehouse, High Street LUNCH: Muchelney. TEA: Yeovilton, RNAS, Museum Café The Alternative MEET: GILLINGHAM, Waitrose Supermarket. LUNCH: Wardour Castle MEET: MILBORNE PORT, Wheathill Garden Centre LUNCH: Piddletrenthide MEET: SHALFORD, Crestmore Garden nr Wincanton racecourse LUNCH: Longleat, Cellar Cafe
Sat 18th NOV
MEET: 11:00 Blandford Forum United Reform Church, Salisbury St WESSEX DA AGM. Bring Picnic Lunch. Cups of Tea Available
Sun 3rd DEC
MEET: WINCANTON, Morrisons Supermarket LUNCH: Yeovilton, RNAS, Museum Café MEET: MERE, Angel Corner Tea Room LUNCH: Shaftesbury MEET: WINCANTON, Morrisons Supermarket LUNCH: Sherborne MEET: EAST STOUR, Udder Farm Shop LUNCH: Sturminster Newton
Sat 16th DEC Sun 31th DEC Sat 13th JAN
Informal Wayfarers Rides to Burley
This ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal. There is no leader and no back up, but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around. The route is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities.
Start 08:45 at Pioneer Supermarket, Christchurch every Saturday
Or just make your own way to the New Forest Tea Rooms, Burley for 10:00 3
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DORSET COAST 200km and forward motion with a slight case of over-gearing.
Dorset Coast report live coverage, well until he hit the Devon hills where he died. RIP at Axminster feeding post, intro funnel fed miraculous recovery when red hot tomato soup hit the windpipe, maybe a new cure-all racing ailment remedy!
Andy & Louisa Cooper were in the group and both were going extremely well, apart from the odd pimples in the Purbecks of Whiteways and Daggers Gate which were nothing to what lay in store. Annemarie who devised the course is definitely off the Christmas card list for next year. Abbotsbury aroused the odd wobble and a touch of cramp but leaving Bridport on the back lanes for Axminster via Lands End was wholly uncalled for, you just slammed into this tarmac wall and it went on and up and on and up. Cramp was a delight compared to the pain in the rest of the body. These lanes never ever never see vehicular traffic and certainly not three wheelers, thick grass and gunge proliferated the road centre. Only when another road dissected it's path like railway points was there a break. Onwards and upwards, never easy past through Fishpond Bottom and ever-upwards.
New start this year from Wareham Quay by around 200 riders, a mix of 200k and 100k, greater towards the shorter journey, I wondered why at the time, experience is a wonderful gift. With everyone straining at the leash to get to the ferry first, the inevitable road race ensued, try mixing it with randonee riders who spend their entire lives in solitude searching for the elusive watering hole and you will just realise what a hair-raising experience it can be, and one which is not recommended if long life is expected. More by luck than judgement all arrive at the Ferry, totally knackered from the timetrial dash, and yep the ferry is on the other side! Even with the sun shining the NE wind has a keen edge, and many a sweat drop turns to icicles on bicycles. After forever, the ferry arrives and the crew get swamped by pirates in lycra taking over the vessel - serves them right, we'd waited too long! On board a seasoned randoneur eyed my bike and through mirthless teeth muttered "You'll be in trouble on the hills with those gears". Steve Clark had recommended an inner ring of no less than 53 with an outer for downhills of 104, this matched to a block of 12-21 seems a logical combination to climb Devon's 1:3 and 1:4 hills. Thanks Steve, payback time for the Kingston hill-climb a couple of years back when he achieved levitation
Two green lone motorbike riders passed from the opposite direction, both wearing oxygen masks, I kid you not, this is the real high country. And yes Steve, levitation was achieved, not once, but on three occasions, stomping and pulling on the pedals until the veins stood out like hosepipes, could not avoid the inevitable capsize into the hedgerow with the bike still attached, nice one Steve! Plastic shoeplates have a zerogripping medium even though your legs are revolving like the road runner but still going ever faster backwards down from whence you came. At some point in the proceedings amongst as many narrow junctioned lanes we
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no, then my world went flat, the others disappeared like bullets, but a quick fix from a can and I was all was up and galloping again and off in hot pursuit. Modern technology is a wonderful creation but it doesn't fill big holes and things were going down again. A foot pump, 3 or 4 miles, pump etc etc.
became separated and only regrouped at the Axminster oasis, albeit half ap hour between arrivals. Never has food drink and soup ever tasted that good, it was only a flat mobile battery that stopped Scotty from beaming us up. A suggestion was made we make a move but it was totally ignored at least a dozen times. The unstoppable always takes command and after only half a mile out of the control headed up Sector Lane, a 100mph descent but a snot-grovelling climb on a full stomach, lunch was had three times climbing up there, not one complaint from Louisa - maybe lack of breath. On again cross country heading towards Spyways Hill, it reduces SpreadEagle to a mere rise and so late in the ride - we had covered nearly 100 miles by this point. Yes levitation point three, I can't thank you enough Steve. Regrouping at the summit and checking for frostbite a tailwind was a godsend riding to roman ridge road, if only all riding was this fast, it was absolutely brilliant, after all the grovelling to be going this quick was like engaging warp drive. It couldn't last, oh
Dorchester came and went and near Clouds Hill we met up with Sue, Andre, Lauren, John Marriner, Cheryl and Eddy and company, and where they found the energy to produce those speeds, if we don't win the EDCA this year we never will. Wareham Leisure Centre was host to the finish and many a body was draped over crossbars or handlebars, muttering "Never again, never again" but we shall see. Pain evaporates with time and next year is a very long way away. Nice one Annemarie, great event, thanks for that. I can just about stand unaided two days later - see you next year.
NIGEL SCOTT IS BACK!! Nigel Scott is now "Continental Components", 105 Wimborne Road West (just west of the Canford Bottom roundabout going towards Wimborne, in little parade of shops behind the hairdressers). Telephone number 01202 639392, e-mail: retro33uk@yahoo.co.uk. He is mainly dealing in bikes made between 1950s to 1990s but will maintain/repair any make of bike. He looks forward to meeting up with old friends.
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BOURNEMOUTH OFF-ROAD shared path so we had a good run through – following what started out with good signs to the bitter end – where they disappeared! (Pete De Lieu has since told me they are on small posts). I took a guess on the way out – up a one-in-two slope, which gave the boys a small challenge. I took to my 24 inch gear (two feet that is).
On a Sunday in August it is probably best to escape from the centre of Bournemouth before 9.00 a.m. if wanting to get out by bike. But after a late night of Fajitas and chilled Rosé we barely managed to rise before 9. Added to that, friends Colin and Dagmar had donated one of their old mountain bikes (having themselves just invested in Thorn Rohlhoffs) to Nigel so as we were ready to leave he set about adjusting saddle height and changing pedals.
A short stretch on some quiet back roads (bollards across the road under the railway bridge tend to help!) and we were back on the heathland, somewhere between Talbot Heath and Bourne Valley but don’t ask me where. Down the road to pick up a path then brought us out at Sainsbury Alder Hills and across the road to more tracks which would take us along past where Frank Moorhouse used to live and out near the Mountbatten Arms. There are some interesting “gaps” to negotiate on this section. I think the idea is that you walk through the gap and your bike passes under a barrier. Fine if you are some 10cm shorter than me! Luckily handlebars do move and we didn’t have panniers so we
It was 10.30 and we were finally ready but mountain bikes or not I know ways of getting out of Bournemouth without having to mix with the traffic – it just takes longer so if I’m in a hurry I stick to the roads. So from Silchester Close its straight into Meyrick Park and down the hill to join the cycle path – remembering to check there are no cyclists with which to collide. A short hop on the road by the Town Hall then into the Gardens on the Bourne Valley Cycle Route. There weren’t many pedestrians using this
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the fields towards Sturminster Marshall (to find the ice cream Margaret Philpott had recommended to us about the day before) but it didn’t look great cycling stuff so we headed into Wimborne. Here was decision time. We had thought about getting to Cranborne for lunch, there being the choice of Garden Centre or pub there, but at least 3 of us were now feeling a bit
could get through the gaps – whilst still on the bike if your name is Colin or Nigel. Going up the path to Mountbatten Roundabout Dagmar commented that it was a fantastic route as the roads must be murder round here. We know she is right. From here we got onto Canford Heath taking the Golf Course road and then we enjoyed a great section of off road eventually bringing us out in Arrowsmith Lane. Down to Canford School we took a look at the path and met a friendly chap who said it was fine to cycle – on what authority he said this I know not but it was good enough for us. And what a fantastic alternative to the road via Merley it was. On the map it is marked as a long distance route (Stour Valley Way) so we were not sure if this would class as a bridleway or not. We stopped under the gothic Lady of Wimborne Bridge which I didn’t even know existed. The sign indicated a viewpoint above so we ran up onto the bridge but couldn’t quite work out what view they were referring to. At the end of the track we thought we had to negotiate a rather interesting turnstile gate but then Colin spotted a nice cycle friendly exit to the right – no barrier at all. Across the road we weaved our way through some quite residential roads and picked up the Stour Valley Way along the river, walking bits of this as I don’t think we should have been cycling. We soon were on the track which leads to Lambs Green. I realised here we could have picked up this track earlier rather than walking a bit of the path but it didn’t matter. Bringing us out at the Lake Gates roundabout we wanted to continue across
peckish so we thought the best option was to find a pub soon. I thought a while then decided upon the Stocks Inn – and what a good choice that was. I couldn’t quite remember whether they had become too much of an up-market dining pub but they haven’t. They have a good well-priced menu, good beer and a highly recommended pudding club - three full
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before crossing the A31 – eventually! Turning off Ham Lane before Haskins we were able to take a bridleway which brought us out in Longham so only a short stretch over the river and into Milhams Lane.
size traditional puddings for just £6 – plenty for 4 cyclists who have already eaten too much; and the pub were quite happy to bring 4 plates and spoons. Whilst in the pub Colin was busy plotting the route home – in a north westerly direction! Again we went places I have never been to despite living here for 12 years now. I always thought Barnsley was up Huddersfield direction. We seemed to stay on tracks for ages – one of them with lots of stinging nettles – but eventually emerged somewhere near Witchampton that looked vaguely familiar. I was not however impressed however when we continued north west towards Long Crichel but before long we were heading east and I could see the Horton Inn in the distance. Across the boring road to Wimborne into Gaunts Common, up a road I’m not sure I’ve used before, we again took to tracks and found ourselves passing the Horton Tower (or ‘orton Towers as it is now known to us!). Quite an impressive building I have only ever seen from the Horton Road before.
From Kinson I’ve not explored very much – usually I’m in a hurry to get to a committee meeting so we took the road up to Columbia Road and round to near where Jean Trill lives (must remember to explore a quiet alternative to Kinson Road). We then explored the allotments because I thought the track I was looking for was at the other side, much to the disgust of one of the ladies working there. I made a comment about having taken a wrong turn and we exited from whence we came and found the track I wanted a bit further round. From here it was up into Talbot Woods and we emerged, perhaps more by luck than judgment, near the University Roundabout. Taking quite roads down towards Meyrick Park it was one last steep ascent from the Railway Bridge into the park and along the track taking us back to St Valerie Road and home, to finish off the Fajitas.
Past the tower we went into woodland and although a bit of a corrugated feel about the ground a great track through coming out somewhere near Horton Heath on the Three Legged Cross to Horton road which I recognised. But we weren’t supposed to be here. Along the road a bit Colin took us back into the woods only to do a big circle and end up back on the track we had left a short while ago. At least now we could retrace and take the correct turning off. This brought us out in the lanes I recognise from some of the Jubilee time trials near Mannington and Horton Heath and from here we could head across to Uddens, taking in just one more bridleway
We all agreed it was a grand day out. Including the lunch stop we were out for about 7 hours covering only around 70km but it was a most enjoyable way to explore the local area, avoid the crowds and avoid using the car.
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MIKE LOCKE Mike was involved in an accident on 30th June. As you can see, he’s joined the “clavical deprived people” Five of them now in the club. Mike in has garden after he watered his allotment! He is fine, bruised & battered but in great spirits. Best wishes for a good recovery!
MIKE REPLIES . . . Mike would like to express his appreciation for the many cards and Best Wishes he has received following his accident a couple of months ago. While no bones were broken the damage to muscles and ligaments is taking some time to heal and he has only reached the stage of riding his 1950’s Raleigh for a short distance. Drop handlebars seem to be out at the moment. It is really a question of time but he hopes to be out again in the not too distant future.
FOR SALE Saracen 19" Red Mixte 531 tubing - 10 speed, 700c Wheels, Drop Bars. Complete with: Mudguards, Pannier carrier, Saddlebag and pump. £50 - Good condition but not used for many years. Contact Alan on 01202 697157
Classic Claude Butler Majestic 24.5” Red with gold lugwork, 531tubing. Mavic 3CD rims and Deor cassette hubs, 21 speed Shimano, cantilever brakes, pannier carrier, mudguards, bottle cages, pump and computer. Reluctant sale. Excellent condition throughout £95 ono. Contact Rob Garnett 01202 690543
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CYCLING IN THE LOIRE France has always been an attractive country for cyclists of all capabilities and just as this country has seen a growth in marked and mapped cycle routes ,so has France. One route which should be attractive for many is the “Loire à Vélo” trail. This runs through the Loire Valley a large part of
2400km trans Europe riverside trail from Nantes to Budapest although needless to say the date for total completion of this is uncertain.. Along the route the car free cycle trail links up with quiet back roads with little traffic. This means that there is easy access to all the important tourist sites on the way. The trail is also well marked. For those who like only a thrash up the Ventoux this area may not be for them but cycling is also an attractive way of tourism and the Loire area is ,and always has been, popular with UK tourists and for those people the Valley of the Kings still has
which is listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. The trail crosses two regions, the western Loire and the Loire Valley itself. Towns and Departments have been and are involved in a project which is slowly coming together section by section. As from 2005 it has been possible to cycle the 150km stretch between Tours and Angers. Eventually the 800km long trail will stretch from Cuffy in the eastern part of the Loire Valley region to St Brévins-les-Pins on the Atlantic coast.Finally the route will be part of the
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much to offer. As regards obtaining details of the trail local Tourist Offices can supply the Carnet of the route and individual section maps giving more detail. The principal offices would be those situated at say Chinon, Tours and Saumur. These leaflets give details also of accommodation, bike shops etc. The Tourist Offices speak English and are happy to book ongoing accommodation.
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Staying at Chinon for a few days this summer my wife and I used the small section from Chinon on the Vienne to Candes St Martin at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire. The route was certainly peaceful ,well marked and all on tarmac avoiding cleverly some busy road junctions by means of cloverleaf type underpasses. The Carnet I have also indicates that much of the trail from Angers to Ancenis further west is marked/completed and no doubt 2007 will be better again. Over and above the main route there are often local cycle rides in the surrounding areas such as Azay-le-Rideau on the Indres. Here three routes are leafleted, one of 34km, one of
45km, and one of 55km any of which could be incorporated into a holiday in this area of France. With such a wide range of routes. so many sites to see ( although to be frank you can see too many Chateaux ) no lack of stop-offs and good accommodation, the region is worth a look. It is also not so far to travel and quite possible to cycle there from the ferry ports. The CTC itself does a holiday there, based in Loches, for those not wanting to do any organising themselves.
R.O.W.I.P. - Important Bournemouth & Poole Councils are currently consulting cycling organisations to ascertain what could be included in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Please contact Pete Du Lieu on pedpet75@yahoo.com or by phone (01202)745472 or 9 Shillito Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 2BN if you can suggest: 1. Any routes cyclists use which are not designated as a ‘right of way’ and 2. Any links required between existing designated cycle routes – the link must not be on a highway 3. Any off highway designated cycle routes (including bridleways) which need to be/can be improved. Time is short now, so answers to Pete right away please. NOW, is there anyone out there who is willing to be the CTC representative to Poole Council? Meetings are held at St John's House, Serpentine Road (near Rail Station) three of four times a year at most, usually starting at 9:00am. You will be invited to comment on Highway Improvements and general provision for cyclists. There are four others who are regular cyclists comprising the Cyclists Liaison Advisory Group: the longest serving is from Poole Agenda 21, the others from Poole Wheelers, DCN and Sustrans. I am grandfather to all of them and now a non-cyclist. Poole is VERY receptive to comments made on behalf of cyclists. It does not take a lot of time but it needs someone who regularly commutes in the area who can speak with knowledge and conviction. I'm past my sell by date. The others are doing a grand job and don't really need me BUT - Sally Funnell, the cycling Officer thinks that CTC adds credence appreciated by the Councillors who make the decisions.
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THE POTTERERS IN MAJORCA "The sky is turquoise, the sea is blue, the mountains as emerald ‌‌.. The sun shines all day and the people are dressed as in the summertime because it is hot". Frederic Chopin, 1838. Majorca. The Sunshine Isle. Well, it wasn't quite as warm as Chopin described it, being cool, wet and windy for the first few days but after that the sun did shine although it remained somewhat windy throughout the first week. Sixteen of us embarked from Sutton Coldfield, very early on a coach to Stansted Airport. After some confusion by Air Berlin and a delay of two or three hours we finally took off for Palma and were immediately transferred by Majorca Airport Transfers to Porta Pollensa at the North of the Island. Here we were greeted warmly by 16 Bournemouth cyclists. I think they were wondering what the brummies were going to be like but these "worries" were soon dispersed because we are such a fantastic friendly group and very good at mingling!!! After dinner a short debriefing was held where routes were discussed and who were to be leaders etc. The first days ride was at an easy pace and we all cycled together as a group, which was a marvellous way to introduce the "first timers" to the area. (Six of our group had been with the Bournemouth group before). Rides during the week were split into two levels, fast pace and slow pace but most of the time the destinations for coffee and lunch were the same. I can't talk about each daily ride for obvious reasons but would like to give a general impression of the wonderful time we had. All rides were so memorable because
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Majorca has it all regards cycling, with mountains, lanes, hills and coast - simply brilliant for cyclists. It was a joy and a thrill to see hundreds of cyclists, professionals and those just enjoying a cycling holiday like us. Waves upon waves of them sweeping up and down the mountains and through the country lanes. All young, fit and lean (well most of them). The Island is made for cycling with most main roads having a cycling lane and the car drivers soooo courteous. Perfection. The ride to Cap de Formentor was superb. Climbing the hairpin bends to the top and plunging down to the beach for coffee before going on to Cap de Formentor, was thrilling, not to mention the film crew filming their version of Pop Idol and blocking the road. As a compensation the offered some cyclists iced water to drink. Some of us got covered in mud and slag on our return from Muro when it began to rain quite heavily as we passed an industrial complex. This took some time to wash of our clothes not to mention the bikes. Some of the rides took us through delightful tracks and trails, which meander through the valleys and were often difficult to find. However the Bournemouth experts were usually able to find the way. Nobody knows this except John my husband, but on one of these tracks I fell in a ditch but scrambled up and went on my way, feeling a bit of a chump!! Many of our fit riders climbed up to the Lluc Monastry-six miles up and six miles down. Val said it was the best thing she did, hurtling down the decent at 32 mph with a howling gale behind her knowing that it was really down hill all the way!! Whoooopeee!
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The easy ride took us to the Cala San Vicente, where we had lunch by a lovely beach overlooking one of the three bays. We also had an interesting visit to Alcudia town with its Roman Amphitheatre and ancient city wall which we walked and that afternoon Val Chris and I walked a good way through the Bocquer Valley which is famous for its birdlife and plants - wild rosemary every where. Did we see Bill Oddie? Maybe. For our second week at Cala Millor we transferred to the east coast on Saturday and some elected to travel on the transfer coach with the luggage, which on our arrival we unloaded and carried up to the riders bedrooms, for which everyone was very grateful. The riders rode the 50 miles to Cala Millor, a ride which I shall remember as simply marvellous. Not only for the scenery and the unspoilt towns, but the steady pace set by the leader Kenneth, from Bournemouth. The pace kept us very relaxed and all together. Petra for lunch was particularly attractive - especially the square which has it's own particular atmosphere with hundreds of cyclists gathering there for a well earned break, basking in the mid day sunshine and we arrived at Cala Millor late in the afternoon. Our Hotel Said is popular with the Germans and we were probably the only English staying there. It was a very good hotel with a wide choice of food, sauna, gym and indoor swimming pool and lots of fat Germans. The rides on the east coast where just as enjoyable. The terrain is undulating with a lovely coastline and plenty of scope for many interesting rides. Memorable were the ones to Arta, San Llorenca de Cardassar, Colonia de Sant Pere and Son Mascaro (a particularly hard ride with a long decent and climb back afterwards, but we were rewarded with some
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magnificent views). The slower rides were lead by Rob (late of the Northern in the 1950's) who took us from the Arta coffee stop on a most beautiful ride through a conservation area. We climbed up and over the hills into a very peaceful area where we didn't see any sign of civilisation for many miles - the real Majorca! The decent was great, about three miles long and into San Llorenca de Cardassa for tea. This ride was also repeated on the last day with Brian. It was lovely to do it again but not before we visited the ancient megalithic settlement of Ses Paisses - about 3000years old, south of Arta.. Another memorable ride, led by Chris and Val took us to Capdepera for coffee and Arta through some lovely lanes where we spotted a wild orchid (was it the rare bee orchid?). We lunched on the beach near Font de sa Cal Provencal after which we moved onto the Coves d' Art and crossed a narrow river bridge to Canyamel seeing many wild fowl on the way. Then past an ancient castle after which we climbed the steep cyclist path to avoid the road tunnel. Another great day as the holiday was drawing to its close. Everyone was so impressed with our join venture that we discussed another visit to Majorca next year and I am pleased to say all the arrangements and bookings are now in place to meet up with our Bournemouth friends again for a similar holiday at Porta Pollensa and Cal d' Or. We are really looking forward to March 2007.
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THE NEW ALTERNATIVES We are now at the end of August and I have been looking back at the recent attendance record of the original Potterers and the new Alternatives Thursday rides and feel we are generally achieving the object of the exercise. Like many of our groups the Thursday Potterers has grown from strength to strength over recent years and the numbers out on the runs and at the coffee stops had become very difficult to manage. With often 20 plus we posed a hazard to ourselves and other road users. The two groups who have attracted approximately even numbers, start from different locations and ride to different coffee and lunch venues. The rides are similar, but the Alternatives pace is usually a bit slower and the distance shorter. Unfortunately the closure of the Avon Causeway Bridge has caused difficulties for both sections, as the Hurn Stores meet has become impractical and we now start those rides at coffee eg. Bashley or Hyde Garden Centres, and this is not very popular. The October to December runs list is still using the same coffee stop meet format, as at early August, when the runs list was compiled we hadn't been able to access the full implications of the problem. However we will be looking more closely at the New Years runs list and would welcome your suggestions. For the first few rides it was apparent that the Alternative ride was attracting mainly Wimborne area riders, which wasn't the intention, but more recently it has been nice to see more riders from the east side of town. The attendance suggests that if the Alternative section had not been formed we would have averaged 22 people for coffee and 16 people for lunch. Which I consider is too many for the leader to manage safely and poses difficulties for the people providing coffee and teas. Currently we are also at the time of the year when many riders are on holiday or visiting family or friends. It is still early days and winter riding with the shorter days and inclement weather may change the picture, but we have always had a good base who brave even the worst weather conditions and will review the Potterer's/Alternative picture again before the end of the year.
CYCLISTS YOGA DAY 11th November 2006
Memorial Hall Wimborne Contact: Jill Silver 01202 886971 or Barbara Prince 07759 443751
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ADVERTISEMENT
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The CYCLE Show - 6th-8th Oct at ExCel London CTC Members can get a special advanced discounted ticket price of £8. Be sure to book with CTC HQ. TEL: 0870 873 0060
www.cycleshow.co.uk For details and venue.
Date of next Meetings Bournemouth Section AGM in the Sharpe Room, Pelhams Community Centre Wednesday 25th October 2006 at 19:00 for 19:30 Committee meeting in the Sharpe Room, Pelhams Community Centre Wednesday 22nd November 2006 at 18:30 Committee meetings for 2007 at the Conservative Club, Parr Street, Parkstone. Wednesdays 21st Feb; 23rd May; 22nd Aug; 24th Oct (AGM); 21st Nov
Contributions and Photographs The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions. Editorial policy is to print all contributions, with minimal editing for the purposes of layout only. Contribute by email, disk, CD-ROM, typed or handwritten. Photographs are now welcome in any form. We can scan them and they will be returned safely.
Editor:
Keith Matthews: 7 Cotes Avenue, Poole, BH14 0ND TEL: (01202) 740388 Email keithjanet@btinternet.com
http://www.wessexctc.org
CTC, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX http://www.ctc.org.uk
“CycleInk” is the Newsletter of the Bournemouth & District Section, Wessex District Association of the Cyclists’ Touring Club. Published four times a year for members. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the club.
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Cycle Ink #142