CTC Wessex Cycling Autumn 2014
Before
New Sunday Dawdlers Group. See Page 18 After Richard Gow of Blackmore Vale CTC receives The Ron Cook Trophy from Ron Cheeseman. This is awarded for services to CTC in Wessex
Autumn 2014
The Quarterly Magazine of CTC Wessex Cycling in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Another issue rolls off the line and I stop and think that I started this as a single news sheet back in 1978. Eric Watson took over for a while but I’m still doing it now over 30 years later. I stop to think that I hope my age doesn’t show in the presentation, but also stop to wonder why I’m still doing it. When I started in the club, the younger people took over organising the activities and the older members looked on and offered help and advice. Where are the younger people now I wonder? The committee are beginning to look a little aged and some are giving up their duties. I know there are younger people riding with us (and I interpret “young” fairly liberally), to whom runs lists and arrangements appear as if by magic on the website. I know times change, work pressures may be more demanding now, and at the weekend it is nice to go cycling without any responsibilities but the point I’m making is that the club does not run itself. I like to bring this topic up every now and again, and have a little wry look at the situation and I don’t expect anything very much to change; this problem happens in every club I’ve ever heard of or been involved in. The committee do not hold office out of some “power trip” but because they are keen cyclists who like to put something back. The fact is that in addition to a great spectrum of club rides, we also have a very solvent club and a good reputation thanks to our history of the activities of members over the years. The St Lo twinning scheme, the “Dorset Coast and Coastlet” events and of course the “Gridiron” too just to mention some. This sort of thing may not be to your taste of course, but unless you get involved a bit more we don’t know what is. The Annual General Meeting is due on the 22nd of October at 19:30. Let’s get the elephant out of the room, it is held at the Kinson Conservative Club. Well, I don’t know or care of individual politics, but to us it is just a club that lets us use a room. I’ve been in Labour and Liberal Clubs and I’m not sure I can tell the difference. The bar prices are good anyway. So, I’m urging as many of you as possible to come along. Try not to come alone, come gang-handed and join in the discussion and learn what goes on. You won’t necessarily get pushed on the committee, but you may have some ideas and be able to take on some small task. The underlying message is that unless more people involve themselves then the club will decline. Not immediately it is true, but decline for sure. See you on Wednesday 22nd October?
Keith
Remaining Calendar Dates For 2014 Oct 12th Oct 22nd
The Gridiron 100km Annual General Meeting
John Jackson Mike Walsh
01590 683815 01202 429985
Notice of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING CTC Wessex Cycling October 22nd 2014 at 19:30 Kinson Conservative Club The AGM of the club is a necessary meeting which could be boring but usually isn’t, and is a good place to get together for a chat and discuss the future of your club. There is a bar at club prices. We urge you all to attend.
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 Waitrose Supermarket, Christchurch every Saturday or 09:00 at The Oak PH, Burton Or make your own way to the Old Farmhouse Tea Rooms, Burley for 10:00
Committee meetings at The Conservative Club, Kinson. Next committee meeting: 22nd August 2014 at 19:30 Remaining Committee meeting 2014; 19th Nov Secretary: Mike Walsh: 17 Grove Gdns, Southbourne Rd, B’mouth BH8 9JQ TEL: (01202) 429985 Email jmichaelwalsh@aol.com Editor: Keith Matthews: 10 Hill View Road, Ferndown, BH22 9QY TEL: (01202) 855001 Email keithjanet@btinternet.com “CycleInk” is the Newsletter of CTC Wessex Cycling, a Member Group of the Cyclists’ Touring Club. Published four times a year for members. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the club. Contributions and Photographs: The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions. Contribute by any way you like. Photographs are welcome in any form.
www.bournemouthctc.org
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www.wessexctc.org
CTC Great War Research
By Arthur Spurr
I’m doing some research to try and commemorate those members of CTC who were lost in the First World War. You will be aware that 2014 is a centenary year. CTC along with the whole nation was affected almost immediately as men volunteered to serve in the armed forces. It is not possible to know precisely how many CTC Members served over the full four years of conflict, nor how many failed to return. The CTC Gazette of February 1915 lists over 170 early volunteers and military personnel, these men would have been followed by many others as pals and later conscripts. Some joined Bicycle Battalions and Cycle Regiments, a feature of the early conflict. The majority served within the army in northern France a few signed for the Naval Air Arm (predating the RAF), a few to the Navy. Further lists were produced as the war progressed, shorter as the task became great and the Gazette reduced in size. From the information available it has been possible to create a list of some CTC Members who are known to have died as a consequence of war, most lie in Northern France some without known graves but acknowledged on memorials. I need the help of the present CTC membership. Do you or your members know of individual CTC members who died due to the conflict? They may be relatives who had a love of cycling, or known only through the memories of present members? Some might perhaps be commemorated though a named trophy? Any leads would be welcome; what was their full name, with what service / regiment did they serve, were they gunners or riflemen etc.? I have it in mind to later ask for volunteers to visit the resting place of some of our CTC fallen, to pay our respects as a Club once a short list is produced and verified. Potentially, there might be an article in Cycle. I ask for your help and assistance. Please contact me arthur.spurr@ctc.org.uk or via CTC national office in Guildford on groups@ctc.org.uk Arthur Spurr is CTC Councillor for Yorkshire and Humber
I took my bike to the bike shop. I told them I wanted them to make it go faster. They sold it to someone else!
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Cycle Ink #174
Bournemouth Cycle Lanes
By Barry Rossell
I consider myself lucky that have been able to involve myself with the Bournemouth Cycling Forum. This liaises with Bournemouth Council and in so doing plays a role in optimising local cycling provisions. I was therefore interested in the informative “Right to Ride” report by Paul Turner in the winter 2013 issue of Cycle Ink. Paul mentions several worth-while improvements to Cycle Lanes in our neighbourhood. The part of his article that interested me most, however, was his description and photographs of the new cycle lane at the junction of Wimborne Road, Wessex Way (the A338) and the top of Richmond Hill. At several recent meetings of the Bournemouth Cycle Forum we have had detailed – some would say heated – discussions about this provision as it is a busy road junction near University premises. Readers will know that the junction has a flyover and roundabout, with much of the southbound traffic from Wimborne Rd turning left toward Ringwood. There is also a slip road at the top of Richmond Hill leading left to the multi-storey car park, together with pedestrian footpaths passing under the A338 – a complicated junction and one where the council face a challenge in providing a safe cycle route. The Council have in fact installed a green-tarmac cycle lane which crosses the left hand car lane at about 100 metres before the Roundabout and near where on-street parking ends, to form a cycle lane in the centre of the southbound carriageway thus having fast motorised traffic to both left and right (See Photo). The advantage of this, according to the council, is that by getting cyclists onto the right hand side of the left hand lane in advance of the roundabout they will be out of the conflict zone at the roundabout (i.e. the area where the desire lines of cyclists and other vehicles cross one another). They say that if the crossover is at the roundabout itself there is a higher probability that drivers of vehicles will be concentrating on gaps in the traffic flow on the roundabout and where they are going, as opposed to whether there is a cyclist on their left hand side. The council admit that the solution is not ideal as there is still a zone where vehicles and cyclists have to cross one another but at least this is now well in advance of the roundabout. It was reflected that there has been media discussion about the six cyclists killed on London roads during a thirteen day period last November. It was reported at the Forum that the cyclists had been on marked (i.e. painted on the road) cycle lanes but left turning vehicles had crushed them against the barrier, just the type of situation that could arise at the Richmond Hill roundabout. Nevertheless several of the cyclists at a recent Forum meeting were upset that this plan had been installed before we had been fully consulted. Furthermore we didn’t regard it as cyclistfriendly. I, and several other members of the Forum, are appalled by the scheme, and think that a route into town which leaves Wimborne Rd by turning left onto Dean Park Rd and then joins the established cycle route under the A338 to Horseshoe Common would be much better, especially as the Horseshoe Common area is being improved for cyclists with new street furniture and cycle stands. If the green tarmac lane divided and a left tuning lane was provided along Dean Park Rd, as well as adequate signposting, this would divert many cyclists away from the Richmond Hill Roundabout and thus avoid much of the hazard. During discussions the Loire that it still does not address the problem for council agree that this is a good routeThe but maintain cyclists at the roundabout. A suggestion that the cycle lane could go via the pedestrian underpass at the Richmond Hill junction, a route some cyclists already use, was discounted as it
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involves steep slopes, would not be hazard free and might endanger pedestrians. Members of the Forum had two further objections to the present layout, the first being that it is not clear where a cyclist should go on the roundabout, as to swing over to the extreme left on the roundabout would cut across in front of cars using the left hand lane in preparation for the slip road to the Richmond Hill car park. On the other hand staying in the centre of the road also feels unsafe. One member of the Forum said that he was aware of a related scheme in the USA which had proved so dangerous that the authorities had recommended that schemes of this type should never be used again. Having thought about this scheme, and watched traffic approaching the roundabout from Wimborne Rd it is my recommendation that cyclists should whenever possible avoid the roundabout and instead use the unmarked Dean Park Rd and Horseshoe Common route. After this debate, and having lived in other towns where the council had not been so helpful, I reflected that by and large Bournemouth Council has promoted the provision of adequate cycle facilities whenever it could, bearing in mind that Bournemouth grew at a time when separate lanes for cyclists had not been a priority, and many of the roads are just too narrow. An example of the council’s helpful approach to cycling is the 12 month trial period, which started 1st Sept. 2014, of allowing careful cycling in the Square and on the Pier Approach. Another was when the local water company had requested permission to build a new bridge over the river Stour to give their vehicles better access to one of their sites. Permission was granted provided that an overhanging cycle track was built on one side of the bridge and a pedestrian path on the other, allowing cyclists and pedestrians easy access to bridle tracks to Hurn and thus to Bournemouth airport, a major employer. Another discussion related to where a cycle track crossed a minor side road, traffic from the side road being advised to stop at the edge of the major road, not at the cycle track, despite the fact that cyclists following the main route clearly have the right of way. Fortunately the new cycle tracks on Castle Lane West will have advance stop signs at the edge of the cycle lane, not the main road. In view of the above I am, by and large, glad that the council arrange the Bournemouth Cycling Forum meetings, allow me to attend, and to a large extent listen to what the participants have to say. I have also been very pleased with cycle tracks that are “Off Road”, sometimes along canal towpaths or disused railway lines. I am reminded of Sustrans’ Consett and Sunderland Path (See Photo on back cover). This year I am hoping to use the Cheshire Cycle Way from Chester to the Wirral in order to join some friends there, as this will get me out of Chester along a canal towpath and away from any traffic. What a delight these tracks are. Thanks are due to Sustrans and the local councils like Bournemouth that arrange them. Long may they continue.
Barry 7
Cycle Ink #174
Midsummer Magic . . .
By Maggie Ross
. . . or Madness! A One Hundred and Fifty Mile Ride John Hayter and Maggie Ross regularly cycle 100 miles plus for fttness, fun and enjoying new routes, unusual sights and finding the source of many rivers. John casually mentioned one day he would like to try a magic ride of 150 miles and take in the Swallowhead Springs - the source of River Kennet. Always up for a challenge, Maggie named it madness and added Hungerford to the destination. So the route developed, a date around midsummer was agreed so we would make maximum use of daylight and three other mad CTC Wessex riders asked to join us; Keeta Christopher and Mike and Jo. On a chilly 6.30am start on Sunday 29th June we made our way from home to Christchurch, Fordingbridge (where Keetas husband turned out of bed to bring her warm jacket and gloves) then through the centre of deserted Salisbury and Woodford valley to meet Jo & Mike for breakfast at Amesbury. With sustenance and the sun out now warming us we all headed north. A flat route John had said as we stood up on our pedals to the to the top of Pewsey Downs; still the superb views were worth the climb! Not long until our next diversion. On to the A4 and stopping in a lay by - Avebury land - we manage to wheel our bikes through the walkers’ gates, along stony
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tracks and edges of fields then leave them to descend into a boggy dell and find the Swallowhead Springs - a source of crystal clear water bubbling up from nowhere. Not much time to stop so back to A4 and on to West Kennet, the home of Avebury village and the avenue of standing stones. Very interesting as we ate an early lunch in the National Trust picnic site. Next to Marlborough and then Hungerford where we almost became part of a sponsored cycle challenge! No time to stop and admire the canal boats on the Avon and Kennet, or for an ice cream! Crofton was calling and our tea stop was at the Beam Engine pump site on the canal which is responsible for pumping water up the locks. Luck on our side, the sun still out and a free folk music festival was in full force,
complete with beer tent and more importantly lots of homemade cakes. A fun stop with good music and eyes wide open when we answered the "how far are you cycling” question. We could have stayed much longer but in danger of seizing up the legs, we needed to
pedal on! Late afternoon sun and a wonderful ride over Netheravon M.O.D. plains watching a plane drop parachutists and seeing them float to the ground. Back then to Amesbury and down the east of the Avon along a lovely valley to arrive in Salisbury by 6.30pm for big helpings of apple crumble and choc fudge cake. Good old Weatherspoons! Over Odstock (we just had to get 250kms in - 156 miles) and along the river to Downton and Fordingbridge where we bade farewell to Mike and Jo and cruised back to Christchurch and home just as darkness was falling. No incidents with bikes or riders - only Mike doing a few extra miles going ahead as we turned left! Then of course men don’t have their mobile phones on do they! No problems though, we met up soon enough. And that was that. - a superb day out - what an adventure - a little weary but happy bunnies. Thanks John - definitely Midsummer MAGIC - what’s next??
Maggie
CTC WESSEX CLOTHING
By Ralph Huckle
The Club is still offering kit at heavily subsidised prices. Quality kit at bargain prices! Take a look at the website under For Sale and check out the order form to see what's available. Go to: www.bournemouthctc.org/clothing.htm to download the sizing chart and order form. Get your order in while the offer is still on !
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Cycle Ink #174
Enigmas All Around Us
By Shawn Shaw
“As we bicycle the lanes and byways we see all manner of things to raise our curiosity and we promise ourselves to find out more, and sometimes we actually do!” Plaques aren’t just for bridges . . . The County Bridge black and white iron plates attached to the old stone bridges and warning perpetrators of wilful damage to said bridge of the punishment of transportation are well known: post cards/fridge magnets; souvenirs for the tourists. The plaque on Walford Bridge as we head out to Cranborne is now black from exhaust and sits level with the road surface. Houses . . . Thursday 21st August and the Rouleurs headed out across Walford bridge. We
pass this way along West Borough often and in so doing pass number 76. Here a plate upon the door commemorates ‘Charlton’s Horse Passage’. Similar doors, often with an iron grill, are a common site of Spanish villages where a man sized panel opens in the centre of the door. In much the same way the donkey could be led to stable through the larger opening. Handy for bikes too, maybe.
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Manors . . . Thurday 14 August, Mike W, in leading the Rouleurs to Piddlehinton, passed the Old House at Kingston Maurward. Bright and shiny, a new button of white on blue is a Lived Here notice commemorating the spell in residence of a Coventry cycle manufacturer. George Singer was the eldest son of George and Helen Singer both of Aberdeen. His father was the farm bailiff. In 1869 he moved to Coventry and engineering. 1874 saw the birth of the Singer Cycle Company which is attributed with the development of curved forks. Trees . . . Saturday Morning 60 and many other rides pass through Bloxworth. We note the thatched bus stop as quaint and somewhat unusual. Opposite there is an oak tree with a plaque. 300 years of Estate ownership is recorded here. Good stewards, thought well of by all their tenants they must have been, to have this memorial, broken and neglected though now it is. Is there more to tell? Citations for further reading: 1851 National Census of Dorset. The Singer Story: The Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Bicycles & Motorcycles. Kevin Atkinson (2013). Photos Š 2014 Shawn Shaw : Fooks Plaque from the Internet.
Shawn 11
Cycle Ink #174
How are you Hanging On?
By Big Bob
No, I am not referring to my attempts to avoid being dropped off the back of the bunch but something far more serious so sit up and attend. I realize that most of you will have no idea what I am talking about (“no change there then”. I hear the shouts) but for the rest it will be crystal clear. This is for the unlucky ones who often through no fault of their own find their lives are turned upside down whether it be through relationships ending, finances crashing, medically striving, cherished dreams shattering, black clouds descending and many more of life’s hurricanes, any of which can send you hurtling out to the wild side where living, or trying to live, outside the comfort zone is a whole new ball game. It is at times like these as civilisations support falls away that your life drains to its essence and you realize what a true friend you have in the garage, shed, living room? I refer of course to the Bike. Dr Bike is the wisest device ever invented by man and long before the gods gave us fire they must have decided on giving us the Bike at the appropriate time. Heading out into the lanes with nature’s help cycling allows you no past for regrets, no future for anxieties, you only have the present to concentrate on and the immediate moment to deal with and there in that Zen like point lies your salvation. Wrapped in the present, life gathers up the wreckage and forward movement begins and bit by bit, oh so slowly, proper perspective and normality return and the way forward is open to what may be a different life but a good one never the less. The power that the Bike possesses in rebuilding shattered lives is nothing short of astonishing and I have seen the effects too many times to doubt it. So gaze with a new seriousness at your two wheeled steed for should life ever rear up on hind legs and strike you down it will be there waiting to help. Now, swiftly on (no time to dry your eye here) to news from “ Le Hotel du Velo Sportif “ our cycling retirement country Manor. You will be as thrilled as I am to learn that we are attempting to have a banked track in the grounds of our beloved stately home. Our old grass track has served us well on different sporting occasions and the odd chatting bunch is always circulating but as we had to demolish an old set of stables in the outer paddock Allan D kindly offered to construct banking from the salvaged materials at one end. Unfortunately we have only enough timber for one end at the moment but as someone rather sharply pointed out at the speeds we race at there would be ample time to take it all down and reassemble it at the other end every lap before the bunch even got there! I cannot describe the offence this remark has caused.
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On completion, with Alan standing rather fetchingly in workman’s overalls with hammer held at a rakish angle we watched spellbound as Mike B headed out onto the grass straight and barrelled toward the 42 degree banking. As he hit the curve at maximum velocity I definitely heard above the crashing of splintering wood a high pitched screaming profanity as Mike, still shouting about a duck or something, disappeared from view leaving an enlarged ragged orifice in the banking wall. Silently we watched aghast as Mike reappeared through the hole and after casting a baleful glance in Alan’s direction limped across the lawn toward the Manor looking, I must say, pretty dignified considering the circumstances and the rear ripped out of his shorts. So it was back to the drawing board and further reinforcement which Alan soon had in hand. I wish I could say that was the end of our trial mishaps but to date we have lost Eddie S, clean over the top of the banking after clocking our fastest lap time. It took a good half hour of intensive searching in the undergrowth to find him, and Jim Mc who missed the start of the banking altogether, and streaking past shot through the side wall of Anne M’s favourite flower greenhouse in a shower of glass, taking out two benches of her prize petunias in the process. I don’t know which caused him the most injury the glasshouse wall or Anne’s physical reprimand afterwards. That evening at dinner the idea was floated about selecting a name for our partially completed modest Velodrome. Although muffled through bandages I’m sure I heard Jim croak, “ How about the St Johns Ambulance Training Academy.”
Big Bob
A Favourite Bike
By John Hayter
My Hercules Balmoral 3 speed was bought from Coldharbour Road Cycles in Bristol in 1973 for £24. For 25 years it was my only bike, taking me to the Engineering Department of Bristol City Council and at various times being fitted with a variety of child seats, baskets and carriers. The biggest improvement made was to replace the steels rims with alloy and fit Alhonga deep drop brakes. The bike has the distinction of being the only one I have taken cycle camping in France. Tent and sleeping bag on the carrier and essentials in the basket. Quite OK for 25 miles a day! A bike of such age needs regular maintenance. Every three years or so, on a nice day, upend the bike and flood the headset cups with oil. At the same time oil the 3 speed hub. Return bike to upright and pour oil down the open seat tube. Whilst waiting for the surplus to drip out of the bottom bracket check brakes and pump up tyres. If available have a general spray round with WD40. Job done!
John
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Cycle Ink #174
Right to Ride Report - August
By Paul M. Turner
Bournemouth Boscombe Regeneration Scheme - This project is being built in a phased approach at St. Johns Rd junction, Boscombe with de-cluttering & removing railings, precinct upgrading, cycle parking with shared space are underway. Stour Valley Route - Berry Hill – the path under construction between Muscliffe and Berry Hill are due to be completed end of August. Castle Lane West – East Way cycleway to finish end July Glenferness Ave - putting in pedestrian crossing point and refreshing cycle lane markings. The section of Christchurch Road from Kings Park Drive and heading towards Iford is now under construction with completion expected by end July. Airport Transport Group This group meets every 6 months. Adam Bowes from DCC gave a presentation last meeting on cycle routes to the Airport. Some routes were suggested: cycle way on grass verge of Spur Road, full length of New Road and Throop across river bridge to Hurn. The next Airport Transport meeting is on 29/10/14 at the Airport. I hope to attend! Bournemouth Cycle Forum (BCF) meets every quarter, March, June, September & December. Any cyclists are welcome! The next meeting is 2 September at 6:00 at the Bournemouth Town Hall. One important item is about Richmond Hill Junction. I reported in Winter Edition of Cycle Ink, 2013 – (CTC Wessex Newsletter) saying that I personally would not use junction preferring to use the Horseshoe Common route. Poole Panorama Road and Banks Road is to be resurfaced. The junction should protect pedestrians and cyclists. I think two planters should be established on each side of the junction where there is a slope, for wheelchairs to cross the road from Panorama Rd junction with Banks Rd., so pedestrians & cyclist are protected, including a width of 1.5m on the corner. This will reassure cyclists against the motor traffic, buses, trucks etc. In the summer months there are many timid cyclist especially children using the pavement on those corners. These are still proposals! High Street - North Street- a shared space is planned to open up an area of the High Street with pedestrians’ areas. Cyclists and motorised traffic should slow down to a walking pace. I approve of removing barriers and traffic lights. At North Street & Lagland St where South St is blocked, I approve of making a cycle way at Lagland St & South Street.
Paul
Right to Ride Representative Bournemouth & Poole
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MINUTES FOR COMMITTEE MEETING 'CTC WESSEX CYCLING' Wednesday 20th August 2014 19.30 1. PRESENT: Terry Walsh, Mike Walsh, Jo Gordon, Keith Matthews, Bob Courtney, Bob Chittenden, Julian James and observing Ralph Huckle. 2. APOLOGIES: Joan Courtney, Stephen Gray,John Jackson, Jim McDonald, John Ward, Dave Langley, Paul Turner. 3. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES: read by Keith and no matters arising 4. TREASURERS REPORT: £2.500 in the bank. Main income is from the newsletter and from interest. The cycle jumble made a loss but the reason for this can be rectified for the future. Any committee member with expenses should e mail Mike with bank account details before end Sept. 5. NEWSLETTER: Keith has sufficient contributions at the moment. Barry Rossell thought the group supported all the changes that Bournemouth Council made to bike paths whereas in fact Paul Turner had just reported on what was happening in the area. RH commented that changes at Richmond Hill made him feel safer on a route he uses regularly. 6. RIGHT TO RIDE: Paul was absent but his report will be in the newsletter as usual 7. Jim McDonalds worry re indiscipline on rides i.e. riders going faster than the average ride speed and disrupting the group– this has improved and all other leaders present agreed that this was a universal problem. After a long discussion Bob Courtney surmised that many people did not understand the history of the group and how each group should hopefully be run – each leader is to talk to their group and best case scenario would be a leaflet to reinforce this. Keith is to write in the next editorial to encourage more group riders to come to the AGM where this could be further discussed. 8. RUNS LEADERS REPORTS: Thursday Dawdlers We have had a good summer with varying numbers out, but we have all enjoyed the selection of rides chosen by our stock of leaders. The heat did dampen our enthusiasm on a couple of rides, but now we are having to contend with rain again! We continue to find new coffee/tea stops and places of interest to stop at and investigate. Sunday Dawdlers Started because there seemed to be a need for a slightly slower group for those of us who have got past the haring around the roads every week. It has been slow catching on, but it takes time for word to get around and we hope that now we have some flyers to circulate and a bit in the Newsletter numbers may increase. We are eternal optimists! Let's hope the weather allows us to get stronger over the next few months. We hope to re-introduce the traditional way of riding as a group. Bun Runs Still getting a mix of riders and going well. Thursday Rouleurs to Horsington (31.7.14) Well received and enjoyed by all. PHSG Group riders climbed Bulbarrow again this year in July. Fabulous day, not too hot. Winterbourne, to Winterbourne, Winterbourne and Winterbourne. Sharp climb, long slow climb, pause to admire the view at the top and then down, down, down to coffee stop at Winterbourne. Great day, fabulous run. Which Winterbourne? I don't know. Look, we're old. Don't ask us to ride and know where we are going! Thursday Potterers rides have been well supported on the whole, through the Spring and early Summer, with an average attendance at the coffee stop of 15 for the 8 rides for which figures are available. An average of 8 riders carried on to the lunch stop. The car assisted ride from Maiden Castle to Evershot on 12 June only attracted 3 members. It has been noticed that ride discipline has improved over recent weeks. The quarterly joint meet between the Potterers and the Rouleurs at Downton has been scheduled for 13 November. Thursday 18 December has been left vacant for the inter group Christmas lunch for which details are awaited . Plans for the traditional New Years Day walk have yet to be considered. Thursday Rouleurs Summary numbers: average = 10, maximum = 14, total different riders=26. Ride leaders: different leaders=6, rides without pre-allocated leader=4. General Observations: Numbers increased significantly over this period as weather improved with most rides now in double figures of riders. A few new riders have recently joined the group which is very encouraging. Continued difficulty getting ride leaders and now mainly just two people (Denis and Michael) leading 2-3 rides each. 3-4 other people have led one ride each but that has still left 4 rides without a pre-allocated leader. One car-assisted ride was planned during this period to be led by John Jackson starting from Kings Worthy near Winchester to Weyhill, then Burghclere near Newbury and returning via Watership Down and Whitchurch. Unfortunately, this ride had to be postponed due to low numbers able to make the ride which had been scheduled for early August. Maybe future summer car-assisted rides should be held in September to allow more people to participate. This ride will now be scheduled for October or next spring. Sunday Rouleurs Summary numbers: average = 7, maximum = 12, total different riders=18. General Observations: Numbers also increased during this period; mainly of course, due to better weather. A few new riders have also joined this group; some the same people as joined the Thursday group. Majority of riders still return home after coffee. Small number sometimes go on to meet Inters at lunch time but don't always meet up due to timing and sometimes lack of knowledge of lunch stop location. Gridiron Online Entries Currently 380 compared with 530 this time last year. Entries have started to come in faster with recent advert with nearly 130 already this month (250 at end of July).
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Resignation as Runs Leader After about 6 years as Thursday Rouleurs Runs Leader, I have decided to step down from this position as of the end of this quarter and ask that someone else take on this responsibility. There are a numbers of factors behind this decision but the primary one is not being able to ride comfortably with the group any longer because of the pace of the rides. I know I'm not alone with this problem, but I believe as runs leader I should at least be able to ride as part of the group and not be regularly hanging off the back. I don't believe it's right to expect others to slow down just because I can't keep up, and after all, it's just as much their ride as mine. We have tried in the past to set up two groups (Rouleurs 1 and 2) to address this need but have since given up due to lack of ride leaders especially for group 1, which would have taken the faster riders away from the second group who want a slightly slower pace. Sadly, very few of the faster riders seem "able" to take on the ride leader role;for various different reasons. There are over 20 people who have ridden reasonably regularly with the group over the past couple of years. Sadly, not one of them seems an obvious candidate to approach but maybe I'm not thinking clearly enough. What I certainly want to give up are the quarterly committee and AGM activities (reporting and participating) and overall production of the quarterly runs lists, esp. getting ride leaders (ie. the major visible parts of the role). If no single person can be found to take this on, I would be prepared to continue with some of the current activities (developing rides, updating websites etc) but only in support of someone else providing the overall coordination functions listed above. It may be possible for these functions to be taken on by someone who is not an active member of the group. Apologies for seeming to drop the committee into this one but it does seem like some new blood and more lateral thinking that I've managed to apply is required to keep this group going and hopefully, continue developing into the future. Dave Langley Sunday Potterers Numbers remain constant from 8 – 13 with perhaps less continuing after coffee 9. GRIDIRON UPDATE – Terry to let Jo know how many volunteers are required at Hyde. Mike is in charge of the Brevet cards. Time will be saved on booking back as the total riding time will not be filled in as after all it is not a race – the individual rider can do this themselves if required. 10. SHIELD AWARD Now the CTC have remedied the CTC points for rides, no longer a problem 11. SUNDAY DAWDLERS Jeanette has produced a leaflet on the rides and the pace expected and so far all Poole libraries have agreed to display this and then hopefully Bournemouth also 12. NOMINATIONS FOR TROPHIES Discussed and agreed upon but is not for public release. 13. CYCLISTS DEFENCE LEAGUE Ralph had suggested that the group donated some of the funds to the CDL but after investigation most of the expenditure was for the salary of the organiser and very little in defending CTC members so it was decided that no donation would be given 14. RUNS LISTS FOR CAFES – Mike to discuss with Keith that some cafes are saying they do not receive prior info re groups coming. 15. ST. LO EXCHANGE VISIT – Mike reported that the club had received monies back from St. Lo following the last visit. Christchurch BC are hoping to reinstate the exchange and it was agreed to use these funds in support of CBC's actions to resurrect. 16. KIT SUBSIDY – the group subsidises the kit which is welcome and advertises the goup on the road but Jo reported that certain members of the group do not even realise that we have a club kit – should we advertise it in the newsletter? 17. Kevin Moore has resigned from the committee and with Kathy from producing Facebook – many thanks to them for their contributions to the group. Paul Turner has offered to take over Facebook and Mike is to liaise between them. 18. AUK permanents – there are a number organised locally, perhaps they should be advertised from time to time. 19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Jo wondered if the joint meet with the Potterers and the Thursday Rouleurs really works as any that she has supported had been very separate groups – one in the nearby pub and one al fresco – perhaps a FIRM time and place would be advantageous or perhaps meeting at coffee would be better as more Potterers are out then and the pub for lunch is not the dividing line. Perhaps a more structured meet at the Inn on the Tin by Ferndown Golf Course with a BBQ would be better supported. John Ward has asked the group if we thought we could help him with controls etc as his New Forest series is short of volunteers for 2015, hopefully there are those willing to support local Audaxes and will advise John to ask nearer the date Bob Courtney reported happily that John Evans is slowly getting back on the bike and is improving slowly and we all wish him the very very best. Julian said that Gordon Seabright CEO of CTC has moved on and Paul Touhy seems more go ahead so hopefully we will feel more supported and in touch. Mike said we were meant to be discussing whether the Christmas lunch was going to be held on the usual Thursday or would a Sunday include those who are still working – but this would exclude the venue being Bournemouth Rugby Club which has been enjoyed recently. 20. AGM WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER 7.30 KINSON CONSERVATIVE CLUB Next committee metting Wednesday 19th November 7.30 Kinson Conservative Club The meeting closed at 20.20
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Cycle Ink #174
Cycling Miscellany
By Mike Walsh
My bi-annual ride to Firsdown gathered 13 riders throughout the day, some joined along the way and some just joined us for coffee. Another very hot day and quite hard for some, including me, on the initial part of the return. I therefore insisted that the majority did not wait for me on this part of the ride which left four of us on the return. The heat led to some adopting odd headgear.
Three Family Members on Terry’ Walsh’s Saturday Burley Ride. Sue Barber (just in the photograph) with daughters Aimée and Lauren.
Three Generations on Terry Walsh’s Saturday ride to Burley. Ben with his Mother and Grandfather
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Wheel Building Service
By Ricardo Salvatierra
Wheel building has been a hobby of mine for nearly two years and I have built nearly 200 wheels to date. I have no intention to make a living from wheel building but to help with my cycling hobby. About two years ago, while truing a wheel of mine, I got the idea to learn how to build wheels. Previously, I had watched some videos on how to true wheels and I found the task rather straight forward so the next step would be to learn the ins and out of actually building a wheel. Later on, I decided to learn the method taught by Roger Musson and I have to say I found the whole process straight forward, maybe this has something to do with my engineering background. Also, I have been guided by a pro wheel builder from London who has been encouraging me to build wheels for money but until now I felt that the idea of making a business out of a hobby was a bit too much for me. More recently I have been thinking that perhaps I can do a business on a part time basis, that would enable me to meet my work commitments and build wheels Most wheel builders charge between £40 to £60 per set of wheels, some builders also make a substantial profit on the parts they supply. I have no intention to hold a stock so I won't be making any profit on parts supplied. As for the cost of building a wheel I decided on £15 for a single new wheel and £25 for a set of two new wheels for CLUB MEMBERS ONLY. In other words, club members would be able to have their wheels built for the cost of best price they can source the parts + £25. I will also provide, free of charge, any re-truing that is necessary during the lifetime of the wheel. I live locally and I also ride most Saturdays to Burley where I enjoy socialising with members of the CTC and Christchurch clubs. ricardosalvatierra@gmail.com
Ricardo
SUNDAY DAWDLERS
By Jeanette King
We have started up an additional ride on Sundays to encourage anyone wanting a moderate paced ride, cycling about 40-50 miles (shorter in the winter) to come and join us. We are quite flexible about direction, starting point, etc. but have put a list of rides for October to December on the website. Obviously things will be dependant on the weather on the day; nobody enjoys riding around in the rain! We will have tea/coffee stops and you will need to bring along your own picnic lunch, although in the winter we do tend to have our lunch stop near civilisation where possible. If you need any further information either check us out on the website or ring Jeanette or Martin in 01202 888663.
Jeanette
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Cycle Ink #174
Cyclists Dismount Llid y bledren dymchwelyd "Road signs are mistranslated into Welsh on an enormously regular basis," Owain Sgiv of the Welsh language campaign group Gymraig told reporters gathered around a sign near Penarth, "usually because people are using online translators. 'Cyclists dismount' is an awkward sentence to translate, as there is no Welsh word meaning 'dismount'. But we don't often get them quite as insane as what the council has come up with for this sign. "Roughly translated, 'llid y bledren dymchwelyd' means 'bladder disease has returned'. 'Llid y bledren' means 'inflammation of the bladder', but I have to stress that the order in which the words have been placed makes no sense whatsoever. The correct translation would be something like 'dim beicio' which means literally 'no cycling' or 'man disgyn i feicwyr' which means 'fall-off area for cyclists'. But what they have put up makes no sense at all. A council spokesman later admitted "it does appear that an error has occurred during the translation process, a matter which is being investigated. In the meantime, amended signs are being produced as soon as possible." South Wales Evening Post 17/6/14
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Good news and bad, for cyclists The idea that cycling causes infertility in men is almost certainly a myth, reports The Daily Telegraph. Research has in the past suggested that the pressure placed on the reproductive organs while cycling damaged sperm production. However, a study at University College, London, based on 5,000 cyclists, suggests there's nothing to worry about, even if you cycle as much as eight hours a week. "This is good news for male cyclists," said Dr Mark Hamer, who led the research. "There is no association between cycling time and erectile dysfunction and infertility. In the modern era of cycling, saddles are much better, so there is nothing like the pressure that there once was." Middle-aged men might still want to limit the amount of time they spend on a bike, however, as the study did reveal that in the over-50s, cycling for just half an hour a day doubled the risk of prostate cancer. It's unclear if this has a biological explanation – or whether it's simply the case that cyclists are more health conscious, and therefore go for more regular health check-ups than other men, leading to more diagnoses.
A single sperm has 37.5 Mb of information inside it. That means that a normal ejaculation represents a data transfer of about 0.5 Gb per second. And you thought that BT Infinity was fast!
Victory for Cyclists as the ASA has now reversed its barmy decision that a TV ad campaign to encourage drivers to give cyclists appropriate room on the road was “socially irresponsible”. The ASA originally upheld several complaints in January about Cycling Scotland’s “See Cyclist, Think Horse” campaign, regarding one of the riders’ road positioning and lack of a helmet. The ruling was withdrawn after it was pointed out that the car and the cyclist were in exactly were the positions recommended in the Highway Code. Last month a new adjudication was published noting that the cyclist was indeed placed in a suitable position on the road; and that as the advert targeted motorists, it was realistic to show that not all cyclists they encounter would be wearing helmets. “The same care should be given to all cyclists, whether or not they wore a helmet,” added the ASA.
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Cycle Ink #174
OBITUARY - Chris Davison Chris Davison’s funeral was well attended by not only cyclists but by members of the Poole Heart Support Group too for we took the same exercise class together. An extra dimension was added when many members of the print unions came down from from London to tell us of his working life when he worked on the production of early issues of “Private Eye” amongst other publications.
Keith
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The Consett & Sunderland Cyclepath. See Page 7.
A Saturday Sixties Start
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