THE WESSEX NEWSLETTER Edited independently in three of the CTC Wessex member group areas and published quarterly. Please contact your nearest member group or access the club website for information on any events www.wessexctc.org for all CTC Wessex activities
CTC WESSEX SECRETARY Peter Loakes, Church Cottage, West Stafford, DT2 8AB (01305) 263272 CTC BOURNEMOUTH Cheryl Owen, 1 Bond Road, Poole BH15 3RT (01202) 738428 CTC SALISBURY Alan Clarke, “Hill House”, Kelsey Road, Salisbury SP1 1JR (01722) 322188 CTC WEST DORSET Mike Durham, 74 Westhill, Wyke Regis, Weymouth DT4 9NE (01305) 770140 CTC BLACKMORE VALE Richard Gow, Wildfell, Crown Rd, Marnhull, DT10 1LN (01258) 821391
Main Calendar Dates For 2010 April 11th April 11th May 2nd May 9th May 9th May 9th May 9th May 16th June 26th Sept 5th Sept 5th Sept 5th Sept 5th Sept 12th Sept 19th Sept 26th Oct 10th Oct 10th Oct 13th Nov 6th
Dorset Coastlet 100km Dorset Coast 200km Wu’ze 400km Audax New Forest Spring Challenge 50km New Forest Day Out 100km New Forest 150km New Forest Excursion 200km Dorset Downs 100km 3D300km Audax New Forest Autumn Challenge 50km New Forest & Coast 100km New Forest 150km New Forest On & Off Shore 200km Dorset Dirt 50km Off-Road Bournemouth Square 200km Wessex Grand Meet at Breamore Gridiron 100km CTC West Dorset AGM CTC Bournemouth AGM CTC Wessex AGM
Peter Loakes Peter Loakes Shawn Shaw John Ward John Ward John Ward John Ward Mike Walsh Peter Loakes John Ward John Ward John Ward John Ward Ken Reed Brian Callow
01305 263272 01305 263272 01202 685014 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01202 429985 01305 263272 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01305 772654 01202 526606
Terry Walsh Mike Durham Cheryl Owen Peter Loakes
01202 247888 01305 770140 01202 738428 01305 263272
Welcome to Spring! My mileage in January and February has been pathetically low. Snow, ice, cold and me do not mix on the bike. But now in the first few days of March as I put this issue together, it has doubled. I’m now in my second 100 miles and no, I didn’t leave a 0 off there either. So, now you are all feeling good that your own personal mileage far exceeds that, lets keep it all up and look forward to a long hot summer. CTC is planning to vote on becoming a registered charity at its AGM this year. Previously, only a part of CTC was allowed to have charitable status. Under the rules of previous years it had been decreed that the main part of CTC was a business. The rules have changed and relaxed now. Make no mistake however, a change of CTC to a charity is a big step and probably not reversable. My personal view is that full Charitable status is to the advantage of our paid staff at Guildford rather than for the members’ benefit. It will enable CTC to apply more easily for grants and contracts and I think sets them up as another agency of Government. But please read up about it and make up your own mind. You can read the arguments here: CTC view: http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=5359 Discussion: http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=32975 Whatever you do, make up your own mind and vote. It is important! In this issue: Bob lets his mind ramble on again and there are some Latin lessons. Enjoy . . .
Keith Matthews - Editor 3
Cycle Ink #156
CTC Blackmore Vale Rides These take place every week alternating between Saturday & Sunday meeting at 10am & starting at 10.30am – click on Runs List below for details. Rides are shorter in Winter (20 miles) and build up gradually to longer rides in Summer (50 miles). We stop for lunch either at a café or pub; during British Summer Time, we usually bring picnics but there is often a café near the lunch stop. You can ride to the meeting place for added mileage or drive all/part way. We welcome newcomers who consider that they can cope with the mileage – no one gets left behind! Give us a call beforehand so that we can look out for you. 01963 32840 - Richard & Margaret Nicholl or 01258 821391 - Richard Gow
Sun 4th Apr
MEET: NT Café, Stourhead LUNCH: Cellar Café, Longleat Sat 10th Apr MEET: Bramble & Sage, Sutton Montis LUNCH: Somerton LEADER: RG Sun 18th Apr MEET: Waitrose Gillingham LUNCH Crown Inn, Alvediston. LEADER: Ron Sat 24th Apr MEET: Poet's corner Café Sturminter Newton LUNCH: Woodhouse Gardens Blandford LEADER: RG Sun 2nd May MEET: NT Cafe Stourhead (Note Bank Holiday Weekend) LUNCH: East Cranmore Station. TEA: Stourhead. LEADER: J+R Sat 8th May MEET: Old Bakehouse Café Castle Cary LUNCH: Wookey Hole. TEA: Sutton Montis. LEADER: BW Sun 16th May MEET: Castle Garden Centre Sherborne LUNCH: Melbury Bubb near Chetnole. TEA: Sherborne or Milborne Port. LEADER:MN Sat 22nd May MEET: John Peel Café Shaftesbury LUNCH: Cranborne G Centre. TEA: Shaftesbury. LEADER: RG Sun 30th May MEET: Bargate Café BA12 8AE Shearwater Lake. (Whitsun WE) LUNCH: Chitterne, Salisbury Plain. TEA: Crockerton. Lead: J+R Sat 5th Jun MEET: Park & Ride - Norden Station. BH20 2AU; GR 829958 LUNCH: Bournemouth Seafront via Sandbanks Ferry TEA: Corfe. LEADER: Neil Sun 13th Jun MEET: Top o' Town Cafe, Dorchester LUNCH: Little Cheney. TEA: Dorchester. LEADER: RG Sat 19th Jun MEET: Somerton use long stay car park LUNCH: Coates Willows & Wetlands Centre. TEA: Somerton. LEADER: NT Sun 27th Jun MEET: John Peel Café, Shatesbury. LUNCH: Chalke Valley. TEA: Shaftesbury. LEADER: RG Coffee Pot Meets on Tuesdays Arrive at the Cafes at 10:30. An informal ride may or may not be arranged on the day. 1st Tuesday of Month Meet Café Central Wincanton 2nd Tuesday of Month Waitrose Café Gillingham 3rd Tuesday of Month N.T. Café Stourhead 4th Tuesday of Month Wheathill Lane Garden Centre Milborne Port Tuesday 30th Mar Martock , Cedar Tree Café, Yandles, Hurst Tuesday 29th Jun East Lambrook Manor Garden
Cycle Ink #156
4
Poole Heart Support Group Rides Every month starting at 10am This is an easy riding group for people who have had heart problems, offering morning rides on Sundays. CTC members are invited to join us. TEL: 01202 85001 - Keith Matthews
21st MAR 25th APR 23rd MAY 27th JUN 25th JUL
MEET: Ringwood Underpass - Moyles Court and Environs MEET: Wimborne Layby - Cranborne MEET: Wareham Quay - Purbeck Potter MEET: Wimborne Square - Blandford & Back MEET: 10 Hill View Road, Ferndown - Randonnée Cri de Couer
I own a villa on the Costa Brava, about 1 hour north of Barcelona. The area is home to a number of professional cyclists & with the Tour de France visiting the area last year I am keen to offer accommodation to CTC members during the Autumn, Winter & Spring. See my website www.yavico.co.uk and please contact me: Michael Kennedy (CTC S.Bucks) 01628 509540 / 07540 760571 -----------We run cycling Holidays in the Loire, France. We’re a small family run holiday company and 2010 will be our second year. All the details are on our website at www.loirelifecycling.com Jon Lethbridge & Alison Shawcroft -----------French Pedals – Luxury Cycling in France Special Spring booking offers for CTC Members: Normandy: 5% discount on all holidays booked by 3/4/2010 saving nearly £50 per person Champagne Ardennes: £35 per adult towards the cost of lunches on all holidays booked by 3/4/2010 French Pedals brings you circular cycling holidays without the hassle and with a bit of luxury thrown in. You are given a good map, a great bike, a suggested itinerary and the freedom to explore. Enjoy a high standard of accommodation situated in the heart of where you want to be – not isolated on the edge of towns. French Pedals is a French specialist – small enough to understand the needs of its customers but big enough to ensure that every aspect of your holiday meets your highest expectations - see what our customers say about us at www.frenchpedals.co.uk
5
Cycle Ink #156
A TROPHY ATROPHY
By Margaret Phillpotts
I thought you may be interested in the 'ornament' I had made for my Christmas present by John McPhail so that I would have a permanent reminder of 2007/2009 after I return all the cups to the club.
John was very nice to deal with, very quick and also very reasonable. I thought others may be interested given the difficulty in finding suitable presents for cyclists. He also makes a mountain biker and, of course, the penny farthing!
Burley Village Hall Saturday April 24th 2010 10 am to 2 pm Admission 50p - Light Refreshments on Sale To book a table ring Jim Hatton (01425) 280 889 Cycle Ink #156
6
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
By Paul M. Turner
I can report that the following may be of interest to members: Poole Civic Centre: plans were discussed for a cycle path around the Civic Centre. Also from Parkstone Road linking the Poole College to the bus lanes at the beginning of Commercial Road. Poole Road – Pottery Junction to LV Gyratory: There plans to upgrade Poole Road to make commuting by cycle safer. There will be advisory cycle lanes & “virtual cycle cycles” (whatever they are). There was a report by Cycling England which advocates advisory cycle lane on both the & south of Poole Road. I endorsed that view. The work will begin March/April 2011. Talbot Village Consultation: Plans to have a cycleway between Boundary Road Round about to Alyth Road including cat fence to protect wild life on Talbot Heath. I wrote a letter welcoming the cycleway but I strongly suggested that a cat proof gate but which would ease a cycling route from Talbot Drive SE to East Avenue & NS from Boundary Road. There will new houses from Bournemouth University east to Dulsie Road & south to Alyth Road. Sandbanks Road/Turks Lane crossing: Some suggestions would be welcome? There is a problem here but there is no money for Pelican Crossing. East Avenue Roundabout Safety Improvements: Peter DuLieu & I were asked for our views. 40 year old woman cyclist was killed about 2 months ago. The main problem is one line of traffic entering Talbot Avenue, Wimborne Road N on to Wimborne Road S and East Avenue. At the roundabout there two lanes! I personally advocated there only be 1 line traffic entering leaving the roundabout. When lines there be are conflict, bunching & cars will be better than cyclists. I do not know what the answer is, apart from single lines into & exiting the roundabout. Work is been started at East Avenue!
http://www.wessexsr.talktalk.net/newsuns/cafelist[1].html Is maintained at the above address. Additions and updates are requested please.
7
Cycle Ink #156
Too Much Water Is Bad For You! In rare cases, and 12 have been recorded worldwide, the victim has died from drinking too much water. Exercise associated hyponatraemia (EAH) is a dangerous condition that occurs when people have drunk so much water that the concentration of sodium in their blood falls too low. This causes symptoms including nausea, vomiting and confusion. The condition can even be caused by sports drinks claimed to be "isotonic" Tim Noakes, director of sports medicine at the University of Cape Town, blames the rise on marketing activities by the makers of sports drinks, which he says promote over-drinking. British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol 40, p 567 Since awareness of EAH has grown, most guidelines now warn athletes not to over-drink. Tim Noakes says drinking to satisfy your thirst is all that is needed. "The easiest way to lower your performance is to overdrink, not under-drink." Terry Walsh tells us that this is a precis of an article reprinted with permission from the "New Scientist" no.2742 Jan 2010 Page 39. www.newscientist.com FOOTNOTE: In the “good old days” before sports science, the old gnarled road racers’ mantra was “Dry is best”. That was intended so they didn’t have to get off the bike too much of course. Editor
Cycle Ink #156
8
Mystery Picture
This lovely stand of bare trees taken on 1st March 2010 is near Wimborne, but exactly where? www.panoramio.com/photo/32762706
9
Cycle Ink #156
Why Don’t You Stay at Home?
By Big Bob
Do you know, it’s a strange thing but I have recently discovered a new pleasure in my Cycling Life ( no cat-calls from my cycling companions please). Early in the morning or late afternoon I find myself contentedly wandering around my local roads and lanes not mounted on anything lightweight from the Courtney stable but comfortably ensconced in a well worn Brooks saddle on my much used decaying heavyweight Roberts camping tourer. I concede to no man the sheer delight of the Group Club Ride but there is something quietly beguiling about the solitary, off season, short ride in the early morning or through the gathering dusk of a winter afternoon. My routes vary but can take me to the sea where I watch the progress of the latest multi millionaires house being thrown up in the sand dunes or through any of the local greenways or parks where birds sing and coloured stuff grows. Well-lit Cafes with warm interiors and the smell of coffee are resisted on these shorter trips for some reason I cannot fathom. Sandra, my favourite Barmaid at my local Hostelry, who often listens when I explain how misunderstood I am put it in a nutshell. “Why don’t you stop wandering about and stay at home?” Later, while pedaling homeward with all L.E.D.s blazing I pondered the question. Why indeed do we cyclists of maturer aspect face all weathers, and leave comfortable homes to cycle out on long days and longer tours with all the due measure of discomfort this brings when we could be leading normal lives? The following day an answer began to appear in the shape of the corner of a long forgotten poem. I had spent the Christmas week this year cycling on the Isle of Wight and had noted that Alfred Lord Tennyson our national poet (who lived on the island for many years) had celebrated an anniversary the previous year. A two hundred year anniversary to be precise. Of his birth, er, death, er, circumcision, passing out parade, or something or other. My curiosity sent me whirring down to the Central Library, where carefully
Cycle Ink #156
10
locking the bike, I presented myself with helmet tucked respectfully under my arm at the reception desk. I gave my most ingratiating smile to the lady, which has on occasion, as mentioned, been compared to a perverted leer. Nevertheless the poem was located, photocopied, and handed to me. No wonder Tennyson’s poem had sparked my memory, he had been writing about the most famous of all Wanderers, the mighty Ulysses, who spent many years, water-borne its true, returning from Troy to his homeland with seemingly as much navigational skill as Peter H! It concerns Ulysses, when an older man, settled in his homeland, with all the comforts around him but still caught in the restless urge for seeing over the horizon and new experiences. The mark of a true Cyclo Tourist. Dear cycling reader, if you are of maturer years stop reading Cycling Weekly, CTC Magazine, Financial Times, Nuts, Asian Babes, or whatever and get a copy of that poem. I give here a short extract and the underlining and slight word changes are mine not dear old Tenny’s Come, my friends, Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Set off, and sitting well in order smite The whirring pedals: for my purpose holds To ride beyond the sunset, and the domain Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’ We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. At this point I must apologise, because I realize some of you will be hearing this for the second time. It was first humbly given as the ninth
11
Cycle Ink #156
choice for the inaugural lecture at the request of the House Committee of the “Hotel du Velo Sportif ” our very own residential hotel of “In Carmen Quod Procul Plenus Thrash” fame. I think the main enjoyment of that after dinner evening in the Hotel library, with its crackling log fire, was being joined halfway, by a merry group who had delayed at the Dining Hall bar. The quipping and banter produced was of a high order and you will be well pleased to hear that the bandages will soon be removed from my right hand and I’ve regained part use of my left arm! I console myself with the thought that dispensing wisdom was ever fraught. While on the subject, if you could make a note, next months lectures will be given by Colin B, entitled “A Cyclist’s Love Life in Declining Years” and “The Correct use of the Shock Absorbing Seat Post in Carbon Frames.” One fervently hopes the subjects are in no way related. Ride On,
Big Bob. Cycle Ink #156
12
CTC Member completes BJW Series A CTC member was presented with his Medal for completing all four reliability rides included in the 2008/09 series on 18th February during the coffee stop on a CTC run. Runs Leader Graham Dengate (past Bournemouth Olympic member) presented Peter Durant (on the right) with the Series Medal at the Stables, Hyde. Glen Longland presented the other Reliability Ride medals at the Jubilee’s Presentation Evening. The four rides are run over a four month period from November to February and are made up of:50 miles in 4 hours 100 kilometres in 5 hours 75 miles in 6 hours 100 miles in 8 hours. All cyclists are welcome to enter the series. More details contact Mike Walsh. jmichaelwalsh@aol.com or 429985
13
Cycle Ink #156
Heres one from the archives, a slide taken by me on an Agfa 110. The Thursday Potterers outside The King John Public House at Tollard Royal 1978 (CTC Centenary Year). L to R; Ron Trill, ?, Ruth Merchant, Jim Bootle, Dudley Walton, Elsie Moss, Arthur Moss, Jean Trill, Freidel Jewer, Bill Oakley (CTC President), Jack Merchant, Johnny Morris,Charles Lane, Bill Jewer, Mary Lane. and standing on seat John Glinane. Eric Watson
Bike Thief Caught! A man described as the world's most prolific bicycle thief has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after striking a plea deal with prosecutors. Igor Kenk, a 50-year-old former policeman originally from Slovenia, was arrested in July 2008 in a sting operation set up by the Toronto police. Since then, the rate of bike thefts in the city has plunged by 17%. Kenk, who owned a bicycle shop, was found to be in possession of nearly 3,000 stolen machines, most of which had been hidden away in lock-up garages. His modus operandi was to offer cash or drugs to homeless people in return for stolen bikes. So far the police have been able to reunite nearly 600 people with their bicycles. "We don't usually get the opportunity to make that many people happy," Detective Constable Aaron Dennis told reporters.
Cycle Ink #156
14
15
Cycle Ink #156
Runner,supermodel, Street fighter loincloth-wearing ascetic
Weight in grams of Anything involving cable end caps, smack talk long-forgotten taste of ice cream
Hide
If not a cyclist, would be:
Favourite conversation topics:
In peloton likes to:
Yell at everyone to "Close that gap!" Never takes a pull
Single water bottle 11-tooth cog, cage, no valve caps shredded fronttire sidewall from sticking wheel into tight places such as others' cassettes
Distinguishing bike characteristic:
Quads the size of beer kegs, elbows sharper than a stiletto, multiple road-rash scars
SPRINTER
Lung on a stick
CLIMBER
Body type:
CYCLIST TYPES
Get on the front and ride dammit!
Drag coefficients, most recent visit to wind tunnel, slipperiness of skinsuit
Computer programmer or engineer
Aerodynamic frame, wheels, handlebar, water bottle, cable end caps
Flexible enough to join Chinese Acrobat toupe
TIME TRIALLIST
Ring bell
Carbon footprints, climate change, recyclability of objects not commonly known to be recyclable
NASCAR driver
Grime
N/A
COMMUTER
Peloton?
Food, miles & kilometers ridden, food, extreme weather experiences, food
Institutionalised
Lights, handlebar bag and/or large seat bag, comfy saddle
All of the others
AUDAX MAN
Sunday Rouleurs
By Dave Langley
For any Sunday riders looking for a new challenge in 2010 there will now be another option available in addition to the existing Inters and Potterers rides. The objective of the Sunday Rouleurs will be to provide slightly faster and longer rides than the Inters currently offer. Overall speed is expected to average about 15mph with distances covered ranging from about 75 miles in winter to around 90 in summer and finishing times being around 4pm in winter and 6pm in summer. Another goal of the new group will be to have longer runs of about 2025 miles (ie. about 90 minutes riding time) between refreshment stops and to select suitable morning coffee stops to allow people to leave the ride and return home after coffee having still had a reasonably long ride by the time they get home. Example coffee stop locations to be used will be: Athelhampton, Cadnam, Gillingham and Pythouse, and for lunch will be: Harnham, Milborne Port, Pitton and Stourton Caundle. Rouleurs rides will be available to all Sunday riders who want to participate in this sort of ride and it is understood that a number of people will mix and match with the other Sunday ride options as required. In order to add more variety and interest to the routes chosen between the selected locations, the target will be to have a number of different people leading the rides. For more information on the proposed Rouleurs rides in 2010, please see: www.bournemouthctc.org or contact either of the following section leaders: Dave Langley at daveandsuelangley@btinternet.com or Mike Barrett at bmikebarrett@ntlworld.com Dave sent this piece in before he had his nasty accident, but I bet he’s itching to get going again as soon as possible. We wish him speedy recovery, and here he is wishing you all happy cycling!
Cycle Ink #156
16
CTC Wessex Report
By Peter Loakes
Nineteen cyclists from the four member groups of Wessex attended the meeting, held in Wool. After the shenanigans of last year’s AGM, when the new member group structure was hammered out, this year’s meeting was a more relaxed affair. There were two resignations. President Norman Payne is standing down, as he is not cycling due to ill health. Hopefully Norman will stay in touch, and be involved in the St Lo twinning in 2011. And Ken Reed is relinquishing his role as Dorset Right To Ride rep. Ken has done an enormous amount of work over the last few years, sometimes banging his head against a brick wall, but nevertheless achieving benefits for local cycling. Ken will continue to be involved in the Weymouth Connect2 Rodwell Trail. Malcolm Howell is our new President, and there is a vacancy for Dorset Right to Ride Rep. If anyone out there is interested please get in touch. There were three motions: problems with membership renewals, asking that it be brought back “in-house”. old one to bring it in line with the new member group structure. After a few tweaks it was all sorted and adopted. Things to look forward to in 2010 include Wessex Grand Meets, when member groups can meet up, a number of open AUDAX type events, and for 2011, our centenary year, the CTC National AGM & Dinner at the Olympic Sailing Academy on Portland, and our St Lo friends joining us for the Twinning. Any ideas for this, it’s not too soon to be thinking. This is only a quick summary. The full minutes, and all the annual reports can be found on the CTC Wessex website. Response from Kevin Mayne regarding CTC Membership Services. Kevin sent me a lengthy letter outlining the reasons for outsourcing Membership, including the efforts to sort out problems which had arisen over the last few years. It seems that the staff at HQ could not cope with the demands from the increasing membership. To fulfil members expectations would have involved setting up call centres, databases, mailing houses etc, all at great cost in time and money. The club is not large enough to justify the investment. This is the reason membership services were outsourced. Kevin did emphasise that there had been an ongoing downward trend in complaints over the last 4 years, but mentioned that the local problems raised by Terry Walsh had never been fully sorted. However, Kevin did urge members with specific attributable complaints to let him know about their problems. If you could copy me in as well I’ll make sure any problems are followed up. To end on a practical note; after months of dodging wayward bramble suckers encroaching the West Stafford to Dorchester cycleway, I cycled into Dorchester armed with a pair of secateurs today. So you can now cycle in the knowledge that your shins are safe, at least between here and Dorchester!
17
Cycle Ink #156
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 just make your own way to the New Forest Tea Rooms, Burley for 10:00
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 any way you like. Photographs are welcome in any form.
http://www.bournemouthctc.org “CycleInk” is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the Cyclists’ Touring Club. Published four times a year for members. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the club.
Cycle Ink #156
18