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Prize Competition Issue!
Spring 2015 The Quarterly Magazine of CTC Wessex Cycling in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
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!” . . . And now for something a wee bit different ! Since noting the monument to water on Ballard Down I have come to notice the village pump. We seem to have a rich vein of such memorabilia in and about our area. We passed two on New Years Day with the Rouleurs, another with the Potterers later on and another on a Bun Run. An idea for a competition then! Name the village that goes with the pump. There will be a prize of £10 for the best and first correct answer drawn on May 20th. So here goes:
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Front Cover
Now go to the inside back cover for the next four pictures
£10 Prize!
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Event Calendar Dates For 2015 Mar 28th Mar 29th Mar 29th Apr 18th May 2nd May 8th May 8th May 8th May 8th May 23rd Sept 6th Sept 6th
Shawn Shaw Peter Loakes Peter Loakes Peter Loakes Shawn Shaw John Ward John Ward John Ward John Ward Shawn Shaw John Ward John Ward
01202 685014 01305 263272 01305 263272 01305 263272 01202 685014 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01202 685014 01590 671205 01590 671205
Sept 6th
Hardboiled 300km Dorset Coastlet 100km Dorset Coast 200km Devon & Dorset Downs 300km Porkers 400km New Forest Challenge 50km New Forest Day Out 100km New Forest 150km New Forest Excursion 200km Brimstone 600km New Forest Challenge 50km New Forest and Coast 100km New Forest Century 150km
John Ward
01590 671205
Sept 6th
New Forest On/Off Shore 200km
John Ward
01590 671205
Sept 6th
Dorset Dirt 50km offroad
Ken Reed
01305 772654
Oct 11th
The Gridiron 100km
John Jackson
01590 683815
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: 20th May 2015 at 19:30 Committee meetings for 2015; 19th August 21st October (AGM) : 18th November 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. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the club. The committee meeting date is the deadline for contributions.
www.wessexctc.org
our mirror site at
www.bournemouthctc.org
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ctcwessex/
130th Anniversary 1886 to 2015 Your chance to take part in a unique cycling event!
Easter Monday 6th April 2015 On Easter Monday 6th April 2015, we are organising a cycle ride from Glanaman in the Amman Valley north of Swansea to Swansea and back. This will celebrate the 130th anniversary of the very first ride on a chain-driven bicycle in Wales, which took place from the Defiance Cycle Works at Gelli Fawnen Farm, Glanaman, to Swansea, on Easter Monday 6th April 1885. The rider was Arthur Williams, one of five brothers living at the farm, and one of the founders of the Defiance Cycle Works based there. The ride is being organised by Swansea CTC and is supported by the Williams family who still live at the farm. Come and join us in celebrating this historic ride! Full details available now on the website: www.defiancecycleride.com
Dear Keith, I would be grateful if you would consider the following for publication in the coming CycleInk. I'm sure this trip would never have happened without the kind people of the Wessex CTC having given me confidence and independence at a young age. Kind Regards, Daniel Woods I have fond memories of riding with the Wessex CTC as a young teenager between 2000-2002 and am delighted to see many of the faces I remember still cycling in your latest newsletter. The diary of the ride I did aged 12 with my brother from Dorset to Lands End was published in the Winter 2000 edition and I was awarded the Arthur Moss shield in 2001. Fortunately my cycling exploits didn’t end permanently after I got a car and I hope to re-join you all this summer when I move back to Dorset after 2 years living in Germany. In 2007 I travelled for 8 months in Africa, where after some time on an overland truck, I built a bike in Namibia and cycled alone from Cape Town up the East Coast to Northern Tanzania. It was quite an adventure; cycling mostly on dirt roads and carrying up to 50kg of luggage, water, spares and camping kit in hand-sewn panniers. I have finally turned my diaries and 250 or so of my photos into a book called ‘Rolling Round Africa: a journey around Africa by truck and bike’. ‘Rolling Round Africa’ by Daniel Woods is available to preview and order at www.blurb.co.uk from £17 + P&P, with all profits going to BEN Namibia, a cycling charity where I built my bike.
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Margaret Philpotts is awarded the “Riders Cup” for 2014 for achieving the total of 100,000 lifetime miles.
Palmarès! Shawn Shaw is awarded the “Sartain Trophy” for 2014 for services to CTC Wessex Cycling.
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Supporting Steve Abraham - who? . . . STEVE ABRAHAM
By Keith Matthews
Who is this Steve Abraham? He is a long distance Audax rider who is well known to many of us in CTC Wessex. A regular entrant in the “Dorset Coast” 200km and other Wessex events, he was last seen with us last summer when he and a group of 9 cyclists rode the “Dorset Coast” 200km Permanent through the night. This option of night time riding has now nicknamed it the “Dorset Ghost”. Here they all are in the pub on Poole Quay before being set off on their ride by Janet and me.
Steve foreground left with Pete Loakes on his right This year Steve has set his plans and decided to challenge the year-long mileage record set by a cyclist called Tommy Godwin in 1939. It was said that it would never be bettered, but we will now wait to see. So far Steve is doing very well. Interestingly, there is another cyclist in the USA called Kurt Searvogel who is also challenging the record, but obviously we are cheering for Steve. You can read all about Steve’s progress and preparation here on his website: http://oneyeartimetrial.org.uk/ To commemorate this challenge, we are reprinting the article we printed a few years ago about Tommy Godwin.
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Remembering Tommy Godwin - who? . . . TOMMY GODWIN By John and Vicki Hinchcliffe Several years ago while on a cycling holiday in Majorca we met a couple of non-cyclists, Barbara & Alan Ford. Nothing remarkable in that – but Barbara had a very remarkable father – a mile-eater named Tommy Godwin. Tommy Godwin
Anyone who cycles 20,000 or even 10,000 miles a year feels justifiably proud of him/herself. Tommy cycled a staggering 75,085 in ONE YEAR in 1939. This was verified, corroborated, validated etc. and is further confirmed by an entry in the Guinness Book of records. He started off on January 1st with the object of averaging 200 miles a day, faced 2 hard winters of heavy snow and the onset of the Second World War. Not only did he reach and pass his target, but more than this he wanted to beat the then world record of 62,657 - held by Australian, Ossie Nicholson. He reached and passed Ossie’s mileage by the 26th October and then cycled on to complete 75,085 miles
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(averaging 206 miles a day - 1,442 miles each week) by the end of the year. Fantastically he still did not give up for he remained “in the saddle” until May of 1940 by which time he’d completed the fastest 100,000 miles ever. He had a sealed milometer and at the end of each day the details had to be posted off for verification. What is also remarkable is that he did all this using a 4 speed Sturmey-Archer gear. I have read many of the reports and seen photographs of this incredible man and still cannot conceive how any person can motivate themselves to do this kind of mileage day in and day out, but HE did. Probably because of the onset of War, not much was made of this incredible ride, but he remains a legend in the Midlands from where he originated. Tommy Godwin in Trafalgar square 1939
His daughter Barbara told me that, after his epic ride, it took 6 months for him to be able to walk properly again! He died in 1975 at the very early age of 63. Recognition for his incredible feat of endurance has come at long last. During the last couple of years a road in Trent Vale has been named after him and a memorial stone with details of his record breaking ride has been erected outside a leisure centre in Stoke on Trent. Read about Tommy Godwin on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Godwin_(cyclist_born_1912)
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What Gives at CTC?
By Shawn Shaw
A Facebook group has been set up by members concerned with happenings at CTC in which our long-serving Technical Officer was made redundant along with a reduction of staff in the Touring Advice section. https://www.facebook.com/groups/911322558887222/ Writers had not realised that these actions were a part of the reorganisation intended when announced by CEO. The phrasing had not specified these acts. This was seen by contributors to the Facebook debate to be a selling out of the clubs benefit package for members. CTC made clear that modern technology was to be used instead via the CTC website to replace the Technical and Touring Advice. Many contributors pointed out that the current pages were out of date and questioned the suitability. It was mooted by contributors that Charity Status Grant Aid was the underlying reason; that membership benefits could not exceed 25% of the joining fee Debate blossomed onto a range of subject matter including that of National CTC claim to locally held funds and account for them in the balance sheet as an asset. Part of the debate suggested national held funds to which grant applications could be made by CTC local groups as needed. A suggestion for Leader training paid for by CTC National received the response that CTC would have to do less elsewhere to provide the funds to enable this to take place.There has been some consensus that the CTC, by widening its sphere of influence beyond its traditional touring remit (which was always far reaching), is failing its membership. Motions to AGM are being discussed. I would like to ensure that our Wessex committee are kept informed, and through our magazine, the local members, of these National developments within our club. One thing that has been clear is that we have an excellent set up allowing for a choice of some 10 rides a week as against one group bemoaning 4 rides a month two of which were only half day. We benefit from the wisdom and application of the people who have built the club (surly old so an sos some of them); we can ‘just ride our bikes’ and forget the hard work of those before us. We may need to apply our own talents to hang on to the gem they left us!
Shawn This sign caught Jeanette’s Eye!
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Right to Ride Report - February
By Paul M. Turner
Access from Bournemouth Airport for cycling - John Hayter from Bournemouth Cycling Forum reports on Wessex Way (Spur Road). When Wessex Way was built it included sufficient space on the verge and River Stour Bridge to accommodate a shared foot/cycle path. The BCF believes that this should now be provided between the Holdenhurst footbridge and Blackwater junction. Here it would link with the existing Christchurch Road cycle path to the Airport. This should be provided as an integral part of the proposed upgrade to Wessex Way planned by the Local Enterprise Partnership. The BCF wishes to see SEGREGATED CYCLE ROUTE on Wessex Way between Holdenhurst footbridge and Blackwater junction. Throop Mill to Parley - The BCF supports the scheme being progressed by Dorset CC to link Throop Mill to Pigshoot Lane. Sustrans are partners with Dorset CC in delivering this scheme. This project will have major benefits for cycling for health and wellbeing for all sections of the community giving car free access to the countryside. It will also be a significant route for daylight commuters to the Airport. The BCF wishes to see the early completion of the Throop Mill to shared cycle path. Hurn – There are plans to improve the roundabout particularly for pedestrians’ and cyclists. Poole - Tom Gaze, the Cycling Officer, wants to encourage new receational cyclists rather have them use the car. There is a problem as people booking on to training course and then not turning up! A survey showed that most people felt the training was very good value for money - for family £25 per person. Tom Gaze will monitor whether the number of people receiving training increase or reduces. Upton - Phase one will include Upton Cross double mini-roundabouts to Palmerston Road, with further phases building the cycle way on from Palmerston Road to Upton Country Park entrance. Details - A number of cycle routes converge at Upton Country Park, linking Upton to Poole, Hamworthy, Creekmoor and Corfe Mullen. At the moment there is a missing westward link to Upton centre and beyond. This scheme will build a shared use footway/cycle way along Poole Road from Upton Cross to Upton Country Park. The proposed route will tie in with the existing cycle way provided on the B3067 Dorchester Road and the proposed cycling / walking improvement scheme at Upton Cross (double mini roundabouts). This will provide a cycle link for commuters and for recreational users wishing to access Upton Woods, the Country Park, The Castleman Trailway and Holes Bay. Funding and construction dates - £136,000 has been allocated to the scheme from the Local Transport Plan (LTP), additional funding for the first phase is from the Purbeck Transport Study. Further funding will be required to complete all
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phases of the scheme. Due to gas works and structural maintenance taking place from January 2015 in the Blandford Road area, it has been agreed that some advanced works for the cycle way will be carried out at the same time. This will ensure that the new road surface isn't then dug up for cycle way works. The first phase of construction starts on 26 January 2015. Five pedestrian crossings are proposed scheme. Temporary lining will be in place following construction works on the pedestrian crossings until structural maintenance is carried out in April 2015. I have suggested (as part the Right to Ride for CTC Wessex) that there should be raised platforms at Factory Road, Old Kilne Road and Ropers Lane across the roads between the tactile crossing facility. On the Upton Bypass there is a 30 mph sign. At new entrance to Upton House should be across raised platform across road between tactile crossing facility north-south. Motorists do not heed the 30mph going the off Dorset Way – Upton Bypass from east.
Paul
Right to Ride Representative Bournemouth & Poole
Lessons To Learn
By Jim McDonald
Most of you will have heard of the sad incident where a member suffered a cardiac arrest whilst on a Thursday Potterers ride and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, could not be resuscitated. Unfortunately the member was not carrying any form of personal identification, which could only be established by tracing the last call on his mobile ‘phone. It is, therefore, strongly recommended when going on a Group ride (or any other time) you carry details of your next of kin and their telephone numbers. These details can be entered on some mobile ‘phones under ICE (In Case of Emergency), together with brief details of any health problems and medication to assist treatment by medical staff. If one goes to the ride start point by car, please let your partner, companion or carer know where you intend to park the vehicle.
Jim
The committee will be issuing credit card sized self-laminating pouches for riders to insert a sheet of paper upon which you can write your details. It would be helpful if runs leaders could do a head count and name check on the group before setting off too.
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An Invitation
By Big Bob
Now it's not often I get invited on the Bike anywhere, but there was one invitation I received over the New Year period which had a profound significance and made me think about our Wessex CTC private members group and what it stands for. The invitation came from the Potterers section to attend their first of the year get togethers to be hosted by that stalwart of the group Bob Chitt who not only opened his house for the occasion but with loyal helpers catered and organized the day with care and thoughtfulness. Additional food in satisfying Bikie quantities was brought along by each Potterer as they arrived and soon, with the back up of the kitchen in full spate, two large tables were staggering with a mouth watering array of goodies which you normally hallucinate over when terminally bonked out in the thrashing rain on any of the major climbs on our patch. The atmosphere was one of friendly gladness and you knew that of all the places you could be that day this is where you wanted to be, among people who share this love of our great sport and pastime. The shared memories of past times were a joy, even the embarrassing ones from my own past which I had long forgotten, but be assured a Cycling Club has a long collective memory! Most of us present, a little older now, but still as keen as mustard, always ready to enjoy the tang of the fresh morning air, the sheer beauty of a view on cresting a challenging climb or content to drift along a country lane with a tea and cake stop not far away. I know among local Bikies there were many such gatherings over the holiday period organized by people like our own Bob with selfless dedication and we thank them all. Things are changing nationally with the CTC as it completes its transformation from a member facing and servicing Cycling Club to an umbrella type organization of all things to all Cyclists, particularly urban ones. In the light of this it is important we keep and foster the original club ethos at the local level and lets ensure that whatever goes on nationally we hang on to it. Now enough of these heavy thoughts for a far greater issue has raised its head concerning our much loved Le Hotel du Velo Sportif Cyclists retirement country manor. Jean B our catering manageress has at last resigned in order to look after Fred her lucky husband and we are bereft. We are all so used to returning from a day on the bike, individually and in small groups, and after hot showers descending to the bar for a quick pre dinner drink and chat prior to trooping into the Dining Room to enjoy one of her gorgeous dinners, that the shock has been intense. A few of us have dutifully volunteered to assist on a temporary basis and try our hand in the kitchens but the results have fallen short to put it mildly. In fact, on more than one occasion I have joined fellow sufferers in leaning over the Dining Hall garden wall calling for Hughie!
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There was one incident when a concoction collectively prepared by Messrs Mike W, Neil I, and Mike B put half of us in the A&E dept of our local Hospital and worst of all kept us off our Bikes for a week. Julian J’s, enthusiastic rendering of something containing crushed nuts and Worcester Sauce is best left un-commentated, but sufficient to say, on application it cured the creak in my bottom bracket. A few of us have acquired the habit of dismounting at passing country inns during runs and purchasing our own main meal of the day but being true Bikies the expense incurred does hurt. No, this cannot go on and a faint gleam of light has occurred at the end of the tunnel. Mike E, with wife Sybil’s permission has agreed to examine the possibility of assuming the position of Head Chef du Cuisine at our happy country manor. Mikes culinary reputation among Bikies is extraordinary and his rapid food production at various " Cycle training camps" in hot kitchens stark naked, apart from a loosely flapping front hanging tea towel, has not only thrilled the Ladies, but produced cries of celebration from the gourmets who have been lucky enough to attend. We can only hope Mike accepts the position otherwise I am sure Luggage Panniers will be packed and some tearful early morning departures will occur down the driveway. Food and Bikies were ever intertwined! I will keep you posted and merely mention in passing that my own ideas ranging from mugging the local Pizza delivery boy to baked hedgehog have been summarily dismissed by the House Committee. Happy Riding, even with empty stomach.
Big Bob
The Inters engaged in one of their favourite winter occupations by a country pub fireside
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Autumn Colours in New England II By Mike Walsh Having reached Salem as reported in the last CycleInk Sue Barber and I met up with a CTC Holidays and Tours Group led by Emrys Jones. Sue and I swapped some bits and pieces in and out of our bike boxes which the hotel was storing for us. We introduced ourselves to the others and watched them reassemble their bikes. Sue and I also joined a pre-wedding group who were staying at the same motel. We imbibed a range of drinks on the balcony. We did have a group meal that evening but the breakfast next morning set the scene for the next few weeks. Sue and I visited Salem after breakfast and then set of on the scheduled route. This was to leave the conurbation through a not so grand built up area but easing into more picturesque countryside and down to the sea. Both Sue and I went paddling just before we cycled on into Manchester by the Sea. The replication of British names continues. The sun shone on us all the way as we again passed glacier deposited boulders in odd places. In addition to the boulders we came across a number of signs detailing various landings, homesteads, meetings with the natives, settlements etc. The whole group stopped in Gloucester for lunch in a brewery overlooking the inner harbour. Leaving Gloucester we kept to the coast going out along a spit to the Eastern Point lighthouse. Back down the spit to Atlantic Road and on into Rockport to the harbour with a well know red warehouse. Rockport is our home for the night with a walk back down into town to a fish shack. Onwards around the headland and back to Gloucester then north to Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, and Salisbury, after which we left Massachusetts and into New Hampshire onto Seabrook our next overnight. The route still kept close to water either the sea or rivers some of which were very wide. There were a large
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number of burial grounds from the civil war which upon investigation I was informed were of soldiers brought back from the front to be buried at home. We also took a detour to Plum Island along the way. Dover, New Hampshire, was our next overnight where we were given bidons by the local cycle shop and you can see a picture of me with the bidon in Hampshire on our CTC Wessex Cycling Facebook page. The route took us through the Hamptons where the property showed the wealth of the area, a playground in the season for the rich and famous. Onwards through Rye, New Castle, Portsmouth into Maine for a short time after crossing the Piscataqua River and back into New Hampshire. From Dover further inland, north northwest to Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee for our next overnight using for the first time some unmetalled roads, a surprise to Sue and I. This was the first day with some serious climbing, a total 2,500 feet ascent during the day. We skirted Rochester passed Durham and Alton and on to Wolfeboro where we stayed in a lake side motel. Every room looked down onto the lake. An expected grand sunrise over the lake was unfortunately hidden by the mist the following morning even though most arose early to witness. Wolfeboro to North Conway in the White Mountain National Forest was another day of climbing whilst riding north after the first few miles. We went into Maine and back out again. We passed a non-operational ski lift awaiting the snow. Riding along empty roads and at the end of the day a covered bridge. The next day took us over more covered bridges and then eastward over the Kancamagus Pass. A really hot day, a very broken road and a reasonable amount traffic caused me to struggle to the top, not being able to keep the sweat out of my eyes, the bike on a steady course and thus an even pace. We ascended 2,800 feet during the day. Whilst descending we caught up with one of group who had lost the end of her skewer. Having learnt a tip on my earlier States rides I took her front wheel out and held it up as the next pickup approached. They stopped and took the bike and rider into town. The whole group has learnt something new. We ended the day in Lincoln with a rest day next. A very pleasant town with an historic railway and a fabulous ice cream parlour, it was very hot. Lincoln to Barre still eastward took us over Lost River Gorge and on into Vermont crossing Connecticut River, Sue rescuing my snack bar which I dropped on the bridge. This day saw the greatest altitude gain at 3,500 feet. At Sue’s and my lunch stop we came across a large number of vintage Rolls Royces. A real treat.
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Barre to White River Junction was a turn south and a total gain of 2,500 feet over the day. The route running parallel to Interstate 89. This area is full of horses and a few more trailer homes. The trees continue to change in colour with more and more reds. We passed a good number of the old wooden silos that were at various angles, some that were defying gravity. The route from White River Junction to Ludlow started after 6 miles with the Quechee Gorge providing some spectacular views. Still going south and still more covered bridges but at Reading a zebra! Ludlow to Brattleboro was a hard day with nearly 3,000 feet of climbing during the day and rain for most of the day. Still more covered bridges. Just at the end of the day a wonderful cafÊ to revive weary riders. They had furniture made out if really odd items such as coins and tobacco tin lids and there was also an old racing motorcycle. Brattleboro to Garner’s route was the start of turning towards the east but still southerly. Climbing 2,250 feet. More covered bridges and a proper diner in Winchester. I learnt that they were not converted railway carriages but built as prefabricated diners for delivery anywhere. The route was along the Templeton turnpike which was nearly all hard packed earth for a good number of miles. At the end we crossed the State line back into Massachusetts. Then on to Garner, The Chair City.
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Garner to Lexington was the last day of riding with only just over 1,000 feet climbing and just over 50 miles. Still graveyards, site markers, boulders and rivers or lakes along the route. Into Concord a very pleasant town for coffee and with a bike shop. And on into Lexington. The hotel was a very long walk from the town but well worthwhile. We had a spare day and Sue and I took public transport, a bus, a train and the underground into Boston where we attended a concert at the Boston Symphony Hall. A grand varied tour with a total of 1,000 quality miles on fully loaded bikes. What an adventure!
Mike
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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Damerham Joint Group Picnic Sunday 21st June 2015 It has been decided that we should have a group meet this summer and make an opportunity for as many groups to come together as we can. I have booked Damerham Village Hall, Damerham, SP6 3HD from 10:30 (someone has to turn the urn on!) to 3:00 for the picnic on 21st June 2015. It would appear ideal for the picnic as it is set along side the Allen River. There are picnic tables and plastic chairs available to use in the grounds. The date is not as originally agreed but the availability and suitability of the halls around led me to suggest the change of date. We are extending the invitation to the Tandem Club and will also also be inviting Salisbury Group, CTC Blackmore Vale and CTC West Dorset. There is ample room for all members to invite other riders. Do try to arrive early. Lunch stop - Damerham Village Hall arrive between 12.00 & 1.00 Bring your own picnic Tea & coffee will be provided.
Mike Walsh - General Secretary
Mountain Bike Skills Instruction & Rides Following a great year running mountain bike skills courses and guided rides in 2014, I have spent some winter hours creating a website, www.skillsandtrails.co.uk for my business which I am now actively promoting. If you know me and are happy to help then please can you spread the word so that I can make this successful. Maybe you're completely new to Mountain Biking as a sport, or perhaps you're a little more experienced, but you've never been taught the fundamentals of riding off-road? Possibly you've tried some technical trails, but lacked confidence and scared yourself a few times? Perhaps you could benefit from one of my courses . . . I can teach you the core skills needed to tackle technical trails with more confidence. You'll learn how to ride steeper terrain, corner with greater control and negotiate small trail obstacles. I provide courses for Beginners, Ladies only and Improvers for private groups of friends and also 'one to one' instruction. If you are not sure what you need or have a specific requirement please get in touch and we can work something out. Steve Coombes 07900 418240
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Rouleurs Start at Wimborne Rec.
Inspired by Bob’s picture in the last issue, here is Colin with his Harem. Is this as a result of his advertising campaign?
Mike of the Rouleurs
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Inters Start at Wimborne Square. Dawdlers Start at Wimborne Rec.
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MINUTES FOR COMMITTEE MEETING CTC WESSEX CYCLING Wednesday 18th February 2015 19.30 1. PRESENT – John Jackson, Mike Walsh, Jim McDonald, Jo Gordon, Julian James, Paul Rush, Bob and Joan Courtney, John Ward, Jo Gordon, Bob Chittenden and Stephen Gray 2. APOLOGIES – Paul Turner, Keith Matthews, Terry Walsh and Jill Burden 3. MATTERS ARISING – Previous minutes read and agreed – no matters arising 4. TREASURERS REPORT – Mike reported that the accounts stay stable at around £2,000. There is £200 to come in from National Office. The biggest expenses are the newsletter, website and the Christmas dinner. There are sufficient funds for the groups activities. 5. NEWSLETTER – Keith has enough articles at the moment but please keep sending them in. Mike Walsh agreed to become the editor at the end of this year. 6. RIGHT TO RIDE:-February 2015 Thanks to Paul Turmer for his report which is printed separately from these minutes 7. RUNS LEADERS REPORTS – PHSG Group enjoyed a great 'Mince Pie' run in December and continues into the New Year with our first ride in January attended by 10 riders. CTC Member John W continues to improve after his December accident. CTC Legal department are pursuing his claim vigorously. Keith Matthews BUN RUNS - December; Enjoyable - two out and we cut it short and turned at Blandford. January; Challenging conditions just me - went all the way. February; We left the sunny side of Wimborne Square Paul 1, Paul 2 an me. On the way we picked up Abi, Tom and Dave. Thinking that perhaps they had taken on too much Abi & Tom left the elder part of the contingent to get on with it at Crawford Cross and turned for home. As time was getting on we cut a corner, taking the main road from Durweston to Shillingstone and then cut west on the lanes arriving at Stur at just after 11am. The weather was pleasant enough although the wind chill cut in when the cycling slowed. Easily draining the cold and the wind across to Manston and West Orchard was specially harsh over the wide open farmland. It was a warming thing to do, out of Iwerne Minster into Stubhampton. After dropping to the Bottom and turned along the Tarrants we had the breeze behind. A little extra pace meant some extra warmth much welcomed. Arriving back at the cemetery in Wimborne we agreed how lucky we had been today, how we had enjoyed our time out, new roads for two pleasantly shared, with an excellent stop for tea and bites. Of course the flora and fauna provided moments of glory just to see the spring approaching as the days get longer. Many thanks for the company - Shawn Shaw THURSDAY POTTERERS -Thursday rides for the period October to December 2014 attracted an average of 15 at coffee for the 9 rides recorded. This does not take account of those who rode to the Group’s Christmas lunch. The above figures cover a maximum of 23 and a minimum of 10. There was an average of 4 at coffee for the January 2015 rides, with a maximum 7 and a minimum of 1! This is no doubt due to the recent very cold weather and a number of regular riders being away during last month. Rides leaders are being sought for the incoming programme, which will include the Inter Group Freewheeling contest at the usual venue of Crawford Hill on 2 April and a car assisted ride from Sturminster Newton to Stourhead on 28 May. It is with great sadness to record that Barry Rolfe suffered a cardiac arrest during a ride on the 15th January and despite the best efforts of the emergency services could not be resuscitated. Barry was a relatively new member of the Group, being an affable and experienced rider who had volunteered to lead two rides in the current programme. This sad incident does, however, raise a number of serious issues that should be discussed by the Committee. - Jim McDonald DAWDLERS - The Thursday Dawdlers are still getting out when the weather permits. Rides have been quite short but we look on them as social events this time of year. Next quarter will see us stretching our legs with luck. In the "off" season several of the Dawdlers have been planning for and organising a cycling trip to France in the summer so we need to push up the mileage and practice our schoolboy French! Our Xmas Lunch in Ferndown was well attended and we had our usual excellent meal. The Sunday Dawdlers have kept going with a few people out each week, varying the start points to fit in with our various members - it seems to work quite well and we are looking forward to the longer days to put in more interesting rides. Our Xmas Lunch ride was well attended and enjoyed by all. - Jeanette King INTERS - Feb 2015. Inters Runs proceeding apace with warm Country Pub stops appreciated in the cold weather and the opportunity being taken to plan future trips. - Bob Courtney SUNDAY POTTERERS - The numbers varied from 2 to 13 starters and 0 to 10 out to lunch. The venues were varied and the weather had caused some abandonments understandably. - Bob Chittenden 8. GRIDIRON UPDATE:1. The Gridiron will use the same route and halls as last year, out of necessity: 1.1. I would have preferred not to cross the A35 (Ornamental Drive/Bolderwood) but Colbury Village Hall remains unavailable, the nearby church hall would have been ideal but is unavailable on a Sunday and the local WI could not identify an alternative location although they very much wanted to continue. 1.2. Boldre would have liked to been the HQ Start/Finish again but cannot provide car parking and although I have ridden to the hall from all the nearest hard parking there is nowhere sensibly close and the worse scenario would be entrants parking their cars on verges, blocking routes etc. We have no alternative halls that side of the forest, we
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can’t afford to lose it. 1.3. Lymington cannot guarantee to provide catering, Penny the manager has retired and she was responsible for catering. A new manager has not yet been appointed as they are reappraising the future direction of the Community Association. Katherine has agreed to manage catering in their absence, we will need two teams of around five helpers (pre and post ride) preferably with some catering experience (e.g. at sports club). Will the committee please think of people who fit the bill and we can approach. 2. Volunteers lunch will go ahead again on a Saturday in May when the weather picks up and the majority can ride out. 3. NF NPA ‘Cycling Events Charter’ had taken up an inordinate amount of time to develop, much work has been done to modify restrictive clauses, the one finally accepted was its 13th draft. 3.1. CTC, BC and Sustrans proposed two amendments to it. 3.1.1. Cap on number of entrants to be set by the SAG based on details of the event and expertise of SAG, as opposed to an arbitrary cap of 1,000. I proposed a cap of 1,000 following the conflict with Wiggle last year but recognised the potential danger of accepting an arbitrary figure, i.e. it can be re-set by those opposed to cycling and a Brockenhurst councillor has already spoken of looking to reduce it to 500 in the future. 3.1.2. Rider identification only be required for timed events. We also had the support of the NF Equestrian Association for this. The charter numbering of riders requirement (A6 front and A5 rear) is in excess of that required for a motor bike! The requirement is demanded by local councils so that ‘monitors’ can identify and report on ‘dangerous and inconsiderate cycling’. 3.2. I spoke at the public meeting of the NPA to argue the logic of the two amendments. One member welcomed the amendments and proposed their inclusion, this was not discussed but went straight to the vote and was rejected. How can the views of the three national cycling organisations be rejected out of hand, without any discussion, is of real concern and demonstrates the anti-cycling stance of the majority of NPA members. 3.3. The charter as it stands is advisory and not compulsory. But a ‘Freedom of Information’ request has found that the Chair of the NF NPA is pressing the government for statutory powers to control cycling events. The SAG has also stated that noncompliance with the Charter will result in the issue of an ‘alternative letter’. As this would appear to be different to the ‘red letter’ issued last year, which voided our Public Liability Insurance cover, I have been asked by the CTC for the status and wording, this has not been forthcoming. Julian James proposed and John Ward seconded that the Gridiron should go ahead this year as John described and this was unanimously supported. 9. SUMMER PICNIC;- After discussion it ws decided to hold a summer picnic involving all local groups on a Sunday to enable as many cyclists to come along as possible. Damerham Village Hall was booked by Mike Walsh as this was more central to include the Tandem Club and others and the available date was Sunday 21st June. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:- a)Jim explained what had happened following the sad sudden death of Barry Rolfe on a ride and the lack of personal information to aid the ambulance service and the police to notify his wife. Keith who was unable to attend the meeting said that he is the Welfare officer and this should be made known to all , He also felt that the ride leader on the day should know how many are on the ride and their names. Mike said all ride leaders must send accident reports to him as Secretary. A long discussion ensued concerning CTC guidelines and Julian will report back. It was thought that an incident report was all that was required of the ride leader but it was felt that more information on each rider would be desirable. Jo had an example from a member whose previous club provided bright yellow cards the size of a bank card to fit into a purse/wallet with personal details on. Name, address, phone number, email address on one side and emergency contact name and phone number and important medical information on the reverse. CBC had thought a card worn around the neck on a lanyard would be suitable. b) Shawn Shaw sent us a condensed account of what has been written on CTC Facebook. This was discussed and of interest to all. This is printed on page x. C) It was thought a great idea to run a quiz in CycleInk as proposed by Shawn Shaw – complete with a quiz already! The group will supply the prize and anyone can supply a quiz to help keep it a regular feature. D) Mike reported that our Chairman and President of CTC Wessex Cycling Member Group, Terry Walsh, has resigned. After his years of unstinting leadership and support of our group this will be fully discussed at the next committee meeting. Paul Rush has been promoted to Chairman after being proposed by John Ward and seconded by John Jackson E) Christine Ratcliffe who is also a CBC member would like to attend the CTC ride leaders course and asked for financial support. It was agreed to pay half the cost up to £500 towards the course being run locally for up to six people. Paul Rush, Bob Chittenden and Jim McDonald expressed the wish to attend. F) National Office has asked us to revise our list of volunteers, which includes committee members, ride leaders and event organisers – the present list is being emailed to the committee and the runs leaders to see if we can get it as up to date as possible and then sent to Julie Rand. G) Pete Loakes is looking for volunteer controllers to help him run the Coast on 29th March. Please contact him if able to help 01305 263272 H) Keith Matthews is retiring from his work on the Web Page in 18 months time – a technical person is needed to take over this very important task. Any one interested please contact Mike Walsh. 11. Next Committee meeting – Wednesday May 20th The meeting closed at 21.41
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£10 Prize!
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Answers please {A = Village etc} to shawn@bournemouthctc.org by the 20th May. Don’t worry if you can’t get them all - the prize will go to the first with most correct. The draw will be made at the May committee meeting with winner and answers in next CycleInk magazine.
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