Summer 2015 The Quarterly Magazine of CTC Wessex Cycling in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
The Gridiron Helper’s Lunch 2015
Event Calendar Dates For 2015 Sept 6th Sept 6th Sept 6th Sept 6th Sept 6th Oct 11th
New Forest Challenge 50km New Forest and Coast 100km New Forest Century 150km New Forest On/Off Shore 200km Dorset Dirt 50km offroad The Gridiron 100km
John Ward John Ward John Ward John Ward Ken Reed John Jackson
01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01590 671205 01305 772654 01590 683815
COVER PICTURE Lovely sunny ride to Damerham on Sunday 22 March. Note blue skies. Afternoon tea on lawn at Wimborne St Giles. Ride led by Jeanette. Photo by Jill Burden
The Thursday Rouleurs 100 at the beginning of May went well. Nine started out with one cutting out at Wool to get home early for choir practice. First timer Judy was not cowed by it at all and everyone liked the route with some not having been along a few of the roads before. Always nice to hear that. We ended at the Willett Arms for a celebratory drink. Shawn
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: 19th August 2015 at 19:30 Committee meetings for 2015 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.
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A new cycle tour is happening this summer and CTC is looking for ride leaders and volunteers to join us on an awe-inspiring cycle journey around Great Britain’s dramatic and beautiful coastline. Leading by example, your role as a Ride Leader will be to make sure everyone has fun and doesn’t lose their way whilst enjoying the inspiring views of the coast. Average stage distance is a little over 100km, and riders of all abilities will be taking part. Stages are supported by mechanics, feed zones and lunch stops, ensuring everyone makes it to the finish. Volunteer Ride Leaders will receive: ● Free entry ● CTC Great Tour cycle jersey ● Lunch and refreshments ● Thank you t-shirt Those Ride Leaders who are guiding for more than a week will also receive accommodation and full catering (subject to the organisers needing them for this duration). http://www.ctc.org.uk/support-ctc/volunteer/volunteer-ride-leader-great-tour However if you are interested in just taking part then Ride around Great Britain's coastline and be part of the Great Tour. In tandem with Sweetspot, organisers of the Tour of Britain, CTC is launching The Countrywide Great Tour, a circumnavigation of the glorious British coastline. Starting in Holyhead on 4 July, the route follows the coast along quiet roads and paths heading up the west coasts of Wales, North-West England and on round the coast of mainland Scotland before heading down South. The unique route is 6,800 km long and around 50 riders will complete every stage from 4 July to 5 September. However, thousands more will ride one or more of the 64 sections. If the full route sounds a bit longer that your usual weekend ride, don’t fear. CTC ride leaders will be leading riders over 64 manageable 100km legs. So why not consider signing up to ride or volunteer at a section of the Great Tour near you? Celebrating CTC We’re inviting all CTC members to join us specifically for the legs between Scarborough to Kingston upon Hull on 2 August and Rye to Brighton on 11 August for CTC’s Great ‘Little’ Tour - a celebration of the wider CTC family of cyclists and to help raise funds for CTC's cycling projects.
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The Great Tour also offers the opportunity for charities to adopt particular stages to raise funds for their individual causes, and for CTC as the headline charity partner. You can choose to do either one day, multiple days - or for the brave and inspired - the full 64 continuous days. Riders will be fully- supported with accommodation and meals, luggage carried, bike maintenance and on route repair, post-ride massage alongside the bonhomie of their fellow travellers. This is a stunning cycling event and route where people of all ages and abilities can easily experience the variety of Britain’s coastline from a truly unique perspective. SweetSpot Group are a sports events and marketing company specialising in the creation and execution of high-quality, annual sporting events. SweetSpot were behind the successful revival of The Tour of Britain, the UK's largest professional cycle race, in 2004 after a five-year absence, which now forms a cornerstone of the British sporting calendar and is the country's largest free-to-watch sporting event. SweetSpot Group were also part of the team behind the successful 2007 London Grand DÊpart of the Tour de France, and are responsible for the creation of the unique, team based Tour Series programme of televised, city centre cycle races, which was created in 2009. In 2012 SweetSpot, along with partners The London Marathon Ltd, as the London and Surrey Cycle Partnership (LSCP), were awarded the contract to deliver the Olympic legacy cycling event, Prudential RideLondon, which took place successfully for the first time in August 2013. In 2014 SweetSpot launched The Women's Tour, a five-day elite, international stage race taking place in the East of England and Xcalibre, Britain's ultimate off-road tour, which will be a revolutionary new mountain b (details attached) iking event for the UK.
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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Eddington Numbers
By Steven Lord
Trust me – like many things in life, this may sound complex to begin with but it’s really quite simple, it’s just a little tricky to describe in words. A couple of years ago, I noticed that I’d done 100 rides of 100 miles in a year. A friend commented that this was an Eddington number. Little did I know what he’d started by telling me this. Some may think Sir Arthur Eddington’s biggest contribution to the world was his work on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but for me the bigger impact came from his love of cycling. He devised a measure of a cyclist’s long distance riding achievements. Your Eddington number is defined as the largest integer E, where you have cycled at least E miles on at least E days. For example an E of 60 means that you have ridden 60 miles or more on 60 or more days. Simple. Be warned this is a hugely addictive measure. The Eddington number has the wonderful quality of progressively getting harder because not all the rides contributing to your current E number will count towards the next one. It’s a target to chase, not just a moving one, but one that accelerates! When I first discovered this my E number was 116 and since then it’s increased to 127. It’s getting tougher. A solitary ride of 128 miles takes it to 128 but nine rides of 130 or more to get it to 130 and a whopping 97 more rides of 150 or more to reach 150. It makes me wonder what my lifetime limit is? Can I reach 150, 175 or even 200? Like so many triathletes I have an obsessive side. What started as a solitary numeric marker soon snowballed. The principle can be applied not only to daily numbers but also to weekly and monthly figures. It can be applied in miles, kilometres, hours, minutes, across all disciplines and not only lifetime scores but also annual ones. Before I knew it I was tracking 36 lifetime numbers and 24 annual numbers. This isn’t a simple task and certainly requires your training data in electronic format. As I tell my athletes who I coach, it’s worth collecting your training data now, as you never know, in seven years you may find yourself a triathlete with time on your hands wanting to play with the numbers. It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about motivation. Targets in training can be helpful and this makes all of your training numbers valuable. It can also encourage doing that extra mile or even minute. I’m careful to use this motivation appropriately, and this year stopped my charge towards a new best annual bike Eddington number when I realised it was compromising appropriate training
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towards my racing goals. Sometimes, though, I feel I could train purely for the pursuit of Eddington numbers. Some numbers are easier to improve than others. I wanted a measure of this and came up with maturity for each number. An example of a completely immature (maturity = 1) number is monthly bike kilometres, the estimate being that in a month I will have increased it. That’s not a challenge currently but as I age it may be the only one left to pursue. By contrast a massively mature (maturity = 2,504) number is daily hours. At 11 hours it’s already almost out of reach. The Eddington number throws up some interesting challenges. For instance, my best ever annual weekly bike mileage is 50, this is 50 weeks of 50 or more miles in a year. The maximum for this is 52 so I decided to chase it this year. Easy you may think. Most of the time yes, but it’s those odd weeks, post race or in recovery where 52 miles seems a huge distance. Mid year I found myself struggling round a 12-mile ride like it was 150 just to get to 52 miles for that week. Only four more weeks and I’ll have it. Yes, it’s addictive… I call it “training by the numbers”. I’ve even registered the domain EddingtonNumbers.me.uk, although I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it yet… This article was reprinted from: http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2011/04/18/measuring-bike-mileseddington-number#dwmZsrUwRbGjkM56.99
Steven Lord
Thursday Potterers After a long stint Jim McDonald has handed on the role of Co-ordinator for the Thursday Potterers. Jim has been very successful in bringing together a riding group that caters for a wide variety of abilities. These range from the core group “Out All Day” to “Only to Coffee” plus the independent riders who appear and disappear into the countryside, and car assists. It is a tribute to Jim’s leadership that all these variable components have been happily accommodated within the Potterers riding group. The new co-ordinators are Maggie Ross and John Hayter who will be trying to maintain the success achieved by Jim. A hard act to follow! John
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Village Pump Quiz
By Shawn Shaw Steve Gould sent in the best answer to the quiz with the most correct. He has to be the winner! There are a surprising number of village pumps in Dorset. Here are the answers and here is Steve the recipient of the ÂŁ10 prize.
A. Shroton
B. Tarrant Keynston
C. Wareham
F. Edmonsham
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D. Horton
G. Wooland
H. Tarrant Monkton
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E. Corfe Castle
I. Iwerne Minster
Right to Ride Report - May
By Paul M. Turner
AIRPORT LINK – improvements - Update by Lawrence Harrell - The access route to the Berry Hill Treatment Works from the North, via the new bridge, has received planning consent. There is no public access. A new route parallel to and partly alongside the A338 between Cooper Dean and Blackwater Junction is under consideration. The implementation of such a route would, however, be subject to funding constraints. The route going South from Pig Shoot Lane to Throop Road: Negotiations with the landowner have been positive to date and the route has been designed. This now requires funding, which is not currently secured. Dorset CC - Update by Katherine Tunk – There is a longstanding proposal to provide an off road shared use footway/cycleway from Parley Cross southwards along the eastern side of New Road to the River Stour crossing. DCC will work with Bournemouth colleagues over the boundary to continue the cycling provision over the Stour and southwards in to North Bournemouth. However there is a development proposal in the Christchurch & East Dorset Local Plan to build approximately 320 dwellings fronting on to New Road SE of Parley Cross. DCC are planning for a cycleway/footway adjacent to New Road to be delivered as part of this development and will receive a financial contribution from the developer towards the section south of the development to the bridge. Cycling links through the development site will be provided for people to access the Parley Lane cycleway more directly. DCC are reliant on the development planning, design and layout proceeding before this work can start so a timescale cannot be give at this time. BOURNEMOUTH Wimborne Road, Kinson Tesco development – The previous pelican crossing over Wimborne Road to the East of the new Roundabout (into the development) has been upgraded to a Toucan crossing as part of recent works. Although not a cycle crossing, a new pedestrian crossing was also provided near the Kinson Hub due to the pedestrian desire line at that point (and is currently well used now). The existing bus bay on Wimborne Road was extended to accommodate 2 buses and the bus layover in Millhams Road was revised. Local Sustainable Transport Funded (LSTF) Infrastructure Projects: Castle Lane West Danish style cycle lanes - The Castle Lane West Danish style segregated route Works are on schedule, due to be completed early April 2015. Currently surfacing north cycle lane and footway. South footways and cycle lane to start construction soon. This will require a short section of
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narrow traffic lanes running in each direction for a number of weeks. Traffic travelling Eastbound (towards Castle Point) will be running partly on the cycle lane and main road. Two-wheelers (bicycles / motorcycles) will be advised by signs to keep left in the lane and be aware of raised ironworks and ramps etc. This will not affect the future integrity of the cycle lane which has been designed to accommodate vehicle encroachment. A max 20mph speed limit will be in place. Holdenhurst Road / Buchanan Road Toucan - New signalised crossing linked to existing junction at Holdenhurst Road / Ashley Road to provide a better link to Soberton Road subway. Christchurch Road Painted Cycle Lanes – under construction - One zebra crossing has been installed so far within this scheme just west of Waltham Road, another one is still to go in Iford lane. Works will proceed to the end of April. The works remaining at Iford will not be undertaken till June or September. Iford Rbt - No objections were received regarding any of the TRO’s. Contra-flow on Castle Parade, two-way cycling in Bridle Crescent and widening of footway adjacent to the Iford Bridge pub. Tightening radii of side road junctions/installing raised tables at side roads. Lanes are advisory and minimum 1.5m. For now they are just painted lanes and we will be seeking to make them protected (segregated) lanes in the future. POOLE Cycle Training & Organised Rides - Bikeability in Schools - The DfT has confirmed our grant award for 352 Bikeability training places. We are looking to recruit new Instructors (training available) to deliver our Bikeability training in schools. All grants were reduced by 11% this year due to the grants being over subscribed. Poole Health Rides - 1-hour health ride on the second Tuesday of the month 10.15am from the Civic Centre are continuing following a successful trail. Aimed at older people and people coming back to exercise but don’t want to go the gym. Cycle Route Development - Poole Three Towns Travel Projects Ashley Road - Still in progress, central area complete with new raised junctions at Mansfield Road and Richmond Road with Advanced Stop Lines and feed-in lanes. Poole Town - Currently constructing across town walking and cycling route between the Rail Station and the Lifeboat Museum on the Quay. It includes removing the High Street/North Road pedestrian crossing and barriers destination signage and new dropped crossings. Local Transport Plan Funding (LTP) Designs for a cycle route along Yarrow Road and improved access into Tower Park and Canford Heath estate have been reviewed by cycle liaison group(CLAG).
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Maintenance - Poole Lifting Bridge. The cycle liaison group (CLAG) on plans to replace the lifting bridge approach spans. Sandbanks Road with the junction at Turks Lane
Option 1 South will be satisfactory but a provision of the raised tables for pedestrians and cyclists, to slow the traffic down. Option 2 North I have suggested the crossing is in line with entrance/exit for Whitecliff Park/Baiter. Again, I suggested a raised table to slow the vehicle traffic down. Peddling in the park would be wonderful! CTC Wessex will support either the two options. Cycling from Turks Lane to get out to Sandbanks Road, cyclists have to wait for a long time with a gaps in traffic and even so the vehicles sound their horns. At other times they speed, more than 30mph, some at 40mph+! I use this route constantly to and from The Quay to Penn Hill. Personally I would like to have both crossings, Option 1 & 2! Finally in Bournemouth there have been four mass participation events (2011-2014) engaging over 10,000 participants, 350 guided and self organised rides engaging over 13,000 participants. Funding in place to secure partnership for until March 2016 (almost!)
Paul
Right to Ride Representative Bournemouth & Poole
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Illness be Damned . . .
By Big Bob
. . . Man Up, Boy! I've not been well you know. “A toss do we give.” I hear the shouts. But nevertheless it is a salutary experience when your cycling life has been full of rude (in more ways than one) good health. Sat, curled up in an armchair, shivering under a duvet and staring at the wall is not my idea of the good life when you know your fellow bike rats are out and about down the byways and lanes gliding past blossom foaming springtime magnolia trees and shimmering banks of celandines. With appetite gone even my notorious reputation for cafe cake consumption is no more and all the teapot banter will be going on without me while I subsist on a lonely diet of Ribena and spring water. I felt guilty of past episodes when touring of exhorting the odd off colour comrade to "man up", when it would go away while in my present situation I couldn’t even "woman down" let alone "man up". It was while drifting in that comatose state, under the duvet halfway between waking and unconsciousness, that a glimpse of salvation occurred. Out of nowhere, as though kickstarting a DVD, the rolling road of an old Easter tour in South Wales projected onto a mental screen as I lay there in a weakened state and I felt a stab of the old joy returning. Mentally I climbed the Gospel Pass with complete ease, which was far from the case on the tour itself, and the humble guest house on the other side, where I spent the night became a country manor of exquisite refinement while my mind’s eye transformed a humble fish and chip supper into a sumptuous four course banquet. A lilt of interest formed in my brain and in sleepless periods during the night all was made more bearable by mentally rolling the wheels along old touring routes from way back Old friends, long since departed to that celestial Velodrome in the sky, met with me and after much handshaking and hugging we rode together down sylvan lanes some now lost to major road development but sharply clear in my semi-hallucinating state. So what was a deprived and uncomfortable period until recovery started became that little bit more endurable until at last I could, in reality, take out my favourite steed and weakly pedal for a few hesitant miles on the road back to normality. I had inadvertently discovered something important that deserved to be shared with a waiting world i.e. the concept of "Head Cycling". Shortly afterwards one evening in the bar of our cyclists’ retirement manor the "Hotel du Velo Sportif" I broached the subject. Fresh back from various day rides one groups initial interest seemed to be sluggish but after my purchase of two rounds of drinks they perked up somewhat and a trial was agreed upon to take place at an appropriate time and meanwhile another round of drinks purchased by my good-self would be much appreciated.
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As luck would have it some three days later the morning weather was appalling and although a few diehards be-caped and determined set off down the driveway some twenty or so of the curious assembled in the Dining Hall for our first mental house club run ever. Twenty chairs were aligned in pairs as a pelaton group and each rider bestrode his chair backwards grasping the backrest as handlebars. A slight scuffle broke out at this point at the rear as Alan D, insisted on rearranging two extra chairs as he was riding his tandemtrike, but eventually calm was restored. With frowns of concentration all round, the pelaton set off on the agreed route, recalling in memory all the salient points along a well used lane of ours. Looking around it was good to see the happy smiles of contentment and tightly closed eyes as the imagined birdsong and colourful wild flowers passed by in glorious sunshine. This is too good to be true I thought, and indeed it was for within 10 minutes a violent argument broke out in the front as to who had taken the Shapwick village sign sprint, which was only resolved when some person suggested an imaginary stop at the Pub might be appropriate. This was enthusiastically received and so with astral bodies we entered the hostelry for brimming tankards of our favourite brew, and it was only when Bob H, leaned across to me and whispered that this was the first time he had ever seen a stark naked Barmaid serving the beer that I realized some were pushing the limits of their imaginations to new heights. A swift return to the lane was called for to resume our imagined journey to what I hoped would be a successful specialised form of bad weather club run but it was not to be. After a white Rhino was seen crossing the lane in the Tarrants and a leopard skin clad figure observed swinging through the trees of Holt Wood it was obvious some were not approaching the exercise with the seriousness it deserved. Quietly leaving I pulled on the cape and happily rode out into the wind and rain to face the real world with infinite relief. For some days afterwards it was worrying to see old cycling mates chatting to empty chairs or chortling to themselves while stood alone at the Manor House bar. I can only hope we all get back from that place we were in as soon as possible and from now on give me the bad weather anytime. Ride with eyes wide open.
Big Bob
HAMPSHIRE ADVERTISER Saturday 31 October 1891 Riders of the popular safety bicycle, fitted with the luxurious pneumatic tyre, will rejoice to hear that a local firm (Messrs Stanley & Goodwin) have provided a compact and efficient outfit for repairing tyres which might happen to get punctured, a not uncommon experience, while out riding. They have brought out a small circular tin case measuring 4½” by 1½” which is styled “S & G’s registered ‘Southern’ pneumatic repairing combination” containing everything necessary for repairing inflated tyres if they should become injured. Riders will now be able to pedal along our roads in happy confidence that if a flint should release the air in their tyres they will be able to effect the necessary repairs without loss of time.
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Our First Audax
By Tim Worboys
I have to say that in my seven years of riding, the Dorset Coast 200km in 2015 was my first Audax attempt. Tim Parfitt and I were invited down from Stevenage by a close friend, Richie Robson, of Purbeck Peloton CC alongside two Surrey riders Ade Bell and Les Burke. We had all agreed to do the ride as Richie had often extolled how great the riding was around the Purbecks – rather stupidly we had not really studied the form until it was too late! Now, we all considered ourselves to be seasoned riders with most of our weekend rides tackling the Chiltern or Surrey Hills. The fact is, riding 130miles and 3000m + of ascent is a challenging ride in anybody’s book, however it did perhaps seem one revolution too far given we were still winter training and had not really upped the mileage required for such an event. The days preceding the ride seemed ominous – heavy winds with gusts exceeding 50mph on the south coast – what were we doing? A number of my peloton (Harpenden Raiders) had previously praised the virtues of Audax riding … its purity; old school riding; hard-core and memorable characters; great value compared to the MAMIL infused Sportive’s etc … we were not disappointed! The day was definitely memorable – the Ferry Dash, a lightening pace out to Poole Harbour where the bulk of cyclists had a brief respite and chance to fuel up before the onslaught that lay ahead. The ride was to be made ever so slightly easier by the fact our peloton grew with local riders Andy Philps, Paul Cowshall and Matt Harrison sharing the load out front. That said the next 60 miles was to be an eye-popping, sinew-bursting battle into a westerly gale characterised by white knuckle riding at weird angles, seagulls flying backwards and the strange sight of fixed wheel bikes zig-zagging up 20% ascents. If that was strange enough, imagine our surprise to be overtaken by two young tandem riders on one of the descents only to overtake them on the next ascent and witness a fantastic display of synchronised riding to conquer the next killer Tim P hill! The fact most riders shunned carbon and titanium, the materials of choice for the sportif rider, opting instead for classic heavy steel frames laden down by leather Brookes saddles and huge holdalls, demonstrated this was no ordinary ride. Weight definitely appeared to be the friend of the Audax rider! With rain in our faces we made our way through the rain and mist to some of the beautiful landmarks including Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge
Tim W
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and Lulworth Castle and the classic sites of Old Harry cliffs, Studland Bay and the massive Chesil Beach. Ironically, climbing the sharp-edged hills delivered some protection from the elements. However the expectant “free miles” one gets free-wheeling the descents were sadly lacking - giant effort was required to get ourselves down ensuing equally steep hills, a strangely leg-sapping experience. Having regrouped at the Criterion Café in Weymouth we were impressed by what we then saw … riders cycling in open flip-flop styles with no socks (are you guys officially mad!); a relaxed atmosphere and lots of laughter; full English breakfasts and bacon baps eagerly gulped down demonstrating the value of real food rather than the disgusting energy infused gel bars, the food of choice for most sportif riders. On leaving Weymouth we had been warned about the infamous Abbotsbury Hill and were mentally prepared for that one – what we had not expected was the fact the ascents then came thick and fast and seemingly more severe as we approached Axminster. A motorcross event made one of the steeper climbs quite exciting as tarmac was replaced by 2’’ of mud and stone, with rubber screaming to make traction as we edged upwards. The lunchtime stop at Axminster Primary School was a godsend – some hot soup, sandwiches and huge slabs of carrot cake washed down with sweet tea revitalised the parts of our bodies that had long given up the ghost. As we started out again, the initial hill out of town made digestion of our lunch a little challenging. That was soon forgotten as we ate into the 50 mile homeward section whooping and hollering as we saw our average speeds more than double down the empty country lanes. The riding conditions could not have been more different – with the wind on our back, we could now hear the sound of wheels on tarmac, one of life’s little pleasures. The miles whizzed by as the hand of the storm pushed us all the way back to Wareham. Not even the brutal climb up Eggardon Hill at Uploaders could dampen our spirit – it was a weird sensation being blown up the hill at a pace that belied what was in our legs. As the landmarks and countryside passed us by in a blur we did manage to take in and admire the architectural vision of Prince Charles at Poundbury before we stopped at Top o’Town Café for another (much needed) cup of tea. It was then guns out for home where we arrived at 7pm. Some 9 hours in the saddle and 11 hours since leaving this was indeed a memorable ride. Congratulations to all at CTC Wessex Cycling for allowing us to experience a ride that was as challenging as any sportive we have ever ridden and that includes the European classics such as the Marmotte, The Etape (Ventoux, Tourmalet et al) and the Pyrenean Raid. The support and welcoming spirit of everyone involved was a credit to the sport. Thanks and see you next year!
Ritchie R
Tim W
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Weather in Vane
By David Birch
It has been a really changeable Winter. We haven't been out on the bikes as much as we would have liked and when we have been out, like everyone else, we have to look down most of the time to watch out for all those potholes and then look up perhaps briefly just to keep a weather eye open. Our mileage is down on last year by a long chalk as well, so this morning we looked up to see some blue sky and the sunshine was enticing me to get the bikes out and try a ride, the first opportunity since the clocks went forward on March 28th. We took the direct route down from Wallisdown to Ensbury Bridge which was still being worked on, but the road was open after re-surfacing work earlier in the year. Onward to Ferndown, through West Moors and to Verwood all in beautiful sunshine and an unusually quiet ride. That road can be busy. We stopped at The Heathlands Heritage Museum and Cafe, and after coffee and cake, took time out to visit the Museum, small but charming, with plenty of exhibits and showing information and old archive photos of the site originally. I even did a spot of brick rubbing, yes brick rubbing. The word VERWOOD is impressed on all bricks that came out of the local brickyard and pottery. They provide paper and crayons for children young and old to have a go, and I was quite impressed with my rubbing actually. We came out of the museum, only to find the sun had now disappeared behind quite thick cloud so the decision was made to make for home. There you are, we were looking up again! Our route took us through Three Legged Cross to a turning for Mannington and still looking up, and past the Cross Keys on our right hand side, we spied a Weathervane. It is the one with a Wyvern on it. The owner of the house very kindly asked if we needed help, and started talking to us. How nice of him to come out. The Wyvern is the logo of The Wessex Running Club of which he said he is "The Godfather" and hence the Wyvern we had photographed had been made with running shoes on! The gentleman still runs, and was out with the club only the day before in the wind and rain, which just happened to be the day of the Coastlet also. Many of you might remember that day. His second Weathervane was on his garage and portrays a hunting scene with horseman and dogs chasing the Fox and he had a council official, visiting him for another matter, comment that this was not politically correct these days. He was very welcome to his opinion I suppose.
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We said our farewells to our new found friend and turned left at Higher Row to pass Broom House in Broomhill and there was another Weathervane - yes we were still looking up! This one has a Witch on a broom flying in the wind which was a Westerly by the way. By this time the cloud was thinning but still not the bright sunshine we started the day in. In no time at all we were travelling quickly down Burts Hill, making for Wimborne and hoping the Westerly wind would aid our progress home, which indeed it did. Along Magna Road, Poole Road and home via the cycle path across Turbary Common. I just had to end our short trip with a photo of the one we have on our bungalow. it shows two cyclists coming down a country lane past a finger post with Doreen apparently pointing to where we should be going. This vane was presented to Doreen on her retirement from Rumseys in Sandbanks after 23 years service, and was made at Dorset Weathervanes of Charlton Marshall. I can feel another article in the making, so we will have to journey out that way sometime to photograph his, I'm sure he has one on his roof. We will be looking up for any other Weathervanes we may come across on the way and beyond. We use ours nearly every day to ascertain where the wind is coming from even if we don't anticipate getting the bikes out of the garage. So, when in a quiet lane and if safe to do so, try looking up for those Weathervanes. You'll be surprised what designs are up there.
David 17
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Cycling Forum Report
By John Hayter
BOURNEMOUTH CYCLING FORUM The new toucan crossing on HOLDENHURST ROAD near Buchanan Road will go live this week. We have asked the Council to improve the cycling approaches to the crossing, including reducing the barriers in the subway. This forms part of the cross town cycle route Queens Park Drive to Kings Park but remains a barrier to cycling. A Toucan crossing has been installed in WIMBORNE ROAD near to Kinson Grove. The RICHMOND HILL traffic calming scheme is nearing completion. There is an uphill cycle lane to assist cyclists leaving the town centre. There is some misuse of this by contraflow cyclists. Additional markings are being considered. POOLE CYCLING FORUM Poole Council are proposing the schemes below and would welcome cyclists views before they are fully developed. If you use any of these routes please let Tom Gaze know if you support. Early days, no plans available. tom.gaze@poole.gov.uk BAITER PARK A new shared use path from Newfoundland Drive to the harbourside path. This could be more direct for cyclists and avoid conflict on the habourside path. CONTRAFLOWS in Poole Town. Details from Tom Gaze HAMWORTHY PARK Shared use path from Lulworth Avenue to Shapwick Road with a new rail footbridge later this year. SANDBANKS ROAD at Turks Lane. a new Toucan crossing to assist cyclists using NCN Route 2. The Bournemouth Forum is an opportunity to make your voice heard!
AIRPORT TRANSPORT FORUM There is now a much higher awareness within the Local Authorities and Airport of the need for cycle friendly connections across the River Stour between the Airport and the Bournemouth Poole conurbation. There are now 3000 workers in the Airport Business Park and current planning proposals for another 1000 jobs. About 75% of these workers live in the conurbation. THROOP TO PARLEY LANE. Dorset CC reported that Orders were now being made to facilitate cycling at the southern end of Pigshoot Lane. Work was being prepared to provide a more direct link to the bridge on the Bournemouth side and improve the field path to Pigshoot Lane. Sustrans have been involved in recommending appropriate construction standards. WESSEX WAY A338 COOPER DEAN TO BLACKWATER. Bournemouth BC are the lead authority for the preparation of this scheme which will see widening to dual three lane carriageway and separated cycle and walking provision which may be shared. Bournemouth BC confirmed that a cycleway will be included in the scheme.
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NEW ROAD A347. A road safety scheme has been installed on the Bournemouth side of New Road Bridge and the road to Parley Cross has been resurfaced. Cycle elements have not been incorporated in the current work but Bournemouth BC have agreed to look at this again. Dorset CC propose to widen the east side footway to make it suitable for cycling. This is dependant on funding from new housing at Parley Cross. New Road Bridge will remain a pinch point. WESSEX WAY A338 BLACKWATER TO RINGWOOD. Full depth reconstruction work is now funded and about to start. It will include one metre wide hard verges. Whilst not intended as cycleways they will nevertheless provide additional safety for cyclists who find themselves on this route. This may include tourists who are not familiar with alternative routes in the local area.
John I can offer 25 % off on all servicing to CTC Wessex Cycling members, and 10% off all Parts & Accessories, 10% off Massi Bikes, and 5% off Merida in store or 10% off Merida online. Ben John BSJ Cycles, 295 Charminster Road, Bournemouth BH8 9QW bsjcycles@gmail.co.uk 01202 922193
07878466924
A Picture from the Past A Bournemouth Section member at the time, Les Murry, sent a picture of the brevet card he received for this ride from the Dorset Coast 200km in 1981. We had a lovely bright sunny Saturday before the event only to wake up to a blanket of snow on the Sunday morning. The card speaks for itself really!
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Eddie Stagg 1932 - 2015 Eddie was a dedicated cyclist and clubman from an early age, joining the Old Portlians CC (Bromley, London) in 1950. In 1965 he moved to Dorset and in 1972 joined the Bournemouth Jubilee. Eddie started riding with our groups in 2002 riding with the Inters and then the Potterers up until about a year ago when he became too ill to ride. Eddie was good fun to be with, always happy and ready to help anyone who needed it. During his heyday in the 1950 to 1970s Eddie rode many long distance events. In one year he rode three 12 hour events, for one of which the record still stands. A brilliant ride in winning the Catford CC 24 hour event. Being of a similar age group and both starting our cycling with London based clubs, we had a lot in common. He was great friend to have around. Eddie will be sadly missed but never forgotten by all who knew him. Our sympathies go to his wife Margaret and his family at this sad time. Dave Wiseman
Alan Rapsey 1929-2015 Alan was a cyclist all his grown up life being a leading light in his local Cycling Club in London. He rode a Penny Farthing and had a fall which affected him in later life - no cycle helmets in those days. He worked for the Home Office in various locations rising to high office on many occasions. After moving to Wimborne with his wife Carol he quickly fitted into the Bournemouth Section, being President for 3 years. Gradually his health declined and he was unable to join the weekly Dawdlers' rides but still took a very keen interest in matters cycling, and attended Dawdlers' events whenever possible. In 2007 Alan & Carol moved to Leatherhead to make life easier for Alan, but after suffering more debilitating conditions he finally passed away just days before his 86th birthday. He will be missed by all his friends. Jeanette King
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MINUTES FOR COMMITTEE MEETING CTC WESSEX CYCLING Wednesday 20th May 2015 19.30 1. PRESENT – Paul Rush, Mike Walsh, Jo Gordon, Julian James, Jill Burden and Keith Matthews 2. APOLOGIES -Bob Chittenden, Bob Courtney, Joan Courtney, Jim MacDonald, Paul Turner, John Hayter, John Jackson and Stephen Gray 3. MATTERS ARISING – Previous minutes read and agreed – It was noted that Mike Walsh bought and distributed the pouches to be used if members wanted for personal identification 4. TREASURERS REPORT – Mike reported that the accounts exceed £1500. The National Office have paid the yearly £200. A £400 subsidy was given for the Joint Christmas Lunch. £460 sponsored Michael Woodhall on the Bikeability Course. 5. NEWSLETTER – Keith has enough articles at the moment but all contributions are gratefully received so please keep sending them in. Keith has only three more newsletters to compose before handing over to Mike Walsh. Mike has support lined up for the distribution and Keith said he was happy to help them through the first few additions. 6. RIGHT TO RIDE - May 2015 - Thanks to Paul Turner for his report which is printed separately from these minutes. 7. GRIDIRON – the catering will now be carried out at Lymington by volunteers led by Kate Jackson. More catering volunteers are required hopefully with experience of catering for large numbers in a restricted time frame – PLEASE contact Jo Gordon – volunteer coordinator if you would be willing to help either early morning Sunday 11th October or during the afternoon /early evening. 07929781850 / 01202 882998 / mkanjogordon@talktalk.net It is hoped to have 1000 entries on line and Keith is organising advertising. 8. Terry Walsh's contribution to CTC Wessex Cycling as Chairman was discussed. 9. Sponsorship for Steve Abraham is now on the agenda for the August committee meeting due to small numbers present at this meeting. 10. Michael Woodhall has completed the Bikeability training and is undergoing assessment and shadowing sessions in Bournemouth. If any one else would like to undertake this course and requires sponsorship please contact Paul Rush pablorushy@gmail.com or Mike Walsh jmichaelwalsh@aol.com 11. JOINT SUMMER PICNIC – At Damerham Village Hall Sunday 21st June. Mike Walsh will open the hall at 10.30 and importantly put the urn on!! Drinks provided but please bring your own picnic. There are picnic tables and if raining there is plenty of room indoors in the spacious hall. This is a chance to get together with other groups and chat about the important things in life – cycling! Arrive from 12 midday onwards. DO COME AND JOIN IN 12. A Ride Leaders Course is being run on 27th May by the CTC arranged by us and the CBC and some of our group are scheduled to attend for the Club Leader Award. 13. The Countrywide Grand Tour – The CTC is looking for riders and volunteers to join in a journey around Great Britain's coastline. Full details are in Cyclink. 14. Julie Rand CTC Member Group Coordinator has invited us to become involved in a social media project with Allianz but it was felt we did not need a commercial concern to push our numbers up and also felt that we were meeting our local needs. 15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Paul Rush had been in contact with BSJ Cycles, Charminster Road.They are happy to give our members considerable discounts and also maybe come to events and carry out cycle repairs. There will be more information in Cyclelink. John Hayter and Maggie Ross are taking over the Runs Lists for the Thursday Potterers. This is due to Jim McDonald standing down and he was thanked for all his hard work over the past years – he will however remain on the committee. Jill Burden volunteered to be Vice Chairman and this was unanimously accepted. Dave Wiseman had voiced his opinion that no other rides should be listed on the day of the Gridiron so that the local group would be more involved with our local ride as riders or volunteers. This was discussed but findings were inconclusive. 16. The next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 19th August. The meeting closed at 20.55
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London Eye Trick Cycle Ink #177
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Cycling? - Or Recycling?
Wimborne Brook Road Recycling Centre Dorset Coast 200km 2015. - Page 14
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