CycleInk Winter 2014 by CTC Wessex Cycling

CTC Wessex Cycling Winter 2014

Bob and his Harem

It all started when somebody said that they would be glad to see the back of the Dawdlers!

Who is that man breaking ranks by wearing the new kit!

Cover Picture: Metal sculpture by Daren Greenhow Cyclist and Artist www.darengreenhow.com

Winter 2014

The Quarterly Magazine of CTC Wessex Cycling in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch There was an encouragingly good attendance at the AGM this year and a couple of new additions to the committee. Paul Rush joins us as Vice Chairman and has already chaired one committee meeting most excellently. Jill Burden joins us too and makes her ‘inky’ debut in this issue with her epic end-to-end ride. Dave Langley stands down at this AGM, although he will still be helping behind the scenes. We all gave him a large vote of thanks for all his work over the years. I gave 12 months notice that I wish to give up the editing of this Magazine after 2015 and am already talking to people about working with PagePlus X8.

Jo takes notes at the AGM

We should note that times move on and that perhaps a printed magazine might take a step back in favour of more instant social media, and I’ll remind you that we do have a Facebook Page, so go and take a look, join the group and keep up with club gossip. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ctcwessex/ Keith

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: 18th February 2015 at 19:30 Committee meetings for 2015; 20th May : 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/

Cycle Ink #175

End to End Challenge - Summer ‘14

By Jill Burden

Land’s End to John O’ Groats! Peter Rattue and I decided to give it a go and we lumped to go with Peak Tours who organise numerous cycling holiday in the UK and Europe. Peter and I started training in earnest with rides around the Purbecks (including cycling up Kingston hill) and masses of rides around the New Forest plus a couple of jaunts around the Isle of Wight, aiming to get as many miles as At the Start possible in, sometimes difficult when you work full-time. Setting off to the start at Land’s End, in a hire car, with feelings of excitement and trepidation. We actually managed to get there without getting lost so that was a good omen. We were met by the tour guides at Penzance who drove us to our first night’s accommodation in St Just. There were 25 cyclists in our group, ranging in ages from twenty to sixty-five plus, a great bunch of cyclists who were all up to the challenge which lay ahead. Day 1 – A six mile ride to Land’s End for the obligatory photo shoot then onwards to Fowey. Cornwall is definitely hilly, everyone told me it was, one killer hill after another. Total miles 71. Day 2 – Fowey to Morehampstead. Lovely coastal road and lunch at Edgcumbe Arms, crossed the estuary and cycled through Plymouth. Dartmoor was beautiful, cycling hard, we climbed 8000 feet. Total miles 64. Day 3 – Total miles 75. Mortonhampstead to Glastonbury, some great expanses of flat road in the afternoon were most welcome. Really appreciated the ‘Brew Van’ laid on by the tour guides every day which provided us with hot drinks, water top ups and snacks (cake, biscuits, crip’s, sweets, fruit, etc) for Jill & Tour Guide elevenses and afternoon tea, blow the calories. At a “Brew Van” Lunch was organised in a pub or café, hot soup Stop and more food. We were very well looked after. Day 4 – Glastonbury to Monmouth. Congregating in the town centre at 8.30 am we set off in the direction of Wales, crossing the fabulous Clifton suspension bridge. Highlight of today was cycling across the Severn Bridge which Peter decided to cycle across single handed filming the occasion. Total miles 65.

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Day 5 –. Monmouth to Clun, four mile uphill climb to start the day. Beautiful countryside. Can recommend Ye Old Step Tearooms in Pembridge, voted number one for lunch. Easyish ride into Clun in the rain, quaint little town complete with castle ruins. Total 58 miles today and a grand 333 miles in five days, encouraging Day 6 – Clun to Runcorn, a challenging fourteen mile climb in the rain out of Clun along quiet country lanes. I must say on the whole drivers have been really courteous giving us a wide berth and slowing down. Rained all day, was fabulous to soak in a tub of bubbles at the Holiday Inn. Total miles 80. Day 7 – Runcorn to Condor Green. Left Runcorn in the rain and didn’t it chuck it down. Thanks to Garmin, Peter and our guide Dave we managed to negotiate our way around/through Warrington, Leigh and Blackburn to name but a few, definitely ‘up North’ now. Stunning scenery – Rivington – foothills of the Pennines. Total 70 miles and halfway there! Day 8 – Condor Green to Keswick. Very posh hotel in Condor Green. However the highlight was having three radiators to dry my clothes. Was looking forward to the Lake District today, had been told how beautiful it was, well not today; chucked it down all day, passed through a wet Windemere, Ambleside and Grasmere. Afternoon brew stop was most welcome, hot tea, cake and choccy bars. I had moments of hysterical laughter today as I was climbing up hills in the rain, why was I doing this? Total miles 61. Day 9 – Keswick to Moffat. Hurrah, today was dry. Saw a farmer and his sheep dogs rounding up the sheep on the hills. Thirty-six miles to Gretna and then Scotland, surreal seeing the Scotland welcomes you sign. Total 74 miles. Day 10 – Moffat to Loch Lomond. Beautiful countryside surrounding us as we climbed with far reaching views of fields, pine forests and mountains. We bounced and bumped along the most awful road terrain since the start and headed towards Glasgow. Glasgow was skilfully navigated by tour guide Graham, past many of the Commonwealth Games sites, superb cycle path along the river Clyde and onto the Forth and Clyde Canal, stopping at Bowling Harbour. Probably my favourite cycling day with good flat terrain and lots to see. Arrived at Loch Lomond, total miles 83. Day 11 – Loch Lomond to Glencoe. Cycled through spectacular scenery today. We had reached the Highlands, truly breath-taking, some joyous climbs in the rain and a hazardous stretch of the A82. Day 12 – Glencoe to Inverness. We cycled along Lock Linnhe towards Fort William, The Loire passing the Caledonian Canal and by the banks of Lock Lochy. A massive climb out Border Crossing

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of Fort William, up and up and more up, and just when you’ve think you’ve reached the top even more up. A long day in the saddle, elevation gain 4400 miles, total miles 83, grand total 856. Day 13 – Inverness to The Crask. The penultimate day, wow. Some super national cycle routes today led us along the Cromarty Firth and Dornoch Firth; the views were breathtaking. Passing Kyle of Sutherland, Shin Forest to Lairg by Loch Shin towards the Crask. I had a broken mudguard, jammed chain and tyre blow out but thanks to Graham for getting his hands dirty on all three occasions. Beautiful and welcome sunshine and a favourable tail wind. Tonight we are staying in a remote bed and breakfast in Altnahara with far reaching views of a Loch and mountains in the distance. Miles today 73. Day 14 – The Crask to John O’Groats. Last day in the saddle. A run for the bikes to beat the midges, not a chance. Great road, little if any traffic and onwards to John O Groats, passing through Betty Hill. We regrouped in Mey and pedaled on to the finish line. Group photographs and glass of Cava to celebrate. Total elation. Miles today 75.

The Tour Guides

Mission Accomplished!

We did it!There were times I thought I wouldn’t. Really appreciated my Roberts bicycle though not 100% sure of the Brooks saddle. Massive big thank you to Peter for all his support and putting up with me, and Graham, Andy and Dave our tour guides who were truly amazing.

Jill 7

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Velo Domestique - Cafe & Repairs Dan Broadbent

Velo Domestique is Boscombe's first cycle cafe, providing same day bike repairs, putting on regular cycling events and rides as well as collaborating with local independent cafe Boscanova to serve excellent coffee and tasty food. Building on the community of riders already created by Velo Sur Mer, we have created a hub for cyclists in the Bournemouth area to come together, plan rides, swap parts and enjoy coffee. We stock a range of bike parts and accessories as well as offering efficient and high quality bike repairs as an alternative to larger cycle repair chains. In the new year we are hoping to offer cycle maintenance workshops for those wishing to learn more about how to look after their bikes. From Velo Domestique we run weekly rides for cyclists of all abilities every Wednesday evening, meeting at 17:30 and leaving at 18:00 with rides between 10 and 30 miles. As well as these weekly rides we will also be continuing Velo Sur Mer's monthly bike race events sponsored by both local and international companies such as BigxTop, Ass Savers, Jimmy's Iced Coffee and Chrome Industries, adding a competitive edge to our riding community. We hope that through the cafe we can bring people together through a mutual love of cycling and great coffee. Drop in some time for a chat, get your bike fixed and enjoy a coffee whilst you wait. www.facebook.com/velodomestiquecafe www.twitter.com/velodomcafe instagram.com/velosurmer

Dan

Cycle Ink #175

Ballard Down Obelisk. See Page 11 Chairman Terry at the Gridiron

Cycle Ink #175

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!”

MONUMENTAL ERECTIONS A Jubilee Remembered: Denis was leading the Thursday Rouleurs on the 2nd October to Wilton through Woodlands. A mishap meant an early coffee at the Baptist church. With our needs sated we followed the road up Jubilee Hill past this “needle” to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee of 1887. It is a strange affair tucked behind the hedge, privately, in a house garden. A Friend Recalled: “The beautiful meanderings of this river through the rich

and fertile valley before you, present a most pleasing prospect. Then you come to Barton, still on the Frome, to the west of Wareham; hereabouts you have in view an obelisk which adds to the beauties of a rich pleasant country.” Thus it was in 1791: the scene very much as the day when Ali led the Rouleurs there on the16th October. “This obelisk, built by Mr Hamilton of Weymouth, was erected at the expense of Captain [John] Houlton, to perpetuate the memory of his frIend the late Mr [James] Frampton, whose seat is a little to the north of this monumental pillar; and which you now and then have in view.” (1) On Fir Hill, ½ mile south [of Moreton House] “Raising an Adamish urn above the trees.”(2) Of ashlar, the obelisk was erected in 1785–6 and stands some 70ft high on a base with moulded plinth and cornice and is surmounted by an urn 9¾ ft. high. On two sides of the base were formerly marble tablets with commemorative inscriptions; these are now built into the walls of the Lychgate(3). The Urn is reputed at 4 tons(4). James Frampton married Mary Houlton in 1746 and on the death of Joseph her father in 1750 had come into possession of the Houlton’s Farleigh Castle estate in Somerset. Mary died in 1862 without issue and at James’ death in 1784 the Farleigh Castle estate passed to Mary’s Cousin Robert Houlton. Captain John Houlton, youngest brother of Joseph, was Mary’s and Robert’s Uncle(5) On the 27th January 1780 as Captain of the “Montague”, a ship of 74 guns, Houlton was with Sir George Rodney’s fleet at the Battle of Cape St Vincent. In 1790 Houlton was gazetted as a Rear Admiral of the Blue(6) He died the following January. Mr James Hamilton, Builder and Stone Mason, and Proprietor of Bathing Machines(1) is credited as architect of several local buildings and of the statue of King George III (2)

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Aquae Ductus: Mike W gathered us at Sandbanks Ferry on 25th September for

a ride to Charminster. From Studland the rising road absorbs the attention but sometimes the eye will catch sight of the obelisk atop Ballard Down. Larger than that at Woodlands it was feared in 1941 that the enemy aircraft may make use of it and so it was taken down. The plaque which you can see on the previous page, says ‘demolished’ which may well account for the damage found when the Royal Engineers were set to re-erect it 32ys later. The damaged section now stands apart beside its base. Erected by George Burt in 1892 to mark the introduction of pure water from the chalk formation into Swanage; a turning point in public health. Burt (associated with the local builder, Mowlem) is renowned for his import into Swanage of stone relics from London; possibly as ballast on the boats returning from delivering Purbeck Stone. This obelisk once stood outside the church of St Mary Woolnoth at the corner of King William and Lombard streets in the City. A London Underground entrance is at that corner now which is Bank Station. Is there more to tell? References and further reading: 1) The Universal British Directory: 1791 2) The Buildings of England - Dorset by Newman & Pevsner: 1972 3) Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Dorset Vol 2 South East: 1970 4) The Kings England – Dorset: Edited by Arthur Mee: 1939 5) A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank: but Univested with Heritable Honours, Volume 4, by John Burke: 1838 6) The Journal of Mary Frampton 1779 – 1846: 1885 Picture Credits: Jubilee – Google Earth: Friend Recalled - Shawn Shaw: Aquae Ductus- Wikipedia (Phil Champion)

Shawn

Cycle Ink #175

Folding Delight

By Big Bob

While lounging in a Belfast quayside café earlier in the year awaiting the frenetic departure nearby of the Giro de Italia my eyes were opened to an hitherto ignored area of the cycling world which now caught my attention. I refer to the “folding cycle” or more specifically the “Brompton” folding cycle which appears to be the main man on the block. I watched mesmerised as a whole clutch of riders on them, each sporting a splash of pink in support of the Giro, arrived outside the café window. Quickly dismounting each rider, like a conjurer on “speed”, bent down and with a flick, flick, flick their steeds miraculously transformed into hand held parcels, carrying which, they entered for their wake-up coffees. Spellbound with half eaten cake in hand I watched the performance and realized this was the ultimate security. My own club machine was safely locked outside but nevertheless a beady eye was advisable in such an environment and just think of being able to execute that sophisticated cool flick, flick, flick, oh yes one must be mine. Luckily a few days after my return from Ireland while lolling on my crossbar awaiting the Sandbanks Ferry I fell into chatting with two Australians who were touring on, yes you’ve guessed it, Brompton Folders and were temporarily staying in Bournemouth. Being Australian they insisted I go for a ride to try my dream machine which I gladly did. Again being Australian and noticing my larger build their comment on my return of “looking a bit like an elephant standing on an upturned bucket mate” did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm. Already I could see myself speeding along to my local Waitrose and after a rapid flick, flick, flick marching in for my free loyalty card coffee and newspaper, and why stop there? I could even aspire to London and whizzing along Boris Johnson’s cycleways and achieve the maximum in cycling coolness by dropping into the “ Look Mum No Hands” cycling café on the Clerkenwell Rd with the rest of the cycling sophisticates and with Folder swiftly stacked whip out a laptop from a Rapha courier bag before ordering an upmarket coffee and looking very busy. And who knows, after several weeks pedaling the capitals cycleways in a retro tweed covered helmet I might meet a cycling fold away Lady, who when not required, could be stacked quietly away with no fuss. But, maybe it’s a dream too far, for I know after reflection while mixing with the upper echelons of cycling life and frequenting the cycling watering holes for bright Bloomsbury style intellectual chat, eventually the dreaming lanes and villages of the Dorset countryside would call and I would have to bid farewell to my new dynamic companions and pedal regretfully away back to a quieter life, where mounted on my old tourer the wandering byways and rural cafés and pubs of this cycling paradise could be lived and my dear old

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cycling mates conversation extend no further than who collared the biggest slice of cake at the tea stop! Ah, there’s the basic lifestyle for me and although I yearn to be sophisticated and full of urban chic which goes with the Brompton Image I think it will have to go on hold until a little more social polish is gained. Now gather round and lets move on to other things because we as avid Bikies have come to the end of the year which although short of daylight hours is a special time for us because Christmas days are almost upon us. Here, in Le Hotel du Velo Sportif Cyclists Retirement Manor, as the season approaches, we traditionally gather around the large log fire in the library for an hour or two after dinner to muse and chat over the various rides and events that have been enjoyed over the year. Riding friends are remembered who with the old restless Bikies urge have travelled on to more distant places and when dismounted occasionally send the odd message or two back at this time of the year while gazing at landscapes far different from the gentle green Dorset hills of home. They know a warm welcome awaits them on there returning. As in past Christmas times a festive welcome awaits you also should you decide to join us for a few days on this special holiday. You will need to bring little so shove a few things in the saddlebag and when you reach our lane turn into the big main gates and pedal up the driveway to the ivy covered front of “ Le Hotel” and just walk in the main door with the holly around it. Food, thanks to our local Cycling friendly farmers, there will be aplenty but for that special something on Christmas day there will be home entertainment of the highest order. Among many delights promised are Keith M’s our esteemed Newsletter editors erotic origami demonstration which always thrills the ladies and has even been known to make my tired old eyes water at some of the shapes produced. As in past years we have persuaded Derek P to perform his astounding “ Break Dance” culminating in that unearthly inverted head spin while going full blast on his ukulele. It never fails to take the breathe away. Completely new this year will be Colin B’s reminiscences of an amazing night spent with the three McCregan widows in a remote Croft while touring in the Shetlands in the Spring and his subsequent recovery at an Holistic Highland Earth Commune after painfully pedaling back to the mainland on his carbon frame. Lord, that man knows how to live. As a crescendo to our evenings merriment, Mike L has been seen polishing up his spoons for a musical rendition of body whirling and spoon clacking virtuosity, which has entranced the local villages. Apart from the unfortunate incident at Bishop Caundle when in a surge of enthusiasm his clashing spoons made violent contact with his lower bodily regions causing him to remain curled up in a foetal position on the village green for some forty minutes quietly moaning has always brought joy. So there we are, all is in place to enhance our enjoyment and if you can’t make it this year have a very Merry Christmas both on and off the Bike.

Big Bob 13

Cycle Ink #175

Autumnal Colours in New England By Mike Walsh Sue Barber and I dreamed of a grand tour whilst riding to Paris and back earlier in the year. I had a muse in the back of my mind of touring in the States and saw a CTC Holiday that did a circuit in New England in the Fall. This was our target and we then extended the CTC Holiday to ride the first part of the Atlantic Coast using Adventure Cycling Association. This is an American Cycling Club that I have been a member of for over ten years. We chose to ride from Bar Harbor (yes Harbor is the correct spelling) to Boston and up to Salem where we would join the others on the CTC Holiday. The logistics of booking our part of the ride were on occasions fraught but eventually all fell into place. We did have one very big problem when we arrived at Logan Airport. Just as we arrived at border control the whole countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immigration system failed. The usual comment of back up in twenty minutes passed. After a very long wait we eventually were allowed to enter using the old Visa waiver pink form. These were filled in on the hoof and very badly. The next day we built our bikes and left the bike boxes etc. in Salem and drove to Bar Harbor for our first cycle ride. This was from the Trenton airport, the car hire drop off point, back into town using the road through Arcadia National Park. Lumpy, but no panniers as we had left them in our overnight stop. Through Bar Harbor a very pretty town and a very friendly cycle shop. Leaving Bar Harbor the next day we missed the Arcadia National Park as we rode off the peninsula and turned left at Elsworth starting down the Atlantic Coast.

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One feature I noted was that we very rarely left civilisation as confirmed by the mail boxes even if on a large number of times there was no housing in view. This was throughout the holiday. Another feature was the constant boulders in the fields. Some much bigger than others and in some places very prolific. They are tumbled rocks deposited when the glaciers retreated back to Canada. The New England weathered boulders come in every conceivable shape and size. There was another constant during our visit was the district and town names mirroring British places. During our first few days riding down the coast the trees were still green but then the tops or exposed area began to change colour. The sunshine enhanced the splendid colours. Oh how wonderful, we timed our visit perfectly. The route did not always follow the coast as there are a vast number of promontories but always beside water, either the sea, inland lakes or wide rivers. We crossed the Penobscot onto Verona Island and off into Fort Knox State Park finishing our first full days ride in Searsport. The following morning every where in the locale was shut and no letter box so we had nowhere to leave the room keys. We did tell a parked Trooper of our predicament. We continued along the coast crossing Belfast Bay into Belfast for breakfast where the recommended place was closed so we ate on the co-operative. Very homely and down to earth where you could talk to anyone. Now inland crossing a number of rivers including Ducktrap until we dropped down into Camden on the sea. A very picturesque town with inviting cafĂŠs and shops but we rode on through to Rockport which had a cycle shop. The shop and staff were very pleasant but we should have taken coffee in Camden. Along the coast to Rockland and again inland but still passing lakes and rivers, yes many ups and downs into and out of the river valleys, ending up in Damariscotta. We stayed in a grand house of former glory but magnificent. In its own grounds with water on two sides. A garage for the bikes which we shared with a 1966 Thunderbird and an old Lincoln Continental. After a very homely breakfast of fresh blueberry pancakes we again rode across many rivers through a more built up area including Woolwich, Bath, Topsham and on the Freeport where we had to but provisions for our evening meal. Over ten miles to our overnight outside Gray we came across the most demanding hill of our part of the tour. A stop at the top for recovery and sustenance was essential. Onward to a brilliant bed and breakfast in an old Town Farm

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house, all wood and gorgeous. Town Farms were poorhouses where the residents worked the farms for their keep. We unpacked our meal in their dinning room and were provided with all the crockery and cutlery together with good company. More inland the next day, again crossing valleys, skirting Sebago Lake but even a stretch along a river and into Kennebunk for our overnight where we found a grand restaurant. The Village Tavern, it was a lively place but luckily we decided to eat early because it closed at 9:30. From Kennebunk we went down to the beach and Sue went paddling. Along the waters edge, through Wells, York and onto Portsmouth where we left Maine and into New Hampshire. Leaving Portsmouth we came across some major road works which we needed to bypass. Using my American Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maps we even managed to shortened the route a fraction and on to Exeter. The bike shop and staff here were the best advising on a problem and allowing testing of their products. We hibernated that night in an up market chain hotel. Continuing inland from Exeter to Kingston and on to Derry where on the outskirts I had a really nice fish and chips for lunch. It was there that we met some French Canadian who were riding down from Quebec. Then leaving New Hampshire and into Massachusetts and Middlesex County, on to Dunstable and eventually to Ayer. This route is skirting around the Boston greater conurbation. After our overnight in Ayer (not to be repeated but an experience) we rode East via Acton, Bedford and Cambridge. The number of separate cycle route has increased on these last two days and nearly the last we used was the eleven mile Minuteman Trail taking us into Boston. Back to the Atlantic where we wandered around the wharfs and parks along the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge. The last leg on our own was a train from Boston to Salem where we to be joined by the others on the CTC Holiday. The train was a novel experience as only one door of the train had a level platform once we left Boston, all the other doors used steps built into the train. In Boston a member of the train insisted that we move to a particular carriage but did not tell us why it was only when we alighted that we realised the need. Bikes with panniers would have been near impossible to get down from anywhere else on the train. A ride in the dark in a strange town without knowing the relationship of the station to our motel, good fun, the taxi driver I asked could not speak English. We survived!

Cycle Ink #175

Right to Ride Report - November

By Paul M. Turner

BOURNEMOUTH - Trials to permit cycling across Bournemouth Square, Pier approach, Boscombe Precinct and Middle Chine commenced 1st September 2014 for 12 months. Richmond Hill – I note that Richmond Hill scheme is currently to have another facelift to comprise extension of approach to Wimborne Road and making lines more visible. Bournemouth University - An excellent short film made by Bournemouth University to encourage cycling. It can see it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_xAAtcHo4M Local Sustainable Transport Funded (LSTF) Infrastructure Projects: ● Stour Valley Leisure Route - Now complete between Stour barn and Berry Hill sludge works. ● 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. ● Lowther Road Subway - Improvement works commenced with CCTV ● Castle Lane West - Danish style cycle lanes under construction. ● Christchurch Road - Painted Cycle Lanes under construction, Holdenhurst Ave to Warnford is complete. ● Bournemouth Travel Interchange (Train and Bus Station) Outline plans were displayed and reviewed by the Bournemouth Cycle Forum. POOLE - Yarrow Road Cycle Scheme - a proposal from the Walking and Cycling Development Plan to put on road cycle lanes on Yarrow Road between Mannings Heath Road and Old Wareham Road. It would link in to bridges across Dorset Way, into Tower Park and Mannings Heath Road. I had a meeting with Road Engineers and Poole’s Cycling Officer on 21 November. I was pleased that the Engineers are more pro-cycling! Local Cycle Strategies - A Cycle Strategy spells out policies for planning and/or transport that the relevant authority promises to follow. The typical lifespan of a strategy is ten years and it contains an action plan or programme of works to cover the first 2-5 years in more detail. The length and volume of a strategy can vary from 20 to 100 pages including appendices. BUT the local Authorities, like Poole & Bournemouth have to sign up with it rather the general public. I contacted both Poole & Bournemouth Councils to say CTC Wessex would be willing to be involved! I understand from Shawn Shaw that Dorset County Council - Road Planers looked at Dorchester and Weymouth with limited amounts of funding, and in the face of political opposition to designing for cycling. See: They have 'surveyed' the Dorchester to Weymouth cycle route. Please go to this link: http://www.cycling-emba#14C7A86

Paul

Right to Ride Representative Bournemouth & Poole

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The Majorcan Potterers at Artal in 2014

Why this picture? Shawn Shaw sends it through for me to add to the historic CTC record. If you look carefully, you’ll see the CTC “Winged Wheel” fastened to the wall of the Salutation Hotel in Perth, Scotland. The hotel is still there, and it looks very much the same today, but as so often happens alas, the “Winged Wheel” is no longer in place. So sad.

Keith

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MINUTES FOR COMMITTEE MEETING CTC WESSEX CYCLING Wednesday 19th November 2014 19.30 1. PRESENT: John Jackson, Mike Walsh, Jim McDonald, Jo Gordon, Keith Matthews, Julian James, Paul Rush, Bob and Joan Courtney and Jill Burden. Observing – Ralph Huckle 2. APOLOGIES : Paul Turner, Terry Walsh and Stephen Gray. 3. MATTERS ARISING: Unanimous thanks to Dave Langley for all his work on the committee over the years. 4. TREASURERS REPORT: Mike reported that the accounts stay stable at £2,500. 5. NEWSLETTER: Keith is short this time but offers forthcoming from the committee with pledges to get to Keith by the end of November. 6. RIGHT TO RIDE: Paul Turner presented his report. See Page 15. 7. RUNS LEADERS REPORTS: Saturday '60': I can only say that the routes do not vary apart from depending on which Saturday of the month it is, dictates where the ride goes. Numbers are anything between just me and 11 as a maximum so far. The pace varies depending on who is out, but we do re group generally, but sometimes the faster ones go on. Mike Barrett Thursday Rouleurs : August to November 2014 Summary numbers: average = 12, maximum = 18, total different riders=27. Ride leaders: different leaders=7, rides without pre-allocated leader=2. Numbers increased significantly over this period as weather improved with most rides now in double figures of riders. Actually had 18 out a couple of weeks ago which is highest number for a long time. A few new riders have recently joined the group which is very encouraging. Continued difficulty getting ride leaders and now mainly Denis and Michael leading 2-3 rides each and a few other people leading one ride. Mike Gordon has agreed to be the new Runs Leader and is producing the 1Q15 runs list and trying to get as many different ride leaders as possible. Dave Langley will enter the finalised list into the normal web page when ready. Christmas Meal: The menu was sent out about three weeks ago and there are currently 31 people signed up for the Christmas meal on Thursday 18th December. This number is much lower than the 55 achieved last year so if not already on the list, please send your menu selections to Dave Langley asap and encourage as many other people as possible to come along. Sunday Rouleurs : August to November 2014. Summary numbers: average = 8, maximum = 15, total different riders=25. Numbers also increased during this period, with a maximum of 15 recently. Quite a few new riders have also joined this group, some of these have joined the Thursday group; also very encouraging. Majority of riders still return home after coffee. Small number sometimes go on to meet Inters at lunch time but don't always meet up due to timing and sometimes lack of knowledge of lunch stop location. Dave Langley Thursday Potterers: Nothing to add to the report for the AGM, except to say that an average of 16 have attended the starts of the 4 rides recorded for October. Jim McDonald Inters: Bob Courtney had no update following AGM report Saturday Bun Run: One good Bun run since AGM. Martin, David, Steve & Sawn took a detour from Bulbarrow through Belchalwell [Belle Chaldewelle] and Knackers Hole, past the packhorse bridge down Silly Hill after which normal service was resumed. Shawn Shaw Dawdlers: Noting to add to our AGM report at this stage, only that we still keep pressing on and hope the message will get to the other groups and that the flyers we are putting in the various bike shops and on notice boards will interest the non-Club masses out there! Jeanette King Sunday Potterers: No report from the Sunday Potterers. PHSG: Usual numbers out. Keith Matthews 8. GRIDIRON UPDATE: John Jackson reported that all the halls are booked for next year at Lymington, Hyde and Boldre. He wanted a hall at Colbury but could not find anything available on a Sunday but he is still on the lookout and a possible change of route again. The Wiggle Sportive have now moved their weekend event to September 17/18th so there should be no clash this year. John has been in touch with several New Forest agencies and has had some positive feedback on the Gridiron. 9. FACEBOOK PAGE: Paul Turner has volunteered to take this on and also the CTC (Wessex) website and wishes to have a deputy moderator for the Facebook and a deputy administrator for the website – Jill Burden has agreed to take on these roles so Paul is to liaise with Jill. 10. KEITHS ROLE AND TITLE: Voted that Keith is officially a Life Vice President as he was for old Wessex DA 11. Julian’s responses to National Office queries following the AGM: ○ He is still pursuing why the National Office are not publishing registered rides – probably incompetence. ○ Procedures to become a Tour Leader – discussed with Sheila Simpson who has run successful tours for several years. ○ Where is the 'winged wheel'? Julian is pursuing this still – the Editor of Cycle said it is meant to be used. ○ Julian is investigating what has happened to the CTC Tourist Competition – points for registered rides are not being correctly counted – they say this is being remedied – Keith suggested to leave it how it is for this year and see if the

Cycle Ink #175

National Office are now rectifying the lapse. N.B. Keith will try to write an article explaining the trophies given out by CTC Wessex Cycling and what they are awarded for. Again! 12. Mike Walsh has researched for himself the top point scorer for our area and the award for the DATC or the CTC Tourist Competition will be awarded shortly. 13. As discussed above the management of our page at the CTC National Office is to be taken over by Paul Turner with Jill Burden as the deputy. 14. Future new editor for Cycleink:- Mike said that the task is in two parts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; compiling and printing and distribution. Mike is to talk to Paul to take on amalgamating the runs lists if Eric does not wish to carry it on or is unable to do so sometimes. Keith is willing to instruct anyone to use PagePlus DTP Each Ride Leaders to talk to their group to see if anyone is keen to take on the role of editor and/or printing and distribution. 15 ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Jim would like a new Runs Leader for the Thursday Potterers to take over from him and to be an active rider. Promoting Cycling in the New Forest and Hampshire - JJ is working with an informal group of organisations looking to promote cycling and counter the anti-cycling arguments being put to the NPA and HCC. Organisations such as Parish Councils, Commoners, Verderers, Equestrian Organisations and others are effectively working together to co-ordinate objections to cycling in the New Forest. For example the only mention of cycling in the New Forest National Park Authority Partnership Plan is a negative one regarding Sportives and the need to control them. They can't even mention cycling in the section on sustainable transport or the one on road safety. This is virtually the opposite of the original NFNPA 2020 Cycling Vision "To be the UK's premier family cycling destination, with cycling normalised as the key method of getting between the communities and attractions of the National Park." This is not surprising when those organisations opposed to the formation of the NFNPA are now chairing and populating the management committee. This informal group of pro-cyclists will attempt to put forward coherent responses initially to three documents: New Forest National Park Authority Partnership Plan : New Forest National Park Cycling Charter : HCC Cycling Strategy These responses will then be taken back to the 'members' organisations, for agreement/changes and subsequent submission. Timescales will inevitably be tight so communication with be via email 16 Dates of committee meeting for 2015: February 18th, May 20th, August 19th, AGM October 21st, November 18th The meeting closed at 21.55

The Age Old Health Debate

Now lets see, there must be a problem - our air is unpolluted, our water is pure, we get loads of exercise, everything we eat is freerange, and yet we all die before 30!

â&#x2DC;ş Out on my bike today, someone threw a bottle of Omega 3 pills at me. Don't worry, I only suffered super fish oil injuries.

Cycle Ink #175

By Jackie Winter I've written a book about the forty years I've spent riding a tandem with my husband. Despite never having learned to ride a bike, I've pedaled more than 100,000 miles on the back of a tandem and Allan and I can still be glimpsed hurtling downhill at 40 mph. Besides cycling holidays in the Yorkshire Dales, Scottish Borders and the Lake District, the book recalls many favourite bike rides in Dorset. Several of these were in the 1980s with members of the Wessex Road Club. We made some good friends, including Jack and Ruth Merchant who introduced us to the wonderful teas at Wimborne St Giles. My longest ride ever was the Dorset Coast 200km Randonee on 22nd April 1979. I felt inordinately proud of myself for completing it, even though I wasn't fit for work the next day. The book is essentially a light hearted account of my cycling life but naturally over the course of four decades there have been sad times. Throughout the many good years and a few inevitably difficult ones, the tandem remains a constant thread.. "Life In Tandem: Tales of Cycling Travels" by Jackie Winter is available from Amazon on Kindle (ÂŁ1.99) and in paperback (ÂŁ8.31) Copies can also be purchased from Jackie. thorntandem@btinternet.com Phone 01929 459207 On 21 June 2015 Rotary International are inviting every Rotary club across the UK and Ireland to organise a Rotary Day, consisting of a sponsored bike ride for members of the public in aid of Prostate Cancer Awareness. They would like to get every Rotary club in the country to organise a Sponsored Cycle ride around the area in which they are based, and at the same time want to arrange for all the coastal based clubs to organise a simultaneous cycle ride to the next club, in a clockwise direction, around the coast of the UK and Ireland, and by the end of the day we will have circumnavigated the whole of the UK and Ireland, with each group doing their section. For their June ride, the PHSG Group plan to take part in the route which will run from Sandbanks to Corfe Castle.

Keith

Cycle Ink #175

OBITUARY "Little" Ron Lewis 29th January 1918 - 22nd September 2014 Born in London, Ron joined his first cycling Club in Ealing in 1932 and worked as a cycling order boy until being called up into the Army Catering Corps in 1939. After the war he worked for London Transport and never learned to drive. He moved to Dorset in 1983, joining Bournemouth section in 1985, cycling with most of the different groups and working hard to lead some of the rides. He cycled until his 90th birthday and stayed part of the Dawdlers Social Group until he was too frail to get out. He was one of the Club's greatest characters and we will miss him but always remember him.

Jeanette King

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 !

Cycle Ink #175

The Gridiron Controllers at Hythe

SALES - RENTALS

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Phone: 01202 315855 88-90 Charminster RD Bournemouth BH88US www.onyerbike.co.uk | www.onyerskates.co.uk