Edited independently in three of the CTC Wessex member group areas and publishedquarterly Please contact your nearest member group or access the club website for

information on any eventswwwwessexctcorg for all CTC Wessex activities

CTC WESSEX SECRETARYPeter Loakes Church Cottage West Stafford DT2 8AB (01305) 263272CTC BOURNEMOUTHCheryl Owen 1 Bond Road Poole BH15 3RT (01202) 738428CTC SALISBURYAlan Clarke ldquoHill Houserdquo Kelsey Road Salisbury SP1 1JR (01722) 322188CTC WEST DORSETMike Durham 74 Westhill Wyke Regis Weymouth DT4 9NE (01305) 770140CTC BLACKMORE VALERichard Gow Wildfell Crown Rd Marnhull DT10 1LN (01258) 821391

Main Calendar Dates For 2010

THE WESSEX NEWSLETTER

April 11th Dorset Coastlet 100km Peter Loakes 01305 263272April 11th Dorset Coast 200km Peter Loakes 01305 263272May 2nd Wursquoze 400km Audax Shawn Shaw 01202 685014May 9th New Forest Spring Challenge 50km John Ward 01590 671205May 9th New Forest Day Out 100km John Ward 01590 671205May 9th New Forest 150km John Ward 01590 671205May 9th New Forest Excursion 200km John Ward 01590 671205May 16th Dorset Downs 100km Peter Loakes 01305 263272June 26th 3D300km Audax Peter Loakes 01305 263272Sept 5th New Forest Autumn Challenge 50km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 5th New Forest amp Coast 100km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 5th New Forest 150km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 5th New Forest On amp Off Shore 200km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 12th Dorset Dirt 50km Off-Road Ken Reed 01305 772654Sept 19th Bournemouth Square 200km Brian Callow 01202 526606Sept 26th Wessex Grand Meet at BreamoreOct 10th Gridiron 100km Terry Walsh 01202 247888Oct 10th CTC West Dorset AGM Mike Durham 01305 770140Oct 13th CTC Bournemouth AGM Cheryl Owen 01202 738428Nov 6th CTC Wessex AGM Peter Loakes 01305 263272

3 Cycle Ink 157Keith Matthews - Editor

CTC Charity status or not I touched on this in the last issue and at thattime kept even-handed about the debate At the AGM matters were notstraightforward and the vote was very close In essence 55 voted forCTC to apply for charitable status but the enabling motion to changethe CTC constitution in line with what the Charities Commission wouldrequire was lost with 61 voting ldquoforrdquo when a 75 majority wasneeded Of course a lot of lobbying was going on before all this with inmany peoplersquos view an unfair bias from our executive staff and someNational Councillors (but not all) who were able to use the CTCldquomachinerdquo

The 55 vote was in fact only carried by the CTC Chairman using hisdiscretionary votes in favour when the convention is that he should usethem for ldquostatus quordquo A number of us here in Wessex were sufficientlydisturbed by all this to write to the Chairman after the AGM pointingout that the club was deeply divided I am not encouraged by his replyto think that any note of our views will be fairly considered The letterand reply are printed on page 6

Why do we take this stance Primarily because we do not believe thatCTC being a charity is going to be good for us the members We do notbelieve that the CTC is a charity it is a club Possibly initially Gift-Aidincome added to subscriptions might help but there is scepticism that itis the right way forward It might be the easy way but wersquod like to thinkthat the continuing success of the CTC as a club lies in a market-ledmembership-focused organisation

We await developments Probably there will be an EGM soon to try tochange the Constitution As in the the EC we are forced to keep votinguntil we get it ldquorightrdquo

Cycle Ink 157 4

CTC Blackmore Vale RidesThese take place every week alternating between Saturday amp Sunday meeting at 10am amp startingat 1030am Rides are shorter in Winter (20 miles) and build up gradually to longer rides in Sum-mer (50 miles) We stop for lunch either at a cafeacute or pub during BST we usually bring picnicsbut there is often a cafeacute near the lunch stop You can ride to the meeting place for added mileageor drive allpart way We welcome newcomers who consider that they can cope with the mileagendash no one gets left behind Give us a call beforehand so that we can look out for you01963 32840 - Richard amp Margaret Nicholl or 01258 821391 - Richard GowSun 13th Jun MEET Top o Town Cafe DorchesterLUNCH Little Cheney TEA Dorchester LEADER RGSat 19th Jun Somerton use long stay car parkLUNCH Coates Willows amp Wetlands Centre TEA Somerton LEADER NTSun 27th Jun MEET John Peel Cafeacute ShatesburyLUNCH Chalke Valley TEA Shaftesbury LEADER RGSat 3rd Jul CHANGED MEET 915 Morrisonrsquos Lysander Road YeovilLUNCH West Bay near Bridport TEA Yeovil LEADER AnnSun 11th Jul MEET Ottery Nurseries Ottery St Mary DevonLUNCH Exmouth amp Otter Valley TEA Otter Nurseries LEADER Exeter CTCSat 17th Jul CHANGED MEET Oli amp Nics Cafeacute Sunrise Business Park BlandfordLUNCH Winterbourne Tomson nr Bere Regis TEA Stur Marshall LEADER J+RSun 25th Jul MEET Morrisons Supermarket GlastonburyLUNCH Brent Knoll TEA Glastonbury LEADER BWSat 31st Jul MEET Olivers Cafeacute Cheap St SherborneLUNCH Hinton St George TEA Sherborne LEADER RCSun 8th Aug MEET Old Bakehouse Cafeacute Castle CaryLUNCH Wookey Hole TEA Sutton Montis LEADER BWSat 14th Aug MEET East Somerset Railway CranmoreLUNCH Chewton Mendip TEA Cranmore LEADER RNSun 22nd Aug MEET Castle Gardens SherborneLUNCH Melbury Bubb TEA Sherborne LEADER RNSat 28th Aug MEET Morrisons Supermarket ChippenhamLUNCH South Cotswolds TEA Chippenham LEADER J+RSun 5th Sep MEET Visitor Centre Wookey HoleLUNCH Strawberry Line TEA Wookey Hole LEADER NTSat 11th Sep MEET Compton Abbas AirfieldLUNCH Witchampton TEA Compton Abbas LEADER RGSun 19th Sep MEET John Peel Cafeacute ShaftesburyLUNCH Dinton Shaftesbury LEADER Mary or RGSat 25th Sep MEET Poets Corner Cafeacute Sturminster NewtonLUNCH Tolpuddle TEA Sturminster LEADER RCCoffee Pot Meets on TuesdaysArrive at the Cafes at 1030 An informal ride may or may not be arranged on the day1st Tuesday of Month Meet Cafeacute Central Wincanton2nd Tuesday of Month Waitrose Cafeacute Gillingham3rd Tuesday of Month NT Cafeacute Stourhead4th Tuesday of Month Wheathill Lane Garden Centre Milborne PortTuesday 29th Jun East Lambrook Manor GardenTuesday 31st Aug Lakeside Garden Centre Crockerton

5 Cycle Ink 157

Poole Heart Support Group RidesEvery month starting at 10am This is an easy riding group for people who have hadheart problems offering morning rides on SundaysCTC members are invited to join us TEL 01202 85001 - Keith Matthews

27th JUN MEET Wimborne Square - Blandford amp Back25th JUL MEET 10 Hill View Road Ferndown - 50km Randonneacutee New route22nd AUG MEET Broadstone Leisure Centre - To see the sea26th SEP MEET Layby B3078 N of Wimborne - Cranborne Cruise

httpwwwwessexsrtalktalknetnewsunscafelist[1]html

Is maintained at the above addressAdditions and updates are requested please

Team Green Britain for Bike WeekSunday 20 June 2010 - Poole Park- 11am - 4pm

There is a stunt demonstrationThe contact is Sally Funnell - TEL 01202 262066

wwwteamgreenbritainorgwwwbikeweekorguk

Alternative Road Signs Alternative Road Signs

Cycle Ink 157 6

Thanks KeithI have got your letter and note its contentsClearly we (CTC Council) will reflect on the way forward In terms of theprinciple of becoming a charity a 5545 vote seems very clear to me butequally I accept that far more is needed to achieve the 75 for the mem and artsI want CTC to provide an excellent service to members and to cyclists generallyThat is what we try to do and the unified Charity debate from my point of view wasto make the delivery of our objects more efficient and hopefully bring in anotherpound100k to the clubBut I do understand the point you makeDavid

Mr David Robinson Chairman of CTC Councildavidrobinsonctcorguk20th May 2010

Dear Mr RobinsonCTC Charitable Status

We the undersigned are all active members of the CTC and we are writing to youunder my signature in the aftermath of the CTC Charitable Status debate at therecent AGM

Viewing the result it appears to us that the CTC gained a very narrow majority infavour of making preparations to apply for charitable status but has fallen short bya long way on achieving the majority to change the constitution which will allowthat to happen It is our view that whatever the actual vote counts show the facts arethat the club is deeply divided over this issue and that a slender majority on onemotion does not give CTC a firm mandate on such an important issue as this andthat there should be time for reflection

It is our view that any progress towards Charitable Status should be shelvedindefinitely and we urge this most strongly In your thinking we believe you shouldtake note that the change in Government and that the forthcoming tightening of allsources of funding including probable changes in the Charities Commission willmake this side of CTC activities less relevant A closer focus on supportingmembership would seem to be a more appropriate marketing strategy for the future

Yours SincerelySigned by 19 members

7 Cycle Ink 157

Connect 2 Throop to Hurn I perceive new determination by Dorset CC to achievethis scheme DCC are preparing a bridge design to be submitted for PlanningPermission Bournemouth are working on upgrading the approach cycle routes on thisside of the Stour The Airport are working with Sustrans to find a traffic free routefrom Pussex Lane to the Matchams Lane entranceBarrack Road A35 DCC are installing new on-road cycle lanes from Iford Bridge toThe Grove roundabout This will include a pedestrian crossing refuge We will pressBournemouth to complete the scheme on this side of the boundaryCommuter routes to the Airport The route from Parley Cross to Chapel Gate iscomplete although some safety issues remain The Airport is erecting a new securityfence and this is being set back to enable the shared cyclepath along Parley Lane to bewidened to a reasonable standardA338 Wessex Way The programme for the reconstruction of Wessex Way is unclearat present I have been assured that work between Cooper Dean and Blackwater willinclude cycle facilities when it happens The Cycling Forum will keep this underreview as information becomes available

CYCLING OFFICERS REPORT May 2010 Cycle Schemes in Bournemouth1 Talbot Avenue - Completed2 East Avenue Roundabout - New road markings installed to be reviewed after 1yr3 Connect 2 - JH to provide update4 Horseshoe Common - will be signed as a shared use path through the middle Wehave a 25 year agreement with the freeholding estate(Michael Rowland)5 Woodland Walk Christchurch Rd crossing Pedestrian Island removed and newtoucan installed with 2 way Dutch style cycle route leading to Woodland Walk Thishas been tied in with new cycle lanes on Christchurch Rd6 Woodland Walk Beechwood Avenue crossing - Zebra on raised table with trafficcalming on approaches to link up two sides of Woodland Walk is under construction7 Woodland Walk Overcliffe Drive crossing - Zebra on raised table with trafficcalming on junction of Woodland Avenue and Overcliffe to allow people to access thecliff top is under construction8 Kings Park - Contra flow is being installed on Kings Park Drive New cycle pathsacross Kings Park are under construction Ashley Rd walking and cyclingimprovements to access Kings Park Primary are complete Harewood Avenue zebracomplete9 Holdenhurst Rd - As part of the works at the Holdenhurst RdSpringbourne Rbtjunction a 15m wide cycle lane and ASL to be installed on southern exit fromSpringbourne Roundabout (adjacent to fire station) ASLrsquos will be included in bothdirections on Holdenhurst Rd A new set of Links to Schools bids have beensubmitted Glenmoor and Winton pound175K allocated from LTP pound175K grant awardedby SustransCycling England

If yoursquod like more information on any of these points please contact Paulmadcyclist5yahoocouk

By Paul M Turner amp John HayterCAMPAIGN TRAIL

Cycle Ink 157 8

Hero Worship By Big BobI confess a weakness yes I know howincredible that sounds but I want you to tryand imagine itItrsquos ldquohero worshiprdquo Never having beenparticularly good at the competitive side ofour great sport in fact a few sessions on theManchester Velodrome Track which almostreduced me to a sobbing wreck has left mein awe of the Professional Racing ManThese god like beings fighting for theirvictories and careers high in the mountains ofEurope or across the Plains are worthy of our admiration Itrsquos a thought I oftenponder when in repose with the bike in a Pub gardenAny race in my vicinity will see me rushing to the side of the road or track tocheer and shout with the best of them On one heady day in Cardiff during theold Milk Race from the top of a team van Joey McLoughlin the stage winnerof ANC Halfords team fame threw a rose from his victory bouquet into theadoring crowd which by flattening those all around me I almost caught Irsquomsure my life would have been transformed if I hadBut not all encounters are so pleasant Picture a provincial French town fullygarlanded and bedecked for a Tour de France stage departure Robert Millerprobably the finest high mountain climber the UK ever produced was sat onhis bike resting against the road barrier waiting to be called to the start Wecame face to face and with meaningless gibber I uttered the immortal wordsldquoHell of a way to make a living Robertrdquo His baleful glare straight into myeyes sent me scurrying behind my good lady where I peeped out at him fromthe back of her cycling shorts With a last disdainful look he flicked a pedaland was gone His public relation skills may have been lacking but the sheerpoetry of his climbing sent him into the realm of the godsOn another occasion while skulking on the bike on the West coast of France abrief stay in La Baule saw me watching in amazement on the Seafront thatstrange Tour de France pre-prologue that was tacked on for that year only Itconsisted of a terrifying rocket like high speed team time trial straight alongthe seafront where all riders could be shed and the best man protected and firedoff in the last 100 metres for the lineLaurent Fignon of Team Systeme U with characteristic pony tail playboy anddarling of the French public hurtled past fully protected at the back of the lineout and we waited for the front riders to be dropped and his suddenacceleration to take him to timed victory It was not to be A huge groan rose

9 Cycle Ink 157

up from the crowd as with an uncharacteristic fit of weakness he was droppedoff the back and trailed in the last man of his now leaderless team Thefollowing morning the French papers were scathing of his deplorableperformance which somehow seemed to have injured the whole French nationWhile wandering through the team area in those pre high security years beforethe Stage start I came upon Fignon all alone sitting in a team car with opendoor his blond head buried in a newspaper reading one of the articles Imuttered ldquoBon courage Laurentrdquo He looked up from the devastating articlehalf smiled and whispered ldquoCrsquoest la vierdquo and from that point on he walked onwaterCut to Dublin where camped with my bike on the outskirts surrounded byBrits Dutch Irish and French etc we socialised noisily and awaited the firststart of the Tour de France in Ireland We awoke early and after hurriedwashing duties and breakfast freewheeled rapidly down to the city centre toparticipate in the sheer joy of the Prologue and our Chris Boardmanrsquos showingwith the Z Peugeot team Early again the following day and away with a smallgroup on closed roads up into the Wicklow mountains to see some thrillingsurprise climbing from Tom Steels the Belgian sprinter and stage winner thatday The Police held us on the tops until the vehicles cleared and then fearfulof accidents should a few thousand cyclists descend at speed forced us to walkdown All this meant it was late in the day as I slowly pedalled my way tiredand happy toward Dublin but that strange spell the Tour de France casts washovering As I turned into a garage in search of ldquobonk rationsrdquo a team carswished in containing the victorious Steels and his team manager en route tothe next stage Hotel that night near Sean Kellyrsquos home town Ten minuteslater all tiredness forgotten my saddlebag filled with team photographs andmemorabilia I floated beck to the campsite Later that evening new friendsfrom the surrounding tents tried to persuade me to go to a celebratory FireworkDisplay but no the dayrsquos events were enough and after a simple meal and ahot shower I happily crawled into my little canvas home and into a warmsleeping bag and off to cycle dreamland So you see from the above what a hopeless weakness I suffer from as agrown man But enough of these senile memories for again there is joyousnews to impart The latest batch of rejuvenated apartments and studio flats willsoon be available at our very own Le Hotel du Velo Sportif residential hotelso there will soon be room for more contented cyclists So if you feel youwould be happy as part of a large country house set in some beautiful Dorsetcountryside do apply to the House Committee They are a friendly bunch andall they ask of you is a love of cycling in all itrsquos formsLater in the year if all goes well we hope to refurbish and decorate the oldGamekeepers cottage down by the grass track It would be great if a volunteer

Cycle Ink 157 10

who would be happy to grass cut and keep the track white lined and maybehelp a little with the organization of our small Summer events could move inWhile we are on the subject as Irsquom sure you have all heard we are throbbingwith excitement at being awarded by BC the National Southern Counties over70rsquos ten km endurance event As you know to host such a race is a greathonour Unfortunately the expense of lighting will have to be considered as ourown squad will finish well into the nightI find the next few lines highly embarrassing and have only yielded to therequest after intense pressure from several of our lady cycling readers of thisesteemed periodical after having firmly refused in the pastIt appears that what is required is a ldquo Pin Uprdquo picture of myself that may bekept or hung on appropriate walls by their good selves My acquiescence inthis matter is solely based on the fact that no lewdness or licentiousness shouldbe engendered by the possession of such a picture and the bounds of good tastewhich are always as you know my byword should be maintainedTo this end the photographtaken while desperatelysearching for a loo stop inNorthern France is shownhere A slightly puzzling factis that several of our wellgroomed gentlemen have alsoasked for a copy Whilst inthese liberated times I haveno objection I must confess Iam less than sanguine in theLe Hotel sports wing showerblock than I used to be In conclusion thank you all for making such a success of the latest Le Hotelgala dinner The highlight as always was the plentiful supply of good bikiefood with a hot treacle tart and custard sweet I would go out and kill for Otherthings that stay in my mind from that happy evening were the incrediblespontaneous series of backward flips that Mike W executed from the orangerydoorway across the dining hall arriving with a last flourishing summersaultarm outstretched glass clasped at the bar counter Demolishing the ice creamtrolley en route somewhat marred the effect but I have never seen such areaction to the last orders bellMargaret Prsquos soaring soulful rendition of Rule Brittania once again broughttears to all our eyes while Ralph Hrsquos dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy broughtthe house down Yes it did it brought the house down or at least half of thedining room furniture

7 Cycle Ink 157

Connect 2 Throop to Hurn I perceive new determination by Dorset CC to achievethis scheme DCC are preparing a bridge design to be submitted for PlanningPermission Bournemouth are working on upgrading the approach cycle routes on thisside of the Stour The Airport are working with Sustrans to find a traffic free routefrom Pussex Lane to the Matchams Lane entranceBarrack Road A35 DCC are installing new on-road cycle lanes from Iford Bridge toThe Grove roundabout This will include a pedestrian crossing refuge We will pressBournemouth to complete the scheme on this side of the boundaryCommuter routes to the Airport The route from Parley Cross to Chapel Gate iscomplete although some safety issues remain The Airport is erecting a new securityfence and this is being set back to enable the shared cyclepath along Parley Lane to bewidened to a reasonable standardA338 Wessex Way The programme for the reconstruction of Wessex Way is unclearat present I have been assured that work between Cooper Dean and Blackwater willinclude cycle facilities when it happens The Cycling Forum will keep this underreview as information becomes available

CYCLING OFFICERS REPORT May 2010 Cycle Schemes in Bournemouth1 Talbot Avenue - Completed2 East Avenue Roundabout - New road markings installed to be reviewed after 1yr3 Connect 2 - JH to provide update4 Horseshoe Common - will be signed as a shared use path through the middle Wehave a 25 year agreement with the freeholding estate(Michael Rowland)5 Woodland Walk Christchurch Rd crossing Pedestrian Island removed and newtoucan installed with 2 way Dutch style cycle route leading to Woodland Walk Thishas been tied in with new cycle lanes on Christchurch Rd6 Woodland Walk Beechwood Avenue crossing - Zebra on raised table with trafficcalming on approaches to link up two sides of Woodland Walk is under construction7 Woodland Walk Overcliffe Drive crossing - Zebra on raised table with trafficcalming on junction of Woodland Avenue and Overcliffe to allow people to access thecliff top is under construction8 Kings Park - Contra flow is being installed on Kings Park Drive New cycle pathsacross Kings Park are under construction Ashley Rd walking and cyclingimprovements to access Kings Park Primary are complete Harewood Avenue zebracomplete9 Holdenhurst Rd - As part of the works at the Holdenhurst RdSpringbourne Rbtjunction a 15m wide cycle lane and ASL to be installed on southern exit fromSpringbourne Roundabout (adjacent to fire station) ASLrsquos will be included in bothdirections on Holdenhurst Rd A new set of Links to Schools bids have beensubmitted Glenmoor and Winton pound175K allocated from LTP pound175K grant awardedby SustransCycling England

If yoursquod like more information on any of these points please contact Paulmadcyclist5yahoocouk

By Paul M Turner amp John HayterCAMPAIGN TRAIL

Cycle Ink 157 8

Hero Worship By Big BobI confess a weakness yes I know howincredible that sounds but I want you to tryand imagine itItrsquos ldquohero worshiprdquo Never having beenparticularly good at the competitive side ofour great sport in fact a few sessions on theManchester Velodrome Track which almostreduced me to a sobbing wreck has left mein awe of the Professional Racing ManThese god like beings fighting for theirvictories and careers high in the mountains ofEurope or across the Plains are worthy of our admiration Itrsquos a thought I oftenponder when in repose with the bike in a Pub gardenAny race in my vicinity will see me rushing to the side of the road or track tocheer and shout with the best of them On one heady day in Cardiff during theold Milk Race from the top of a team van Joey McLoughlin the stage winnerof ANC Halfords team fame threw a rose from his victory bouquet into theadoring crowd which by flattening those all around me I almost caught Irsquomsure my life would have been transformed if I hadBut not all encounters are so pleasant Picture a provincial French town fullygarlanded and bedecked for a Tour de France stage departure Robert Millerprobably the finest high mountain climber the UK ever produced was sat onhis bike resting against the road barrier waiting to be called to the start Wecame face to face and with meaningless gibber I uttered the immortal wordsldquoHell of a way to make a living Robertrdquo His baleful glare straight into myeyes sent me scurrying behind my good lady where I peeped out at him fromthe back of her cycling shorts With a last disdainful look he flicked a pedaland was gone His public relation skills may have been lacking but the sheerpoetry of his climbing sent him into the realm of the godsOn another occasion while skulking on the bike on the West coast of France abrief stay in La Baule saw me watching in amazement on the Seafront thatstrange Tour de France pre-prologue that was tacked on for that year only Itconsisted of a terrifying rocket like high speed team time trial straight alongthe seafront where all riders could be shed and the best man protected and firedoff in the last 100 metres for the lineLaurent Fignon of Team Systeme U with characteristic pony tail playboy anddarling of the French public hurtled past fully protected at the back of the lineout and we waited for the front riders to be dropped and his suddenacceleration to take him to timed victory It was not to be A huge groan rose

9 Cycle Ink 157

up from the crowd as with an uncharacteristic fit of weakness he was droppedoff the back and trailed in the last man of his now leaderless team Thefollowing morning the French papers were scathing of his deplorableperformance which somehow seemed to have injured the whole French nationWhile wandering through the team area in those pre high security years beforethe Stage start I came upon Fignon all alone sitting in a team car with opendoor his blond head buried in a newspaper reading one of the articles Imuttered ldquoBon courage Laurentrdquo He looked up from the devastating articlehalf smiled and whispered ldquoCrsquoest la vierdquo and from that point on he walked onwaterCut to Dublin where camped with my bike on the outskirts surrounded byBrits Dutch Irish and French etc we socialised noisily and awaited the firststart of the Tour de France in Ireland We awoke early and after hurriedwashing duties and breakfast freewheeled rapidly down to the city centre toparticipate in the sheer joy of the Prologue and our Chris Boardmanrsquos showingwith the Z Peugeot team Early again the following day and away with a smallgroup on closed roads up into the Wicklow mountains to see some thrillingsurprise climbing from Tom Steels the Belgian sprinter and stage winner thatday The Police held us on the tops until the vehicles cleared and then fearfulof accidents should a few thousand cyclists descend at speed forced us to walkdown All this meant it was late in the day as I slowly pedalled my way tiredand happy toward Dublin but that strange spell the Tour de France casts washovering As I turned into a garage in search of ldquobonk rationsrdquo a team carswished in containing the victorious Steels and his team manager en route tothe next stage Hotel that night near Sean Kellyrsquos home town Ten minuteslater all tiredness forgotten my saddlebag filled with team photographs andmemorabilia I floated beck to the campsite Later that evening new friendsfrom the surrounding tents tried to persuade me to go to a celebratory FireworkDisplay but no the dayrsquos events were enough and after a simple meal and ahot shower I happily crawled into my little canvas home and into a warmsleeping bag and off to cycle dreamland So you see from the above what a hopeless weakness I suffer from as agrown man But enough of these senile memories for again there is joyousnews to impart The latest batch of rejuvenated apartments and studio flats willsoon be available at our very own Le Hotel du Velo Sportif residential hotelso there will soon be room for more contented cyclists So if you feel youwould be happy as part of a large country house set in some beautiful Dorsetcountryside do apply to the House Committee They are a friendly bunch andall they ask of you is a love of cycling in all itrsquos formsLater in the year if all goes well we hope to refurbish and decorate the oldGamekeepers cottage down by the grass track It would be great if a volunteer

Cycle Ink 157 10

who would be happy to grass cut and keep the track white lined and maybehelp a little with the organization of our small Summer events could move inWhile we are on the subject as Irsquom sure you have all heard we are throbbingwith excitement at being awarded by BC the National Southern Counties over70rsquos ten km endurance event As you know to host such a race is a greathonour Unfortunately the expense of lighting will have to be considered as ourown squad will finish well into the nightI find the next few lines highly embarrassing and have only yielded to therequest after intense pressure from several of our lady cycling readers of thisesteemed periodical after having firmly refused in the pastIt appears that what is required is a ldquo Pin Uprdquo picture of myself that may bekept or hung on appropriate walls by their good selves My acquiescence inthis matter is solely based on the fact that no lewdness or licentiousness shouldbe engendered by the possession of such a picture and the bounds of good tastewhich are always as you know my byword should be maintainedTo this end the photographtaken while desperatelysearching for a loo stop inNorthern France is shownhere A slightly puzzling factis that several of our wellgroomed gentlemen have alsoasked for a copy Whilst inthese liberated times I haveno objection I must confess Iam less than sanguine in theLe Hotel sports wing showerblock than I used to be In conclusion thank you all for making such a success of the latest Le Hotelgala dinner The highlight as always was the plentiful supply of good bikiefood with a hot treacle tart and custard sweet I would go out and kill for Otherthings that stay in my mind from that happy evening were the incrediblespontaneous series of backward flips that Mike W executed from the orangerydoorway across the dining hall arriving with a last flourishing summersaultarm outstretched glass clasped at the bar counter Demolishing the ice creamtrolley en route somewhat marred the effect but I have never seen such areaction to the last orders bellMargaret Prsquos soaring soulful rendition of Rule Brittania once again broughttears to all our eyes while Ralph Hrsquos dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy broughtthe house down Yes it did it brought the house down or at least half of thedining room furniture

Cycle Ink 157 8

Hero Worship By Big BobI confess a weakness yes I know howincredible that sounds but I want you to tryand imagine itItrsquos ldquohero worshiprdquo Never having beenparticularly good at the competitive side ofour great sport in fact a few sessions on theManchester Velodrome Track which almostreduced me to a sobbing wreck has left mein awe of the Professional Racing ManThese god like beings fighting for theirvictories and careers high in the mountains ofEurope or across the Plains are worthy of our admiration Itrsquos a thought I oftenponder when in repose with the bike in a Pub gardenAny race in my vicinity will see me rushing to the side of the road or track tocheer and shout with the best of them On one heady day in Cardiff during theold Milk Race from the top of a team van Joey McLoughlin the stage winnerof ANC Halfords team fame threw a rose from his victory bouquet into theadoring crowd which by flattening those all around me I almost caught Irsquomsure my life would have been transformed if I hadBut not all encounters are so pleasant Picture a provincial French town fullygarlanded and bedecked for a Tour de France stage departure Robert Millerprobably the finest high mountain climber the UK ever produced was sat onhis bike resting against the road barrier waiting to be called to the start Wecame face to face and with meaningless gibber I uttered the immortal wordsldquoHell of a way to make a living Robertrdquo His baleful glare straight into myeyes sent me scurrying behind my good lady where I peeped out at him fromthe back of her cycling shorts With a last disdainful look he flicked a pedaland was gone His public relation skills may have been lacking but the sheerpoetry of his climbing sent him into the realm of the godsOn another occasion while skulking on the bike on the West coast of France abrief stay in La Baule saw me watching in amazement on the Seafront thatstrange Tour de France pre-prologue that was tacked on for that year only Itconsisted of a terrifying rocket like high speed team time trial straight alongthe seafront where all riders could be shed and the best man protected and firedoff in the last 100 metres for the lineLaurent Fignon of Team Systeme U with characteristic pony tail playboy anddarling of the French public hurtled past fully protected at the back of the lineout and we waited for the front riders to be dropped and his suddenacceleration to take him to timed victory It was not to be A huge groan rose

9 Cycle Ink 157

up from the crowd as with an uncharacteristic fit of weakness he was droppedoff the back and trailed in the last man of his now leaderless team Thefollowing morning the French papers were scathing of his deplorableperformance which somehow seemed to have injured the whole French nationWhile wandering through the team area in those pre high security years beforethe Stage start I came upon Fignon all alone sitting in a team car with opendoor his blond head buried in a newspaper reading one of the articles Imuttered ldquoBon courage Laurentrdquo He looked up from the devastating articlehalf smiled and whispered ldquoCrsquoest la vierdquo and from that point on he walked onwaterCut to Dublin where camped with my bike on the outskirts surrounded byBrits Dutch Irish and French etc we socialised noisily and awaited the firststart of the Tour de France in Ireland We awoke early and after hurriedwashing duties and breakfast freewheeled rapidly down to the city centre toparticipate in the sheer joy of the Prologue and our Chris Boardmanrsquos showingwith the Z Peugeot team Early again the following day and away with a smallgroup on closed roads up into the Wicklow mountains to see some thrillingsurprise climbing from Tom Steels the Belgian sprinter and stage winner thatday The Police held us on the tops until the vehicles cleared and then fearfulof accidents should a few thousand cyclists descend at speed forced us to walkdown All this meant it was late in the day as I slowly pedalled my way tiredand happy toward Dublin but that strange spell the Tour de France casts washovering As I turned into a garage in search of ldquobonk rationsrdquo a team carswished in containing the victorious Steels and his team manager en route tothe next stage Hotel that night near Sean Kellyrsquos home town Ten minuteslater all tiredness forgotten my saddlebag filled with team photographs andmemorabilia I floated beck to the campsite Later that evening new friendsfrom the surrounding tents tried to persuade me to go to a celebratory FireworkDisplay but no the dayrsquos events were enough and after a simple meal and ahot shower I happily crawled into my little canvas home and into a warmsleeping bag and off to cycle dreamland So you see from the above what a hopeless weakness I suffer from as agrown man But enough of these senile memories for again there is joyousnews to impart The latest batch of rejuvenated apartments and studio flats willsoon be available at our very own Le Hotel du Velo Sportif residential hotelso there will soon be room for more contented cyclists So if you feel youwould be happy as part of a large country house set in some beautiful Dorsetcountryside do apply to the House Committee They are a friendly bunch andall they ask of you is a love of cycling in all itrsquos formsLater in the year if all goes well we hope to refurbish and decorate the oldGamekeepers cottage down by the grass track It would be great if a volunteer

Cycle Ink 157 10

who would be happy to grass cut and keep the track white lined and maybehelp a little with the organization of our small Summer events could move inWhile we are on the subject as Irsquom sure you have all heard we are throbbingwith excitement at being awarded by BC the National Southern Counties over70rsquos ten km endurance event As you know to host such a race is a greathonour Unfortunately the expense of lighting will have to be considered as ourown squad will finish well into the nightI find the next few lines highly embarrassing and have only yielded to therequest after intense pressure from several of our lady cycling readers of thisesteemed periodical after having firmly refused in the pastIt appears that what is required is a ldquo Pin Uprdquo picture of myself that may bekept or hung on appropriate walls by their good selves My acquiescence inthis matter is solely based on the fact that no lewdness or licentiousness shouldbe engendered by the possession of such a picture and the bounds of good tastewhich are always as you know my byword should be maintainedTo this end the photographtaken while desperatelysearching for a loo stop inNorthern France is shownhere A slightly puzzling factis that several of our wellgroomed gentlemen have alsoasked for a copy Whilst inthese liberated times I haveno objection I must confess Iam less than sanguine in theLe Hotel sports wing showerblock than I used to be In conclusion thank you all for making such a success of the latest Le Hotelgala dinner The highlight as always was the plentiful supply of good bikiefood with a hot treacle tart and custard sweet I would go out and kill for Otherthings that stay in my mind from that happy evening were the incrediblespontaneous series of backward flips that Mike W executed from the orangerydoorway across the dining hall arriving with a last flourishing summersaultarm outstretched glass clasped at the bar counter Demolishing the ice creamtrolley en route somewhat marred the effect but I have never seen such areaction to the last orders bellMargaret Prsquos soaring soulful rendition of Rule Brittania once again broughttears to all our eyes while Ralph Hrsquos dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy broughtthe house down Yes it did it brought the house down or at least half of thedining room furniture

9 Cycle Ink 157

up from the crowd as with an uncharacteristic fit of weakness he was droppedoff the back and trailed in the last man of his now leaderless team Thefollowing morning the French papers were scathing of his deplorableperformance which somehow seemed to have injured the whole French nationWhile wandering through the team area in those pre high security years beforethe Stage start I came upon Fignon all alone sitting in a team car with opendoor his blond head buried in a newspaper reading one of the articles Imuttered ldquoBon courage Laurentrdquo He looked up from the devastating articlehalf smiled and whispered ldquoCrsquoest la vierdquo and from that point on he walked onwaterCut to Dublin where camped with my bike on the outskirts surrounded byBrits Dutch Irish and French etc we socialised noisily and awaited the firststart of the Tour de France in Ireland We awoke early and after hurriedwashing duties and breakfast freewheeled rapidly down to the city centre toparticipate in the sheer joy of the Prologue and our Chris Boardmanrsquos showingwith the Z Peugeot team Early again the following day and away with a smallgroup on closed roads up into the Wicklow mountains to see some thrillingsurprise climbing from Tom Steels the Belgian sprinter and stage winner thatday The Police held us on the tops until the vehicles cleared and then fearfulof accidents should a few thousand cyclists descend at speed forced us to walkdown All this meant it was late in the day as I slowly pedalled my way tiredand happy toward Dublin but that strange spell the Tour de France casts washovering As I turned into a garage in search of ldquobonk rationsrdquo a team carswished in containing the victorious Steels and his team manager en route tothe next stage Hotel that night near Sean Kellyrsquos home town Ten minuteslater all tiredness forgotten my saddlebag filled with team photographs andmemorabilia I floated beck to the campsite Later that evening new friendsfrom the surrounding tents tried to persuade me to go to a celebratory FireworkDisplay but no the dayrsquos events were enough and after a simple meal and ahot shower I happily crawled into my little canvas home and into a warmsleeping bag and off to cycle dreamland So you see from the above what a hopeless weakness I suffer from as agrown man But enough of these senile memories for again there is joyousnews to impart The latest batch of rejuvenated apartments and studio flats willsoon be available at our very own Le Hotel du Velo Sportif residential hotelso there will soon be room for more contented cyclists So if you feel youwould be happy as part of a large country house set in some beautiful Dorsetcountryside do apply to the House Committee They are a friendly bunch andall they ask of you is a love of cycling in all itrsquos formsLater in the year if all goes well we hope to refurbish and decorate the oldGamekeepers cottage down by the grass track It would be great if a volunteer

Cycle Ink 157 10

who would be happy to grass cut and keep the track white lined and maybehelp a little with the organization of our small Summer events could move inWhile we are on the subject as Irsquom sure you have all heard we are throbbingwith excitement at being awarded by BC the National Southern Counties over70rsquos ten km endurance event As you know to host such a race is a greathonour Unfortunately the expense of lighting will have to be considered as ourown squad will finish well into the nightI find the next few lines highly embarrassing and have only yielded to therequest after intense pressure from several of our lady cycling readers of thisesteemed periodical after having firmly refused in the pastIt appears that what is required is a ldquo Pin Uprdquo picture of myself that may bekept or hung on appropriate walls by their good selves My acquiescence inthis matter is solely based on the fact that no lewdness or licentiousness shouldbe engendered by the possession of such a picture and the bounds of good tastewhich are always as you know my byword should be maintainedTo this end the photographtaken while desperatelysearching for a loo stop inNorthern France is shownhere A slightly puzzling factis that several of our wellgroomed gentlemen have alsoasked for a copy Whilst inthese liberated times I haveno objection I must confess Iam less than sanguine in theLe Hotel sports wing showerblock than I used to be In conclusion thank you all for making such a success of the latest Le Hotelgala dinner The highlight as always was the plentiful supply of good bikiefood with a hot treacle tart and custard sweet I would go out and kill for Otherthings that stay in my mind from that happy evening were the incrediblespontaneous series of backward flips that Mike W executed from the orangerydoorway across the dining hall arriving with a last flourishing summersaultarm outstretched glass clasped at the bar counter Demolishing the ice creamtrolley en route somewhat marred the effect but I have never seen such areaction to the last orders bellMargaret Prsquos soaring soulful rendition of Rule Brittania once again broughttears to all our eyes while Ralph Hrsquos dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy broughtthe house down Yes it did it brought the house down or at least half of thedining room furniture

Cycle Ink 157 10

who would be happy to grass cut and keep the track white lined and maybehelp a little with the organization of our small Summer events could move inWhile we are on the subject as Irsquom sure you have all heard we are throbbingwith excitement at being awarded by BC the National Southern Counties over70rsquos ten km endurance event As you know to host such a race is a greathonour Unfortunately the expense of lighting will have to be considered as ourown squad will finish well into the nightI find the next few lines highly embarrassing and have only yielded to therequest after intense pressure from several of our lady cycling readers of thisesteemed periodical after having firmly refused in the pastIt appears that what is required is a ldquo Pin Uprdquo picture of myself that may bekept or hung on appropriate walls by their good selves My acquiescence inthis matter is solely based on the fact that no lewdness or licentiousness shouldbe engendered by the possession of such a picture and the bounds of good tastewhich are always as you know my byword should be maintainedTo this end the photographtaken while desperatelysearching for a loo stop inNorthern France is shownhere A slightly puzzling factis that several of our wellgroomed gentlemen have alsoasked for a copy Whilst inthese liberated times I haveno objection I must confess Iam less than sanguine in theLe Hotel sports wing showerblock than I used to be In conclusion thank you all for making such a success of the latest Le Hotelgala dinner The highlight as always was the plentiful supply of good bikiefood with a hot treacle tart and custard sweet I would go out and kill for Otherthings that stay in my mind from that happy evening were the incrediblespontaneous series of backward flips that Mike W executed from the orangerydoorway across the dining hall arriving with a last flourishing summersaultarm outstretched glass clasped at the bar counter Demolishing the ice creamtrolley en route somewhat marred the effect but I have never seen such areaction to the last orders bellMargaret Prsquos soaring soulful rendition of Rule Brittania once again broughttears to all our eyes while Ralph Hrsquos dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy broughtthe house down Yes it did it brought the house down or at least half of thedining room furniture

11 Cycle Ink 157

Unfortunately that day I had led a ride down the valley to the Village Cafeacute fortea and had once again despite huge effort been off the back in the village-sign white-bearded sprint All thoroughly enjoyed nevertheless it had left mesomewhat tired and I reluctantly left the happy gathering early and made myout of the dining hall to the foot of the main hall grand staircase to seek mylittle bedLooking back through the doorway I could see the coffee and teapotsbeginning to circulate and in the merry hubbub I mentally reached out toembrace all cycling friends before one day having to turn away and commencethat greater but lonelier ride into the final darkness which no LED displaycan ever illuminateBut meantime yes meantime baby YAARROOOH RIDE ON

Big BobRead all about Bobrsquos HeroeshttpenwikipediaorgwikiJoey_McLoughlinhttpenwikipediaorgwikiRobert_MillarhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLaurent_FignonhttpenwikipediaorgwikiChris_BoardmanhttpenwikipediaorgwikiTom_SteelshttpenwikipediaorgwikiSean_Kelly_(cyclist)

Alternative Road Signs

Alternative

Road Signs

Cycle Ink 157 12

This winter seasonsFreewheeling Competitionwas held on the 1st April(an appropriate date) andwas won by Roger Villiers(pictured) The competitionwas postponed from a muchearlier date when theweather dramaticallyreduced the number ofriders not just for thefreewheeling competitionbut generally I am suremost will remember theperiod even with the currentsunshine A large numberof riders rode out to thestart of the competition andall were ably marshalled

and set off down the hill byBob Courtney

Dave Langley and Neil Inglesattended thanks to MikeBarrett They both looked wellin spite of their injuries

Afterwards all retired toBlandford for coffee whereRogerrsquos ability style methodtechnique performance etcwas not discussed

Freewheel Competition By Mike Walsh

13 Cycle Ink 157

It is planned that groups from over or Wessex region converge on Breamore onthe 26th September for a ldquoBig Meetrdquo This will coincide with a Steam Up eventdetails of which can be found at

httpwwwbreamorehousecompage86htmlLast year we approached via the Miz-Maze which is worth a visit for those whohave never seen it before If yoursquod like to read up about it beforehand

httpwwwmegalithiccoukarticlephpsid=271Near the Miz-Maze is the Giants Grave long barrow also worth a visit Leavesomeone who has seen it before to look after the cycles on the bridleway whilstthe rest walk the 200m to and from it along the connecting footpathAt Breamore there is a very decent cafe lots of outside seating loos plus quitea few steam items all outside of the arena where you have to pay to get intoThere are usually quite a number of small steam driven vehicles driving aroundthe local roads to Breamore village itselfThe bridleway from the Miz-Maze goes pass the front of the house which is freebut to go around the house you have to pay To go round the ancient Saxonchurch there is free

httphomeclaranetgpontingpage39htmlThe church retains many of the features from its construction around 1000ADin the reign of King Ethelred the UnreadyMost steam enthusiasts are of a similar genre and age to us cyclists which is whatmakes it all such a jolly occasion as Enid Blyton would writeGETTING THERE Cycle from Bournemouth or Salisbury railway station oreven from Tisbury for a more interesting cycle ride The X3 bus betweenSalisbury and Bournemouth can drop you in Breamore village a shortwalk away Many of the steam enthusiasts camp at Breamore whichis another way for keen cyclists to attend

The core time for the meeting is between 1pm and 3pm

Breamore Big Meet 26th Sept By Alan Clarke

For SaleClaud Butler black tourer 531 tubing frame 2412 gearing 24-81Price pound45 Tony Silver 01202 886971

Cycle Ink 157 14

Reprinted from the PBP website The title is the CycleInk editorrsquosIn 2003 the awards ceremony after Paris-Brest-Paris for the first time ignoredthe fastest male riders While these riders had ridden faster than anyrandonneurs in PBP history they were penalized two hours for variousinfractions of the rules One of the officials Gilbert Bulteacute lists thetransgressions Pushing officials at a control urinating in towns runningnumerous red lights and stop signs being illuminated by an illegal support carrefusing to let my car pass disrespect when I identified myself as an officialRobert Lepertel the organizer of PBP wrote in the newsletter of the FrenchCyclotouring Federation Never before have so many spectating cyclists andparticipants felt so compromised by this disrespect of the rules The first 12 or15 have no respect for the organizers the officials and all who make PBP acelebration of perseverance in the quest to complete this difficult ride They donot deserve the name randonneur as they do not know what riding unsupportedmeansStrong words indeed especially since the riders penalized did not feel that theydid anything wrong or extraordinary While they might not have followed everyrule in the book they felt that they had behaved as one would during a bicyclerace On the other hand the organizers said that not only individual infractionshad led to the penalty but the spirit of the first riders evident from theirdisrespect of the rules Clearly there was a disconnect between the first ridersand the organizers about what PBP representsThe organizers strongly feel that PBP is not a race and that the spirit ofrandonneuring is threatened by these riders behavior But what is the spirit ofrandonneuring The rules of PBP provide little guidance on this subject BRMrules simply state that brevets are not competitive events (Article 12) But whyis the time of each finisher listed and why do the organizers of PBP recognizerecords and award trophies to those who are the fastest in their categoryDoesnt that mean that it is race after all for those who want to go fast One cansee why people might choose to disregard other rules as well in their quest tocome firstTo examine this apparent contradiction between not competitive and awardsfor fastest riders one has to look at the history of Paris-Brest-Paris In 1931randonneurs joined PBP which had been a professional race since 1891 In the1950s all the other professional races were getting shorter With the ratherdifferent training required for PBP it no longer made sense for racers to bank awhole season on an elusive PBP win PBP as a professional race died Therandonneurs took up the challengeUnlike the racers who earned a living from the bike the randonneurs rode forfun They were proud to be amateurs -- lovers of cycling The randonneurs werequite competitive at times (there is the Audax event for those who want non-competitive riding) but it was an amicable com- petition for the most part Many

The Way We Live Now par Jan Heine amp Melinda Lyon

15 Cycle Ink 157

of them remained involved in the sport for the rest of their lives either asparticipants (the fastest sin- gle bike rider in 1956 Roger Baumann went on toride a record 10 PBP) or volunteers In fact Gilbert Bulteacute the above-mentionedofficial was on one of the two tandems that tied for first in 1956 beating all thesingle bikes Roger Baumann the aforementioned record-holder wasvolunteering at Villaines-la-Juhel this year The organizer of PBP 2003 PierreTheobald also com- peted in the late 1950s in various randonneur eventsClearly the organizers of PBP understand competition and yet they dont seePBP as a race The difference is subtle and it has to do with civility While racingis more like a battle with only one rider coming out as a winner randonneuringis all about the civilized enjoyment of cycling Or as a non-randonneuring friendonce put it It is the quest for the perfect cyclist any distance any weatherself-sufficientThis does not mean you have to go slow or that you cannot be competitiveAfter all PBP is about performance You only get a medal if you finish within thetime limit For many riders that means riding at the limit for up to 90 hours Andthere is nothing wrong with challenging yourself and trying to better yourprevious times Or even with trying to ride faster than others But the importantfact remains Every finisher of PBP is a winner Someone may be the fastestrider even get a trophy but they cannot claim to have won PBP Everybodyreceives the same medal The spectators understand this and if anything cheeron the last finishers more than the first onesThe difference to racing is clear Races defer to the fastest riders By definitionpotential winners of a race are more important than other riders If a slower ridergets lapped in a circuit race at the very least they are expected to get out of theway of the faster riders if they arent pulled out of the race entirely In arandonneur event every participant is equally important Fast riders cannotexpect slower ones to make way for them at controls Even the fastest areexpected to behave in a civil and polite manner toward other participantsspectators and officialsRandonneuring also is about self-sufficiency Even though support cars areallowed at controls - mostly because it would be difficult to enforce a ban - ridersare expected to be able to ride by themselves and to be prepared for thechallenges of the road aheadJust as racing has its own ethics such as frowning upon attacks whensomebody has a flat or during a neutral bathroom stop randonneuring doestoo These rules are unwritten and different people may see them differentlyHere is our take1 Most of all be polite which means being considerate of others Whileraw aggression has a place in racing it does not in randonneuring Try to be anambassador for cycling for your club and for your country2 If you have ridden in a small group for a while and if everybody hasbeen sharing the work try to finish together This should include stopping for flat

Cycle Ink 157 16

tires (unless one rider has multiple flats because they ride old tires or stupidequipment)3 Attacks are not part of the sport If somebody gets dropped becausethey cannot follow the pace so be it But sudden accelerations to rid yourself offellow riders are not polite That is why there is no finishing sprint All riders of agroup are classified the same and get the same time (In a race the need todeclare one winner leads to complex equipment and difficult decisions todetermine exactly who crossed the line first if only by half an inch)4 Avoid putting yourself in an irregular situation Follow the rules of theevent This means respecting the rules of the road Obey stop signs and redlights Ride only with riders who are participants If there is a car following yourgroup for an extended period of time especially at night something is wrong Ifthere are official follow cars of the PBP organizer they will drive with only theirparking lights on to avoid giving an advantage to the first riders If you findyourself in the company of an illegal support car ride ahead or drop behind butdont stay with an illegal group While it is hard to give up the advantage of agroup consider that if you are caught the penalties will more than outweigh thetime gained by riding with the group5 Be friendly to volunteers and officials Follow their orders Thank themfor their time This takes only a second or two Without them you would not beriding in this wonderful event6 Finish the event The goal is to do the best ride possible under thecircumstances To ride fast and then to drop out because you cannot achieveyour time goal is the ultimate failureOf course this spirit applies not only to PBP but to randonneuring ingeneral Have fun go fast if you like challenge yourself and othersbut remember It is not a race

17 Cycle Ink 157

RIP Neville Chanin 2010

Nevillersquos cycling lifespanned 60 years and650000 miles He was aregular guest at WessexEvents Here he is at theDorset Coast in 2004

Cycle Ink 157 18

The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions Editorialpolicy is to print all contributions with minimal editing for the purposes of layoutonly Contribute by any way you like Photographs are welcome in any form

httpwwwbournemouthctcorgldquoCycleInkrdquo is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the

Cyclistsrsquo Touring Club Published four times a year for members Views expressed are not necessarilythose of the club

Contributions and Photographs

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal There is no leaderand no back up but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around Theroute is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities

Start 0845 at Waitrose Supermarket Christchurch every SaturdayOr 0900 at The Oak PH Burton

Or just make your own way to the NewForest Tea Rooms Burley for 1000

15 Cycle Ink 157

of them remained involved in the sport for the rest of their lives either asparticipants (the fastest sin- gle bike rider in 1956 Roger Baumann went on toride a record 10 PBP) or volunteers In fact Gilbert Bulteacute the above-mentionedofficial was on one of the two tandems that tied for first in 1956 beating all thesingle bikes Roger Baumann the aforementioned record-holder wasvolunteering at Villaines-la-Juhel this year The organizer of PBP 2003 PierreTheobald also com- peted in the late 1950s in various randonneur eventsClearly the organizers of PBP understand competition and yet they dont seePBP as a race The difference is subtle and it has to do with civility While racingis more like a battle with only one rider coming out as a winner randonneuringis all about the civilized enjoyment of cycling Or as a non-randonneuring friendonce put it It is the quest for the perfect cyclist any distance any weatherself-sufficientThis does not mean you have to go slow or that you cannot be competitiveAfter all PBP is about performance You only get a medal if you finish within thetime limit For many riders that means riding at the limit for up to 90 hours Andthere is nothing wrong with challenging yourself and trying to better yourprevious times Or even with trying to ride faster than others But the importantfact remains Every finisher of PBP is a winner Someone may be the fastestrider even get a trophy but they cannot claim to have won PBP Everybodyreceives the same medal The spectators understand this and if anything cheeron the last finishers more than the first onesThe difference to racing is clear Races defer to the fastest riders By definitionpotential winners of a race are more important than other riders If a slower ridergets lapped in a circuit race at the very least they are expected to get out of theway of the faster riders if they arent pulled out of the race entirely In arandonneur event every participant is equally important Fast riders cannotexpect slower ones to make way for them at controls Even the fastest areexpected to behave in a civil and polite manner toward other participantsspectators and officialsRandonneuring also is about self-sufficiency Even though support cars areallowed at controls - mostly because it would be difficult to enforce a ban - ridersare expected to be able to ride by themselves and to be prepared for thechallenges of the road aheadJust as racing has its own ethics such as frowning upon attacks whensomebody has a flat or during a neutral bathroom stop randonneuring doestoo These rules are unwritten and different people may see them differentlyHere is our take1 Most of all be polite which means being considerate of others Whileraw aggression has a place in racing it does not in randonneuring Try to be anambassador for cycling for your club and for your country2 If you have ridden in a small group for a while and if everybody hasbeen sharing the work try to finish together This should include stopping for flat

Cycle Ink 157 16

tires (unless one rider has multiple flats because they ride old tires or stupidequipment)3 Attacks are not part of the sport If somebody gets dropped becausethey cannot follow the pace so be it But sudden accelerations to rid yourself offellow riders are not polite That is why there is no finishing sprint All riders of agroup are classified the same and get the same time (In a race the need todeclare one winner leads to complex equipment and difficult decisions todetermine exactly who crossed the line first if only by half an inch)4 Avoid putting yourself in an irregular situation Follow the rules of theevent This means respecting the rules of the road Obey stop signs and redlights Ride only with riders who are participants If there is a car following yourgroup for an extended period of time especially at night something is wrong Ifthere are official follow cars of the PBP organizer they will drive with only theirparking lights on to avoid giving an advantage to the first riders If you findyourself in the company of an illegal support car ride ahead or drop behind butdont stay with an illegal group While it is hard to give up the advantage of agroup consider that if you are caught the penalties will more than outweigh thetime gained by riding with the group5 Be friendly to volunteers and officials Follow their orders Thank themfor their time This takes only a second or two Without them you would not beriding in this wonderful event6 Finish the event The goal is to do the best ride possible under thecircumstances To ride fast and then to drop out because you cannot achieveyour time goal is the ultimate failureOf course this spirit applies not only to PBP but to randonneuring ingeneral Have fun go fast if you like challenge yourself and othersbut remember It is not a race

17 Cycle Ink 157

RIP Neville Chanin 2010

Nevillersquos cycling lifespanned 60 years and650000 miles He was aregular guest at WessexEvents Here he is at theDorset Coast in 2004

Cycle Ink 157 18

The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions Editorialpolicy is to print all contributions with minimal editing for the purposes of layoutonly Contribute by any way you like Photographs are welcome in any form

httpwwwbournemouthctcorgldquoCycleInkrdquo is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the

Cyclistsrsquo Touring Club Published four times a year for members Views expressed are not necessarilythose of the club

Contributions and Photographs

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal There is no leaderand no back up but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around Theroute is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities

Start 0845 at Waitrose Supermarket Christchurch every SaturdayOr 0900 at The Oak PH Burton

Or just make your own way to the NewForest Tea Rooms Burley for 1000

Cycle Ink 157 16

tires (unless one rider has multiple flats because they ride old tires or stupidequipment)3 Attacks are not part of the sport If somebody gets dropped becausethey cannot follow the pace so be it But sudden accelerations to rid yourself offellow riders are not polite That is why there is no finishing sprint All riders of agroup are classified the same and get the same time (In a race the need todeclare one winner leads to complex equipment and difficult decisions todetermine exactly who crossed the line first if only by half an inch)4 Avoid putting yourself in an irregular situation Follow the rules of theevent This means respecting the rules of the road Obey stop signs and redlights Ride only with riders who are participants If there is a car following yourgroup for an extended period of time especially at night something is wrong Ifthere are official follow cars of the PBP organizer they will drive with only theirparking lights on to avoid giving an advantage to the first riders If you findyourself in the company of an illegal support car ride ahead or drop behind butdont stay with an illegal group While it is hard to give up the advantage of agroup consider that if you are caught the penalties will more than outweigh thetime gained by riding with the group5 Be friendly to volunteers and officials Follow their orders Thank themfor their time This takes only a second or two Without them you would not beriding in this wonderful event6 Finish the event The goal is to do the best ride possible under thecircumstances To ride fast and then to drop out because you cannot achieveyour time goal is the ultimate failureOf course this spirit applies not only to PBP but to randonneuring ingeneral Have fun go fast if you like challenge yourself and othersbut remember It is not a race

17 Cycle Ink 157

RIP Neville Chanin 2010

Nevillersquos cycling lifespanned 60 years and650000 miles He was aregular guest at WessexEvents Here he is at theDorset Coast in 2004

Cycle Ink 157 18

The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions Editorialpolicy is to print all contributions with minimal editing for the purposes of layoutonly Contribute by any way you like Photographs are welcome in any form

httpwwwbournemouthctcorgldquoCycleInkrdquo is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the

Cyclistsrsquo Touring Club Published four times a year for members Views expressed are not necessarilythose of the club

Contributions and Photographs

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal There is no leaderand no back up but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around Theroute is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities

Start 0845 at Waitrose Supermarket Christchurch every SaturdayOr 0900 at The Oak PH Burton

Or just make your own way to the NewForest Tea Rooms Burley for 1000

17 Cycle Ink 157

RIP Neville Chanin 2010

Nevillersquos cycling lifespanned 60 years and650000 miles He was aregular guest at WessexEvents Here he is at theDorset Coast in 2004

Cycle Ink 157 18

The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions Editorialpolicy is to print all contributions with minimal editing for the purposes of layoutonly Contribute by any way you like Photographs are welcome in any form

httpwwwbournemouthctcorgldquoCycleInkrdquo is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the

Cyclistsrsquo Touring Club Published four times a year for members Views expressed are not necessarilythose of the club

Contributions and Photographs

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal There is no leaderand no back up but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around Theroute is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities

Start 0845 at Waitrose Supermarket Christchurch every SaturdayOr 0900 at The Oak PH Burton

Or just make your own way to the NewForest Tea Rooms Burley for 1000

Cycle Ink 157 18

The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions Editorialpolicy is to print all contributions with minimal editing for the purposes of layoutonly Contribute by any way you like Photographs are welcome in any form

httpwwwbournemouthctcorgldquoCycleInkrdquo is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the

Cyclistsrsquo Touring Club Published four times a year for members Views expressed are not necessarilythose of the club

Contributions and Photographs

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal There is no leaderand no back up but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around Theroute is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities

Start 0845 at Waitrose Supermarket Christchurch every SaturdayOr 0900 at The Oak PH Burton

Or just make your own way to the NewForest Tea Rooms Burley for 1000