Spring 2015

A Prize Competition Issue!

The Quarterly Magazine of CTC Wessex Cyclingin Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch

Enigmas All Around Us By Shawn Shaw“As we bicycle the lanes and byways we see all manner of things to raise ourcuriosity and we promise ourselves to find out more, and sometimes we

actually do!”

. . . And now for something a wee bit different !

Since noting the monument to water on Ballard Down I have come to notice thevillage pump. We seem to have a rich vein of such memorabilia in and about ourarea. We passed two on New Years Day with the Rouleurs, another with thePotterers later on and another on a Bun Run.An idea for a competition then! Name the village that goes with the pump. Therewill be a prize of £10 for the best and first correct answer drawn on May 20th.So here goes:

A

D

B C

E

Front Cover

Now

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bac

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£10Prize!

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal. There is no leader and no back up, butgenerally an experienced cyclist somewhere around. The route is designed for beginners but joined in byall abilities. Start 08:45 at Waitrose Supermarket, Christchurch every Saturday or 09:00 at The Oak PH,Burton Or make your own way to the Old Farmhouse Tea Rooms, Burley for 10:00

Committee meetings at The Conservative Club, Kinson.Next committee meeting: 20th May 2015 at 19:30

Committee meetings for 2015; 19th August21st October (AGM) : 18th November

Secretary: Mike Walsh: 17 Grove Gdns, Southbourne Rd, B’mouth BH8 9JQTEL: (01202) 429985 Email jmichaelwalsh@aol.comEditor: Keith Matthews: 10 Hill View Road, Ferndown, BH22 9QYTEL: (01202) 855001 Email keithjanet@btinternet.com

www.wessexctc.org our mirror site at www.bournemouthctc.orghttps://www.facebook.com/groups/ctcwessex/

“CycleInk” is the Newsletter of CTC Wessex Cycling, a Member Group of the Cyclists’ Touring Club. Published four times ayear. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the club. The committee meeting date is the deadline for contributions.

Event Calendar Dates For 2015Mar 28th Hardboiled 300km Shawn Shaw 01202 685014Mar 29th Dorset Coastlet 100km Peter Loakes 01305 263272Mar 29th Dorset Coast 200km Peter Loakes 01305 263272Apr 18th Devon & Dorset Downs 300km Peter Loakes 01305 263272May 2nd Porkers 400km Shawn Shaw 01202 685014May 8th New Forest Challenge 50km John Ward 01590 671205May 8th New Forest Day Out 100km John Ward 01590 671205May 8th New Forest 150km John Ward 01590 671205May 8th New Forest Excursion 200km John Ward 01590 671205May 23rd Brimstone 600km Shawn Shaw 01202 685014Sept 6th New Forest Challenge 50km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 6th New Forest and Coast 100km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 6th New Forest Century 150km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 6th New Forest On/Off Shore 200km John Ward 01590 671205Sept 6th Dorset Dirt 50km offroad Ken Reed 01305 772654Oct 11th The Gridiron 100km John Jackson 01590 683815

Cycle Ink #176 4

130th Anniversary 1886 to 2015Your chance to take part in a unique cycling event!

Easter Monday 6th April 2015On Easter Monday 6th April 2015, we are organising a cycle ride fromGlanaman in the Amman Valley north of Swansea to Swansea andback. This will celebrate the 130th anniversary of the very first ride on achain-driven bicycle in Wales, which took place from the Defiance CycleWorks at Gelli Fawnen Farm, Glanaman, to Swansea, on EasterMonday 6th April 1885. The rider was Arthur Williams, one of fivebrothers living at the farm, and one of the founders of the DefianceCycle Works based there.The ride is being organised by Swansea CTC and is supported by theWilliams family who still live at the farm.Come and join us in celebrating this historic ride!Full details available now on the website: www.defiancecycleride.com

Dear Keith,I would be grateful if you would consider the following for publication in the coming CycleInk. I'msure this trip would never have happened without the kind people of the Wessex CTC havinggiven me confidence and independence at a young age.Kind Regards, Daniel Woods

I have fond memories of riding with the Wessex CTC as a young teenager between 2000-2002and am delighted to see many of the faces I remember still cycling in your latest newsletter. Thediary of the ride I did aged 12 with my brother from Dorset to Lands End was published in theWinter 2000 edition and I was awarded the Arthur Moss shield in 2001. Fortunately my cyclingexploits didn’t end permanently after I got a car and I hope to re-join you all this summer when Imove back to Dorset after 2 years living in Germany.In 2007 I travelled for 8 months in Africa, where after some time on an overland truck, I built abike in Namibia and cycled alone from Cape Town up the East Coast to Northern Tanzania. Itwas quite an adventure; cycling mostly on dirt roads and carrying up to 50kg of luggage, water,spares and camping kit in hand-sewn panniers. I have finally turned my diaries and 250 or so ofmy photos into a book called ‘Rolling Round Africa: a journey around Africa by truck and bike’.‘Rolling Round Africa’ by Daniel Woods is available to preview and order at www.blurb.co.uk from£17 + P&P, with all profits going to BEN Namibia, a cycling charity where I built my bike.

5 Cycle Ink #176

Margaret Philpotts isawarded the “RidersCup” for 2014 forachieving the total of100,000 lifetime miles.

Shawn Shaw isawarded the “SartainTrophy” for 2014 forservices to CTCWessex Cycling.

Palmarès!

Cycle Ink #176 6

Supporting Steve Abraham- who? . . . STEVE ABRAHAM By Keith MatthewsWho is this Steve Abraham? He is a long distance Audax rider who is well knownto many of us in CTC Wessex. A regular entrant in the “Dorset Coast” 200km andother Wessex events, he was last seen with us last summer when he and a groupof 9 cyclists rode the “Dorset Coast” 200km Permanent through the night. Thisoption of night time riding has now nicknamed it the “Dorset Ghost”. Here they allare in the pub on Poole Quay before being set off on their ride by Janet and me.

This year Steve has set his plans and decided to challenge the year-long mileagerecord set by a cyclist called Tommy Godwin in 1939. It was said that it wouldnever be bettered, but we will now wait to see. So far Steve is doing very well.Interestingly, there is another cyclist in the USA called Kurt Searvogel who is alsochallenging the record, but obviously we are cheering for Steve.You can read all about Steve’s progress and preparation here on his website:

http://oneyeartimetrial.org.uk/To commemorate this challenge, we are reprinting the article we printed a fewyears ago about Tommy Godwin.

Keith

Steve foreground left with Pete Loakes on his right

7 Cycle Ink #176

Several years ago while on a cycling holiday in Majorca we met a couple ofnon-cyclists, Barbara & Alan Ford. Nothing remarkable in that – but Barbara hada very remarkable father – a mile-eater named Tommy Godwin.

Anyone who cycles 20,000 or even 10,000 miles a year feels justifiably proud ofhim/herself. Tommy cycled a staggering 75,085 in ONE YEAR in 1939. This wasverified, corroborated, validated etc. and is further confirmed by an entry in theGuinness Book of records.

He started off on January 1st with the object of averaging 200 miles a day, faced 2hard winters of heavy snow and the onset of the Second World War. Not only didhe reach and pass his target, but more than this he wanted to beat the then worldrecord of 62,657 - held by Australian, Ossie Nicholson. He reached and passedOssie’s mileage by the 26th October and then cycled on to complete 75,085 miles

Remembering Tommy Godwin- who? . . . TOMMY GODWIN

By John and Vicki Hinchcliffe

Tommy Godwin

Cycle Ink #176 8

(averaging 206 miles a day - 1,442 miles each week) by the end of the year.Fantastically he still did not give up for he remained “in the saddle” until May of1940 by which time he’d completed the fastest 100,000 miles ever. He had a sealedmilometer and at the end of each day the details had to be posted off for verification.What is also remarkable is that he did all this using a 4 speed Sturmey-Archer gear.

I have read many of the reports and seen photographs of this incredible man and stillcannot conceive how any person can motivate themselves to do this kind of mileageday in and day out, but HE did. Probably because of the onset of War, not much wasmade of this incredible ride, but he remains a legend in the Midlands from wherehe originated.

His daughter Barbara told me that, after his epic ride, it took 6 months for him to beable to walk properly again!

He died in 1975 at the very early age of 63.

Recognition for his incredible feat of endurance has come at long last. During thelast couple of years a road in Trent Vale has been named after him and a memorialstone with details of his record breaking ride has been erected outside a leisurecentre in Stoke on Trent.

Read about Tommy Godwin on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Godwin_(cyclist_born_1912)

Tommy Godwin inTrafalgar square 1939

9 Cycle Ink #176

Shawn

What Gives at CTC?A Facebook group has been set up by members concerned with happenings at CTC in which ourlong-serving Technical Officer was made redundant along with a reduction of staff in the TouringAdvice section. https://www.facebook.com/groups/911322558887222/Writers had not realised that these actions were a part of the reorganisation intended whenannounced by CEO. The phrasing had not specified these acts.This was seen by contributors to the Facebook debate to be a selling out of the clubs benefitpackage for members. CTC made clear that modern technology was to be used instead via the CTCwebsite to replace the Technical and Touring Advice. Many contributors pointed out that the currentpages were out of date and questioned the suitability. It was mooted by contributors that CharityStatus Grant Aid was the underlying reason; that membership benefits could not exceed 25% of thejoining fee Debate blossomed onto a range of subject matter including that of National CTC claim tolocally held funds and account for them in the balance sheet as an asset.Part of the debate suggested national held funds to which grant applications could be made by CTClocal groups as needed. A suggestion for Leader training paid for by CTC National received theresponse that CTC would have to do less elsewhere to provide the funds to enable this to takeplace.There has been some consensus that the CTC, by widening its sphere of influence beyond itstraditional touring remit (which was always far reaching), is failing its membership.Motions to AGM are being discussed.I would like to ensure that our Wessex committee are kept informed, and through our magazine, thelocal members, of these National developments within our club. One thing that has been clear is thatwe have an excellent set up allowing for a choice of some 10 rides a week as against one groupbemoaning 4 rides a month two of which were only half day.We benefit from the wisdom and application of the people who have built the club (surly old so ansos some of them); we can ‘just ride our bikes’ and forget the hard work of those before us. We mayneed to apply our own talents to hang on to the gem they left us!

By Shawn Shaw

This sign caught Jeanette’s Eye!

Cycle Ink #176 10

Right to Ride Report - February By Paul M. TurnerAccess from Bournemouth Airport for cycling - JohnHayter from Bournemouth Cycling Forum reports onWessex Way (Spur Road).  When Wessex Way was built itincluded sufficient space on the verge and River Stour Bridgeto accommodate a shared foot/cycle path.  The BCF believesthat this should now be provided between the Holdenhurstfootbridge and Blackwater junction.  Here it would link withthe existing Christchurch Road cycle path to the Airport. Thisshould be provided as an integral part of the proposedupgrade to Wessex Way planned by the Local EnterprisePartnership. The BCF wishes to see SEGREGATED CYCLEROUTE on Wessex Way between Holdenhurst footbridge and Blackwaterjunction.Throop Mill to Parley - The BCF supports the scheme being progressed byDorset CC to link Throop Mill to Pigshoot Lane.  Sustrans are partners with DorsetCC in delivering this scheme.  This project will have major benefits for cycling forhealth and wellbeing for all sections of the community giving car free access tothe countryside.  It will also be a significant route for daylight commuters to theAirport. The BCF wishes to see the early completion of the Throop Mill to sharedcycle path.Hurn – There are plans to improve the roundabout particularly for pedestrians’and cyclists.Poole - Tom Gaze, the Cycling Officer, wants to encourage new receationalcyclists rather have them use the car. There is a problem as people booking on totraining course and then not turning up! A survey showed that most people felt thetraining was very good value for money - for family £25 per person. Tom Gaze willmonitor whether the number of people receiving training increase or reduces.Upton - Phase one will include Upton Cross double mini-roundabouts toPalmerston Road, with further phases building the cycle way on from PalmerstonRoad to Upton Country Park entrance.Details - A number of cycle routes converge at Upton Country Park, linking Uptonto Poole, Hamworthy, Creekmoor and Corfe Mullen. At the moment there is amissing westward link to Upton centre and beyond. This scheme will build ashared use footway/cycle way along Poole Road from Upton Cross to UptonCountry Park. The proposed route will tie in with the existing cycle way providedon the B3067 Dorchester Road and the proposed cycling / walking improvementscheme at Upton Cross (double mini roundabouts). This will provide a cycle linkfor commuters and for recreational users wishing to access Upton Woods, theCountry Park, The Castleman Trailway and Holes Bay.Funding and construction dates - £136,000 has been allocated to the schemefrom the Local Transport Plan (LTP), additional funding for the first phase is fromthe Purbeck Transport Study. Further funding will be required to complete all

11 Cycle Ink #176

PaulRight to Ride Representative Bournemouth & Poole

phases of the scheme. Due to gas works and structural maintenance taking placefrom January 2015 in the Blandford Road area, it has been agreed that someadvanced works for the cycle way will be carried out at the same time. This willensure that the new road surface isn't then dug up for cycle way works. The firstphase of construction starts on 26 January 2015. Five pedestrian crossings areproposed scheme. Temporary lining will be in place following construction workson the pedestrian crossings until structural maintenance is carried out in April2015.I have suggested (as part the Right to Ride for CTC Wessex) that there should beraised platforms at Factory Road, Old Kilne Road and Ropers Lane across theroads between the tactile crossing facility. On the Upton Bypass there is a 30 mphsign. At new entrance to Upton House should be across raised platform acrossroad between tactile crossing facility north-south. Motorists do not heedthe 30mph going the off Dorset Way – Upton Bypass from east.

Most of you will have heard of the sad incident where a member suffered acardiac arrest whilst on a Thursday Potterers ride and despite the bestefforts of the emergency services, could not be resuscitated. Unfortunatelythe member was not carrying any form of personal identification, whichcould only be established by tracing the last call on his mobile ‘phone.It is, therefore, strongly recommended when going on a Group ride (or anyother time) you carry details of your next of kin and their telephonenumbers. These details can be entered on some mobile ‘phones under ICE(In Case of Emergency), together with brief details of any health problemsand medication to assist treatment by medical staff.If one goes to the ride start point by car, please let your partner, companionor carer know where you intend to park the vehicle.

The committee will be issuing credit card sized self-laminatingpouches for riders to insert a sheet of paper upon which you can write yourdetails. It would be helpful if runs leaders could do a head count and namecheck on the group before setting off too.

Lessons To Learn By Jim McDonald

Jim

Editor

Cycle Ink #176 12

An Invitation By Big BobNow it's not often I get invited on the Bikeanywhere, but there was one invitation I receivedover the New Year period which had a profoundsignificance and made me think about our WessexCTC private members group and what it standsfor. The invitation came from the Potterers sectionto attend their first of the year get togethers to behosted by that stalwart of the group Bob Chitt whonot only opened his house for the occasion butwith loyal helpers catered and organized the daywith care and thoughtfulness.Additional food in satisfying Bikie quantities wasbrought along by each Potterer as they arrived andsoon, with the back up of the kitchen in full spate, two large tables were staggering with amouth watering array of goodies which you normally hallucinate over when terminallybonked out in the thrashing rain on any of the major climbs on our patch.The atmosphere was one of friendly gladness and you knew that of all the places youcould be that day this is where you wanted to be, among people who share this love of ourgreat sport and pastime. The shared memories of past times were a joy, even theembarrassing ones from my own past which I had long forgotten, but be assured a CyclingClub has a long collective memory! Most of us present, a little older now, but still as keenas mustard, always ready to enjoy the tang of the fresh morning air, the sheer beauty of aview on cresting a challenging climb or content to drift along a country lane with a tea andcake stop not far away.I know among local Bikies there were many such gatherings over the holiday periodorganized by people like our own Bob with selfless dedication and we thank them all.Things are changing nationally with the CTC as it completes its transformation from amember facing and servicing Cycling Club to an umbrella type organization of all thingsto all Cyclists, particularly urban ones. In the light of this it is important we keep andfoster the original club ethos at the local level and lets ensure that whatever goes onnationally we hang on to it.Now enough of these heavy thoughts for a far greater issue has raised its head concerningour much loved Le Hotel du Velo Sportif Cyclists retirement country manor.Jean B our catering manageress has at last resigned in order to look after Fred her luckyhusband and we are bereft. We are all so used to returning from a day on the bike,individually and in small groups, and after hot showers descending to the bar for a quickpre dinner drink and chat prior to trooping into the Dining Room to enjoy one of hergorgeous dinners, that the shock has been intense.A few of us have dutifully volunteered to assist on a temporary basis and try our hand inthe kitchens but the results have fallen short to put it mildly. In fact, on more than oneoccasion I have joined fellow sufferers in leaning over the Dining Hall garden wall callingfor Hughie!

13 Cycle Ink #176

Big Bob

There was one incident when a concoction collectively prepared by Messrs Mike W, NeilI, and Mike B put half of us in the A&E dept of our local Hospital and worst of all kept usoff our Bikes for a week. Julian J’s, enthusiastic rendering of something containingcrushed nuts and Worcester Sauce is best left un-commentated, but sufficient to say, onapplication it cured the creak in my bottom bracket.A few of us have acquired the habit of dismounting at passing country inns during runsand purchasing our own main meal of the day but being true Bikies the expense incurreddoes hurt. No, this cannot go on and a faint gleam of light has occurred at the end of thetunnel.Mike E, with wife Sybil’s permission has agreed to examine the possibility of assumingthe position of Head Chef du Cuisine at our happy country manor.Mikes culinary reputation among Bikies is extraordinary and his rapid food production atvarious " Cycle training camps" in hot kitchens stark naked, apart from a loosely flappingfront hanging tea towel, has not only thrilled the Ladies, but produced cries of celebrationfrom the gourmets who have been lucky enough to attend.We can only hope Mike accepts the position otherwise I am sure Luggage Panniers will bepacked and some tearful early morning departures will occur down the driveway. Foodand Bikies were ever intertwined!I will keep you posted and merely mention in passing that my own ideas ranging frommugging the local Pizza delivery boy to baked hedgehog have been summarily dismissedby the House Committee.Happy Riding, even with empty stomach.

The Inters engaged in one of their favourite winter occupationsby a country pub fireside

Cycle Ink #176 14

Autumn Colours in New England II By Mike WalshHaving reachedSalem as reported inthe last CycleInk SueBarber and I met upwith a CTC Holidaysand Tours Group ledby Emrys Jones. Sueand I swapped somebits and pieces in andout of our bike boxeswhich the hotel wasstoring for us. Weintroduced ourselvesto the others and watched them reassemble their bikes. Sue and I also joined apre-wedding group who were staying at the same motel. We imbibed a range ofdrinks on the balcony. We did have a group meal that evening but the breakfast

next morning set the scenefor the next few weeks. Sueand I visited Salem afterbreakfast and then set of onthe scheduled route. Thiswas to leave the conurbationthrough a not so grand builtup area but easing into morepicturesque countryside anddown to the sea. Both Sueand I went paddling justbefore we cycled on intoManchester by the Sea. Thereplication of British namescontinues. The sun shone on

us all the way as we again passed glacier deposited boulders in odd places. Inaddition to the boulders we came across a number of signs detailing variouslandings, homesteads, meetings with the natives, settlements etc. The wholegroup stopped in Gloucester for lunch in a brewery overlooking the inner harbour.Leaving Gloucester we kept to the coast going out along a spit to the EasternPoint lighthouse. Back down the spit to Atlantic Road and on into Rockport to theharbour with a well know red warehouse. Rockport is our home for the night with awalk back down into town to a fish shack.Onwards around the headland and back to Gloucester then north to Essex,Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, and Salisbury, after which we left Massachusetts andinto New Hampshire onto Seabrook our next overnight. The route still kept closeto water either the sea or rivers some of which were very wide. There were a large

15 Cycle Ink #176

number of burial grounds from the civil war which upon investigation I wasinformed were of soldiers brought back from the front to be buried at home. Wealso took a detour to Plum Island along the way.Dover, New Hampshire, was our next overnight where we were given bidons bythe local cycle shop and you can see a picture of me with the bidon in Hampshireon our CTC Wessex Cycling Facebook page. The route took us through theHamptons where the property showed the wealth of the area, a playground in theseason for the rich and famous. Onwards through Rye, New Castle, Portsmouthinto Maine for a short time after crossing the Piscataqua River and back into NewHampshire.From Dover further inland, north northwest to Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukeefor our next overnight using for the first time some unmetalled roads, a surprise toSue and I. This was the first day with some serious climbing, a total 2,500 feetascent during the day. We skirted Rochester passed Durham and Alton and on to

Wolfeboro where we stayed in a lakeside motel. Every room looked downonto the lake. An expected grandsunrise over the lake wasunfortunately hidden by the mist thefollowing morning even though mostarose early to witness.Wolfeboro to North Conway in theWhite Mountain National Forest wasanother day of climbing whilst ridingnorth after the first few miles. We wentinto Maine and back out again. Wepassed a non-operational ski liftawaiting the snow. Riding along empty

roads and at the end of the day a covered bridge.The next day took us over more covered bridges and then eastward over theKancamagus Pass. A really hot day, a very broken road and a reasonable amounttraffic caused me to struggle to the top, not being able to keep the sweat out of myeyes, the bike on a steady course and thus an even pace. We ascended 2,800feet during the day. Whilst descending we caught up with one of group who hadlost the end of her skewer. Having learnt a tip on my earlier States rides I took herfront wheel out and held it up as the next pickup approached. They stopped andtook the bike and rider into town. The whole group has learnt something new. Weended the day in Lincoln with a rest day next.A very pleasant town with an historic railway and a fabulous ice cream parlour, itwas very hot.Lincoln to Barre still eastward took us over Lost River Gorge and on into Vermontcrossing Connecticut River, Sue rescuing my snack bar which I dropped on thebridge. This day saw the greatest altitude gain at 3,500 feet. At Sue’s and mylunch stop we came across a large number of vintage Rolls Royces. A real treat.

Cycle Ink #176 16

Barre to White River Junction was a turn south and a total gain of 2,500 feet overthe day. The route running parallel to Interstate 89. This area is full of horses anda few more trailer homes. The trees continue to change in colour with more andmore reds. We passed a good number of the old wooden silos that were atvarious angles, some thatwere defying gravity.The route from WhiteRiver Junction to Ludlowstarted after 6 miles withthe Quechee Gorgeproviding somespectacular views. Stillgoing south and still morecovered bridges but atReading a zebra!Ludlow to Brattleboro wasa hard day with nearly3,000 feet of climbingduring the day and rainfor most of the day. Stillmore covered bridges. Just at the end of the day a wonderful café to revive wearyriders. They had furniture made out if really odd items such as coins and tobaccotin lids and there was also an old racing motorcycle.Brattleboro to Garner’s route was the start of turning towards the east but still

southerly. Climbing2,250 feet. Morecovered bridges and aproper diner inWinchester. I learnt thatthey were notconverted railwaycarriages but built asprefabricated diners fordelivery anywhere. Theroute was along theTempleton turnpikewhich was nearly allhard packed earth for agood number of miles.At the end we crossedthe State line back intoMassachusetts. Thenon to Garner, The ChairCity.

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Garner to Lexington was the last day of riding with only just over 1,000 feetclimbing and just over 50 miles. Still graveyards, site markers, boulders and riversor lakes along the route. Into Concord a very pleasant town for coffee and with abike shop. And on into Lexington. The hotel was a very long walk from the townbut well worthwhile. We had a spare day and Sue and I took public transport, abus, a train and the underground into Boston where we attended a concert at theBoston Symphony Hall.A grand varied tour with a total of 1,000 quality miles on fully loaded bikes. Whatan adventure!

Mike

The Club is still offering kit at heavily subsidised prices. Quality kit at bargainprices! Take a look at the website under For Sale and check out the order form  tosee what's available.

Go to: www.bournemouthctc.org/clothing.htm to download the sizing chart andorder form. Get your order in while the offer is still on !

CTC WESSEX CLOTHING By Ralph Huckle

Cycle Ink #176 18

It has been decided that we should have a group meetthis summer and make an opportunity for as manygroups to come together as we can.

I have booked Damerham Village Hall, Damerham, SP63HD from 10:30 (someone has to turn the urn on!) to 3:00 for

the picnic on 21st June 2015. It would appear ideal for the picnicas it is set along side the Allen River.  There are picnic tables and

plastic chairs available to use in the grounds.The date is not as originally agreed but the availability and suitability of the hallsaround led me to suggest the change of date.We are extending the invitation to the Tandem Club and will also also be invitingSalisbury Group, CTC Blackmore Vale and CTC West Dorset.  There is ampleroom for all members to invite other riders.  Do try to arrive early.

Lunch stop - Damerham Village Hall arrive between 12.00 & 1.00Bring your own picnic Tea & coffee will be provided.

Damerham Joint Group PicnicSunday 21st June 2015

Mountain Bike Skills Instruction & RidesFollowing a great year running mountain bike skills courses and guided rides in 2014, I havespent some winter hours creating a website, www.skillsandtrails.co.uk for my business which Iam now actively promoting.  If you know me and are happy to help then please can you spreadthe word so that I can make this successful.Maybe you're completely new to Mountain Biking as a sport, or perhaps you're a little moreexperienced, but you've never been taught the fundamentals of riding off-road? Possibly you'vetried some technical trails, but lacked confidence and scared yourself a few times?Perhaps you could benefit from one of my courses . . . I can teach you the core skills needed totackle technical trails with more confidence. You'll learn how to ride steeper terrain, corner withgreater control and negotiate small trail obstacles.I provide courses for Beginners, Ladies only and Improvers for private groups of friends andalso 'one to one' instruction. If you are not sure what you need or have a specific requirementplease get in touch and we can work something out.Steve Coombes07900 418240

Mike Walsh - General Secretary

19 Cycle Ink #176

Inspired by Bob’s picture in the last issue, here is Colin with his Harem.Is this as a result of his advertising campaign?

Insect on a fern!

Rouleurs Start at Wimborne Rec.

Mike of the Rouleurs

Cycle Ink #176 20

Inters Start at Wimborne Square.

Dawdlers Start at Wimborne Rec.

21 Cycle Ink #176

MINUTES FOR COMMITTEE MEETING CTC WESSEX CYCLINGWednesday 18th February 2015 19.30

1. PRESENT – John Jackson, Mike Walsh, Jim McDonald, Jo Gordon, Julian James, Paul Rush, Bob and Joan Courtney,John Ward, Jo Gordon, Bob Chittenden and Stephen Gray2. APOLOGIES – Paul Turner, Keith Matthews, Terry Walsh and Jill Burden3. MATTERS ARISING – Previous minutes read and agreed – no matters arising4. TREASURERS REPORT – Mike reported that the accounts stay stable at around £2,000. There is £200 to come in fromNational Office. The biggest expenses are the newsletter, website and the Christmas dinner. There are sufficient funds forthe groups activities.5. NEWSLETTER – Keith has enough articles at the moment but please keep sending them in. Mike Walsh agreed tobecome the editor at the end of this year.6. RIGHT TO RIDE:-February 2015 Thanks to Paul Turmer for his report which is printed separately from these minutes7. RUNS LEADERS REPORTS – PHSG Group enjoyed a great 'Mince Pie' run in December and continues into the NewYear with our first ride in January attended by 10 riders. CTC Member John W continues to improve after his Decemberaccident. CTC Legal department are pursuing his claim vigorously. Keith MatthewsBUN RUNS - December; Enjoyable - two out and we cut it short and turned at Blandford. January; Challenging conditions -just me - went all the way. February; We left the sunny side of Wimborne Square Paul 1, Paul 2 an me. On the way wepicked up Abi, Tom and Dave. Thinking that perhaps they had taken on too much Abi & Tom left the elder part of thecontingent to get on with it at Crawford Cross and turned for home. As time was getting on we cut a corner, taking the mainroad from Durweston to Shillingstone and then cut west on the lanes arriving at Stur at just after 11am. The weather waspleasant enough although the wind chill cut in when the cycling slowed. Easily draining the cold and the wind across toManston and West Orchard was specially harsh over the wide open farmland. It was a warming thing to do, out of IwerneMinster into Stubhampton. After dropping to the Bottom and turned along the Tarrants we had the breeze behind. A littleextra pace meant some extra warmth much welcomed. Arriving back at the cemetery in Wimborne we agreed how lucky wehad been today, how we had enjoyed our time out, new roads for two pleasantly shared, with an excellent stop for tea andbites. Of course the flora and fauna provided moments of glory just to see the spring approaching as the days get longer.Many thanks for the company - Shawn ShawTHURSDAY POTTERERS -Thursday rides for the period October to December 2014 attracted an average of 15 at coffee forthe 9 rides recorded. This does not take account of those who rode to the Group’s Christmas lunch. The above figures covera maximum of 23 and a minimum of 10. There was an average of 4 at coffee for the January 2015 rides, with a maximum 7and a minimum of 1! This is no doubt due to the recent very cold weather and a number of regular riders being away duringlast month. Rides leaders are being sought for the incoming programme, which will include the Inter Group Freewheelingcontest at the usual venue of Crawford Hill on 2 April and a car assisted ride from Sturminster Newton to Stourhead on 28May. It is with great sadness to record that Barry Rolfe suffered a cardiac arrest during a ride on the 15th January anddespite the best efforts of the emergency services could not be resuscitated. Barry was a relatively new member of theGroup, being an affable and experienced rider who had volunteered to lead two rides in the current programme. This sadincident does, however, raise a number of serious issues that should be discussed by the Committee. - Jim McDonaldDAWDLERS - The Thursday Dawdlers are still getting out when the weather permits. Rides have been quite short but welook on them as social events this time of year. Next quarter will see us stretching our legs with luck. In the "off" seasonseveral of the Dawdlers have been planning for and organising a cycling trip to France in the summer so we need to push upthe mileage and practice our schoolboy French! Our Xmas Lunch in Ferndown was well attended and we had our usualexcellent meal. The Sunday Dawdlers have kept going with a few people out each week, varying the start points to fit in withour various members - it seems to work quite well and we are looking forward to the longer days to put in more interestingrides. Our Xmas Lunch ride was well attended and enjoyed by all. - Jeanette KingINTERS - Feb 2015. Inters Runs proceeding apace with warm Country Pub stops appreciated in the cold weather and theopportunity being taken to plan future trips. - Bob CourtneySUNDAY POTTERERS - The numbers varied from 2 to 13 starters and 0 to 10 out to lunch. The venues were varied and theweather had caused some abandonments understandably. - Bob Chittenden8. GRIDIRON UPDATE:-1. The Gridiron will use the same route and halls as last year, out of necessity: 1.1. I would have preferred not to cross theA35 (Ornamental Drive/Bolderwood) but Colbury Village Hall remains unavailable, the nearby church hall would have beenideal but is unavailable on a Sunday and the local WI could not identify an alternative location although they very muchwanted to continue. 1.2. Boldre would have liked to been the HQ Start/Finish again but cannot provide car parking andalthough I have ridden to the hall from all the nearest hard parking there is nowhere sensibly close and the worse scenariowould be entrants parking their cars on verges, blocking routes etc. We have no alternative halls that side of the forest, we

Cycle Ink #176 22

can’t afford to lose it. 1.3. Lymington cannot guarantee to provide catering, Penny the manager has retired and she wasresponsible for catering. A new manager has not yet been appointed as they are reappraising the future direction of theCommunity Association. Katherine has agreed to manage catering in their absence, we will need two teams of around fivehelpers (pre and post ride) preferably with some catering experience (e.g. at sports club). Will the committee please think ofpeople who fit the bill and we can approach. 2. Volunteers lunch will go ahead again on a Saturday in May when the weatherpicks up and the majority can ride out. 3. NF NPA ‘Cycling Events Charter’ had taken up an inordinate amount of time todevelop, much work has been done to modify restrictive clauses, the one finally accepted was its 13th draft. 3.1. CTC, BCand Sustrans proposed two amendments to it. 3.1.1. Cap on number of entrants to be set by the SAG based on details of theevent and expertise of SAG, as opposed to an arbitrary cap of 1,000. I proposed a cap of 1,000 following the conflict withWiggle last year but recognised the potential danger of accepting an arbitrary figure, i.e. it can be re-set by those opposed tocycling and a Brockenhurst councillor has already spoken of looking to reduce it to 500 in the future. 3.1.2. Rider identificationonly be required for timed events. We also had the support of the NF Equestrian Association for this. The charter numberingof riders requirement (A6 front and A5 rear) is in excess of that required for a motor bike! The requirement is demanded bylocal councils so that ‘monitors’ can identify and report on ‘dangerous and inconsiderate cycling’. 3.2. I spoke at the publicmeeting of the NPA to argue the logic of the two amendments. One member welcomed the amendments and proposed theirinclusion, this was not discussed but went straight to the vote and was rejected. How can the views of the three nationalcycling organisations be rejected out of hand, without any discussion, is of real concern and demonstrates the anti-cyclingstance of the majority of NPA members. 3.3. The charter as it stands is advisory and not compulsory. But a ‘Freedom ofInformation’ request has found that the Chair of the NF NPA is pressing the government for statutory powers to controlcycling events. The SAG has also stated that noncompliance with the Charter will result in the issue of an ‘alternative letter’.As this would appear to be different to the ‘red letter’ issued last year, which voided our Public Liability Insurance cover, Ihave been asked by the CTC for the status and wording, this has not been forthcoming. Julian James proposed and JohnWard seconded that the Gridiron should go ahead this year as John described and this was unanimously supported.9. SUMMER PICNIC;- After discussion it ws decided to hold a summer picnic involving all local groups on a Sunday to enableas many cyclists to come along as possible. Damerham Village Hall was booked by Mike Walsh as this was more central toinclude the Tandem Club and others and the available date was Sunday 21st June.10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:- a)Jim explained what had happened following the sad sudden death of Barry Rolfe on a rideand the lack of personal information to aid the ambulance service and the police to notify his wife. Keith who was unable toattend the meeting said that he is the Welfare officer and this should be made known to all , He also felt that the ride leaderon the day should know how many are on the ride and their names. Mike said all ride leaders must send accident reports tohim as Secretary. A long discussion ensued concerning CTC guidelines and Julian will report back. It was thought that anincident report was all that was required of the ride leader but it was felt that more information on each rider would bedesirable. Jo had an example from a member whose previous club provided bright yellow cards the size of a bank card to fitinto a purse/wallet with personal details on. Name, address, phone number, email address on one side and emergencycontact name and phone number and important medical information on the reverse. CBC had thought a card worn around theneck on a lanyard would be suitable. b) Shawn Shaw sent us a condensed account of what has been written on CTCFacebook. This was discussed and of interest to all. This is printed on page x.C) It was thought a great idea to run a quiz in CycleInk as proposed by Shawn Shaw – complete with a quiz already! Thegroup will supply the prize and anyone can supply a quiz to help keep it a regular feature.D) Mike reported that our Chairman and President of CTC Wessex Cycling Member Group, Terry Walsh, has resigned. Afterhis years of unstinting leadership and support of our group this will be fully discussed at the next committee meeting. PaulRush has been promoted to Chairman after being proposed by John Ward and seconded by John JacksonE) Christine Ratcliffe who is also a CBC member would like to attend the CTC ride leaders course and asked for financialsupport. It was agreed to pay half the cost up to £500 towards the course being run locally for up to six people. Paul Rush,Bob Chittenden and Jim McDonald expressed the wish to attend.F) National Office has asked us to revise our list of volunteers, which includes committee members, ride leaders and eventorganisers – the present list is being emailed to the committee and the runs leaders to see if we can get it as up to date aspossible and then sent to Julie Rand.G) Pete Loakes is looking for volunteer controllers to help him run the Coast on 29th March. Please contact him if able to help01305 263272H) Keith Matthews is retiring from his work on the Web Page in 18 months time – a technical person is needed to take overthis very important task. Any one interested please contact Mike Walsh.11. Next Committee meeting – Wednesday May 20th The meeting closed at 21.41

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Answers please {A = Village etc} to shawn@bournemouthctc.org by the 20th May.Don’t worry if you can’t get them all - the prize will go to the first with most correct.The draw will be made at the May committee meeting with winner and answers innext CycleInk magazine.

£10Prize!

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