Bits and Pieces

Andy poses alongside a member of the Luxembourg National Guard

Andy Poolman's Charity Ride

It's been on my mind for a while now to post up something about Andy's impressive ride. 

Andy rode through six countries in six days. The course through the UK, Holland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Germany covered about 450 miles. 

Andy was riding for two charities; the Michael Palin Centre for stammering children, and Beyond Ourselves, which builds schools in Zambia. 

Andy's group of 14 cyclists all completed the journey. They had 10 punctures and apart from a few minor tumbles, no other mishaps, although the Low Countries apparently proved to be surprisingly mountainous!

Well done Andy!

Anyone for cake?

Saturday's Club Ride

Six members rode to Nailsworth on Saturday in two groups. A seventh member rode just part of the way, as he was off later to the velodrome. 

Refreshments were taken at The Canteen.

A special mention must go to Dynamo Mike who whilst recovering from an injury, travelled with a crutch strapped to his bicycle.

Evans Cycles Sportive - Lackham College Chippenham

Having flagged-up this ride probably more times than you'd care to remember, I felt duty bound to actually take part. Riding solo, I completed the 80 mile course on Sunday. 

The early stages were fairly flat around Bromham and Rowde, but things started to get a bit lumpy after Great Bedwyn and then came the long, slow grind up Hackpen Hill, attacked from the Marlborough side. Fortunately, the last feed station was at the top of the hill and having eaten enough flapjacks, chocolate brownies, cakes, bananas, sweets and peanuts to feed a family of six, it was all downhill to Bushton and then back to Lacock via Compton Bassett and Heddington.

Boots & Spurs

It was a shame that our photograph in the latest edition of Boots & Spurs was cropped to the size of a postage stamp, but it was good to see us proudly standing alongside the other sections.

With the deadline for the next edition of the magazine just around the corner, we've already submitted our section news. It's been a busy time for the club and its members. We're restricted to just 250 words and it's no easy task trying to squeeze in all of the different club events, as well as members' individual achievements. Don't be too modest. If you've taken part in an activity outside of the club, be sure to let us know. 

Mid-week Daytime Ride

Following the success of our mid-week evening rides which had up to 12 members participating at various times, we are now introducing an exciting new element to our ride portfolio. 

To keep things simple the destination will be the same every week and the time to arrive there will be the same too. For now the idea is to meet  at the Angel Café in Sherston at 12.00 noon for coffee, or if you feel like it, lunch. They are very cyclist friendly and bikes can be parked safely.

It is not intended that we meet up before at a particular time to ride there together, more that we arrive at the destination at the same time. So how you get there and how far you go is up to you. If you want to arrange to meet others to form a group, that is up to you too. Keeping the destination close allows those who haven’t got much time to still pop out to join the fun. Also if the weather turns unfavourable we will not be far from home.

The first such meet took place earlier today, Thursday 30th October 2014 and was an instant hit.