Blog Bulletin

This will be the last blog bulletin for a month or so. Destinations and courses can be found on the website's calendar page covering up to and including 5th November 2016.

As a quick reference, here's where we're heading:

24.09.16 - Sweetapples Tearoom, Marshfield
01.10.16 - Toomers Garden Centre, Lydiard Millicent
08.10.16 - National Trust Tearoom, Lacock
15.10.16 - Cafe 53, Long Street, Tetbury
22.10.16 - Quackers Farmshop, Hinton
29.10.16 - Wickwar Coffee Shop
05.11.16 - Jolly Nice Cafe, Frampton Mansell

  

The Malting House, Marshfield

Next Saturday's ride is to Sweetapples Tearoom at Marshfield. Continuing with the 'notable people connected with' theme, I was surprised to discover that from July to November 1940, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and his family stayed at The Malting House, 78, High Street, Marshfield, with the critic John Davenport and his American wife, Clement, who kept an open house for musicians and writers. 

Dylan and John Davenport spent much of their time writing The Death of the King's Canary. Dylan also started writing his unfinished novel Adventures in the Skin Trade whilst he was there. His wife however found other distractions.
When Dylan discovered that she was having a fling with another of the guests staying at the house, the music critic William Glock, the Thomases promptly left.

The Social Group's 32.49 mile course can be viewed and downloaded here. 

Similarly, the Sporting Group's 42.26 mile course is here.

Wednesday evening's ride saw a new Knight Rider frontier opened up, as James, Mike G, Peter C and Simon S visited Cricklade.

An enjoyable jaunt was rounded off with liquid refreshments taken at The Horse and Groom at Charlton.

No references to the Last of the Summer Wine brigade this week, as Howard once again demonstrates his photo-shopping skills or deft handling of a selfie-stick.

All joking aside, it really is good to see so many members meeting up and enjoying themselves.

This gathering was captured by Howard last Thursday.

We were delighted to be joined on Saturday by two guests. Phil brought along his son James for his first ride with us. At just 13 years old, James must surely be our youngest ever rider. He certainly brought the average age crashing down. Our other new arrival, was Brian from Little Somerford. We hope to see both of them again very soon.

The ride offered something a little different following a chance meeting with Steve M's son at the Cotswold Airport, Kemble. Steve's son just happens to be a helicopter pilot. Post refreshments, we were offered the opportunity to see at close quarters the helicopters he flies, and very interesting they were too.

Social Group: Phil and me, Tim W, plus guests Brian and James.

Sporting Group: Ian, Jonathan, Karine, Lyndon, Peter C, Simon S, Steve M and Tim H.

Mike G, Peter C and Phil in the garden of The Bridge Inn, Woodford

Congratulations to Peter C for being the winner of the 2016 Sunday Series Trophy. Peter completed all 8 rides and in doing so, clocked up 642.2 miles.

Sunday's ride attracted four members: Mike G, Peter C, Phil and me, Tim W.

Peter C and Phil prepare to leave The Polly Tea Rooms 

Those less disciplined than Mike G enjoyed a roast lunch at The Bridge Inn, Woodford and an afternoon cream tea at The Polly Tea Rooms, Marlborough.

What can it be?

We were intrigued by this structure with its ornate domed brick roof in the form of a pineapple, just outside of Great Bedwyn. Some research carried out later, revealed that it is the pump house at Wexcombe, built in 1899 by W.C Finch, the Lord of Wexcombe Manor, who provided waterworks for the village. The fenced mound behind the building, which we thought might have protected a barrow, is actually a water storage facility. 

The table below shows the final positions.

Rider	Rides	Total Mileage	Points
Peter C	8	642.2	40
Tim W	7	601.7	35
Phil	7	545.4	35
Steve K	5	346.0	25
Andy Poolman	4	282.0	20
Tim H	3	191.8	15
Mike G	2	163.4	10
Colin	1	76.5	5
Howard	1	40.5	5
Steve M	1	40.5	5

No firm decisions have been made yet by the committee, but there is the possibility that there will be some changes to next year's Sunday Series. 

The original concept was a set of monthly rides, gradually increasing in distance and difficulty, which would ultimately enable members to complete one of a 100 miles.

Somehow, we've managed to lose our target audience. The participants in this year's series, with the extended aim of reaching 120 miles, have mostly been capable of riding the distance from the outset. This might have put some people off.

A series based on rides of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 miles, could appeal to those members who would like to ride further, but perhaps not as far as others.

For those who enjoy a longish winter outing or an all-day ride in better weather, their rides could continue as a separate series.

If you have any observations, please make them known to a committee member. All options are open.

Waiting for another Audax rider to join the club has been a bit like waiting for a bus to come along. You wait for ages and then two arrive at the same time.

Mike and me were sitting in The Royal Hop Pole in Tewkesbury on Saturday 3rd September, waiting for our ride to Hay on Wye to start, when in walked Tommy. Talking to him, we discovered that he's a regular Audaxer.

The second metaphorical bus was Caroline. She sent me the above photographs taken on Sunday 11th September, when she rode one of three Audaxes run by Dursley RC, all of which start from Rodborough, near Stroud. The courses of 100km, 100km and 60km, all have a fearsome reputation as being particularly hilly challenges. 

With entry costing only £6, they represent excellent value for money. Be sure to look out for them next year. I've already made a mental note to flag-up the rides in advance. Thanks Caroline for sharing this with us.