Blog Bulletin

There was no blog bulletin last week, as I was a little short of time. I know from the recorded traffic to the blog site that quite a few of you must have been looking for a new post, which is always good to know, but I'm sorry to have caused you a wasted visit.

The current blog distribution list includes around 60 past and present members, but I'm far from confident that I've got all of the most recent members' email addresses. If you're a blog reader and you're not receiving a weekly email to advise you of a new post, then please email me at flemingway123@hotmail.co.uk so I can rectify this.

With something of a backlog, there's quite a bit to cover this week. I'm going to go out of date order, as the first item involves our optional musical accompaniment.

James H, 3rd from left at the Rose and Crown, Lea last summer

Wednesday evening we said our farewells to James Horler, as his work in Malmesbury drew to a close. A lot of you will know that James was the Quantity Surveyor for the new development on the site of the former Burnham House. Living in deepest Devon, this meant that he stayed at the Kings Arms during the week.

James' attendance on Wednesday evenings was second to only that of Peter C's. His company and participation in the Knight Rider session will both be sorely missed.

After a shorter than normal ride, which saw our peloton converge by chance with the Flying Monks Triathlon Club at Cleverton, some of the Knight Rider crew enjoyed a meal with James at the Spice Merchant.

James contacted me with the following message to the club and its members:

Thanks for all the great rides, it made my time living away much more enjoyable cycling with such a friendly bunch of people!

I hope I'll be able to pop along for a ride again at some point in the future.

Cheers,

James

It's only fitting then, that this week's song choice falls to James. His fairly off the wall selection, is 'Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen' by Baz Luhrmann. It's full of good advice, some related to cycling, such as always wear sunscreen. You can listen here.

James M tucks into his chocolate cake

(Photograph courtesy of Andrew)

Saturday 22nd April 2017, saw another excellent turnout of riders across the 3 groups. The Sporting and Social Groups both went to the National Trust Tearoom at Lacock, whilst Howard's Third Way, called in at Cafe 53, Tetbury.

Sporting Group:

Alice, Andrew, Andy Parker, Colin, James M, John, Mike G, Paul, Pete B, Peter C, Phil, Rob, Simon Akers, me Tim W and Tommy.

Missing from the photograph are Simon Akers, who had to go to work, so couldn't stop and Tommy, who must have been inside getting his drink.

The Social Group and Third Way riders outside of the Town Hall

(Photograph courtesy of Howard)

The Social Group had the great pleasure of being joined by a father and son combination from Crudwell. Hopefully we'll see them again soon.

Social Group:

Andy Poolman, Bryan, Chris, Des D, Paul, Stuart, Sue Akers and Tim H, plus the 2 guest riders.

The Third Way at Cafe 53

(Photograph courtesy of Caroline)

Third Way:

Caroline, Clive, Dave, Howard, Simon Locke and Sue Alexander.

Hopefully that's everyone and if my arithmetic is correct, that makes a truly amazing 31 riders.

Mike G on his travels

Some of you will already be aware that unfortunately Mike G took a bit of a tumble just outside of Norton on the way home. Thankfully nothing was broken, but Mike's injuries mean that he'll be off his bike for the next 5 weeks.

I know that he's very grateful for the assistance given to him by members at the scene.

We all wish Mike a very speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in action when he's ready.

The Social and Sporting Groups at Sweetapples Tearoom

Saturday 29th April 2017, saw the start of a new club activity - the Sporting Group's monthly longer ride. Departing at 8.30am, 9 of us rolled out of the Cross Hayes car park and headed for Pucklechurch in order to join the Bristol and Bath Railway Cycle Path.

The traffic-free cycle path is popular with cyclists and walkers, and Saturday was no exception. The tarmac surface south of Bitton was extremely smooth and safely delivered us to the edge of Bath's city centre.

Traversing Bath, we split into 2 groups to make it easier for cars to overtake us. The second pack, having failed to find a public convenience that didn't have its doors chained and padlocked, made an unscheduled stop at Morrisons to make use of their facilities.

Bannerdown Hill might not have been taken at a gallop, but we all made it without too much huffing and puffing. The 2 groups merged back into 1 shortly before we reached Marshfield when those who had visited the supermarket, managed to catch up.

We arrived at Sweetapples Tearoom to find the Social Group who had only just placed their orders.

James M at Cotswold Airport, Kemble, September 2016

Congratulations to James who by completing the ride accomplished his first 100km. James' cycling forms the Physical Activity section of his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

James and his dad, Phil, would like to extend their thanks to all of the club members who have supported James and made him feel welcome.

I know that those who have ridden with James, will join me in saying that having such a polite and well mannered young man along with us, is an absolute pleasure. He clearly puts a lot of effort into his riding and is really coming on in leaps and bounds.

Sporting Group: Andrew, Andy Parker, Andy Poolman, James M, Pete B, Peter C, Phil, Simon Akers and me, Tim W.

Social Group: Bryan, Chris, Des D, Paul, Steve, Sue Akers and Tim H.

Tim W

The Third Way

Meanwhile, Howard's Third Way visited the Folly Row Cafe, Kington St Michael, which I have to say, is a personal favourite of mine. The owner thoughtfully provides cycle locks for you to borrow and there are anchorage points on the wall outside. Quirky features include timers for tea drinkers so they know when to pour from the pot and the water in the toilet runs out of an enamel jug and into a cake mixing bowl. The cafe is also home to a ladies knitting circle.

It's good to see Steve M again on a Saturday club run.

Riders: Clive, Dave, Howard, Steve M and Sue Alexander. 

Guerrilla Gardeners

Pictures courtesy of Bath Chronicle Newspaper

An interesting article caught my attention on Saturday 22nd April, in the Bath Chronicle newspaper. An anonymous group of cyclists and drivers are filling up potholes around the city with compost and pansies. And no, it wasn't a late April Fool's Day story.

A spokesman for the group said 'We think it's a good thing to do but it's more than about making people smile. Potholes are a real problem and have the potential to be death traps for people on bikes and drivers. The whole point is to raise awareness of them.'

I rather like the idea, but isn't there a danger that a motorist might swerve to avoid crushing the flowers and then collide with an oncoming car or cyclist.

Clarions outside of The Ox House, Northleach during the 2016 Sunday Series

Following notification from the committee, I've updated the calendar page on the website with details of the rides for May. With the introduction of a weekly Tuesday evening outing and the start of the 2017 Sunday Series monthly excursion, the club is now offering rides on 5 days of the week.

You can follow this link to see the full list and courses. To whet your appetite, below are the weekend club rides. You'll notice that on 6th and 27th May, the intention is that we'll all meet at the same cafe, at more or less the same time. Peter C will be liaising with the cafes concerned, as we don't want to send them into meltdown with an unexpected deluge of customers.

Saturday 6th May

Allington Farm Shop, Chippenham. Designated as a ride where all 3 groups will meet for coffee.

Saturday 13th May

Fieldfare Cafe, Thistledown Farm, Nympsfield. Sporting and Social Groups only.

Sunday 14th May

The Ox House, Northleach. The first ride in the 2017 Sunday Series. Depart at 10.00am.

Saturday 20th May

Honeystreet, Pewsey, depart at 8.30am. Sporting Group only.

Toomers Garden Centre, Lydiard Millicent. Social Group.

Saturday 27th May

Cafe 53, Tetbury. Designated as a ride where all 3 groups will meet for coffee.