Blog Bulletin

The inspiration for this week's musical accompaniment comes from the all too brief heatwave and the fact that Sian and Peter C went to see the group in concert in London at the weekend.

Electric Light Orchestra's 'Mr Blue Sky' was written and produced by Jeff Lynne. Released in 1978, it was taken from the group's album Out of the Blue, and peaked at number 6 in the UK Singles Chart.

You can listen and be uplifted by 'Mr Blue Sky' here.

In the garden at the Cat and Custard Pot, Shipton Moyne

The red hot heat of the preceding days was replaced by a much more comfortable temperature on Wednesday evening. 

Having reached Minchinhampton via Long Newnton and Cherington, we decided to postpone our planned stop at the fish and chip shop for another occasion. A descent of the 'W' into Nailsworth, was quickly followed by a climb up Horsley Hill. After an energetic run down Bowldown Road to Shipton Moyne, there was no possibility of us passing up the opportunity of a drink at the Cat and Custard Pot.

Riders: Peter C, Phil, Steve Clark, me, Tim W and guest Simon Vannerley.

Lads and ladies who do lunch!

My thanks go to Lyndon for sending me this photograph taken at The Angel, Sherston on Thursday.

Attendees: Bryan, Clive, Chris, Dave, Lyndon, Paul Hadley, Peter C, Steve Cox, Steve M and Sue Alexander.

Our combined Clarion family in the garden of Jennie's Kitchen

Saturday was one of those magic moments when all three groups converged for coffee. First there's a general overview of the coffee stop, followed by individual group reports from Howard and Paul.

Reserved for MCCC

First to arrive, were members of the Sporting Group. Peter C had primed Jennie's Kitchen to expect around 16 riders, and they'd reserved a large table for us.

Leisure and Sporting Group riders get ready to rumble

The second wave of riders came in the form of the Leisure Group. A bit of squeezing-up meant that we were all able to sit together.

We'd more or less finished our refreshments when the Social Group called in to complete the trio. 

The alpacas (hairy kangaroos) were keen to join the party too 

With our combined cycling family now occupying two tables, we united for a club photograph and mingled long enough to be able to exchange greetings.

Reluctantly, the Sporting Group broke up the party and headed for home, leaving the Social Group to enjoy their food and drinks.

Sporting Group: James H, Mike G, Phil, Steve Clark, me, Tim W and Tommy.

Formation riding (or it would have been if I hadn’t slowed to take this photo)

How long is a club ride?

That is the question that got me thinking. Is it 20 miles, 35, or even 45 miles? Our club offers all three distances on a Saturday but check Strava early Saturday evening, find MCCC members’ uploads (or is it downloads?) and a variety of distances show, 40, 50, 60+ miles, from riders purported to be on the same ride! No bad thing, in my opinion. 

What I do find frustrating though is that my end of ride mileage is always something like xx.9, it is never an exact number. This, obviously, always forces me to extend my ride to ensure the figure rolls over to a respectable (say) 25.00 miles, rather than an embarrassingly short distance of 24.9 miles (probably 24.99 but there is not enough space to display 100th on my Edge 800). 

Looks like a major pile up but just waiting for horses and horse boxes to pass

This then is my brief report on our 24.9 mile leisure ride. I didn’t notice that I needed that 10th of a mile until after I’d put my bike away. Caroline and I set off from the town hall to meet Dave and Sue further in to the ride. The route followed was pretty direct to the café and took in Charlton, Hankerton, Upper Minety, a closed railway crossing boasting a passing train, Lower Moor, Derry Fields, ‘Happy Land’ and on to Jennie's Cafe.

Leisure Group: Caroline, Dave, Howard and Sue Alexander.

Howard

An Arithmetic Adventure with The Social Group:

We started out with 7. Yes the magnificent 7. A prime number. It had to be a good omen. Bryan was leading and I was riding at the back, as we were the only ones with the route map. After a few miles, I checked the numbers again and, this time, counted 8 riders. Another good number if you are Chinese, but where had the extra one come from? It was Chris. He had simply materialised into the group from nowhere. I must ask him how he does that. Our cat can do it but not with a bike.  

The ride progressed well without any further change to the number of riders. As you might expect in a sociable group, we enjoyed good conversation with bike stuff hardly mentioned at all.  

We arrived at the coffee stop to find the Leisure and Sporting contingents well into their coffee and cake.  

I now return to arithmetic. I had an Americano (£2.20p) plus an egg & bacon roll(£3.50p) = £5.70p ......  but not so in Jennie's Cafe where it evidently adds up to £5.15p. It seems that whatever any of our group ordered, it came to £5.15p. Nice cafe though.  Did you spot those hairy kangaroos in the next field?  

The ride back was the shorter of the 2 halves and we were soon back in Malmesbury. Bryan set a healthy pace for a windy day and we averaged c 15.5 mph for the whole ride. Thanks go to Bryan for being ride leader and to Peter for another fine route.

Social Group: Bryan, Chris, Karine, Lyndon, Malc, Paul Hadley, Steve M and Sue Akers.

Paul Hadley

Bamboo Socks in MCCC colours

If you're looking for a quality cycling sock, at a very reasonable price, to compliment your club kit, then this could be the answer.

Produced by the renowned performance sock maker, Save Our Soles, in Colorado, USA, they're made from a mix of bamboo fibre, nylon and lycra. The bamboo fibre provides excellent moisture management and a soft, yet durable finish.

They were made for Velo Club Walcot, to their own design, and are sold exclusively on their behalf by Green Park Bike Station, Bath. Normally only available to their members, we have VC Walcot's permission to purchase them.

The only thing that prevents them from being the perfect sock, is that the shade of green is a little darker than our own. If you think you can see a pink blush to some of the diamonds, you would be absolutely correct. This puts them 'bang on trend.'

The cost is just £5 a pair. There are limited numbers of medium socks (6.5 - 9), but plenty in a large (9.5 -11.5).

I've already received some orders. If you're interested, please let me know the size and number of pairs you require. 

Tim W

Blog Bulletin

For the second week running, the optional musical accompaniment is provided by an American group. The Steve Miller Band, formed in San Francisco in 1966, released the single Abracadabra from the album by the same name in 1982.

The choice was inspired by the song's lyrics, which fit very nicely with an evening at the Castle Combe Race Circuit:

I heat up, I can't cool down
You got me spinning
Round and round
Round and round and round it goes
Where it stops nobody knows

Try not to get too giddy when you listen here.

Caught sitting up in the club's away colours by photographer Richard Lewton 

Peter C, George and me rode over together to Castle Combe for the Tuesday evening session at the Castle Combe Race Circuit.

Once on the track we soon bumped (thankfully not literally) into Graham.

As you'd expect, given the brilliant weather, the course was busy, but it's very capable of safely accommodating large numbers.

Before leaving we spoke to Lyndon, who had been riding with a group of Chippenham Wheelers. He'd seen Chris Power cycling at the circuit, although we'd failed to spot him.

For some of us, the evening was rounded off with a refreshing drink at The Neeld Arms, Grittleton. Following which, we passed Mike Ratcliffe riding in the opposite direction near Foxley. Once the busy garden machinery repairs and maintenance season is over, and he no longer has to work on Saturday mornings, Mike should become a familiar face again on club rides.

Knight Riders at Great Somerford

Wednesday evening saw a vast improvement in the weather, and no doubt played a big part in getting a few more riders out.

An energetic start stumbled slightly on our approach to Purton. Whilst Pavenhill might not be able to lay claim to being one of the biggest climbs around, it can sap some of the strength out of your legs. Disappointingly, just when you think you've started to make some sort of an impression, a road sign appears announcing your arrival at Lower Pavenhill. To be fair, it's only a short interruption in what is otherwise a fast, free-flowing course.

Free Gardens

The photograph of the line-up was taken at the entrance to the allotments at Great Somerford. The information board positioned between Phil and Peter C records how the Free Gardens were given to the villagers in 1809. They were the first allotments in Britain. Their 200th anniversary in 2009, was marked by an edition of BBC Radio Four's 'Gardener's Question Time.'

With the sun setting, but still remaining pleasantly warm, most of us stopped for a glass of something fizzy at the Little Somerford Arms.

Riders: Graham, James M, Peter C, Phil, Steve Clark, Tim W and guest rider, Simon Vannerley.

Me and my shadow - part of our peloton riding through Bishops Cannings 

Saturday's Sporting Group monthly longer ride to the Honeystreet Cafe, near Pewsey, attracted 8 riders. 

You won't need me to tell you how hot and sunny the weather was.

Say it with flowers

We were directed to our reserved table in the garden.

Boats for hire on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Having placed our orders, it was time to take in the activity on the water.

Poached eggs on toasted soda bread

Service was very prompt. My poached eggs were cooked to perfection.

All smiles after our brunches

Appetites and thirsts well catered for, we relaxed in the sun.

Far reaching views from the top of Hackpen Hill

Bound for Malmesbury, I happened to mention that there is sometimes an ice cream van parked at the top of Hackpen Hill. In the searing hit, we laid siege to the hill, all the time hoping that we'd find the van in residence. Sadly this wasn't the case. What about the village shop at Broad Hinton, I ventured. Peter C, who is normally an authority on all matters catering related, was fairly certain it had closed.

Clarions at Broad Hinton outside the village shop 

We discovered that the village shop was indeed no more. Well, at least not in the guise that we wanted, as it now hosts a saddlery business. All was not lost though, as it also stocks cold drinks and chocolate. Ice creams are going to be added to their range of wares soon.

With renewed vigour, we set about completing the last part of the ride.

Riders: James M, Peter C, Paul Hudson, Lyndon, Phil, Steve Clark, Tim W and Tommy.

I'm very grateful to Paul Hadley for his amusing summary of the Social and Leisure Group rides:

As we mustered for the off, the heat shimmer from the car park said it all ..... phew, a hot day ahead. We were thin on the ground, with only Bryan, Colin and me (Paul H) from the Social Group, plus Caroline, as the sole Leisure Group rider. We thought it sprange we had no Howard. A brief debate ensued, as to why his absence; the consensus being he'd probably opted for an early start.  Caroline declined the idea of a combined ride and said she would meet us at the Folly Row Cafe. 

En route we were joined by Chris who was sheltering in the shade waiting for us to pass by. It was a pleasant ride, a good route (thank you Routemaster Peter) and, thankfully, as flat as the proverbial. There was little wind, if any at all. But Bryan was determined to create our own virtual wind ...... just re-read that bit and can see it could be misunderstood; so to clarify, it had nil to do with digestive systems, but was  the good pace Bryan set through the atmosphere creating our own breeze. 

Upon arrival at the cafe, there was Caroline's bike all alone and baking in the sun, so now we were 5 in the cafe. A few minutes later, Malc arrived and made it up to a round half dozen. He'd gone for a pre-ride run and was late starting the ride.  By the time we departed the cafe, the temperature had climbed several notches and was, by now, hot enough to use the 'F' word ....Fahrenheit. 

Returning along the Fosse, the heat increased our tyre pressures and that, coupled with the state of the road, made for a rough ride. We pondered whether the Romans would have ever let the road get in such a condition.This led on to an erudite discussion on whether we should make a formal complaint to the Italian government seeking compensation for 400 years of occupation, then just buggering off leaving us with the cost of all this maintenance. Maybe it could be factored into the Brexit negotiations as a Rexit clause. At the end of the Fosse   we thinned out: Malc and Chris headed South for home and I headed off to add a few more miles. I hope Bryan and Colin made it back okay.

We were just too exhausted to take photos, but have included the one above of a famous national cyclist.

Sunday Series riders head for Hackpen Hill

(Photographs courtesy of Simon S)

Our next roving reporter, to whom I'm equally grateful, is Tim H:  

Our second Sunday Series ride took us to Marlborough via a jaunt over the Marlborough downs. Well, I say jaunt, but it was extremely hot with the tarmac acting as a radiator!

The white horse at Hackpen Hill comes into view

It is a lovely route and well done to whoever created it. Water was taken on at every opportunity and we pass our thanks on to Iceland supermarket in Calne where a last stop was taken to take on fluid. Thanks to Bryan for the ice creams which went down a treat!

Those riding were Bryan, Simon S, Des and me, Tim H.

Editor: Well done to everyone who rode in the extreme heat at the weekend, but particularly to those on Sunday when the temperature rose by another few degrees. Also, a special word of praise goes to Bryan who participated in club rides on both days.

One knee or two

You will recall that Andy Parker recently brought to our attention the disturbing phenomenon of speed wobble. Gary Walker has posted his thoughts in the comments box on the blog, but just to ensure that they receive the widest possible exposure, I've reproduced them below in their entirety:

Regarding speed wobble, also known as shimmy. I've just had a look at the GCN video, good advice on there. I've had some experience with speed wobble, so here's my ten pence worth (waffle alert!), though mine has been at lower speeds on older traditional steel frames. I've seen many references to it in my research on older steel bikes. I assume the point at which the resonance becomes a problem is different (lower speed) on a skinnier tubed less stiff frame, and therefore more common. 

The leg against the top tube method has always been the answer for me, one, not two as described I think in the video. Shimmy is such an unpredictable thing though and affects different riders in different ways that it might not be the answer for everyone. I'd certainly recommend anyone try it though if they experience shimmy...it doesn't sound like it will make any difference, but for me it went from terrifying to serene in a moment. 

Might be worth noting that although the consequences of shimmy are far from subtle, the things that causes it are, so for me just one knee gently against the top tube is all it takes to correct it. I think violently clamping both legs like a vise might not end so well, even though in the moment it might feel like that's what is needed! A bit like how new teenage drivers think that to correct a skid they need give it an armful of opposite lock because they heard you had to turn into a slide to correct it (and they saw it on Top Gear/films/driving games), when all they really needed to do was give a little twitch on the wheel and all would've been fine (speaking as someone who in my youth corrected a lot of slides...and a few that I didn't!)

Hope that's helpful.

Gary Walker

Blog Bulletin

I always try and avoid causing any offence on the blog. I know it's not a laughing matter, but seeing poor old Pete B with his head bandaged up, I couldn't help thinking of The Bangles' million-selling single 'Walk Like an Egyptian.' Released in 1986, it was the American Billboard magazine's number-one song for 1987. It was re-issued as a single in the UK in 1990.

As I know that Pete is such a good sport, you can listen to this very catchy tune here.

Honeystreet Cafe

This Saturday the Sporting Group embark on June's longer ride. The destination is the Honeystreet Cafe on the outskirts of Pewsey. There's a long, thundering descent under the ever watchful eye of the Alton Barnes White Horse, which delivers you to the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Hot drinks and light snacks can be enjoyed in the spacious garden, as the boats gently chug by.

You can view and download the 59.7 mile course from here. There is 2,953 feet of elevation.

Please note that departure will be at the earlier time of 8.30am.

Folly Row Cafe

The Social Group meanwhile will be visiting the excellent Folly Row Cafe at Kington St Michael.

You can view and download the 34.2 mile course from here. There is 1,116 feet of elevation.

Please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the course you intend to ride and if you have a Garmin or a similar device, please download the course. Both will be helpful to your Ride Leader.

For Third Way riders, please look out for Howard's email later in the week.

Clarions preparing to leave The Food Gallery, Marlborough on 30th August 2014

(From left to right, Simon L, Heather, Colin, George, Phil and Tim H)

The following day, on Sunday 18th June 2017, there's another opportunity to visit the Marlborough Downs, with the second outing in the 2017 Sunday Series.

Tim H reports that this is a lovely tried and tested route with some great scenery on the way, but advises that there are a few very steep hills to negotiate.

You can view and download the 58.02 mile course here.

The ride will leave at 10.00am.

Clarions at Callow Hill, Brinkworth

Not that any further evidence is needed to demonstrate just how unseasonal this current weather is, but here's a photograph taken on Wednesday 8th June 2016, of members at Callow Hill, Brinkworth waiting for the Flying Scotsman steam train to pass under the bridge.

In sharp contrast, last Wednesday was overcast and windy. It did stay dry though for our ride to Chalford and back, for which, Peter C, Johnathan, who was taking a short break from his revision and me, were all most grateful.

Peter C has sent the following report regarding Saturday's club ride to the AV8 Cafe at the Cotswold Airport, Kemble: 

The Sporting Group, which left at 9.00am, consisted of myself, Malc and Simon Akers - numbers were down due to many members being away doing other activities.

Nothing to report back apart from it was a very blustery ride, which none of us were particularly impressed by!

AV8 were very quick and efficient with the 3 of us going for the savory option for sustenance.

We passed the Social Group, made up of Bryan, Des D, Karine, Lyndon, Nairo, Steve Cox, Sue Akers and Tim H, on the road from the A433 to Rodmarton, where we were informed that they were delayed in meeting us for coffee by a puncture.

The ride back home was again dominated by the wind. We returned to Malmesbury at 12.30pm.

Peter C

Editor: Analysis of Howard's ride on Strava leads me to believe that he visited Jennie's Kitchen at the Cotswold Water Park. A possible reconnaissance mission ahead of the club's visit there on 24th June 2017?  

A slightly damp looking Tommy and me at Tewkesbury

Further afield on Saturday, Tommy and me completed the Mr Pickwick's High Summer Meander 214km Audax from Tewkesbury.

With rain expected in the Tewkesbury area at around 6.30pm, we were keen to complete the ride before then. Unfortunately the wind did its best to thwart our efforts. We were plagued by a headwind for the first 50 miles. The only respite came with the tree-cover in the Forest of Dean. The long awaited tailwind never really materialised. Instead, the wind swirled around in all directions throughout the remainder of the ride. A wrong turn, which added an extra 4 miles and incurred an unnecessary lengthy ascent of the appropriately named Breakheart Hill into Mitcheldean, meant that we were rained on over the last 3 miles.

If the idea of riding a 200km Audax or further appeals to you and you'd like to join us, please speak to Tommy or me and we'll tell you the rides we have planned. There's a very good chance we'll be doing a 400km in July. We're also eagerly awaiting Mike G's return once his hand has recovered sufficiently. Non-Audax UK members pay just £2 extra.

Danger Route Submersible

Myself and Sian visited the Vendee region of France during the bank holiday week for rest and to experience riding on the wrong side of the road (which I do quite a lot in the UK too!).

http://vendeevelo.vendee-tourism.co.uk/

Vendee is situated in Brittany and is around 3.5 hours drive from Caen. The area is very flat and was blessed with some of the best roads I have ridden in a long time. Many of the villages and towns also have dedicated cycle ways which are publicly funded and the French motorists all give you space when passing - I found out that it's an on-the-spot fine if this rule is violated.

Not a cloud in the sky

Most mornings we were out for 2/3 rides prior to returning to our camp site where we enjoyed Kingdom Coffee (also available in Malmesbury Abbey) and a nice soak in the pool prior to doing other activities in the afternoon.

Peter does his bit for British exports by advertising Stowford Press cider

My highlight of the week was riding across The Passage Du Gois, which is a 3 mile causeway linking the mainland to the island of Noirmoutier, which is only accessible at low tide - here is the link to the webcam:

http://uk.ile-noirmoutier.com/ot-noirmoutier-en/principal-en/my-useful-info/meteo-marees-webcam-en/webcam

This crossing has been used as part of the Tour de France course and will be used on the first day next year.

The causeway stretches out into the distance

We set off at 0630 on the Friday after studying the tide times to cross it at 0810 that morning. When we arrived the lights were flashing to say do not cross, but I had ridden that far and so there was no turning back. I can safely say that we did not get wet feet!

After all that excitement we had to call in to a local patisserie from a quick coffee and a pain au raisin prior to riding back home.

Peter C

Editor: Thank you Peter for a very interesting insight into your recent vacance. Now that we're entering the summer holiday season, it would be great to hear from other members about their holiday experiences.

Peter C has been quietly beavering away crafting courses to all points of the compass. You can find them on the MCCC Strava page for the Saturday rides and the Malmesbury Knight Riders Strava page for the Wednesday sessions. Alternatively, you can see them all on the calendar page of the club website.

I'm sure that you'll agree with me that there's an interesting and varied selection of routes and destinations.

Please support the club rides when you can.

To whet your appetites, here's where we're heading on Saturdays:

24.06.17
Social Group - Jennie's Kitchen, Cotswold Water Park
Sporting Group - Jennie's Kitchen, Cotswold Water Park

01.07.17
Social Group - Wickwar Coffee Shop
Sporting Group - Wickwar Coffee Shop

08.07.17
Social Group - Jolly Nice Cafe, Frampton Mansell
Sporting Group - Jolly Nice Cafe, Frampton Mansell

15.07.17
Social Group - The Canteen, Nailsworth
Sporting Group - The Canteen, Nailsworth

22.07.17
Social Group - National Trust Tearoom, Lacock
Sporting Group - National Trust Tearoom, Lacock

29.07.17
Sporting Group - Pye Corner, Chepstow (Depart 8.30am)

Blog Bulletin

Mr Pickwick's High Summer Meander 215km Audax

Just a quick word to let you know that next week I'm Audaxing from Tewkesbury with Tommy and so won't be with you on Saturday. Our course takes us down through the Forest of Dean, over the Severn Bridge, across to Malmesbury and then back to the start via Bourton-on-the-Water. 

We won't be the only Audax event visiting Malmesbury. The Wonderfully Wessex 300km from Rowlands Castle, near Portsmouth will be calling too. Both should ensure that the town's cafes are kept busy.

If you have anything for the blog, please send it to me before 6.00pm on Sunday evening. Contributions are always gratefully received. 

Bernard Cribbins

Regular readers of the blog will remember how Tommy recently pointed out to me the two gargoyles he'd helped erect high up on the outside of Tewkesbury Abbey. Each gargoyle weighed 200lbs and needed two people to carry it up the scaffolding. 

Although Tommy and his workmate didn't encounter any problems, I was reminded of Bernard Cribbins' hit record 'Right Said Fred.' The narrator, Fred and Charlie are trying to shift what might have been a piano. Frustrated by their lack of progress, despite stripping down the cumbersome object and eventually demolishing the roof, they keep up their spirits with an endless stream of tea breaks.

The comic record was a hit in 1962, reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart.

The band 'Right Said Fred' was named after the song.

Listen and enjoy their shenanigans here. 

James M

How about this for a cracking photograph! It was taken in the garden of The Rose and Crown at Lea, on Wednesday evening. You'll be relieved to read that the pint of beer belonged to Phil and that James' drink was the non-alcoholic concoction. 

With a number of Knight Rider regulars either away or unavailable, it was left to Phil and James to keep the side up. Sticking with tradition, they slipped a liquid refreshment stop into their ride.

James M shows Mike G and Pete B a clean pair of 

heels, as he nears the Somerset Monument

Saturday's Sporting Group ride attracted 13 riders on the excursion which, included a coffee stop at The Old Stables Cafe in Castle Combe. We welcomed back Mike G and Pete B following their respective tumbles, and also Andrew's daughter Kirsten for her second outing with us. We were also pleased to be joined by Graham, who is more often seen on a Wednesday evening and John, who has been absent for a few weeks. Incidentally, John rode very strongly, which modestly, he put down to being on a lighter bike.

We divided into 2 groups in order to make our exit from the town. Given that Peter C's course was almost entirely free of any main roads, we reunited at Shipton Moyne, and stayed as one throughout, without ever making a nuisance of ourselves.

Clarions outside of The Old Stables

(minus Mike G who had already turned for home)

At the top of the descent into Castle Combe, we stopped to speak to the gathering of Sherston Velo riders who were there to lend their support to Rich Wiles-Teoh, who was 'Everesting' for charity. 

Rich had ridden all through the night, but you would never have guessed from the way he was still attacking the climbs with gusto.

The pace of life over our hot drinks, cake, and in some cases, bacon rolls, was a lot more relaxed. With our thirsts and appetites well catered for, we set off to complete our ride. 

Riders: Alice, Andrew, Graham, James M, John, Kirsten, Lyndon, Malc, Mike G, Pete B, Phil, me Tim W and Tommy.

Tim W 

A postcard from The Old Stables

Clive and I, the only 2 to show up from the Third Way, joined the Social Group and rode with them to the café in Castle Combe. We missed the Sporting Group, possibly because of us slower riders. 

Following the break, the Social Group (Clive and I promoted ourselves for the duration!) split in to two sub-groups. Our group of four and Tim H’s group of six, set off for the rest of the ride.

Our group included myself, Clive, Steve Cox, making a welcome return from Australia and first time Saturday rider, Paul who enjoyed his MCCC experience so much that he immediately decided to join us and crossed my palm with the appropriate remittance. 

The ride back to Malmesbury was uneventful, although we didn’t follow Peter’s course fully. We slightly reduced our mileage to just 33 miles. Still a good course though that included the climb out of Ford which I hadn’t tackled for a few years. In fact, the last time I went up it the road was more like a cart track so it was great to see that the surface was now renewed.

One other exciting thing that happened, our Social Group sub-section was passed twice by Tim H’s Social Group sub-section. Amazing.

Howard

Andy Parker has thoughtfully brought the following to our attention:

'I suffered from speed wobble when I was out with Tim H on Sunday. I've never experienced it before and it was the scariest thing I've ever had happen on a bike.

I was doing 42mph and the whole bike began to fish tail. I had no idea what it was nor what to do about it. 

Even applying the brakes felt scary as hell. I did and gradually got it under control.

I found the article below on line. I had no idea it could happen to a bike so it might be useful to share.'

You can find the link here to the BikeRadar article.

Whilst searching for a suitable picture to accompany this feature, I came across the GCN video of 'How To Fix Speed Wobble.' It's definitely worth watching. It could happen to you. Having some idea of what action to take might just save you from a serious injury.

Watch the GCN video here.