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.