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:
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
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
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.
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!
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
The mystery or the missing strange.
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