NORTHERN NEWS
Number 149
Nov 06
HON SEC’S JOTTINGS
by John
Bedford
Copy for next issue. As I will be away from 19th
November until the 5th December, please email or post any
contributions for the next issue.
AGM. Thirty club members attended the
recent AGM. Harry Child has resigned from the committee, and sincere thanks
were given for all the hard work that Sheila and Harry had done for the club
over the years. Anybody wishing for a copy of the unapproved minutes should
contact me. A suggestion box is being made available at the clubroom.
Heart of
Mudflaps. Please make sure that your bike is
now fitted with mudguards and an adequate mudflap at the rear. These can be
easily made, or can be purchased for a couple of quid from Park Cycles. Please
have consideration for your friend behind you.
The Sunday ‘C’ Ride. Whilst the C ride has for some
time been held only on alternative
Sundays, we now have a weekly programme. John Evans organizes one week and I arrange
the alternate week. My first ride was on a very wet Sunday when I was the only
one to turn out. The second of my rides saw Beryl and Tom riding, though Tom
did peel off at the Arboretum. This was our main destination to look around.
Whilst Beryl and I had visited the café and the chapel, neither of us had ever
had a good look round before. As Remembrance Sunday was nearly upon us we
thought it appropriate to spend an hour here. I hope that more of you will join
us in the future as we spend time exploring some interesting local places.
Overseas Touring. I thought that Beryl and I had done
well with nearly 80 overseas tours undertaken with the bikes, until I read an
article by Nev Chanin, of Stroud, who has done 339 foreign excursions in 44
countries!
Golden Beeches
Weekend. John &
Mary joined us for a weekend in the Chilterns – a lovely area of the country.
The South Bucks CTC put on an excellent programme of rides, some good food, a
quiz and an enjoyable slideshow of cycling in
On the 24th and 25th
April there will be the Daffodil Weekend hosted by the Ross-on-Wye CTC. Let’s
try and make this a club weekend. There are a number of visitor attractions in
the area (Tintern Abbey, Symonds Yat, Monmouth etc) which could appeal to
non-cycling partners. Details have yet to appear, but if at all interested
please let Beryl or myself know so that we can keep you informed.
Birmingham Slideshows at Carrs Lane Church Centre on 12th
December at 7-30, Graham Nevett will be giving his second slideshow on cycling
in
DA AGM will be held on Sunday 19th
November
DA Carol Service. 17th December at
Village Hall opens
SLIDESHOW & PRIZE PRESENTATION
Saturday 18th November at
Erdington
Methodist Church Hall,
‘Cycletouring in
QUIZ NIGHT &
PHOTO-COMP
COME ALONG AND TEST YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND CYCLING KNOWLEDGE!
Non-cyclists can take part too!
SUNDAY 10th December
Festive Tea – catering courtesy of
Only £3-50 each
At the Clubroom
There will be a
normal club ride from the clubroom, leaving at
Bookings to Val Jones 353 9142
This event is subsidized from Club Funds.
Partners Welcome.
CHARITY FUND RAISING
Tony Cash, an occasional Friday ‘Dog’ rider had
pledged to raise a minimum of £1500 during the spring and summer for the charity
Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
“How on earth can I get started?” he said.
The answer…. On yer bike (sponsored, of course).
Says Tony ….
My fundraising target seemed rash,
Said Beryl…”give the AUDAX a bash”.
Even the cramp at Hoar Cross,
Did not get the boss,
As he pedalled home with the cash.
And at the finish, to crown a great day, my
Audax card was signed
and appropriately stamped ‘CASH BACK!!’
Thanks to all my supporters, including the CTC.
The Audax ride produced a great start to my eventual end of summer total of
£2023.
Best regards and happy cycling. Tony (3) Cash.
Fancy a Challenge? Bike
Cycle from the
THE ‘NORTHERN‘ LIBRARY.
by Brian
Langdell
With the days shortening and more hours of
darkness it seems an opportune time to remind members of the club book library.
We now have 220 books donated by members over the years on various aspects of
cycling available on free loan.
A recent addition highlights each year of the
Tour de France over the last 100 years with some fine old photographs. You
might be interested to know how Harry Enfield’s dad got on when he cycle camped
to the south of France, or read specific books on the careers of famous racing
cyclists such as Reg Harris, Tom Simpson, Chris Boardman, Bernaud Hinault and
others? There are books on cycle maintenance; would you like to know how to
dismantle a Sturmey Archer hub gear? How about a bit of nostalgia with the
Guiness Book of Cycling?
There is a list of all the books on the notice
board at the clubroom. We are also building up a ‘cycling’ tape collection,
both audio and video. If you have any to donate/loan they would be very
welcome.
Arrangements for collection etc can be made by contacting
me on a club ride or on 07906 704 874
FOR
Orbit 22” Caraway, 21 speed with 26” touring
wheels @ £495.
Orbit 19”
Mercian 23” Classic Tourer frame @ £395, can be
built up to your specification.
A selection of part-built touring bikes at
various prices. Can be finished off to your specification or price bracket.
Just contact John on 353 5136.
A BIT OF GENTLE NAGGING
by Albert
Atkins
On my increasingly infrequent rides with the
club (due to the demands of a young grand-daughter), I’ve noticed that the
etiquette of club riding is being ignored by a minority of riders.
Extreme reluctance to ‘single out’ despite
repeated calls of “car up” from the ‘Lantern Rouge’ on narrow roads, makes me
believe that there is a god that looks after wide-riding cyclists being
overtaken by frustrated motorists fed up with following an undisciplined group
of cyclists riding at about 12 mph.
However, it would be unwise to depend on his (or her) benevolence indefinitely.
Secondly, the leader should be allowed to lead,
without constantly being overtaken. While the group inevitably breaks up on
some of the stiffer hills, due to the differing capabilities of individual
riders, there is generally no excuse for not riding together. This assists
passing vehicles overtaking one compact group, rather than several smaller
groups, and also makes counting easier, to ensure that no-one has gone missing.
Along with some of the group riding on
footpaths to avoid traffic lights, or even ignoring the lights altogether, we
are in danger of giving ammunition to ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’ and his
ilk who write to ‘The Times’ regularly regarding ‘lycra-clad hooligans’!
Please read and digest the ‘Code of
Conduct’ in the Northern News.
NOSTALGIA by Brian Langdell
Northern News Jan/Feb 1952
The editor was now Terry Kemp who was living in
a caravan out in the wilds of Canwell (a farm in
The Alternative section ride on Cannock Chase
returned through the site of the dam under construction for Blithfield
Reservoir. They also put an invitation in the NN for Social section members to
join them since their speed was now reduced due to all being on 63” fixed gears
for the winter.
A technical article explained the re-activation
for carbon-zinc cycle batteries (well before rechargeables). A new battery soon
becomes polarized due to hydrogen gas forming on the carbon rod, resulting in a
gradual fall-off in light output. The trick was to pass a ‘jerky’ current
through the battery from a half wave charger. One member had used the same
battery 35 times. It was interesting to note that this should not be tried in
some parts of Hockley and Sutton Coldfield that were still on DC mains supply.
‘A.B.’ (Albert Bolton?) wrote about the Northern’s visit to
Road cycling
conviction highlights need for strong defence fund
The conviction of cyclist Daniel Cadden in
August for delaying traffic, by cycling on a road instead of using an alternative
cycle path, has brought to the fore the need for cyclists to have the resources
to fight prejudice and misunderstanding when it threatens where and how they
may ride.
Cadden was riding along the B5072 in
The B5072 comprises a single lane downhill in
the direction Cadden was riding and two lanes uphill. Double white lines
separate the two directions of travel and the police asserted that motor
traffic would be obliged to break the law by crossing these lines in order to
pass the cyclist. At the time he was stopped, Cadden was travelling at over 20
mph, but police claimed that traffic should be able to travel without hindrance
at the legal limit for the road of 60 mph. No more than four vehicles were held
up by the cyclist who would normally expect to catch up with overtaking traffic
by the following junction.
When the case went before District Judge Bruce
Morgan, the police admitted under cross-examination that it would not have been
possible for Cadden to have been overtaken at a safe distance by any vehicle
that did not contravene the double white lines no matter where he had ridden,
even up against the kerb in the space outside the traffic lane. The police
therefore considered that as the cyclist had the choice of a cycle route where
he would not have been of hindrance to traffic, he should not have ridden on
the road at all.
The judge took a similar view. Cadden's
position on the road was not a material factor, but his presence on the road
when an alternative route existed was. The judge was not interested in the poor
quality of the cycle track or its hazards, although evidence was presented that
these are many. The surface is worse than the road with broken glass common,
visibility at junctions is bad and it circumnavigates a roundabout, in the
direction Cadden was travelling, in 6 stages without priority or protection at
any. If safety or discomfort was a problem, the judge considered that Cadden
should have slowed down or dismounted as a pedestrian. A common theme of the
case from police and judge was that the ability of motorists to travel at the
60 mph maximum was more important than any considerations of safety or
convenience for the cyclist.
Cadden was found guilty
because he knew the road well and should therefore have recognised that he
might be an obstruction to traffic during the rush hour. By riding on the road
he had not shown reasonable consideration for others. He was fined £100 with
£200 costs.
Daniel Cadden's case is
being supported by the Cyclists' Defence Fund (CDF) and an appeal has been
lodged. CDF is an independent charity set up by CTC to provide assistance to
cyclists, particularly in legal matters of wider consequence.
This case has
far-reaching implications for every cyclist in the
Legal assistance is
expensive and there has been a growth in claims for help from the CDF to combat
cases such as this and charges of contributory negligence for not using cycle
facilities or cycle helmets. It is vitally important to boost the funds
available to the CDF.
Please encourage all
cyclists you know to make a donation, by post to the address below or on-line
through the CDF website. Please also
increase the value of donations by filling out a Gift Aid declaration.
The Cyclists' Defence
Fund, c/o CTC, Parklands,
CTC TOUR TO LOCHES,
10th – 17th
SEPTEMBER 2006
The leaders were Pam and Dave Pilbeam. There were 25 cyclists
and the accommodation was at the Hotel de St. Antoine.
Sunday, 10th
September
Imagine this.
On a perfect, sunny September afternoon, we arrived at Denmead, nr
We loaded our bikes on to the trailer at
The journey to the
All rides left promptly at 9. 30 am. Everybody was ready each day at this time.
Today we rode through
the most attractive villages, woodland and open farmland. The undulating countryside was most suitable
for the six tandems accompanying us.
Each village had its own medieval castle and narrow streets, all so
unspoilt. Simply charming.
At one point, we took
a sharp right-hand turn and I noticed the name of this road which was “Le Fosse des Boeufs”. As
we continued along this long, straight road, it dawned on me that it must have
been a
Grenille was our
coffee stop. A charming medieval
village which we had time to explore.
The church was well worth seeing for it had a very beautiful stained
glass window. Apart from that, there
was medieval paint work on the walls and ceilings. I particularly liked the blue paint with gold stars representing
heaven.
Lunch was at Montresor. Montresor is classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in
A fortress was
constructed here in 1005 by Foulques Nerra, Duke of Anjou and it overlooks the
peaceful valley of the Indrois.
Alterations were made throughout the following centuries and in 1849, a
Polish Count restored and improved it
and endowed it with many treasures. We
had an interesting tour inside the castle and one of our cyclists who spoke
fluent French, translated everything for us. 40 miles
Wednesday, 13th September. Loches –
Tauxigney – Cormery – Loches
We travelled North
West of Loches today. Our first stop was at Tauxigney for coffee. A quiet village with a bar! The owner was a most pleasant and
accommodating man who rearranged his bar, taking tables and chairs
outside. We were made to feel most
welcome.
Lunch was at
Cormery. We made ourselves comfortable
outside a medieval church and ate our baguettes.
After lunch, we went
inside the church which was in a bad state of repair but did have points of
interest. There was medieval painting
on the whitewashed walls depicting scenes of the Bible but what interested me
most was the old stone benches with wooden seats along the walls. This is where the old and infirm sat during
In Cormery town, there had been an ancient Abbey (built
around 791). It was reconstructed in
1054 but declined in l7th and l8th century and during the Revolution, it was
emptied of furniture. Only the Roman
tower, which is open to the public in July and August, remains We could see and imagine how once the
layout looked especially the gardens which monks had tended.
Whilst travelling through these French villages, we
couldn’t help but notice that nearly everyone had a patch of green set-a-side
for wild flowers. It was a lovely sight
to see such a riot of colour from these wild flowers.
This was a most
enjoyable day out especially as the weather was so warm and sunny.
40 miles
Thursday, 14th
September. Loches-Luzille-Amboise-Loches
Today’s ride was the highlight of the week for
we visited
We rode north from Loches, passing through
Chedigny, a small market town, tucked away in the Indrois valley. Everything in this town reflects the
serenity of the surrounding countryside – from places of worship to typical
Coffee was at Luzille, a small, ancient
village, with ancient castle and narrow winding streets.
We stopped to peer through the trees at the
famous Chenonceau Chateau built over the river. Some of the group chose to stay
here and explore the Chateau and gardens but most of us wanted to go to
Lunched at a Creperie in style, after which we
made our way to Chateau du Clos Luce where da Vinci spent the last three years
of his life.
It was most impressive. We were able to see da Vinci as an artist,
draughtsman and engineer. The rooms
were full of his extraordinary genius and the gardens contained replicas of his
inventions which one could have a hands-on experience. We did not have enough time to fully explore
and enjoy this visit.
We returned by coach to Loches, stopping for a
wine tasting on the way.
Approx 30 miles
Friday, 15th September. Loches-
Legeuile-Le Grande Presigny – Loches
It was very wet indeed today. But the rule was, whatever the weather we are going out for the
ride!
By the time we had
reached our coffee stop at Legueile, we were wet but managed to grab some
liquid refreshments. The name Legueile
appears for the first time around 775 under the title “Lugoggalus” now read as
“Ligolium.” We were getting wet by now
and had no time to explore further.
We pressed on for our
lunch at Le Grande Presigny but upon arrival we were wet through. The only bar open was reluctant to take us
in because they didn’t want us to eat our baguettes inside. However, they took pity on us and proceeded
to move heaven and earth to make us welcome and comfortable. Their bar floor was swimming in water from
the dripping waterproofs. Tables and
chairs were moved so we could all sit together – it was hilarious. The young barman could speak good English so
there was a lot of banter between him and some of the cyclists. They couldn’t have been kinder. I don’t
think they had experienced anything like it before. Reluctantly, we had to set out and the rain was even
heavier. We had no time to look around
this most interesting town with its ruined chateau and ancient streets.
On our way home, in
order to keep our spirits up, we composed limericks. The two first lines went like this:
There was an old lady
from Loches
Who grew tomatoes under
her cloche………..,
Would anybody like to
complete? We decided to have a
competition and there would be a prize on the last night!!
We arrived back in
Loches in excellent spirits but very wet through. Nobody really cared for we were all in the same boat, so to
speak. Great Fun!!! 53 miles
Saturday, 16th September. Loches –
Chatillon sur Indre – Loches
This was a half day
ride before leaving the next day. It
turned out to be nearly a full day ride having cycled 40 miles by the time we arrived back in Loches.
However, it proved to
be the most exciting ride for me if I may say so for I rode tandem! Never having been on a tandem before, I
thoroughly enjoyed myself and all day I was up front with the
best of them! I think we will have to
have a tandem!
Chatillon sur Indre
was again a delightful medieval town with interesting walks around the historic
sites. We lingered in a café for longer
than we intended because we were enjoying the ambience of the place!
On this Saturday, all
public buildings in the area were open to the public at no cost. We climbed The Tour Saint-Antoine, beside
our hotel. This tower is 52 metres high
and was the bell tower of a former church and the belfry for the town. Built between 1529 and 1575, it is the only
Renaissance belfry in
Loches is a most
attractive place, steeped in history, with parts of it dating back to the l0th
century. This town had associations
with Duke of Anjou, Joan of Arc, Henry 11, Richard Coeur de Lion, Agnes Sorel
and Anne de Bretagne. They had all
stayed in the Logis Royal.
Strolling around the walled town in the evening was
rather special, admiring the Keep, The Royal Gate, The Logis Royal, “Le
donjon”,(the dungeon), The Collegiate Church and the l6th century Hotel de
Ville. All these ancient buildings were
well preserved. These ancient buildings
were lit up at night creating a special atmosphere.
This tour was not for
those who wanted to “get the miles in”.
It was a most relaxed and enjoyable week full of historical and cultural
interest. Pam and Dave Pilbeam were
superb leaders who took care of everybody and nobody was left behind. Each day we were handed the route sheet and
map with route marked on it. It was a
most pleasurable experience.
FOR
CTC MEMBERSHIP RATES until end
of September 2007.
Adult membership Annual Fee £34-00
Under 18/full time student Annual Fee £12-00
Senior 65+. Unwaged.
Annual Fee £21-00
Additional adult member at same
address Annual Fee £21-00
Call 0870 873 0061 or visit www.ctc.org.uk to join or renew.
GOLDEN BEECHES WEEKEND by Mary
Evans
28th
– 29th OCTOBER 2006
No changing of place at 100 mph will make us
one whit stronger, happier or wiser.
There was always more in the world than men could see, walked they ever
so slowly, they see it no better for going fast – John Ruskin
Now I know why we took up cycling. Cycling through the beautiful countryside of
Buckinghamshire, we thought we were in heaven!
The sights will long remain in our memory:- the glorious
beechwoods where, within living memory, bodgers worked in huts in the woods
making chairs and tables for the Buckinghamshire furniture industry; the beechwoods were almost cathedral-like,
with fleeting patterns of light and shade on their trunks; and the dappled
light illuminating the autumn tints.
The steep descent from Whiteleaf Hill, which seemed to go on for miles;
the old, attractive villages with the many thatched cottages – Long Crendon
being the most outstanding with its Tudor(?) Manor House; Thame, a fine market
town, desperately trying to hang on to its status as a cattle market which is
held once a month; ‘Georgian’ Wendover, described by Defoe as ‘mean and dirty,’ was worth
looking at; the view from Chequers and Combe Hill and the trek up and over the
rough track in Wendover Woods with its fine views from the summit; the two red
kites soaring overhead and the sound of barn owls hooting at night.
It was a wonderful weekend – well organised, very
welcoming and excellent food.
How about joining us next year?………
******
TONY HALL is making steady progress and is now
doing a bit of walking each day.
BRIAN HAILING is also walking his way back to
fitness.
Best wishes to you both from us all.
COPY DATE – TUESDAY 5th DECEMBER.