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2012
8th. February The Three
Pigeons, Nesscliffe
1st February The Red Castle,
Harmer Hill.
25th. January The Bridges,
The Bridges.
18th January The Huntsman,
Little Wenlock.
11th. January The
Stiperstones.
4th, January The Three
Pigeons, Nesscliffe
2011
28th December The Prince of Wales, Belle Vue.
(Using a different route from last week)
21st December The Prince of Wales,
Belle Vue.
14th. December The Nags Head,
Pontesbury.
7th. December. The Ragleth,
Little Stretton.
30th. November. The Oak, Glyn
Ceiriog.
23rd. November The Royal Oak, Cardington
16th. November The Red Lion,
The Wrekin
9th. November. The Three Pigeons, Nesscliffe.
2nd. November The
Stiperstones
26th. October. The Red Castle, Harmer Hill.
19th. October. The Callow Inn, Bromlow.
12th. October. The Ragleth, Little Stretton.
5th. October. The Nags Head,
Pontesbury.
28th. September. The Bridges,
Ratlinghope.
21st. September. The Admiral
Rodney, Criggion.
14th. September. The Royal Oak, Cardington
7th. September The Red Lion, Wellington.
31st. August The Three
Pigeons.
24th. August. The Corbett Arms, Uffington
17th. The Stiperstones,
Snailbeach.
10th. August The Stanton Arms, Stanton upon Hine Heath. Good fun! Thanks
to Tom & George for leading.
3rd. August. The Corbett Arms, Uffington.
27th. The Plume of Feather,
Harley
20th. July The Bottle and
Glass, Picklescott
13th. July The Red Lion, Harmer Hill.
6th July. The Ragleth, Little Stretton.
29th. June. The Nags Head,
Pontesbury.
22nd. June. The Red Lion,
Wellington.
15th. June. The Oak, Glyn
Ceiriog.
8th. June The Admiral Rodney.
1st June The Stiperstones
25th. May The Royal Oak,
Cardington.
18th. May The New Inn,
Hook-a-Gate.
11th. May. The White Horse,
Pulverbatch
4th. May. The Callow Inn,
Bromlow,
27th. April. The Ragleth,
Little Stretton.
20th. April. The Nags Head,
Pontesbury.
13th. April The Red Lion
Wellington.
6th. April The Royal Oak,
Glyn Ceiriog
30th. March The Breidden Inn
23rd March The Station Inn,
Marshbrook
16th. March The Corbett Arms, Uffington.
9th. March The Stiperstones.
2nd. March The Bottle and Glass
23rd. February The Red Lion, Harmer Hill.
16th. February The Royal Oak,
Cardington.
9th February The Three
Pigeons, Nesscliffe.
2nd February The Red Lion,
Wellington.
26th. January The Nags Head,
Pontesbury.
19th. The Ragleth, Little
Stretton.
12th. January. The
Stiperstones.
5th January The Three
Pigeons, Nesscliffe.
2010
29th. December. The Prince of
Wales, Belle Vue.
22nd. December. The New Inn,
Hook-a-gate
15th. December. The Prince of
Wales, Belle Vue
8th. December. The Corbett
Arms, Uffington
1st. December The Red Lion,
Wellington.
24th, November, The Ragleth,
Little Stretton.
17th. November The Red
Castle, Harmer Hill.
10th. November. The Nags
Head, Pontesbury
3rd. November. The Royal Oak,
Cardington.
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CYCLE CLIPS
Winter 2011
The quarterly newsletter of the Shrewsbury Informal Cycling Groups
These groups are dedicated to sociable, easy-going cycling in and
around Shropshire.
Some of us just potter, others are a little more energetic, but all
of us delight in exploring the beautiful countryside that abounds in
our county. On the other hand, our off-roaders have a different way
of doing things. Their approach to leisure cycling is bold, to say
the least!
OPENING THOUGHTS
I thank you all for your letters, phone calls and cycling company in the
year now almost past. Cycling throws up such long-lasting friendships,
as Jim Leach’s thoughtful report later confirms, and some of my present
companions have been part of my life both on and off the bike for over
thirty years now. The warmth, humour and comfort that they have brought me
is quite amazing really, and how precious that fellowship is.
You can’t buy it – it is priceless.
As a bonus, there is the ongoing pleasure of meeting newcomers; friends
in the making, if you like, so new friends or old, I wish you all a
really
Happy Christmas,
and I
hope to see you, at your leisure – up the road.
PW.
THE NEWSLETTER
The
treasurer and I send grateful thanks to those who responded to the call
for funds. There was an excellent return and some people were
exceedingly generous, so we are pleased to say that barring hiccups (our
printers are under threat of closure by the council), we now have
sufficient funds to cover us for the next year and a bit. The matter of
future funding in our informal setting will be considered during the
course of next year.
Help!
I
really like putting CC together, but I hate having to address
envelopes by hand, stamp them, and send them out. It takes me ages – I’m
not equipped to do these things by computer. There are currently
twenty-seven people who receive copies by post, and it is likely that
this number will increase. Is there anyone who is willing to take
distribution off my hands, preferably someone who has a labelling
facility on their computer? It really would make the job easier.
Ed.
EVENTS just past.
The Sleap Circuit,
Wednesday September 14th 2011.
Dry, no rain, is always a
good start and this, the sixth running of the Sleap ride, was better
weather-wise than most. We were once again mentored for security
purposes by our old friend Bill Sharpe, who was looking remarkably well
and is still positively brimming with enthusiasm, and after lunch he
conducted us on a clockwise circuit of the perimeter track, keeping us
out of the way of an unusually high volume of incoming and outgoing
airborne traffic. We made our now annual visit to the maintenance
hangar, and on the way round the field we were given an interesting
insight into operations past and present, and flying in general. There
were several riders who hadn’t been here before so it was all new to
them – Bryan Jefferys, ex Coastal Command, mentioned that he
became disorientated up the back straight and we were able to reassure
him that it happens to everyone, first time round. This is a big field,
it’s as flat as a pancake, and it’s easy to lose your bearings.
We didn’t need any
prompting to re-visit the hangar where the private collection of old
aircraft is being restored. It was a rare opportunity to see true
craftsmanship, with aircraft in various stages of restoration. Currently
there is some truly intricate woodwork being undertaken on the wings of
an aerobatic Pitts Special, which are delicately built in spindly spruce
but made to withstand 11G, which is a tough test by any yardstick. This
‘plane should be ready to fly in the spring of next year. Looking at
some of the absolute wrecks awaiting the touch of genius, it is
surprising what can be undertaken, but I guess you can do anything if
you really try. I suspect that a bit of the folding stuff helps!
Circuit completed,
(it’s 3.11 miles round, we measured it), we extended our grateful thanks
to Bill and drifted off. At the prior suggestion of Bert Catchpole, who
regretfully was unable to be with us, we agreed to return in spring next
year, when we hope to see not only Bert and Joyce, but also any others
who have yet to enjoy this rather different day out.
The Vyrnwy Circuits,
Saturday 15th October 2011.
Stunning, amazing, take
your pick – many superlatives were used to describe the scene on this
crystal clear, still, blue day. I’ve never seen anything like it. When
we arrived the lake was like a mirror, but riding conditions were
distinctly divided – sun blessed and gorgeous on the east, cold and
damply dripping in the shade of the west. Fourteen participants gathered
at Bay’s café for tea and buns, then we circuited in a clockwise
direction, getting the best of the sun on our backs before plunging into
the shadows down the back leg. The dark side has a beauty all of its
own, where waterfalls rush down the rock faces and spill onto the road,
while the sun blasts the occasional shaft of brilliance through the
lofty trees to relieve the chill, but there’s no denying that a brutal
shock was in store for those of us who had bare knees – Dear Lord it was
cold!
It was good to see
Jeannie Millichamp looking as bubbly as ever after her recent tumble,
but she and David had to leave us at lunchtime, as did Ramona from Chirk,
as they had other matters to attend to. Mary and Neville Roberts from
Presteigne, who were riding their electric-assist machines,
stayed to enjoy lap two, and on such a gorgeous day the rest of the
company
2
joined in as well. It was
fun. Vyrnwy is a really remarkable place to be, and once again we
enjoyed the scenery in wonderful company.
The Revd John Durnell
and I offer many thanks to those who joined in with this, our last event
‘in charge’. To those familiar faces who were regrettably missing, we
wish you well, and we hope to see you next spring.
PW
PS.
I had a brief but revealing ride on Mary’s bike, and I was highly
impressed by this electric business. On these particular machines you
have to pedal all the time for the battery to assist you, and a power
setting decides how much of a kick you get, but Neville reckons that he
has had over thirty miles on one ride without running out of juice. It
made those of us with ailing legs, (and other parts), think a bit.
PW
A blessed good day!
Wednesday 2nd November 2011.
Fifteen riders set out on the latest Wednesday Lot themed
ride, an exploration of the history of five churches near Shrewsbury. In
spite of a threatening forecast the weather remained fine, and we
suspect that divine intervention had something to do with it! The first
church on the itinerary was in Condover, one of the largest parish
churches in the county, where an added bonus was the presence of the
Vicar, who was most welcoming.
Stapleton is possibly unique in that it started life with two storeys,
the upper portion being the church; it was later converted by removing
the floor to create a very high interior. The local key holder had
carried out her promise to unlock it ready for the visit and we were
thus able to go inside and enjoy it to the full.
A few lovely autumnal miles later some of the group enjoyed a first
class lunch served by the cheerful staff at The Tankerville Arms
in Longden, while others relaxed in the unusually warm weather, with a
picnic outside.
St. Ruthen’s
Church, Longden was the first afternoon visit, with much discussion
about the structure and the derivation of the name. Thoughtful study was
given to the gravestone that records the death of four young children
within a period of a few weeks. The siblings all died after catching
measles, a truly sad occurrence. Then the wind blew us to Christ
Church at Annscroft, the youngest of the churches visited, having
been built in 1868 for the creation of a new parish. It is normally
locked but a wedding had just taken place and the parishioners were
still clearing up, so we were invited in, an added bonus!
The ride ended at
The Church of the Holy Trinity at Meole Brace; a magnificent
building in a style that exemplifies all that is best in church
architecture of a large English village. This site has the unusual
distinction of having had three entirely new churches on it between the
medieval period and the existing one, built in 1867-8. The church
contains a collection of stained glass by the pre-Raphaelite School,
Burne Jones, Ford Madox Brown, William Morris and Kempe, but that will
have to wait for another day!
Among the comments
received were – “most informative”, “A lovely day out”, “good company”,
“lovely pub”, “Jim’s good at this” (from quite a few people), “very
enjoyable”, “nice chips!” and other variations on all of these! Rolf
doesn’t like going in to churches but he still offered enthusiastic
support and enjoyed the day, so everyone was a winner.
Jim Leach, who
coordinated the whole thing, says he relished the company and
appreciated the enthusiastic support, and those on the ride offered him
our heartfelt thanks. And yes, they’re right – Jim is indeed good at
this!
The Chip run, every other
Friday. This
short ride is now well established, with up to half a dozen regular
attendees, and there is no doubt that more will join when its delights
become fully appreciated. There’s no foreseeable chance that we’ll
change the venue – The Bell at Cross Houses is a winner. It’s
warm and welcoming and the locals are always good for a bit of sharp
humour, and we are now fully paid-up members of the local social scene.
The ride there and back is whatever you want to make of it but I dread
deep winter; it’s going to be one heck of a job to get back on the road
after a fat lunch in good company. Incidentally, The Bell’s
bangers and mash with onion gravy is a
belter at £3.99. Proper buttery mash – now there’s a thing!
It has been suggested
that this should become a weekly event; it is that enjoyable. OK, we
like the idea, but would it be a ride too many? You wouldn’t have to go
every week I guess, but it’s tempting. Time, and the participants, will
decide.
NB.
It always pays to phone through before you go anywhere just to
see it there are any snags. We arrived for lunch on the last Friday in
October, complete with
rumbling tums and menu choices made, only to find that the chef had
taken the day off. It was a real flattener. The garage up the road has a
selection of sandwiches, pies etc, but it really wasn’t the same at
all. Be warned.
PW
FRIENDS
Cliff Ash.
We have had news that the ever-fit and every-young Cliff Ash is
receiving attention for a rather punishing and worrying illness. The
problem first made itself
known late in the summer, since when a series of tests have been carried
out and treatment is about to commence as this goes to the printers.
This is so out of character for young Cliff that we are confident that
his fighting spirit, in conjunction with the skills of medical
professionals, will soon see him out on his bike again; indeed he’s
already talking about it. Such a problem is also a strain on a partner
and we send our best wishes to both Cliff and Freda, assuring them that
all their friends are available to give any support that they need.
Les Bennett.
Les has had peritonitis,
was operated on successfully, has since been all over the USA and is now
very well indeed. That’s cramming a lot into a short time, but it’s
really good to know that you are back to normal, Les!
Bert and Joyce Catchpole.
Our friends
experienced an uncomfortable patch around late summer, with lousy colds
and other nasties striking them down, but things have improved since
then. I went to see them at the end of October and truth to tell, Bert
seems to be in better nick than I am. Long may he remain so!
PW
The Revd John Durnell.
I last saw John
hammering gently along on the Vyrnwy Circuits, talking up a storm to
all and sundry – he was in fine fettle. Grace was as ever, supporting us
in the backup wagon and she is pretty bouncy as well, I’m pleased to
say. Their company was much enjoyed by all on the ride. John has a big
birthday in March, at which time a celebratory circuit of the lake will
take place.
Bill and Arlene Pfeffer.
Just after the
last newsletter had been sent Bill phoned up several times, with such a
miscellany of queries and information that you’d never credit it. The
initial call concerned a report in the US newspapers about what Bill
3
thought was ‘a riot’ at a
concert given by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in London,
during which there had apparently been a Palestinian demonstration, and
he was concerned that our nationwide riots might be kicking off again. A
mildly political
discussion followed, during
which it became apparent that in the USA, Israel is treated with far
greater deference than is he case here. Cliff Guttridge had been
listening to the concert on the radio and said that it had been
interrupted for a short while, but then it carried on after they had
corralled, then elbowed, the protestors. Our papers didn’t even bother
to report what was to us a very minor incident. There are differences of
opinion from one side of ‘the pond’ to the other that we don’t even
think about.
We then talked of
‘Fairy Toots’, (Google it, or better still, Bill says Scroogle
it, it’s free), Adge Cutler and the Worzels, (Bill didn’t know that Adge
had died), Margaret Thatcher, Holy Wells, and specifically, a well in a
place that sounded like Nempnett Thrub over the transatlantic wire but
turned out to be in Penkridge (have I got this right, Bill?). A
subsequent letter from Arlene confirms that they are both OK. They will
always be here in our hearts, but I doubt that that’s any consolation,
particularly when Bill wants to ride the lanes again.
PW
To any
other friends who may be a little under the weather; please be assured
that you are not forgotten, and we wish you a speedy return to normal.
Ed.
LITTLE KNOWN SHROPSHIRE
(Not too far off the beaten track)
Cross Houses allotments.
Yes, this edition’s must go to is an allotment site! The Atcham
Union Workhouse, which is the origin of the large old building in the
centre of Cross Houses that later became the hospital and is now
apartments, was established in the 1790s. In the 1870s the workhouse was
expanding and a kitchen garden was set up, as it was thought that the
unfortunates who lived here, particularly the older children, would
benefit from the chance to learn vegetable gardening as an aid to their
future lives. At the same time hospital wings were added and doubtless
the patients also benefited from the produce.
The workhouse closed
around the turn of the century, but the hospital continued. Many years
later, the Health Authority employed a team of gardeners here and they
provided vegetables for this and other hospitals in the area, but they
were laid off in the 1980s, at which time the allotments became the
preserve of the hospital social club. Then the hospital closed. In 2002,
redevelopment of the entire site as a housing estate required the
preservation of the core buildings, and the allotments were added to
this agreement at the request of the local people. The old Shrewsbury
and Atcham Borough Council gave £15,000 for footpaths to be
constructed in crushed brick, (as they had been originally), and
currently there is a plot-holders management group which looks after the
24 plots. Members of the public are invited to inspect them at any time.
The allotments are
located down in the hollow behind the old main buildings – just follow
the road round to the left. This little bit of local history is really
worth a visit, and it can be a rather pleasant place to while away half
an hour or so.
Incidentally, riders with the Friday ‘chip run’ reckon that overall,
this is as visually acceptable a development as they have seen – the new
houses and the original buildings blend together really well. In fact,
Cross Houses seems to be a fairly well sorted village. Remember those
brilliant bus shelters that we commented on last year? They’ve got a
good community pub as well, but I think I’ve mentioned that!
NEWS, VIEWS and odds and ends
Cyclops.
There is a new local
magazine in circulation called Cyclops, which has ‘Enjoy Cycling
in Shropshire’ as its tagline. Written for Shropshire Council’s Love
your Bike month in October, it is designed to encourage newcomers
and lapsed cyclists back onto the road again, and it contains a wealth
of useful information. It could develop into a regular publication and
it seems like a wholly good idea to me, focussing primarily, as it does,
on informal leisure riding. If you’d like a copy please ask me or Rob
Fris, and your thoughts about its content and future development would
be useful to both the editor and the Council.
Cycling World.
This publication has
endured a sporadic record in the last couple of years, but it seems to
be back on track now. Fingers crossed, they published on two consecutive
months in October and November! Nothing would please me more than to see
things back to the monthly norm. CW is the only magazine that
gives itself
over to a more relaxed form of cycling so long may it survive. Look out
for it on the shelves in Smiths, and if you have any comments on the
format etc. please tell me and I’ll tell Steve Dyster, the editor. Or
you can, of course, tell him yourself.
PW
Printing – a commercial.
Cycle Clips is
printed by Abbey
Works, Castle Maltings, St Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 2EU,
a wholly worthwhile
local National Health Service employment group that helps people
with learning problems to gain employment skills.
They
have been very kind to us for several years but now, like just about
everyone else, they could do with more business. I said I’d mention it,
so here goes!
Abbey
Works will happily (and flexibly) undertake a wide range of work.
Booklets, newsletters, business cards, confidential shredding,
stationery,
mail shots, signs and labels and the like are their bread and butter,
and black and white or colour, it’s no problem.
Needless to say,
their pricing is very keen indeed, so if you would like to know more
about other services on offer, or have a job to be done, why not ask
them to quote you? Ring them on 01743 359737 or e-mail Abbey.Works@sssft.nhs.uk
and mention that you saw it in Cycle Clips!
Shropshire Star – Bikes for
sale, 1.
Gents mountain bike for sale, the tyres are flat. £30.00.
Bikes, 2.
Pink toilet seat,
£10.00.
Where would that fit on the bike then? More to the point, who on earth
edits those pages? Ed.
4
THE GROUPS
Lights and spares etc.
Have you checked that your lights are working,
your spare inner tubes are airtight and you are carrying the right
tools? As a backup, a head torch is an amazingly useful piece of kit;
it’ll shine a light anywhere, hands off, and takes up very little room
in your bag.
Ed.
The Sunday Pedallers.
Towards the end
of summer we experienced an influx of new, inexperienced riders, and
very welcome they were. However, now that the warm weather has gone,
they seem to have deserted us but never mind, we’ll see them again, no
doubt. As usual, Home Farm closes from Christmas until April. Hopefully,
by the time this newsletter is printed we will have a substitute tea
stop sorted out.
Meanwhile, we
continue to welcome anyone who wishes to start cycling again but doesn’t
know where or how to start. We can offer all the help and advice in the
world, but do remember – if you start afresh in winter, it can be pretty
cold!
The Wednesday Lot.
This group enjoys a
diversity of relatively short rides designed to appeal to those who wish
to travel at a gentler pace. We don’t hurry, preferring to talk and put
the world to rights as we pedal easily along – lack of pace will
always be the norm. To go faster, as has occasionally been suggested,
would seriously limit the
options for local cyclists.
We ride throughout
the winter, adjusting the outing to suit the conditions. Feel free to
join us if you’d like, we will not abandon you halfway through
the day. A word with one of the riders, or one of the contacts listed at
the end of the newsletter, will tell you more about us.
The Wednesday Loose-enders
and The Saturday Casuals
continue to meet every
week, even if there isn’t anyone to report on their outings! Both groups
are a little quicker than The Wednesday Lot or The Pedallers
but if you are reasonably fit, they will welcome you. Details can
be obtained from the contact at the end of the newsletter.
WWW, The Wild Wednesday
Wheelers.
The off-roaders meet somewhere in Shropshire or
nearby every Wednesday night throughout the year, and you can read more
about them at (http://wwwa2b.co.uk/).
“What
a superb night! And, as Max Boyce would say, ‘I should know because I
was there’! Lovely to have the sun shining until it set and superb,
dusty trails”. That quote, taken from one of the weekly emails sent out
to the WWW sums up a perfect summer for us off-road cyclists. We may not
have enjoyed a heat wave but we have had an incredible run of dry
weather, which has made for brilliant riding conditions with firm climbs
followed by fast descents and hardly a drop of mud to be found. We have
averaged over 30 riders out on the three rides, which we run every
Wednesday night.
However, we are not
just fair weather riders as this report from a night on Rodney’s Pillar
in September shows. “It was one of those nights with a steady
precipitation, which was enough to make you want to put your water-proof
top on but then it was warm enough and the climbs were steep enough that
you did not want it on. That was coupled with the fact the early
fall of leaves and the ground being too hard for the rain to penetrate
resulted in pedalling twice as far up hill as the actual ground covered.
Added to that there was an absolute gale blowing on the top and it was
one of those nights when it was good to get back to the pub! But we did
enjoy it and we will get over those dry dusty summer rides!” And by the
time this goes to print, we will probably be riding with fully charged
LED lights, waterproofs and thermals!
There are around 150 off-road
riders now associated with the WWW, which include the young and old,
skilled and less skilled and professionals. But two of the gang – Jim
Tipp and Alex Rodgers, who should be classed as pros but are just very
fit and determined, went to Scotland in early September to take part in
a gruelling 100 mile off-road
race in appalling conditions. Both completed the event and their reports
make you proud of them.
Alex texted: "Truly horrific! 100 miles of horrible weather, deep
bogs and mud, very technical tracks, up and down, monster hills and bike
getting absolutely hammered. To change gear, I had to use my whole hand
on the levers. One of the hardest things I have done. 800 starters, only
177 finishers! 623 riders did not finish! I had agonizing muscle
spasms and cramps all way round. I had to ride all hills in easiest gear
or both legs completely locked. I could not race hard, but just rode for
survival. I think it was the High 5 caffeine drink and gels. No
front brake for last 30 miles. Last 5 miles did a 7 Stanes red downhill
route with no brakes. Some riders used 3 sets of brake pads. Some riders
wore through the pistons. I chanced my luck and nearly crashed several
times. There were bodies and broken bikes and riders everywhere, like
the retreat from Stalingrad. I finished in 104th place in 12 hours. I
think we did well to finish. 100 miles mountain biking is a very long
way, especially in gruesome conditions.”
Jim
rode on a single speed bike, finishing in an amazing second place in
that class and he added: “It was extreme! Heavy rain & cold all day. The
course is one lap and 100% off road, loads of fire track and
single-track stuff. There was even about 5 miles of north shore on top
of a rain & wind swept moor. Very remote, didn't see anybody for miles.
At 50miles checkpoint I had no brake pads, changing pads in horizontal
rain on top of a moor is not nice (one XC whippet in a space blanket)
nearly jacked it in. But carried on, felt ok and just concentrated on
nursing bike and finishing. I had no idea about time after 50miles,
cheese butty & cuppa soup at 70mile Newcastleton check was damn
good. The lone Scottish bag piper on the border was surreal. No brakes
again at 80miles, metal grinding on metal - didn't care though. Then we
did loads more 7 Stanes red stuff, interesting with no brakes.
At 95miles chain did not sound good, seriously concerned it would snap,
had to walk up a few steep climbs because I dare not pedal. However
chain held and so did I. For the record, finished as 2nd single speeder
in 10hours (ahead of this years SS champ! - he was only 3rd) - Well
chuffed. A good one for WWW to have two finishers! Well
done Alex, Cheers Jim”
Two worthy heroes, and their attitude is, I think, well summed up in a
quote recently found by Simon Smith, who thought it was something most
of us WWW riders aspire too, some more than most: "Life shouldn't
be a journey to the grave in which
5
you
arrive safely in a well-preserved body. Rather, you should skid there
sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming,
‘woo-hoo, what a ride’."
Our normal weekly
rides are not tests of endurance, more the chance to have a good time
with a great deal of camaraderie. If this sounds like your sort of
cycling, then why not consider joining us? To ensure the safety of all
participants and to maintain the integrity of the group, you should have
three things: some experience of off-road
cycling, a reasonable degree of fitness and (possibly the most
important) a good sense of humour. If that’s you then see you soon.
Nigel
Pocock
Now why don’t we see them at
Home Farm on Sundays? Too tough, I guess! Ed.
FROM OUR READERS
Paul Roberts
has sent another
fascinating old magazine cutting, this time from The Cyclist,
penned in 1945. It concerns the government’s Rear Lights Bill.
Comment makes it plain that cycling organisations had long been
against the compulsory use of red rear lights, arguing that their use
would make accidents more likely. “The government’s bill would deal a
tremendous blow to the prestige of cycling organisations”, as they had
campaigned against it for so long.
Objections from the
cycling lobby were in some cases baffling, but you have to remember that
things were very different indeed during, and at the end of the Second
World War. “The highway code requires every road user to look where he
is going and not knock others down”. “Road vibration causes light
filaments to break and oil lamps to jump out”. “It may be difficult to
keep it (the light) alight”. “The cyclist under peace-time laws carries
several aids to visibility – his reflector and white surface (a painted
patch on the rear mudguard), his front lamp casting a pool of light, his
glinting cranks, (that would make a great ‘pen name’) and other bright
fittings”. With a final flourish it states that, “In short, a cyclist
with the best will in the world cannot depend upon keeping a rear light
alight”.
The article is an
interesting insight into a time not so long gone, but if you applied the
same thought patterns in today’s riding conditions, you’d soon be a dead
duck!
Full copies are available if you’d like one. Glinting Cranks.
Ermm…. It has a certain something as a nom-de-plume but I think I’ll
stick to ‘Ed’.
Jim
Leach is
dwelling on
Cycling friendships. “It
is notable within our pastime how long lasting are the friendships
created when relatively young. This was confirmed on 5th
October when a party of 18 met for lunch at the Bulls Head in Rodington,
another gathering of Shropshire Cycling Friends. All had cycling
backgrounds and, with ages from 95 to a youthful 40-something, it is
understandable that these days not all still ride bikes, but the
interest in cycling and the friendship it
engenders still continues.
The first time the ‘Friends’ met was in May 2009, following a
suggestion at a funeral the previous September that it would be nice
sometimes to meet socially rather than be brought together at the all
too frequent wakes. That first gathering, at the Green Dragon in
Little Stretton, was aimed at those who rode together in Shropshire in
the late 1940s and into the 50s, there being two other events between
then and this year’s autumnal lunch.
On October 5th
there was a lot of reminiscing about the past and of those who have
sadly slipped away but are still fondly remembered. As a huge amount of
food was consumed (still cyclists in heart and appetite) there were lots
of laughs and as one ex Mid Shropshire Wheeler, now in his 80s
said, “those over there are certainly putting the miles in today”, which
they were in their memories and enjoying every one. As the time came to
part and head for respective homes, including one who came from
Stafford, it was decided that it would be nice to meet a little more
often although not on a regular basis since it is important to maintain
a sense of spontaneity and avoid repetition. So late spring or early
summer 2012 is pencilled in for the next luncheon and as previously it
will be advertised on the cyclist’s grapevine. Having cycled with others
in Shropshire is the shared factor of those who attend, touring groups
or racing clubs all are represented and there are no age limits either
way (Rose Davie at 95, wow!). Although it has to be said that those who
were born in 1960 will probably feel more at home than someone who is 30
this year. Hopefully Shropshire Cycling Friends will continue to
roll along for many, many years to come, as some drop by the wayside
those ‘young’ ones joining the party keeping it going”.
Gears.
Roger Taylor
has another solution
to the problem that plagued
Eric Rough
with his front
changer.
“I experienced this
problem many years ago when my Campag Nuovo Record front changer broke.
I resolved not to waste the refund money on a new one as I didn’t use my
32t inner ring much, deciding that it was much easier to drop the chain
from the 42t ring with the heel of my shoe. At the top of the hill I’d
put it back by hand, and I used leaves to keep my hands clean. This had
the advantage of both saving weight and not having to adjust the front
changer every gear change”.
Roger offers a more agricultural approach to Eric’s dilemma. Give it a
kicking! Oh, the wonders of cycling. Ed.
Jon
Derricott
sends a review of the
book “A bike ride through my life” by Frank Clements. “Frank
Clements, of the
famous Shropshire cycling
family, was an accomplished rider in the 1950’s and early Sixties, who,
after a short racing career, then moved into various aspects of cycle
manufacture, often with his more famous brother Ernie. Frank’s fractious
on-off relationship with his elder sibling recurs frequently throughout.
The book, which may be of particular local interest, chronicles his
important rides in some detail and it’s these that for me form the best
parts of the book – particularly his account of the brutal 1956 Tour of
Britain.
As a serial consumer of books about cycling
it’s refreshing occasionally
to step out of the minute and sometimes tedious
historical detail offered by many, to understand more of the rounded
person, rather than just seeing them solely within a cycling context.
It’s a real shame then, that Frank somewhat overdoes this,
for my tastes
giving too much information about his personal life and business
dealings outside of cycling.
All in all I’m glad to have read the book
and as a result
learned a lot, particularly from its at times utterly fearless approach
to alleging who did (or took) what. Unfortunately, it’s clear that there
is a better book struggling to get out from between its
6
covers. With judicious editing to address what at
times becomes tedious repetition and straightforward proofreading to
remove the large number of
distracting typographical errors it
could become both much more readable and a
better testament.
Frank by name and
often very frank in nature, it’s rather a curate’s egg of a book, but
one that I’d guess that many local riders would find interesting.
Trafford Publishing 2011, £22.25 Hardback, £15.19 Paperback
Carol
Glanville
received a poem,
written in ‘Middle English’ along the lines of the Canterbury Tales,
on the occasion of her 70th birthday. It is entitled
The Scrobesberigge Tales and here are a couple of verses. (The Byker
Kinge is husband Paul, of course).
The Byker Kinge
The Byker Lyfe
A Byker ther was, and that of hye
renoun, God woote the contree wer thir boone,
His woninge leye in Scrobesberrige
Towne. They koude the quiet weyes from toun.
Wel versed wer he in byking
lore: Ful wel they knewe the hills and
dales
Ther nas no man koude goon bifor.
Of Scrobeshire, Heriforde and Wales.
An
hondred bykes hunge in hir shedde – Togedre
wolde they wende thir weye
Besyde hir Brompton, which wer redde. And seke out
taverns as they laye.
And everich oon its belle did rynge,
For when they have up hills y-swynken
He wer the verraye Byker Kynge.
Soorely longen folks to drynken,
Thys conninge fellawe, Paul y-highte,
Than to reste and pass som houres
Wolde holpen ootheres al he myghte.
In pleasant pastures full of flowers,
So byker folk from Border
Shires, Perchaunce to synge beneathe a
tree
Wolde seke hym out to pumpe thir tyres
– “Forsooth, a byker’s lyf for me”!
From
sondry partes across the lande:
Methoghte they were a merie bande!
In fellawshipe wer all y-falle.
And Bykinge Madde were one and alle!
For those not familiar with this aspect of our language, here is some
help. woninge
– home,
ther nas – there wasn’t a, koude goon bifor – could surpass
him, konninge – knowledgeable, y-hyte – called,
y-falle – fallen, God woote – God knows, boone –
pleasure, y-swynken – toiled.
Carol asks if y-swynken could possibly be related to ‘sweat’? –
Any ideas, you scholars?
Nostalgia for Norfolk
has
Ramona Penfold
waxing lyrical.
“ Some years ago, Colin, my late husband, and I lived in Norfolk and
spent many strenuous and happy
days awheel with Norfolk DA of the CTC. My eldest
daughter still lives there in North Pickenham and my parents are buried
in Necton churchyard.
I particularly love the
county in autumn when the corn has been cut and the fields are full of
poppies.
(Yes, Ramona assures me that they bloom at that time of year in Norfolk).
The vast skies cast a golden glow over the maze of lanes but let me
assure you, northwest Norfolk is far from flat with plenty of undulating
terrain. Avoid going east to the area around The Broads if you seek
tranquillity.
This year I paid a
nostalgic visit, cycling to Burnham Market where Rob and I met some
cyclists camping and using electric bikes, due to advancing years. We
also cycled to Holkham with its vast stretch of golden sands. My
daughter joined us here, on horseback. Another venue on the itinerary
was Bircham Windmill, then on to Castle Acre, to savour its fascinating
history. The Old Red Lion offers excellent accommodation. Both
Sandringham, and Norfolk Lavender, are worth a visit.
We spent a leisurely
week turning the pedals when the weather was kind and sunny, but not
always liking the strong headwinds. The village signs are fascinating
plus the greens, and duck ponds – it’s really worth the effort as the
pace of life is slower and the county offers reasonably easy cycling for
those who like a gentle tour. It is paradise for any birdwatchers among
you, and for artists the light is unique”.
Brian Roberts
is surely among
those who were ‘Brung up Proper’. He has sent us an amusing piece
that tells how in days gone by we survived without any of the equipment
that everyone reckons is indispensable nowadays, and thrived, doing a
variety of things that would currently cause Health and Safety advocates
to explode. It could be construed as being just a smidgen ‘politically
incorrect’, however, so in order not to offend anyone, I have included
it as a loose sheet to those who I think
may enjoy it. Why the reticence? Believe it or not, Cycle Clips
has twice been rejected by computer systems which scan incoming
material, as containing unacceptably offensive material.
If you have been
missed out and would like a copy of Brian’s piece, please tell me and
I’ll rectify the omission!
Ed.
‘It could only happen on a
bike’.
Roger Taylor has
another offering under this heading. “Cycling up to a red set of traffic
lights, I noticed that the Rolls Royce car
waiting in front of me had a flat rear offside tyre. I asked the driver
if he was aware of the fact and he replied that he wasn’t, but he was
most grateful as this had happened before and the wheel had been
destroyed. The suspension, and thick seat, had masked the problem.
Many years later
something similar occurred. This time I was told to “B***** off” as no
warning sign had come up on the dashboard. The way he sped off I assume
that he also would need a new wheel”!
And
Anon has
another memory.
“Back in the early eighties, during the time of the Easy Riders CTC
group, we were descending the steep bank by the Drum and Monkey PH
at the back of Hope Valley, Shropshire, when we all became aware of a
strong smell of burning rubber. When we stopped at the bottom, Alan
Rumble’s front tyre literally fell off the rim, the ill-adjusted brake
blocks having worn right through the casing. The forks were covered with
powdered rubber and two hot wire
7
hoops were all that
remained in place. Luckily, in those days someone usually carried a
spare tyre and on this occasion it was Barry Wilkinson”.
Ah, those really were the days! Ed.
Planning for the future.
Jim
Leach offers
these sage thoughts, which recently appeared in News & Views, the
bimonthly magazine of the Veteran-Cycle Club. They are worth
considering. “We have all lived through a period when road surfaces
improved (and writers in the 1950s thought so too). Wheelbases
shortened, fork radius increased, tyre sizes reduced from 28x1½, 26x1½,
26x1¼, 700x25 to a ludicrous 700x18 by the mid 80s. In the future
sports-roadster should not be regarded any longer a term of abuse.
And twenty-six by one and three eighths with its ready supply of good
modern tyres and rims should be re-assessed favourably. Roads will only
get worse”. Reproduced with credit to Francis Thurmer.
Arthur
Broadhurst
has sent in a
comprehensive translation of French/English names of cycle components,
and useful phrases pertaining to cycle repair. It would prove invaluable
to anyone touring in France – I won’t print it out here but if you’d
like a copy, please ask.
Ed.
Paul Wagner
tells about
saddles and The Mawddach Trail. “While away on holiday in
Penmaenpool, I had to buy a new saddle from the bike shop in Dolgellau.
The card to which it was attached tells me that it has a ‘love channel’
right next to the two ‘comfort zones’. If such things had been available
when I was younger I’d surely have bought one then, when it might have
been of some use. As it is, it’s a good deal more comfortable than I’d
have thought from looking at it, but there have been no other noticeable
side effects.
Why the new saddle,
anyway? While drifting down the Mawddach Trail there was a movement in
the sit-upon area, and the saddle leather went slack. The tensioning
bolt on my new Brooks B67 saddle had broken, just like the one on
that
thirty-year-old B17, back
in the summer. I’m having trouble with saddles presently. The Dolly bike
shop couldn’t fix it but they could sell me another perch – Mike
Jones’ Bike Shop fixed the Brooks pronto on my return, (thanks, Mike
and Simon), but meanwhile, I had to make do.
On another day, Jean
and I were drifting down the trail when a woman stopped us. “I’m sorry
to bother you, but which way is the sea?” she asked. We were towards the
seaward end of the trail near the Arthog junction, and there are
literally only two ways you can go. Inland, the mountains loom large,
while seaward, Barmouth Bridge and the wide-open horizon beckons,
offering fairly obvious clues, I’d have thought. We managed to point her
in the right direction, but I hardly knew what to say!
Our love for this
area grows, and a Country File programme on BBC TV in
October was hugely enthusiastic about it. Was there ever a more stunning
place to dream the days away? We met all sorts of cyclists, but by far
the largest percentage of them were couples both young and old, and
small family groups learning to enjoy cycling again. There were not many
loners, and no clubs. I’m glad to report that in a fortnight I can only
recall seeing two riders who were going a bit too quickly for the
territory”.
FOR SALE
Dawes Kingpin
(1984), the popular folding version, finished in a nice shade of deep
blue and in good condition. All the usual features including a Sturmey
3AW, rear carrier, nicely polished guards and excellent white wall tyres
plus a new and unused spare. Purchased earlier this year from the only
previous owner, a lady, but I have decided it’s not my sort of bike.
Being offered locally at £50 before placing on eBay.
Jim Leach
Tel: 01743
232747
Brand new,
partly built pair of wheels, all new parts, with Mavic 700c T224 double
skinned, eyeleted rims to take 28 – 35mm tyres.
Front
– Shimano hub brake, SS spokes.
Rear
– Sturmey Archer hub brake to take screw-on six block, no spokes, wheel
not built. These are for someone who wants a bombproof pair of winter
wheels. I thought I needed them, but I don’t! The total cost of the
parts would be in excess of £100.00 but they are yours for a relatively
small sum, to be agreed.
PW,
01743 363074
WANTED.
Help with technical
information. I
have two beautiful looking Suntour XCE rear mechanisms, advertised by
Suntour as being useable in indexed/non-indexed mode. One is in
commission in non-indexed mode, but it isn’t at all happy on a Shimano
14/30 six-block. It’ll easily handle the tooth difference and most of
the time it works beautifully, but then suddenly it’ll float up and down
a couple of cogs of its own accord, for no apparent reason. Does it need
a matching block even in non-index mode, or has the actual mech. got
‘float’ built into it to accommodate indexing?
I’d appreciate some
help, but alternatively, should I actually be advertising for ‘Two
old but good non-indexed rear mechs, not Suntour’, to
suit two old but good bikes? I was about to use the second one on
another bike but I have held off, for obvious reasons. To be honest, I’m
reluctant to discard them; they are wonderfully smooth, very well made,
and new, but I just can’t make them work 100% of the time. Suntour
blocks are hard to find, and I’d need two of them, were this to be the
solution. I’m not really mechanically minded and I certainly don’t
understand what’s happening!
PW.
01743 363074
EATING OUT
Abermule, The Abermule
Hotel.
Following a recommendation in Cycle Clips some two years ago,
only recently was there an opportunity to sample this hotel, and what a
find! Family run, the welcome was warm and genuine, followed by food
that was really home cooked, and excellent value. For example, a range
of six ‘Winter Warmers’ included homemade Cottage Pie, chips or
mash/stump & peas that really filled the plate (and me) was priced £2.95
as were the other options in that range. There are other cooked dishes
on the general menu, as well as various sandwiches for those who want to
eat light, which are £1.50 to £1.70 per round! Except Tuesday when the
kitchen is closed, food is served daily Monday to Saturday noon to
2.30pm and in the evenings, and on Sunday lunchtime a carvery is during
the same hours. (Tel: 01686 630676).
Jim Leach
8
Barmouth, The Isis Café.
This café,
situated right opposite the harbour, provides constantly good food at
competitive prices. When it’s sunny, you can sit outside and watch the
world go by. The chip shop nearby, just on the main road, is extremely
satisfactory as well – such luscious, white fish! Watch out for the
seagulls on the promenade; they’ll nick your chips.
Berriew,
The Lychgate Cottage Tea Room & Deli. A gem of a find is
tucked away in this idyllic village on a corner near the church and just
above the riverbank. It is open Monday to Saturday between 08.00 and
4.30 summer and winter (sorry – closed Sundays) to serve the best coffee
and tea you can imagine, complimented by an unimaginably tempting range
of sandwiches, baguettes, cakes and very luxurious gateaux. Light
lunches are also available but there was no time to sample those so no
judgement can be made. This is another reason for visiting the beautiful
area in which it is situated. (Tel: 01686 640750).
JL
Church Stretton
– The Beaumont is no
more, but worry not, The Flamingo has flown into Beaumont Avenue
to replace it (Tel: 01694 724747). This long established favourite of
local cyclists has changed its image. The same welcoming owners now open
into the evenings with a speciality pizza menu but they still offering
the same good food during the daytime – they are purely trying to widen
the appeal and increase business. On a recent visit it was also noted
that the price of a very large cup of excellent coffee was £1.80, not
the higher price commented on in a recent newsletter. That, apparently,
has been the charge for quite sometime, although there is a wide range
of coffees, with some quite exotic ones that are more expensive.
JL
Edgerley, The Royal
Hill.
Although this is one of our favourite lunch stops, the prices are
getting a bit steep. There comes a time when you realise that you are
out for bit of lunch rather than a major dining experience, and then the
cost becomes a factor. It’s still a smashing place to be, though!
PW
Longdon on Tern, The
Tayleur Arms.
This comfortable pub
continues to please. The welcome and the food are as good as ever, with
especially nice fish and chips. Keep on going there and we’ll help it to
survive.
Shawbirch, The Apley
Arms. The
pub is open every day from 12.00 noon and does very good basic roasts
from £3.69, help yourself to vegetables – vegetarian meals are also
available. IPA is £2.10 a pint, tea and coffee from £1.40. It is located
on the B5063 at the junction with the A442, and it can be reached from
NCN Route 81 using cycle paths. No phone number is available, if anyone
goes there please get details.
Roger Taylor
Rodington, The Bulls
Head.
(Tel: 01952 770219) Two recent visits for lunch have confirmed that this
once popular venue is again providing consistently good food at an
attractive price. A daily lunchtime special menu offering a number of
main courses for just under a fiver, found to be large really tasty
portions. The quality of the food and service was further confirmed when
a party of 18 met for a special luncheon, there being so much food that
half of it went uneaten! But all were offered polystyrene containers to
take home what they wished. A place well worth a visit, you will want to
go again.
JL
Upton Magna, The Corbett
Arms. I
spoke to the manager, Ian Shelton, in September and he was obviously new
to the business, and still getting the pub’s act together. He now has a
chef (his wife) and he is presently offering food in the evenings and on
lunchtimes at weekends, while preparing to extend the menu to lunchtime
on weekdays.
Ring 01743 709422 or Ian on 075801 33946. They are also on twitter and
facebook.
PW
Insurance. Nowadays,
cyclists need to carry third party insurance.
Most of the riders with these groups are covered by membership of
one of the national cycling organisations like the Cyclists’
Touring Club, but you can of course insure privately. Whatever
you do, please make sure that your cover is adequate.
General.
All of our rides are informal in nature. The groups are individual
in their activities, and our only alliance is a shared love of
cycling, and this newsletter. You are asked to abide by the rules of
the road and ride safely, with due regard to your companions, horse
riders, and all other members of the public.
GROUP STARTING POINTS.
The Sunday Pedallers.
The entrance to Asda, Old Potts Way, Shrewsbury, at 1.30pm.
The Wednesday Lot.
As above but Wednesdays
at 10.30am.
The Wednesday Loose-Enders.
Red Barn PH car park, Longden Road, Shrewsbury, at 9.30am.
The Saturday Casuals.
As above but
Saturdays at 9.30 am.
The Wild
Wednesday Wheelers (off-road group). Speak to the contact, please.
CONTACTS
The
following people can give you information about the groups that they
ride with. The phone numbers shown are ALL prefixed 01743,
(Shrewsbury).
Sunday Pedallers & The Wednesday Lot –
Paul and Carol Glanville,
368816 or Paul Wagner, 363074.
WWWheelers
(Offroaders) – Sean Caddick, 350229
sean.doa@btinternet.com
or
(http://www.wwwa2b.co.uk/)
Saturday Casuals
and The Loose-Enders –
Martin Beardwell, 231604.
Cycle Clips
is produced quarterly by Paul Wagner, 19 Drawwell Street,
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 7RF, phone 01743 363074. Copies are
available on or about the first day of March, June, September and
December.
COPYRIGHT.
No part of this newsletter may be used or reproduced in any way without
the permission of the editor, which normally will be freely given.
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