News for October 2013

Transcription

1 News for October 2013 Tuesday 1st October - report from Dave Woodward: Where have all the cyclist gone? Is this the effect of autumn? I don t know but Brian Trott was my only companion when we set off from Dursley on a dreary, but dry Tuesday morning. This was Bill s re-arranged ride which was postponed due to atrocious weather last month. Bill was unable to ride, so we followed with Bill s.gpx file, and an A4 sheet of notes he had prepared. We had a short sharp (granny) climb within the first mile before taking rolling country lanes, against a keen wind, through Coaley to Leonard Stanley. We had a five minute stop to put on our wet weather gear before climbing Selsley hill. We stopped outside the church to remove the wet weather gear, and put it away for the rest of the day. We paused to admire the murky views before dropping down into Stroud. After about a mile through the town we took a small lane running parallel to the A46 which we followed through some undulating countryside into Painswick for coffee at the Roccoco Gardens. We dropped out of Painswick then climbed up towards Sheepscombe enjoying more scenic views as we continued to climb. We carried on through Miserden all on country lanes and onto Duntisbourne Abbots. We then rode the Dunt valley to Daglingworth passing Cotswold stone cottages in small villages. We negotiated Cirencester on a cycle track, pedestrian shopping area and cycle underpass to South Cerney for lunch at the Eliot Arms. We enjoyed a flattish section after lunch through Kemble, Rodmarton, and Cherington and into Tetbury, where we stopped for afternoon tea at Hortensia's. We had the wind behind us on this section which helped to increase our average speed by 2 miles an hour. We exited Tetbury via High Street and Avening Road then past Chavenage House, which has two wonderful lime and oak tree avenues on its curtilage. We carried on through Kingscote valley before plunging down the long descent towards Uley. The trick here is to try to cross the main road without losing speed to enable the steep climb the other side to be made. The return to Dursley was accomplished along more quiet lanes. Thursday 3rd October - report from Bill Balchin: The local weather forecast for 3rd October was for heavy rain (20 to 40mm), possible flooding and thunderstorms. With this in mind I went to bed on Wednesday night planning to ride to Bitton in the rain, thank Dave Clegg for turning up to lead, then we would both go home and get out of the rain. WRONG! When I left home at eight thirty the roads were wet and there was no hint of sun in the cloudy sky - but no rain. At the Bitton start there were ten of us altogether half of whom had seen Pete's late and website notice to make this a short ride. So plan B kicked in with a ride down the cycle track to Bath and through the two tunnels - all in the dry. Keith had to return to base for family duties after the tunnels but the remaining nine carried on, still in the dry, to the Hope and Anchor pub at Midford where we took to the road to approach Hinton Charterhouse from the north instead of slogging up from Wellow in an easterly direction. It must be a BTOTC record - arriving at the lunch-stop at eleven fifteen after a twelve mile ride from the start. But nobody was complaining about lack of mileage with the afternoon weather still to show its hand. The pub were not taking food orders until closer to twelve so we spent a very enjoyable half an hour or so sitting around one large table, swapping stories and sampling the ale. I was hoping for Butcombe Matthew Pale Ale but it was not on. They did however have Butcombe Haka. Described by the brewery as "a ferocious, robust, New Zealandhopped Bitter at 4.5%". If you enjoy a hoppy beer this will be just the ticket. We could soon see the rain lashing down outside but hey - we were in the dry, let the afternoon take care of itself. Our early arrival meant that we got going for home at one. It was a bit rainy but nothing too serious as we took the right turn to Freshford and joined the canal towpath for a return trip with minimum climbing. Unfortunately new recruit Frank got a puncture on the towpath - typical with it all covered in wet mud. So Ian and I stayed with him (not that there is much you can do to help apart from provide some company) and the rest pressed on in the steady drizzle. By the time we had sploshed through the puddles into Bath the rain had stopped again and we were making good time along the cycle track when a young lady ahead stopped. Ever the knights of the road we stopped as well

2 and Frank was able to bring out a spanner to tighten her loose crank bolt. Fitting evidence of karma at work, moving around the cycling community. Thursday 10th October - report from Bill Balchin: I am quite partial to a crisp, bright day for cycling. That is what was forecast - and that is exactly what we got. Many others obviously feel the same hence a group of twenty for Malcolm to lead from Ashton to the Windmill at Portishead. Out with us for the first time was Martin McDonal. Although new to us Martin is no stranger to the CTC/campaigning scene in Bristol. And both he and I were in shorts as the rest opted for longs in that cold northerly wind. Malcolm announced that the extra interest today would concern "Broadchurch". For those who don't know this was a TV programme broadcast in March 2013 concerning the murder of a schoolboy and set in the fictional Dorset village of Broadchurch. Today we would see the actual location for much of the outside action. The prompt start caught out Den Harris who managed to chase us down on the popular route of Festival Way, cycle path by the Weston Road and Flax Bourton railway path. Den must have had a wriggle on as we did not hang around, despite the pace being set by a man beset with medical conditions. After navigating Nailsea and the moors we hit the sea front and Malcolm stopped the group. In the picture the church that you see behind Malcolm is where the suspect vicar was based, and the houses to the right behind Dennis is where the family lived. Suitably impressed we carried on through Clevedon, into Walton in Gordano and took the cliff-top road to bring us to the Windmill by ten to twelve with twenty two miles clocked. As usual the Windmill was full of customers, as usual they were really slick selling beer, taking food orders and getting the meals delivered. Our numbers were over forty with many independent groups and it was good to see Sue Britton calling in on a visit from her new home in Scotland. Sat by the panoramic window overlooking the Bristol Channel with its steadfastly brown water to clear views of the two Severn Bridges and the Welsh coastline you could forget the cold wind. Until Malcolm whipped us up and pushed Kay Boorman into leading the now huge group towards home via Portishead marina, a wriggle through the new houses and over the track through the wildlife area to the Sheepway. Once past the docks holding area for cars it was time to choose the Pill path to the Buttery or M5 bridge. I cycled over the bridge while the majority headed for the Buttery. I would have loved to have joined you but one dose of Bristol traffic to handle per day is enough for me. Click here for the route to Portishead and the Buttery

3 Tuesday 15th Oct Long Ride report from Malcolm Hanson: John Crinion, the Pied Piper of cycling left the Brunel Buttery with 10 bikes and 10 riders. By the time he arrived at Winscombe he had accumulated 15 bikes and 17 riders! I joined him in Backwell along with John Upward, my son Luke and my two grandchildren. The last three were all on the one bike which my son managed to peddle some 50 Somerset miles by the end of the day. I thought the weather on our ride to Portishead last week was the best that could be managed at this time of year but I was wrong. Tuesday was just as sunny and warm but there was no wind. The group arrived in Winscombe via Long Ashton, Backwell, Congresbury and Sandford. The Pantry Cafe is a cosy and welcoming establishment. Unfortunately they were somewhat overwhelmed as not only had the sun brought out 17 cyclists but it had also tempted out a host of retired couples all keen to enjoy the cafe s excellent coffee and cakes. The cyclists stayed out on the sunny front patio and were all eventually served even if there was only standing room left for some. Suitably fed we left via the Strawberry Line up through the tunnel over the Mendips. A succession of quiet country lanes through Cross, Mark and the two Huntspills brought us to Burnham. It had been John s plan to enter the town along the side of the river Brue. All seemed to be going well as we rode along a road beside the river only to find we had reached a dead end! We were about to head back to the main road when someone noticed a footpath. After lots of breathing in tight and plenty of scooting by foot the path eventually took us to the cycle route proper. This provided a spectacular ride to the front with clear blue skies, endless views in all directions and only the slightest whiff of a sea breeze. The sunlight even conspired to make the water of the estuary seem blue, a rare but welcome trick. Lunch was enjoyed by a variety of means. I joined several at the local Weatherspoons. A tasty plate of ham eggs and chips was 3.80 and an equally tasty pint of bitter was It seemed more like 1993 than 2013! With loins suitably girded we headed north out of town passed a converted lighthouse and a church with a decidedly leaning tower. The gorgeous countryside around Lymsham, East Brent, Loxton and Chiston brought us within striking distance of Banwell and with a final heave up the hill we arrived at the Castle. The Castle was open for tea (it has been known to fail in this regard). Tea on Banwell Castle terrace on a warm sunny day is simply unbeatable. Not surprisingly then there were many smiles and sighs of satisfaction, with the two youngest members of the party even providing some squeals of delight! We eventually dragged ourselves away and headed down to Sandford. From there we took the Strawberry Line to Yatton. After negotiating Claverham Drove and Brockley Way the Hanson Family bade their fond farewells to the group in Backwell. Many thanks to John Crinion, the other old timers, the weather and the glorious local countryside for providing one of the best cycling days I have ever had. Thursday 17th October - report from Pete Campbell: Last Thursday and everyone was in longs and multiple layers; this Tuesday the riders were back in warmer weather gear; what would today bring? Thirteen turned up at the start point by the M48 Severn crossing with most in shorts and a few in jackets, so I guess we couldn't make our minds up. The planned route was a re-run of a ride I led over a year ago. No-one admitted having been out with me back then, so I'm supposing the day's fun was brand new for everyone. After last Tuesday and Thursday's flat rides on the south side of the Severn, I knew that people would be wanting some hills, so fortunately for us all we were due to go to Tintern which is probably impossible without going up and down (or taking a boat, I suppose). So, across the bridge and along the A466, and a westward turn towards Mounton and the first climb of the day, to Shirenewton. More uphill work took us to an eastward flat and downhill road (at last) to Devauden, going via a village that must be a spelling mistake: Kilgwrrwg. An east turn off the B4293 at Cobblers Plain soon took us down the valley of the Anghidi River and its fish ponds to Tintern and the Anchor. No rain so far, although an approaching dark cloud looked like the lunch stop timing might be impeccable.

4 There is a restaurant and a cafe at the Anchor, so there's enough choice to suit just about anybody. Certainly it must appeal to cyclists - thirty one managed to get there. The food in the restaurant was delivered to the tables in good time (I can't speak for the cafe, but I didn't hear any complaints) and my polenta was excellent. Back outside, and no sign of rain. In fact, the sun looked like it would be on show. A few people seemed to be wearing less than this morning. As an extra bonus, I offered everyone a choice of two possible routes home, and I was surprised to find that only seven opted for the scenic route back to Chepstow. So while most people took the A466 along the River Wye, a few of us rode upstream to Brockweir and climbed the steep Mill Hill and Bailey Lane up to Hewelsfield common and the B4228. A bit more down and up, then a long downhill sweep all the way to the old Chepstow bridge. Then into the town, through Bulwark and back across the M48 bridge. I thought it was a good ride, but I was leading so I suppose I ought to. Hope everyone else had a good day out. How steep were the ups and downs? Click here to see. Thursday 24th October - report from Bill Balchin: In a week with a very mixed bag of weather, Thursday was looking like the best day for cycling and it did not disappoint. Bright sun from early on - in fact so bright sometimes that you were temporarily blinded - light winds, no rain and temperatures around the shorts/longs border. Some of the twenty plus starters at Bitton were in longs and long sleeves, some in shorts and long sleeves and a few, whose ancestors must have been eskimoes, in shorts and short sleeves. Rob Searle stepped up for his first go at leading and took the bunch along the cycle track towards North Common where we left the track and took to the lanes. Even the car drivers were courteous to us, possibly happy to see a group of people enjoying themselves, or maybe it was just the large number. We pressed on in the sunshine through Doynton where the Cross House Inn is looking abandoned and climbed the Cotswold edge at Dyrham where it took several minutes before the whole peloton could cross the busy A46. Once on the high ground we took the little lanes to the A420 at Marshfield, then left along the main road for a short hop before turning left again towards West Kington. I don't know how Rob remembered the way but he led us deftly through a maze of similar looking back lanes, a glance at North Wraxall and then the climb through the woods before we dropped into Castle Combe. We stopped for the group photo and a visitor from Australia kindly took it for us - hence I am in the picture next to Rob. To Rob's left in a red shirt is Christopher, on his first BTOTC ride - but no stranger to cycling. This year he has cycled across America, well over four thousand miles but reckoned that our pace today was stretching him. We have been accused of being fit.

5 By about ten past twelve we rolled up at the Fox and Hounds at Acton Turville and parked in the garden which was already stuffed with bikes. My memory of the Fox and Hounds is of a second division sort of pub but it has been transformed. The owners of the Bell at Yatton Keynell now have this one as well and their expertise shows - redecorated, extensive menu, good range of ales (with Cotswold Spring Stunner) and brilliant service considering that over fifty people descended on them in a short space of time. This one is definitely a keeper. Even those who chose from the "lite bite" section reported hearty portions and my game suet pudding was excellent. Getting on a bike to ride home was not my ideal end to the meal but once back out in the sunshine and much of the journey downhill, including a blast down Hinton Hill, you had to say that this was one fine day out. And Mr Searle - the reward for doing a good job is the opportunity to do it again. For Rob's route through the back lanes, click here. Thursday 31st October - report from Bill Balchin: We had great weather on our previous Thursday ride but since then a right mixture of wind and rain. Today promised to be dull but dry which was enough to bring eighteen riders to the Ashton start - only two less than last week. I was about third or fourth to arrive but by the time Malcolm gave the signal to start I was faffing about taking my jacket off and stowing it away (note to self: don't wait to the last moment) and had to sprint to catch up as the bunch waited at the start of the new cycle path. As I was last Malcolm suggested that I become the official back marker - OK then. It was interesting watching from the back, seeing the bunch stringing out, who is moving up, who is moving back climbing along Wildcountry Lane. Then on the way to Winford Manor I thought that I would be a court witness as a car overtook the line approaching a blind bend. Being higher I could see another car coming towards us as the first car continued on the wrong side of the road. Luckily it ended with hard braking and angry headlight flashing - but I expect we got the blame. Once at Winford Manor we took the long, long descent on the small lanes into Chew Stoke, over the ford where all the water was dribbling under the roadway and Walleycourt Road into Bishop Sutton. Heading towards Compton Martin we could have been in danger of arriving early but Malcolm took the left turn through North and South Widcombe to the Harptree Road. We turned left, again away from our destination before looping round on small lanes past some expensive looking houses which brought us into East Harptree. Ignoring the Waldegrave Arms (once mis-treated, never forgotten) we rejoined the main road into West Harptree. We were still a bit early but again turned away from Compton Martin, past the Blue Bowl then left on the lanes and into Compton Martin via Bickfield Lane, which used to be terrible but now has a new silky smooth surface, and into the Ring of Bells just after twelve. That's canny leading to put in loops to make up the ride distance but allowing you to take them out if you get delayed, well done. Last week's pub was a treat and today's was pretty similar, with the added bonus of Butcombe Haka ale, made with New Zealand hops and enjoyed a few weeks ago at Hinton Charterhouse. The policy of favouring Butcombe pubs is one that I am all for. Numbers were up to forty swelled by team Bath, team Winterbourne and others from the south of Bristol. I only saw a couple of non-cycling customers which is a shame for such a good pub. With rain rumoured to be on its way by three Malcolm whipped us up and out soon after one, still dull but dry and what wind there was, now in our favour. There was the usual split for East and North Bristol at Chew Stoke as everybody picked their favourite route home. I bumped into Alan Bracey and Tony Weaver at Iron Acton. They had enjoyed a dry day out on their bikes but had earlier seen Dave Ashton who had cycled to Berkley and got soaked in a heavy shower. So thanks Dave for being the rain magnet and keeping it away from the rest of us. Now if we can just make some sort of permanent arrangement... Click here to see the small lanes around Chew Valley lake.