Today’s ride has been cancelled due to rain. However it is proposed that a ride will take place tomorrow.
Can anyone who would like to ride then please let Laurie know by email. (laurie.mutch@btinternet.com)
Thanks. Laurie
All Grade 3 riders,
Today’s ride is cancelled because of the threat of rain for most of the day. However I will lead the same ride tomorrow at the same time, starting point. Please advise if you would like to join me.
Kind regards
Laurie Mutch
+44 7887 650777 (m)
France celebrates the bike at the Semaine Federale
At this year’s Semaine Federale based in Mortagne au Perche in Normandy the villages and farms went to town in celebrating the velo. It’s amazing that they have the time and inclination to put so much effort into celebrating the bike when they know the Semaine will have passed by in just one day. What follows are photos from this year’s event, with a few others from previous Semaines. They show great imagination and are an inspiring celebration of the bicycle
Paul Gillingham
Phil Hamilton and Bob McLeod introduced me to the Take-a-Look cycling mirror (made by Bike Peddler USA) about 4 years ago and I wouldn’t now ride without it.
Generally bike mirrors fit into five categories:
Frame mounted (e.g. Bike Eye), Handlebar (Oxford Bar End, Third Eye) , Helmet (EVT Safe Zone), Eye Glasses (Take-a-Look), and (now) Arm mounted. Handlebar mirrors are probably the most popular with varieties that can be fitted to either road or mountain / hybrid bikes. Prices generally range from £10 to £20 depending on local supply or imported.
The Arguments for and against mirrors:
It’s a subject that launches lots of passion amongst cyclists. I was concerned at first that the Take-a-Look mirror is close to my right eye and could cause a serious injury if I came off. However this risk seems very low when viewed against the advantages. Another argument against mirrors is the need briefly to take your eyes off the road. Of course, as drivers, we do this all the time. With eye glass mirrors a glance behind requires only the slightest turn of the head. On the other hand a frame mounted mirror requires you to look down and this might take time to get used to.
The criticism against some frame and handlebar mounted mirrors is that they suffer from vibration. One great advantage of West Surrey CTC is that we have so much experience close to hand. So if you are thinking of buying one of these mirrors chat to John Child (frame – Bike Eye) or Pat Daffarn (handlebar) for advice.
The biggest risk with mirrors perhaps is that we might rely too much on them – especially when turning right. There’s no substitute for a life saving look over the shoulder.
In summary, if you don’t already have a mirror, think of this as your next cycling safety purchase. And if you are a regular ride leader or back marker, being able to see what’s going on behind makes a huge difference. Here are some useful links:
Laurie gives the group briefing
August is being a bit funny this year, weatherwise, and today was a typical example of the sort of muggy dull days we’ve been getting recently. (My photos also seem to get a bit fuzzy too so apologies for this.) Fortunately, there’s usually a bit of fine weather thrown in at some point each day, and in the case of today, it came at around lunchtime, so we enjoyed at least half of our ride today in pleasant sunshine.
This was our annual jaunt up the towpath of the Wey Navigation to Weybridge, where the Thames is reached, and which we then pedal along all the way to Richmond. An eatery is then found – usually expensive in this part of the world – after which we return, taking a slight shortcut through Bushey Park, back to where we started. It’s a great ride and somewhat different from our usual offerings in that we have the chance to dust off our off-road machines (if we have one) and ride on dirt for much of the day. The dirt, of course, isn’t particularly dirty – it’s just towpaths along the side of our local rivers, but it makes for a very pleasant day’s riding. As such, a good number of people gathered outside the Black Prince in New Haw / Woodham, since all three groups follow much the same route.
To ease congestion we set off in our respective groups. There were quite a few people walking dogs and cycling with their children in tow but I don’t think we incurred the wrath of anyone, mainly because we’re a sensible group of riders who say ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ as we pass other people; it’s so worthwhile being courteous and smiley.
Paul with his new bike
Your scribe rode with the 2s today and enjoyed a relatively leisurely ride downriver. We enjoyed the usual coffee stop by Walton Bridge before continuing to Kingston where we headed cross country to Ham and thence to Richmond Park where we encountered our one and only hill of the day, as we cycled from Ham Gate to Richmond Gate. A minor route error was soon corrected and shortly afterwards we reached Terrace Gardens and the Hollyhock Cafe, a vegetarian / vegan restaurant, chosen by our group leader, Roger. Great choice, Roger! We all loved the food and what a perfect setting!
We reach the Thames
Hampton Court
The Hollyhock Cafe
We headed back by crossing the Thames at Teddington Lock, where we passed the usual watering hole of The Anglers PH before pedalling up Teddington High Street and turning right shortly after into Bushey Park. We were enjoying a pleasant ride through this delightfully peaceful place before being caught up by the noisy group 3s and 4s, who proceeded to carve a slice through our well ordered group. By the time we reached the river at Hampton Court Bridge we were all over the place and then it was every man for himself (ditto with the ladies). Rumours were spread that the ice cream was running out at the Walton Cafe, so it was full speed ahead and devil take the hindmost to get the last of them. Of course it was a complete load of me-eye and anyone who wanted one enjoyed a good suck on a lolly of their choice, or enjoyed a more traditional cuppa before the final five or so miles back to Woodham.
Crossing the Thames at Teddington
Tbe 3s and 4s attempt to overtake us – and succeed!
Enjoying a quiet ride through Bushey Park
We all got a bit split up, the end result of which was that, of course, Susan and I got mildly lost by not heading up the Basingstoke Canal where it splits off from the Wey, but that was soon put right and we were back at the Black Price by about four something, having enjoyed a very pleasant day in good company.
I really must ride more of these canals – they’re so enjoyable to ride. Thanks to the leaders and everyone for their company. A great day!
Heron sighted