Paddy gave up cycling a good many years ago because of a knee problem, but a few of you will remember him from when he was very active in the club way back. I have just received an email from his son Paul to say that he died suddenly last week aged 75. His funeral will be at Woking Crematorium – details to follow later.
A good turn out for the Captain’s bike inspection at Guildford, both nothing quite to match Ann’s new bike of the previous week with pink go faster stripes. Heidi you need a new bike – new wheels aren’t sufficient to compete in this game!
It seems everyone is out practising for something. Martin to Majorca for a training camp, Heidi taking the more leisurely option but realising that she needs to get in a bit of practice before tackling Mont Ventoux. Peter spotted on a Saturday getting a practice ride in for Corsica. At least two lots of students doing practise DOE expeditions and either shouting their way up Leith Hill or blocking the way down. And the weather was practising for summer but making a very poor job of it; it needs much more practice and the forecast for this week is not good. Today’s ride was cold and on the hard work end of the spectrum. I almost feel as though I should be practising for something but I don’t know what – maybe practicing before I get out the grin machine. Summer bikes are definitely appearing and I will admit I have borrowed the wheels of the grin machine for fun. They pick up speed so quickly on the descents it can be almost scary but it is a heck of a rush. (How do the pro’s cope at some of the speeds they get up to on their descents? I think I would be scared witless.) Anyway, I just enjoyed a really delightful route: Guildford, Leith Hill Newdigate (coffee), a circumnavigation of Horsham, Barnes Green, Wisborough Green (lunch) and Hambledon and Shalford. 84 miles in total for me. Thank you
Tanhouse Farm has become a honeypot for cyclists. Timing is becoming everything for turning up at our stops. Last week we arrived at Wiston Team rooms just before 2pm for lunch – terribly late I know – but it was full to the brim. 10 minutes later we were the only ones – the lull before the afternoon tea crowd. Today we had made good time to Tanhouse and easily got a table. Don was in the queue and Nick joined us soon after. Thank goodness they have built some more loos. The place must be making serious money given the numbers but they make seriously good cakes. (Move over Mr Kipling.)
Last week’s ride saw the Captain as Spotter in Chief for Bluebells as we rode along but this week lots of people took up spotting – we know how to follow a leader (some of the time). Still a few daffodils hanging in there after first appearing in December, primroses going strong, tulips staring to show but the star attraction is the bluebells giving rise to discussion of the differences between Spanish and English varieties. The most amazing display was in Vale Wood, just southwest of Barns Green – a true carpet of them, spectacular. We had to stop and be amazed. Clive even had a book on flowers that had to be consulted at lunch.
All this extra stuff he carries seems to be slowing him down. I now have to race Neil up Leith Hill, not Clive. Also pleased to report that Clive arrived closer to his usual time as opposed to being early as per last week – leading to accusations that I was late by turning up at 2 minutes past nine. Can’t win them all.
The next meeting of G-BUG (Guildford Bike User Group) takes place on 22 April and local MP Ann Milton will be attending.
You are welcome to attend – 22nd April 2.30pm at GBC Offices Meeting Room 5
Colin Waters writes…
This year we are running our first ever open event and have chosen two Tri-Vet rides of 100 miles and 100 kilometres to be held on 19th June 2016.Information about the rides can be viewed here http://www.fleetcycling.org.uk/about-rides/fleet-tri-vet-rides/
Briefly the 100 mile ride starts at 8.00 am from Hart Leisure Centre in Fleet and the 100 kilometre ride at 10.00 am. The rides will be led by our ride leaders in groups of about 10 entrants.
Refreshments will be served at the end of the ride and gels/energy bars distributed at two points during the ride.
Entry fee is £9.00 which includes the above refreshment but a hot lunch and beverage is extra at £6.00.
We would be grateful if you could let your members know about the rides.
Many thanks,
Colin Waters
Secretary
Fleet Cycling
www.fleetcycling.org.uk
Correspondence address: 61 Victoria Road, Fleet, Hants, GU51
Secretary
Fleet Cycling
www.fleetcycling.org.uk
Correspondence address: 61 Victoria Road, Fleet, Hants, GU51
The Tour of the Hills event, held yearly in August at Seale and brilliantly organised by Don Gray, is the major source of funding for the West Surrey CTC. Such funding is essential as it allows our club to partially subsidise a wide variety of things which are dear to us, from the purchase of club shirts, an occasional CTC membership for a member in need, first aid training for ride leaders, refreshments at AGM or club events, etc.
I have thoroughly enjoyed assisting Don by organising the catering for the 160 plus riders we typically get but time for a change after 3 years in the job so this position of “Catering Big Cheese” will become vacant in 2016. Not much to it:
- recruiting the best volunteers for the job (already a fantastic crew of 6 on hand!)
- purchasing the food a few days prior to the event and delivering it to the hall on the day
- overseeing the catering operation on the day
- providing audit paperwork for all expenditures to the club Treasurer on completionAll in all it is a fun job and it only takes a full day on event day plus an extra 15 hours of your time prior and after to buy the food and do the accounting. The event this year is on 21 August 2106.For the many of you with good organisational skills, this will be a walk in the park! If you are interested or know someone who will, please contact Louise Gagnon at bridgethatgap@hotmail.com.