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For 125 years CTC has been supporting cycling in all its forms, on-road, off-road, on-track. Specialised organisations have grown up to manage racing, and more recently campaigning organisations have championed the cause of cyclists in the transport area (remember that Edinburgh's SPOKES is now 25 years old). But CTC is not just about touring as the development of the Right-to-Ride movement has demonstrated.
In this 125th year, CTC wants all its members and friends to join in marking
the anniversary. The launch weekend is May 3rd-5th and all
over the country local groups will be organising rides. We can't expect all
members to want to (or be able to) ride 125 miles to mark the number, so routes
are being devised in multiples of 25. Just to make things more complicated
we are using a mixture of kilometres and miles. We hope that everyone will
be able to manage 25km at least, and 50km is quite achievable for even the
fairly unfit cyclist with a whole day to do it in. Headquarters suggested a
25-mile circuit with people doing multiple laps, but we rejected this thinking
that no-one would want to go round the same route up to 5 times unless it was
a race.
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PLEASE COME ALONG AND BRING THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS
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The 125th starts off the year. Other special events to note are BIKE WEEK, when the Edinburgh Bike Fest will be on June 22nd. And on August 18th a group of French cyclists will be visiting Loanhead from their twin town of Harnes (near Lille). They are cycling from Newcastle via Kielder and we have agreed to meet them and escort them on their final leg from Innerleithen to Loanhead, as well as take them out for a ride in the Lothians while they are here. I don't know their timetable yet, but will post information on the web when it is known. There may be people who do not ride the regular club runs who might like to join in with this event.
Our
'Borders Chalet' (the Club Hut) now has a new water supply.
Jimmy Murray had spent some time last year looking into water filters, but
we had not made any purchases when the farmer decided that the tank and pipe
should be renewed. This was done towards the end of last year, and we have
been asked to contribute to the cost, as our water is taken off this new pipe
at a point fairly close to the hut. So come on, chaps, please USE the hut.
It's in good condition now, and we need the income! Our thanks to Jimmy for
the work he has done, and we now have a new Hut Secretary — Ashley Watt — to
keep it going. It's available for members or members and their friends to use
cheaper than any other accommodation I know. Phone Ashley to book it.
The photo shows Jimmy receiving the Zoller Trophy at the Christmas Lunch, in recognition of the miles and time he has put in looking after the hut for the last few years. Ashley (on Jimmy's right) is wondering what he has let himself in for!
Wednesday runs go from the meeting-places listed, and meet for lunch at the specified destination about 12:30-13:00.
Tuesday evening rides start as soon as there's enough light in the evenings. Rides in April and September will be short and snappy. With longer daylight we may stay out longer. In 2002 there was a 'normal' ride of about 20-25 miles suitable for the moderately fit, and a longer and harder one for those 'training' for Audax rides or needing to work off a lot of spare energy.
Lauder: meet in Town Square at 10:00
Kinross: Lochside Car Park at 10:00 (NOT Vane Farm!)
Sunday rides have been re-modelled. Recently attendance has been minimal (frequently in the winter 1 or 2 people), but a number who were Tuesday evening regulars continued to meet and ride on Sundays. These rides have been shorter (both in distance AND TIME) and more adaptable to the actual customers than the traditional ones. In an attempt to get more and new people out riding with the club we want to promote this approach. With the virtual disappearance of the traditional customer, we have decided to have one regular meeting place and one regular start-time for all Sunday rides —this will be 10:00 at the Commonwealth Pool. On all Sundays except the first in the month, the plan is that the ride will provide for those who do not want to stay out until dusk or ride 100 miles, and will also provide for those whose knowledge of local routes is limited. If a group wants to go off for a longer ride, or go off separately and meet up with the main group for lunch, that's fine. We are not specifying destinations in advance, as that gives more flexibility to bend to the wind and the capabilities of the people who turn up on the day. If you haven't tried a Sunday ride, how about giving it a go this summer?
The first Sunday is slightly different: Spokes has a ride (Usher Hall at 10:00) then, and our club ride will not be geared to those wanting a short or easy ride on that day. If you want an easy ride on that day - go with Spokes!
The Tuesday Evening Rides start officially from the first Tuesday in May (and go on until the end of August). The extended series will start unofficially from the beginning of April, and continue into September. So if you are itching to get out in the evenings for a short ride before it gets dark, be at the Commonwealth Pool any Tuesday from the beginning of April for a PROMPT 19:00 start. Rides will adapt to the abilities of the riders, and when there are enough people, will usually split into those who want a 'stroll' and those who want a 'dash'.
Special Tuesday Evening Ride in Bike Week. We make special provision on June 17th for new or 'uncertain' riders. We won't leave you behind! Come and join us.
Wednesday Wobblers' Wisdom —from The Leader"Following the mention of Stronglight 49D in a recent issue of this learned paper, an illustrious lady member wishes to point out, for the benefit of our younger readers, that this does not refer to the make and size of a brassiere, but to a pair of obsolete French cranks (with apologies to Jacques Chirac and Giscard d'Estang). "Standing beside an experienced elder statesman in the Tranent Gents, I complained that I had great trouble in working my way through the layers of winter clothing in order to find and use my fire extinguisher. 'Try using a book mark' was his sage advice." |
Winter RunsCracking weather in October and November meant that our plan for using Community Halls on Wednesdays were really unnecessary. Warmth, sunshine and not a lot of wind resulted in turnouts of over 20 on several days. All this came to an end at Christmas (both Christmas Day and NYD being on Wednesdays interrupted people's routines), and then we had a run of bad weather —always on Wednesdays —plus several days when only two or three were silly enough to think that riding a bike would be enjoyable. What must have been the club's shortest ride ever was from Fisherrow Harbour to Luca's Café in Musselburgh High Street on a day when five people had turned up in the vain hope that the wind and rain were abating. On one day when we were due to go to Harburn only Bob Davis arrived at the drum-up (and he lives almost on the doorstep) to find the hall had a burst pipe and was flooded. Despite all these vicissitudes, the idea has worked well, and the thought of a warm dry hall and a cup of hot tea has encouraged people to turn out, and it has worked well in getting people to select their route and timing to suit themselves but still gather for lunch. |
Details will be in the next Cycle Forth (due late August), but there are September events you should put in your diary now. Doors Open Days —throughout September in different areas. We will try to repeat and extend from last year's DOD rides, but don't know the dates for these yet. DATC (District Association Touring Competition) —John Cheesmond and Peter Hawkins have worked together to organise a DATC ride on 28th September (160Km). |
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A very quiet and non-controversial AGM was held in November. Does this mean that the committee is getting it right? Or is it that members aren't bothered?! Our membership grows slowly but steadily (just over 1000 now), but we are not generating any income, and we could do with a little. At the moment we have some reserves and are nibbling at those, but some day we might need to spend heavily on the Hut and would like our income to be greater than our expenditure.
Statistics are often presented to make it appear that cycling is dangerous, and it should 'not be allowed'. CTC tries to present a true picture of the risk. However, I have noted a number of incidents recently ranging from the bizarre case reported in the press of a man cycling with child in a buggy who raised a fist at a motorist who passed too fast (or too close or both) and where the motorist then stopped, reversed 200 metres and ran over the cyclist breaking his leg and fracturing the skull of the child, to events nearer home when a cyclist going home from work in Dalkeith was killed by a car which did not stop. Among our members at least three have received injuries in the last couple of months either in incidents involving other vehicles or road conditions (like ice) —Colin Russell has suffered both!
So please take care. I'm sure that CTC members do follow the Highway Code and don't commit traffic offences (like riding through red lights or riding without lights at night), but please ride defensively protecting your space. If you are injured as a result of the actions of another road user or the negligence of a highway authority remember that the CTC's legal service is there to assist you in any claim or charges which should be made.
CTC member Peter Hawkins and a gang of volunteers have been working on several paths over the winter. Peter reports -
The Water of Leith path from the Visitor Centre at Slateford has been cleaned and restored to its original width as far as Gorgie Rd. Although only 2 years old, this stretch of path had accumulated a remarkable amount of leaves and tree debris which formed a mulch, and the width was greatly reduced because of growth of vegetation at the edges.
The 'Christian' Path at Portobello, running from Windsor Place to Brighton Pl, a distance of about 400 yards, was cleared of several inches of mud to reveal a perfectly sound stone (and tarmac) base and can now be used again.
Similarly, a short but useful link near Woodhall Court, Juniper Green, was cleaned of several inches of mud.
But our most ambitious project has been the R Almond path from Cramond Brig up towards the airport, past the Grotto Bridge and Nether Lennie, where parts of the path have been cleaned and stone laid to make a firm base. Where even mountain bikes would have had difficulty before, the path is now cyclable on any type of bike, and if you don't know this route, give it a try —it's a rural gem on the edge of the city, with woodland, an ornamental bridge, romantic ruins and a rocky gorge! Access is from the back of the Cramond Brig Inn (you'll have to look for it —it's one of our best-kept secrets!) or from the end of the houses on Cammo Rd (go round side of farm gate/ kissing gate)."
Peter is out most days if the weather's good. He'd be delighted to get some help, give him a ring on 443 6712 or e-mail peterhawk@care4free.net
