| Jack Murdoch | Safe Routes to Schools |
| Ingliston Bike Blast | Newhailes |
| George Pennel | Path News |
| Social Events | Committee Matters |
| Borders Group |
Jack
Murdoch, immediate Past President of the Lothians DA died while riding his
bike in early December 1999 aged nearly 82. Even at the age of 80 he was still
leading the "Sunday Easy Runs". He was first elected to the Lothians DA committee
in 1938 and was an active DA official up to the AGM in November 1999. He has
had only two breaks, the first for war service and the second whilst residing
in Northumberland from 1961 to 1973. In the early years Jack regularly led
runs, both Sundays and mid-week. He organised events and encouraged participation.
Since returning from Northumberland he has constantly encouraged young cyclists
on his easy and standard rides, gaining many new members for the club. In
more recent years Jack has helped and encouraged many people to take up cycling
again, and introduced then to the Albert Watson Memorial Hut at Polmood. With
the help of the DA committee Jack was instrumental in reviving the Edinburgh
Road Club which became the competitive offshoot of the DA. He organised time-trials,
audax events, circuit training, hill-climbs and freewheeling competitions.
Furthermore, as an RRA and RRAS official he organised many successful RRA
record attempts, often in collaboration with the late Dave Harris. Jack served
on the general, social and runs committees in many capacities. He has been
a treasurer, auditor and for two long periods he was secretary, (1973-1983
and 1987-1993). He was club president from 1993-1999. He has also represented
the DA on the Edinburgh Accident Prevention Council, the East of Scotland
Cycling Association (ESCA), the Scottish YHA and the Scottish Sports Council.
His long service was recognised by the DA this year awarding him the "Zoller
Trophy" which was presented to him only a few weeks before his death. Although
he led a frugal lifestyle rare in this age of rampant consumerism (his inner
tubes were often more patches than rubber!!) he was a very generous person
who went out of his way to make others feel welcome and 'included'. He still
cycled every day right to the end - despite failing eyesight (his alarmed
companions often had to nudge him gently from the middle of the road towards
the edge!), and his last ambition was to reach a tally of 500,000 miles, which
he'd hoped to achieve in a couple of years. Thus ends a life devoted to cycling
and cyclists. With his infectious laugh and ready sense of humour, Jack will
be greatly missed by all who knew him.
The Sciennes Primary SRS Group would like to say a big THANK YOU to all those who have either helped with training or donated bikes. The cycle training on Grange Loan has been a big success and the Group are grateful to all the cyclists who have helped. Quite a few children do not have a bike, so spare bikes to loan have been most useful, especially as this is the only opportunity children currently have for training in safety. The School Cycle Club continues to be popular with older pupils. They have had rides out to Spylaw Park, Portobello and Musselburgh as well as a 20-mile ride to the Pentlands. The last was organised by Edinburgh Road Club, who were impressed with the children's fitness. The school has also had two Walk to School Weeks, which have been widely supported by politicians of all parties. And they continue to promote the 'walking buses' to escort younger children safely to school. As a result more children are walking and cycling to school, and the Group has won a National Cycling Award in the 'Best Complementary /Promotional Activity' category. The judges were "highly impressed with the enthusiasm and energy invested in developing a valuable package of activities to encourage sustainable and healthy travel to school". The Group are still looking for volunteers to help with cycle training, and for bikes, parts, lights, tools or child seats. They particularly need bikes for 8 - 12 year olds, but also adult bikes to lend to parents and teachers. Volunteers should be : a) cyclists b) over 18 c) confident speaking with children, and d) available during school hours for at least one day in the week.
The Ingliston circuit resounded to the shouts of children and teenagers enjoying bike races and other challenges on six Thursday evenings in spring and early summer last year, when the Cycle Development Project arranged to hire the circuit for this purpose. The event was hugely successful and attracted greater numbers than had been expected, despite the rather patchy publicity.
The 'Bike Blast' will be repeated again this year and the dates are 13 Apr, 11 May, 7 Jun, 13 Jul, & 10 Aug (all Thursdays apart from the June one). All members with youngsters in the family are invited to take part and this is an excellent way to stimulate an interest in cycling, competitive or otherwise.
The Newhailes
estate on the western outskirts of Musselburgh has been taken over by National
Trust for Scotland, and the mansion is being restored. Access to the grounds
from the north side has been possible informally for years, via a gap in the
wall from the path beside the Brunstane Burn. Recently this access has been
fenced off but a new one provided a little further east, opposite the old
bridge over the Burn. But a notice on the gate says this access "may be closed
shortly", and a phone number is given. When the Editor/ Rights Officer followed
this up he was told of the problems with vandals, and of plans to rebuild
the old stone wall which may or may not have an access entrance. We are asking
members to write to NTS to support continued access to the grounds from the
north. Not only are these pleasant for walking and cycling, but it is an opportunity
to visit the House, when restored, by sustainable transport (i.e. walking
/cycling), since the Brunstane Burn path links to the Innocent Route and provides
an off-road link right into Edinburgh. NTS want to restore the house "as authentically
as possible" - but what could be less authentic than a huge car park ? In
our view, replacing the wall without providing access through it would be
an invitation to vandals to knock a hole in it, especially as NTS propose
using a traditional lime mortar. A proper access would encourage well-intentioned
visitors, which in itself deters vandalism, and the north side is now more
in the public eye than formerly because of the new houses next to the Burn,
which should also deter vandals. Please write, especially if you are a member
of NTS, to : Charles Strang, Director, Newhailes Project, NTS, 23 Charlotte
Sq Edinburgh EH2.
The 'main drag' - the cycle path from Roseburn to Leith - has been disrupted for months while a new bridge was built over Ferry Road, near Crewe Toll. City of Edinburgh Council is to be congratulated on the new bridge with its elegant and striking design and colour. Because of road widening, the bridge is much longer than its predecessor. The new road, which runs from Crewe Toll to West Granton Road and replaces the Pilton Path, will have a cycle path alongside it, which will eventually continue north beyond W Granton to curve round and emerge at Granton Square. We were sorry to lose the Pilton Path, which some of us had campaigned for and indeed worked on as volunteers, but it was very vandal-prone, whereas the new path will be bolstered by the road. We have to thank a campaign by Spokes and the CTC for the new bridge. It's unthinkable that such a main cycle route could have been permanently cut, but that was in the original proposals. It just shows that although the Council are pro-cycling at the top level, there are still some officials prepared to compromise our needs.
The cycle path beside the Water of Leith from Slateford to Balerno is to be re-surfaced as part of the Millennium Project. Work will be in progress until about May, which could mean some disruption and muddy surfaces. Colinton Tunnel will be closed for about six weeks, with a diversion signed. Efforts will be made to keep the route open as far as possible. It is at least twenty years since the path was last refurbished, and the deterioration, from multiple use by walkers, joggers, cyclists and horses, has been marked. The Council wanted a tarmac surface for easier maintenance, but local opposition has forced acceptance of a whindust surface as at present.
Thanks to pressure from the CTC and Spokes, the subway under the West Approach Road, from Orwell Terrace to Dundee St., has been re-opened and the former steps have been replaced with a ramp, making it possible to cycle all the way along - albeit you'll need low gear for the last part This is a useful link in the route from the Roseburn Path to the south side of the city.
The picture shows some Lothian members enjoying George's hospitality last June.
The DA's annual ceilidh was held at the German-speaking Church Hall on 20 Nov. Numbers were down a little on last year, perhaps because the date had to be changed, but as usual there was plenty of dancing, and lots to eat. Don't miss it next year.
This
year's Lunch was held on 22 Dec. in the Function Suite of the Barnton Hotel
and 40 members, including some visitors from Fife, took part. Quite a few
turned up on bikes after the 'Wednesday ride', despite a fierce wind. There
was a choice of menu, and many took the opportunity to give turkey a rest,
especially with Christmas Day close at hand.
The new committee has had its first two meetings. At the first there was a lot of business and two short-life working groups have been set up to follow up itemsraised at the AGM by members. One group is to take a look at the finances - remember it was agreed at the AGM that we should make use of our money where approrpiate (rather than keeping it all for a rainy day). This group will seek to identify projects which will either develop cycling or benefit the members.
The other group is to look at events, starting with our relationship with Audax events.
We will try to keep members informed of any developments through Cycle Forth
Just prior to the AGM Don Johnson informed us that he would not be continuing to produce Lothian Link. He was thanked for all that he has done in collecting material and publishing and distributing it.
The Committee has decided that it will not attempt to continue the publication in its old form, but we hope to publish some 'touring narrative' type articles in Cycle Forth IF PEOPLE PROVIDE US WITH THEM. The ball is in your court. If you have stories to tell, put them on paper (or to save the Editor's fingers, on disc) and let the Editor have them. The next Cycle Forth copy date is 20 April.
Riders from other areas are welcome to join the Borders Group. On 8th April they meet at 10:00 in Gala (opposite the Cinema), ending up for the evening at Melrose YH.
On 13 May, they end up at Wooler YH.
The Saturday evenings are informal get-togethers. You can stay the night (book yourself) or go home. Check with Ian Oliver (01835 822227 or IOliver_ctc_pp@compuserve.com) or look on their web site at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ioliver_ctc_pp/
