News for November 2013

Thursday 7th November - report from Bill Balchin: It is always a worry when you are down to lead a ride on Thursday - and then Wednesday has non-stop rain into the night. But just as forecast, the troublesome weather front cleared away leaving us with a cloudy, cool but dry start. I could hardly believe it as more and more arrived at the Amcor start until we reached thirty. Way too many for a single group so with instructions to organise yourselves into three groupettes of ten we set off for via Old Gloucester Road and Lane. With such a large group all you see from the front is a mass of cyclists behind and I foolishly disregarded John Killick who had offered himself as back-marker, which is how I came to lose six people on our way to Dyers Lane and Chaingate Lane. After trying a few mobile phones without success the remaining two dozen carried on to Tanhouse Lane where we stopped for a bit of local history at Oldwood Lane. Don't know it? This is the track that continues across Tanhouse Lane from Lane. I was recounting a brief history of mining in South and just got to coal when out came Jenni Humphries, right on cue.

In the picture L to R: Tony Galpin, Rob Searle, John Greany, Steve Hicks, Phil Hodgson, Ian Deegan, Alan Partridge, Jane Chapman, Sam Swalby, Jenni Humphries, David Woodward, Dave Reece, Peter Hobbs, Richard Hill, Alan Thomas, Mike Finch, John Upward, John Turton, Mike Chouings, Martyn Hallet, Shirley Clegg, Dave Clegg's right arm.

Jenni is the owner of Oldwood Pit which is just off Tanhouse Lane. When Jenni bought the property in 1979 she was aware of mining activity in the area but was still surprised when a mining enthusiast persuaded her to search behind a brick wall and uncovered a mineshaft. You can see plenty of information about local mining on the South Glos Mines Research Group's website. Jenni gave us a personal tour of the mineshaft (now flooded so it is not possible to go underground), the drift mine, the spoil heap and various mine buildings. It was interesting to hear the history, now very much a thing of the past but with thoughts of lunch to the fore we thanked Jenni and pushed on along Tanhouse Lane and Mapleridge Lane to Horton. Part way up the hill we took the left turn at the school past Horton Court which provided enough climbing to give everybody an appetite. I could have gone to the top and used Sandpits Lane but that was being saved for my cunning plan on the trip home.

The Beaufort Arms had its usual "cheapskate" menu for those wanting a light meal in addition to full sized meals but fifty cycling customers tested them to the limit. Waiting for the last stragglers to slog up from Hawkesbury church put me at the back of the long queue so I did not get my lunch, along with a few others, until about half past one. So we had a fragmented departure with the final seven not leaving until two. Just as well as my cunning plan was to make my final salute to the memory of Roy Williams.

We took Sandpits Lane then crossed the top of Horton Hill. Taking the next right turn towards we descended then took a left over a cattle grid between two stone pillars onto a smooth path through immaculate grounds. You know how there is often nobody around when we are cycling? Not today, as first a chap on a sit-on motor mower shouted out "Here, this is private property". Then as the driveway ended in a gravel parking area in front of a large - well, mansion you would have to say - I led the way through an arch on a gravel path beside the house and past the garages where two folk, possibly the lord and lady of the manor were walking. With my best smile, I called out "Can we get out this way?". "Carry on and you get to the road" they replied, non-plussed. So we rejoined the road between another pair of pillars with me giggling like a naughty schoolboy. Good job it was just seven and not twenty seven. Roy would have been proud.

The route to the Oldwood Pit and the Beaufort Arms, and back - click here.

Thursday 14th November - report from Bill Balchin: Numbers were down on last week but still a respectable twenty two arrived at despite forecasts of blustery showers and cold winds. Team Clegg were in charge today with David leading and Shirley rounding up the tail-enders. The wind was behind us for the outward leg starting on the cycle track to Saltford where we almost had a foul-up within minutes. The elite group on the front (is this a new meaning of elite? - Ed) opened up a gap and the remainder sailed on past the turning. Luckily Sean from the CTC spotted them riding up the hill past the Bird in Hand so we quickly carried our bikes down the steps, I did not see anybody ride down, and the group rejoined. Once back together the large group stayed together as Dave kept a very watchful eye on us through the lanes to Burnett and Compton Dando. It was not actually raining but with wet roads covered in leaves the descents required all your attention while the climbs threatened to overheat you. After taking a left turn for Hunstrete the rain started up but as usual on this sort of day by the time we got to the top of Hunstrete hill it had stopped and those who had put on rain tops were pulling them off again.

A nice steady descent on a small lane took us into Priston where we met our first set of road works. Passing through the signs we bumped over a scalped road in the midst of being resurfaced. Judging by the section that had already been finished that is going to be a treat to cycle on. Making our way towards Hinton Charterhouse there were more road closed warning for Tunley road. Slipping through we had the road to ourselves for a long stretch before navigating a few yards of pipe laying. This brought us near Combe Hay and although we had done plenty of ups and downs already the real stuff now kicked in. First the climb up Bath Hill which led on to the descent into Wellow followed by the long climb out of Wellow past the trekking centre to Hinton Charterhouse. We arrived at the Rose and Crown at twelve fifteen just at the same time as a big Bath group to find several BTOTC regulars already in place.

Rats! I was near the back of the queue again. Last week I did not get my lunch until after one thirty but no such problems today as the staff rattled through the orders and had the forty or so cyclists served before one. On our last visit the Haka IPA was very popular but it did not sell well so had to make way for Rare Breed - oh well, I am multi- talented, I can drink lots of different beers.

Some of the guys had arrived via the rough track into Wellow Treking centre and reported it as wet and muddy but passable. The consensus was to take the road back to Midford instead. It was a shock to leave the warm pub and get out in that cold wind - now in your face, but no time to worry about that, the fast swoop into Midford needed all your concentration. Once under the bridge by the Hope and Anchor we got back onto the tarmac section of path and through the tunnels. Crossing the Bristol road we encountered our third set of road works (are they spending their budget before the end of the year?) where a worker operating a stop/go board waved us across. He looked a bit bewildered as cyclists kept coming and coming across the road. Just the flat cycle track back to Bitton now to finish a day of two halves. I'm glad the hard stuff was before lunch.

Click here to see all the ups and downs (felt like mostly ups). Thursday 21st November - report from Pete Campbell: A Thursday ride to Clevedon from Ashton - how hard can that be? It's eight o'clock, I'm still under the duvet, and I'm thinking about the day. It's going to be out to the coast, and as long as John Killick avoids approaching the Salthouse by climbing up Holly Lane past the Clevedon Golf Club we ought to have an easy ride. Down to the kitchen, toaster and coffee machine into action, and a glance out the window shows the weather men know what they're doing. I can see the trees flapping in the north wind. Better wrap up warm. Will there be any rain? Better take waterproof foot covers, at least.

In fact this is what is expected when I called the Salthouse a few days ago to confirm our booking, and I thought a bit of winter weather might keep some of our feebler colleagues at home so I said there would be fifteen to twenty cyclists. It turns out that we don't have any feeble colleagues. Nineteen people turned up at Ashton including new boy Oliver who has just retired and wants to ride with a group. He contacted webmaster Bill who must have given him good directions as he'd managed to find the Ashton start point without any trouble.

So John led the way with me taking up the lantern rouge position which was all I thought I could manage today. There was no attempt to ease us into the day's ride, We went straight into Ashton Court and up the slope to the golf course end. I see that someone in Bristol Council has decided to slow any cyclists descending from Clifton with three or four tarmac humps which you won't want to hit at 20 mph going down, and you certainly don't want to ride over when you're struggling up the hill. Maybe after a few heavy frosts they will start to break up, or maybe not.

Through the gate onto the A369 and then a left turn at Abbots Leigh gave us some more ups and down before we got to Portbury, Clapton in Gordano and into Portishead. John managed to find the only mountain in Portishead, going up Slade Road and Avon Way, climbing 150 meters in two kilometers. Then a long downhill along the coast into Clevedon, a detour around the east of the town and we arrived at the Salthouse.

I mentioned potential feeble colleagues earlier. Well, to confirm how tough BTOTC members are, I counted another twenty cyclists in the pub. Yes, a turnout of thirty nine altogether on a cold and windy day, and considering I'd told the Salthouse to expect up to twenty, they coped very well. They offered their normal "two main courses for £10" which is always popular, although the draft beer was limited to Butcombe bitter and Doombar (both being very acceptable, but I thought maybe a bigger choice would be good). John Turton was trying unsuccessfully to interest people in the Brunel Buttery's rock cakes on the way home - a very disappointing reaction.

Back on the road (after putting multiple layers back on) and John took us into the wind on what was basically a route due east past Nailsea and Backwell to the Flax Bourton cycle path, and with some opting for the road through Long Ashton and some for the cycleway, we all found our way home.

See the ups and downs to Clevedon - click here.

Thursday 28th November - report from Bill Balchin: Cycling every week of the year means that we get to see all the seasons up close and personal. Autumn is one of my favourites - well, it’s in the top four and today was a typical Autumn day - cloudy skies but light winds, no rain and not cold enough for ice. Good enough to tempt out twenty five cyclists for a trip to Magor. Pete played a blinder today, not only organising the pub, ringing in the food orders and leading the ride but working out some surprises for the way home. Eagle eyed riders may have spotted a new bike shop in on the way to the bridge. The Olveston Bike Barn has recently opened opposite the Crusty Loaf bakery and specialises in servicing and repairs. (since closed in 2014) Over the bridge we followed a gentle route though Mathern and Crick. There was plenty of evidence of hedge cutting but the dry roads must have helped to keep punctures at bay - until leaving Caerwent Reg fell victim. Other than that we had a pleasant autumnal ride without incident, Unless you count Jane locking the brakes when a tractor approached on the run into Magor and skidding across the front of the tractor into the grass bank - luckily no damage.

Our venue of the Golden Lion has been on the BTOTC list from the beginning, although having said that, my theory is that pubs go through a change every seven years - either improving, getting worse or just becoming different. In my time with the BTOTC the Golden Lion has gone from a regular country pub providing meals to a swish restaurant and pub combined. There is no doubting the quality on offer, charged accordingly but fairly. With a big influx due they devised a cunning scheme where all the pre-ordered meals were written on a raffle ticket. At the counter you told them your order and they gave you the corresponding ticket - and it seemed to work pretty well. Better than the beer where two of the three hand pumps had to be pulled through before they could dispense the ale. Not that it caused a big problem and everybody seemed pleased with the fare on offer.

For the homeward trip I have always gone across the square and taken the Newport/Caldicot road. Pete delivered his masterstroke by going in the opposite direction across Magor Marsh to Undy where we rejoined the lanes leading to the gravel tracks. Despite the lack of tarmac it was an easy journey, especially for Martyn who was on a recent project to convert an old mountain bike into a tourer. Those big fat tyres nestling under wide mudguards looked just the job. You know how you go through a low underpass at Caldicot station? Not today. There is a small lane to the right that I have never previously noticed that cuts out the traffic lights on the Caldicot by-pass. Pausing for a group photo on the last railway bridge we took the usual route through Portskewett and back into Mathern. With the light fading fast we were still able to cross the bridge before it got dark - a total success.

Extra: I had a call from John Greany at five o'clock to relate an incident on his way home. Riding through the Blaise Castle estate his wheel slipped into a gulley in the road. Unable to maintain his balance he wobbled into a set of railings on a stone wall protecting a drop into a stream and tipped over the railings, becoming un-clipped in the process, and crashed down a twelve foot drop. Expecting the worse John was amazed to be unhurt. When he managed to clamber his way back to the bike which had its bars caught in the railings he found that to be undamaged as well so was able to continue his journey. Looks like a lucky escape.

Amcor to Magor? Click here to see the route.