News for June 2012
Message from Alan Bracey, 1st June: Hello Bill/Pete. Afraid I'm off the bike again. My own stupid fault. While away in Cornwall, I dislocated my left hip again by bending and twisting like I had been told not to. Finished up in Truro hospital where they put it back in again. So its back to square one, no riding for 2 months, no driving for six weeks and countless b***kings from Jen when I try to do too much.
I will keep in touch however and look forward to driving to some lunch stops.I may sound cheerful about the whole thing, but due to my own stupidity, I feel quite low at the moment.
Alan
Thursday 7th June 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: After several days of celebrations for the Queen's diamond jubilee it was our turn. Although Will.i.am did not show up we had the same poor weather to dampen a couple of dozen at the Castle Green bandstand for the start. John was expecting a photographer from the (Evening) Post and sure enough, just as we were about to leave he arrived to grab a few shots. I was pleased that he managed to arrange the group as I dashed out and grabbed one of my own, well it will save a few bob not buying a paper. One person not at the start was Pete Campbell who was being interviewed live on the John Darvall show on radio Bristol. John started off by asking if Pete liked being called an old time cyclist. Pete replied that he was not too fussed about that and went on to explain that we don't ride penny farthings but enjoy the fitness and social aspects of cycling. You can catch the three minute interview online at the "Listen Again" section of radio Bristol on bbc.co.uk/bristol until 13th June - make sure you select the right date - move the time slider to 1:53:40 if you don't want the whole show.
Of course we were unaware of all this as we made our way past Gardner Haskins and onto the railway path in steadily increasing rain. Dawn joined the group at Mangotsfield and although it was nice chatting as we rode, I think most were glad to reach the Dolphin and get out of the rain. The buffet featured a mixture of cold meats, salad and nibbles as well as hot chicken portions and chips. Just as we were about to tuck in a sole, bedraggled cyclist arrived - it was Pete, fresh from his radio debut, making the journey alone, by bike, in the rain. It was good to see Mary Slocombe there, and Mary thanked all those who attended Cyrils funeral last week. Then although John had promised no speeches he could not really let the day end without a few words, confirming that the BTOTC has been going for at least thirty years, unlike the time he organised the rugby club twenty fifth anniversary in their twenty fourth year. So now John will be finishing with the admin side of the group as Pete and Malcolm take on the responsibility. And thank you John for a terrific job. No time for sentiment on the way home though - most people just wanted to get home as quick as possible and warm up in the dry.
Photos, from top left: Listen up. A photographer is coming from the Post - oh, here he is; By the time we got to Bitton the rain was pretty steady; After his radio debut Pete hopped on his bike and rode alone to the Dolphin; the new management team of Pete (left) and Malcolm have now assumed control from John (centre); The buffet featured both hot and cold items. Lara and Mike rode there on a tandem;
Tuesday 12th June 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: The third Tuesday ride of 2012 brought six riders to the Forest of Dean for Dave Woodward's three churches expedition - this year in the reverse direction. After about thirty hours of continuous rain that had been falling until the early hours of Tuesday morning the roads were damp but not too bad although the term "leaden skies" was made for today. The calendar said June but it felt like March as we rode through the forest and onto our first tea stop in Ross on Wye. Going north out of Ross we followed a fantastic little lane along the banks of the Wye through the Perrystone Estate. It was worth the trip just to ride this section. Then we called in at Brockhampton to inspect our first church - All Saints. Featuring a stone tower, wooden tower and thatched roof this is a little marvel. In fact it was so highly regarded in Japan that they built a replica - on the twenty first floor of a tower block in Osaka. On through Much Marcle and another place of worship (two if you count the Westons cider factory). St Batholemews has a yew tree 1500 years old with a seat inside it in outside the front door.
Onto Ledbury for lunch at the excellent Prince of Wales with their home made pies and Wye Valley ales. A blow-out meal can sap your motivation for climbing the many ups and downs in the Hereford/Gloucestershire area but with my cycle trip to the Alpes coming soon I was figuring each climb as so many hairpins on the climb of Alpe d'Huez. I think I will make it but without troubling the record books. Our third and final church was on the way to our last tea stop at Newent, but if you want the details you will have to join this ride next year. You won't be disappointed. A final bit of forest riding - on the roads rather than forest trails due to all the rain and we were back at the cars by half past five with sixty two miles ridden. No rain all day despite the clouds and wouldn't you know it - sunshine for the car trip home.
Thursday 14th June 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: Surely in mid-June you should be thinking about sun block and sweat bands, not whether to wear shorts or longs, or base layers? But the day did not start too badly at Bitton station with a bit of brightness in the cloudy sky and a steady wind from the south-east. After a trip down the railway path to Saltford we lost both Brian Kington and Pete Hobbs who had just popped along to say "Hello, goodbye" before going off to do other stuff leaving eleven on a Mike Chouings special to the Ring O'Bells at Hinton Blewitt via Marksbury, Farmborough and Timsbury. We were riding pretty well as a tight group until crossing the main road on the way to Clutton Hill when Arnold, Malcolm and the fixie twins - Martyn and Roger were held up by traffic and became detached.
By the time the other seven had cycled past the Hunters Rest and into Clutton village we realised there had been a split but after waiting for a while decided to press on using the planned route through Paulton. Just before Hallatrow we passed a large peloton from Bath travelling in the opposite direction - see you later. Our route continued on small lanes, most of which were new to those of us from the north of Bristol through the small villages of Clapton and Ston Easton to approach Hinton Blewitt from the south - up a dirty great hill of course - and arrive just before twelve thirty with a twenty two mile trip.
And sat in the pub were the four escapees who had arrived before opening time and banged on the door, team Bath, and Tony, Dave and John Tyler from the team Yate plus Brian and Lara - so a nice party at the end. And staggering the arrival helps the kitchen as well doesn't it? Well, the pub has new management so maybe they are finding their feet but both Mike and I waited nearly an hour for our meals which messed plans for a group ride back to Bristol. Eventually a group of six left the pub after two o'clock after all the others had gone, reduced to four after a few yards when Rob and Alex turned off for Bath. The official group (because Pete was there with the Android) dropped into Bishop Sutton, straight across the main road, then instead of turning left to pass the lake and take Denny Lane we carried straight on up Knowle Hill then left into Chew Magna on Moorledge Road. The rain could not restrain itself any longer and it started gently but would not stop until midnight. From Chew it was Norton Hawkfield to Whitchurch where Pete and Alan Thomas took the Whitchurch cycle track into Bristol and I carried on with Mike down Redlynch Lane. With a good route like this in the bag I expect it will get another airing - preferably in sunshine. to see the official route click here.
Tuesday 19th June 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: What a fantastic invention the Internet is. Not only able to mobilise the Arab Spring but it also enabled an extra Tuesday ride to be slipped in at short notice on a day of good weather. Six riders turned up to repeat the 8th May ride from Castle Combe, five of whom were on the previous trip but there were no complaints with lots of sunshine, little wind and gently rolling scenery. In fact if you wanted to film a documentary about the joys of cycling in the English countryside this was the expedition to record. The only significant difference was a change of morning stop in Tetbury to 53 Long Street. This is an awkward place for bikes to stop with that continuous row of buildings right on the footpath - unless you go around the back, park in the garden and enjoy your break in the sun-trap. Check out the route map to see the temperature!
Quiet lanes past stone walls to Somerford Keynes where the Bakers Arms did us proud. More of the same to the always reliable Malmsbury garden centre for afternoon tea. And yes, still more delightful riding back to the cars for a sixty mile trip and one of the best days out this year so far.
Click here to see the route and some revealing stats.
Mid Summer's Day Ride to Axbridge - 21 June 2012, Report from Arnold Mayes: The day dawned misty following heavy overnight rain, but by the time four intrepid cyclists left Ashton Gate the sun was out (well just and not for long). We headed through Long Ashton and then along the "Road Closed" Wild County Lane. Despite the major works by Bristol Water laying new water mains the lane was just passable on bikes.
On then to Winford Manor, Buttcombe and Aldwick passing through two road floods. We are in two minds as to whether or not to report Mike Chouings to the sex discrimination authorities as he was seen pushing Lara up a hill and to our knowledge has never offered such help to any of the men. By Lower Langford we were up to six intrepid explorers and as we went through Sandford the rain began. Winscombe tunnel gave a brief but dark respite from the rain and we arrived at Axbridge wet and ready for their good meal deal.
We were joined by one of the Bath group and so after lunch whilst Lara put her feet up in her nice warm, dry home the rest of us went out to brave the elements, five taking the traditional route up Cheddar Gorge, and the writer, already soaked having forgotten his water proof jacket, took the fastest route home via The Strawberry Trail and A370 arriving home by 3:15 after 46 miles. We have yet to hear if the other five got stuck in flood waters on Mendip!
Tuesday 26 June 2012 - report from Tony Conibear:
Dorset Drizzles Brian Trott rummaged around in the parts bin and came up with an old favourite that we last rode 6 years ago and didn’t my legs acknowledge their subsequent wear and tear! The odd thing about this Gillingham start is that it seems to put off the ‘too far to drive folk’ and it’s only 44miles/1hr15min from Yate. The trick is to leave a tad early, even if it means waiting in a car park for an extra half hour. Practically a straight line due south from Old Sodbury down the A46, A36, A361 and B3092. Leaving at 7:10 I’d cleared the pinch points at Cold Ashton roundabout and the Bathampton toll bridge (a worthwhile 60p) and an hour later I was passing Stourhead.
It was a reasonable morning although a bit grey but looked as though there might be promise of some brighter periods. The BBC forecast hadn’t been much help. First came a chart with a big splodge of orange saying warm weather moving up from south, followed by one full of the by now customary blue splodges with the excuse that warm equals rain. So four of us gathered in the Gillingham High Street and paid our £1.50 subscriptions to the pay and display machine that would buy us up to 10 hours of leisure on the North Dorset Cycleway (reversed). It’s always been ridden in the reverse direction because despite the local council brochures the signage was set up in that direction. Some of if it still remains that way.
This route fits into the ‘undulating’ category with a couple of longer and steeper challenges, but the Dorset scenery and welcoming hostelries provide more than adequate compensation. The odd spots of drizzle never lasted long as we headed west out of Gillingham than on a more southerly heading through Buckhorn Weston, Kington Magna, Fifehead Magdalen, Marnhull, Hinton St. Mary and on to our first stop at Sturminster Newton. Now don’t all those places sound so much more inviting than Norton Malreward!. There appears to be a teacake famine in North Dorset so we had to indulge the inviting cakes offered by Caffe Expresso., including the most welcome drizzle of the day in the form of their Lemon Drizzle cake. Really nice coffee as well and much enquiry as to where had we come from, how far were we going etc. At least, unlike last year at Charmouth, nobody answered with Bristol!
Suitably fuelled we continued south towards what would be the most notable climb of the day. After passing through Okeford Fitzpaine we immediately start climbing up onto the Dorset Downs with the almost 4 mile ascent of Ibberton Hill, which at 900ft was the highest point of the ride. That didn’t mean it would be downhill for the rest of the way, but some respite as we descended through Hilton to pass the striking view of Milton Abbey and on to the picturesque village of Milton Abbas, with its wide street of thatched cottages.
Except they built it on a hill. In half a mile the road rises 170ft ! Only another 7 miles to lunch, so we press on through Winterbourne Strickland to Blandford Forum where we walk along the long one-way market street to find our next fuelling stop at The Georgian Tearooms. This is located down a little a quiet little alleyway with good parking for bikes, and on the day a couple of nice dogs to keep an eye on them. Another friendly hostelry and at least on this occasion I’d be riding with Butcombefree legs.
The real highlight of this ride was intended for the next leg. Brian’s secret tea stop. At least for Malcolm and Mike who hadn’t ridden it before. First though we needed to ride through a series of villages along the river Tarrant. Tarrant Crawford, Tarrant Keyneston and Tarrant Rushton. The map shows four more ‘Tarrants’. Then the Gussages. Gussage means ‘small stream’ and this is what links Gussage All Saints, Gussage St. Michael and Gussage St. Andrews. Then the inevitable, considering the wetness and amount of grit and gravel on the roads. As we entered the village of Farnham my back tyre lost all its air in an instant. Pierced no doubt by the finest Dorset Flint, two ton of which covers our front lawn. That was probably a welcome stop as this was the start of the next ascent up over Cranborne Chase, through Ashmore (the highest village in Dorset) and on to our tea stop at Compton Abbas airfield. Renowned for its excellent restaurant and cafe this is usually a hive of activity with flying from the grass airstrip. Today was clearly not a flying day with the misty drizzle so we had to make do with more tea and cake. The mist had become quite dense by the time we were about to set off. Then the second puncture revealed itself in the form of Brian’s front.
The final leg of this ride took us down zig-zag hill with its steep hairpin bends and into Shaftsbury for a brief stop to inspect Gold Hill (on foot and no Hovis). It was pretty much all descent from the airfield (at 800ft) back to Gillingham( 250ft) arriving at the car-park at approx 6.15pm with 72 miles on the clock. Not far off the 10 hours after all. And the sun now decided to make its appearance for the drive home !
Thursday 28 June 2012 - report from Pete Campbell: Today's trip to the Tudor Arms at Slimbridge was notable for a few reasons: no rain (extremely muggy is a better description), Keith Borissow's first ride as leader (new route and some local history), and John Bishop's last ride as organiser (making sure the pub knew we were coming).
Nine people left from Amcor: seven of the usual suspects, Richard Baker back in the area after four months living in Spain, and one who Lara had introduced to the BTOTC last February. Daniel had clearly thought long and hard about whether he wanted to be seen out with the group again, and decided to come back - obviously brave or foolhardy or both. Keith led us to Tytherington, where we had a shock. At the junction by the Swan, we turned left! Now, in all my years of riding with the BTOTC, I've always turned right. Doesn't this man know about the natural order of South Gloustershire cycling? Obviously not! Then first right up New Road and across the M5 at Cutts Heath, which took us via Brinkmarsh Lane to the A38.
Often we stick to lanes on these rides, but another feature today was a fast ridealong the decent surface of the A38 to the Breadstone turnoff - about six miles. Then a more leisurely ride via Brookend to Purton and the historical highlight of the day: the Purton Hulks. These are a collection of nearly thirty old barges which have been scuttled on the banks of the Severn, acting as a barrier to prevent the bank eroding and damaging the Sharpness Canal. Most of us had no idea this existed, and its well worth a diversion if you're in the area. More information is available at www.mythornbury.co.uk/thornbury/local_history/purton_hulks.
There's not a lot of traffic on the canal, but we managed to arrive at a bridge in Purton in time for two boats to come past. We were ready for lunch by this time, and now had to wait for an extra ten minutes while the bridge swung. Then a last dash along the lanes into Slimbridge and the Tudor Arms.
The was a fair number of non-cyclists there, enjoying the warm dry weather, but the pub's staff were able to take our orders and get the lunches out to us in good time. The were at least another dozen cyclists there, including Alan Bracey who had come by car with his wife and was still feeling down about damaging his hip again. He will be off the bike for a few more weeks, and is probably resolving to always obey those doctors in future. Malcolm Hanson had reached the middle of Bristol when one of his saddle rails snapped, so he'd gone back home and travelled on one of his motor bikes.
Then, back home via Berkeley and a shorter section of the A38, with riders taking their own routes home, till five got back to the Amcor start point. An interesting and enjoyable ride from Keith - we look forward to more of this standard!
The route map to Slimbridge and back.