News for January 2010

News for January 2010 Thursday 7th January was to be the day of our first BTOTC outing of the new year, but snow on the Wednesday put paid to that - as well as closing most schools, stopping the buses, preventing refuse collections and causing general traffic chaos. I did not even think about going out the door and nor did leader John Bishop. John spoke to the Fox and Hounds on the Wednesday and they were not expecting anybody to venture out. Let's hope that things improve for the trip to Hawkbury Upton the 14th. At the moment things are looking doubtful, but we could always drive out on the main roads and have a pint and a chat. Thursday 14th January was an improvement on the previous week but although the main roads were clear of snow and ice (but covered in salt and slush) the lanes were still in a state. There had obviously been a lot more snow around Hawksbury than Bristol so with the added negatives of thick mist and two degree temperature we had eleven turn up by car for the suggested pint and a chat. It was a nice break to get out of the house and swap stories on the lines of "when did you get out on your bike last?". This has got to get better for Chew Magna on the 21st hasn't it? Thursday 21st January. The weather started cold, dull and damp - in a word, great. At last, a Thursday with no snow and ice. As we assembled at Bitton station for the ride to Chew Magna it became apparent that there were two different groups of animals present, one set of caged wild animals who had now been released and were itching to hit the road and some just out of hibernation and looking to ease themselves back into cycling after an enforced break. John Huish lead out a small group getting an early start and planning to take it easy on a direct route to the Queens Arms.The second group of ten with John Bishop leading started a few minutes later down the track to Saltford. Before Chewton Keynsham the Winterbourne Wheelers were back in the fold as we negotiated Queen Charlton and Norton Malreward. The Bishop master plan then kicked in as those looking for a less demanding ride turned towards Chew Magna and the others went through Stanton Drew, Bishop Sutton and made a circuit of the lake via West Harptree and Chew Stoke - a twenty two mile trip from Bitton arriving at the pub soon after twelve. John normally arranges a buffet at the Queens Arms but after ringing round and finding that other groups would probably give it a miss, plus the potential for more snow, he rang the pub and cancelled the buffet in favour of the regular menu. (You see, despite the apparently casual way that these things seem to just happen there is plenty of stuff going on in the background). With all groups back together plus some independant travellers we were twenty six strong at the pub. John rated his bacon and mushroom baugette as one of the best he has had, and my Queens burger and chips was first class. I don't know if you managed to get home in the dry with rain forecast for three o'clock. I had my bike washed off and put away by four and still no rain. Everybody seemed to enjoy getting back on their bikes again, first time this year for some. Let's hope it will be a good year. Thursday 28th January. Twenty one was our highest number of starters for some while for the ride from Rexam to Marshfield. What wind there was must have been with us for the outward trip in cold but not freezing dry conditions with even a bit of sunshine trying to make an appearance now and again. Swan Lane into Winterbourne then Frampton End to Mayshill and we skirted north of Yate into Tanhouse Lane and across into Mapleridge. At the end we went right then left to Little Sodbury church, right to Old Sodbury, Dodington, Tormarton and onto Marshfield arriving at around twelve fifteen with about twenty three miles on the clock. I am not sure who was leading. it looked like the Johns - Huish and Bishop sharing the duties between them - but it worked out fine. The Catherine Wheel was pretty full with forty three cyclists and motorised friends plus another party going on the back room. Seats were at a premium but we managed to cram in. With the doom and gloom and the pub trade it is still true that a well run pub can survive. The Crown opposite was in darkness with a "To let" sign outside, another casualty. The plan was to ride home via Bath but a couple of grupettos formed for those of us travelling to the north of Bristol so I joined one of those. There was a little bit of sleet in the air in the afternoon but it came to nothing. With light in the sky until well after four thirty, things are looking good for the cycling community..

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