News for November 2012 Thursday 1 November 2012 - report by Bill Balchin: Well the clocks have gone back, November is on the calendar and it is dark by half past four - welcome to Autumn. But each season has its own merits for cycling although as we splashed along the wet Old Gloucester Road on the way to Hawksbury Upton the best you could say was that it could be worse. At least the overnight rain had stopped - just, cold enough for longs - but balaclavas not required, and the sun thinking about breaking through. The lanes through Tytherington, Cromall and Tortworth were as mucky as you like. I took the prize for the dirtiest bike not having cleaned mine for several weeks. John Killick, on the other hand, was on a sparkling clean Thorn - but not for long. Ian Sparrow's route took the nine of us towards Huntingford then the left turn towards North Nibley passing Sir David McMurty's house. If you are ever on this lane you cannot miss it. Although it looks pretty big from the road much of it is underground fitting in eleven levels, squash courts, swimming pool, bowling alley - the sort of stuff you get for thirty million quid. I bet he has some fine cycles in his garage. Turning right towards Wotton we then turned left at Bradley Green up the climb that takes you onto the North Nibley road where we turned right to drop through Wotton and out on the roller coaster road through Wortley and Alderley. Lara was finding it hard going but when we stopped just before Hillesley she discovered that a missing bolt from the rear rack and mudguard stay was making the mudguard drag on the tyre. After borrowing one from her second bottle cage it was back to full speed. The only question now was - which way from Hillesley? The long drag up the main road or the prettier but steeper loop through Kilcott? The time and the road conditions made the main road the obvious choice and Ian got us to the Beaufort Arms right on noon. Yet another excellent pub and BTOTC favourite. Our preference seems to be for traditional, unpretentious pubs selling real ale and cider, with good value meals. Top marks on all counts - my fish and chips was first class for four pounds seventy five and the Cotswold Stunner ale was a treat. John Bishop counted twenty nine at lunch and it was pretty busy with Pete collecting bookings for the Christmas lunch and Ian taking orders for BTOTC clothing. The sun was out for the homeward trip with a large group riding along Sandpits Lane. One nit wit motorist decided that single track lanes should be driven at high speed and almost caused an accident trying to barge past us into the path of an oncoming pony and trap. There was plenty of hooting when the road widened and he finally got past - but did not stop to discuss it. Through Horton and Chipping Sodbury the sun was still out as the group did their final splits for home. Now where is that hosepipe? Click here to see which mucky lanes we used. Thursday 8 November 2012 - report by Bill Balchin: Dave Woodward has led several successful Tuesday rides but never a Thursday ride, until today. As usual he had carefully planned out the route and ridden it to check for problems a few days before: but there is no denying the fickle finger of fate. On the way to the Bitton start Dave got a puncture in the new tyre he had fitted the day before. Knowing what a struggle it was with the tyre he walked the short distance to Webbs of Warmley for professional assistance. Hence I got a call just after ten to say that Webbs had removed a chunk of metallic debris from his one day old (and now wrecked) inner tube and he would be along soon. So the group stood around chatting in the sunshine (centre photo) until a bit later came another call. Secondary problem identified with the brakes - go on without me. Right, decision time. Nominate a new leader to chose a route taking both the time and probable state of the lanes into account - step forward Mike Chouings. And the group of thirteen took the railway path to Bath but instead of the potential mud-bath on the canal towpath we turned off the railway path before the city centre and rode along the A4. We must have hit a lucky time for traffic as it was an easy and uneventful journey to get to Bannerdown Hill. I rode up in the company of Malcolm who seemed to be taking some perverse pleasure from calling out the changes in gradient as measured by his Garmin. Eight and nine percent quickly gave way to eleven, twelve and thirteen on the steep section at the bottom before levelling out to a (relatively) benign eight percent. And then the final kick saw a flash of fourteen percent before we stopped for a short breather at the top in a sweaty crowd. Just a short distance now to the crossroads and a left turn along the lane to Marshfield. Two jeep drivers going in opposite directions were presented with the problem of how to have a chat when on a single track lane. See how they got round it in the right photo. Almost there now on a lane that Google maps calls Ashwicke Road but the street sign declares as Fuddlebrook Hill and we were at the Catherine Wheel by about ten to twelve. Yet again, one of our regular pubs did us proud - slick service, quality meals and a super pint of Cotswold Stunner. And by arriving early there was time for seconds. The pub did a good trade today with a fair number of civilian customers in addition to thirty cyclists. Good to see Berry and Reg out on their bikes plus Brian and Sue, Alan Bracey and John Huish, Tony and Dave from Yate plus several more. Dave Woodward made it to the pub on his mended cycle after riding his planned route via Lansdown and St Catherines. And then it was back out in the sunshine (but with a chill in the air) for the trip home on the Tormarton Road and into Pucklechurch to end a very satisfying day out. For today's route, click here. Thursday 15 November 2012 - report by Bill Balchin: How do you get from Ashton Bridge to Congresbury? Well in a car you just go straight along the A370 for about twelve miles and you would be there in twenty minutes - but that would be no good for a cycle ride. So Arnold put on his best thinking cap and came up with a route that is a strong contender for most ingenious of the year. First the eighteen starters (yes Eighteen) climbed through Ashton Court towards the suspension bridge then took the road to Abotts Leigh where we got onto the small lanes to Failand. Despite no rain for a few days there was plenty of mud, water and leaves to ride over as we passed plenty of attractive houses tucked away from the busy streets. By Failand church we were informed that there were smashing views across to the two Severn bridges but the mist, which was to stay around all day, meant that we had to imagine it. Dropping down into Portbury we turned left towards the Avon Cycle Way but then took a right over the motorway and along the Sheepway into Portishead. Congresbury via Portishead. Who would have thought it? Along the coast road to Clevedon the grey of the estuary merged into the grey of the sky to continue our grey outlook. Over the Kenn Moors, through Yatton and we arrived at the Plough just after twelve. I think this is the second time that the BTOTC have used the Plough at Congresbury and I can see it becoming a favourite. Cosy bar, plenty of room, garden for the Summer, high quality meals and real ale fans would travel miles for the selection of beers straight from the barrel. My Palmers Dorset Gold was excellent and I heard praise for several of the other offerings. Another dozen of our friends had made their own way making our number up to thirty. John Huish, Tony Weaver and Dawn went together, John Bishop took his Brompton on the train, Martyn would have been with us but had a mechanical on the way to the start and must have just missed us. Good to see CTC stalwart Kay Boorman (right hand photo with Mike Chouings) again. Kay has been out with us a few times recently but meeting at the lunch stop - you know you are welcome for the whole day Kay. Not much time to linger with these short days - plus the excitement of getting back to vote for Police Commissioner and Bristol's first elected mayor today. A group of over twenty set out back through Yatton and Claverham looking for a flat trip home, and possibly a brew at the Buttery. We used the Festival Way cycle track to get from Bower Ashton to the Create Centre - minimising the time spent on the Cumberland Basin. But just a hardcore five enjoyed tea and rock cake on the dockside. The most ingenious route of the year? Have a look. Thursday 22 November 2012 - report by Bill Balchin: So there I was lying in bed on Wednesday night when the phone rang.