Well my first copy seemed to go down well and thank you those who made compliments. Many events have taken place since the last issue particularly the very successful Hilly 50 with more about that below. Vic White continues to progress after his accident and has also contributed an interesting article by a cyclist about his outdoor interest. Thank you Vic. I would encourage more to think laterally in this way but do still encourage more profiles or updates or write-ups on mega or particularly memorable rides. The second half of Ann Bath’s Mersey 24 is an example. How about one of those weeks training rides in Majorca, to encourage others or a CTC tour. Get your thinking caps on and keep writing to make our Sou'Wester more enjoyable.
Mike
District Association Barn Dance The Barn Dance, previously the DA main fund raising event, rapidly being overtaken by the Hilly 50 km, was attended by 103 members and friends who had a very enjoyable evening dancing to the tunes of Carol Hewson & the BJM Trio and fantastic food was provided by Bernie’s Kitchen. It has always been our main social event of the year and thanks to all the organisers and helpers, particularly Jen and Simon Mitchell, long may it continue.
A special presentation was made to Clive Oxx in recognition of his fantastic achievement of compiling 49 Personal Profiles of members during his 10 years as Sou’Wester editor, a feat unlikely to be surpassed in the future. For posterity’s sake Pete Mitchell, Simon and Lisa produced a professionally bound book, which overwhelmed Clive who will treasure this for ever. He plans to get it signed by as many profile subjects as he can.
Hilly 50 km
Ed Sharp writes. It was a success. When I was young in the Feltham RC having had dismal results at 10 and 25 mile TT, I knew I would never be mentioned in Cycling Weekly but now being organiser of this event, not only has my name been mentioned but also my photo, address and phone number! Will I be the next David Duffield?
I have competed in this event a few times using my light bike but had to walk up two hills. It took a long time and was Hell!
Simon Warren, Cycling Weekly reporter, said he wished he had a carbon fibre bike for the event instead of 10kg chunk of steel. Our editor, Mike Morley, rode a mountain bike. Think again Mike.
My thanks go to Simon, Jen, Jake, Brian Starey and computer experts Graham Hill and Lisa Colombo for their help and support.
(Ed is very modest in his account of this event, indeed it was a resounding success bearing in mind that when he and Cheam & Morden Section took over the organisation, the entry was down to some 20 riders. Three years ago it was around 50 riders, last year 100 or so and this year 153, quite a number going under two hours. If you carry on at this rate Ed you will need more Deputies. Historically, this event was started over 20 years ago by Sid Richardson, I am informed. Then it was shorter and flatter. Stuart Downie from the then Family Section (Downlanders), took over and increased it to 50 km with some rough stuff and a sharp 1:4 addition. At that time it was on the DATC calendar and almost impossible to go under two hours. At its peak then, it attracted some 35 to 40 riders. It was in those days that Ed and I first rode the event and the muddy bit was not good. So from little beginnings and small acorns, this event looks like maturing into a fully grown and strong oak tree. Finally I must mention again that amazing man ‘Octogenarian Ray Dare’ who went round in 2 hr 40 mins, just 15 mins slower than Simon Mitchell on an MTB, whose sister, Jake, and wife, Jen, also completed the event after all their organisation at the start. Needless to say the phenomenal veteran Gary Dodd was well under two hours. As Ed says there was lots more in Cycling Weekly. I suspect Simon Legg has also pushed this event to good effect through very effective publicity. Editor)
Wayfarers Anniversary Lunch
As reported on the blogsite but not available to all, the following is worth repeating: 7th March was a fantastic day with so many riders at Cobham for elevenses. The lunch at Prezzo in Cheam was attended by 53 members and was excellent value for £9, two courses and coffee including gratuity. The calorific value was enormous. I would like to put the editor’s name on record, in thanking Brian, as was done at the lunch today by others, specifically Mike Withers for organising such a fantastic event.
The whole ambience of the day was great, especially with such fantastic weather and such wonderful company. The rides in advance were also great and I can specifically thank Steve Cox for organizing such a tantalizing and circuitous roundabout route to get from Cobham to Cheam via Hampton Court and Kingston for the ‘A’ ride.
Thanks also to Bob, Brian’s kid brother, for suggesting a nightcap in the local wine bar (for that is what it turned out to be - I got home to Walton on the Hill at 7:30pm), the final cause of delay at the wine bar was Lynda still trying to sell her T shirt printing. She rode by on the pavement around 5:30 pm, having seen us in there at around 4:00 pm, on first arrival. We bought her a lemonade to ensure she did not dehydrate on the way home, while we continued with another 95% alcohol free beer. We met a very interesting retired policeman who was emigrating to Cyprus. He is starting up a coarse fishing business for trout, bream and American Bass, which apparently is delicious and is all caught on inland rivers and lakes. The ‘We’ consisted of a small number of reprobates who shall be nameless but much to his credit included our very worthy DA secretary who retired early like the policeman to go home before dark.
For those that can and have not looked more pictures are on the ‘Blog’ thanks to that very competent and monumental cyclist admired by us all Ray Dare.
I must repeat a fantastic day out and thanks again Brian for putting it on in style.
Cheam & Morden Annual Lunch
The annual Cheam and Morden lunch took place as usual at the Hand in Hand pub, Box Hill on 11th February attended by 40 riders from all Sections of the DA. The food was good although it took a while to serve everyone. As always the occasion was a good opportunity for members to meet and chat followed by an easy downhill cruise home for most riders.
CTC Successful Initiative
Members, do not be afraid to use the new CTC tools to flag up potholes and blocked off-road trails. The pothole campaign has produced an enormous response and apparently shows Surrey CC to be the worst in the UK. There is a link on the CTC website www.ctc.org.uk or go to:
www.fillthathole.org.uk or
www.clearthattrail.org.uk
It is easy to use and prompts you what to do as you proceed. It also gives you a grid reference when you have located your pothole and reports back that it has been flagged up by the local county council. Be careful to mark the correct spot on the map. You are encouraged to keep an eye on progress when next on the route and if after say three to four weeks it is not fixed then report back. If you do not have a computer ask a friend who has, to log it for you, especially if it is really bad and highly dangerous as many are. Even motorists are apparently applauding this tool where potholes are wrecking their tyres and wheels but not as in cyclists’ case threatening their lives in extremis. Remember if you wreck a wheel you can claim on the council responsible.
KPRC Saturday Morning Rides
Two rides take place every Saturday, an offroad and onroad starting 10am at Horton Country Park, Epsom. They are sociable moderate rides with a tea stop and returning around 1:00pm, the idea being to attract busy people who maybe ride alone but would welcome company on their rides. More details contact Jake Dodd.
Summer rides for Beginners
Similarly the Beginners Section is planning a series of Monday evening summer rides, starting from Manor Park Sutton at 6:50pm for 7:00pm prompt start. The distance will be approximately 10 miles out and back (20 miles) to such places as Biggin Hill, Box Hill, Hampton Court and other interesting summer night spots in the coming months. More details will appear in the next issue about these two hour rides.
2006 Awards
The following winners received their trophies at the Barn Dance on 31st March:.
Vic White on one of his other interests
As I approached forty, I thought it time I took up some less strenuous pursuits in preparation for old age. I joined the Southern Veteran-Cycle Club and the Alpine Garden Society. Both can be as gentle as you like, but I was to find that the AGS had a hidden agenda. All very well to stay at home and try to grow things, but there is a faction that scorns such things and goes out looking for plants in outlandish places. I soon fell in with this lot, and have been with them to mountain ranges on every continent except Antarctica; anything that might grow there can be seen in more comfortable places, such as Tierra del Fuego. I haven’t taken a bike on any of these trips it’s a long way between caf駸 in Siberia. I have seen a globetrotter on a heavily laden ATB slogging up a mountain pass in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, but I doubt he was there to pick flowers. My lot always travel in all-terrain vehicles, especially the legendary Ural truck, which goes anywhere it wants to. If you think searching for mountain flowers seems a bit tame, they are usually found among other life forms, such as snow leopards and lammergeiers, which aren’t so obliging when you want to photograph them, but are worth seeing anyway. We often get zoologists and ornithologists come with us, so that it’s more like a trip with David Attenborough than with Christine Walkden, although she was with us in Bulgaria.
After one of these trips, cycling seems quite tame for a while. However, I do have a project going which combines both lives. In the CITES Red Book, which lists endangered species, I found about thirty plants which used to be hereabouts but may now be locally extinct. I went looking and found about ten within riding distance of home. There’s one at Happy Valley, Coulsdon, another on Banstead Downs, yet others at West End, Oxshott, Chobham and Wood Street. A bit further out I have found things at Harefield, Amersham and Wendover. The latter has a Gentian which comes out in October, so you have to get a move on if you want to get there and back in daylight. Fortunately, I have already done that one and got back safely with the pictures, so I don’t have to do it again. Part way up Whitedown the road is crossed by the North Down’s Way, so if you need an excuse to get off and walk, you can say you are looking for Bee Orchids, which sometimes appear there. Be warned, only a botanist can get away with that one! I continue to look for the other rarities, although I think I shall pass on Thlaspi perfoliatum, which used to thrive at West Drayton Station when they had horsedrawn cabs; there’s a connection, and it’s not very savoury. On our Wednesday rides we often pass places where I have found fossils, but that’s another story. Just remember that when you watch Natural History programmes on TV some poor geek probably spent hours wallowing in something nasty to bring you those images, so that you don’t have to.
Beginners Launch
Annually since 1996 the Beginners have invited a local VIP to launch the summer season (although rides take place every week throughout the year). On 31st March we welcomed Helen Young, former BBC lead weather presenter and now Sutton's Ambassador for School Travel Plans. The announcement in the local papers brought out three more new riders, all of whom were impressed with the peaceful scenic route to tea at Ashtead and equally enjoyable gentle homeward ride. A donation was given to Helen's special charity, Guillain Barré syndrome (www.gbs.org.uk). We thank her for her enthusiasm and her time and look forward to her joining us again, probably with her children.
Cyclism leisurely evening rides
The eleventh season will run from May until August. Details: Shirley Quemby 020 8642 3720.
Our Sections:
Beginners rides are short and easy paced for new and returning cyclists of any age (children must be accompanied). Experienced members ensure that no one is left behind.
Cheam & Morden rides range from about 50 miles to over 70 and are graded as shown overleaf. The rides return home in late afternoon.
Downland rides are up to 30 miles at an easy pace from the coffee meeting places listed. Lunch can be a picnic, or purchased at the destination shown. Home by early afternoon, our days are more social than for the hardened rider. Some members add a further 25 to 35 miles to their day’s outing by riding from Banstead with the option of returning home for lunch. For details of times and meeting places before coffee phone Angela Launder.
Midweek Wayfarers usually all meet at ‘elevenses’, dividing into three groups ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’, each led by a leader nominated for that day. Sometimes ‘C’ group stay closer to home, using a separate 11s venue when ‘A’ and ‘B’ groups go further afield. Each first Wednesday all three groups get together at our ‘home’ venue at Royal British Legion Hall, Cobham, Surrey. ‘A’ and ‘B’ rides average about 45 miles.
A special presentation was made to Clive Oxx in recognition of his fantastic achievement of compiling 49 Personal Profiles of members during his 10 years as Sou’Wester editor, a feat unlikely to be surpassed in the future. For posterity’s sake Pete Mitchell, Simon and Lisa produced a professionally bound book, which overwhelmed Clive who will treasure this for ever. He plans to get it signed by as many profile subjects as he can.
Hilly 50 km
Ed Sharp writes. It was a success. When I was young in the Feltham RC having had dismal results at 10 and 25 mile TT, I knew I would never be mentioned in Cycling Weekly but now being organiser of this event, not only has my name been mentioned but also my photo, address and phone number! Will I be the next David Duffield?
I have competed in this event a few times using my light bike but had to walk up two hills. It took a long time and was Hell!
Simon Warren, Cycling Weekly reporter, said he wished he had a carbon fibre bike for the event instead of 10kg chunk of steel. Our editor, Mike Morley, rode a mountain bike. Think again Mike.
My thanks go to Simon, Jen, Jake, Brian Starey and computer experts Graham Hill and Lisa Colombo for their help and support.
(Ed is very modest in his account of this event, indeed it was a resounding success bearing in mind that when he and Cheam & Morden Section took over the organisation, the entry was down to some 20 riders. Three years ago it was around 50 riders, last year 100 or so and this year 153, quite a number going under two hours. If you carry on at this rate Ed you will need more Deputies. Historically, this event was started over 20 years ago by Sid Richardson, I am informed. Then it was shorter and flatter. Stuart Downie from the then Family Section (Downlanders), took over and increased it to 50 km with some rough stuff and a sharp 1:4 addition. At that time it was on the DATC calendar and almost impossible to go under two hours. At its peak then, it attracted some 35 to 40 riders. It was in those days that Ed and I first rode the event and the muddy bit was not good. So from little beginnings and small acorns, this event looks like maturing into a fully grown and strong oak tree. Finally I must mention again that amazing man ‘Octogenarian Ray Dare’ who went round in 2 hr 40 mins, just 15 mins slower than Simon Mitchell on an MTB, whose sister, Jake, and wife, Jen, also completed the event after all their organisation at the start. Needless to say the phenomenal veteran Gary Dodd was well under two hours. As Ed says there was lots more in Cycling Weekly. I suspect Simon Legg has also pushed this event to good effect through very effective publicity. Editor)
Wayfarers Anniversary Lunch
As reported on the blogsite but not available to all, the following is worth repeating: 7th March was a fantastic day with so many riders at Cobham for elevenses. The lunch at Prezzo in Cheam was attended by 53 members and was excellent value for £9, two courses and coffee including gratuity. The calorific value was enormous. I would like to put the editor’s name on record, in thanking Brian, as was done at the lunch today by others, specifically Mike Withers for organising such a fantastic event.
The whole ambience of the day was great, especially with such fantastic weather and such wonderful company. The rides in advance were also great and I can specifically thank Steve Cox for organizing such a tantalizing and circuitous roundabout route to get from Cobham to Cheam via Hampton Court and Kingston for the ‘A’ ride.
Thanks also to Bob, Brian’s kid brother, for suggesting a nightcap in the local wine bar (for that is what it turned out to be - I got home to Walton on the Hill at 7:30pm), the final cause of delay at the wine bar was Lynda still trying to sell her T shirt printing. She rode by on the pavement around 5:30 pm, having seen us in there at around 4:00 pm, on first arrival. We bought her a lemonade to ensure she did not dehydrate on the way home, while we continued with another 95% alcohol free beer. We met a very interesting retired policeman who was emigrating to Cyprus. He is starting up a coarse fishing business for trout, bream and American Bass, which apparently is delicious and is all caught on inland rivers and lakes. The ‘We’ consisted of a small number of reprobates who shall be nameless but much to his credit included our very worthy DA secretary who retired early like the policeman to go home before dark.
For those that can and have not looked more pictures are on the ‘Blog’ thanks to that very competent and monumental cyclist admired by us all Ray Dare.
I must repeat a fantastic day out and thanks again Brian for putting it on in style.
Cheam & Morden Annual Lunch
The annual Cheam and Morden lunch took place as usual at the Hand in Hand pub, Box Hill on 11th February attended by 40 riders from all Sections of the DA. The food was good although it took a while to serve everyone. As always the occasion was a good opportunity for members to meet and chat followed by an easy downhill cruise home for most riders.
CTC Successful Initiative
Members, do not be afraid to use the new CTC tools to flag up potholes and blocked off-road trails. The pothole campaign has produced an enormous response and apparently shows Surrey CC to be the worst in the UK. There is a link on the CTC website www.ctc.org.uk or go to:
www.fillthathole.org.uk or
www.clearthattrail.org.uk
It is easy to use and prompts you what to do as you proceed. It also gives you a grid reference when you have located your pothole and reports back that it has been flagged up by the local county council. Be careful to mark the correct spot on the map. You are encouraged to keep an eye on progress when next on the route and if after say three to four weeks it is not fixed then report back. If you do not have a computer ask a friend who has, to log it for you, especially if it is really bad and highly dangerous as many are. Even motorists are apparently applauding this tool where potholes are wrecking their tyres and wheels but not as in cyclists’ case threatening their lives in extremis. Remember if you wreck a wheel you can claim on the council responsible.
KPRC Saturday Morning Rides
Two rides take place every Saturday, an offroad and onroad starting 10am at Horton Country Park, Epsom. They are sociable moderate rides with a tea stop and returning around 1:00pm, the idea being to attract busy people who maybe ride alone but would welcome company on their rides. More details contact Jake Dodd.
Summer rides for Beginners
Similarly the Beginners Section is planning a series of Monday evening summer rides, starting from Manor Park Sutton at 6:50pm for 7:00pm prompt start. The distance will be approximately 10 miles out and back (20 miles) to such places as Biggin Hill, Box Hill, Hampton Court and other interesting summer night spots in the coming months. More details will appear in the next issue about these two hour rides.
2006 Awards
The following winners received their trophies at the Barn Dance on 31st March:.
Photographs:
Person (male) Simon Mitchell
Person (female) Pete Mitchell
Action Jonathan Spearman-Oxx
Scenery/Landscape Grant Pyke
Building/Buildings Jen Mitchell
Humorous or funny Simon Mitchell
Most interesting or ambitious ride:
Only one entry was received and the panel decided
that,although an interesting description of a
holiday, it did not fit the bill of an ambitious
ride and no prize was awarded.
Attendance on Rides: (points)
Beginners Tony Hooker (45)
Downland Angie Launder (79)
Cheam & Morden Ed Sharp (92)
Wayfarers Ed Sharp (100)
Inter Section Ed Sharp (192)
followed by Norman Goody (173)
Punctures: Richard Delamere (2)
Mileages:
Male: Pete Mitchell 12,905 miles
Female: Ann Bath 9,535 miles
(A full list was published in Mch/Apl 2007 issue)
DATC Points Phil Lintott
Vic White on one of his other interests
As I approached forty, I thought it time I took up some less strenuous pursuits in preparation for old age. I joined the Southern Veteran-Cycle Club and the Alpine Garden Society. Both can be as gentle as you like, but I was to find that the AGS had a hidden agenda. All very well to stay at home and try to grow things, but there is a faction that scorns such things and goes out looking for plants in outlandish places. I soon fell in with this lot, and have been with them to mountain ranges on every continent except Antarctica; anything that might grow there can be seen in more comfortable places, such as Tierra del Fuego. I haven’t taken a bike on any of these trips it’s a long way between caf駸 in Siberia. I have seen a globetrotter on a heavily laden ATB slogging up a mountain pass in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, but I doubt he was there to pick flowers. My lot always travel in all-terrain vehicles, especially the legendary Ural truck, which goes anywhere it wants to. If you think searching for mountain flowers seems a bit tame, they are usually found among other life forms, such as snow leopards and lammergeiers, which aren’t so obliging when you want to photograph them, but are worth seeing anyway. We often get zoologists and ornithologists come with us, so that it’s more like a trip with David Attenborough than with Christine Walkden, although she was with us in Bulgaria.
After one of these trips, cycling seems quite tame for a while. However, I do have a project going which combines both lives. In the CITES Red Book, which lists endangered species, I found about thirty plants which used to be hereabouts but may now be locally extinct. I went looking and found about ten within riding distance of home. There’s one at Happy Valley, Coulsdon, another on Banstead Downs, yet others at West End, Oxshott, Chobham and Wood Street. A bit further out I have found things at Harefield, Amersham and Wendover. The latter has a Gentian which comes out in October, so you have to get a move on if you want to get there and back in daylight. Fortunately, I have already done that one and got back safely with the pictures, so I don’t have to do it again. Part way up Whitedown the road is crossed by the North Down’s Way, so if you need an excuse to get off and walk, you can say you are looking for Bee Orchids, which sometimes appear there. Be warned, only a botanist can get away with that one! I continue to look for the other rarities, although I think I shall pass on Thlaspi perfoliatum, which used to thrive at West Drayton Station when they had horsedrawn cabs; there’s a connection, and it’s not very savoury. On our Wednesday rides we often pass places where I have found fossils, but that’s another story. Just remember that when you watch Natural History programmes on TV some poor geek probably spent hours wallowing in something nasty to bring you those images, so that you don’t have to.
Beginners Launch
Annually since 1996 the Beginners have invited a local VIP to launch the summer season (although rides take place every week throughout the year). On 31st March we welcomed Helen Young, former BBC lead weather presenter and now Sutton's Ambassador for School Travel Plans. The announcement in the local papers brought out three more new riders, all of whom were impressed with the peaceful scenic route to tea at Ashtead and equally enjoyable gentle homeward ride. A donation was given to Helen's special charity, Guillain Barré syndrome (www.gbs.org.uk). We thank her for her enthusiasm and her time and look forward to her joining us again, probably with her children.
Cyclism leisurely evening rides
The eleventh season will run from May until August. Details: Shirley Quemby 020 8642 3720.
Our Sections:
Beginners rides are short and easy paced for new and returning cyclists of any age (children must be accompanied). Experienced members ensure that no one is left behind.
Cheam & Morden rides range from about 50 miles to over 70 and are graded as shown overleaf. The rides return home in late afternoon.
Downland rides are up to 30 miles at an easy pace from the coffee meeting places listed. Lunch can be a picnic, or purchased at the destination shown. Home by early afternoon, our days are more social than for the hardened rider. Some members add a further 25 to 35 miles to their day’s outing by riding from Banstead with the option of returning home for lunch. For details of times and meeting places before coffee phone Angela Launder.
Midweek Wayfarers usually all meet at ‘elevenses’, dividing into three groups ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’, each led by a leader nominated for that day. Sometimes ‘C’ group stay closer to home, using a separate 11s venue when ‘A’ and ‘B’ groups go further afield. Each first Wednesday all three groups get together at our ‘home’ venue at Royal British Legion Hall, Cobham, Surrey. ‘A’ and ‘B’ rides average about 45 miles.
Author: Lisa
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