Friday Night Ride to the Coast 15 July 2011

Just to let our members know that Simon Legg is still alive and kicking and is getting more and more incredible support for the "Fridays" Last night I did my first FNRttC this year and as I rode to the start I passed a familiar sight.
Approaching midnight I progressed to Constitution Arch in readiness for around 100 enthusiastic cyclists to depart. It is quite amazing how Simon gets everyone assembled ready to move of at an opportune traffic light change so we can merge into the hectic Friday night traffic. Off we proceed via Sloan Square, Chelsea Bridge and out over Clapham common toward Mitcham and into the countryside at Chipstead, destination Brighton via Turners Hill & Ditchling Beacon. For those that have not yet ventured onto one of these surreal rides it should be tried at least once.
The halfway point is well catered for and especially so last night by the Horley Scout Group. Plenty of fresh sandwiches and home made cake with lots of hot tea.
Last night the ascent of Ditchling Beacon was particularly challenging, horizontal rain and cloud covered top, no evidence of the Full Moon and sunrise that we often see and much different from the majority of the ride.
See all the rides and write ups on FRNttC and get ready for the big one Friday 2nd September "The Martlets Ride" in aid of the hospice. If you can't ride and feel inclined maybe you would like to sponsor someone or simply send a donation.

Author: mike morley

Tom Powell

I have been advised that Tom Powell died last week at the age of 91.

The funeral will be at 1215 on 1st July at the South London Crematorium (by Streatham Park Cemetery), Rowan Road, Streatham Vale. All are welcome.

Please would you pass the message on. Beryl Powell can be contacted on 020 8679 4872.

Pete Barnard

Author: Pete

Jean Carlo (nee Bury)

Jean died on Monday 13.06.11, not having recovered from a massive stroke the previous Friday. There is to be a short service at Langney Crematorium, near Eastbourne, on Thursday, 23.06.11 at 11.15. No flowers but donations can be made to Stroke Association via Heathfield Funeral Services, 1 Holmbrook, Hailsham Road, Heathfield, TN21 8AE.

Author: Pete

Dr. Bike to Note

Seen at St. Helier Hospital last friday a crude conversion in "Wood" to add a child's seat. Innovative no doubt I just hope that the black insulation tape is strong enough to hold and does not produce any electrifying results for rider and passenger. What would Shirley Quemby have to say if the modified bicycle appeared at Dr. Bike?

Author: mike morley

1 Comment:

Jeff 31 May 2011 at 01:20 BST

Shocking indeed! See this month's issue (June/July) of Cycling - Q&A pages 50&51. And if that seat post fails?

Toni & Godfrey's Demise

Having been shocked by the effects of poor Toni & Godfrey's miss hap I took these two pictures of what I believe are the 3 bollards very strategically placed on the Sutton Bypass cycle track as one approaches downhill from Cheam crossroads to Gander Green Lane while going to St. Helier Hospital last Friday.

Cyclists beware they appear to be designed to kill though no doubt the Highways Department will have a good explanation as to why they are there???? I believe that representatives of our DA are taking this matter up with Sutton Council as well they should. They do not appear to represent a separation zone or to serve any useful purpose!

Author: mike morley

Beginners Saturday Ride 21 May 11

News of Toni & Godfrey. Within a mile of the start of the all day ride to London last Saturday Toni came into contact with a bollard on the Sutton Bypass cycle track, came down heavily wrecked his Titanium Raleigh bike and his very expensive new glasses only to be followed by Godfrey who ended up dislocating his shoulder. Both ended up in Hospital Toni with 3 stitches under his eye. No serious harm has been done and both are recovering but will not be out on the bike for a while. Godfrey is waiting for an orthopaedic consultation in two weeks time and Toni will have his stitches out in 2 or 3 days both are feeling very sore. We wish them a speedy and full recovery.

Author: mike morley

The CTC Conversion to Charity - Outcome of Vote

The CTC - born 1878 - died 2011

Dear All,

At the CTC AGM last Saturday, the outcome of the vote on the changes to the CTC Memorandum and Articles of Association was a large majority in favour of the motion. This means that the CTC will be proceeding with arrangements to convert the CTC into a full charity.

Although the voting took place last Saturday at the AGM the CTC has not released the full voting figures. They have said only that over 11,000 members voted, of whom 88.3% supported conversion.

Of this 11,000 I understand from other sources that 5,439 voted for the motion and 4,184 left the Chairman to decide for them. The Chairman held 1,212 proxy votes against the motion. Votes + proxies in the room were 72 for and 73 against. Bottom line seems to be:

• For: 9,695
• Against: 1,285
• Abstentions: 206
  

This means that of an approximate membership of 62,000 (subject to amendment), 51,000 failed to vote - a turnout of about 18%.

Members across the country will now have to decide what their personal response is to this significant change to the CTC as a membership organisation for cyclists and what choices they have. I'm sure that we shall be considering those options.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

1 Comment:

mike morley 19 May 2011 at 00:53 BST

Dear All,
By observation of the results posted by Jeff I am most dissapointed that the CTC Home page gives scant details of the vote. The claim that the vote was overwhelming for the change rings rather hollow when less than one fifth of members voted on such an important change, much less than those that voted in the petition to "Save the CTC" I personally feel that it is unforgivable that the CTC did not allow full access to members to fully ventilate the "NO Vote" point of view. Members should have been given equal exposure for both points of view. I reject the idea that it is like saying the Government should allow all oposition parties the use of the government data base to put their points of view to all voters. This is a members club and not a political party system. I sincerely hope that this result will not start to split the CTC into breakaway groups but I fear that this result will not bring about the resounding success that CTC Council & Management hope for. We will see in the fullnes of time the effect this will have in terms of membership and the financial effect and impact on membership cost.