I have reserved the following accommodation for Friday and Saturday nights:

5 x twin bedded rooms

1 x four bedded room

The cost will be £63 per person for those wanting to share twin bedded room and £58 per person for those willing to share with 3 others.

A full buffet breakfast is included on Saturday and Sunday.

For those riding out on Friday, I suggest we meet at Somerset Bridge at 10 am. Places will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. Cheques payable to P. Ralph by 1^st January 2012 please.

For more information contact Peter on 01924 520801 or peteralph2001@fsmail.net

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THANKS FROM ADRIAN

Many thanks for the get well soon card received from fellow ctc members, Everyone here says the picture on the front looks just like me.

I was fortunate to be riding with friends who took care of things when I had the accident, but sorry that it wasn't much of a day out for anyone.

Phone calls from well wishers have been appreciated, a number of folk have made their views on head protection gear very clear, and I'm thinking I won't dare show up to a ride without a helmet in the future.

Adrian Midgley 

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ADRIAN VISIT – Tues 12 Jul

I saw Adrian at his house this morning and he was able to make me a cup of tea with his relatively good arm. He remembers nothing of the accident, but was aware of waking up in hospital when he knew he had been leading a ride.

Adrian is cheerful in spite of his injuries and is looking forward to cycling again when he gets his pot off.

Andrew Ireland

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ADRIAN LATEST – 18:30 Mon 11 July

Adrian is on his way home from the hospital. He will need another X-ray on his arm within 2 weeks to see if it is setting OK but thus far he has avoided pinning and plating. I shall be visiting him tomorrow and will have a discussion on the pros and cons of cycling helmets!

Andrew Ireland

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ADRIAN UPDATE – 18:00 Sun 10 July.

I have just spoken with Adrian’s wife, Judith, who is at the hospital. Adrian is still in A&E and has had 27 stitches to his head and is about to get his arm set in plaster. A head scan shows no serious injury beyond the cuts. Adrian’s main concern, according to Judith, is that he spoilt the ride for the rest of us! She thinks he may be allowed home tomorrow.

Andrew Ireland.

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ADRIAN MIDGLEY ACCIDENT – Sunday 10 July 2011

Adrian is in Bradford Royal Infirmary following an accident at Denhome today.

He has a clean break to his left arm and needs stitches to two cuts to his head. He also has some gravel rash.

His head injuries are less severe than we at the scene feared, and he is now talking lucidly (for Adrian!)

He hit a pothole and was then struck by a large white van as he fell off, the van stopped briefly up the road then drove off.

Sarah Jackson (a nurse) who was cycling with the group gave immediate first aid and was an absolute star, caring for Adrian until the ambulance arrived.

I will post further news on Adrian as appropriate. Meanwhile we wish him a speedy and full recovery.  Andrew Ireland.

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NEWCASTLE TO INVERNESS – VIA THE HEBRIDES

HELEN’S SPRING TOUR – 2009 (get out your road maps)

Let the adventure begin! It’s May Day Bank Holiday 2009 and I’m on my way to join a group of about 20 Bolsover Wheelers and friends. A train journey to Newcastle and a detour down to the River Tyne for a jaunt over the “winking eye” bridge and cycle tracks to Heddon on the Wall. Then I’m alongside Hadrian’s Wall before heading up the North Tyne Valley to Bellingham.

The Youth Hostel (YH) is now a comfy barn conversion on a farm in “town centre”. Organiser Tony Adams had permission from Army personnel for us to cross their Artillery Ranges; it’s the lambing season and therefore no shooting in progress! So next day we’re off to Rocester and across the Ranges following the Roman Dere Street. We dived down Upper Coquetdale, skirted round the Cheviot Hills to Wooler and finally climbed-up to Mount Hooley Bunkhouse at the head of the College Valley.

Kirk Yetholm YH, our next destination, was just round the corner but we cycled there via Holy Island like you do, a lovely day’s ride. Next morning our journey continued in two groups to Byrness YH. I was nominally in charge of the shorter route, we made our leisurely way on minor roads to Jedburgh, Hawick, Bonchester Bridge, and finally the A68 at Carter Bar. The others had a bit of an epic but you’ll have to ask them about that.

Most folk headed home next day, but seven of us cycled across Southern Scotland in mainly wet and windy weather, with overnight stops at Moffat and New Lanark YH. It was ever onwards through a string of Ayrshire towns to Ardrossan and the Calmac ferry to Arran. Aldersyde Bunkhouse at Lamlash was our next accommodation.

A fine day followed, I just tootled round to Whiting Bay and Lagg before following Siddery Water into the hills to cross the moors back to base. Naturally others had done the heroic thing by cycling right round the island. Then we were down to four as the three others had come to the end of their holiday. Our next objective was the ferry at Lochranza; trouble was there was a mountain in the way and horrendous weather. So bad were the conditions that having battled our way there, we had to wait as the ferry could not sail. Finally we were on the road across Kintyre from Claonaig to Kennacraig, 3 hours late and missing our planned ferry to Port Askaig, Islay. Nothing to do but wait for the last ferry of the day. So, with the moon rising and dusk upon us, we arrived at the magic Port Charlotte YH near the south of the island, you must stay there.

After spending a day exploring the island (including the local distillery – well, we had to take refuge in a sudden squall), an early start next day, and we were on our way to Port Ellen and the ferry back to Kennacraig. There was an emotional parting of the ways at Lochgilphead, many thanks for their company, to my buddies who had to return home.

In sunny weather I continued solo to Oban, taking B & B en route at the impressive family seat of the Findlay-Macdougalls. Having arranged to meet Gentian Mountaineering Club friend Julie 4 days later, I took the opportunity of the now brilliant weather to hop over to Mull. After cycling up to Tobermory YH for an overnight I then returned to Oban YH to chill-out (and post stuff home).

Yipee, Julie has arrived by train from London and we’re off, courtesy of Calmac, to Barra. The deep purple evening light outlined the Cuillin, first of Rum then Skye, wonderful. It was dark by the time we rolled off the ferry for two nights at the Dunard Hostel at Castlebay.

Our first expedition was over the causeway to Vatersay with it’s amazing beaches. Then it was back to cycle round Barra, stopping-off at the only beach-based airport in the world to have scheduled flights. Next day we caught the ferry to Eriskay, and actually saw a corncrake on arrival (you hear them almost everywhere), then pushed on over the causeway to South Uist and the Gatliffe Trust (GT) Hostel at Howmore. You can’t book these hostels so it’s best to get there early.

Our next overnight was a B & B on North Uist at the delightful home of one Flora Macdonald. No ferries today as there are causeways with their road signs to watch out for otters crossing – we just took the detour round Benbecula. The weather remained fine, the scenery stunning and the birdlife abundant. On we continued via Balranald RSPB reserve to our next GT hostel on Berneray with it’s superb location overlooking turquoise-blue seas.

Another ferry trip and we were in Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, and an excellent hostel with a nautical theme. We had time to explore the local landmarks such as Rodel and St Clements church. As the weather had deteriorated next day, we were advised against taking the so-called Golden Road up the east side of the island, so that’s for another time. Instead we pedalled up the west side to our B & B near Tarbet. That evening our hosts took us to a slide show with historian Bill Lawton where their daughter and friend were providing musical interludes by singing Gaelic songs, lovely.

There are mountains on North Harris; we cycled over them and across the border to the Isle of Lewis in foul weather, but minus panniers. Our host had kindly offered to take them on his way to Stornaway, and leave them at a remote petrol station where we were to branch left for Callanish, our overnight stopping place. We had accepted. The famous stone circles are amazing, also, next day, the Carloway Broch which we visited on our way to the GT hostel at Garenin. This specially preserved Blackhouse Village contains traditionally thatched single storey buildings, one being the hostel.

The rain struck again and we were on our way to Lower Barvas, B & B with another Mrs Macdonald. Fortunately the evening cleared and we were able to explore the local beaches. By the way, the islands visible all along this coast to the west are not St Kilda, but the Flannen Islands, where three lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappeared in 1900.

Next day brought gales and driving rain, we had planned to cycle up to the Butt of Lewis, so that’s what we did, but left our gear with Mrs Macdonald. The cliffs up there at Ness are stunning and even more dramatic in the stormy weather. Having collected our panniers, our final leg was over the moors to the Laxdale Bunkhouse, Stornaway.

As a final flourish to the tour, our ferry crossing to the mainland was delayed as the doors to the hold were not closing properly. Julie had to catch the “Bike Bus” from Ullapool to Inverness and get back to work. Finally the ferry was fixed and fortunately the Bike Bus waited as none of it’s passengers had forward journeys. Many thanks to Julie for her company, it was a great trip.

That’s not the end though as in 5 days time I was scheduled to meet-up with the Gentian Club for a week’s mountaineering in Assynt. So, after 2 nights at Ullapool YH (and more parcels posted home) I pedalled round to Achiniver YH, a remote hostel looking out to the Summer Isles. Again, a rainy day gave way to a lovely evening. Then, in more rain, it was on to Lochinver and Achmelvich YH for 2 nights, another stunning location close to a silver beach.

Hurray, today the weather is brilliant, ideal for one of the best circuits in Scotland. I’d learnt that there is a memorial to the WW2 mini-submarine mariners near the Kylescu Bridge; they had trained in the sea lochs there. Some of the submarines had been built at Thomas Broadbent’s in Huddersfield and I’d met the chief engineer in his late life. The circuit is superb; I followed it anti-clockwise via Skaig Bridge, past Quinag to Kylescu and back round the extremely hilly coast route taking-in Drumbeg and Stoer. A sensational day.

The next day was to Inchnadamph Independent Hostel for an excellent week among the mountains. Then, leaving the Gentian Club and cycling back to Ullapool it was the Bike Bus to Inverness YH, and finally the train journey back to Huddersfield. And so ends a memorable tour.

Footnotes:

1. We visited many excellent cafes en route, I can provide information on this and where we bought food/ate out on the Hebrides to anyone interested. The best ham sandwich was at the Lagg Inn on Arran.

2. The Gatliffe Trust Hostels no longer operate the honesty box system. A local resident acts as warden and turns-up each evening to complete the register, collect overnight fees and dole out sheet sleeping bags if needed.

3. Calmac Ferries are addictive; their Island Hopscotch deals are really good value.

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Sky Ride Comes to Bradford

On Sunday 29^th August I had the pleasure of participating in the Sky Ride event in Bradford.

So what is Sky Ride?

Sky Ride is a partnership between Sky TV and British Cycling. It is also supported by Sport England, Evans Cycles and local authorities; in this case Bradford Council. Its aim is to get more people of all ages and abilities out on their bikes. Sky Ride has set itself the target of getting one million more people on a bike by 2013.

What was on offer?

A network of road were closed to traffic between Forster Square in the centre of Bradford, Little Germany and Peel Park. The main traffic free route for cyclists was Bolton Road that leads to the park. The route was very well marshalled, with most minor side roads blocked off. Cyclists were entertained en route by a “cycling sound system”.

Once cyclists arrived at the park free tabards were available and free drinks. In the park (or the Entertainment Village, as Sky Ride called it) there were various stalls, such as Evans Cycles, Gatorade Hydration drinks, a chance to try out wacky bikes provided by Crank It Up, displays by Bradford BMX Bandits, Bygone Bikes and a chance to participate in cycle training provided by Safe 2 Cycle. On the Sky Ride Stage entertainment was provided by three different bands, while children could try out the bouncy castle. CTC were a centre of attraction with their bike powered smoothie machine – cycle the bike with a smoothie maker attached to it, put in some fresh fruit and instant smoothie!

Other Sky Ride events have also taken place though out the Summer in Manchester, Glasgow, Bath, Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Leicester, Birmingham, Preston and finallt London.

Blessed by some fine summer weather an estimated 5,000 people turned out to enjoy the freedom of the traffic-free route in Bradford, the fantastic entertainment and the chilled summer vibe. Lets hope that we might get a Sky Ride in Huddersfield soon.

John Gleadow

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Well Done Ken, Keep it up Boris !!

Pete Crossley and Son spend a couple of days in London. Cycling!

The very thought of a stranger visiting London for a cycling holiday would have been unheard of only a few short years ago. You would have been referred to a psychiatrist at the very mention of it.

My brother used to live in Kent, and then Essex, and over the last thirty years I have been a regular cyclist through London, having taken the train to Kings Cross and then cycling to Victoria or Liverpool Street to catch the onward train. These short rides were quite terrifying, drivers were fast and aggressive, and the taxis quite unpredictable in their manoeuvres. Cyclists were a rarity.

Fast forward thirty years. How things have changed, it can only be described as astonishing. There are dedicated cycle lanes all over the city, many roads having been changed from 4 lanes (ie two in each direction) to 2, with road space given over to cyclists, good signage has gone up, and special cycle super highways (CS routes) have been built.   

To whom do we owe all this? Primarily, of course, it has to be down to Ken Livingstone. who forced through the Congestion Charge, against fierce opposition not only from the Tories but also his own party.

This at a stroke reduced traffic so much that brave souls started emerging from the woodwork and the London Cycling Campaign developed a rudimentary cycle infrastructure. The charge was introduced in 2003, so the massive shift towards cycling has taken place in just 7 years.

To his great credit Boris has continued the advancement of cycling, not only by his own unique example but by the launch a few weeks ago of the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme, and the unveiling of the first Cycle Superhighways, blue coloured cycle routes which will extend throughout the capital.

So it was with these recent innovations in mind that I suggested to my teenage son that we venture off to the Capital and explore them. To my surprise he agreed to accompany me, so we booked some cheap accommodation in a central university, found some economy train fares, and joined the Barclays Bike Scheme. All these tasks can be done quite easily on line, and we caught the train to London on Tuesday 31^st August, arriving at St Pancras at 1.30 pm.

To register for the cycle hire scheme, go to www.tfl.gov.uk/BarclaysCycleHire, and simply join up. You have to enter a debit card, and it costs £3. For this you get an access key, which will release bikes from the docking stations. The access key arrived in the post, next day, along with a map showing docking station locations. You can choose the type of membership you want. If you live in London it costs a very reasonable £45 for a year, whereas people like me can who visit for only a few days a year can choose to pay £1 per day, again very good value. The charging is automatic, so that on arrival at say, Kings Cross, you can release a bike, and that starts the 24 hour hire period. It is all very smooth and automatic. You can use the bike for 30 minutes for free, and you can have as many 30 minutes free periods as you want. Simply find a bike docking station, replace the bike, wait 5 minutes, and re hire a bike.

The bikes are quite comfortable, very well built, and fairly heavy, equipped with 3 hub gears, and dynamo driven lights. The weight does not really matter, as London is flat, however carrying them up some steps to Southwark Bridge proved an effort. The saddle was quickly adjusted and off we headed towards Regents Park, where we explored the Park, and then found the canal, where we then headed off to Little Venice, a delightful ride. There was a slight cock up on our first ride, because we exceeded the 30 minutes free time and used the bike for nearly an hour. This incurred a penalty of £1, a minor irritation. Whilst on this first ride, we stumbled across a zebra crossing where there was much activity, then we saw the road name, it being Abbey Road. It must be frustrating living on Abbey Road, there were about 50 people crossing and recrossing the zebra, taking photographs of each other, some without shoes. Many were Japanese. Of course we joined them, took photos, and paid the aforesaid £1 penalty.

We then headed off to Hoxton, where we were staying at the City University, which hires out student rooms during the summer recess, at a very reasonable rate. It took about 45 minutes to get there from Little Venice, so bikes were swapped to avoid a second penalty. Over the course of the 2 days we made a series of journeys on the bikes, eg went to have a look at the Emirates stadium, (quite magnificent), went for a curry down Brick Lane, went to see a Shakespeare play at the Globe, found a great pub 500 year old pub, the Old Mitre, in Hatton Garden, explored the Borough Market, and so on. We did not get any more fines, and overall had a great time there. It is quite amazing how far you can get in thirty minutes. The number of cyclists in London has to be seen to be believed, and drivers are generally quite considerate. Some of the main roads are best avoided, but I would imagine that a native would soon work out quiet back roads or cycle friendly main roads. It certainly felt to me that a “Critical Mass” of cyclists had arrived, and I cannot envisage ever using the Tube again.

We also explored one of the cycle superhighways, going from central London to the Isle of Dogs, using CS3. These are excellent and well marked, using a combination of road and off road facilities

Overall the Boris Bikes and highways are a great innovation. There are about 6000 bikes and 400 docking stations. We experienced two problems, one where we took the bikes back but the docking station was full, in that case we got an extra 15 minutes to find another, and that was done. Another time when there were no bikes, and we had to find another station to get some. These for us were minor irritations. From my experience the scheme is a great success, and I shall be visiting London again before the dark nights of Winter. Even my teenage son thought the trip was great fun, so that can’t be bad!

Peter Crossley

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The West Yorkshire Cycle Route in numbers

14041 feet of ascent



160 miles travelled



20 tired legs



10 naïve cyclists



4 new brake blocks



3 punctures



2 overnight stops



1 thunderstorm



1 exploded wheel rim



1 broken chain



1 lost jacket

Website update.

Fixing the issue with the site when viewed using Firefox, is proving to be tricky.  I am leaving the pictures out for a bit because at least then you can see the site in Firefox.  I will pick this up another day now.

Tackroom Bunkhouse,
Annstead Farm,
Beadnell,
Northumberland,
NE 67 5BT.

1. The Contacts page has been updated to include a mobile phone number for some of the ride leaders. Please note that some of these phones are Club owned and will only be switched on when the owner is involved in a ride or event for the CTC. Making a note of this mobile number before setting out on a ride, could prove useful should you get disbanded from the group.
2. The new look website is ever closer and you may all now check it out by clicking here. It is not finished yet and some of the links are dead, but hopefully it will give you an idea of where this is going and some of the changes that are coming along.

1. SUPPER AT TUNNEL END on Tuesday 20th of January. Please contact Kevan if you wish to attend. (Start details are on the Events page)
2. GOOD NEWS Kevan has been presented with a statuette to mark the contribution he has made to volunteering in Kirklees. The award was made last week at the Town Hall and all CTC members will be pleased with this further recognition of the outstanding work which Kevan does for local cyclists, scouts, hospital patients and church members. Congratulations Kevan!
3. SUSTRANS Also at the Kirklees ceremony the local Sustrans group received an award for the quality of its local volunteering work. CTC member Dave Greenwood was one of the team who accepted the award on the night.
4. DISTRICT ASSOCIATION PRIZE PRESENTATION This will be the final award event as the DA has now been split up. It takes place at Thornhill Cricket Club on Sunday February 8th. There will be a good meal, the presentation and a raffle. Tickets are £5 from Ken and must be bought before the event.