The Bugle | Blast 314

Friday 15th December 2017

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
 

NOT THE BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK?

This is Keith Batchelor, a cyclist 'with all the gear' and headteacher of the Beacon School in Banstead. A school we sometimes pass on rides west. Seen many kids cycling there?

He is insisting that children (11-18yrs) cycling to school must obtain a permit from the school, in the form of a number plate, to be displayed beneath the bike saddle. He's also threatening to lock up any bike belonging to a pupil who infringes his rules, releasing it only when a parent/carer collects it. There is a list of other requirements.

The head is obviously doing it in terms of how he sees safety and regulation. The point of cycling is it is very loosely regulated - you just get on and ride. There can be nothing more important in getting more kids to ride. To develop a healthy lifestyle good for them and the rest of us.

Isn't this sending the wrong signals and be a discouragement. Incensed, outraged or in agreement? Join the discussion here: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/headteacher-demands-children-cycling-to-school-display-number-plates.226624/

 

BICYCLE  OF THE WEEK

Can't find two and a half grand for next year's E-Brompton or just can't wait?

Well you can have this rather faster e-bike for a pony. That's just a hundred knicker not extra legs! You have to do a bit of DIY but this YouTube video shows you how you can be bombing along at 35 km/h without even pedalling.

It's probably illegal - but will the rozzers be able to catch you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lziPHrg5Rpw

 

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

A slideshow of Tuesday's splendid lunch at Brasserie Vacherin. Thanks to Viv for making it all possible: https://anerleybc.org/christmas-lunch-2017/

 

SPECIALIZED BIKE RECALL

Specialized are mailing folks that some model year 2018 Allez, Allez Elite, and Allez Sport model bikes may contain a manufacturing defect in the fork crown which potentially affects safety. Therefore, they have decided to prepare for a recall which will involve replacing the existing fork with a new fork.

They are asking riders to stop riding, and dealers to stop selling, affected bicycles. Hope it doesn't affect anybody in the club but do pass a word to anyone you know who may have one.


IMPROVE YOUR CYCLING

Winter weather means less riding and even less enjoyable riding while the Christmas Fayre adds to the calories we haven't lost on the road.

You could, of course, get out that turbo-trainer. But in the season of extreme laziness why not just sit back and sample this collection of videos on how to improve your cycling skill.

If you were to voice your riding decisions would it sound like this: https://www.youtube.com/user/UrbanLimitsTV/featured

[Thanks to TomTom for the link]

 

RECENT RIDE REPORTS

None due to bad weather.

 

UPCOMING RIDES

Saturday Ride 16th December: 10:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road: CANCELLED

Sunday Ride 17th December: 9:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road: Tom leads to Polesden Lacey and on to the volunteer Inn, Abinger Hammer to admire Prunella Scales birthplace.

Tuesday Ride 19th December: 
'A' Ride [12mph] 09:30 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road: Combined with 10 o'clock ride.
'B' Ride [10mph] 10:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road: Christmas gear mandatory ride to Redhill aerodrome led by TomTom. Here's what you looked like last year:

Thursday Ride: 21st December: 10:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road: Mark H leads somewhere.

JANUARY RUNS LISTS [PROVISIONAL]

Tuesdays: https://anerleybc.org/tuesday-runs-list-january-2018/ [NEW]
Sundays: https://anerleybc.org/sundays-run-list-january-march-2018/ [NEW]


 

FINALLY

The bonk – or hitting the wall – happens when you run out of glycogen during a ride and your body slows down as it starts to rely on stored fat for its energy.

Studies have shown that carb-loading increases time to exhaustion by about 20%, while improvements in performance hover at around 2%.

So its real benefit is in helping you to actually rack up the miles in the first place, rather than in how quickly you ride them, particularly when that ride is longer than 75 minutes.

Full story here: http://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/3773/cycling-nutrition-a-quick-guide-to-carb-loading