The Bugle | Blast 347

Friday 10th August 2018



 

QUOTE  OF THE WEEK

“Cycling is possibly the greatest and most pleasurable form of transport ever invented. Its like walking only with one-tenth of the effort. Ride through a city and you can understand its geography in a way that no motorist, contained by one-way signs and traffic jams, will ever be able to. You can whiz from one side to the other in minutes. You can overtake £250,000 sports cars that are going nowhere fast. You can park pretty much anywhere. It truly is one of the greatest feelings of freedom once can have in a metropolitan environment. It’s amazing you can feel this free in a modern city.” - Daniel Pemberton

BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK

Introducing Chris - on his first Anerley ride last Tuesday - and still smiling!

Chris was part of the Prudential Freeride weekend that the club helped to marshall. Roger convinced Chris that he might enjoy a Tuesday Ride. Chris certainly enjoyed the ride out. The ride back he found more challenging - but he did it.

A few more miles in the legs should sort that - so welcome Chris and hope to see you again real soon.

 

BICYCLE OF THE WEEK

A penny farthing? Nope, look again, that's a standard 26" wheel on the front. You buy the plans [$13] and build it yourself in a weekend for around £70. Cheap because there is no chainset, gearing, brakes. Just the basics.

Rather more practical too with virtually no maintainence It is a lot easier to get on and off.and avoids the problem of riders flying over the handlebars from a heady height.

This and more crazy ideas: http://www.bobs-toyshop.com/

 

WOUND OF THE WEEK

BIKE BOXES

T'is the touring season. Those wanting to follow John T & Co around the globe always have to face up to the question of whether, as John did, to let the tyres down, put in a bag and let BOAC or Pan Am magically transport it to an exciting destination.

Nowadays with more delicate bikes should one trust the cargo loaders here or there to treat it gently - or hire bikes of unknown provenence out there?

The other alternative is to dismantle and put it into a secure bike box able to withstand any knock short of a nuclear blast. Well this little beauty retails at getting on for £500. There are cheaper versions but they are still a significant cost to be used on just a handful of occasions (and take up valuable space between).

Hiring can be an answer. That's typically approaching £100 for 14 days so it ain't working out much cheaper unless its one trip of a lifetime.

I have a bike box which any club member may borrow for much less than that - if you have a Brompton. There may be other members who have proper-bike boxes. Would you be willing to lend yours out too? If, so let me know.

Or should we consider investing some of our club funds into buying one (or two?) for joint use? Perhaps a discussion point for the upcoming AGM which is now only 3 months away.

Box Boxes do still have one real problem. What do you do with the box when you get the other end and want to ride your bike? Well Brompton owners have another option as seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp6StexKoEQ

RIDE REPORTS

Saturday 4th August: Riding the jungles of Chaldon and not playing musical chairs in Godstone. Five do some serious cake damage at Flower Farm: https://anerleybc.org/tuesday-ride-4th-august-2018/ 

Sunday 5th August: Tea at Knole Park and Jeremy leads us to the Pub of the Year at Charcott. Relief pales into these: https://anerleybc.org/sunday-ride-5th-august-2018/

Tuesday 7th August: Pond Café at Otford is shut. Instead we take a charitable stop at the Otford Tea Rooms in support of Hospices of Hope: https://anerleybc.org/tuesday-ride-7th-august-2018/

UPCOMING RIDES

FINALLY

In case you missed it the hot weather (or other substances) may have led to the most spectacular outburst and loss of control by this guy in a sustained attack on numerous cyclists without apparent cause. The remarkable fact was probably how they all kept their cool despite the provocation. Chapeau.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zz8WgxLI2U
[Apologies for the ad that starts at the front, click it away and be astounded]


Happy Cycling!