The Bugle | Blast 360
Friday 11th November 2018
AGM/Freewheel Edition
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon” - Bill Strickland
BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK
|
|
|
Or maybe Gnarly Geezer of the week? Last Sunday's ride report tells of how this man a mile up the road from this picture taken in front of Brighton Pier broke a chain. How a tramp in a doorway had miraculously produced a chainbreaker and how Barry [cos t'is him] fixed, got going and broke the chain again a mile later. How I, in pity, lent him a tenner so he could get the train back and watched him point his wheels to the station.
It didn't tell of what happened next.
Barry had, behind my back, turned round, fixed it again, and again, and again. He spun this tale to Dave G yesterday:
"I decided to convert the bike to a velocipede - removed the chain; tied up the cranks and lowered the saddle and skied home arriving just before the family were debating about whether they should start ringing the emergency services around 10.30".
So beware of club cyclists asking Av you got a spare tenner for a chain/train mate?
Give it instead to the Society for Deranged Velocipedists. They can't cure them but they can give you a nice wood cutting of Barry's Great-Grandad in action. With tri-bars to die for!
|
|
Also pictured on last Sunday's Ride. This remarkable fixed wheel, solid tyre contraption got to Brighton almost as fast as we did despite having to walk the major hills. All genuine old parts - except the LED lights. Oil lamps anyone?
Can anyone put a name to this machine. John E - we are all looking at you ...
SUNDAY 11th: DOWNHILL DAY
|
|
|
The Freewheel Downhill is different this year. Not the suicidal steep twisty Bletchingly slope where the only decision is whether to close your eyes or not. This time distance will really count as it is the long, very long gentle slope through Marden Park.
This will take a different set of skills. Patience, steadyness, nursing your bike over/between the speed bumps, keeping streamlined at low speed and eking out those last few inches beyond the rail tunnel.
It is also the trophy competition any rookie cyclist can take on and beat the hairy time trallist pro. Because there is strictly no pedalling. Some say weight matters. Bingeing up on baked beans may help in two different ways ...
Meet Shurguard/501 Brighton Road 10am because of the uncertain overnight weather. The great news is Tom V will be back leading. The not so good news is this may be his last lead before he stands down as Club Captain.
The café will be The Flower Farm Shop on the A25 - they open at 9am! A fairly short, leisurely ride followed by a couple of attempts at the Downhill. South Westerly wind is forecast so between that and the fact that we haven't used the venue before means it should be a record setting year!
This will leave you time to lunch, change and get to:
SUNDAY 11th: AGM DAY
|
|
|
All members are welcome. If you are not bring £15 and see George before the meeting starts and you can enjoy an extra 6 months free membership. Not to mention free AGM cake. Nice people bring'n'share.
This year's agenda is here as a guide and a reminder for officers to get a short report together.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of last AGM
3. Matters arising
4. Election of new Vice President – Tom Vaz
5. Election of other officers
6. Election of new members
7. Captain's report
8. Racing secretary's report
9. Treasurer's report
10. Membership secretary's report
11. Social secretary's report
12. Webmaster's report
13. Touring report
14. What constitutes an official Anerley Club Ride
15. Sensible and safe cycling in a group
16. Any other business
The bar is licensed, the atmosphere is relaxed. A great chance to meet the riders from the other rides.
Starts at 4pm at the South London Harriers Club, 194 Brighton Rd, Coulsdon CR5 2NF. Its carefully hidden up an alleyway behind that purple sign next to Wok Central. Pic & map to help.
|
|
|
ANOTHER RETAILER BITES THE DUST
|
|
|
Yep the venerable Evan Cycles has gone into receivership and, even worse, the entrails have been snapped up by the avaricious Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct. Half the 62 stores, putting about 440 jobs are at risk.
That may mean some bargains in closing down sales but no cyclist will be really happy with that. We are getting closer to a Wiggle/Halfords duoloply: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/30/fears-for-uk-jobs-as-sports-direct-buys-up-evans-cycles
RIDE REPORTS
|
|
|
Sunday 30th October: The Anerley Chain Gang pursue the London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally with breaking results: https://anerleybc.org/sunday-ride-4th-november-2018/
UPCOMING RIDES
Saturday 3rd November: 9:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road: Pete S leads the Saturdays off road again. Hybrid friendly, just no skinny slicks. Out via Old Lodge Lane, Farthing down, down Shepherds Hill, Bletchingly, Rabies Heath Road, Godstone. Tea stop Flower Farm. Return via Flower lane, Marden Park to pub stop at the Wattenden Arms.
For those of you who are interested in an off road ride with the Saturdays but are not sure what to expect. They are nothing like this - promise!
[click picture to see jaw dropping video]
|
|
Sunday 11th November: Meet Shurguard/501 Brighton Road at later time of 10:00 am. Tom V leads to The Flower Farm Shop on the A25, followed by the Downhill at Marden Park.
Tuesday 13th November 'A': Meet Shurguard at 9.30 am.
Tim S leads to Edenbridge.
Tuesday 13th November 'B': Meet Shurguard at 10:00 am.
John D leads a more relaxed ride to Edenbridge.
Thursday 15th November: Meet Shurguard at 10:00 am.
Mark H leads somewhere
FINALLY
|
|
|
Cycling has second-greatest gender gap among ways Britons commute, official statistics show. Only motorcycling shows a bigger divide between men and women, while cars are most “equal” mode of commuting.
https://road.cc/content/news/251508-cycling-has-second-greatest-gender-gap-among-ways-britons-commute-official
That's pretty poor. 74% are men. Perhaps George at the AGM will tell us the Anerley percentage. We have a lot of catching up to do over some Victorian Clubs:
|
|
|
|
