The Bugle | Blast 380


Friday 29th March 2019
Ightham Mote Edition



 

QUOTE  OF THE WEEK

“I went to see it [Ightham Mote] as a [cycle] tourist and immediatelly fell under its spell" - Charles Henry Robinson

 

BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK

This is Charles Henry Robinson - the American Cyclist who liked Ightham Mote so much - he bought it saving it from demolition, made it habitable again and then gave it to the nation. He died in America but his ashes came back to his idiosyncratic Kent home which features the country's largest Grade 1 listed dog kennel!

So when you next eat cake in the cafe, curse those nasty speed humps at the entrance - thank Charles for making it all possible.

 


E-TRIKE OF THE WEEK
Bad news to see all those postie bikes disappear (even if a few Pashleys were diverted to help park wardens in Malawi) to be replaced with polluting vans.

But now we may see the return to a more healthy (for us and the postie) way to deliver mail. Royal Mail is trialling these natty e-trikes in Cambridge, Sutton Coldfield and Stratford in London. Pretty cool, especially if it's raining:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47654950


 

HEADBANGER'S DELIGHT

An arguement against helmets is that they aren't much goood. Flimsy, brittle ... not able to stand impacts over 12 mph ...

Well here's a challenge to that. The Bontrager WaveCel claims to be 48 times more likely to prevent concussion than standard foam versions and prevents concussion 99 times out of 100.

Impressive claims. Are they true? Here are two different takes:
https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/26/bontrager-wavecel-bike-helmet/amp/

https://road.cc/content/tech-news/258397-koroyd-sceptical-bontragers-wavecel-helmet-claims



ECONOMIC COLLAPSE & CONFLICT CAN BE GOOD FOR CYCLING

Will Brexit doom us to becoming a third world economy? Even if it were true our pot holes couldn't get much worse and maybe we wouldn't have to share what's left of the road with so many polluting motor vehicles. Here'a BBC take on how Eritrea may be poor in everything - but cycling:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47709673

 

REMINDER 1: SUBS

If you are a member you should have just received a reminder from George to pay this years subs - due Monday.

If you haven't - or if you would like to become a member at only £15 (£10 concessions) then now is the time to let us know.


 

REMINDER 2: THE HOUR COMETH - OR IS IT GOETH?

The hour goes forward Sunday morning. That's an extra hour in bed before the ride. Yes, British Summmer Time starts the day the cold front arrives ...


 

RIDE REPORTS

Sunday 24th March: Jim gets to lead to a destination of his choice. Two follow to Ightham Mote: https://anerleybc.org/sunday-ride-24th-march-2019/

Tuesday 26th March: Sandra making light work of climbing the old Polhill Road - well more like track. A special gift from Pete R to the 'B' team. Fixie John D is not amused: https://anerleybc.org/tuesday-ride-26th-march-2019/

 

UPCOMING RIDES


Saturday 30th March: Meet 09:00 Shurguard, 501 Brighton Road. Pete S leads out via Mitchley Hill, Pilgrims' Way to tea stop at the Pondview cafe Otford. Return via Pilgrims' Way, Oxted, Marden Park to pub stop at the Wattenden Arms. Approx 45 miles

Sunday 31st March: Meet Shurguard/501 Brighton Road at 09:00. Mark will be leading to Teal Cafe, Hildenborough.

Tuesday 2nd April: 
09:30 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road. Tom V leads somewhere south
10:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road. Someone leads somewhere south [relaxed].
(Watch for updates)

Thursday 4th April: Meet Shurguard at 10:00 am. 
Destination: tba 

 

FINALLY: CUSTOM BIKE PORN

TomTom suggests a video to watch in that spare hour on Sunday. Nutty paint jobs, exotic winged lugs and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWwxQ0QUJtA


Happy Cycling!