The Bugle | Blast 381

Friday 5th April 2019
Classic Edition



 

QUOTE  OF THE WEEK

I  read the news today, oh boy
4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall
I'd love to turn you on

John Lennon from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967

 

BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK

Recognise anyone from last Friday's Evening Standard?

Yes, our very own Downhill Champion may be sharing an ambulance with her daughter who has now joined the service. This prescient re-creation of the shot taken sixteen years ago begs us to ask the question: "Will Tina be doing the Downhill on a tandem this year?"

Click here for a screenshot of the whole story:
https://anerleybc.org/anerley-cyclist-makes-the-news/

 

BICYCLE OF THE WEEK

Abusing my priveleged position as editor of The Bugle I offer this 1979 edition of the 531 framed Dawes Galaxy complete with a suitably distresssed Brooks saddle to anyone interested in restoring this touring classic to its former glory.

It cost £129 new as the recommended commuter in the equally classic "Richard's Bicycle Book" (the edition that also recommended ramming  a bicycle pump down the throat of any pursuing dog - since expurgated in this age of political correctness).

The Galaxy commuted 9 miles each way from Sydenham to Euston for many years in all conditions and spent the day chained to a fence. Those were the days when no one cared enough to steal bikes in central London. Hence it seriously needs a respray.

It's now a bit too big for me as I shrink into old age plus appeasing SWMBO by creating more space in the garage is a bonus. Reply to this email if you are interested and at least 5'10".

You could do something really cool and turn it into something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Galaxy-Vintage-Road-Bike-531-c1978/333143371844?hash=item4d90e47044:g:wsYAAOSwHVdcfbPG

VINTAGE TANDEM OF THE WEEK

CLASSIC SADDLEBAG

Following Jim or [late of this parish] Jeremy you can't fail to be impressed by these Carrradice icons from Nelson in Lancashire. No modern unnatural materials but made lovingly from Duck Cotton. A material that breathes in the dry but swells to become watertight in the wet. Flippin' clever those ducks!

The only problem is they are a bit on the expensive side. However SJS Cycles are having a great sale right now. I just bought a Pendle [above] down to 49.99 from £70. Just the job for overnight touring or carry every cycle tool known to man or woman.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/search/?term=carradice&brand=carradice&category_list=765&price=34-211&page=2

 

STILL TOO MUCH? HOW ABOUT £9.99?

Yep - it's Lidl cycling week starting yesterday. Great panniers for £9.99. I bought a set yonks ago and they have been all over Europe and are just as good today and can take rather more than Carradice's finest. Also a chance to stock up on mits for the summer, bicycle stands, foot pumps and much more for not much. Link: https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/MiddleofLidl.htm?id=1018&week=1

 

GOING EVEN LOWER: A CYCLING SATNAV FOR ONLY £3!

This is the poor person's Garmin. It offers a whole range of functions including gpx tracking, turn-by-turn navigation and will even phone home in an emergency.

Puzzled? Well this is the expensive bit from Halfords. But at £3 rather than £200 it must be worth a punt. Add your smartphone and use this to attach securely to handlebars (the four corners go round your phone). 

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-bags-baskets/halfords-phone-holder

Read the reviews if you are not convinced. Perhaps not recommended for your shiny new iPhone10x or Galaxy S10 in heavy rain - but then you probably have last year's smartphone languishing in a drawer. You don't even need a SIM.

There are many apps that provide turn-by-turn navigation. Most cost but the outstanding one for free is OSMAND. Two bonuses:

* You can easily import a GPX of your own or use it to find a route
* It uses OpenStreetMaps so can be used offline - ie without a SIM or in poor coverage

You may only need the paid version if you need more than six maps (ie different countries). More here: https://osmand.net/features/navigation

If you want to use an app like Google Maps then you will need a SIM. No SIM? -  you can get one free with a free allowance of 200MB/month. If you turn everything else off this is enough for several rides a month: https://www.three.co.uk/Free_SIM_MBB/Order

 

RIDE REPORTS

Saturday 30th March: Seven pose at Pondview, Otford. Two go on to get their first imperial centuries of the season: https://anerleybc.org/saturday-ride-30th-march-2019/


Sunday 31st March: No report!

Tuesday 2nd April: Sally steps in to damply lead the B team to Ranmore, Denbies and a curiouslly deserted Box Hill: https://anerleybc.org/tuesday-ride-2nd-april-2019/

Thursday 4th April: I look up to him because I'm lower class, I look up to him because I'm middle class but look down on him because he is lower class, I look down on them because I'm upper class. (Pictured by Mark H on club run to Pohill).

Classic Frost Report sketch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4QuSZ2Vvj4

 

UPCOMING RIDES

FINALLY: BUILDING THE THE TYNE CYCLING TUNNEL IN PICTURES

A great piece from this week's Grauniad. If only the Thames could catch up! https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2019/apr/02/how-they-built-cycling-tunnels-under-the-tyne-by-hand-in-pictures

 

FINALLY, FINALLY - CLASSIC MISTAKE!

Apologies to all who took my advice on changing clocks last week. You would have missed the the Sunday Run by two hours. That's my excuse ;-)

Happy Cycling!