The Bugle | Blast 396

Friday 19th July 2019

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Big girls need big diamonds”  - Elizabeth Taylor

BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK

T'is Sue D who led her first Tuesday Ride this week. We ended up with almost the same number of riders we started with which is always a bonus.

The bit n'between was faultless and the routeing imaginative (except it allowed Des' slow group to pip us to the tea and cake). The first of many we hope.

I think Sue enjoyed it too!

BICYCLE OF THE WEEK

Nowadays the star is the bicycle not the rider if its a penny farthing you are riding as this video reveals: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/embed/p072rbvr/47467438

Richard Thoday will set off from Land’s End at 6am tomorrow (Saturday) aiming to arrive in John O’Groats in less than five days, one hour and 45 minutes.

That's the record set in 1886 on a penny farthing by George Pilkinton Mills of our sister Anfield Cycling Club. Their website says:

Of these brilliant riders the star was George Pilkington Mills. By the end of the 1890s he was regarded as the greatest long distance rider the world had ever seen. He set many long distance records including seven in one season. At the age of 19, in 1886, he rode a penny-farthing from Land's End to John O'Groats in 5 days. Fellow Anfielders, who knew the roads, helped with the record-attempt. They organised accommodation and food, and ensured that local clubmen guided him along the way. Mills rode day and night, snatching little sleep, and his record for a penny-farthing was never bettered. During the next 15 years he took up the "end to end" challenge time after time, holding the record on the first modern bicycles, tandems, and tricycles.

Mills also turned his attention to racing in France, and helped inspire the Tour de France winning the first Paris - Bordeaux race in 1891. This episode revealed another talent: Mills was a crack shot, and while training was so bothered by dogs chasing him that he shot five with a Colt revolver which accompanied him on rides for just such a purpose.

http://www.anfieldbc.co.uk/history.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pilkington_Mills

 

THE DIAMOND: BICYCLE FRAME OF THE CENTURY

GP Mills' LEJOG record making matches the beginning of The Anerley and the transition from the penny-farthing design to the diamond (aka double or triple triangle) framed 'safety' cycle which, in a refined manner is still king of the road today.

Why? Here an engineering explanation by Paolo di Giusti:

"It's proven to be a great use of materials, great for bracing angles, great for strength; it lends itself to being beat up pretty hard and still being ridable." The strength of the design comes from the triangle shapes that make up the diamond design. Structurally, it's quite impressive. If you look at engineers playing with structures, they tend to come back to triangles and since the bike is basically three triangles, it works out to be a pretty strong structure."

We all rid 'em. Capt'n Mark also roads a Moulton. Not a diamond frame but can you count how many triangles make it so good?

70 MILE/70 YEAR RIDE TO SELSEY

Those of us of a certain age planned to celebrate it with a mile appropriate age to Selsey to recreate this iconic picture of The Anerley in the 1890s outside a Selsey Pub. 
And afterwards, inside!

There is now a date:

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 24th AUGUST

You don't have to be 70 to join in - you just have to feel it >:-(

It will be a gentle ride and my family will be there to greet us. Return will be by train from Chichester. More details coming up.

Please put it in your diaries now
(and let me know if you make it)

Stuart


 

JOIN US FOR A RIDE TO PARIS

Steve has had to postpone his planned tour until next year. But there is still an opportunity to get there before you need a visa!

You are invited to join me (and possibly TomTom) in a ride along the Seine (read FLAT) starting Saturday or Sunday 21/22nd September arriving Tuesday 24th.

It will be based on the outward route we used last year except it will be better balanced to avoid the extra long day: https://anerleybc.org/purley-paris-purley-nearly/

You can continue on with us to enjoy a ride down the Loire from Orleans or return via Eurostar. Let me know if you have any interest.

Stuart


 

ANERLEY RIDE LEADER & MARSHALL TRAINING WITH THE LCC

Pete has the following down as attending; tomorrow (20th):

Pete, Roger, Vince, Frank, Bob the builder  and Sue D are confirmed. 
Viv Karen and Mick on waiting list. 
Vince will be going direct, the rest to meet at Purley station platform 3 to catch 8.58 to London Bridge then cycle to Wapping. 
Course starts 10.00 am finishes at 4pm

There is a small cafe nearby for lunch or bring your own. Looks like some thundery rain at times so be prepared.

Depending on weather we may cycle back.

RIDE REPORTS

Saturday 13th July: Frankie goes to Shoreham: https://anerleybc.org/saturday-ride-13th-july-2019/

Tuesday 16th July: Steady Sue starts first but arrived last at Knole Park: https://anerleybc.org/tuesday-ride-16th-july-2019/

Tuesday 16th July: Des leads the relaxed crew around the houses, but still gets there first! https://anerleybc.org/a-tuesday-ride-to-historic-houses/

 

UPCOMING RIDES

FINALLY:
I'VE SPENT A FORTUNE BUT MY BIKE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE GERAINT'S