The Bugle | Blast 416

Friday the 13th Edition

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK

Swiss cyclist Fabian Cancellara won the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix in such powerful and convincing fashion back in 2013 but has been brought out of retirement to demonstrate Cycling Rule #13:

If you draw race number 13, turn it upside down.
Paradoxically, the same mind that holds such control over the body is also woefully fragile and prone to superstitious thought. It fills easily with doubt and is distracted by ancillary details. This is why the tape must always be perfect, the machine silent, the kit spotless. And, if you draw the unlucky Number 13, turn it upside down to counter-act its negative energy.

If any member is woefully ignorant of the other #94 cycling rules to be obeyed if one is to be regarded as a proper cyclist - here they are: https://www.velominati.com/


 

BICYCLE GIFT OF THE WEEK

Just thirteen days to - err - Boxing Day this could be the gift to the cyclist who has too many bikes already. Something to dangle on the tree. Each bicycle is delicately cut and engraved from eco-friendly and sustainable British bamboo. Get in quick as Pete S looks to be buying stock for his (ex-) friends ;-)
https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/oakdenedesigns/product/christmas-bamboo-bicycle-tree-decorations


 

TIM & SALLY'S TOURING REPAIR KIT TIPS

Whether you are riding to Coulsdon South or South America - what tools to put in the bag? Tim, the man who fixed more bikes in more places than most share his knowledge of what is in those massiv panniers in this new website article: https://anerleybc.org/touring-maintenance-kit/

 

CROYDON: NOW A BIKE HIRE FREE ZONE

Croydon's bike hire scheme launched only in May has collapsed and these bikes I pictured outside the Town Hall have all disappeared - many before the official closure as anybody knowing the price of lithium-ion batteries and the skills of our local bike thieves could have anticipated.

But is that the real problem? Cycling and cycle hire isn't going to be attractive if the road experience is dire. Croydon's ripping out cycle lanes to provide more car parking and dooring opportunities was not a good start. Plus not introducing proven cycle friendly infrastructure to the A23 and Brighton Road as has been done successfully in North London (checkoiut the A10).

The Lime Bike scheme was always a fig-leaf of trying to appear green without the real commitment to improve the road experience in the borough.

Meanwhile TfL has announced a major expansion of their 'docked' hire scheme. But that doesn't include Croydon. Only the areas that have some serious cycling infrastructure to actually encourage cycling and hire demand: https://cyclingindustry.news/105-santander-cycles-docking-points-installed-near-londons-major-rail-stations/

More here about Croydon's failure (thanks TomTom for the tip): https://insidecroydon.com/2019/12/09/docked-lime-hire-bike-trial-is-abandoned-after-just-six-months/
(An excellently incisive report by Jeremy Clackson).

MAKE SUVs EXTINCT: CHAPTER 92

UPCOMING EVENTS

Belinda is hosting her tradtional Christmas thrash on Saturday December 21st. All Anerley members and friends welcome. Usual place in Chaldon, from 8pm Please RSVP by texting 07984 307336 and you will get more detailed instructions.

Our new Social Sec Paul W has reserved Saturday 15th February for our annual gong show with dinner thrown in (actually very nicely cooked). This is the must go to event of the year for showing what you look like without lycra. A very enjoyable time even for the gong-less. 

Venue: Purley Reform Church hall at 7.30 pm.
The menu will be a choice of beef casserole with fresh vegetables and a vegetarian option if required followed by a trio of desserts.
The cost is £20 per head to us, the balance funded by the club so as this will be cash on the door, could I ask you to put monies in a marked envelope for identification please. 

Two other points:
As the venue does not have an alcohol licence this is a BYO so bring whatever you like.
Secondly, to make the event not loss making, could I ask you to bring any unwanted Xmas presents for the raffle as those funds replenish the club’s coffers.

Partners welcome too. RSVP Paul: dinner@anerleybc.org

 

RIDE REPORT

Saturday Steady December 7th: I told them it was going to be muddy! https://anerleybc.org/saturday-ride-7th-december-2019/

UPCOMING RIDES

Saturday 14th December: Meet at Shurguard, 501 Brighton road at 10.00am. or Coulsdon PO at 10.20
Steadies: Pete is back on to road bikes for a trip to Bocketts Farm. Out via Chipstead Valley, Kingswood Epsom Downs and Leatherhead to Bocketts farm for tea. Shorter return via Mickleham, Box Hill and Chipstead Valley about 38 miles.
Steady Slingshot: will leave Pete's ride on the return at the foot of Box Hill for a flatter but longer ride towards Newdigate and a pint at the Half Moon in Charlwood. About 50 miles.

DES'S TIP OF THE WEEK

After a very wet week, a little road safety tip for those who do not already know it. Simple, just let your tyres down by 10 p.s.i. This results in a bigger tyre "foot print" on the road and more grip in slippery conditions. That's it!

Of course you will already know that metal drain covers, etc, are like ice when wet. Some white lines, also are very slippery, so look ahead and take care,

FINALLY: Unlucky For Bicyclists, Every 13th Passing Motorist Is Looking Elsewhere

Well every thirteenth supersition can turn out to be true. A new U.S. study using in-car cameras has revealed that an “alarming” 8% of motorists are distracted when they overtake cyclists. “From a bicyclist’s perspective, that translates to [being passed] by a distracted driver every thirteen times they are overtaken,”

Report: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2018/10/10/unlucky-for-bicyclists-every-13th-passing-motorist-is-looking-elsewhere/

FINALLY, FINALLY