The Bugle | Blast 421


Friday 17th January 2020
Brummie Edition

 
 

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

 
“Riding a bike is everything to a cyclist. The friendship and camaraderie you have with other cyclists …to a cyclist, it was the be-all and end-all of your life.” - Tommy Godwin


 

BRUMMIE OF THE WEEK

It's Tommy Godwin - but which one? Even Wikipedia has got confused between Tommy Godwin born 1912 who was the legend who held the Word Distance Record from 1929 to 2015 and Tommy Godwin born 1920 track cyclist, winner of two medals in the 1948 Olympics and made a farewell appearance with Chris Hoy at the 2012 Olympics.

The long distance chap was from Stoke-on-Trent while this Tommy Godwin lived worked and died in and around Birmingham: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Godwin_(cyclist,_born_1920)

Runner up in the competition was our very own Brummie cyclist - Tom V brought up and schooled in our second city. I'm guessing he has as Club captain and in his after life led more Anerley rides than anyone else in recent times.

 

BRUMMIE COMPANIES OF THE WEEK
Highly regarded as the classic touring bike the Dawes Galaxy is was built in Castle Bromwich in the north east of the Birmingham. Dawes started building bikes in 1906. Since 2001 the bikes are manufactured overseas but research and design is still done in Birmingham.

Note the Galaxy is sporting a Brooks saddle!

The two  go together like hand and glove - not surprising since they were manufactured only a few miles apart. Founded in the Hockley district by founder John Boultbee Brooks.

Legend has it he was a horse saddle manufacturer, and tried to use a bicycle after his horse died but found the wooden seat very uncomfortable. As a result, he vowed to set about solving this problem and the Brooks saddle was born in the 1880s at the same time as The Anerley.
 

Finally BSA - the Birmingham Small Arms Company. Builder of bicycles for many years I thought perhaps a picture combining two of their other product lines would be more interesting ...

More info:



 

WHY BIRMINGHAM?


Britain's own motor city that demloished most of its historic buildings in the 1960s to build  a network of ring roads, radial rides, flyovers and flyunders has, it seems, at last seen the light.

This week they decided to move the car out of the city, to take out those dual carriageways - to move away from the car - as car manufacturing has moved away from Birmingham.

Anybody who knows Birmingham realises what a wonderful opportunity this now gives the city. Those wide roads could be transformed into linear green parks with still enough room for deliveries and buses. Plus cycle lanes could get you into and through the city pretty well flat, safe and pleasant.

The first target is the A38 (Bristol Road). A route to Edgbaston to complement the canal towpath which currently is the only way to do it alive.

Birmingham was always looking forward. First to sacrifice itself to the car, realise its mistake, and now sacrificing the car to make it a place fit to live and cycle.


 

RUDE REPORTS
Saturday 11th January: Weatherspoon’s Oxted didn’t disappointed with 2 cups of tea and two poached eggs costing just £3.50: https://anerleybc.org/saturday-ride-11th-january-2020/
Sunday 12th January: Signature dish of the Bluebells Cafe, East Grinstead. Two punctures and memories of Lubeck: https://anerleybc.org/sunday-ride-12th-january-2020/



UPCOMING RIDES

 

Saturday 18th January: No ride planned. Overnight frost and early morning ice expected despite the sunshine.

Sunday 19th January: 10am Shurguard/501 Brighton Road
Speedies: Mark H is unwell
Steadies: Tom V to Four Elms Cafe
Relaxed: Des D to Four Elms Cafe

Tuesday 21st January: Shurguard/501 Brighton Road
The rides to Holwood Farm, Keston were cancelled last week so we will try again!
Speedies: 09:30: Leader Tom V
Steadies: 10:00: Leader Peter R
Relaxed: 10:00: Leader Stuart G?

Thursday 23rd January Meet Shurguard at 10:00 am. 
Speedy: tba



 

CLUB KIT


Next supplier for the club kit still to be decided. Some people have already emailed me about their interest in acquiring the club jersey. Anybody else who would like to acquire one should let George know so that he has an idea of the numbers.

 

SIGN SPOTTERS 16

Brummies or Black Country folk - or the border view of each other?

 

FINALLY
TomTom shares this for your pleasure. Wanna try it at your local leisure centre?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAEBNEscL0c&feature=youtu.be



Happy Cycling