The Bugle | Blast 428


Friday 6th March 2020
Moulting Edition

 
 
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

 

“Having spent most of my life involved in automotive engineering, I find it interesting to reflect that the automobile, with all its convenience of use and fascination to the engineer, was an inevitable evolution from the horse-drawn chariot; whereas the bicycle, with its human propulsion and single track, is an extraordinary and unlikely device to have been created!" - Alex Moulton



BICYCLIST OF THE WEEK

Our Captain's hero this week. Who else combines the pleasures of a Mini and that bike and it's eponymous designer - Alex Moulton. He put hydrolastic & hydragas suspension into nearly all the classic Austin, Morris and MG cars of the '60s.

His experience with the Mini persuaded to ask the questions - why do bicycle wheels have to be so big? Make 'em small and it opens up the shape of the frame that had been almost unchanged since the 1890s.

Listen to Alex himself speaking on the inception and evolution of the Moulton bicycle here:

Part 1: https://archive.org/details/bikeshow_20080929
Part 2: https://archive.org/details/bikeshow_20081006

Alex went on to say ...

“The contrast in the activity of motoring and cycling could not be more profound, The driver, who sits in a low, enclosed, air-conditioned environment or ‘cage,’ is only sensually and nervously involved and is isolated from the surroundings; whereas the cyclist, with a high sightline and in the open air, is physically involved, and proceeds in that miraculous way entirely by his or her own effort of health-giving exercise, with nervous relaxation and spiritual uplift even!”

 

BICYCLE OF THE WEEK
Moulton consciously broke away from the tradition of the classic diamond frame to find the future. But maybe I'm not the only one to see echoes of the iconic Dursley Pedersen bicycle - also from the 1890s.

Produced by the Danish designer Mikael Pedersen in Dursley, Gloucestershire. Not hugely popular at the time its unique hammock suspension ensured, like Moulton, a small but enthusiastic following. It was discontinued in the 1920s but manufacturing has since been revived in Denmark and elsewhere. More here: http://www.dursley-pedersen.net/

This example was photographed by Mark H at the Hadlow Museum. Hadlow is that strange castle-like folley dominated village we often pass through on the way to Yalding in Kent. I knew nothing on this museum until Mark sent me some photos. Here's another one of a classic 1898 wooden framed path racer.
I've put his collection up as a slideshow here: https://anerleybc.org/visit-to-hadlow-museum/. Looks like we should organise a club ride to see them for ourselves!


 

FROM A CROYDON BIKE SHOW
Only £3 to find out if these 'leccy bikes are any good for keeping you on the road or getting friends and family onto two wheels. 10am on Sunday, March 15, at Energise E-bikes in Coulsdon.

As the rest of us may be passing at 10:20 it could be kinda interesting ... more info here: https://insidecroydon.com/2020/03/04/e-bikes-for-begginers-brunch-coulsdon-mar-15/


 

TO THE LONDON BIKE SHOW
Meet cycling superstar André Greipel, plus more! 
27 - 29 March 2020 at the  EXCEL Exhibition Centre.
Tickets & stuff: https://thelondonbikeshow.co.uk/


 

RIDE REPORT

Sunday 1st March: How many Anerley riders does it take to fix a puncture? This, pirates and dropped bricks were just part of Des' adventure to Lingfield: https://anerleybc.org/sunday-ride-1st-march-2020/


 

UPCOMING RIDES


Saturday 7th March: 10:00  Shurguard/501 Brighton Road
Steady: Karen leads to Hilldenborough Golf Club
Relaxed: Des leads to Weatherspoons, Leatherhead
(Coulsdon PO 10:20 - this is instead of Sunday)

Sunday 8th March: 10:00 Shurguard/501 Brighton Road
Steady: ('cos Mark's not yet back up to speed) to Claremont Estate Esher

Tuesday 10th March: Shurguard/501 Brighton Road
Rides to Minstrel Cafe, Edenbridge
Speedies: 09:30: Leader Tom V
Steadies: 10:00: Leader Peter R
Relaxed: 10:00: Leader John D

Thursday 12th March Meet Shurguard at 10:00 am. 
Speedy: tba




FINALLY - SUNDAY IS LIDL DAY!
Better than average collection of stuff from Lidl this week. Star of this collection are te panniers. £9.99 for a SET OF TWO (you heard that right). Various colours and sizes.

I have my eyes on this grey set to replace the set that have weathered around two dozen trips abroad keeping my stuff nice and watertight. 

Beginning to show their age and at this price why wait until they finally disintegrate?

More: https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/c/cycling-accessories/c1386


 

FINALLY, FINALLY


It appears obligatory that every publication should make mention of that virus. Well while the rest spread doom and despondency - cyclists might reflect that they don't have to commute into town on crowded trains, tubes or buses breathing everybody else's breath.

The wide open road (even if it's a bit chilly and wet) is a more attractive way to dodge the bug. Well of course you still have to share a workplace with other people. Except I remember the ostracism some felt about lads (and ladesses) arriving in lycra that your closest friends at the coffee machine were other cyclists. Double bonus.

While visiting theatres, cinemas, restaurants and sporting events may become problematical (if not eventually restricted) riding into Surrey, Sussex and Kent and breathing in the beautiful fresh country air does seem a much more attractive way of spending your leisure (or isolation) time.

Anything that we can do to delay or mitigate can also do only good for those club members of a certain age and not the finest health. Let's not forget to remember them and trust that the resources they may need are not spread too thin!


Happy Cycling