The Bugle | Blast 430


Friday 20th March 2020
Calm before the Storm Edition

 
 
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


"If it looks like you're overreacting, you're probably doing the right thing"

Tony Fauci (Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and truthteller to Donald Trump)
 



GAMECHANGER OF THE WEEK

Professor Neil Ferguson and ironically now a Covid-19 victim. It was he who was the lead author on the  paper that reversed our government's policy on Monday and laid out our most probable future.

Please read this short paper - it's designed to be accessible to any intelligent reader. Skipping over the technical bits will not diminish an appreciation of the shape of the issue and the factors and options we have of overcoming it.

In just 15 pages is the most succinct description of how we will live our llves for next year or so and an appreciation of the government measures yet to come:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf

 

CYCLING IS HEALTHY FOR MIND AND BODY
Cycling alone or at a distance is what the Club and many others are recommending. It's still an option here. It isn't in Spain and Italy. They have banned all leisure cycling last week.

The Guardian reports the cycling industry has joined forces with others to call on government to exempt cycling from any ban, due to its strategic role in the nation’s resilience - not only as transport but a form of exercise. The letter is here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR5AdOmF2effrg-lpBXtvh0stbxM0W6xTDwV2J-xIgHB8rPfZl5bLVR5eL7VV2m_W9xx5PgH26TB0vq/pub


 

CYCLING IS THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET
Or an important part of it If we need to de-carbonise our travel. Holland (where else?) came up with two major initiatives this month.

First (above) is a half mile bridge just for cyclists, pedestrians – and bats. Construction has just started. Let's hope completion isn't significantly delayed. Whatever the finish date you can take a virtual ride across it right now:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/construction-starts-in-netherlands-on-longest-cycling-bridge-in-europe

The second is Utrecht building a car-free district for 12,000 people. The city has always been ahead of the game building the their first bike lane in 1885. Our club founders would have approved!

The result already: 
https://player.vimeo.com/video/344373585

The irony is that if we don't decarbonise fast then Holland and their cycling infrastructure could be amongst the first to disappear.

 

TIM & SALLY
Not marooned in the desert but, according to Tom V, in Columbia. They are hoping to get out on a BA flight this Saturday. Bicycle pumps crossed!

 

MEIKE


Our President has asked if someone in the club could get her some, or rather a lot , of compost so that she can occupy herself playing in the garden.  Without this compost she can't.  So Meike is hoping for a couple of helpers.  They will be fed and watered.

If you are 50 or younger please do fetch and carry for those 70 or older who should be isolating themselves. Thank you.

 

RIDE REPORTS

Tuesday 17th March: Not a group ride but a paired rides. Tom writes on his:
As I cycled along with Paul W today it seemed like there was still a lot of traffic around. One vocal van driver felt it necessary to stick his head out of the window and shouting something at us. It is possible that he was mentioning essential travel, but I rather think it was the usual aggressive rant. I enjoyed a much longer chat with a cycling buddy than I can usually afford while leading a group ride. I rather like this pairing business.
Photo: Stepping Stones near Dorking

We can 'group together' individual and shared rides (as above) to keep in touch. Just send a few words, a photo or even a GPX to us . (reply to this email).

Tuesday Vice-Captain Peter R is trying not to get marooned in Finland. For some reason he wants to come back home. Why? Especially after reading at his report and gorgeous photos of Helsinki and his Fatbiking expedition here: https://anerleybc.org/peter-in-finland/

 

UPCOMING RIDES

There will be no group rides for the foreseeable future as part of the necessity for social distancing.

We will, as long as we are allowed, continue to encourage riding alone or with another person. You can arrange your own or turn up at our normal start point around 10am on Sunday or Tuesday and ride off with another.

Please don't stand around. Chat online rather than face to face.

 

UPCOMING DESTINATION?
One for ride leaders. I found a possible new destination for the future. It would be a long summer ride as it's near Goldaming.  It has a National Trust cafe and beautiful outside seating this side of the entry kiosk. So no charges there.

We have been that way before past Dunsfold aerodrome where they park the James Bond Jumbo Jet with fake B52 engine pods featured in Casino Royale:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747_G-BDXJ
Oh, and film location for  BBC's Top Gear.



 

FINALLY: FOR THOSE ISOLATED WITHOUT A TURBO TRAINER


Pete S was inspired by this video ....
https://www.facebook.com/100003847056713/posts/1595595087245378/?d=n


 

FINALLY, FINALLY -  FUTURE OF THE BUGLE


As announcing and reporting on club rides was what the Bugle was all about - What do we dot with it during the hiatus - which could be a long time:
  • Put the Bugle on hold?
  • Make it monthly?
  • Continue weekly?
If we keep it going what should it report? Not only is this club 'on hold' but pretty much the rest of the cycling world is going mighty quiet. Please feedback your views.



Happy - whatever!