Newsletter Jan-March 2015

Cycle
West Dorset
January - March 2015
Sharon and Lizzy
At the end of their Adventure
THE NEWSLETTER
Edited independently in CTC West Dorset and published quarterly. Please contact
your nearest member group or access the club website for information on any events
www.wessexctc.org for all CTC Wessex activities
CTC BOURNEMOUTH www.bournemouthctc.org
Mike Walsh, 17 Grove Gardens, Southbourne Road, Bournemouth BH8 9JQ
Tel 01202 855001 Email jmichaelwalsh@aol.com
CTC SALISBURY www.salisburyctc.org
Alan Clarke, “Hill House”, Kelsey Road, Salisbury SP1 1JR (01722) 322188
CTC WEST DORSET www.westdorsetctc.org.uk
Angela Price, 41 Garfield Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2EY
CTC BLACKMORE VALE www.wessexctc.org/bv
Richard Gow, Wildfell, Crown Rd, Marnhull, DT10 1LN (01258) 821391
Calendar Dates For 2015
DATE EVENT
AUK DATC
March 28th Hardboiled 300km
March 29th Dorset Coast 200km
March 29th Dorset Coastlet 100km
April 18th
Devon and Dorset Downs 300km (3D 300)
May 2nd
Porkers 400km
May 8th
New Forest Spring Challenge 50km
May 8th
New Forest Day Out 100km
May 8th
New Forest 150km
May 8th
New Forest Excursion 200km
May 23rd
Brimstone 600km
September 6th New Forest Autumn Challenge 50km
September 6th New Forest and Coast 100km
September 6th New Forest Century 150km
September 6th New Forest On and Off Shore 200km
September 6th Dorset Dirt 50km Offroad
October 11th The Gridiron 100km
At Any Time Permanent Events in Wessex
Issue 165
2
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Contents
Page No
Item
4
Notice Board
Winter Tea
4
Footsloggers Programme of Walks
5
6
Articles
Sett Poece -By the Waters of Radipole
6
J R Jottings Dec 2014
9
Life in Tandem
11
Runslist
16
Looking Back 2004
19
Fell off my Bike
20
22
Adventures
Sharon and Lizzy’s Lands End to John
o;Groats
22
Members information and Club notes
26
Issue 165
3
Notice Board
Alan Beesley Writes :- We would like say a big thank
you to all our friends in the West Dorset CTC, for the Get
Well and Christmas Cards, they have been greatly appreciated. We hope you all have a great Christmas and we will be
looking forward to riding with you in the New Year.
SATURDAY 10 JANUARY 2015
1.00 pm
WINTER TEA
FRAMPTON VILLAGE HALL
£5 per person
cash preferred
If you will be attending, tell Badger or let him know on
01305 756094 or email
malcolm_howell@outlook.com
Cheques payable to CTC West Dorset Section can be sent to Malcolm Howell, 1 Garland Crescent, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2SX
by 31 December 2014
Issue 165
4
Notice Board
FOOTSLOGERS PROGRAMME OF WALKS 2015 (issue 1)
6th JANUARY - Leader Graham Schofield - Start map ref: 194/705898
- Distance approx 5 miles.There are plenty of parking spaces in the start
area and the walk is to the Wise Man Inn at West Stafford for our annual
lunch gathering.
20th FEBRUARY - Leader Mike Letten - Start map ref:- 194/726923 Distance approx 5 miles. Adequate car spaces in the Thorncombe Wood
park park. Theme for the walk 'Hardy's Cottage and Heath'.
20th MARCH - Leader Bas Croucher
17th APRIL - Leader - Ern Carter
15th MAY - Leader -Malcolm Howell - Start map ref:- 194/703820. Distance approx 7 miles.This is not the usual circular walk, it will start at the
Waterside Holiday Park in Weymouth and end at Malcolm's house in Dorchester
were tea will be on offer. Members travelling from Dorchester can park their cars
in Hardy Garden Estate or near Dorchester South railway station and travel to
Weymouth by rail or bus.
19th JUNE - Leader - Val Carter
17th JULY - Leaders - Penny and David Fennel
21st AUGUST - Leader -
18th SEPTEMBER - Leader - Alan Beesley
16th OCTOBER - Leader -20th NOVEMBER
18th DECEMBER - Leaders - Sue and Jim Issue 165
5
Articles
Sett Piece.
By the waters of Radipole,
where we sat down.
Badger
It was German Pop Group
Boney M who, in about 1978,
produced, what was in its time
the second highest selling single
of all time, a reggae version of
Psalm 137, a lamentation of the
exiled Israelites, ‘By The Rivers
of Babylon’. This had long been
a familiar negro spiritual, reflecting the despondent yearnings of
African slaves for their home
lands. However the only people
sitting by the waters of Radipole
were not exiles, but they were
slaves. Slaves to the idea that
the water issuing from Mother
Earth in natural springs or pools
had medicinal curative properties, if you bathed in it, or even
drank it. This was such a common belief that land-owners realised the business potential of
building over such sources, and
then charging entrance fees.
Hence the popularity of Spas.
Issue 165
The tall octagonal building at Nottington was once a Spa house.
The city of Bath owed its
popularity to the water from the
only hot springs in England. King
George III took the waters at Bath
and at Cheltenham Spa. He also
visited the Upwey Wishing Well,
where a special gold cup was
kept at a nearby house for his
use. It is the same cup that was
presented by a member of the
Royal Family to the Royal Ascot
Club, as a presentation trophy.
Charles Darwin also tried
the water cure. For much of his
adult life, his health was repeatedly compromised by an uncommon combination of symptoms
leaving him severely ill for long
periods of time. However, in some
ways this may have helped his
work, He wrote ‘Even ill-health,
though it has annihilated several
years of my life, has saved me
from the distractions of society
and amusement.’
He consulted with more than 18
doctors, but none could diagnose
his complaint. He tried all available treatments, but, at best, they
had only temporary success.
More recently, there has been
6
Articles
speculation that he had acquired a
tropical disease from a bug-bite in
South America.
Darwin had no success
with conventional treatments. In
1849, after about four months of
incessant vomiting he took up the
recommendation of friends to try
the treatment at Dr James Gully’s
Water Cure
Establishment at
Malvern. He read Gully's book,
which provided case histories, and
had a price list at the back. Darwin
rented a villa at Malvern for his
family and started a two-month
trial of the treatment on 10 March.
Gully set him a routine including
being heated by a spirit lamp until
dripping with perspiration, then
vigorous rubbing with cold wet
towels and cold foot baths, a strict
diet, and walks. Darwin enjoyed
the attention and the demanding
regime which left him no time to
feel guilty about not working. His
health improved rapidly, and he
felt that the water cure was ‘no
quackery’.
So presumably the local
Spa, of Spa Road, Weymouth and
the Famous Old Spa Hotel was
one of these centres for hydraulic
breaks. If so where is it now?
Issue 165
Sadly only the name survives.
The Spa building was near the
junction of Radipole Park Drive
and Spa Road, on the site of St
Aldhelm’s Church.
The site had been the
home and market garden of A A
Hayward , but in Georgian times a
small Spa building stood here,
with a deep well under the position of the present church kitchen.
The first stage of the
church was finished in 1941, but
by the 1980s it became clear that
it needed modernising.
The development of the
building to meet new needs was
the inspiration of Rev Richard
Luther, 'Dick' who was team
Vicar. Dick's vision was to extend
northwards towards Spa Road, to
form a welcoming Lounge, Kitchen, Office, Toilets and Crèche
room.
The considerable expense
involved in planning Stage 4
caused many to wonder whether
it would be possible, but the DCC
were convinced that it was right to
go ahead. Three days before the
launch of the project, at the very
moment the team clergy were
praying about the matter, a Lon-
7
Articles
don Solicitor rang to say that Mrs
Dora Craddock-Hartopp had died
the previous day and had bequeathed the residue of her estate
to the Parish of Radipole. She
particularly requested that a 'Hall'
be built in memory of her parents,
Henry and Ellen Martina Cox
whose home was Radipole
Manor. The Lounge is the fulfilment of her wishes. Portraits of
her parents are in the Lounge.
Issue 165
Many of us have been to
that church hall for public meetings, often about cycling needs. It
is quite appropriate then that the
new Weymouth Way cycle path,
on its way South from Manor
Road, crosses Spa Road at the
West end of its bridge. Shortly
before that, as it passes Radipole
Wood, if you stop and look West,
you can see a typical entrance
lodge, that marks the gateway to
Radipole Manor.
8
Articles
tainly changed with a wallop. We
had had lovely warm sunny days for
what seemed like ages and overSept meeting when we had
night it was rain, rain again. The
nine members attend. I counted nine
autumn is always a funny time for
in and nine out, no medics or ambucycling, October always gales,
lances and a good time was had by
heavy showers and just getting a
all. If ever you are passing Central
little chilly. November very cold,
Café in Dorchester at around 10.30
often icy, lovely colours and if you
on the third Thursday of the month,
did get a sunny days cycling, fantasdrop in for a coffee, better still drop
tic time of the year. Now I am afraid
in and buy us all a coffee ! The JRs
it is very hard to know just what is
third Thursday in the month meetround the corner and things change
ings got a record at their
a lot and very quickly.
Does anyone know how moI do hope you all had a
torists get away with this. Taken
healthy and accident free 2014, but
from Dorset Evening Echo,
more importantly I hope you get
“A man accused of killing a
through the coming year in the same
pensioner whilst speeding up and
way. Can we offer best wishes to all
down a narrow country road at
those who had a bad year last year,
110mph, denies causing death by
with either health or accidents and
careless driving, ALSO denied a
hope this coming year is better for
charge of causing death by careless
you. The road is a very dangerous
driving whilst unfit to drive through
place these days and the sad thing is,
drink”. My SERIOUS question is,
it does not need to be. Just a little bit
what do you have to do to be
more care and consideration would
charged with DANGEROUS drivcut down on road accidents in a big
ing. I can only think of driving
way.
through a pedestrian area with a maNow I am afraid I am going
chine gun mounted in the windto say something I should have said
screen, blasting off, at anyone
a long time ago. I am afraid I am
getting in the way.
going to give up my regular writings
My goodness, when the
in the Newsletter. Do I hear the
weather did change this year it cer-
JRs JOTTINGS. DEC.2014.
Issue 165
9
Articles
sounds of loud cheers? Its getting
harder than ever to write, not going
out anymore on the rides I have not
got a clue what went on and to be
perferctly honest an awful lot of
days now, I just do not feel up to it.
There have been some good articles
in the letter this year from different
people, if they just knock out one
extra, then the Editor will slip you
on the pay roll. Thanks for reading it
all, it seems to have been ages now. I
think you will agree we have a good
little newsletter going, we do not
want to lose it.
Health can and does change
overnight so enjoy your life while
you have it. Happy Xmas have a
lovely 2015 and God bless. JR
how delicate the skull is when it
smacks against the concrete. YUK !
Number two, the mayor of
Swanage, now known the length of
the south coast as Wol Flapper
Beesley. This young chap (or he
thought he was) clambering about
on the roof of his campervan, came
to come down the ladder and fell
badly, really damaging his arm,
worse still the hospital did not discover how badly for some time after.
Now I am not going to go on
with a safety lecture, can I just say
THINK a bit before you do things,
can I come a cropper here? has the
wife soaped the steps ? etc. otherwise you might be sampling DCH
mince pies this year !
Since writing this jottings
two of our members have had quite
nasty accidents, the thing with accidents you cannot prepare for every
little thing, but afterwards, you ALWAYS wish you had been more
careful. Firstly Sir Kenneth, honourable leader of the folders, came off
his bike, very near his house, going
very slowly but hit his head quite
badly and NO crash helmet! Nasty
injury to the old bonze, just think
Issue 165
10
Articles
JACKIE WINTER,
THE CHANTRIES,WINTERBORNE ZELSTON
BLANDFORD FORUM DORSET DT11 9EU
Issue 165
11
Articles
From JACKIE WINTER
I've written a book called "Life In
Tandem" about the forty years I've
spent riding a tandem with my husband. Allan is a Yorkshire man but
I was born in Dorset and we've lived
in Winterborne Zelston for 33 years.
I never learned to ride a bike as a
child and I still can't ride one now!
But on the back of the tandem, I've
pedalled more than 100,000 miles.
We bought our first tandem in 1976
- a second hand Claud Butler which
cost £60. It wasn't long before we set
our sights on a top notch Bob Jackson frame, which would set us back
about £1,000. We lived in Spetisbury
then and our cottage had cost £8,750,
so that helps puts it into context. We
sold the car and cycled everywhere,
while we saved up enough money.
Collecting that new frame from
Poole station was an exciting red
letter day.
Soon afterwards we joined the
Wessex Road Club and made some
good friends, foremost amongst
these being Jack Merchant, who I
liked and admired very much. We
went on some terrific rides in those
days and covered long distances. My
friends at work were often astounded
Issue 165
when I told them where I'd been.
"Why didn't you just drive there?"
they'd ask and were bemused when I
tried to explain that it was the ride
that mattered. The destination was
often simply somewhere to eat a well
deserved a lunch.
In "Life In Tandem" I describe
many rides with the Wessex Road
Club - mostly in Dorset - which took
us along quiet lanes to Cerne Abbas,
Wimborne St Giles (wonderful
teas!) Lulworth Lake and Ashmore,
to name but a few. One of the longest rides was into Wiltshire, to Old
Wardour Castle, which is still a favourite destination today.
Allan and I had a go at racing on
the tandem- 10 mile and 25 mile
time trials. But I'm not really competitive and for me, that's not what
enjoyable cycling is all about. So I
lent a hand at marshalling instead
and spent many a long hour at roundabouts, arm stuck out and shrieking
encouragement to WRC competitors. Willie Kirkland and Pete
Goodings were the fastest riders we
had in the late 70s and early 80s.
My longest ride ever was the Dorset Coast 200 km Randonee on 22nd
April 1979. There were hundreds of
cyclists, although we didn't see an-
12
Articles
other tandem. We completed the
ride in 12 hours and 9 minutes and I
felt very pleased with myself, even
though I wasn't fit for work the next
day.
We always take the bike on holiday, usually in the UK and much of
the book recounts holiday highlights
of visits to the Yorkshire Dales,
Lake District, Cornwall and the
Scottish Borders. My first experience of cycle/camping was in 1976 the year of the drought - when we
went to Yorkshire with friends who
also ride a tandem. One of my most
abiding memories is of pedalling
through the Dale of FryUP on the
hottest day ever recorded in Britain,
when temperatures soared to 96.6
degrees and the tarmac melted beneath our wheels.
It was in the Dales that we first
heard the infuriating phrase "Can
You Ride Tandem". You might recall it but probably not as vividly as
we can. It was said in a 1970s TV
advert for PG Tips, which featured a
bunch of chimps cycling in the Tour
de France and one of them said "Can
You Ride Tandem?" to a female
chimp he fancied. It's been shouted
after us dozens of times over the
years and is So Exasperating. Of
Issue 165
Course we can ride tandem. What
else do people think we're doing?
We've cycled pretty consistently
over the last forty years, except for
six months in 2007 when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and needed
major surgery. I'd always been fit
and active and serious illness came
as a huge shock. A wound infection
hindered my recovery and it wasn't
until five months after the operation
that we attempted a short ride to
Chalbury, near Wimborne. I was
shocked by my weakness. Illness
had rocked my confidence and I
wasn't at all certain I could manage
even those few miles. Fortunately I
made a complete recovery but I shall
never again take good health or cycling for-granted.
In 2008 we returned to Yorkshire
for another cycling holiday with our
tandeming friends. The friendship
hadn't changed but just about everything else had. The idea of camping
wasn't even mentioned, still less seriously considered. Now galloping
towards retirement age, we wanted a
self catering cottage with two bathrooms and a dishwasher.
It was a great holiday, even if our
memories of 1976 were constantly at
odds and we kept disagreeing about
13
Articles
which pubs/teashops/castles we'd visited in that drought cursed year. One
thing we were in complete agreement
about, was that we'd better not risk
waiting another 32 years before returning to Yorkshire for a third time.
In the book I include snippets of
intriguing information about the areas
we visit and also about our own Dorset. For instance, do you know which
village was once described as the ugliest in Dorset? There is unsentimental nostalgia about how life has
changed, over nearly 4 decades spent
on the back of a tandem, with references to food, TV, cost of living and
books.
Top Tandem Tips and Trivia at the
end of each chapter impart essential
Issue 165
insider advice to help couples remain on speaking terms, whatever
the provocation. Plus little known
tandem related facts, such as which
Royal couple were given a tandem as
a wedding present. "Life In Tandem: Tales of Cycling Travels" by
Jackie Winter is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback. It can
be purchased from Jackie. 01929
459207
thorntandem@btinternet.com
ED, this a nice read, particularly for
those who have experienced some of
the peculiarities of riding a Tandem.
Jacky writes a good story which
brings to life many of the towns we
ride to.
14
Cyclists’ Touring Club
West Dorset
Secretary: Angela Price 01305 266648
secretary.westdorsetctc@hotmail.co.uk
Chair:
Roland Tarr 01305 262359 roland.tarr@zen.co.uk
Treasurer: Malcolm Howell (Badger) 01305 756094
malcolm_howell@outlook.com
Editor:
John Hartley, Foxhills, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester DT2 7TS
Runs Organisers:
Sundays (long)
Sharon Green 01305 773066
Sundays (shorter) Anne Robinson 01305 775623
Lis Croucher 01305 268311
Saturdays
Penny Fennell 01305 267986
Wednesdays
Sue Baker 01258 817963
Thursday Folders
Ken Reed 01305 772654
anneandken@neale.net
New Riders should contact one of the runs organisers for
information and advice before joining a ride, and may be advised
to gauge their ability via a Saturday Saunter (short rides)
Be reassured, you won’t be left behind
We can arrange for someone to meet you if this is your first ride with us
Sunday long rides approx. 50-60 miles, shorter up to 40 miles
Saturdays about 25 miles
Please note that the ride leader has the right to cancel a ride at
the outset if in their judgement the ride is not feasible or
appropriate
www.westdorsetctc.org.uk
Issue 165
15
Cyclists’ Touring Club West Dorset
Long Sunday Rides: 9.15 for 9.30 start
Dorchester Top o’ Town - Sharon Green 01305 773066
Date
Jan
Lunch
4
11
Feb
Mar
The Crown
Ibberton
Wareham
Coffee at West Holme
Grid ref
ST788077
Leader
Sharon Green
01305 773066
Graham Schofield
01305 820468
18
The Anchor
Shapwick
ST936018
Roland Tarr
01305 262359
25
Bere Regis
Coffee at Wareham
SY848948
Hilary Lancashire
01305 267750
1
Olivers
Sherborne
ST638168
John Hartley
01300 341288
8
Hare & Hounds
Waytown
SY470979
Mike Durham
01305 770140
15
Castle Inn
Lulworth
SY826807
Geoff Dodge
01305 834798
22
Botany Bay
Winterbourne Zelston
SY896971
Dave Jeffreys
01305 848211
1
Admiral Hood
Mosterton
ST457053
Ern Carter
01300 320809
8
The Mitre
Sandford Orcas
ST625206
Graham Hyden
01300 341563
15
Suggest Winyards Gap
or Worth Matravers
22
Saxon Inn
Child Okeford
29
Dorset Coast & Coastlet
N.B. Mothers’ Day
ST829132
No leader
Joy Cunningham
01305 823235
Shorter Sunday Rides
Jan
Feb
Mar
Meet for coffee at 10.30. Led ride after coffee, leaving at 11.00 prompt
Anne Robinson 01305 775623 or Lis Croucher 01305 268311
Lunch
Leader
Coffee meet
Seven Stars,
4
NT Bockhampton
Tba
East Burton
Angela Price
Palm House
Portland
18
Weymouth
01305 266648
Engine Room
1
Stratton
Tba
Poundbury
Roland Tarr
15
NT Bockhampton
Tolpuddle
01305 262359
Martinstown
The Countryman
Anne Robinson
1
Farm Shop
East Knighton
01305 775623
Bas Croucher
15
Moreton tea room
West Holme G.C
01305 268311
Engine Room
Penny Fennell
29
Cerne Abbas
Poundbury
01305 267986
Issue 165
16
Wednesday Wanderers
Unled ride, meet at lunch. Phone Sue Baker 01258 817963 for further information
Jan
Feb
Mar
7
14
21
28
4
11
18
25
4
11
18
25
The Black Bear
The White Horse
The Brace of Pheasant
The Royal Oak
The White Hart
The Blue Vinney
The Sailor’s Return
The Garden Centre
The White Hart
The Chalk and Cheese
The King’s Arms
The Halsey Arms
Wool
Litton Cheney
Plush
Bere Regis
Bishop’s Caundle
Puddletown
East Chaldon
West Holme
Yetminster
Maiden Newton
Stoborough
Pulham
Grid Ref
SY827807
SY549901
ST713022
SY848948
ST696131
SY756947
SY789834
SY886858
ST592109
SY595976
SY924865
ST706085
Saturday Saunterers
Meet 10.15 for 10.30 start Details – Penny Fennell 01305 267986
D = Dorchester Top o’ Town W = RSPB, Swannery CP, Weymouth
Date
Lunch
Leader
Booking esssential with Malcolm
Jan
10 D
Frampton Winter Tea
(Badger) 01305 756094
Serena Shone
24 W
Kingston Maurward
01305 261559
Feb
7
D
East Burton
Penny
Graham Schofield
21 W
Abbotsbury
01305 820468
Sue Baker
Mar
7
D
Cattistock
01258 817963
Dave Heelis
21 W
Portland
01305 770856
Thursday Folders
The time and meeting point may change as dependent on public transport timetables. Please
contact Ken, preferably by email, if in doubt. anneandken@neale.net 01305 772654
Date
Start Venue
Time
Jan
1
Wareham
10.20
Feb
5
Hamworthy
9.35
Mar
5
Brockenhurst
10.10
Issue 165
17
Destination and leader
Arne and Corfe
Graham Schofield 01305 820468
Wimborne
Richard Walters 07432 664040
New Forest Elaine Stagg
01202 777221
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Issue 165
18
Articles
LOOKING BACK. 2004.
By JR
Alternatives! Another article on
breaking your ankle in Prague by
guess who, the old Mouse herself.
Winter edition starts with an advert
for a cycle jumble run by Sir Kenneth. An article on the Police Bicycle
by George Boole? Finally a runs
leaders handbook which was very
interesting. Through the year some
lovely write ups by people who never wrote anything again, such a
shame. The more articles the old
Editor has got the more interesting
the newsletter. Get down in front of
the keyboard, not time to go into
training for next season yet.
President at that time the late
John Rowland, an article informing
people cycle helmets were compulsory in Majorca and one cyclist
there, had his front wheel confiscated until he paid a fine!
A lovely article on Brompton's in the Scottish islands by Margaret Tidball. July, 14 A Wednesday
Wanderers breakfast run at the Beehive Café, Bovington run by yours
truly. Whatever happened to them,
they used to be great fun in the sum- How about this for looking back!!
mer. I was also leading a Three Red
posts ride on July 18th. Sir Kenneth
advertising the Dorset Dirt. Another
lovely article this time from Hilary
Lancashire on completing her first
triathlon, she's a bit of girl, our Hilary and no mistake. On to the Autumn edition, Xmas lunch at the
Rembrandt, organised for the his last
time by Mike Letten, Xmas tea, Victoria Memorial Hall, Broadway organiser Ann Neale. Several items by
dear old Marguerite, she was retiring
from running the Saturday group,
but willing to carry on running the
Sunday
Issue 165
19
Articles
Fell off my bike
By Ken Reed
OK so I was not wearing my
helmet. Just about everyone I talk to
asks. Even some of my friends
whom I respect most have chided.
Some of my more ignorant acquaintances have been downright rude.
So this is to all of you out
there, friend or someone who never
rides a bike. I sometimes wear a
helmet but seldom on shopping trips
when they are an absolute pain when
I arrive. And I want to make it absolutely clear that I have no intention of
changing my policy when I am back
on my bike.
I can already see shock horror
on some faces so here are my reasons.
My best estimate is that I
have been cycling for over 65 years,
leastways I can't remember a time
when I didn't have to ride a bike.
Except for about three misguided
years when I first got a driving licence, I have ridden my bike almost
every day for work, leisure and shopping. Most of this huge number of
real quality miles have been done
without a helmet. They were not
Issue 165
even invented for my first 40 cycling
years.
So what am I getting at and why have
I the audacity to challenge the average perception on the subject? The
answer is that I am lucky to be here
at my age, fit and healthy and still
riding out with ‘racers’ years my
junior. And that is because I am a life
long cyclist. Without cycling I
would probably be, like many others
of my age, an overweight couch potato dependent on the health service
and incapable of even minor exertion.
This is not news to many of
the cyclists reading this. We all
know we usually carry on riding well
into our 80s and there are several
examples of cyclists falling off their
perches in their 90s. But some will
be asking how does this affect helmet
wear? The answer is in the stats,
number of cyclists that is.
In every country where helmets are compulsory, and even in
places where there is moral pressure
to wear helmets, cycle use reduces.
Every study ever done indicates that
the health benefits of cycling far exceed the injuries and deaths where
cycles are involved. This certainly
applies in my case. Furthermore,
those wearing protective clothing on
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the road are far more at risk than the
rest of us.
But some are saying, “You
fell off on a cycle track at low speed,
fell on your head and fractured your
skull. A helmet could easily have
saved you, and you were lucky to get
away so lightly”. I agree with you but
I will still not always wear a helmet.
I am a cycle campaigner, have
been for getting on for 30 years. It
has become part of my life and I can
assure you that it is often like hitting
your head against a brick wall. My
guess is that by opposing compulsory
helmet wear I have done more to
increase cycling than by building
grandad's bridge. In fact, falling on
my head on the Rodwell Trail was a
lot less painful than some of the
knock backs I have taken trying to get
cycle routes around my locality in the
first place. Which in themselves have
increased cycling.
And for those of you who are
sceptical here this is what I have
gleaned about helmets, having been
to many talks on the subject as well as
being talked at by the ill informed.
Cycle helmets are designed to work at
an impact speed of no more than
12mph. Even the testing organisations only recommend them for chil-
Issue 165
dren, who are mainly playing on
bikes, and others who may be vulnerable. That is, those with a medical
condition and those doing something
particularly dangerous. Over the
years I have been shown any number
of helmets that have broken in crashes. I even have a couple of broken
ones which have never been crashed.
They do this, it does not mean that
they protect you, and there is every
chance that some of the plastic will
get stuck in your skin if you do a
head plant.
So what I am saying is, you are an
adult, make up your own mind.
Take no notice of the ignorant and
ill informed, particularly if they
speak with the misjudged power of a
local authority brochure or the
health service. And most of all,
don't get at me for not wearing a
helmet when I crashed. It was my
choice and long may I be allowed
that choice which I think benefits all
cyclists.
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Day 14 ( Sat 3rd May) Glenshee to
Tomintoul – approx. 49 miles
We slept well at the Spittal of Glenshee, it was very quiet as we were the
only guests, and woke to a beautiful
sunny morning. Just up the road was
our day’s first challenge – The
Devil’s Elbow, but it wasn’t too much
trouble if taken slowly which I did.
Lizzy disappeared round the corner
very quickly however and had a long
wait for me, but we’d both got used to
this scenario by now! This was an
amazing road with fairly gentle inclines and fantastic long descents. We
stopped to admire Invercauld Bridge
and met some mountain bikers who
recommended an off road route
through woodland to bring us to Balmoral. It was a lovely forest track
with fabulous views over the trees to
the snow tipped mountains beyond,
and down below to the river Dee.
Balmoral looked very picturesque but
Issue 165
we weren’t quite sure that we should
be there, almost as though we were
peeping over the back fence! But
no-one was around to shoo us away
so it can’t have been a security issue.
Back on the road we carried on to
Corgarff for lunch at the great
café/gift shop there. One bad thing
about this road was that although
there was very little traffic, it was
absolutely littered with road kill, especially beautiful white hares, heartbreaking to see so many - probably
30 or more and loads of rabbits, birds
and several deer – very sad. After
lunch we came to Cock Bridge - this
was NOT a gentle incline, it went
straight up and I could barely push
the bike up it. Even the girl was
defeated after an admirable start, but
not for long and she probably had her
longest wait of the whole journey at
the top of that one!
But after that, the fantastic descent
made it all worthwhile and it was a
lovely ride all the way to Tomintoul.
It was just wonderful to arrive there.
When I was planning the journey I
thought how amazing it would be to
get this far, to this remote highland
village but I couldn’t actually believe
or visualise it, so it felt like such an
achievement. Our room at the Argyle
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Guest House was lovely and we had
a good dinner at the Glen Avon Hotel
plus a bottle of fizz to celebrate (only
£13 – whoop!). What a great day.
Day 15 Tomintoul to Inverness – 52
miles
There would be fewer hills from now
on once we’d got over the Bridge of
Brown! I kept going in my granny
ring remembering how hard it was to
push the bike up hills! Marvellous
views at the top and then another
incredible descent, what a joy! Grantown on Spey looked lovely and as
we carried on over the moors I said to
Lizzy how good it was to be doing
this in fine weather – but then of
course it started to rain, quite heavily!
It eased off allowing us to take photos
from Dulsie bridge, a fascinating,
surreal place with a deep gorge in the
rock. More rain all the way to Cawdor Castle where the very nice man at
the entrance who was so enthusiastic
about our trip, waived our entry fee
on condition we donated it to Marie
Curie. Very happy with that especially as we really wanted to get out of
the rain and have some lunch! I
would like to go back there one day
and have a proper look inside the
castle as we didn’t have time. Continued to Culloden but somehow missed
Issue 165
the battlefield, and after a good long
spell on cyclepaths we came to a very
busy road in Inverness which was a
bit of a shock! Our B&B in Kenneth
Street (which must be about 90%
B&Bs!) was a super little place, with
a very welcoming fun loving owner,
Christine, who immediately invited
us to join her down at the local pub
for a bit of knees up! But our knees
were too tired and showers were required so we had to decline, such a
shame! Eventually wended our way
into town and found Wetherspoons –
The Kings Highway, I had Sunday
Club roast chicken & veg, plus a
drink for £7, really good!
Day 16 Inverness to Lairg – 57 miles
A lovely sunny morning. Took the
cycle route to Kessock Bridge then a
delightful ride along the Beauly Firth
to Muir of Ord. The bluebells were
wonderful (just as described by Joy),
and the gorse brilliant in the sun.
Stopping in Evanton to buy lunch we
met 2 cyclists doing LEJOG. They
were going on to stay overnight at the
Crask Inn and push on to JOG the
next day (84 miles – ouch). A bit
further up the road, we stopped to eat
lunch and saw another cyclist coming
the other way. He was on day 2 of
JOGLE and had just come up a
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VERY long hill from Ardgay. He’d
had a dreadful 1st day but was remarkably chipper about it. It made us
feel we’d been so lucky. Funny too
that we met 3 LEJOGGERS on one
day, but they were the only ones of
the entire trip. We enjoyed the great
descent to Ardgay, and were surprised to see an old AA box which
looked so out of place as though Dr
Who had just landed! We saw another one or two of these, I guess they
are redundant now but what a blast
from the past! Another surprising
sight as we arrived in Lairg was a
miniature house on a tiny island in
the loch. This is actually “Little Loch
Shin”, a manmade loch created by
the hydroelectric dam scheme, and
the house is called "Broon's hoose". I
don’t remember who Broon is, but
the locals look after the house and it
has a lighthearted role in village
events.
It had been a lovely day’s cycling
with no big hills and again our B&B
(Sadlers House) was very good.
Lairg is a small, quiet village with
only one place to eat (in the evening)
– The Highland Hotel, so that’s
where we went. Very good food but
not much atmosphere. It was a relief
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when a few other people turned up
or we’d have sat very quietly indeed.
Day 17 Lairg to Strathy Inn, nr
Melvich - 54 miles (Penultimate
day)
We bought provisions to keep us
going as there would be hardly anywhere else to buy food once we left.
It was a grey and dreary start but we
were in good spirits. Marvellous
open country for miles up to The
Crask Inn where we had hot chocolate. It took a while to come but was
worth it, thick and creamy, about
1000 calories per mug! What a
place this is. So remote and wild,
imagine what a welcome sight it
must have been to travellers in days
gone by battling against the elements. And to modern day cyclists!
The sun was coming out and a cuckoo was calling as we left on the
wonderful road that went downhill
for miles to Altnaharra. And then it
was SO utterly beautiful all along
beside Loch Naver, I didn’t want
the road to ever end. Further on we
stopped for lunch in more open
country beside a river, it was so
peaceful, the sun was shining and
there was that cuckoo again! Plus the meat pie I’d bought in Lairg was
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incredibly delicious! We sat for a
while in that lovely spot, I was thinking about our wonderful journey that
was nearly over, and wishing it
wasn’t. I didn’t want to move but the
good road beckoned and off we went,
eventually arriving in Bettyhill. Here
was gorse in all its magnificent glory,
so much of it, brilliant against the
bright blue sky – and then we saw the
Sea!! The first glimpse since leaving
Cornwall, it was a stunning view. Bit
of a hill into Betty! We carried on
down and up a few more hills as the
countryside changed to rocky moors
and scrubland. It was a wonderful
ride to Strathy and the Inn, where we
received a very warm welcome (with
tea and homemade shortbread) and a
lovely spacious room. To stretch our
legs differently and because it was
such a lovely evening, we took a
short stroll along the road towards
Strathy point (had thought of cycling
there but legs said no). It was very
peaceful until several Jet planes started roaring overhead at 2 minute intervals – a bit of a surprise! Our
evening meal was excellent – finishing with whisky & fudge cheesecake
– oh my, that was gorgeous!
Day 18 Strathy to John O’ Groats
via Dunnet Head – 49 miles
Issue 165
Our last day. We left Strathy in light
rain but with a tailwind. We’d been so
lucky with the weather these last few
days. The terrain was now mainly
wild scrubland and rather bleak in the
grey but suddenly on our left was a
field of daffodils. I stopped and saw
the sign “Marie Curie Field of Hope”
– I was gobsmacked! It was a lovely
surprise and a fitting memento on our
last day. By the time we got to Dunnet
the sun was out again and the Bay
looked beautiful. What a huge expanse of sand and sea! Then on to
Dunnet Head, the most northern point
of the mainland. A strong headwind
and a hill or two made the going hard,
for me at least, but after cresting the
last hill – WOW! the view was
breathtaking. There was the lighthouse with Orkney beyond, blue sea,
bluer sky, brilliant sunshine and all
the northern coastline. It was fantastic
and what a place for a lunch stop! We
watched the myriad seabirds gliding
and swooping by the cliff face, many
species nest here. We saw Fulmars
and Puffins. Eventually we tore ourselves away and enjoyed a great tailwind back to the main road. After a
fairly easy ride we arrived, with much
ringing of bells, at our destination John O’Groats – WE’VE MADE
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IT!! Hooray and hoorah! Plus a few
tears, it was an emotional moment,
tinged with sadness. Several photos
later, over coffee and cake in the
tearoom, we thought about what we
had achieved and how awful it would
have been if we’d abandoned the trip
because of my injured fingers, which
by now, were hardly a problem at all.
That night we stayed at the Seaview
Hotel and celebrated as best we
could, though it was a quiet evening
there and we rather wished for a
knees up!
Day 19 & 20 Homeward Bound
Said our goodbyes to JOG then an
easy ride to Wick to catch the 12.15
train to Inverness. I was mightily
relieved on collecting our rail tickets
to see our cycle reservations were
confirmed, I’d booked them but had
been worrying about it all the same.
The train was nearly empty so we
were very comfortable. The views
were stunning, along the fantastic
coastline from Helmsdale to Brora, it
was like an infinity pool! We were
really enjoying ourselves and tucking
into our lunch when the guard came
along and asked us about our onward
journey, as it was likely this train
would have to terminate at Tain, Oh
No I thought, is this the disaster/bad
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luck that we’d so far avoided? We
must make it to Inverness for the
Caledonian by 8pm! The train did
have to stop, everyone disembarked
and after much hanging around a
coach picked us up – bikes stowed in
the hold, but the driver was not allowed to help us to avoid any claims
for damage!! I cant remember which
station we went to but eventually
made it to Inverness in time for a
quick dinner back at the Kings Highway. It was so exciting to finally
embark on the Caledonian but I’m
glad I didn’t have to share the cabin
with a stranger as it was extremely
snug in there! We enjoyed a drink in
the lounge bar, it was quite jolly!
We arrived on time at Euston and the
bubble burst. Our wonderful adventure was over and we were back to
harsh reality. It was awful saying
goodbye to Lizzy especially in that
terribly busy and noisy station complex, we’d been such close companions for the last 20 days, but she had
to go back to Cambridge. Now I had
to make my lonely way to Waterloo
and I felt so sad. It was a frightening
journey by bike and so different to
what we’d been used to! I got there
ok, and was soon on the train for
Weymouth and started to feel better.
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Quite by chance Janet Read was
catching the train at Woking so for
the rest of the journey she had to
endure my enthusiastic reminiscing!
It was so nice being able to tell someone all about it, and now you know
all about it too - 3 of the best weeks
of my life.
When the train finally arrived in
Weymouth there was a lovely wel-
come from several of you, thank you
so much for that. It was a strange but
good feeling cycling back up the
Dorchester Road to my real home
and life, and I was happy because of
the one I’d been so lucky to find on
the road from Land’s End to John
O’Groats.
Invergauld Bridge
Issue 165
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Arriving in
Bettyhill
Dunnet Head and Orkney
Issue 165
28
Adventures
Topping the Devils
Elbow,Smiling or is
that a Grimace - ED
Road to Corgarff
Loch Naver
Issue 165
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Members Information and Club Notes
Club Riding: The Club tends to ride as a group, except on Wednesdays.
The Runs Leader is responsible for keeping the group together, and setting a pace commensurate with the ability of the riders. If you prefer to
ride at your own pace, meet up with the Club at Coffee or lunch. If you
seek a companion to suit your pace, please contact the Runs Secretary.
Lunch: If you prefer to take your own food, please do not eat it on Pub
premises. This annoys landlords, and gives cyclists a bad name.
Club Jersey: (Yellow with Blue details) Order direct via Impsport on
01522 500505. Bulk orders may attract discount, so ask around – others
may be interested.
Audax Events: The Wessex events are listed inside the front cover. To
join AUDAX, and obtain the national calendar, contact Mike Wigley,
Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph, OL3 5UX
AUK@highergrangefarm.fsnet.co.uk
Advice on Accidents. Stay calm, and Do Not admit liability. Obtain
names and addresses of as many witnesses as possible at the time. List all
injuries, and keep a diary of how they progress, and all treatment received. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Contact the CTC
legal Dept. ASAP.
Next Committee Meeting. Saturday: 14th Feb 2015 @ 10.30 at 70
Monmouth road Dorchester
Deadline for next Newsletter: 9th March 2015
Please send Newsletter items to John Hartley, Foxhills, Cerne Abbas
Dorset DT2 7TS e-mail johnincerne@gmaill.com (01300 3412880)
Newsletter Subs - Please forward to Malcolm Howell 1 Garland Cres
Dorchester, make cheques payable (£12 for three years) to
CTC West Dorset section
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