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In 2005 the CTC Birthday Rides were combined with
the Gwyl Seiclo Cymru, or Welsh Festival of Cycling. It is difficult to
decide whether this event was a Birthday's ride or a Festival one! Being
just for 4 days, Friday to Monday, fewer attended than would a full week
of Birthday rides but more than would normally be found at the Festival!
Whatever, the 400 or so who did come, had a grand time! The organisation
was relaxed yet efficient, the weather benign, the company friendly. What
more could a simple cyclist want! Gathered at the Rugby Club grounds, it
was all under canvas (well, excepting for those in hard shell campers!).
The blue CTC tent formed quite an attraction, there was a huge weathered
marquee for Cafe Tango and another for the talks and film shows. A short
distance away was Llyn Tegid, absolutely calm at times, reflecting the
surrounding hills like a mirror. And all around were those wonderful Welsh
hills!
I had travelled to Shrewsbury by coach, Brompton in bag, tent and other
gear in pannier and dry bag. After a pleasant night camping at Oxon Park
(very expensive now, so perhaps another year I shall have to try another
site!), I set off in very wet conditions for Bala, along the most level
short route I could find: from Montford Bridge this followed NCR81 for a
while, then I set my own way through Llynclys to Penybontfawr, which made
a good mid-morning stop. From there is the only real climb on this route,
straight up over the Berwyns! Despite the load, the lowest gear of the T6
at 34" proved adequate and the climb was accomplished without the need to
'honk'. (At this time the Brompton was just running with 3 gears as the
derailleur failed to change to the smaller sprocket; the roads being very
wet and dirty, I assumed that dirt had been caught up in the changer, and
this proved to be the case. When cleaning it at the campsite later I found
a tiny bit of grit jamming the mechanism!)
It is virtually all downhill from there on, a freewheel that goes on and
on! Lunch was taken in Bala, soon after 1pm, the 45 miles having taken
just 4hrs 15min. That left the entire afternoon to find the campsite and
set up (I was just the second lightweight arrival), greeting others as
they came. At the last minute my friend Jean had decided to swell the East
Kent CTC contingent, driving up with her little caravan: because of the
heavy rain and poor standard of driving along her way, the journey, which
should have finished well before 4pm, continued almost to dark, with her
reaching the campsite at 7:15pm!
It was soon discovered that the hot rugby club showers are
super-efficient: obviously no soap is needed to remove mud under these. I
am sure that a cycle placed under the power showers would be cleaned down
to bare metal! As good as a massage, I think.
Friday came dry, a lazy day as the event really only began at noon. Quite
a number of cycle campers arrived, many Fell Club members or else usual
Festival or cyclefest attendees. Consequently we had a varied array of
cycles: small wheel, 700C, Rohloff geared, tandem, recumbent, recumbent
trike! Amongst the hard shell camper cyclists were other unusual machines:
a Rohloff Birdy and two Mercs. A Merc? Yes, this is the latest folding
cycle which was on display at the York Rally: it is an almost exact copy
of a Brompton, frame in aluminium, price about £100 less for the Sturmey-Archer
3 speed, while the weight appears to offer no advantage. Apparently
Brompton are not at all pleased to find a copy but I believe their patents
have now expired. On examination it appears to be of lesser quality, as
one would expect.
So, as I said before, the program began with mid-day events on the Friday.
Not all of these were straight-forward rides. Many chose instead the
treasure hunt and map reading competitions, which should have involved
less distance. The treasure hunt purported to be a 22.5 mile route, the
map reading distance depended on the skill and ingenuity of the
contestant! These and other competitive events proved to be very popular,
particularly with families, and the successful contestants were well
rewarded at the Birthday Tea on the Monday afternoon when many prizes were
awarded. Again, this made for a different sort of Birthday Rides.
For the Friday afternoon I chose to exercise an unladen Brompton by taking
the A ride back over the Berwyns to Penybontfawr, then across to
Llanwyddan and Lake Vyrnwy for tea. For part of the journey I accompanied
the Fell Club tandem pair from Nottingham, John and Pippa. Tea and cake
set me up for the return ride along the southern rim of the lake, which I
had done the previous year coming from the Shropshire Hills. My T6 flew
along this near-level stretch so it was not long before I reached the turn
off for Dinas Mawddwy, my choice that day for crossing over to Bala. This
gives a long climb to the 545m summit at Bwlch-y-groes, the 3.5 mile
gradient having a few short steeper sections to surmount. On the way up
there developed a strange rattling sort of sound, which transpired to be
the breeze blowing through the dried grasses! Just before the summit, at
the road junction, is a tall cross, where the pilgrims using this route
used to stop to pray.
The view from the top was fine, a fine grey as the clouds had settled. The
descent proved quite exhilarating, swooping and turning along the
switchback road, the view below the cloud layer green and grand. Eyes
streaming, wind roaring in ears, tyres singing; what joy!
For Saturday I chose the B ride back to Lake Vyrnwy! This would encircle
the area in an anticlockwise direction, starting with the climb up to
Bwlch-y-groes, reversing my previous day's ride to the tea room at the
Visitor Centre. Here I had a second helping of coffee and cake as, just on
leaving for my return, I met Trevor who comes from York, whom I had not
seen at a Birthday ride for about five years! Such is the nature of these
annual events; meeting up with friends from years gone by. It was
considerably later that we set off around the northern side of the lake,
heading for the struggle over Hirnant. Surprisingly, this seemed to be a
much steeper climb than that to Bwlch-y-groes. I had to 'honk' two
stretches on the ascent, while Trevor found some places easier to walk.
Following my return to the campsite at around 2:30pm, an extended lunch
was called for!
There had been two long Audax rides on Saturday, and two more were
scheduled for the Sunday rides. I chose not to enter either on the
Brompton so, instead, rode the A ride for Sunday. This went through Corwen
and Carrog to Rhewl, before tackling the Horseshoe Pass. Some of this I
rode (loosely) with a recumbent Trice rider; we separated on both hills
and descents, yet broadly travelled at the same speed! I eventually
realised that the vast majority of riders were in fact on the 100km Audax
ride, the route being the same as for the A ride! They had free tea/coffee
at controls, having paid £5 to enter and had to look for answers to
control questions, while I merely had to pay for my own drinks! I think I
must have been the only non-Audax rider on the route.
At the Ponderosa Cafe at the summit of the Horseshoe Pass, cycles
virtually outnumbered the motorbikes! Two-wheelers were parked everywhere.
On the descent the Trice disappeared from my sight! I found other riders
to accompany me until reaching the Country Cooks Cafe, where I met up
again with Colin, another Herne Bay cyclist with whom I had started the
ride. We began the final stretch together, until reaching the B4501, when
he and another started to race on. However, just before they careered off
over the horizon I determined to lead the string: passing from the rear at
26mph on a downward slope, I led for about 20 yards but did not sustain
the then 28mph and left them to flash ahead and miss the unsigned left
soon afterwards! Kevin Mayne (CTC Director) back at the CTC tent did not
quite approve of my riding a Brompton around the 70 mile Audax route in
6h15!
For Monday the ride seemed harder, or maybe the legs were weaker. I again
chose the A ride, one to Llyn Brenig and the Denbigh Moors. First stop
came erroneously at Country Cooks Cafe as the route sheet gave a T
junction, which had been recently repainted to a left off a hard right
bend! A minor error. At Llyn Brenig cafe a short while later I refuelled
on another coffee and from there on rode with Mick from Norwich. As he was
riding his heavy hack mountain bike we were quite well matched, riding
over the summit of the moors at 484m to Pentrefoelas and Ysbyty Ifan.
Another climb to the moor top at 485m followed. On reaching the B4391 time
was pressing so we pushed on for Llyn Celin and the lane through scenic
countryside back to Bala.
This just gave time for reaching the Birthday Tea at 3pm, held in the
grounds of Bala Lake Hotel, otherwise closed for our event. We even had a
flypast: two Hercules transports thundered by, but not in RAF livery. Part
of the function was used to award the many prizes for the events of the
past few days and it was good to see how many children had become involved
in this.
In all, it had been a very enjoyable time; with just about 400 cyclists
attending, it was smaller than a full week's Birthday Ride but more
casually organised, probably because it was combined with the Welsh
Festival of Cycling and arranged by their team, an altogether different
sort of event. By all accounts it was enjoyed by all. I had taken a box of
CWs to give out and these all went with suitable appreciation being shown.
Next year the Birthday Rides will be a full week, from 5th to 11th August,
hosted by CTC Scotland in Dumfries, in combination with the KM rides. It
will be based at Dumfries and Galloway College, less than two miles from
the town centre.
For a final meal, four of us from East Kent sat in the tent of Cafe Tango
to an excellent lasagne, followed by a super pud! On leaving next morning,
cycle-campers left at varied times according to need. Having just a half
day ride to Shrewsbury before me, I waited briefly so as to accompany
Bronwyn from Stafford as far as her car-assist at Shrewsbury, which gave
us a pleasant ending to our Bala Birthday.
And how did the Bala Birthday Brompton perform? Brilliantly, over hill and
dale, walking not required!
This article was published in
Cycling World which is published by CPLMedia. For more information
on the magazine please click
here.
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Random
Reflections
How to beat February boredom
and blues ? One way I've discovered is to take the CTC trip to Sri Lanka,
led by Maurice and Anthea Trubey. It was probably one of the best cycle
trips 1 have ever done, largely due to such a rich variety of experiences,
lots of fun, oh yes, and great cycling.
We embarked at Gatwick in snow
and frost, with frozen toes sticking out of our Shimano sandals, and
stepped off the plane in Colombo into 37 degrees. It was hot, very hot,
and humid, so we would start the days very early, in the cool of the
dawn. The first part of the trip was through tropical backroads. The
early morning sun would slant through the trees, the rich vegetation and
spicy smells were overwhelming, together with the songs of exotic birds.
We saw very few other Westerners during the 19 days. We would pass
bullock carts, women in bright saris, elephants and school children
dressed in immaculate white uniforms. They would always be smiling, and
flashing their gleaming white teeth, eager to sing songs and dance for us.
We "did" the cultural
triangle, which involved three main centres: Polonnaruwa, Anuradahpura and
Sigirlya. We saw Buddhist temples, many statues of the Buddha, ruins and
the "sacred" bodhi tree under which Sidartha is supposed to have sat to
become enlightened. It was probably a cutting, as similar claims are made
in various parts of India, but it was too hot to mind much. We saw a
relic of a holy tooth, thousands of years old, encased in a gold box, in a
temple in Kandy. Again, this had to be taken in good faith, or not,
according to how one felt. In Kandy, we saw wild Kandy dancing, which
involved spinning loads of plates at once, leaping backwards and
somersaulting, and dancing on hot coals. Not just warm, but the way a BBQ
gets when it's really white with heat, and ready for roasting. Near to
Kandy, we also visited the Pinnawela elephant orphanage, and saw tiny
babies of 6 weeks, being bottle-fed. We also had the inevitable ride on
an elephant.
After a week, we had some
respite from the heat, and began to climb into the mountains. This was a
delicious relief, as it was cooler among the tea plantations. Sometimes
in the mornings one even needed a light fleece. Here we were in Tamil
country, where the welcome was not so friendly. Children would attempt to
knock us off our bikes, and throw stones at us. This did not stop us
refuelling at tiny wayside shacks for coconut juice, deliciously ripe
mango, or strange brews of tea. The Tamils are understandable
troublemakers, working on the tea plantations for backbreaking days for
less than £1.
Most of the time people were
friendly, sometimes too friendly, always wanting to take you somewhere,
solve some problem, but then pester you for money, which was never
enough. Sri Lanka has been described as "India for Wimps", which is
fairly true. It is cleaner, less extreme in many ways, somehow
less exciting and vital. However, it is very unspoilt. The last two days
were spent on a palm fringed, fantasy beach, eating fresh fish, and
dipping into the sea, surfing in the rollers of the Indian Ocean. Not a
bad way to spend February.
1 got the hang of riding
through towns, and became quite fearless. Armed with a multi sonic bell,
1 would charge through, totally immersed in the experience. The
noise was overwhelming, shouting, music &
traffic. Dodging the dogs, the pedestrians, and the busses disgorging
passengers without warning, not to mention the Jay walking cows. At the
same time taking in the smells of curry, spices and other more basic
aromas. All extremely invigorating. 1 am not usually one to argue for the
wearing of a crash helmet, but they were certainly useful protection
against falling coconuts, which could be fatal from a height.
Arack was to be recommended for those of
us who like a little liquid refreshment after a hard day. Inevitably
there developed a hard core of drinkers who would retire to the beach or
other suitable spot for such indulgence. The food was gorgeous; of course
it helps to like curry. One Yorkshireman hated it and longed for baked
beans and spam. Another physical enjoyment was the availability of
massages; all sorts of massages appeared to be on offer.
The success of a trip is largely
dependent on the group. We were fortunate, a group of 26 allowed for
slack, and enabled plenty of choice of companions. We had a 72-yearold
widower, fresh from cycling the world. He would carry his lap top, and
each evening show us the day's photos. We had a relative of a well know
comedian, with the same pithy humour, and a judge with a fierce intellect
and an off beat sense of the absurd. 1 had my manic roommate who led me
into various pranks. Perhaps an equal gender mix was the secret. We only
had a couple of "bottom bracketers", easily avoided.
On the return flight 1 picked up some
horrible strain of Asian flu, which laid me up for a couple of weeks. So
rather than returning fit and sun-tanned, 1 emerged somewhat
yellow-looking with very little energy. However, this meant that I
managed to miss work and February for several weeks in all. 1 am now
looking forward to spring, and to planning exciting cycle trips with my
East Kent CTC friends.
Mary
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Tandem Rides for the Blind
Just a couple of months ago
I received a phone call from Jack Cole, Secretary to the East Kent Cycling
Club. He'd been given my details by Mel Williams, bless him, with regards
to being a pilot of one of the two tandems EKCC had managed to purchase
with the aid of grants from local charitable funds. Jack told me that the
aim of the project was to get blind persons out and about on the tandems,
to improve their fitness and give them the sense of fulfilment that we
strive for when we go cycling. You know the feeling; the wind in your
face, the smell of the countryside and the knowledge that you've been
somewhere under your own steam. We won't mention the negative aspects of
cycling at this juncture.
Within a few days I'd taken
delivery of the tandem from Locks of Sandwich, Jack had given me a list of
persons willing to ride on the back of it and I found myself making phone
calls to meet these valiant people. I've always thought the title of this
little scheme rather blunt and too tactless for my taste. To be
politically correct the project should be called "Tandem Rides for the
Visually Impaired". To call the people I take out on the tandem "blind"
would be a disservice. They all have vision to a limited degree; they can
sense the outlines of people, buildings and trees and most can detect
colour. To cycle on their own would be an impossibility, however, and this
is where the tandem really proves it's worth.
I met my first rider on
13th March. Mick's visual impairment has been caused by a head injury. I
won't go into the details of the severity of the accident that befell Mick
or the consequences that followed, suffice to say that, after five years
of continued recovery, he was prepared to give tandem riding his best
shot. We met with a sense of trepidation - from Mick's point of view he
would be stepping into the unknown, trusting a complete stranger to pilot
the tandem safely. For me, Mick was my first visually impaired rider and
to be in total command of a persons' welfare in such circumstances is a
huge responsibility, one which I would not take anything less than
seriously. So we pedalled up and down his drive for a minute or two, with
Barbara, his wife, watching in amazement. We all sensed that this was
going to be okay. Then we found a quiet road on a nearby industrial
estate; we went up and down this road four times and agreed that we would
ride again as soon as possible.
That was seven weeks ago.
Mick and I have been cycling nearly every week since then and his
motivation for riding has grown stronger every time. His enthusiasm for
getting out and about on the tandem is truly inspiring, and I use that
word decisively. We've built up the miles little by little every time we
ride. We have just completed our latest goal, cycling from Broadstairs to
Deal and back, a distance of twenty-seven miles. As a regular cyclist
you'll probably be thinking "that's not far". Put yourself in Mick's shoes
and it'll feel like a rock solid accomplishment, worthy of the spray from
a bottle of fizzy wine. Check the route on an Ordnance Survey map and just
appreciate the sense of achievement felt by a visually impaired man who
had never been on a tandem until late March.
Mick is by far my best
success story to date, but I have a number of other back-seat riders who
are progressing nicely and will soon be riding similar distances. So
what's in it for me? Need I say any more than I've already said? Taking on
this project has certainly shown me a different dimension to cycling, with
the added bonus of making sincere new friendships. All that's left to say
is that cycling has been good to me since I took it up in 1995 and it is
very rewarding to feel that I can put something back into the sport by
bringing the benefits of cycling to people, such as Mick, who really do
appreciate what cycling is all about.
Peter Horlock
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