Monthly archive for September 2016

In aid of Cranleigh Lions, who do a tremendous amount for the community and helping those in need, this is an exciting event for local cyclists of every level of proficiency.

On Sunday 2 October, at 8.30am we meet at the Bandroom on Village Way, where tea/coffee and bacon rolls will be served (similar refreshments will also be available at the end) – local cyclists will gather for a memorable sporting day.

The ‘Big Cat’ rides, all with suitable names, on roads and the Downs Link, are as follows:

• Lion’s Roar – a challenging 72 mile journey to Shoreham Airport
• Lion’s Mane – a 42 mile trip to Seale Tea Rooms
• Lion’s Paw – 34 miles to Stan’s Bike Shack, and for the family
• Lion Cub – 10 miles to Shamley Green and back.

To enter a donation of £5 in advance or £8 on the day, with families at £10 – or more if you want to offer this to the good causes it supports.

To sign up for your Cranleigh Big Cat Charity Ride, and to download the routes click here.

Advance booking makes it easier for the organisers.

So gather your friends and family bike riders to join you or support you in this fun event which promises to be a hugely enjoyable day out for the very fit, the would be fit and the could be anything.

Book early and roar in for charity.

I wrote recently about the great support provided by Club members on the Tour of the Hills.  Amongst the willing marshals were Ian Pickering and Penny Knight, and they have now showed that it is not only Club events that they support, but also other very worthy causes.  They have provided the following note about their involvement in a recent disability cycling charity event.  It is too late to help in practical ways (until next year no doubt), but if you would like to provide support, then please note the donation link below.

“Penny and I are just back from a fantastic weekend support-riding for EMPowered People disability cycling charity in Cumbria and Lancashire. We covered over 160 miles in four days with approx 16 disabled riders taking part, supported by around 24 able-bodied riders. Despite getting completelysoaked on both Thursday and Friday morning, everyone had a great time and we enjoyed some gorgeous scenery and lovely weather on Saturday and Sunday.

We thought you would be interested to hear about this charity and the wonderful work they do to enable and promote disability cycling. Any donations would be very gratefully received!

Here’s a link to the website with donation instructions: http://www.empoweredpeople.co.uk/sponsorship.html

Also, here’s a link to a really inspirational video which gives a flavour of what the charity is all about – well worth a couple of mins of anyone’s time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhwX-on8TfQ

A select group of four of us set out from Elstead on a cool Sunday morning, our leader, our retired airline pilots – who are no doubt far fitter now than they were when they were forced to retire – and me.   Our route was south out of Elstead along the straight, to Churt, Headley, Hollywater, Whitehill, Blackmoor. Oakhanger and West Worldham before picking up the A339 across Alton. Much of it highly familiar except that we always cycle much of it the other way. I have said it before, and no doubt I will say it again, it is amazing how different a road is depending on which way you cycle along it.   Coffee, or in the case of Don, brunch, was taken at the Departure Lounge, a new venue for him and he was as much taken with the aircraft bits scattered across the site as with the food itself. The combination of both lead to a plane load of pilot humour.

The pilots turned back leaving Clive and I to aim for Rotherhill Garden centre. A week prior I put in new brake and shifter cables and as is their want, they decided it was time to bed in properly leaving the front mech cable a bit slack. A quick adjustment of the screw on the shifter affected a temporary fix which sufficed until I got home and adjusted the cable at the mech clamp. Reminded me of a bike that I had long ago where the front mech just gave me endless trouble and I swore never to buy another bike with a front mech, so bought a Rolhoff equipped bike instead and the one I am dreaming about is a 1 x 11.  Dream on!

Clive and I made a steady pace and arrived at Rotherhill – a place new to me. The food was very good, and the café seemed to have more visitors than the garden centre. Despite many plants in flower it did have the air of end of season, of getting ready for autumn and winter. Feeling rather full we cycled out but as there was a track heading due west we risked it rather than doubling back on ourselves to get to the road. Without incident we made it and headed north. Clive took pity on me as I was facing a 30+ mile journey home alone and offered me the opt out. I took it. I am easily swayed by a cup of tea.