Please note that the ride on Sunday 21st May from Boots in Woking is cancelled as there is no ride leader available on that day.
Good wishes to all
John Wills
The route from Chichester to West Dean was extended last year to reach the main A286 passing under the road but ended at a fence. The South Downs National Park announced today that new steps have now been built with a bike ramp to reach Motor Road, which leads to the main road, opposite the pub at West Dean village.
Over the years I have received a number of adverse comments about the fact that these rides finish about 12 miles from where they start. A few have also commented that they like the ride to Kirdford but are not so keen on the ride from there to Holmbury St Mary. As a trial to gauge reaction, this year’s rides will finish back at the Crown Court car park, Godalming where they start . If you can’t see me outside at the start it will probably be because I’m in the Jack Phillips having breakfast. Click below to download route sheets and TCX files for the new routes.
Roger
The latest edition of Cycling UK’s monthly newsletter to member groups included this piece* :
Too Close for Comfort?
Cars overtaking too close…. we’ve all experienced it and we wish they wouldn’t. West Midlands Police back in September last year began to tackle this problem with plain clothes officers on bikes and close pass education mats. The results were instant, with a 50% drop in reported close passes. Cycling UK decided to try and make sure this result was replicated in other areas by raising enough money to ensure every force across the UK had its own mat.
Our ‘Too Close for Comfort’ appeal reached its target in 48 hours, and now we’re looking to pass these mats on to police forces across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We’d love to get our groups involved in their handover and create a bit of a local PR about the perils of close passes, and how cyclists and police are working together to make our roads safer. If your group might be interested in taking part, please contact Sam Jones on 01483 238 313.
[*Edited slightly]
This sounds like a good idea; is there anyone in the club who would like to get involved in this? Please contact Sam Jones (phone number above) and post a comment on this blog to say you’ve done so. And many thanks to you for contributing to safe cycling.
Information about this excellent family-focused event has recently been received. It’s an event which has run successfully for many years, partly due to the efforts that have been made to prevent CTC (CUK) HQ getting involved in any way, despite it being pretty much a CTC event, organised by CTC people.
Full details may be found below.
The 42nd New Forest Cycling Rally will again take place at Avon Tyrrell from Friday 28 July until Saturday 5 August.
Bookings will once again be made through Avon Tyrrell. Bookings will be open from 1st April, via a special direct web link which will be exclusive to the New Forest Cycling Rally where you make your booking for the rally. Alternatively you can make a telephone booking direct with their bookings team or by post. If telephoning please remember to tell them you are booking for the New Forest Cycling Rally in order for you to take advantage of the special camping fees which they have agreed to give us. We will also have full use of their rally field.
Once again we receive tremendous support and cooperation from staff and management at Avon Tyrrell. Besides attending our rally Avon Tyrrell is a great place to consider for holidays at other times of the year. Come with friends and family they will appreciate your support.
Please note the logo on the Avon Tyrrell web site has changed from showing CTC to ‘cyclingUK’ which reflects the rebranding which took place in April 2016 and head office have asked us to reflect these change in future information.
Web Contact details for information and bookings
This week Avon Tyrrell will be finalising the web site, so please do not try to make a booking before the 1st April..
https://avontyrrell.cinolla.com/avontyrrell/courses/category/new-forest-rally
Telephone bookings: 01425 672347
General Information
You can also visit our web site to look at pictures of previous rallies and general information on www.newforestrallycc.org.uk
Electric Hook ups
Should you wish to reserve a hook up you will need to speak direct to the Avon Tyrrell bookings team who will give you a reservation number. Priority will be given to campers staying for the week and then 6 nights then 5 nights etc. so that the hook ups are used effectively.
Please give the bookings team the following information so they can make up the list.
Name,
Email address and Telephone number
Dates arriving/departing and total number of nights camping,
Unit type, ie. Large, Medium or Small Caravan, Campervan or Tent.
Any special request, ie camping next to friends?
The number of hook ups have been increased to 24, however, 6 hook ups in the copse area which are more suitable for tents. Two weeks before the rally, Avon Tyrrell will send me an email list of hook up reservation. I will then do my best to allocate pitches to each type and size of unit. I will then email you with your pitch number in advance for when you arrive.
Activities
We have once again booked the Barn Dance for Sunday evening and plan to include complimentary cheese and wine.
Monday evening will be our AGM. Please bring your CTC/CyclingUK membership card or number to be able to vote. Although we welcome any adult camper to come along.
Swimming on Monday and Wednesday. You will still need to reserve your places, but this year there will be no charge made to campers, this cost will be covered by the rally fund for the swimming.
We will hire the Calshot Velodrome which is likely to be Monday.
Tuesday the children’s time trial
Wednesday Avon Tyrrell activities
Thursday I.O.W
Friday evening BBQ
Other spontaneous activities run by members.
Helpers during the week
I would like to thank people for their help during the week last year and hope I can count on your support during this years rally to make it another success. Please let us know when you arrive if we can call on your support during the week.
Spring is now on it’s way and so I hope you will all be out on your bikes getting fit for he summer!
Look forward to seeing you all at this years rally and please spread the word amongst your friends, work colleagues and family to come and join us.
Kind Regards and safe cycling.
Geoff Clark
New Forest Rally Site Organizer