Articles from the Newsletter September/October 2005

Sh, sh, sh, Shropshire by Anita Crofts

Why have the Crofts moved to far away Shropshire, many of our friends have said. It took us many hours of soul-searching before and after we began negotiations to move. We can always move back if we don't like it, we reassured the family. Now, three years later, we know that we made the correct decision. Our house is at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, with a rear view over a nature reserve, fields and the Welsh hills on the horizon. The only "nuisance" noise is the helicopters from RAF Shawbury, occasionally practising their skills. No planes droning overhead at 4.30 am stacking to land at Gatwick and no roar of main road traffic. The Shrewsbury CTC have mid week and Sunday runs and there are a couple of independent groups, so we can ride with a group most days of the week. We live a mile and a half from the centre of Shrewsbury, where the meeting place is. The weekly runs have up to fifteen members on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Sundays, there are two or three rides to choose from, so on a good day, up to twenty five people turn up to join runs which are categorised as half day potters up to hard rides (in distance and speed). It is easy to leave Shrewsbury, which is a busy town, because there so many cycle paths to use, and the motor vehicles have a well planned network of by passes to take them out of the area as quickly as possible, which helps to keep them out of our way. It doesn't take long to reach the country lanes whichever direction we are riding and we can ride in twos for miles - a delight that 1 hadn't experienced in Kent. The terrain to the north and east is relatively flat, and so suitable for longer rides towards Wem and beyond, northwards, and Market Drayton and beyond, to the east. The more scenic rides are in the westerly and southerly directions, to Wales and its beautiful hills and mountains and coastline, and to Wenlock Edge, Stiper Stones, Long Mynd and the interesting towns like Ludlow, Ledbury, Craven Arms and Much Wenlock. We have been accepted so quickly by the club members, and the quality of life has certainly changed. I now look forward to being able to ride with a mixed group of riders, at least three days a week, enjoying pub lunches with relaxed and friendly people and riding along such quiet lanes, viewing spectacular scenery which has a mixture of plains, hills, lakes, mountains and a myriad of pretty villages. I'm glad 1 came.

Rouen Weekend, September 10/12th 2005

Keith reports that the Rouen weekend was a great success, enjoyed by all. Eleven French visitors came, nine of whom rode the event, so altogether, with the British riders, there were 18 on the ride. On the sociable side there were 22 sat down to dinner on the Sunday at the Ramblers Rest Restaurant, near Coulsdon. I understand one Frenchman got lost and couldn't be found, didn't turn up anywhere, so Keith Butler abandoned his bike, got in the car to try and find him, unsuccessfully. Keith gives Keith a very big thank you for this noble effort for he not only didn't get a ride, but had to have lunch on his own, so well done Keith. And of course the lost cyclist turned up at the finish! Keith would also like to thank the hosts who accommodated the French visitors for the weekend, and all those who took part, making it a very happy and enjoyable weekend, and I assume that many photos were taken to record the event.

Semaine Federale at Oleron Saint-Marie, Pyrenees Atlantique, 31st:: August 7th 2005 by Keith Wawman

My travel by rail was very successful 1 can recommend Eurostar plus TGV. There was no problem with the Bike Bag, although it was not easy to carry. It was difficult changing stations on the underground in Paris as there are no escalators, only stairs. All trains were on time, I even made a three minute connection at Biarritz Station. On my arrival at Oloron I put my cycle together and walked (with bike bag rolled up) the two miles to the Permanence to collect my information for the week. There I met Marilyn and Keith. My cycle bag was put in the car so I was able to ride to the camp site and put up my tent. We were all in the same block - ALL the Butler Family (including children), Bemard and Ann, plus several of our British friends (AND ME). The first day's ride was through a small Bearnais district, with memories of the Three Musketeers (heroes of Dumas' famous books). Indeed we did see them walking around the lunchtime village of Arette in full costume. The weather was good, hot and sunny, except for one overnight storm and rain half that day. I'm glad my tent didn't leak! I cheated by going out by car with Marylin and Keith tracing a route for that day. Iwas surprised to see quite a few out braving the rain. At the lunch stop at Othez I saw the old 13th-century bridge that had a tower in the centre - it was used in the town defence against Wellington's army of 4,500 in 1814. At the control at Maurenex there was a most impressive cycle track with a stainless steel profile of Eddy Merckx, a memorial of 1969 when he made a lone breakaway for 130 km finishing 8 minutes before the chasing bunch. Most days included climbs in the mountains. All rides were hilly (I left the high ones to Gethin). I don't remember these steep hills from 1960 (approx.) when I toured the Pyrenees with Angela (we must have been fit!). We decided that our camp site was the best of the five - it had a road, lots of trees for shade (it looked like an arboretum with all the different types of trees). This year I tended to ride doing my own thing due to difference in fitness, and I didn't have Rosie to push me up hills like Allison did on a tandem. Rides included these cols: Soudet, Aubisque, Marie Blanque and Babargui to note only a few. Not that I did them, I only kept to the lower slopes and shorter rides. So had more time to look round and take pics. Lots of history in surrounding areas I looked at. Several villages I passed through had Pelota courts (this is an old Basque game). Evening meals were taken in the town at the main Permanent restaurant where we had time to meet up with old friends, as we did when visiting the Permanence (including Neville). Finished the week with the Grand Meal followed by a ride around town all in Nation groups. ending another grand week of cycling in France. P.S. I'm charging £1.00 to see me in my Basque Beret my souvenir of this area

Mildenhall Weekend August 28/30th 2005

The annual trip to the Mildenhall Rally was enjoyed by President Keith, Marian Jones, Gordon Winrow, David Hoben and his two friends. The party stayed at two venues, one night near Mildenhall and the other two at March, near Cambridge. I understand the hotel/guest house at March provided two little snippets to amuse us: (1) Keith had a four poster bed to himself and (2) Keith found the breakfasts too big he couldn't finish them. I never thought I would ever hear that! On Saturday Keith went to the Mildenhall Rally, while the others rode the Audax ride promoted by the Rally. On Sunday a leisurely ride was enjoyed by the party, and on Monday they visited Houghton Mill and toured the villages in the surrounding area. I have to add that sumptuous meals were taken in the evenings and fabulous pub lunches and tea spots were discovered en route.

The Crowhurst Yew

Crowhurst is well known for its churchyard yew tree, claimed to be the largest in Surrey. It's always been assumed that it is at least as old as the church, and maybe older, but recently the biologist David Bellamy estimated it to be no less than 4,000 years old. Until 1850, a fair was held on Palm Sundays under its branches. In 1820, a local publican had the inside hollowed out and benches and a table inserted , with a door to provide access but, by some miracle, it survived. (Reprinted from"Rural Rides No.2, East Surrey" by Ron Strutt.)