Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
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NEWARK NOTES from the SecretaryJanuary 2002
Much ado about two miles of tarmacA lot of us thought we'd never live to see it, but at last our cycle track – our "proper" cycle track along the disused railway, not one of the council's well meant put pretty useless excuses for letting us ride on the pavement – is open for business. From the piles of rubble across all the access points and the fact that the tarmac stops short of the roads, it's obviously not officially meant to be open yet, but the good burghers of Newark, having waited five years, aren't letting technicalities like that stop them. Yes, we now have two point seven miles of pristine tarmac stretching from Northgate station to the edge of civilisation (or the gypsum works at the southern end of Balderton), with a promise of extension to the remote reaches of Cotham and possibly even as far distant as Bottesford and beyond where the maps read Here be Margaret's. What's taken so long? Well, ironically, environmental objections. What looks like a derelict railway track to most people and a potential cycle route to us, is a valuable undisturbed nature reserve to others, and those others were determined to ensure that the track caused as little disruption as possible. Earlier this year, I spent two hours on the phone (my bill unfortunately!) with the leader of the local environment group, and I don’t doubt that their hearts are in the right place even if I may have different priorities. Certainly the contractors used didn't help by deviating from the original plans in several regards, and accusations made against Sustrans and their Modus Operandum deserve investigation. But the track has won the day and the result is something we can be thankful for. Back in the ordinary world, things haven't changed much (no change there, then) Poor John Parlett turned up for his first Sunday ride to find that the usual suspects all had other commitments and he was on his own. So he went shopping with the missus instead. Not the best way to treat new recruits, methinks. Two weeks later, Colin and myself went to Stow Minster, surely one of Lincolnshire's undiscovered gems, then on to Gainsborough and back by the minor roads west of the Trent. Leaving Gainsborough, we were pleasantly surprised to find another cycle track, this one being built alongside the A631 between the Trent bridge and Beckingham. Like our track at Newark, it wasn't quite finished, but it made this busy but useful link a little more bearable. (Yes, I know we could have gone up the towpath to the Trent Wharf road, but that always seems a pointless diversion to me unless you're going to or coming from the A161) The Saturday rides have "discovered" a café at Gunthorpe Locks which they have used a few times now. The proprietor is keen to get more custom from cyclists so has asked us to put in a good word. Nice to see someone recognising us as a group worth attracting. The café is about a quarter of a mile north of Gunthorpe Bridge on the west bank of the Trent. Possibly a bit close to home for some of you but worth a visit if you're in the area. The second weekend of December brought the Newark section Christmas dinner. Nobody reading this will need telling that if there's one thing cyclists like doing almost as much as riding, it's eating and drinking. Whilst it's tempting to suggest that from the turnout we obviously enjoy those things more than cycling, it's actually really nice to get us all together – Saturday and Sunday riders as well as those who for various reasons can't come out regularly, not to mention numerous partners, some of whom we only meet at this annual gathering.
Christmas also brings the Mince Pie Run, and three of Newark section answered last issue's call to diminish the nation's tea reserves, Pete Gifford riding the Audax from Redmile with Colin and myself taking the easier direct route. Unlike last year, when freezing fog made for a really unpleasant day, the weather was reasonably kind to us. The tradition of a boxing day ride was enjoyed by those who went, but disaster of a minor nature struck the following Saturday's ride when icy minor roads caused the riders to push for a mile or so along the grass verge between Cromwell and Muskham. Whilst watching his step on the ground, Brian failed to notice a road sign above and nutted it resulting in a nasty gash on his head and a hospital visit. Fortunately, he recovered very quickly and was soon up for more. In doing so he joins my brother in the select band of cyclists who've injured themselves whilst pushing their bikes. Better keep riding in future, it's obviously safer than walking! Mike Graham Page updated 19/02/03 |
