Newark CTC - Notes

A rather sad story that I've picked up in a couple of places now is the increase in the use of bikes by commuters in London after the recent bombings there. Much as I welcome anything that gets cycling a higher profile, I can't help thinking it's a pity that it takes such tragic events to get people onto two wheels. And, for those who haven't seen the story, in this case it's not even getting people out of their cars; the new riders have come from public transport. The point has also been made that these new and mostly inexperienced riders stand a much higher chance of being wiped out by the capital's traffic than by a suicide bomber. Shades of stories we've all seen about people risking their necks crossing busy roads rather than use the subway for fear of the statistically much lower risk of getting mugged or worse, I suppose.

My own recent experience of London traffic was on my return from a week's riding in Dorset with Nick Green and Adrian Turner, formerly of this parish but now in exile in Suffolk and Essex (no jokes please) respectively. I'd plenty of time for my transfer between Waterloo and Kings Cross stations, and even took time to stroll along the Thames Path, too full of Saturday afternoon pedestrians to ride, even if it was permitted. Once back on the road, the traffic was obviously light and with some decent signposting the short ride was a doddle. Though having cut my born-again-cycling teeth in Redditch new town and Birmingham during the eighties, I've never been particularly worried by town traffic, and I knew it'd have been totally different at 8.30 on a weekday morning.

The holiday that had preceded it was a real pleasure. For once we'd picked the right week weather-wise (Being an advocate of travelling light, I was gutted that I'd dragged my waterproofs around all week and not used them...) and with, er, slightly more challenging terrain than we find around Newark some excellent riding was had. Not to mention good food and good company.

Back closer to home, one feature of July in recent years had been Newark Cycle Week, in which radical cyclists attempted to convert the general public to the joys of recreational cycling. This year, everybody had decided that the idea had run its course, so it was down to the usual rides, and mostly the usual faces, in the Rural Rides programme. The first two came in time for last issue's exciting instalment, and a third ride from Newark took place the week before my trip to the sun. Originally plotted by Pete Robinson, other commitments meant that he had to drop out and as co-leader, I took the group to the Bubble Car Museum at Byards Leap (those of you who've been paying attention will recall that we went there to suss the place out last October,... oh, whatever...)

The day after my return from Dorset, I was out again with Colin for the Sunday ride, and we decided to go off-road into Clipstone Forest. Neither of us was carrying the proper maps for the job so we headed in the right general directions and eventually ended up where we wanted - the visitor centre café - after a minor encounter with some off-road motorcyclists, whose behaviour was marginally more intimidating than that of the London traffic I'd encountered the previous day. I understand that this is quite a problem there, much as it is here in Newark where a small group of antisocial prats takes it upon itself to spoil everybody else's enjoyment of the old railway line. Oh well, I suppose it's better than letting the poor little souls loose on the roads where they might get scratched by the bumper of one of Eddie Stobart's finest as they play chicken in front of it.

Off your high-horse, I hear you saying.... Another rural ride took place a week later, when ex-railwayman Brian led a ride along the Sustrans paths, both former railways, of course, in and out of Lincoln. A bit of railway history was imparted to us from one who'd actually driven trains along the lines in his career. Unfortunately, the rain came over and marred the return leg, but everyone had a good time none the less.

Two weeks later, an idea born on the trip to Dorset came to fruition. Most of you know that Badby YHA will have closed by the time you read this. In fact, I'd thought it had closed earlier this year, but Nick had established that it was still open, so we arranged for a final visit two weeks before it closed its doors for good (the property already has the 'Sold' sign up, so there's no chance of a reprieve). Colin, Brian and myself travelled down from Newark, with Nick driving up from Haverhill, on Friday night. That meant we had all day Saturday, and a winding route took in various parts of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, before a flying visit to Stratford-on-Avon and a return to base. Coming back, we crossed another bridge over the Oxford Canal, to find the very same narrow-boat going under it that we'd seen going through the locks a Stockton earlier that day. A quick check of the map revealed that they'd done about six miles in the time we'd covered forty. And they say cycling is leisurely!

The final Newark CTC rural ride of the year took place the next week, when Pete took a small group to Whisby Nature World. A venue the Saturday ride frequently visit to take advantage of it's excellent café, he'd hoped that a shorter ride might encourage Joe Public out. Well, we did get one new face, but apart from that it was business as usual. Oh well, back to the same old moans....

Mike Graham

Page updated 21/08/05

Cyclists Touring Club Newark On Trent Section

NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
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