Cyclists Touring Club
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NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

November 2005

The combines are out again...

The longest day was well past and those harbingers of autumn, the combined harvesters, had been plying their trade in the fields for several weeks. Down at the pub one Friday night, somebody suggested that it was time we paid a visit to Brandy Wharf while the weather was still warm. Well, we usually send a representative or two to the wassailing in January, but this is really a summer destination. As luck would have it, the next Sunday dawned with summer weather, so a grand total of three of us headed north for an annual treat of fermented apple juice. Of course, we had to ride back in a sober and responsible manner, so our imbibement was restricted, but it was an enjoyable ride none the less.

I'd tried to get some interest in a hostelling weekend for the Bank holiday the following week, but everybody seemed to be doing their own thing, and the YHA's current booking policy would probably have meant no room at the inn. So it was off on my own for me, too.

A week later we reinstated what was once a landmark in our calendar, the memorial ride. The format was slightly changed this time, we did it without sponsorship and in memory of Tony Marriott as well as Bill Anderson. Ray Clarke worked out a route down the Vale of Belvoir, as is traditional for this ride, and a good time was had by all those who showed up, some of whom had never known Bill. The only downer was that it clashed with the DA's Sid Standard ride, so we had to miss that. Perhaps next year...

Nothing to do with section activities, but emerging from the local Woolies', I found my bike lock had jammed shut, and no amount of persuasion would open it. Serves me right for being stingy with the WD40 do I hear you say? So I walked across to Homebase, returned with a 99p hacksaw, and proceeded to cut through the lock. I'm not sure what was worse; that it took less than 5 minutes to do the deed, or that nobody made any attempt to ask what I was doing hacksawing through my lock. Perhaps this is now considered an everyday event in Newark. Either way, it underlines that these inexpensive cable locks are no more than a deterrent to opportunists.

Perhaps by way of compensation for missing out on a bank holiday run, three of us joined others from the DA on the ride to Woody's top. For Brian and myself, it was the third year on the trot we'd been to that hostel, but it's always an excellent chill-out destination, miles from anywhere (including the nearest pub unfortunately) as it is. Pity the weather on the Friday was a bit damp, but Saturday's trip to the coast in the sun made up for it.

More longer runs this autumn included Epworth and Finningley, both northabouts. At the end of October, another plot that had been hatching almost came to fruition, with a repeat of what appears to be becoming another annual event; a weekend at Skegness. Well, somebody's got to go there. But once again, pessimistic weather forecasts and other commitments meant that it didn't happen.

Yet....watch this space!

Mike Graham

Page updated 02/11/05