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Edited independently in our three areas and published quarterly.Please contact your section or the access the club website for information on any events

DA SECRETARYPeter Loakes, Church Cottage, West Stafford, DT2 8AB (01305) 263272BOURNEMOUTH & DISTRICT SECTIONStephen Gray, 3 Wren Close, Christchurch, BH23 4BD (01202) 387071SALISBURY SECTIONAlan Clarke, “Hill House”, Kelsey Road, Salisbury SP1 1JR (01722) 322188WEST DORSET SECTIONMike Durham, 74 Westhill, Wyke Regis, Weymouth DT4 9NE (01305) 770140

Main Calendar Dates For 2006Sunday 12th Mar 50 in 4 Shawn Shaw 01202 685014Sunday 26th Mar 100 in 8 Shawn Shaw 01202 685014Sunday 9th Apr Dorset Coastlet 100km Annemarie Manley 01202 294835Sunday 9th Apr Dorset Coast 200km Annemarie Manley 01202 294835Saturday 29th Apr Cycle Jumble Sale Ken Reed 01305 772654W/E 5th -8th May St Lo Twinning in Wessex Norman Payne 01202 695179Sunday 7th May New Forest 50/Day Out 100km John Ward 01590 671855Sunday 7th May New Forest Excursion 200km John Ward 01590 671855Sunday 21st May Dorset Downs 100km Peter Loakes 01305 263272Sunday 25th Jun Devon and Dorset Downs 300km Peter Loakes 01305 263272Sunday 27th July New Forest 1000km John Ward 01590 671855Sunday 10th Sep New Forest 50 and Coast 100km John Ward 01590 671855Sunday 10th Sep New Forest On & Off Shore 200km John Ward 01590 671855Sunday 17th Sep Dorset Dirt 50km offroad Ken Reed 01305 772654Sunday 24th Sep Dorset Delight 200km Peter Loakes 01305 263272Sunday 8th Oct Gridiron 100km Terry Walsh 01202 247888

ALL WESSEX ACTIVITIES CAN BE FOUND ON: www.wessexctc.org

THE WESSEX NEWSLETTER

1 Cycle Ink #142

Autumn 2006Musing on changes

The AGM of the Bournemouth Section is on the 25th October at Pelhams CommunityCentre and I have already informed the committee that I will not be offering myself asChairman again this year. We usually have a good attendance at the AGM and so I hopethat will be maintained this year and we can vote in a new chairman. Please make everyeffort to attend. Your committee do appreciate your support.

Clubnights are booked at Pelhams for the rest of 2006 but due to lack of interest, thecommittee have decided not to re-book for 2007. The Dawdlers continue to hold theirmeetings on the first Tuesday of each month at Pelhams though, and I’m assured thatother club members will be welcome. The committee held their summer meetingrecently at the Conservative Club in Parr Street, Parkstone as we do not use Pelhams forour August meeting. The room seemed fine for our purposes and we were pleased to beable to use the bar too. Consequently the committee decided that we’d make this ourregular meeting place next year.

When I started riding with the CTC in the mid-70s I remember that the “list” of teaplaces was a jealously guarded thing. Cafes open on a Sunday were so rare. Many placeswe visited were based on tradition, meeting in the front rooms of people whoseconnection with CTC was even by then lost to those of us riding. There were rarely anynew places and the committee often used to bemoan the passing of old ones. What achange to nowadays! I was asked recently by some touring CTC riders from “oop north”for our list of tea places and I had to reply that we didn’t have one, that the County is sostiff with cafes and tea rooms, we’d not be able to keep up with the listings.

Terry Walsh as new organiser of the Gridiron is another change. Everything seems to begoing well and he tells me that he has70 entries as at the end of August which is verygood going. I have sent my entry in and hope to ride it for the first time ever!

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BOURNEMOUTH SECTIONANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

25th OCTOBER 200619:30 Sharpe Room,

Pelhams Community Centre, KinsonCups of Tea Available

WESSEX DAANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

18th NOVEMBER 200611:00 Blandford Forum United Reform

Church, Salisbury StCups of Tea Available

GRIDIRON 100kmStart Boldre Village Hall 10:00

8th OCTOBER 2006Entries from:Terry Walsh, 19 Leydene

Ave, Bournemouth, BH8 9JQDowload from www.wessexctc.org

3 Cycle Ink #142

What’s On ?

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal. There is no

leader and no back up, but generally an experienced cyclist somewherearound. The route is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities.

Start 08:45 at Pioneer Supermarket, Christchurch every Saturday

Or just make your own way to the NewForest Tea Rooms, Burley for 10:00

Blackmore Vale Section RidesCycle Rides arranged by Richard & Margaret Nicholl. All rides meet at the Cafeat 10:00am for coffee and cake, departing at 10:30am. Please note that somerides are on a Saturday and some on a Sunday. Details (01963) 32840

Sun 10th SEP MEET: STOURHEAD, National Trust Cafe LUNCH: Norton St Philip. TEA: RadstockSat 23rd SEP MEET: CASTLE CARY, The Old Bakehouse, High Street LUNCH: Muchelney. TEA: Yeovilton, RNAS, Museum CaféSun 8th OCT The Alternative MEET: GILLINGHAM, Waitrose Supermarket. LUNCH: Wardour CastleSat 21st OCT MEET: MILBORNE PORT, Wheathill Garden Centre LUNCH: PiddletrenthideSun 5th NOV MEET: SHALFORD, Crestmore Garden nr Wincanton racecourse LUNCH: Longleat, Cellar Cafe

Sat 18th NOV MEET: 11:00 Blandford Forum United Reform Church, Salisbury St WESSEX DA AGM. Bring Picnic Lunch. Cups of Tea Available

Sun 3rd DEC MEET: WINCANTON, Morrisons Supermarket LUNCH: Yeovilton, RNAS, Museum CaféSat 16th DEC MEET: MERE, Angel Corner Tea Room LUNCH: ShaftesburySun 31th DEC MEET: WINCANTON, Morrisons Supermarket LUNCH: SherborneSat 13th JAN MEET: EAST STOUR, Udder Farm Shop LUNCH: Sturminster Newton

4 Cycle Ink #142

DORSET COAST 200kmDorset Coast report live coverage, welluntil he hit the Devon hills where he died.RIP at Axminster feeding post, introfunnel fed miraculous recovery when redhot tomato soup hit the windpipe, maybe anew cure-all racing ailment remedy!

New start this year from Wareham Quayby around 200 riders, a mix of 200k and100k, greater towards the shorter journey,I wondered why at the time, experience isa wonderful gift. With everyone strainingat the leash to get to the ferry first, theinevitable road race ensued, try mixing itwith randonee riders who spend theirentire lives in solitude searching for theelusive watering hole and you will justrealise what a hair-raising experience itcan be, and one which is notrecommended if long life is expected.More by luck than judgement all arrive atthe Ferry, totally knackered from thetimetrial dash, and yep the ferry is on theother side!

Even with the sun shining the NE windhas a keen edge, and many a sweat dropturns to icicles on bicycles. After forever,the ferry arrives and the crew getswamped by pirates in lycra taking overthe vessel - serves them right, we'd waitedtoo long! On board a seasoned randoneureyed my bike and through mirthless teethmuttered "You'll be in trouble on the hillswith those gears". Steve Clark hadrecommended an inner ring of no less than53 with an outer for downhills of 104, thismatched to a block of 12-21 seems alogical combination to climb Devon's 1:3and 1:4 hills. Thanks Steve, payback timefor the Kingston hill-climb a couple ofyears back when he achieved levitation

and forward motion with a slight case ofover-gearing.

Andy & Louisa Cooper were in the groupand both were going extremely well, apartfrom the odd pimples in the Purbecks ofWhiteways and Daggers Gate which werenothing to what lay in store. Annemariewho devised the course is definitely offthe Christmas card list for next year.Abbotsbury aroused the odd wobble and atouch of cramp but leaving Bridport on theback lanes for Axminster via Lands Endwas wholly uncalled for, you justslammed into this tarmac wall and it wenton and up and on and up. Cramp was adelight compared to the pain in the rest ofthe body. These lanes never ever never seevehicular traffic and certainly not threewheelers, thick grass and gungeproliferated the road centre. Only whenanother road dissected it's path likerailway points was there a break. Onwardsand upwards, never easy past throughFishpond Bottom and ever-upwards.

Two green lone motorbike riders passedfrom the opposite direction, both wearingoxygen masks, I kid you not, this is thereal high country. And yes Steve,levitation was achieved, not once, but onthree occasions, stomping and pulling onthe pedals until the veins stood out likehosepipes, could not avoid the inevitablecapsize into the hedgerow with the bikestill attached, nice one Steve! Plasticshoeplates have a zerogripping mediumeven though your legs are revolving likethe road runner but still going ever fasterbackwards down from whence you came.At some point in the proceedings amongstas many narrow junctioned lanes we

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became separated and only regrouped atthe Axminster oasis, albeit half ap hourbetween arrivals. Never has food drinkand soup ever tasted that good, it was onlya flat mobile battery that stopped Scottyfrom beaming us up.

A suggestion was made we make a movebut it was totally ignored at least a dozentimes. The unstoppable always takescommand and after only half a mile out ofthe control headed up Sector Lane, a100mph descent but a snot-grovellingclimb on a full stomach, lunch was hadthree times climbing up there, not onecomplaint from Louisa - maybe lack ofbreath. On again cross country headingtowards Spyways Hill, it reducesSpreadEagle to a mere rise and so late inthe ride - we had covered nearly 100 milesby this point. Yes levitation point three, Ican't thank you enough Steve. Regroupingat the summit and checking for frostbite atailwind was a godsend riding to romanridge road, if only all riding was this fast,it was absolutely brilliant, after all thegrovelling to be going this quick was likeengaging warp drive. It couldn't last, oh

no, then my world went flat, the othersdisappeared like bullets, but a quick fixfrom a can and I was all was up andgalloping again and off in hot pursuit.Modern technology is a wonderfulcreation but it doesn't fill big holes andthings were going down again. A footpump, 3 or 4 miles, pump etc etc.

Dorchester came and went and nearClouds Hill we met up with Sue, Andre,Lauren, John Marriner, Cheryl and Eddyand company, and where they found theenergy to produce those speeds, if wedon't win the EDCA this year we neverwill. Wareham Leisure Centre was host tothe finish and many a body was drapedover crossbars or handlebars, muttering"Never again, never again" but we shallsee. Pain evaporates with time and nextyear is a very long way away. Nice oneAnnemarie, great event, thanks for that. Ican just about stand unaided two days later- see you next year.

NIGEL SCOTT IS BACK!!

Nigel Scott is now "Continental Components", 105 Wimborne Road West(just west of the Canford Bottom roundabout going towards Wimborne, inlittle parade of shops behind the hairdressers).

Telephone number 01202 639392, e-mail: retro33uk@yahoo.co.uk.

He is mainly dealing in bikes made between 1950s to 1990s but willmaintain/repair any make of bike. He looks forward to meeting up with oldfriends.

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On a Sunday in August it is probably bestto escape from the centre of Bournemouthbefore 9.00 a.m. if wanting to get out bybike. But after a late night of Fajitas andchilled Rosé we barely managed to risebefore 9. Added to that, friends Colin andDagmar had donated one of their oldmountain bikes (having themselves justinvested in Thorn Rohlhoffs) to Nigel soas we were ready to leave he set aboutadjusting saddle height and changingpedals.

It was 10.30 and we were finally ready butmountain bikes or not I know ways ofgetting out of Bournemouth withouthaving to mix with the traffic – it justtakes longer so if I’m in a hurry I stick tothe roads. So from Silchester Close itsstraight into Meyrick Park and down thehill to join the cycle path – rememberingto check there are no cyclists with whichto collide. A short hop on the road by theTown Hall then into the Gardens on theBourne Valley Cycle Route. Thereweren’t many pedestrians using this

shared path so we had a good run through– following what started out with goodsigns to the bitter end – where theydisappeared! (Pete De Lieu has since toldme they are on small posts). I took a guesson the way out – up a one-in-two slope,which gave the boys a small challenge. Itook to my 24 inch gear (two feet that is).

A short stretch on some quiet back roads(bollards across the road under the railwaybridge tend to help!) and we were back onthe heathland, somewhere between TalbotHeath and Bourne Valley but don’t ask mewhere. Down the road to pick up a paththen brought us out at Sainsbury AlderHills and across the road to more trackswhich would take us along past whereFrank Moorhouse used to live and outnear the Mountbatten Arms. There aresome interesting “gaps” to negotiate onthis section. I think the idea is that youwalk through the gap and your bike passesunder a barrier. Fine if you are some 10cmshorter than me! Luckily handlebars domove and we didn’t have panniers so we

BOURNEMOUTH OFF-ROAD

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could get through the gaps – whilst still onthe bike if your name is Colin or Nigel.Going up the path to MountbattenRoundabout Dagmar commented that itwas a fantastic route as the roads must bemurder round here. We know she is right.

From here we got onto Canford Heathtaking the Golf Course road and then weenjoyed a great section of off roadeventually bringing us out inArrowsmith Lane. Down to CanfordSchool we took a look at the path andmet a friendly chap who said it wasfine to cycle – on what authority hesaid this I know not but it was goodenough for us. And what a fantasticalternative to the road via Merley itwas. On the map it is marked as a longdistance route (Stour Valley Way) sowe were not sure if this would class asa bridleway or not. We stopped underthe gothic Lady of Wimborne Bridgewhich I didn’t even know existed. Thesign indicated a viewpoint above sowe ran up onto the bridge but couldn’tquite work out what view they werereferring to. At the end of the track wethought we had to negotiate a ratherinteresting turnstile gate but thenColin spotted a nice cycle friendly exitto the right – no barrier at all.

Across the road we weaved our waythrough some quite residential roads andpicked up the Stour Valley Way along theriver, walking bits of this as I don’t thinkwe should have been cycling. We soonwere on the track which leads to LambsGreen. I realised here we could havepicked up this track earlier rather thanwalking a bit of the path but it didn’tmatter. Bringing us out at the Lake Gatesroundabout we wanted to continue across

the fields towards Sturminster Marshall(to find the ice cream Margaret Philpotthad recommended to us about the daybefore) but it didn’t look great cyclingstuff so we headed into Wimborne. Herewas decision time. We had thought aboutgetting to Cranborne for lunch, there beingthe choice of Garden Centre or pub there,but at least 3 of us were now feeling a bit

peckish so we thought the best option wasto find a pub soon. I thought a while thendecided upon the Stocks Inn – and what agood choice that was. I couldn’t quiteremember whether they had become toomuch of an up-market dining pub but theyhaven’t. They have a good well-pricedmenu, good beer and a highlyrecommended pudding club - three full

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size traditional puddings for just £6 –plenty for 4 cyclists who have alreadyeaten too much; and the pub were quitehappy to bring 4 plates and spoons.

Whilst in the pub Colin was busy plottingthe route home – in a north westerlydirection! Again we went places I havenever been to despite living here for 12years now. I always thought Barnsley wasup Huddersfield direction. We seemed tostay on tracks for ages – one of them withlots of stinging nettles – but eventuallyemerged somewhere near Witchamptonthat looked vaguely familiar. I was nothowever impressed however when wecontinued north west towards LongCrichel but before long we were headingeast and I could see the Horton Inn in thedistance. Across the boring road toWimborne into Gaunts Common, up aroad I’m not sure I’ve used before, weagain took to tracks and found ourselvespassing the Horton Tower (or ‘ortonTowers as it is now known to us!). Quitean impressive building I have only everseen from the Horton Road before.

Past the tower we went into woodland andalthough a bit of a corrugated feel aboutthe ground a great track through comingout somewhere near Horton Heath on theThree Legged Cross to Horton road whichI recognised. But we weren’t supposed tobe here. Along the road a bit Colin took usback into the woods only to do a big circleand end up back on the track we had left ashort while ago. At least now we couldretrace and take the correct turning off.This brought us out in the lanes Irecognise from some of the Jubilee timetrials near Mannington and Horton Heathand from here we could head across toUddens, taking in just one more bridleway

before crossing the A31 – eventually!Turning off Ham Lane before Haskins wewere able to take a bridleway whichbrought us out in Longham so only a shortstretch over the river and into MilhamsLane.

From Kinson I’ve not explored very much– usually I’m in a hurry to get to acommittee meeting so we took the road upto Columbia Road and round to nearwhere Jean Trill lives (must remember toexplore a quiet alternative to KinsonRoad). We then explored the allotmentsbecause I thought the track I was lookingfor was at the other side, much to thedisgust of one of the ladies working there.I made a comment about having taken awrong turn and we exited from whence wecame and found the track I wanted a bitfurther round. From here it was up intoTalbot Woods and we emerged, perhapsmore by luck than judgment, near theUniversity Roundabout. Taking quiteroads down towards Meyrick Park it wasone last steep ascent from the RailwayBridge into the park and along the tracktaking us back to St Valerie Road andhome, to finish off the Fajitas.

We all agreed it was a grand day out.Including the lunch stop we were out forabout 7 hours covering only around 70kmbut it was a most enjoyable way to explorethe local area, avoid the crowds and avoidusing the car.

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MIKE LOCKE

Mike was involved in anaccident on 30th June. Asyou can see, he’s joined the“clavical deprived people”Five of them now in theclub.

Mike in has garden after hewatered his allotment! Heis fine, bruised & batteredbut in great spirits.

Best wishes for a goodrecovery!

Mike would like to express his appreciation for the many cards and Best Wishes he hasreceived following his accident a couple of months ago. While no bones were broken thedamage to muscles and ligaments is taking some time to heal and he has only reachedthe stage of riding his 1950’s Raleigh for a short distance. Drop handlebars seem to beout at the moment. It is really a question of time but he hopes to be out again in the nottoo distant future.

MIKE REPLIES . . .

Saracen 19" Red Mixte 531 tubing - 10 speed, 700c Wheels, Drop Bars.Complete with: Mudguards, Pannier carrier, Saddlebag and pump.£50 - Good condition but not used for many years.

Contact Alan on 01202 697157

Classic Claude Butler Majestic 24.5” Red with gold lugwork, 531tubing.Mavic 3CD rims and Deor cassette hubs, 21 speed Shimano, cantileverbrakes, pannier carrier, mudguards, bottle cages, pump and computer.Reluctant sale.Excellent condition throughout £95 ono.Contact Rob Garnett 01202 690543

FOR SALE

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France has always been an attractivecountry for cyclists of all capabilities andjust as this country has seen a growth inmarked and mapped cycle routes ,so hasFrance.

One route which should be attractive formany is the “Loire à Vélo” trail. This runsthrough the Loire Valley a large part of

which is listed as World Heritage byUNESCO. The trail crosses two regions,the western Loire and the Loire Valleyitself. Towns and Departments have beenand are involved in a project which isslowly coming together section by section.As from 2005 it has been possible to cyclethe 150km stretch between Tours andAngers. Eventually the 800km long trailwill stretch from Cuffy in the eastern partof the Loire Valley region to StBrévins-les-Pins on the Atlanticcoast.Finally the route will be part of the

2400km trans Europe riverside trail fromNantes to Budapest although needless tosay the date for total completion of this isuncertain.. Along the route the car freecycle trail links up with quiet back roadswith little traffic. This means that there iseasy access to all the important touristsites on the way. The trail is also wellmarked.

For those wholike only athrash up theVentoux thisarea may notbe for thembut cycling isalso anattractive wayof tourism andthe Loire areais ,and alwayshas been,popular withUK touristsand for thosepeople theValley of theKings still has

much to offer.

As regards obtaining details of the traillocal Tourist Offices can supply theCarnet of the route and individual sectionmaps giving more detail. The principaloffices would be those situated at sayChinon, Tours and Saumur. These leafletsgive details also of accommodation, bikeshops etc. The Tourist Offices speakEnglish and are happy to book ongoingaccommodation.

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE

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Staying at Chinon for a few days thissummer my wife and I used the smallsection from Chinon on the Vienne toCandes St Martin at the confluence of theVienne and the Loire. The route wascertainly peaceful ,well marked and all ontarmac avoiding cleverly some busy roadjunctions by means of cloverleaf typeunderpasses. The Carnet I have alsoindicates that much of the trail fromAngers to Ancenis further west ismarked/completed and no doubt 2007 willbe better again. Over and above the mainroute there are often local cycle rides inthe surrounding areas such asAzay-le-Rideau on the Indres. Here threeroutes are leafleted, one of 34km, one of

45km, and one of 55km any of whichcould be incorporated into a holiday inthis area of France.

With such a wide range of routes. so manysites to see ( although to be frank you cansee too many Chateaux ) no lack ofstop-offs and good accommodation, theregion is worth a look. It is also not so farto travel and quite possible to cycle therefrom the ferry ports. The CTC itself does aholiday there, based in Loches, for thosenot wanting to do any organisingthemselves.

Bournemouth & Poole Councils are currently consulting cycling organisations toascertain what could be included in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Please contact Pete Du Lieu on pedpet75@yahoo.com or by phone (01202)745472 or9 Shillito Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 2BN if you can suggest: 1. Any routes cyclists use which are not designated as a ‘right of way’ and 2. Any links required between existing designated cycle routes – the link must not be on a highway 3. Any off highway designated cycle routes (including bridleways) which need to be/can be improved.

Time is short now, so answers to Pete right away please.

NOW, is there anyone out there who is willing to be the CTC representative to PooleCouncil? Meetings are held at St John's House, Serpentine Road (near Rail Station) threeof four times a year at most, usually starting at 9:00am. You will be invited to commenton Highway Improvements and general provision for cyclists. There are four others whoare regular cyclists comprising the Cyclists Liaison Advisory Group: the longest serving isfrom Poole Agenda 21, the others from Poole Wheelers, DCN and Sustrans. I amgrandfather to all of them and now a non-cyclist. Poole is VERY receptive to commentsmade on behalf of cyclists. It does not take a lot of time but it needs someone whoregularly commutes in the area who can speak with knowledge and conviction. I'm pastmy sell by date. The others are doing a grand job and don't really need me BUT - SallyFunnell, the cycling Officer thinks that CTC adds credence appreciated by the Councillorswho make the decisions.

R.O.W.I.P. - Important

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"The sky is turquoise, the sea is blue, themountains as emerald …….. The sun shinesall day and the people are dressed as in thesummertime because it is hot". FredericChopin, 1838.

Majorca. The Sunshine Isle. Well, it wasn'tquite as warm as Chopin described it, beingcool, wet and windy for the first few days butafter that the sun did shine although itremained somewhat windy throughout thefirst week. Sixteen of us embarked fromSutton Coldfield, very early on a coach toStansted Airport. After some confusion byAir Berlin and a delay of two or three hourswe finally took off for Palma and wereimmediately transferred by Majorca AirportTransfers to Porta Pollensa at the North ofthe Island.Here we were greeted warmly by 16Bournemouth cyclists. I think they werewondering what the brummies were going tobe like but these "worries" were soondispersed because we are such a fantasticfriendly group and very good at mingling!!!

After dinner a short debriefing was heldwhere routes were discussed and who wereto be leaders etc. The first days ride was at aneasy pace and we all cycled together as agroup, which was a marvellous way tointroduce the "first timers" to the area. (Sixof our group had been with theBournemouth group before). Rides duringthe week were split into two levels, fast paceand slow pace but most of the time thedestinations for coffee and lunch were thesame.

I can't talk about each daily ride for obviousreasons but would like to give a generalimpression of the wonderful time we had.All rides were so memorable because

Majorca has it all regards cycling, withmountains, lanes, hills and coast - simplybrilliant for cyclists. It was a joy and a thrillto see hundreds of cyclists, professionalsand those just enjoying a cycling holidaylike us. Waves upon waves of themsweeping up and down the mountains andthrough the country lanes. All young, fit andlean (well most of them).

The Island is made for cycling with mostmain roads having a cycling lane and the cardrivers soooo courteous. Perfection. Theride to Cap de Formentor was superb.Climbing the hairpin bends to the top andplunging down to the beach for coffee beforegoing on to Cap de Formentor, was thrilling,not to mention the film crew filming theirversion of Pop Idol and blocking the road.As a compensation the offered some cyclistsiced water to drink.

Some of us got covered in mud and slag onour return from Muro when it began to rainquite heavily as we passed an industrialcomplex. This took some time to wash ofour clothes not to mention the bikes. Someof the rides took us through delightful tracksand trails, which meander through thevalleys and were often difficult to find.However the Bournemouth experts wereusually able to find the way. Nobody knowsthis except John my husband, but on one ofthese tracks I fell in a ditch but scrambled upand went on my way, feeling a bit of achump!!

Many of our fit riders climbed up to the LlucMonastry-six miles up and six miles down.Val said it was the best thing she did,hurtling down the decent at 32 mph with ahowling gale behind her knowing that it wasreally down hill all the way!! Whoooopeee!

THE POTTERERS IN MAJORCA

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The easy ride took us to the Cala SanVicente, where we had lunch by a lovelybeach overlooking one of the three bays. Wealso had an interesting visit to Alcudia townwith its Roman Amphitheatre and ancientcity wall which we walked and thatafternoon Val Chris and I walked a goodway through the Bocquer Valley which isfamous for its birdlife and plants - wildrosemary every where. Did we see BillOddie? Maybe.

For our second week at Cala Millor wetransferred to the east coast on Saturday andsome elected to travel on the transfer coachwith the luggage, which on our arrival weunloaded and carried up to the ridersbedrooms, for which everyone was verygrateful. The riders rode the 50 miles to CalaMillor, a ride which I shall remember assimply marvellous. Not only for the sceneryand the unspoilt towns, but the steady paceset by the leader Kenneth, fromBournemouth. The pace kept us very relaxedand all together. Petra for lunch wasparticularly attractive - especially the squarewhich has it's own particular atmospherewith hundreds of cyclists gathering there fora well earned break, basking in the mid daysunshine and we arrived at Cala Millor latein the afternoon.

Our Hotel Said is popular with the Germansand we were probably the only Englishstaying there. It was a very good hotel with awide choice of food, sauna, gym and indoorswimming pool and lots of fat Germans.

The rides on the east coast where just asenjoyable. The terrain is undulating with alovely coastline and plenty of scope formany interesting rides. Memorable were theones to Arta, San Llorenca de Cardassar,Colonia de Sant Pere and Son Mascaro (aparticularly hard ride with a long decent andclimb backafterwards, but we were rewarded with some

magnificent views).

The slower rides were lead by Rob (late ofthe Northern in the 1950's) who took us fromthe Arta coffee stop on a most beautiful ridethrough a conservation area. We climbed upand over the hills into a very peaceful areawhere we didn't see any sign of civilisationfor many miles - the real Majorca! Thedecent was great, about three miles long andinto San Llorenca de Cardassa for tea. Thisride was also repeated on the last day withBrian. It was lovely to do it again but notbefore we visited the ancient megalithicsettlement of Ses Paisses - about 3000yearsold, south of Arta..

Another memorable ride, led by Chris andVal took us to Capdepera for coffee and Artathrough some lovely lanes where we spotteda wild orchid (was it the rare bee orchid?).We lunched on the beach near Font de sa CalProvencal after which we moved onto theCoves d' Art and crossed a narrow riverbridge to Canyamel seeing many wild fowlon the way. Then past an ancient castle afterwhich we climbed the steep cyclist path toavoid the road tunnel.

Another great day as the holiday wasdrawing to its close.

Everyone was so impressed with our joinventure that we discussed another visit toMajorca next year and I am pleased to say allthe arrangements and bookings are now inplace to meet up with our Bournemouthfriends again for a similar holiday at PortaPollensa and Cal d' Or. We are reallylooking forward to March 2007.

14 Cycle Ink #142

We are now at the end of August and I have been looking back at the recentattendance record of the original Potterers and the new Alternatives Thursday ridesand feel we are generally achieving the object of the exercise. Like many of ourgroups the Thursday Potterers has grown from strength to strength over recent yearsand the numbers out on the runs and at the coffee stops had become very difficultto manage. With often 20 plus we posed a hazard to ourselves and other road users.

The two groups who have attracted approximately even numbers, start from differentlocations and ride to different coffee and lunch venues. The rides are similar, but theAlternatives pace is usually a bit slower and the distance shorter. Unfortunately theclosure of the Avon Causeway Bridge has caused difficulties for both sections, as theHurn Stores meet has become impractical and we now start those rides at coffee eg.Bashley or Hyde Garden Centres, and this is not very popular. The October toDecember runs list is still using the same coffee stop meet format, as at early August,when the runs list was compiled we hadn't been able to access the full implications ofthe problem. However we will be looking more closely at the New Years runs list andwould welcome your suggestions.

For the first few rides it was apparent that the Alternative ride was attracting mainlyWimborne area riders, which wasn't the intention, but more recently it has been niceto see more riders from the east side of town. The attendance suggests that if theAlternative section had not been formed we would have averaged 22 people forcoffee and 16 people for lunch. Which I consider is too many for the leader tomanage safely and poses difficulties for the people providing coffee and teas.Currently we are also at the time of the year when many riders are on holiday orvisiting family or friends.

It is still early days and winter riding with the shorter days and inclement weather maychange the picture, but we have always had a good base who brave even the worstweather conditions and will review the Potterer's/Alternative picture again beforethe end of the year.

THE NEW ALTERNATIVES

CYCLISTS YOGA DAY11th November 2006

Memorial Hall Wimborne

Contact: Jill Silver 01202 886971 or Barbara Prince 07759 443751

15 Cycle Ink #142

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16 Cycle Ink #142

Editor:

The committee meeting date is the deadline for Newsletter contributions. Editorialpolicy is to print all contributions, with minimal editing for the purposes of layoutonly. Contribute by email, disk, CD-ROM, typed or handwritten. Photographs arenow welcome in any form. We can scan them and they will be returned safely.

Keith Matthews: 7 Cotes Avenue, Poole, BH14 0ND TEL: (01202) 740388 Email keithjanet@btinternet.com

http://www.wessexctc.org

“CycleInk” is the Newsletter of the Bournemouth & District Section, Wessex District Association of theCyclists’ Touring Club. Published four times a year for members. Views expressed are not necessarily those

of the club.

CTC, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JXhttp://www.ctc.org.uk

Contributions and Photographs

Date of next Meetings

Bournemouth Section AGM in the Sharpe Room, Pelhams Community CentreWednesday 25th October 2006 at 19:00 for 19:30

Committee meeting in the Sharpe Room, Pelhams Community CentreWednesday 22nd November 2006 at 18:30

Committee meetings for 2007 at the Conservative Club, Parr Street, Parkstone.Wednesdays 21st Feb; 23rd May; 22nd Aug; 24th Oct (AGM); 21st Nov

The CYCLE Show - 6th-8th Oct at ExCel LondonCTC Members can get a special advanced discounted ticket price of £8. Be sure to

book with CTC HQ. TEL: 0870 873 0060www.cycleshow.co.uk

For details and venue.