Contents:

Selected items transcribed from the original printed copy:

WEST SURREY DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OFFICERS  1996-97

Note from the previous Editor

Advertising is always useful as it helps with funding the print costs of the magazine so if you can help please do.

Thank you

David Nightingale

New Editor

Hello readers - most of you probably do not know me.  I hope that I will have the pleasure of meeting some of you in the near future.

This is my first issue and I must confess to feeling a bit nervous, especially as you may have noticed that the magazine has gone up in price to 50p.  I assure you that I will do my best (with your support) to make sure you get value for money.

I hope everyone has a go at the new competition.  In this issue the prize is a new drink bottle and cage worth £7.50.  There will be a different prize for each mag issue.

Also, every letter to the Editor that is inserted into the mag goes into another draw for an inner tube (size of your choice).

Take a note of the Calendar of Events for 1997 on page   .  Those having a crack at the Benstead Cup this year can plan ahead.

Please let me know what all you cyclists are doing out there.  I want letters, articles, anything to do with cycling or the club.  Feel free to phone or write to me with feedback (compliments or criticism).  Submissions for the magazine do not have to be typewritten - pen and paper will do.

I look forward to your support.

Happy New Year and Happy Cycling to you all.

Peter Norris

OBITUARY - ROY RICHARDSON

We were both called upon in 1939 and put our cycles to one side in favour of the RAF for the years of conflict.

Our paths did not come together again until 1960's when we met and discovered a common interest in cycle touring, especially in France.  His many postcards sent to me over the years are a record of his tours which he undertook usually on his own, as recently as September last he was in The Pyrenees and we thought he would go on forever, alas this was not to be, his presence will be missed on our future outings.

We remember Roy as one of the DA's most regular riders.  Always out on a Sunday and Wednesday either with a group or marshalling an event.  He was a helpful and caring fellow cyclist, often making sure slower folk were aware of the direction taken by the main group.  He was vice-president of the DA these last years.

I rode with Roy during some of our racing years as fellow members of the Farnham Road Club during the 50's and 60's.

Roy - the quiet cyclist.  He has left us in the same way that he did everything - quietly and without fuss.

We could equally call him the unknown cyclist for we knew little about him.  We do know that he had firm opinions (which he was reluctant to express), a lovely smile and for a self confessed atheist he was a most Christian person.  His courage was tremendous.  Who else in the late stage of terminal illness would have taken his bike to the Alps - and ridden it?

We shall miss him on Wednesdays especially and remember him on the other days for a long time.

WEST SURREY DISTRICT ASSOCIATION

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 1997

1995-96 Attendance Competition - Riders scoring 10 or more points

Benstead Cup Result 1996

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAG

Send 4 SAE's (A5 size) and a cheque for £2 (made payable to the West Surrey CTC) to:  The ED, West Surrey Cyclist, c/o 13 Heathcote Road, Ash, Aldershot  Hants  GU12 5BH

DID YOU KNOW .....

The Clockhouse Tea Rooms at Abinger Hammer

It is a memorial to Thomas Henry Farret of Abinger Hall and was designed by Conor O'Brien.  The clock maker was Messrs Smiths of Derby.

The teak figure of the blacksmith was carved by a firm in Burton-on-Trent.  The rest of the timber was worked in the village.

The site was a forge for at least 150 years.  For 200 years the River Tillingbourne was used to power mechanical metal working hammers from which the settlement takes its name.  At one time the village was known for making cannon balls.

It is said that in those days when the mechanical hammers were in action, that the whole valley used to ring.

MID WEEK WAYFARERS ATTENDANCE 96

59 different members attended last year.
Dec 6 had the lowest attendance of 3 and Dec 20 had the largest of 28.  Average attendance was 17.

There were 8 train assisted rides.

George Alesbury and Harry Statham won the George Alesbury tankard.

CYCLE SECURITY

There are some basic deterrents towards cycle theft:

• Always lock your bike no matter how short the time you plan to leave it, no matter how public the place.

 
• Lock the bike frame and rear wheel to something fixed, if your front wheel has an unprotected quick release, remove it and lock it together with the frame and rear wheel.

 
• If possible lock up in a public place in full view.

 
• Postcode your bike.

 
• Identify and record your cycle's frame number.  These are usually 8-10 digits and can be found under the bottom bracket, on the rear drop-outs, on the seat stay bridge or behind the seat tube.

 
• At night lock up in a well lit area

Another simply came into the shop and asked for a test ride on a £1200 dual suspension mountain bike.  He got a ride alright, a very long one.  He wasn't seen again until he was caught six months later.  He obtained a clever lawyer and got off lightly.

There are hundreds of stolen bikes out there.  If you are ever looking to buy a second hand cycle, always make sure that it has a frame number.  Check that it has not been filed off and painted over.  If you see an expensive bike going for a song with a slap-on paint job, think twice before you buy.

Many cycles that are recovered by the police never get returned to their rightful owners because the owners are not able to identify their bike.  They had not recorded the frame number.

Many cycle shops will postcode your bike for you - some do it for free, some charge a small amount.  It is worthwhile having it done.

CYCLE LOCKS

CITADEL ARMADILLO

A neat cable type lock made of hardened carbon steel flexible core, making it versatile and more controllable than a steel braided coil lock.  When it is released there is not that action of cable flapping wildly around as you unlace it from the bike.

A smooth black vinyl cover over the core protects paint work.  The locking action is easy and positive, with a hardened steel cylinder lock.  Spare keys can be obtained from Madison for £2.50, provided you have the key number.

It comes with a carrying bracket which is easy to fit and use.  In an elongated shape the inside clearance is about 29.0cm x 10.0 cm.

SQUIRE PATRIOT SHACKLE LOCK

Said by many to be one of the best cycle locks available.  Its main features are:  anti attack resistance, hardened steel body, 4 pin tumbler lock with hardened steel anti-drill key entry plate, anti bolt cropping strength claiming to have over 6 tonnes resistance.

Squire proudly guarantee their lock for 10 years.  It comes with an easy to use and fit carrying bracket.

If you lose the keys then you're in trouble.  There are over 1000 key combinations.  The sample lock I have has no key numbers so a new lock may have to be purchased.  A good quality lock with black vinyl finish.

FREEWAY SHACKLE LOCK

Similar design as a Squire lock only not as good a quality.  It has a barrel lock which some say are easier to breach than tumbler locks.

Replacement keys are available for £1.95 + vat and P&P.  It comes with carrying bracket and has a black vinyl finish.  Inside clearance is 27.5 x 11cm.

There is a right angle carrying bracket available which is necessary if fitting the lock to a ladies step through frame.  This enables the shackle to rest against the seat stay and not cause obstacle to the step through action when mounting.

When this lock is mounted in its bracket on the bike for carrying, it tends to rattle due to very sloppy fit where the shackle rods insert into the lock body.  This can be annoying.

HI GEAR SYSTEM U LOCK

Yet another shackle lock only more compact than those already covered.  It resists cutting by saws or bolt cutters, has a black vinyl finish and its inside clearance is 23.5 x 4.25cm.  The shackle rod thickness is only 2/3 of the Squire or Freeway and of course the inside clearance is less than half, making the lock quite compact.

The Tumbler lock has anonymous keys (no numbers).  The locking operation is positive enough and it comes with a carrying bracket.

At the price, not a bad buy.

MADISON STICK LOCK

An interesting design.  The same shape and size as a bike pump when it is folded.  When unfolded and locked it forms a triangle.

It is carried on the frame using 2 velcro closing brackets supplied.  I have found that it was difficult to stop the lock from twisting around or moving about on the frame tube.  One has to ensure that the velcro straps on the mounting brackets are pulled taut, but even then the brackets tend to move on the frame.

I am not convinced of the strength of this lock, as mine actually broke at one of the folding joints.  As far as I know it was not exposed to any abnormal strain.  The rivet pin just broke at the joint, which of course rendered the lock useless.

The keys are numbered but the packaging does not state that replacement keys are available.

A security sticker is supplied with the lock reading - 'Stop, this bike is protected by the Stick Lock anti theft locking device'.  I guess every little helps.

EMMELLE CABLE LOCK WITH CLAMP

This lock is designed to stay attached to your bike when not in use.  The holding bracket clamps onto the frame, normally the seat tube or seat post.  The cable is spring coiled, so when not in use it sits reasonably compact in a neat bundle.  If so desired the lock can be removed from the holding bracket.  The cable is covered in vinyl.  There is a choice of colours.  A very versatile lock.

P. N.

Woking Wayfarers had an enjoyable Christmas luncheon on Wednesday 11th December.  It started with a ride from Chobham to Savill Gardens for coffee then on to lunch at The Surrey Cricketers in Windlesham.  27 bods attended.

This is approx. 42 miles which I did non-stop in about 3 hours 42 mins going and 3 hours 17mins return.

Coming soon an alternative route back + tea-rooms, pubs, B&B's and places of interest for cycling in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.

by David Nightingale

email: website:

106227.2440@compuserve.com http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/DLNOnline

CYCLE TOUR ACROSS THE ISLAND OF JAVA, INDONESIA

NOV 6th 1991

The route we took was not a planned one, we just followed our noses and sure enough ended up in a chronic traffic jam on a main road into the city.  The traffic crawled along while we zipped up the sides along with the motor cycles.  The air was heavy with fumes and the honking horns were deafening.  Arriving at a chaotic intersection we turned off onto a quieter main road.  It was dark by then.  We stopped at a Fuji film shop to ask directions to the nearest hotel.  Mossies were out in force, thousands of them and they were hungry little blighters.  Tonight we stay at an expensive hotel (by Indonesian standards) in the heart of Jakarta's china town.  70600 (about £20.00) it cost us for a standard room.

NOV 7th

We browsed around one large shopping complex, were impressed with how cheap the local crafts were.  Clever wooden ornaments and puppets were on display in abundance.

Food in the supermarkets wasn't particularly cheap.  Food out on the streets is very good value.  Tried fried banana in batter today - it was ok.  For lunch we had mixed vegetables in peanut sauce.  It was not terrific but I was hungry enough to eat most of it.

We visited the national monument, a 132 metre tower situated in Merdeka Square.  The monument is Jakarta's principal landmark.  It was started in 1961 and took 14 years to complete.  It is constucted of Italian marbles and has a flame at its peak.  The flame is gilded with 35kg of gold leaf.  A lift takes you to the top of the tower for a dramatic view of the city.

NOV 8th

Working our way out of Jakarta this morning in amongst the cars, buses/trucks and bicycles was exciting.  Mini buses constantly cut in front of us to pick up or set down passengers.  Similar to Thailand the buses race around in rivalry to get the most customers.  Men hang out from their doorways yelling and enticing potential customers to clamber aboard.

The air was thick with exhaust fumes, it stung our eyes and settled on our clothes to turn our white T-shirts into a dull grey.

The area outside of Jakarta is fairly built up for quite a way.  The highway we were on was busy all the way to Cicampek where we stay tonight.

Once out of the capital there are many trishaws to be seen in and around the smaller towns.  Named "becaks", this delightful form of transport has been banned in Jakarta and from many other city centres but are found everywhere else in abundance.  The passengers are seated at the front while the rider pedals from behind.  Most of them are the pride and joy of their owners, for they are decorated with paintings and bells and the chrome is kept highly polished.  There are some mountain bikes around and racing bikes but nothing flash.

We stopped for lunch after 45 miles at one of the many roadside food houses.  "Telur and Nasi", that's egg and rice, with two bottles of Sprite went down well and then we cycled a further 12 miles to Cicampek.  We stay tonight at Hotel Purnama.

"Gugi", Gillian's bike, had two broken rear spokes and the bottom bracket needed adjusting.  "Pilgrim", my bike, needed the brakes and bottom bracket adjusted.

My hand is almost back to normal.  Only the skin has to heal over.  The wound itself has healed nicely.  Although a little tender at present I am confident it will toughen up in time.

NOV 9th

At various towns along the way we saw the remnants of vehicles on display.  They were all "head ons" and by the look of them I would guess most of them resulted in fatalities.  So most of today's journey was rather tense.

We caught sight of the Java Sea this afternoon as we came upon a small town named Eretan Wetan.  There are shrimp farms in this area and brightly coloured fishing boats are moored in the bay.

3 miles on was the town we had planned to stay in tonight but somehow we missed the centre and decided to carry on.  We ended up at a hotel in the town of Jatibarang, a fairly substantial place.  The hotel is down a road off the main highway.  This road is much quieter and we plan to use it as part of tomorrow's route.

Our room has a portable fan, Asian bathroom with limited water and costs $2.20.  For dinner it was rice, boiled egg, curried beans and potato.  We had an audience of local children while we dined.

NOV 10th

We cycled East along a quiet road for about ten miles until linking up with the notorious Highway 25 once more.  During one of our evasive maneouvres today Gill came off her bike on the gravel verge and cut her knee.  She is a tough girl though and we braved it all the way to tonight's stop at Tegal.

Passed a few mosques today.  They were holding collections for building funds.  There were people standing on both sides of the road with hats upturned or buckets to beckon passing traffic.  Quite often when passing near mosques we hear the calling to prayer emanating from loud speakers.  Indonesia is overwhelmingly muslim.

Caught sight of the volcanoe Mt Slamet on the horizon.  It has a height of 3432m.  Its last major eruption was in 1988.  Java has over 30 volcanoes, most of which are still active.

Our room in tonight's hotel in Tegal includes a small portable fan, Asian bathroom, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats.  We obtained some spray to deal with the mossies, it is good stuff and seems to have done the job.  It also took care of the cockroaches but it is no match for the rats.  We can hear them running around in the ceiling.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

If anyone out there wants to have a good moan about something or has any suggestions or tips, please write to:

The Ed, West Surrey Cyclist, c/o 13 Heathcote Road, Ash, Aldershot, Hants  GUI2 5BH

1996 West Surrey DA Annual Dinner/Awards Presentation

The evening was tinged with some disappointment in that so few local members were able to support this annual event - WHERE WERE YOU ALL?  So to all you absentees your New Year's resolutions should include "I will attend the 1997 West Surrey Annual Dinner".  To help these members, the committee should start reminding people in plenty of time, via the magazine, so that they can pencil the date into their diaries, and keep reminding them.  Then there can be no excuses for not having a good turn out in 1997.

THE HRT (or similar) GROUP

In 1997 we are organising a sponsored ride, in aid of Frimley Park Hospital Orthopaedic Department, along the Canal from Odiham to Brookwood;  we hope to spend a few days on the Isle of Wight and in July two of us are riding the Sustrans Sea to Sea route from St. Bees to Durham.

On our weekly outings we manage to ride about 6 miles to a "tea shop" (Marguerite's list has been very useful) where we each tuck into a cream cake drowned by 4 cups of tea.  We talk all the time covering subjects like husbands; children; "running away"; the problems of being over 50; what's for tea?; what can I wear to "The DO"? and where shall we go next week?  We always tour gift shops and Garden Centres and sometimes we have a picnic by the Lake in Bracknell Forest--you need a Permit to do this.  We go home exercised in mind and body, feeling much refreshed, ready to face "where have you been?" when we, yet again, present our husbands with muddy bikes and worn out brake blocks!

It's most enjoyable, very relaxing and it helps to talk........!

Watch out husbands, we keep meeting groups of "squaddies" !!!

LED REAR LAMPS

YIPPEE!

DATC COMPETITION 1996

Well done to all you West Surrey riders who took part.

AGM 3rd NOV 96

However, it was a pleasant gathering and fluent progress was made through the agenda.

Harry Statham manned the kitchen during the coffee and biscuits session (thanks Harry).

As well as the change of venue the meeting was held at an earlier time of 9.30 am.  There were 32 people in attendance.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND MILLENNIUM RALLY

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• Asters Tea Room at Shere is now under new management and is said to have improved.

 
• Breakfast at Badshot Lea Garden Centre.  You get a choice of 5 out of 7 yummy things to eat for only £1.75.  Sounds like good value.

 
• WEST SURREY CLUB JERSEYS.  Available in Acrylic or Poly-lite material.  Attractive yellow, white and green strip.  Get your order in now for the spring.  Contact Helen Juden  01428 683302

 

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