Author Archives: Peter Morteo

Stuff the Gardening!

Routes Shark 60-80 miles No Comments
Glastonbury_Tor
Total distance: 71.12 mi
Max elevation: 928 ft
Min elevation: -14 ft
Total climbing: 2403 ft
Total descent: -2406 ft
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A Great Day at the Weston Outdoor Living Festival

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Roger Claridge

Wheelers -Dave Trowbridge, Roger Claridge, Graham Pitman visiting the stand 090815

Graham Pitman

Sharing memorabilia and old club ride stories

  We had a good level of interest shown in the club today. Many thanks to the Wheeler members who popped onto the stand both old and new. Hopefully we have raised the profile of the club that little bit more. Those that visited and took details of the club away today you are most welcome to join us for a ride! We leave at 9 am Sunday from Priory School entrance.

Wheelers Saturday Ride 080815

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sat ww-03-21-13-714sat ww-01-16-41-239sat ww-01-05-22-072sat ww-00-54-11-239sat ww-00-43-21-996 Great ride this morning taking in Brean and the holiday aroma of grilled sausage and bacon. Over to Mark then back via Loxton and Christon. Thanks Gents
Total distance: 32.93 mi
Max elevation: -64 ft
Min elevation: -255 ft
Total climbing: 524 ft
Total descent: -512 ft
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Records Tumble During Big Cycle Festival (1983)

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Records tumble during big cycle festival

Course records tumbled during the Weston Wheelers’ Festival of Cycling. The 10-mile event’s best time was beaten three times on Friday and a new record was set up during Saturday’s 25-mile time trial. Over ninety riders lined up on Friday evening for the Trustee Savings Banks sponsored 10-mile time trial. The winner of this opening event was, as anticipated, John Pritchard of RAF Cycling Club. Pritchard, celebrating his award of the BEM listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that day, sped around the course in a time of 21m 16s, beating the existing record by over half a minute. Derek Rogers (Abertilly) was second and well-known local rider Danny Ellery third. Roger Harris took the juvenile prize with an exceptionally fine 23m 18s. Club coach Paul Goodrich did 23m 07s, Mick Osborne 23m 17s, and veteran Jim Earnshaw 23m 52s. The Chubb sponsored 25-mile time trial was staged on Saturday when weather conditions were very unseasonable - but again the course record was shattered. John Pritchard again dominated the event and his 53m 51s ride gave him an easy win over rivals Pete Danckwardt (Severn Valley CC) and Rod Collins (Bristol South). Derek Rogers was also in the placings with 55m 39s. (Missing Text) around the circuit were entertained by a vintage bicycle parade presented by South Western Veteran Cycle Club and Cyclebag and also by marching by a Red Cross band. The weather remained fine for the second half of the programme but with the wind increasing the racing became much harder. The schoolboys restarted proceedings with their main race, sponsored by Les Wilkins Cycles. This event produced some of the most spirited racing of the afternoon. Victory again went to Chris Taudevin (Cheltenham). Martin Burbridge (VC Equipe/Manulife) again took second place with Roger Harris (Weston Wheelers) just being eased into third position. The Wheelers came to the fore in the Juniors Main Race when Ian Bowditch broke away from the bunch and with aggressive riding succeeded in staying clear to win easily. In a furious sprint for the minor placings Paul Hazel (Clevedon RC) beat John Keat (Bath CC). The eighth event proved to be a repeat of the opening race, with the same three riders taking identical places in tis Sports Council Sponsored event. The main event for the third category riders was won by Somerset Road Club veteran rider Peter Sandy. Ian McCabe (Exeter Wheelers) was second and Graham Moore (Bristol RC) third. The final race of the day for senior riders produced a thrilling and colourful spectacle. The competitiveness of the riders made it extremely fast as they battled for the “prime” lap prizes. With a superb piece of solo riding Dave Park (Bristol South) succeeded in “breaking away” to finally win quite easily from Martin Wright (Becontree) and Shaun Baker (Team Zoyland). Trophies and prizes were presented by representatives of the main sponsors after the events and a cut glass rose bowl was also presented to Dave Park by Cllr. Tait on behalf of Woodspring District Council.

Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy a Step Closer

News 2 Comments
20150113-Danish-Cycling-Embassy-Kofoed-Co-Cycle-Path-3000_1421156695

Today, the first ever legal requirement for the Government to produce a Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy comes into force.

This is the equivalent of the starting gun being fired on the government’s work to fulfil its commitment to increase cycling by 2025, and forms part of the Infrastructure Act 2015 following lobbying by UK cycling bodies. The law, which applies in England only, requires the government to set a strategy that details the objectives and the financial resources made available. During the election the Prime Minister in response to the #ChooseCycling Network said that, “we want [cycling] to be the natural choice for shorter journeys” while he also committed to funding cycling by £10 per head in support of the Vote Bike campaign led by CTC, the national cycling charity. The recently-published Roads Investment Strategy (RIS) provides a format which the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) is likely to follow. The RIS runs from 2015-2021 and contains a strategic vision, timeline, statement of funds, infrastructure plan and performance specification. However, funding for cycling is due to dramatically reduce from next year when the Local Sustainable Transport Fund comes to an end, leaving a gap in cycle funding until the CWIS is produced. The Government claims cycle investment for England stands at £5 per head, but without renewed commitment this will reduce to less than £2 per head, well below the promised £10 per head figure. A comprehensive cycling and walking investment strategy, enshrined in law, would be the first genuine foothold for cycling in infrastructure planning. National Grid has welcomed the move as “tremendous for business and the health of the nation”. Chris Boardman British Cycling’s policy adviser said: “The government deserves praise for committing to this strategy but it’s what happens next which is the real test. Investment in cycling has slowly increased over the years but is due to run out soon. We now need to think long-term to get that level of consistency needed if we are to hit the government’s target. “This is not new money but a reprioritisation of existing funds so that we can capture the health and economic power of cycling to transform our towns and cities. Compared to the cost of roads or HS2 cycling is peanuts, just 5% of transport spend would begin to transform the country and make cycling an integrated part of daily life.” Jon Snow, Channel 4 Broadcaster and CTC President said: “Not since 1888 when the cycle was classified as a carriage and legally allowed on the UK’s roads, has the Government introduced such a step change for cycling. “To reap the full economic and societal benefits, cycling needs at least £10ph investment and national design standards to ensure this public investment is spent properly.”

Midweek Ride 29/07/2015

Reports No Comments
bleadonwed-01-22-58-860bleadonwed-01-18-35-880bleadonwed-00-19-58-990bleadonwed-00-20-19-239 A good ride tonight if a bit windy. A mostly flat route with a kick at the back end just want you need after 30 miles of head wind ! A big thanks to Daniel, Luke, Dave, Pratley, Andy and Rich for the tow! Pete :
Total distance: 37.43 mi
Max elevation: 199 ft
Min elevation: -47 ft
Total climbing: 770 ft
Total descent: -808 ft
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