Plan B comes up trumps

As a Committee member of an elite cycle club in South West London, I have not only to obey the letter of the law but to be seen to do so.  One of the rules set by Cycling UK is that we should not stray from home so far that in the event of a serious problem we could not get back without putting others at risk.  The temptation has been great, especially with the recent encouragement to exercise more. 

I might mend a puncture or change an inner tube but most "mechanicals" beyond the chain coming off would be beyond my ability to rectify using only an Allen Key, a tyre lever and a sachet of high energy drink.  If I were a Government Special Adviser, I might just be able to apply my own brand of common sense and hope that no-one would ever find out but no, we developed a wizard of a plan B.  Maggie and I would only cycle within a range where the other spouse would be comfortable cycling home and fetching the bike ambulance to pick up the casualty.

I have a monogamous relationship with bikes.  Unlike many club members, who rise in the morning and select from a veritable harem of machines the one they wish to ride that day, I keep one.  True, there was a divorce seven years back and I changed to a sleeker, younger model, but to this I have been faithful.  Like many a monogamous relationship, that between my bike and I is usually a happy one, despite that I occasionally fall off and damage it; but earlier this month it had a seizure.  Farthing Down ahead, change down to climb the hump on Woodcote Grove and that was that.

Somehow we did not part over the handlebars but below me my chain was tied around that rectangular metal guide that is supposed to usher it smoothly into the wheel of my derailleur, said guide was twisted into a Salvador Dali creation and rear wheel would move neither backwards nor forwards.

I took the chain off the crankshaft and could then (sort of) freewheel downhill and push it uphill, but Plan B was called into action and I had to sit forlorn on the grass verge for not very long at all before Maggie had ridden home and come to take us to Wallington Cycles, who had a new derailleur and I was only twenty four hours and a social distancing queue away from being free again to roam in a limited way.  In truth, not that limited, for if I ride out fourteen kilometres from home (a distance I know I can walk) and never go further, describing a perfectly circular route and returning the way I came, I can ride 116 kilometres without going twice up the same road.  (2 x Pi x R) + 2R.  That is enough for me.

Snuff Mill toilet reopens

Message from the Natonal Trust, Morden Hall Park.

Update regarding re-opening Today (21 May) - The Heart of the Park (Rose Garden and Snuff Mill toilet) have re-opened to the public and will be open daily 9am – 5pm. Watermeads has also re-opened.

Coming Out of Lockdown; a message from the Beginners’ representative on the CTC South West London Committee.

The Committee has discussed what we as club members can and cannot do in the light of the new government policy.

We are officially allowed to ride in pairs which can include someone other than from our own household (max two riders).  See the Cycling UK advice here.  You must maintain at least 2 metres distance.  There have been reports in the press that 2m is insufficient distance when riding behind someone, but with no clear information on what is safe.  The Committee chairman has asked CUK for their guidance, but until that is received we suggest a minimum of 10m.

CUK guidance on how far from home we should go is unchanged here.  Basically, they are saying that you should consider your plan B if you have a mishap far from home.  How would you cope without calling on others to come out and help, with possible risk to themselves?

All group riding in numbers more than two is presently contrary to Government regulations, as well as CUK advice.  Riding outside their advice almost certainly means that you would not be covered by their insurance, so the club will not be organising any group rides until the rules change. However, the committee are keen to recommence the Rides Programme as soon as conditions allow and have been anticipating how the rules might be relaxed and brainstorming a way forward.

The main thrust of the discussions concerned the Wayfarers, who ride on Wednesdays, but the principles will have to apply to all club rides.  Maintaining social distance of 2m when stationary and at least 10m on the road will be fundamental to the Wayfarers’ plans.  Groups will be limited to 4-7 max; should more than 7 want to ride, the leader will be asked to nominate a second leader who will be provided with the route to be ridden with a 20-minute gap.  An alternative for Beginners would be for the second leader to pick his or her own route.

Initially we should stick to familiar routes, away from busy places such as Box Hill (or Morden Hall Park).  Anyone who does not want to ride in a group can follow the ride in their own time.  Leaders will also be asked to look out for suitable toilet facilities on their routes, since nearly all public toilet facilities and pubs etc, are closed at the moment.  Even if cafes are open by the time we can ride in groups they (or other customers) may not welcome groups of cyclists so the Wayfarers plan initially to take packed lunches.  The problem will be different for Beginners; we generally do not ride all day or need lunch, but we may need to be prepared to take our own snack.

These are the plans for the future.  Nothing can happen at the moment but as soon as we are allowed, the Committee will issue advice which meets the requirements of government and the advice of CUK.  Meanwhile please tell anyone you are in contact with who doesn't read the blog about this advice, especially that in the first three paragraphs above.

If you have any comments or concerns let me or any other committee member know.

Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.co.uk

Memories of the great plague

As Editor of Sou'Wester, I should like to include in the next Coronavirus edition any interesting or unusual lockdown tales from members.  Have you been doing anything unusual and interesting?  Please let me know at Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.co.uk

Debbie's Race at your Pace medal

Debbie enjoys Pebble Hill

Check out my ride on Strava.
https://strava.app.link/nB6jZ4YTi6
Had a great down hill at pebble Hill . Found Cycling up to the downs v hard got stuck on the last bit I got as far as the stables . The ducks at Walton on the Hill were really nice & Brockham was nice . It’s my longest ride this year . Debbie x

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Searching for wildlife!

What a lovely day for another solo ride to Kew Gardens and Richmond Park via the River Thames.

Bikes out of the Thames!

Star and Garter with Belted Galloways

Managed to get quite a few photos of swans, geese and ducks with their babies! Not a good idea to try and eat a chocolate bar approaching a swan, he thought I had food for him. As I forgot my lunch I certainly wasn’t going to part it! I would be able to go a lot further if I didn’t stop to take some many photos!

Richmond Park

There were certainly a lot more people around today, but probably should go to more rural areas.

31 miles done it total, then came home to do some gardening.

~Sue Bellamy