Cycle-2023-11
Cycling Report for 9th November 2023
Annual Meeting of the U3A Cycle Group held at Sweets Cafe
(Our thanks go to Vicki at Sweets for letting us meet there this time.)
1). Arthur as group leader welcomed everyone, sixteen in total, a good turnout considering the weather forecast. An apology was sent by Denise and a later apology from Paul W.
2). Although not intended to be a competition, a chart of the group's activities throughout the year was circulated and a record showed who were the most active members. But to be fair some members listed had other interests, family commitments, or had joined later in the year, so this was circulated for interest only.
3). Ron H. has agreed to act as Arthur's deputy and take on, where necessary, some of the administration work in the event of him being indisposed due to holidays, illness etc. Also Arthur said, having reached the ripe old age of 82, he would have to think about retiring from the post as Group Leader sometime in the not too distant future. So please consider that someone will need to take on that role, or maybe the job could be divided, to ensure the continuing success of the Cycle Group.
4). The meeting agreed to keep on the method of organising the rides throughout the year (two per month from April to October, one per month Nov. through to March) by emailing a few individuals to ask if they could cover a specific date. Please notify Arthur of personal dates that need to be kept clear.
5). A post-Christmas lunch was agreed to be held at The Horse and Jockey, Binegar, at the end of January or early Feb. This has proved popular in past years. The invitation includes your wife, husband or partner.
6). The question of visiting new cycling areas was raised, for example North Somerset, the Wiltshire border, West Somerset etc. Maybe they can be incorporated in the coming year's itinerary. Also the possibility of a few days away with overnight accommodation was suggested. Ron S. agreed to look into the feasibility; Norman suggested the use of Youth Hostels etc. Linda raised the idea of using the West Somerset Railway to take a group either from Bishops Lydeard to a further station or the reverse, and cycling back, as the group has twice done in the past. Arthur agreed to look into it.
Also, John Wh. has agreed to look into the possibility of another cross Channel trip to Brittany which was a success several years ago.
7). Any other business. Ron S. expressed concern that some ride leaders were failing to consider the last person on a ride who could potentially get lost especially in a large group. A person should be delegated to bring up the rear who has a note of the rout. Alternatively at each turnoff the group should wait for the 'All here' from the delegated last person. Arthur reminded all ride leaders to take a hard copy of the emergency contact numbers or the numbers on their smart phones in case of emergency. (An up-to-date list of email address and emergency contact numbers will be sent out over the next couple of weeks to all cyclists in the Cycle Group. Included will be the dates for the 2024 rides.)
Business having concluded, the traditional ride out attracted 10 of us. The morning ride of 13 miles to Cheddar was delightful: across to Mark, through Chapel Allerton past Ashton windmill, Stoughton, Crickham, Clewer to The White Hart for lunch where we met Norman.
The afternoon however was the complete opposite. At Bradley Gate the rain started and continued with strong winds and it was very dark for all of us who returned to Sweets or who found an alternative way home. Steve W. however had the misfortune to jam his chain so he couldn't ride and had to be rescued. I hope you all arrived home safe and sound albeit wet and cold.
Arthur
P.S. How many of you who were on the ride had their lights with them, after all it is late Autumn and winter is around the corner?
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