Rides July - August 2005

Published August 5th 2005 3rd Ed.

General Information

There are a couple of other local rides that may be of interest;

On July 17th STACC member Rona Wightman will be leading an easy all-day ride from St Albans City Station using tracks and lanes heading towards Elstree. Bring picnic lunch, she may also make a cafe stop. The ride forms part of the Central London CTC summer programme (see www.centrallondonctc.org.uk), so the ride starts when the 0932 from Kings Cross reaches St Albans - it is due in at 1003. We meet at the Platform 4 (Ridgemont Road) exit from the station. For more information, contact rona.wightman@which.net
And on 21st August STACC member Rona Wightman will be leading an easy all-day ride from St Albans City Station using tracks and lanes heading northeast. Bring picnic lunch, she may also make a cafe stop. Start and contact details same as 17th July.

HERTS NOTEBOOK

Notes from the Section Secretary

Jim Brown - our current CTC Councillor writes; "Soon there will be vacancies for two members of CTC Council to represent the East of England region which includes Herts. The closing date for nominations is the 15th August. CTC Councillors are volunteers whose role combines being on the national committee of the UK's largest cycling organisation and being a director - or board member - of a company limited by guarantee. The responsibilities are wide - the cycling we enjoy, campaigning, being an employer, preparing for the move of CTC - but can be rewarding and you could make a difference. Please could you think about standing yourself. Certainly please pass this on to any members who may be interested. It would be useful - though not compulsory - if you could let me know if anyone is standing. I would not like to see our region without representation and, yes, contested elections can be healthy.

If anyone wants more information (jim.brown@2ctc.freeserve.co.uk)I will try to help. Alternatively Peter Jackson at CTC HQ is the returning officer for the election. JIM"

The Gamebirds

On 5th May Gill, Anne, Mavis and Emmeline set out from Lands End to ride to John O'Groats. Their nickname was derived from the initial letters of their Christian names. Twenty eight days later on Thursday 2nd June our 4 heroines arrived at their destination, they had used, mainly, the CTC scenic B+B route and covered 1024 miles.

The last few days' weather was atrocious, gale force headwinds and rain along the north coast of Scotland. They suffered one puncture between them, the only other problem was Mavis's rear wheel collapsing at Thurso as they started on their final day, this was replaced within an hour by an excellent cycle dealer in Thurso and they were on their way again.

After a protracted coach / rail journey (unhelpful Scotrail and a landslide closing the line) the intrepid 4 arrived back at Stevenage on Saturday 4th June to be met by a small welcoming party and were presented with their Insignia, a gamebird broach, a pheasant in flight.

WELL-DONE GIRLS we are really proud of you!

Hargreaves Trophy

Points up to and including 19th June 2005

Clubroom

The Clubroom is open each Thursday, please remember the 2nd Thursday is at the St. Marks Christian Centre , all other Thursdays at the Colney heath village hall. As mentioned in the last clubroom notes, the clubroom fee has been increased to £1.00. The good news however is that, your first cup of tea or coffee is free. This is for an interim trial period.

Midweek Evening Rides

Evening cycle rides all start at 7.30pm from The War Memorial in St Peter's Street, St Albans - near The Blacksmiths Arms. If you can't make the start you can always join us in the pub at around 8.30-9.00pm.