CTC Devon
CTC in Devon
1931-2009

NEWS
SPRING 2009
Updated 31st July 2009

MAY
2009

CTC End to Enders arrive safely.

Our for local CTC lads arrived safely at lands End on Friday after 9 days and 933 miles.
The last two days were very hard riding through Devon & Cornwall.
Now they are riding back up through Cornwall and hope to meet up with the Torbay CTC at The bakery at Moretonhampsteasd on Sunday morning.
Congratulations to all of them.

Update - 31st May - they had a hard ride today from Callington to meet the club at Moretonhampstead. Celebration cakes and coffee were provided by Phil Ellis before the final spin down the Wrey Valley to home.


John Beesley, Lee Atkinson, John Cooper
and Malcolm McKendry at Lands End.

MAY
2009

CTC Torbay riders set off on End to End jaunt.

John Cooper, John Beesley, Malcolm McKendry, and Lee Atkinson are flying up to Scotland on 20th May to start their John O' Groats to Lands End ride. They will cover about 1100 miles in 9 days on the trip.
The bikes have already been sent up via a courier van, courtesey of Braking Wind Cycles in Dawlish.

You can follow the progress of the riders on the Live Journal blog at www.ctcdevon.co.uk or at www.endtoend.freeuk.com.


John Cooper

John Beesley

Malcolm McKendry

Lee Atkinson
MAY
2009

MDDC Riders on a trip to Newport indoor Velodrome..

Velodrome Plans go forward.

Plans for the Velodrome at Kingsteignton move a step closer - Devon County Council and British Cycling have agreed to fund an outdoor facility at Kingsteignton! The proposed facility will be 250 metres in length and surfaced with all weather tarmac. Whilst the proposed site has outline planning permission for sports facilities, detailed permission is nowbeing sought. However It's great news for local cycling clubs including MDCC who'se members and will be able to build on a succesful youth section with a dedicated venue on their doorstep

Mid Devon Cycling Club, based in Kingsteignton, is delighted with the news that plans for a ‘state of the art’ cycling facility – located in Kingsteignton – have taken several steps forward in recent weeks. British Cycling has responded to requests from the Mid Devon Cycling Club for financial help to develop proper facilities in the South West of England and Devon County Council has supported Mid Devon Cycling Club, by also throwing its weight behind the proposals. Both British Cycling and Devon County Council have pledged the money to build a banked circuit – the design will probably follow a similar unit in Antwerp – to allow serious sports cyclists to train for international competitions and will allow the less experienced the opportunity to develop their skills.

MAY
2009

Race halted near Rannoch.

Saboteurs bring Etape Caledonia to a halt!
from BBC News


Police are investigating after carpet tacks were spread across roads bringing a major cycle race to a halt. More than 3,500 people were taking part in the Etape Caledonia, over 81 miles around Pitlochry in Perthshire. It is the only cycle event in Britain where all the roads travelled on are closed - which has angered some locals. Tacks were strewn on a section of the race, bursting hundreds of tyres. Police said it was a reckless act and it was fortunate no-one was hurt. Cyclists ended up with damaged tyres and the event had to be stopped but organisers cleared the road and the race was completed. The winner Veli-Matti Raikkonen - who is originally from Finland and is a member of Aberdeen's Granite City racing team - was one of those who suffered a puncture after riding over the tacks.
www.etapecaledonia.co.uk/

MAY
2009

Five at start of 150 in 12

Low turnout for the 150 in 12

The poor weather on Sunday morning may have been part of the reason for such a low turnout on the 150 in 12.
Five riders set out from the start at Kingskerswell.
It was a brisk ride to Okehampton with a tail wind, but after that the pace dropped as the rain set in.
Only one rider eventually completed the entire course within twelve hours, along a route which took in some of North and Mid Devon's finest scenery.

MAY
2009

150 mile in 12 hour haul - this weekend.

This Sunday ( 17th May) is the longest event that CTC Devon organise in the events calendar.
The 150 mile route has to be completed within 12 hours - average speed 12.5mph.
This years route heads North for a brisk run up to Moretonhampstead, continuing through Okehampton to Hatherleigh.
The return leg heads out west over to the Exe Valley, returning to Exeter and over Longdown into the Teign Valley to the finish at Kingskerswell.
Download the route sheet here: ROUTE SHEET (pdf)

CTC DEVON EVENTS

MAY
2009

CTC Exeter Spring Newsletter Online

Kirby has produced the May 2009 Exeter Newsletter which is available on the website on-line.
<CLICK HERE> to view it.

MAY
2009
Ken Middlemiss
Ken Middlemiss

Ken Middlemiss is improving in hospital.

Ken Middlemiss remains very poorly in a Plymouth hospital, but there are marked signs of improvement.
It's now six weeks since the accident and for most of that time he has been unconscious.

(On Saturday 21st March more than 50 cyclists from many Plymouth cycling groups including Yogi Cycles, the Plymouth Corinthians, Alltracks and the Shred Team, met at B&Q, Marsh Mills at 9am to ride towards Plympton along the Ridgeway as a ride of solidarity to support Ken)

( A 29 year old van driver was arrested at the scene of the accident in Glen Road, Plympton under suspicion of careless driving.)

MAY
2009

www.ctcdevon.co.uk

Ten Years of CTC Devon's website.

The CTC Devon website has now been operating for ten years. During that time we have received tens of thousands of "hits" or page impressions. With the WIKI the site continues to expand and develop into something we hope you find useful and enjoy.
Encouragingly several new members have joined CTC and taken part in local activities as a result of viewing our pages.
Don't forget the "For Sale" pages where you can turn your unwanted bike bits in cash, a global advert in return for a small admin fee!
In the near future there will be an overhaul of the HISTORY pages, as much more material has been scanned in to help fill in some of the gaps.

MAY
2009
Clifton Bridge - photo G.Brodie

One month to the moonlit dash.

The Exmouth Exodus for 2009 is confirmed as being on 6th and 7th June.
Start again is in Bristol near Clifton Bridge. Transport is set to be an issue this year although there was talk of some bike shops sending up vans with bikes in for riders to collect at Bristol - more details to follow if this is the case.

Many Cross Country trains are now down to 3 bike spaces which makes it even worse than in 2008.
Full details on their blog and website:



Exmouth Exodus

MAY
2009
Potholes abound
POTHOLES - up 32%

from CTC NewsNET.

There’s a whole lot of potholes According to figures out this week from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the number of potholes on the roads in England and Wales is up by 32% since last year and on average a road now boasts a pothole every 120 yards. The AIA estimate it will cost £8.5 billion to bring the condition of roads up to scratch! If you spot a pothole, don’t just cycle round it, report it on our site www.fillthathole.org.uk.

Devon County Council are presently working to patch a record number of potholes, but many have been outstanding for months.
APR
2009

Entries are almost full for Dartmoor Classic.

There are just 30 places left on the 2009 Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportif. The limit of 2000 has almost been reached, and entries have been received from various other countries including Belgium, Holland and Canada.

Signing on will be on Saturday 27th June, and on the morning of 28th of June, but to encourage people to sign in on Saturday there will be regular spot prizes throughout the signing on.
Thousands of bananas and other supplies have been ordered and the event looks likely to eclipse the succesful one in 2008.
Full details at: www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk
DARTMOOR CLASSIC CYCLOSPORTIVE 2009

APR
2009
Exeter - Bike Race

City Centre Cycling returns to the South West on 28th May.
On the evening of Thursday 28th May 2009 the centre of Exeter will be hosting one of the most exciting events the City has seen in recent years.
The race will be the highlight of the day which will also include a festival of cycling in the City Centre, giving young and old the chance to witness displays, take part in activities and learn about opportunities to get cycling in Exeter and Devon. It should be a really great day for the city and very memorable for residents and visitors alike. It is hoped that Bedford Square and Princesshay Square will be used for these activities.
The event is being delivered by Devon County Council and Exeter City Council as part of their joint Cycle Exeter Project. This project has seen cycling levels rise in the city by around 37% and cycling to some schools reach 20% compared to a 2% national average.
Website at: www.tourseries.co.uk
APR
2009
MDCC - at Chudleigh
Totnes - Bike Race

Saturday 23rd May sees the return of the popular Totnes Town Centre Criteriums. They will be held on the closed roads in the heart of historic Totnes.
These races should prove to be testing for the competitors and entertaining for spectators.
Kicking off the evening of races at 18.30 will be the youth race for 12 -16 year olds who tackle 20mins and 3 laps of the 1mile circuit then finish with the 150 metre cobbled climb of Fore Street to the chequered flag outside the Civic Square. At 19.000 the senior riders take to the streets for 1 hour and 3 laps finishing at the same point as the youths.
The senior event is open to 2/3/4 category riders. Spectators can watch from the luxury of the various pubs and cafes around the course!
There's a generous prize list and winner's jerseys for both events
APR
2009

10,000 Cups of coffee!

CTC Devon's coffee pot rides are extremely popular with over sixty people sometimes attending the events, but the webpage for the cafe listings compiled by Kirby James has also had 10,000 hits!

Coffee Pot rides and meets are every Thursday and designed for those who have middweek time to spare.

Details on the WIKI

APR
2009

160 cyclists enjoy Devons Dirty day out!

Glorious weather helped to bring out 160 riders onto the tracks an lanes of South Devon on Sunday 19th April.
A new route took the riders out around Bovey Tracey, and on to a control at Lustleigh, for a feast of cakes provided by Lynda Swayne from Torbay.
Then there was a lot of climbing acroos the Bovey Valley, and across Black Hill and Brimley to reach Ashburton where the next control was at the BigPeaks centre.
The last ten miles was through quiet tracks and lanes around Denbury.

There were no major mishaps, some minor injuries and a front wheel trashed on the descent from Bovey Tracey.
The event fulfils the "f" category for the CTC Devon and CTC Touring competition.


2009 PIX

Lee Atkinson & Anna Reffell with cakes.





APR
2009

Devon goes Dirty!

Over 70 riders have already signed up for this year Devon Dirt bike ride organised by CTC Devon and BigPeaks.
Places are still available but people are advised to enter soon to avoid disappointment.
The 40 mile route has been designed by Ali Northcott, and takes the ride through Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh and then across to dartmoor via Houndtor woods and Black Hill.
There is no time limit - estimated ride time is between 4 and 7 hours with controls at Lustleigh and Ashburton.
Riders will receive goodie bags and free food.

MAR
2009
Jackie Rice at Buckland in the Moor
Jackie Rice at Buckland in the Moor.

Record turnout for 50 in 4

A sumptious helping of hills did not deter riders from entering the 50 in 4 on Sunday 29th march.

A record 48 started the event, which took the riders over Dartmoor to the grave of Kitty Jjay near Houndtor.
Wall to wall sunshine accompanied the riders who enjoyed dry roads and flower lined lanes around the course. the only problem was several miles of lanes littered with huge potholes, which meant riders had to take extreme care, especially in shaded lanes.

MAR
2009
Roy Hopkins hospitalised after crash.

Roy Hopkins from Teignmouth suffered a broken pelvis when he fell from his bike after hitting a piece of wood.
Roy - a member of MDCC is a top Road Race champion well reknowned in his day. He suffered serious injuries in a quarry accident many years ago from which he mad an unexpected recovery.
He is presently recovering in Torbay Hospital.
MAR
2009
New Cycling Leisure route for West Devon.

A new cycle and walking trail through part of Dartmoor, which Devon councils hope will attract more tourists to the area, was officially opened this weekend.
The Drake's Trail network is a series of routes for cyclists and walkers around the area where Elizabethan sailor Sir Francis Drake once lived. It includes an off-road cycle path from Tavistock to Plymouth and took two years to devise.
It wasbe opened by Olympic gold medal winning rower Zac Purchase.
Phil Baker, the trail's project officer, said: "The combination of increasing numbers of walkers and cyclists and a significant number of people choosing to stay in the UK for their holidays means that now is the perfect time to be launching a project such as the Drake's Trail."
MAR
2009
Ken Middlemiss - Yealm Rouleurs
Ken Middlemiss

Ken Middlemiss badly injured in Plympton.

Ken Middlemiss from Yealmpton has been severely injured in an accident in Plympton which happened on Thursday 20th March.
Ken who is well known for his rides on the French "Etape Du Tour" and his organised trips to foreign events is a highly experienced cyclist and a member of Yealm Roulers.
He is also involved with community plans in the South Hams area, and has been instrumental in organising rides such as the Yealmpton Village Bike Ride, and other and events in support of cycle schemes.

On Saturday 21st March more than 50 cyclists from many Plymouth cycling groups including Yogi Cycles, the Plymouth Corinthians, Alltracks and the Shred Team, met at B&Q, Marsh Mills at 9am to ride towards Plympton along the Ridgeway as a ride of solidarity to support Ken.

( A 29 year old van driver was arrested at the scene of the accident in Glen Road, Plympton under suspicion of careless driving.)

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