CTC Devon
CTC in Devon
1931-2010
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AUTUMN 2009 - WINTER 2010

Devon CTC Photo galleries

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TORBAY NEWSLETTER - CLICK HERE

MAR
2010
CTC - MI6 spy links?

Newspapers are reporting a spy story involving ex- South Dartmoor CTC member Daniel Houghton.
Houghton who now lives in London has dual Dutch-British Nationality, was working with the security services, and is alleged to have stolen secret files from the MI5 and MI6 intelligence services and tried to sell to foreign intelligence!

Birmingham University educated Daniels family home is at Holne, and he was in the South Dartmoor CTC up until he was 18 and left for study.
Secretary Michael Jones speaking to the press said " he was a bright lad. He was friendly and we all enjoyed his company."
"I can't imagine he could do anything like this."
More on the story#
BBC
western Morning News
# Devon CTC are not responsible for other external sites that we may link to.
MAR
2010

St.Pol de Leon.
Brittany - voyage of the storm-dodgers!

On Feb 26th 43 members crossed the chennel aboard MV Bretangne for the 18th Tour of Brittany.
The predicted stroms moved to the South and the riders had a good days cycling in Brittany, with three groups of riders all meeting up at St.Pol for a meal in the evening.
The return crossing was calm and the riders returned home on Sunday Morning at 0800, several riding back home as far as xeter and Exmouth. Reports, photos and video here soon!

MAR
2010

Pothole Mayhem

Potholes and road defects are more than just a nuisance; they’re a danger to cyclists and other road users. In the UK, there’s an average of one pothole for every 110 metres of road.
Devon County Council say they have filled in around 17000 holes recently, but roads and lanes are littered with them after the long cold winter.
Report dangerous holes via the CTC's own potholes reporting service: www.fillthathole.org.uk

 

FEB
2010

Ken on South Hams Audax.
Ken Middlemiss - Van Driver fined £100!

The van driver involved in the accident on 19th March 2009, which left Ken Middlemiss from Yealmpton with life-threatening injuries, and brain damage from which he may never recover, has been convicted of driving without due care and attention, and fined £100, plus £150 costs, a £15 victim surcharge and was given 6 points on his driving license.
The accident occured in Ridgeway in Plymouth when the van turned across his path, and Ken was thrown over the vehicle.

On Saturday 13th February a ride was held in support of Ken Middlemiss in Plymouth.

(Ken is now residing in a rehabilitation unit North of Exeter)
FEB
2010

DEVON DIRT 2010
Devon gets DIRTY!

Entries are rolling in for the 2010 Devon Dirt event.
You can get an entry form off of the website at www.devondirt.co.uk or in many of the local bike shops.
The date is Sunday 25th April, and we are looking forward to welcoming over 200 of you this year.
The £8 entry will include refreshments, numbers, bike wash, goodies, mechanical support, and there will be T-shirts available too!
FEB
2010


Brenda Carlton
Brenda Carlton killed in accident.

Those who have ridden events with the Cheltenham and Bristol CTC & Audax groups will have doubtless come across Brenda and Ron Carlton running a control somewhere.
Brenda (72) was killed in accident on Thursday 4th February near her home in Cheltenham. She will be another sad loss to the cycling community in the South of England.
FEB
2010
900,000 miles for Chris Davies.

C.P.P ( Chris)Davies,from CTC Portsmouth has now cycled a record 906,900 miles in 60 years, the highest known recorded cycling mileage in the UK, if not the world.
The 72-year-old who had a hip replacement eight years ago, clocked up almost 10,000 miles last year to maintain his place as leading member in the 300,000 Miles Club.
JAN
2010


Exford YH.
Bobbiballs Weekend 2010

Date: 5th February – 7th February 2010
Venue: Exford youth hostel Exe Mead Exford Minehead Somerset TA24 7PU

Exford youth hostel has been booked to accommodate the TVP bashers. The cycling will be both on & off road around the stunning surroundings of Exmoor. The weekend as usual will be amazing value costing £50.00 per person. This will include accommodation, all meals and some alcohol £10.00 deposit will secure your place with full payment by December 1st to Anna Book early to avoid disappointment- it will be an amazing weekend of cycling & fun
This Victorian house stands in its own grounds on the bank of the River Exe in Exford village. In the centre of Exmoor National Park, it’s the ideal base for families and individuals to explore the open hills and wooded valleys all around. You may even be lucky enough to spot a red deer. Dunkery Beacon, Porlock Weir and Dunster Castle are all nearby while Exmoor and the Somerset coast are on the doorstep
JAN
2010
Sorry Mate I Didn't See You!

A Happy New Year from CTC Devon.
We wish you a year of safe and happy cycling.
However if you do come across or experience any unfortunate incidents, then please do report it on the STOP SMIDSY website.
CTC are trying to stamp out bad driving, in particular aggressive and careless driving towards cyclists, so next time a Bus carves you up or a taxi driver swears at you - report it at STOP SMIDSY.
It only takes a couple of minutes once you are set up as a registered user, and you will get an email log of your report! - Happy Cycling.
JAN
2010

Veteran rider.
Veteran rider.
CTC Exeter - Triennial Veterans Ride 2010

CTC Exeter are organising one of the 2010 Triennial Veterans rides on Saturday 12th June.
The Exeter ride is a coast-to-coast ride visiting Watchet on the north Somerset coast and and Budleigh Salterton on the south Devon coast. The route is hillier than many of the other triennial rides, so riders and their machines need to be prepared for this challenge.

The Triennial Veterans Rides are 100-mile events run across the country every three years. They're specifically for club veterans aged 50-plus. Camaraderie runs high, as does the determination to complete the ride whatever the odds. You have 12 hours to finish.

Use this link <<CLICK>> to find out more about the route and entries.
JAN
2010

Dartmoor Classic riders - Bovey Tracey 2009
Bovey Tracey 2009.

2010 Dartmoor Classic is half full!

If you want to ride the Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportif in 2010, you'll need to scrape the frost off of your bike and enter soon. Over 900 places have already gone, meaning the event is almost half full already.
This will be the fourth year of the event, and on 27th June over 2000 riders are expected to set out on a very similar route to 2009.
Now registered with the UCI, the Dartmoor Classic is a truly international event, and is one of the top rated Cyclosportive events in the UK.
The event is organised by the Mid Devon Cycling Club who have over 170 members making them one of the largest and most successful cycling clubs in the UK.
Visit the website at:
www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk

JAN
2010

Snowy Fun - photo- vaughan Brean
Bike fun in the snow.
photo; Vaughan Brean

Cold weather forces ride & event cancellations.

For the first time in many years, local CTC rides have been cancelled, mainly due to the icy conditions on many of the lanes and side roads, which are the mainstay of our rides.

Torbay CTC will not be running the hard ride to Hatherleigh tomorrow, there may be still be an easy ride starting from Kingskerswell at 9am utilising more main roads.

Exeter CTC have cancelled the ride which was due to start at Exminster at 10am. This has been replaced by a walk, with the destination as Powderham Farm Shop for coffee.

The Watership Down Audax event is also cancelled.

The Soggy Bottom MTB event in Newnham in Plymouth is postponed until 17th January. For further info check websites, and emails from section secretaries.

JAN
2010
Mud and Sweat
New Year's Mud'n'Sweat

Mud and Sweat is a new series of Mountain Bike events being organised across the South West.
It's a combination of mountainbiking and navigation, using SI controls.
The next event is at Woodbury Common on 31st January 2010.
The Mud and Sweat website has details of how the events work and how to enter.
You'll need your compass!
JAN
2010
Large pothole - Newton AbbotTuckers Maltings - Newton Abbot.
Exposed drains at Churston -Jan 2010
Churston- Brixham
Devon's road falling apart again.

Only weeks after Devon County Council committed to a major programme of pothole repairs, and resurfacing, the continued cold weather conditions have taken their toll on Devon's road, with many side roads breaking up, and large holes appearing on major routes like the A380 and A3022.
This in addition to icy surfaces is making for one of the most hazardous new years for cyclists for some time.

Report them at "Fill that hole!"
DEC
2009

Brrrrrrrr.........
Four frozen on Greenhill Way.
Torbay CTC Christmas Lunch ride.

Overnight rain followed by a big freeze made it treacherous for the Torbay CTC Christmas Lunch ride.
Eight eventually left Kingskerswell on the A380, but there were even icy patches on the main road.
Coffee at Bovey was abandoned, and the club called in to ASDA at Newton Abbot for Coffee, hoping the roads would thaw a bit!
It was still treacherous leaving Kingsteignton with sheet ice on some roundabouts.
The main road to Teignmouth was taken, with a quick dash on to the beach which was bathed in sunshine.
At the Cockhaven Manor in Bishopsteignton fifty people sat down for a great Christmas Lunch, and some interesting presentations!
Thanks are due to Roy & Barbara Gable who organised the event.
Photos shortly.
DEC
2009

CTC Exeter festivities.CTC Exeter leaving Escot.
Exeter CTC Christmas Lunch ride.

Mike and Liz Bowden organised CTC Exeter's 2008 Xmas lunch which was held at the Red Lion in Broadclyst.
The event attracted 42 members - some of whom we've not seen since last year! For the more energetic Exeter members Mike first led a morning ride from Broadclyst out to Escot for coffee, before returning (just) in time for the lunch.

Mike really entered into the spirit - by dressing up both his bike and himself! The food proved to be of a high standard - as did the company.
<<MORE>>
DEC
2009

Regenerative braking
Wheely good idea?

A new bicycle wheel, developed by researchers at MIT, can store energy every time the rider puts on the brakes, and then give that power back to provide a boost when going uphill or to add a burst of speed in traffic.
But there are also a variety of extra functions hidden within the hub of the new wheel, which is designed to be easily interchangeable with any standard bicycle’s rear wheel.
By using a series of sensors and a Bluetooth connection to the user’s iPhone, which can be mounted on the handlebars, the wheel can monitor the bicycle’s speed, direction and distance travelled, as well as picking up data on pollution in the air, and even the proximity of the rider’s friends.
<<MORE>>
DEC
2009
Cycling to Copenhagen to highlight Climate Change.

A senior policy officer at the RSPB in Devon is using pedal power to get his message across at the UN's 2009 Climate Change Conference.
Mark Robins, who works at the charity's Exeter office, is cycling across Denmark to attend the conference in Copenhagen on 7-18 December. "I'm going on my bicycle because it seems like it's a really important, symbolic way to get there," he said. "I'm going because I care about the future of this beautiful planet."
Mr Robins will also be joining hundreds of people from the South West who are marching in London on Saturday 5 December to demonstrate their support for action on climate change. The marchers will be dressed in blue for the march, dubbed The Wave.
Mark Robins will be lobbying at the conference.
After the march, Mark will be heading to Harwich to catch the ferry to Esbjerg, Denmark, where he will arrive on Monday 7 December. "It's 150 miles from there to Copenhagen and it will take me three days to cycle there," said Mr Robins who is a keen cyclist

READ MORE
DEC
2009

Haldon Forest Park.

Haldon Forest Park to benefit from £7.5m cyling package.

The Forestry Commission is looking to complete it's off road cycling facilitieswith anew trail aimed at novice and beginners, funded by a share of the regions £7.5M investment in off-road cycling.

The project is being funded by the Rural devlopment priogramme for England, supported by DEFRA and the EU

NOV
2009
Adam Hart Davis.
Adam Hart-Davis at Dunchideock.
Sixty Three entertained at the CTC Dinner.

Sixty three brave souls battled through the mists and rains ( only one on his bike!) to attend our Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation at the
Lord Haldon Hotel in Dunchideock on 28th November.
The guest was Adam Hart-Davis, freelance writer, photographer, and broadcaster. He gave a very entertaining talk, and this was followed by the Prize Presentation and a Raffle.
On display were several bikes including Adam Hart-Davis's TRICE recumbent, and several people had fun testing the TRICE in the shelter of the Belvedere Suite!

PHOTOS
NOV
2009

Jersey Cyclist killed by "Careless Driver" in Ecuador.

A Jersey cyclist died on Sunday when he was knocked down by a truck on the final leg of a sponosred cycle ride for the Jersey Hospice.
John Lyons was on his third cycle challenge for the hospice, and staff there are deeply shocked by the tragedy.
A fellow doctor also suffered head injuries in the incident, Dr. Helen Mansfield should return the UK shortly.


READ MORE

NOV
2009

Andrei Burton at Weymouth.
Andrei at Weymouth
Andrei breaks record at Weymouth event.

Andrei Burton, known for his breathtaking cycling displays, managed to break his own record for jumping 180 degrees between two platforms, at Weymouth on 20th November.
He was part of the BBC Children in Need event, hosted by the Sea Life Centre.

Andrei's shows are partly supported by Devon County Council and he is regularly seen at local events.
He managed this feat, despite some very slippery boards, -a cool evening saw condensation forming on their rig, and eventually a solution was found by taping sandpaper around the edges.
See more: <<CLICK HERE>>
Pudsey
NOV
2009
Severn Link
New "Severnlink" fast catamaran.

Good news for cyclists' on new Severnlink Ferry.

There was no planned provision to carry bicycles on the new Severnlink Ferry between Ilfracombe and Swansea, but thanks to cycle campaigners in Swansea this has now changed and arrangements are being made to allow stowage of bikes on the service.

For cyclists the 50 minutes crossing is highly attractive, opening up possibilities for day trip's in to Wales, and for cyclists in South wales to daytrip to Devon.
<<CLICK HERE>> for more info.

NOV
2009

Johnny Helms dies - aged 85.

Readers of Cycling Weekly and our own "Highwayman" magazine will know well the familiar cartoons of Johnny Helms.
For 63 years he provided his cartoons for cycling weeekly, and as a good friend of the "Devon DA" he gave his permission for many to be reproduced in our own magazine, where they feature regularly ( see below for this months offering.)

Johnny who was a guest at our Dinner a few years ago was formerly the president of Warrington Road Club.
His memory will live on through his clever cartoons and artwork.

  Johnny Helms cartoon

 

NOV
2009
Adam Hart-Davis
Adam Hart-Davis
Annual Dinner 2009

November 28th is the date for the CTC Devon Annual Dinner.
The location is at the Lord Haldon Hotel, Dunchideock, near Exeter.
This year our special guest is Adam Hart-Davis, the writer and TV broadcaster. ( How Britain was built)
He has many interests including social cycling, so it should be a very entertaining evening.
Ticket price is £20 per person to include a 3 course meal.
We hope to have some displays, and presentations with some photos of this years rides and events.
For more info: <<CLICK HERE>>
NOV
2009
CTC AGM - Ashburton - 8th November.

This years Devon AGM will be at the St.Lawrence Church Hall in Ashburton on 8th November.
Meet at 11am for coffee and refreshemnets - the meeting will commence at 11.15
NOV
2009

Potholes!

Autumn Pothole Blitz

The local authorities have been having a blitz on potholes recently, and have plegded huge sums of money to fix many of the roads next year, and there are promises of a better and quicker repair service.

Although the present system can respond quickly to remediate defects when they are reported, 2009 has been a particularly bad year for roads, exacerbated by the cold weather and snow in February.

This winter why not log in to the Devon County Council pothole reporting site, or use the CTC's own website - Fillthathole.org.uk

OCT
2009
Climbing from Liverton.
Sunshine and smiles - Devil 2009

A fine day out on Dartmoor

This weekends Dartmoor Devil was a great success, with possibly the most settled weather for many years. It was mild and sunny, with a fairly strong breeze across Dartmoor, and a few very light showers.
Roads were still slippery where lanes were shrouded by greenery, and there were several spills on some of the descents, and numerous potholes and patches of hedge clippings also presented a hazard.

Ian Hennessey survived a spill to finish his 17th event, along with Mike Steer, the only two have completed all rides, - organiser Kevin Presland completed his 16th ride.

Several were taking part for the first time - a full report and photos and some video will be posted on the website: www.dartmoordevil.co.uk

First photos here:

OCT
2009
Alistair Chope on the 2008 Devil
Dartmoor Devil - 25th October.

Fine forecast for Devillers

The SEVENTEETH Dartmoor Devil takes place this weekend. ( 25th october)

Two groups of around 100 riders will set out from the bottom of Hind Street Hill at 8am and 9pm. This years route takes the riders across to Cold East Cross, through Widecombe and North Bovey, with the notorious Pepperdon Hill climb to a control at Heltor Rock.
The descent into the Teign Valley is followed by the steep climb out to Drewsteignton.
The route then heads across towards Whiddon Down, with the long climb to Jurston, and the the traditional finishing sectuion across to Princetown, and returing to Manaton via dartmeet, Ponsworthy and Widdecombe Hills.
The weather forecast is mainly dry but with strong winds, so the section to Princetown may be a challenge, good luck to all taking part. With luck there will be pictures and video on this website shortly after the event.
www.dartmoordevil.co.uk

OCT
2009

Group at St.Lo
Twenty Eight ride from Cherbourg to St.Lo.

Twenty Eight riders enjoyed some Normandy sunshine on the trip to Cherbourg at the weekend.
Sadly for Pete Lewis his ride ended right at the start when he was brought down by a tram line, almost invisible in the dark and wet at the ferryport. he spent four hours being treated in Cherbourg Hospital and was unable to ride after that.
The route was via Barfluer and down the East Coast of the Cotentin peninsula through Carentan and Isigny St Mere to St.Lo, staying at the IBIS Hotel on the outskirts.
On the Sunday the return trip was back through Carentan, and stopping for lunch at St.Mre Eglise, before heading to Qhetthou and into the Val De Saire. The last few hours of the ride were wet, and the wind was getting up, but all survived the crossing back to Poole.
OCT
2009
The French Connection.

CTC Torbay are running another of their poular tours to France this weekend
(9th-11th October). Thirty riders will cross the channel from Poole to Cherbourg overnight on Friday.
The ferry docks at 06:30 giving ample time for a a ride down to St.Lo where they will saty overnight, before returning to Cherbourg and the ferry home on Sunday.
Places to visit will include Barfleur, St Vaast Le Haague, St.Mere Eglise and some of the Normandy Beaches.
OCT
2009
Sorry Mate I Didn't See You!

CTC Launches a new website - STOP-SMIDSY!

Bad driving intimidates and harms innocent people.
Cyclists and pedestrians are particularly endangered by negligent or aggressive driving because we’re not encased in a few tonnes of metal every time we set out on the roads. Stop SMIDSY will address how the police, prosecutors, the courts, and the law itself could all do a better job at encouraging people to use the roads in safer and more considerate ways.
When we lobby these institutions on your behalf, we need evidence of how they need to improve.
OCT
2009
New direction for cycling.

Mud and Sweat is a new series of Mountain Bike events being organised across the South West.
It's a combination of mountainbiking and navigation, using SI controls.
The next event is at Haldon Forest Park on 29th November.
The Mud and Sweat website has details of how the events work and how to enter.
You'll need your compass!
OCT
2009

Graham Brodie

Royston Wood
Freewheeling and Climbing.

14 riders took part in the Downhill and Uphill competition near Morleigh.
The downhill freewheeling event was won by Graham Brodie of Newton Abbot in 3min 19secs, and the Hill Climb back up the same hill was won by Royston Wood of Ivybridge in 8min 00secs.
The overall winner was: Royston Wood with an aggregate time of:11min 31sec, Toby Sharp was second at 11min 43sec and Graham Brodie was third in 12min 24sec. Full Result <<Here>>

PHOTOS
OCT
2009

Freewheeling & Uphill.
A weekend of ups and downs.

South Brent is the start for this years Freewheeling and Hill Climb competition.
It's the last competitive event in the CTC Devon Events Calendar.
The downhill freewheeling is followed by a hill climb back up the same hill, and the winner is the one with the fatsest aggregate time.

Meet at the Railway Station car Park in South Brent at 09:00 to enter ( £3.00 ) and then a gentle ride out to the start of the event.

The last event for this year is the Dartmoor Devil on 25th October, - places are filling up fast.
SEP
2009

"The Highwayman"

New issues of "Highwayman Magazine" printed for 2009-10.

Covers are about to be printed for the next 10 issues of the club's colour magazine
"The Highwyman"
.
Member are being encouraged to take out an annual subsciption for the magazine, which cut's down on wasteage and makes it cheaper to buy!

At the moment the editorial team are inundated with copy, which is great and the first issue of the next series is set to be a bumper one.

SEP
2009
Fifteen Century riders for the Annual 8 hours trial.

Only fifteen riders turned out for this year 100 miles in 8 hours ride this year.

The weather was good and the route took in several climbs, first over Haldon via Trusham and down to Dunchideock.
Passing through Exeter, the route was then via lanes to Shobrooke and Crediton, and then a section of A377 to Eggesford, before more climbing through Wembworthy and Monkokehampton to Hatherleigh.
The return leg was back through Okehampton, Widdon Down, Cheriton Bishop and down to Dunsford and into the Teign Valley to the finish at the Railway Inn at Newton Abbot.
Photos here:
SEP
2009

Cyclists' not welcome on First Great Western trains.

Regular cycle commuters had a bit of a surprise on Thursday when they were requested to leave a busy train.

Although there were no other bikes on board ( three had just come off) the train was busy with people travelling to schools and colleges in Totnes and Plymouth.
The cyclists were told that they were blocking a gangway, and that they should leave the train. When one of them pointed out that all the gangways in the train were blocked by luggage, people and prams the train manager asked them to leave the train again and then called the police.
The train then waited for a bout 15 minutes during which time there was some shuffling on the train which allowed the bikes to be stowed. The riders were then told that no police were available, and so the train continued on it's journey.

The 0832 service to Plymouth is regularly overcrowded, and replaces two original trains. Despite regular complaints FGW have no plans to enhance the service, but admit that it is unsatisfactory.

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