As you can see on the Runs List, there is no planned ride this Sunday and the alternative coffee stop is still to be announced. So here is the announcement! UPFRONT GALLERY at Unthank.
We have just noticed that the Mill Yard Cafe at Morland will be closed for one day on Wednesday 11th April - unfortunately the day we are due there. So the venue will now be Booths, Penrith. Will try to remember to post a reminder the day before.
Friday 30 March 2018
Thursday 29 March 2018
Fibre Broadband
As many EV's live in villages which may in the past year have had fibre broadband installed, but like us have not yet opted for it rather than stay with conventional 'slow' non fibre (in our case was 1Mb max as we are 4 miles from exchange), the following may be useful, warts and all - as I'm no guru!
Just signed up for BT fibre broadband, great offers at the moment and cheaper than our present non-fibre 1Mb max with Plusnet.
BT presently I think don't allow in low usage areas any other providers such as Plusnet to use BT's fibre except on what they call a 'trial' basis with non discounted prices. Only BT seem to be able to offer value packages, though this could change in the future.
£29.99 per month BT Infinity Unlimited 50Mb including line rental. Easter offer saves £50 activation charge. £9.99 postal charge for delivery of router.Includes free weekend calls to landlines and caller display. It is an 18 month contract.
This assumes you have fibre to the premises ie into a duct in the road outside your house. Note (guessing) many villages do not have what is called fibre to the box (which is what most towns have), out here it is fibre to the premises - this limits offers from other providers.
Signing up online gets a £150 BT Reward Card to spend at any Mastercard retailer - including supermarket shopping! You could opt for the £5 per month cheaper Infinity limited to 30Gb package (ample if not streaming films etc), but that doesn't get the reward card. So £5 per month extra x 18 months = £90, but get £150 reward card - no brainer!
Plus we've taken a BT add-on extra £5 a month for a mobile SIM only package (uses EE network) of unlimited texts & calls and 0.5Gb data. We will use the mobile to make all outgoing calls, as works out cheaper than buying a landline anytime call package - more and more folks are going that way. Note that none of these mobile SIM only packages I think include calls to 0870 and 0845. Bonus with new roaming rules, for 36 European countries, usage is included just as in the UK. Plus access to all 5 million BT wifi UK hotspots whatever they are!
Anyone else you think may be interested, pass it on.
Apologies it's not about bikes, does anyone object?
Tuesday 27 March 2018
moderate ride Wednesday 28th
The forecast bad weather has not materialised so the ride will be as advertised.
Starting at Dalston to Animal Refuge via Wreay and Cotehill, then over the viaduct to Warwick Bridge via Cumwhitton and back via Newby East and Carlisle, about 40ish miles.
Tea on offer at Dalston.
Dallas
Starting at Dalston to Animal Refuge via Wreay and Cotehill, then over the viaduct to Warwick Bridge via Cumwhitton and back via Newby East and Carlisle, about 40ish miles.
Tea on offer at Dalston.
Dallas
Monday 26 March 2018
3 bike club ride from Wetheral - Wed 28th March
The ride will start from the Green in Wetheral 9.30am 11's will be at the garden centre in Brampton - NOT Longtown. My mistake! The route to Greenhead will be gently undulating. (we will not be going up 'Banks') Greenhead Hotel will be open for lunches. I phoned Greenhead tea room today to find out if they would be open but there was no reply. The tea room may be closed on mondays.
The total distance of the ride I regret to say will only be about 50 miles. To make up for the lack of distance, we will after lunch be going into indian territory (lots of arrows) culminating in a visit to Forrest Head. So not so gentle!
The forecast at the moment is for showers in the afternoon
I hope to see lots and lots of you at the start.
The total distance of the ride I regret to say will only be about 50 miles. To make up for the lack of distance, we will after lunch be going into indian territory (lots of arrows) culminating in a visit to Forrest Head. So not so gentle!
The forecast at the moment is for showers in the afternoon
I hope to see lots and lots of you at the start.
Friday 23 March 2018
Rides on Sunday 25th
Myself and Rosie will be leading 2 rides from Shap village car park leaving at 9.30. Rosie will ride a loop which will lead to Orton Scar Cafe for lunch at 12ish. A hilly ride of about 28 miles. One stop so bring a snack. I will lead an extended loop which depending on the group may end up at Sedburgh for lunch, so around 60 miles. We are travelling independently so do not expect to return to Shap at the same time.
Monday 19 March 2018
Ride ON Wednesday 21st March
Ride will start from Greystoke car park at 9:30. Route will be to Keswick along the A66 corridor for coffee after about 14 miles. Lunch at Caldbeck after a further 16 miles and then return to Greystoke for a total distance of about 50 miles. The weather forecast doesn't look bad as I write this so I hope to see some of you at the start.
Sunday 18 March 2018
Exercise Your Musical Talents?
Skirwith village hall (next village to us in Ousby) has a monthly music session aimed at anyone who wants to play, sing, monologue, poetry etc - or just listen. Very informal and relaxed with usually less than a dozen there - perfect if the idea of 'performing' puts you off. Ruth & I support and enjoy it when we are around.
Next session is Monday March 26th at 7.30 pm, rescheduled from 19th due to lack of numbers.
Anyone interested let me know lesandruth@gmail.com / 01768 881894
Next session is Monday March 26th at 7.30 pm, rescheduled from 19th due to lack of numbers.
Anyone interested let me know lesandruth@gmail.com / 01768 881894
Saturday 17 March 2018
Sunday 18th March ride
Weather looking rather iffy.
Will probably have to cancel, but please phone me if you want to go out and we can decide if it's suitable in the morning.
Will probably have to cancel, but please phone me if you want to go out and we can decide if it's suitable in the morning.
Thursday 15 March 2018
The Perils of Ignoring a Road Closed Sign
We've all ridden past road closed signs - particularly when they've been moved by previous "passers". The following pictures provide a small illustration of what Ludo & I encountered yesterday around the back of Thirlmere. Presumably the carnage occurred during the Beast form the East! There are numerous trees down over maybe a 4 or 5 miles stretch and quite a lot of collateral damage to walls & banking. Although clearance has started at the south end, I would envisage it will take several weeks to clear the road & repair walls etc.
Monday 12 March 2018
Club Ride Wednesday 14th March
Pace will be 'civilised' as I'm far from cycling fit!
Start our house Ousby 9.30 prompt, or meet Melmerby 9.45. Though most as usual will probably ride direct to 10.30's at Renwick church hall for coffee and biscuits.
Some of you who would otherwise ride to the alternative 11's may wish to join us at Renwick for a change of venue?
Remember the church hall finishes serving at 11 am, so aim to be there at 10.30.
Route is Eastern fellside, loop into Brampton for lunch, back via Weatherall viaduct, Armathwaite with a few undulations.
Weather forecast suggests unsettled - but no snow & ice to play on!
Start our house Ousby 9.30 prompt, or meet Melmerby 9.45. Though most as usual will probably ride direct to 10.30's at Renwick church hall for coffee and biscuits.
Some of you who would otherwise ride to the alternative 11's may wish to join us at Renwick for a change of venue?
Remember the church hall finishes serving at 11 am, so aim to be there at 10.30.
Route is Eastern fellside, loop into Brampton for lunch, back via Weatherall viaduct, Armathwaite with a few undulations.
Weather forecast suggests unsettled - but no snow & ice to play on!
Books for sale - house clearance!
Date | Title | Author / Editor | Description | Price |
? | The Epicyclic Gear | Large, folded, good condition | £2 | |
? | The Tandem Club | Envelope re-use stickers. As new. | £2 | |
1984 | Bicycle Times | Peter Lumley | Slight damage. VGC for age. Articles on Raleigh Cycles, Trikes, YHA, etc. | £3 |
1981 | Handbook | Slightly soiled covers and yellowed pages | £4 | |
2006 | Cycle-Kit | 44 pages in colour, VGC | £4 | |
1990 | Mad Dogs and Cyclists | Chris Rooney | On two wheels through Northumbria. As new | £4 |
1972 | The Velocipede, its history and how to use it | 'An Experienced Velocipedist' | Facsimile of 1869 booklet. Good condition | £4 |
1985 | Fat Man on a Roman Road | Tom Vernon | Good condition | £4 |
1974 | England by Bicycle | Frederick Alderson | Good condition | £5 |
2010 | Bike Snob | Eben Weiss | As new | £5 |
1971 | Cycling: Land's End to John O'Groats | Alan J. Ray | First edition. Jacket damaged, book good condition | £5 |
1978 | The Penguin Book of the Bicycle | Roderick Watson and Martin Gray | Good condition | £5 |
1985 | Cycle Clips - A history of cycling in the north east | Various | As new | £5 |
1975 | Cycle Racing: Training to Win | Les Woodland | First edition. Almost perfect | £5 |
2004 | A Significant Other | Matt Rendell | As new | £5 |
1975 | Richard's Bicycle Book | Richard Ballantine | Good, but slight yellowing | £5 |
1972 | Bicycling, A History | Frederick Alderson | Cover faded, pages in good condition | £6 |
1980 | Cycling in Posters | Jan Michael | Practically perfect | £6 |
2012 | Unsurpassed | Godfrey Barlow | As new | £8 |
2007 | The Cyclist's Companion | George Theohari / Foreword by Jon Snow | As new apart from slight marks on jacket | £8 |
1938 | CTC Route Book No. 5 The English Lakes | Cover worn, pages in good condition | £10 | |
1935 | Cycling Manual | Binding come loose, otherwise good. Date estimated | £10 | |
1954 | Cycling Book of Maintenance | H. H. England | VGC. | £10 |
1964 | Know the Game Cycling | Cyclists' Touring Club | VGC | £10 |
1967 | Cycling Manual | R. John Way | First Edition. Cover worn, pages perfect | £10 |
1974 | My Nineteenth Tour de France | J. B. Wadley | Cover worn, pages in good condition | £10 |
1990 | Das Fahrrad | Karl-Heinz Raach | Date estimated. Sumptuous photographic art book. As new. | £10 |
1981 | Fat Man on a Bicycle | Tom Vernon | Good condition | £10 |
1911 | The Open Road, for motoring, cycling and walking | Pages reasonable, covers have come away and have some damage and discolouration. Date estimated. | £10 | |
1927 | CTC Touring Route | Cyclists' Touring Club | Typed / Duplicated route descriptions (3 separate booklets). A bit tatty. CTC opened Craven Hill Office in 1927, these may be later. | £12 |
1956 | Round the Island | H. W. Freeman | Cycle tour in Sardinia. Perfect except for some damage to back of jacket | £15 |
1975 | King of the Road, an illustrated history of cycling | Andrew Ritchie | First Edition. Slight discolouration, VGC for age. | £15 |
1977 | Winged Wheel | William Oakley | VGC. First Edition | £15 |
1980 | Wheels of Choice, cycle touring photographs | Tim Hughes | Almost perfect | £15 |
1900 | Philips' Cyclists' Map Northumberland | Map in good condition, cover well worn. Date estimated. | £20 | |
1934 | Land's End to John O' Groats | W. B. Dawson | Tour description. VGC. | £20 |
1938 | CTC Route Book No. 8 The Wye Valley and Welsh Borderland | Almost perfect | £20 | |
1950 | Let's Go Cycling | Reginald C. Shaw | First edition. Jacket damaged, book VGC | £20 |
1960 | Cycling Manual 24th Edition | H. H. England | Jacket slight damage, book almost perfect | £20 |
1967 | An 80 page picture tribute Britain's greatest ever road cycling champion TOM SIMPSON | Roger St Pierre with Alan Gayfer, Ken Evans, J.B. Wadley, etc. | Rare. Black and white 77 pages, colour covers. Slightly yellowed pages and slight damage to cover. VGC considering its age. | £20 |
1970 | Mick Gambling … on Cycling | Mick Gambling / Martin Ayres | A humorous look at the sport. Illustrations by Johnny Helms. Good condition. Date estimated | £20 |
1972 | Old Roads and New | J. B. Wadley | VGC. Signed by author. | £20 |
1929 | A Thread of English Road | Charles S. Brooks | Cover discoloured, slightly loose. | £20 |
1963 | Laughter on Two Wheels | Rex Coley | VGC. First Edition | £30 |
1979 | The Art of Frank Patterson | Jim and Janet Willis | First edition. Jacket damaged, book perfect | £60 |
1979 | The Frank Patterson Picture Book | Jim and Janet Willis | First edition. Jacket slight damage, book perfect | £75 |
Saturday 10 March 2018
Ride on Sunday 11th March
At last the forecast is such that I can be confident to announce the ride is on! Leaders have had difficult decisions to make for quite a while now and we should be grateful that they have been prepared to take on the decision making responsibilities. We will not have to cross sections of road where you need four wheel drive as in the photograph below which Bill O and I encountered at How Hill near Lamonby on Wednesday.
The route on Sunday will be 42 miles composed of 10 miles to coffee at Dirty Harry's at High Hesket on the A6, a further 12 miles to Talkin Tarn followed by 20 miles back to Dalston. Even though it is Mothering Sunday I'm not expecting our stops to be particularly popular for treating mum but the pace will be suitable if you want to bring her along.
You are welcome to tea afterwards.
The route on Sunday will be 42 miles composed of 10 miles to coffee at Dirty Harry's at High Hesket on the A6, a further 12 miles to Talkin Tarn followed by 20 miles back to Dalston. Even though it is Mothering Sunday I'm not expecting our stops to be particularly popular for treating mum but the pace will be suitable if you want to bring her along.
You are welcome to tea afterwards.
Thursday 8 March 2018
Hartside Fire & Sustrans Milepost
Cycled (actually a 7 mph unfit crawl) up Hartside this morning. Brilliant as closed to things with engines, so road deserted - like my very own Tour de Britain - apart from snow plow and cannon coming the other way to finally clear the drifts. Reason for the ride was to see if Sustrans milepost fire damaged or sideswiped by a fire appliance. Good news is that's it's fine, but the Hartside cafe charred remains left me feeling saddened, quite emotive as absolutely nobody around for the 20 minutes I lingered there. On the chilly descent back, gleefully cutting off blind corners, passed another couple of cyclists going up and the snow plow nearly through to Melmerby. Road will be open by now, so really fortuitous going today - don't think will get Hartside to myself again in a lifetime!
Tuesday 6 March 2018
Two bike ride from Penrith
I, too, have decided not to lead my ride tomorrow. There are still piles of snow around on many roads and, although they are being flattened, they are unlikely to have disappeared by tomorrow morning, especially as the rides are now scheduled to start at 9.30. If you get out, enjoy and take care.
Wednesday 7 March.From Shap CANCELLED
Hi All
More snow. Roads here still have patches of compacted snow and now have another 20mm of fresh snow on top. The planned ride was in an upland area and is likely to be the same.
I will not be leading the ride from Shap and I suggest that if there is a safe route that we to attend 11's at the PotPlace and see what can be salvaged from the day
David
More snow. Roads here still have patches of compacted snow and now have another 20mm of fresh snow on top. The planned ride was in an upland area and is likely to be the same.
I will not be leading the ride from Shap and I suggest that if there is a safe route that we to attend 11's at the PotPlace and see what can be salvaged from the day
David
Saturday 3 March 2018
Ride Sunday 4 th March
Hi everybody,
I am cancelling Sundays ride from Lazonby. Although conditions are set to improve slightly on Sun I reckon there will still be snow & ice about, and below freezing temperatures at night!
Lets hope we can all get out on the Bikes soon!
Best Wishes, Bill Holmes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)