Picture credit: Jimmy Walker

Edited independently in three of the CTC Wessex member group areas and publishedquarterly. Please contact your nearest member group or access the club website for

information on any eventswww.wessexctc.org for all CTC Wessex activities

CTC WESSEX SECRETARYPeter Loakes, Church Cottage, West Stafford, DT2 8AB (01305) 263272CTC BOURNEMOUTHCheryl Owen, 1 Bond Road, Poole BH15 3RT (01202) 738428Margaret Phillpotts, Onair, 9 Bucklers Way, Bournemouth BH8 0EWCTC SALISBURYAlan Clarke, “Hill House”, Kelsey Road, Salisbury SP1 1JR (01722) 322188CTC WEST DORSETAngela Price, 41 Garfield Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2EYCTC BLACKMORE VALERichard Gow, Wildfell, Crown Rd, Marnhull, DT10 1LN (01258) 821391

Main Calendar Dates For 2011

THE WESSEX NEWSLETTER

April 10th Dorset Coastlet 100km Peter Loakes 01305 263272

April 10th Dorset Coast 200km Peter Loakes 01305 263272

Apr 23rd 3D300km Audax Peter Loakes 01305 263272

May 8th New Forest Spring Challenge 50km John Ward 01590 671205

May 8th New Forest Day Out 100km John Ward 01590 671205

May 8th New Forest 150km John Ward 01590 671205

May 8th New Forest Excursion 200km John Ward 01590 671205

May 14th CTC NATIONAL AGM & DINNER AT WEYMOUTH

May 15th CTC Wessex Centenary Celebration Rides at Weymouth 01305772654

May 15th Dorset Downs 100km Justin Oakley 07968 213833

May 15th Dorset Downs “Jake the Peg” 150km Justin Oakley 07968 213833

Sept 4th New Forest Autumn Challenge 50km John Ward 01590 671205

Sept 4th New Forest & Coast 100km John Ward 01590 671205

Sept 4th New Forest 150km John Ward 01590 671205

Sept 4th New Forest On & Off Shore 200km John Ward 01590 671205

Sept 11th Dorset Dirt 50km Off-Road Ken Reed 01305 772654

Sept TBA Bournemouth Square 200km Brian Callow

Sept 25th GRAND CTC meet at the last 2011 Breamore Steam Up

Oct 9th Gridiron 100km Terry Walsh 01202 247888

3 Cycle Ink #161

Keith Matthews - Editor

This is a sad time. As we hear of the death ofPeter Robinson of Dorchester Cycles, we hearalso of the death Peter Dulieu. Before thoseevents, as the last issue of this Newsletter rolledfrom the printer complete with the notice of theCertificate of Merit for Richard and MargaretNicholl, we were hit with the devastating newsthat Margaret had fallen from her bicycle havinghit a pothole. She was on the way to theBlackmore Vale club run and she died a weeklater. Vale - Margaret Rose Nicholl 1943 - 2011

So, we are a charity now, or rather we will be assoon as Kevin and team at CTC get the newConstitution and application together. The postal vote wasoverwhelmingly in favour, although left to the actual AGM attendance itwould not have gone through. It seems that this might take about a year.We must abide by a democratic decision and I hope that we will all notregret it in future.Our cover picture shows our Wessex President Malcolm Howell“Badger” at the National Dinner at Portland. Fully reported on page 14. Regular contributor Big Bob is joined in this issue by tales of theexploits of Paul Turner and David Chesworth.

Cycle Ink #161 4

CTC Blackmore Vale RidesThese take place every week alternating between Saturday & Sunday

Meet 10am, set off at 10.30am.Lunches: Cafés in Winter; Picnics during BST

01258 821391 - Richard GowGo to the Blackmore Vale website for the full Runs List:

www.wessexctc/bvr.htm

5 Cycle Ink #161

By Keith MatthewsCups and TrophiesI have been asked by the committee to tell you about the very few cups andtrophies that we award each year in CTC Bournemouth. I think they would likea higher level of awareness and also to ask for your help in awarding them.

The Tourist ShieldThis is awarded to the highest placed CTC Bournemouthmember who records points in the CTC National TouristCompetition. If you take part in qualifying events up anddown the country then points will be added up and we scandown the final list in October to pick out the highest placedlocal rider. The award of the shield often comes as acomplete surprise to the recipient!

The Riders CupThis cup is awarded for the most impressive feat of cyclingthrough the year. This year the committee chose a rider whohad undertaken a number and variety of rides throughoutthe year rather than just one, but last year it was awardedfor a single cross-European expedition. The committeedecide on this, but its always difficult and maybe they don’talways hear of everybody’s effort, so if you know of aworthy recipient, let Terry or Mike or any committeemember know.

The Sartain TrophyWe regard this as our most prestigious trophy, awarded forspecial work for the club over the year. The committee decidethis based on their knowledge but they would still appreciateany input if you feel that there is a worthy recipient that theyhave not thought of.

Freewheel TrophyThis is for winning the freewheeling competition, straightforwardreally. The committee don’t need any help with this one!

Cycle Ink #161 6

BOURNEMOUTH - JP Morgan have signed up 1200 to bike to workscheme (2% of staff), - 28 showers 560 lockers, secure cycle lock up.

Funding for schools. Bournemouth has been voted the best in theSouth West for cycling for Schools. There are now cycling links toschool - Woodland Walk, signs produced by school children. Handdrawn artwork signs to be installed by mid March. The Project won“Scheme of the Month” on Cycling England website. Other schoolsare Porchester/Avonbourne/Bicknell- links to schools from PetersfieldRoad, Glenmoor, Winton, St. Mark’s. New footway/cycle paths alsoare completed across Slades Farm parkland to help access to school &cycle track and recreational facilities and Pelican crossings. I haveused it. It’s great! Slade’s Farm cycling track is progressing well.Bikeability training now well underway in local schools. Courses alsobeing offered at Everyone Active - Rossmore Leisure Centre.

POOLE - Pedal Again in Poole continues to be popular with the nextcourse taking place on Saturday 21 and 28 May.14 Riders turned up in May to take part in the Poole Leisure Cyclingride. This ride takes place every 1st Saturday in the month during BritishSummer time – meet front of Upton House at 2pm.

Big Green Fortnight is taking place between 20 May and 5 June – lotof green events for cycling nuts.Cycling Celebration on the Quay on Thursday 23 June. Set up at 4pmwith event start at 5pm and finishing 8/9pm. Organisers will provide aRisk Assessment and public liability insurance. So far 19organisations registered to attend including second hand bikes, bikebits, cycle clothing, cycle lights, electric bike try-out/children bikestry-out, “bling your bike” competition etc.Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) bid submitted for Pooletown centre/Hamworthy co-ordinating a Community Cycle Scheme inpartnership with the CTC to encourage cycling in the localcommunity. In LSTF - Bournemouth cycling has bid for driver-cycleawareness - notification on both schemes will be announcedat the end of June.

Right to Ride Network By Paul M. Turner

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You will all be aware I have not been able to take an active part in thealternatives Thursday rides for some time due to the deterioration in my health.I have however continued to organise the runs sheet and joined some of therides for coffee/lunch, making my own way by an easier route. However I amincreasingly aware that this doesn’t keep my hand on the pulse of the groupand it is important to have a person who is able to ride more regularly. For thisreason I would like someone to take over from me as soon as possible please.The work entailed isn’t arduous, doesn’t take a lot of time and the use of acomputer isn’t essential. It only entails some liaison when the runs list isprepared to ensure the meets and coffee stops don’t coincide with other groups.Also requesting persons to lead the rides. The Christmas lunch has also beenprovisionally booked for this year and I will of course give as much help asneeded to ensure a smooth take over.I have always found taking an active part in all the organisations I havebelonged to has enhanced my enjoyment and have been doing thisintermittently with the CTC since shortly after I joined the North BirminghamDA in 1948. Sadly I feel its time to hand over the to a more active person.Of course many of you who read this are active members of other Thursdaygroups, don’t ride as much now or are heavily involve with otherorganisations. This is therefore just for your information.Lastly I would like to thank everyone, most sincerely, for the help they havegiven me since I first took over the Potterers from Joan Courtneyand latterly with the formation of the Alternatives. With your help ithas been a great pleasure for me to be involved. Both groups havecontinued to flourish and attract both old and new riders who enjoythis wonderful pastime.

The Alternatives By Rob Garnett

CycleInk SubscriptionsTo get this Newsletter and the Runs List in hard copy sent by post costscurrently the trivial sum of £2.50, just to cover the postage and envelopes. Thissends you four issues for the year. We are happy to receive your renewals bypost or hand delivered, but all renewals must enclose the proper form whichwill be sent to you at renewal time, or which can be downloaded from ourwebsite at http://www.bournemouthctc.org/If hand delivering your renewal, particularly, please put the formand cheque or cash in an envelope – we are not always able toanswer the doorbell – and please always have the correct amount ofcash as we cannot give change.

By Janet Matthews

Cycle Ink #161 8

A Day I Crossed the Sahara by BikeBy Paul M. Turner aka madcyclist5!

From Foreign Legion Fort to ForeignLegion Fort (retired) in Morocco south ofthe Atlas Mountains. It was cold in themorning, almost freezing point in acloudless sky. The forts are built of mud &straw and very substantial. Thick walls andvery hard and now are Auberges or

Kasbahs. There arebasically cool shelteredcourtyards with beautifulaccommodation andrestaurants.Mary & I were on amotorhome tour fromCeuta on the tip of NorthAfrica. Ceuta is anenclave to Spain likeGibraltar it to UK. I do notknow why the Spanish are

complaining aboutGibraltar! We have acomfortable camping car(as the French say) with agarage under the fixedbeds so I can cycle in myspare time.Two Andrews, Trevor, afamily of Aussies(originally from SouthAfrica) Bobby & Sandy -Toscha & Nirvana are 10& 9 years old, and ofcourse me, madcyclist5,cycled out! The CTC hascaught them young!

Picture credits:Paul Turner & Margaret Phillpotts

9 Cycle Ink #161

We set out at about 10 o’clockwhen the temperature was10oC with my thickChristchurch Bicycle Clubjersey. I was amazed that thesand was hard with thin crustalmost grey tarmac quality.Where cars and trucks hadbeen it was soft sand!We cycled on a piste withdifficulty because small rocks.The forts are on old caravanroutes as staging posts for thetrans-Saharan trade of up to

20,000 camels. The camels were able totransport salt from remote mines on to Nigerand Ghana where a pound of Saharan saltwas traded for an ounce of African gold.It took almost an hour and half to cycle eightmiles, with rocks, crust, sand and sweat! Atmidday I was hot, I took off my CBC jerseywith a temperature 22oC. Coffee was welcomeat The Kasbah Sable d’Or. In the courtyardwere three sets of skis for sand skiing! Theydo sand-surfing as well!

Going back was easier but hotter!

Cycle Ink #161 10

Come on, admit it, we have allbeen there. The bike ready, tyrespumped the night before.Sandwich in the fridge, bidonready, cycling clobber laid out,starting venue ascertained, andthen, upon awakening the splutterof rain on the bedroom window.Dilemma, do you:-a Turn over and think about itb Go back to sleep.c Attempt to initiate unseemly

activity.d Leap out of bed with a wild cry

of joy at the thought of yourbike patiently waiting.

Dear friends, may I stronglyrecommend from the advantage ofmy advancing years the lattercourse. Any of the former choiceshave often only led me to guilt andlethargy for the rest of the day.Out on the bike, adequately rain-proofed, in rough weather ourpolite manicured countrysidebecomes a wild land of boisterouswinds and splashing raindrops, fullof strange sounds and challengingadventures. Old Celtic and SaxonGods roam free and Pan’shaunting cry echoes across thelandscapeThe friends who do make it to thestart become extra special friends.The café and pub lunch stopsbecome extra special stops andwhen stood under a hot shower atthe day’s end, what memories,what larks, what a thrill to be alive!

Now a complete change of tone inthe print space available and it isat this stage I must, with regret,ask the ladies of our large cyclingfamily to cease reading this article.The following is not for theirdelicate eyes and it is the malehalf of our far flung club who mustbe galvanised into curing the latestaffront to our harmless activity andprotect the sensitive natures of ourfemale participants.I refer of course to that shadowyorganisation the BBBC or moreproperly the “Bournemouth BareBottomed Cycling club.”I first became aware of theirexistence while leading a mixedcultured group from our Le Hoteldu Velo Sportive ResidentialRetirement Hotel to a countrylunch down some charming laneswhen the ruffian struck. Instantlyrecognisable by the questionableRoad Jersey this “Jack The Lad”of the cycling fraternity swiftly

Bad Weather Blues By Big Bob

11 Cycle Ink #161

overtook the group and with araucous peal of laughter lowered,and I choke to say this, lowered,the rear of his cycling attire. Theeffect you can imagine. Luckily, agrassy bank nearby enabled ourladies along with some of the menI might add to sink to the groundand attempt to recover from sucha trauma.Fortunately, and thanks to JohnB’s quick and effectivephotographic expertise, wemanaged to obtain a photographof the miscreant. I am loath toinclude such an image in thesearticles which as you all know arerenowned for their high moral tonebut it is essential we recogniseand apprehend the vagabondsone by one. If you find anythingfamiliar about the image whichmay assist in his identification yourduty calls. Some half an hour afterthe incident and with Margaret P’sand Gill G’s breathing finally undercontrol I had time to reflect.Something had to be done and tothis end after dinner back at LeHotel du Velo Sportiv I sat chattingwith Mike B and Pete D. The resultwas a plan which at the timeseemed highly effective. It hadbeen rumoured that members ofthis questionable Cycling Clubwould periodically gather for anevenings drunkenness anddownright debauchery at anisolated New Forest Public Housewhere further plans for affrontingour fair sex could be devised.

It was obvious the best way togain entry and thereforeknowledge of their vile intentionswould be to pose as women whichwould ensure a welcome entry intotheir sordid gathering.To this end, heavily disguised, thethree of us in the gathering duskpedaled quietly through the forestto the offending Pub. The sight ofbeards on Peter and myself beingovercome by burying our chins inpolo necked sweaters suitablypadded in the bustal region.We had surmised correctly andupon entering a well filled noisybar we were greeted withrapturous wolf whistles andgeneral approving cries of adubious physical nature.Each of us was quickly surroundedby a group of lewd eyed admirersand it was with someapprehension I saw Mike B, beingheavily plied with drinks in smallglasses containing cocktail sticks.By listening good information wasbeing obtained until both Pete and

Cycle Ink #161 12

Mike after lisping their apologiesminced away for a toilet break andmade the cardinal error of enteringthe “Gents” instead of the “ Ladies”facilities. Instantly an ominoussilence descended followed byhowls of anger and in the uproarall three of us were rudely handledand ejected onto the Pubforecourt. Mike’s pretty whiteblouse was in shreds while Peterhad lost his Bra altogether and myown suspender belt had beenseverely displaced.The salutary ride back to “LeHotel” was full of bitterrecriminations and later over hot

chocolate in the deserted diningroom we had to agree it had notbeen our finest hour. Wearily weparted on the first floor mainlanding en route to our respectiveapartments.The last word came from Mike.“You know what really gets meabout this evening?”“No what?” Pete and I swunground.“Losing that white blouse”!

Ride warily! Big Bob

What more could cyclists want than agood tea stop with toilets and theoption of good food too, at veryreasonable prices, and fellow cyclits forcompany.  You can even eat your ownsandwiches there.  The area aroundBreamore is full of cycling interest.  Itis also accessible via the hourlySalisbury to Bournemouth X3 bus;

alight in Breamore and walk west.The Miz-Maze, Saxon Church, Giant's grave long barrow, view of thefront of Breamore house, the renovated Breamore railway station withtrackbed path north, good company; are all free. If you have an interestin large steam vehicles then you can pay and go into the dedicated steamarea.  However you might well find quite a few of the smallertraction engines chugging along the public roads aroundBreamore.  Look out for the plaque to the soldier who died inthe Boer war.  See you there from midday to around 3 pm.

Annual Breamore Meet By Alan ClarkeSeptember 25th

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As the new cycling track in Bournemouth nears completion, the BournemouthCycling Centre took the opportunity to thank local organisations who havedonated funds to support the new facility. In excess of £25,000 has been raisedand will be used to buy bikes and competition equipment.

Local clubs, Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers, Bournemouth Arrow/HotelCollingwood and the Bournemouth section of the Wessex branch of the CTCall made donations of £1,000 and had representatives at the track as the first ofthe facilities bikes were delivered. Alan Mcrae, the centres manager said “It isimportant that all our donors are recognised, it’s great that the Jubilee, Arrow& CTC have people here today but we must also thank other funding agencies,Awards for All, Grass Roots, Community Goals and of course our own DorsetCycling Development Group (DCDG) who all gave generously. In addition,Over £3,500 came from individual donations, including one of £1,000, manyother individuals and organisations made smaller donations, some going backto our Winton days (the original plan, thrown out at the planning stage, was toredevelop the old Winton track). We can be proud of the total raised and this isthe Bournemouth Cycling Centres opportunity to record its thanks to all thesedonors. Without them BCC would not be so well equipped”Technical problems with the sophisticated equipment used to lay the final tracksurface have delayed the opening of the new centre. OperationsManager, Roger Papp is hopeful of an official opening ceremonyaround mid June and the track available for use in early July.

Bournemouth Cycle Centre By Eamonn Deane

L to R: Andrew Mayfield (Bmth Arrow); Gerrish Gray (DCDG); Eamonn Deane (BJW)Steve Staniland (Radsport); Roger Papp (BCC); John & Rosalie Hayter (CTC Wessex)

Cycle Ink #161 14

This article isabout cycling andthe fun we hadcelebrating ahundred years ofour CTC inWessex. It isabout the good ithas done for all ofus in the eyes ofthe community. Itis about theunusual sight of aBadger in a suit.On Sunday 15th

May, as part of thecentenary

celebrations, many of us from CTC Wessex led rides starting from Weymouthand taking in Abbotsbury basking in lovely sunshine. Those game for a hardclimb went on to Burton Bradstock, visiting Hardy’s Monument with viewstaking in Poole Harbour, possibly the distant Isle of Wight, Devon andSomerset. Others pushed their bikes up Lime Kiln Hill and made their wayback to Weymouth via the Friar Waddon Road. We were very surprised tohave about 50 people out on the rides, expecting far fewer.  Perhaps we forget,being locals, how lovely Dorset is and how much others envy us. Manystopped off at the Wishing Well, keeping the Café To Café culture alive.Those we talked to were very happy with their day out. As far as we knownone are still wandering in the Dorset hills unless they want to be there.Now to that Badger in a suit. The National Dinner, including presentation ofprizes, was held in the evening after the AGM on 14th May. It was at theWeymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the spectacular venue forthe sailing events of the 2012 Olympics. Views from the dining room on thislovely evening took in the whole of Weymouth Bay with the Jurassic Coaststretching into the distance to Lulworth Cove and beyond.The almost unrecognisable be-suited President Badger (see the front cover)welcomed us with the following words:

CTC Wessex Centenary . . . . . . and National AGM & Dinner By Anne & Ken Reed

David Cox the CTC Chairmantakes the AGM

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“Wessex CTC is delighted to welcome you to the Weymouth and PortlandNational Sailing Academy, in this our centenary year.Here, the venue for the 2012 Olympics, our sailors plan to head the medalstable. They will of course be challenged for this honour by our equallysuccessful cyclists.CTC activities are varied. CTC sponsored and led our Connect2 project, alandmark bridge which will be opened in September.Wessex CTC campaigns for cyclists’ rights with our partners, the CTCaffiliated Dorset Cyclists’ Network.We will not forget our roots firmly based in cycle touring. CTC Wessex hasbeen proud to host, over the years, almost every major CTC national event,some several times.Our club touring activities are varied. We have gentle days out with ourfolders group, longer rides in the Dorset hills and tough rides along theJurassic coast.Now we are looking forward. In 2010 we formed a new subsidiarymembers group in Blackmore Vale to complement the Bournemouth,Salisbury and West Dorset groups.We have something for every cyclist”

This set the tone for the evening with presentations to those who havepromoted cycling in many and varied areas. Our guests of honour were eachextremely impressed by the range and quality of CTC’s work and are sure thatthis will benefit us a great deal locally. The guests included Weymouth andPortland Mayor Elect Councillor Graham Winter, DCC and WPBC Councillorand Connect2 cycle champion Howard Legg and founder and Chairman of theDorset Cyclists’ Network Michael Evans.

Some Riders Assemble for the Sunday Morning

Cycle Ink #161 16

As long term cycle campaigners the goodthis is already doing us and will continue todo in the future cannot be underestimated.Our guests now see us as part of aNationwide Club, often working with thedeprived and disabled promoting cycling androad safety. We are sure they will pass theword on when cycling is mentioned.We personally were honoured at the Dinnerby being presented with lovely flowers and a

The Sunday Morning Ride

Sue Cherry& Kevin MayneCTC Guildford

Jill Kieran & Gill Anlezarkenjoy a joke

Your Editor atthe gathering

Sharon &Margaret

17 Cycle Ink #161

very interestingantique book aboutDorset. The mainthanks however aredue to all of youwho helped makethe AGM, thedinner, and the ridessuch a hugesuccess.And if you are stillnerdish enough towant to know aboutthe business sessions it will all be published in “Cycling”.

Ken and Anne’sPresentation

Peter A. M. Dulieu

1928-2011

I first came across Peter sitting on the wall of the Sea View pub atthe end of Ashley Road, Parkstone in 1978. He had been secretaryof the Bournemouth Section some years before and had turnedout to welcome an evening ride I was leading. He has been aroundever since in one way oranother and was awarded theSartain Trophy in 2000 for hisservices.

He was campaigning to thelast and had been to a meetingonly the day before he died.Enthusiastic and passionateabout cycling, he fought tocycle on the Promenade bothin Poole and Bournemouth andwas dogged and prickly inarguments to make sure thatcycling was at the forefront.He will be missed greatly.

KJM

Julian James congratulates Peterat a meeting in France 1998

Picture credits:Jimmy Walker; Keith Matthews & Margaret Phillpotts

Cycle Ink #161 18

It isn’t always easy to get peopletogether on the same dates to gotouring as so many have their ownagendas for the summer. Neverthelesslast summer Colin, Mike,Pete and Imanaged to get a week fixed for a shortbreak in Normandy. The holidaystarted on the 13th July from homearriving in France from theCaen/Ouistreham ferry at about 7amon the 14th, Bastille Day, a NationalHoliday and not always the best day totour as depending on where you aregoing many cafés are closed.Nevertheless, by booking hotels inadvance we would be sure of a bed andsomething to eat. It was the intention topass two nights at Isigny-sur-Mer,along the coast to the west, then goingsouth east to spend two nights atAunay-sur-Audon, on the edge of LaSuisse Normande, finally returning tothe coast to spend two nights at Port-en-Bessin before returning toCaen/Ouistreham for the ferry Home.Generally we would be doing aboutabout 50 miles each day betweenhotels with a day in between to dosome exploring. As a guide to routes Iused an IGN map “ Le Calvados àBicyclette”. This map gives some 58circuits from 28k to more than 100k ofpicturesque roads starting fromlocations where there are lodgings andparking facilities, although the latterdidn’t concern us. It is, therefore,possible to create your own route byjoining together bits of different routesto do a tour.

To get toPortsmouth wedecided to usepart of the 6Ferries ridealong the coastvia Hythe,Warsash,Gosport etc. Theferry wasovernight andwe arrived at Portsmouth ready for ameal before making our way to theterminal. Pete is our expert in all thingsWetherspoons and following a briefchat to a taxi driver we arrived outsidea Wetherspoons in the centre. The onlyproblem was our bikes. We didn’tfancy leaving them outside (withrespect to the local inhabitants ) butsomewhat to our surprise the Managertold us to bring them into the pub (upthe steps ) and put them in a baggageroom. This we did, all lycra-ed up,weaving our way between tables. Itwas quite a shock for us. The light hada blue-ish tint and the young ladiessitting up at high tables and who weredrinking coloured drinks, oblivious toour presence, seemed to be only halfclad. Pete said, when I commented,that I should get out more but I’m notsure.You’re always guaranteed a decentmeal at Wetherspoons, though, and thebeer is good as well as the prices so thetime passed by easily until we had toleave for the overnight ferry. Arrivingon the French side next day next day

Normandy Break By David Chesworth

Picture credit:Margaret Phillpotts

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we found a café very close by andthe usual coffee and croissantsfollowed. Even at that time on the14th July we weren’t the first there.After that it was a question ofcrossing the road to the D514running all the way to Isigny alongthe coast. Our lunch stop was to beArromanches but before wedescended the hill into the townwe stopped at the top to visit the360° cinema which shows atwenty minute film at regularintervals of the D-Day landings.The cinema is not very big andthere are no seats. You areencouraged to walk around if youwant and there are metal barriersto lean against if you feel a bitseasick as the film is original filmshot from the landing craft. You canfeel and see the motion of the vesselsand hear the gun fire from the Germanpositions on the cliff top and shoutedorders from the landing craftcommanders. The ramps of the landingcraft went down and it was possible tosense even to little degree how thetroops felt when the protection of thevessel was lost. Bearing in mind thatthe screen surrounds the audience itwas very realistic. Those who saw“Saving Private Ryan” will rememberthe opening scenes I am sure.Interspersed with the original footagewere shots taken of the countryside inmodern times and this seemed to makethe film so much more powerful.Eventually the film ended andsomewhat subdued we came back intothe real world and made our way down

the hill to the centre of Arromanchesfor lunch.The town is very touristy, of course,and has crowds of people on SecondWorld War trips. We didn’t stay longand soon continued on up the hilltowards Isigny - still a fair distanceaway. We had a short coffee and crêpestop en route and a meander aroundGrandcamp-Maisy before finishing theday at our hotel which was in the mainstreet of Isigny. The bikes were to bestored in an outhouse at the back of thehotel and were under cover which isalways a relief. The decision next daywas to go to Carentan for our first stop,which wasn’t very far and then to headfor Utah beach, St Mère Eglise andthen taking some back roads back toCarentan and home. Utah beach seemsto have sprouted more building worksand plaques since I was last there and I

Cycle Ink #161 20

had the feeling that the model soldierhanging from the church at St MèreEglise was a bit newer. The day wentwell, however, although we did have aconfusing route back from Carentan. Itwasn’t that we were lost, it was that weweren’t quite where we thought wewanted to be. Eventually though wesorted ourselves out and blasted backto Isigny so we could sit in the sun forour sundowners.Next day was move on day to Aunay.The sun shone and the roads were quietand picturesque. Basically it was theD5, then doing a liitle loop beforecoming back to Molay-Littry to ensurewe could find a café for our first stop.After that the road went south throughtthe Cerisy forest before heading forCaumont l’Eventé. We had taken lunchat a small fishing lake en route andCaumont was to be our final breakbefore the last section to Aunay. Wewere obviously getting into hilliercountry here for the road went sharplyupwards. Zut! Mike and I got off towalk a section which was interesting aswe were able to spend a few minuteslooking at the old lavoir, the villagewash house, and also some attractivegardens across the road. Pete stoppedto catch his breath and then continuedwith Colin in the lowest gear on hisSuper Galaxy managing to get to thetop. Chapeau!The road undulated its way after that toAunay where it was easy to pick up ourhotel in the main street, another hotelin the Logis chain with good bikestorage. The following day was marketday and we spent the morning

knocking about the town which isn’tvery big. We saw a photo in the TouristOffice of the town in 1945. It wasreally a picture of rubble with thechurch the only building standing -everything completely destroyed. Thetown was largely rebuilt between 1947and 1954 with the church also havingto be rebuilt as it was unsafe. It was alldone very sympathetically.In the afternoon three of us decided totake a short ride to Evrecy with Mikedoing some further exploring inAunay. We took a winding tortuousroute via some very quiet lanes butfinally arrived at Evrecy. Quiet wasn’tthe word for it. We soon found our caféat the far end of the village whichturned out to be a PMU establishment.This is the local tote café where the TValways shows trotting races, so wellliked in France. There were only a fewothers in the bar but, despite a smileand polite request to turn over to theTour de France, the owner wouldn’tplay, not unreasonable as the wholeobject of the TV was to encouragebetting. We decided to hang on to ourmoney as we didn’t understand any ofit. Time for departure came and wedecided to go straight up the D8 backhome - a good road with the occasionalfast car but no problem.The following day we left for our lasthotel, heading north via Villers-Bocage to Tillysur-Seulles. This was acontrast to our peaceful morning. Thecircus was in town! Their van with alarge loudspeaker toured the streetsshouting out the attractions but in themiddle of the crowds we managed to

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find a café and a table on the sunnyterrace for our stop. Our route out thenpassed the British Cemetery and wefelt we should stop for a short visit.The sun was shining brightly andeverywhere was immaculate. We reada number of the inscriptions on thegravestones, still being shocked at theyouth of many of those who died.These places are always sombre andthought provoking despite the sun andafter a wander around we decided to goon our way.We turned off the the D13 a little later,heading across country through flatopen countryside before turning northon the D169 towards Port-en-Bessinand the Hotel Ibis. This little fishingport is very attractive and worth a visitany time. Our hotel was on the easternside with the tourist office down theroad and all sorts of restaurants andcafés on the other side of the basin.There was a small bridge to cross fromone side to the other and we couldn’thave been in a more attractive andconvenient spot.The next day was our day to see theBayeux Tapestry. Bayeux was only 8miles away and an easy ride. Weparked our bikes and spent aninteresting day in the town looking atthe sites and especially the tapestry inthe company of quite a few othertourists. Colin had some friends whohad a house on the top of the hill and asthey were over there at the time theyvery kindly invited us for a barbecuethat evening. They gave us a guidedtour of the house which was a new oneon a good sized plot and most

attractive. We all had a great eveningthere and they said they would show usa back route to the hotel going viaanother small war site not too wellknown before we continued to descenda frighteningly steep hill back down tothe port, probably more so after ourboozy meal.We finally tore ourselves away nextday from the port to head forOuistreham. There were still sites tosee en route though and we stoppedonce more at Arrromanches to visit theMuseum in the town centre. Then, afterlunch, it was pretty much the final leg,but going via Bénouville to seePegasus Bridge. The story behind thisis that on the 6th June 1944 a smalldetachment of British airborne troopsstormed the German defence forces atPegasus Bridge and paved the way forthe allied invasion of Europe. It wasthe first engagement of D-Day and thecapture of the bridge secured the CaenCanal. The original bridge is nowpreserved on the other side of the canalon the formal museum site. The CaféGondrée, the first building liberated, isstill there and is a huge draw fortourists. It contains all sorts of warmemorabilia, books, DVDs etc. Fromthe bridge it was a pleasant ride alongthe cycle path to Ouistreham where wehad our final meal before the nightferry back to the UK. It had been avaried week along the coast, somehillier parts on the edge of SwissNormandy and then through some verypleasant countryside withlots to see, comfortablehotels and good company.

Cycle Ink #161 22

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http://www.bournemouthctc.org“CycleInk” is the Newsletter of CTC Bournemouth a division of the CTC Wessex Member Group of the

Cyclists’ Touring Club. Published four times a year for members. Views expressed are not necessarilythose of the club.

Contributions and Photographs

Informal Wayfarers Rides to BurleyThis ride happens every Saturday and is completely informal. There is no leaderand no back up, but generally an experienced cyclist somewhere around. Theroute is designed for beginners but joined in by all abilities.

Start 08:45 at Waitrose Supermarket, Christchurch every SaturdayOr 09:00 at The Oak PH, Burton

Or just make your own way to the OldFarmhouse Tea Rooms, Burley for 10:00