THE "SOU'WESTERS" TEAM IS BORN
Norman Goody described in our last issue the variety of awards given at the Dieppe Raid to individuals and teams. His account continues:
In the past, members of the SWLDA have entered individually under the 'Midweek Wayfarer' label (strange?) - but no team. Last year, there were seven of us thanks to the enthusiastic support of the three regular Wayfarers, Lynda Barrow, Terry Lowe and me plus the four Saturday 'graduates' Carole Dockett, Liz Scrivens, Toni Detalia and Tony Hooker. As we represented different sections, we needed a team name. So I suggested the name 'Sou'Westers'. The idea received instant and unanimous agreement and the title was born.
It was launched at the awards ceremony at the end of the Dieppe Raid event. As the awards were read out, the youngest/least young male/ female award was presented to a six year old girl riding a trailer bike behind her father. And then the team awards: the largest team, CC Giro from Sutton Coldfield, was very impressive. About 30 strong, all wearing a sponsored team strip with a back-up van and their own catering, so unsurprisingly they won the main award. The lesser team awards were then read out. To our great delight our name - 'The Sou'Westers' - was called. Liz and I proudly received the award on behalf of the team. We had received the Holy Grail! The prize was a very large cup. We were photographed as a team group holding this giant trophy. Fortunately it just fitted in my single pannier to be borne back for the triumphant return to our hotel.
Shirts newly overprinted with 'SOU'WESTERS' and the Club badge were worn on this year's Dieppe Raid from 9th to 14th June. Lynda Barrow's initiative resulted in 26 orders for the garments. Lynda is taking orders for overprinting further garments at a cost of only £3.00 (subject to sufficient numbers).
SECTION NEWS
Beginners
At the Club's annual dinner in Warwick, Carole and Lynda received the Section's award (a framed certificate and a medal) as 'Volunteer of the Year' for the London Region.
Four newcomers joined the ride on 4th June ('Women on Wheels' weekend), three of them ladies. All managed the route to Morden Hall Park and appeared to enjoy themselves. On the return, 10 riders went direct to David Aylett's for a barbeque and the remainder took the official route back to Nonsuch Park.
Cheam and Morden
Graham will not be available as he is off 'wardening' in the summer at the Broadmeadows YH (near Selkirk) in early July and Raasay during August.
For details of the Hindhead YH weekend phone Andy Coxhill.
Midweek Wayfarers
Dennis Sloan died from his fall (reported in our last issue). He died in Epsom Hospital on Sunday 10th April. Seventeen of his Wayfarer friends paid their respects to Dennis at his funeral held on Thursday 21st April. Those with their bikes formed a guard of honour accompanying the cortege at the Crematorium. Donations which were given in place of flowers resulted in the magnificent sum of £230 for the CTC Campaign Fund. His wife Barbara thanks all those who contributed and attended the service. When Bob Lees heard the sad news of Dennis's death he sent this message from his home in Florida to Secretary Brian Starey: "So sorry to hear of the death of Dennis Sloan. He will certainly be missed for his dry sense of humour and wit. I am pleased that I was able to enjoy his company over the years riding with the Easy Riders. I am raising my glass of red wine in a salute to a fellow Wayfarer. Goodbye, Dennis old chum, until we meet one Wednesday at elevenses".
Thanks from Angie. It was nice to read an e-mail from Angie Launder thanking Brian Starey for his special service to provide e-mail feedback on the Wednesday rides. Angie wrote, "I just love to read the feedback messages from Rides Leaders. Its 8:15am and I am one of the unfortunates sat at my desk. These messages really brighten my otherwise boring day! I had hoped to be out to Newlands Corner but sorry I missed all the action. So I enjoyed the feedback and laughed non-stop through the messages. Long may they continue. Pedal carefully, Angie. X".
Thanks from Albert. "Hi every one of my sponsors." Before he took part in the Woking Bikeathon this year, Albert appealed with a note of thanks, "for the kind people who helped me raise money last year in aid of the Leukaemia Fund when I rode with my grandson, Luke, on my homemade tandem round the 29 mile course. My ride raised £2,200 and Barclays Bank gave £750 towards that." On 15th May, Albert rode the Bikeathon for a fourth year so he now has four medals. He tells me "I am just recovering from the ride. The route was changed. Some of the hills such as Staples Lane at East Clandon were pretty 'hairy.' But we are very pleased, it looks as if Luke and I have raised another £2000 for the Leukaemia Fund."
Downlands
The Downland Section will miss Diane Suckling who has emigrated to Australia.
Downlanders are continuing to contact her via e-mail. They hear that she and Pete are well, are looking for a new home, are looking forward to receiving their belongings and miss their bicycles which are in a container on the way to join them.
SWLDA History at National Cycle Archive
Whilst at Warwick to attend the CTC AGM we were given the opportunity to visit the National Cycle Archive. The Archive was established in 1990 by the Cyclists' Touring Club at the Modern Records Centre at the University of Warwick. It is open to visitors on weekdays 9am to 5pm.
The Archives include records of the CTC from 1878. We have made arrangements for the records of the SW London DA (and its predecessors) to repose here. So I arranged to take in the Minute Books held for a number of years by Gerald Burt and for twenty years at my home. Our records of Meetings held by the DA and its Sections started from 1920, of the Metropolitan DA South Western Section. The Minutes make interesting reading. Here are a couple of extracts written in what is now a quaint formal style.
"Proposal from Mr Thorn. That at all the runs of this section a member shall be appointed to ride at the rear of the party and report mishaps".
"The speed of runs of this section will be conducted at a speed of between eight to ten miles per hour, always having regard to the abilities of the persons on the run".
"Should it be deemed advisable to alter or abandon a run for any reason, the leader, or failing the leader, the Senior member of committee present, shall take a vote of the members present and should there not be more than two members who wish to carry out the run it shall be officially altered or abandoned as suggested."
"Here we are, Pete Matthews, Irene North, Andy Avis, Frank Cubis, Grant Pike, Mark McNamara, Jen Mitchell, Pete Mitchell, Judy Margery, Doreen and Ron Powney. Frank is on his 16th trip and has never punctured. Mark on his first trip has punctured twice - on his first morning. Grant tried to match Jen, (impossible!) on finishing a bottle of brandy. Having gone to bed at 1.30am, he looked very pale and drawn at breakfast. Jen, having her normal breakfast at lunchtime was as bright as a button! Frank is wearing a helmet for the first time in his life and reports that it is quite ok - but, its going into the back of the cupboard when he gets home.
Some of the group took an 85 mile circuit, which included a very sticky tar section through a freshly surfaced road, prior to the chips being laid.
On Wednesday, Irene was out walking and Pete had a quiet day. The group of us made to the notorious 'La Calobra'. This involves a very tough six miles descent and the same six miles back uphill. Glorious hot sunshine for the last three days - hope it continues up to our return on Saturday."