Dear All,
Another wet and windy weekend. I think we will all be ready for spring when it gets here.
When we were at the pub last time, there was a request from those who usually go that we return to meeting at 7PM. Since our chairman, Norman always has to rush off for something at 8, we put it to the vote and were all in agreement that we will start at 7. Since the refurbishment of The Sovereigns meant the loss of our favourite couch there was also a suggestion we move to another pub. This was dismissed since The Sovereigns location, reasonable Christmas dinner and availability of parking, were hard to beat. So we are staying put.
For those who put their name in the ballot for the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 and did not get a place, you may wish to apply for a charity place. Many charities have places. Woking Cycle Club mentioned that our local hospice, Woking and Sam Beare Hospice, have 85 places. If you are interested you should go to www.wsbhospices.co.uk . You will be asked to pay a registration fee of £25 and pledge to raise a minimum of £300 towards the charity.
Norman attended the access group meeting last month to see if he could get them to rescind the ban on town cycling between 10 and 4. He asked for specific cases of accident complaints between the disabled and cyclists and did not get any true evidence that there had been problems. He then proposed a motion that “we should encourage people to leave cars at home and use cycles and public transport. Stop making school children break the law to cycle home from school and practice shared space.” When it was put to the vote, three voted to continue the ban and the rest abstained. Not being deterred, Norman intends to ask the Local Committee to rescind the 2011 decision at the next meeting. He has also been very vocal to the police regarding thefts of cycles in town.
I asked Daniel Williams, our contact with Surrey County Council, if he had heard the decision regarding the appeal on Muddy Lane. I regret the decision has still not been made.
Our easy Sunday rides start again next month. They are held on the third Sunday of the month. Our first ride will be lead by Norman on 15 March leaving Woking Park at 2PM. We leave at that time so please arrive earlier. We meet by the entrance to the children’s playground right near the little food hut. Rides are around 15 miles at a leisurely pace. They are free to members and £1 per family for non-members. If you need to contact Norman on the day, his mobile number is 07761221340. We ask that everyone have an inner tube for their bike, should the worst happen.
Pub night will be 25 Feb. starting at 7PM at the Sovereigns on Guildford Road.
Happy cycling.
Carole Frost
WCUG Membership Secretary