Members’ Blog
This Blog is intended for entries relating to
This Blog is intended for entries relating to- Weekly rides, including names of riders, including surnames, in the group (needed to satisfy our 3rd party insurers)
- Changes to timetabled events
- Comments on pubs / venues
- Discussion relating to Holidays and Social Events
These entries will not only be posted onto the web site – they are also circulated to the bulk of the membership by email. Try to restrict your comments to items of general interest.
Questions for the attention of your group ride coordinator can be sent direct using
Members Mail.
Entries to the Blog can only be made by club members who are logged in to the site.
Heather Sim
posted this comment on February 26, 2021Holiday update –
The Dutch trip planned for June 2021, (having been previously moved from June 2020) has now been moved to 6 July 2022, Updated information will be put on the website in the future.
We have arranged a short trip to the Isle of Wight from the 22nd September for 4 nights to HF Country House at Fresh Water Bay. This will be initially offered to those who had been planning to go on the June trip, this is because of a limited number of rooms. However we know that due to other commitments there will be some rooms available. All the rooms are twin and we are not allowed to use them for sole occupancy. If you feel you may like to join us please let me know and I will put you on a waiting list and also provide you with more information. Please email me: heather.sim85@gmail.com. Please let me know by midday on Sunday if you would like to be included.
Rick Green
posted this comment on February 24, 2021Today, as you do, I rested at the junction of Beddlested and Clarkes in order to watch the world go by, and in the expectation that I would see somebody I knew because that’s what usually happens. Sure enough, within 5 minutes Paul Dean and his wife, Betsy, came by from the Botley Hill direction; they had time for a quick chat. This was interrupted by the shock of seeing Adrian Cowie, formerly of this club, who pulled up behind me on his immaculate, electrically assisted, Van Nicholas. I had not seen Adrian for years; he looked pretty well and reported that he was in his tenth year of remission from lymphoma though needing a new left hip, which he was hoping would be done soon. Sadly, his wife suffers from dementia and as he is her principal carer he is unable to do rides of more than 20-30 miles, as and when he can fit them in. He asked me to pass on his best wishes to those in the club who knew him, hence this post.
Bob Hazell
posted this comment on February 24, 2021Gosh Rick great news about Adrian despite his hip problem. If you should see him again do give him my best wishes. I was in awe of his 100mile rides on a Brompton. (After 20miles I was always ready to throw mine in the bin). Can’t keep a good man (or woman) down!
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on February 7, 2021or a “fact of life”?/
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on February 7, 2021Easy to “keep outa mischief now” with the snow.
The garden’s a ” winter wonderland”
The Belgian retired woman’s cycling pro Tara Ginsis reported
as commenting that “cycling is & will remain an
unbelievably conservative men’s uworld”.
Discuss.
Would you consider this a “funny” Trish?
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on February 7, 2021Easy to “keep outa mischief now” with the snow.
The garden’s a ” winter wonderland”
The Belgian retired woman’s cycling pro Tara Ginsis reported
as commenting that “cycling is & will remain an
unbelievably conservative men’s world”.
Discuss.
Tricia Hewlett
posted this comment on February 6, 2021Any funnies gratefully received. Trish
Tricia Hewlett
posted this comment on February 6, 2021On impulse due to dire forecast predicted (allegedly) decided to go for ride early this morning. So nice and really glad I had a mad moment. Decided to hit the metropolis of Westerham for decent takeaway coffee at Cafe de Luca and pedal home. En route bumped into Eveline who cycles with West Kent Sevenoaks section so we joined forces for a while for a chin wag (necessary of course) so a bonus! Rain stayed away so double bonus. With plenty of energy to spare, now pounding the concrete (sick of mud) in my walking boots before home and large mug of earl grey. Life’s simple pleasures. Hopefully won’t be long before we can get back to some sort of normality and have group rides again. I expect most of us have been jabbed by no – felt quite poorly for couple of days on and off with feverishness and nausea but fine after that and raring to go… Trishx
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on February 5, 2021still”Keepin’ Outta Mischief Now”
& still cycling solo, despite the two
vaccinations at Orpington Wellbeing Centre
(very efficient, friendly, lots of volunteers)
Altho’ I’m protected I could pass on ‘nasties’
to others, so better to ride alone. Not so
good for mental health (loss of valuable chat)
perhaps, but better for çolleagues.
Arthur’s still bothering me- Artheritis. Nasty
man, but paracetamol helps with that.
Looking forward to all being vaccinated. Happy
day!
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 25, 2021Keepin’ Outta Mischief Now”
All you performance riders. You must get if
you already haven’t, a power meter to register
your Functional Threshold Power. They’re all the go.
David Sims
posted this comment on January 25, 2021Thanks for the heads up Peter but I have been using one for years and is consistently shows I have a power threshold which perfect for playing snooker !!
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 21, 2021“Keepin’ Outta Mischief Now” Thursday, Jan21st, by riding a solo
circuit down Skibbs Lane, Chelsfield, splashing
thro a few deep puddles, around to Crockenhill, up
to WellHill & back home to Chelsfield Park. Lots
of walkers enroute & three hedgecutters which
generated anxiety.
Mental Health documentary on BBC1 last evening:
“We all feel rubbish at some time. It’s what makes
us human”.
Reginald Oakley
posted this comment on January 21, 2021I havent seen the programme Peter mentioned yet, but it strikes me as ironic that a lot of the motoring public sat in their sedentary jam jars often consider cyclists as being crazy. In truth there is nothing to beat exercise especially when it brings you in contact with nature for giving that feel good effect.
So carry on being safely barmy.
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 21, 2021“The Truth About Mental Health”, BBC1.
With regard to cycling, the combination of
excercise & visual problem solving is a winner.
That’s why we’re so we’ll balanced . . . . .
(most of us
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 18, 2021PS I like Bob’s reference to “Meri rides”. Cute!
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 18, 2021“Keepin’ Outta Mischief Now”
And within my “local area”, as the CTC advice suggests,
I managed a 4.8mile. circuit yesterday. No chatting,
except for “Good afternoon” to the many walking
groups. Lovely!
The ride may have contributed marginally to my
physical wellbeing but how about the mental element?
I wonder if the many greetings I gave helped that
aspect of health which is it emphasised so much
nowadays? What does the team think?
Reginald Oakley
posted this comment on January 18, 2021Wholeheartedly agree with Peters message re feeling of well being at not only the exercise, but the enhanced mood from exchanging greetings with walkers and hopefully other cyclists. Though many of what might be deemed the born again performance cyclists seem so besotted in their quest for fitness, the gift of sociability seems to have escaped them.
Unfortunately a stack of health problems now limit my ability to pedal, though regularly takeing in the route through the bridlepath on the St Clere estate figures highly on my tick list as it does for a sizeable number of familys from Kemsing.
Stay healthy and remember a smile and a wave will reward you as well as the recipient.
Tricia Hewlett
posted this comment on January 15, 2021You’ll outlive us all Peter, I’m convinced! The only rainbows I’ve seen lately Bob have been in my colouring book
I knew those old Lakeland pencils would come in handy again one day. Very little cycling due to either too cold or wet conditions – also don’t want to run the risk of coming off on slippery roads and ending where we’re all trying to avoid going! Don’t like a mucky bike and can’t fix punctures in the cold so plenty of excuses not to go out on the bike at the moment. However, did spot Paul Hills out today on his bike whilst I pounded the pavements on yet another walk so stopped briefly for a socially distanced chat, although not sure if that’s allowed these days and so it goes on (and on)…However, afternoon tv, drinking tea and eating mince pies (still) can’t be all bad!
Trish x
Bob Hazell
posted this comment on January 15, 2021Hi Trish – yes I agree about Peter. Mens sana in corpore sano as they say down the Dog & Duck. Actually we did have a rainbow in Brum a while back but since then as in Kent so here – cold, wet, snowy, grey & slippery! We’re hardly venturing out at all but luckily our lockdown is pretty comfy compared to many. Even so I’d not imagined spending my dotage under house arrest! Not long may it last. Then when it’s ok to leave Katy alone I hope to get back & out on some Meri rides. What with her problems in 2019 & covid in 2020 it’s been 2 years since my last appearance. I guess I’ll have to re-do my Meri probationary period! Anyway this rambling doesn’t meet any of the 4 criteria for blog entries so I’d best stop & just say it’s really lovely to hear from you & it’ll be great to see everyone again rainbows or no. All the very best Bob
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 14, 2021I have been corrected. Not Danny but Lenny Brown.
the chap I met outside Waitrose. “Once seen,
never forgotten” he commented.
Bob Hazell
posted this comment on January 14, 202195% impregnable & staying near home. You are indeed a Local Hero Peter! Looking forward to seeing you & everyone on a Merid ride one day over the rainbow. Or hopefully sooner. All the best. Bob
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 14, 2021PS. The club advisory service seems not to have
caught up with Lockdown3. Only rides with one another
member allowed & it must be the same one each time. . .
I think. As if you were married!
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on January 14, 2021“Keepin’ Outta Mischief Now” still!
As I was unfastening my bike from outside
Waitrose, Green St. Green on Monday a chap walking
by remarked that he hadn’t cycled since the first
lockdown, 5 months ago. It was Danny Brown, with his
wife. He gets his exercise from walking now. I associate
him with the quartet whose Wed. rides were limited to the pub
at Wrotham for lunch.I would have a picnic lunch in the churchyard
the churchyard & join them for coffee. Happy days!
On Friday I had my second vaccination & in a couple
of weeks I should be impregnable! Perhàps the first
in the club to achieve that status. It’s me age ya
know.
Now, lockdown3,I cycle solo short rides, although I confess
They’re longer than 2 miles.
But how’re you lot managing. Don’t be shy, blog!_
Ken Dean
posted this comment on November 7, 2020Bike Repairs, Wheel Building & Wheel Sales
For some time I’ve had recurring problems with my hydraulic disc brakes. Today I sought the help of Jono from http://www.Kemsingbikes.com who (hopefully) has resolved the problem. He is helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic – a useful contact if you need any help. In due course I look forward to introducing him on club rides.
Peter Hawker
posted this comment on October 28, 2020“It ain’t what you do, It’s the way that you do
it” latterly by Bananarama.
The ‘C’s, represented by your correspondent,
assembled at the pond, Otford, leaving at 10.30am.
The B2’s processed by at the top of Twitton Lane,
coming presumably from Lullingstone where I was
bound for elevenses.
From there I had a slippery ride along the field,
thence to Crockenhill, the drag up to WellHill,
Chelsfield Village & Green Street Green for essential
supplies.
Then home for lunch after a very satisfactory morninge
which would’ve been impracticable if I’d been accompanied.
There are advantages in solo rides as I’ve previously
suggested.
Heather Sim
posted this comment on July 25, 2020Meridian Cycling holiday 2021 – Would you like to join us?
We had planned to return to Dordrecht in Holland this year as a result of public demand following our first trip in 2019. Covid19 had other ideas – so we have decided to make our return 21 to 28th June 2021!
We plan to travel by the overnight ferry (pleasant cabins and enjoyable food in both directions) from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, and stay in Dordrecht for 5 nights. You are free to make alternative travel arrangements as you wish. Partners and friends, riding and non-riding are all welcome. The hotel is an excellent position for those who fancy countryside one day and a city visit the next, as we are on the edge of a national park, Dordrecht is a beautiful small city also worthy of some time; with a water bus service to Rotterdam & a UNESCO site, Windmills of Kinderdijk nearby. So far we already have a group of those who had planned to go this year who have asked us to keep their deposits. We feel a little dis-connected from each other at the moment so we have put all the rooms on hold for the moment to enable as many people to join in as you wish. We will have at least 3 riding groups A1, B1, B2, we are eager to have as many abilities as wish to join us. All groups will organise their own routes. Although we have a great selection already from our previous trip if anyone wants help!
The hotel is basic (on par with Ibis) but clean with very pleasant staff. The rooms are all en-suite containing two single beds and a pair of bunk beds. Some people shared, others had a room to themselves. The hotel was great value for money; staying half board helped keep down the cost of the trip.
Detailed prices for 2021 are (in Euros) €340 pp single occupancy; €310 pp double occupancy and €245 for 3/4 persons – for 5 nights including half board!
The ferry cost yet unknown but are likely to be in the region of £200 return which includes cabin, excellent evening meal and breakfast.
IMPORTANT HEALTH & FINANCE ISSUES
Having checked with a few travel insurance companies we have been advised that as long as we ensure that the Foreign Office website is allowing travel to the destination at the time we place the booking; the holiday will be covered. Clearly everyone will need to check this with their own provider.
The club are prepared to make the bookings on behalf of members so that we can benefit from the ‘group discount’. Deposits are classed by the hotel as ‘returnable’ 100% up to 3 months prior to the trip, then at a reducing rate. The club do not underwrite or guarantee the financial performance of the hotel.
Members are invited to join the trip on the basis that they arrange their own travel/health insurance prior to the trip. The club can take no responsibility for the welfare of individual members, nor for their safe return to the UK in the case of accident or sickness. Members should monitor the Brexit negotiations to establish if any reciprocal health agreements are likely to be in place after the turn of the year.
If you would like to join us please confirm by email with £100 deposit into the Club account before the 27th September 2020. Details with a link to the account are on the website. Any questions please contact me; heather.sim85@gmail.com or phone 01322 865147 or 07502035983.