South Bucks Midweek Cycling Newsletter - August 2024
South Bucks Midweek Cycling Newsletter - August 2024
I hope you are enjoying our stop, start summer!
There is currently a bug in Cycling UK's software so this may appear without pictures. If you want to see it in all its glory you can view it on our page of the Cycling UK website.
Feel free to share pictures of your exploits on our Facebook page or send them to me for possible publication.
Thinking of joining a ride for the first time? We have a helpful page on our website which should answer most of your questions, but if you want advice please get in contact.
If you spot any interesting articles, pub or cafe changes, or want to contribute your observations, please let me know.
Safe cycling,
Peter Robinson
Friday Coffee Pot venue changes
As a result of the popularity vote at the AGM and a desire to achieve a better spread of Coffee Pot venues across our area, we have introduced some new cafes, dropped some old ones and changed the pairings. We have also changed to a six-week rolling cycle rather than have the same venues on a particular week of the month. You will need to check on the Rides Schedule to find out where to go.
The new cafes to try are The Apple Orchard, West Wycombe, Cafe au Lee at the The Cock & Rabbit at The Lee, The Crew Cafe, Princes Risborough and Opportunitea at the Sports & Social Club in Holmer Green, though its opening has been delayed. You can see the locations using the web links on the Rides Schedule.
Some older non-riding members and former members like to meet their cycling companions but may not receive this newsletter or refer to the Rides Schedule, so please spread the word that the Coffee Pots have changed.
When the Coffee Pot was at Tring Garden Centre recently, service was very slow and prices high so we will try some alternatives, the first being The Daisy Chain in Ivinghoe which has been revamped.
I hope you enjoy cycling to the Coffee Pots, new and old. See you there!
Cycling holiday 2025?
The committee has discussed some possible venues for a cycling holiday in 2025, suggested by Angela Feaviour, Peter Southworth and Richard Waring. I have collated some information that we have so far in the attached document.
The committee discussed the options and favoured Sarum College in Salisbury, so I have sent them a list of questions.
We can have more than one cycling holiday if we have organisers for them. Having been to Cirencester several times, I want to go somewhere else, but I would be happy to hand over the information to someone else. We have routes, it is within cycling distance or there is a large car park, secure bike storage and it is unbeatable value for money. If you want to discuss it, contact me.
Specialized Ariel Hybrid Sport Disc bike for sale
For Sale: Specialized Ariel Sport Disc Hybrid bike
•Step through 19 inch aluminium frame
•27 gears
•Hydraulic disc brakes
•Mudguards and rear rack
•Ergon handlebar grips
•Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres
•kickstand
•Very good condition
•£200 o.n.o.
•
Call or text Chris Loader, 07951 159638
For a better picture, see the attachment below.
Century Ride 2024
Tim Bevan reports:
Richard Waring’s annual Century Ride was a great success with a fantastic group of nine club riders congregating at Wendover clock Tower and covering about 1000 miles between them! The route took us through Aylesbury and heading north via Quinton East Clayton and Gawcott near Buckingham.
After the usual morning rush-hour traffic the road settled down for a more cycle friendly ride towards our first stop in the village of Westbury. With black clouds looming and inevitable conversations centring around if we would make it, we arrived in time to sit down before the clouds opened. I’m sure that this was part of Richard‘s impeccable planning.
Not taking any chances, we adorned our rain jackets and continued our journey. As the temperature warmed up, our jackets were packed for us to enjoy the warm sun with light breezes. Quiet country lanes allowed friendly chat without the fear of cars or lorries. By the time we arrived at Stoke Bruerne we were ready for our pre-ordered feast with many opting for the cyclists’ choice. Chips!
We could easily have sat there all afternoon chatting, but we were aware of the important work ahead of getting to our next tea and cake stop! The 4 o’clock target of getting to Mursley farm shop was easily achieved and sitting in the lovely afternoon, some drinking tea and chatting was a most relaxing break from being in the saddle. Back on the bike we continued through the villages towards the outskirts of Aylesbury and back to Wendover for the finish. I was glad to return to my parked car to drive home, thinking of three other members who continued their cycle back home.
The day was an overwhelming success with no problems or punctures. Well done Richard and I’m sure we are all looking forward to the next one.
Why is Marsh Lane railway crossing still closed?
Thanks to Judith Waring for getting this update from HS2:
We are sorry that the level crossing is still closed. We’ve experienced challenges with this project due to the complex signalling system on this part of the rail network, which has meant we needed to align some of our work with other major upgrades taking place. We are really hoping to be able to finalise the remaining work which is needed over the summer and will be working as quickly as possible to complete the project. At the moment, we expect to have the upgraded level crossing back in use and road open to the public on Monday 30 September 2024. There is no infrastructure in place that would allow us to even temporarily re-open the line during the closure of by EKFB/HS2.
The major remaining work involves installing the new level crossing equipment and signals to the wider railway network and then thoroughly testing them. This can only be completed at certain intervals during the year and for safety reasons requires a planned closure of the railway.
A full barrier crossing is being installed at Marsh Lane, which covers both sides of the road and will prevent vehicles from weaving around them, making the crossing safer. The crossing will also have obstacle detection technology installed which automatically detects anything that may be obstructing the crossings, for example a pedestrian or a car. During operation, road users will need to stop at the barriers when the lights show and wait until the barriers raise fully to continue their journey.
These safety improvements are vital in this area following the major upgrade and realignment of the line last year which will allow HS2 trains to pass beneath the existing railway. The new equipment will help to keep the public safe, as well as enabling services to run safely and reliably.
I hope this update has been helpful and I’m sorry for the ongoing inconvenience caused to local people while the level crossing has been shut. We’re looking forward to completing our upgrades and reopening the road with a safer level crossing in operation.
Kind regards
Myall
Community Relations, HS2
The Unicorn at Cublington is closing
It is sad to see that another country pub is under threat.
Statement on the website:
"After much deliberation we have decided to discontinue our tenancy at the Unicorn and will be exiting from this October, 2024
While this news may be hard to digest, we want to assure you that the decision was not made lightly. We tried our best to ensure the pub’s continued success, but unfortunately, the challenging operating environment since covid, and current circumstances have led us to this difficult choice.
Despite the challenges it has been a pleasure to be a part of the Cublington community, and the Unicorn legacy. Thank you for your continued support as we come to our departure date
The pub is now up on the market, and the landlords are seeking new tenants or someone to take over the freehold."
For more information visit our website or join our Facebook Group. If you want to see where your friends are riding check our club page on Strava. You can get a free account on Strava to log your rides.
We now have a Safeguarding Officer. If you have any questions or concerns please email Paul Marchant.
To plan your next ride with us check our Rides Schedule.
In the event of an accident on a ride, check this advice on the Cycling UK website.
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hybrid_bike.pdf | 645.27 KB |
midweek_holidays_2025.docx | 15.39 KB |