Page 2 - PBCOctober2017

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 14 No.2 October 2017 @2

Thoughts from the Editor……….

And so here we are well into Autumn following a not so bad summer
with plenty of opportunity to spin those wheels, and time to reflect on
all aspects of our sport (and social activities). The Tour de France saw
another Tour de Force by Sky and Chris Froome, who we must
congratulate on yet another victory. Many other UK riders were also
seen to put in sterling performances, although Mark Cavendish’s tour once again came to an
abrupt end after a ‘tangle’ with Peter Sagan. And late news of course is Chris Froome achieving
the ‘double’ and winning the Vuelta.

I would like to thank all those members who have sent in copy for this issue of the
magazine; such was their contribution that you will notice there are some extra pages for your
enjoyment. The Club activities have continued under the direction of our President, although
numbers were down for the Golf Day this year. The Dickens London Walk and the Hampton
Court Ride will have taken place by the time your read this - so reports as usual in the next
issue.
There has been much written about cyclists in the news recently, over do’s & don’ts and
conflict about interpretation of the rules. The very sad, and unfortunate
incident of a young lady being killed by a fixed wheel cyclist with no front
brake, highlighted the lack of understanding of the law. There was the
incident of police ill-advisedly stopping two cyclists for riding on an ‘A’
road. And then the decision by another police force to monitor cyclists
riding two abreast, and to create a ‘nominal’ 1-1.5m space between
cyclists and other road users. This reminded me of this sign (right) I saw
quite frequently when in New Zealand a few years ago. Very simple and
requiring no explanation. The age old problem of cyclists living alongside
other road users has never really been resolved, and with the increased
volume of both parties on the road, we just have to be extra vigilant
when out riding, and try to avoid any conflict whatever the temptation.
Finally, have any members been able to visit the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty St.?
There has been a new exhibition -Restless Shadow that highlights his social campaigning and
investigative journalism. It’s still open until the end of October.
See you all at the December luncheon……Winkle Snr

Closing Date for the March issue - 31st January 2018