..from Wendy Wiltshire
I think that most of you will agree that the weather has been much kinder to cyclists this year than last year. We have enjoyed cycling together this summer with the Autumn Tints as many of us are getting older and now eligible to join. Changing the mid week evening ride to a Thursday evening has worked well as members are able to cycle on Wednesday and Thursday. Congratulations to our 3 octogenarians who still cycle regularly, these being: Philip Lees, David Moore and Geoff Ingham.
In early April, we played hosts to over 200 riders who took part in our Spring Audax rides from Hebden Bridge. These rides have now become a firm favourite among local cyclists and others from further afield with clubs, CTC groups, and families riding together to test themselves against the beautiful landscapes that surround us, and enthuse us as cyclists. If you haven’t taken part in one of these rides, please do consider doing so as a good day out on the bike is supplemented by a good feed at the finish and good company all day through. The Autumn Audax events on 4 October offer an early chance to join in.
As far as more taxing events go, and some go too far for my liking, two of our members, Chris Crossland and Simon Whitehead, completed the flagship event of Audax UK, the long distance cyclists’ association, the 1400 km. long London-Edinburgh-London. Unfortunately for them, that was held in the wettest and stormiest July week in living memory but I think they’re almost dry now.
Many of you will know Bob Butler, a regular Halifax CTC rider for many years. Bob doesn’t cycle so much these days but has been in the news recently with a good citizenship award. He’s very active in the Your Pet as Therapy scheme - you may know it as Pat a Dog - with his dog Suzie, whom he found tied tightly to a park bench, and rescued to give a better life.
As winter approaches we may do shorter rides but we can look forward to the Friday evening Clubroom evenings which start on Friday 2nd October. Pat Stead has come up with the usual mix of interesting speakers and slide shows. One particular evening to note in your diary is Friday 27th November when our cycling officers in Calderdale are coming for an informal presentation which will be followed by a pie and pea supper. Please note the earlier start of 7pm. Our cycling officers really need our encouragement and will be open to questions and ideas.
I hope that you all enjoyed the exciting Tour De France this year as I certainly did.
Get out your cold and wet weather gear and keep on cycling through the winter.
Wendy Wiltshire
secretary@halifaxctc.org.uk