A SURVEY into the reading habits of more than two million magazine subscribers has revealed a passion for pedal power in St Albans. The research, carried out by Periodical Publishers Association, showed people in the area are more than twice as likely to have a subscription to a cycling magazine than a car or motor magazine.
"The Hour". It's the only cycling record that matters: one man and his bike against the clock in a quest for pure speed. No teammates, no rivals, no tactics, no gears, no brakes. Just one simple question - in sixty minutes, how far can you go? (Michael Hutchinson, "The Hour")
In the 90's two British riders battled for the hour record: Scotsman Graeme Obree and Englishman Chris Boardman. Boardman rode a high tech bike, trained in a wind tunnel and ate a balanced diet. Obree built his own bike using washing machine parts and ate cornflakes...
Watch the story of Obree's battle against the record and the UCI who faught to preserve the purity of Eddy Merckx's record by banning the improved bikes and riding positions which Obree and Boardman used.
Watch the trailer at the official site here, but this site is far better for background and reviews.
The nearest showings are Stevenage and Milton Keynes.
Part of Anne Main's response to my letter about Highway Code changes.
This is good news- but keep writing letters!
Anne also says:
This cycle ride is one of the excellent rides in the Walks and More explore outdoors series promoted by the Countryside Management Service (CMS) and led by STACC's Doug Nevell.
Billed as a Family Event, distance 12 miles / 20km, this ride is described as an early season gentle circular ride to enjoy the extensive mature woodland towards SouthMimms, Mymmshall Wood, Hawkshead Wood and Redwell Wood. The route is largely off-road, with good tracks and pub lunch proposed on route. Remember to bring money for pub lunch. Meet at Highfield Park, St Albans for 1030 start. Return 1530h. Car park is off Hill End Lane, opposite Frobisher Road. Grid Ref TL 171 061.
Recommended!
The CMS website has loads more events listed - click the what's on tab. And click one of the other tabs for more cycling and walking stuff, including route leaflets
You can make the city and district a better place to cycle! Have a look at the draft cycle strategy, it is on the St Albans District Council website, the first item (bravo!) on the transport tab. Then fire off lots of constructive feedback, it will help move cycling up the political agenda if this generates a big response. Get on with it though, as comments are sought by Friday 16 March.
Click here to see the strategy document.
We have a good network of bridleways in and around St Albans. Some are best used for leisure, others provide useful commute alternatives. All of them need protecting, and we need more bridleways to link them together into contiguous routes.
The British Horse Society (the equestrian's CTC) are very effective campaigners for off-road access, Phil Wadey runs the local BHS cadre (Hertfordshire) email distribution list, which carried this alert the other day:
BRIDLEWAYS (No. 2)27.02.2007
Hoyle, Lindsay That this House recognises the importance of bridleways for horse-riders to exercise in safety and enjoy the countryside; notes that many bridleways are in poor condition or are abused by people using motorised vehicles; and calls on the Government actively to promote the use of bridleways, ensuring that those who use bridleways inappropriately are fined, to look to extend the number of bridleways across the country and to ensure that existing bridleways are kept open and are well-maintained for horse-riders.
Some MPs have tabled Early Day Motion number 1004 in support of bridleways. Early Day Motions (EDMs) are often used to find out how much support different policy choices might attract, and to see whether proposed legislation might get through the Commons. This could be such a flyer. Even if not, it's important to show the Government that there is as much support for new paths this year as there was last time such an Early Day Motion was tabled.
If you would like to see the EDM supported, you need to write to your MP giving the number of the EDM (1004), and reasons why you think it needs support. It is always best to give your own personal experience relating to one or more of the aims of the EDM rather than to use a form letter.
This is well worth supporting if you ride off-road at all.
St Albans MP Anne Main is silent on bridleways both in parliament and on her own website, and hasn't yet signed up to the EDM. (She's equally silent on cycling generally)
