DaExeterNews201201

CTC Exeter - Newsletter - February 2012

Roy Russell & Kirby James

CTC Exeter

•

•

•

•

News

Planning Application for New Clyst Bridge

A planning application has been made for the final section of the eastern half of the Exe Estuary Trail passing Goosemoor and incorporating a new Clyst Bridge. Click here for details

The map shows (in pink) the existing shared use (walking/cycling) paths from Exton, alongside the River Clyst, past Odham's Wharf and Tremlet's Boatyard, adjacent to the road between Clyst St George and Topsham, and over the existing bridge adjacent to Fisher's Mill and the Bridge Inn.

The proposed new section (shown in green) will cross the River Clyst on a new bridge immediately upstream of the existing rail bridge, then pass through Goosemoor on a boardwalk and turn through the existing brick arch bridge under the railway to emerge on Bowling Green Road.

Construction of the bridge and boardwalk will take 12 months scheduled over two years to avoid critical bird nesting periods.

Comments on the planning application must be made by the end of February. Click here to comment

British Cycling / Sky Rides - Women only!

The Breeze network from British Cycling is all about fun, local bike rides for women, by women. Breeze are organising a series of short local rides at an easy pace.

The rides are led by Caroline Jones who is a trained national standard cycle instructor and level 1 cycle tour leader (British cycling). You can read more about Caroline on her blog.

There are four rides planned for Saturdays in February - the rides are free but do require prior registration (click on the dates below for further information).

*Breeze Runs in February*
Date	Time	Start	Destination

Sat 4 February	10:30	Exeter Quay	Double Locks
Sat 11 February	10:00	Exeter Quay	Topsham
Sat 18 February	10:00	Exeter Quay	Turf Locks
Sat 25 February	10:00	Dart's Farm, Topsham	Lympstone

If you want to go a little further, CTC Exeter organise mixed rides to local cafes, every Thursday and Sunday. Newcomers always welcome. Pace to suit the slowest rider. Details here

2 = 34 ... Have Sustrans got their Maths Right?

Sustrans' NCN (National Cycle Network) Route 2 runs along England's South Coast.

Locally it passes through Exmouth, along the Exe Estuary Trail through Topsham (past the Route 2 cafe) and up to Countess Wear where it runs along Bridge Road (past the Swing Bridges) and down the west side of the Exe through Powderham, Cockwood and onto Dawlish.

Until recently the section from the Swing Bridges to Exeter's Quay was also labelled NCN 2. This caused confusion because at the Swing Bridges NCN 2 was signed in three different directions.

The numbering has now been rationalised and the section up to the Quay is now called NCN 34.

Bike It Success in Exeter

Martin Burrows the Sustrans' Bike It Officer in Exeter writes:-

Results for Exeter schools in their third year of Bike It in 2010-2011 show that the project has continued to build upon its success in increasing cycling levels. The percentage of pupils regularly cycling to school more than doubled between 2008 and 2011 from 11.0% before engagement to 21.9% after one year of engagement, 23.6% after two years of engagement, and 25.4% after three years of engagement in Bike It.

Read more about Bike It activities in their Autumn Newsletter.

The Times' Cities Fit for Cycling Campaign

The Times newspaper has launched a public campaign and 8-point manifesto calling for cities to be made fit for cyclists:

Trucks entering a city centre should be required by law to fit sensors, audible truck-turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.
The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.
A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.
Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.
The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test.
20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes.
Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.
Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

If you wish to support this campaign more information is available on-line.

Sidwell Cycles closes

Sidwell Cycles unexpectedly ceased trading on 25 January.

Haldon Ridge Cafe closes

The popular Ridge Cafe at the Haldon Forest Centre also closed unexpectedly at Christmas. The Forestry Commission are looking for new tenants to run the cafe. If you're interested, offers are invited by 3 February with the intention to reopen by mid-March. Click here for further details.

Cafe Winter Opening Hours

Although most of our favourite cafe stops are open all winter the following are closed at the moment. Killerton tea room is weekends only until 11 February, The Turf opens on 18 February and Dunsford Walled Garden is weekends only until Easter.

Bike Theft

32 bikes have been stolen in Exeter in 2 weeks.

This is an unusually high number and may be due to an organised gang.

Only two of the unfortunate owners had recorded their frame's serial number. The Police are urging cyclists to record their bike's serial number and take photos of their bikes (especially any distinguishing features) to increase the chances of recovery.

Hot Air?

Paul Nero, the Managing Director of Exeter FM caused a minor media storm when he criticised cyclists for not using cycle paths.

His comments attracted over 150 responses to the Express & Echo website. A response from the SW Director of Sustrans was published the following week.

He was contacted by Sustrans and Stuart Hughes (Devon County Council Member for Highways and Transportation) and a discussion of cycling issues will be broadcast on Exeter FM on Saturday 18 February at around 4 pm.

Summer of Cycling

This summer could be a breakthrough for the cycling world, as it has seen an outbreak of co-operation. Twenty three cycle organisations (including the CTC) have agreed to promote the Summer of Cycling.

Details of exactly what this promotion will entail are still being worked out and will be published on the website www.summerofcycling.net

Events

Kentisbeare Junior Cycling Club - Monday 13^th February

Kentisbeare Junior Cycling Club (KJCC) are linking up wth British Cycling and their South West Go-Ride coaches to run a Junior Cyclocross Fun Day at a national motocross circuit near Halberton, Tiverton. Further details here

KJCC is active all year - see their website for their current ride diary

MTB coaching at Darts Farm - Saturday 18^th February

Cycle Sport Dynamo Half Term MTB Coaching for ages 16 and under

Mountain Bike Rides on Haldon - Sunday 19^th February

Join Paul Corthorn, qualified CTC Technical Trail Leader, for a series of free rides aimed at families and beginners. Click here for further details

Mad March Audax - Sunday 4^th March

Exeter Wheelers are organising the popular Mad March Audax rides on Sunday 4^th March.

Both 100 km and 200 km routes are available. Both start and finish at the The Barn Owl in Sowton opposite the Honiton Road Park and Ride car park.

You can enter either ride on-line at 100 km or 200 km.

Mountain Bike racing on Woodbury Common - Sunday 4^th March

The Fully Sussed Summer Mountain Bike race series comes to Woodbury Common on 4 March. Further details here

Mountain Bike Orienteering - Sunday 11^th March

Orienteering event around North East Exmoor from Minehead. This event is designed to test both navigational and biking skills. There is a 3 hour competitive event and a 2 hour family fun event. They are intended to provide an enjoyable recreational ride, with the level of challenge decided entirely by yourself.

Click here for details

Widdicombe Fair 50 mile - Sunday 25^thMarch

CTC Devon are organising a 50 mile ride over Dartmoor as part of the annual Tourist Competition. Click here for further details.

The Hammer Sportive - South Hams - 1^stApril

It's hammer time ...

The Hammer is a challenging 130 km cyclosportive through the quiet roads and country lanes of the South Hams. This is a new, non-commercial event with 25% of all entry fees going to Diabetes UK.

Further details on the website www.southhamshammer.co.uk or preview the route here.

Mud and Sweat - Woodbury Common - 1^stApril

Mud and Sweat are organising a Mountain Bike event on Sunday 1st April on Woodbury Common, near Exeter. Courses comprise 3.5 hour and 2 hours for Solo's, Pairs and Families, with all courses using waterproof OS 1:25,000 maps.