Fowlmeade Park set to be UK’s best

This will be one of the best cycle venues in the UK”, Malcolm Whitehead of VC Deal told Spokes, “With facilities for racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing and BMX. There will be a family circuit, visitor centre, shop, cafe and country park.”

The main track is a figure of eight which can be divided at the crossing point. These can then be used independently. At two miles round the track is twice the length of Eastway in London.

The sub-surface has now been completed and the final tarmac will be laid in the spring. The whole project will be finished by March next year. Discussions are under way on the provision of wardens to run the site. Gordon Harris, SEEDA site manager, has asked Malcolm Whitehead if it would be possible to get local cyclists to iron out wrinkles when the track is ready. Watch this space. Links are being made to the National Cycle Network Route 1.

As reported in the Autumn 2003 newsletter, an initial meeting was held in Autumn 2000 when Gary MacGowan the former Kent County Council cycling officer brought together cycling interest groups from all over the UK to meet with SEEDA at Betteshanger Colliery.

Spokes was among them. Deal Velo Club helped guide the project through many meetings, winning over local residents who now give it their total support.

French interest in the project is high and visits have been made to see progress. There is strong possibility of a similar project in northern France. If the Olympics come to London in 2012 Fowlmeade is likely to become the venue for cycling events, but let’s hope if it does, that someone comes up with a better name for it.

PS – The last issue contained news of Ed Genochio who was cycling from Exeter to Shanghai when Mongolian horsemen stole his bicycle. Spokes helped him find accommodation for his enforced stay.

If you listened to Home Truths on Saturday 5th February last you will know he has now reached Hong Kong and been reunited with his girlfriend Emily. They are going back to Shanghai and are looking to buy a tandem.

SAM WEBB

David Morgan – a short obituary - One evening last year, while cycling home along my usual route from Bekesbourne station via Patrixbourne I came across David walking outside his house near the Patrixbourne fords, writes John Shirley.
He had on a strange hat but happily removed it to show the work that had been done. He joked about his trouble cycling as a result of the brain surgery but thought he could make it for a drink some time at the Plough and Harrow.
That drink never happened as David died a few weeks later. He was a tall, popular man, a top dog at UKC, and he organised several cycle based events for Bridge School.
One thing of interest was the way he allocated one day a year to count the traffic passing his house. He observed that it increased every time. I shall be contacting his widow Mary, to find out on which day he held the count with a view to continuing the tradition.

Getting back in the saddle - When I first returned to cycling, some ten years ago, I used to ride on the main roads. I had been driving around Canterbury for so long I couldn’t think of routes in cycling terms.
I used to cycle along the A28 to Canterbury East railway station to catch the train to work. These days, I use the cycle route which runs parallel to the Sturry Road, going across the busy A28 using the toucan crossing near the ambulance depot in Military Road and then ride straight through the town centre.
From there I ride up Castle Street and avoid the hazardous Wincheap roundabout by using the footbridge from the city wall. It’s a much pleasanter journey and mostly avoids having to share the carriageway with cars and lorries.
It has taken me quite some while to find all the cycle routes and little short-cuts that I use today. Fortunately for people starting to ride now, either as returners or new to cycling, there is a leaflet, available from SPOKES or Canterbury City Council, showing Canterbury’s cycle routes and even the offer of a guided tour round some of them by a SPOKES member.
If you would like a guided tour of Canterbury’s extensive cycle network, which incidentally probably would take you to parts of Canterbury you don’t know or have forgotten existed, contact Andy McNally, Membership Secretary or Beatrice Shire, Vice Chairman to arrange it.

ANDY MCNALLY

Make a date with Cyclefest - Downland Cycles is hosting the area’s first Cycle Festival on Sunday 27th February at the Kings School Recreation Centre, St. Stephens Road, Canterbury.

This is an event for everyone, promoting sustainable travel in the county for work, school, leisure, sport and competition.

The aim is to raise at least £1,000 on the day for the Kent Walking Bus Project and the Pilgrims Hospice. Downlands will donate 10 per cent of purchases or orders on the day and proceeds from competitions and collections.