Newsletter for Summer 2003
Newsletter Archive

Or if you prefer, you can download in pdf format.

Follow this link to
 get  the pdf reader

Editorial -  Spokes, an entirely voluntarily run organisation, relies on its financial support from its members. We are now in our ninth year. Each year we print four newsletters. Every issue is a print run of 2,500 sometimes 3,500, representing nearly 100,000 newsletters over the nine years. Many of these are distributed free through various outlets such as bike shops, TICs, pubs, cafes etc. We also supply public libraries and send copies to councillors, officers and MPs. In this way we reach potential new members. What have we achieved since 1994?

  • Spokes has played a major part in the development of the National Cycle Network (NCN) and was instrumental in routing National Route 1 from Inverness to Dover through the area with National Route 18 from east to west crossing in Canterbury.
  • Spokes members including their children, rode both of Sustrans Trailblazing Millennium Rides from Inverness to Dover in 1995 (1200 miles) and Belfast to Land’s End in 1996 (1,000 miles).
  • Spokes surveyed, designed and helped build a number of routes in the district. Among them is the 1996 Regional Route 16 from Canterbury to Dover. This was the first signed Regional Route in the UKand was closely followed by the opening of Regional Route 17 from Canterbury to the Channel Tunnel with a spur down the valley to Dover in 1997. The NCR1 from Canterbury to Fordwich was planned and built by Spokes members at a Sustran’s work camp. Spokes initiated the opening up of the Crab & Winkle NCR1 from Whitstable to Canterbury. Both of these are off road and ideal routes if you want to learn to ride again or teach your children to ride in safety.
  • Thanks to the hard work put in by Spokes there is now provision for cyclists to use the Channel Tunnel. Spokes were in the very first group of cyclists to use this facility when they took part in the inaugural crossing.
  • Spokes was among the first cycling groups in the UK to have their own website which is linked to the Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council websites. It has a list of all the bikes shops in Kent with details of their hire and repair services, B&Bs, campsites and a list of all the free cycling maps from KCC.
  • Spokes members have attended every international Velo City Conference since 1995 Basle, 1997 Barcelona, 1999 Graz & Maribor, 2001 Edinburgh & Glasgow. This year it is being held in Paris.
  • Spokes joined forces with the Environmental Transport Association to bring Car Free Day to the UK.
  • Spokes are involved in a number of county wide initiatives including the redevelopment of Alyesham and the reuse of the Betteshanger spoil heap, getting more bikes on trains with ConnexSE, the provision of safe cycle parking both at stations and in towns and the draft Canterbury District Walking & Cycling Strategy 2003.
  • Spokes is a group member of the YHA. If 5 or more Spokes members want to make a trip there are discounts to be had with our card both in the UK and abroad.

How do we finance ourselves? Spokes delivers the newsletter to its members. It is from these subs that we make ends meet. So if you want to join us, welcome, and if you are in arrears get your cheque books out. Details are at the bottom of the page. Remember Spokes needs you!

Sam Webb

 
Vote-catching sidelines Fordwich safety - It is with deep regret that we have to report the loss of a one of our campaigns, (writes Martin Farbrother). All seemed fine until regretfully it appears that the local elections got in the way. Sad though it may seem, votes appear to be more important than the well being of cyclists.

It has long been considered by many people, including Kent County Council and our own Canterbury Council that Well Lane in Fordwich should be a no through road to anything but cyclists, horse rides and pedestrians. This is for reasons of safety. It is narrow, enclosed with blind corners. It is for these reasons that many motorists choose to speed up it. This causes severe danger to more vulnerable users. There is a perfectly suitable alternative for motorists, that of Mote Lane, but to some a rat run is preferred.

Such is the level of concern by the aforementioned councils that Well Lane is mentioned in the new Canterbury Walking and Cycling Strategy. Appendix 5, Programmed Rural Schemes 2002/3, "Closure of Well Lane-will enable local pedestrians and cyclists to use this narrow, country road without the danger of traffic."

Spokes have been campaigning for the closure for two years and finally on safety grounds, subject to funding the City Council agreed to an experimental closure. Well readers the money is now available but……..

It seems that because of a few local councillors concerns it will not now happen. No consultation, no site meeting. Is this right? This lane is part of Route 1 of the National Cycle Network. It is an important link with the Canterbury to Fordwich Route, which the City Council wholeheartedly supported. Where is that support now? An experiment must be conducted, how else will anyone know if it will work?

Please help us to raise it at full council by writing in support to: The Highways Department, Canterbury City Council, Military Road, Canterbury or email highways@canterbury.gov.uk Thanks in anticipation for your support.

All change at East station - Cyclists going up to Canterbury East Station from Wincheap roundabout have often commented on the contra flow cycle path on the right hand side, which is always full of parked cars even though they are parked on double yellow lines. All this is to change.

From this summer the City Council will be using the forecourt in front of the station as an off loading point for coaches coming to the city. As a spin off to this they will take over the parking regulations and unlike the Transport Police the Canterbury City Council Parking Attendants will be eager to ticket illegally parked cars.

So if you are one of those naughty motorists who have parked there illegally down the years your time is now up and the contra flow cycling path can soon be given back to its rightful use.

So it seems all those phone calls to the council, chats with officers and councillors have paid off.

 Closing stations will improve trains - says Connex - In a recent announcement the head of Connex SE gave out the following priceless piece of information. "We need to shut more stations. We cannot increase the numbers of trains any further without more and bigger carparks." It has yet to dawn on the powers that be that run Connex SE that once someone gets in their car and has to drive any distance that they will stay in their car until they have finished the journey. This will lead to more and more congestion around stations in major towns such as Canterbury and Ashford if smaller stations are closed. What Connex SE should be doing is encouraging more people to travel by train by providing better not worse services. Many commuters want to take their bikes on trains in this area. They use them for cycling to the stations and then to work when they get to the other end. This cuts down on car use, pollution and congestion.
Now it's Kaddy the mountain slayer - Keen cyclist Kaddy Lee-Preston, better known to most people as the Weather Woman on BBC TV South East should perhaps be renamed Wonder Woman after her latest cycling trip in Mexico. She sent the following email to Spokes.

"Just got back from my recent cycling challenge across Mexico! Yikes! The hardest thing I’ve ever done! 612km in 8 days, climbing 28,000 feet in total-all on a mountain bike! Geepers!-that’s like doing Everest by bike! It really was tough and only about 12 (out of 60) made the whole thing without getting in the van at some point-and before you ask, no I didn’t get in the van! I was so much fitter than for the one I did last year in Ecuador so I really did get the most out of it and I made some amazing new friends. The people were really fantastic and at times when my muscles wanted to give in everyone was there to help each other get through it. It was such an amazing trip. Even 8 days camping without no showers, or even a loo, didn’t seem to bother me this time! One of the days involved a 61km climb-yes ALL up hill, it took me 10 hours to do, with no proper stops, just the van stopping by you to give you water, bananas and sandwiches!! It was so hard. It just went on and on forever! And the temperature was 42C at times (106F), in blazing hot sunshine! Phew! It’s the longest cycle track uphill in the world!!! I felt sosooso good when I got to the top though!! Best thing I’ve ever done. Mexico is such a beautiful country, I’d recommend any anyone going there-but leave the bike at home!!"

Somehow it makes our 1996 ride up Gospel Pass on the Millennium Ride look like a ride for wimps!

The wide open landscape of the Romney Marsh with its gentle and quiet network of lanes is increasingly valued by those seeking a peaceful and safe cycling destination.

Since 1996 the Romney Marsh Countryside Project has been working to help develop this cycling potential in a variety of ways. In addition to a regular programme of free guided cycle rides, the Romney Marsh Meanders cycle pack is still available from the Romney Marsh Countryside Project.

All five routes are printed in full-colour on laminated card with clear route directions and points of interest and are illustrated with artwork donated by local artists. The cycle routes themselves are clearly waymarked by white and brown numbered discs attached to highway signs or wooden posts at key junctions.

If you would like further information on cycling on the Romney Marsh or wish to purchase a cycle pack please contact either Andy Morris or Owen Leyshon on 01797 367934.

I'll never wear those gloves again - It had been a good Sunday morning ride. Sunny, no wind & crisp. Down to the marsh, cheese on toast at the Lord Whisky & a chat with fellow cyclists. Back across the Minnis & then that grounding sensation from the back wheel. So what, only five minutes in the sun & a breather. I threw my gloves on the ground & changed the tube. Picking up my gloves & putting them on I felt a curious cold squishing in the glove. Quickly withdrawing I found half an earthworm sticking to my little finger nail! What’s worse than half a worm, you’re right, the other half that refused to get out of the glove. I showed Neil in disbelief the half worm in my inside out glove. It must have been all those pheromones that made the worm home in on my hot damp glove in just a few minutes. Yuck.

John Hunt

Draft cycling, walking strategy unveiled - Canterbury City Council launched its first draft for public consultation in April 2003. Key priorities are to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility impaired people and wheelchair users to encourage walking and cycling as part of an integrated transport strategy. It focuses on the needs of those travelling to work, college, school, shops or other amenities and to help reduce car dependency.

The objects are to:

  • Implement an identified network of safer walking and cycling routes
  • Increase accessibility for the mobility impaired
  • Increase walking and cycling to schools
  • Reduce conflict between cyclists, pedestrians and other traffic
  • Provide additional cycle parking facilities
  • Increase accessibility for pedestrian and cyclist visitors
  • Increase walking and cycling for health
  • Increase value for money of footway maintenance and small improvement schemes that are programmed for construction
  • Increase walking and cycling for commuters, for recreational purposes by recreating joined up rural networks and ensure that all new developments are cycle and pedestrian friendly
  • Promote awareness and publicity of the benefits of walking and cycling, including codes of practice for considerate behaviour

One of the welcome additions to this plan is the missing link in the local cycle network, from Chartham to Canterbury NCR18 along the River Stour. Since the closure of the St Augustine’s Hospital over 600 new houses have been added to Chartham. This route would provide a much safer route than using the A28. It will encourage children to cycle to school in Canterbury, commuters both to and from Chartham and link with the signed route to Ashford. It will also be a great boost to tourism in the area.

Spokes needs your support -  If you would like to join Spokes, please complete the online joining form and send it off. Or join at :

SPOKES, The Canterbury Environment, Centre, St Alphege Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2EB Tel 01227 457009.

The centre is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Good food, drink and lots of useful resources and information.

Crab & Winkle - signs shortage points to disaster - In May a party set out from Canterbury to cycle to Whitstable show the Crab & Winkle route to a Times journalist writing a piece as a ‘curtain raiser’ for our big anniversary ride Sat. 3rd. May. Spokes hears many complaints from people who are attracted to the route but cannot find it! However, our journalist was an independent and expert witness to the adequacy of signing. He has written about famous cycle routes in Australia, America, Europe and recently in Suffolk where he said the signs were excellent. His judgement is based on wide experience. When asked, how he would grade the quality of signing ‘out of ten’ he generously awarded it 1 out of 10!

This is a great shame because: -

  • Large sums of money have been spent on this route over the years. If we include the Invicta Way, the bridge over the new Thanet Way, the recent surfacing of the main section and the commissioning of various works of art en-route, then we are talking about a lot of money. The tourist usage already significant (information from hotels and accommodation providers in Canterbury) will not reach full potential if the route remains hidden. Just imagine if the Cathedral could not be found?
  • People hear about this famous route (the first regular steam passenger railway in the World, opened 3rd. May 1830) and come from far and wide, only to be frustrated because they cannot find it!

Our journalist friend was only happy to promote the route for Sat. 3rd. May, because it will be a guided ride on that day. At other times he feared that people might not find it or could even get lost.

Please can we have signs that actually say Crab & Winkle so cyclists know where it begins and ends?

Robin Townsend

Velocipede's early origins in Kent
The Science Museum in London houses many remarkable exhibits but none more so than Willard Sawyer’s four wheeled velocipede on which he cycled from London Brighton and back, taking two days for each journey. Based in Chapel Street Dover, Sawyer was a carpenter who became internationally known in the nineteenth century as the first truly professional maker of a man powered vehicle. He set up business in 1838, the year after Queen Victoria came to the throne.

So successful was Sawyer that within three years he opened workshops in St James’ Street. This was the world’s first mass-production cycle factory, marked on the 1858/60 OS map as "Velocipede Manufactory. Sawyer was the first to market his product nationally and to establish a brand name.

His velocipedes were shown at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851 and then travelled across the Atlantic to be shown at the Great Exhibition in New York in 1854. Prices ranged from £15 to £40. There was a lightweight racer, a carriage for ladies, another for invalids and a scaled down version for children. The Park Sociable carried a family of six!

In 1868 the Penny Farthing arrived. It was swish, smart and fast and overtook the velocipede in more ways than one. Sawyer’s factory in Dover closed when he moved to Deal where he hired his machines out to holidaymakers to ride up and down the prom and local car free roads. After 50 years Sawyer sold up. Only 3 of these remarkable machines still exist.

Children delight at veteran bikes (and bikers!) - The Museum of Canterbury wheeled out two prized exhibits on Saturday 15 March for the Science Week Road Show, an 1840s Boneshaker and an 1870s Penny Farthing on the Spokes stand manned by John Hunt and Sam Webb. Children were delighted to be wheeled around on the veteran bikes high up above their parent’s heads. Also on show was a lightweight 531 double-butted frame made by Bill Hurlow of Herne Bay, one of the greatest frame makers of all time, a trusty well used Brompton and bike memorabilia from the archives. Visitors to the stand ranged from the very young to the very old who told of rides on fixed wheeled bikes from London. The visitors came from all over the world. Spokes member Robin Townsend showed off the Invicta steam engine.

One exhibit from the University which generated a great deal of interest involved grinding up a bowl of cornflakes and mixing it with water. A small plastic coated magnet like a liquorice torpedo was dropped into this. The bowl was then stood on a magnetic stirrer. After a couple of minutes the magnet was fished out. One end of the magnet was covered in tiny bright iron filings. If we had ground up enough cornflakes who knows we might have a bottom bracket.

Thanet tandem service seeks blind cyclists - Following the 1981 ‘year of the disabled’, there was a group of cyclists in Canterbury who rode tandems with stokers (on the back) who were visually impaired or otherwise unable to cycle alone. As well as regular outings we did sponsored rides and took part several times in the BOLD (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development) marathon at Spalding. But as our jobs and family lives changed, the group dispersed.

Now, in Thanet, the East Kent Cycling Club has obtained a grant and bought two tandems for riding with blind stokers. They are looking for visually impaired riders who would like to go out, for an hour or two, in Thanet. They would be picked up from home, and it’s free. If you know of someone interested please put them in touch. EKCC would also welcome reserve front riders, for when their regular pilots are on holiday. Please contact Jack Cole on 01843 592577.

Jack Cole has had responses from people in East Kent too far from Thanet to join in his rides. Could we revive tandem riding around Canterbury? Kent Rural Disability Sportslink staff are interested in helping with funds and advice. Anyone interested please contact Beatrice Shire on 01227 766782

Last change: 21 September 2003