It’s been a while since the last newsletter but as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, there’s been very little in the way of club activity. Even though group rides of up to six members are currently permitted, the decision has been taken not to recommence our group rides until the risks from COVID19 are greatly reduced. Sadly, this also means that the clubroom will not be open until Autumn next year at the earliest. Members are welcome to organise their own rides, independent of the club but they must follow the COVID rules. Should there be more than 6 members in a group, then the liability insurance would be invalid. The rules are quite complex but Cycling UK have a series of webpages, which are regularly updated, explaining what is and isn’t permitted.
Over the past months, since lock down #1, I’ve been out and about cycling quite a lot more than normal, either on a solo or tandem ride. I’ve come across a few from our club but one that has escaped me so far is someone who has been a CTC member for over sixty years. Unlike myself, he has been out on his bike pretty much every day. Ian Appleby gets out and about on his home ground of the Rossendale valley, along the highways, byways and rough tracks, as he is also a member of the Rough Stuff Fellowship. Last year Ian was crowned champion in our Superstars competition. Surely he can rightly claim the title for 2020 as well. Congratulations Ian and all the best for 2021.
I’ve been posting a few old and not so old photos on Instagram, with the #blackburnctc tag. The original idea was to include photos from the current club rides but as these are still on hold, that’s not yet been possible. Instead I’ve been using my own archive, a few from Joe Lofthouse that were scanned and loaned to the club plus a few from our recent tandem rides. Please take a few moments to have a look, follow and share your own cycling memories using the #blackburnctc tag.
Anne & Tony Stott managed to get away to Scotland recently. Here's a report from their ride around the Black Isle
In September, whilst staying at a cottage in Cannich in Scotland, we rode round The Black Isle, which lies between the Cromarty and Moray Firths. From Munlochy, we rode on CR1 up the east side to Cromarty, a picturesque village built out of old red sandstone. It’s the birthplace of the geologist, Hugh Miller, and the home of 3 dolphins who live in the harbour. It’s a pity the view from the village is blighted with a line of oil terminals .Listening to the sound of waders in the dusk we rode down the B9163 which clings to the Cromarty Firth and boast views of the Scottish Highlands. What a stunning ride, hardly any traffic. 37 miles.
