This year's annual dinner took place on Friday February 21 at the Waterloo Hotel and was much enjoyed by all. We wish to thank Dave Harrison for organising this event which included a game of stand-up Bingo,a quiz and a raffle. Thanks also to the proprietor of the Waterloo for allowing us to use their facilities.
There was a collection over two days at Tesco, Prestwich, on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February. In total, they raised £906. This is almost one fifth of the money we need to keep the club running this year, so although we can't afford to rest on our laurels, it is a fantastic start. Our thanks go out to Peter Carr for organising these collections and for counting all the money afterwards, not forgetting all those who gave up their time to collect! Thanks to you all.
The next collection will take place on Saturday May 10 at the Millgate Shopping Centre in Bury. Peter Carr is organising it and it will run from approximately 9 am to 4 pm in two-hour slots. If you are able to fill any of these slots, please contact Peter.
Our first car assisted ride this year took place on March 31 starting from Poplar 2000 Services near Lymm. For us cyclists, Dave Harrison planned a circular route to Delamere Forest and back. This was mostly flat, but there were a few rather nasty ups and downs which livened things up nicely. It was a pleasant change to be able to cycle along quiet country lanes without being beeped at or cut up by irate motorists! For spouses not wishing to cycle, Alan Robinson had planned a walk in the local area as well. The weather overall couldn't have been better, although starting off at 10 in the morning was a bit on the cold side! This was one ride where everyone kept together as a group. It would be nice if, for safety reasons alone, we could also keep together when riding on home territory. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this car assisted ride such an enjoyable event.
The first reliability ride of 2003 took place on March 9 and was a 50k route to Rivington Barn. Apart from one unexpected puncture, there were no real mishaps on this ride and everyone completed the route within two to two and a half hours - the prescribed time limits.
Our first Walk and Ride weekend takes place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 May at Arnside. Seventeen of us will be travelling to Arnside at various times on Friday and will stay at the youth hostel there for Friday and Saturday nights. Dave Harrison will plan a long tandem ride on Saturday and a shorter one on Sunday, so that we can travel back on Sunday afternoon. Alan Robinson will plan walks for Saturday and Sunday as well, so that anyone not wishing to cycle can go for a walk instead. This is a particularly attractive part of the country with many quiet roads. Places are booked and paid for. All we're hoping for is good weather for the weekend!
On the top of each rota sheet you receive is a date by which you are asked to phone Derek regarding your availability for riding for the five weeks of the next rota sheet. Matters are unfortunately slipping again. Derek had to ring 20 out of 32 people for the last rota sheet because they failed to ring him in time. PLEASE ensure you phone Derek by the date requested. It's just as important for Derek to know you're not available as to know you are.
Susan has sadly decided to retire from the Club due to pressure of work, including work abroad. We shall miss her for her cheerfulness and commitment. We thank her very much for all her efforts and wish her well in the future.
Many congratulations are due to Janine who was named as Disabled Sportsperson of the Year 2003 by Bury Metro Sports Council. On Friday 4 April, she received a trophy to keep and a shield bearing her name which she holds for the year. These were presented by the Mayor in the Elizabethan Suite at the Town Hall.
This took place on Sunday 13 April in virtually ideal weather. We started from Bury Leisure Centre, going through Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Water, down the Todmorden valley and stopped for a brew at Hebden Bridge. The route back to the starting point led through Mytholmroyd, up Cragg Vale, Blackstone Edge, down to Littleborough, through Rochdale and finally back into Bury. Stamina was the main theme, because there were some very challenging hills on the ride - particularly the climb up out of Waterfoot and a seven-mile drag up Cragg Vale which included some short but very steep parts. We all finished in just over four hours.
John North (d.o.b. 18/08/43) of Rawtenstall cycled or carried his machine along the 275 miles of the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm, Borders, in two days eight hours and forty-five minutes on 9-11 June 1978.