Due to health problems, Sid Pritchard has regrettably decided that he is no longer able to ride with the club. He wishes to stress, however, that he has really enjoyed his many years both as a cyclist and as a club committee member. He would like to thank all past and present club members for their invaluable support, not only in a cycling capacity but also for the irreplaceable friendship which they gave him. Sid has been an asset to Bury Tandem Club in many ways and his tireless efforts have been paramount in helping to make the club what it is today. He will be sorely missed by all and we hope that he will decide to return if circumstances allow in the future.
Derek Pritchard has an exercise bike and a set of training rollers which are now surplus to requirements. The exercise bike will be equally useful to both fully sighted and visually impaired riders, but the set of training rollers is only recommended for use by fully sighted club members. If you have a use for either or both of these pieces of equipment, please contact Derek on 0161 764 1239.
We have had our first enquiry via the Bury Tandem Club website. It concerns a possible volunteer front rider/mechanic. Alan Hughes is following it up. Don't forget! Our website address is http://www.bury-tandem-club.org.uk. Please pass this address on to anyone you know who may be interested in helping with the club in any way.
Peter Carr would like to remind all club members that a collection for the club takes place on Saturday May 26 in Bury at a place to be announced. Could all members please ring Peter in advance of this date to let him know if they will be able to participate and if so, for how long. The minimum is two hours, but if anyone can do longer, this would be even better. The collection lasts from 10 am to 4 pm. Peter Carr's phone number is 0161 681 5652.
Beryl would like to advise all rear riders that first aid kits are now available for collection. The kit is a small pouch containing basic first aid items such as rubber gloves, plasters and sterile water. It can be worn round the wrist or can easily fit into a pocket on a cycle top. Every rear rider is expected to carry one of these kits on every club run. This is for the good of all rear and front riders. To pick up a first aid kit, please contact Beryl on 01204 883546.
This event took place on Friday March 30 at the Waterloo public house and was much enjoyed by all who attended. Will Stewart thanked Sid, Beryl, Anne, Peter Roscoe and Mike Berry for their invaluable contributions to the club throughout the past year. We wish to thank Alan Hughes for organising the event.
This special 50k or 32 mile ride took place on Sunday April 1, starting from the bottom of Walmsley Road in Bury and finishing at Rivington Barn. The aim was for all tandem riders to reach Rivington Barn independently by following the route plan provided. We were not expected to cover the distance in less than two hours. The ride was a great success. Although a couple of riders suffered minor mishaps on the way, we all arrived at Rivington Barn, taking from 2 hours 7 minutes to two and a half hours. Special congratulations have to go to Alan Mudd who, though feeling unwell on the day, still completed the distance, staggering into the barn! Apart from the tortuous hills which made up a good part of the ride, Martin had to contend with his shoe laces continually coming undone and wrapping themselves round his pedals. This forced him and David Jones to have to stop regularly, but they still arrived at the barn at the same time as the rest of us and actually found the whole thing quite amusing!
The first design for a machine propelled by cranks and pedals with connecting rods has been attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, or one of his pupils, dated circa 1493.