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Rambling

26/10/2013

It wouldn't be fair to be as contemptuous towards mountain-bikers as I am without allowing them some say in the matter; so (although it is from the USA) it's only fair to allow them to have a say.

It's entitled, "How to be a mountain-biker"'

http://www.nsmb.com/how-to-be-a-mountain-biker/?fb_action_ids=10201730592323337&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210201730592323337%22%3A740239902657474%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210201730592323337%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_maa

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Those who follow this blog from time to time will know that I've been concerned about the effect mountain bikers are having on the hill where I live. So, I was quite pleased to be invited to attend a debate about, "The Surrey Cycling Strategy Consultation", last night at Surrey University and being broadcast live on BBC Radio Surrey - with excerpts of the debate being aired on the early morning programme this morning.

Here is a BBC I Player of the debate:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01k5y0c

Having waited for over an hour of the 90 minute debate listening to issues relating to road racing and road closures - together with their effects, my own rather awkward contribution occurred around 1hour and 11minutes into the debate and, although the hand microphone I was given doesn't pick it up, a BBC sound engineer told me that my closing comment had raised the loudest laugh of the evening.

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Rambling

22/9/2013

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Continuing with issues relating to the effect bikers have been having on where I live, here is a letter a neighbour has just sent to our MP...................

Dear Anne

In common with a majority of residents of the Surrey Hills I and my family
are thoroughly sick to death of the number of cycling events taking place in
the Surrey Hills. I note that Surrey County Council seem to bend over
backwards to accommodate them and are more than happy to close roads at a
whim. Road closures are an extreme inconvenience for residents and a
financial penalty for many businesses, such as shops, pubs etc. During the
London Surrey event last month a number of shops and pubs were closed in
this immediate area that were either on the cycle route or were isolated
because of road closures and were told that there would be no chance of
compensation for lost earnings. This is surely most undemocratic and against
the rights of those concerned to trade freely. The organisers have claimed
that these events bring additional money to the community, try telling that
to those who have had to close their business for a whole day, at a weekend
when they would anticipate their income would be at it's best.

I also note that the mayor of London now wishes this particular event to be
held on an annual basis and is expecting even more entries next year. I
don't want a repeat event in Surrey, if Boris is so keen why not have a ride
London Berkshire incorporating his home town of Henley. You are no doubt
aware of the Vachery Triathlon and the reaction to that from the residents
of Forest Green, it seems that Brave Events want to do a re-run next year
much to the chagrin of local people, particularly in Ewhurst which suffered
the majority of the road closures. If such events must be run then they
should take place entirely on open roads and the competitors behave
accordingly.

Today, of course, we have the Tour of Britain with even more undemocratic
road closures affecting businesses throughout Surrey, again without even a
hint of compensation.

Every weekend the Surrey Hills is mobbed with cyclists riding with little or
no care or hindrance on the very narrow leafy lanes. The majority seem not
to come from this area but are attracted by the lure of recent major cycle
events. They seem to think that they rule the lanes round here, riding in
large groups shouting at each other without consideration to residents,
walkers, horse riders etc. For example, last weekend my neighbour was
running along Holmbury Hill Road on his way to Leith Hill when a bunch of 3
cyclists came up behind him and told him "To get off our B****y road"! This
is not an isolated incident I am aware that there have been numerous
incidents of spitting at people and bad language, bad behaviour seems to be
the norm.

What do you suggest is done to curb what has now become a menace? I am by no
means alone in my feelings, I suggest you take a look at today's Daily
Telegraph, at the article on "Lycra louts". Furthermore there is a petition
doing the rounds that should interest you, perhaps I might suggest that you
could sign it, see:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/surrey-county-council-stop-surrey-bein
g-turned-into-a-cycle-track

I am copying this email to Helyn Clack of Surrey County Council as she
appears to be the person who is promoting the cycling events in the Surrey
Hills, even though she appears to represent Horley, which is out of the area
and is unaffected by the mayhem.

Regards

***** *******
***** ******* *******
Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NS

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Rambling

4/8/2013

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Once again, an interesting scene for us to look at outside our kitchen window; a blackbird and a baby squirrel tucking into some of the seeds we throw out for the local wildlife each day.

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Rambling

23/7/2013

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Yesterday, on the (heaven-knows how many) consecutive hottest day of 2013, I caught sight of another beautiful flower outside our back door.

Bearing in mind which category (see right) I have chosen to put this particular blog, it might be reasonable to call it a Rambling Rose. However, in light of other events which took place yesterday, I have decided to call it The Cambridge Rose.

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Rambling

7/7/2013

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On the morning of the Wimbledon's men's final and in what is predicted to be the hottest day of the year, this beautiful flower caught my eye in the glorious sunshine just outside our back door...........

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Rambling

5/5/2013

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I've often commented on the number of wild animals we see outside our kitchen window. The latest visitor, however, is quite spectacular; and I'm not entirely certain it should be described as 'wild'.

We believe it's a Golden Pheasant; and, since they originate from Asia, we suspect it might be a pet who has either escaped or has developed a wanderlust because it has taken advantage of the seeds we put out for the 'wild' birds for the past few days. If anyone knows the owner, ask them to get in touch with me.

On the basis of the first photo (above), it might have upset next-door's cat - who really seems to have got her 'back-up'. The other photos can be enlarged by 'clicking' on them.

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Rambling

7/9/2012

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It's unlikely that my earlier blog had any bearing on the situation; but, for whatever reason, it's comforting to see that the local authority has, at last, repaired the massive pot-hole to which I drew attention.

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Rambling

6/9/2012

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Several blogs in this Rambling category (see right in blue) illustrate the fact that mountain-bikers are very unlikely to feature on my (and many other local residents) list of the most welcome visitors to the Surrey Hills.

However, I have to say that I'm genuinely concerned for those who ride up and down the lane leading up to where I live because of the dire consequences which could result from riding into or attempting to avoid this particular pot-hole (above and below).

It's no secret that Surrey roads are notorious for pot-holes. Furthermore, local concern about the issue has been compounded by the amount of work (often cosmetic) which has been carried out on roads used during the recent Olympic road cycling events - a spin-off of which, BTW, has caused a significant (and, not entirely welcome) increase in the number of cyclists visiting the area.

Like many of my generation, I was a cyclist during my childhood and youth (I had a Hercules model with drop-handlebars); but, a significant difference between now and then seems (to me) to be that 'we' used bicycles as an integral means of getting from A to B until we could afford something more sophisticated; whereas, nowadays, bikes seem to have become big-boys' toys for many and, for a vareity of reasons, appeal to many who exhibit selfish tendencies. Even they, however, do not deserve to face the consequences of an encounter with such a large and deep pot-hole.

Paradoxically, another major cycle race is scheduled to pass within 100 yds. of the aforementioned pot-hole in a fortnight or so. So, it will be interesting to see whether anything will be done about it.

Watch this space - as they say.

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Rambling

5/6/2012

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Those who pay attention to this sort of thing may have noticed that I've not been contributing towards the Rambling category very often in recent times; and the reason for this is that, instead of walking around the area, I've been getting out and about on my trike, Trixie.

This morning, however, having heard some firework, last night, I decided to climb to the top of the hill to see if I could find the remains of the jubilee beacon which I had presumed was associated with the aforementioned fireworks.

In the event, I didn't find what I had been looking for. However, once again, I was reminded of the lack of consideration some mountain-bikers show from time to time. For example, on all three of the footpaths I walked along, there was evidence of tyre tracks. Furthermore, as illustrated in the following photographs, someone - presumably, bikers - had taken steps to ignore the clearly-marked signs.

The actual footpath (prohibited to cyclists) is on the right. However, someone - presumably bikers - has cut a track through the hedge on the left to join up with the original footpath about the length of a cricket pitch along from where it starts. I know I've asked the question before; but, is it any wonder bikers are held in such contempt by many of the local population?

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