Southampton Cycling Campaign

Start Time: 09:50
Date: 2012-01-15
Title: Campaign Ride – Test Valley
Location: Mansel Park pavillion on Evenlode Road, Millbrook
Description: On Sunday (15th January) a Campaign ride will explore the part of Test Valley which is within easy reach of Southampton, using roads that some will be unfamiliar with. The ride is about 15 miles on quiet roads and we will also use the new cycle route through Adanac Farm. Dilys and I, when risk assessing, were surprised to find some of the route new to us and we are sure it will be new to some of you as well, so come along and join us.

We will meet at 9.50 am at the Mansel Park pavillion on Evenlode Road, Millbrook, leaving at 10 am. The coffee stop will be at Chilworth Manor, which is also an interesting experience if you have not stopped here for refreshments before.

The ride is suitable for all abilities and is mainly flat; there is one steep hill (Toothill) which can be walked up if necessary.

Title: Cycle Campaign Ride: Byways to Bursledon
Location: Boardwalk entrance, Horseshoe Bridge
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 11 December 2011
End Time: 13:30
Description: All cyclists are welcome to join the Cycle Campaign ride to Bursledon on 11th December. If you have not ridden your bike for some time, you are still welcome, but we would request that you (or someone else) checks it over for any mechanical problems before the ride. Also, be aware that the distance is not far short of 20 miles, although cyclists living in Woolton, Sholing and Thornhill areas are welcome to join the ride at Woolston Station if this is more convenient.

10 am Boardwalk entrance, Horseshoe Bridge

10.30 am Woolston Station

11.30 am Coffee stop at Bursledon Windmill

1.00 – 1.30 pm Return to Boardwalk

Everyone is welcome to join a cycle ride on Sunday 25th September, starting and finishing at Riverside Park (behind social club on Manor Farm Road) .  We will leave prompltly at 10 am and return approx 1 pm.  The 20 mile route takes cycle paths and bridleway to Botley, quiet lanes through  Manor Farm and the Hamble Country Park to Bursledon, bridleways and lanes to Netley  joining the NCN route along Western Shore at the Royal Victoria Country Park. We will stop for coffee at Manor Farm’s cafe.

Children under 16 welcome with an adult.

For more information, please contact Lindsi Bluemel on 023 8033 2926 or lindsibluemel@hotmail.co.uk

Brushmakers Arms, Upham

Title: Ride to Brushmakers
Location: Car park behind social club in Manor Farm Road
Description: Ride to the Brushmakers Arms, Upham A lovely evening ride through the South Downs. Fairly hilly; 20 miles approx.

Meet at car park behind social club in Manor Farm Road at 6.15 pm. Return 10 pm Lights required.

For more information contact Lindsi Bluemel (lindsibluemel [at] hotmail.co.uk 023 8033 2926)
Start Time: 18:15
Date: 2011-07-21
End Time: 22:00

Title: World Naked Bike Ride – Southampton
Location: Southampton Common – East – Near Highfield Road
Link out: Click here
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2011-06-10
End Time: 20:00

Folks, in case you needed reminding this year’s Southampton Naked Bike Ride takes place on Friday June 10th. That’s less than 1 week from today! As ever, the meeting place will be the east side of Southampton Common, next to Highfield Road. Meeting time 6pm, departure 6.30pm, ride length 6 miles which – at our leisurely pace – will take about 1 hour. Bring picnic snacks and drinks to relax on the Common while it’s still warm, then join us for more celebrations at The Hobbit into the evening.

For those who are new to the ride…

This is a peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture. A celebration of the bicycle and also a celebration of the power and individuality of the human body. A symbol of the vulnerability of the cyclist in traffic. The world’s biggest naked protest: 50+ cities and thousands of riders participate worldwide, including more than 3000 in the UK in 2010, of which well over 100 rode in Southampton!

Dress code is ‘bare as you dare’. That means nudity is not compulsory, but many go completely naked. Go as bare as you feel comfortable doing. Body paint, glamorous disguise and colourful bike decoration are all in the spirit and make this a truly spectacular and fun event!

Will I get arrested? Very unlikely. Simple nudity is not a crime and no-one has been arrested at any UK ride over seven previous years. Southampton police have been informed and they have no issue whatsoever. However, indecent or lewd behaviour will not be tolerated so keep it clean.

Full details of the Southampton ride here: http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/southampton/

Title: Ride to Braishfield
Location: Cowherds
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2011-06-23
Description: The annual ride to the Newport Inn at Braishfield will leave the Cowherds, Southampton Common at 6.30 pm on Thursday 23rd June

Total distance approx 20 miles; lights necessary.

Title: Ride and Eat
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2011-06-21
End Time: 22:00
Description: Southampton Cycling Campaign’s main Bike Week event this year will be an evening of rides for those new to the city or new to cycling, showing how to use short-cuts, quiet roads, parks and open spaces to get around Southampton.

For added fun, we are combining this with a three course meal!!! There will be stops during the evening for a starter, main course, pudding and, finally, everyone will meet together for tea,coffee/soft drinks.

We have most of the hosts in place but still need one venue for a starter (for two – four) and one for a pudding (for about twelve). Haute cuisine not expected – it can be as simple or elaborate as you wish and your costs can be reimbursed.

If you are able to help, please contact Lindsi Bluemel. Email: lindsibluemel@hotmail.co.uk (or telephone 023 8033 2926)

Suitable for all abilities and children over twelve. Tickets £2, from Lindsi Bluemel; booking essential so hosts know how many to expect.

The latest newsletter of the annual celebration of cycling can be read here. Why not search for local events to join? Events listed in Southampton and Hampshire include:

Title: Ride to the Vine Inn, Old Bursledon
Location: Woolston Station
Description: With the lighter evenings we will be organising some evening Campaign rides. The first will be a ride on Thursday 26th May to the Vine Inn, Old Bursledon, where King John’s Morris will be dancing. We will leave from Woolston Station at 7 pm and return at approximately 9.30pm. Lights advisable. For more information, contact lindsibluemel @ hotmail.co.uk
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2011-05-26
End Time: 21:30

John visited Southampton for the Easter Monday ride and sent this report:

I live in London, but I cycled down to Southampton at Easter and joined
the SCC led ride on Monday morning. I really enjoyed it, so I definitely
recommend those rides to any local cyclists. I didn’t know anyone else
there, but they’re a friendly bunch and they all made me feel welcome.
There was a range of abilities, so it was a nice relaxed pace, averaging
12 km/hour. There were a few steep hills, but nothing too strenuous.

We went out to Westwood Local Nature Reserve, cycling on quiet roads and
through the woods. The off-road sections were flat/solid enough that I
didn’t have any trouble on my touring bike, i.e. I didn’t need a
mountain bike. This ride was specifically timed to fit in with the
bluebells flowering, and they made an impressive sight. I used to live
near the Bluebell Railway (down in Sussex), but I haven’t seen them in
years. Similarly, I saw some dandelion clocks, and I can’t remember the
last time I saw one of them. I live surrounded by concrete, but things
like this remind me that I’m still a country boy at heart. I should also
say that the Westwood cafe sells very nice cake!

A couple of people had mechanical problems while we were out: a puncture
and a broken chain. So, it’s a good idea to bring tools with you, e.g. a
pump and a spare inner tube.