Halloween 2020 - Covid Edtion

Halloween, maybe my favorite time of the year! This year, 2020, it was set to fall on a Saturday, with the Friday before also being a Critical Mass ride... the fun we had planned!.... then along came Covid-19.

We did still plan to have a Mass ride, but kept the "promotion" low with the rule of 6 in mind, we did read that protests could still take place, within the current "social distancing" guidelines, but we decided  that we would avoid causing any "bad press". This, as it happened was the right decision, as as of Midnight on the Thursday, we were placed into the higher tier 2 restrictions and so really should not have been meeting at all! 

As it was the core group of our Critical Mass group turned out and we had 9 riding a short city based route, ending up on top of the one of the City car parks where we planned to have a play with some smoke bombs, purely for the photo opportunity!    

As we had a quick chat, we where taken aback by a visit from the local Police!, as it turned out after a photo for their "social media"! - taking little interest, if any, in the fact there where 9 of us! - we did wonder what would have happened had they arrived 5 minutes later when we were drinking beer and riding with smoke bombs!!

Saturday, in line with tier 2 restrictions was a quiet day in comparison to a usual Halloween, taking the rickshaw on a ride into town for a coffee at the Melbourne in Lichfield and then a swift pint, or two, at Bittersuite-micropub. The ride home was a long one as I stopped at the numerous requests for a photo!

Here`s to 2021 and a more normal Halloween - the planning has already begun!                  

 

Twilight Follow the Dog

While happier clocking up miles on the road, I do enjoy a ride on my MTB, helped by the fact it is a Mercian! So, as Autumn is in full swing and the evenings are getting a little darker, I decided to take a twilight ride around Follow the Dog on Cannock Chase, easy for me as just a 10 minute drive away!

My closest parking spot means I join the route just after the first section, as dusk was approaching, I was surprised to see so many others seemingly just setting off, finishing the first section at least, even more surprised that I was catching and leaving most behind, I gave them the benefit of deciding they had done "other" routes or 1 lap or already!

Good lights are needed and I must get some! I use two "Cree" ones off Ebay, cheap and cheerful and on the road commute are great, on the lumpy Cannock Chase routes, well they move about a little, meaning that constant adjustment is required! 

Now, I am not the most skillful mountain biker and even a small descent down rocks can cause me to  un-clip, but in the fading light, you don notice some of the obstacles and so riding them without "fear" is easier, or fool hardy?, any way I do think that it also helps with confidence and improving skill.   

On my own and in the growing darkness, owls hooting, occasional red eyes picked out by my lights, it does bring out a certain primeval feeling and the heart beat does rise... but its great fun - and I must do more of the same..... see you on the Trails!

 

   

Christine Bottrill Cancer Research UK 4.3TT

For the second year running we attended the Christine Bottrill 4.3TT, a 4.3 time trial organised by Christine`s son Mark, hosted by Coalville Wheelers and run on their 4.3mm TT coarse.

Fun is the aim, alongside raising funds for Cancer Research UK, 2020 was the 4th year for the event, with a sum just short of £3,000.00 raised, a total over the 4 years of just short of £10,000.00 - you can donate Here.

Last year, the Wheelers clubs house was full to overflowing, tea and cake in plentiful supply and lots of "banter". We were not sure of what to expect, a full on TT or madcap fancy dress event, in the end it turned out to be somewhere between the two, so me on my "tall bike" and James riding the Shopper "swing-bike" fitted in well and we were welcomed, and questioned about our choice of "rides". Not sure if there is a World Record for a 4.3 mile tt on either bike, we maybe should have checked. We enjoyed ourselves enough to place the date on our 2020 calendars.       

Along came Covid, events cancelled here, there and everywhere, but with some Covid guidelines and sensible planning the ride was cleared to go. 11th October dawned, following the wet and miserable day before, bright and sunny, as it was last year. Bikes packed and then the short drive to Griffydam and Coalville Wheelers Clubhouse, staggered arrivals and the Clubhouse being closed (apart from the toilet) might have made for a more subdued event, but laughter was in the air and the various fancy dress outfits made for a great morning.

James was dressed as a "courier" on his "fixie", myself Elliot and ET with a Halloween theme! 

I also removed my 1980`s Coalville Wheelers jersey from its (picture) frame and managed to fit in to my "costume". 

A great event, and one already on the Calendar for 2021.

 

         

Bicycle songs... songs about bikes, bicycles......

 As a cyclist, i often am in need of putting together a "play list", usually for one of the rides i help with, and am amazed at how few they are, actual songs about bikes, cycling, ..and for the record, Katie Melua doesn't count! although you can listen here if you must!

There are some others that spring to mind, Queens Bicycle Race, watch here, (oh, parental guidance advised!), is another that should be in the list, but.... ok then, the video is ok i guess! The list of "cover" versions of Bicycle Race is vast, so if you don`t like Queen, i am sure you will find an option!

One of my favourites, watch here, is Handlebars by Flobots, although apart from "handlebars" being the title, the song has little to do with bikes! Another we need to add is Pink Floyd`s Bike, a little dated, but in the main is about a bike!

The list of musical genres though, for such a small list is vast, from the "folk" of Beryl by O`Hooley and Tidow, "heavy rock" in My White Bicycle" by Nazareth, through to electronic (?) from Kraftwork - Tour de France

I have pushed the boundaries a little, Bombay Bicycle Club, i picked Luna, Critical Mass, no sorry it has nothing to do with Critical Mass, by Nuclear Assault, makes the grade as i couldn't find another song referencing Critical Mass!

I would like nothing more than for you to suggest more titles, please!, and as i find more i will add, but here you go - Hope you enjoy and please pop back to see if we have manged to find more!

31 9 Million Bicycles - Katie Melua

30 Tandem Bike - Emma Jayne - Listen Here (new entry)

29 Bicycle Race - Queen (plus 100 covers)

28 Luna - Bombay Bicycle Club

27 Daisy Bell - Harry Dacre

26 Riding on my Bike - McBusted 

25 Critical Mass - Nuclear Assault Listen Here

24 Handlebars - Flobots

23 Bicycle Built for Two - John Fahey (many other versions!) 

22 The Bike Songs - Grave Architects Listen Here (great video!)

21 I like my Bike - Kimya Dawson Listen Here

20 Pushbike Song - Mungo Jerry

19 Physics of a Bicycle - Clouddead Listen Here

18 The Kickstand Song - Darren Hanlon Listen Here (another that is growing on me!)

17 Bike - Pink Floyd 

16 Terry Keeps his Clips on - Vivian Stansall Listen Here

15 Pedal Pusher - Abdominal Listen Here

14 Bicycle Wheels - Ugly Kid Joe Listen Here

13 in true cycle racing tradition - we don`t have a 13 

12 Boy on a Bike - Stereophonics 

11 Death of an Bicycle - Rosebuds Listen Here

10 Yellow Bike - Pedro the Lion Listen Here (the more i listen the more i like!)

9 Bike Ride to the Moon - Dukes of Strastophere Listen Here

8 Bicycle - StVincent Listen Here

7 A Lilac Harry Quinn - Half Man Half Biscuit Listen Here

6 My White Bicycle - Nazareth

5 Beryl - O`Hooley & Tidow Listen Here

4 Tour de France - Kraftwork 

3 Bicycle Song - Red Hot Chilli Peppers Listen Here

2 The Bike Song - Mark Ronson Listen Here

1 Bike Rider - Mungo`s Hifi Listen/Watch Here

Cowhorn Capers

Saturday 4th May. and over to Northampton for the Cowhorn Capers "klunker" ride. 

I didn't know what to expect, apart from the unexpected!, meeting near the "racecourse" a small number headed North, stopping for supplies at a local supermarket, which also gave shelter from the heavy rain which suddenly appeared! After a few minutes we braved the remnants of the storm and a short ride saw us at the "race" site.

In my head this was a flat field, a short coarse, but no, rough and hilly and quite a bit longer than I had guessed. Numbers had grown and the racing was soon in full flow, great to watch and with some liquid refreshments, much fun was being had. I made it to the semis, and was up against Richard, Bill and Morgan in the second "semi". A good start I thought, pushed by Pete who was filming, following me on his electric stead, I guess we must have been close but nearing the finish, I went head over handle bars and with that went any chance of a final!.

Morgan beat Bill and in the final Richard won out, a great afternoon, finished with a go on the bumper cars this followed by a few beers!

Semi Final Lap - my fall at about 1.35!

Drone footage - Thanks to Pete Cobbe!

             

1,000 Miles in May

And were off -

Total to date - 270 miles with 10,921 feet climbing - 

27th April - So rain and 40mph winds are not really what I wanted today!  21.7 miles / 21.7
28th April - Damp and still a bit breezy but better than yesterday!              55.7 miles / 77.4
29th April - Rest
30th April - Foggy Morning ride!                                                                  18.4 miles / 95.8
30th April - Steady ride home                                                                      17.3 miles / 113.1
1st May    - To Work - extended                                                                   21.3 miles / 134.4
1st May    - Commute home                                                                        17.3 miles / 151.7
2nd May   - To Work - extended                                                                   23.3 miles / 174.9
2nd May   - Wet and windy ride home                                                         17.3 miles / 192.2
3rd May    - Rest
4th May    - Cowhorn Capers - Not counted
5th May    - Short ride                                                                                  23.25 miles / 215
6th May    - Longer ride out - 6am start!                                                      58.00 miles / 273
7th May    - Rest
8th May    - Wet (very) and windy commute                                                19.1 miles / 292  
8th May    - Commute home                                                                        17.3 miles / 309.3
9th May    - Rest
10th May  - Long ride to work - nice morning 
10th May  - Another wet ride, hail, thunder, wet
11th May  - Quick Blast                                                                               12.1 miles /
12th May  - Late in the day ride (should have been much more today!)     41.6 miles /   


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Mixed Weekend.....

A mixed weekend, the Lichfield Re:Cycle project held its AGM on Friday evening, so as a nice night I took the "Tall Bike" for its first trip of the year.

Saturday, again as a nice day, decided to dust the canoe off, and spent 40 minutes paddling, quite nice it was too, Saturday evening, another trip to "town" on the "Tall Bike"!

Sunday up early and a ride of the Ride Lichfield Sportive "long" route, at just over 60 miles the longest ride of the year, at 14.6mph average, a nice ride in good weather.

This was followed by a 6 mile walk....... roll on Monday and a rest!

     

Busy Weekend

A rather busy one -

Firstly a "rush" on Sponsorship, taking me to 15% of my target, many thanks to all who have donated so far - if you've not yet donated - please look Here  

Longest ride for some time on Saturday, 51 miles, as I joined around 20 riders for the Run & Ride Spring Challenge. Rain and wind where forecast and so unfortunately the numbers taking part where a little lower than had been expected. 

The rain held off, but not the wind! Gust of 40 miles plus had been in the forecast and on a couple of occasions side winds made for a "exciting" ride, but the last 8 or so miles where in to a horrible head wind, this and me "suffering" a little, saw my average drop from 14.6mph to 13.8.

I had the help of another rider for this last bit for which I was most thankful!

The route headed out over Cannock Chase, hitting a top speed of 44mph on the Stile Cop hill!
Longdon, Rugeley, Great Haywood, Hixon, Abbots Bromley, Hoar Cross, Barton and "home" to Lichfield.

Thanks to the staff at Run & Ride and the other riders - I think I returned as 6th rider back.          

Mixed day.....

So, after taking part in the Cannock Chase Park Run, 3rd "race", 3rd "PB"!, we decided to catch the train to Birmingham for dinner, a pizza and pint at Dig Brew.

First though we would stop at Erdington for the Cycle Jumble, snowed off last year so I as keen to do a little rummaging..... much to my disappointment, as we arrived, everyone was packing up. Still, around the corner  is the Cobble Cycle Cafe. A great little find, good coffee, great cake and very friendly - we will be back! 

So, on to Brum, BrewDog, The Pint Shop, Dig Brew (their Pizzas are the best!) with a last one in Clink.

We happened by the lights "festival" - Festival of Light, bit of fun, with a bike challenge..... we had to have a go!

     

31 years with stickers!

Its 31 years today since I started at Secura Labels! See the full Linked in Here


15th February, is the anniversary of the day I first walked through the doors at Secura Labels. While 31 years may not be a regular anniversary to celebrate, and thanks for all the good wishes!, it does somehow feel a "milestone".

Back in 1988, I joined Secura at their Ashby factory, following 6 years as a coal miner. I took the number of employees to 7, and in those days it was truly was a family concern. David and Kay, David`s Father, Bernard, along with, Andrew, Peter, and another who`s name escapes me! Each day, 12.00 O`clock prompt lunch was always taken together, and always fish and chips on Friday!

Going back over the years, I have worked with 66 individuals, the shortest period 2 1/2 days, the longest 27 years and counting. Among these, and also among suppliers and customers, I have found lifelong friends, and count myself lucky to have worked with some great characters down the years! In the 31 years we have moved four times and the team has grown to 14 in total, but I hope we have maintained some of the "family" feel.

We have, in my time here, sometimes been at the forefront of technology! When I first joined, "artwork" was set with "letraset" & "linotype", and then posted out for approval, posted back once approved. It seemed then a good idea to invest in a fax machine, so we could fax "proofs" and have them faxed back, saving 2 -3 days..... the fax duly arrived - great - unfortunately few of our customers had faxes, it took around 5 weeks before we could actually use the machine for the purpose it was brought for! We also had Thermal Transfer long before many had even hear of it, still a main part of the business today.

We also have been instrumental in the growth of several competitors - Paul left to Form/Join Charnwood Label Craft, Andrew Davis to form Acre Labels (Jenacre) and Andrew Hough to form Trent Labels.

Over the years we have also helped others with Press advice, indeed OPM`s relationship with Nilpeter followed a day spent with us after we purchased our first Nilpeter F240. Chris Ellison, his Father and some of the OPM team spent the day putting the press through its "paces" - a day where we also learned a lot!

There have been some challenges during the 31 years, moves, change of ownership, along with the "daily" ones, but I still get up looking forward to each day, another 31? that would make me 86, so why not? With the continued backing of the "Board" and the "Team" here anything is possible!

(Those with good memories may be thinking, "its only a couple of years since his 25th?", I took a couple of weeks "broken" service to further my professional portfolio (selling sandwiches!) and on my return, had to "re-start")