simon simpson

Harry's Hunner will take place on Saturday 20th August 2005. Last year Harry raised over £400 from this ride. The route will be Erskine- Dumbarton - Arden- Arrochar- down to Dunoon over on the ferry and return up through Bishopton. There will be an 9 am start. The distance is 91 or 100 miles depending on the exact route taken (if you go down to Toward) Entry will be £9 with all 'profits' going to Erskine Hospital. Tea and coffee will be available at the start with reasonably priced snacks to raise further funds at the finish. Could all members please encourage others to ride. Fat Bloke On the Bike will post an entry form on the site asap tho' an indication of intention to ride would be welcome on a private message or post below. This is necessary because of the ferry ride tickets we need to get in advance. Thanks and please bookmark this post. SS

Unless anyone has a good reason not to I propose that Harry's Hunner takes place on Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st August... Any reasons not to please post does anyone have Harry's number? ss

Can we have suggested dates? ss

I have agreed with Kenny to organise this event tho' the date is to be confirmed ss

Martin Maybe, for anyone who might consider it, you could outline what's involved... publicity... police...route assessment...catering...etc etc

Congratulations... it's all fitting together now,,, big early season mileage and arrival of child....... cheers Simon

Can't confirm ...'knee'd a rest... ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was talk of an Arran weekend staying at Lochranza youth hostel on the first available weekend after the clocks go back...self catering with Martin M and SS with some catering responsibility.......sounds good to me It'd be best at a time when the lochranza ferry is going too. What weekends will suit us? ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kenny... I didn't notice the poor service from the hotel...I did have to request the weirdo meals for Dawn and myself more than once but with weirdo meals that is, of course, almost obligatory.... a great night........not quite as poor a next day as it might have been...and wasn't it good to feel normal on Monday morning again.... ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

me too!!! SS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

will be riding full route tho' not with fast bunch.... ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I was 26 mins for the drybridge pre xmas: My average was 18 and I know it didn't take half an hour so I only made it 8 and a bit miles.... SS Will partner anyone willing... Kenny was suggesting cutting the route short to about 5 and a bit to cut out a horrid muddy bit at each end.. I'll have mudguards on so it doesn't bother me.. ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll make up a two with anyone who needs a partner.. Sarah or anyone ...the usual conditions apply...don't blame me for averaging 16 mph etc etc. ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congratulations to Jane and Dougie! Pass the cigars but go easy on the beer! SS Well Done... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoyable meal had by all! Lights that cost more than 2 cars I've owned....FSA superlights..carbon toothfillers..err..stockingfillers..we covered it all It occured to me this morning..isn't the curry a great 'Leveller' of men and nations.... ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

cheering tho' it is they really should have charged him.... ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ss confirmed....familial diary consulted...booking etched in stone.... ss ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To which 'Presentation of the Season" are we going? JWCC? No clubroom dinner? bah humbug! So has this 'otel got bike parking available for those '2 mean2 taxi/2trashed2drive'? What times will you be at the clubrooms on the Sunday onwards/ SS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About 15 years ago I was cycle touring in Italy and we decided to camp beside a factory on some rough ground...the guard dog barked and barked and we joked about it.. we gave no more thought to the matter.. Suddenly on coming out of the tent we were faced with 3 Carabinieri, one of whom was pointing his sub machine gun from the hip at us.....with the usual luck it was the village idiot with the gun.. you know..bit skelly eyed..slack jawed etc..a bit scary really..the chief (probably his uncle who got him the job) was very stern with us we persuaded him we weren't "Cycle -Terrorist but cycle tourists and promised to leave asap in the morning.. He reluctantly agreed after much pigeon Italian (us), Latin machismo (him) and slacked jawed staring from person to person while pointing a nasty muzzle at us (the dim nephew)... still I have to say there was definitely nobody wearing Glenmarnock colours........ SS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I eMailed the BMA with my objections to compulsory helmet wearing even tho I almost always wear one.... It may be worth contacting them if you object to this type of thing .. the problem lies with drivers...big fines..lower limits...... The Scottish Parliament thankfully didn't ask us to don divers' masks and oxygen tanks to avoid passive smoking... [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:04:38 pm Europe/London To: [email protected] Subject: Use of cycle helmets Dear Mr Simpson, Thank you for your recent e-mail. Your comments have been noted and considered by the Board of Science. The BMA has developed policy on cycling since 1992. Since then, we have published three policy reports, which discuss the issues and review the risks to health: Cycling towards health and safety, Road transport and health and Cycle helmets(1999). The Association's policy is to actively promote cycling as an environmentally-friendly means of transport and an effective means of improving the health of individuals. In addition, we are concerned with the health risks and health benefits related to different transport policies and believe that, wherever possible, people should be encouraged and enabled to abandon motorised transport in favour of physically active forms of transport such as walking and cycling. Our policy to date (as recommended in our 1999 publication) has been that we strongly advise the wearing the cycle helmets. Since then, a number of BMA members have called upon us to revise this policy (in particular A&E Consultants who have seen, at first hand, the impact that not wearing cycle helmets can have on cyclists involved in road accidents). There was also a motion submitted to our Annual Representative Meeting in July 2004 asking that the BMA review policy and calling for the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets. As such, the Board of Science reviewed the evidence (see Parliamentary briefing paper attached) and recommended to the BMA's Board of Professional Activities that the BMA support the introduction of legislation making the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory for both children and adults. This was approved. Furthermore, as stated in the 1999 report, we strongly recommend that all cyclists wear properly fitted helmets, which as a minimum, should be certified to the EN 1078 standard, but preferably certified to the Snell B95 standard. It is also important that helmets are replaced after an accident. We are also using this opportunity to reinforce the points made in our 1999 report, that action to reduce the high rate of fatal and serious accidents suffered by cyclists must include: the creation of a safer cycling environment; reductions in vehicle speeds and traffic volume in urban areas; the provision of cycling training for all children; recognising road safety, including cycling proficiency education, as part of the curriculum for all school children. This should include basic cycle maintenance, and safety precautions (eg lights, reflective clothing), information on the health benefits of cycling, as well as encouraging cycle helmet use; information on current cycle helmet standards and the level of protection they provide should be more easily accessible to consumers; advertising Standards officials should ensure that the public are protected against misleading safety claims from manufacturers. cycle manufacturers and retailers should consider supplying a free cycle helmet (or helmet voucher) with every bike sold. helmet costs should be reduced substantially, eg through Government subsidy schemes and the reassessment of VAT on safety products on a European wide basis. As mentioned, the BMA has always recommended that adults and children should wear properly fitted helmets. I hope that the paper below, including the referenced evidence, will help to explain why we have amended our position on this issue and now recommend that the wearing of cycle helmets should be made compulsory. Yours sincerely, Ms Judy Abel Public Information Officer --------------------------------------------------------------- Cycle helmets (BMA Parliamentary briefing paper) November 2004 (revising previous 1999 report) The BMA urges legislation to make the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory for both adults and children. The evidence from those countries where compulsory cycle helmet use has already been introduced is that such legislation has a beneficial effect on cycle-related deaths and head injuries. This strongly supports the case for introducing legislation in the UK. Such legislation should result in a reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with cycling accidents. Recent evidence has indicated that the introduction of compulsory legislation does not have a significant negative effect on cycling levels. Such legislation in the UK should not discourage cyclists and lead to a more sedentary lifestyle with consequent health risks. The evidence Cycle helmets are now compulsory in Australia [1], New Zealand [2], Spain, Iceland (aged under 16), the Czech Republic (aged under 16), Canada (aged under 18) [3] and twenty states in the USA. Studies in a number of these countries have shown that high usage rates of helmets as a result of legislation is associated with a reduction in cycle related deaths and head injuries. Evidence supporting the wearing of cycle helmets continues to mount. - It is estimated that 90,000 road-related and 100,000 off-road related cycling accidents occur every year in the UK, of which 53% (100,000) involve children under sixteen [4]. - Each year over 50 people aged 15 years and under are killed by cycling accidents, with 70-80 per cent of these resulting from traumatic brain injury [5]. In 2002, 594 children and 1,801 adults were killed or seriously injured as a result of road-related cycling accidents [6]. Significantly, with child cyclists, 85 per cent of accidents occur off road where primary prevention measures such as cycle lanes, vehicle speed reduction and driver education are ineffective [5]. Several studies provided solid scientific evidence that bicycle helmets protect against head, brain, severe brain and facial injuries, as well as death, as a result of cycling accidents: - In the USA, a 30-month study of 3,854 cyclists showed that helmet usage decreased the overall risk of brain injury by 65 per cent and severe brain injury by 74 per cent in all age groups [5]. - An Australian study showed that wearing cycle helmets reduces both the incidence of facial injuries by 28 per cent and their severity [7]. - A Cochrane review considering five case-control studies from the UK, Australia and the USA illustrates a large and consistent protective effect from cycle helmets, reducing the risk of head and brain injury by 65 to 88 per cent and injury to the upper and mid face by 65 per cent [8]. - A study of primary school, secondary school and adult cyclists in New Zealand demonstrated a 19 per cent reduction in head injuries to cyclists in the three years after the introduction of legislation [9]. - In Victoria, Australia, an increase in helmet use from 31 per cent prior to legislation to 75 per cent one year after was accompanied by a decrease in head injuries by 40 per cent in the following four years [8]. Enforcement As with any other legislation enforcement is as important as the law itself. Without compliance the law is at best ineffective. To achieve maximum compliance, the legislation should be complemented by mass educational and promotional campaigns. Evidence from Australia and New Zealand showed that educational campaigns prior to the introduction of legislation resulted in an increase in helmet wearing from two per cent to up to 95 per cent [4]. An education programme in Reading that promoted cycle helmet use among children and teenagers resulted in a local increase in usage from 18 per cent to 60 per cent and a concurrent decrease in cycle-related injuries [5]. The most difficult group in which to increase helmet use was teenagers, who are often the category most at risk. One approach is to target educational programmes at adults, as evidence from a Seattle-based study suggests that helmet usage is greatest in children riding with helmeted adults [8]. At a practical level, enforcing the legislation can be achieved through on-the-spot fines or tickets issued by police and traffic wardens, while schools can ensure all children wear helmets on journeys to and from school. Cycle helmet legislation and other safe cycling promotions are not mutually exclusive, and there is a clear role for the simultaneous introduction of more primary prevention measures including cycle lanes, driver education and vehicle speed reduction initiatives. Further measures to improve cyclists' safety The BMA believes that cycling has many advantages to the individual in terms of improved health and mobility, as well as to society via, for example, reduced air pollution and traffic congestion. Even in the current hostile traffic environment, the benefits gained from regular cycling are likely to outweigh the loss of life through accidents for regular cyclists. Action to reduce the high rate of fatal and serious accidents suffered by cyclists must include: the creation of a safer cycling environment; reductions in vehicle speeds and traffic volume in urban areas ; the provision of cycling training for all children; recognising road safety, including cycling proficiency education, as part of the curriculum for all school children. This should include basic cycle maintenance, and safety precautions (such as lights, reflective clothing), information on the health benefits of cycling, as well as encouraging cycle helmet use; information on current cycle helmet standards and the level of protection they provide should be more easily accessible to consumers; advertising Standards officials should ensure that the public are protected against misleading safety claims from manufacturers; cycle manufacturers and retailers should consider supplying a free cycle helmet (or helmet voucher) with every bike sold; reducing helmet costs substantially, such as through Government subsidy schemes. The BMA strongly recommends that all cyclists wear proper fitting helmets which, as a minimum, should be certified to the EN 1078 standard, but preferably certified to the Snell B95 standard. It is also important that helmets are replaced after an accident. Background The BMA has for many years strongly supported the advice that all cyclists should wear properly fitted helmets. Its 1999 report 'Cycle Helmets' did not support the proposal that this be made compulsory. During 2004, the BMA received correspondence from a number of BMA members, in particular those treating injured victims of cycle related accidents on a daily basis, requesting that the BMA reconsider its policy on this issue. In its 1999 report significant emphasis was placed on the BMA's wish not to discourage cycling by making helmets compulsory. This advice was based on evidence from Australia indicating that cycling levels decreased following the introduction of legislation. This evidence was found to be outdated and contained distortions from variables including a reduction in the legal age of driving that meant more teenagers travelled in motor vehicles. A study from Ontario, Canada, demonstrated that the introduction of helmet legislation did not reduce numbers of children cycling [10]. Research published in June 2003 for the Department for Transport revealed a growing trend for wearing cycle helmets in the UK. Wearing rates for the population as a whole rose from 16% in 1994 to 25% in 2002 [11,12]. References and footnotes [1] Compulsory legislation introduced in 1990. [2] Compulsory legislation introduced in 1994. [3] Compulsory legislation introduced in 1995. [4] Chapman HR, Curran ALM. Bicycle Helmets 1- Does the dental profession have a role in promoting their use? British Dental Journal 2004;196(9):555-560 [5] Lee AJ, Mann NP. Cycle Helmets. Arch Dis Child 2003;88: 465-466 [6] Statistics from the Department of Transport: Road accident casualties by road user type and severity: 1992-2002 [7] Chapman HR, Curran ALM. Bicycle Helmets 1- Does the dental profession have a role in promoting their use? British Dental Journal 2004;196(9):555-560. [8] Thompson et al. Helmets for preventing head and facial injuries in bicyclists. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;2:CD001855 [9] Scuffham P et al. Head injuries to bicyclists and the New Zealand bicycle helmet law. Acci Anal Prev 2000;32(4):565-573 [10] Macpherson AK et al, Mandatory helmet legislation and children's exposure to cycling. Inj Prev 2001:7)3): 228-230. [11,12] K Gregory, C Inwood and B Sexton, Cycle helmet wearing in 2002, Prepared for Road Safety Division, Department for Transport, Teenage boys appeared to be the only exception to the rule with rates dropping from 16% to 12%. Alongside data showing that deaths and serious injuries for boy cyclists were about 5 times the rate for girls. This research endorsed the need to encourage teenage boys to wear cycle helmets. The Government is already targeting teenage boys with the THINK! Campaign under Road safety banner, launched in May 2003. ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager ([email protected]) www.bma.org.uk ********************************************************************** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computer needs, spares & repairs - PC Express, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Paul did sum it up quite well really....although that knowlegde of knowing the difference etc. might be useful.. would that knowledge give me the knowledge of which bottle of wine to call it quits at? However what's this about the'plan' for the Lego? when I were a lad rims were wooden and Lego came without instr...... Now Meccanno that was something to aspire to..... ss -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computing needs, new machines, spares & repairs - the Yellow Computer Shop, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being fickle I'm off on another ploy.... A YMCA based hostel allowing us to take in some central or Northern roads.... Killin (Fairly crap pubs?) Pitlochry (Excellent pub @ Moulin) Braemar (crap pubs but great scenery) Melrose (?) all spring to mind In this case best to find somewhere you can drive to on the Friday night..... Any other location suggestions? Estimated budget £20-25-30 per day SS P.S. I'm all in for a well deserved pampering so how about Auchranie via Lochranza via Bridge of Orchy via the Erskine Bridge... might mean an early start -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computing needs, new machines, spares & repairs - the Yellow Computer Shop, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All agreed that we had a great weekend in Arran... I see from Steven Hickey's comments and from talks on the boat home that plans may be afoot for next year... Now, you'll know that really racing isn't in my veins and really I'm more CTC than SCU so it'll come as no surprise that the idea of a hostelling weekend came to mind! Arran is well served by 2; one in Lochranza and one in Whiting Bay Youth hostels are still basic but moving forward there are no chores you can 'socially' drink with your meal the curfew is 11.30 .......... I spoke to the woman at Lochranza and the curfew is negotiable within reason You can now hang about inside during the day The main benefit is price next year Lochranza is £11.50 per night Any group of 6 or more non-members can nominate one as a group leader who buys a membership card that cost s£6 to cover the group. The other advantage is, of course, that you can self cater if preferred (There is also the Lochranza hotel). If self catering, you can arrange the kind of food you need to ride and recover from long days in the saddle i.e. Soup, Pasta, beer and wine, salad etc I've already got a volunteer to be a 'camp chef' and provide a meal for everyone at cost and breakfast can be on the same basis or bought from the hostel itself. Another advantage is with the price being lower is thatpeople are able to come a day earlier or stay on a day or two. You could even get a family room and bring the kids..... I've ridden down from Clydebank, over the Bridge after work on a Friday and made it to Lochranza for dinner. Anyway it's just a thought.... It's also possible to go to any other hostel too.... we seem to be going again at New Year to Aviemore with about 7 other families.. If it seems a good idea post a reply and pop the poll. Yours SS Team CTC/SYHA (new sponsor) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computing needs, new machines, spares & repairs - the Yellow Computer Shop, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

so tell me why when I got back on the bike today with no panniers it only seemed easy for the FIRST mile? ss ex Team Pannieria.... looking for a new contract? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For all your computing needs, new machines, spares & repairs - the Yellow Computer Shop, Love Street, Paisley 0141-561-0323 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goodness me Davide... it's clearly a post structural tribute to Jacques Derrida.....you ought to see that... a cycling meta- narrative....the bit about white bread was the give away .... a sort of .... errrrrrrrr....triumph of agency over materialism and reified social relations.... Yours David Team Pannieria