E-newsletter October 2007

In the October e-newsletter:
- Our first anniversary
- Cardiff Pedal Power Presentation -- 5 November
- also at the monthly meeting -- 5 November
- Rides for November--December
- Cardiff Cycling Campaign
- Penarth Downtown Race
- Motorists miss out on fishy spectacle
- Cyclist in court

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Our first anniversary

Cycle Cardiff completed its first year in existence earlier in October.
We've achieved a lot in a year: forty rides and a load of promotional
events and social meetings. Most importantly, there's some more cycling
going on due to our activities, and that's what it's all about. I'd like
to extend my thanks to everyone who has made it possible. Here's to more
and better in the year to come!

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Cardiff Pedal Power Presentation -- 5 November

At our next monthly meeting on 5 November, Sybil Williams will be giving a
talk about Cardiff Pedal Power. If you don't already know about this local
charity's activities, this is a fantastic opportunity to find out. The
charity has recently acquired a new building and continues to develop
exciting projects to make cycling accessible to all. For a brief taster,
visit: http://tinyurl.com/2cdddk . As usual, we'll be in the Meeting Room
in Chapter Arts Centre at 7 p.m. We hope you can make it!

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Also at the monthly meeting -- 5 November

Sybil's talk will be followed by a short separate meeting from 8 p.m.
There will be a break beforehand after which you can either return or
escape to the bar and await the rest of us at 8.45 latest. It was agreed
at the last meeting that we will adopt a constitution and roles.  You can
view the constitution and find out how you can contribute here:
http://www.cyclecardiff.org.uk/?p=5 . All contributions will be very
welcome.

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Rides for November--December

If you've already come along or been following the ride reports, then
you'll have an idea of what the rides are like. There are now a large
number of photos available to view at
http://www.flickr.com/groups/cyclecardiff/pool/show/

A few people have asked whether the rides are finished for the season. The
answer is 'No'. We'll continue riding through the winter months. Our
calendar has been slightly delayed, but a full schedule of rides will be
available in the next few days. Keep an eye on:
http://www.cyclecardiff.org.uk/whatson.html/

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Cardiff Cycling Campaign (CCC)

The CCC's AGM took place in Chapter on 25 October. There is a need for a
strong voice for cycling in Cardiff. The campaign continues to press for
better standards of cycling facilities - for example, through good use of
cycling design standards - and further recognition of cycling within
transport provision. So far, Cycle Cardiff have largely elected to leave
the direct campaigning to the CCC. It would be interesting to hear
people's wider views on how the two groups can work together in the
interests of cycling in our city.

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Penarth Downtown Race

Extreme sports might be your thing, but, even if they're not, you might
have enjoyed the Penarth Downtown Race on 21 October. It was popular
enough to get quite a bit of coverage on YouTube. I missed it myself, but
from the videos, it looked quite exciting. For a flavour of what went on,
you can watch a short video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI1teluw-so

My personal favourite involves 9 seconds of what appears to be a cyclist
in a spiderman costume.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM8soTKlGsg

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Motorists miss out on fishy spectacle

Should you be a fan of downhill cycling, you will still have to concede
that it is surpassed by the poignant spectacle of salmon swimming uphill
over the weirs along the River Taff on their way to spawn in the upper
reaches. Even better, access at sites like Blackweir is effectively
limited to cyclists and pedestrians. If you have never seen them leaping,
expect them around mid to late October next year. Put it in your diary and
exercise this wonderful privilege.

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Cyclist in court

Velo is an anagram of love, and we can all get a bit emotionally attached
to our bikes, but a story which appeared in last Saturday's Telegraph told
of a man in Scotland who became rather too amorously involved with his
bike: http://tinyurl.com/35kya2

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That's it. Hopefully see you at an event or ride soon.
Cycle safely
Nick Canham

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