Brighton 100

A 100 mike bike race which starts in Preston Park at 8am, a quick 100 miles (approximately 160km) and finishes back in Brighton’s Preston Park. In between a lot of leg work and one of the most talked about climbs in the world of bikes, Devil’s Dyke!

A good contingent should be taking part. The idea of a few beers, and fish and chips on Brighton’s famous promenade after some mild excursion is bound to bring the faithful out for one of the last rides of the summer.

Just before we start to think that 100 miles on a bike is a hard day’s work. Gill and another of her friends has decided to complete the shorter course, 50 miles on skates. There is always somebody, somewhere making what we do look like an infant schools sports day.

To race day and the good contingent had fallen dramatically with cry off’s for various reasons, from a believable “I’m going to see my kids” to Nick’s “I’ve got to work!” ‘Fess up my buddy your girl friend was doing a half marathon and you got told to cheer her on. Gill had gone to a party on Saturday evening and was having difficulty in finding …. well anything!

Tim and Dora set out on their sea side excursion alone on the 6.30 train from Victoria. Arriving in Brighton to a cold dawn, rain in the air and a 25 mph wind straight in your face no matter which way you are heading. After numerous set backs and adding another three miles onto the route due to a sign which had blown away they completed the 50 mile course in 4hrs. In the conditions not too shabby!

A disappointing 750 riders turned out for the ride, may be it is held too late in the season to attract a better number.

So it was off to Kemp Town for a few well earned beers and to the promenade for fish and chips twice in Tim’s case.

Gill eventually arrived in Brighton at 10am and was last heard from saying “Just finished my 50 mile skate after two falls, two blisters and 8 hours of continual skating.” Hat’s off well done!

As for the Adventurer; I went to see my kids. But I made it to Brighton to enjoy the beer and fish and chips!

Art in the Park

New Monthly Arts and Crafts Market to Open in Stanford

Sunday 3rd October at Galashiels Lodge

Stanford will be hosting its first Art in the Park during the weekend of the
Stanford Stretton's Bird Fair. The art and crafts market is to help showcase the
incredible talent Stanford has on offer. It is to be held from 10am to 3pm on
Sunday 3rd October in the magnificent gardens at Galashiels Lodge, 10 King Street.

Janet Marshall, who is running the event said

“We intend to showcase local artists, They produce quality art at affordable
prices. The public can meet the various artists and watch them as they work,
while enjoying the beautiful gardens in a delightful venue. We are hoping the
children will get creative and interact with the artists making arts and crafts
to take home. It’s a family day out in beautiful Stanford, which is what
Stanford is about.”

The magnificent mountains that surround Stanford, set on the beautiful banks of the Klein River with its abundant birdlife is conducive to the creativity of
many of the craftspeople. It seemed fitting the first Art in the Park will
coincide with the annual Stanford Stretton Bird Fair.

“Art in the Park plans to grow and offer a variety of media including painting,
drawing, photography, pottery, jewelery, fibres, sculpture, wood, and glass.”
Continued Janet “ if any artist would like to be added to our mailing list for
entry forms, please email:janet@orcawireless.co.za.”

Unfortunately I shall be in London that weekend, however I know where my heart will be as Gerry Fourie would say “in Stanford”

Paul Chew

London to Windsor

It started all so innocently, as most things do, “Who would like to compete in the London to Windsor?” 40 mile bike run along the Thames. A fish and chip supper was the wager to be bought by the loser and handicaps were negotiated. Being a year or two older than the other two racers, I requested and was given rather a good handicap.

My competitors had only seen me ride once, a 60 mile run to Southend. I borrowed a bike, the chain came off three times and I carried no fluids or food so I took another three stops. I came in an hour behind one friend and three quarters of an hour behind the other. I enjoyed myself drinking cider and eating fish and chips by the seaside, so ‘Yes’ was the answer when asked if I would like join them again.

Four weeks later saw the three of us at 10.15am in Richmond on the start line. That was the last I saw of my two friends, still it was a nice morning. A great run along tow paths for 10 miles, there seemed to be a sailing regatta on the Thames. A run through a few picturesque villages, along through a wood and on to Windsor, with a great view of the castle and the river. One of the nicer summer routes it must be said.

There I sat taking it all in and waiting for my friends to arrive basking in my glory. Who needed a 30min and 20min handicap? Young wiper snappers, I showed them! Tim turned up 10mins later stunned to find me waiting, together we found a text message from Nick saying he had a puncture and turned in an hour after me.

A fine victory, keep the money because bragging rights go to the Adventurer!

Now a 40 mile run on a Sunday morning is hardly the breakfast of champions, it took me a respectable 2hrs 15mins to complete. Various reasons have been muted for my victory and here are some
a) I stayed in the night before.
b) I trained.
c) I took supplements to boost my energy.
d) I took the short route i.e. the 27 mile and not the 40 mile run.

Some of the above are true!

However as I sat there with my friends supping on local ale, trying hard not to look so smug, along came a couple of girls on skates! They had a couple of blisters, being a gentlemen I offered them my friends seats, who gave them up graciously, and sent them off to buy the girls drinks (there are some benefits to being older).

These two girls had skated the entire route! That’s 40 miles, 64 km from Richmond to Windsor! Congratulations girls, Gill and Esther a fantastic effort. Puts our fun and frolics on a Sunday morning into perspective, and the organisers had refused a give them meddles upon completion. Not on chaps!

We did the only descent thing possible and gave the girls our meddles.
Then it was back to the bragging, it’s so much more fun with an audience …. and a few more beers …. and fish and chips on the way home. What a great way to spend a Sunday! Thanks Nick and Tim!

To victory!