Latest Gateway News
JON’S CYCLING DIARY
A SUMMER SUNDAY RIDE – 13th August 2023… Yet another super Sunday ride – ably led by Dave F, Vic, Sharon, Andy and Les, departed Bulphan via Dunton Caravan Park, Laindon Centre and around Gloucester Park. The destination being ‘The Greedy Chef’, at Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford. Untroubled by the odd summer shower, it was perfect cycling weather…Being early for a change… I took a different route via Ockendon to West Horndon and the A127 cycle path of Arterial Road. First constructed in 1924, where our forbears had the wisdom to build in the broad cycle paths either side. Riding between the leafy trees and speedy traffic, it is functional and reasonably well surfaced. My thoughts – ‘We’d better use it before we lose it’. At Pound Lane junction a very … Read entire article »
Mid Week Ride 17th August 2023
Fifteen of us all told out and about for the midweek get together this morning plus Les who managed some photographic duties whilst on route elsewhere. Nice to see Richard E and Joe N with us after long illnesses. Weather was very nice again and another successful day out was enjoyed by all. … Read entire article »
Bobs Blog
For those unfamiliar with the clubs activities I would like to say just a few words about the longest continuously running club ride. This is now known as the midweek social ride run on wednesdays throuhgout the year only ever cancelled due to exceptually bad weather. The route is usually a 28 ml loop from Orsett to Berwich Ponds and back with a brunch stop at the excellent Puddledock Farm cafe. Occasionally someone will organise an alternative to a pub lunch in Kent which involves a ferry crossing to Gravesend. This ride has run continuously for many years and was originally known as the Airfield ride as the brunch stop was at the then excellent cafe at Damyns Hall airfield which was an interesting venue as aerial activities were often … Read entire article »
Gateway Ride to Hyde Sunday 13th August
We had a great ride out to Hyde Hall yesterday. It was Alan’s first trip there. He said it was very pleasant but not cheap, but nowhere is these days. On the way home down Lower Stock Road a motorhome had been, possibly, misguided by satnav and caused a huge traffic jam. Steve was on car park marshalling duty and managed to get some of them through and then we decided to leave. They may … Read entire article »
Bobs Blog
Hi me again, first off no one seemed to have picked up the deliberate mistake in my last post,it was of course Mathieu van de Poel not Remco Evenpool who won the mens world championship road race in Glasgow last week but there you go. After yesterdays successful midweek ride decided to stay home today to give my most used road bike a bit of maintenance and a clean up. Not being too energetic I try to make this as easy as possible, I start by brushing off all the visible crud then a quick wipe over with a proprietory wd 40 bike cleaner. Then comes the bit I like least degreasing the chain and cleaning up the jockey wheels,this done relube chain with a foaming wet lube and wipe … Read entire article »
Blogging Again by Bob Drake
After a long layoff, just a few words of cycling relevance. From a club perspective the leisure group goes from strength to strength with varied rides every sunday ably led Dave F and the Wednesday social group has maintained a strong turnout throughout the year. A few riders are now doing some longer sunday rides mainly initiated by Stephen and Ron, while Peter,Alan& co are participating in charity rides and organising Quiz and curry nlghts. In a wider sphere, there has been some wonderful racing to watch this year with the TDF the best edition for some time. The mens World Championship road race from Edinburgh to Glasgow had a bit of everything and super solo winner in the Dutchman Remco Evenpool. Club night takes place on the second friday … Read entire article »
Wednesday ride last week
Four riders plus four others met up at Puddledock this morning for usual midweek get together, Andy R and Phil did whole loop from Orsett while Les and new guy Jeff made their separate ways to rendezvous. Alan, Andy T,Vic and myself joined them by car. Windy, overcast but dry outward leg but the riders may have caught a shower homeward bound. Great to see we can still muster a few even whenWeather not conducive … Read entire article »
Velodrome Trip 10th May
Thanks to Peter for once again arranging an excellent evening session on Wednesday. The weather was rather overcast and wet but it didn’t affect us in the velodrome. 13 riders and 5 spectators (I think) attended the velodrome for the 2 hour session with an easy introduction to riding the track using fundamental skills such as basic control and safety including stopping and starting, pace judgement, acceleration, slowing down, using the track to speed up and … Read entire article »
Wednesday Ride 10th May by Bob Drake
There were eleven of us on the midweek social ride today, a good turnout as some were saving themselves for tonight’s velodrome trip and hopefully we have recruited a new member Andy who is hoping to join us next week. Weather was kind to us and a good ride was had by all. 🚲🍔☕ … Read entire article »
