Gateway Cycling » Bob’s Blog

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 »

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Gateway Wednesday Ride: 10th August by Bob Drake

Gateway Wednesday Ride: 10th August by Bob Drake

Eleven riders on today’s midweek social ride, all made it to the cafe in their chosen groups and by their preferred routes and after plenty of chat the homeward ride was completed in the continuing glorious weather.🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 Bob Drake … Read entire article »

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Gateway Wednesday Ride 27th July by Bob Drake

Gateway Wednesday Ride 27th July by Bob Drake

Twelve plus one on the midweek ride today. No dramas just a usual sociable morning out with the club. It was suggested by some that for a change probably next week we have a mainly off road ride to the Spitfire cafe in Ingrebourne Park. The start would probably be Blackshots Leisure centre Grays. … Read entire article »

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Gateway Wednesday Ride 20th July

Gateway Wednesday Ride 20th July

Twelve riders on the midweek ride today. Most of the roads closed by yesterday’s fires are now open and all eventually made the cafe in their preferred groups. Weather still rather on the warm side but much cooler than Tuesday. Vic D rode again and is doing very well considering his serious injuries. All in all another successful drama free gateway ride. Bob Drake   … Read entire article »

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Wednesday Ride this week

Eleven riders assembled at Orsett this morning for usual midweek ride,this included Brian a newcomer for his first ride with us. Two more riders plus Vic and Peter joined us at the cafe. We ended up in three groups which worked out well and made one large happy mob in the marquee at Puddledock. Rather windy but otherwise not bad conditions considering it’s now December and home leg was done at a brisk pace with a mainly following wind.Brian seemed to enjoy his first ride with us and will be coming again which is good news as I think he will fit in perfectly.Crackup corner was safely negotiated today.😇 … Read entire article »

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Wednesday ride 3rd November

From Bob D Sixteen riders at Orsett this morning for the midweek ride. Frances and Vicki flying the flag for the ladies as usual and Terry and John joining us at the cafe making a nice three full tables outside in the chilly sunshine chatting away as usual. It was a cold start but everyone was suitably kitted out and conditions felt quite pleasant for the time of year.There were a couple of road works and Pike lane was much busier than usual but all negotiated safely.It clouded over after miday and made homeward ride feel even chillier but all in all another nice club morning out.🚲🚲🚲🚲 … Read entire article »

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Midweek Ride

A great turnout of fifteen riders started from Orsett today for the weekly social ride to the usual brunch time cafe stop.There were thee ladies with us today which is always nice to see and there were four more members who had made own way there making about 25% of the club together on the same day a wonderful effort in my view,thanks for your continuing support for this ride. Bob D/ … Read entire article »

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Wednesday Ride

Fifteen riders on today’s social loop to Puddledock via Berwick ponds,nice riding conditions only spoilt by horrendous road works causing long tailback’s and disruption. Usual topical chats then quickish ride homeward. Don’t forget it’s Club Night this coming Friday, … Read entire article »

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Tale of a bespoke bike frame

A couple of years ago I started selling off part of my collection of vintage bikes mainly to make some room in the garage,having reached a manageable level I decided I would spend the accumulated monies on one last bespoke frame. I have had two previous steel frames built both by a builder in the north of England but thought it would be nice if I could find someone local. I was directed by Richardsons  cycles to a builder in Ramsden Heath conveniently situated on route to Hanningfield. I met Mark there last November where I was quoted for a columbus steel frame loosely based on my current Specialised Paris Roubais model.Due to three other customers before me I was given a rough delivery date of late April this year which … Read entire article »

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