09/03/2010 by Simeon Orme.

To mark 100 years of Youth Hostelling, BBC TV Presenter (Antiques Roadshow) Eric Knowles will planting a tree at Slaidburn Youth Hostel on Saturday 20th March 2010 at 1.00pm. For more information about the event contact Simon on 01200-446656 or e-mail slaidburn[at]yha.org.uk

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07/03/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Starting from April 2010 there will be a ride on the first Wednesday of each month during spring, and perhaps summer too, depending on their popularity. It will generally follow the route below, but with slight variations due to weather and ground conditions on the day. The route comprises of three loops, so that riders can decide how far they want to ride, and where they join the ride.

The ride will start from 7, Bull Hill Cottages, Darwen, BB3 2TU at 9-30am, arrive at 9-00am if you require toast and a hot drink! Car parking is available. We then ride through Whitehall Park, Printshop, Bold Venture, Sunnyhurst and Stepback to Tockholes.

The next leg continues from the Tockholes Information Centre Cafe car park at 10-30am through the Roddlesworth Plantation, Woodfold and Withnell to the Cottage Tea Room at Brinscall for elevenses, at 11-00am. Car parking is available beside the village duck pond behind the swiming pool.

Leaving Brinscall for our lunch destination at Rivington Village Green Tea Room, we ride along the Goyt through White Coppice to Anglezarke, thence over Healey Nab to Rivington for lunch at 12.30pm.

After lunch we ride through Lead Mines Clough to Jepson’s Gate, to re-join the Goyl track back to Brinscall, arriving there at about 2-15pm for afternoon tea (if required).

Leaving Brinscall we follow the route of the now disused Wigan/ Blackburn Railway to Abbey Village, back to the Lower Roddlesworth Plantation and the bridleway to Tockholes, arriving there at about 3-30pm. Unfortunately, the cafe here closes at 3-00pm, althrough it should be open later in the summer!

From Tockholes we ride over Darwen Moor to Bury Fold or Cadshaw, perhaps visiting Darwen’s Jubilee Tower on the way! Returning to Bull Hill at around 4-30pm.

The whole route is approximately 28 miles. From Tockholes is 19 miles, and from Brinscall 10 miles. Over 90% is off-road.

There will also be the option on some of these rides to start at 10-00am from Ken Glaze’s house at Hilldale, near Parbold, to join us at Rivington for lunch and then ride to Brinscall with us, before returning to Ken’s. This option will be mainly on road, and be about 28 miles. Please ring Brian should you require more details, tel 01254-772983, before 8-00pm

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01/03/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Mapyx Limited is pleased to announce that as of 1st March 2010, it entered into an Agreement with Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW) to be: Official GIS and Mapping Partner of Mountain Rescue England & Wales.

Mapyx is justifiably pround to be associated with this important charity whose members are highly committed to delivering premier search and rescue services.

Mark Lewis, the Communications Officer for MREW, stated Digital mapping has been a project been investigating for some time and the wait has certainly paid off in choosing Mapyx as a partner to supply a solution to our specification at no cost. Since our first meeting with Mapyx I never looked back.

Every recognised team and member of Mountain Rescue England & Wales will benefit from Quo package receiving a free copy with associated maps.

This is a great achievement for MREW to enable a commom GIS platform to be available across England & Wales - and without teams having to spend any of their limited funds.

Mark Salter, Head of Partners and Alliances said “Ordnance Survey is pleased to congratulate Mapyx Limited in its achievement of becoming Official GIS and Digital Mapping Partner of Mountain Rescue England and Wales. This is great accolade to Mapyx Limited who’s software Que is a superb digital mapping solution, a fact clearly acknowledged by MREW. Ordnanace Survey recognises the outstanding work of MREW and our topographic maps will continue to assist them in their important life saving work”

Chairman of Mapyx, Steve Wood, stated all of us at Mapyx feel privileged to offer our support, products and services to MREW. We fully recognise the valuable contribution that MREW provides to both the public and other services. They not only save countless lives but also offer valuable support to other organisations in times of emergency. We are honoured that MREW asked for our assistance and Mapyx look forward to supporting them immediately and in the future.

MREW is a charity and not only needs support and funding from the public at large, but also needs improved technological capability, which Mapyx is pleased to deliver. Our first step will be to ensure MREW has full digital mapping capability for the whole of England & Wales and then Mapyx will provide MREW with better search and rescue technology, which is currently under development.

Mapyx Quo is 100% Free fully-functional digital mapping software that has won numerous awards and is the optimun choice for those who operate in an outdoor enviroment weather for personal or commercial use and of course, chosen by MREW,  the experts in saving lives.

You download copy clicking this link.

I should point out the above is press release from Mapyx Limited and do use Quo Digital Mapping Software for posting up GPS route files on the South Lakes Group Website.

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24/02/2010 by Simeon Orme.

There meeting tomorrow evening (Thursday 25th February) at 7.30pm in the lecture theatre at the Storey Institute in Lancaster for anyone who is interest, to plan campaign for a general 20 mph speed limit throughout Lancaster district.

I should point out that the national 20’s Plenty campaign at local or national level is something that the Rough-Stuff Fellowship does not wish to get involved in, does not have position on the campaign and will leave up to individual members if they wish support or not to support the campaign.

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24/02/2010 by Simeon Orme.

It nice to see that membership levels have stay at around 580 members mark over past few months and stands at 579 members and hopeful with warmer weather that comes with Spring, we will get more new folk coming out on local group rides in the North West of England and other parts of the UK which will push the membership levels over the 600 members mark.

Its also interesting note that the club does have 13 members living in the USA and one member living in Canada, maybe a member living over there would like to organize yearly ride so that you can all meet up!

I f you interest in organize a ride in the UK for the club please get in touch with your local area group secretary or if you do not live near a local area group, Peter our General Secretary would like here about your ideals for rides, you can contact him on 01524-383 593

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21/02/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont will appearing at The Platform in Morecambe on 20th March 2010.

The Man who Cycled the World is the remarkable story of ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont. In 2008, he broke the world record for cycling solo around the world, an epic journey of over 18,000 miles, cycling 100 miles per day for over half a year. In 2009, Mark set on his second ultra-endurance solo challenge; to cycle the length of the American Cordillera. On this 13,000 mile expedition, Mark will not only be cycling down the longest mountain range on the planet, but will also be climbing the continents two highest peaks, Mt McKinley in Alaska and Aconcagua in Argentina, making his second self filmed documentary for BBC1 - The Man who Cycled the Americas.

The Man who Cycled the World is Mark’s story of his solo-cycle expeditions, a personal rollercoaster of mental and physical endurance as well as a fascinating insight into the world we live in.

“Truly inspiring, the sort of thing that makes you want to get off the couch, out of the house and on the road”

When: Saturday 20th March, 8.00pm Where: The Platform, Morecambe. Tickets: £13 (£12 concessions) -group booking discounts available on request. Box Office 01524-582803

Read more here

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21/02/2010 by Simeon Orme.

A 30 mile circular bike ride to raise money for Teesside Ability Support Centre.

We are fortunate to have the full backing of the Co-op Group who provide car park facilities and refreshments. The Co-op are always keen to continue their involvement with the local community by providing support to the Stokesley Charity Ride. Bananas, Drinks and Energy Bars provided at the two stops (Dog & Gunn) and (Clay Bank) also at the start and the End of the ride in the Co-op Car Park.

Registration Check in 9.00 to 9.45 and ride starts at 10am.

Sponsor forms and route sheet with further details can be obtained from the web site.

The entry fee for the ride will £5 (£6 on the day) with all proceeds going directly to the charity fund. Tremendous value and great day out for all the family.

To participate in the ride and in order for Paul to post out your rider numbers, please send and adequate sized stamped addressed envelope to take an A4 sized sheet to: Paul Mackintosh, 90 Salutation Road, Darlington, County Durham DL3 8JW

Alternatively, you can pick up entry form the kiosk at the Co-op Group Supermarkets in Stokesley. All entry forms and cheques payable to Teesside Ability Support Centre to be sent to the above address. Any queries please ring Paul on 01325-357867 (after 6.30pm) 0781143942 (Mobile) e-mail paulmack1[at]ntlworld.com

Closing date for postal entries is Saturday 2nd May.

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17/12/2009 by Simeon Orme.

Lancaster City Council Cycling Team are now organising the 5th Lancaster Bike Film Festival for April 2010 and are looking for ideals about themes /people to present talks, slideshows etc. If you any ideals you can contact them at celebratingcycling[at]lancaster.gov.uk

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17/12/2009 by Simeon Orme.

Its nice to see that membership of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship stand at 580 members, this as been the highest its been for some time! It would be great to see the membership stand at 600 members at the start of 2010, so if you looking for christmas present for someone interest in off-road cycling or mountain biking why not buy them membership of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship for Christmas, you can find out more about joining here.

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17/12/2009 by Simeon Orme.

Dear Simeon,

The reason I’ve emailed you on this occasion is to ask for your, or your members’ help…

I’m lucky enough to live in Troutbeck in the Lake District, directly opposite the Garburn Road, the famous and historic track that links Troutbeck and Kentdale valleys across the 1500 foot high Garburn Pass.

This unpaved (and now badly eroded) track is much used by mountain bikers and walkers, and until recently was also heavily used by motorised cycle ‘trail riders’ and 4×4 ‘off-roaders’, who were widely blamed for the destruction of the track itself, and ofits peace and tranquility.

The Lake District National Park Authority was successful a couple of years ago in banning these motorised vehicles from Garburn Road, but in the last few weeks this ban has been overturned by a legal challenge from the Cumbria Trail Riders Fellowship. The trail riders have successfully exploited our country’s byzantine legal framework for regulating country byways, and apparently the Planning Inspector’s final decision on Garburn Road will be based on weather motorised vehicles were its first public vehicle users (as claimed by the trail riders), or whether it can be shown that other non-motorised vehicle users (ie carts, carriages or bicycles) pre-dated this use.

Hence this post! I am looking for documented evidence of use of the Garburn Road by cycles before 1930!

If any of your members can help in any way with this quest — ideally with evidence such as written journals, published maps, guides, photos etc — or can point me in the direction I might look for these, this would be a great help!

We’re up against a deadline — written objections have to be lodged by 7th January 2010!

Best regards

Brian Liddell

Brian e-mail me above on the 16th December 2009, if you can help you get in touch with Brian by e-mail at brian[at]liddell.co.uk and also post comment on this blog. I would ask other webmasters of cycling websites to post above on your site.

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