Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all and your families. Thank you also for your continuing support throughout the year, I think it has been one of our best so far and couldn't happen without you, I'm sure you will agree.

David

Belvoir Road Bridge- Mysterious Cobwebs

I was out checking along the old rail path between Sewstern Lane and Longmoor Lane yesterday following the high winds of Storm Desmond (more on that in future posting), on my return home I left via the Belvoir Road Bridge and come across a sight that I have not seen before on the brick underside, hundreds of little white cobweb structures that appear to have a holed centre.

Still intrigued I emailed Bernie Higgins, Sustrans Ecologist who runs the Greener Greenway project and after contacting a the Merseyside BioBank it is though that it could be a spider of the following nature http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal/p/Summary/s/Amaurobius+similis

Ben at the BioBank is suggesting that a tuning fork could see them out or the use of a small twig or long blade of grass against the web.

I'll keep you posted on what is found.

Christmas Tree Festival- Update 3 (On Show)

Tree decorating taking place.

On Monday afternoon of this week Bob and myself took the bicycle wheel Christmas Tree down to St. Wulfram's Church to be placed as part of the tree festival, greeted by volunteers and shown out position and nicely situated next to a well organised electric point for our lighting.

After about 2 hours the tree was dressed and complete and we could admire the final display which had some lovely comments from other exhibitors and volunteers associated with the church.

Tuesday saw the official switch on after a candle light procession from the Market Place and a blessing from Fr Stuart Cradduck. 

The tree festival and ice rink is now open to all at the following times with huge numbers expected at the weekend to coincide with the town's Christmas celebrations. 
If you can do get down to see our group's tree and the other 104 others at the following times.
Thusday 10am- 8pm
Friday 10am- 9pm
Saturday 10am- 9pm (Including local craft and produce market)
Sunday 11am- 4pm (Including town's Christmas activities and celebrations)

A final word of thanks to those of you that had donated, help construct and transport the items to the festival.

P.S. There's talk of another happening next year, so thinking caps on!!!

The completed tree

South side

North side

Christmas Tree Festival- Update 2 (Setting Up & Weeks Events)

Another update with regards our bicycle wheel tree at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham. I have heard from Fr Stuart Cradduck (Rector - St Wulfram's) with regards to timings on setting up the tree, you may remember I originally suggest that the Monday 23 November evening would be a good time, I was going by the church's website calendar which Fr Stuart has recently let me know that there was an error and that Monday's timings would be 9am- 5pm. With this in mind I am suggesting that the tree installation could be as follows: From 2:30pm, Monday 23 November at St Wulfram's Church.
This would give us plenty of time to set up the tree as it will need to be erected and decorated.
If you can help out during this time it would be great to hear from you.

The Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place from the Tuesday 23 November through to the Sunday 29 November, as well as the trees from over a hundred individuals, businesses and community groups there will be an opportunity to skate on the indoor rink in the church, attend a local craft and produce market on the Saturday and see a preview of the trees all lit up on the Tuesday evening with an opportunity to attend a Sip and Slip preview evening.

Full details and timings and ticketing website of the weeks events can be found here.

Christmas Tree Festival- Update

As mentioned in my last post Wayne had delivered some scrap gear sprockets he had from his cycle repair business after repair jobs. I've now got these split down and cleaned up and I'll think you'll agree the different sizes and circular shapes will make interesting "baubles" for the tree.

Please do let me if you can help out next weekend on the pre-build and preparation on or either the Saturday and Sunday, full details given in the blog post, which can be viewed here. And we're still on the look out for any items you could lend for a few weeks for the project.

For those that have been in touch many thanks and for the offer of various items and hep.

I'll also get in touch with the organisers next week to confirm when the installation can take place before the event on 24- 29 November.

Ride Leader Training Programme

Dan Robertson (East Midlands volunteer co-ordinator) has been in touch this afternoon to let me know of a new programme of ride leader training and has asked me to pass the following information.

The first session will be taking place in Nottingham on 26 November, this will be a level 2 course so it qualifies you to take rides on car fee routes and quiet roads, Dan is looking to run a level 3 course the following week (date tbd) which would allow you to deliver rides on more challenging roads and take rides through junctions.
The course will be based at Queens Walk Community Centre, Nottingham and will be a whole day course led be Dave Clasby and Jon Moody.

If you are interested in this course or would like to put forward your interest to Dan for information on following course then please do get in touch with Dan.

November Workdays (shop)

Something a bit different for November, some of you may have seen locally news of St. Wulframs Church, Grantham organising a Christmas Tree Festival, a first for Grantham and they was calling for local business, schools, groups to submit a tree for the festival on Tuesday 24- Sunday 29 November.
I had been mulling over this event for a few weeks to come up with an idea for some kind of tree by us, visiting the church last Friday I explained what I wanted to do and was given a form to fill and hastily return the next day to the organiser, so with this now in place now to get things rolling.

The idea I had seen on the internet after searching a number of quotes, the image above gives the best idea of explaining it, but will only be the top 3 lays, 6 wheels. So the hunt was on for 6 old wheels, cycling past Cycle Sport on London Road thinking I wonder and 5 minutes later I come out with 6 old front wheels. Doing a quick mock up the tree shape would stand around 4.5ft tall.

So now for the different bit, on Saturday 14 November and Sunday 15 November I will be making a start and hoping to do a pre build between the hours of 10:00- 14:00, so I am hoping you can pop round sometime between these hours on either or both days for whatever time you can spare, be it 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours. There will be plenty to do and make and to put forward any ideas you might have too.

I'm also on the lookout to borrow some various items, the church has said we can have lighting on the tree, I am thinking some white lights round the edge would give the distinctive tree/triangle shape. So things I am currently thinking of if any of you are happy to lend to the project for a few weeks are the following:

Christmas lighting (prefer white/non colour lighting)
Old inner tubes*
Old wheel reflectors*
plus anything else you can think off.
(*items you would be happy to get rid of and scrap as maybe cut up/screwed etc.)

Wayne has given some old gear sprockets which we could use as bauble type features to hang from the tree and I have found some instructions of how to make little stars out of old bike chain and Wayne to has given some of these, both scrap from his business.

What next, if you could let me know if your able to come round on 14 and/or 15 November to help then would be great along with anything you can lend/hand to this project.

I am waiting to hear back from the organiser as to when we can set up but looking at the churches diary online it looks like Monday 23 November 09:00- 20:00 is given as well as Tuesday 24 November 09:00- 15:00. So I'm thinking maybe a Monday evening would suit.

Barry & Marcus Visit 21/10/15

Barry and Marcus are coming down to our area next Wednesday (21 October), aiming to get in the area for 09:45 at the Belvoir Road access ramp to do some hedge and tree cutting work. Map here.

If you can come and lend a hand then I am sure they will be very much glad of the help and I hope to be with them so I can be contacted on the day via my mobile number.

03/10/15 Workday Review + Next Workday

So for last Saturday's workday myself and Richard did some work in the Longmoor Lane access area of the old railpath (ex NCN). I concentrated on the access point tackling the cutting back of brambles on the bridge embankment whilst Richard worked along the Longmoor Lane taking out an obstructions and helping to clear a way for the following days users of the Viking Challenge.
As you can see in the photo there is still lots to do so we shall return to the area in the next penned in day of Sunday 18 October. Full detail below. 

Richard rode the Viking Challenge the following day on his personally adapted Trek and had remarked how our routes looked good and manicured compared to other routes the Vikings took on. This clearly shows all your hard work over the years is paying off whilst we continually keep on top of things on the NCN and connecting routes, so a big thank you to all your past workday activity and lone activity. 

Sunday 18 October 10:30- 12:30 
Meet: Belvoir Road, Denton access ramp to NCN link along old rail path. 
See map here.
To do: After meeting at Belvoir Road we shall cycle down along rail path to access point at Longmoor Lane to tidy up and cut back the vegetation.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

Discovery Day- Final Thoughts

So Discovery Day is upon us this Sunday, thank you to those of you who have been in touch with me regards to your availability on the day to help out on our stall, for those who haven't been in touch, it's still not to late to get in touch with me to let me know if you can or cannot help on the day within one of the timed slots. As with the Green Fayre I've split the day up into 3 time slots, a remind of those here on the past blog posting.

We will have the usual array of local maps, information, advice and small items to purchase. I'll be picking up the Sustrans materials tomorrow from the Nottingham office to help show of our wears in the events big marquee. (I'll be in touch Friday p.m.with regards our Sustrans tee shirts).

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you there if able.

October Workdays

So after a short pre-autumn break after the Green Fayre I think it would be great to restart the workdays starting in October, I am putting forward two for October on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 18th.

Details then for our first workday below, once this is done I'll forward on details for the following. I do hope you can come and join in on the day.

Saturday 3 October 10:30- 12:30
Meet: Belvoir Road, Denton access ramp to NCN link along old rail path. 
See map here.
To do: After meeting at Belvoir Road we shall cycle down along rail path to access point at Longmoor Lane to tidy up and cut back the vegetation.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.
Please Note: The workday is taking place on a Saturday not Sunday, this is so we don't conflict with the Viking Challenge.

Sunday 18 October 10:30- 12:30
Meet/To do: TBA

Sustrans @ Discovery Day- Can You Help

Early October has seen the Grantham Canal Discovery taking place for a number of years now and every year we have always been invited along and take part. And once again we have been asked back again this year by Tony and Rosemary of the Grantham Canal Society of whom it is organised and run by.

Well I have said yes we would very much love to go along and have our maps, etc. and we have just been given permission to have a donations box and able to sell small items such as bells, snap wraps, saddle covers, etc. and will be another feather in our cap in have a second event this year we can visit, the first being the Green Fayre in Wyndham Park in August to which I am very grateful for those that was able to help out on the day, it was a huge success for us in terms of getting information out and raising over £58.

The event will be on Sunday 11 October in the old Carpenter's Shop grounds behind the Dirty Duck PH at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir as usual from 10:00- 16:00. A number of groups and entertainment will be on as well as refreshments, a barbecue and a WW1 Field Kitchen so plenty to see and do on the day.

So it is now time to ask if any of you can help volunteer on the day at our stand, there will be no Spin Art Bike this time but our information stand will give good opportunity for us to talk with the visitors and let them know about Sustrans and the NCN. As with the Green Fayre I think it's best to split the day up into 3 shifts as follows.

1: 09:30- 12:00
2: 11:30- 14:00
3:13:30- 1600

If you could let me know ideally within a week if you could help out and what time window (see above) would suit you. If you find that more than window suits then do please let me know, as I am sure you appreciate we need to spread man power across the day and don't want a situation of being over run. An average of around 2-3 is generally enough for the space we have.

P.S. If any of you wish to print and display a copy of the poster say at work, local shop, etc. then please do get in touch and I can email you a copy.

Aldi Cycling Offers- Thursday 24 September

If your a regular or occasional customer of Aldi you'll be quite familiar with the weekly offers they have on during the week on Sunday's and Thursday's, as in the past next Thursday (24 September) will see cycling based offers for sale.

To see what's going to be on offer, see here.

Some good looking valued products this time round including Garmin Edge 500, Turbo Trainer, GT85 and Premium Bike Lights which look very familiar to my Moon branded ones, along with many more items.

Further Details- Dan Robertson Meeting

So I've been in touch with Dan this morning with regards to our meeting on Thursday 3 September at the Farrier PH, Harlaxton Road, Grantham. 18:00- 20:00. As I mentioned in the last blog post Dan will be taking a cycle tour of our network in the town and then heading out towards Muston via the canal to see the routes during the afternoon, I will be accompany him and you are very much invited to come along for the afternoon ride all or part of it to later meet up with us at the meeting in the evening.
Whilst Dan is here he is going to arrange for some Sustrans NCN 20th birthday stencils and chalk spray to be delivered to mine on the Wednesday so that whilst we are out on the route we can do some chalk designs that show off that it's the NCN's birthday this year and designs have been popping up all around the UK on the NCN. For an idea of what to expect see photos below and here.
There are 2 locations that we are looking to do at, under the Stenwith tunnel on the rail path between Woolsthorpe top lock- Muston and hopefully in Wyndham Park, Grantham next to our Millennium milepost (I am awaiting permission). The designs are environment friendly and not permanent, and dependent on the weather can last a couple of weeks and if not washed away is worn away by path users, the tunnel location would hopefully last a lot longer.
It would be great if you could come along on the ride and help to do a design with the stencils (the more people there the bigger the design), the Wyndham Park would hopefully be the first. The ride will end at The Farrier PH for 18:00 so please do remember to bring a bicycle lock to lock bicycles up at the stands just to the left of the neighbouring Premier Inn.

If you can come along to the ride then please meet me and Dan at:
Grantham Railway Station, for a 14:30 departure.

Obviously most if not all of you have comeback to me as regards to your attendance in the evening but it would be great to have a final roll call, so please do email me back as to whether you will be attending:
1: The ride from 14:30 (be it full or part)
2: The meeting from 18:00- 20:00.
Have a few thoughts about what you want from the meeting, any ideas, suggestions you want to put forward. And I've asked Dan if he can give a up to date on what is happening locally and nationally.

I look forward to see you all.

Dan Robertson Meeting- Thursday 3 September

So thank you for getting back to me with regards to which date you could attend for a meeting with our new Volunteer Coordinator Dan Robertson, some of you briefly met him at the Grantham Green Fayre on the 16 August.

The date that has been chosen is to be Thursday 3 September, from 18:00- 20:00 at The Farrier PH, Harlaxton Road, Grantham. Map here.
The Thursday had the highest number so hopefully should suit most.

Prior to the meeting I hope to be taking Dan a cycle tour of our network we look after, times are to be decided yet but will probably be from around 2-3 from Grantham Rail Station. So if your able to also accompany us as well as the meeting then that would be very much welcomed, the idea is that the end point will be at The Farrier PH.

I'll arrange the finer details with Dan this week and be back to you at the forthcoming weekend with full details.

Dan Robertson Future Visit- Possible Dates

So we have Dan Robertson coming over on this Sunday which will be a great initial meet and greet for you and him and you'll both will start to be able you to put face to names. As you know Dan would like to get out of the office onto the local routes and see what's happening locallyon the ground and have further discussions with you at a meeting.

I've spoken to Dan this afternoon and regarding that the majority of you currently work to possibly having an evening meeting. Myself and Dan have comeback with 2 workable dates of the following:

Monday 31 August and Thursday 3rd September at a Grantham based PH, maybe The Farrier. (around 18:00- 20:00) Location details to be confirmed nearer date.

What I would like to know from you certainly by the weekend and no later than Monday 17 August is which date/s you can attend, I'm not asking for a generally one or the other but if your able to do both then please do say both but if your able to only do one that's fine. Obviously were possibly not going to get 100% attendance but if we can get a good number this will certainly benefit both sides.

I look forward to hearing from you all asap.

Green Fayre Update #2

With only a week to go to our attendance at the Green Fayre in Wyndham Park on Sunday 16 August time for a little update a feel.

Spin Art Bike: Bob and myself went to pick up the contraption from Jon Moody (Sustrans Schools Officer) at Sleaford, after a demonstration of how to assemble and use we had a try out in the afternoon which was very helpful for us on the day. We'll give you a demonstration and briefing and I'm sure you'll soon pick it up. On the day we are going to ask for a 50p donation which I am sure you feel isn't an great amount and will help raise funds for Sustrans.

Maps: I know have all the maps we need, covering areas in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, This week I should be receiving more Grantham and Stamford maps and Nottingham maps in the post. These should go down well with our information guides and leaflets.

Donation items: As in previous years we will have items for sale: landyards, safety lights, saddle covers, snap wraps, puncture repair kits. We will also have some National/East Midlands overview maps to give out to people who submit their details for the Sustrans ENewsletter.

Dan Robertson: It will also be great that will be having Dan Robertson (Ian Keetley's replacement) joining us on the day from 12:30. So if your doing a morning shift then you want to hang around the event after your time slot to met Dan and have a chat.

Where: Our location will be in the main field with our back to the Wydham Park Nursery fencing.

Getting here: I guess the majority of you may come by bicycle, there will be room near us to lock up your bike. For those coming by car there is 2 options, on street parking on Belton Lane next to the park, the other to park in Watergate Car Park which is free on Sunday. This then is a 5-10 minute walk to the park.

Map: I've produced a map at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zHCHpUJTXIxQ.kFu1kDjvldKc&usp=sharing this will give you all the information you need.

Time slots: The day as you know will be split into 3 time slots, the following shows your time slot which you have chosen. We are pretty much covered and with full capacity now for the morning.
Time slot 1: (10:00- 12:30) Brian W (starting 09:30), John M, Wayne P. David M
Time slot 2: (12:15- 14:45) Tony E, Dan R, David M
Time slot 3: 14:30- 17:00 Peter H, David M
Robert M various times throughout the day.

On day contact: The contact for me on the day will be 0773 986 4490

Tees: Sustrans events has sent me tees for the day, I'll take these with me and hand to you to where, however I am sorry to say we will need these back at the end, this is due to low numbers at HQ which has been felt it may not cover all events for the rest of this year. If you want to wear your old red tees on the day then that is fine by me.

Reading matter: Just a few things to read to assist you on the day.
Sustrans 2015 events brief: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=786BFCFB536C3B20!366&authkey=!AA-KC-kWg_XYyno&ithint=file%2cpdf
Spin Art Bike risk assessment: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=786BFCFB536C3B20!395&authkey=!AFqNp6H2DpLuMFE&ithint=file%2cdocx

Think that's all for now, any questions just ask. And bring a mug as I'll have the stove on the day.

Final July Workday

For our final workday in July which will be on Thursday evening of the coming week, touch wood fine weather will allow us to get together and meet at Running Furrows Gate access on North Parade, from there I want us to look at the overhanging branches from trees, bushes and hedges along the route, this won't take long which will then see us go into Queen Elizabeth Park, look around there and then progress along the NCN 15 riverside route to Bridge End Road.

Thursday 30 July 18:00- 20:00 
Meet: Running Furrows Gate access point on North Parade, Grantham. Map here.
To do: To clear ride lines of overhanging branches, bushes and hedges along Running Furrows Gate and NCN 15 along riverside path.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

At the moment I've not planned in anything for August, certainly not for after our Green Fayre attendance but hope to this week get something sorted certainly after seeing what Barry and Marcus has done during Wednesday.

If your aching to get out on the route, then you could always join in with the Grantham Rivercare group, the group will be meeting on Saturday 15 August, 10:00 at Bridge End Road and will be litter picking along the riverside up to the white bridge in Wyndham Park, this is something I sometimes join in not only to help but it's worth remembering that they are helping to keep NCN 15 and close surrounding areas litter free. John Knowles (Rivercare Leader) will have the tools required but to have your ranger hi-viz with you and work gloves this will be of help.

Barry & Marcus Working On NCN 15

Today at Heckington Show I bumped into Barry Brooks (Sustrans Maintenance), we had a good catch up and he had let me know that himself and Marcus will be working on the railpath (NCN 15) between Muston and Woolsthorpe Top Lock this Wednesday (29/07) from around 09:00, probably till early afternoon.

If you free for an hour or two and can help Barry and Marcus I am sure they would be very much glad of the extra help. They will be down there with the grass cutting tractor, strimmer, chainsaws and various hand tools so no need to take any tools, just your work gloves and ranger hi-viz.

Green Fayre Update

So it's been great to hear back from so many off you who have come forward with your names to volunteer at our stand on the day, I've listed below those who have answered back. For those that haven't been in touch then it would be great to hear from even you if can or cannot join us and a suitable time slot you could volunteer in and what tee shirt size you would require. Ideally I would like to get the numbers sorted by the end of this week for the paperwork to go to Sustrans events.

Time Slot 1 (10:00- 12:30)
Brian W (starting at 09:30 to help setup) size M
John M size XL
David M size M

Time Slot 2 (12:15- 14:45)
Tony E size L
David M size M

Time Slot 3: (14:30- 17:00)
Peter H size M
David M size M

Unconfirmed: Wayne P, Mike B, Richard M, Dan R, Gwyneth M, Robert M. Alan H (to get back to be asap).

Progress is going well on the planning, although Jon Moody is on holiday at the time he has agreed that we can borrow the Spinning Art Bike, so this would be great and will add some interactive fun and for the kids and adults, I'll be sourcing some materials for it later this week. Jon had mentioned that a usual suggested donation of 50p is usually asked for, which I think is very reasonable for a unique piece of art work. I had visited the Sustrans Lincoln office yesterday and Trevor has off load some extra maps, booklets etc. for us which will go down well this time round and future events too.

One special request, if anyone has a gazebo type shelter they would be happy for us to use on the day then this would be very helpful to give extra shelter around the stall or art bike. All ideas and donations gratefully received. 

09/07/15 Workday Review + Next Workday

Well after last month's double wash out of workdays due to the unseasonal weather it was such a relief to see a lovely sunny evening on Thursday last week, the sun also brought many with Bob, Peter and John joining myself on NCN 15 just off Harlaxton Road. 
On arrival to the are we were met by much overgrown nettles, hedges and branches which we soon tackled and within the hour had made great strides.
No tea or coffee or photos this time, my fault sorry but such time was filled up with holiday stories and Tour de France reviewing.

As you know our next workday is this Sunday, so like a dog with a bone I'm not letting the area we had rained on to go so we will return there, details as below. And I promise I'll bring the stove, so bring your cups.

Sunday 19 July 10:30- 12:30 
Meet: NCN Millennium milepost/seating area, NCN 15, at Woolsthorpe Top Lock, Grantham Canal. See map here.
To do: Tidy up around wooden bridge, clear vegetation, path entrance clearance.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

P.S. You may have recently heard from the Sustrans Volunteers UK office with regards the logging of your volunteer work and how the form has been reissued and redesigned, for this workday I have logged down your hours Bob, Peter and John. 

Grantham Green Fayre- Volunteers Needed

So as you know from previous communications from me Grantham is to have it's first Green Fayre in Wyndham Park, Grantham on Sunday 16 August at 10:30- 5. Having been previously asked and now formally invited from the organisers Councillor Charmaine Morgan and Elizabeth Bowskills I have said that yes we would very much like to attend.

I am currently getting things tied up as regards to forms filled in for Sustrans, event organisers and other things regarding what will have on the day. I am hoping and would like to have Dr Bike and the Sustrans Spinning Paint Bike as well as our usual arrangement of information, maps, donation items to sell, etc., these extra things will add some fun interaction between us and the fayre's attendees.

Now this is where I ask if you can volunteer your time to help out on the day for us to have a successful presence, I've looked at the days timings and come up with three 2 and half hour availability windows. See below.

1st: 10:00- 12:30
2nd: 12:15- 14:45
3rd: 14:30- 17:00

Please do have a look at the times and it would be great to hear back from you asap (ideally Sunday 19th July) if you can/cannot help and which time window/s you would be happy to do on the day.

My final request is, if you can attend as well as letting me know a time can you also tell me the size of t-shirt you need, (the t-shirts are regular fitting) as it's Sustrans 20th anniversary, they have some special t-shirts for 2015 for us to wear at events, rides, etc. And of course it will be yours to keep.

Workdays for July

So now we are enjoying the lighter evenings I thought it might be nice to include some midweek evening workdays, the first starting on Thursday 9th July, then back to a weekend on Sunday 19th July and then another midweek one on Thursday 30th July.

Details then for our first midweek workday below, I do hope you can come and join in on the day.

Thursday 9 July 18:00- 20:00
Meet: NCN 15, Grantham Canal Access opp The Farrier PH, Harlaxton Road, Grantham.
See map here.
To do: Tidy up and cut back the vegetation on the access path to the towpath.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

I will post further location/work details of the following dates in the coming week.

Wyndham Park Heritage Lottery Fund Consultation- Last Day

You may have seen the posters around the Wyndham Park recently asking for your personal views with regards a Heritage Lottery Fund submission by SKDC/Wyndham Park Forum.
Your odds of winning the lottery may have just got harder with the introduction of 10 additional numbers from October but you can still enter your views at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wyndhamparkHLF

Don't delay, today is the last day to do so.

British Cycling National Road Championships- Only 8 Days Away

The British Cycling National Road Championships is only 8 days away in our home county, starting with the Time Trial at Cadwell Park, Louth next Thursday and then various Lincoln based events on the lead up to the National Road Race on the Sunday.

Cadwell will be ticketed by car/motorcycle entry, if going you can purchase tickets in advance and save money on the on day price. Buy them here.

For full information on the weekends events, for maps, timings, etc. see the main website at http://www.nationalroadchamps.co.uk/site/

Wiggo and Tour Series

I am sure you have heard but a certain Knight will be attempting the hour record for a push bike this Sunday, hopefully Sir Bradley Wiggins won't be pushing his bike around Lee Valley Velodrome but powering his Jaguar designed Pinarello to smash the world record. Although in a 10,000 capacity the venue tickets all sold out in no time but luckily for us unlucky one's we can see all the action in a 2 hours live broadcast on various viewing channels, including Freeview. Full details of where to view can be found here.

Also next Tuesday will see the Tour Series cycling race return to Peterborough, set within the city centre it certainly gives some exciting fast paced racing. Full details here. And if you can't get your in luck that itv4 broadcast the race the day after, for full catch up of all the Tour Series races see here.

Next Workday 14/06/15

What such nice weather we are having at the moment, I hope your finding time to get out on the routes with such a great opportunity, such a shame the weather didn't play ball on Sunday 31 May which was our last scheduled workday.
Hopefully the weather is on the up and it will do us proud for our next workday on Sunday 14 June, the last of our June workdays that I had previously scheduled in. Because of the cancelation of the last one we shall do the same work as listed next week. Full details below.

Sunday 14 May 10:30- 12:30 
Meet: NCN Millenium milepost/seating area, NCN 15, at Woolsthorpe Top Lock, Grantham Canal. See map here.
To do: Tidy up around wooden bridge, clear vegetation, path clearance.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

17/05/15 Workday Review + Next Workday

Last Sunday's workday saw Peter and myself meet up at Stenwith milepost for the jobs in hand, some weeding and work on the bench and at the Stenwith tunnel. After a good hour we had soon had the brickwork clear of weeds, time then for a quick brew thanks to the Jetboil and after talking to a local couple (cyclists) who had recently joined the Newark group on one of there rides we then looked at coating the benches with Teak Oil, which certainly finished the bench after the recent reinstallation of wood by Barry Brooks on the tunnel bench.
When then had a good tail wind leisurely ride back to Grantham along NCN 15 with some rare sights of female anglers, new born swans and a couple of canoeists. 


As you you'll know our next workday is next weekend on Sunday 31 May, where once again we will return west to the old rail path to have a look at the vegetation at the paths approach from Woolsthorpe Top Lock. Full details below.

Sunday 31 May 10:30- 12:30 
Meet: NCN Millenium milepost/seating area, NCN 15, at Woolsthorpe Top Lock, Grantham Canal. See map here.
To do: Tidy up around wooden bridge, clear vegetation, path clearance.
To bring: Any tools to clear vegetation/path, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

*****Looking for something to do this Bank Holiday weekend, why not take a boat trip along the Grantham canal, full details here and there's also the Milk Race on Sunday at Nottingham, details here.*****

Ian Keetley Departure

Our first port of call Ian Keetley (Sustrans Volunteer Co-ordinator) based in Nottingham whom I am sure most, if not all of you have met sometime whilst he has been in his position at Sustrans since 2012 is to leave his post this month. Ian had been so good to contact me personally by telephone earlier this week to pass on a message of thanks to you in the group here in Grantham/Sleaford for all your hard and continuing work throughout the area on the NCN and all that revolves around it.
Ian will still be working with sustainable issues but at the Hospital Trusts in Nottingham working with it's employees to encourage more sustainable transport moves by them, this had previously been a Sustrans based project and is to continue it's legacy at the hospital but is now being run by the trust.
Applications are now open for Ian's post and it is hoped a replacement will be due sometime in June, once I know anymore about a replacement I shall let you know asap.

Next Workday Sunday 17 May

Our next workday as you know is penned in for this Sunday, this time we will return westward to NCN 15 on the old rail path between Wolsthorpe Top Lock- Muston. The job in hand will be to tidy up around the milepost and seating and Stenwith, and dependent on numbers we may return south to the tunnel area where Barry Brooks (Sustrans Maintenance) has replaced the wooden top that had been stolen at our hand made bench to give a coating of Teak Oil and have a quick look at the vegetation close by.
Full details below for Sunday.

Sunday 17 May 10:30- 12:30 
Meet: NCN Millenium Milepost/seating area, NCN 15, at Stenwith on old rail path between Woolsthorpre Top Lock- Muston. See map here.
To do: Tidy up paving, clear vegetation, re-coat seating.
To bring: Tools to clear vegetation verge side and within paving, gloves, volunteer hi-viz and don't forget your mug for a tea or coffee.

Replaced wooden top at Stenwith tunnel seating area.

26/04/15 Workday Review + Next Few Workdays

Despite the weather forecast giving a poor report for the Sunday, this soon changed once Saturday morning had arrived, with sunny spells forecasted the decision was made to go ahead with painting the milepost in Wyndham Park, Grantham.
Bob, John, Richard and myself soon got stuck in to doing the first coat once Richard had given the milepost a good rub down with his cordless drill and sanding attachment, certain a great idea and thought for future painting jobs.
After an hour the first coat was done and whilst the sun was out and helping to dry it we retired for a break at the Pavilion Cafe in the park before returning back to the milepost to finish of the job in hand.
Many thanks for a grand job done there guys, it certainly looked a lot better once done. (Shame I forgot to take a photo.)

Below I list the next three dates for future workdays in May and June, please make a note of the dates and after I've returned from my holiday this week I'll list where, when and what we will be up to.

Sunday 17th May.
Sunday 31st May.
Sunday 14th June.

Next Workday- Sunday 26 April

So our last workday on Saturday 11 April had to be cancelled, a disappointment I am sure for those who were to attend, I hope you all received my text message on the morning of the day.

Our next penned in date is on Sunday 26 April, because of the cancelation of the milepost painting workday we shall be looking at this on this day. Full details can be found here.

Bargains Galore

A couple of bargain offers on at the moment in store and online.

Aldi this Sunday (12 April) is selling cycle clothing and accessories under it's own labelled brand and branded products. A star buy of the offers is a Garmin Edge 200 for £69.99, these would normally retail from £87.99 at Evans Cycles
See the Aldi offers here.

Online retailer is currently moving it's warehouse operations from it's home in Portsmouth to the East Midlands to a new warehouse that it's four times the size of Wembley football pitch near Wolverhampton, because of the move it is currently having a warehouse clearout.
Plenty of bargains at http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sale/

Celebrating NCN's 20th Year

Looking around for ideas on what we could do extra on top of attending the Grantham Green Fayre in August and a possible pending Discovery Day in October as regards to give advice, information and to inform people of Sustrans and the NCN which as you know is 20 this year.
One idea was to have a display in the Grantham library's display cabinet, after talking with the Manager of the library for ideas it was felt this might not be best as it would cost £20 to have, another idea given from the staff was to have a drop in surgery where we could have a table at the entrance of the library and have an array of information to hand and would be offered for free. When asking the best day to hold, a Wednesday a.m. when children come for storytelling and a Saturday a.m. was though best.
I'm thinking this is something we could hold in May, maybe Saturday 16th and Wednesday 20th just before the bank holiday weekend.
It would be great for you to have a think about this over the coming weekend and if your able to get back to me next week if you feel it is a good idea and if you feel it is something you would like to help out on one or both days for an hour or two. I think just having 2 persons present would be enough and it would give a great opportunity for you to to help out.

Gravel Racing Training Tyres

Gravel cycle racing is the new big sportive to currently take cycling by storm, for those wanting to dip their toe in this new area of cycling but still unsure then help is at hand from e-retailer Wiggle who are to launch gravel training tyres later this month.
For a sneak peek, see below.....

Happy April Fool's Day!!!

High Winds

With high wind speeds of up to 60 mph today it has certainly been a challenging day travelling whether on foot or on the bike. As the winds die down this evening and tomorrow I'm sure we will be back out on the NCN soon and over the coming Easter weekend.
As usually have a look out for any fallen debris such as branches, etc. blocking the NCN and in the worse case scenario if you come across any trees or large branches that may have fallen then please do let me know asap with information on location, etc. and if your able to send a photo then this will be an added bonus.

Local Pro Cycling Tours 2015

There was a time when the Milk Race and Tour of Britain was the only major cycling tour in the UK, such as is the interest and growth in cycling this has seen a huge increase on road and on track and this year is no exception with quite a few tours local to us. Listed below are some of the ones to look out for and their respective web links.

The Milk Race, Nottingham, Sunday 24 May.
Now in it's third year being at Nottingham in the new relaunched and repackaged event see's a compact city based circuit.
http://www.themilkrace.com/

The Tour Series, Round 9- Peterborough, Tuesday 9 June.
An evening based compact city circuit, also with regular TV coverage.
http://www.tourseries.co.uk/

British Cycling National Road Championships, Cadwell Park and Lincoln, Thursday 25 & Sunday 28 June.
National time trial and road championships based in Lincolnshire, these are the two major event for weekend as well as other events over the weekend including the Lincoln Grand Prix.
http://www.nationalroadchamps.co.uk
Cadwell Park car/motorcycle park entry tickets can be purchased in advanced at http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/british-cycling-national-time-trial-championships-tickets/162609 this will give you a saving against the price if purchasing on the day.
Grandstand tickets for the Lincoln based races have also go on sale at: http://www.nationalroadchamps.co.uk/site/grandstand-tickets
And there is still call for volunteers at http://www.nationalroadchamps.co.uk/site/volunteers

The Friends Life Tour of Britain, Stage 6- Stoke -on-Trent to Nottingham, Friday 11 September.
Another race in Nottingham, this time a finish after the stage from Stoke-on-Trent.
http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Park Works

Last Friday was a hive of work in Queen Elizabeth Park and Wyndham Park, both as you know carry NCN 15. Riding through Queen Elizabeth Park from Manthorpe I came across contractors starting that day to clear at the northern end of the path, you may remember that in June 2012 the same contractors had resurfaced the path from Belton Lane going northwards, the work only went part of the covering about 70% of the path and the new work is carry on from there, the contractors wasn't at the time sure of how far he was going but was thinking it would be all the way to Manthorpe Road. The work will consist of them scrapping flat the old path and then re-dressing with a sand/grit based aggregate which is rolled and then hardens off.

I then carried on my journey into town along NCN 15, only then to come across lining contractors putting in the white line and pedestrian and cyclists symbols on the newly relaid path in Wyndham Park. The secret is also out off how they get a straight line.... a very long piece of rope.