Introduction. Looking back on 2001, one’s quiet satisfaction at the conclusion of another good year for the Section must be tempered by concern for events in the world at large. We have seen the Foot and Mouth Disease cut a swathe through the countryside and now, when this was showing signs of at last abating, we now face the far more serious possibility of international conflict following the dreadful events in New York and Washington.

Serious considerations aside, the summer weather has on the whole, been kind to us and we have had some memorable rides and holidays away and FMD did not affect us too badly - at least we were more fortunate than the Ramblers. So all in all, I think we have had another year to look back on and savour.

At times like this it is good to have, in our lives, something like our pastime and our Club, in which we can gather our friends about us, put the dire media forecasts to the back of our minds and, in a phrase, "carry on cycling".

Club Rides. Along with most other outdoor organisations we were given to wonder if our activities would have to be seriously curtailed due to the onset of Foot and Mouth Disease. However, acting on advice from CTC HQ we were able to run a full programme of rides, with the exclusion, of course, of any Off-Road excursions. I am very pleased to say that our members behaved very responsibly during this difficult period, many leaders modifying their routes where there may have been the possibility of conflict with the farming community.

Numbers on club runs declined slightly during the cold, cold and wet or cold, wet and windy (take your choice) weekends of the late Autumn and early Winter but the usual crowd of hardy regulars kept the flag flying and as the weather improved in the New Year attendance on rides regained the usual 25 to 30 out on the two regular rides each Sunday. The support for the evening rides has been patchy but a few loyal devotees ensured that someone was at the pub. Once again we didn’t seem to have that many pleasant Wednesday evenings in spite of enjoying quite a good Summer.

As ever, we owe Joe Prosser our thanks for all his hard work in compiling and distributing the Runs List. This year we seem to have a few new names amongst the Leaders, but Joe is always on the hunt for more so "don’t be shy - give leadership a try" Very many thanks are also due to Jackie Bressington for enabling us to have the list printed courtesy of Lloyds TSB.

A few of our more noteworthy rides are as follows:-

Christmas Holiday Apart from the six who braved the appalling weather for a clubrun on Christmas Eve, Hugh Marshall’s now traditional "Sleigh Woods" Boxing Day ride prised twelve riders out of their post-turkey torpor for a jaunt through Leigh Woods and along the river path to Pill ending at Hugh and Ann’s for mince pies and associated festive goodies.

New Year The "Last and First" rides were quite well supported, considering the weather, with twelve on the last and fifteen on the first which ended 2000 on a satisfactory note and started 2001 on an optimistic one.

13th. May - Shopping A club ride to a jumbo Cycle Sale at Whitchurch found many members in budget-busting mood, with nearly everyone finding some bargains, including things which were actually needed!

1st July - Barbecue Ride Our latest innovation, a ride to the "Blue Flame" at Nailsea, a pub with barbecue facilities (not to mention excellent beer) took place on the a very sunny first Sunday in July and was an unqualified success. Nearly 50 attended and enjoyed the food, so expertly prepared by Jean Broome, Joan Orchard, Sue Hawkins and Joe Prosser . It is hoped that this will become a regular event in the Section calendar.

December - Exford YH. Our now customary early Winter Rent-a-Hostel weekend saw a return visit to Exford on one of the few relatively dry weekends of late. According to the local postman, it had rained there for sixty two consecutive days! So we made the most of it with 24 members attending. Medium and Easier(r) rides were organised for the Saturday joining up at the famous Hunters Inn at Heddons Mouth for lunch. The Sunday ride to Bampton and Wiveliscombe was held in brilliant sunshine and rounded off another memorable weekend. And yes, the usual convivial evenings were enjoyed (though this year without the huntsmen and the Irish wedding) and, yes, we took the Karaoke machine - nuff said!

January - Slimbridge YH. The annual Fancy Dress and New Year Party was well supported with around 30 attending. As usual, the costumes were wondrous in their inventiveness and hilarious in their effect. Among the more noteworthy reported to me were Bob the Builder (that man from Alveston again) and a clown having problems with an inflated inner tube(!) A couple of pirates, a very dashing highwayman and a Runs Secretary in the custody of a rather slinky policewoman represented a general disregard for the law - and of course Zorro came to the rescue. From the classic film world, Dorothy and Toto from the Wizard of Oz seemed to have been very highly regarded. Unfortunately, the poor dog ended up being subjected to a catalogue of indignities, mainly on the skittle alley. The RSPCA were informed.

Easter - Swanage YH It looked at first as if our Easter tour to Swanage was in jeopardy due to the FMD epidemic. Happily it went ahead and 24 of us enjoyed a welcome break around the lovely Dorset coast and countryside. With some good rides ably planned, as usual, by Jon Croome, some walking, visits to historic places and a Steam Railway and even, one evening, a Music Hall there was plenty of choice for all, on or off the bike! And the sun actually shone, frequently!

Spring Bank Holiday. Once again it looked as if FMD would scupper our planned trip to the Yorkshire Dales over the Spring Bank Holiday but, as it turned out, the hostels were open and sixteen of us thoroughly enjoyed an extended Spring Bank Holiday at Linton, Hawes and Ingleton organised by Mike Atkins. However, there were extreme restrictions for walkers and their absence resulted in almost traffic free roads, OK for us but a disaster for tourism in the area!

6th July - Builth Wells Festival Although the formal part of the Festival was cancelled, 18 Section members took the opportunity to enjoy a bunkhouse and camping weekend there, it seeming a shame to cancel the booking and it also raised a healthy sum for the Charity which owns the accommodation.

August - 63rd. Semaine Federale. Our new Club banner was erected at the campsite in Crest to signify that Bristol Section had indeed, in spite of some early doubts regarding transport, arrived at the 2001 Semaine Federale. 26 made their way to Crest in the Ardeche in various ways including a large contingent by Eurostar/TGV. With only one day of rain and in glorious scenery we immersed ourselves in French cycling culture for a week, ate, drank and rode in true Bristol style and impressed the natives with our celebratory tee shirts. Roll on Quimper next year!

August - CTC Birthday Weekend. Some of our number also attended the Birthday Weekend at Malvern and voted it a great success. It was felt that in the absence of the traditional week-long celebration, a fully packed weekend like this was an admirable substitute.

August Bank Holiday After what has been, by and large, a good cycling year the summer ended with a Bank Holiday weekend at the new YH at Leominster. Blessed by good weather and with rides on quiet roads and with wonderful scenery the weekend was voted a great success by the 20+ members that attended. High spots were the ascent (and descent!) of Long Mynd, the climb to the hills above Knighton with magnificent views across the valleys into Mid Wales and the Marcher country, Elevenses at the Flying Club at Shobdon Airfield watching the aeroplanes and gliders and the opportunity to stay in a brand new, superbly equipped and situated Hostel. We were so impressed that Jon has booked it for a "Rent a Hostel" weekend in December 2002

September - Ireland a’la Croome Although not an official Section Holiday a party of our members spent an enjoyable week in South West Ireland on a trip organised by Jerry Croome.

Return of the Raj One other notable, private, holiday took some of our more intrepid members to Goa and India. (all right, I know Goa was Portuguese - Sec.)

We owe Jon Croome as our YH Secretary our thanks for organising some memorable weekends and of course thanks to Joe for sorting out the transport to France for the Semaine Federale..

Clubroom & Social Activities. The Winter Clubroom season drew to a close at the end of March. Thankfully, overall attendance was slightly up on last year and the clubroom activities showed a modest profit. Thanks once again to Reg Porter’s efforts some very good presentations have been enjoyed. We can promise an equally good programme for the coming year so please give us your support!

November - Bonfire Night ride to Portishead This was , like much else, washed out by the winter rains.

November - Weston-s-Mare Carnival. A "train assisted" evening at the Weston super Mare Carnival was voted a success - especially as the proceedings could be safely observed through the panoramic windows of a sea-front pub!

Christmas Party. Sorrento’s Trattoria again hosted the Annual "pizza n’pasta bash". Pizzas were well and truly bashed, pasta enthusiastically shovelled and house wine consumed in somewhat immoderate quantities by the 50 or so Section members attending. Many thanks to Reg Porter and Joe Prosser for the organisation and also to Ray Broome for the personalised Christmas cards - a work of art, indeed!

16th. June - Visitors from Bordeaux. A small party of Bristol riders joined Brian Griffiths in welcoming a party of Cyclists/Runners from Bordeaux Sports Club to the City. We were unable to escort them into Bristol, as planned, due to their being behind schedule but we joined them at the so-called reception at the Council House. The paucity of the welcome afforded them almost made one ashamed to be a Bristolian.

DA & National Events. As usual the Section participated and/or assisted with the busy calendar of DA and National events.

November DA AGM A respectable number of our members contributed to the well attended DA AGM at Horton and were pleased to see Mike Atkins elected to the post of DA Treasurer. As for myself I was honoured, if a little embarrassed to be made a DA Vice President!

December - Carol Service. The rain returned in earnest for the Carol Service, reducing the numbers on the usual clubrun to ten hardy souls but with the motorised contingent Bristol was still well represented. In fact, considering the weather the event was very well supported which must be a source of satisfaction to Ted Berryman and Stroud Section who deserve our thanks for providing the usual impressive tea to sustain us after all that enthusiastic singing! .

February - DA Dinner and Dance. Bristol once again were well represented at the DA Dinner and Dance, that eagerly anticipated event when our ladies appear in their posh frocks looking, if I may make so bold, even more ravishing each year. As for the blokes, formally attired male cyclists always seem vaguely uncomfortable but somehow, dinner jackets seem to suit. Many thanks to Joan Orchard and her team for a great evening. Congratulations to DA Trophy winners Janet LeBas, ( Baker Merit ) Ray Broome (Arthur Powell) and Jane Chapman ( Norman Booth)

March - DA Photographic Competition and Show. This event was thoroughly enjoyed by all the Bristol members that attended. The show was superb, voted one of the best presentations seen recently. It is to be hoped that this year’s success may well prompt more of our people to submit entries. Congratulations to Roy Williams on taking the prize for the best colour slide.

April - Castle Combe Church Service In an attendance of nearly eighty, better than of recent years, Bristol were well represented and as usual contributed lustily, if not necessarily musically, to the singing of the hymns.

June - Triennial Veterans 100 in 12. We were very well represented on the Tri-Vets ride both as riders and helpers. Everyone finished, it didn’t rain, the catering was superb and all who took part had a very good day, which was the object of the exercise, after all.

July - Grittleton Inter Section Meet Bristol was well represented at the this year’s event which for the third successive year was held in good weather - will our luck hold!

August - DA Treasure Hunt The Annual Treasure Hunt, organised by Bristol member John Parker, was held in good cycling weather and attracted a good turn out from the Section. This year we skilfully avoided winning but thoroughly enjoyed the ride around the Sherston area. Many thanks to John for all his planning and congratulations (I think) to David Lyle on winning.

Audax Events. Although the cancellation of the "Cheltenham Flyer" due to FMD was a disappointment, Section members were active on the Audax scene, participating in many events, including a "Dartmoor Devil" which truly lived up (or down) to its name and a "Dorset Coast" held in far from seasonal conditions.

May - The South Glos 100k, Jerry Croome’s popular foray into the lower Cotswolds is always well supported by the Section both as riders and marshals. The event was held in mid-May and blessed with glorious weather! (I find this ride very taxing - after all it’s a lot of responsibility being sat in a pub garden, stamping cards.......Sec.)

May - Brian Chapman Memorial 600K Although, unusually, there were no Bristol Section riders riding in this event this year we were out in some force to man the controls and feeding stations. Some difficulty as a result of a misunderstanding over FMD precautions meant that help was spread rather thinly in one section but, nevertheless the event was a great success, with Joe Prosser being, deservedly, in receipt of many e-mails thanking him and us for our efforts, with the Dolgellau control, in the charge of Jon and Lorraine Croome, being singled out for particular praise.

Section Finance. The Section remains in good shape financially. As last year, Lloyds TSB sponsorship for the Runs List saves us around £120 per annum but see the Treasurer’s report for the full picture. The Auction had raised £300 due in great part to the sale of a bike kindly donated by Richard Burton. Treasurers work hard for little recognition and our thanks are due to Richard Shopland for his work in keeping the Section solvent.

Press and Publicity. Lorraine Croome continues to send details of our activities to a total of at least ten newspapers and local radio stations with some degree of success, as well as seeking new outlets for Club publicity. The new Club banner was her brainchild - a striking advertisement for us which will announce our presence in no mean way -as this year at the Semaine Federale!

National Bike Week. The Big Bike Ride, Bristol’s main event during National Bike Week* unfortunately clashed with the Bristol Triennial Veterans 100. but sufficient Section members were available to act as Marshals and to run the Club stand at the finish. All credit to Karen Crombie for her work, again largely unseen, as our NBW co-ordinator.

(* Actually known as the Festival of Cycling - hopefully it will revert to National Bike Week in 2002! - Sec.)

Cycling Rights and Network Activities. As last year, Richard Burton, Hugh Marshall, Ted King and your Secretary have represented the Club at local meetings such as the two Bike Forums, Transport User Groups and the Avon Ring Road Liaison Committee.

We were represented at the long delayed opening of Stage 2 of the Avon Ring Road by Ted, Brian Griffiths and Dave Amesbury. Whether one agrees, environmentally, with the provision of the road or not, the cycleway facilities are impressive and should set the model for future schemes of this kind. One did have the feeling that HTV and some people from S Glos Council thought we were there to protest, if so we disappointed them!

Some of our members are now working for Sustrans - a welcome development which hopefully will strengthen relations between the two Organisations.

Note :- If you have anything you wish to raise concerning Rights or Network Topics please contact any Committee member.

People. It is sad to report that Peter Boulton suffered a severe stroke and is at present in the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at the Bristol General Hospital. I am sure we all wish him a speedy recovery and a return to cycling. He incidentally would welcome visitors.

We have had an unfortunate crop of accidents to our members this year.

Shirley Tily suffered a broken collar bone and severely bruised ribs after colliding with a badly sited traffic calming chicane in the dark

Jean Broome also received a broken collarbone after an encounter with some young riders taking part in a charity event on the Bristol to Bath Railway Path.

Both girls were back in the saddle as soon as possible, our ladies, bless ‘em, really are a formidable bunch!

Arthur Rich was knocked off his bike on the way home from a Thursday ride and sustained a fractured wrist and shoulder - he is off the bike at present and I am sure we wish him a speedy return to active riding.

On a happier note, Alec and Janet LeBas completed their both way End to End to celebrate Alec’s 70th. birthday. When one considers that two years ago he suffered a massive fracture of the pelvis in a road accident it is a very creditable performance.

I am sure all would like to congratulate Jerry Croome and Lynwen Flaherty on their forthcoming marriage in October.

Arthur Benbow completed his round the world Odyssey and is now, just for the heck of it, perambulating round America!

Appreciations. The Committee wish to thank all the members of the Section for their support, company and friendship over the past year Without you there would be no Bristol Section! I am sure we all look forward to another year as good as last and if possible - even better!

On a personal note, I would like to thank all the members of the Committee, and in particular our Chairman, Hugh Marshall, for the help and support I have received over the last year, their collective expertise really does make the Secretary’s job easier and more pleasurable.

In particular, Margaret and I wish to express our deep appreciation for all the kindness and concern shown to us by all of you at a very sad time in our life. It is at times like this that friends really are valued.

For up to date information about the Section see our Website on:-

The new Club clothing will shortly be available. (Item 11 on AGM Agenda)