The KDCS has existed for about 10 years and has about 130 members. Some are interested in the ideology of cycling, some are interested in keeping in touch with cycling and some of us just like to get out there and cycle.

If you want to get fit, see some spectacular scenery and meet new people why not come and join us on our next cycle ride? We only go as fast as the slowest person!

The KDCS is about socialising, not just cycling and there are a selection of rides to choose from. Easy Rider (approx 15 miles), Standard Rider (25 miles) and Long Rider (40 plus miles). If you wish to lead a ride or have any suggestions for one feel free to do so.

Hopefully the weather will soon ease off and encourage the non night riders of us back into the saddle.

The rides list this year promises to be full and varied. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to lead a ride.


Cycle Pub of the month.
This has to the Woodlands Hotel in Silverdale, full of character, good beer and always a friendly welcome. Just what you need after a 15mile ride to get there!


Top Gear.
Debs' Buffalo Cycling Top.
Great piece of kit for Autumn, Winter, Spring cycling. Shower proof, windproof, easy to ventilate and very warm. A no brainer as it's all you need on top, (except a goretex if v. wet.)
Very durable, I've had mine since 1997 and it's still going strong. Only downside is the highly unattractive but functional crotch strap. A bit pricey at nearly £100 but probably the best nearly £100 I have spent on outdoor gear. 		Full Cycle Recipe.
Only 15 minutes to get ready and go - fastest meal known to me is hotdog sausages. Open the tin, cut open bread. Lay dog in bun insert in Microwave for 40 seconds. Put on tomato ketchup and eat while finding cycle kit.

Simon's christmas ride.
I should have known, I should have known it. A ride led by our own S.Rose and billed as fairly fast and hilly was bound to be a stinker. And what a fine stinker it was. Despite the two crashes in the first 5 miles, and the fact that after struggling up and down hill for over 1 1/2 hours we arrived at a sign informing us that kendal was a mere 4 miles away (aaaaaaaaaaaarghh!) it was a great ride on a great day.
The Watermill was chocca when we arrived to join the easy riders who were well into their meal and, screeching balloons aside, there was a fantastic festive atmosphere. The ride took a convoluted route from Kendal-Old hutton-lots and lots of back roads-Patton bridge- more back roads-Shap road-burneside- Stavely-Ings.

Mikes Quote of the Quarter
You go right and I'll fork off!!!

 Ride Review.
It was a cold wet night, and the Wednesday night riders knew they would be soaked as soon as they set off. Meeting at Kendal Leisure Centre, they were confident that the ride would live up to expectations. Once everyone had arrived the destination was set, cold wet night = Staveley. Off we set down the exceptionally muddy canal,out towards Staveley. The Eagle and Child was a welcoming sight and we managed to dry out in front of an open fire. The rain continued and we found ourselves trapped in front of a blazing fire with a good supply of beer. Eventually we ventured out into the rain, which eased off as we entered Kendal. The risk of sheltering in the pub had paid off! A short(15 miles) and wet ride, but very satisfying.

Christmas Easy Rider
The Easy Rider was easy, because it was Christmas. We had 15 riders (I was the youngest.) There were no accidents or incidents and the route was very flat and direct. We even had a seat in the pub! Next year - easy rider - you know it makes sense!


Steve's Charity Shop Bargains
Roll up!Roll up! Roll up!
The latest bargain from the charity shop in Preston. Usually one of Steves old castaways!
Steves bargain of the week - a 49p CD with 3000 images of national geographic on it. 		Book Review
Here's a section for anyone to review a good book that features our beloved two wheeled activity. I can rave on and on about both Lance Armstrongs books but welcome any reviews of books you have read.
Cycle Shorts
Never, ever talk about the number of punctures that you do or do not get. It is the kiss of death. You will get a puncture as soon as you think, "I've not punctured for a while". That is the way of the world. 		Top Tips
Register your mobile phone FREE at www.immobilise.com. Any portable devices, with a serial number, cameras, computers, binoculars etc can be registered. Even BIKES can be entered as "other not listed" this is free, so could be worth registering everything you can with this free service.

Campaigning news from Edward Ackland

PEDESTRIANISATION IN KENDAL
Edward,Liz and Andrew Miles (Local Sustrans rep) have made a strong case for a two-way cycle route through the new pedestrianisation scheme in Kendal i.e. from the Town Hall to Library Road. Unless there is a major objection to the cycleway it really does look - thinks thinks to KDCS - that this could really happen - a really big thank plus for cyclists in town at last!

KDCS MINI MEETING REPORT
A small group of KDCS members put their heads together in Jan to firm up plans for the coming year. Lots of good decisions made.e.g. A brilliant and exciting rides list fo '05. Newsletter editorship now been taken up by Dave and Debbie, Website to be revitalised, Bill to takeover management of the e-mail list, Neil is drafting out kdcs promotion A5 flyer, Campaigning Group (Edward, John N and Liz) to reactivate key campaigning ideas. List brainstormed!, Bike to Work week - Liz to promote. So maybe KDCS will see 2005 as a year when we really 'hit' the town and smother the quiet lanes with hordes of smiling cyclists!

CUMBRIA CYCLING PANEL
Edward was elected as chairman of this group after Brian Porter suddenly decided he'd had enough and resigned. Brian has become weary of no cycle progress in Cumbria. Edward has indicated that he'll give his chairmanship a year, monitor progress, and then decide if to carry on or not.

A CUMBRIA BASED CYCLING DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATION GROUP
Met at Penrith in the autumn - Edward attended. A huge gathering of cycle friendly officer enthusiasts from up hill and down dale. We all pledged to do our level best to get bums on cycle seats. With such a strong push for cycling initiatives in Cumbria surely a Paradigm Cycling Shift(PCS!) is on the verge of lift off!

OTHER NEWS
Romola's cycling accident fractured hip looks well on the mend and she's back on her bike. Edward finding it generally difficult keeping up with her!

Gerald's fracture, likewise, well healed, but he's struggling in other ways and finding it difficult getting about. Perhaps KDCS could call and help out in some way. Gerald would welcome visitors.

101 things to do with a dead inner tube.....
well 6 or 7 to start with
or;
Is this the ultimate recycling? What to do with an old inner tube
  • A short length (6-10”) provides a very effective grip for stubborn jar lids.
  • A tube cut into bands, make useful heavy-duty rubber bands. Great to hold unruly leads together i.e. on mobile phone chargers, workshop light leads etc. Some tubes stretch more than others; latex tubes are extra stretchy and make very versatile bands.
  • Short strips of tube are useful on the bike. Wrap round seat stays prior to clamping rear lights; they protect the frame and provide grip. Also ideal fitted under computer or light fitting clamps on the handlebars.
  • Narrow road tubes, cut to length, make quite effective grips for bars ends.
  • An old trick is to wrap tube around your handlebars (held in place with insulation tape), prior to the handlebar tape to provide extra cushioning for the hands.
  • Wrapped around the chainstay, (tape on at the start and finish) works as a chain protector. Good for mountain bikes.
  • If you carry your bike or bikes on a car-rack, wrap old tube (tape in place) to contact points on the rack, or even the bike.
Any more ideas what to do with an old inner tube send them in, that’s the idea, not your old tubes.

Note from the Editors

Deb and Dave welcome all contributions to this newsletter. We aim to bring it out quarterly and would like it to be as much fun as possible.
Contributions required for the following features: