Cycling

This group plans to promote cycling activity within GOC.

The co-ordinator of the cycling group is David. To contact this group by e-mail, phone or letter please use our contact page.

13-21 Apr 2013: Cycling Training Camp Mallorca

 

I arrived on the Wednesday before the start of the main programme, joined by a few others that day or over the next days with everyone else arriving by Saturday ready for the seven days of the main programme.

We were based in the resort of Can Pastilla, which was still very much out of season for the summer tourist but fully functioning for the cyclists which was good as the place was teaming with cycling groups.

The hotel was very busy this year, indeed it was full booked. So much so that some were given upgrades to apartments in the block across the garden. Breakfast and dinner are both self-service buffet and as we were ready for early meals we could select a group of table together. If someone arrived later they could always fit in. We all progressed through the different courses of food at our own rate. Usually followed by a walk along the sea front and a few joining in the line dancing later in the hotel with the other guests.

The prologue ride this year took an inland route, introducing first-timers to the quiet routes out of the resort and into the rolling countryside. After lunch at Algaida the route offered the option for the climb to Cura with it stunning views or just to continue on quiet lanes.

 

 

Long and short routes were taken across the central plain. We were able to take in all our favourite mountain routes. Much of the mountain range was ridden in sections over the days. The North Coast from Andratx to Esporles. The high mountain section taking in Lluc and Soller was ridden in both directions by different groups. Then finally, the middle section from Valldemossa to Soller. A small group used the train to shorten the ride then crossed the mountains to ride the Sa Calobra climb. Those not wanting the mountains took full advantage of the maze of lanes east of the resort and enjoyed the sight of fields full of bright wild flowers, reaching locations as far as Binisalem, Petra and Colonia Sant Jordi.

Uwe and myself having a couple of extra days at the end managed to clock up over 1000km of cycling during our stay.
 
The trip brought what has been a very long winter to an end and after a week cycling on the island I am sure everyone was ready for a summer of cycling. Let us hope we actually get a summer this year.

 

 

As with most years we were joined at the hotel with members from the GSWG walking group. Again this year contact had been made with the local Mallorcan gay walking group and some of the walkers and some of the cyclists joined up with them for day of walking. Both sides very much enjoyed the encounter and contact will be maintained.

 

Peter

 

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CycleOut Bristol

If you live in Bristol or the surrounding area then CycleOut Bristol is your local GOC cycling group for LGBT people and their friends, organising regular cycle rides and  social events throughout the year. Visit the CycleOut Bristol pages from the menu on the left and get in touch or join us on a ride.

Inaugural Cycling Group Ride Report - 9th May

A tale of strip-tease, trainspotting, and industrial unrest.

Eight intrepid GOC and Cycle-Out members met at Christs-Hospital Horsham for the Inaugural Cycling Group ride. Antonio was the first to entertain the group with his broken spoke – I had to unscrew his nipple with my spoke-wrench in order to relieve his tension and allow his rim to move freely in his frame. We were lucky enough to be waved off by GOC Sussex member David, who was taking the gentleman -of-leisure option by doing the ride in a Toyota Yaris.... As we rode along-side the famous public school most of us managed to overcome the pangs of nostalgia for the old dorms and a “Maurice “ moment, but it seems it over-excited Jeremy who promptly cycled into a ditch, providing the days second bout of entertainment by stripping off his wet clothes and nearly revealing his Membrum virilis.

We stopped for elevenses at Southwater Country Park, where Sussex-David was waiting to help us out with our Carrot-cake and bread-pudding. After wrenching Richard away from the Lakeside, where he was admiring the watersports (note-to-self, must have a word with that boy....) we continued along the Downs-Link, bluebells flashing past us on either side before a quick Brief Encounter photographic moment beside the railway carriage at old West-Grinstead station.

We luncheoned at Henfield, Richard Antonio and I dining al-fresco, while the rest of the group partook of a local hostelry, before taking a detour to admire the charms of Steyning nestling among the crook of the South Downs.

We then meandered along the banks of the Adur river to Shoreham, to find engineering works at the station hampering our return – there was only one option - a quick dash along a National Cycle-Route and the sea-front to Brighton, where fates cruel hand dashed us another blow – an organised charity cycle-ride had finished in Brighton inciting the un-informed train-drivers to rebel and follow a work-to-rule on the number of bicycles allowed per train.

A big thank-you to everyone for supporting the ride and especially to Cycle-Out for also providing support.

David.