completely by bike. On your bike through the Pyrenees, the rough Moroccan Atlas and the huge Sahara desert. From France through Andorra, Spain, Morocco and Mauritania to Senegal. The second edition will leave Sunday 9th September 2007 from the Eifffel Tower to finish 10 weeks later in the centre of Dakar at November 17th. ThisParis Dakar by Bike 2007
During this challenging trip the 7,200 km ( 4,500 miles ) between the two cities will be covered com unique trip is open for every cycling enthusiastic. The participants of the first edition were both men and women with ages from 23 till 63 years. It is possible to do the trip with any kind of bike, including race bikes.
Find all information at www.bike-dreams.com

A Must Read
(author of Cycling's Golden Age-1946-1967)

This stunning and beautiful book takes us inside one of the worlds largest collection of cycling memorabilia with an intimate look at one of the most memorable eras, 1946-1967.
From the commanding victories of Fausto Coppi to the rise of Jacques Anquetil, the Horton Collection boasts never-before-published photographs and countless jerseys, trophies, posters, and other artifacts.
Historian Owen Mulholland weaves it all together with the tales of each rider, their admirable feats, and the nostalgia of each item in the collection.  This unprecedented collection of over 400 cycling artefacts and photographs brings to life one of the sports most memorable eras, 1946-1967 - from Fausto Coppi to Jacques Anquetil.
Foreword by Eddy Merckx, who was inspired by the riders of this era and went on to become the greatest cyclist in history.
Vintage posters, trophies, and race-worn jerseys chronicle the evolution of the sport and its most important moments. The Horton Collection is known worldwide as the largest, richest collection of cycling items.
ISBN: 9781931382878. Published Date: Oct 2006. Format: Hardback (255 x 280). Pages: 240. Illustrations: sepia and colour photos.It is available from Prendas Ciclismo
Ray Green

Chapel Street

Instead of a total closure to traffic for Chapel Street Sefton allows continued use not only for delivery vehicles morning and evening... but also continued use as a TAXI CYCLE route

'The feared exclusion of cyclists from Chapel Street and part of Tulketh Street has not happened. furthermore the possibility to keep the precinct open for cycling after it is completed exists. This does however depend on riders using the area with care, Sefton is monitoring the way the pattern of use develops.

A final decision will be made at the end of the year to either allow or to exclude cycles, presumably by the Area Committee. They are worried cyclists will behave in ways likely to cause damage to the new infrastructure or might terrify shoppers. On the other hand there is awareness of the official policy to encourage cycle use within the town and across Sefton.

It is therefore impossible to say with any certainty if Southports cyclists will., as is the case in other nearby towns be allowed to enjoy traversing the new traffic-free precinct upon its completion.

CHAPEL Street no longer a three-lane highway, but given over to footgoers (and cyclists?). london Street with both-way flow for cycling. Fabulous wide bus and cycle lanes on Lord Street. Southport cyclists and shoppers now have plenty to celebrate this despite the many moans and grumbles from drivers who would do better to get on their bikes themselves and stop complaining.

Our communications with Sefton yielded an interesting reply from Technical Services Cabinet Member about cycling on Chapel Street. Although cycles have been included with cars in the ban on traffic, Sefton will monitor the cycling situation and decide to officially allow it or not when the scheme is finished. This means it seems that provided there are no problems being caused by cyclists clashing with Pedestrians or people riding about like hooligans causing damagge etc. that cycling will be officially allowed within the new Precinct area. It is now uD to all cyclists to make considerate use of the trafficfree area and show Seftons planners that their worries about cycling there are groundless.

Other towns with precincts haven't had trouble with bikes in their schemes, Wigan for example lets cyclists in and has done for a long while - no problems. Ormskirk centre too is cycle friendly, no sign of hooligan riders there either. Perhaps the residents of Southport have a unique reputation for behaving differently than everyone else when on their bikes? Maybe the car driving fraternity is simply cheesed off about being shut out of one short street and resent cyclists getting privileged treatment.

In a situation such as this where the final decision has yet to be taken, it is now very much up to all cyclists to exercise their aspiration to keep on using Chapel Street. Keep speed down and meander through carefully, letting pedestrians have the priority if they are walking across In front of the bike. By such means our right to have permanent access to this fine area should be assured.

Bridge over The Douglas

No longer a rumour,, but now official policy, there will be a dedicated bridge constructed over the Douglas for use by cyclists and walkers. The original footings from the old Southport to Preston railway are being used to support the new bridge deck. With funding no longer an issue, only a definite start date is now needed and contracts to be given before work 'begins. Not only of great value to the locals, but the missing link in a great route up the West coast to Preston and the lakes.

England made it a clean sweep in the 4,000m individual pursuit as Paul Manning finished ahead of Rob Hayles and Stephen Cummings.
England's Victoria Pendleton won silver in the 500m time trial, and Australian Ben Kersten beat Chris Hoy and Jason Queally in the 1,000m time trial.

Queally finished 0.034 seconds behind Australian Ben Kersten (1:01.815) to claim his third successive silver in the event.
Hoy, who was defending the title he won in Manchester in 2002, started quickly but faded to finish in 1:02.071.
Hoy's Scotland team-mate Craig Maclean was edged out of the medals (1:02.983).

Paul Manning led an English clean sweep of the medals in the men's 4km individual track pursuit.


Manning, 21, clocked a time of four minutes 23.799 seconds in his head-to-head with Rob Hayles, who crossed in 4:28.616.
Hayles, who was looking to add gold to his world titles in the team sprint and madison, looked to be in control with two laps to go but he faded badly and had to settle for silver.
Team-mate Stephen Cummings recorded 4:24.767 to win the bronze in his third place showdown with New Zealand's Marc Ryan.


Pendleton 500m sprint silver
Pendleton added Commonwealth silver to her world title
English cyclist Victoria Pendleton claimed a superb Commonwealth silver medal in the women's 500m time trial in Melbourne on Thursday.
The 25-year-old world sprint champion crossed in a time of 34.662 seconds in the thrilling two-lap final.
Pendleton separated Australian sisters Anna and Kerrie Meares - Anna adding Commonwealth gold to her Olympic title in a new Games record of 34.326.
Defending champion Kerrie finished in 35.210 for the bronze medal.
Gold medal winner Anna Meares revealed that she was struggling with a back problem before the final.

She finished fifth in the time trial and fourth in the sprint four years ago, the other event in which she will compete in Melbourne.

The Tour of Wessex, held for the first time this May, pushes sportive boundaries by offering three stages totaling 325 miles alongside the shorter but demanding 100, 50 and 25 mile routes. The organisers have devised each route to incorporate the best of the West, providing each rider with not only a challenge to suite his or hers fitness level and ability, but also a visual feast of Wessex history and stunning landmarks. To round off what is already a groundbreaking sportive the organisers are hosting an exhibition that will showcase some of the best and latest cycling related technologies available on the market throughout the event weekend. For further information read this weeks Cycling Weekly (February 11th edition) or go to the event website www.pendragon-cc.com/tourofwessex.html

The 2007 Tour de France will begin in London, Mayor Ken Livingstone announced on Tuesday.
It is the third time the Tour has visited England but the first time it has ventured into the capital.
It made its debut in 1974 in Plymouth before returning to English soil 20 years later when England's Chris Boardman led the race.
The Tour has started in an array of different venues, including Dublin and Liege in recent years.
Livingstone said: "Hosting the first stage of the legendary French cycle race will raise the profile of cycling in the capital, attract visitors and promote the capital as a venue for international sporting events."
The announcement was heralded by Boardman, who admitted he was amazed by the turnout from the British public when the Tour last visited England.
He told Radio Five Live: "The last time the Tour visisted these shores two-and-a-half to three million people lined the roads. It was quite a spectacle.
"That will at least be trebled in the capital.
"We have a number of riders in Britain who can take the leader's yellow jersey - Bradley Wiggins is one that springs to mind - so that would be quite something for the British public."

Armstrong, 34, retired from cycling after winning a record seventh Tour last summer.
Initially, the Texan had tipped close friend Ivan Basso, last year's runner-up and the 1997 winner, to triumph in the race.
But Armstrong told www.bild.de: "I predict that Jan will win the 2006 Tour with a four or even five-minute gap."
Ullrich has repeatedly been overshadowed by Armstrong since his victory nine years ago.
However, Armstrong believes his own retirement will only go on to aid the German.
"All our plans and tactics were planned with one aim - to put Ullrich in difficulty," he added.

Southport Cycling Club held there annual prize presentation evening at the Old Links Golf Club and nearly one hundred guests enjoyed an excellent evening of light entertainment along with the presentation of trophies.
Dave Hilton was the main prize winner by winning the clubs best all rounder awards for both long and short distance time trials along with the 10 and 25-mile championships and the Neil Smith Memorial title.
Colin Baldwin won the veterans best all rounder awards along with the veteran’s 10-mile title and the Norman Rimmer Memorial trophy.
The hill climb trophy went to comeback rider Andy Grice and Damon Peakock won the Randonneur title.
Yvonne Unsworth was awarded the half wheeler trophy and a new name was added to the downhill shield when Lenny Collins won the title.
The annual auction of cycle parts and clothing takes place at the club this coming Monday.

Southport Cycling Club hold’s its annual prize presentation dinner this evening (Friday)
at the Old Links Golf Club Southport at the time of 7.30pm for 8, having sold 86 tickets.
The event which is a celebration of everybody’s effort’s over the past year once again features live entertainment by The Grimly Fiendish Rhythm & Blues Band.
The trophies will be awarded to the riders by Joan Bradley.
A report of the dinner and pictures will appear on the club’s website which can be found at www.southportcycling.co.uk
The auction of clothing and bike parts takes place in the club rooms in Victoria Park on the 5th of December and the AGM is on December the 12th at the club and any proposals should be in by the 1st.
The final event of the year then takes place on Boxing Day with the time trial on the coast road.

Southport Cycling Club’s Jim Henderson won the silver medal in the National Hill Climb Championship held on the famous Rake climb at Ramsbottom.
Jim who is five times national champion of the discipline and had won six of his last seven races on the climb which is usually run annually as a none championship event.
With very wet conditions which were not ideal for the 947 yard long one in four climb it was going to be a very close race and this is how it turned out to be with Jim being beaten by Ben Greenwood of the Recycling racing team who completed the course in a time two minutes 26.5 seconds. This was only three tenths of a second faster than Jim.
Chris Myhill was 22nd closely followed by the clubs own hill climb champion Andy Grice.
The club’s annual prize presentation dinner is to be held on November the 25th at the Old Links Golf Club with tickets available from Ken Perkins.
The club auction is on December the 5th and the AGM on the 12th, both at the club room.
All trophies must be handed back to the club for engraving.

Our man on the spot reports on Jim’s mixed fortunes in Sussex
Always anxious to be associated with success your reporter donned his
Southport C.C. jersey before cycling to Steyning for the first leg of the Brighton Mitre two stage hill climb. Fortunately Jim Henderson rose to the occasion and his time of 3 minutes 56 seconds beat the course record and more importantly pushed Jonathan Dayus into second place. Jim rode his road bike and said the downhill section didn’t suit him. I have to say I’ve never noticed a descent on the rare occasions that I have struggled up this climb.
If the Steyning climb wasn’t ideal for Jim the afternoon effort at Shoreham-by-Sea was a dead loss for our winged climber. After a short steepish section from the start the rest of the “climb” was a false flat. All but the weakest riders were on the big ring and many, including Jim, had fitted Tri-bars.
This time Jonathan Dayus stepped up to first place in 7 minutes 18 seconds and Jim was an unaccustomed fifth at 22 seconds.
Organiser Robert Johnson had collected an amazing £1300 prize list mainly from club sponsor U.S.E. Great news if you needed a new seat pillar or a carbon bottle cage! Incidentally Robin has promoted more than one hundred open time trials and a trillion club events. Also reporting on the event was mile-eater extraordinaire and fellow Pedal Club member Chris Davies. Chris has ridden (and recorded) about 800,000 miles- No that’s not a typo, think
16,000 miles every year for fifty years! I first met him in the Alps during the 1971 Tour de France and every day he was doing more miles than the race. He has calmed down a bit since his hip replacement but still does in excess of 10k miles each year. A few years ago he was knocked off his bike by a car while cycling to work. The driver stopped to see if he was O.K. (he wasn’t) and said “Oh, I see you every day“ to which Chris commented that it was a shame he hadn’t seen him that day!
All for now from sunny Sussex, and remember be careful out there.

RAY GREEN