Editorial

Welcome to the 50^th issue of the Bristol Cycling Campaign newsletter. Apologies for the delay, the magazine has taken a bit longer to compile due to the Christmas and New Year break. I'm sure you'll agree with me that it has been well worth waiting for.

Some of you may well have seen the stark headlines on the front page of most of the national newspapers in early January, warning that global warming would kill off one million species over the next 50 years. There seems to be little doubt that the car economy and the pollution it generates is playing a major part in climate change. Rowland Dye's article paints a bleak picture of the present world hungry for oil. But there is hope and as Rowland quite rightly says - cycling has an undeniably important role both now and in the future.

In the last issue we were looking for a new Rides Coordinator. This was promptly filled by Adrian Hill, a long standing Bristol Cycling Campaign member and a regular rides leader. His contact details are included on the rides and events page.

I hope to continue my coordination of the newsletter until the end of the year. There are three more issues after this one before I step aside and give someone else a crack at it.

All contributions for the newsletter can come to me directly by emailing simon.carpenter@bristolswpct.nhs.uk or alternatively material can be sent to:

Greenleaf Bookshop,
Box 60,
Colston Street,
Bristol BS1 5BB

Articles should be no longer than 2 pages long (10pt size). However half page articles are better as more people then get a chance to contribute. Photographs, drawings and cartoons are always welcome. These are best sent to me as originals, or in the case of photographs, as prints - so I can scan them myself.

Anyway enjoy the newsletter, it has lots to offer, including the first of the spring rides. And don't let the poor weather put you off from joining the weekly Sunday rides. The newsletter contains two articles from members with suggestions on how to stay warm and dry on your bike.

The Bristol Cycling Campaign is always keen to attract new members, so tell your friends about it and get them to join. The £5 subscription rate has to be one of the best deals on offer.

Hope to see some of you on the rides and the Sabrina social

Happy and safe cycling

Simon Carpenter