Strong Island

Support the Seafront Cycle Route

Tristan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:15:19 +0000

The new Seafront Cycle Route needs your help. Most of you will have noticed by now that the first phase of the seafront cycle route is being built – indeed a long stretch of it is all but complete. You may also have noticed that there has been considerable criticism of the route in the local press. The loss of parking spaces in exchange for the new parallel system is creating a lot of controversy. I fully understand peoples comments regarding fewer parking spaces at Eastney, but honestly, when is it ever full. Even in high summer it’s not difficult to find a space. I ride home everyday and often take the extend route along the seafront from Eastney and more often than not there are dozens of spaces and at least 2 people reversing out in to my path.

It is vitally important that we show Portsmouth City Council how popular this route is – otherwise there is a great risk that the decision makers will get cold feet when asked to approve phase 2. Therefore the Portsmouth Cycle Forum please ask all of you to write to Simon Moon, head of traffic and transportation at Portsmouth City Council expressing support for the seafront cycle route.

Support the Seafront Cycle Route by contacting Simon Moon directly HERE, or better still a unique letter or email always has more impact, so if you have time to write please use the following contact details.

Simon Moon
Portsmouth City Council
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
Hampshire, PO1 2BG

email: simon.moon@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Photo : Hilary Reed

Vintage BMX From 1985

Paul — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:51:20 +0000

Southsea Skatepark has had a long and strong history with BMX as these clips from the King of The Skatepark competition back in 1985 testify. The footage is of Craig Campbell and Neil Ruffell making the bowl look positively tiny and easy to ride. Which it certainly isn’t.

Always loved Skyway. Iconic logo too.

Google Maps – Street View

Paul — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:44:41 +0000

Portsmouth now has street view enabled on Google Maps, giving an interesting perspective of the city. Good to see it was a nice, sunny day in Southsea when the car drove through. Sadly no Old Portsmouth though.

Escape From The Bronx March Madness

Tristan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:31:15 +0000

The next Escape From The Bronx bike ride is heading our way this March 28th. As always the ride is a come one, come all affair and the guys always have a really good time, and of course a good few beers at the end. Naturally. I’ve missed all the past rides, but I’m definitely attending this time guys.

The plan is to meet at Fratton Station at 9:30am, get the train to Chichester (£6.50 return), ride from there to Goodwood then Slindon, Fontwell, Bognor then back to Chichester station to get the train back to Fratton. There will of course be the usual pub stops along the way and then the traditional pint in LJR to finish off the ride. Good times for sure. The clocks go forward too. Winner.

Follow the event details HERE and take a peek at the route HERE

Pompey Trust

Tristan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:46:48 +0000

I always freely admit to not knowing a single thing about football, but everyone I know follows Pompey and shows great passion for them, which in turn makes me proud. I’ve even signed up to the Membership Trust and handed over my hard earned cash to help. You too can help by joining up HERE.

The following is a quick message from Ben Mills who words it much better then myself from a fans point of view. “Our aim is to bring about responsible, democratic representation at Portsmouth Football Club and so help promote the highest standards of transparent governance, accountability and embed Portsmouth FC deeper into its community through greater communication and co-operation with its fans.”

www.pompeytrust.com

Photo : Hellomatt

Omega Printmakers

Tristan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:07:00 +0000

I used to head over to the Omega Centre when I was at University. They had a great Restoration course, and at the time they were undertaking the mammoth task of renovating the New Theatre Royal, if memory serves.

They now offer Saturday Workshops in different print making disciplines like etching, and screen printing from £35. So wish I had my own screen printing set up at home. In addition there are FREE printing making classes start this month and you can sign up HERE

Make sure to sign up to the RSS news feed too. Lot’s of local information about upcoming exhibitions and gallery events.

Omega Printmakers is operated entirely by volunteers Pam Newick & Jenny Bullen. If you have printmaking experience and are interested in volunteering to help out at Omega Printmakers then please contact info@omegaprintmakers.co.uk

Who has desired the sea I – Chine colle print by Pippa Blake

Beats For Bowel Cancer

Paul — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:44:02 +0000

Friday 12th March at the One Eyed Dog sees a fundraiser for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer featuring DJs Gentle Bren, Tom Alex, Lucky Darren and Bill Eff. Entrance is only £1 and collection tins will be circulating all night to help raise important funds for the charity, plus all money raised will be matched by a donation from Barclays too. The night’s “fundraving” is is organised by Cass Gowing:

“On 1st December 2009, I lost my father to bowel cancer, just 6months after he was diagnosed. He was 51years old. I have decided to begin fundraising, because; if I save just one family from going through this then my job is done. This is all for dad.

Thank you for your support.”

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

Paul — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:33:28 +0000

Tonight is your last chance to catch the wonderful Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll staring Andy Serkis, who was nominated for the 2010 BAFTA Leading Actor award for his portrayal of Ian Dury. The film is on at No. 6 Cinema at 8:30pm and is a 15 classification.

For SALE, my Kona Dew FS £350

Tristan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:36:36 +0000

Excuse the cheeky post, but needs must. It’s a genuine reason for sale as I’m making room for a new road bike and my beloved and trustworthy Kona needs a new home. It’s the 2007 Dew FS model which retailed at £600. I’ve taken extremely good care of this bike and it’s always been stored indoors and had regular services at Cycle World in North End. The last being in May of 2009, and honestly since then it’s hardly been ridden due to getting the Schwinn shortly after.

In May I had the gearing converted to a 9 speed Shimano Tiagra chainset and Shimano Deore Rapid Fire shifters. She’s running on Continental City Contact Reflective tyres which have wear, but still have miles left in them. You can see the reaction to bright light in the photo below. Always been seen, safety first.

I’ve also added Nitto Riser Bars, Oury Grips (The softest grips ever), a San Marco Gold Rolls Saddle and BMX pedals.

She rides really smooth and is perfect for not only city communting and minor off road, but performed exceptionally well during the 115km Isle of Wight Randonnee last May as well as countless other long distant rides and is still runs like a dream.

The rest of the spec can been found HERE at the Kona website.

If you’re interested drop me an email at tristan@strong-island.co.uk and we’ll take her out for a test ride.

Tristan

Click on the images for a closer look.

West to East

Paul — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:01:47 +0000

Tom, Emo, Graham and crew went on a little mission for Skateboarding is Sundays to skate across the island from west to east, starting in Gosport, ending up in Eastney and hitting up all the spots in between. Awesome as always.