Oi, Portsmouth Council where’s our cycle path?

As regular readers will know we give our full support to cycling in Portsmouth & Southsea and always plug the worthy causes and developments that regularly occur. As many of you know the planned cycle route on the Promenade was axed causing a big stir after over 3000 people voted in favour of the agreed route. Not good.

The good people at the Portsmouth Cycle Forum had planned a Family Bike Ride on Southsea seafront to show there’s support for a promenade cycle lane, but unfortunately felt is was best to cancel after an accident occurred the week before as a reversing motorist knocked a man off his bike. A serious problem that was discussed on Strong Island as well.

This is clear evidence that the subject must be looked at, again. Read the full article in The NEWS.

Portsmouth Cycle Forum Family Seafront Cycle Ride

The PCF are organising fun rides for all along the seafront from the funfair to Eastney and back in time for music at the Bandstand by Southsea castle. Every other Sunday during the summer.

“We might not have an official cycle route along Southsea seafront yet, but with enough people cycling, let’s show the demand is there!”

Check out the Facebook Event page for ongoing updates and don’t forget Pompey Bug, the Portsmouth Cycle Forum website.

Check out Facebook for information on the next family ride. A great little event to get people together on a sunny day in Southsea.

Promenade Cycling

Remember a little while back how the Council offered up options on cycling on the promenade? Remember how overwhelming the win was for allowing cycling on the promenade? Seems like the council are ignoring everyone’s wishes (read the story on The News website). If you feel strongly about the situation and wish to get involved then Portsmouth Cycle Forum are holding an open meeting on 7pm at Meeting Room 1 at Portsmouth Guildhall and the issue will be on the agenda which will be:

* Children and Cycling
* Seafront Cycle Route
* Road Safety consultation
* Cycling infrastructure update
* Open Forum

For more information on the meeting check the new PCF Newsletter (PDF file), fingers crossed some compromise or change of heart by the council is possible.

Making a Monster Cycle Map of Portsmouth…

Portsmouth Cycle Forum invites you to “stick one on them”, on their giant cycling map this coming Saturday May 2. It is at Cycle Hampshire Event at the Gunwharf Quays from 10am to 4pm.

The Forum invites all who ride a bike, or who would like to, to stick dots to show the best and the worst things about cycling around Portsmouth. The picture cyclists create together will highlight what to change first, to make cycling better in Portsmouth. Cyclists can add what one thing would make cycling better in Portsmouth.

The monster cycle map is part of Cycle Hampshire 09, launching on 2 May at Gunwharf Quays. Visitors can try-out different types of bikes for free, watch demonstrations, pick up information and a copy of the official Cycle Hampshire, Summer of Cycling events booklet.

John Holland Chairman of PCF says, “The Forum is the voice for more and better cycling in Portsmouth. The monster map will show us where to focus our action, and provide live views to present to the Council. We want more people to safely hop on their bikes and discover the benefits of cycling locally. Over half of all car journeys are less than five miles long. By switching to an easy thirty-minute bike ride, you will save money, find new places, shrink your carbon footprint and get fit too. Portsmouth Cycle Forum is working hard with the City Council to create the best possible cycle routes and facilities. Portsmouth Cycle Forum seeks the backing of all local cyclists who may feel there is nothing they alone can do to improve things.”

If you would like more information, please contact Hilary Reed, Portsmouth Cycle Forum: 02392 865938 Email Hilary Sails

The 2nd Strong Island Ale – Dry Dock No. 1

As you may know each year we run a home brew competition in February where the winning brew has the opportunity to be brewed by Irving & Co Brewing Co. and sold around the city in the summer. Last year’s brew, the Strong Island Hopper Ale, was hugely successful being one of Inving’s best selling ales and selling out so quickly it went through a second brew run. This year’s winning ale is Dry Dock No. 1, originally brewed by Lee Immins, went on sale in some of Portsmouth and Southsea’s pubs over the weekend.

We spoke to The Hole in The Wall in Southsea who said the new ale went down a storm with it being their best seller on Sunday and with almost two barrels empty by the end of the Bank Holiday weekend. Those guys at the Hole in The Wall and their regular ale drinkers know their stuff so for us this was amazing early news with the ale.

To officially launch Dry Dock No. 1 we are having a launch party with the lovely souls at The Belle Isle on Thursday evening. The ale will be on full flow, come down and try a pint or two. As well as being on sale all around the city the ale will also be available in Chichester’s Belle Isle too, so you can drink it away from home for the first time too.

The Isle Of Wight Randonnee 2012 – Team Strong Island

Just over a year ago, a group of Strong Islanders were sat on the Isle of Wight ferry on our way to the yearly Randonnee cycling event; 60 miles around the island spread across 5 checkpoints. Whilst on the crossing we couldn’t help but admire various enthusiasts and their custom team jerseys. Fast forward a year and it is my great pleasure to unveil the Strong Island cycling jersey. Made as a one off for the event, the jersey is our way of representing this city and all the values that come with it. Thanks to the combined designing efforts of Chris Ballingall and Tristan Savage, we were able to produce this clean, retro looking jersey that 11 of Southsea’s finest could wear to conquer the island’s endless hills. Well done chaps.