Neville Chanin's Journeys
October 2009
See also: 300,000 mile club
Evesham Wheelers President, and well renowned cyclist Neville Chanin has been spending much of his time on the continent, promoting cycling, and The Evesham Wheelers.
In August he spent 10 days in and around Plouay in Brittany where he watched the G P Plouay won by Emma Pooley. His Evesham Wheelers' jersey caused much attention , even causing one car, in France to turn around and stop and speak to him, it turned out to be a couple from Redditch Cycling Club.
Neville took part in the 22nd Friendship ride which took place in Newhaven where 29 French riders from Dieppe came over to the UK and enjoyed riding the country lanes in Sussex. Neville later presented the prizes prior to their return to France.
Neville's busy schedule continued included being guest speaker at the Pedal Club Lunch in London. This is a meeting of cycling reporters, cycle builders,promoters and riders. He spoke of his cycling exploits all over the world and wore his Evesham Wheelers' jersey throughout. If the group forgot what he said the would certainly remember Evesham Wheelers!
The Evesham top was awheel in the lanes of Suffolk in early October amid gale force gusts and bright sunshine Neville took part in the 124 kilometre Suffolk Brevet. This took riders to Dunwich and numerous villages north east and west of Woodbridge.
Neville rode a 72 mile club ride on the next day with Ipswich CTC on quiet traffic free lanes, where the section's "Free Wheeling" contest was staged, whilst Neville didn't win he was the first Evesham Wheeler to finish!
Neville also took part in a 100km Audax starting in Minehead , along with 94 other riders on a chilly morning he started off through the Exmoor lanes and hills. Another Wheeler braved the wilds of Exmoor that day. John James had spent the night at Exford YHA. He and Neville enjoyed a midway snack at Bampton along with National 12 Hour Tandem Record holders Bridget and Ian Boon.
November 2008 to April 2009
Last November saw Neville Chanin attend the A U K annual general meeting and prize presentation along with over 100 other cyclists at Guildford in Surrey. After the evening Nev enjoyed a head clearing ride through the sunny Surrey Hills.
In mid December Neville reported returning from a week touring in Mallorca. He rode the snake road to Sa Colobra on a sunny Sunday followed by the Lighthouse at Formentor on the Monday. Tuesday and were wet, but Thursday dawned sunny so he road to Sineu,and the coast, admiring the snowy peaks of the Mallorcan mountains on the way. Friday saw Neville in Petra, where he celebrated his 128th day cycling abroad in 2008.
In January Neville informed me that he spent the last days of 2008 cycling over Ditchling Beacon and along Brighton Seafront. He then accompanied 30 other CTC riders as they toured the Downs above Portsmouth. This took Neville to a total for 2008 of 11,599 miles. Well Done Neville!
Early March saw Neville report that he had just returned from 4 weeks awheel on the Coasta Blanca, where he managed to cover a creditable 1100 miles. He had some good clear sunny days and managed a couple of 1000 metre climbs on the Col De Tudons. Neville was not the first to complete this challenge in 2009, he was pipped to that by Evesham Wheeler ,Graham Holt, who along with his wife Margaret were staying at the same hotel. Neville managed 5 days riding in shorts! ( only just warm enough).
April and Neville rode in the annual Dorset Coast Event a 200 k audax. He rode from Wareham , across to Weymouth, Abbotsbury, passing a great view of Chesil Beach. It was then over the Downs, past Thomas Hardy's monument and onto Dorchester. 170 riders had the benefit of Neville's company on this challenging yet beautiful ride, undertaken in unbroken sunshine. Neville first rode this event in 1981 and has only missed it once!
Neville continues to be a ambassador not only for the Evesham Wheelers but also for cycling in general, no matter where you go in the world the sight of an Evesham Wheelers top will invariably be followed by the words " Do you Know Neville Chanin". I am proud to say I do.