Cycle show '09

Not much to report in Reading today- dropped into see my volunteers for a general catch up and to see if they need anything. Had to resolve a staffing issue for next Wednesday, but very pleased that things seem to be ticking along quite nicely. All bikes working and not requiring any serious maintenance - which is nice to hear.
So with some time on my hands, I've been checking out this year's
Cycle Show and it promises to be a good one. Though pretty worried that Mosquito bikes are very close to the CTC stand again - they were opposite us last year and I ended up buying one of their bikes! I do have half an eye on this baby and it would definitely look good snuggled up to my Fixie Inc Peacemaker and I'm sure I could make room for it! Though it would blow my cycling budget for the entire year....! Ho- hum, we'll see!

Have a good weekend and happy cycling!

Is it Autumn already.....?

Is it just me, or has the weather got an Autumnal feel to it today, so much so, I dug out my arm warmers? A mega headwind for the entire journey of my cycle commute made it a bit of struggle, but a good workout nevertheless! But I'm really looking forward to cycling home though! Looks like the met- office have revised the forecast and we can expect a very wet August - not quite the BBQ summer they had previously predicted!
A very quiet day in the office was in order and with the inclement weather, the Sense cycle session was pulled - which was a shame as the guys thoroughly enjoy their riding. Never mind there is always next week and there is certainly potential for the forecasters to get it wrong again- you never know the sun may shine? Oh happy days!

Phew......!

OK, the order of my day - update blog, work emails, then I'm going to take some well earned flexi time and ride off into the Chilterns to blow away the cobwebs and the dust from the BMX track!
The rest of my day will be spent with my feet up and reading "Dear Fatty" - written by Dawn French (It's SO funny, you must read it?)
See some of you in Reading tomorrow?

More of the same!

Thanks goodness I had part of the morning to relax - I was still "spent" from yesterday's event. OK, I know I'm prone to stamp hard on the exaggerate pedal, it was a tough, but very enjoyable day!
The day started around midday with the arrival of Hawks BMX Club- van full of equipment and 2 very talented coaches and mechanic, who engaged with the participants immediately!
With back to back sessions right through until 7pm - both kids and adults just kept turning up. Most had booked, but lots were hoping to enter on the day. Nobody was turned away and even the parents were inspired to have a go!
Fortunately we had no serious casualties - the odd graze or 2 and the odd mechanical problem!
All in all, a fantastic event and as I locked up - I had these words ringing in my ears " When is the Club starting?"
Rest assured I'm onto it and will be in touch soon!

The launch of Waterloo Meadows BMX Club

To say that the day started stressfully - would be an understatement!
I thought I had everything in order - coaches, bikes, paperwork and the all important keys for the various barriers around Waterloo Meadows, but alas this wasn't the case and the guys from Bolsover where a little delayed in setting up whilst I ran around like a whirling dervish to locate the right key! But once in, they set up their very impressive rig and got the sessions underway almost immediately. Over the day we had around 80 participants and at one time there must of been at least 100 people - including spectators. It had a great atmosphere. People had decided to make a day of it and had bought picnics with rugs to sit on.
The day was a total success and all participants were left wanting more and were looking forward to the Club starting.
The press arrived very promptly and took lots of photos - watch out for both Reading papers this week for some action shots!

Chiltern Cycleway.

I have spent the morning attending a meeting with the Chiltern AONB and the Chiltern Society. The CTC are working in partnership with both organisations and are taking the lead on a very exciting project - The Chiltern Cycleway. Over the last year or so, myself and numerous volunteers have been riding out in the Chilterns to firm up the 170 mile cycle route - nice work if you can get it! We now have a definitive route and are in the process of applying for funding.
The route covers Bucks, Bedfordshire, Herts and Berkshire, where there will be several gateway towns to join the route. There will also be circular routes from each each town, that will accommodate families and the occasional cyclist.
Approval for the funding will be in known in the next couple of months, with the view of launching the route May 2010 - if we are successful?
A fantastic opportunity to get people to visit the beautiful Chilterns and no better way, than on a bike!

Back in Reading!

It was good to get back to work today - though left the bike in the garage and broke THE cardinal sin of driving in! Well, I don't want to tax my body do I?
Got into the office and found my desk,computer and keyboard had all been cleaned - my colleagues weren't taking any chances!
Anyway, it was a good day. All the new BMX and adult bikes were delivered to the new container at Waterloo Meadows - in preparation for next Monday and Tuesday. Though I was really shocked to see the BMX track looking very overgrown and got onto Parks to ask if we could get someone over with a strimmer? Got the usual, "Well it's not in the schedule and we'll do what we can......!" Fortunately, I managed to use some influence in the shape of Lisa Pearce - Sport Reading Development Manager, and it was sorted in no time! Thanks Lisa!
I also caught up with some CTC colleagues who were doing some cycle training - running an article for the upcoming Cycle magazine. It was good to see them. I directed them to some Level 2 roads to train on, with a photographer in tow!
If you know of anyone who would like some cycle training - do get them to get in touch.

Twiddling my thumbs....!

Oh dear! My inbox is empty, everything is set for the BMX workshops next week. I have even finalised my cycle tour at the end of August - C2C and Reivers. The good news however, is that I have been symptom free for 2 days and Sport Reading have given me the thumbs up to go back to work tomorrow - whoohoo!
It has been an eye opener as I really have missed the interaction with my work colleagues and certainly could not work from home on a permanent basis.
On the positive side the Tour is live from 12:00 today and I for one shall be glued to it. Armstrong did well yesterday to ride up to the yellow jersey group- I haven't written him off yet? An impressive Tour for Bradley Wiggins too and it would be good to see if he has the legs to attack today?
How about that - a Brit on the podium in Paris.......?

My constant companions......

Since being confined to barracks I have had the constant companionship of my cats - must be something to do with the temperature dropping, they've been glued to my side and as I write this, I have one perched on my lap...!
The weather pretty much befits my mood. I'm eager to get back to work properly and even more so, swing my leg over a bike and get some miles in.
Still, on a postive note - I'm enjoying le Tour and can't wait to watch today's stage. I'm secretly hoping that Armstrong is bluffing and that he will pull away in the mountains today, scattering everyone in his wake - Contador et al eat his dust......!

In quarantine.....!

Yep, you've guessed it - instead of spending 2 days with my colleague Gwenda Owen in Cardiff, I'm house bound in Great Missenden. The plan was to check out the successful recycle projects, with a view of replicating them in Reading.
However, flu like symptoms started over the weekend - albeit very light! And after calling NHS Direct and having a chat with my friendly GP, I'm to stay put for a few days....!
I'm now on a regime of echinacea and vitamin C to boost the old immune system and will take the time to research some recycle projects on the web - not quite the same as I won't get the opportunity to ride the Taff Trail!
Never mind, it will still be there in a few weeks time and you never know, the rain may well have passed by then.....?

Back to earth with a bump!

Back in Reading today to catch up on emails and to make a few phone calls regarding the BMX launch.
I had every intention to cycle in today - but the weather was against me and as I was leaving we had such a terrific thunderstorm followed by a downpour to end all downpours, that I reached for the car keys and left the helmet, gloves on the side and most certainly the bike in the garage .....!
I haven't cycled for 2 days and I'm getting a little cranky - so may well dust off the turbo this evening if the heavy rain persists. Well that is, if I don't come down with Swineflu - I've just received an email from a colleague saying that someone we have been working with in Southport , has come down with it. I'm very twitchy about stuff like this and almost immediately start checking myself for symptoms! I know I'm a drama queen, but anything that potentially could stop me from riding.......!
Have a good weekend, keep well and fingers crossed for fine weather?

Daay 2 in Southport.....!

Slightly bleary eyed from the previous evening - the film premiere and meal afterwards, where we had to network with the people from the Cycling Towns, we met for a team meeting. It was good opportunity to catch up with my colleagues based north of Watford! They are all doing very similar projects to me and it was great to share best practise and get some info on my pending BMX launch - thanks guys and see you all in October.

An invitation to a Premiere....!

I have just spent the last 2 days in Southport - I had been invited up by my colleague Juliet Jardine to a premiere viewing of a DVD she has produced with a group of teenage girls from Green Bank School.
The local theatre hosted the event and the girls got to walk on the red carpet and it was a great opportunity to don their glad rags!
The DVD was about breaking down the barriers to encourage girls to take up cycling. They became the very first Bike Club and received a certificate from Kevin Mayne - Director of CTC. Cycling England's board members and representatives from the Cycling Towns had been invited and the auditorium was packed!
It was a great evening and one, I'm sure the girls will remember for a long time.
The short film will be posted on youtube and I'll be sure to post up the link as and when we have permisssion from the school.

The shipping container finally arrives....

The container finally arrived today for the BMX project - though the 18 tonne truck nearly had to turn back as the access into the meadows is pretty tight and it was a squeeze to get it down the rather narrow lane.
Though it has to be the smallest container in Christendom - it will just about fit 12 bikes and possible the odd tool......?
The residents association were on hand to make sure it was put in the correct place and I think they were pleasantly surprised as when positioned, they couldn't see it! I left them making coffee and betting with each other on how long before the container is covered in graffiti - 1 week was the general consensus!
The bikes are due to be delivered next week and the coaching sessions are filling up nicely.
Please do let me know if you would like to attend the 2 day event as you are all very welcome?

Beside the seaside - beside the sea!

Over the last few weeks I have accumulated a high number of 'flexi' hours and decided to take today off - I was catching up with a friend on the south coast in Goring and we took time to celebrate my new job too. She is having some time off before starting a new role with West Sussex County Council as their new Cycle Officer.
It was great to cycle somewhere different and having the sea as a backdrop was a total delight! Whilst on our travels we took the opportunity to check out some of the cycle facilities......! (Not off duty totally, you will see!)
We had perfect weather - uninterupted sunshine and deep blue skies! A fabulous and perfect day for the airing of both of our Spesh Roubaix's......!

Greetings from Sheffield!

'D' Day!
A seamless 4 hour train journey up north gave me some extra time for more preparation and I was feeling quite confident I would be able to answer their questions and I had few of my own to ask too.
Well, the interview went as well as to be expected and I had rather hoped that I would get a call to put me out of my misery this evening - alas, no!
I am going through all the different emotions and it rather looks like I will have to wait until Monday. A tense weekend ahead it would seem?
Ho- hum, business as usual in Reading until I'm told otherwise though......!

Have a great weekend and I'll be definitely taking out my frustration's on the road!

STOP PRESS: News just in at 21:00hrs - I GOT IT!! Who-hoo!

Changes a foot.....?

Since the departure of my Manager, CTC have promoted the Regional Manager covering the Northern Cycle Development programme, to National Manager- well done Steve!
On the back of that, they have decided to create 2 Senior Officers roles and after some soul searching I have decided to go for it.
It was a big decision, as I love my work in Reading and although it is a challenging role, I have to admit to being very comfortable here and feel it's time to step up! If I am lucky enough to get the postition, I will be overseeing 7 officers - East Hampshire, Reading, Colchester, Swindon, Wolverhampton, Derby and Leicester. A great opportunity to support these officers and hopefully where needed, replicate the successes I have had in Reading.
So, think of me tomorrow around 1pm as I head in for my interview and I'll let you know how I get on -Oh and I think I will give the purple jumper and trainers a miss.....!

An away day....!

I had to attend the monthly staff meeting at Head Office today. It also gave me the opportunity to catch up with a new colleague - Sarah Walker, who has taken over the Champions project in East Hampshire. She seems to have settled in nicely and has her first family event on Saturday - good luck Sarah!
It was good to hear that 2 further funding applications have been submitted for Hull and Manchester to host a Cycle Development Officer.
Ian Warby - Senior Offroad Officer, talked us through his work in Bucks - portable northshore, jump and off road trails. Fantastic work Ian, with a number of the Cycle Champions all eager to order some northshore for their regions!
I then had to scoot back to Reading to the Kategrove residents meeting to inform them that the BMX project is set to start on 27th July - they were delighted and promised that they would have a presence on the day. I'm hoping that they will be inspired to have a ride.....?

Editor of local paper gives the thumbs up.....

As part of the Bike Week media coverage - I lent one of my pool bikes to the sub- editor of the Reading Chronicle. The idea was that she was to commute by bike throughout Bike Week and report on how the experience went.
It was a very positive article and she was totally converted to the idea of being a cycle commuter- so much so, that I had to send a couple of emails requesting the return of the bike....!
All the doubts of arriving late for important meetings and getting wet most days, were put to rest and she was very sad to say goodbye to the bike today. After thanking me, she made a dash for the bus, but was aiming to get to a local bike shop as soon as funds allowed!
Great- another convert!

It's good to be back.......!

It's amazing what a week off can do - I'm feeling full of energy and raring to get back into the swing of things and totally excited about the pending BMX Club launch. I had kept half an eye on my CTC emails and as I cycled in this morning I wondered what my Reading Borough Council account would be like - last time I took time off, my whole desk was covered in 'post it' notes ( almost as bad as the prayer scene in Bruce Almighty!!) and my inbox was full. However, today it wasn't - thank goodness and that gave me the opportunity to ease myself in gradually. I have a rather hectic schedule over the next 3 weeks - with a trip planned to Cardiff and Southport no less. I'm off to visit various projects to get some ideas for Reading - more to follow on those later though.

The highlight of my week off, was managing to get tickets to see Kraftwerk at the Manchester Velodrome. (Yes, I have to admit to some rather tense and nail biting bidding on eBay!) Kraftwerk are really keen cyclists and have an entire album on the Tour de France and their own German cycle coach. Apparently they arrange their studio time around their love of cycling.....!
The concert was totally awesome especially when Team GB turned up to ride the track as they played. A fantastic experience and well worth paying well over the odds for the tickets......!