Some visitors arrive...

Well, the much promised rain never arrived and I decided to cycle part way in, leaving my car in Maidenhead. It was too nice a morning not to swing my leg over the bike and pedal the 10 miles or so to Palmer Park. On arriving, the park was busier than usual - some travellers had decided to park up for the Easter break (who can blame them, it looks great this time of year!) Unfortunately, though this usually means the police get involved in moving them on and there's much hysteria around locking things up! I must say, I get pretty angry when I hear such things. Oh well, such is life and such is stereotyping! Hmm? Maybe I could offer them a cycling session?

The Accessible Cycle Club met as usual and the kids and their parents had a hoot! One of the parents very kindly bought some cake for us all to share - it really is beginning to have that "Club" feel to it now.

Bike Week meeting.......

Bike Week - 13th June - 21st June

Wow! Bike Week '09 promises to be a huge success - with a bumper list of activities planned,we should hopefully see lots of people taking to their bikes.
Today was the 2nd meeting with numerous partners attending. We worked through the list of events and the marketing plan. So far we have following:

• The week leading up to Bike Week, we are going into 5 schools and delivering a 'try cycling experience'. Approx 1000 children are expected to take part.
• Free Wheel- critical mass cycle ride from Palmer Park to Prospect Park (13 June)
• Family Cycle Festival at Prospect Park (13th June)
• Cyclocross event
• Family led rides
• Cyclists breakfast
  
• On/off road ride for beginners
• Cycling for Health sessions
• Cycle session for adults with learning disabilities
• Free 'My Ride' taster sessions at Palmer Park Gym
• Time Trial - come and try event
• Accessible Cycle Club event

Phew - as you can see, so much planned already. Please check back here next month for the final details....!

The week a head....

Combined with the Bank Holiday at the end of the week and my cardiac health referral instructor being away on holiday and no-one to fill her shoes, it is going to be a quiet week regarding cycling for health. But fortunately the other sessions will take place as a usual.
I'm going to take advantage of the quiet period and book some bikes in for repair at the local bike shop - Cyclezone. The bikes are in use daily and have seen many miles and it's important to keep on top of things regarding maintenance and safety. I'll also do an inventory on parts etc and re-order what's needed too.

NCP employees get Bikeability training

A few weeks ago I had a call from a manager of NCP - he was hoping to take advantage of some free cycle training. The employees were parking enforcement officers and as they have to cover a lot of ground on foot, the decision had been made that everyone would be given a company bike. So cycle training/confidence was part of the company's risk assessment.
The participants all turned up promptly and went through Level 1 before going out onto the roads to do Level 2. By the end of the 4 hour session they were all riding confidently and competently. We all cycled back to Palmer Park for a well deserved drink and snack before parting company. So you have been warned - be careful where you park your car, as we now have some very nifty enforcement officers that are a dab hand at cycling!!

See videos clips below for Bikeability training.....

Can't believe it's Friday.....!

Time has just flown by this week - it's been a full week of meetings and sessions. I've met with various potential partners this week and have hopefully scoped out some exciting projects for the next year. There will be more to follow - so please do continue to check back soon, where hopefully I can announce more.....?

Have a great weekend and happy cycling!

Sense returns after winter!

I was very pleased to see the return of participants that live in a residential home in Reading, that is supported by the charity - Sense. With the winter months behind us and the better weather to look forward to, I was delighted to take a phone call to say they would be back on the 2nd April.
I pulled the 2 duets out of the container and met up with them in the park - after a quick reminder of all the controls, they were off cycling around the park for the hour.

Sense is the leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. They provide expert advice and information as well as specialist services to deafblind people, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. Also supporting people who have sensory impairments with additional disabilities.

The sun shines for Everybody Active

What a lovely day for cycling - it really doesn't get any better! The Everybody Active session is for adults with learning disabilities and is on every Wednesday at Palmer Park. Lots of participants turned up this morning and enjoyed cycling around the stadium.
Later on in the day saw members of the Accessible Cycle Club take to their bikes in and around the park. This session is on every Wednesday too, at Palmer Park - 17:15 to 18:15 and costs just £2.50. For more information on both, please see here: www.ctc.org.uk/reading