National Office takes to their bikes!

Every year CTC National Office arranges a bike ride during Bike Week - being the National Cyclists' Organisation I suppose that's a given really!
This year we rode the Downs Link from Guildford to Slinfold - grabbing a pub lunch and a drink or 2 before heading back. Some of us retraced our steps - though Gwenda and I headed towards the coast by mistake! Some caught the train and the hard core roadies hit the tarmac back to Guildford.
It was great to catch up with all the news and have a general natter.
All in all, a fab day - Thanks for your company!

A perfect day....!

Well, I can honestly say my job can not get any better!
Today I had organised a led ride from Green Park followed by a free BBQ lunch by the lake.
In the past we've always had trouble engaging both the employees of Green Park and the residents living in the surrounding area - so I wasn't too optimistic.
I arrived at 11:45 to see a gathering of around 9 riders and within 10 minutes this had grown to 20! It was a group of mixed abilities and we soon split them into 2 groups - faster and the not so fast! We promptly got underway at 12 noon, but was soon to be joined by a group of lads who had just finished their exams and wanted a blast on their bikes - and a free lunch! They were a great bunch and one even rode the 7 miles on his BMX and 2 brothers had borrowed the family tandem. It was just great to see all ages and all abilities getting on so well. So our raggedy peloton had reached a grand total of 30 and at the end of the ride we all tucked into a fantastic lunch by the lake - Thanks to Mike Brazell for the loan of bikes and the yummy food.
We'll be back.....!

Radio star....!

No peace for the wicked - I had to be in Reading early this morning for a live interview on BBC Berkshire. (Get me...! TV on Saturday and today the radio!)
My brief was to talk about Bike Week and the activities planned, we also touched on the OY Bike hire scheme that is in place in Reading. It went very well - I was pretty nervous and had to make the obligatory emergency loo visit beforehand! But I needn't have worried and it's good to get some air time for CTC and my project.

With half an eye on the weather - the forecast promised heavy rain and a thunderstorm around 5pm. I prepared for the Healthy Workplace Challenge Cycle Relay event. We had 4 businesses signed up and they all had fun using the all ability bikes at Palmer Park. The winning team went home with a £10 cycle accessory voucher each and everyone was given a water bottle for participating.

Saw lots of people on bikes in Reading and have had lots of enquiries for the week ahead - so a positive response and long may it continue.....?

Bike Week '09 is here.....!

....... to all take to your bikes this week and join in the fantastic range of events, that myself and various working partners have put on.
Please see here for more details.

Today Bike Week was launched in style - around 50 cyclists' gathered at Palmer Park for the 'Freewheel' over to Prospect Park and it was great to see so many new faces. Though I'm looking forward to next year having a greater number of cyclists and later in the morning, to maximise the effect on the road....!

The sun shone for Reading Family Cycle Festival and around 300 participants took part in the 'try cycling' session. It had a great atmosphere and it was wonderful to have such positive feedback from everyone passing by my stand. My next task is to get these new cyclists signposted to my various sessions - I'm sure after today, their love for the bike has grown?

I really hope that like me, you all enjoyed yourselves?

So, have a fab weekend - I'm about to open a very nice bottle of wine and put my feet up for a while....!

Luz Ardiden versus NCN4 Reading...!

I can now say that I have something in common with Lance Armstrong - no, I haven't climbed Alpe d'Huez in 37 mins 36secs! (I wish!)
I'm sure most of you will remember the fateful day - Stage 15 to Luz Ardiden, when a fan's musette hooked onto his handlebars and he came crashing down like a bag of spuds...!
Well, cycling along the NCN 4 in New Town, I encountered the same problem. It is a shared path and I had slowed up for the pedestrians, but unfortunately my handlebars snagged the bag of a passer by. It all happened SO quickly and there was nothing I could do to avoid it and the next thing I knew I was rolling around the floor at her feet....! (not a good look!)
Uninjured, but a tad embarrassed - I got up to inspect the bike for damage and I am pleased to report it's clean bill of health! The woman in question was very apologetic and admitted she had been swinging her bag around.
Ho-hum, I continued my journey without any other hic-cups, but it has re-confirmed my dislike of shared pathways......!
And to the cyclist who hung around to make sure I was OK - Thanks, you were very kind!

Last minute preparations

I have spent the morning at Prospect Park - taking over the CTC stand and material, in preparation for the Cycle Festival on Saturday.
The long range forecast is looking good - though I would pretty much accept any weather other than rain....! So, fingers crossed the sun will shine and lots of people will attend?

A gentle reminder of what's going on......

• Freewheel from Palmer Park Stadium to Prospect Park - 09:00
• Cycle Festival at Prospect Park - 10:00 to 16:00

At the festival there will be some great bikes to try out, cycle promotion stands, bike mechanic, face painter,family led rides and some sport 'try out' sessions.

It would be great to see you on the day - so look out for the 4 page supplement in tomorrow's Reading Evening Post, detailing all the activities for the day and through Bike Week '09.

Bring it on......!

ECF come to Reading

I had the privilege to host some members of the European Cycling Federation today. Having spent yesterday at CTC Head Office - getting the higher strategic overview of our Organisation and the Cycle Champions project. A visit to Reading was planned to see my projects on the ground and to share best practice. A thoroughly enjoyable morning and some great relationships forged - hopefully with a reciprocal visit planned at some point.....?
I escorted them back to Reading station to catch a train to Bristol - they are spending the next few days with Sustrans.

Auf Wiedersehen und gute Riese.......! (OK, I know - it's not Swiss German, but you get the general idea....!)