I'll send you a postcard.......

In what is my first proper break since Christmas - I am taking next week off to recharge the old batteries!
However, I'm not bound for the Alps or indeed Monaco to see Lance Armstrong make his comeback! Yep, you've guessed it - I'm at home in sunny Great Missenden! I'm really looking forward to actually spending some time with my partner in our lovely cottage. It certainly feels an age ago since we last did that- apart from the odd day here or there!
We've got some nice things planned, the odd bike ride and walk, but very importantly catching up with some old friends!
I may swing by the blog and post some of my ramblings from the beautiful Chilterns- but until I'm next in Reading......

Happy cycling and get those miles in.......!

Victory salute.....!

I rode my commute a little later today and as a consequence I saw lots of school children cycling the path that runs along the A4 - it was nice to see!
One little chap, who was cycling on his own, decided to sprint for the next lamp post, which culminated in the most elaborate victory salute I'd ever seen- very Robbie McEwen-esque! I had a chuckle to myself and it certainly made my morning.
Hopefully he'll remember to tune in to Le Tour on the 4th July or better still, he could be the next Mark Cavendish?

A day in the office

What a lovely day and I spent most of it in the office - I'm not complaining as I've been out and about so much lately, it really made a nice change! Great to catch up with my colleagues and to get up to speed on what's going on within their projects. A few of us grabbed a sarnie in the park at lunchtime for a general gossip though!
My 'to do' list was as long as my arm - write press release for BMX Club launch and design flyer for 'said' event, write Big Lottery report and interview a potential volunteer....!
Remind me - how many hours are in the working day.....?

The good news is - I caught up with 2 of Reading Cycle Campaign committee members to discuss the campaigning issue that occurred at the end of Bike Week. It was a very satisfactory meeting- we managed to draw a line under the situation and I our working relationship is now back on track. Great!

Cycling makes you feel good......!

Today I took a dozen bikes over to Prospect Park with the view of taking a group of patients from Prospect Park Hospital on a led ride.
I had been warned due to the very nature of any mental health issues, that people may not turn up on the morning.
Well, this was the case and we only had 2 women turn up, but nevertheless we went as planned and made our way to the Kennett & Avon tow-path.
Although a little nervous about getting on a bike and riding the 4 miles, plus the anxiety issues they usually deal with on a day to day basis, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and asked if they could do a regular session - fantastic news!
I will make the necessary arrangements for this to take place.
I'm so pleased that cycling made them feel good and that they want to do more and I was blown away when one of the women told me, as of last year she hadn't been out of the house for 30 years and she couldn't believe what she had just achieved. Neither could I - well done!

BMX project gets the thumbs up - finally!

My persistence and constant nagging has finally paid off........
Some good news- I finally got clearance from all concerned regarding the BMX project at Waterloo Meadows. So, with the thumbs up on the project I have just ordered the container, 6 new racing specific BMX's and have booked some coaches for the big launch on the 27th/28th July. There will be an open invite for children and adults alike to participate in some "free" BMX coaching sessions and if that's not quite your thing, then there will be also an opportunity to take a bike along the tow-path and discover the delights of the Kennett & Avon canal!
I am in the process of marketing the event and will let you know how to book on in the next couple of days.

When to campaign and when NOT to.....

Imagine my disappointment when picking up the latest issue of Get Reading and not seeing any of the Bike Week events? Strange, as we had lots of photographers turn up to various rides and I had been interviewed on numerous occasions. Unfortunately they decided to run a full page article on a press release sent in by Reading Cycle Campaign regarding some changes the Council are doing to one of the cycle routes.
Now, working for the CTC and being a keen cyclist I know how important it is to campaign and I would never advocate otherwise.
But to run such a negative campaign through Bike Week has totally undermined my project and its objectives.
Never mind that we managed to get around 700 cyclists' on bikes during the week and that all the events were well attended - well up on last year and not a word about it in the paper.....!
How disappointing is that?
I'm hoping to sit down with the Chair of Reading Cycle Campaign next week to discuss the way forward on their future campaigning strategy and the impact that it will have on my work in Reading.
I'll be in Broad Street tomorrow manning one of the cycle promotion stands - do swing by and see me?
In the meantime though, enjoy what's left of Bike Week.....?

Free breakfast......!

Around 20 hungry cyclists' turned up at the Hexagon today for a free breakfast - pastries and very strong filter coffee. It was a nice way to start the working day where we all chatted about cycling and acquiring the most important cycling accessory - CTC membership. All participants were given a membership leaflet - come on, you know it makes perfect sense!
I then had to scoot back to Palmer Park to deliver back to back sessions.
Alafia, a group of Asian women who are booked in for 6 weeks and the engineering company - Jacobs, who are a Healthy Workplace Challenge Company and wanted to participate for Bike Week.
A healthy turnout for both sessions was terrific to see and I'm very positive that Jacobs will be back for a regular session.