CTC's office in Guildford is looking in a festive mood!
It's starting to look a lot like Christmas in this week's CycleClips, CTC's weekly e-newsletter. Find out about the wonderful wheelers of N. Ireland, get a discount code for the London Bike Show, become one of Santa's helpers and more.
It's starting to look a lot like Christmas in CTC's office in Guildford, with a decorated 1970s Chopper in the window. Why not post some pictures of your festive cycling decorations or outfits on our Facebook page? We'd love to see them!
Julie Rand, CTC Information Team
The wonderful wheelers of N. Ireland
CTC group Wednesday Wobbly Wheelers had an unusual coffee stop on their ride last week – a crew from BBC Radio Ulster, complete with a live jazz band, had taken up residence in the Belfast home of member Anne Maguire to interview them fora progamme about the benefits of cycling in later life. The group has been in existence for over 85 years and meets regularly for a variety of day tours. Their joie de vivre, and the fun and companionship they get from cycling, is clearly conveyed throughout the broadcast, which is accompanied by the sound of bike bells!
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A brilliant gift idea for Christmas
Help someone you know enjoy the pleasure of cycling too by buying them a CTC Gift Membership for Christmas. Not only will you support our charitable work but your loved one will receive a range of benefits, including third party insurance, retail discounts, Cycle magazine and much more. Plus a set of Lezyne lights worth £29.99! Orders must be placed by Monday 15 December.
Have a cool Yule
Forget tacky Christmas jumpers – why not treat yourself to a groovy festive cycling jersey this year? Made from performance fabric, the range from Redbear includes short-sleeve, long-sleeve and hoody options. CTC members can enjoy an exclusive 10% discount until 20 December at Redbear Sports by logging into our Member Benefits page.
On the highway to Hull?
The Wednesday Wobbly Wheelers aren’t the only group to use the media to extol the virtues of cycling. Although not radio stars yet, CTC-affiliated Cottingham Road Club have made a fantastic video of their rides around the lanes of East Yorkshire. The group is an inclusive, non-racing club open to all and its weekly events alternate between Saturdays and Sundays.
The great show of London
The London Bike Show returns to ExCel from 12–15 February 2015, with plenty of gear to browse and buy, exciting features to watch and take part in, and everything any road, mountain, urban or family cyclist could ever need. CTC members can buy discounted tickets to the show up to 31 December by logging in to our website and obtaining the code.
Non-stop inspiration from Spain....
CTC recently attended a preview screening of Spanish film ‘Imparables’ – known in English as ‘Unstoppables’. In her blog, Kay Lakin describes how the film, to be released in February 2015, documents the dramatic effect cycling has on a team of disabled riders, some of whom were part of Spain’s Paralympic cycling team in 2012. But it also shows that sport can be a heartbreaking affair, too.
....and one unstoppable Frenchman
One rider who is definitely not stopping is Christian Haettich, who conquered the Dolomites, the Alps and the Pyrenees over 22 days this summer, despite having only one arm and one leg. According to this BBC report, he became one of only ten finishers of the amateur cycling event, beating many able-bodies riders. Amazingly he only took up cycling in his mid-30s. Chapeau, monsieur!
Riding in a winter wonderland
With snow forecast, you might think many cyclists would be huddling up indoors. But the Winter Cycling Congress in the Netherlands next year is aiming to “make two-wheeled travel normal, even when the snow flies.” And if you are looking for inspiration to keep pedalling, the latest issue of Cycle has plenty of ideas for winter riding - a preview edition is now available online.
Become one of Santa's little helpers
Winter weather should certainly be no obstacle to one rider. In fact, there will be quite a few Father Christmasses on two – or perhaps more – wheels in Fylde, Lancashire on Saturday 20 December. The Santa Ride aims to raise funds for the Bike It project to provide a fleet of bikes for all abilities to use - all welcome to take part. If you'd like to help lead the ride, contact CTC's Jayne Rodgers.
Julie Rand has edited CycleClips since 2011 and has been working at CTC in various guises since 2001.
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