Ride 100km with CTC and watch the Tour de France

Chris Froome cycling on Champs Elysees 2013. Photo by Simon Wilkinson with permission from Welcome to Yorkshire
As the Tour de France leaves Yorkshire and heads down south, Stevenage CTC is inviting CTC members to join them in a 100km ride from Stevenage to Saffron Walden to watch the fastest riders in the world in action.

The Tour de France comes to the East of England on Monday 7 July and  Stevenage CTC have organised a special 100km ride to get close to the greatest cycling race in the world. 

Stevenage CTC pride themselves in knowing the best routes and places to cycling in the area. The organisers promise a great ride and a good vantage point to watch the Tour de France. Cycling to and from Saffron Walden is familiar to Stevenage CTC as it is also the destination for  their 'Emitremmus'  challenge ride which takes place on the day the clocks change every October.

CTC will meet on the green by Springfield House Community Centre, Old Stevenage (SG1 3EJ) at 8.15a.m.  They may have a brief break in Reed but won’t want to miss the tour caravan which is expected in Saffron Walden at 10.50a.m.  The race is expected in the Essex town at 12.50p.m.  All are welcome but you must be comfortable cycling a total of about 100km. 

Many local CTC members are Phil Whitehurst, will be in Saffron Walden before the group arrive.  He’s a tour maker.

Get Into Cycling

Following a fantastic Bike Week and now that tour fever is gripping the country Stevenage CTC have a huge range of short and longer cycle rides for you to enjoy.

The last two Wednesday evening rides each attracted over forty cyclists and their new programme for July has just been published.

Highlights include a Friday Fling evening ride to the Hermit of Redcoats on 4th July, meet in Old Stevenage (SG1 3EJ) at 7.15p.m; a taster five mile morning ride for beginners and an afternoon starter ride to Graveley Fruit Farm on Saturday 5th July.  Meet at Costello’s Café, Fairlands Valley Park (SG2 0BL) at 11a.m. for the taster and at 2p.m. for the starter.  On Sunday 6th there’s an easy day ride to Baldock and Buntingford leaving the old town at 9.30a.m.  Looking ahead a little some will be at the Dunwich Dynamo night ride on 12th/13th July and an “away” challenge ride – the Suburban Breakout - on Sunday 20th July.  The breakout is from East Finchley TO Ardeley and back.

It’s mid summer and there are dozens of opportunities to ride your bike with the local group.  Have a look on www.stevenagectc.org.uk

Stevenage CTC group rides are led and swept by accredited CTC leaders with a radio link.  CTC ride with each other not against each other.  Please bring lights on evening rides.  The group recommend that you bring