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CELEBRATING CYCLING JUNE / JULY EVENTS
Sunday 22nd July
Sunday in Sunderland
An enjoyable ride on one of the area’s least used cycle paths to the small, isolated village of Sunderland. The ride uses off road paths and quiet roads through Overton. We’ll stop for refreshments in Sunderland, with a chance to explore the local area and wildlife .
Meet Millennium Bridge (south) 11am
Saturday 5th July
Official opening of the improved cycle circuit at Salt Ayre
Work on the 1500m long circuit has included the widening and resurfacing of the circuit, installation of ducting for a future lighting scheme and the provision of a tarmaced area that is now to be used as a cycle skills area. The majority of the funding for the works came from Sport England and a small amount from the CDT project.
10am - 12pm
Sunday 20th July
Bike It Picnic
Celebrate the end of another fantastic Bike It year with a family cycle ride and picnic at Happy Mount park (from 1pm).
Enjoy an amazing performance by 3 times world champion trials cyclist Ben Slinger!
Get your bike safety checked by Dr Bike!
Group rides to the picnic! (see below)
Cycle skills course!
Ride 1 - sets off from Bay Cottages play area, Heysham at 12:30pm (just north east of the Knowlys Road access to the prom).
You can also take part in this ride and raise money for the NSPCC as part of their Big Bike Ride. Adults £5 Children £2.
Ride 2 - sets off from the Millennium bridge at 12:30pm.
All are welcome! Just bring your bike, a picnic and relax.
For the rides children must be accompanied by an adult and have a roadworthy bike
CHALLENGE EVENTS
Le Terrier
Sunday June 29th
£20
Lancaster Cycling Club are pleased to present Le Terrier - a Cycle Sportive. 2 challenging route lengths - 45 & 80 miles on quiet roads in the Forest of Bowland.
The 45 mile route is a challenging ride taking in Jubilee Towers with over 1,500m of ascent and a choice of route to the finish (you have the option, on the day, to finish through Wray)
The 80 mile route, with over 2,600m of ascent, is bound to be a classic finishing through Wray, Roeburndale, Scout Camp and Stocka Bank - it has no junk miles!
Registration in Lancaster Town Hall. Riders depart from Dalton Square 7.00 - 8.30am
Proceeds and extra donations this year will go to Lancaster’s Homeless.
www.sportident.co.uk/entries/event.php?event_id=130
Hearts First Bike Ride: Lancaster to York
Saturday July 2nd Starts 9am at Lancaster University
£20
Push your stamina to the limit on the Ride of the Roses, a challenging 100 mile bike ride between two of the UK’s most historic and vibrant cities.
Setting off from Lancaster University, hundreds of riders will head out across the varied and breathtaking landscapes of Northern England, including the stunning Trough of Bowland, an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’, Gisburn Forest and the rugged unspoilt scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.
With the majority of the route taking place on rural roads, you’ll face some steep gradients and challenging hill climbs before heading through the market town of Ripon in the heart of North Yorkshire then onto the final leg towards the finishing point in the beautiful city of York.
Last year around 250 riders took part in the first ever Ride of the Roses. Transport available to book.
BIKE BUDDY
Do you know someone who wants to get back on their bike but just needs that extra push?
Perhaps you fancy dusting down your bike this summer, but lack the confidence to get out and ride?
Why not let a ‘Bike Buddy’ help you?
The ‘Bike Buddy’ Scheme is a free service for local residents to help new and returning cyclists find a safe and suitable route from A to B. Whether you want to know the best route from your house to your work or just the quickest route to the shops, our Bike Buddies are there to help. As well as taking you on a dummy run of your route Bike Buddies can offer tips on equipment, bike maintenance and how to ride safely in today's traffic.
Rakesh Raveendran Nair who works in Lancaster recently used our Bike Buddy service. He said: "My bike buddy, Dave Horton really helped me to learn the routes. He was punctual and he was very generous in providing any help that’s possible. I am really pleased with his work and I would strongly recommend this scheme to others."
By completing a simple questionnaire asking a few basic questions about your cycling abilities, you will be matched with a buddy. Your buddy will contact you by phone or email to discuss your requirements and arrange a convenient time and date to meet up for the ride.
If you are interested in making use of the scheme, just contact us on 01524 582086, by email: celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk or in writing to: Bike Buddy, Lancaster City Council, Palatine Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PW. The application form and questionnaire are available here
SUMMER CYCLING SKILLS
NEW Learn to Cycle!
Tuesday 29-07-08 or Wednesday 30-07-08
10.00 – 12.00
Age 4+
This course is aimed at children who use stabilisers or cannot yet ride. Pedals (and stabilisers) will be removed from the bikes so that the children can learn to balance before they progress to pedalling. Please bring a roadworthy bike. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the adults may be asked to assist.
Cycle Skills
Tuesday 29-07-08 or Thurs 31-07-08
13.00 - 15.00
Age 6 to 9
Cycle skills for ages 6 -9. This course will be all off road. It is open to all abilities and will be lots of fun. Please bring a roadworthy bike. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
Cycle skills
Wednesday 30-07-08
10.00 - 12.00
Age 10 to 13
Cycle skills for ages 10-13. This course will be all off road. Participants will practice bike handling skills to prepare them for riding on the road. It will cover National Standards level 1 and those who pass will receive a certificate. It is open to all abilities. Please bring a roadworthy bike.
On road cycle skills and bike ride!
Thurs 31-07-08
13.00 – 16.00
Age 10 to 13
On road cycle skills and a bike ride for ages 10-13. Children should have completed the off road cycle skills course before taking part in this on road cycling activity. It will cover some of National Standards level 2. Please bring a roadworthy bike and some money or a snack for the snack stop.
All courses cost £5 and are held at the Salt Ayre Sports Centre
Call the Holiday Programme Booking line on 01524 842493 between 10.00am and 4.00pm (Monday to Friday) - this is for bookings over £10 only. Alternatively call in to Salt Ayre in person or book by post using an application form/cheque - www.lancaster.gov.uk.
PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKING MIGHT NOT YET BE OPEN FOR THESE COURSES.
PEDAL POWER TRAINING: JUNE /JULY
Saturday June 21st 10:30am - 1pm
Level 2: Intro to Road Riding [MEN ONLY]
Saturday July 5th 10:30am - 1pm @ Salt Ayre Track launch
Level 2: Maintenance
Saturday 12 July 10:30am - 1pm
Level 1: Maintenance
For all Pedal Power training courses see www.celebratingcycling.org/more_info.asp?current_id=115 or call 01524 65328
BIKE LOAN PROJECT
Pupils at a Lancaster 'Bike It' school are set to benefit from a pioneering new cycle project. Funding worth over £20,000 has been allocated to Skerton High School, Lancaster to get a much needed cycle loan facility for their pupils well and truly off the ground.
Students at the high school are already making the most of being one of the district's Sustrans Bike It Schools, but a recent survey showed that the main reason why some of the children did not cycle was because they did not have a bike.
Earlier this year, a bid for funding was submitted to the Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Team by the school’s Sustrans Bike It Officer in partnership with Lancaster City Council’s Cycling Demonstration Town Project and the District’s Community Safety Partnership. The overall aim of the funding was to help disadvantaged children reap the benefits of cycling alongside their friends.
With £20,750 to spend on 25 bikes, cycling accessories, maintenance equipment and an extension to the school's cycle storage facility, it is hoped that the scheme will be up and running by the end of the month.
Commenting on the good news, Chris Snell, Deputy Head Teacher of Skerton High said: "We are delighted to have been given this funding to launch our cycle loan scheme. The bikes and additional equipment this project will provide will be of great benefit to the youngsters in our school. As well as a healthy method of travelling to school, it will also give the pupils a degree of independence, pride and additional responsibility."
Pupils will be carefully selected from years seven and eight and in return for a bike they can call their own until leaving the school, will be required to attend bike maintenance classes, training and take advantage of the variety of cycling activities and advice already on offer through the Sustrans Bike It Project at their school.
Coun Eileen Blamire, Chair of the Lancaster District Community Safety Partnership and Lancaster City Council cabinet member with responsibility for cycling said: "Once again I am very pleased to see real joint working taking place between agencies. Lancaster City Council is pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile project."
OTHER NEWS / EVENTS
New parking recently installed Primary Care Trust, Moor Lane.
Ridge Square
St Nicholas Arcade (outside Boots)
Royal Lancaster Infirmary (staff)
Lancaster & Morecambe College (staff & public)
Bike4Bike
On Thursday 21st August 2008, Ian Johnston will start his cycle tour of EVERY stage of the 2008 Tour de France cycle race (not whilst the main event is on!). That’s an incredible 3,558 kilometres or 2,223 miles, over 19 high mountain passes through the Pyrenees and the Alps! Yes, that’s an average 100 miles a day starting from Brest in Brittany to Paris in 21 days!
Ian wants your support to raise £11,000 to fund two very special bicycles that will enable disabled children from Alexandra House in Lancaster, to experience the joys of cycling - speed and the feel of the wind in their faces, as they are pedalled by an able bodied cyclist.
For more information, to view the route or to donate please visit www.bike4bike.org.uk/
Holiday Coaching Activities for 10 - 16 yrs
Monday 7th August – Manchester Velodrome
Tuesday 8th August – Clayton Vale
Wednesday 9th August – Velodrome car park
Thursday 10th August – Clayton Vale
Friday 11th August – Clayton Vale
Five days coaching: 10am to 3pm. Only £25 per rider
For bookings or further information please call 07947 882 522. There are only 20 places available, so book now to avoid disappointment
Sessions will be coached by full time British Cycling Coach and will be a fantastic opportunity to pick up; new skills, tips and techniques.
Hazelrigg Lane - car parking: Please note that the police are now taking robust action against any vehicles parked in a dangerous or illegal position on the public roads surrounding the University campus. This week seven vehicles were towed away by the police from Hazelrigg Lane and taken for storage at a depot in Carnforth. In addition to having to pay a £30 Fixed Penalty Notice, these vehicle owners must pay £120 to reclaim their vehicle as well as £100 for every day that the vehicle is in storage. Please ask visitors to use the visitor parking facilities on campus.
Bike to Work Day
Finally just to say thanks to those who braved the atrocious weather on Wednesday (the only day this week that it rained!) and came along to our Biker's Breakfast in Dalton Square.
About 40 people tucked into pastries and fruit - and lots of coffee - between 8 and 10am on the 18th.
Let's hope for better weather next year.