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RIDES & EVENTS 2009
Our new Rides and Events Guide for 2009 is now out to tempt residents and visitors into making the most of our district by bike.
The brochure is packed with a whole host of events to keep people happy and healthy over the next seven months. Popular events and rides featured in the guide include:
Birding by Bike - Sunday April 26
Party on the Prom - Sunday May 10
Bike Week - 13 to 21 June
Bike It Picnic in Happy Mount Park - Sunday July 5
This year's guide also includes a variety of discounts on treats the family can enjoy whilst out and about on their bike ranging from refreshments, gifts and entertainment to clothing, bike hire, cycling equipment and maintenance.
Come along to events featured in the guide and you could be in with a chance of winning a free bike. Pick up a brochure to find out how to enter.
Guides are available, free of charge, from Lancaster and Morecambe Visitor Information Centres, Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls and local libraries. Copies can also be downloaded from the cycling website www.celebratingcycling.org/eventsguide.
Or send your details to the Cycling Demonstration Town Team to celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk or by calling 01524 582392 or 582616.
Please note the following errors appear in the Events Guide. The web version is up-to-date.
- Women on Wheels (p.4) the May and June destinations are the wrong way round
- Birding by Bike Autumn (p.4) the date should be September 27th not 26th
- The number for Sunshine Cycle Hire (p.5) should be 414709
Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
PARTY ON THE PROM
Come Celebrate Cycling with us at the 3rd Party on the Prom
Sunday May 10th 11am - 3pm
In April 2007, the ancient promenade byelaws prohibiting cycling along the length of Morecambe Promenade were lifted opening up an additional 5 miles of off-road cycling with stunning views and a link to the district-wide cycle network.
To celebrate two years of healthy travel along Morecambe’s seafront, an anniversary party will be held in Sunday, 10 May. Centred around The Dome area, the fun begins at 11am. There will be lots to see and do for all ages so bring along your bikes, trikes, tandems and scooters and join in the fun.
Activities on the day include:
Bike Stunts from the Trials Display Team (soon to be seen on Britain's Got Talent).
Dr Bike - Minor repairs from our very own Dr Bike (aka Colin Stones) or if you prefer.... Pedal Power's 'Hotbench' - fix your own bike under mechanical supervision
Info & advice from the CDT and Lancashire TravelWise Teams
Virtual Cycle Racing - Race against your friends and family on a virtual cycle race. Prizes for the fastest times on the day.
Security postcoding from Lancashire Police.
Cargo Bike and Adapted Bike displays
Bike Ride - short ride along the prom at 12:40 led by the fastest one man band on a bike
Learn to Cycle - Sessions for ages 4+, for children who can't yet cycle. 10:30 - 12:30 and 1:30-3:30 - £6. Call 01524 582392 to book.
Bling your Bike - make your very own dustcap, handlebar tassels and more Plus Treasure Hunt
Fitness Testing
Sunshine Cycle Hire, RSPB Leighton Moss, Accident Safety Partnership
... and more to be confirmed
Full details at www.celebratingcycling.org/partyonprom
OTHER EVENTS MAY 2009
Kid's Cycling in May half term
Learn to Cycle!
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 which allows the seat to be lowered so that your child can get his/her feet flat on the ground. Children must be
Tuesday 26-05-09 10.00 - 12.00
Thursday 28-05-09 10.00 - 12.00
Friday 29-05-09 10.00 - 12.00
Friday 29-05-09 13.00 - 15.00
Also 2 extra session during Party on the Prom (May 10) at 10:30 and 13:30. Call 01524 582392 to book now!
Cycle skills: 6-9
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.
Wednesday 27-05-09 10.00 - 12.00
Thursday 28-05-09 13.00 - 15.00
Cycle skills: 10-13
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.
Tuesday 26-05-09 13.00 - 15.00
On road cycle skills and bike ride!
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, suitable clothes for being outdoors and some money or a snack for the snack stop.
Wednesday 27-05-09 13.00 - 16.00
All courses are at Salt Ayre Sports Centre and cost £6. Please bring a roadworthy bike, suitable clothes for being outdoors. Places can only be booked and paid for at Salt Ayre Sports Centre, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm (7pm on Wednesdays) or by contacting the booking information line on 01524 842493, between the same times (telephone bookings for £10 and over only).
Looking for a more challenging ride?
Want to get fit, lose weight and explore more of the local cycle network and roads?
We are considering starting an informal bike club locally with rides of around 15 - 25 miles - not too fast but not too slow either.
Essentially this would just be a group of people that meet on set days to ride together and encourage each other. Rides would be determined at the start or possibly beforehand via email/messageboard.
If you are interested please get in touch by email or telephone, if possible stating your preference for days/times eg Thursday evening, Saturday morning - that way we can try and find a day/s that suit most people - and any other comments/ideas you may have.
For details of existing local clubs go to www.celebratingcycling.org/clubs
Need inspiration?
For 10 years Frank Kinlan's bike remained unused and gathering dust in his attic.
He piled on the pounds and did no exercise, but refused help to lose weight. Then one morning, weighing 21 stones (133kg) Frank decided he had to do something. Frank was morbidly obese, with a BMI (body mass index) of 42. "I was massive, with a 46-48 inch waist, and I found it difficult to get clothes to fit," he said.
Assessors told Frank, aged 49 who is from the Wirral, that he needed to lose weight and exercise more. They signed him up for their initial 12-week course, which used British Heart Foundation guidelines.
But the idea of exercise was an anathema to Frank, who was so worried about the effect of his weight on his health and his extremely high blood pressure, that he was doing nothing. "I had slowed my life down to an absolute nothing and did nothing. The diet was bad and I was probably on the verge of diabetes and some other problems," he said
So Frank decided to get on his bike and do something about it. "Welcome to the world of overweight cycling," he says.
Read the full article here or visit http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/ - A weblog offering firsthand advice to the overweight looking to improve their health and lifestyle through cycling.
LOCAL INFORMATION / NEWS
Cycle Round the World Congratulations!
Congratulations to all 6 of the 'Round the World' Bike It schools (all Primaries) who between them achieved a massive 5882 cycle journeys to school in 4 weeks!
Three of our local schools completed the journey within the first 4 weeks; Grosvenor Park, Bolton-le-Sands and Torrisholme Primaries averaged the equivalent of 27%, 26% and 19% of their pupils cycling each day – incredible in windy March!
The Bike It ‘Round the World’ race that begun in Lancaster was taken up by Sustrans Bike It Officers and schools nationally following it’s success in increasing cycle journeys to school in the past 2 years. The pupils followed in the footsteps of the cycling adventurer Alastair Humphreys who spent four years cycling 46,000 miles around the world. Miles were added on to the school’s virtual journeys for each cycle trip. Nationally 113 Bike It schools achieved over 70,000 journeys!
As year 1 schools Bolton-le-Sands and Torrisholme Primaries have won a show from the amazing trials cyclist Ben Slinger (pictured).
Les Boutières
Les Boutières is a 120km (75 miles) sportive cycling event in France; 2,122 metres of climbing over 5 cols in the Ardéche region of France. On 20th June 2009, to celebrate reaching three score years and ten, Mike will be riding this French sportive cycling event in aid of CancerCare.
CancerCare is a local charity dedicated to the support of people with cancer, their families and their carers, and those bereaved by cancer. CancerCare's services are available to anyone in North Lancashire and South Lakeland, and have been developed in response to the expressed needs of those whose lives are affected by cancer. All CancerCare's services are provided free of charge. If you would like to find out more about CancerCare, just click the link www.cancercare.org.uk
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me. CancerCare North Lancashire and South Lakeland gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. Click on the link below to see more information and make a donation
www.justgiving.com/mikehutchinson1
New Parking
Has been installed recently at the following location:
West End Gardens Cafe, Morecambe
Apollo Cinema, Morecambe
Wolfhouse Gallery, Silverdale
Willow Lane Primary School, Lancaster (shelter and sheffield stands)
Lancaster Morecambe Greenway - white line
Those of you that use this path will have noticed that recently the white dividing line between Carlisle Bridge and Grosvenor Park has been renewed.
Unfortunately this had led to problems by Carlisle Bridge (Lancaster side by the bollard) with cyclists having problems when crossing the line, to avoid other cyclists etc, the problem is more acute when wet. Complaints have been passed to County Highways and the line between the two sets of bollards will soon be removed, but people should take extra care here
ONGOING EVENTS
Celebrating Cycling Roadshows
The Cycling Demonstration Town Team is setting up stall in Market Square, Lancaster to offer a range of free information and advice to help you get out and about by bike.
On the first Friday of every month, from April to October between 12pm and 4pm, the team will be available to answer all your cycling questions, offer top tips on how to get started and fill your diaries with fun events and organised rides.
Dr. Bike will be on hand to give your bike a check, other transportation information will also be on offer in the square from Lancashire County Council’s TravelWise team. Additional activities and the involvement of other organisations on the day will vary from month to month.
Women on Wheels Rides 2009
This year we are really keen to get more people to come along on these rides, especially new cyclists. So please bring a friend (or two)! The rides are fairly easy with a break at the halfway stage (usually in a cafe).
June 7th - Brief Encounters in Carnforth
July 5th - Hest Bank & Morecambe
August 2nd - Halton and the Bay
September 6th - Cockerham*
October 4th - Mystery Ride
No need to book - just turn up! All rides will start at the Millennium Bridge (Lancaster end) at 11am.
Cycle Maintenance Courses
Brush up on your bike maintenance skills or learn something new. Courses take place at Pedal Power HQ, Ridge Square, Lancaster.
Next course(s):
Saturday 30 May - Maintenance Level 2
Saturday 27 June - Maintenance Level 1
Call to book or to register your interest in forthcoming courses. Pedal Power 01524 65328
Cog Set
The Salt Ayre Cog Set, Lancaster’s cycling club for young people, runs every Saturday at the Salt Ayre cycle racing circuit, the club is run by qualified coaches. For just £1, children can keep fit and healthy in a safe environment. The sessions will focus on essential bike handling skills for riding both on and off road.
Everyone is welcome, whether new to cycling or experienced in the sport. The sessions start at 10am and last for two hours. All you need is a working bike and a helmet. Children younger than eight are able to take part as long as parents accompany them for the session. http://cogset.org.uk
Healthy Wheels (Saturdays)
If you want to get for for summer or you just fancy a leisurely ride why not pop along to Salt Ayre every Saturday morning. The free sessions start at 11am and last for an hour and a half offering you a great opportunity to get fit, meet new people and explore the local area.
Cyclists should bring their own bikes although there is the opportunity to hire one from Salt Ayre. Hire bikes need to be booked in advance from the CDT team (see contact details below).
The sessions are open to all abilities, however, they aren’t suitable for complete beginners (if you are a complete beginner please get in touch and we can help you get started). There’s no need to book - just turn up. Suitable for adults and older children.
For more information, please contact us on 01524 582392 - celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk
OTHER INFORMATION / NEWS
Cycling England: beyond Bikeability and Cycling Towns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAQXFJHagXg
In The Red: 'I'm sorely tempted get back on a bicycle after a poor start'
By Alice-Azania Jarvis
Saturday, 18 April 2009
As some of you may recall, bicycles are not my strong point. Just under a year ago I bought one with the misguided ambition that I too might cycle where Agyness Deyn has cycled, and join London's hordes of smug, environmentally-friendly fashionable pedallers that zip around the Capital at virtually no expense........ Read full story