Ride out the credit crunch by saving even more on bikes, accessories and clothing through the new CTC Shop. The new look shop is now open for business and offers CTC members at least an extra 10% discount on the retail price of thousands of bikes, bits and accessories. Every purchase you make through the CTC shop helps to support the campaigning work we do. The CTC Shop is now in partnership with Wiggle who are offering CTC members exclusive deals and discounts.  To find out more, check out the CTC shop website.

As CTC’s Right to Ride reps continue the fight against dangerous cycle lanes on a local level, they will be pleased to know at least one MP is taking the issue seriously. However, when Andrew Pelling, the MP for Central Croydon, decided to take some photographs of the cycle lanes in his constituency, he was stopped and searched by police. According to the Telegraph, officers stopped him on suspicion of being a terrorist because he was taking photographs near East Croydon station - he wasn’t charged. If you are worried about the condition, design or complete lack of a cycle lane in your area, please email details and photos to RighttoRide@... (though please try not to get arrested in the process!).

A supermarket in England is trying to encourage more of their customers to shop by bike. During January and February, 23 branches of Waitrose will be loaning customers cycle trailers, so they can carry their shopping home by bike. Customers will then have three days to return the trailers and large canvas shopping bags. Waitrose Manager Nicky Snelgrove said “shoppers using the trailers will probably get their food home quicker than most, not to mention saving fuel and transport costs!”.

So, the holidays are over and many of us are now back at work, which means it’s time to get your brain working. Here’s a little exercise in awareness - another TfL video about watching out for cyclists. Keep your eyes peeled and try and spot the differences.

In my search for a funny blog about bicycles Bike Snob NYC caught my attention. It’s witty, well written and  I especially like the seal of disapproval.

A great-great-grandmother from Norwich, who has just celebrated her 108th birthday, has shared her secret to a healthy life. Irene Pearce claims her longevity is thanks to walking and cycling, having never owned a motor car. Irene’s daughter told the local newspaper that her mother is still able to get around and is very alert for her age.

Velo-city is the bi-annual international conference for urban cycling. This year it will be held in Brussels from the 12th -15th May and the theme is ‘Re-cycling Cities’. The organisers are calling for 500 word abstracts or descriptions for posters that will displayed at the conference. A number of people who submit an abstract will also be invited to give a full paper on their chosen topic or even speak at the conference. Anyone with a good story about working with their local authority to promote cycling (and an ambition to attend Velo-city) has until the 31st January to submit their abstract.

CTC is giving away a booklet of 24 bike routes in the Peak District. CTC Members who would like a copy should send a self addressed envelope (size A4 or A5) with a 56p stamp on to CTC’s Touring Expert Mark Waters, CTC, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford GU2 9JX.

If you want to find out more about mountain biking then why not sign up for free (yes I did say free!) off-road skills training? CTC trainers will be at 5 different locations across the UK for Specialized and Giant’s ‘Test the Best’ series on: 8th February – Glyncorrwyg, Wales; 15th February – Cannock Chase, Staffordshire; 8th March - Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire; 29th March – Bedgebury, Kent; 5th April – Carron Valley, Scotland. To book your place for 2 hours of free CTC training at any of these venues, please call our Membership Department on 0844 736 8451. You need to bring your bike and a helmet to your pre-booked training session.

As temperatures dipped well below -10°C this week, you might like to know that as well as reporting potholes, you can also report icy roads and paths on CTC’s website www.fillthathole.org.uk. Councils can’t be everywhere, and if they don’t know about a pothole or icy road, they can’t sort it out. So if you want to get it fixed, you have to report it. www.fillthathole.org.uk contacts the right people for you, to get the roads repaired quickly and easily. So you can spend your time riding, not dodging obstacles.

Congratulations to Edwin Jones and Mark Dawson who were winners of our CTC Christmas quiz. They will both receive a CTC goodie bag in the post. The quiz was 10 questions about CTC’s history and the answers are now available online if you want to check to see if you got them all correct.

The CTC vintage cycle clothing range is available. Made exclusively for us by UK manufacturer Impsport, the new kit will ensure you’re cycling in style. We’ve taken a look at our 130 year history and have created a vintage range (using modern day breathable fabrics) which carries the historic “winged wheel” emblem. The full range can be found here and is available to order online or by calling Impsport on 01522 500 505.

Escape to the sun and have an adventure in 2009. There are just two places left on a CTC cycling holiday in Ethiopia. You’ll be visiting the ancient walled city of Harar, cycling through the Great Rift Valley and on to the unexplored Kondudo mountain, home to the world’s most endangered feral horses and rare Lammergeiers. All fully supported by local guides and transport. Explore African Mountains is 16 days of adventure from 14th - 29th March. CTC holidays are not-for-profit and are exclusive to CTC members. For more information or to book your place see the CTC Holidays website.