CTC Newsletter

CTC, Aston Hill Mountain Bike Club and the Forestry Commission have joined forces to create a special CTC membership that provides access to one of the South East’s best mountain bike trails. The partnership will ensure Aston Hill’s future and provide funding for a Forestry Commission ranger to look after the site. CTC Aston Hill Membership is £68 and provides access during opening hours for a year, plus full CTC membership and third party insurance. A range of other memberships is available, including junior membership and day passes.

Yet more proof that cycling is increasing in the UK. A few weeks ago, official figures showed the highest level of cycling for 17 years. Now there are reports that cycle manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the demand for bikes. According to the Independent and Bike Biz, annual sales of bikes have tripled in the last year. This is good news for the rest of us, as CTC’s Safety in Numbers campaign shows that cycling gets safer to more people do it. Although, if you want to buy a new bike, don’t forget that the CTC Shop offers exclusive discounts to members.

Exactly one year after CTC member Anthony Maynard was killed, family, friends and cyclists from Reading CC came together to protest outside the Crown Prosecution Service’s offices. Anthony died after he was hit by a van while out cycling. Despite pressure from CTC’s legal team, the CPS decided not to prosecute the driver. Anthony’s father David told Get Reading: “Anthony suffered an injustice and justice was not done. Someone drove straight into the back of him.” In the light of this case and others like it, in the autumn, CTC’s Campaigns team will be launching Stop SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You) which aims to make drivers more accountable for their actions.

If you have been keeping a close eye on Mark Cavendish and Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France, you might want to know you can view live updates on the official TdF website, follow it on Twitter or pay to watch live streaming from Eurosport or Cycling.tv. You can also download interviews via the Cycling News or ITV podcasts.

If you have always fancied yourself as a Tour de France ‘sport director’ you could have a go at playing Tour de France Online, a free cycling version of fantasy football.

Phil Liggett, fresh from commentating on the Tour de France, is attending his famous Peak District ride on Sunday 2 August.  Starting in Sheffield, the classic 150km route, with over 2600m of climbing, includes the fearsome climbs of Holme Moss, Winnats Pass and Monsal Head and the 100km takes in Holme Moss. At the same time as treating riders to some stunning scenery, the ride raises much-needed funds for CTC’s campaigning work. To book your place call: 0844 736 8451.

Almost 8 million people have watched a video of Danny MacAskill riding his bike on YouTube; and now the Scottish cyclist is the star of the music video of  Doves’ latest single Winter Hill.

CTC campaigners have kept open threatened rights of way: in Northumberland, Right to Ride Rep David Roberts notched up a win when Tyndale Magistrates Court ruled that an application by Northumberland County Council to stop up Healy Byway 15 was unacceptable. Meanwhile, Colin Palmer, CTC’s off-road campaigner, successfully persuaded the local council to reject an application to downgrade a bridleway in Wrexham.

There are only 4 more days to go for cyclists to respond to the new Road Safety Strategy. Please submit your comments using the summary of CTC’s own response as a guide and send a copy to CTC’s policy coordinator Chris Peck.

The World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells, mid Wales achieved a record number of entrants as 30 cyclists braved the bog. Bryan Evans from Bridgend navigated two lengths of the 135-foot long murky bog to post a time of 54.91 seconds.

If your bike needs fixing, there’s only one superhero who can help and that’s Monty Python’s bicycle repair man. It made me smile!

Yet another cyclist has taken his bike with him onto the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. CTC Cycle Champion Elizabeth Barner’s workmate in Leicester Mark Korczak used his hour on the plinth to promote 'cities for people not cars'

Due to a cancellation, two places (sharing the same room) are available on the popular Scottish Isles holiday in September. It starts and finishes in Oban and is an island hop through Uist, Lewis, Harris, Skye and Mull. Scottish Isles is a 17-day holiday from  4 to 20 September. CTC holidays are not-for-profit and are exclusive to CTC members. For more information see the CTC Holidays website.

If the rest of your family would love CTC membership, now is the best time to introduce them to CTC. We focus on the social side of cycling, as well as being a powerful and independent voice on behalf of ALL cyclists. That's why any time before 31 July 2009, CTC members can upgrade to family membership for only £12. Call 0844 736 8451 and quote 'family' to take up this great offer.