Some explanation perhaps is needed for this ride!

We’ll assemble at Reading station at 9.00am and depart on trains with available space, re-assembling at Paddington before starting the ride.  There are fast (i.e. 125 trains with 6 spaces) London bound trains every 10-15 minutes on this day.

In the morning we’ll visit some of the quirky parts of London, historical talk included, showing some of the oddities of our capital city.

We’ll then take lunch in Greenwich with a picnic in the park or, if the democracy decides, at Goddard’s traditional pie and mash shop.    Crossing the Thames will be either by the foot tunnel (no cycling please!) or the cable car from Docklands to the O2 arena in North Greenwich (which costs £4.20 or £3.20 with either an Oyster card or a Travelcard).

In all a leisurely ride of 40 miles around some of the streets of London.  For the faint hearted I’m choosing quiet roads where possible but may use the cycle super-highways where these make sense.   Remember that there’s a far higher participation in cycling in London than Reading so drivers are more used to seeing cyclists.

Questions or concerns then do let me know.

Simon 07846 219114
events@readingctc.co.uk

Details for the train assisted night ride to join the “Druids” at Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice.

Assemble at the Railway Tavern at Hungerford Station at 11:50pm Thurs 20th June for a midnight departure.

Last direct trains from Reading Station are 22:01 arriving at 22:42 in time for a small drink or 23:00 arriving 23:40 in time to ride. Cost £8 single.

Cheap car parking at Hungerford Station and there is a Tesco open till midnight for those without provisions.

It’s a 35 miles ride stopping half way for a roadside picnic so bring some food.  Route will depend on traffic volumes on the main roads.

Need to be at Larkhill by 03:30 as we have to walk the last mile or so on a byeway approaching the site from the north.

There are likely to be thousands of others waiting for sunrise at 4:52am taking advantage of free entry.

Bring a good lights and a good lock as we have to park the bikes off site.  Should be able to get hot breakfast from food vendors.

Plan to depart 5:30am for a 40 mile ride back to Hungerford Station stopping at a newsagents for refreshments on route.  It will be light so we will use minor lanes.

Trains back to Reading from Hungerford Friday 21st June at 08:46, 9:41 and 10:43 cost £8 single.

If anyone wants to cycle out from Reading I suggest you depart 20:00 and meet us at Hungerford Station . The Kennet Valley Audax route out is 30 miles but it should be light until 21:30.  I can provide details on request.  I shall lead from Hungerford and return there.

Details of the event from English Heritage detailing restrictions they impose.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/summer-solstice/

It would be good idea to take Friday 21st off work!

Sean Hayden
07801 414707

Here’s what Erica Johnson has got up to in Poland twice in the last two years.  You are invited to join in.  Over to Erica :

For the past couple of years I have joined ‘The Alina Foundation’ on their sponsored bike rides across Poland and consequently they have asked if I could distribute the attached file about this year’s ride. They are looking for riders for this year to join them in Poland to raise money and visit the organizations they have already helped. The ride is 1,000 kilometeres long spread over 9 days, challenging but achievable (not as epic as London-Edinburgh-London which some people will be doing this year). There will be visits to hospices along the way where you will meet some incredible people & receive Polish hospitality, you may even feature on Polish TV.

Please read the info and registration form (in English) or visit their web site (http://www.alinafoundation.org/cycle-poland-2013.html) to get more information.”

More details on this tour here

5 rides today.  Here’s some photos from on-road, lots of smiling faces.   If you have any you want me to add then let me know.

http://www.readingctc.co.uk/photos-from-reading-ctc-birthday-rides-21st-april-2013/

Tony Willard has organised a charity ride in aid of Breast Cancer care.  His daughter is currently undergoing treatment.

There is a choice of 50 or 100 mile routes starting from Oakley Junior School in Oakley, Hampshire.

More details about this ride and who to contact are in these documents.

Tony Willard’s Charity Ride 22 June 2013 and

Tony Willard’s Charity ride 22 June 2013 Additional information.

To celebrate the birth of Reading CTC in nineteen umpty something (ask John Lomas) the birthday rides this week are heading for a group lunch at the New Inn in Kidmore End.

Tables have been booked for 12:30 onwards so the more that turn out the merrier. You don’t need to be a member to come along. The menu is available: here

A choice of 2 off-road rides and 3 on-road rides is enough to whet the appetite, or you can make you own way direct to the New Inn:

At this time of year we get notifications of cycling events that may be of interest to our members.  These are not organised by either Reading CTC or the National CTC although some of us have participated.  Also these may have previously been published in eMag.

So in no particular order there is :-

Dieppe Raid Weekend http://www.dieppetour.com/.

Semaine Federale http://www.sf2013-nantes.org/.  For those whose French is challenged there is some information in English http://www.sf2013-nantes.org/revue-de-presse.

Global Bike Initiative http://www.gbi-event.org/

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/

From Tim Janes is information about this year’s Greater Reading Easy Cycle Challenge.  Need more details then do please contact Tim, his contact details are at the end.

Are you keen to see more people cycling?

38 local businesses and over 750 people signed up to the Greater Reading Cycle Challenge 2012, cycling the equivalent of 65,580 miles across Britain and encouraging 120 people to try cycling for the first time in over a year. Three months later, new cyclists reported that they had started cycling more regularly – a fantastic result!

“The Challenge was the kick I needed to get on the bike… now I have, I’m loving it and cycle to work whenever I can. I even miss it when I don’t cycle!”

“Great event that raised the profile of cycling in the community. We had an excellent response from our staff and teams. Thanks.”

This year the competition is running again and we’d like your support to spread the word, champion cycling and encourage your workplace to sign up.

What?

A fun and free incentive based cycling initiative for local workplaces run by Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire Borough Councils.

Workplaces are invited to compete from Monday 6 to Sunday 26 May 2013 to see who can get the most staff cycling to win individual and team prizes – you only need to cycle for 10 minutes!

Why?

• Create a buzz about cycling at your workplace.
• Great way to encourage people to try cycling – those who cycle for the first time in a year can win a cinema ticket.
• Win prizes – prize draw for a new bike.
• Great website to record miles, set goals and get personal statistics.
• For new and experienced cyclists.
• Get more people cycling!

Just let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards

There are a few places left in the independent hostel for the Tour.   Camping also available.  Come for 1, 2 or 3 nights.

More information in the link.

http://www.readingctc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Tour-of-Suffolk-Essex-Information.pdf

Simon,

07846 219114

events@readingctc.co.uk