Peterborough CTC

Club news

2012 Tour Date

This year's tour will be on the Golden Jubilee bank holiday weekend - June 2nd to 4th.

Tour details are currently being finalised and will depend on numbers but we're going to take three days (around 40 miles per day) to potter around Suffolk starting and ending in Bury St Edmunds. That means we'll have two nights away camping or, if you prefer, B&B. However, B&B spaces are limited so you will have to share rooms and book early. A support vehicle will also be on hand and it will be possible to transport luggage for you.

The cost including train fare and excluding meals should be around £40 for campers and around £75 for B&B.

If you're interested please contact JT as soon as possible and please state whether you're a definite or tentative.

Updated: 18th January 2012

You can teach an old dog

On Sunday's ride, Ride Leader, Phil, managed to use a new (to me) road on his route. After two years of riding around Peterborough on 40 mile rides I thought I'd exhausted almost every option, ridden every quiet little lane - but I was wrong.

This is what is great about all our Ride Leaders, they are always looking to improve their routes, introduce a new deviation or find a new café to visit.

In case you're wondering, Mill Road between Market Deeping and Maxey was the road in question.

Updated: 16th January 2012

On Tour

Several members have enquired if we're planning another tour this year. Well we are, and planning is already under way although details will not be revealed until all aspects of the route are checked (travel, accommodation, refreshment stops, etc.).

We can confirm that once again we will plan for a mix of B&B'ers and camping (it's easier to organise if you camp) and it will be over three days on one of the Bank Holiday weekends in May, probably the later weekend.
Updated: 9th January 2012

Happy New Year

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be ever at your back.
Updated: 3rd January 2012

2011

It's usual at this time of year to look back and reflect on the year's events and here at CTC Peterborough we are no exception.

2011 was a significant year for CTC Peterborough - we became a proper club after our first year of establishing ourselves. For various reasons, many of our regulars from the first year have dropped out but we've continued to thrive and add new members/riders.

Getting our own club kit was an obvious highlight. The kit itself is great value and it's so nice to be able to advertise the club in cafes and out on the bike. We'll open another kit order soon so we can hopefully get enough interest for an early Spring order.

The introduction of the Long Last Ride of the Month has given our Ride Leaders the freedom to plan and lead more challenging rides and this has been rewarded with strong attendance. Some siezed the opportunity to plot hillier rides into Rutland while I just managed to sneak in our longest single day ride at 85 miles as we ran out of daylight.

York to Peterborough was successful beyond my wildest dreams. When I first mentioned I was planning that trip I thought perhaps one or two of you would join me so to have 13 of you was amazing. Even the final day of constant rain couldn't spoil a great long weekend. I can't wait to start planning next year's tour.

A couple of weeks earlier a few of us rode over to Wing on a Friday evening to test our camping gear. That evening ride was my favourite ride of the year. A nice quiet route and the gorgeous early summer weather were the perfect antidote to a tough week at the office. And my beloved Surly was made for carrying gear - what a great bike.

Here's to more great rides in 2012!

Updated: 29th December 2011

Life's what you make it

Some of you know will CTC member, James Butcher, who’s heavily involved in the local cycling scene. Or at least he was until James and his girlfriend, Sarah, decided to ride from Alaska through the Americas until they either run out of steam or money.

Follow their progress on their wonderful blog
- guaranteed to give you wanderlust.

Updated: 20th December 2011

Boxing Day Bimble

Join us on Boxing Day as we burn off a little of the excesses of Christmas.

Obviously weather dependent (only snow or ice will keep us at home) but we'll head out for a few hours with a quick stop for a hot drink and a mince pie.

We'll start at 9am from Orton Mere so you'll be home in time for your turkey sandwiches!

Updated: 5th December 2011

Christmas Lunch

It's our Christmas lunch at Pear Tree Farm on Saturday at 12:30.

If you're riding there then please be there for 12:30pm.

If anyone would like a lift from Peterborough I'm sure we can arrange something so do get in touch.

Remember that Pear Tree Farm is unlicenced so if you want a beer or a glass of wine with your meal you will have to bring your own.

Updated: 12th December 2011

The importance
of registration

Some cycling clubs decide the destination of their rides months in advance. This might work for them if they can treat adverse weather conditions as "training" but our rides aren't about suffering - our only goals are quiet roads and nice cake. So even though our wonderful Ride Leaders are allocated in advance they often decide the ride start and destination in the days running up to their ride. The main reason for doing this is to avoid headwinds on the way home but it also allows room for maneouvre if a road is closed, or a cafe is unexpectedly closed.

In Winter, poor weather is more likely so it's important that you register for rides. That way the Ride Leader can inform you of any changes to the ride so you don't end up waiting at the wrong start point. Also you should never just assume that the ride will take place because if no one has registered then the Ride Leader will not be at the start.

All it takes is a txt message, phone call or email.

Updated: 2nd December 2011

Club kit feedback

As far as I'm aware everyone is pretty happy with the club kit. If you get the sizing right, then the clothing is very good quality and a bit of a bargain at Gear Club's prices. However, there is always room for improvement so if you have any comments on the kit then please let me know and I will pass them on to Gear Club.

Some feedback already received is that the gilets would be even better if they were shaped so that they were longer at the back than the front. Personally I think the arms of the long sleeve jersey could be a bit tighter but I've got skinny arms.

Updated: 1st December 2011

Older news...