Central London CTC blog

John Snuggs
November 14th 1950 – January 19th 2013

more »

I generally make it a rule not to write here about changes to this website, but there are three recent developments that I think justify a brief post to bring them to our regular riders’ attention.

Calendars

For some time now our rides and walks (including all last-minute updates) have been published to four public Google Calendars, but knowledge about them has only been been spread by word of mouth among a few tech-savvy regulars. The recent rapid rise in the use of smartphones has made the calendars useful to a much wider ranger of people, so I have finally written up detailed instructions on a new page on the website.

Cookies

There has been widespread media coverage (for example, here) about the new data privacy laws that came into force last month, so I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear that we have taken steps to ensure that we are fully compliant! You can read more about our “cookie policy” here.

My son, Bradly, whom some of you first met years ago when we used to do two-star rides with a child-back tandem, has decided to mark his transition to official adulthood this year by doing a solo long distance ride.

He’s going from London to Edinburgh over six days starting on 21st August. He’s solo, unsupported and carrying his kit. He’s also paying for it (though Mum and Dad are helping with some of the accommodation costs).

He thought he’d raise some money for a worthwhile cause along the way, so if you like to make a small contribution to Cancer Research UK you can do so at his donation website.

Thank you.

Those of you who studiously read your copy of ‘Cycle’ should be aware that there is a motion of major importance at the CTC AGM, viz. the Charity Debate. Council is very keen that CTC should become a charity, in part to secure government funding for campaigning. But, if you carefully study the detail, this will not necessarily be in the interests of members and Member Groups (such as Central London). There has been long and tedious debate on the CTC forum, but now the two elected Councillors for London, Greg Price and Helen Vecht, have come out against the proposal. Their reasons are detailed at http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=35643

Whatever your decision, please do use your vote. If you no longer have the proxy form, it can be found at :

http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/About_Us/2010_Proxy_Voting_Form.pdf.

For the tifosi:

The inaugural showing of the Hackney Bicycle Film Society will be on Monday 8th February.

The main Film will be A Sunday in Hell the 1977 100min documentary directed by Jørgen Leth.

The film is a chronology of the 1976 Paris-Roubaix bicycle race from the perspective of participants, organizers and spectators. Paris-Roubaix is the most famous and usually the most dramatic of the spring classic cycle races. Much of the latter portion is over narrow, cobbled tracks that choke with dust on dry days and become slick and muddy in rain. For the riders it’s a challenge to keep going without puncturing or crashing. more »

The well known cycle tourist Josie Dew will be giving a lecture in aid of Sustrans on Monday 11 January at the Gallery, 70 Cowcross St, London, EC1M 6EJ. Doors open at 18.00, talk starts at 18.30. Tickets £7.00, in advance only, from Sustrans.

Some of you may remember an earlier blog concerning an incident for one of our members regarding Network Rail Cards.  Martin Hayman was threatened with a penalty fare or fine as he had not purchased his ticket in the same transaction as did the Network Card holders. It was purely due to an un unconnected incident on the train that the inspector abandoned this. The other riders present were surprised at this ruling, and at such a fine point being pursued. This matter was especially worrying, as this could potentially result in criminal conviction, which gives the person a criminal record. more »

I’d really like to ride this, and some company would be good:

Tour of the Cornfields 2009

The Tour of the Cornfields will reach its third year when the cyclo-cross sportive goes ahead on 6 September. more »