Diary
See below for details and any late changes for forthcoming BCyC rides, cycling events and social gatherings. If you're involved in planning something, let us know what, where and when!
MEETINGS
We have regular meetings (now on the last Tuesday of the month)
at Bristol YHA (Narrow Quay, Bristol by Pero's Bridge)
Meetings start at 7:30p.m. - come along beforehand for a chat and a drink. Most months we will be having a guest speaker.
RIDES This month's ride details are here in the full Diary list. We're trying out a new process for updating rides details - subsequent months' ride details can now be found further down the page.
If you would like to organise a ride please contact: Chris via email rides@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk
Remember Your Lights
Many of the rides listed here may be returning in darkness or poor light. It's always a good idea to take your lights with you on any long ride.
| Date | Description | Start time and location | Suitable for beginners? | Lunch stop | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | |||||
| Sun 5th Feb |
Ride - Pubs and old churches... from the profound to the profane
We will follow the Pill Path to Ham Green and then head through Portbury to St Michaels Church in Clapton-in-Gordano, owned by the Churches Conservation Trust(CCT) and set high on a hill with far reaching views. From here we will descend into Nailsea for lunch at the Old Farmhouse pub. In the afternoon we will visit St Nicholas Church in Brockley, also owned by CCT, a Norman building gracefully restored in the1820's. We will return to Bristol along the Flax Bourton Greenway, and on through Long Ashton. See the CCT website www.visitchurches.org.uk |
10am Arnolfini | Medium - 30miles | Lunch at theThe Old Farmhouse, Trendlewood Way, Nailsea. Tea stop to be decided by the group on the day. | Chris Whitlock 07810 785 569 |
| Sun 12th Feb |
Ride - Bath Spa University and various museums.
A tour around the charming Georgian City of Bath taking in the University quarter, the Holbourne Museum and the American Museum |
11:00 a.m. at Bath Spa Railway Station, assembling immediately outside the main reception foyer. | Easy/medium - up to 20miles | Yes | Roy Brewster 07876 075 513 |
| Sun 19th Feb |
Ride - Old Down
A ride through mostly quiet country lanes to Old Down via Severn Beach. |
10:30am at Blaise Castle cafe; in the car park at the Kings Weston entrance to Blaise Estate | Medium pace - 20miles | Cafe at Severn Beach. The Fox at Old Down for lunch | Moira Trenchard 07910 691 484 |
| Tue 21st Feb |
Committee Meeting
Members are most welcome to attend as observers and may request items to be added to the agenda by contacting the secretary in advance. Please get in touch with the secretary if you wish to attend. A copy of the Agenda and minutes of previous meetings will be available on request from secretary@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk |
7pm to 8:30pm | - | - | - |
| Sun 26th Feb |
"Ride the White Horse”. A train-assisted ride from Chippenham to Swindon
The ride will follow a largely traffic free route. A folding bike with 20” wheels or less guarantees a place on the train. Ordinary bikes are welcome but MAY be rejected by the train manager on the outward or homeward bound train. Bring a snack, waterproofs, warm clothing & water. YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO BRING A FOLDING BIKE FOR THIS RIDE. IF YOU BRING A NON-FOLDING BIKE YOU MAY ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES ON THE TRAIN SUCH AS INSUFFICIENT AVAILABLE BIKE SPACES ETC.. |
09-03a.m. train departure from Temple Meads to Chippenham. Meet in the main foyer opposite the ticket counter at 08-40a.m. promptly. | Medium pace - 32miles | Group decision when we reach Avebury | Reg Brunt 07807 677 251 |
| Tue 28th Feb |
Monthly Meeting - Cycling Cultures
Rachel Aldred presents her findings on the Cycling Cultures research project, with a focus on Bristol. + Chris Richards updates us on progress with his report into cycling developments and areas of potential growth in Bristol. Most months we have a guest speaker and all the usual stuff - committee updates, lively discussion etc. Prospective members very welcome. |
7:30pm at YHA Bristol (click for more details) Near to The Arnolfini, on the Harbourside, near Pero's bridge. | - | - | - |
| March | |||||
| Tue 20th Mar |
Committee Meeting
Members are most welcome to attend as observers and may request items to be added to the agenda by contacting the secretary in advance. Please get in touch with the secretary if you wish to attend. A copy of the Agenda and minutes of previous meetings will be available on request from secretary@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk |
7pm to 8:30pm | - | - | - |
| Tue 27th Mar |
Monthly Meeting - At war with the cyclist
Discussion on the issues around the perspectives of "cyclists" and the realities of considerate/social and anti-social cycling. Most months we have a guest speaker and all the usual stuff - committee updates, lively discussion etc. Prospective members very welcome. |
7:30pm at YHA Bristol (click for more details) Near to The Arnolfini, on the Harbourside, near Pero's bridge. | - | - | - |
| April | |||||
| Tue 17th Apr |
Committee Meeting
Members are most welcome to attend as observers and may request items to be added to the agenda by contacting the secretary in advance. Please get in touch with the secretary if you wish to attend. A copy of the Agenda and minutes of previous meetings will be available on request from secretary@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk |
7pm to 8:30pm | - | - | - |
| Tue 24th Apr |
Monthly Meeting - AGM imcluding some really special stuff!
What have we been up to over the last year, what should we focus on next year and something irrestible - you'd be mad to miss it! Most months we have a guest speaker and all the usual stuff - committee updates, lively discussion etc. Prospective members very welcome. |
7:30pm at YHA Bristol (click for more details) Near to The Arnolfini, on the Harbourside, near Pero's bridge. | - | - | - |
THE INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE SO PLEASE CHECK BACK NEARER THE DATE OF THE RIDE FOR LATEST DETAILS.
You can use the SCROLL BAR to view later rides if necessary.
Our friends over at Cycle Bristol CTC offer a variety of rides for various levels of fitness - have a look at their rides list here.
You can also "Recycle your Sundays" with rides from Bath.
NB: It is always wise to carry waterproof gear, even if the sun is shining when you leave. It is better to wear layers and be too warm than wear too little and get cold. Most Bristol rides start at either the Arnolfini Gallery, the beginning of the Bristol-Bath Railway Path ("track head"), Millennium Square, Valentine's Bridge, Temple Quay, or at the water tower on Durdham Down. From time to time we organise weekends away and trips abroad - look out for details here or in The Bristol Cyclist our quarterly members' magazine.
General advice
Make sure your bike is in good working order. If you think it needs more than a “tweak” then it’s probably better to get it serviced at a bike shop. You are wise to carry a few basic repair items with you, such as pump, puncture repair kit or, even better, an inner tube of the right size and basic tools. If you’re new to cycling and don’t know how to use them, the chances are someone else will show you (that’s how most of us learned!)
In winter you are more likely to be riding home in the dark, so bring your bike lights and hi-vis wear. Remember the temperature can drop significantly in the evenings, so bring extra warm layers, gloves, socks, hat, etc. Pack a waterproof jacket and maybe also waterproof trousers.
Always carry food with you, even if it’s only a banana! Cycling is exercise and you will get hungry. Preferably some carbohydrates – sandwiches, flapjacks, cereal-bars, and fresh/dried fruit are some examples.
On the road, behave responsibly – don’t obstruct traffic and only stop where it’s safe to do so. It’s also nice if you warn others behind you of potholes or other obstructions in the road.
These tips aren’t meant to put you off or make you think a day’s bike ride is like climbing Everest! But with a little forethought you will enjoy the adventure of a day out even more. You’ll notice we often suggest a picnic or packed lunch, or a visit a pub. Our rides are often built round a theme or local beauty-spot of place of interest. We are a convivial group who make new-comers welcome and we usually ride at a moderate pace. Contact the ride-leader if you’re unsure.
This list has current information on rides for subsequent months - IT'S A WORKING DOCUMENT SO MAY NOT ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE - APOLOGIES IF SO!
