Is this correct and fair to CTC members !

[robgul]

I understand that individual affiliated membership is about to go up from £18 to £24, maybe it was at a loss and they want to increase the cash cows. OTOH how much is it from BC?

My household (building and contents combined policy) insurer has just confirmed, in writing, that I have TP cover for cycling that is better than CTC - and costs me nothing extra ... my feet are probably ready to vote at the next renewal if the rates increase as hinted at. As suggested that's a massive hike when compared to the RPI and other measures - to me it looks like CTC just taking advantage of the situation.

Rob

[JohnW]

There are lots of debates raging about CTC, but the one thing that CTC DOES is it's campaigning - at all levels up to government.

If looking for personal benefits - well - we must make our own decisions - but cut-price memberships don't contribute to campaigning.

[robgul]

A straw poll amongst quite a wide group of cycling pals revealed little interest in campaigning at the expense of the lost technical and touring support .

Rob

[JohnW]

A straw poll amongst quite a wide group of cycling pals revealed little interest in campaigning at the expense of the lost technical and touring support .

Rob

Oh - I know that - and no-one regrets what's happened in the deletion of our Technical Officer more than I do - both as a loss to us as members and what appears to be the shabby treatment of a faithful and loyal servant. That's certainly a negative - but campaigning is a positive and if that was ceased, it'd be a loss to cycling generally. The non-cycling population in this country despises and resents cyclists generally, and we do need a voice. CTC isn't the only voice, but it's one of a very, very few - an essential one and in some quarters the only one.

Honestly, there's so much happened recently in CTC that has really upset me personally, but their campaigning is part of the full picture and whatever else upsets me, campaigning is, as much as any other single factor, what makes my subscriptions worthwhile. That's just me, my belief and conviction - I'm not telling anyone else what to think.

[robgul]

A straw poll amongst quite a wide group of cycling pals revealed little interest in campaigning at the expense of the lost technical and touring support .

Rob

Oh - I know that - and no-one regrets what's happened in the deletion of our Technical Officer more than I do - both as a loss to us as members and what appears to be the shabby treatment of a faithful and loyal servant. That's certainly a negative - but campaigning is a positive and if that was ceased, it'd be a loss to cycling generally. The non-cycling population in this country despises and resents cyclists generally, and we do need a voice. CTC isn't the only voice, but it's one of a very, very few - an essential one and in some quarters the only one.

Honestly, there's so much happened recently in CTC that has really upset me personally, but their campaigning is part of the full picture and whatever else upsets me, campaigning is, as much as any other single factor, what makes my subscriptions worthwhile. That's just me, my belief and conviction - I'm not telling anyone else what to think.

... by chance I happened to be in Charing in Kent earlier this week (driving the support van for a group of RAF guys raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund riding about 250 miles on Bromptons) and noticed a winged wheel sign on an old building saying it was the former CTC Headquarters ... I felt a pang of sadness.

Rob

[geocycle]

... by chance I happened to be in Charing in Kent earlier this week (driving the support van for a group of RAF guys raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund riding about 250 miles on Bromptons) and noticed a winged wheel sign on an old building saying it was the former CTC Headquarters ... I felt a pang of sadness.

Rob

Yes, I came across a beautifully restored winged wheel in Beverley town centre, East Riding. I think it was above a former bike shop that had been an approved supplier. Came over all nostalgic!

[JohnW]

............. I happened to be in Charing in Kent earlier this week ............. and noticed a winged wheel sign on an old building saying it was the former CTC Headquarters ... I felt a pang of sadness.

Rob

Yes - I know what you mean - there are two or three in the Yorkshire Dales that I know - and I feel the same, plus a lot of nostalgia............but the whole world has changed, as well.

[robgul]

............. I happened to be in Charing in Kent earlier this week ............. and noticed a winged wheel sign on an old building saying it was the former CTC Headquarters ... I felt a pang of sadness.

Rob

Yes - I know what you mean - there are two or three in the Yorkshire Dales that I know - and I feel the same, plus a lot of nostalgia............but the whole world has changed, as well.

There are quite a few winged wheel signs around (and you can buy replicas on ebay) - the one at Charing was especially interesting as that seemed to be a previous office/headquarters for CTC way back when.

Rob

[gaz]

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.20995 ... 56!6m1!1e1

The Winged Wheels were part of a Hotel and Inn grading system, not a designation of local offices. Back in the day cycling was a past time of the well off and establishments vied for CTC's approval. A "Headquarters" rating indicated higher quality and higher charges, a bit like an AA ★★★★ rating today.

From: http://www.wingedwheels.info/A%20HISTOR ... WHEELS.pdf

Lots more about the Winged Wheels here: http://www.wingedwheels.info/

Edit: I might take a ride out Charing way later in the week. If I do I'll get a real pic. There's two other signs I could try to bag on the way, looking forward to it already.

Edit 2: I set off in that direction and had a bit of a hippopotamus ride along NCN17 but didn't make it that far , still had a thoroughly enjoyable time .

[robgul]

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.2099567,0.7941639,3a,37.5y,270h,82.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn6CXZUUkEWv-3mxtFIKjdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

The Winged Wheels were part of a Hotel and Inn grading system, not a designation of local offices. Back in the day cycling was a past time of the well off and establishments vied for CTC's approval. A "Headquarters" rating indicated higher quality and higher charges, a bit like an AA ★★★★ rating today.

From: http://www.wingedwheels.info/A%20HISTOR ... WHEELS.pdf

Lots more about the Winged Wheels here: http://www.wingedwheels.info/

Ah - I have the book about CTC's history somewhere - I obviously need to revisit it! Thanks for the heads up.

Rob