Luckily enough the Downs Link does actually go right through Cranleigh - along the side of a substantial car park before zooming off through the fields.
I'm lucky to live so close to it.
Thinking of advocating the CTUK maintenence courses for this new group too - once I've been to one!
Female Cyclists
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CJ
Re:Female Cyclists
There's no need for all you beginners or whatever to re-invent the wheel. If your local CTC District Association isn't organising beginner-friendly, proper touring rides that stop and look at things, contact the DA Secretary and offer to organise them yourself. And if they won't help you to do that, contact CTC HQ. We know full well that beginner's sections are a vital source of new, life-long CTC members and take a dim view of DA's that place unnecessary obstacles in the path of people who want to take that kind of initiative.
Anyone who rides regularly with your "beginners" or "easy riders" section will pretty soon get fitter of course, and become bored with the same old routes and sights that can be found within a short radius of your starting point. You, the organiser, will probably get the most exercise and be the first to chaff at the bit. You may well still stop and look at things, but by riding a bit faster in-between you'll cover more ground and look at more things, new things and not just local things!
With a few rare exceptions, this is what always happens to beginners sections or clubs. After a year or two they morph into something that no absolute beginner can cope with and is the whole reason so few DAs have one. It can't be helped. The only solution is to re-invent the whole concept on a regular basis. Only trouble is: it's not so easy to find a beginner who nevertheless has the confidence and commitment to organise such a thing.
Anyone who rides regularly with your "beginners" or "easy riders" section will pretty soon get fitter of course, and become bored with the same old routes and sights that can be found within a short radius of your starting point. You, the organiser, will probably get the most exercise and be the first to chaff at the bit. You may well still stop and look at things, but by riding a bit faster in-between you'll cover more ground and look at more things, new things and not just local things!
With a few rare exceptions, this is what always happens to beginners sections or clubs. After a year or two they morph into something that no absolute beginner can cope with and is the whole reason so few DAs have one. It can't be helped. The only solution is to re-invent the whole concept on a regular basis. Only trouble is: it's not so easy to find a beginner who nevertheless has the confidence and commitment to organise such a thing.
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Mossy
Re:Female Cyclists
Sorry CJ but we've decided the CTC isn't for us as it really doesn't cater for a returning or new cyclist in the way we were led to believe it would.
"This is what we do, take it or leave it", doesn't work in our case.
We will continue to progress at our own pace without the CTC by forming our own informal group based on frequent stops and sightseeing.
We had 8 people on Sunday.
"This is what we do, take it or leave it", doesn't work in our case.
We will continue to progress at our own pace without the CTC by forming our own informal group based on frequent stops and sightseeing.
We had 8 people on Sunday.
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Gillie
Re:Female Cyclists
Have persuaded a friend from work to cycle with me at the weekends, as long as it is on traffic free routes.
As we both live in Essex, we have decided to ride the Flitch Way from Rayne which is a former railway,cutting through the countryside. With luck we will meet others of a similar capability.
I think these sort of routes are great for beginners as they build confidence and it is impossible to get lost, or so I am told!
As we are both single and have no family commitments, we can take as long as we like, especially as we won't be riding with a group.
As we both live in Essex, we have decided to ride the Flitch Way from Rayne which is a former railway,cutting through the countryside. With luck we will meet others of a similar capability.
I think these sort of routes are great for beginners as they build confidence and it is impossible to get lost, or so I am told!
As we are both single and have no family commitments, we can take as long as we like, especially as we won't be riding with a group.
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TJ
Re:Female Cyclists
Take a look at the Torbay section of the Devon DA website. These family rides seem such a good idea, I am at a loss to know why more local groups don't introduce them.
Females, children and plenty of stops.
Brilliant!
Females, children and plenty of stops.
Brilliant!
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zeb
Re:Female Cyclists
TJ
South Yorks / North Derbys DA do introductory rides. We especially advertise these during bike week.
Were really pushing them at the moment and Phil Williams is making sure that we all meet him and his beginners for lunch to see that the stronger riders aren't that scary.
South Yorks / North Derbys DA do introductory rides. We especially advertise these during bike week.
Were really pushing them at the moment and Phil Williams is making sure that we all meet him and his beginners for lunch to see that the stronger riders aren't that scary.
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TJ
Re:Female Cyclists
Not all DA's are forward thinking, but thank heavens for those that are.
Your scheme sounds spot-on Zeb.
Other DA's please take note!
Your scheme sounds spot-on Zeb.
Other DA's please take note!
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
All these women talking about female cycling, i don't know.
Cath,
How far towards Guildford does the downslink go? I could not decide whether i had found the end of it or not..... just under the downs west of somewhere?
I have always been informed that it goes all the way to Steyning but is it easily rideable all the way.... that would be a really long ride on a track about 50 miles there and back.
I don't think i have ever met anybody who claims to have done the whole length?
Cath,
How far towards Guildford does the downslink go? I could not decide whether i had found the end of it or not..... just under the downs west of somewhere?
I have always been informed that it goes all the way to Steyning but is it easily rideable all the way.... that would be a really long ride on a track about 50 miles there and back.
I don't think i have ever met anybody who claims to have done the whole length?
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nella
Re:Female Cyclists
Gillie,
it's awash with cycling clubs of all disciplines in Mid-Essex for example just search for Chelmer Cycling Club and I believe you'll find exactly what your looking for.
it's awash with cycling clubs of all disciplines in Mid-Essex for example just search for Chelmer Cycling Club and I believe you'll find exactly what your looking for.
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HumesC
Re:Female Cyclists
Gar,
There seems to be confusion about the route as the Downs Link links the North Downs Way and the South Downs Way and also links up with other coastal routes as it gets to Shorham-By-Sea, so it can be a bit confusing as to where it all begins and ends.
Charity rides regularly run from Bramley to Shorham and back on a Sunday, which is the more popular opinion as to where the "Downs Link" begins and ends. You can go a bit further towards Guildford, but eventually it brings you out onto the A281 and ends there.
I've had an answer from CTC about affiliation, but the costs are starting to mount beyond my willingness to pay them - domain & hosting for website and forum, insurance, affiliation.... it's starting to get a bit much.
There seems to be confusion about the route as the Downs Link links the North Downs Way and the South Downs Way and also links up with other coastal routes as it gets to Shorham-By-Sea, so it can be a bit confusing as to where it all begins and ends.
Charity rides regularly run from Bramley to Shorham and back on a Sunday, which is the more popular opinion as to where the "Downs Link" begins and ends. You can go a bit further towards Guildford, but eventually it brings you out onto the A281 and ends there.
I've had an answer from CTC about affiliation, but the costs are starting to mount beyond my willingness to pay them - domain & hosting for website and forum, insurance, affiliation.... it's starting to get a bit much.
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Gillie
Re:Female Cyclists
Just had a look at the Chelmer website.
The Gateau rides look interesting. Thanks.
The Gateau rides look interesting. Thanks.
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
Cath,
Hm yes I thought it did end before Guildford because I made no more progress along the old railway track! After that I found the bridleway route in from the north east of Guildford from the Leith hill area from quite a different direction.
I saw your web site which is all you need for your group isn't it?
Hm yes I thought it did end before Guildford because I made no more progress along the old railway track! After that I found the bridleway route in from the north east of Guildford from the Leith hill area from quite a different direction.
I saw your web site which is all you need for your group isn't it?
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HumesC
Re:Female Cyclists
I think so, yes. I've decided on a "contact network" format that is similar to Mossy's missus just getting together with a few friends for informal rides/sightseeing ect.
All I will be responsible for is for making the website available, and making its presence known.
Shame really, but I just don't earn enough to pay for all that would need to be paid for to "organise" rides. Of course, I could take the risk as I'm not obliged by law to be insured, but the risks of being personally sued are very high.
There is a large gap between beginners and cycling clubs (especially for those who are not interested in TT) and I don't know how it will be filled. It seems that either money or personnel are lacking.
All I will be responsible for is for making the website available, and making its presence known.
Shame really, but I just don't earn enough to pay for all that would need to be paid for to "organise" rides. Of course, I could take the risk as I'm not obliged by law to be insured, but the risks of being personally sued are very high.
There is a large gap between beginners and cycling clubs (especially for those who are not interested in TT) and I don't know how it will be filled. It seems that either money or personnel are lacking.
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gar
Re:Female Cyclists
Cover your costs by whip round at the beginning of the ride/bicycle meeting. Tell 'em wot it's for each time.
Nobody is going to come out with you until the spring time any way and now is a good time to prepare.
Best time to start is Spring!
Nobody is going to come out with you until the spring time any way and now is a good time to prepare.
Best time to start is Spring!
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wonderwheels
Re:Female Cyclists
Check out http://www.shecycles.com/ - they are keen to promote women's cycling.