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GoCycle Update No.5April 2009Listen in to Heart FM radio from Friday 24th April to hear how Gaz and Babs went through their paces as GoCycle Trainees – every morning next week (27th April to 1st May) between 6 and 10am. I have listed the content below for your ease and reference, also have a look on our newly launched website for more details on news and events: 1) May 2009 activities – Cycle Training for Adults 2) Basic Bike Maintenance course - 5 sessions, starting Friday 24th April . 3) May Half Term Activities for Children 4) Wheelie Wednesday – 13th May 2009 5) You can train to become a Sports Cycling Coach - 23 & 24 May and 15 August 6) Cycle Instructors Needed for GoCycle Leighton-Linslade 7) Bike Week 13th – 21st June 20098) Summer Holidays 9) Century bike ride – Sunday 6th September 2009 – Join us! 10) Loan or offer of bikes/accessories 11) GoCycle website 12) Cycling Forum 13 Buy a second hand bike or give your unwanted bike a new life 14) Cycle Clubs in Bedfordshire 15) In Praise of GoCycle Training - Adult Cycle Trainees’ poems and prose, 16) Leighton Bike Thefts Prompt Police Appeal 17) Summary of Events already planned for GoCycle Leighton-Linslade Please forward this email to everyone who might be interested – they can email us to request their own future updates directly to their inbox. Happy Cycling! Alvina Farrow, GoCycle Promotions Officer Events and activities for you:1. May 2009 activities – Cycle Training for Adults We are delighted to be able to offer the following courses and training sessions
Tuesday 5th May 2009 for 3 weeks (5th, 12th and 19th May) £15 per person. 9.30 am – 11.30 am GoCycle Tuesdays – Adult Cycle Training to level 3. A gentle paced 6 hour course taking you from off-road control skills through all types of road junctions, to increase your confidence and effectiveness on the road. Meet at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre entrance.
Tuesday 5th May 2009 for 3 weeks (5th, 12th and 19th May) £15 per person 6pm – 8 pm GoCycle Tuesdays – Adult Cycle Training to level 3. A gentle paced 6 hour course taking you from off-road control skills through all types of road junctions, to increase your confidence and effectiveness on the road. Meet at the Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre entrance
Thursday 7th May 2009, 3 weeks (7th, 14th, 21st May) £15 per person per session 9.30 am – 11.30am Fresh Start Thursdays - Adult Complete Beginners. 1.00pm – 3.00pm 6.00 pm to 8.00pm
These 2 hour sessions are ideal for you if you have never ridden a bike before, or haven’t been on the bike for a long time. Our Instructors can show you how to get on and off a bike and support you while you learn to ride and feel confident on 2 wheels. Book 1 session and come back for more if you need to.
Saturday 2nd May 2009 for weeks (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th May) £15 per person. 10.00am – 12.00pm Super Bike Saturdays – Adult Cycle Training to level 3. This is a 2 hour course for adults who are already riding on the roads and wanting to increase their confidence. The course works through simple to complicated road junctions, applying the logic of the road. Meet at The White House. To book a place you can download a Booking Form from the website www.gocycleleightonlinslade.org which will go live on Friday 24th April, or contact the GoCycle office. Cheques should be made payable to Central Bedfordshire Council.
2 Basic Bike Maintenance course - 5 sessions, starting Friday 24th April . We have a few spare places on our Basic Bike Maintenance Training Course, which starts on Friday 24th April for 5 weeks from 7pm – 8.30 pm at Southcott Lower School, Soulbury Road, Linslade. If you would like to join the course on the second session, this may still be possible, so do get in touch to find out. The cost is £10.00 per person. If you would like information on the course content, would like to reserve a place or register interest for when the course is run again please contact alvina.farrow@leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk
3. May Half Term Activities for Children Friday 29th May 2009 Complete Beginners £5 per person 4 – 7 years 9.30 am – 10.30 am Complete Beginners £5 per person 4 – 7 years 11.30 am – 12.30 pm Biking Basics £7.50 per person 4 – 7 years 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm The above courses will be held at Southcott Lower School, Soulbury Road, Linslade. If you would like information on the course content or to book a place you can look at course information and download a Booking Form from the website www.gocycleleightonlinslade.org which will go live on Friday 24th April, or contact the GoCycle office. Cheques should be made payable to Central Bedfordshire Council.
4. Wheelie Wednesday – 13th May 2009 Our next Wheelie Wednesday will take place on Wednesday 13th May – 12.30 – 1.30 pm - Meet at the Market Cross Leighton Buzzard. (If you want your bike checked before the ride, please arrive 15 mins early).
5. You can train to become a Sports Cycling Coach - 23 & 24 May and 15 August Would you like to train to become a Cycling Coach? Here is your chance. British Cycling is offering this course in Aylesbury: Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Cycling on 23 & 24 May and 15 August in Aylesbury. Quote course code 271 on the application form as the course running in Aylesbury has not yet been featured on the website.
6. Cycle Instructors Needed for GoCycle Leighton-Linslade This job involves training people of all ages - from 4 years old to 94 years old in the skills of controlling their bike and riding on the road. Cycle Instructors need to be competent and confident cyclists - able to ride along any road in any traffic and weather conditions. Also they need to have patience, an outgoing and gentle disposition and clear, positive communication skills. Contact us to arrange to observe some cycle training in action or you can receive Cycle Training to Level 3 Bikeability (Advanced Level) so that you can see how the logic and progression of the course works for you as a trainee. If you then feel you would like to continue, we can sign you up for a Cycle Instructors Course (4 days) which will allow you to work on our GoCycle Bikeability courses and become an accredited trainer. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
7. Bike Week 13th – 21st June 2009 More details of Dr Bike, Bikers Breakfast, bike rides, cycle training and more for this National Bike Promotion week are in the calendar summary at the bottom of this email. If you have a cycling event planned for that time, please let us know, so we can include it in our programme – between us we can make a great celebration of cycling in Leighton-Linslade area. We would like to hear from groups and/or individuals who would be interested in participating in a fund raising event during bike week. We will be running a sponsored relay ride on a quarter of a mile circuit, off-road at Astral Park, Billington Park. Each team would have a mascot which they will need to move around the track continually for either 12 or 24 hours (to be decided!). We are recruiting 10 teams of up 25 people per team. All funds raised from this event to be donated to Cancer Research.
8. Summer Holidays We are planning a comprehensive, fun packed schedule for the summer holidays under the banner of ‘Cycling Adventures’ - watch this space!
9. Century bike ride – Sunday 6th September 2009 – Join us! We now have the route almost planned for this ride, and will shortly forward details to those of you who have indicated that you would like to join us for all or part of this ride.
10. Loan or offer of bikes/accessories
11. GoCycle website Our website goes live as of Monday 27th April 2009 and would love to receive any feedback on what you find there, as well as news and pictures from you to include in our monthly news and views. Our general information and news, details of cycle training and ideas for schools, employers and commuters to GoCycle plus photos and the Cycle Map are already up there. The website will be used to keep people up to date with what we are doing and will develop over the duration of the project, with your input and support.
12. Cycling Forum Have you thought about getting involved in the Cycling Forum? Now is your chance, email: llcyclingforum@aol.com or have a look at the Cycling Forum’s Yahoo Group. Esther Clarke, the Chair, looks forward to welcoming new members to regular meetings, activities and social events. Help make the Cycling Town work for you!
13. Buy a second hand bike or give your unwanted bike a new life – here is an offer ….. Linda Rowlands [linda_rowlands@yahoo.com] refurbishes and services bikes to keep them on the road and out of landfill. Mainly mountain bikes but we also get the occasional road bike. They go for between £35 and £55 depending on spec and condition. We'd be very happy to hear from anyone who wants a refurbished and serviced bike. We're equally happy to take on unwanted bikes, even if only to be stripped for spares. We can pick up unwanted bikes if they are reasonably local LB, MK, Aylesbury areas. Looking forward to hearing from anyone who needs a bike or has one to give away. linda_rowlands@yahoo.com
14. Cycle Clubs in Bedfordshire ‘40 plus Cycling Bedfordshire’ visit a pub in Clophill area every Tuesday lunchtime – arrive by bike. You can find others to ride with or ride solo to meet up for a friendly, informal lunch. Special events are organised and include car/train assisted rides, inter-section rides, various "special" lunches (i.e. fish and chips, sausage and mash, Christmas lunches) and re-unions. Also 100 mile and 100 km "fun" rides are now held. The great feature of the Club is the variety of Sections catering for virtually all types of riders with the common purpose of providing a sociable and convivial day out. For more details see http://www.fortypluscc.co.uk/runs/bedfordshire.html
15. In Praise of GoCycle Training - Adult Cycle Trainees’ poems and prose, When riding on my bicycle I always thought I knew Go left, go right go straight ahead I knew just what to do
You can’t teach me anything I’ve been riding bikes for years But I was soon to realise It’s not all peddle and change gears!
I learnt to quickly glance behind When any move I make Lest I should not be seen by one And every bone I break!
I learnt about the position You should take upon the road I was beginning to wish There was a manual to download
So I would like to take the time To thank you very much For providing opportunity To learn safety stuff and such
"Having been a keen cyclist in the past I had, over time, lost confidence in my fitness and ability to cope with the dramatic increase in traffic, Today's training helped me to realise that I can still do it, very practical and clear advice about keeping safe and happy on the road. Teaching was positive and encouraging without being pushy and at the end I loved being out in the fresh air and moving."
“Thanks very much for the cycle training on Friday. As you know I have done a fair amount of cycling in the past in London but I put myself down for the training, partly as an incentive to get back on the bike again and also because you're never too old to learn.” “The training was great. I was pleased that some of my old habits, such as being confident enough to occupy a third of the carriageway were correct. It was, however, rather alarming discovering that I used to cycle around London without ever trying to make eye contact with motorists and definitely never looked behind me enough! It is an amazingly effective technique for making sure that cars know you are there and I've even had cheery waves from drivers since doing the training. “
“I'd recommend the training even to someone who is confident on a bike. It's free and there's always something to learn.”
“Just a line to thank you for the excellent training I received on Friday . Probably because of my age, I will still instinctively continue to hug the Kerb but apart from that I am already benefiting from the course. Little thinks have given immediate payback like repositioning brake handles , mounting / dismounting the bike, the things you don't really think about. I will attend future perhaps more advanced courses if there are any available.”
16. Leighton Bike Thefts Prompt Police Appeal Bedfordshire Police are urging cyclists to be on their guard following an upturn in thefts in the Leighton Buzzard area. Officers say in the last few days at least half a dozen bicycles, including expensive BMX-type machines, have been stolen from the town centre area, Lake Street and further afield. In at least two cases offenders appear to have used bolt croppers to cut through chains, although in others the bicycles have been left completely unlocked. Police are keen to hear from anyone who sees someone tampering with locked bicycles, or is offered a machine cheaply and in suspicious circumstances. They advise cyclists to use a good quality lock, which should be placed through the frame, rather than a wheel, and be attached to something solid, like a lamppost or railing. The chances of a lost or stolen bicycle being returned by police are higher if they are security marked with SmartWater, UV pen or etching. Advice on all aspects of security is available by visiting www.safer-beds.org, speaking to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or Home Watch group. A police spokesman said: “We know how upsetting it can be to have a bicycle stolen and we want riders to be aware of these latest thefts so they can take the appropriate security steps. This is particularly important now the better weather is here and more people are out and about.” Anyone with information about bicycle theft can contact police, in confidence, on 01234 841212, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or text to 07786 20000 11.
17. Summary of Events already planned for GoCycle Leighton-Linslade Use this list to book your diaries so you don’t miss the GoCycle action! More details in future email updates and on the website
MAY 4th Leighton-Linslade May Fayre – Parsons Close GoCycle will be at the May Fayre offering Dr Bike, Bike Tryouts, security marking and giving you an opportunity to try out your cycling skills on our Northshore cycle track - come along and find out more! Don’t forget to bring your bike - there will be additional cycle parking provided on the day. 13th Wheelie Wednesday, THE MAD HATTERS RIDE meeting at the Market Cross, Leighton Buzzard at 12.30 – 1.30 for a leisurely lunch time ride, take a break from the norm and GoCycle. 16th Heath & Reach May Fayre Dr Bike will be in attendance from 1pm – 4pm, come along to the Heath and Reach May Fayre, by bike and forget about parking the car! We will check your bike over and offer you advice on bike maintenance, training and also security marking. 29th May Half Term Cycle training – see website for further information.
JUNE 10th Wheelie Wednesday, BIKE WEEK RIDE meeting at the Market Cross, Leighton Buzzard at 12.30 – 1.30 for a leisurely lunch time ride, take a break from the norm and GoCycle. Bike week starts on 13th June 13th Meet the Aylesbury Cycle Crew – we will be taking a bike ride to Marsworth and meeting up with the Aylesbury Crew to celebrate the launch of bike week, why not pack a picnic and join us – all abilities welcome – see our website for further information. 15th Bikers Breakfast at Leighton Buzzard Train Station 16th June – Evening Family bike ride 17th Book display in Leighton Buzzard Library 17th Dr Bike – Grovebury Road Industrial Estate 17th Wheelie Wednesday Special – in celebration of Bike Week 18th Dr Bike – Grovebury Road Industrial Estate 20th Cycle for Life – Sponsored bike ride, all abilities welcome to join in! We will be running a sponsored relay bike ride on a quarter of a mile circuit, off-road. Each team will have a mascot which they will need to move around the track continually for 12 hours. We are recruiting 10 teams of up 25 people per team. All funds raised from this event to be donated to Cancer Research. There will also be bike tryouts and Dr Bike along with an obstacle course for individuals to test out their skills, register your interest by contacting gocycle
JULY 7th Wheelie Wednesday, meeting at the Market Cross, Leighton Buzzard at 12.30 – 1.30 for a leisurely lunch time ride, take a break from the norm and GoCycle 11th Leighton Buzzard Carnival GoCycle will be joining in the procession with a cycle float – come along by bike, forget about parking your car and have an enjoyable day out. We will have bike tryouts, Dr Bike, who will check your bikes over and also be providing security marking. They may even be an opportunity for you to test out your biking skills on an obstacle course. 25th Linslade Canal Festival GoCycle will be holding the official opening of the Narrows Bridge at the Canal Festival, come along and have your bike checked out and tryout our new infrastructure! There will also be a ride for you to join in showing the new links.
AUGUST Check out our website for cycle training during the Summer School Holidays! Whether you are a complete beginner or wanting to go onto the next stage we have something for everyone. Including mountain biking, BMX coaching and bike maintenance courses, don’t delay check out our website today. SEPTEMBER 6th Century Bike Ride - For those of you who can go the distance, why not join the Cycle Town Team on 6th September for a 100 mile bike ride. See website for details.
OCTOBER 10TH Living History Day at Leighton Buzzard Town Centre. Come and visit GoCycle to get your bike check over ready for those winter months.
Go Cycle Promotions Officer Cycle Training, Cycling Network, Advice and support for Cycling Leighton-Linslade Town Council The White House Hockliffe Street Leighton Buzzard LU7 1HD direct dial: 01525 635 111 alvina.farrow@leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk gocycle@leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk
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| © 2009 GoCycle - Leighton-Linslade Town Council, The White House, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 1HD General enquiries: 01525 635111 | Schools enquiries: 01525 632114 | Business enquiries:01525 635112 gocycle@leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk |