Chester and North Wales CTC - come ride with us!

Cestyll Audax Events, Saturday 29th June 2013: These are not organised by Chester and North Wales although many of our members enjoy taking part in Audax events, especially those that are local. Rhos-on-Sea Cycling Club has organised an event starting at Rhos-on-Sea Golf Club. There are three rides: Glan-y-Mor (51km), The Land of the Gelert (135km) and, most challenging, the Cestyll Cymru (200km), taking in seven castles. All rides go round the Great Orme. Click here for further details and here to enter one of the events.

Reminder

Bob Clift Memorial Cheshire Cycleway Rides 23rd June 2013: Don't miss out on these very enjoyable cycle rides in the beautiful Cheshire Countryside. There are three rides to choose from (100 miles, 50 miles or 25 miles), so there is something for everyone. Start and finish are at the Waverton Institute, Village Road, Waverton, CH3 7QN. Further details and entry forms are on the Events 2013 Page. It's a very enjoyable sociable day. All riders are welcome so we hope to see you there!

CTC Cymru Welsh Festival of Cycling 2013: This event, based at Ruthin Rugby Club, takes place on 25th to 30th July. There will be a range of rides, some of which will be very easy. This year riders can enter for a single day ride if they wish. There will be a fee of £5 per day which can be paid on the day when registering. Please arrive before 9.00am to be in good time for the rides. Volunteers are needed to help lead a range of different rides. Please contact if you can help. Click here to download an entry form and here to see a leaflet about the rides.

A 540 Parkgate Road - Two Mills 2012 bid to make cycling safer: The application to Chester West and Chester (CWaC) was unsuccessful. Briefly, the scheme was to convert existing footpaths to dual use for cyclists and pedestrians on both sides of the A 540 from the Eureka Café up to Chapel Lane - and also to construct a new path opposite Chapel Lane to Woodbank Lane. The reasons given for the scheme not to go forward are:

a) CWaC considered that the scheme failed to fully address the safety issue of cyclists entering or leaving Chapel Lane, or riding between the lane and the café.

b) There were specific concerns over the width of the path being limited to 2m and being 1.5m in places.

We hope that the Department for Transport will repeat matched funding for the next financial year. With other stakeholders, including Chester West and Chester Highways Department, we will address their safety concerns and put in another application (Peter Williams, Right to Ride Officer Ch&NW CTC).

A message from Jon Snow, President of CTC: A new report has been published by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group entitled Get Britain Cycling. One of the aims in the report is for 10% of trips to be made by bike by 2025 and 25% by 2050. In particular, the report calls for £10 per person, per year, to support a radical transformation of streets and roads, as well as training, promotion and marketing to shift the culture on our roads. Together with The Times, Sustrans, the AA and British Cycling, CTC is urging members to sign up to a joint petition on the Number 10 Website, calling for the Government to implement the recommendations. Signing the petition provides an opportunity to start making the necessary changes.

Click here to sign the petition on the Number 10 Website.

Click to get bigger image

Wednesday Riders 30th Anniversary Lunch, Thornton Hall, Wirral

The Wednesday Riders, a flourishing mid-week group of Chester and North Wales CTC, celebrated 30 years since its formation. Over sixty fellow cyclists, family and long-time members attended the 30th Anniversary Lunch at Thornton Grange, Thornton, Wirral on 6th March 2013. A history of the Wednesday Riders from inception to the present day is published in the Spring 2013 edition of The Link, our excellent club magazine.

Click here to see more photos taken at the lunch (big file - 7MB!)

Team CTC - 'Cheshire Classic' Race Sunday 28th April 2013

The next outing for women's cycling racing team, Team CTC, will be in Cheshire on Sunday the 28th of April.

A five-strong team will be taking part in the 'Cheshire Classic' at Weaverham in Cheshire. The race is part of the women's national individual series and is organised by the Weaver Valley Cycling Club. Riders will complete 10 laps of the 7.7km course and finish at the top of the infamous 'cliff', a very challenging climb, even for the most accomplished riders. There are many vantage points to watch the race if you are interested in this local Cheshire Event. Click here for the route.

Sign the Chester Cycling Campaign's Twenty's Plenty Online Petition

Chester Cycling Campaign has created a petition on the Cheshire West and Chester website (CWaC) to press for borough-wide 20 mph speed limits on non-through routes and residential streets. We now need as many people as possible to sign the petition in order to trigger a debate in council. If the petition receives 1,500 signatures or more, it will be scheduled for a full council debate.

The arguments for 20 mph as the default speed limit for residential streets are compelling. In Britain more than half of road deaths and serious injuries occur on roads with 30 mph limits and we have the highest percentage of pedestrian road fatalities in Europe. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Britain has one of the lowest levels of children walking or cycling to school in Europe.

Chester Cycling Campaign has had notification from CWAC that the ePetition for borough-wide 20mph limits is now live on the CWAC website. Please sign the petition and spread the word on your personal and professional networks. Click here to see the 20's Plenty for Us national website.

Click Here to Sign the Petition.

Reminder

Chester and North Wales CTC / Audax Rides, Corwen, Saturday 8th June 2013

Don't forget to enter one of these challenging Audax rides starting from Corwen. There is the Barmouth Boulevard, a 200km ride with a brand new variant - one of the more challenging 200km Audax rides in Britain! Or you could ride the 100km Brenig Bach, a superb 100km ride in remote roads and stunning scenery. As an introduction to Audax riding you could consider the 60km Bala Parade, a slightly hilly scenic circumnavigation of Lake Bala. Further details of each ride are available here. Click here to see a poster for the rides.

Eureka / Chester & North Wales rides, 6th April 2013: Click here to see a report and photos of this very successful trio of rides starting from the Eureka Café.

Cyclists First Aid Course, 14th March 2013: On Thursday 14th March an audience of 20 slightly apprehensive cyclists gathered in Alf Jones' Cycles coffee shop for a presentation by Steve Evans SRPara, MCPara. Steve Evans is a cyclist and also a paramedic training manager. After realising the lack of first aid skills amongst cyclists he set to work researching cycling injuries and then produced a cycling specific presentation. Click here to see a report of the evening and to access a copy of the presentation.

Saltney Ferry Footbridge: Saltney Ferry footbridge is now definitely closed for approximately eight weeks. Hopefully work on the bridge will be completed in the time forecast (towards the end of May).

Merseyside CTC, Early Season Tourist Trial - 21st April 2013: If you missed the closing date for entries for the Chester and North Wales CTC Early Spring Reliability Ride (Spring 50 TT) you're not too late to enter the Merseyside Event - Organiser, Denis Holder.

The Early Season Tourist Trial is a round route of approximately 74 miles, starting and finishing at Norley Village Hall. It's mainly on lanes and minor roads, all of which are open to traffic, and takes riders on a circuit into the lanes of North Wales via Moel Arthur. The event is not a race and riders are invited to take their time to complete it at their own pace. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided at the start and finish, and at two checkpoints on the route, Northop and Penyffordd. A certificate will be presented to all finishers. Full course directions will be sent out prior to the event. There is a non-refundable entry fee of £9.00. Click here for details and entry form.

Burton Marsh Cycle Route Update: Here is the latest news published on 6th March about the Neston to Deeside cycle route across Burton Marsh. This article by Rob Ward appeared in 'About my Area', the website covering local news in Neston and surrounding areas.

Women's 'cycling know-how' session - Wednesday 3rd April: The Bike Factory is hosting an evening for women cyclists run by Chris Garrison on behalf of Trek UK and TotalWomen'sCycling to encourage women to learn more about cycling and get on their bikes with greater confidence. The evening will be held on Wednesday 3rd April from 6.30-9.00pm at The Bike Factory, Boughton, Chester. Tickets are free along with wine and chocolate. Just pop into the shop or email Steve Jones to book one of 50 places. Click here to see a poster.

Wrexham Council's - '20s Plenty For Us' - Proposals and Consultation: Wrexham Council, with support from Local Members, propose to implement a 20mph speed limit area encompassing the communities of Johnstown, Penycae, Ponciau and Rhosllanerchrugog. The implementation of similar schemes in other parts of the Wales have proved successful in lowering speeds to the benefit of local communities, particularly to more vulnerable members of our society. In many of the communities identified, restricted road widths and the lack of footways make these particularly intimidating places for pedestrians and cyclists. Research has demonstrated that motorists are more likely to respect lower speed limits in developed and residential areas and where there is community activity, ie near schools, shops and other local facilities.

The proposed 20mph area will be clearly signed at the start of the speed limit with termination signs at the exit. Roundel road markings will be placed at regular intervals throughout the scheme to reinforce the 20mph speed limit.

The Council is undertaking consultation with residents, businesses, emergency services and other interested parties, including a survey. The purpose of this consultation is to establish whether there is support for the proposals. The survey will only take a few moments of your time to complete. (Information from Roy Spilsbury, Forum Member and CTC Right to Ride Representative, Denbighshire)

Burton Marsh link route: Click here to see a recent update on progress of the new Burton Marsh link route including five photos. Information and photos from Peter Williams, Ch&NW CTC Right to Ride Representative.

Brian Pendlebury

To all members of the Chester and North Wales Cycling Club who attended Brian's funeral, we would just like to say a big thank you for joining us in the celebration of his life, and to say thank you for the letters and cards we received. Brian would have been amazed at the turnout; he loved his cycling but unfortunately in the last few years he was unable to carry it on. Thanks again, and we hope to see you in the near future.

Best Wishes from Margaret, Sue & Anne Pendlebury

Eureka Audax Rides 6th April 2013: Details and entry forms for these three challenging Audax Rides starting at the famous Eureka Café can be found on our Events 2013 Page. There are two longer rides on offer and an introductory shorter ride - something for everyone. Click here to see a poster about the rides.

Important Note about the Eureka Rides - 6th April 2013

If you have already entered the Eureka Rides please check that you have downloaded V4 0213 version of your route sheet. Revised routes are available from the Audax UK Calendar page.

Burton Marsh link route: Click here to see an update on progress of the new Burton Marsh link route including three photos. Information and photos from Peter Williams, Ch&NW CTC Right to Ride Representative.

Corwen Audax Rides 8th June 2013: Put this date in your diary and enter one of these terrific Audax rides based in wonderful Welsh mountain scenery. There are four challenging rides, comprising two at 200km, one at 100km and an introductory 60km ride. Details and entry forms can be found on our Events 2013 Page. Click here for a poster.

New Year's Day rides to McLean's pub and the Carden Arms,Tilston: Better late than never! Click here to see a report on these rides and a selection of photos taken at the Carden Arms, Tilston on New Year's day.

Pam Cross Funeral: Pam's funeral was held at Neston Parish Church at 11.00am on Friday 25th January, followed by interment at Frankby Cemetery, and afterwards at the Royal British Legion, Neston.

Mike Cross very much appreciated the cyclists' guard of honour, and thanks everyone who attended the funeral and who have supported him in many ways.

Alan Mort Court Case Outcome: Alan, a keen cyclist and a popular member of Chester and North Wales CTC, was killed last year on 5th February 2012 while cycling on the A548 Coast Road. The driver responsible was arrested and charged. This press release in the Daily Post dated 15th January 2013 reports that the driver of the vehicle was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to 14 months in prison, given an 18-month driving ban, and ordered to take an extended driving test. Our sincere sympathies are with Alan's family.

Work on Dee Marshes Route Starts: Flintshire County Council has assumed responsibility for the completion of the new cycle path across the Dee Marshes, linking Deeside Industrial Park and Burton. The work started on 7 January 2013, and is estimated to be ready to open in 10 to 12 weeks. We look forward to the opening of this vital, safe, and traffic free link between England and Wales. More information, including a map, can be found on the Chester Cycling Campaign website.

Footpath/Cycleway closures at Saltney Ferry Footbridge and the vicinity: Temporary closures will commence on 14th January 2013 and will last approximately 10-12 weeks. This is to facilitate the construction of a new flood defence wall on top of the existing embankment on both sides of Saltney Ferry Footbridge. These works will be carried out by a contractor on behalf of the Environment Agency Wales. Approximately 65 metres of the cycletrack/footpath will be closed on the western side of the footbridge and approximately 80 metres will be closed on the eastern side of the footbridge. There will be a temporary diversion in place during the course of the works which will divert around the back of the properties in this area. The alternative proposed route is a hardcore track. Click here to see a map indicating this diversion and here to see the Temporary Traffic Notice.

Closure of Saltney Ferry Footbridge: The footbridge will close from the beginning of March for approximately 6-8 weeks to allow essential existing parapets to be dismantled and new parapets installed. Alternative routes available to cross the River Dee will be the Blue Bridge, Queensferry, or the Grosvenor Bridge, Chester. There is a possibility that the works may not begin until mid-February. Click here to see the Temporary Traffic Notice. (Information from Peter Williams, Ch&NW CTC Ride to Ride Officer - via Stuart Jones, Rights of Way Officer, Flintshire County Council).

Volunteer Ride Leader Required to lead a cycle ride in Llandudno on Friday 1st February at 12:30pm. Rhian Lewis, Principal Transport Planner at JMP Consultants Ltd, is working with the North Wales Housing Association to launch an active travel challenge. Part of the challenge is to arrange a lunch time 'social' bike ride to encourage staff to form small teams to take part in the challenge. There is a small budget available. A formal ride leader qualification is not required, but experience of leading cycling groups is necessary. CTC membership is acceptable for insurance purposes. If anyone is interested please email Rhian Lewis or phone 0151-229-1884 for further details.

Pam Cross: We are very saddened to announce that Pam passed away on 12th January 2013. We send our sincere condolences to her husband Mike, President of Chester and North Wales CTC.

Bob Clift Memorial Cheshire Cycleway Rides, 23rd June 2013

Details and entry forms for the 100mile, 50mile, and 25mile rides, organised by Dorothy Clift and Hazel McDougall, are now available.

Early Spring Reliability Ride (50-mile Tourist Trial) 24th March 2013: CTC Two Mills (Secretary, Janet Gregory) has once again planned and organised this very popular annual ride taking place in late March. Click here for a poster of the Event, here for details, and here for an Event Entry Form.

CTC TOURIST COMPETITION - 2012
CONGRATULATIONS to CHESTER and NORTH WALES CTC RIDERS

Many congratulations to all our riders who took part in the 2012 CTC Tourist Competition. Yet again they have achieved great overall success.

Congratulations to Peter Dilworth the first Chester and North Wales CTC rider to be the overall winner! Peter gained maximum points and won on a tie breaker. (He also wins the 1st Veteran's prize). Lowri Evans was 4th (First Lady) as well as achieving 1st Lady Veteran, Andy Polakowski was 5th on 110 points; he completed at least two events in each category as did Martin Thomson who was equal 6th on 108 points. Chester and North Wales CTC was the winning team (comprising Peter, Lowri, Andy and Martin). Until the rule changes this year there would have been teams of six. Those who narrowly miss out on team places are Dave Statham, 8th on 103 points, and Darryl Porrino, 9th with 101 points. Thanks are due to everyone who helped and encouraged the riders!

Click here to see the full competition results.

Watson's Wanderers' Christmas Dinner Run 2012, 18th December 2012: Click here to see a brief report and photos.

New Year's Day Lunch 2013, The Carden Arms, Tilston: The pub is under new management so the food and welcome should be good. The organiser of the lunch this year is Harry Watson. A veggie stew for between five to ten people will be available as requested and a three-course Christmas meal. Tourist Competition Trophies will be presented by David Ackerley, Honorary Secretary of the Chester and North Wales CTC Awards Committee.

Wednesday Riders Christmas Dinner, Trafford Hall 12th December 2012: We were very sorry that Mike and Pam couldn't be with us at the Wednesday Riders Christmas lunch, but the group raised their glasses in a toast to Pam for organising this year's event and for many previous years. Thanks to John Ferguson, who took over the planning so that the lunch could go ahead, to Mike Knox (MC), Brian Lowe who stepped into the breach at the last minute after Glennys couldn't attend, and Mike Maxwell for closing the meal. Many thanks to Eureka Cycle Sports, The Bike Factory, Cheshire Oaks Cycles, Always Aim High Events and all our members who donated prizes for the raffle which raised £90 for St John's Hospice. Thanks also to Trafford Hall for an excellent meal. We especially send our very best wishes to Pam and Mike.

Click here to see a selection of photos of the Lunch.

New Years Day lunch, McLeans Pub, Sandycroft: Click here for details.

Watson's Wanderers 600th Pub Visit Celebration: On Tuesday 27 November 2012 some 30 cyclists left Christleton at 10:00am to ride, via coffee at the Ice Cream Farm, to Willington Hall for a special lunch. Willington Hall is the 600th different pub visited by Watson's Wanderers since inception some 22 years ago. Click here to see photos of the event.

Cycling Clothes, free (almost): Marjorie Clough has been sorting through the cycling effects of her late husband, Bob. In return for a small donation to club funds a selection of clothing is looking for a new home. All the clothes are in very good condition. Please note that you should contact Peter Barnes and NOT Marjorie. Peter's number is: 0151-648-2684. Click here to see the list of clothing.

Cycling Books for Sale: CTC Derby has 150 cycling books for sale from the late Keith Martin's extensive book collection. The money raised will be split between a Melanoma charity and CTC Derby. It's quite a collection, over 150 books, many obscure and some probably collectible. They're asking for offers, either for a single book or groups of books - offers to be received by the end of November. Please have a look and make an offer if interested. Click here to see the list of book details (information from CTC Derby).

CTC ClubShorts: No! This is nothing to do with bicycle clothing. Chester and North Wales CTC and Member Groups across the country regularly receive information of interest to members from National Office. Click here to see the latest issue. There is now a link to 'CTC ClubShorts' on the External Links Page.

Merseyside CTC Website: Please note that Steve Gilmartin has stepped down as webmaster of Merseyside CTC. The website will be inactive until a new webmaster is found (information from Alan Parker).

LOST PROPERTY: A pair of spectacles was left at the Chester and North Wales AGM at Higher Kinnerton HQ last Sunday. Please contact Arthur Miller on 01244-831361 if they are yours.

The Eureka Café: Café owner Ann Peek asks me to remind you that you may not simply enter any part of the premises (and that includes the grounds as well as the toilets) unless you purchase food and/or drink. It is not enough to say that you will buy something when you return from the ride. If Anne asks you to leave the premises because you have infringed her requirements, please do so without question. Please understand that the Eureka Café is a commercial enterprise and not a drop-in clubroom. Thank you for your co-operation. (Mike Cross, President of Chester and North Wales CTC).

Chester and North Wales Audax Corwen Rides - 20th October 2012: Click here to see a report with photos of the three very successful Audax rides organised recently by David Matthews, the Barmouth Boulevard, the Brenig Bach and the Bala Mini Bash.

Hill Climb and Freewheeling Competitions, 6th October 2012: Photos of the competitions can be seen here. Thanks to Andy Polakowski for taking the photos. A report of the events will be available shortly.

President's Rides and Annual Lunch - 30th September 2012

An enthusiastic group of riders from several of our groups assembled at Walk Mill Café, Stapleton, for the start of The President's Ride and Annual Lunch at Tilston Memorial Hall. Chester and North Wales CTC President Mike Cross would like to thank all those who helped or supported this very successful event. On behalf of the club, Mike extends congratulations to Janet Gregory, winner of the President's Trophy for 2012, and former Secretary, Glennys Hammond, to whom he presented a well-deserved CTC Certificate of Merit for her services to the Club. He also wishes Janet Gregory well on her forthcoming term of office as CTC Councillor for the North West Region of CTC. Click on above photo for bigger image. More photos here.

Chester and North Wales CTC Audax Rides, 16th September 2012: Click here to see a report of this very successful and enjoyable event starting at Old Ma's Coffee Shop, Tattenhall, organised by David Matthews.

Two Mills Picnic Ride - 19th August 2012: Click here to see a report of this event and here for a selection of photos.

'The Clwydian 209km', 'The Clwyd Gate 136km' and 'The Clwyd Vale 60km': These CTC Audax events took place on 29th July 2012 as part of the 'Welsh Festival of Cycling'. The very successful Welsh Festival was held over four days and based at Ruthin Rugby Club. Click here to see a report of the Audax events.

Welsh Festival of Cycling 27th-30th July 2012: I very much enjoyed visiting the Welsh Festival of Cycling held recently at the Rugby Club in Ruthin, and was pleased to see it was well-supported by Chester and North Wales CTC members. Our Secretary, Lowri Evans, was very much involved in the planning and deserves everyone's thanks for helping to organise such a great event (Mike Cross, President of Chester and North Wales CTC).

Bob Clift Memorial Cheshire Cycleway Rides, 17th June 2012: Click here to see a report of the event.

Bert Bailey Memorial Veterans 100, 1st July 2012: Chester and North Wales CTC President, Mike Cross, wishes to record his thanks to the event organiser, David Ackerley, and all those who helped in any way with the 2012 Bert Bailey Memorial Veterans 100-mile Ride on 1st July. Their help is much appreciated.

Click here for a brief report of this very popular annual event and here for a selection of photos.