Social rides

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Social rides calendar

Previous rides

Next ride: Saturday 30th August 2008

A ride starting from Congleton railway station at 10.00am, heading for Goostrey for a pub lunch, and aiming to be back in Congleton for around 2.30pm. The route will include stations at Goostrey and Holmes Chapel to survey cyclists' facilities. All riding will be on minor roads or tracks wherever possible. Bring wet weather gear and some snacks. Email Peter Hall for more details.

Forthcoming rides (note amended date):

Saturday 18th October 2008 - route to be arranged but to take in Sandbach, Alsager and Kidsgrove stations.

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2nd August 08 - regular ride to Rode Hall Farmers' Market

Four of us enjoyed the six-mile ride there on a pleasant day. This market is held on the first Saturday of every month and is an excellent place to soak up the atmosphere and indulge in the best of local organic produce.

Much more satisfying than standing in the queue at the supermarket too....

22nd June 08 - Pedalling Picnic (part of National Bike Week -see below)

Strong blustery winds did not deter the 12 riders who took part in our Pedalling Picnic ride to Biddulph Grange Country Park. The group welcomed riders who were keen to find out more about how they can make better use of their bikes for health and also to find out about the facilities for cyclists in and around Congleton.

We rode from Congleton Park along the Biddulph Valley Way (which is also National Cycle Network route 55), enjoying the shelter from the wind afforded by the trees that line the old railway line. At Marsh Green Lane in Gillow Heath we met the Cycle 2000 group of 39 riders who had ridden from Ford Green Hall in the Potteries. The now greatly expanded group then rode to the Country Park at Biddulph Grange where the long awaited picnic was enjoyed despite the ever present wind.

The amiable chat throughout the group was dominated by the mutual desire to see cycling take a greater part in everyone's daily lives. With the cost of fuel reaching previously unknown heights and the looming threat of poor health brought on by inactivity and poor diet, cycling was mutually adjudged to be one of the positive ways in which to alleviate these problems. Stoke on Trent City Council's successful bid for Cycling City status and the forthcoming stage of the Tour of Britain to the city were also main topics of conversation. See Stoke's website for more details about the winning bid and the Tour of Britain.

As the strong wind worked its way through everyone's summer clothes a premature end was called to the picnic. Everyone agreed that the event was a great success in demonstrating just how much people want to see more use of bikes and less reliance on cars for short journeys. The Staffordshire Constabulary (on bicycles, off course!) was on hand to help the group of over 50 riders cross the Congleton Road and, back on the Biddulph Valley Way the groups went their separate ways. The Congleton group arrived home at 14.00.

What's National Bike Week?

Bike Week Guided by Nokia is the UK's biggest annual promotion of cycling and all things bike-related. Bike Week provides a national umbrella for locally organised events and activities up and down the UK.

Bike Week is all about getting people out and about on bikes. Our mission is to get 'more people cycling, more often', and Bike Week provides a unique opportunity to promote cycling as a great way to 'have fun, get fit, and feel free'.

Families are at the heart of Bike Week 2008. This year we are promoting cycling as a means of bringing families together; a unifying yet liberating activity that will enable family members to get fit and have fun together. Encouraging quality family time and values, cycling will also be shown to help focus minds on the environment, enabling

families to reduce their carbon footprints by reducing car usage and enjoying the great outdoors.

18th May 08 - Cheshire Lanes

Ten riders rode from Brereton Heath Country Park to view the Union of Cyclists sign at North Rode. The ride coincided with the Macclesfield Bikeathon and it was exceptionally pleasant to ride the lanes north of Congleton in the company of hundreds of other bicycles.

A picnic lunch was enjoyed at North Rode church and a welcome drink was taken in the garden at the Swettenham Arms on the return journey.

Altogether the riders covered a leisurely 10 miles and all commented that they were looking forward to the next ride in June.

27th April 08 - Graham McCargo Memorial ride, Congleton - Tatton Park

5th April 08 Congleton - Rode Hall Farmer's Market ride

The Congleton Cycling Campaign's first social ride of the year was a moderate 12 miles from Mossley Village Hall to the Farmer's Market at Rode Hall and back on Saturday 5th April.

Despite the chilly weather, our group of eight enjoyed an invigorating ride via the lanes along the lower slopes of Mow Cop via Ackers Crossing (where we took a break for a photocall).

A warming cup of tea was taken at Rode Hall while the rain showers passed over and supplies from the excellent market were carried home in a variety of panniers and back packs, with a welcome and enjoyable stop at the Horseshoe Inn at Newbold Astbury for lunch.

Read all about the Congleton Cycle Campaign's Sept 07 fungal foray

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