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CYCLETALK
The Newsletter of CTC ScotlandNumber 34: Aug/Sep 2004 Editor of this issue:
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Now it’s all over – time for some reflection. Why do we do it? I see several strands which are covered largely by different organisations. There’s the commuting/campaigning aspect – Bike to Work (I refuse to say Bike2Work – ugh!), there’s the more general ‘cycling is good for you and good for the environment’ aspect, and there’s the ‘cycling is fun and a sociable activity’, to say nothing of the ‘cycling is a sport’ side. CTC participates in the first two as a service to all cyclists, whether CTC members or not. CTC firmly believes in the third and supports the fourth and wants more participation from members and to encourage new people to enjoy the experience and to want to join the organisation.
This year the Lothians DA decided to run a much more extensive programme than in the past few years to try to cover a wide range of activities and interests. Most of the normal weekly club activities during the 9 days were advertised and described in more detail than usual to try to encourage more members to turn out and also to attract newcomers. We arranged some special events (an orienteering evening, a Ladies’ Tour and a Pot Luck Supper). These were not part of our normal programme, but were things anyone could join in, requiring no special skills or mindset. And finally we tried to repeat the success of the 125th rides of May 2003. A thousand leaflets were printed and distributed via libraries, waiting rooms (doctors etc.) and station bike racks.
The jury is still out (i.e. there hasn’t been a Committee Meeting yet to evaluate the week), but here are a few thoughts.
A very personal opinion – yes, worth the effort. I completed the returns to Bike Week on the train on the way to Inverness on the day after the week finished. One of the questions for each event was
(so seniors and children are both genderless!)
Roughly averaging over all the events about 65% were SCs, 0% were children, 20% women. This is a matter of some concern. While CTC is not seeking to bring in children the same way as competitive sporting organisations need children to form the medal-winning competitors of the future, CTC traditionally has been an organisation which attracted younger parents with young families, and these are the people we are not attracting as members. This ties in with the problem of dates and life-styles. All sports are finding that the days of the ‘this is my sport’ customer are gone. An individual might go for a 30-mile cycle ride on a Sunday morning and then do some gardening or go for a walk and still have time (and energy) for a game of squash in the evening. They no longer spend all weekend cycling, or all weekend sailing. The range has increased, the activity is more concentrated.
Another issue with Bike Week is the number of other attractions on, partly because of the time of year in general, but for example we contended with the annual St Andrews Charity Ride and the Edinburgh BikeFest to say nothing of holidays.
I think we have got to, but there are some caveats and constraints. Is Bike Week and a concentrated programme the best way, or would a drip feed be better and avoid some of the conflicts? We must project a dynamic image (remember most people don’t know what “CTC” stands for – even if “Cyclists’ Touring Club” was something of a misnomer it pointed people in the right direction), but we can’t afford to run events without making at least a small profit, for we have no other source of income.
CTCScotland would be pleased to hear your views on promotion, participation and what you have managed to do in your areas.
“Our bike week actually finished with a flourish. My Discovery Ride on Saturday attracted 9, highest this year, including a father and two young sons and another new face. Our Pedalling picnic yesterday attracted our biggest CTC generated turnout of 15, approaching from “a’ the airts”. There was also an indeterminate number from Sanquhar and elsewhere (mainly children) taking part in a cycling skills test and a portable climbing wall. And I wheeled out the Macmillan replica. I’m not sure what category those who cycled there would fall into - none of them were real novices.
“The discovery formula is so much appreciated by those who come. The difficulty is to get through to all the people who would come if they realised what it was all about.”
Now that the targets for the next four years have been identified, sportscotland is holding a series of workshops with partner organisations (and that means governing bodies and local agencies - local authorities, health authorities and sports development teams etc.) to discuss how these targets can be delivered and to share examples of good practice. Mike Harrison attended one in Inverness which spent 3 hours looking at these issues in relation to Targets 5 & 6.
Target 5 is “that 55% of those aged 17-24 will take part in sport more than twice a week”. The problem areas have been identified as the change from school to college/university or school to work or school to unemployment. The last group is already being addressed through other ventures to do with motivation, making aware of opportunities and funding, but we were concerned with the first group where there are big lifestyle changes both at the start and end of a university course; changes of location, finance, friends, study patterns, work commitments, marriage and family all of which make continuity of physical activity and sport more difficult.
Target 6 is “43% of those aged 45-64 will take part in sport at least once a week”. The problem here is that for many sports people in this age range can’t compete as well as they once could and tend to drop out. Fortunately cycling does not have this disadvantage (and most of the sports which can be either competitive or non-competitive are the same). As we know, cyclists can keep on going much longer than most other sportsmen, still covering long distances at a reasonable speed and with no great discomfort. So many sports have past-it competitors who become full-time administrators; cycling just has cyclists. But how can we help those who either for lack of interest in physical activity or because of intense work or family commitments are getting near to retiring age, have more time available, need more exercise, but don’t like golf or bowls? This is where I think we can make a contribution. The “Cycling for a healthy heart” is not just for overweight middle-aged mums. The inactive 50+ male is also a prime candidate.
We should all think about what our club offers. It’s very easy for a DA or Section to be very inward-looking (“We’ve been doing it for a long time, this is what we like doing, we have friends we like doing it with. If anyone else wants to join in, they will have to do it on our terms”). We have said in the notes on Bike Week how difficult it is to make contact with the people for whom we could offer something, but we do need to make the effort, and on the occasion when someone comes to a CTC group and says “We have a group of 8 55-yearolds who want to go on a bike run, can you help?” we should be able to say “Yes” and get on with it.
Note: As far as sportscotland is concerned there are 2 governing bodies for cycling. SCU is the GB for competitive cycling while CTC is the GB for non-competitive cycling. As the mood of the government swings, sportscotland has to keep in step. So at some times there is a lot of money to be put in what used to be called “excellence” – the elite competitors, at other times the money will go into what used to be called “foundation” – introducing people to sport. At least sportscotland now recognises that physical activity in itself is as important as competitive sport for the nation’s health.
I have been making enquiries about a couple of possible sites in Dumfries for 2006. I now hear that one would be available. Della McGavin, the HQ CTC events lady, will come and have a look at it. I mention it now because waiting longer would mean that you would not hear of it until October, whereas I need to see if I can get the key organising team together before that.
The last time the event was in Scotland was in 1992 at Ayr, so isn’t it time it were here again? But it can’t happen without people to make it happen. Therefore, I make an urgent appeal now for the key organisers. In these electronic days, you could work from a distance, making the odd visit, and we could hold our meetings half way to the central belt. (We can gather the army of marshals, etc, later). SO….will you help to make it happen?
Preliminary Information –
Support and assurance
Advice (offered sympathetically!)
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 Would someone please tell John that this is not a suitable bike for a club ride? |
There are events to suit all speeds and abilities. Why not give yourself a challenge and try one? If you don’t know what it’s all about and feel diffident, talk to someone in your local group who does them. If you don’t know any such, phone an organiser or give me a call (Mike Harrison 0131 554 7773). Details of DATC events are in the CTC magazine “Cycle” for the coming two months, and on the web (www.ctc-competitions.org.uk). For Audax – see www.audax.uk.net
All the events listed below are both Audax and DATC events. Two sets of points for the price of one entry fee. Now if that isn’t a bargain…
8 August: Forfar – 150k
28-29 August: Newtonmore – 80-200k
11-12 Sept: Grampian Audax Weekend, based at Maryculter, by Aberdeen
A choice of four long distance (50k to 200k) sociable rides, exploring the magnificent scenery of North-East Scotland.
Camping facilities, BBQ, good company.
contact Mark Hagger click for email
26 September: Lothian – Dalmeny (100 miles)
Topics were “Cycling & Health” and “Cycle Helmets”. Some notes:
On June 17th The Times published a picture of 8 MSPs cycling down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh City Chambers towards their new workplace at Holyrood. They did not ride back up to their present home! Shame!
PEDAL for SCOTLAND19th September 2004 |
Yes, Barnsoul lived up to its promise and provided us with a much appreciated venue,
especially with its new toilet + wet weather shelter block and the highly cooperative
attitude of the proprietors, Archy and Sheila. Our own reputation as a caring set of
people goes from strength to strength.
Barnsoul is not itself set in quite such a gorgeous basin of countryside as Drumlanrig, but it has a complete 360 degree choice of directions for all grades of route. Access to such beauty areas as the Ken/Dee valley, the Galloway hills and the Stewartry coast is popular.
There was some rain on the first two days, but Sunday chased away the memory of it. It was not enough to upset our record of 50% virtually dry KMs and only one very wet one. We all cycled to Keir for our traditional reception there. Then most went on to Drumlanrig where the Macmillan replica was demonstrated – and tried out by some! Incidentally, a VCC member who has his own replica is moving into the area, so you will probably see two on the road together at some time!
Entertainment was up to standard. The Ceilidh went with a swing and Brian’s slideshow was packed with the usual interest. Our innovation, Diane’s quiz night, got its participant teams thinking and collaborating and competing; we are looking forward to her next one!
We book the hall for the whole four days (probably providing half its annual rental income!) and it’s a good one. We have found just the right kind of meal provider, so have booked her, the hall and the band already for next year, KM165.
See you there!
Pat Harrow completes her 3-year term (which followed the 1-year term after the reconstruction of the Council) at the end of this year. Nominations have to be made by August 14th, and, if necessary, elections will be after that date. Last time there was an election (4 years ago) the Scottish poll was less than 20%. Exercise your vote!
Over a year ago a commuting cyclist was killed on the road at Lugton between Dalkeith and the Sherrifhall Roundabout where the A68 crosses the Edinburgh Ring Road.
Over the last few weeks Midlothian has narrowed the road and widened the footpath to create a pedestrian/cycle path (split use not shared). The difficulty is that the road curves with poor sight-lines and is on a hill. There does not seem to have been the usual consultation about the design. The suggestion and expectation seems to be that cyclists going north (up hill) will cross the busy road at the bottom (near a roundabout) to get on to the path, and will then recross it at the top of the hill where traffic is going quite fast as well as coming round a corner. There are no marked crossings, lights or islands at either of these crossing points. Experienced cyclists think this is more dangerous than staying on the road; but as the affected cyclists are going up hill and as the road has been narrowed to make space for the path, their presence on the road will simply antagonise motorists.
About 60 took part (including one or two under 50s just practicing for the future). It was a fine warm day after some initial dampness (well one heavy very local downpour for some). The midges at Loch Katrine were in fine form for those who stopped along its shore for lunch. The scones in Aberfoyle and other refreshments just beyond made up for the failure of the morning coffee to appear. The ride itself was fine, except for one unfortunate who came off on the last descent on the north side of Loch Katrine and needed hospital treatment. Luckily a doctor was in the next group to come along and which found him in the road, and it was ascertained that injuries were limited to cuts and bruises and not breaks. Unluckily, mobile phones don’t work in that part of the hinterland, but with the help of Scottish Water contact was made with the emergency services and he was taken to hospital.
Perhaps next time we should have a 150 mile ride as well, as some rode back to Edinburgh and Dalkeith after finishing the 100.
Our breath is bated! The Code’s contorted passage is, we sincerely hope, nearly over and could be accepted by Parliament before the recess. Also, we still hope that an announcement of that blessed day, the enforcement date, will come before recess. But there is no guarantee – so keep your fingers crossed!
Processes are astir, however. Councils are starting on Local Access Forums, Core Path Networks, etc, albeit at different paces. In one process, CTC has notched up a noteworthy success. That is in representing cycling on the newly forming National Access Forum. About six membership based Scottish cycling organisations were identified. All those who responded wished to support CTC for the seat.
Those other organisations become “corresponding” members, getting all papers and the possibility of taking part in groups set up from time to time for various matters. In addition, the newly-formed Cycling Scotland is recognised as an “interested party” and hence a corresponding member. My immediate task is to establish a method of communication with all of them, to gather their views, and to take those forward.
I have already proposed that it should be ascertained that all government departments, etc, be made aware of the ways in which they can contribute to the success of the access legislation. The dept we experience most is trunk roads. Generally, they propose cycling facilities just for the length of their scheme, but we are trying to get them to extend those facilities to enhance the local cycling infrastructure.
The CTC Scotland office in Forfar is now comfortably equipped. Thanks must go to a local Health Centre who moved to a new building and donated much of its spare furniture to us. Clare, Project Officer and Carol, Project Assistant, are now settled in post. The project now has bikes and so far has been working in Angus. An appeal was made to local CTC members to become volunteers and an evening was arranged for them to meet. For Bike Week, complete with bikes and volunteers, the project ran taster sessions round Forfar Loch and on the cycle route at the beach in Montrose.
Cycle for a Healthy Heart can work with individuals, or groups of people, who have never ridden a bike before and wish to try, or who used to be cyclists and now need some support and encouragement to get back on their bike again. Let us know of anyone who wishes to take up or return to cycling as a healthy form of exercise.
01307 469880 click for email
| Sustrans in Scotland has moved its offices once again. The new address is 16a Randolph Cresc., EDINBURGH, EH3 7TT; 0131 539 8122 |
Copy for next issue to CycleTalk Editor by 1st Sept
CycleTalk 34 compiled and edited by Mike Harrison
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