Kit

Went for a walk today from our campsite ( Camping and Caravan club River Beamish site), and having packed our sandwiches, put dogs on lead we set off. Apart from lunch I'd packed a map, first aid kit, pen knife some cord, phone, and whistle,  we all had walking boots, water proofs and the girls had over trousers.  Oh yeah and some cash.

So we set off it was misty and a not warm but all was good our highest point of the day was less than a 1.5 miles away and was only 150 metres higher than were we were now.

Boy did I get it wrong, 50 metres up and everything was mist 10 mtrs vis at best, so I'd better be getting my nav right,. Should be to hard open moorland no visibility only gradient, brilliant. Cue rain and hail storm,. Girls put on over trousers me and Sarah get wet, very cold and very wet.

my jacket was cycling jacket, no hood and no hat, Sarah wad wearing. Jeans but had a hood I was in shorts. But the girls were good, apart from leaking boots.


Well my nav wentt well across the hills and back down, then I moved us closer to home via some nifty map reading.

Lessons always have a map know how to use it, well.

Have good kit, over trousers coats and rucksacks carry a storm shelter. Carry,hats gloves and use them.

We were lucky today, I can map read, but should of known better than to let weather catch us out. Won't happen again

Ethan Cycles To School (video from LSTF partner Sustrans.

Free Adult commuter Cycle Training

Cycle Stoke, through its Cycle Smart programme are able to offer free one to one cycle training including route planning and accompanied instructor rides to your place of work.

The offer is open to anyone working at one of five employment centres in and around the City of Stoke on Trent and is being made available to all employers and employees working in the Sustainable travel zones and can include cycle and helmet loan.

The cycle commuter  training is provided through Sustrans and Cyclist Training Ltd who will be working with Stoke City council Stoke's business community and city residents over the next 15 months making cycle transport more available. including bike loans, cycle maintenance sessions open training and advice sessions as well as tailored business solutions.

The Sustainable travel zones

Chatterley Valley,
Eturia Valley
Trentham Lakes
Keele Science and Business Parks
North Staffs Hospital

Business's of any size wishing to part in the project can now register an interest to see if they fall into to one of the eligible zones.

Anyone wishing to take part in the initial phase of training should e-mail

Peter@cyclist-training.co.uk

Were back on Singletrack ;-) and you need a note from your mum to miss tonights ride.

SingleTrack are running The Velo Store as part of their Tuesday Treat. Theres some great prize's on offer too.

Dave Johnson wants some sort of copy right payment for the Williams sisters gag, Erm just speak to Tom or Simon and they will sort you straight out Dave.

And whilst were on the Tuesday theme Im wandering how many excuses were gonna for not being able to make our first minus temp night ride of this season especially with England Germany on. Im riding and so is Simon, we've had tow feeble and one kind of reasonable excuse. Anyone else got a note from their mum ??

More Children riding, More Safely and More often in Staffordshire.

Since April this year 5024 children have taken part in Cyclist Training's  National Standard Bikeability Level 2 Training in Staffordshire. Of these 462 children rode to school before. During our two day training course 2157 children rode to school and 2276 children said they would probably ride to school at some point over the school term. An increase of some 367 %. Not bad really this means:

1. A less congested school run during morning rush hour, and in the afternoon. 
2. A reduction in Staffordshire carbon footprint
3. Improved health through exercise for children
4. A reduction in nuisance riding (riding on pavements)
5. Children taking part in bikeability are far less likely to be involved in Walking and cycling road traffic accidents than those that don't take part. 

If your school is based in Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent, or East Cheshire then check with your child's school to see if they have booked in Bikeability for year five and six. If you live in Staffordshire East Cheshire or Stoke on Trent  & want your child to receive either level 2 (11+,  or level 3 training  13 years   +), during the school holidays then give us a call and we will book you onto one of shared  lessons.   

Phone Cyclist Training on 01785 818193.

courier ride

I needed to drop presents off on tonights ride home, but it was well worth it.great night time views of staffordshire country side,

it was home, quick shower and then out to the old Bramshall Inn

http://www.strava.com/activities/95257023#2017999886

SIx Cyclists die on Britains roads in the last nine days

Its not nice to have to post this but what awful news. Please take care on your way around & make sure you are being seen (light up, high vis) and ride were everyone can see you. It might just make the difference for us.



I only hope that it gets the government both local and nationally to continue to make improvements for cyclists.

The Times Six Die in Nine Days