A national celebration of freedom,
Bike Week is an annual opportunity to promote
cycling as a source of fitness and fun. Tamina
Oliver, CTC's Cycle
Champions Officer in Swindon, has coordinated
activities for everyone, whatever
their cycling experience and ability. The range
of cycling
events taking place in Swindon for Bike Week this
year will provide opportunities for everyone
from total novices to passionate cyclists to get
on their bikes.
Swindon
Programme of Events – Bike Week 2008
Sun
15th June:
- Event:
Family Cycle Ride in aid of the British Heart
Foundation
Start
time:
10am
End
Time (approx):
1.00pm
Start
Location:
Coate Water Country Park
Description:
Ride from Coate Water Country Park, Swindon,
Wiltshire to Chiseldon by cycle path and return
Distance
(approx):
6.5 miles
Cost: Registration fee of
£2.50 per family
Contact:
Contact
Sharon Woolford for details and a registration
form on 07909 546596 or email [email protected]
Other
information: All
children must be accompanied by a responsible
adult
Monday
16th June:
Start
time:
6.30pm
End
Time (approx):
8.30pm
Start
Location:
Coate Water Park Café
Description:
A 17 mile loop around Swindon, incorporating
numerous picturesque spots, mainly along cycle
lanes and on quiet roads.
Distance
(approx):
17 miles
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Tamina Oliver – email: [email protected]
Other
information:
No registration necessary, just turn up on the
day! Please bring lights and
waterproofs.
- Event:
Birmingham to Swindon
Cycle
Start
time:
Morning
End
Time (approx):
Mid-afternoon
Start
Location: Birmingham
Description:
A challenging ride from Arval’s Birmingham office
to Arval’s Swindon office, a total of 75
miles.
Distance
(approx):
75 miles
Cost:
n/a
Contact:
Tracey Young – email: [email protected]
Other
information:
Not open to the public.
- Event:
Cycling Skills Training – Bikeability Level
One
Start
time:
6pm
End
Time (approx): 8.30pm
Start
Location: County
Ground Athletics Track, County Road
Swindon,
SN1 4EE
Description:
Cycling skills session for complete beginners or
lapsed/unconfident cyclists by a qualified
Bikeability instructor.
Distance
(approx):
n/a
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Neil Daycock – email: [email protected]
or phone: 07802 396611
Other
information:
Limited number of bikes available to borrow for
the session if needed – please request in advance
Tuesday
17th June:
- Event:
Mid Summer Bike Night
Start
time:
18:00
End
Time (approx):
21:00
Start
Location: Castle Combe Motor racing circuit
Description:
10,000 miles in 3 hours. A mini cycling festival
with the core activity of cycling as many laps of
the famous Castle Combe motor racing circuit as
possible. Target 1,000 participants meaning just
10 miles each! Other
features:
Rich
Johnson RJ Ride guide stunt rider, Go Ride skills
sessions for children, DC Leisure spin bikes
competition, Security stamping, GWR radio, Trade
stands, Café for refreshments, Cycling projects
bikes for disabled
Distance
(approx):
10 miles (the more the
better)
Cost:
£2 adults, £1 children
Contact:
Andy Cook 07811156141
Other
information:
Enter on line at http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/events/20080617_castle_combe_midsummer_bike_night.aspx
- Event:
Bike Awareness Day
Start
time:
Morning
End
Time (approx):
Early evening
Start
Location: Arval’s
Swindon Office
Description:
A day of awareness raising related to cycling,
including a range of bike displays and cycling
activities. Arval employees will be able
to:
·
Find
out about local cycle routes and cycling
initiatives
·
Get
you bike “health checked” by bike specialists
onsite
·
Find
out about the best bike to buy for you and your
family
·
Buy
a range of bike goodies
·
Participate
in a mini bike assault course
onsite
Distance
(approx):
n/a
Cost:
n/a
Contact:
Tracey Young – email: [email protected]
Other
information:
Not open to the public.
Wednesday
18th June:
- Event:
Swindon CTC’s Leisurely Ride
Start
time:
7pm
End
Time (approx):
9pm
Start
Location: Outside
Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road,
Freshbrook, Swindon, SN5 8LY
Description:
A gentle evening ride led by local CTC members,
specifically geared towards families or those who
do not cycle regularly. Meeting at Freshbrook
Community Centre, Worsley Road West Swindon, then
taking a leisurely circuit around the beautiful
Lydiard Park, one of Great Western Community
Forest’s lovely natural
spots.
Distance
(approx):
8 miles total
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
For more details contact Roger Dyson – email: [email protected]
Other
information: No
registration necessary, just turn up on the day!
Please bring lights and waterproofs if
possible
- Event:
Open to All SAB Evening
Ride
Start
time:
6.30pm
End
Time (approx):
9 or 9.30 pm
Start
Location: Tawney
Owl, Taw Hill, Swindon, SN25
1WR
Description: The ride will be along
country lanes and B roads around Swindon. It's a
very informal gathering and the rides are
conducted at a leisurely
pace.
Distance
(approx):
12 – 18 miles (dependent on terrain, wind
speed
and general enthusiasm of the assembled group on
the night! Never too far from start point in case
of any difficulties).
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Jack Dipper – Email: [email protected]
or phone: 07974 011 654
Other
information:
Riders are advised to bring lights if it's a
cloudy evening as dusk may be falling toward the
end of the ride, especially if we stop at a
country pub for a beer along the
way.
Thursday
19th June:
Start
time:
When I choose
End
Time (approx):
When I choose
Start
Location: Where
I choose
Description:
What I choose
Distance
(approx):
How far I choose to go
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Myself
Other
information:
Test your initiative – organise a ride of your
own!
Why not get together a group of friends and
enjoy some time on two wheels? Email Tamina
Oliver, Swindon’s Cycling Champions Development
Officer, with details and photos of your ride for
a chance of being reviewed in the local paper or
for Tamina’s Swindon Cycling Champions Website.
Tamina’s Email: [email protected]
- Event:
Coate
Water to Lydiard Park Evening
Ride
Start
time:
7pm
End
Time (approx):
8pm or 8.30pm
Start
Location: Coate
Water Park Café (or en
route)
Description:
A leisurely scenic ride along Sustrans Route 45
cycle path from Coate Water Park Café to Lydiard
Park and back. This off-road route, which
traverses Swindon, incorporates two beautiful
Great Western Community Forest
sites.
Distance
(approx):
Approx 8 miles
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Gladys Barr – Email: [email protected]
or Telephone: 07768687986
Other
information: Please
phone or email in advance if you want to go on
this ride. The option to be picked up by the group
en route exists, or of meeting the group at
Lydiard Park and doing the route in reverse.
However, please do call Gladys Barr in advance to
discuss alternative possibilities and meeting
points.
Friday
20th June:
Start
time:
10am or 11.30am
End
Time (approx):
11am or 12.30pm
Start
Location: County
Ground Athletics Track, County Road
Swindon,
SN1 4EE
Description:
An ongoing course aimed at helping beginners to
learn to ride or enabling lapsed riders to regain
their confidence in cycling.
Distance
(approx):
n/a
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Carole Jones – Email: [email protected]
or Phone: 01793 514401
Other
information:
Please get in touch for details of our next
course
Saturday
21st June:
- Event:
Wind Turbine Wonders
Start
time:
11.30am
End
Time (approx):
4.30pm
Start
Location: Outside
County Grounds on grass opposite fire station,
County Road, Swindon, SN1
4EE
Description:
A leisurely ride along quiet lanes and cycle paths
to celebrate Bike Week and Eco Week
simultaneously. Incorporating a visit to Westmill
Wind Farm, the first wind farm in the area, where
there will be refreshments, stalls, and various
fun activities.
Distance
(approx):
16 miles total
Cost:
FREE
Contact:
Marc Taylor – email: [email protected]
or call: 07941236140
Other
information:
Please see the Eco Week website for more
information: http://www.ecoweek.info/WINDFARM/windfarm.html