02/04/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Below is full version of 1,000 and counting by Mike Hutchinson. Edited version of this article is in the April/May issue of Cycle.

The Lune & Lakes DA [renamed Lancaster & Cumbria DA in Jan.2003] was formed in 1984 having separated from the old North West D.A. which covered the whole of the geographical area stretching from Southport to the Scottish Borders – 117 miles in length. Initially the Lune & Lakes DA and the Lancaster Section were virtually synonymous. The committee at that time embarked upon a drive to encourage the formation of new sections to the north of the Lancaster area and in the year ending September 1997 the Eden (Cumbria) Section was created to serve an area in the north of the region.

In effect the DA still covers a very large geographical area and the two sections, now well established, operate separately but in tandem with each other. For example we alternate the venues of the DA annual general meetings between the two sections: in November 2006 the AGM was held in Lancaster; in October 2007 it will be held in Dufton. There are over 1,000 CTC members within the DA. As a consequence of obvious geographical distinctions it has agreed to divide responsibility at the local level on a postcode basis: CA for the Eden (Cumbria) Section; LA for Lancaster (and South Cumbria). However, only a relatively small proportion of the CTC membership is involved in the specific activities of these two sections. The area has a large number of other thriving cycling clubs with whom CTC members play an active part.  CTC members are prominent in both the Tandem Club and the Rough Stuff Fellowship.

Both CTC sections have full programmes of club runs throughout the year and both have organised short holiday breaks. Southern Scotland and the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales will be the venues during the Easter and May Bank Holidays.York is within easy reach and members of the DA are in evidence at the York Rally each year. Similarly they are usually well represented at the CTC Birthday Rides and in 1996 these were hosted by Lancaster. Quite a number of members also participate in Audax/DATC style tourist trials.  The Northern Dales Audax trials, starting from and finishing at Arnside Youth Hostel, were first held in 1990. These two rides, of 202km and 110km respectively, are now well established and normally attract over 100 participants between them. The 17^th edition is being held on September 3^rd 2007.  In addition the North Lancs Way and Bowland Forest Populaire from Caton, near Lancaster, will be held this year for the fifth consecutive year at the beginning of July. All three events count towards the CTC’s DATC competition.

Lancaster has been chosen as one of the six English Cycling Demonstration Towns. Members’ involvement with the project has helped to promote a better understanding of cycling within Lancaster itself and has helped bridge some of the barriers between the various interest groups locally. Also Lancashire County Council’s Environmental Directorate coordinate a “led rides” scheme in which experienced club riders lead rides throughout the summer months in a programme underwritten by the County Council. This scheme has been valuable as a means of helping provide an introduction to group riding.

Cumbria and North Lancashire are superb areas for cycle touring with a vast network of quiet lanes crisscrossing beautiful countryside which includes the Lake District National Park, the Forest of Bowland, the Pennine hills and the valleys of the rivers Eden and Lune. SUSTRANS Route 6 runs along much of the length of the district and both Lancashire and Cumbria have their own way marked cycleways. CTC members make full use of the merits of the area and also tour way beyond its bounds. Overseas tours recently undertaken include much of Europe, North America, parts of Asia and the Antipodes. Last year DA members both participated in and led CTC tours one of which went as far a field as the Yunnan Province in South China.

Further details of the DA activities are available from the DA Secretary, Mike Hutchinson: e-mail: mikehutchinson@fatsmail.fm

Mike Hutchinson

Secretary: CTC Lancaster & Cumbria DA

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