30/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Controversial plans to extend the Lune Valley cycleway are back on agenda. At last week’s Lancashire Local meeting City and Country Councilors voted in favour of a possible extension of the cyclepath from Bull Beck to Hornby, Wray and Wennington. Two possible options were tabled -not supporting the cycle track extension or using compulsory purchase powers to allow the track to be extended to Wray.

A report said though there had been general support for the proposals from residents of Wray and Hornby, there was oppposition from landowners in the area and residents in Claughton. There was also difficulty securing agreement from landowners in the ares on any one particular route. While it was acknowledged the cycleway would have tourism benefits for the area, it was also thought it would be difficult to justify the cost. This could be in excess of £1 million.

Speaking after the meeting to Lancaster Guardian reporter one Claughton resident who did not wish to be named said “When they first proposed a cycle track we objected on it on safety grounds.

“They were suggesting bikes, disabled users, cyclists and horses could use one little track. We thought it was an accident waiting to happen. The planned route would have to come around the back of our properties, and the land is liable to flooding. We would have said yes if they could come up with a sensible idea”.

To read this article and to vote in the Guardian’s poll please click here, if the poll is no longer available you also have opportunity to vote for or against the proposed cycle track extension from Wray to Caton on South Lakes Group at http://southlakesgroup.forumco.com/topic~Topic_lD~15.asp

Posted in Lune Valley Cycleway, Lancaster City Council Cycling Newsletter | Print | 1 Comment »

29/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Change Your World

Ever wonder how life would be if we all tried to travel in ways that benefited our health and our environment? We’d have safer roads, cleaner air and a better quality of life.

It’s easier to do than you think. Change Your World is asking you to swap just one car trip from 1 to 7 July and choose something that’s better for the planet instead. If we all give up one car journey that week we’ll reduce car traffic by 10%. Fancy give it a go? sign up now.

What’s on in July…

Women on Wheels
July 1st ” Brief Encounters by Bike” 11 miles return ride to Carnforth Railway Station. Meet 11am at Millennium Bridge.

Go Ride
A new cycling club for young people. Every Saturday at Salt Ayre between 10am - 12pm Sessions cost just £1

Go-ride will give young people the opportunity to learn the essentials in bike handling techniques, specific skills training as well as the chance to progress to racing both on and off road. For more information contact Paul Andrews on 01524-36777

Local Prologue
To celebrate the Tour de France 2007 coming to England there will be a number of (7.9km) prologues across the UK - including one to held at Salt Ayre Cycle Track on Saturday 14th July (10 to 12) - promoted by Lancaster Cycling Club. The prologue is race against the clock for just under 5 miles. Open to all. For more info contact 01524-844162

Ride to Warton, Silverdale & Lancaster Canal
Sunday July 22nd 13 miles circular ride - level 2 Meet 10am at George Washington Pub, Warton. Ride taken from AONB Cycle & See Guide call 01524-761034 for copies.

Morecambe Promenade Criteriums
Saturday July 28th Closed circuit racing returns to Morecambe Promenade with British Cycling events open to all ages.

Bike it Birthday Celebrations

A cycling celebration will be in full swing next month at Lancaster Town Hall, as pupils, staff and parents from local schools celebrate one year of the ‘Bike it’ project in our district.

In April 2006 we were lucky to be assigned our very own (Sustrans) Bike it Officer. Since then Kathy Bashford has been working tirelessly to encourage more local school children (and their parents) to get on their bikes. Currently ten primary and secondary schools are signed up to Bike It Project and Kathy has been working closely with pupils, teachers and parents from those schools to raise awareness of the benefits of cycling and to help remove any barriers preventing children from getting on their bikes.

After a year of cycling fun and events including competitions, cycling shows, bike rides, educational activities, new National Standard cycle training and bike maintenance classes to name but a few, Bike It pupils are more geared up than ever to ride with confidence and school bike racks are starting to tell a whole new story.

To recognize the efforts and enthusiasm of all those involved with the project and to mark it’s first birthday a special event will take place on Tuesday 3rd July at 12.30 pm in the Mayor’s Parlour at Lancaster Town Hall.

Celebrations will start with tour of the building and drinks with the Mayor. Presentations will then be made to shools for taking part in Bike It and also for those who completed an around the world challenge. The highlight of the day will be a spectaclur cycling stunt show by three times junior world cycle trails champion Ben Slinger in Dalton Square at 2pm. Everyone is welcome to come along to the square to see Ben in Action.

If you are interested in becoming a Bike It school for the next school year, or would like support and information about cycling to school contact Kathy Bashford, Sustrans Bike It Officer by e-mailing her at kathy.bashford@sustrans.org.uk

Cycle Security

In 2006 of all the pedal cycles that were stolen in Lancaster City Council area, 70% were described as insecure, while 55% were stolen from rear yards or gardens.

One third of all cycles are stolen during the summer months. Reduce the risk of cycle theft happening to you by simply locking up your bike each every time that you leave it. You can also minimize the risk by doing following:

• Use a good quality lock.
• Lock cycles through the frame. Secure or remove wheels (and other easily removed items such as lights, quick release saddles).
• Always lock your bike, even if you’re only leaving it for a few minutes.
• Park cycles considerately where they will not cause an obstruction to others. Try to use formal parking racks where these are available.
• If using ’street furniture’ ensure that you are not blocking pavements for other users and that do not use fixtures that have signs asking you not to secure cycle to them.
• Don’t park your bike in isolated or hidden locations.
• Take advantage of free bike postcoding offered by the Police.
• A comprehensive FREE leaflet, ‘STEER CLEAR OF CYCLE THEFT’ is available by contacting your local Crime Prevention Officer on 01524-596538

Other News

Pedalling Pictures
Launched in April by Lancaster Guardian and the council’s Cycling Demonstration Town Team, bags of cycling goodies were offered to children up to the age of 16 years who could draw a picture or cartoon representing the many benefits of cycling.

Over 220 local youngsters wasted no time in putting their colour pens , crayons, pencils and paints to paper to create stunning pictures and cartoons representing the many benefits of cycling.

Judging the winners from the huge pile of colourful and eye catching drawings wasn’t an easy task for staff from Lancaster City Council and Lancaster Guardian Office but just in time for National Bike Week (16-24 June), winers were finally chosen for two age categories.

The under 7’s winner was Sorrel Fenolon (age 6) of Ellel St. John’s Church of England Primary School, Galgate with a picture of a peaceful day’s cycling through the countryside. The winner of the 8 to 12 category was Lucy Watson age 8 of Dallas Road School, Lancaster with her picture portraying cycling as being a way of making you slim, healthy and happy.

Bike Week 2007

Thanks to everyone who took part in arranged Bike Week events and rides. Congratulations go to BSW Ballgrab, Lancaster University and Lancaster & Morecambe College who all arranged successful Bike2Work Days.

Local rural cycling project - Wheely Good Communities - recently caught the attention of BBC Radio Lancashire. Hear their interview at http://familyonabike.org/wheelygood/media/Radio%20lancashire.mp3

Posted in Lancaster City Council Cycling Newsletter | Print | No Comments »

29/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

I received in the post this week a summary leaflet of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Cumbria which five year plan for improving rights of ways in Cumbria and is partnership document between Cumbria County Council, the Lake District National Park Authority and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

You can download copy of the leaflet from www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/countrysideaccess/Countryside_Access.asp

Posted in Cumbria | Print | No Comments »

22/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Click the link to elenydd_newsletter6_june_2007-v2.pdf read June Newsletter from Elenydd Wildness Hostels.

Posted in Elenydd Wildness Hostels | Print | No Comments »

19/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

If you cycling into Lancaster to work tomorrow(20th June), make detour via Dalton Square has the Celebrating Cycling Team will be serving coffee and croissants between 8.15am and 9.45am to cyclists, unfortunately I will miss this has I start work at 6.30am and will busy cutting grass!

Posted in Lancaster City Council Cycling Newsletter, General | Print | No Comments »

16/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

On 16th June 2007, Rough-Stuff Fellowship membership stood at 565 members (84 Family member and 481 full members). We had 12 new members join over past six months and we hope to gain a few new members at York Cycle Show with our new stand, if you going to York Cycle Show and can spare a hour or so to help man the RSF stand during the weekend please contact Peter Kenner on 01524-383593

Posted in Rough-Stuff Fellowship | Print | No Comments »

14/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

If you have moan or want to share your thoughts or voice your concerns or just ask question about the RSF or anything else why not visit the site’s new forums at this link.

Posted in Northern Peaks and South Pennine Group, Lancashire Group, South Lakes Group | Print | No Comments »

14/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Click the link  welcome-to-celebrating-cycling-update-no28.doc to read the latest Cycling Newsletter from Lancaster City Council.

Posted in Lancaster City Council Cycling Newsletter | Print | No Comments »

13/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

This forum may interest some members who have stayed at now closed hostels!

Posted in YHA | Print | No Comments »

13/06/2007 by Simeon Orme.

If want to keep update with what happening at the YHA its good ideal to checkout www.yhagroup.org.uk for what hostels are closing or opening! They also reported that Bellingham hostel is back in business again but outside yha network.

Posted in YHA | Print | No Comments »