Welcome to Cycle Bristol CTC

Who we are

Hello! We are Cycle Bristol CTC, the local member group of Cycling UK, formerly The Cyclists' Touring Club, which is Britain's oldest and largest national cycling organisation.

As our name suggests, our focus is a little different from many other clubs. It's all about the essential spirit of "touring". That doesn't only mean exotic places, however, although there may occasionally be some of those! Our focus is neither speed nor endurance, but the pleasure of being out on the bicycle in pleasant surroundings, both locally and on trips away. On a ride with us you will have the support of experienced leaders and a companionable and varied group. Our members span many ages and levels of fitness. Some of our most active leaders are women. All our rides and trips aim at inclusivity in every sense. While some of our rides take a full day, they are never about competition, endurance, or hurry!

Upcoming events

Wiltshire Cycleway Tour 2-5 May 2024

On Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th of May we will be riding the Wiltshire Cycleway; the route is 160 miles in length and will include riding from Winterbourne to Foxley to join the route and on return; approx 17 miles each way.

Refer to the websites below for full details of the route.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-other-routes/wiltshire-cycleway

https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1231/Wiltshire-Cycleway

 

Day 1 Winterbourne to Marlborough - approximately 50 miles

We will be staying overnight at the Premier Inn, Jennings Road, Marlborough.

 

Day 2 Marlborough to Salisbury - approximately 45 miles 

We will be staying at the Premier Inn, Northbishop Down, Salisbury.

 

Day 3 Salisbury to Frome - approximately 40 miles. 

We will be staying at the Premier Inn, Frome

 

Day 4 Frome to Winterbourne - approximately 65 miles 


You will need to book your own accommodation for the trip.

 If you are interested in joining us please let Nick know nick.horne1@googlemail.com

CycleBristolCTC Summer Tour with Club Indépendant Bordelais (CIB) 1st - 8th June 2024

CycleBristolCTC will be hosting our French friends from the CIB in Bordeaux next year, the tour will be taking place 1 - 8 June 2024 in Dorset, we will be based at Ulwell Holiday Park: https://ulwellholidaypark.co.uk.

The park offers caravans and camping pitches (grass, hardstanding with/without electricity) as well as restaurant and more, the location is well placed for some superb cycling trips both east and west with places like Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, West Bay (Broadchurch!), Weymouth and more in cycling distance.

This is a BYO (Book Your Own) trip so look at the website and book your accommodation as required. 

We will provide further details as they emerge, currently several people from CycleBristolCTC have booked with the campsite.

Please contact

Anne Greenhalgh greentanner@hotmail.com

Maggie Choyce maggie.choyce@gmail.com

Dave Johnston cycling_dave_johnston@hotmail.co.uk

if you have any questions.


Dieppe Raid 29 - 30 June 2024

The annual Tour des Trois Vallées is a series of touring rides organised by the Cyclo-Club Dieppois based on the fabulous almost traffic free roads and lanes of the countryside in and around Dieppe in Normandy, France, offering various distances (from 30k to 140k) to suit both families and keen club cyclists. A walk is generally offered for non-cyclists.

This international event was started in 1972 by Neville Chanin - a well known cyclist who travelled widely throughout the world by bicycle. It was established in commemoration of the original Dieppe Raid in 1942 where our Canadian Allies suffered such terrible losses. CycleBristolCTC members have been regular attendees. There is also a meal offered in the evening after the rides. 

There are usually several members of CycleBristolCTC that attend; contact Mick Ellis mickellis202@gmail.com for more details or go to www.dieppetour.com.

85th Semaine Fédérale Internationale de Cyclotourisme July 20th to July 28th 2024

This year's Semaine Fédérale Internationale de Cyclotourisme will be in Roanne, Loire. There is already a large group of Bristol cyclists registered so if you want to attend you can be confident you'll be amongst friends. Contact Joe Prosser for any help with registering and to obtain the registration group name and password. He can also add you to the Sem Fed 2024 WhatsApp group. You will have to organise your own transport to the event.

Joe Prosser 07971 036933

joeeprosser@gmail.com

https://ffvelo.fr/randonner-a-velo/ou-quand-pratiquer/les-evenements/semaine-federale-internationale-de-cyclotourisme-2024/

We have regular rides. Please keep an eye on any of the below for the programme:

Weekend rides

We organise cycle rides most weekends all year round. The aim of these is to get out in a friendly and supportive group to enjoy the wonderful countryside within reach of Bristol. The rides are led by experienced leaders along routes they have scouted or ridden before. We aim every weekend to offer both an easy shorter ride to a suitable café, and longer and more adventurous "country" ride of up to 100 miles. All ages are welcome, including minors if accompanied by an adult The longer and shorter rides alternate between Saturday and Sunday to give as many people as possible an opportunity to join either or both.

Our shorter café rides are especially designed and run to encourage cyclists, whether new or returners, who want an easy and supportive way of "getting out" on the bike. They start from and return to venues with toilets and parking, run at a very easy pace and take no more than a half day.

On longer Country rides we stop for morning coffee, lunch (usually at a country pub), and where appropriate, afternoon tea.

Almost all our rides (except for a few clearly advertised as such) are run to accommodate the pace of the slowest rider - so you won't get left behind! Joining a ride does not commit you to the whole day. If you prefer, come for the morning or whatever suits. See our Rides Calendar for further details. All the rides' start points and further information about our rides can be found here.

If you are not a member of Cycling UK, you are welcome to come along and try three rides before joining, just turn up at the start.

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. In addition all minors under the age of 18 must complete and bring along this Parental consent form.

Evening Pub Rides

On Wednesday evenings in the summer we enjoy short leisurely rides to a local pub.

Cycle Tours

We aim for a Spring and Autumn weekend away annually, as well as more occasional long weekends (or longer) both in the UK and abroad. Organised and led by our members these offer a slightly more adventurous entry into the spirit of cycle touring, with group support and without any pressure. Accommodation is usually in suitable bunkhouses or camping.

Audax Events

Cycle Bristol CTC members organise and/or promote and support several 100k audax rides and special events during the year. For details look at www.aukweb.net.

Winter Clubroom

From late September to April we have an interesting programme of cycling and other travel presentations as well as quizzes and an auction of cycling bits and pieces. See the Winter programme for more details.

So come and join the happy and friendly world of CTC Club Cycling! Meet new people, keep fit, enjoy yourself and explore the wonderful countryside on our doorstep from your bike!

Our calendar lists forthcoming rides and events. Please feel free to turn up at the start if any appeal to you!

You can keep up to date with all the latest Cycle Bristol CTC News and events by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Strava or signing up to the weekly club newsletter below...