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
Tour des Trois Vallées 24th - 27th June 2022 (aka Dieppe Raid)
2022 will be the 50th anniversary of the first Dieppe Raid Cycling Weekend based around the Dieppe event Tour des Trois Vallées. The event is a series of touring rides organised by the Cyclo-Club Dieppois based on the roads and lanes of the countryside in and around Dieppe, offering various distances (from 30k to 140k) to suit both families and keen club cyclists. A walk is generally offered for non-cyclists. With the exception of 2020 and 2021, when the event was unavoidably cancelled due to Covid, the event has been held every year. In the 1970s even a ferry strike did not prevent cyclists travelling on the ferry to attend the event! I understand that the ferry had no other passengers; that result was definitely a credit to Neville and his powers of persuasion.
http://www.dieppetour.com/index.php
Typically a small group make the trip over to Normandy to take part in this excellent event, the area is also great for cycling and exploring.
This is very much as DIY weekend/week where you will need to book your accommodation and entry.
Nick will provide regular updates via the newsletter, email list (and WhatsApp group if this is requested). nick.horne1@googlemail.com 07769158356
CTC summer ride 25th-27th June 2022
25 June - Bristol to Barnstaple - Start AC 6:30 am. - Approximately 100 miles (depending on the precise route). Easy pace but all-day distance. Stops roughly every 20 miles.
Riders may return by train the same evening, or on the Sunday or Monday, *or* ride back to Bristol on Sunday 26th or Monday 27th. One's spouse/partner may, if a non-cyclist, come by train. Accommodation and return travel by individual arrangement.
26 June - Woolacombe, Mortehoe, Ilfracombe - 45 miles - medium. Start Barnstaple 9am. Stop at Ilfracombe. Or spend the day with spouse/partner. Or return to Bristol by train or bike.
27 June - return to Bristol by train or cycle.
The train from/to Bristol is £29 return with a Senior Rail Card, and £17.60 single. If there are many takers we'll have to make sure of sufficient bike spaces on the Exeter/Bristol returning trains (perhaps stagger journeys). The Barnstaple/Exeter train is BYO for bikes.
Anyone who is interested should please contact Peter Metelerkamp by 4 June to confirm numbers and plans - peter@metelerkamp.com.
Semaine fédérale internationale de cyclotourisme 2022
31 July - 7 August
Each year, the International Federal Cycle Tourism Week is organized at the beginning of August in a new department. For a week, more than 12,000 international cyclists come together to discover a new territory by bike.
In 2022, see you in the Heart of Breizh: breathtaking landscapes filled with history, myths and emotion...
Brittany is a space where you can recharge your batteries around hospitality, passion and nature. You will not forget your visit to this exceptional region.
Enquires and info contact
Alex Rendu
07866047787
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. Please complete this Registration form and bring it along to the start with you.
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...