Cycle Carlisle

Scientists say that they are close to finding a cure for the common cold – a regular bike ride, read the article, here;

http://road.cc/content/news/26654-get-your-bike-beat-common-cold-say-researchers/

Sign a petition to Save our Forests!
You’ve probably heard in the media that the government is getting ready for a huge sell-off of our national forests to private firms. Our concern is that, apparently, under the Countryside Rights of Way Act, access need only be maintained on foot – there will be no provision for cyclists. In other words, new owners won’t have to provide or maintain bike trails or any of the other stuff we get now. Want to Save our Forests? Sign the petition at
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

or write to your MP.

Our next ride has a change of starting point.

We start from the square at Dalston at 11.00am on Sunday 5th of September. This could help certain people who bring their bikes in by car as there is parking space available.

We are using Sustrans route 10 (Reivers route ) to ride to Hasket Newmarket and visiting the Old crown Pub – Britain’s first co-opertively owned Pub for a bite and drink.

FRANK SMITH.

Title: Fresh Air miles ride
Location: Moot Hall, Market place, Brampton
Link out: Click here
Description: A 23 Mile ride down the beautiful Eden valley to Armathwaite, along quiet undulating lanes. We will pass through Castle Carrock to Armathwaite and return via Ainstable, Croglin and Cumrew. The ride is suitable for averagely fit cyclists. Bring food for a pic nic by the river.
Start Time: 1pm
Date: 2010-08-22

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/convoy-of-cyclists-hits-carlisle-streets-to-demand-safer-routes-1.742206?referrerPath=home

Please comment on this story , if you get a chance.

Our rides are monthly – 1st Tuesday of the month from 6pm at Westwalls (near to the tithe barn)

For more info on the idea behind critical Mass – this is a good wee film:

Critical Mass

I should like to express my gratitude to the County Council for the completion of a cycleway that runs alongside the A689 between St John’s bridge Houghton & the Greymoorhill M6 roundabout. The standard of workmanship is outstanding & it provides a stratigically important, safe & enjoyable multi user route for the public to travel on. I live in Stanwix & have done for many years & cycle each day in that direction to my workplace at Kingmoor Business Park so it is ideal for me. Though there has been a stone surfaced route in place for a number of years it had detriorated to such a degree that it was virtually unseable. To a large extent this was due to it being trafficked by articulated wagons at the layby. Further to this, motor vecicles were parked on it thereby causing obstructions & necessitating the user to skirt onto the dangerous A689. The arrangement of bollards & kerbing is such that this is now highly unlikely to happen again. I am delighted as are other members of the public that I know are using it – so thank you. I would be grateful if you would pass this on to those that were responsible for the implementation of this superb piece of work.

On another note I should like to thank members of the County Council staff that supported the proposal to lift the ban on cyclists riding in the Carlisle’s city centre pedestrian area. The culture of the city is changing in favour of cyclists but it is slow so we have to be patient. If the proposal is put to the vote again in, say, five years time I would expect it to go through.

Regards
David Clare

I was dismayed to see in the local news that the council had rejected the idea of cycle lanes in the pedestrianised area of the city centre. It’s a shame, it appears that some councillors have the wrong idea of responsible cyclists and seem to be more pro car drivers.

At least some had the common sense to back it though.

Steve Claringbold

This is excellent. I ignore all bans but ride responsibly. I’ve done that for many years & even when a pathetic attempt to dissuade riders from using the city centre pedestianised area was publicised I continued. I have called the bluff of those that want to stop us & nothing came of it. However, until recently what I have lacked is a full appreciation of the fact that cycling would become far more common if it was perceived to be safe & the routes that we are campaigning for would help to do this. I have ridden in amongst the traffic & faced every hazard with relish because I can handle it with relative ease but a recent foray into the town accompanied by my wife highlighted the difficulty. She was unnerved, it became an ordeal & she was discouraged.

Dave

On Yer bike is a small voluntary cycle project, which uses cycling as a way to increase social inclusion and well being.

The monthly ride will be to Talking Tarn Country Park on the 1st August. Leaving the Sands centre, Carlisle at 11am – the ride will follow Sustrans route 72 (Hadrian s route), with food at Talkin Tarn cafe and returning via Brampton and Irthington to Carlisle
Everyone welcome.

Please help us make this Mass Bike Ride the biggest and best yet. Even if you can’t make it please pass info on to all your friends who might be interested.

We are riding to Celebrate Cycling in Carlisle as part of National Bike Week www.bikeweek.org.uk and to raise the profile of cycling in Carlisle. It’s a great opportunity to ride on roads you may not usually brave alone as a cyclist or with your family.

Families are welcome. All we ask is that all under 16’s are accompanied by a responsible adult.

We will be meeting from 1pm at Devonshire Walk car park where Dr Bike will be available to do free bicycle safety checks. The ride itself starts at 2pm and we will be riding for no more than hour, ending up in Carlisle City Centre.

We have the support of the police again to stop traffic and keep the ride safe.

When we get into town there will be stalls and information about bicycles and cycling.

For more info contact Hels on 07939 196441 or Mark on 01228 531750 or email mark@sustainablecarlisle.org

So please, if you are free do come along and bring as many friends as possible.

You can invite more friends via our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=111431208902435&ref=mf

Here’s to a good day!