olympics

Gordon Seabright's picture

A golden legacy for cycling?

By Gordon Seabright on 14 August 2012
There’s a lot of talk at the moment about securing a legacy to follow the inspirational performances of Team GB’s cyclists at the Olympics. CTC is working hard to make sure that Britain seizes the opportunity.
GB Olympic cyclists. (Photo: Julie Anne Images)

Some of us have already noticed a difference when we’re out and about.  Is it my imagination, or are drivers giving me a little more space on the road, and showing a little more patience when they want to pass?  We know all about the “safety in numbers” effect – the most important thing the Games can do for us is to get more people out on their bikes, and we’ll all benefit from being more visible.  And when many people get back on their bikes they will alter the way they drive – hopefully for good.

Victoria Hazael's picture

The Bradley Wiggins effect

By Victoria Hazael on 23 July 2012
History was made as Bradley Wiggins became the first British man to win the Tour de France. Now just days away from the Olympics, what will his victory mean for cycling in the UK? Will more people be inspired this summer to start cycling?
Monday's papers proclaiming Bradley's victory

Cyclists across the UK stayed indoors on a rare sunny Sunday afternoon to watch Bradley Wiggins ride to victory in Paris. It was a defining moment for cycling in the UK.

CTC Chief Executive Gordon Seabright said: "Allez Wiggo! Absolutely fantastic to see a Briton winning the greatest bike race of all."

Chris Peck's picture

South West Trains reverses bike ban after only 36 hours

By Chris Peck on 10 July 2012
10 July 2012
CTC is relieved to hear that South West Trains has reversed a proposed ban on all non-folding bikes, just 36 hours after implementing it. However, Southern and Southeastern still have widespread restrictions in place.
Brompton on a railway platform

On 10 July a statement appeared on the South West Trains website suggesting that all non-folding bikes would be banned throughout the Olympics and Paralympics. CTC understood that operational staff had no idea that the ban was coming until that morning. 

After enquiries to South West Trains press office on 11 July CTC received the following statement:

Anna Cipullo's picture

Gearing up for Olympic cycle racing in Swindon

By Anna Cipullo on 27 June 2012
Swindon cyclists will be in the saddle and peddling the message to get on your bike in celebration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cycling event in Swindon for the Olympics

When the Games begin next month, Wharf Green is the place to be with all the action shown live on the Big Screen and an array of free sporting festivities for people to come and try. Some different 20 activities will be on offer between 28 July and 12 August – and cycling will take centre stage on Saturday 11 August.

Olympic mountain bike races to be shown live in Swindon

Swindon Borough Council’s Leisure Services are organising FREE sports events at Wharf Green throughout the 16 days of the Olympics and CTC will be there to join in the fun.

The Live Site will be showing the games for all to see on a big screen and local clubs will be providing demos and information on the ground in front of it  to inspire residents to take up cycling themselves.

The Olympic women's cross country races will be shown from 12.30pm.

There will also be plenty of activities and information to let you know what there is for cyclists, both competitive and non-competitive, in Swindon, including:

  • A 100-seat tiered stand to watch the Olympic cross country mountain biking
  • Wii Fit virtual games and lounge area with a cycling theme
  • A Watt Bike demo/come and try for the public - static bikes that can be raced
  • A Watt Bike race - local teams compete in a league for free and for pride
  • A mountain bike arena for the public to try - portable obstacles and bikes to try out
  • A unicyclist demo and workshop - coaching and giving the obstacles a go)
  • Information stalls, video clips and info
  • A special appearance from Rough Riderz UK - an all ability mountain biking club demonstrating four-wheeled mountain bikes for disabled riders

So come along and get inspired. And cheer on British cyclists with other enthusiasts!

A complete timetable will be available soon, but if you have any queries, please contact: CTC Cycling Development Officer  Anna Cipullo 07717 696672

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Chris Peck's picture

Train companies ban cycles during Olympics

By Chris Peck on 23 May 2012
Train operating companies banned cycles from many trains during the Olympic Games period, with the worst closures affecting the cycling road races on the 28/29 July. After few observed problems the bans were lifted in time for the Paralympics.
Bans on bikes were proposed for much of the network

The news was confirmed in changes to the Association of Train Operating Companies leaflet on cycling and rail, which was circulated to cycling organisations just two months before the Games began. Southern and Southeastern imposed the worst restrictions, bicycles were not permitted on any trains going to or from London beyond a certain point.

Olympics-inspired cycling events in Swindon

Swindon Borough Council’s leisure services department is organising Olympic-inspired sporting events throughout the 16 days of the Olympics at Wharf Green in Swindon’s town centre.

The Big Screen television will be showing the games throughout the event and local clubs will be providing demos and information to showcase what Swindon has to offer. CTC has been chosen to represent cycling.

So what’s on offer? On Saturday 11 August the Mountain Bike Olympics race will be shown. The best elite female mountain bikers in the world will be battling it out at Hadleigh Park in Essex to be crowned gold medallist 2012.

In Swindon,  there will be a 100-seat tiered stand to watch the spectacle with baited breath as the cyclists hurl themselves over rocks and round technical obstacles on bikes. Stalls will be set up by local cycling clubs, including mountain biking, road cycling and event cycle speedway, to talk to you about taking your enthusiasm for cycling to the next level. And if that’s not enough, we’ll also have the following activities for you to watch and engage in:

  • Wii Fit virtual games and lounge area with a cycling theme
  • A Watt Bike demo/come and tryout for the public - a static bikes challenge
  • A Watt Bike race - local teams compete in a league of fastest static pedallers
  • A mountain bike come and try for the public using portable obstacles and North Shore
  • A bunch of information stalls, video clips and info given out with the chance of the odd freebie here and there

The Olympic opening ceremony is on Friday 27 July and we will be at Wharf Green celebrating and watching the ceremony on the Big Screen.

It is open to everyone, so come along. We are also organising a mini-games tournament where we are inviting the people involved in each of these sporting days to come and have some competitive fun, so bring your best cheering voicebox and give them a shout. 

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  • Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
  • President: Jon Snow
  • Chief Executive: Gordon Seabright
  • Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC): A company limited by guarantee, registered in England no.25185. Registered as a charity in England and Wales No 1147607 and in Scotland No SC042541
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