Cycle Training

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Publication Date: 
May 2013
i-Contact, CTC's e-newsletter for cycle instructors
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CTC's Bike Tour Leader course in India

By Dan Cook on 15 May 2013
Working with partners Exodus Travels, CTC recently delivered a course for fourteen tour guides. Dan Cook describes his experiences of the trip.
Riders on the course in India

CTC developed a specific international Bike Tour Leader qualification over 2012 due a request from Exodus Travels and interest from other providers within the adventure travel sector. The aim of the course and qualification is to upskill and extend the knowledge and abilities of local and/or international guides.

Fully tested and delivered to 14 Cuban guides in September 2012, this trip was developed as a result of the additional positive feedback from bike tour customers, the tour guides themselves, and Exodus.

Chris Peck's picture

Put cycling on the National Curriculum

By Chris Peck on 21 March 2013
Although cycling is the third most popular activity amongst children and a crucial life skill, only half of all children have access to good quality Bikeability cycle training. CTC members have urging that all schools provide cycle training as part of the National Curriculum.
Providing Bikeability cycle training is crucial to create a cycling culture

CTC has urged the Department for Education to change the National Curriculum to include provision for child cycle training as part of Key Stages 2-4.

Currently the physical education section mandates that swimming is taught, with the requirement that children learn to swim 25 metres.

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Cycling to work whatever the weather

By Greg Woodford on 7 February 2013
Whatever the weather or the season, CTC Senior Cycle Training Officer Greg Woodford commutes by bike 25 miles each way from Reading to Guildford.
Greg Woodford cycling to work

It was a beautiful evening last night riding home, the sky was clear a beautiful crescent moon picked out by the dark of the sky and the air was cold and crisp.

I do find it a little cathartic cycling in the dark, there is something about not being able to see the houses, people and the fields that is soothing. When you do see things they look different, your route seems different too. I think this is why so many people go on night rides.

Dan Cook's picture

Bike Tour Leader course in Cuba

By Dan Cook on 26 January 2013
CTC Senior Off-road Officer Dan Cook went to Cuba to develop a cycling qualification and course for cycle holiday guides. He piloted the new cycling course for Exodus Travel.
Cuban sunset

Dan Cook and Olly Townsend of Exodus Travel went to Cuba to pilot a new course that they had created specifically for cycle tour guides.

The tour guides were all qualified through the Cuban education system in the areas relevant to tourism and tour guiding, but they had only their own experiences in cycling prior to this course.

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Free cycle training in West Yorkshire!

By ginnyleonard on 24 January 2013
David Hall from West Yorkshire has benefited from free adult cycle training and now he is such a confident cyclist he's getting ready to ride the 'Way of the Roses'.
Way of the Roses sign

CTC's Cycling Development Officer for West Yorkshire Ginny Leonard was contacted by David Hall in the summer of 2012, he had never had the opportunity to learn to ride a bike. Being over the age of 40 David told Ginny he lacked confidence in his ability to ride a bike and after he had taken a tumble,  he thought he never would ride a bike. However, with support from CTC David decided to give cycling one more go.

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Mountain biking in snow and ice

By Dan Cook on 16 January 2013
Snow, ice, grit and slips... CTC's Dan Cook shares his techniques to help you stay upright, build confidence and even enjoy mountain biking in the snow!
Riding in snow

With the onset of snow, you have the opportunity to encounter some truly fantastic environments on your bike. Despite the ice and the heightened risk of slips and crashes, riding in the snow is actually quite safe (as you are travelling slowly and there are lots of drifts to fall into) and most of all, its fun!.

Like anything new, there is a bit of working out how to do it so you feel comfortable. First though you do have to get out there and try it.

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So you want to start cycle commuting - but are afraid of the traffic?

By Julie Rand on 8 January 2013
So you fancy saving money, getting fit and beating the traffic jams by cycling to work – but you're put off by the thought of the risks involved? Well, rest assured, the risks of cycling are about the same as walking per mile travelled – and the greater danger to your health is inactivity.
A cyclist indicates to turn right

But knowing this may still not be enough reassure you to take to two wheels. In that case, a short course in cycle training may be just what you need to give you the skills and confidence you need to make you feel – and be – safer.

Don’t worry about being made to feel silly with memories of riding around bollards in the school playground when you did your Cycling Proficiency. Things have moved on apace since those days and cycle training now mainly takes place in the real world and could involve the journeys you actually want to make.

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First 'graduate' from CTC Adult Cycle Training Scheme in Plymouth

By BrettNicolle on 26 October 2012
This week, Elaine Norman, the first participant in CTC's Adult Cycle Training Scheme, run in partnership with Plymouth City Council, completed her Level 1 National Cycle Training Standards Course and is keen to get out and about by bicycle in Plymouth.
Elaine completes here CTC cycle training

The Adult Cycle Scheme, part of Plymouth City Council's 'Plymotion' initiative, to promote healthy, sustainable travel choices, offers free cycle training, a bike safety check and guided rides to encourage people to switch to bicycles for urban journeys, such as commuting to work or popping down to the shops.

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WWF partners with the CTC to get employees on their bikes

By Anna Cipullo on 23 October 2012
CTC ran cycle training and personalised travel planning at WWF's office in Godalming, Surrey, to help encourage more employees to cycle to work.
CTC cycle instructor and trainees

Lucy Potashnick, WWF’s Environmental Manager, says: “In a staff travel survey in March 2010, Of the 19% of staff that live within 3 miles or less from work, 40% still use their car to travel into work.”

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