SHED BIKE RIDES CHALLENGE 100
Don't worry; we are not referring to the mileage! Our goal in 2014 is to get 100 people who have not cycled regularly on their bikes utilising the fantastic cycling infrastructure that the City of Brighton & Hove and surrounding areas has to offer. If you know someone who has a bike in their shed or garage and need encouragement to use it, please help us make them one of the 100 and bring them along to a Shed Bike Ride. Better still, buy them a bike at Christmas and bring them along. Whether it’s the Downs Link, the seafront cycle path, the Old Shoreham Road cycle path or the new Lewes Road cycle lane – there has never been a better time to cycle in Brighton & Hove. We are currently busy working with some key stakeholders like Brighton & Hove CTC, Giant Cycles (Shoreham), Mr Cycles in Seaford, The Argus Appeal and Bricycles to spread the word. Our rides are led by experienced cyclists who can offer advice on any cycling related matter - ranging from what to wear to tips on cycle maintenance. We want to promote a healthier lifestyle |
and encourage you to ditch the car (if only for half a day) discovering the benefits of cycling. We want to encourage first time cyclists or to get returning cyclists back in the saddle.
We guarantee our rides will be run at a leisurely pace, on the flat, led by experienced cyclists and wherever possible they will take place on cycle lanes over a relatively short distance compared to normal ‘club type’ rides. As your confidence grows we think you will want to do more and go faster. We will dangle that carrot and offer you the perfect opportunity to go further afield, whether it is a regular Brighton & Hove CTC club run, or taking part in an Argus Appeal Cycle Challenge over the South Downs or cycling from Dunkirk to Brussels via Ypres, Bruge and Gent. Perhaps even setting your sites on the Brighton CTC annual 'Brighton Breezy Randonee that takes place in September – we guarantee we will have a ride for everyone! So why are we doing this? Well, although cycle usage has increased in Brighton & Hove every year recently, our team all have the same thing in common in and want to see even more people out and about on their bikes enjoying the benefits that cycling |
has to offer – and believe me there are many, besides the obvious financial benefits that cycling has to offer.
From a health perspective 'it is a no brainer' and a cheap and easy way to get fit, especially in an age where 70% of all women and 60% of all men fail to get even the recommended level of physical activity. More worryingly if this trend continues, over 50% of the population will become clinically obese in the next few years. Cycling is not only an easy way to get fit, but the medical profession has long recognised the positive ‘feel good factor’ that cycling offers our ‘mental well being.’ Although cycle safety has been in the news recently – cycling is often exaggerated as a dangerous activity. Especially if you take into account that the all-cause mortality rate of regular cyclists is 39% higher than non cyclists (Anderson et al, 2000) and cyclists take 18% less sick days than non cyclists. So come on, what are you waiting for? Come and join us in 2014! Howie Blanks Brighton & Hove CTC & Argus Appeal Charity rides co-ordinator |