Company of Cyclists
Cycle holidays come in all shapes and sizes; last year it was a folding bike tour of North Wales Steam railways with the CTC, and this year I chose to go away for a week's residential holiday with the Company of Cyclists.
The Company of Cyclists are an organisation who, in their own words
" ...are dedicated to promoting cycling in all of its forms."
They are owned by 160 cyclist shareholders and are based in York. In addition to their cycling roadshows for local authorities and businesses, they organise two residential cycling holidays a year. One in Yorkshire and the other in the Cotswolds at Rendcomb Lodge.
Part of the attraction of the Cotswold location was that it was within a day's cycle ride of Bristol. So it was on a hot Saturday in July that I set off with all my week's effects packed into two panniers and a saddle bag. The distance was approximately 50 miles, but it seemed further given the weight of the bike and the uphill nature of the journey -though I had the satisfaction of knowing I would reap the benefit on the way back! I left Bristol at 8: 30 am and was pleased to arrive at 4:45 pm, just in time for the welcoming ceremony with its plentiful supply of wine. The evening meal followed shortly afterwards, which was even more welcome for the fact that I didn't have to prepare the food or wash up afterwards. I also felt a warm self-righteous glow from being one of the minority who arrived without the assistance of a motor car. This was dented when I talked to one of the other guests who informed that he had cycled down from Newcastle-upon- Tyne on a recumbent tricycle pulling a trailer. Suddenly my 50 mile jaunt seemed very modest.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday was the diversity of riders- from families with young children to more mature riders with a lifetime's experience of cycling. This diversity was mirrored in the cycles used during the week - from a replica Dursley Pedesen to a five-wheeled, articulated recumbent carrying a father and two sons. In addition, the Company of Cyclists had a pool of their own cycles that could be borrowed and tried out. Undoubtedly their eight- seater, circular bike -the Conference Bike (see photo)- was the most unusual and biggest bike there and the most fun! Because of the numbers (over 60 riders) and diversity of abilities, three different rides were organised each day: Family, Medium and Long. I chose to do medium rides myself, but with the Cotswold hills to contend with they were a challenge to all of us. Our first ride out was on Sunday to Bibury via Fairford. However we managed to get lost in the grounds of Rencomb College and had to do two laps of the grounds before we could find our way out. It was just like a BCC ride. Monday was undoubtedly the high point for me. We took 40 plus bicycles, tricycles, recumbents and semi-recumbents, plus trailers, to Cirencester. With flags flying and multi- coloured cycling clothes, it must have looked like the arrival of a circus. We turned many a head that day and generated much conversation.
The rest of the week was a succession of rides in sunny weather followed either a slide show or talk on cycling matters -from utility bikes in India to the history of cycling. Mike Burrows, the cycle engineer/designer, gave two informal and easy to understand talks about the use of composite materials, such as carbon fibre, in the construction of bikes, accompanied by hands-on demonstrations.
Friday's cycling was sadly washed out due to torrential rain and we had to amuse ourselves indoors. Saturday was even sadder because this was the day to leave. Heavy rain made this even less enjoyable. Fortunately, I met Rowland's ill-fated BCC cycling/camping party on a very wet Chipping Sodbury High Street, so I had some company for a cup of tea and the rest of the journey home.
For further information the Company of Cyclists have a website at http://wwww.getcycling.info, or for the more old- fashioned of us, they can be contacted at:
7, Coda Avenue, York
YO23 2SE
David Borrows
