Welcome to our Centenary

  100-years ago, in 1921, the Coventry Section of the Cyclists' Touring Club was formed from the Birmingham District Association.  Over the years there have been a few name changes and some sub-sections have closed down, but the Coventry Section has continued to thrive into the Club we love today.

  

  It has been 4-years since we started planning the centenary celebrations, and despite all difficulties we can now enjoy being a cycle club once more. Unfortunately some of our plans have had to be deferred until next year so we have prepared an updated Centenary Calender which is attached to this document.  I am very keen that we have as much support for the new programme as possible.



 52-page Centenary Booklet 

  Paul Morton has edited and produced an excellent 52-page Centenary Booklet, with memories past and present of the Club's Activities. It makes a very nice souvenir of the centenary and you can get your free copy of the booklet by clicking here. Alternatively, ask any of our runs leaders and they will make the necessary arrangements to get you a copy.



 Cycling Tops and Lapel Badges  

  We have a stock of centenary cycling jerseys, which have proved to be very popular. You can order your jersey by clicking here and we also have souvenir Lapel Badges which can be ordered here.



 Commemorative Garden Display 

  The City Council are constructing a commemorative flower bed display for us in Grey Friar's Green.  It's been set out, but it's currently a bit early in the season for flower planting - we will be keeping watch on progress.



 Paul Whitehead Video Project 

  You will remember Paul, who we sadly lost to a brain tumour earlier this year. You will also know that he was a master at making videos of Club activities: some of them can be viewed here: please watch them and you will see that they are a clever link of music, speech, still pictures and video clips. It would be very fitting if his legacy could be continued by other members of the Club and we would love to present a selection of videos made by other members of the Club at the Celebration Dinner in October. 

Almost everyone has a camera in their phone, so let's all have a go and share the fun. 

National Bike Week 30th May - 6th June 

• To welcome new riders - we will hold a range of short rides of 5- to 10-miles from Stoke Aldermoor Life Centre on weekdays, weekends and an evening ride.
• For our regular riders there will be a 100-mile challenge: ride The 100 miles can be made up of club or individual rides, commuting to work during the week, 20 laps of Draycote Water, or you can choose to complete the ride in one day.  Riders should comply with any Covid restrictions, you can spread your rides over as many days as you want. Please register your interest by emailing [email protected] to get full details of the challenge.
• A self supported 100-mile ride on Sunday 6th June.
• A Women's only Wednesday and Sunday Ride.
• The usual Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday Rides.

 York to Edinburgh Tour: 9th - 17th June 

  This tour will cross the beautiful North York Moors, then follow the delightful Northumberland coast to Berwick-on-Tweed and finally cross the Lammermuir Hills to Edinburgh.  This is now fully subscribed, but if you want to join a standby list please contact Mike Thomas [email protected].



 Women's Festival of Cycling: 17th July - 1st August 

• Welcome new riders with a range of midweek rides of various lengths starting from different venues around Coventry.
• 18th July Women's ride to the Celebration Barbecue at Fillongley.
• 25th July Challenge ride 45-miles
• 1st Aug Celebratory Picnic after Long, Medium and Short rides to the
  
  venue.

More information https://coventryctc.org.uk/2021-womens-festival-of-cycling



 Special barbecue at Fillongley Village Hall: 18th July 

  This will be one of the gastronomic highlights of the Centenary Celebrations, with a selection of freshly cooked BBQ food and delightful salads, followed by a choice of gateaux.  The chef for the event is Kumar Ravinder who has won many awards for his superb cuisine, Afterwards we will ask our President to say a few words whilst cutting the Centenary Birthday Cake and we can all sing 'Happy Birthday'. A series of morning rides will be planned to end at Fillongley. We're delighted that this event is to beheld at Fillongley because this was the destination for the CTC Coventry's inaugural ride in 1921.

  The BBQ is open to all members, family and friends and the cost is £12.50 with half price for children. Tickets now available from Keith Jeacock  [email protected] tel 07713 287623.



 Women's Weekend Tour: 6th - 8th August 

  Leaving Coventry on Friday morning the tour will travel to Upper Boddington and follow the Cherwell valley to Banbury.

  On Saturday the Tour will pass through the North Cotswolds through Chipping Camden to Evesham on the River Avon.

  On Sunday the Tour will we return to Coventry via Alcester and Bidford-on-Avon.

  Daily mileages will be about 45-miles and accommodation will be in Premier Inns.

  Please email Vicky Palethorpe: [email protected]

 Meriden Memorial Service: Sunday 5th September 

  The Cyclists’ Memorial Service at Meriden commemorates all cyclists’ lost in conflict. It is a national event which, this year, will be supported by cyclists’ from the forces and will feature a display of vintage cycles.

  As well as it being CTC Coventry’s 100th birthday this year it is also 100-years since the first Cyclists’ Memorial Service on Meriden Green.

  Sadly last year's service had to be cancelled, so this is not the 100th service on the Green, although the vicar, Lynda Lilley produced an excellent ‘virtual’ service. We believe that during World War II there were no formal services, but  it is said that cyclists’ still gathered informally.



  A number of rides will be departing from the Coventry War Memorial Park from 9am onwards timed to arrive at Meriden at 10.45 in time for the service at 11am. http://coventryctc.org.uk/cyclists-memorial-service-sunday-september-5th

 100-km Centenary Challenge Ride: Sunday 12th September 

  We are hoping that 100-riders will take part in this 100-km (64-mile) ride as this is the main riding event of this centenary year. It may be a little further than some of you are used to riding, but with generous refreshment stops at Long Itchington, Badby and Clifton-on-Dunsmore it should be treated as a number of 16-mile rides.

  The route takes in some of the best lanes we have to offer in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire and is organised with small groups, each with its own leader.

  Please try to support this key event in the year's calender.  More information can be found on our website: https://coventryctc.org.uk/100-km-centenary-challenge-ride.

 



 Celebration Dinner at Hearsall Golf Club: Friday 1st October 

  This is a formal evening dinner at Hearsall Golf Club celebrating the culmination of the Club's Centenary Year. Our Guest Speaker will be Sarah Mitchell the CTC Chief Executive, presentation of Centenary Awards, including the Paul Whitehead Video Project and presentation of the Air Ambulance charity collection.

  Although based on a formal ‘sit-down’ meal, with speeches, the intention is for the evening to be a relaxed occasion.  The Dinner is open to all members, family and friends and the cost is £25. Tickets will be available from 6th August from Keith Jeacock: [email protected] tel 07713 287623.  



 Air Ambulance Collection 

  Throughout this year all riders have been asked to contribute £1.00 on each ride for the Air Ambulance?  Our aim is to raise £1000 and this will be presented to a representative of the Air Ambulance at the Dinner.



 Meriden Christmas service and Annual Christmas Dinner: Sunday 12th December 

  It is hoped to hold the annual Cyclists’ Carol Service at St Lawrence Church Meriden at 1pm on Sunday 12th December. We very much want to return to normal this year, with tea and mince pies before the service and following the Carol Service our Annual Christmas Dinner will take place at Time for Tea in Kenilworth. More information can be seen here.                



The following events have been postponed until 2022

 Mallorca fixed-centre cycling holiday: April. 

This is a new 10 day venture for the group based at hotel in Port Pollenca in the north of Mallorca.  A series of rides are planned each day, with options for walking and sight-seeing in this delightful cycle friendly area.



 South Downs Weekend: May 

This is a long weekend based on Petersfield with rides planned for each day.



 100 mile Centenary ride and Triennial Veterans ride:  5th June 

Being deferred for a year this ride now coincides with the Cycling UK Tri-Vets event.  Starting at  Binley Woods this superb route is one we have used many times to the edge of the Cotswolds stopping for refreshments at Warmington, Little Wolford and Charlecote.  The ride ends at Binley Woods for more tea and cakes. 

Whilst the Triennial Veterans ride is limited to riders aged over 50, there will be no age restrictions on this event.

 Summary

  You can see there are many events being planned for the rest of this year. Some of which involve cycling and others doing what we do best...  so don't please don't forget the barbecue which just requires an email to the Treasurer, Keith, who will send you all the necessary details: [email protected] tel 07713 287623 and the 100-mile Century Ride: [email protected].



To survive the next 100-years we are embracing technological opportunities like e-bikes and are always receptive to new ideas. Please read the Centenary Booklet, plan the things you want to see and do, think about the tours, wear your jersey with pride and support our Air Ambulance charity collections. Start to get fit for the 100-mile and 100-km Challenge rides... and most importantly carry on cycling, socialising and campaigning with us throughout this special year.