Late summertime start suits Stevenage as hundreds clock on

By Tony Upfold
Wednesday, 06 April 2016
The Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Howard Burrell, with riders at Fairlands Valley Park
Hundreds of cyclists turned out on Sunday (3 April) for Stevenage & North Herts CTC’s Start of Summertime Specials – and no doubt felt grateful that the challenge rides took place a week after the clocks actually went forward.

The rides are usually held on the day the clocks have changed, but were held back to avoid clashing with Easter weekend. By luck, it also meant missing Storm Katie, which wreaked havoc across southern Britain over the weekend of 27-28 March.

The rides were started from Fairlands Valley Park by the Mayor and Mayoress of Stevenage, Councillor Howard Burrell and Jennifer Higgins.

Many rode all the way to Lavenham in Suffolk and back, a distance of 210 kilometres (130.5 miles), and the introductory 60km (37 miles) to Reed, Barkway, Hare Street and back was well supported. But the most popular ride was to Thaxted, where the turn control was at the historic Guildhall. A total of 111 tackled this trip of 115km (about 72 miles).

The next major challenge ride to be organised by Stevenage CTC will be the 50-mile Stevenage Circular Cycle on Sunday 12 June.  Before that there will be a huge variety of rides – short and long – including the afternoon Saturday Starters and Wednesday evening rides every week, plus the Sunday cycle cruises.

Local groups and cycling clubs