Sheila wins Cycling UK award after 20 years as CTC Grampian secretary

Sheila, who lives in Aberdeen, has seen the Grampian group expand dramatically during her time in the role – which she will relinquish at their AGM on 29 October.

Membership has more than doubled from 198 in 1996 to today’s figure of about 450, while led rides have increased from two weekend rides when she started as secretary, to four led rides each weekend with informal weekly Thursday rides and pub runs on Wednesday evenings in the summer.

Sheila said: “I was very honoured and delighted to receive the award. It was a lovely thing to happen after 20 years as secretary of CTC Grampian.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role and the opportunity to develop the club and help people to cycle, but now is the time to let someone else take over.

“I’ve seen many changes in 20 years, not least the growth of the group and an expanding programme of rides to suit all cycling abilities.

“The Cycling UK Annual Members’ Get Together was a great event. I found it very inspirational to hear what other groups are doing and bring ideas back to our group – although I don’t think we could squeeze in any more rides than we already have!”

Sheila has been secretary of the Grampian Group for 20 years now and runs it extremely efficiently. She is thoroughly deserving of recognition for her heroic efforts.”

Cycling UK Trustee Welna Bowden, Chair of the Awards Committee

Sheila estimates she has trained about 40 CTC Grampian group members to become Ride Leaders since 2003.

This summer, she and her husband John rode the Pacific Coast Cycle Route on a tandem, covering just under 2,500 miles from Vancouver in Canada to the Mexican border, camping along the way.

Cycling UK Trustee Welna Bowden, Chair of the Awards Committee, said: “Sheila has been secretary of the Grampian Group for 20 years now and runs it extremely efficiently.

“She tries to be as actively involved with as many of the group’s activities as possible and oversees a full programme of rides for Cycling UK members.

“The group puts on faster, medium and slower full-day runs plus morning runs, Thursday morning runs, pub runs and also supports the Try Cycling initiative. Now in its 12th year, Try Cycling is aimed at encouraging new riders to give cycling a go.

“The group also puts on special events such as maintenance nights and visits to places of interest, including the Marine Harbour Operations Centre, and a community wind turbine, as well as a programme of social events, including film nights, a summer BBQ, New Year’s Day rides and much more.

“Members of the group lead tours both at home and abroad regularly and continually look for ways to improve their reach via social media and other tools. Sheila is thoroughly deserving of recognition for her heroic efforts.”

Sheila was presented with her award in Manchester by Isla Rowntree, British Veteran Cyclo-Cross champion and Cross Country MTB champion in 2010 and 2011, and British National Cyclo-Cross champ in 1999, 2002 and 2003. Isla also is founder of the renowned children’s bike design specialists, Islabikes.