Virgin Money Cyclone. some good events here in North East in the Summer, catering for leisurely,semi serious and pro.

Cloughy's Cycling BLOG

Thinking of doing one or two of these events in the Summer, the Cyclone looks good, three Rides 33,63 and 104 miles. Maybe the 63 miles may be best, although I have done over a 100 ml last year.

They also have the Tyne 6 Bridges which looks like a nice leisurely ride 9.5 mls and 14.5mls. Only £6.00 entry fee.

You can find out more on these events/rides using the link below.

Virgin Money Cyclone – A new era of cycling in the North East.

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Durham Big Ride cycle challenge returns in September – Today’s News – News – JournalLive

IT’S a cycle challenge which tests people to the limit – and now The Beast is back again this year.

Durham Police chief Constable Jon Stoddart has already tackled the 50-mile course, and he was on hand yesterday to give his seal of approval to the sixth annual Durham Big Ride.

The cycle rides around the city in September are fast becoming as integral a part of the calendar as the event they were named after, the Durham Miners Gala, known as the Big Meeting.

The toughest ride is The Beast, an arduous test over undulating roads through north and west Durham.

That takes place on Sunday, September 9, and forms part of the Big Ride, which also features three shorter events.

Mr Stoddart described the Beast as “a good, really challenging course”.

The Beast starts and finishes at Sniperley Park and Ride site, on the outskirts of Durham, with riders escorted out of the city by police outriders and with a rolling road closure programme in place for the early part of the course.

via Durham Big Ride cycle challenge returns in September – Today’s News – News – JournalLive.

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Durham Big Ride – Riding team hoping to set record

CYCLISTS are being urged to take part in an event through the region.

Durham Big Ride organisers hope to attract about 1,800 riders – slightly more than last year – for the three, ten and 25-mile routes on Sunday, September 2.

They also hope for a big turnout the following Sunday from more experienced cyclists when The Beast, a 50-mile ride, is staged.

Both events will start and finish at County Hall, in Durham City, and include roads and cycle paths.

Race director Ed Tutty said: “The aim is to get people to enjoy what is probably one of the best parts of the country on a bike.

“It is very safe, so people can take their time. It is not a race, so you can enjoy it in an hour or three hours, whatever.”

Mr Tutty said the event was becoming an established feature in the region’s cycling calendar, and said he hoped The Beast would attract 1,000 riders, up from 700 last year.

A club that gives disabled people the chance to cycle with able-bodied riders on adapted bikes will take part. The Gateway Wheelers, which meets at Chester-le-Street, has taken part in The Big Ride since it started.

Spokesman Martin Forester said club members and volunteers took part in the various distances and had 26 people in last year’s event.

Mr Forester, who also did The Beast, said: “The Beast isn’t called The Beast for nothing. It certainly is a challenge.”

A single entry costs £17 and a family of two children and two adults costs £40.

People can book places and find details of The Durham Big Ride at durhambigride.co.uk

via Ride team hoping to set record (From The Northern Echo).

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Durham Big Ride 2012 – Dates Announced

Durham Big Ride 2012 – and a couple of others..

It’s that time of year again – well it is a bit early but we need to get things going with this year’s Durham Big Ride.

Also, there is a little info about a couple of projects that I am involved with – a nice community one and a 78 miler that is on towards the end of the year.

Find OUT MORE >>>News and views from E T Communications: Durham Big Ride 2012 – and a couple of others...

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Metro bosses reject call to allow bikes on trains – Chronicle News – News – ChronicleLive

METRO bosses have rejected calls from cycle campaigners for a pilot project that could pave the way for taking bikes on trains.

Network operator Nexus said now is “not the right time” to allow cycles on busy train services and through deep underground stations.But the firm said they would work with activists to improve life for cyclists with measures which could include a “Boris Bike” type system with bikes for hire at stations.Folding bikes are allowed on the Metro but the ban on fixed-wheelers has for decades been a big bugbear to the cycling community.

It was a hot topic when members of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign met train managers last November.Claire Prospert, from the campaign, said allowing bikes would show the region’s desire to go green.She said: “We want to see a trial outside peak hours, involving a small number of Metro stations.

We know that the Metro’s operator DB Regio runs light rail systems in Germany that carry bikes.”The group claims a trial of bikes on Metro trains is supported by local councillors, Friends of the Earth, and the Tyne and Wear Public Transport Users Group.

But Huw Lewis, head of communications at Nexus which owns and manages Metro, said the priority right now was to better connect cyclists with stations.

“Cyclists are free to travel on Metro with folded bikes, and while there are good reasons why full-size bikes are not allowed on what is a very busy train system with deep underground stations, that’s not the end of the story,” he said.“We are about to trial new larger and more secure storage at two stations, while bidding in partnership with local councils and Sustrans for Government funding to pay for a much wider improvement of facilities.”He said a task group, including organisations such as the Newcastle Cycling Campaign, had been set up.“I don’t think a limited trial allowing all bikes on part of Metro at certain times of day is a good idea right now, but it may come out of the work of the group,” Mr Lewis added.“The last research we did with passengers showed a clear majority against the idea.”

via Metro bosses reject call to allow bikes on trains – Chronicle News – News – ChronicleLive.

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