STOCKPORT COMMUNITY CYCLING CLUB           

Home                                                                           CLUB HISTORY

The Club arose out of a document issued by Stockport MBC in 1999 setting out a "Strategy for Cycling".  Included in this strategy was the formation of a Community Cycling Club to encourage residents to cycle and to provide an entry-level Club for newcomers and cyclists returning to the pastime. Rides would be relatively short and within everyone's capability.

The original emphasis was on youngsters between the ages of 7 and 16 and adult newcomers but also the encouragement of families, particularly of the younger riders.  This was to fill a glaring gap in the cycling market as most recognised Cycling Clubs would not take riders under the age of 12 and even then, wanted their parents to be present. Rides of the short distances we were aiming for were not even considered by these Clubs.

The Council provided the facilities at the Lapwing Centre in Brinnington and the Health Service funded the initial training of leaders including first aid training.  As a result all leaders are qualified as British Schools Cycling Association Off-road leaders although two are now qualified cycling Coaches.

The Club took off quite encouragingly and was well supported by the local youngsters.  Although the Club was aimed at Stockport residents, one family travelled regularly from Hale Barns as Trafford MBC had no equivalent facility.

As well as the continuing support from the Council and the NHS Trust, the Club was successful in obtaining local grants for hi-vis rainwear and T-shirts which were awarded for regular attendance.  The Club was also able to access the Council Minibus to enable the riders to go further afield and experience riding on different routes.  We were also successful in gaining an award offered to Sports Clubs by United Utilities to enable us to take 10 members to watch the 2002 Commonwealth Games cycling event at the Velodrome.  More recently, the Club has worked with Stockport NHS Primary Care Trust in setting up the Reddish Vale Healthy Living Centre.  This initiative, funded by the National Lottery supported projects aimed at improving the health of residents living adjacent to the Reddish Vale corridor.  The Club actively assisted in leading evening and weekend rides for adults organised by the NHS Trust as part of this initiative and has now taken over the rides following the closure of the Scheme..

Many of the ideas were based on the existing Manchester Community Cycling Club based at Boggart Hole Clough which operated in a similar type of area and on similar lines.  It was decided that the Club should work on a "drop in drop out" basis with no obligation to attend every week although those that did clearly benefitted from the regular exercise.  There was to be no membership fee but a  ride fee of an affordable 50p would be charged to defray expenses.  Since we started over 160 people have ridden with the club.

Ride distances were originally envisaged at around 4-6 miles but rapidly we found that the riders of all ages easily managed 8-10 miles.  Rides were usually tailored on the day to meet the abilities and ages of the riders who attended.

Because of the way in which the Club was structured, we knew that we could not really cater for riders whose main intention was to race or to ride long distances at speed.  We have therefore established links with other clubs who we know can develop these riders and one of our ex-riders became the North West Under-10 road racing champion.  However we did and still do encourage the riders to develop their riding skills and set up obstacle courses to provide a bit of fun whilst developing these skills.  British Cycling used to organise a Challenge event combining a skill test with a short-distance speed test.  We staged the local heat on several occasions and provided several finalists.  We were aware that our riders would struggle on the speed section but could hold their own on the skills and the pinnacle came when , in its last year, one of our girls gained a silver medal.

For a number of reasons, numbers declined in late 2004 and in 2005 it was decided to re-launch the Club as a family Club and to "go mobile".  A number of enquiries received elicited the fact that there were quite a number of families who would like to ride short-distance rides with other similar families and generally had the transport for the family and their cycles.  The change also gave us the opportunity to investigate new routes and to travel further afield.   We have kept the minimum age to 8 except for little ones in kiddie seats as we feel that, unless they have ridden regularly with the family over a reasonable distance, they will not benefit from the rides.  Obviously, we would make exceptions if we are sure a younger rider has the capabilities.  Adults without children are also welcome and currently the majority of the riders fit  this category.   Where there is any difficulty with transport we can often arrange a lift for passengers and we currently have three cycles which can be borrowed for a club ride. (sizes adult of medium size (2) and child 8-10 (1).   We have a programme of rides, all of which meet locally but then actually  start the ride either locally or further afield e.g. the Peak District . Distances will vary according to Group make up and ability and where possible there may be two rides from the same venue to cater for different abilities.  Details will appear on this website and also in the regular newsletter.  All we ask is that you ring in advance to ensure that the ride has not had to be cancelled. 

The rides will be mainly on easily-rideable tracks such as Leisure Trails or disused railways and use the  minimum of roads.  A selection of these rides is included in the Local Rides section and this will be regularly updated.