ABERGAVENNY CYCLE GROUP

We Want Safe Routes for Cyclists

We Want More People to Cycle Safely

Since 1998 we have trained children from junior schools in and around the town to cycle safely on the road. Up to 120 children a year from many schools have benefited from this experience, going beyond the usual cycling proficiency training, gaining fitness as well as cycling skills. We use paid and volunteer trainers, who are fully trained and insured. Our costs are met by a small charge and a County Council grant, but the future of this service is threatened by a shortage of volunteers and uncertain funding - see below.
 
Our cycle track at the Leisure Centre helps youngsters to develop off-road skills and some have achieved sporting honours.
 
We would like to do more – to work with secondary school pupils and with adults – but to do so we need more volunteers and secure long-term funding.

Can YOU help bring our training back from the brink?
 

We have trained more than 400 youngsters aged 9-11 years in how to cycle safely on our busy roads. The group fills a massive void in providing practice in on and off road cycling under a safe environment with experienced cyclists trained to carry this work out. The sessions are fun as well as challenging but the prime motive is on road cycling survival skills. This is only achieved by PRACTICE. Many former pupils have been spurred on to become regular cyclists and some have gone onto compete at regional and national level. The wider aims of the group are to encourage as many people as possible onto their bikes to enjoy a healthy, fun and environmentally friendly way of travelling.

Unfortunately in 2005 we failed to get a programme off the ground because we lost both our coordinator, John Richards, who moved from the area, and Norman Harris, our lead trainer. The group would like to thank these two leaders as well as many others who contributed so much over several years. We restarted our training in a modest way in 2006, thanks to the efforts of Ivan Gaston, but we still really need an enthusiastic person with some spare time during the day and a commitment to safety to coordinate and lead the programme.
This person need not be a regular cyclist as training skills remain within the group. However, regular contact with schools and trainers via e-mail and telephone is essential to ensure that training sessions and rides run safely and to schedule.

Please would anyone interested contact Ivan for further information on 01873 832477 (evenings) or by e-mail.
 

Cycling for Softies

The Cycling for Softies group has been developing during 2010/11 and has now coalesced into an active membership of around ten cyclists. The aim of the group is to arrange regular cycle rides in and around the Abergavenny area. Email addresses and telephone numbers have been circulated to each person in the group and this gives an opportunity to arrange additional rides. The expectation is that each person will have a chance to organise and lead a ride.

So far there have been cycle rides along the Abergavenny to Brecon Canal to Clydach from Llanfoist; along the Canal from Talybont; a ride from Abergavenny along the Old Raglan Road to the Clytha and through Bettws Newydd; a splendid cycle along the Peregrine Path to Symonds Yat from Monmouth; a cycle ride up the gentle gradient of the disused railway line from Llanfoist to Brynmawr, then on to the disused tram road of the Hafod that overlooks the delightful views of the Clydach Valley; we then returned via the Canal path at Gilwern picking up again the cycle track, downhill all the way to Llanfoist. Cycle rides can vary in length from 10 to 20 miles.

Current Programme: -

Wednesday 25th April: An off-road ride from Pontymoile to Big Pit and then up to the lakes. Those who wish can enjoy the food in the Big Pit canteen while others go up to the lakes and back. Round trip to Big Pit 18 miles; including lakes 22 miles. Gentle incline all the way up (railway track). Meet at Pontymoile Canal Basin @ 1000hrs. Leader Helen Trevor Davies.

Saturday 19th May: A ride along the coastal path cycle route from Llanelli. Meet at the Millenium Coastal Path Visitor Centre. Details to be confirmed. Leader Jean Ball

Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th June: Tarka Trail Cycle Route, North Devon. A weekend ride taking in Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and Bideford. Round trip 60 miles. Designated cycle route follows River Taw Estuary and North Devon coast, hopefully with multiple cream tea opportunities. Details to be confirmed soon. Leaders Helen Trevor Davies and Miriam Ward

Sunday 8th July: Abergavenny Circular Ride. Approx 8 miles. Start time and place to be confirmed. Leader Oliver Barton

Sunday 19th August: Llangorse Lake Ride.  Details to be confirmed. Leader Miriam Ward

Sunday 23rd September: Beacons Bus Ride No 2. Using the Beacons Bus cycle trailer for part of the journey. Details to be confirmed. Leaders Cath Barton and Helen Trevor Davies


For further information please contact Lynette Green the co-ordinator of the group, or Richard Lewis.
 

We Publish Local Cycling Leaflet Guides

Leaflet 1 - A Ride around Abergavenny
Click here to download page one (pdf file 1.02mb) and page two (pdf file 1.75mb) of our 8 mile cycle route leaflet - A Ride Around Abergavenny.

Leaflet 2 - Easy Cycling Around Abergavenny
Click here to download and print off page one  (cover and text jpeg) of the guide and page two (map and notes jpeg) and map only (1.1MB jpeg) of this leaflet, published in the summer of 2005. The leaflet contains details of up to 80 miles of relatively easy cycling around the Abergavenny area, together with a fascinating glimpse at how the landscapes here were formed by Ice Ages, forestry and agriculture.
 

We Do Other Things – and Would Like to Do More  

• We liaise with Sustrans and CTC, and press for Assembly and County policies and actions to encourage cycling. We would like to work with the County Council and others in the community for an integrated sustainable transport plan for the Abergavenny area. We seek this as members of the Bryn y Cwm Community Forum.

• We have arranged evening cycle rides and National Bike Week events.  

• We have commented on several plans affecting cycling interests, including the A40 detrunking proposals and A4143 proposals at Llanfoist, the Henry Boot plans for the cattle market site, and plans for the railway station area.
  We have used Council grants to provide cycle parking stands in the town centre and at schools and the leisure centre.

• We would like to make more of Abergavenny’s cycle tourism potential, at the intersection of national, regional and local cycle routes, in the Vale of Usk at the gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park and the heritage of the Valleys.
  
   

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Help Us

Our activities are limited by the number of people we can attract as members. We need volunteers prepared to give a little time to:

• Training – junior, secondary, or adult – modest payment may be possible.

• Public Relations – developing media contact, producing leaflets, newsletters, etc.

• Arranging Events – promoting successful leisure rides, for example.

• Committee membership – assisting policy work, helping to manage projects, etc

• New Activities – we welcome anyone with new ideas, prepared to give them time.
  
   

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Join Us

If you want to know more, contact one of the names below. If you are ready to join the Group print this page, fill in your details, and post it with your cheque to the Secretary (contact details below). We will be grateful for your support.

_____________________________________________________________

I would like to join and enclose a cheque for £5.00* annual membership fee payable to ‘Abergavenny Cycle Group’
 
Name………………………………………….....………. Date………………………….
 
Address (with postcode)…………………………………………………………………….
 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
 
Telephone………………………………… E-mail……………………………………….
 
* If you are a volunteer cycling instructor a £4 rebate may be claimed.

Contact Us

Chair: Ivan Gaston 01873-832477 (home)  Ivan.w.gaston@dwrcymru.com

Vice Chair and Secretary: Richard Lewis 01873-854662  richard@middleninfa.co.uk
         Middle Ninfa
         Llanellen
         Abergavenny
         NP7 9LE
                                                             
Treasurer, and Coordinator of Cycling for Softies:  Lynette Green 01873-830251 lynette.samara.green@googlemail.com

Useful Links

CTC - the UK cyclists' organisation
Sustrans - the sustainable transport charity
Cycle Campaign Network
Slower Speeds Initiative 
Safe Routes to Schools
www.bikeforall.net

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