We're running a series of rides for people new to group riding or who haven't cycled for a while. They start with a short, 'get to know you' ride that includes a free bike check and progress through longer distances, tackling a series of challenges on the way:
That might seem impossible to you now, but here's a sample of the stories recent joiners to our rides have to tell:
One of favourite stops, the Sustainability Centre, is planning to transform their 'tired, old, inefficient MoD building' into an eco-friendly, state-of-the-art New Learning Centre.
Update: They've already raised £21,500 towards the £25,000 they need to apply for planning, so they just trying to raise the last £3,500. We can earn them commission at no cost to us when we buy online at popular stores like Amazon, John Lewis and many more! It all works through Give as You Live.
More details at www.sustainability-centre.org/christmaspresents, or go directly, www.giveasyoulive.com/join/sustainabilitycentre, where you'll see them under their official charity name, Earthworks Trust. But of course they'd love any other donations as well.
I hadn't realised just how much they do, from education for schools, universities, teacher training, to camping, bee-keeping, recycling, ecology, forestry, nature, and lots more. Our cafe visits barely scratch the surface. And if the hill-climb to get there is too much for any of us one day, they can even do us a green burial 
It's a big, high-profile, multi-million pound project
that will need big funding from the lottery and other sources. And that could help unlock funding for better cycling routes to get there.
They've asked informally for our input on cycle parking. And unusually, in advance! They know we don't like wheel-manglers, but what would we like? We've said cyclists like to be able to keep an eye on their bikes, but it would be a shame to despoil such a beautiful site with ugly steel sheffield stands.
On our coast-to-coast at Whitehaven, we could have locked to leaping stainless steel salmon. Elsewhere, we've locked to beautiful sculptures.
So my challenge to Portsmouth CTC is to come up with something more imaginative, maybe more artistic? Something we'd be proud to use in future. Over to you!
Joy and I are going to be scrubbers for the day next Monday. Butser scrubbers, that is. Why not join us? The weather forecast is sunny!
Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP) has asked for volunteers to help with some fun scrub bashing on the lower/southern slopes of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve from Monday 13th to Saturday 18th November.
They've been great supporters of cycling, whether mountain biking, cycling through on the Butser Crossing, or stopping off at the great tearoom for refreshments, so it's an opportunity to return the favour and strengthen the bond.
Teas & coffees will be available, and if you book in advance (via the QECP reception qecp.enquiries@hants.gov.uk or 02392 595040) a breakfast bacon sandwich and piece of cake!
The work will be supervised and with all tools provided. Participants will need to bring working clothes, waterproofs, boots, gloves, and packed lunch.
The day will start at 10.00am and finish at 3.00pm, meeting at the old A3 car park to the east of the motorway. Free parking, look out for the signs.
Joy and I can only do Monday, so it would be fun if you could join us, but if you can't make that, do try another day.
Organised by Tim Speller, Country Parks Manager.
We have encountered random issues with emails sent to TalkTalk and Tiscali (part of TalkTalk).
Some of our emails were rejected out-of -hand so you never received them. We don't get rejections from any other service provider and we don't get rejections from all TalkTalk accounts.
It's nothing you have done, and you are not alone. An internet search for 'Talk Talk IP Blacklisted' will reveal loads of people with this issue. You'll even see occurrences when TalkTalk has blacklisted itself!
To try to get around this issue I am experimenting with a different method for sending to your address. I'll use the new method for all emails coming from the Portsmouth CTC web site for the time being.
Please let me know if:
Thanks,
Andy
Roger Geffen MBE, Policy Director of Cycling UK, is the guest of Portsmouth Cycle Forum (PompeyBUG) at 7pm, Thursday 17th November, when he will talk about the second phase of our national Space for Cycling campaign. This aims to create better places for everyone, by enabling people of all ages and abilities to cycle for any local journey. As well as enabling members of the public to call on councils to commit to planning high-quality cycle networks – and to finding the funding these will require – we are also creating a Space for Cycling toolkit. This will support local campaign groups and councils to work constructively together on planning local cycle networks and prioritising schemes, using a suite of IT tools and crowd-sourced data. This will strengthen the hand of local campaigners – as local authorities seek their support for their funding proposals – while boosting their credibility, their visibility in the local media, and their supporter base.
This should be a really interesting meeting and a great chance for us to engage with Cycling UK’s national campaigns and to use them locally to help us make cycling work for the Portsmouth and Havant area. Put the date in your diaries.
More details at http://www.pompeybug.co.uk/2016/10/open-meeting-making-space-for-cycling-uk/
It’s a triumph for a bunch of persistent and hard-working people and for community support – the ferry is due to be re-launched tomorrow 5th August with a full, Summer service starting Saturday 6th August.
The opening event is free and starts at 12.30 including: pyrotechnics, Police guard of honour, music by local star Chloe Anne, free face painting, and the Portsmouth Football Club mascot.
For one day only, crossings will be £1 per trip.
More details of the opening event, fares and timetable on the ferry’s new web site at www.haylingferry.net.
Service updates will appear on Facebook and Twitter. There will also be an on-board mobile phone – I’ll update Cycle Hayling's ferry status page when I know the number.
On 20th May, eight CTC Portsmouth volunteers worked with a Hampshire County Council officer to minimise flooding and mud on Park Lane Bridleway.
I attended Mike’s very simple and dignified funeral service yesterday. Many riders remember Mike as a most pleasant, calm and friendly ride colleague – never tired or grumpy at the route taken and encouraging riders who might have been a bit tired and struggling at the end of the ride. His bike was always in immaculate condition. He'd often be asked about his 'new' bike only to be told he'd had it for ages.
Mike joined the Navy as a Marine Engineer and served 22 years for pension, during which time he got an Open University degree in mathematics and became a school teacher up to A level standard. Unfortunately after some years he got throat cancer which affected his voice and he had to stop teaching. He then worked in the accounts department of John Lewis for some years. Some 10 years ago he contracted leukaemia but was cured and in remission until 18 months or so ago when it returned.
The photo on the service sheet was taken about 2 years ago and shows Mike with his granddaughter, Viva, then aged 4. Viva is an old Izod family name. Mike came from Huguenot stock and there are a number of Izods who were land owners in the Cotswolds, unfortunately not recently on Mike’s side of the family. A family relative told me after the funeral that he recently visited a church in one of the picture-postcard villages and saw a grave of 'Viva Izod'.
I'm very sorry to have to report that Mike Izod - a regular rider with us until 18 months ago - has died.
Irene Izod writes:
It is with great sadness that I have to tell you Michael died on 28 April 2016 having lost his fight with lymphoma.
He thoroughly enjoyed his cycle rides with the Portsmouth CTC and last autumn had purchased a new bike which he was looking forwarding to testing out, unfortunately that wasn't to be.
The funeral will be held at Portchester Crematorium on Tuesday 17 May at 11.45am and any member would be more than welcome.