STOP PRESS:
CYCLING INSTRUCTORS WANTED
Instructors are being sought to deliver a wide range of cycling activities from road safety courses and family training sessions to beginner teaching and maintenance. Anyone interested can call HCT on 07963 237619 for an informal chat, or email HCT. Training is on an occasional casual freelance basis and we are very flexible in our approach, as well as offering very good renumeration for this enjoyable and satisfying activity. BUSINESS TRAINING - and Tax-free cycles
Many companies with an awareness of environmental needs give their staff an opportunity of taking up the CycleScheme offer which provides a tax-free way of purchasing new bikes to ride to work. It is a superb scheme where everyone wins!
HCT is able to provide specialist road safety training for staff who are offered this scheme as part of the package. This training can include skills, route planning from home to work and even maintenance and cycle care. Please call or email HCT for details.
Above: Three staff members of a leading Andover business take a road safety session as part of their company's tax-free cycle benefit. FAMILY TRAINING
Parent/Child sessions are amongst some of HCT's most popular training.The sessions cover all the skills to be able to undertake a journey, but they also involve the parents. This enables the parents to also understand the important theory which is taught. Sessions can be arranged to suit the family requirements and are usually held from home in order to use the roads the riders will use in real life .
Above: Mum and son enjoy a joint training session. A MAGICAL WISH COMING TRUE... - UPDATE
Our young lady who is learning to ride is making excellent progress and the grins are getting wider. This week she cycled over 100 metres unaided and has started learning further bike control skills.It is wonderful to see. A MAGICAL WISH COMING TRUE...
 Hampshire Cycle Training has been asked to help teach a young teenage lady whose dream has been to learn to cycle. The Make-a-Wish Foundation, a UK charity for supporting those with life-threatening illnesses has purchased her a cycle and is now supporting a series of riding sessions.
On her first outing there were whoops of joy as she managed those first few pedal strokes that were never believed possible.
We will let you know of her progress... NATIONAL PLAY DAY SUCCESS
Cyclists enjoyed secure parking at the excellent Basingstoke National Play Day event when HCT were again asked to provide a free Dr Bike and Bike Park in Eastrop Park a recent recipient of a Green Flag accreditation. Bikes were given a free maintenance check while the visitors were enjoying the circus skills, story telling, drum workshops and nature activities, organised by the hard-working Green Spaces Rangers of the Borough Council.
 NEARLY 100 TRAINED ON ONE DAY
 Hampshire Cycle Training was pleased to assist Sustrans the transport charity in providing cycle activites for nearly 100 children at a Hampshire school as part of the Sustrans StreetTread venture.
Young children from five years upwards enjoyed a series of cycling exercises to help their future skills in awareness and bike control. Taking hands off to signal, safe starting and stopping and even a slow bike race were included in the fun.
Sustrans is the UKs leading sustainable transport charity and HCT was pleased to be asked to support their excellent work.
Details of Sustrans is available HERE SUCCESS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Over 3000 cycle training sessions have been arranged throughout 2008 and 2009 looks to be even busier as more people realise the benefits of cycling - lower costs, increased fitness, easier journeys and better for the environment. A whole range of courses and activities have been planned for 2009 suitable for all cyclists from complete beginners to adults considering returning to riding.
Call or email now to arrange a course or to book places. 
Above:Two young cyclists learn the importance of road positioning. RIDING TO WORK or SHOPS
Hampshire Cycle Training has been providing advice to many adults who have taken up or returned to cycling after a break and who are seeing the benefits of easier journeys, better health, no parking problems and in these harder times much lower costs. HCT's adult training provides the confidence to ride in any traffic conditions as well as looking at all the various situations that arise along specific journeys, such as to workplace, railway station or shops. No longer need anyone be frightened of today's traffic, as with correct road positioning and riding techniques the confidence to undertake any journey is easily obtained. SUPPORT FOR A LOCAL COMMUNITY
 Christmas Window Competition supported.
Hampshire Cycle Training as a local-based organisation supported a local community initiative when it provided some sponsorship for a Christmas window decoration competition. Run by Whitchurch Arts, an exciting new venture in the small north Hampshire town, families were asked to decorate their windows with a seasonal theme. Children also received a visit from Santa. HCT provided a selection of cycling goodies. Details and pictures of the windows can be seen HERE.
It is now hoped that Santa may consider taking a cycle training course to help him undertake his deliveries! "YAY - I CAN RIDE, I CAN RIDE"
Hampshire Cycle Training sometimes gets asked to deal with some very special cycle training sessions that have particular challenges, and this was just one of those. It was one of those wonderful joyful times that come along so rarely for those children afflicted with difficulties sent to challenge their young lives.
Little 9-year old Josie* had been struggling with a trike for many years, having suffered from cerebral palsy with both balance and muscle tone problems. Playing with her friends was becoming harder, for as they grew older their horizons extended beyond Josie's limited capabilities.
She was left behind - alone - and she cried, and cried.
In a personal statement Josie had to produce, she wrote that she "would give everything she owned just to be able to ride a bike".
After just three sesions with HCT it was like a miracle. She took her very first unaided pedal strokes. Firstly it was 2 metres, then 5, then 50 and finally, well, who could stop her....
Steering was also on its was and her aim was now a shiny new bike for Christmas so she can play in those woods too - and be back with her friends.
Never had such a big smile been seen - "Yay, I can ride; I can ride" she cried out loud as her little face smiled wide with joy. Her life has truly opened up and as her Mum said, a whole new world now beckons.
It will not be long before she will be whooshing off with excitement into the local woods and tracks.
For anyone with any difficulties, just think of little Josie.
With belief, and a little helping of courage, they can be overcome. *name changed. OVER 150 TRAINED - at a single school
A school in north Hampshire is leading the way with National Standard cycle training, offering it to all their children over nine. All children received the Level One off-road skills training on the playground then the older children undertook Level Two road training in an attempt to cut down the school run.
On some days it was encouraging to see over 50 bikes in the bikesheds!
 
The bike shed is now full. Emergency Cycle Responders
Bicycles are one of the fastest ways to reach emergencies in busy traffic situations and at public events. It requires training in extensive and advanced cycle handling skills and Hampshire Cycle Training has been pleased to provide this for St John Ambulance Responders. The riders who provide an essential service are all qualified in emergency responses and were trained in heavy rush-hour traffic conditions.
 St John Ambulance Responders require advanced training skills TEACHERS TRAINED
Hampshire Cycle Training has been instructing a number of teachers and helpers at a Special School to enable them to take their youngsters out for short rides into the countryside. A full day of cycling saw the adult trainees learning how to start, stop, avoid hazards and signal. It was great fun and ended with a ride out into the local lanes. HCT carries out training for all forms of cycle activity.  
Above: Teachers 'playing' dodge on the playground and out on their ride
TRAVEL PLAN PROMOTION
Hampshire Cycle Training was pleased to be asked to help with the launch of a Travel Plan at a Hampshire Junior School. The first day started with the grand opening ceremony of the new school bikesheds at the Netley school. A full day was then spent providing classroom bikecare maintenance sessions followed by some skills cycle training. At the end of the day several parents joined in some riding sessions with their children.  The Mayor of Eastleigh opens the new Cycle Shed.
The following day a very popular introductory Parent/Child sessions was held at the adjoining infant school when nearly 20 parents took part with their children learning how to develop their childrens' riding ability.
SCHOOLS LEAD SAFETY TRAINING
Hampshire Cycle Training has recently completed training over 250 children to Level One Skill Control at two schools in north Hampshire. Many of these children are now progressing to on-road training.
Another leading school invited HCT to provide classroom based lessons on cycle safety. The 120 secondary school children received instruction on suitable clothing, bike care and how to ride in traffic with the emphasis on the cycle being a vehicle to be controlled in a responsible manner. It is hoped many of these will now take road training.
CONTACT US IF YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE TRAINING.
WE CAN HELP. ADULT 'REFRESHER' TRAINING
Free cycle training for adults was provided by HCT over two days in Portsmouth as part of a pilot scheme to encourage more cycling to work. Riders were shown how to ride confidently in traffic as well as how to deal with various road situations. It is hoped the scheme will be rolled out to further organisations following the very positive feedback from all who attended. One trainee summed up the general feeling as:
"Excellent. Well taught. Great to have such personal tuition." WHITCHURCH TOUR OF BRITAIN WEEKEND
RAISING FUNDS FOR LEUKAEMIA
Over £200 was raised when local cyclists came out to support the Whitchurch Tour of Britain weekend, organised by Hampshire Cycle Training.
On Saturday over 30 cyclists had their bikes checked for roadworthiness and were able to have repairs undertaken while PCSO Helen Rutherford provided security marking.
Sunday morning saw a full session of trainees take a professional cycle skills course at Testbourne and learn how to control their cycles safely, through a series of fun games and exercises. The event was so successful further training will be arranged.
The afternoon saw 20 riders of all ages met on the Millennium Meadow for an enjoyable Family Treasure Hunt that took riders around Whitchurch before going to St Mary Bourne and Longparish on the quest for answers to clues. Several six-year olds rode the 12-mile route with their parents - a fantastic achievement. Drinks and cakes were well received at the finish where prizes were presented, including a compass to the family that got lost!
The funds will go towards supporting two local children who have been diagnosed with Leukaemia. In a very rare coincidence both children are in the same class at Whitchurch Primary School.
Monday's cycle ride out to see the Tour of Britain at White Hill was well attended.As part of its Cycling Weekend, Hampshire Cycle Training arranged a Coffee and Croissants ride for anyone wishing to increase their levels of cycling and enjoy a ride out to the nearby countryside. Coffee and Croissants had been arranged and were enjoyed before watching the race pass.
 
Above Left: A rider receives a Dr Bike cycle check.
Above Right: Some of the riders set off on the Treasure Hunt.
Below Left: Coffee and Croissants on White Hill.
Below Right: GB rider and race leader Mark Cavendish in the yellow jersey on White Hill. Cavendish went on to win the stage at the Southampton finish.
 
TOUR OF BRITAIN IN HAMPSHIRE
The international Tour of Britain Cycle Race passes through Hampshire on 10th September and Hampshire Cycle Training is joining with others to promote a Tour of Britain Cycling Weekend based in Whitchurch.
A wide range of events are planned from Free Safety Checks and Security Marking to a Croissant and Coffee Ride.
FUN BIKES FOR ALL and Free Training in Basingstoke
Basingstoke Council continued its promotion of cycling with an event in Eastrop Park where a wide range of different bikes for all ages were made available, supplied by the Company of Cyclists. Hampshire Cycle Training attended and provided advice on the many courses now available. The weather could have been better, but this year is becoming known for that!
More Free Cycle Training is available in the Park on Wednesday August 1st as part of the FAMILY PLAY DAY. Call 07963 237619 or e-mail us at HCT.
Below: A wide range of bikes for all ages to try. 
BIKE WEEK LAUNCHED
National Bike Week had its local launch in Winchester organised by Hampshire Cycle Training, Cyclists' Touring Club, local cycling groups, CycleSure and FoE. Nearly 50 riders cycled off on the City Cavalcade accompanied by four police outriders on cycles.
Set on their way by the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Chris Pines, the riders snaked around the historic city centre, passing the Cathedral, Jane Austen's House, the College and the City Mill before finishing in Abbey Gardens.
Although the heavens opened, the good spirit of the riders prevailed as bells rang, horns hooted and wide smiles abounded.
The Bicycle is King. 
LOTS MORE SPECIAL EVENTS Hampshire Cycle Training is lined up to participate in several 'special' events over the Summer.
NATIONALBIKEWEEK
Winchester
During National Bike Week (16-24th June) there is a full range of events in Winchester. See the website at www.winchesterbikeweek.org.uk for the full list of activities.
HCT, one of the Week's organising partners, will be at the Cavalcade around the City on the 16th, running training in the Park on the 18th, and will be at the BBQ on the 21st.
Whitchurch
Free Cycle Training is being held in Whitchurch on Sunday 24th June thank to some welcome funding. One-hour Introductory sessions covering the cycle control skills required prior to riding on roads are open to children adults and families. Call 07963 237619 or e-mail HCT to book a place.
A Family Cycle Treasure Hunt is being arranged for families, groups and individuals, starting from the Millennium Meadow at 2.30pm on the same day. Just turn up. A very easy route is guaranteed. Further details from HCT.
This event was featured in The Times.
In the evening there is a BBQ and the Rude Mechanical Theatre will be performing.
Basingstoke Eastrop
HCT is pleased to be asked to join the Company of Cyclists at the Basingstoke Cycle Day on July 1st in Eastrop Park. A wide range of different types of cycle from tandems to trikes and unicycles will be available to try out.
Fun Day
Over 60 riders undertook HCT training at last year's event. Don't miss this year's free skills sessions and rides along the cycle routes from Eastrop Park. There will also be loads of other fun activities such as theatre groups, nature talks, and circus training.
More in Eastrop - HCT is running a series of training sessions in the Park during August as part of the Schools Out programme. Contact us for dates and booking details - HCT
Tour of Britain
The international Tour of Britain visits north Hampshire on 10th September. It is the largest race to visit the area since the Tour de France came in 1994! HCT will be running several events along the route including road safety competitions, cycle training and rides.
Other Events
There are other special events lined up throughout the County over the Summer months.
However our core cycle-training is always available anywhere.
PLEASE CALL or EMAIL us.
MORE BIKE DAYS Hampshire Cycle Training was invited to attend the excellent Portsmouth City Council cycle event held at the Mountbatten Centre. About 25 adults took a short professional cycle training session while a mobile mechanic serviced cycles and Hampshire police security marked bikes.
Ian Wilson who went with his sons said:
"It was a fabulous day and I had the best 30 minutes of training I've experienced."
Over 200 people attended, and further events are planned. The next, where HCT will again be providing free training is on Sunday July 15th. Contact us for details - HCT 
SCHOOL TRAINING WITH FUND RAISING FOR P.T.A. Hampshire Cycle Training was pleased to work with the Parent Teachers Association of a school in Petersfield to provide cycle-training for nearly 40 children over three weekends.
The activity had the benefit of not only providing training to the children, but in addition raised around £600 for the PTA funds. The training was also assisted by parents so that they may be able to reinforce the skills taught.
The riders covered the control skills required to handle a bike safely before moving on to how roads work, junction manoeuvres and finally an accompanied ride with a mix of road types and cycle routes.
If you are in a PTA or know of a school that would like to raise some funds please ask us for details - HCT SCHOOL TRAINING We are very pleased to be running several courses in local schools this year. These range from the popular Introductory Skills sessions through to on-road training that leads young people to be able to ride to school. Courses can be run both as part of the school timetable, after school or at weekends.
This follows the large fall in the availability of Council training which is provided by parent volunteers who receive very limited training and are often not cyclists. Regrettably, cycle-training is has been given a low priority in Hampshire but with the new nationally approved training schemes now available, that is now changing.
Please call us for full details of what training is most suitable for your needs.
LATEST NEWSLETTER We have now launched our first issue of SafeCycling, for 2007.
To download a pdf copy Click: Download SAFE CYCLING Hampshire Cycle Training is again pleased to be a partner in the organisation of the Winchester Bike Week. Full Details of activities and events will appear on the bike week website at: WINCHESTER BIKE WEEK INSTRUCTORS WANTED
Hampshire Cycle Training is pleased to have been invited to a provide and increasing programme of cycle training in 2007 as well as several special events.
As a result it is seeking freelance instructors to join its growing team on an occasional basis. delivering high quality training to children, adults, community groups, schools and businesses.
Providing cycle-training to a wide variety of cyclists and would-be riders can be a very rewarding experience, as well as making the roads safer for all.
For an informal chat send an e-mail to John at Hampshire Cycle Training. GREEN DAY AT 'QMC' Hampshire Cycle Training attended the annual 'Green Day' for students and staff at Queen Mary's Sixth Form College, along with other environmentally-friendly organisations. As well as information on cycling there were displays from nature groups, energy conservationists and recycling organisations.
A highlight was when some of the students tested out the six brand new pool bikes recently provided to the College.
The grins could not have been wider as they circled the hall! NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED Hampshire Cycle Training has launched its SafeCycling Newsletter which is now available for download from this site.
To access the pdf file Click DOWN LOAD CYCLESAFE pdf PLAY DAY - Eastrop, Basingstoke
Nearly 60 young riders - and some parents - joined in the Introductory Cycle Skills sessions held as part of Basingstoke's August PlayDay in Eastrop Park.
Hampshire Cycle Training was pleased to be asked to provide the cycling activities, alongside such other events as Pond Dipping, Story Telling, Climbing Wall, Circus Skills and Kite Making.
As well as the Cycling Skills, HCT also held rides along the cycle trails using parts of the National Cycle Network Route 23 which goes through Eastrop and the Memorial Parks.
Over lunchtime several cyclists took advantage of the free Doctor Bike session for a health check on their bike.
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council is becoming a go-ahead local authority as far as cycling is concerned, and Hampshire Cycle Training was pleased to be asked to support them in their aims to increase cycling in the area.
Further events providing Cycle Proficiency Training are being held in Eastrop Park, and other venues, over the October half-term.
Call 07963 237619 or e-mail for details. BOOK NOW BASINGSTOKE BIKE WEEK EVENT
Hampshire Cycle Training attended the Basingstoke Bike Fair on Tuesday June 20th. A variety of cycling exhibitors held displays and provided information throughout the day outside the Willis Museum in the Market Place. It is hoped this event will grow in stature.  
WORLD CHAMPION VISITS TRAINING SESSION World and Olympic Cycling Champion Bradley Wiggins attended a Hampshire Cycle Training session at a local primary school.
The training was organised and funded by B & Q as part of their excellent support given to the local community.
After talking to all 400 children and answering questions like "How many miles do you ride" and "What footblall tream do you support" Bradley joined 20 children who had been specially chosen for a cycle training session. After bike checks the keen young riders carried out a series of cycle control exercises both on the playground and then in the school hall!
The visit was subsequently shown on Meridien TV. NEWS ON WINCHESTER BIKE WEEK 2006: Hampshire Cycle Training was a main partner of the Winchester Bike Week, following the withdrawal of the Winchester City Council from the event. A wide range of training events were being held ranging from free Cycle Shed Checks to cycle proficiency courses.
Details are on the Winchester Bike Week website HERE
TRAINING TAKES OFF in 2006
National Standard Cycle Instruction as provided by HCT (Hampshire Cycle Training) is sweeping the country as more and more see the benefits of professional training. HCT has been providing an increasing number of courses both for individuals and groups and at all levels from complete beginners to riders aiming for that little extra bit of confidence. Such is the boom in training, that Cycling England has awarded £1million to the CTC to encourage further National Standard training as delivered by HCT. HCT's aims are to help more people to ride bikes safely and more often. Already this year several complete beginners have learned to ride with HCT.
Plans are also underway to expand the training further into schools and community groups and several special events are planned with bookings already being taken well into the year.
Cycle Training has at last come of age with the replacement of the old cycle-proficiency scheme by this new training.
No longer is training riding around patterns of cones in playgrounds, but it is training for today's riders on today's roads.
A course is one of the best investments you can make. NATIONAL BIKE WEEK - WINCHESTER BIKE FAIR 
Hampshire Cycle Training (above) attended the excellent 10th Winchester Bike Fair showing the wide range of courses available for children and adults. Winchester is active in supporting cycling for transport and leisure and many local people are taking up the professional road safety training available through HCT as a result of the Week.
The following day HCT ran an Introductory Skills Course for 20 children in River Park. Further courses are planned in Winchester (and elsewhere) in the near future (see Diary)
During the session a special award was presented to Laura, a young local lady aged 11, who has been taught to ride from scratch by HCT and was attending to hone her riding skills.
Due to the success of the training, a further overflow session was held on Thursday evening.
During the events, donations were collected for Leukaemia Research (see below), whose help at the training was most welcome.
On Sunday afternoon a leisurely 10 mile family ride saw nearly 20 riders using parts of the National Cycle Network and local cycle routes. Again more parents took advantage to book courses for their children. 
* * * * * *
10-YEAR OLD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY LEARNS TO RIDE WITH HCT The joy that comes with those first pedal revolutions is one that most experience as a young child, but Hampshire Cycle Training has been achieving some notable successes with older children and even adults who have never learned to cycle. One such example was earlier this year. Ten-year old Craig suffers from Cerebral Palsy and had never been able to ride a bike. While his school friends all enjoyed the fun and freedom of cycling, Craig could only watch from the sidelines. Everytime he tried to join in the fun and ride he immediately fell off. Hampshire Cycle Training was asked to help, and using various exercises and instruction techniques, Craig was soon riding short distances.
Within the hour Craig could confidently pedal across a 100 metre field. The joy on his face was a pleasure to behold - his smile as wide as never before.
He could ride a bike!
Craig is now learning to start off safely and is acquiring better control skills which will enable him to go out on family rides with his parents.
Some days are just so rewarding for everyone concerned, * * * * * *
A Doctor Bike Clinic was organised by Hampshire Cycle Training in Whitchurch, Hampshire, where nearly 30 cyclists came for a free maintenance check. The importance of a well-maintained bike cannot be over-emphasised and several repairs were carrried out.
Highlight was a visit by local MP Sir George Young Bt, a keen cyclist and once the Minister for Transport.
In addition a basic skills introductory session was organised and a leisure ride attracted nearly 20 riders for a gentle cycle up the Bourne Valley. Further similar events are planned.  Sir George helps pump up a flat tyre!
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