Dear

We are finally starting to see signs of Spring, although Winter has not left us yet. This year March brings us Easter and therefore chocolate, yum! You needn't worry about your waistline either as Bike Town have plenty of cycling activities on offer to burn those chocolate calories. Read on to find out more ...

Why do you cycle?

Tell us on Twitter, Facebook, Meetup or at one of our events during March.

We want to know why you cycle.

Simply state 'I cycle because...' replacing the dots with your own reason why you cycle.

You can leave a message, or a photo or a short video.

We'd love you to include the hashtag #ICycleBecause.. so we can easiliy find your post online.

We're collecting all the answers and one lucky person will win a Bike Town bag full of cycling goodies.

This is open to everyone and you can enter as many times as you like from now until the 31st March 2016

Learn how to maintain and repair your bike with CamGlen Bike Town.

We offer three levels of training and a Fix Your Own Bike session:

• Level 1: The essentials - roadside repairs and quick fixes
• Level 2: Brakes and gears - replacing cables and adjusting
• Level 3: Wheels - stripping hubs plus trueing wheels and replacing spokes
• FYOB - Use of workstand and tools and advice from qualified and experienced bike mechanic

We have two sessions available this month:

• Monday 7th March, 6-9pm, level 1
• Monday 14th March, 6-9pm, FYOB

Both sessions take place at Rutherglen West and Wardliehall Church, G73 1JQ.

• Please email biketown@healthynhappy.org.uk to book a place
• Numbers in each worshop limited to six
• Further courses will be offered in April so get in touch if you are interested in any of the sessions
• We operate an interested list for all three levels
• Priority is given to people living/working in Cambuslang and Rutherglen

Weekly adult guided rides

This month we have five weeks of our easy-paced adult guided rides, departing 10am and returning by 1pm:

• Wednesday 2nd March
• Wednesday 9th March
• Wednesday 16th March
• Wednesday 23rd March
• Wednesday 30th March

Women's only guided ride

To celebrate International Women's Day on 8th March we have a women-only guided ride from Rutherglen to the Glasgow Women's Library in Bridgeton.

The ride leaves at 12.30pm from St Columbkille's Church, Rutherglen, where International Women's Day is being celebrated between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Please bring your own bike, loan bikes aren't available for this ride.

• Tuesday 8th March, 12.30pm

Go Further Friday guided ride

If you are looking to ride for a little bit further and faster than our weekly Wednesday rides we have a longer ride on once a month. These rides are moderately-paced and use a mix of cycle paths and quieter roads.

Join us this month on

• Friday 18th March; we leave at 10am and aim to return for 3pm.

Pedal for Scotland training ride

Last month 13 hardy participants survived the cold and the snow to cycle 15 miles for our first in our series of training rides in preparation for Pedal for Scotland in September.

Each month the ride is increased by five miles, helping people to build their stamina in readiness for the Glasgow to Edinburgh route.

You don't need to be signed up for the event to attend the ride; come along and see how you get on. The rides are on mixed terrain and include cycling on cycle paths and roads.

• Saturday 12th March, 20 miles; departs 10am

Family-friendly ride

Suitable for families and anyone happy to cycle with family groups. Children can be on a bicycle trailer, seat, tag-along or on their own bike.

This month's child-friendly ride is on:

• Saturday 5th March; departs 10am and aims to return by 2pm.

Guided rides information

• Our rides are facilitated by friendly, experienced ride leaders and a warm welcome is given to all
• We include a rest stop and usually visit a cafe for tea/coffee/food/cake. Please bring money if you wish to do this too
• Unless otherwise stated all rides depart at 10am from our Bike Shop in a Box at 39 Downiebrae Road Rutherglen G73 1PW. Loan bikes are available to people living or working in Cambuslang and Rutherglen. Arrive for 9.30am if you wish to borrow a bike
• If bringing your own bike make sure it is in good working order and carry an essential repair kit, e.g. pump and puncture repairs. All participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and carry a mobile phone/money in case of an emergency
• More information is available on our online Meetup group pages

In support of commuting by bicycle Bike Town provide refreshments, a Dr Bike service, route information and friendly faces at our Bike Breakfast and Bike Tea events. Please stop by and say hello on the following dates:

• Tuesday 8th March 4.30-6.30pm at end of Mill Street, beside Main Street, Rutherglen
• Tuesday 15th March 7.30-9.30am end of Mill Street, beside Main Street, Rutherglen
• Thursday 24th March 7.30-9.30am at entrance to SMART bridge, Glasgow Road, Rutherglen 
• Thursday 31st March 4.30-6.30pm at end of Main Street, beside Rutherglen Cross, Rutherglen

We're still recruiting for our Cycling Ambassador scheme and want to hear from you if:

• You regularly commute by bicycle
• You already offer mechanical assistance to cyclists in need or wish you had the skills to be able to do this 

Our Cycling Ambassadors will be trained and supported to promote cycling and provide help when needed. In return you'll get:

• FREE bicycle maintenance training
• FREE bicycle tools and sapres
• FREE Cycle Ambassador Hi Viz
• A warm glow when you help out a fellow cyclist

Please get in touch with us to sign up or find out more by emailing biketown@healthynhappy.org.uk

Catch the Bike Town radio show on CamGlen Radio, 107.9FM and playing live on t'internet!

Weekly on Wednesdays 1-2pm; Jim plays the tunes and keeps us up-to-date with Bike Town activities and cycling news.

Request a tune and include why you cycle  #ICycleBecause... @camglenbiketown

We're also looking for people to come on the show to talk about their love for cycling. Email us at biketown@healthynhappy.org.uk

• Reconditioned bikes for sale; children and adult sizes available
• Affordable repairs and servicing
• Skillful, experienced bike mechanic
• Bike essentials for sale

Open Saturdays and Wednesdays 10am-2pm (Closed on Easter weekend, Saturday 26th March)

Visit us at 39 Downiebrae Road, Rutherglen, G73 1PW

We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote training day

We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote is the co-operative effort of cycling and walking organisations to campaign for a platform for active travel in the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Training is being offered to people interested in campaigning for cycling, walking and improved living spaces, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned campaigner. Topics on offer include 'how to start a local campaign' and 'making the most of social media'. There is no cost to attend however donations are requested to cover the cost of lunch and the venue.

The training takes place on Saturday 5th March, 10.30am to 4.30pm at The Whisky Bond, 2 Dawson Road, Glasgow, G4 9SL.

 

Holyrood candidates to be quizzed at cycling hustings

With the 2016 Holyrood elections fast approaching GoBike, the Strathclyde Cycle Campaign, have organised a hustings event, assembling an impressive array of prospective MSPs to take part. Political hopefuls will be quizzed on their commitment to investing in active travel and creating an attractive environment for walking and cycling in Strathclyde.

The hustings will take place on Wednesday 16th March at 7.30pm at the Admiral Bar, 72a Waterloo Street, Glasgow.

All of the major parties are represented and the hustings will be chaired by the Glasgow-based journalist Pennie Taylor. Panelists include, Claudia Beamish (Labour), Cat Boyd (Rise), Cllr Robert Brown (Lib-dem), Patrick Harvie (Green), Sandra White (SNP), Brian Whittle (Conservative)

Everyone is welcome. Please register your interest and submit your questions for the panel to hustings2016@gobike.org

 

The Big Pedal 2016

There is still time for schools to register for the annual inter-school cycling and scooting challenge organised by Sustrans.

Visit the website for more information and to find out if your local school has registered yet. 

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