The College has played host to the 2017 CTC Birthday Ride, an annual event marking the founding of the Bicycle Touring Club, now Cycling UK, in 1878. Around 450 cyclists used the College as their base, while then striking out to each day to tour the Cotswolds’ Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Evenlode Valley and the Vale of Evesham.
With the option of 20 different routes of varying lengths, ranging from 30 to 70 miles and including on and off road cycling, the location provided terrain suitable for all ages and cycling abilities. The rides took in the Cotswold scenery, with the opportunity to stop off at places of interest along the way. From Roman remains and nationally renowned gardens, to independent breweries and surrounding towns such as Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, collegiate Oxford and Georgian Cheltenham, and medieval Tewkesbury, there was something for everyone.
The College was the venue for indoor accommodation and meals, and campers pitched their tents or motor homes on the sports field. The cyclists were also able to make use of the Sports Centre and other onsite facilities.
Allan Luxton, CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours said “The College was ideal for us. Beautiful lanes and lots of tea and cake shops in all directions. Our combined cycling mileage for the week exceeded 45,000 miles. Plenty of attractions too but one of the highlights was returning to the College every evening for plenty of dinner rounded off with a swim or just a quiet evening with friends in the bar. Despite the College being unexpectedly full to capacity with training exercises, the staff were consistently patient, helpful and good humoured. Thanks to the College, 450 cyclists left with great memories of a brilliant week’s holiday.”
The event was organised by CTC Cycling Holidays, part of Cycling UK which is the UK’s largest cycling charity, working to inspire and help people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do www.cyclinguk.org