Skyrides - local

[sheddy]

Stumbled across the Skyride website and noticed that they are trying to run regular local rides for beginners and families outside of the big city road closure events. http://www.goskyride.com/SkyRideLocal

Also a few women only rides http://www.goskyride.com/Breeze

Is anyone on here involved in running these ? Any success ? Are there any plans to expand for next year and beyond ?

 

[Dilbert]

I trained as a Ride Leader this year. This is the third year I think and they are adding new locations each year. I have only done three so far but it seems to be helping to get people into cycling and into going to places they may not have gone on there own. I think the plan is to expand them. they are structured to allow people to develop and then become confident enough to either join existing clubs or get people together who can form groups.




Breeze is new for this year.

 

[Tompy]

I trained as a Ride Leader in Peterborough where the local rides begin in August.

The focus is on new riders which a lot of existing cycling clubs find it difficult to reach. Everything so far from the British Cycling end of things has been ultra professional - a far cry from my dealings with CTC.

 

[Hilldodger]

The idea is to get people to join BC. That's not happening at the moment so they won't all be free next year.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I have been doing them for 3 years now.
I agree the push is to get more BC members. They have cut down on the Strong (over 20 mile) rides, which is a shame as those were best attended what ever the weather. As the weather has been very changeable this year the easier rides haven't been so well attended.

 

[sheddy]

Any more experiences from this years Sky Ride Local events ?

I'm curious how these Local Rides are organised, advertised, success/actual bums on seats etc ?

 

[Dilbert]

There are route and ride managers at Manchester who set the dates and assign leaders, all via an access controlled web portal. The numbers of leaders are based on the number of people attending. Riders book on via the website. advertising is via the web, Sky Ride City Events and on Sky TV (according to my children). Overall the aim is to get 1 million more people into cycling by 2013 as measured by the governments traffic surveys. After each ride the leader has to record who attended and riders are encouraged to give feedback.

I have done 4 now with varying levels of attendance, even on nice (glorious in one case) days. On the other side of the fence the Mrs has got into cycling as a result of the Breeze rides so I think they are working.

 

[sheddy]

Skyride need more Breeze Ride Leaders
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/re...ampions-needed-0?dm_i=BM6,SQU3,6BK75I,2CB82,1

 

[MrJamie]

Last time i looked theres only the Breeze and shorter rides around here.

 

[Mapster5]

Does anyone know how long the hull skyride is? If it's not too far was thinking of cycling there and back from Scunthorpe