The Folding Society, for those interested in folding cycles, organises  ‘Origami Rides’ around the Midlands. Local cyclists might like to note that July 12th sees their ride start from Great Malvern rail station, 10.30am. Then on September 13th they set off from Ledbury. Rides are relatively short - about 25 miles?

Check the Origami web page for more details.

I shouldn’t really knock the Bike Week post off top spot before the Sunday ride has happened (wind, rain and Acorns half marathon permitting), but I want to post this before I lose it.

From The Copenhagen Bike Culture Blog:

“As with all good, timely ideas, the [Slow Food] concept has really taken off. Inevitably, the concept of Slow has spawned other offshoots.. …
“So why not start a bicycle-friendly version of the movement?
The Slow Bike Movement - no, make that the Slow BICYCLE movement - the very word ‘bike’ is a speeded up version of the original.”

It’s about taking time to appreciate the world.

The logo reminds me of ‘Is the Bicycle a revolution or part of the natural cycle’ for some reason - see Resources page (I hope).

Slow Bike Movement logo

Our two Bike Week cycle rides are now listed on the official Bike Week website.

• Sunday 22nd June, morning South east, about 15 miles total.
• Tuesday 17th June, evening North, about 15 miles (extra on request).

Today, on checking the route for the Sunday ride (approx 15 miles with a stop at Clive’s Fruit Farm for coffee and cake), the road south from Hanley Swan is covered in loose chippings, with large drifts in places. This could be rather dangerous, causing bike riders to skid or get hit by a stone if motorists don’t behave sensibly. With more resurfacing due to take place in the area, the route may change slightly to avoid this as much as possible.

I’m also thinking of putting on a beginners ride to Hanley Swan for a picnic on the first Saturday (14th June). Food should also be available from the pub and village shop. Less than 5 miles there and a good rest before the return. Will depend on it being a nice day, but anyone interested? A late morning start, so you can do your Saturday shop/laundry/DIY etc beforehand!

Do note that these are leisurely social rides, not races. Please make sure your bicycle is in good condition - check the brakes work at least!

You can leave a private (or public) comment here.

UPDATE - The Saturday 14th ride is confirmed - meet 11.30am at Prospect View Health Centre. Children to be accompanied by an adult please.

Cycling along canal towpaths can be an attractive option, but the casual cyclist probably won’t realise that generally (apart from in London) you are meant to have a cycle permit. This used to be a pain to get, but can now simply be downloaded from the official Waterscape website.

The Cycle-iseWM e-list has just reported that there has “apparently been a spate of cyclists using the canal towpath through Bournville being given spot fines of £50 for not having a Waterways Permit”. So if you use the canals around Worcester, not a bad idea to get sorted.

UPDATE: On second thoughts, as Worcester’s canal paths are mainly part of the National Cycle Network (Route 45) I guess this doesn’t apply. I can’t find any info about the Worc and Brum Canal on the Waterscape website - anyone know for sure?

The cycle path in Hereford linking the city centre with Rotherwas and beyond, being created as part of Sustran’s Connect2 project, is moving forward. Here’s a new item from Herefordshire Council on students at Herefordshire College of Technology’s Holme Lacy campus working to clear their end of the route.

In Worcester, a series of two-day exhibitions on the Diglis Bridge scheme are being held. Still to come is

• 19-20 May - Powick Village Hall
• 21-22 May - Worcester Guildhall

Both are open 6pm to 8pm.

The proposals can also be downloaded via the link above.

Cycle Malvern is planning to put on a couple of outings for Bike Week in June (14th to 22nd). More details will appear here and on MalvernTrail soon, but here’s the basics:

Tuesday 17th. Evening gentle pub ride, from Malvern Link station, going north. About 15 to 18 miles round trip.

Sunday 22nd. Family ride to Clive’s Fruit Farm near Upton. About 15 miles.

MalvernTrail also has info on other Bike Week events not too far away.

If you are into gardening as well as cycling, you probably are interested in the Spring Gardening Show this weekend, watching it on TV even if not going along. This year, make sure you check out Gardeners World (Fri 9th May, 8pm and available online afterwards) as they check out Great Malvern’s first attempt at a floral window display competition, Blooming Hills.

Riding High Gallery put together a floral cyclist delivering “Elgar’s Picnic” on the old grocers bike which lives outside the shop. (I guess this isn’t actually meant to be Elgar - no moustache!) Proprietor Mike Austin was interviewed by Joe Swift for the programme.

NEWS UPDATE: Mike and Mel won this inaugural Blooming Hills competition, with the Van Gogh display at the gallery and Flora, the lifesize floral female put together by the hairdressers being runners-up.

Hereford Pedicabs have been expanding the range of cycle-powered services they offer in the city - not just bike taxis but acting as couriers and office recycling facilities. Now they’ve even done an office removal, for local LibDem MP Paul Keetch. See the MPs news item, or the Mules for the masses blog for a snap.

So now one politician has shown support of low-impact transport, will others follow, and maybe even do something practical for everyday cyclists?

The current ‘Word on Worcestershire’, the county council’s rag, announces that Pedal in the Park, held alongside the Tour of Britain last year, will be happening again in 2008. This time on Saturday 19th July, again in Gheluvelt Park in the centre of Worcester.

Should be a fun day covering all sorts of cycling, ‘have a go’ on bikes ranging from the practical to peculiar, safety checks etc. More details when we have them.

Unfortunately there are no plans to re-run the similar, but smaller, Get Cycling event in Malvern.

UPDATE: link to the official info on Pedal in the Park 2008.

A new organisation (merging two existing ones), ACT Travelwise, is running a photo & caption competition - send one of someone where you work “commuting without a car” for your chance to win one of TWO folding bicycles and ONE year’s ACT Travelwise membership for your organisation.

ACT Travelwise seeks to reduce the economic costs of congestion, the environmental damage of traffic pollution and the personal health consequences of car dependency. Choosing to walk, cycle, car share or use public transport can save individuals and businesses time and money and improve health as well.

But hurry, entries close 4th April.