Affiliations
This page lists organisations that VCGH are affiliated with.
CTC - the UK's national cyclist's organisation
As the UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation, CTC has been protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists since 1878. CTC is a not-for-profit organisation that is funded through its membership and donations in return for support. Join CTC and you are supporting UK cycling and it give's us a louder voice when campaigning locally and nationally on the issues that are important to you.
Today CTC has around 60,000 members encompassing all ages and types of cyclists with elected representation at national and local level backed by a professional staff. CTC provides a wide range of activities and services designed to enhance the riding opportunities for existing cyclists and make it easier for new entrants to take up cycling. These include CTC Cyclists Helpline for advice on all cycling matters, local groups with a huge range of rides, local and national events. Our services have been refined by thousands of cyclists to make sure they are exactly what you need to get enjoyment and security whether you ride 100 miles or 100 yards. In particular third party insurance and legal aid are free to all members. CTC also offers a wide range of insurance and public liability products tailored to the needs of cyclists, employers, clubs and associations, cycle hire centres etc. If you are not out on your bike, the members’ magazine, Cycle, is free six times a year and sets your imagination free to plan your next ride. Search the site for lots more
CTC has campaigned for cyclists’ rights throughout its existence. Major successes include the development of the National Cycling Strategy and representing the cyclists’ voice in the countryside, protecting the right to ride on roads, paths, trails and towpaths. The CTC’s Right to Ride Network has over 500 accredited local representatives throughout the UK and Ireland working for all cyclists.
In 1936 CTC created a first cycling proficiency scheme in response to increasing cyclists’ casualties at the time. This was adopted as a national programme run by RoSPA in 1948 and has been in use almost ever since. Today CTC is at the forefront of a next generation of cycle training initiatives enabling people to cope with the conditions of today.
Regardless of your age or ability, CTC invites you to join its family of cyclists. Off road or on road, seasoned cyclist, beginner or commuter CTC has something for you. If you simply want to get you or your family back in shape, meet new people or tour the UK countryside, your local CTC group can help.With a wealth of local knowledge, a strong appreciation of the countryside and a focus on the social side of cycling, you’ll be surprised at what we have to offer. Click here to view benefits CTC members enjoy.
British Cycling - the governing body of cycling in Great Britian
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle sport in the UK. It helps everyday cyclists enjoy riding more through the Everyday Cycling scheme and it works throughout the sport - from delivering Olympic medals to encouraging people to get on a bike for the first time. British Cycling is the fastest growing cycling organisation in the UK, with 25,000 members and was involved with 3,000 affiliated events in 2008
British Cycling encourages and develops children's cycling talents: the Go Ride scheme is expected to deliver up to 90,000 opportunities in 2008/09 and British Cycling is funded by membership, UK Sport, Sport England and British Sky Broadcasting
British Cycling administers the sport in the following disciplines: BMX, Cycle Speedway, Cyclo-Cross, Mountain Bike, Road and Track; and has a five year strategy (2005-2009) for the development of cycling, the UK Wide One-Stop Plan.
As the governing body of cycling, British Cycling has a range of responsibilities, which, for operational purposes, the organisation groups under two main headings:
Excellence: British Cycling runs the lottery-funded GB Cycling Teams in Road, Track, Mountain Bike Cross-Country and Paralympic cycling and is offering an increasing amount of support to the GB team in non-Olympic disciplines. More details of Excellence can be found in the GB Team section of the website: Excellence.
Participation: British Cycling members have access to an extensive events programme, racing licences and a range of benefits. British Cycling underpins cycling with programmes focusing on Facilities, Major Events, Coaching, Volunteers, Club Development and Grass-Roots participation. More Details of Participation.
IMBA-UK International Mountain Biking Association UK
IMBA-UK supports mountain biking in the UK & Ireland, and defends rights of way for MTBs. We work to keep trails and public access open for mountain biking by:
- supporting volunteer trail work;
- cooperating with trail user groups, land managers and public bodies;
- encouraging responsible riding.
Join now to help support mountain biking in the UK. Click here to read more about IMBA-UK.
Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
The Surrey Hills stretches across a quarter of the county to include the chalk slopes of the North Downs, from Farnham in the west to Oxted in the east and extending south to the deeply wooded Greensand Hills which rise in Haslemere. This treasured landscape of beautiful countryside is rich in wildlife, woodland and attractive market towns and villages and provides some of the best walking in the whole of Southern England.
The Surrey Hills is a nationally important landscape and was one of the first areas inEngland to be designated an AONB back in 1958. This designation recognises the beauty of the landscape and ensures that it is properly conserved and managed for future generations to enjoy.
The Surrey Hills Society is an independent organisation promoting the positive enjoyment and care of the Surrey Hills for those that live, work in or visit the area. The Society works with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Board and other organisations in the Surrey Hills. The primary concern of the Surrey Hills Society is to protect the unique landscape and character of the Surrey Hills. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is recognised nationally as being countryside of unique value, which needs to be nurtured for future generations to enjoy.
Why not join the Society, which has received Charitable status, and pledge your support to the continued care and protection of this beautiful area.
Hurtwood Control Trust - protecting and enhancing Hurtwood area for all
The Hurtwood was one of the first privately owned areas of the country to create a "right to roam" - in 1926, more than 70 years before the rest of England caught up! The public have been given the right to walk - and the right to ride, on horseback or mountain bike - over most of it's 3000 acres (1200 hectares) in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Motorised vehicles/cycles and caravans are not permitted, nor is overnight camping, lighting of fires or barbeques. Shooting is not permitted. There are 14 car parks for the use of visitors. Cars and their contents are left at the owners risk. Visitors to The Hurtwood, do so at their own risk.
Hurtwood Control Trust - a registered charity - has the right, and public responsibility, to protect and enhance the entire area including 60 miles (100 kilometres) of access tracks, and conserve the beauty and variety of the surrounding landscape. Visitors are requested to respect the environment of the Hurtwood by not disturbing wildlife or removing timber. Please take any litter home.
The Hurtwood welcomes many thousands of visitors a year. To keep the Hurtwood in good and safe condition, it employs a fulltime Ranger, helped by a team of contractors The Hurtwood may be used by people for events and group visits, but the Ranger Contact The Ranger must be notified well in advance of any such plans. No commercial activities are allowed without our prior permission.
How can you help? Become a Friend.
Surrey Cycle Racing League
The Surrey Cycle Racing League is the UK’s largest cycle racing league and aims to provide a full years cycle racing for all categories of riders especially at grass root level. Established in 1983 by ex-professional rider, Keith Butler, the Surrey Cycle Racing League is the UK 's premier cycle racing league. During 2008 the Surrey League provided racing for over 1300 riders in over 150 races.
Cycling Time Trails - national body for cycling TT in England & Wales
Well way back in the 1880s the bicycle was the fastest thing on the road. Admittedly a horse could out-gallop it but only for a short distance. If you were into serious 'A-to-B-ing', then a good man on a bicycle was the boss! Naturally enough (as today) people with more muscle than sense wanted to see who was fastest and so Cycle Racing on the Highway started. At first it was more akin to what we now know as road racing where all the competitors started together and him who got there first won.
Eventually some deluded bright spark invented the infernal combustion engine, fitted it to a carriage, and the motor car was born. At first a wise government, realising that nobody could ever be trusted to drive one of these new-fangled items at more than 4 mph, set a realistic speed limit for them. So a situation arose in which people in horseless carriages started to complain about being terrorised by men, racing about on bicycles!
Further, those who could afford this motor car thing, had considerable pull with the gendarmary and so it came about that the aforementioned fuzz declared that if they caught any groups of cyclists RACING on the Highway they would be due for the chop! This upset the Cycling hierarchy of the day so much that it was decided to take all racing off the road and only compete on closed circuits. Events of all distances even up to 24 hours duration, were thus transferred to tracks.
However there were those who still wanted to pursue their sport on the road. One of these, FT Bidlake by name, thought up a cunning plan. If each rider were to be dispatched separately and just timed over the course, he wouldn't be seen to be racing, just going about his normal business a bit quick like! Then the person covering the course in the shortest time could be (secretly) declared the winner.
So Time Trialling came into being. Today CTT advertises about 2000 open events are in its yearly handbook. To ride in any of them you need to be a member of a club affiliated to Cycling Time Trials. There are at least that number again of "Club Events" (which are not advertised) and if you approach the club promoting one of them you could get a ride on a "come and try it" basis.
Click here to read CTT Information For Beginners.
Affiliations
This page lists organisations that VCGH are affiliated with.
CTC - the UK's national cyclist's organisation
As the UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation, CTC has been protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists since 1878. CTC is a not-for-profit organisation that is funded through its membership and donations in return for support. Join CTC and you are supporting UK cycling and it give's us a louder voice when campaigning locally and nationally on the issues that are important to you.
Today CTC has around 60,000 members encompassing all ages and types of cyclists with elected representation at national and local level backed by a professional staff. CTC provides a wide range of activities and services designed to enhance the riding opportunities for existing cyclists and make it easier for new entrants to take up cycling. These include CTC Cyclists Helpline for advice on all cycling matters, local groups with a huge range of rides, local and national events. Our services have been refined by thousands of cyclists to make sure they are exactly what you need to get enjoyment and security whether you ride 100 miles or 100 yards. In particular third party insurance and legal aid are free to all members. CTC also offers a wide range of insurance and public liability products tailored to the needs of cyclists, employers, clubs and associations, cycle hire centres etc. If you are not out on your bike, the members’ magazine, Cycle, is free six times a year and sets your imagination free to plan your next ride. Search the site for lots more
CTC has campaigned for cyclists’ rights throughout its existence. Major successes include the development of the National Cycling Strategy and representing the cyclists’ voice in the countryside, protecting the right to ride on roads, paths, trails and towpaths. The CTC’s Right to Ride Network has over 500 accredited local representatives throughout the UK and Ireland working for all cyclists.
In 1936 CTC created a first cycling proficiency scheme in response to increasing cyclists’ casualties at the time. This was adopted as a national programme run by RoSPA in 1948 and has been in use almost ever since. Today CTC is at the forefront of a next generation of cycle training initiatives enabling people to cope with the conditions of today.
Regardless of your age or ability, CTC invites you to join its family of cyclists. Off road or on road, seasoned cyclist, beginner or commuter CTC has something for you. If you simply want to get you or your family back in shape, meet new people or tour the UK countryside, your local CTC group can help.With a wealth of local knowledge, a strong appreciation of the countryside and a focus on the social side of cycling, you’ll be surprised at what we have to offer. Click here to view benefits CTC members enjoy.
British Cycling - the governing body of cycling in Great Britian
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle sport in the UK. It helps everyday cyclists enjoy riding more through the Everyday Cycling scheme and it works throughout the sport - from delivering Olympic medals to encouraging people to get on a bike for the first time. British Cycling is the fastest growing cycling organisation in the UK, with 25,000 members and was involved with 3,000 affiliated events in 2008
British Cycling encourages and develops children's cycling talents: the Go Ride scheme is expected to deliver up to 90,000 opportunities in 2008/09 and British Cycling is funded by membership, UK Sport, Sport England and British Sky Broadcasting
British Cycling administers the sport in the following disciplines: BMX, Cycle Speedway, Cyclo-Cross, Mountain Bike, Road and Track; and has a five year strategy (2005-2009) for the development of cycling, the UK Wide One-Stop Plan.
As the governing body of cycling, British Cycling has a range of responsibilities, which, for operational purposes, the organisation groups under two main headings:
Excellence: British Cycling runs the lottery-funded GB Cycling Teams in Road, Track, Mountain Bike Cross-Country and Paralympic cycling and is offering an increasing amount of support to the GB team in non-Olympic disciplines. More details of Excellence can be found in the GB Team section of the website: Excellence.
Participation: British Cycling members have access to an extensive events programme, racing licences and a range of benefits. British Cycling underpins cycling with programmes focusing on Facilities, Major Events, Coaching, Volunteers, Club Development and Grass-Roots participation. More Details of Participation.
IMBA-UK International Mountain Biking Association UK
IMBA-UK supports mountain biking in the UK & Ireland, and defends rights of way for MTBs. We work to keep trails and public access open for mountain biking by:
- supporting volunteer trail work;
- cooperating with trail user groups, land managers and public bodies;
- encouraging responsible riding.
Join now to help support mountain biking in the UK. Click here to read more about IMBA-UK.
Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
The Surrey Hills stretches across a quarter of the county to include the chalk slopes of the North Downs, from Farnham in the west to Oxted in the east and extending south to the deeply wooded Greensand Hills which rise in Haslemere. This treasured landscape of beautiful countryside is rich in wildlife, woodland and attractive market towns and villages and provides some of the best walking in the whole of Southern England.
The Surrey Hills is a nationally important landscape and was one of the first areas inEngland to be designated an AONB back in 1958. This designation recognises the beauty of the landscape and ensures that it is properly conserved and managed for future generations to enjoy.
The Surrey Hills Society is an independent organisation promoting the positive enjoyment and care of the Surrey Hills for those that live, work in or visit the area. The Society works with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Board and other organisations in the Surrey Hills. The primary concern of the Surrey Hills Society is to protect the unique landscape and character of the Surrey Hills. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is recognised nationally as being countryside of unique value, which needs to be nurtured for future generations to enjoy.
Why not join the Society, which has received Charitable status, and pledge your support to the continued care and protection of this beautiful area.
Hurtwood Control Trust - protecting and enhancing Hurtwood area for all
The Hurtwood was one of the first privately owned areas of the country to create a "right to roam" - in 1926, more than 70 years before the rest of England caught up! The public have been given the right to walk - and the right to ride, on horseback or mountain bike - over most of it's 3000 acres (1200 hectares) in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Motorised vehicles/cycles and caravans are not permitted, nor is overnight camping, lighting of fires or barbeques. Shooting is not permitted. There are 14 car parks for the use of visitors. Cars and their contents are left at the owners risk. Visitors to The Hurtwood, do so at their own risk.
Hurtwood Control Trust - a registered charity - has the right, and public responsibility, to protect and enhance the entire area including 60 miles (100 kilometres) of access tracks, and conserve the beauty and variety of the surrounding landscape. Visitors are requested to respect the environment of the Hurtwood by not disturbing wildlife or removing timber. Please take any litter home.
The Hurtwood welcomes many thousands of visitors a year. To keep the Hurtwood in good and safe condition, it employs a fulltime Ranger, helped by a team of contractors The Hurtwood may be used by people for events and group visits, but the Ranger Contact The Ranger must be notified well in advance of any such plans. No commercial activities are allowed without our prior permission.
How can you help? Become a Friend.
Surrey Cycle Racing League
The Surrey Cycle Racing League is the UK’s largest cycle racing league and aims to provide a full years cycle racing for all categories of riders especially at grass root level. Established in 1983 by ex-professional rider, Keith Butler, the Surrey Cycle Racing League is the UK 's premier cycle racing league. During 2008 the Surrey League provided racing for over 1300 riders in over 150 races.
Cycling Time Trails - national body for cycling TT in England & Wales
Well way back in the 1880s the bicycle was the fastest thing on the road. Admittedly a horse could out-gallop it but only for a short distance. If you were into serious 'A-to-B-ing', then a good man on a bicycle was the boss! Naturally enough (as today) people with more muscle than sense wanted to see who was fastest and so Cycle Racing on the Highway started. At first it was more akin to what we now know as road racing where all the competitors started together and him who got there first won.
Eventually some deluded bright spark invented the infernal combustion engine, fitted it to a carriage, and the motor car was born. At first a wise government, realising that nobody could ever be trusted to drive one of these new-fangled items at more than 4 mph, set a realistic speed limit for them. So a situation arose in which people in horseless carriages started to complain about being terrorised by men, racing about on bicycles!
Further, those who could afford this motor car thing, had considerable pull with the gendarmary and so it came about that the aforementioned fuzz declared that if they caught any groups of cyclists RACING on the Highway they would be due for the chop! This upset the Cycling hierarchy of the day so much that it was decided to take all racing off the road and only compete on closed circuits. Events of all distances even up to 24 hours duration, were thus transferred to tracks.
However there were those who still wanted to pursue their sport on the road. One of these, FT Bidlake by name, thought up a cunning plan. If each rider were to be dispatched separately and just timed over the course, he wouldn't be seen to be racing, just going about his normal business a bit quick like! Then the person covering the course in the shortest time could be (secretly) declared the winner.
So Time Trialling came into being. Today CTT advertises about 2000 open events are in its yearly handbook. To ride in any of them you need to be a member of a club affiliated to Cycling Time Trials. There are at least that number again of "Club Events" (which are not advertised) and if you approach the club promoting one of them you could get a ride on a "come and try it" basis.
Click here to read CTT Information For Beginners.