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Leisure Rides and Touring

The CTC is the UK's national cycling organisation, and it has several local groups in Essex and Suffolk. New faces are always welcome on CTC rides. The object is leisure cycling in a group - you don't have to be that fast, and you will soon build up your distance. Try it, and if you like it, join the CTC. The group also offers holidays and worldwide route advice to members.

CTC Essex District Association events and easy rider meets

CTC Suffolk District Association Meeting Cox's Hill, Lawford, 8am Sundays, and Tenpin, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, 7pm Wednesdays. Peter Finch, frenchfinch at ntlworld.com, 07860 263921. CTC members in the Colchester area ride with the Suffolk DA, but there are plans to set up a Colchester group.

CTC Essex South East Group Meeting at Halls Corner, Wickford, 9.30am Sundays.

CTC Havering Meeting at Upminster c2c station, 9.15 for 9.3am Sundays.

CTC Chelmsford Meeting at the Civic Theatre, Fairfield Road, 9.15am on Sundays.

CTC Brentwood Meeting at Brentwood Post Office, 9am Sundays.

Maldon and District Cycling Club: Maldon and District Cycling Club caters for cyclists of all abilities, ages and cycling interests, offering activities in most branches of cycling.

Chelmer CC (Chelmsford): Well-organised, well-equipped club offering racing and social riding.

Witham and District Cycling Club: Organising rides in mid Essex - regular club runs start in Tiptree: Richard Kelsey, 37 Chipping Hill, Witham, Essex CM8 2JT. 01376 514626

The Traditional Touring Club: Cycle rides and other activities in Essex and beyond: Meeting at the Ship pub, Leigh-on-Sea, third Wednesday of every month, 8.30pm.

Hainault Roads Club: Racing, touring, time-trialling.

Southend Wheelers: A social ride takes place on most Sundays (Oct - March) meeting Dorothy Perkins, Rayleigh High Street at 9am. Also there is a Saturday morning ride, starting from the junction of Watery Lane and Hullbridge Road, Hullbridge at 10am. Please contact the club to confirm dates.

Forty Plus Cycling Club Exactly what is says on the tin: a club for those aged forty and over. Seven Essex sections, including two in Southend. Specialising in club runs in the Home Counties, with active sections in Essex. If you're over the hill, you may enjoy going uphill and down dale (stopping for tea and cake, of course!) with this jolly crowd.

Shaftesbury CC (Mountnessing, between Brentwood and Chelmsford, plus bungalow near Debden) : Audax/randonee events, as well as racing. Smashing website with 500 pages of information about the club - plus its super club bungalow in north-west Essex.

Please tell CIE if any links are out of date.

Page last updated 051206