Saddle Up – Would you like to join Thame Cycling Club?

Pedal Power

Exercise is great for both heart and mind. Cycling is especially beneficial to our well being. Just ask anyone at Thame Cycling Club.

Cycling is a low-impact exercise, meaning it’s easier on your joints compared to high-impact aerobic activities like running. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight.

Getting on a bike can boost your mood, improving the symptoms of some mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

With all the benefits of an outdoors physical activity, regular cycling can reduce the risk of a number of serious illnesses including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

But, most of all, joining a group like Thame Cycling Club means cycling is a fun activity. Nobody knows this more than club Chairman, Anthony Wills.

For Anthony, community spirit is important, it was one of the reasons he, along with his wife, moved to Thame.

This community feel has been enhanced further since joining the club.

This year, Thame Cycling Club celebrates its 10th anniversary. The club has been an integral part of Anthony’s life and to the lives of other members. Now he feels is the time to spread the word about the joys and benefits of joining Thame Cycling Club.

It’s a diverse membership of men and women of all ages with a range of careers and interests. It is a superb way to keep fit and make new friends. Riding with Thame Cycling Club is all about having good times, not about personal best times. Of course, you might want to challenge yourself, but the club is geared more towards the sheer joy of cycling with like-minded enthusiasts.

New members or novice riders are welcomed, travelling along quieter roads, you will be supported along the way by more experienced riders. who can even fix your bike should you need it.

Thame Cycling Club members ride between 30 and 60 miles, three times a week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Members gather at either Lord Williams Lower School or Thame Cycles. These regular local runs always include a ‘pit stop’ at a popular café for refreshments.

The club also hold events further afield. Members have taken their bikes to Wales and the Isle of Wight and on some more adventurous trips all over Europe.

Some members who enjoy a challenge recently took on Mount Teide in Tenerife, which is the longest climb in Europe and Mon Ventoux – an iconic mountain that features on the Tour de France.

Upcoming events include Thame Carnival held on Saturday 15th June. Thame Cycling Club members will be riding in the procession and the club has a stand on the Southern Road Rec’. The stand will feature a static bike (kindly supplied by Thame Cycles) where you can see how much wattage you can generate.

This is a great opportunity to come and say hello and meet some club members and find out more about Thame Cycling Club.

Later in the year is the ‘Aston Hill to Everest’ charity event. A chance for anyone (as well as club members) to get on their bike and ride the hill. 76 climbs is the equivalent of riding up Mt Everest. It would be great for the community to donate to Helen & Douglas House charity or if they ride it themselves they can enter for a small donation on site –

Event details can be found at:

www.justgiving.com/page/1713196715087thame-cycling-club

Fresh air and beautiful countryside, cycling is great for both body and soul. So why not saddle up and join Thame Cycling Club.

“Moving to Thame from the North following retirement seemed quite a daunting prospect. I need not have worried. A keen cyclist, I joined TCC and was immediately struck by the warmth of welcome and well organised programme of rides. TCC are a credit to the community spirit and support that characterises Thame”. Paul.

“I joined TCC to gain confidence in cycling on the road as I’d only used cycle paths before. The group aspect motivates me to get out on my bike and go to places I probably wouldn’t have ventured to on my own”. Maisy.

You can read more articles like this one in the latest edition of Thame Out.