News

Saddle and Sole

Save the date – Sunday 17 June – that’s when the next Finsbury Park Festival of Cycling and Walking takes place. It’s a bit of a mouthful, right? So, we’ve called it Saddle and Sole this year.

There will be loads of free cycling and walking activities on the day for you to try out.

Plus, if you are looking for a challenge, why not enter The Italian Job? Islington Cycling Club organise this 60-mile ride on 17 June which starts and finishes in Finsbury Park. True to its name, the ride has an Italian theme – riders are encouraged to showcase their Italian spirit in some respect. A prize will be awarded for whoever shows the most Italian style. The route heads north-west to a rest stop at Fillipetto’s Deli in Little Chalfont, and returns to the park in time for Saddle and Soles. It costs £10 to take part and you can enter here.

 

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Roll smoothly into spring with a whole range of free activities from the Islington Bikeability and cycle skills team.

Keep your bike healthy
Our free monthly Dr Bikes continue into the New Year – in fact, we are now offering two sessions per month at different locations. Come to the Town Hall on the first Wednesday of every month, or Navigator Square in Archway on the third Tuesday of every month. All sessions run 4pm-7pm, and you can view exact dates and locations here.

Our mechanics can check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments we can make to your bike, we do there and then. If there is something we can’t fix, we’ll let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost to repair at a local bike shop.

BikeFix at Birchmore Hall
Want some advice on bike maintenance? Want to learn how to fix a puncture or adjust your brakes? We’re running monthly free drop-in sessions at Birchmore Hall (N5 2UA), where our expert mechanics can show you how your bike works, and teach you some useful skills to keep you riding. Please bring your bike and any tools you have. Your bike doesn’t even need to be broken, you are welcome to come along if you just want to learn something new. No need to book, just pop in.

Sessions run on Sundays. The next one is:

• Sunday 25 March, 10am-3pm

Plus all our usual courses
Islington Council has a programme of free Bikeability courses for children in the Easter holiday. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12)– for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) – teaches bike control skills off road

They are taking place at venues in N4 and N1. For full details and to book, click here.

Cycle skills for adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycle skills sessions.

Cycle skills for families

To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

 

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Discover your va-va-Froome
Islington Cycling Club runs weekly coaching sessions for 8-15 year olds in Finsbury Park. Sessions are every Saturday, 10am-12.00noon and are run by experienced British Cycling coaches.  There is a range of activities from cyclocross, time trialling to road racing in a safe and enjoyable environment. Cost is £50 per term and you can do a try out for £5. Meet at the park café. Further details here.

 

 

Happy cycling!

The Bikeability and cycle skills team

 

Cycle share schemes land in Islington

If you don’t have access to a bike in the borough and need to get somewhere quickly, you now have three different bike hire options. Anyone in the south of Islington can still access TfL’s Santander cycle hire, but there are also two brand-new dockless cycle share operators up and running.

Ofo and Mobike have distributed hundreds of their distinctive yellow and silver/orange bikes around Islington – and they’re just a tap on the app away from being unlocked. Both operators have released exclusive free codes just for this mailing list: for Ofo type in ofoCYCisl for 3 free rides (code valid until 15 February, and valid for 30 days once activated).  For Mobike use LBItraining2018 for 5 free rides (code valid from 18 Jan for 1 month and valid for 2 months after redeeming). There are instructions for use on the bikes.

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Get your pedals turning in 2018 with a whole range of free activities from the Islington Bikeability and cycle skills team.

Carry on, Doctor
Our free monthly Dr Bikes continue into the New Year – in fact, we are now offering two sessions per month at different locations. Come to the Town Hall on the first Wednesday of every month, or Archway Square on the third Tuesday of every month. All sessions run 4pm-7pm, and you can view exact dates and locations here.

Our mechanics can check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments we can make to your bike, we do there and then. If there is something we can’t fix, we’ll let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost to repair at a local bike shop.

BikeFix at Birchmore Hall
Want some advice on bike maintenance? Want to learn how to fix a puncture or adjust your brakes? We’re running monthly free drop-in sessions at Birchmore Hall (N5 2UA), where our expert mechanics can show you how your bike works, and teach you some useful skills to keep you riding. Please bring your bike and any tools you have. Your bike doesn’t even need to be broken, you are welcome to come along if you just want to learn something new. No need to book, just pop in.

Sessions run on these Sundays:

• Sunday 11 February 2018, 10am-3pm
• Sunday 11 March 2018, 10am-3pm

Plus all our usual courses
Islington Council has a programme of free Bikeability courses for children in the half term holiday. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12)– for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) – teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) – get the skills to ride safely on road

They are taking place at venues in N4 and N1. For full details and to book, click here and search for ‘Children’s holiday Bikeability’.

Cycle skills for adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycle skills sessions.

Cycle skills for families

To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

 

Happy cycling!

The Bikeability and cycle skills team

 

Autumn may be here, but there are still so many reasons to keep riding. Yesterday was Cycle To Work Day – we hope you did. It’s also Cycle September, and if you log just one 10-minute ride in the Love To Ride website, you could win a prize.

Square deal
On Friday 22 September it’s Car Free Day, the perfect time to hop on a bike! In fact, we’re running a led ride that day from the newly-opened Archway Square (above). This lunchtime ride will last 45 minutes, just right for a refreshing break. Sign up here to book your place. There will also be a Dr Bike in the square from 8am-2pm, so you can get your bike tuned up nicely for the ride.

University challenge
City, University of London, are getting in the saddle with a led ride on Wednesday 4 October at 1.30pm. This ride is themed Uncovering Secrets, taking in Islington’s green and pleasant past and some of the borough’s most elegant Georgian Squares, starting at Northampton Square and ending at a local café. Please book in advance here.

Cycle Islington are joining forces with Camden Cyclists to offer a free led ride to Lee Valley later this autumn – details here. Sounds fun!

You can also find locally organised rides on British Cycling’s Let’s Ride website. Or you can post a ride that you’re running there.

 

Doctor who?
The council runs free Dr Bike sessions at the Town Hall on the first Wednesday of every month, 4pm-7pm, Upper Street, N1 2UD. Our mechanics can check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments we can make to your bike, we do there and then. If there is something we can’t fix, we’ll let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost to repair at a local bike shop.

 

 

Girl pedal power
If you are female and aged 14 or over you can learn how to ride confidently in London. Our This Girl Can Urban Cycle Skills course will introduce you to riding your bike on quiet local streets, dealing with junctions and finding out how to cycle in traffic.  We have courses this autumn in Finsbury Park. Bikes and helmets will be provided (or you are welcome to bring your own).  Places are limited, so book soon:

• Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October, 10am -3pm, book here
• Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, 10am -3pm, book here

 

Plus all our usual courses
Islington Council has a programme of free Bikeability courses for children in the half term holiday. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12) – for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) – teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) – get the skills to ride safely on road

They are taking place at venues in N4 and N1. For full details and to book, click here.

 

Cycle skills for adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycle skills sessions. Cycle skills for families To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

 

Discover your va-va-Froome
Islington Cycling Club runs weekly coaching sessions for 8-15 year olds in Finsbury Park. Sessions are every Saturday, 10am-12.00noon and are run by experienced British Cycling coaches.  There is a range of activities from cyclocross, time trialling to road racing in a safe and enjoyable environment. You can try it out for £5. Meet at the park café. Further details here.

 

Happy cycling!

The Bikeability and cycle skills team

 

We hope you are ready for a fabulous summer of cycling. There are maintenance courses and Dr Bikes to get your bike in good shape, some led rides and all our usual summer courses for children and adults to develop your cycle skills and build your confidence.

Time for a good ride
Imagine riding through central London on closed roads. On Saturday 28 July you can enjoy an eight-mile circuit taking in iconic landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England. The Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle is, er free, but you need to register in advance here. Cycle Islington are organising a feeder ride leaving from Highbury Fields at 10.30am and a return ride from the Museum of London at 3pm.

You can also find many local organised rides. Local groups and ride buddies on British Cycling’s Let’s Ride website. Or you can post a ride that you’re running there.

 

The doctor will see you now
The council runs free Dr Bike sessions at the Town Hall on the first Wednesday of every month, 4pm-7pm, Upper Street, N1 2UD. Our mechanics can check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments we can make to your bike, we do there and then. If there is something we can’t fix, we’ll let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost to repair at a local bike shop.

DIY repairs
Cycle Islington – our local London Cycling campaign group – are running free bike maintenance courses over the summer. The first is on Sunday 2 July from 11am-1pm at the Sunnyside Community Centre, Hazellville Road, N19 3LX.

And the council has also arranges some free places on a series of one-day bike maintenance courses on 25 June, 8 July and 12 August which take place in NW3.

 

These girls can!

 

If you are female and aged 14 or over you can learn how to ride confidently in London. Our This Girl Can Urban Cycle Skills course will introduce you to riding your bike on quiet local streets, dealing with junctions and finding out how to cycle in traffic.  We have courses this summer in Finsbury Park. Bikes and helmets will be provided (or you are welcome to bring your own).  Places are limited, so book soon:

• Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August  10am -3pm, book here

 

Plus all our usual courses

Bikeability for children Islington Council has a programme of free cycling courses for children in the summer holidays. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12) – for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) – teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) – get the skills to ride safely on road

They are taking place at venues in N4 and N1. For full details and to book, click here.

Cycle skills for adults

If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycle skills sessions. Cycle skills for families To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

Cycle racing for young people

Islington Cycling Club runs weekly coaching sessions for 8-15 year olds in Finsbury Park. Sessions are every Saturday, 10am-12.00noon and are run by experienced British Cycling coaches.  There is a range of activities from cyclocross, time trialling to road racing in a safe and enjoyable environment. The cost is £5 per session (£3 for members). Meet at the park café. Further details here.

Happy cycling!

The Bikeability and cycle skills team

 

 

 

 

 

This week is Bike Week, our favourite time of year and we do hope you are out enjoying yourself in the saddle. This coming Sunday 18 June you can have a wheelie good celebration at the Finsbury Park Festival of Cycling and Walking. It’s in Finsbury Park from 12 noon until 6pm.

And if you fancy a challenge, the 100km ride The Italian Job, also on Sunday, is just the, er, job. Entries close midnight on Weds 14 June. Grab a place at: www.islington.cc/#events

 

Have fun!

 

 

If you are looking for a challenge this summer, why not enter The Italian Job? Our local club Islington Cycling Club organise this 60-mile ride on 18 June which starts and finishes in Finsbury Park. True to its name, the ride has an Italian theme – riders are encouraged to showcase their Italian spirit in some respect. A prize will be awarded for whoever shows the most Italian style. The route heads north-west to a rest stop at Fillipetto’s Deli in Little Chalfont, and returns to the park in time for the Finsbury Park Festival of Cycling. It cost £10 to take part and you can enter here.

Get rolling in 2017

NEW: Monthly Dr Bikes

From 1 February we are running free Dr Bike sessions outside the Town Hall (Upper Street, N1 2UD) on the first Wednesday of every month from 4pm-7pm.

Our mechanics can check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments we can make to your bike, we do there and then. If there is something we can’t fix, we’ll let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost to repair at a local bike shop.

All our mechanics are friendly and approachable and have a wealth of cycling knowledge, so feel free to pick their brains about our cycle skills training or other cycling activities. There is a full list of dates here.

NEW: This Girl Can Cycle – for women and girls

If you are female and aged 14 or over you can learn how to ride confidently in London. Our This Girl Can Urban Cycle Skills course will introduce you to riding your bike on quiet local streets, dealing with junctions and finding out how to cycle in traffic. We have a morning course (10.00-12.00) and an afternoon course (13.00-15.00), both take place in Finsbury Park. Bikes and helmets will be provided (or you are welcome to bring your own).

And there are all our usual courses:

Bikeability for children
We have a full programme of free cycling courses for children in the February half term. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12) for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) get the skills to ride safely on road

They are taking place at venues in N19, EC1* and N1. For full details and to book, click here.

*The courses at the EC1 site have some bikes available to borrow – see website for details.

Cycle skills for adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycle skills sessions.

Cycle skills for families
To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

NEW: Cycle sport for young people

Starting in March Islington Cycling Club is holding weekly coaching sessions for 8-15 year olds in Finsbury Park. Sessions take place on Saturdays 10am-12.00noon and are run by experienced British Cycling coaches.  There is a range of activities from cyclocross, time trialling to road racing in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Whatever ambitions a young rider has, whether that’s competing at events or simply to have fun cycling, the coaches will accommodate them and help to achieve their goals.

Your child will need:

• A bike and helmet in good working order
• Comfortable clothing
• A signed parental consent form (available on the day)

The cost is £5 per session (£3 for members).

Club membership is £40, which includes a club jersey.

Register your interest by emailing secretary@islington.cc

London Youth Games – Islington Cycling Club will select and train the squad of boys and girls to represent borough for the time trial and circuit races at the annual London Youth Games on 18 June. To be eligible for the LYG you must be living in or attend school in Islington.

Islington Cycling Club is a registered Go-Ride club and part of British Cycling’s development programme for young people.

What if every day was Cycle to Work Day?

This Wednesday 14 September it’s Cycle to Work Day and it looks like being a lovely sunny day. There are special Bike Tubes (led rides) run by the London Cycling Campaign to escort you into work following the line of many Tube routes. So, if you haven’t already dusted off your bike for summer, it’s not too late to be part of this amazing cycling celebration. And why not join the National Cycle Challenge? Just register and ride for a chance to win prizes galore.

For children
We have a full programme of free cycling courses for children in the October half term. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12) for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) get the skills to ride safely on road

And we’re running them at venues in N19 and N1. For full details and to book, click here.

For adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycling skills sessions.

For families
To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

Your summer of cycling

For children
We have a full programme of free cycling courses for children in the summer holidays. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12) for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) get the skills to ride safely on road

And we’re running them at four different venues in N19, N1 and NW3. For full details and to book, click here.

For adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycling skills sessions.

Can you fix it?
Take one of our free one-day basic bike maintenance courses and learn how to keep your bike going.

For families
To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

All together now!
Explore the borough on our Islington By Bike rides. There are two rides a day on Friday 22, Friday 29 July and Friday 5 August. Each day two rides set out at 10am, one from Rosemary Gardens and the other from Elthorne Park. There’s a rest stop halfway and we will get you back by noon. These family-friendly rides are run by Islington Council and led by qualified instructors. Free of charge, but places are limited, so book in advance here.

There are many more free guided rides in London. Why not take part in a Sky Ride? Sign up at www.goskyride.com. You can also arrange your own rides via British Cycling’s Ride Social website.

And why not grab the chance to cycle on traffic-free roads in central London at the RideLondon Freecycle on Saturday 30 July. It’s free to take part, but you need to register.

Go Islington!
There are more sports and activities on offer than you can shake a hockey stick at on 23 July at Go Islington! Aside from a Dr Bike and all ability cycling, there will be a chance to try out many Olympic sports such as running, tennis, handball, football and basketball, Full details here.

Get the most from your bike

For children
We have a full programme of free cycling courses for children in the June half term. Choose from:

• Beginners (age 5-12) for children who can’t yet ride without stabilisers
• Bikeability Level 1 (age 5-9) teaches bike control skills off road
• Bikeability Level 2 (age 9-12) get the skills to ride safely on road

And we’re running them at four different venues in N19, N1 and NW3. For full details and to book, click here.

For adults
If you’re a beginner (or an improver) and want to practice off-road to learn to ride a bike, you can do a free basic cycle skills group course. More advanced cyclists wanting to improve their on-road riding can book some individual cycling skills sessions.

Can you fix it?
Take one of our free one-day basic bike maintenance courses and learn how to keep your bike going.

For families
To learn how to ride together as a family, you can book family cycle skills sessions.

All together!
Explore the borough on our Islington By Bike rides! There are two rides on Friday 3 June setting out at 10am from Rosemary Gardens and Elthorne Park. There’s a rest stop halfway and we will get you back by noon. These family-friendly rides are run by Islington Council and led by qualified instructors. Free of charge, but places are limited, so book in advance here.

Save the date for a cycling party!
Come and celebrate Bike Week on the 12 June at the Finsbury Park Festival of Cycling. There is a ton of free bike activities, family fun and food on offer.

Looking for a bigger challenge?
Islington Cycling Club are staging a 100km bike ride that starts and finishes in Finsbury Park. The ride is called The Italian Job and it takes place on 12 June, the same day as the Finsbury Park Festival of Cycling. You’ll go out to Hertfordshire as far as Little Chalfont and be back in time for the festival. It costs £9 and you can enter here.