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The ECOBIKES cycle tours and the two ECOWALKS are part of Faringdon and surrounding villages' ECOWEEK June 14-21st, and ECOBIKES is also a national Bike Week event. The full route (starting off from the MARKET PLACE at 9am) is approximately 12 miles, joining up with a shorter route (starting off from the JUNIOR SCHOOL WOODVIEW ENTRANCE at 9.30am) of just over 7 miles. ECOBIKES and the longer ECOWALK all go via Step Farm where cyclists and walkers can enjoy delicious organic bacon butties and frothy fairtrade coffee!
The aim is to get the message across to as many local people as possible about the joys of cycling & walking, the health message and the part that cycling and walking can play in reducing local car journeys and hence one's carbon-footprint.
Anyone who can safely cycle either 7 miles (short route) or 12 miles (full route) there - and then 7 miles back - is welcome - the pace will be leisurely! Walkers have a choice of 12 miles total, or four miles total.
1. The longer ECOBIKES sets off from Faringdon MARKET PLACE at 9.00am on Sat 21st June, via some of the local 'Ecofarms', with a stop at one of these at 6 miles for ECOBUTTIES, then on to the Westmill Windfarm 6 miles further on.
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2. The shorter ECOBIKES sets off from the JUNIOR SCHOOL WOODVIEW ENTRANCE at 9.30am going down the Lechlade Rd to Step Farm to join the longer route for ECOBUTTIES.
3. The longer ECOWALK (7.5 miles to Wind Farm) is the same as the shorter cycle route, but sets off from the Market Place at 9am. Phil Chesterton (01367-710308) will lead this.
4. The shorter ECOWALK (2 miles to Wind Farm) sets off from the Cafe at Coleshill at 11.30am - and is led by Gene Webb (01367-242222) .
The Wind Farm is holding an Open Day, with food and entertainment, and at 14.00 there is the option to be part of a world-record 'turbine-hugging' attempt!!
The suggested route back to Faringdon for cyclists is about 7 miles, and groups may return when they wish. Walkers will probably choose to return using the more direct route via Coleshill & Gt Coxwell - approximately 4 miles.
It would be helpful to know approximate numbers. For ECOBIKES please contact David Williamson: david@ecoweek.info or phone 01367-240033. For ECOWALK LONG it’s Phil Chesterton (01367-710308) and for ECOWALK SHORT it’s Gene Webb (01367-242222) .
The routes are a mixture of small roads and bridleways, hence sturdy shoes and bikes would be sensible. Road/racing bikes might struggle if ground is wet!
We look forward to hearing from you !
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Transport Minister Rosie Winterton announced this March that over £3m would be dedicated to provide Bikeability cycle training to nearly 80,000 school children by March 2009. This funding is part of the record £140m package announced in January, which will give up to half a million 10 - 11 year olds cycle training by 2012. To find out if your town got a slice of the pie click here. For more information about becoming a cycle instructor see the CTC website.
Imagine over 70 miles of roads in your area being closed to cars every Sunday so residents can walk, cycle, run and skate in peace. Well that’s what happens every week in Bogotá in Columbia. Watch this film to take a look at the event is called ‘Ciclovia’, and to see how car free roads have transformed areas of the city.
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If you need a bit of bike maintenance advice, when you are out in the garage, you can play these podcasts on your mobile. There’s eight short videos on topics from how mend a puncture to how to adjust a rear mech. It beats dragging dirt through the house just to take your bike near the computer to check that you are doing the right thing!
And there’s also other ways of using bicycles!
The cyclean : the cycle powered washing machine.
Or - why not make your own electricity?
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Longer Route
Shorter Route
Suggested Return Route
