Cyclists Touring Club

campagone

Are all you guys members?
I have been for the last few years and my membership is due for renewal soon, but I'm starting to wander if its worth it. I only really joined for the insurance benefit and I've never had reason to claim thankfully, but I don't do anything with them as such. I get an email and a magazine every few months and that's about it. Should I renew? I get the impression its a club for the retired folk, judging from the photos on the website.

dilemna

Nope. I was, but not now. It is a club for old foggies. Chris Uden is good, but for the rest I couldn't be bothered. Their administration was a nightmare - one reason I let membership lapse. Now a member of my local cycling Club which is far better and LCC.

redddraggon

Some proper cycling clubs require you to be a member of either BC or CTC.

redddraggon

dilemna wrote:

LCC.

Never heard of it

Le Commentateur

London Cycling Campaign.

dilemna

redddraggon wrote:

Some proper cycling clubs require you to be a member of either BC or CTC.

They're not proper cycling clubs then :roll: .

spen666

dilemna wrote:

Nope. I was, but not now. It is a club for old foggies. Chris Uden is good, but for the rest I couldn't be bothered. Their administration was a nightmare - one reason I let membership lapse. Now a member of my local cycling Club which is far better and LCC.

Do something about it then.

There is nothing to stop you standing for election as a cTC councillor.

Indeed the councillors I know are not old foggies.

The CTC provide a valuable function in campaigning for cyclists. Remember if it was not for the CTC we would have had the original draft ogf the Highway Code in force last year requiring cyclists to use cycle lanes/ paths etc. Requiring helmets etc

jeepie

I do some campaigning for CTC. I think it's worth it as even if you don't get anything tangible back, at least your membership is promoting the defence of the rights of cyclists. I want to register the fact that cycling is very important to me, and I believe in it, and I feel my membership does that.

redddraggon

Le Commentateur wrote:

London Cycling Campaign.

TBH joining that seems a waste of time compared to joining the CTC

DaSy

I joined some years ago and always renew. I've never been on a CTC ride, or have any inclination to do so, but as said earlier, I like to support the active campaigning they do on behalf of all UK cyclists.

They need money from somewhere, so am happy that my subs go some way toward the CTC's ongoing campaigns.

dilemna

spen666 wrote:

dilemna wrote:

Nope. I was, but not now. It is a club for old foggies. Chris Uden is good, but for the rest I couldn't be bothered. Their administration was a nightmare - one reason I let membership lapse. Now a member of my local cycling Club which is far better and LCC.

Do something about it then.

There is nothing to stop you standing for election as a cTC councillor.

Indeed the councillors I know are not old foggies.

The CTC provide a valuable function in campaigning for cyclists. Remember if it was not for the CTC we would have had the original draft ogf the Highway Code in force last year requiring cyclists to use cycle lanes/ paths etc. Requiring helmets etc

Nope, not interested in the CTC one bit, except maybe CJ's technical articles. Spen, you obviously seem to like them so why don't you do something?

I always wear a cycle helmet anyway and I use dedicated cyclepaths where they exist, but as I am out in the sticks there are few so the HC issues you mention would have little impact on me.

spen666

dilemna wrote:

spen666 wrote:

dilemna wrote:

Nope. I was, but not now. It is a club for old foggies. Chris Uden is good, but for the rest I couldn't be bothered. Their administration was a nightmare - one reason I let membership lapse. Now a member of my local cycling Club which is far better and LCC.

Do something about it then.

There is nothing to stop you standing for election as a cTC councillor.

Indeed the councillors I know are not old foggies.

The CTC provide a valuable function in campaigning for cyclists. Remember if it was not for the CTC we would have had the original draft ogf the Highway Code in force last year requiring cyclists to use cycle lanes/ paths etc. Requiring helmets etc

Nope, not interested in the CTC one bit, except maybe CJ's technical articles. Spen, you obviously seem to like them so why don't you do something?

I always wear a cycle helmet anyway and I use dedicated cyclepaths where they exist, but as I am out in the sticks there are few so the HC issues you mention would have little impact on me.

Why don't I do anything? Possibly because its not me complaining the CTC don't offer me anything.

I am more than happy with what the CTC is doing for me.




If you think the previously proposed changes to the highway code would have had little effect on you, then you are sadly deluded as to the impact of them. They would have affected all cyclists who use the highway in a very negative way.

downfader

I'm a member of the CTC and joined for the insurance/legal, but also because they campaign and look into research. British Cycling is the only other group I would seriously consider.

I dont feel they're old fogies, myself. I get the feeling that was put about by Clarkson and his clan as a jibe to take the pee out of the group. Admitidly the CTC aint the club to join for time trialing etc, but you'd join a dedicated club for anything like that.

I have also found the CTC were able to offer me advice on some legal issues with lighting and local cyclepaths, so they're good in that respect. The forum is also good too, many knowledgable peeps just like here and on CC.

dilemna

spen666 wrote:

dilemna wrote:

spen666 wrote:

dilemna wrote:

Nope. I was, but not now. It is a club for old foggies. Chris Uden is good, but for the rest I couldn't be bothered. Their administration was a nightmare - one reason I let membership lapse. Now a member of my local cycling Club which is far better and LCC.

Do something about it then.

There is nothing to stop you standing for election as a cTC councillor.

Indeed the councillors I know are not old foggies.

The CTC provide a valuable function in campaigning for cyclists. Remember if it was not for the CTC we would have had the original draft ogf the Highway Code in force last year requiring cyclists to use cycle lanes/ paths etc. Requiring helmets etc

Nope, not interested in the CTC one bit, except maybe CJ's technical articles. Spen, you obviously seem to like them so why don't you do something?

I always wear a cycle helmet anyway and I use dedicated cyclepaths where they exist, but as I am out in the sticks there are few so the HC issues you mention would have little impact on me.

Why don't I do anything? Possibly because its not me complaining the CTC don't offer me anything.

I am more than happy with what the CTC is doing for me.




If you think the previously proposed changes to the highway code would have had little effect on you, then you are sadly deluded as to the impact of them. They would have affected all cyclists who use the highway in a very negative way.

I'm pleased for you Spen that you're more than happy with what the CTC are doing for you. They don't figure on my radar so I can't be complaining about them as I am not a member. End of. I don't really care tbh. If I were to join another cycling organisation it would be BC.

Kindly explain your assertions that the proposed changes would have affected all cyclists who use the highway in a very negative way. Just because I take a contrary view to you Spen ......... I know flattery is not your style, but will it get you everywhere .

How's the cycling going now you are back on the road or cyclepath?

spen666

dilemna wrote:

....

Kindly explain your assertions that the proposed changes would have affected all cyclists who use the highway in a very negative way. Just because I take a contrary view to you Spen ......... I know flattery is not your style, but will it get you everywhere .

How's the cycling going now you are back on the road or cyclepath?

Do a search on here or a google search for details of how the changes would have affected all cyclists who use the highway.


It would take far too long to go through the highway code proposed changes save to say it effectively made cyclists even less welcome on the roads and more likely to be found contributory negligent for simply riding on the road and for example not using cycle lanes/ paths etc - even when they are dangerous



They cycling is going well now thanks- did a 60 mile commute yesterday and loved it

neiljohn

I am currently a member of ctc for the public liability and what they do for campaigning. However my membership is up at the end of April & I will be joining BC.

The reason is the difference in price - £12. I would love to give the £12 for campaigning however having just had a baby pennies are tight, hence the move.

redddraggon

It only costs me £13 to join the CTC :?

Radioactiveman

Having being hit by a car from behind that was 100% fault of the driver, I was physicaly injured and my bike badly damaged

I went to a local solicitor and they were useless,they didnt have a clue about cycling or why I was unhappy to ride my aluminium bike even though the frame was still intact despite the fact the back wheel was smashed and possible frame damage

In the end I had to settle for purely the injuries payment, I am
not sure how good the CTC legal help is but its got to be better than a bog standard solicitor who actually doesn't give a sh*t about cyclists.

Can anyone advise on this aspect?

neiljohn

My renewal is £36 while BC is £24

spen666

Radioactiveman wrote:

Having being hit by a car from behind that was 100% fault of the driver, I was physicaly injured and my bike badly damaged

I went to a local solicitor and they were useless,they didnt have a clue about cycling or why I was unhappy to ride my aluminium bike even though the frame was still intact despite the fact the back wheel was smashed and possible frame damage

In the end I had to settle for purely the injuries payment, I am
not sure how good the CTC legal help is but its got to be better than a bog standard solicitor who actually doesn't give a sh*t about cyclists.

Can anyone advise on this aspect?

The CTC legal help when you are the victim is a myth. All they do is refer your claim to russel Jone & Walker. you can instruct them yourselves directly.

The benefit from CTC ( and also BC) is the 3rd party insurance to cover you for your liability to others

on the road

redddraggon wrote:

Some proper cycling clubs require you to be a member of either BC or CTC.

Proper cycling clubs don't require you to be a BC or CTC member. You only need to be a BC member if you want to race.

redddraggon

on the road wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

Some proper cycling clubs require you to be a member of either BC or CTC.

Proper cycling clubs don't require you to be a BC or CTC member. You only need to be a BC member if you want to race.

Some Clubs DO REQUIRE BC or CTC membership:

e.g.

http://www.seamonscc.co.uk/JoinUs2.html

The member(s) (except social members) must provide evidence of CTC or BC affiliation.

on the road

They're not a proper cycling club.