Family membership of CTC - Worth it?

tangled_metal

We are a cycling family, two adults and a toddler in a trailer/child seat/soon to be getting a balance bike, all great so far. We are ambitious in that we want to go on touring holidays, we want to camp out somewhere on the route and we want to be safe whilst doing it. One of us has toured before (on and off road), but only overseas in the likes of China, Malaysia, Columbia, Bulgaria, etc. Two of us haven't (me and the bairn).

Based on the above is the CTC family membership worth getting? Do they do meet-ups and the like? What is the benefit we would most likely see or feel gives us the most?? Would 3rd party cover all of us including the kid on a bike? Also, would the 3rd party cover me for a nearly new Rolls Royce side mirror taken out whilst commuting on my bike (boy they are solid ouch). The last one is a joke, honestly!! I am wondering if there are special interest groups within CTC such as cycling families. Whether they do organized trips for families whether paying holidays or a sort of club trip away like I've had in clubs/associations with other outdoors activities?

I reckon the CTC is better for us than BC as we will never race. Plus I have seen the CTC routes section and there's some interesting tour routes in there that require membership to actually see any information of use.

seajays

Full list of CTC insurance FAQs here:
http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_Public/2013_10_01_frequently_asked_questions.pdf

tangled_metal

Thanks, that answers a lot about the cover but apart from 3rd party insurance (think I have cover elsewhere for that, need to check), what makes CTC membership worthwhile? I have been a member of, among other things, BMC, BMC affliliated club, RA, etc. A lot of these national organizations offer group based activities in you area and around the country. As well as liability cover they add a social element as well as a a degree of learning from those more experienced through group trips, sessions, training, etc. Take a BMC afflillated club or the actual BMC you turn up on a club night as a new member and you kind of get advice. With climbing I tended to get introduced to one of the more experienced who then took me up a climb. A little bit of being passed around the group until they got to know you and your level then you kind of got into your own group according to what you wanted.

Anyway that is a long way of saying do CTC operate on any kind of regional group basis and what are they like? The RA has sub-groups such as younger members groups (that is 20s/30s or 30s/40s, etc). I'm wondering if there are "special interest" groups in CTC? Any forums to meet like minded people/groups?

Basically what other than insurance does CTC offer? Anything social or kind of community based??? Information? Skills? information on equipment? Club discount nights at LBS (if there are local clubs). What benefit does our £65 family membership offer is basically it?

seajays

Well I only took my membership out last week, so I only know the basics - I assume you have of course seen the general member benefits page: http://www.ctc.org.uk/membership/member-benefits

After that it comes down to local groups, so in my area, it is CTC Grampian: http://www.ctcgrampian.org.uk/ and they appear to be quite active (runs list http://ctcgrampian.sharepoint.com/Pages/RunsLists.aspx ) although I haven't been on one yet!

To find your local group go to this page: http://www.ctc.org.uk/near-me