'A great week' was the verdict of more than 500 cyclists gathered at the National Fire Service College in the Cotswolds for a packed schedule of events to celebrate the 130th Birthday of CTC in 2008.
Testing waterproofs to the limit, the Birthday Tea was held in the grounds of the Indian inspired Sezincote House. Despite being the wettest Birthday Tea on record, spirits remained high with abundant tea, cake and sandwiches. Bo Clown kept everyone amused with Punch and Judy and Kamashabi storytelling. A brief break in the clouds allowed special guest Ted King to cut the fire engine cake before the heavens poured. The return journey went through the private Batsford estate which was opened specifically for CTC.
 
 
The weeks' other events included a unique tour of the Fire service College with its railway station, plane crash site and motorway pile up zones
Cyclists even had an in house fire training session when fire alarms were triggered during the week. The Hook Norton Brewery Tour visiting Britain’s' only steam driven brewery was so popular it had to be repeated . Quiz nights, Ceilidh, films, hill climbs, midsummer wheel pub rides, museum visits, swimming, touring presentations and taking shelter from the rain in the bar filled the evenings.
Day rides guided riders to quiet back roads and local greenways which meandered though fords, across the vales and up the hills. They covered an area of picture postcard villages, outstanding views peeping between grey clouds and places of interest. Audax rides of 200/100km with a 50k ride designed for younger riders. Additionally, there were coach trips for partners and those who fancied a rest day out of the rain. Thankfully the worst of the rain was overnight and the weather was warm with very little wind during the day.
 
 
Most importantly, Birthday Riders brought over £130,000 into the local economy.
This much needed boost after last years devastating floods and this years equally poor weather was highlighted by one cafe saying they had "had their best week since the floods".
The whole week was pulled together in just six short months by members from Cheltenham CTC, Oxford DA, CTC Coventry and Corinium CC. A big thank you to all the committee and other volunteers who helped make this, in the words of one previous BR organizer 'one of the best'.