Winter 2024 brings lots of Cycling Activities

As the days get shorter, and the temperatures drop, the urge to get out on a bike may be waning (although, as the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”…). But there’s actually several cycling-related activities still ticking along in the next month or so:

• The Big Bike Film Night returns to Christchurch once again later this week, showcasing a wide array of cycling-related short films. However, it appears that tickets for Thursday 23rd (6.30pm, Philip Carter Auditorium),  and Friday 24th (7.00pm, Charles Luney Auditorium)  have virtually sold out, so you may have missed the boat. But there may be a “Plan B” later in the year…

• While the bulk of the work on the Christchurch Coastal Pathway may appear to be done now, there are still some things to keep chipping away at, hence there is an AGM, fundraiser & community consultation for the Coastal Pathway group on Mon 27th May, 7pm at Club Redcliffs.

• Local cycling advocacy group Spokes Canterbury have been around for over 20 years fighting the good fight for better cycling provision in our fair city and beyond. Next Tue 28th May sees the Spokes Annual General Meeting at the St Martins Community Centre from 6pm. City Councillor Sara Templeton will be guest speaker and there will also be some discussion about Spokes’ proposed new Constitution and some snacks to finish the evening.

• Mon 3rd June might be the Kings’ Birthday, but it also happens to be World Bicycle Day – why not celebrate with a bike ride around the city…?

• In a month’s time we’ll reach the shortest day of the year on Fri 21st June and once again Christchurch will celebrate that with our Winter Solstice Night Ride, meeting from 5.00pm at the Armagh St gates of North Hagley Park for a 5.30pm start (don’t be late!). Bling up your bike and come and celebrate the longest night of the year with a cruisy ride around Hagley Park – family and pet friendly too! You could also link your ride with a follow-up wander around the opening night of the Tirama Mai light festival…

• Bike fix-up group RAD Bikes goes from strength to strength, with their new premises at 160 Lichfield St and regular workshops throughout the week. Sun 23rd June will see a special RAD Kids Fix-up Day from 12-4pm, where kids (young and old) are welcome to help fix bikes to give away to deserving kids or find a bike to fix up for themselves.

As always, you can keep track of many of these events via our Activities Calendar (and do let me know if there is some other ones you’d like to add to the calendar). I look forward to seeing you at some of these events!

What activities will you be doing?