Happy New Cycling Year! It’s been fantastic to see so many participants turn up over the last few weeks, keeping active in the cold and frosty conditions. Inspiring!
Read on for information on
New booking system – how to reschedule
What will happen if a session is cancelled (eg. bad weather)
Request for mittens!
Consent forms for carers/supporters
Reminder of guidelines and rules for sessions
Thanks to Active Oxfordshire for funding support
New booking system
You can now book in dates at least three months ahead - each individual booking can be rescheduled up to 48 h before the session. Please be aware that this is something you'll need to do yourself via the website; as we have limited admin capacity the booking system is set up to be self-service. If you want to reschedule, the steps are as follows: Open our website, and click ‘Log in’ (towards the right of the top header). If you haven’t set up an account previously, enter the email you used to make your original booking, then set up a password (choose one and enter in the prompted space). Once logged in, you will see your initial above a menu of options. Click the top item, ‘My Bookings’. Click the red ‘Manage’ button to the right of any booking you wish to reschedule.
Severe weather – find out if we're open
It’s extremely rare that we cancel sessions – if we do so, an email will be sent out by 9am on the morning at the latest. This will automatically go out to everyone who has booked (using the email address given on the booking – please make sure this is correct!). We'll also post on the website under ‘News’, so if you’re not sure, check there. There’s no point trying to ring us on the morning itself – we are likely to be in the midst of setting up the session (or making a risk assessment) and won’t have the phone switched on.
Gloves – and a request for mittens!
It’s been really cold lately...the breeze along the far side of the track often seems to blow in direct from the Arctic! If you, or the participant you are bringing, has gloves do bring them along. We do have some basic spares to borrow if you come without; however it can be tricky for some riders to get them on. Mittens would be much easier – if you have any washable, adult-size mittens you’d be happy to donate, they would be gratefully received.
Consent forms for carers/support people
As many of you will be aware, we’ve started to ask carers/support people who are active on the track to fill in basic consent forms. We’re doing this partly because the two most serious first aid incidents we've had have involved carers. So it makes sense for us to have emergency contact details for everyone on the track. Our funders are also interested in knowing about anyone who cycles and walks during the morning, whether a participant or alongside someone else – after all, you are all people getting moving and reaping the benefits of activity!
Reminder re rules/guidelines for sessions
We don’t have many specific rules, but we apply them consistently at all times to everyone. This is to ensure everyone’s safe enjoyment of the activity. Full Guidelines here : Guidelines | CyclAbility
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Aside from common sense guidelines, two main rules to note are:
You can only ride during the time of your pre-booked slot. We can’t alter times or add new bookings on the day.
Mobile devices should not be used by participants or carers during a session (on or off the track) other than in an emergency. Photography is allowed of a consenting individual or group at the start or end of their ride; but only if no other participant is captured in the image.
Active Oxfordshire funding
We are delighted to report that for the second year running, Active Oxfordshire have agreed funding to support our activity, as part of the Community Active Travel Fund. A local charity dedicated to promoting activity and tackling inequality, Active Oxfordshire recognises Cyclability’s role in improving participants’ health and wellbeing through physical activity. On some occasions during the year, you may meet some of their staff volunteering to support larger events such as Bike Oxford or Have a Go Day. Active Oxfordshire