On the 15th of August 2009 Rockingham Forest will host the annual cycle ride for the Cyclists’ Touring Club. Areas around Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire will be cycled in a tiring but enjoyable week.

This area offers a relatively unchallenging terrain and as a result, the cycle ride is aimed at all ages. Two approaches can be undertaken for this cycle week: it could be a week of serious cycling designed to test the fitness of each rider, or a chance to enjoy surrounding attractions or stately homes. Both options are bound to provide a pleasurable experience. The targeted distances of the ride are split up into catergories: ‘A’ rides are 70-90 miles, ‘B’ rides are 50-70 miles, ‘C’ rides are 30-50 miles and family rides are 10-25 miles. The timing of the rides can be decided by the individual cyclist, allowing for a totally flexible day.

During the week entertainment will be provided by jazz band sessions and films. Oundle School will provide accommodation for the cyclists and there is also a campsite for riders to use for the duration.

On the final night a barn dance will mark the finish of a wonderful week.

Oundle is just one of the historic towns that will be included. Within five miles of Oundle are two country parks, and at Fotheringhay there is the birthplace of Richard III and the execution site of Mary Queen of Scots. The National Trust property of Lyveden New Bield in Fermyn Woods is another tourist attraction that can be visited. Further afield, Rutland Water has a cycle route circling the resevoir, one of the largest in Europe, with many attractions such as visiting ospreys or Barnsdale’s gardens.

CTC is involved in the business of travel and recreational cyle rides. Founded in 1878 as the Bicycle Touring Club and then re-named the Cyclists’ Touring Club, they are the leading group of a worldwide network of cycling, motoring and tourism organisations, many of whom base their services on CTC’s. At present the CTC has 60,000 members of all ages and aims to preserve the rights of cylists and their rights on the road.