'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.
 
 
Day rides guided cyclists 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 with outstanding views and places of interest and included 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. Thankfully the worst of the rain was overnight and the weather was warm with very little wind during the day.
 
 
The weeks' 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 the bar filled the evenings.
 
 
The Birthday Tea was held in the grounds of the Indian inspired Sezincote House where Bo Clown kept everyone amused with Punch and Judy and Kamashabi storytelling. The return journey went through the private Batsford estate which was opened specifically for CTC.
 
 

 
The whole week was put together 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'.