A cycling group celebrated 100 years in Oxfordshire with rides and parties at the weekend.
Members of Cycling UK in Oxfordshire marked the centenary by taking part in a series of events.
The group initially formed in 1924 as the Oxford District Association of the Cyclists’ Touring Club, one of several groups now under the Cycling UK umbrella, the national charity for non-sport cycling.
On Saturday (August 3), 24 riders took part in the ‘Oxfordshire Century’, a ride spanning 100 miles across the county.
Starting in Abingdon, they rode through Wallingford, to Thame for coffee and cake, via Islip to Woodstock for lunch, via Eynsham to Abingdon for tea, and finished with a loop covering Harwell and the Hagbournes before returning to Abingdon.
Group secretary and ride leader, Robin Tucker, said: "It’s a great way to see the county.
"You see the villages, and we know the quiet roads with the best scenery between them. And of course, all the best cafes."
The ride's oldest participant, 80-year-old Peter Hallowell, joined the ride having celebrated his birthday with an 80-mile ride the previous week.
On Sunday, cyclists gathered in Eynsham to mark the centenary with speeches, a 100 birthday cake and sparkling wine.
Eileen Johnson, a former secretary of the group, cut the centenary cake.
A short speech noted how the group had expanded from its origins to groups in Oxford, Wantage and Wallingford, a midweek riding group and affiliated groups of Abingdon Freewheeling, Farcycles in Faringdon and the Isis women’s cycling group in Oxford.
The group’s campaigning history was also acknowledged, from its initial effort in 1898 to remove cyclists from the Eynsham bridge toll, to current initiatives focusing on road safety and a Strategic Active Travel Network.
The Oxfordshire Online Cycling Map, a recently launched crowdsourced resource showing the best routes for novice cyclists, is another of the group's achievements.
Group members shared stories from past rides and meetings, and discussed plans for future activities.
Gemma Ratnage, the group’s safeguarding officer, said: "It was wonderful to be reminded of how much joy and energy cycling has brought into people’s lives.
"There are cycling groups around the county to suit all cycling needs.
"Just ask any of them for help in finding the group to suit you. You will feel better, sleep better and make new friends."
Cycling UK has 70,000 members across the UK, 2,000 of whom are in Oxfordshire.
The charity aims to inspire people from all backgrounds to cycle, and works to ensure it is a safe activity.
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