CyclAbility May 2025 Newsletter
- jansong
- May 14
- 3 min read
It’s lovely weather for cycling and our busy sessions reflect that! We love to see smiling faces and hear the whoops of enjoyment as people cycle round the track. We've swapped the cold weather kit for squash and water!
Read on for information on
Booking upcoming sessions, waiting list and standing order options
Let us know if you can’t come
Parking guidance - including NO PARKING IN UPPER CAR PARK FRI 16th
Spreading the word to special interest groups
Link to CyclAbility feature on WRFM Radio
Upcoming special events
Booking sessions
Sessions are now bookable through to the end of June. If you’d like to reserve a regular place, why not consider taking out a monthly standing order; you will then automatically be booked in before sessions get released for general booking. Otherwise, if you’ve been struggling to find space, the first session on Tuesdays (10-11am) and the last one on Fridays (12-1) are usually the quietest with most chance of spare spaces. To discuss/set up standing orders, please contact Jennifer on jennifer@cyclability.org Also, a reminder that you can book sessions in advance with the option to reschedule them up to 48 hours beforehand.
Meanwhile, we’ve now got a waiting list option on our booking system - it can be worth giving this a try as we do get cancellations. It doesn’t commit you to the session, we will just contact you to alert you to the fact a place has become available (and do be aware if turning up on spec on the day - priority will be given to people on the waiting list). Finally, to help us optimise use of our sessions, if you find you can’t come, do let us know. Many thanks!
Beep beep - parking!
The top car park is out of action this Friday (16th May). Usually the Rugby Club kindly allow us to use this area for CyclAbility attenders who need it for specific accessibility reasons. However this Friday it will be in use for event deliveries so everyone will need to park in the lower car park.
Generally as we get busier there are so many vehicles coming up to the top car park that we're starting to get double parking and people being blocked in. Please be aware that we aren’t responsible for the car parks, and don’t have the spare capacity to direct vehicles or find out who came in which car on the morning. Therefore, please park with consideration, and if at all possible, use the lower car park and access the track via the side gate which leads past the Athletics clubhouse and the toilets. Ask us to point out the entrance if you don’t know where it is.
Group visits and spreading the word
We’ve recently made links with Oxford Head Injury Service, a local Parkinsons organisation, and info is being sent to a support group for people living with Huntingdon’s Chorea. This week we enjoyed hosting our annual visit from Oxford’s Young Onset Dementia Association. Do let us know if you have links with organisations/special interest groups who might enjoy what we do - it’s possible to arrange one-off group visits with advance planning. Of course, always feel free to forward our website details to individuals or organisations. We have some information cards at Reception if you’d prefer something physical to hand on.
Listen to CyclAbility on the Radio!
We were visited by West Oxfordshire Community Radio station WRFM in mid April. They are doing a series of features called 'Active Together', highlighting projects around the county. If you'd like to have a listen to Jennifer and Wendy (one of our volunteers) talking about CyclAbility, have a listen to Episode 3, 30.45 minutes in, or 25.25 minutes remaining if you get a countdown clock (click on 'Active Together'below).
Save the date - upcoming events
Friday 20th June - Bike Oxford - Popular inclusive 'Sportive' at our usual Friday morning session. Set your own cycling challenge and get a medal!
Thursday 3rd July - Have a Go Day - Lots of different activities to try at the track in addition to cycling (more info to come nearer the time).
