Welcome to your Pedal Power newsletter

The clocks have gone back, the temperature has dropped and our Winter opening hours have kicked in. From today we'll be open in Pontcanna:

10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday (last hire at 2.50pm and last cafe orders at 3.30pm).

So our days are shorter but there's still plenty of time to enjoy an autumnal cycle ride. Just wrap up a little warmer and remember that our cafe is a warm welcome space where everyone is welcome to sit, relax and chat with no pressure to purchase.

And if you're feeling a little stretched, head to our Pay it Forward board in the cafe and select a drink or food item that has already been paid for by someone else.

And thank you to Hilary's weekly park ride group for their kind donation of £70. Raised in memory of their fellow park-rider, Heather Rose, we'll make sure it us used as a positive and lasting legacy in her name.

Pedal Power news and events

C3S3 Volunteer Awards 2026

Our Tandem for sight loss group has been nominated for this year's awards

Every other Saturday, a dedicated team of volunteers ride as tandem pilots to people with sight loss. This social ride is hugely popular and enjoyed by both pilots and back-riders, with firm friendships being made and challenging routes tackled! The awards ceremony will be held on 2nd December.

If you'd like to find out more about this social ride, please email lessons@cardiffpedalpower.org.uk

2 men, 2 continents, 2 cycling adventures

Join us to hear two inspiring cycling tales from Pedal Power's own Mike Evans and Paul Streets - Tuesday 24th November, 6.30-8pm, Pedal Power Cafe

The Wind, the whales and the Welsh (Mike)​
A 3000k odyssey around Patagonia to discover the wildlife and the descendants of the Welsh settlers who arrived in 1865 aboard the ship Mimosa. Mike also took on the famously ferocious winds across the Pampas by cycling from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
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​Paul’s LEJOG journey​
This Summer, Paul Streets, along with his lofty American friend Jason, cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Join Paul for some reflections, photos, highlights, lowlights, culinary encounters and lessons learnt!

Free and all welcome. Please book ahead HERE

Our cafe will be open selling hot and cold drinks and snacks.

PIF just got bigger!

You can now Pay it Forward (PIF) for cycle hire, lessons and membership

Kindness is not in short supply at Pedal Power! Under the banner of Kindness is Priceless, we introduced PIF in our cafe a few months ago and it's been a fabulous success. In that short time hundreds of items from our cafe menu have been pre-paid for by our customers, for someone else to enjoy later.

Now we've extended PIF to cycle hire, lessons and membership, giving people the opportunity to pre-pay for these higher-ticket items that help to extend the gift of cycling to more people.

You can Pay it Forward for cafe and cycling items at the tills in the cafe and reception. Thank you for your kindness!

Guitars and Damo's quiz

Guitars - every Friday in our cafe at 11.30am

We are delighted that students from the RWCMD will be playing classical guitar in our cafe - for all to sit, relax, listen and enjoy!

Damo's quiz - last Wednesday of the month, in our cafe at 1.30pm

All welcome, just don't take it too seriously!

Other news & useful info

Being Human Festival of Walks

Cardiff University will lead a day of interactive walks and short talks in and around Cardiff - 13th November

Drawing on interdisciplinary research across the arts, humanities and social sciences, this free public event celebrates walking as a way of encountering, learning, and thinking differently about the world around us.

The link to more info and sign-up is here: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/festival-walks

The eventbrite for free tickets is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1996784576420?aff=oddtdtcreator​

Care Inspectorate Wales questionnaire

As part of the upcoming Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) Performance Evaluation Inspection of Independent Living and Adult Social Care in Cardiff, CIW would like to hear directly from people who currently access, or have previously accessed, services. There are two online versions available:

· People Survey – Performance Evaluation Inspection: Complete the People Survey​

· People Survey (Easy Read) – Performance Evaluation Inspection: Complete the Easy Read People Survey​

D/deaf and British Sign Language focus group

Help shape Cardiff’s new Disability Friendly Strategy

People who are D/deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) are being invited to share their experiences and ideas at a dedicated focus group to help shape Cardiff’s new Physical Disability and Sensory Loss Strategy.

A BSL focus group will take place on Wednesday 4 November, from 5pm to 7pm, in the Community Room at Canton Library.

The session is specifically for D/deaf people, with BSL interpreters available throughout. Facilitators will also be on hand to support discussions and capture feedback.

Participants will be invited to discuss:

·         The barriers faced by people with physical disabilities and/or sensory loss.

·         Key themes including social opportunities, education and employment, access to information and advice, and the accessibility of Cardiff’s environments.

·         What actions and priorities should be included in the new strategy to help remove barriers.

The focus group will last up to two hours, and attendees are welcome to stay for all or part of the session. Anyone planning to attend for only part of the discussion is asked to let organisers know in advance.

A virtual tour of Canton Library is available via the Eventbrite booking page for anyone who would like to familiarise themselves with the venue beforehand.

For further information and to discuss any accessibility requirements, contact PDSLFriendly@cardiff.gov.uk or call 029 2087 1083.

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That's it for now - have a great week!

Our current opening times

Pontcanna : 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday (last hire at 2.50pm and last cafe order at 3.30pm)

Cardiff Bay : Closed at present.

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