Chair of Coventry CTC Bob Tinley said: “Mike has contributed to the smooth running of committee meetings and events with positive suggestions and a ready wit. Although Mike spends much of his time leading rambling holidays, he has somehow found time to support our Sunday and Tuesday rides and participated in most of our tours over the years. He has been a regular leader of the Sunday and Tuesday Rides and has organised nine very successful moving on tours in both the UK and in Europe.

“In recent years, the City of Coventry has organised an annual event, sponsored by HSBC and supported by several thousand cyclists, when the Ring Road has been closed to traffic and dedicated to cyclists. This year we, CTC Coventry, decided that we should have a higher profile at the event than we have done in the past. Mike masterminded the planning and construction of a much-enhanced stall with a dozen helpers, which attracted a lot of visitors during the day. 

“Mike is also taking a leading role in a sub-committee organising a programme of events for CTC Coventry’s centenary, to be celebrated in 2021. A lot of work is going on behind the scenes and we hope to further raise our profile within the city.

“Mike has been a dependable member of our local group for many years, leading rides, organising tours and managing events and we feel that his constant enthusiasm and dedication to the Club should be recognised.”

Surprise!

Mike was presented with the certificate by former Chair of Cycling UK, David Cox at the annual Christmas meal for the CTC Coventry Group in December 2019. Mike said: “I was totally surprised and extremely flattered to be presented with a Cycling UK Certificate of Appreciation by David Cox.”  

It’s been 20 years since I joined the group, and I have very much enjoyed the rides, tours and social events, so helping by leading rides and organising cycle tours seemed the best way to give something back.”

Mike Thomas, Certificate of Appreciation recipient

He continues: “The certificate was awarded for my ‘constant enthusiasm and dedication to CTC Coventry over many years.’ It’s been 20 years since I joined the group, and I have very much enjoyed the rides, tours and social events, so helping by leading rides and organising cycle tours seemed the best way to give something back. This has been most rewarding and enjoyable. 

Lifetime friends

Mike’s also gained a lot from being a volunteer in cycling. He explained: “By far the main reward for joining the group is making wonderful lifetime friends, whose company I enjoy hugely, and who provide support way beyond help with bottom brackets and riding together.”

He added: “It’s also been very rewarding for me to have played a small part in helping our group grow significantly. There was a time when I seriously questioned the sustainability of it. However, we now have two rides on a Sunday and, even on a miserable day like today, there were over 20 riders. Our Tuesday rides used to have a handful of riders and now we have 10 or more; it’s great to join these rides going through the leafy lanes of Warwickshire. Likewise, it’s been great being a member of Cycling UK at a time when it’s going from strength to strength.”

Congratulations to Mike and very well done on helping more people in the Coventry area to enjoy the wonderful benefits of cycling.