Event Report: Midsummer Bike Night
News Posted: 19 June 2008
Event Date: 17 June 2008
Above: Chippenham Wheelers' young guns celebrate their club's Clubmark
award during the Bike Night
A day of cycling activities involving over 400 people was organised by
North Wiltshire District Council and Chippenham Wheelers to recognise National
Bike Week. Midsummer Bike Night at Castle Combe was preceded by an afternoon of
cycling provided for special educational needs students at Frogwell School, St
Nicholas School and Springfield School.
Above: Cycling Projects demonstrated a range of cycles for people with
disabilities
Cycling Projects, a charity who specialise in adapted bikes for children and
adults with learning and physical difficulties, travelled down from Manchester
and spent three hours with local students giving them the opportunity to try out
trikes, quads, hand cycles and a variety of other adapted cycles. Andy Cook,
from British Cycling and Chippenham Wheeler's was moved by the experience and
commented, 'it was fantastic to see the pleasure on the young peoples' faces as
they tried out different bikes. Everyone was involved and some of the children
experienced an activity that was totally new to them.'
The evening event at Castle Combe race circuit, organised to promote all
forms of cycling, both competitive and recreational was supported by Wiltshire
County Council and DC Leisure and saw 362 people ride around the circuit. 4014
miles were completed by participants on the night which was a great achievement.
Above: Rich Johnson wowed the crowds with his trials display
Rich Johnson from RJ Ride Guide performed one of his trademark trials
displays with some extraordinary stunts, young riders had a go at the junior Go
Ride circuit and the Sustainable Transport Rangers provided support and
information to riders throughout the evening.
During the evening Chippenham Wheelers were presented with their Clubmark
award from Mark Adams, British Cycling's South Regional Manager, an award that
puts them in a select group of 70 cycling clubs across the country to have
achieved the award. Clubmark is a high quality mark identifying those clubs with
junior sections that have worked hard to ensure that their club is safe, well
structured and well managed. A great achievement for the club and recognition of
a lot of hard work over the past 12 months.
North Wiltshire Sports Development Officer, Alex Muse, who organised the
event in partnership with Chippenham Wheelers, thought the event was a big
success and said, 'bringing a number of cycling partners together and showcasing
the activity on a night like tonight will hopefully encourage more families and
young people to get involved in cycling on a more regular basis. It's a great
activity for health and leisure and tonight has shown that cycling can be great
fun as well!'
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