Follow in the tyre tracks of ‘Wiggo’

Date: 31/07/12
Blackpool - Blackpool



Follow in the tyre tracks of ‘Wiggo’



Image by Petit Brun on Flickr
Blackpool families who have been inspired by Bradley Wiggins’s success in the Tour de France at the weekend are being encouraged to get back on their bikes.

Various cycling initiatives are already available throughout the town, ranging from beginner lessons to get you started, up to expert rides through the Fylde Coast. After recent successes, interest in British cycling is higher than ever, so what better time to dust off your bike and get back on the road!

Here are our top tips for getting back on the saddle:

1. Preparing your bike.
If your bike hasn’t been ridden for a few years it might need a bit of fine tuning before it’s fit for the road. Check your bike is safe to ride, your tyres are pumped up and your brakes are working properly. Blackpool Council offers special cycle maintenance courses throughout the year, which can help teach you how to look after your bike, repair punctures and keep it in top condition. The classes cost £20 per person for the 2 and a half hour sessions. To find out more, contact 476701.

2. Are you road safe?
If it’s been a while since you took your bike on the road, you might be a bit rusty. If you think you might be a bit nervous around busy roads or complex junctions, you can take up a Blackpool Council training course. Children can also make the most of two FREE cycle training courses on 31 July and 15 August. Contact 476302 or email travelplans@blackpool.gov.uk to find out more and register on the courses.

3. Get riding.
Through partnership between British Cycling and Blackpool Council, there are lots of rider-led cycles courses around the Fylde Coast most weekends. The Sky Ride Locals range from easy beginner courses to more expert rides and you can choose which ever one suits you the best. The rides are free and open to all members of the family. Fun and free, women only ‘Breeze’ rides, also take place throughout the summer – to find out when the next one is visit www.breezebikerides.com. You can even set up your own rides, getting friends together and taking to the roads with Social Cycling Groups. To register for either of the rides, visit www.goskyride.com

4. Not got a bike?
Don’t worry. You can still enjoy cycling around Blackpool with our local Hire-a-Bike scheme. Bikes are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bikes cost just £7 each a day to hire and bike hubs can be found all over town. Just call 320094 to hire your bike or visit www.hourbike.com/blackpool

Cllr Fred Jackson, Cabinet Member for Streets and Transport, said: “Lots of families across Blackpool have cheered on all the British riders in this year’s Tour de France, in particular the fantastic achievement of Bradley Wiggins. “I’m sure that as a result of this there will be more people who want to take up cycling, and we’ve made it as easy as possible for people to take to the saddle.

“You don’t need to be as quick as Bradley Wiggins or Mark Cavendish, and you definitely don’t need to travel as far, but getting out there on your bike is a fun, healthy, and cheaper way of getting around. “Who knows, maybe with the right help, someone cycling around Blackpool right now could be lifting the yellow jersey for Britain in the future!”

Peter Haymes, Recreation Manager at British Cycling North West, added: “The achievements of Team Sky at the 99th Tour are nothing short of heroic and equal to any other British sporting achievements in history. “I hope everybody is feeling as inspired and motivated by our cycling heroes to jump onto their bikes and enjoy this golden (or should I say Yellow) era for British Cycling.

Check out goskyride.com for tons of fun, free and friendly opportunities to cycle in your area and join the British cycling revolution” To find out more about cycling in Blackpool, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/cycling 


Gallery


Back