RECYCLE-A-BIKE 2011 NEWSPAGE
MOUNT VERNON CHARITY RIDE - 15th May 2011
In aid of the Michael Sobell Hospice, the cancer charity based at Mount Vernon Hospital, Nick, Pete, Noel and Cliff took on a 40 mile ride which actually turned out to be 54 miles. Whoever measured the distance probably had an optimistic cycle computer!! Every extra mile was for this great cause. Noel in particular deserves a mention, raising over £250.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE - STAFF CYCLING PROMOTION DAY - 23rd June 2011
This year we were invited to promote staff cycling by GlaxoSmithKline staff as part of National Bike Week. It was fairly well attended and there was lots of entertainment on offer including a cycle powered smoothie machine, Rollapaluza and for the very brave, a chance to ride a real Penny Farthing Cycle. GSK have been very generous in donating abandoned cycles to our project.
LONDON BIKEATHON - 26th June 2011
On a beautiful summer's day, one of the few we've had this year, seven of our team set off on the 2011 London Bikeathon in aid of Leukaemia and Lyphoma research. As we promised last year, most of us took on the longer 52 mile challenge starting at Ham House, Richmond whilst Cliff and Noel took the more sensible option! A very lively and vibrant event organised by British Cycling and Sky, we managed to complete the event in *cough* hours. A few were able to stick together during the ride but a couple of us suffered in the heat and soldiered on at a slower pace but we all made it to the finish. Next year, we plan to either attempt the Bikeathon again but there has been some talk of the London to Brighton British Heart Foundation ride. Some of us need to shed a few pounds before attempting that one!!
MAYORAL VISIT - 15th July 2011
We were honoured with a visit from Hillingdon's Lady Mayor, Mary O'Connor MBE. She has chosen to help and support Mental Health causes this year. As you may be aware, many of our volunteers have had experience with Mental Health services and it was very encouraging to see a figurehead of the community so enthusiastic about Mental Health as well as cycling. She was very supportive of our volunteers, the project and its aims and objectives. Lady Mayor is also a very keen cyclist having completed a London to Paris cycle ride in the past.
HILLINGDON HOSPITAL SUMMER BIKE FAYRE 2011 - 28th July 2011
Our Dr. Bike team was on hand to cure poorly bikes at the fun-packed Summer Bike Fayre at based in Hillingdon Hospital. This was another non-stop day with queues of cyclists outside the building waiting for our services. There was also the opportunity to have another try to beat our personal bests at Rollapaluza as well as local bike organisations present to promote themselves.
HILLINGDON SKYRIDE 2011 - 31st July 2011
Approsimately seven thousand cyclists passed through Barra Hall Park in Hayes taking part in the Mayor of London Skyride in Hillingon this year. This was a marathon of a day, superceding any long cycle ride we have ever completed!! Five of us were on hand to fix peoples bikes, many in a poor state after years of lack of TLC most of which we were able to get to a safe working standard so that they could continue and enjoy the day. We were absolutely inundated in the scorching heat and up until 4.30pm we only had time to stop for a quick sandwich! One of our volunteers, Phil, was our mobile mechanic for the day and managed to ride the route ten times, hunting out poorly bikes and fixing them en-route.
Thanks to all of the cyclists and their families that gave us their support on the day. TV presenter Jeff Brazier, the Mayor of London's environmental director, Kulveer Ranger, Paralympic champions Sarah and Barney Storey, plus Team Sky's Greg Henderson also gave their support on the day but none of us saw them as we were too busy to look around though we were happy that The Lady Mayor did come and greet us once again.
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY - SEPTEMBER 2011
On 20th September, we took part in the Brunel University Fresher's Fair at the Uxbridge campus. Over seven thousand students meandered through the fair and we were happy sell many of our stock of bikes at a reduced rate. Not many haggled as our prices were more than reasonable but we did have fun with the few that did! It was a good opportunity to give advice to students, promote the project and consolidate our close links with the University. It was great to see so many students keen to preserve the environment by choosing to cycle. The picture below is from Brunel's Fair Trade day which we attended on 22nd September complete with our new banner! Each year we recycle many bikes that are left abandoned or unwanted by previous students of the University.
Last updated 24th September 2011