CTC helps out at Watchtree Wheelers

CTC's Inclusive Cycling Champion for the North West recently joined forces with Cycling Projects to expand the range of adaptive cycles for people to try out at the opening of the new track for the Watchtree Wheelers at Watchtree Nature Reserve in Cumbria.

We took along handcycles, a Veloplus wheelchair-carrying bike, trikes, quads and tandems so that the hundreds of people that came along could have a go and see what the bikes are like to ride.

The bikes were very popular and we were busy for the entire day with people enjoying a ride on the many bikes on offer. The only real break in willing participants came when para-Olympian Karen Darke officially opened the new tarmac circuit.

Ryan Dobson the manager of the Watchtree Wheelers has successfully secured the funding for the new track from many sources and hopes that this will be the start of his plans to develop the adaptive performance sports cycling role of the centre.

Following on from the opening event, the CTC Inclusive Cycling Champion got busy arranging a community group drop-in for people to come along and see what volunteering opportunities are on offer and how they can help the centre develop and raise further funds.

Kathryn was one of the people that came along and offered her help to arrange a fundraising race night for the Wheelers in the nearby town of Wigton. As a result of this meeting, the ICC has drawn up a comprehensive list of volunteer roles at Watchtree and will be emailing, Tweeting and Facebooking local CTC members, organisations, cycling clubs and groups to let them know how they can help if they have some spare time.

Details of the opportunities are attached and If you have some time to spare and would like to help out, contact Ryan or Jayne Rodgers, the CTC Inclusive Cycling Champion for the North West.