Cycling Minds (The Hextol Foundation)

We are here to help local people through our supported e-bike rides programme to improve their health and wellbeing, find their way back into society and reach their full potential. We impact people’s lives at all levels.

For individuals with difficult personal circumstances or physical and mental health challenges, spending time outdoors in a small, friendly group can be an natural mood booster. Cycling Minds runs free supported e-bike rides on the quiet country lanes around Hexham. Participants must be over 18 and able to ride a bike. Additionally, we are pleased to make arrangements for support workers to join us on our rides.

Contact details

Our activities

Leisure/Touring rides
Rides specifically designed for disabled people

About us

CONNECTING AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH CYCLING

We know cycling has significant benefits for people’s mental and physical health. According to a report commissioned by British Cycling as part of its cycling participation programme, the Cycle Nation Project, it lowers the risk of mortality from any cause, especially among those who do not currently cycle regularly. Cycling is also associated with lower levels of perceived stress and perceived higher quality of life. Increasing cycling by 25% of all journeys in the UK by 2050 could also have an economic benefit of over £42 billion, while boosting cycling by 3 km a day among individuals in urban centres could drive £17 billion in savings to the NHS over 20 years.

In light of all this, Cycling Minds CIC was incorporated in Hexham (Northumberland) in November 2021 by three locals with a love of cycling to get more people on bikes, especially those experiencing struggles in their lives such as poor mental health, special educational needs and social isolation. We provide our programme participants free access to an e-bike to take part in our supported ride programme led by trained ride leaders in a fun, sociable and nurturing environment.

From the beginning, Cycling Minds’ core social purpose, mission and how it fulfils this has been inspired by and informed through extensive talks with numerous local social and health care providers as well as other local charities and community initiatives, principally The Living Well Service (managing social prescribing for the 14 GP surgeries in West Northumberland).

They have been hugely enthusiastic about Cycling Minds because they have found there is a lack of options for them to signpost the people they serve to organisations offering sports-related activities, particularly sports that are non-competitive and outdoors. Cycling Minds helps fill this gap. By doing so, we form part of the social prescribing landscape in Northumberland and work with link workers to incorporate cycling into our participants person-centred care plans.

Cycling Minds was recently integrated into the local charity The Hextol Foundation and continues to operate its supported rides as a division of this organisation.

In 2023, were handed an award by Cycling UK for Most Inspiring Community Cycle Club in the UK, thanks to our “outstanding contribution” and “for achieving great things” getting more people in our local community out on bikes.

Information about the group rides

Our supported rides programme

“..after being diagnosed with ME I’ve been going out with Cycling Minds for a couple of months now. I have found this to be beneficial for both my physical and mental health. The groups have been small, and I’ve always felt safe during all our rides” Ride participant

Cycling Minds runs free supported e-bike ride programmes on the quiet country lanes around Hexham. Participants must be over 18 years old and able to ride a bike. Additionally, we are pleased to make arrangements for support workers to join us on our rides.

E-bikes are a fantastic equaliser, enabling people of all fitness levels to explore the stunning countryside, without anyone being left behind.

What we provide

– Supported e-bike rides between March and October
– E-bikes and helmets
– Assistance and help as needed
– Experienced and first aid trained ride leaders

The safety of our participants is paramount: all rides are risk-assessed. We also check in with participants about their suitability for the programme before they ride with us. We then offer them a “Taster” session to show them how to use the e-bikes and include some fun activities to assess their proficiency riding a bike

Who we work with
We currently receive referrals from several local organisations, including Adapt (Living Well), Natural Ability and Gateway into the Community. We are happy to accept referrals from new organisations, whether for individuals or groups.

Cycling is good for you!
The social aspects of the ride are important to both us and the participants. We always include a stop either at a cafe or as a picnic

Pit stop on a Step On(e) guided ride

The key proven outcomes of our work are a heightened sense of social inclusion, greater self-confidence and an increased likelihood of continuing to cycle.

Our area