Beer and brownies bring Birmingham’s Big Bike Revival to a close

By Tony Upfold

Thursday, 03 November 2016

Members of Handsworth Beat the Street Community Cycle Club with Cycling UK’s Vanessa Morris and Ed Wicks from Big Birmingham Bikes

From beer and brownies to pond-dipping and fund-raising, dozens of Birmingham cyclists went on rides with a difference to celebrate the end of a fantastic summer of cycling with the Big Bike Revival.

The Big Bike Revival is the award-winning programme developed by Cycling UK to get more people out on their bikes and improve their health and well-being.

Birmingham embraced the project in a big way this year and Cycling UK Community Cycle Clubs in the city brought things to a close with a series of led rides and events in their local communities.

Gear Up bike centre on the Bromford Estate held two led rides, one of which linked in with the Fixed Wheel Brewery. That particular led ride was 25 miles long and ended with beer and brownies back at the Gear Up hub and a showing of the film ‘Bicycle’.
Cycle South Brum led a family foraging/pond-dipping ride from Victoria Common, Northfield, to Rowheath Pavilion, Bournville. Families collected wild pears and horse chestnuts along the way.
A community event involving Cycle Chain and Big Birmingham Bikes was run at the Saheli community centre bike hub in Calthorpe Park, Balsall Heath. Activities included ‘Ditch the Stabilisers’, a Halloween colouring table for children, a short led ride for families, Learn to Ride/skills session for adults and children, information and refreshments. As part of the event, the Handsworth Beat the Street Community Cycle Club led a ride with some of their members from Handsworth Park to Calthorpe Park.
Urban Cycles linked up with Lockton Insurance and JLL Property Services to put on the Lockton Brain Tumour charity ride, which attracted local business people from the business district to ride and raise about £1,000 for a worthy cause. Ride Activator Keith Phillips from Big Birmingham Bikes helped marshal the route.
The week of Big Bike Revival events ended with two Community Cycle Clubs leading rides with their members – the Joyful Bellas and Fellas at Edgbaston Reservoir, Ladywood, and the Saheli Ladies Cycling Club in Ward End.

Vanessa Morris, Cycling UK’s Community Development Officer for Birmingham, said: “It was a very busy week of activity that attracted people of all ages and everyone enjoyed the event they took part in, which was lovely to see.

“The events brought communities together and people who have a common interest in riding a bike. Whether they were just starting out or have been cycling for some time, it was fantastic and very rewarding to see people excited and interested in cycling and wanting to be involved in what’s going on in their area.”

Below: Members of the Saheli Ladies Cycling Club in Ward End, Birmingham