"We needed an adventure before dementia"

When Dave Henderson talks about cycling, it isn't about how fast you can ride or how many miles you can clock up. For him, it's about getting outdoors, enjoying good company and helping other people discover just how much cycling can bring to their lives.

At 70, Dave volunteers with the Big Bike Revival project at the Linskill Centre in North Shields. Alongside a brilliant team of volunteers, he helps people build their confidence, get back on a bike and enjoy cycling again.

As Dave says. "We're a real family of volunteers. Everyone has their own role to play. Some support beginners on shorter rides, some lead longer rides, we have a cycle maintenance group running Dr Bike sessions, and we're lucky to have Bill, our retired mechanic, who refurbishes bikes for our pre-loved bike events."

Although cycling is now a big part of Dave's life, he didn't return to it until just before his 60th birthday.

A group of us at work decided we needed an adventure before dementia. We chose the Coast to Coast route from Whitehaven to Sunderland over a bank holiday weekend.

Learning more about cycling

That first challenge opened the door to a whole new world.

"It was mind-blowing. Everyone helped each other along the way and we even stopped to help other cyclists. I once fixed a broken chain on top of a mountain in the Lake District with a Spanish cyclist. Neither of us could speak each other's language, but somehow we managed it. I still get a Christmas card from him every year."

After that ride, Dave wanted to learn more about cycling. He started volunteering with Sustrans before joining Cycling UK, where he found himself inspired by the training, support and the opportunity to help others.

Helping other people enjoy cycling as much as I do has been life changing. The wellbeing and buzz you get from helping others is priceless.

These days, Dave cycles at least twice a week, often swapping the car for his bike when the weather is good. His favourite rides follow the North East coastline, usually finishing with a coffee stop.

"Apart from feeling healthier, my mental wellbeing has improved. If you're feeling low and you go out on your bike, you come back feeling refreshed. Your brain's clearer and somehow you feel free from the stresses of everyday life."

Helping people get back on their bike

One of Dave's favourite parts of volunteering is helping people who haven't ridden for years find their confidence again.

Through the group's Couch to 20k programme, riders gradually build up their confidence and fitness before joining longer rides.

Fear of falling is probably the biggest barrier. We start slowly, get people comfortable on the bike again and build things up over a few weeks. The confidence you see in people is amazing.

Many of those riders go on to complete the Great North Bike Ride, while others simply enjoy being able to cycle with friends or family again.

"Seeing someone go from being nervous about getting back on a bike to riding 60 miles gives you a real sense of satisfaction. It's the same when you see families out enjoying bikes they've bought through our pre-loved bike sales."

For Dave, cycling has never been about pushing yourself to the limit.

Some people think cycling is about getting from A to B as fast as possible, but that's not us. We ride at a pace that suits everyone, stop for a coffee, have a chat and enjoy where we are. You meet some fantastic people and everyone has a story to tell.

Don't see myself as a cyclist

Over the years, cycling has taken Dave to places he never imagined, from the battlefields of the Somme and Ypres to Scotland's canals, the Lake District and the North East coastline. Along the way, his cycling adventures have also helped raise more than £40,000 for local and national charities.

Despite everything he's achieved, Dave still keeps it simple.

I still don't class myself as a cyclist. I'm just someone who knows the basics of cycling and enjoys helping other people enjoy it too.

And his plans are simple too.

When I go to my hospital appointments they always tell me, 'Keep cycling as long as you can.' And I do.