Inclusive cycling session at Alice Holt Forest
On Thursday 23rd May Surrey Coalition members returned to Alice Holt Forest for another Get More Active Get Together Inclusive Cycling Session. Inclusive cycling at Alice Holt has gone from strength to strength since the charity was set up in 2019. They have an amazing team of volunteers, a good selection of adapted cycles suitable for all needs and a growing group of regulars who enjoy cycling in a beautiful forest every week.
This was to be our third visit to Alice Holt and once again we were nervously checking the weather reports in the week before hand. Once again, we needn’t have worried as we had perfect, dry conditions to enjoy our cycle! We were a group of 11 members, carers and Coalition Staff and it took a little time to get everyone on the right bike. At Alice Holt you can choose from side-by-side tandems, hand cycles, two wheelers, three wheelers and bikes with wheelchair platforms – there’s something for everyone! As people were ready, they wheeled out onto the first section of track. This is a short figure 8 loop designed for you to get used to steering and gears before heading out onto the larger loop if you want to.
The larger loop is around half a mile long on gravel tracks through the forest with a gentle downhill at the beginning and a little bit of up hill before returning to the activities centre on a flatter path. We managed it without any crashes although this time we did have a few mechanical failures! One flat tyre and one derailed chain – fortunately it wasn’t too far to get back to the centre for some assistance or a different bike! There’s usually one of the volunteers cycling around as well to make sure everyone is alright and help out where needed.
After, everyone had had enough activity we headed to the café for some refreshment and another opportunity to chat. It was another enjoyable day with lots of laughter and a chance to catch up with friends or meet new people. If you’d like to give cycling a try there’s no need to wait for the next Get Together – there are lots of places around Surrey with adapted bikes. Get in touch with Katy for details! Email: Katy.hubbard@surreycoalition.org.uk Phone/SMS: 07434 865062
