Cycling charity promotes work with 160 mile ride

Two cyclists are to take part in a 160-mile tandem ride to raise awareness of a project that supports people with disabilities to get into cycling.

Warmley Wheelers, based on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, has a range of adapted bicycles for riders and their carers.

Project co-ordinators, Eduoard Guidon and John Simmons, will spend four days cycling from Wiltshire to Somerset, taking in Swindon, Bristol and Bath.

"We aim to raise awareness of inclusive cycling, and to make cycling accessible for people with disabilities who might otherwise think that cycling isn't important," said Mr Guidon.

Warmley Wheelers was started ten years ago to provide battery-assisted bikes, bikes with platforms for wheelchairs, recumbent bikes and a variety of trikes, as well as the popular side-by-side tandems.

Mr Simmons said: "It's a complete range and primarily people with learning difficulties are the target audience, but increasingly we've moved to also cover people with other health conditions.

"We really need help to try and keep the whole service going and to keep the price low and reasonable for our users - to make it accessible in all senses of the word."

"One of the great joys of the project is seeing the expression on the faces of people as they come back," said Mr Guidon.

"They invariably look more serene because they're able to experience a different level of independence and seeing the world in a way they might not otherwise be able to."

The project, which is supported by the charity Milestones Trust, is based on the Bristol to Bath railway path, and users can also access the nearby Warmley Forest Park.

"One of the things we are looking to expand is our buddy programme," said Mr Guidon.

"Most of our users have a carer to look after them, but we have a small number on their own, who lack confidence and need a volunteer to go along with them.

"Our capacity to offer that is still fairly limited," he added.

The ride, which is raising money for the Miles for Milestones challenge, starts later from Highworth, Wiltshire, at 09:00 BST and finishes on 17 June in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

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