Letter: A fantastic day for all with Street Bikes

We normally set off from Burgh Mill Lane in Dewsbury Moor and head up to Tesco at Cleckheaton and beyond by use of the greenway. The ride normally lasts for up to a couple of hours and is a great way to keep fit.

The last ride in August was a little bit different. We were asked to start at 9.15am and told that we would not be back until around 2pm, refreshments would be supplied and it would be an action-packed day.

Dozens of people were there, ranging from five or six-year-olds right up to people in their 70s. Free bikes to either borrow or keep were promised to those without bikes and those who were looking for an upgrade might just get lucky.

Forty bikes were given away at our first destination, the Leggers Inn. My friend got his hands on a fantastic men’s bike which looked practically new. He was highly pleased as he now had something that he could use time and again to go on future runs.

We spent the next hour or so in the café getting refreshments and socialising. The atmosphere was electric.

In total there must have been 50 or more people interacting, including lots of children lots of mums and dads, people like myself who were on their own and at least a dozen of the Street Bikes Crew who were fixing bikes, taking people through simple mechanics and addressing bike problems that anyone might have.

Everyone was buzzing and excited about the rest of the day. The next leg took us onto the outskirts of Ossett and we suddenly found ourselves pulling up at a massive field and cricket pitch.

We split, young and old, male and female, into four teams and set up two games of rounder – what a laugh! Practically everyone joined in and had the time of their lives.

An hour or so later when the games were brought to a close we headed back to the Leggers for another breather and then back to our starting point.

Thank you Street Bikes for a fantastic day – I can’t wait for it to happen again!

Chris Jenkinson

Wroe Street

Dewsbury Moor