Congratulations to Wiggo

Slightly off topic for a 'Liveable Whitchurch' blog but congratulations go to Bradley Wiggins for winning the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award last night. Indeed we think there could only be one winner after his fantastic achievements in being the first Britain to win the Tour de France, then following it up with an Olympic Gold, but we do admit some bias.

Bradley Wiggins

Cycling has now truly been put on the Agenda and it is hoped the successes will lead to more investment for making our communities and our roads safer places for cyclists.

Wiggo attended a cycle-training session a few years back, run by Hampshire Cycle Training which was founded in Whitchurch eight years ago. He joined in riding with the children as they learned some of the skills to ride a bike safely. Maybe one day they will follow in his wheel tracks.

On related news it is great to learn that the Tour de France is to start in the UK in 2014 - many of us will remember when it came through Whitchurch in 1994 on only its second visit to these shores. In 2014 it is to start in Leeds with two Yorkshire stages before heading down to London for a third stage finish. Perhaps we should start growing those famous Wiggo sideburns!

Meanwhile Hampshire Cycle Training is still offering its free Dr Bike cycle safety checks to anyone in Whitchurch who is having Santa deliver a bicycle this Christmas. We also recommend North Hants Bikes in Church Street to purchase new bikes, spares and gifts for Christmas - a great bunch of guys.
See: FREE CYCLE CHECKS

Free Bicycle Checks in Whitchurch

FREE SAFETY CHECKS

All new bikes
should have safety checks.

Free Doctor Bike cycle checks are being offered to anyone in Whitchurch this Christmas by accredited national standard cycle trainers, Hampshire Cycle Training - with small donations to local charities encouraged in return. HCT is a non-profit organisation committed to the promotion of safe cycling.

This December nearly 80 children in north Hampshire have already received pre-road riding control skill training from HCT and many of these young people will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of new bicycles under the Christmas tree. Some of these may live in Whitchurch.

The wide beams and smiles will be a joyous occasion as paper is unwrapped and shiny new bicycles are acquainted with excited new owners.
"I want to ride now" will go out the enthusiastic cries.

Bikes need to be safe
The festive season is not the best time for warnings, but to all of Santa's helpers we stress that the bikes must be safe and assembled correctly before they are wrapped with paper and tinsel.

A good bike shop will have carried out a detailed safety check on the wheels, brakes, frame, gears and all the other bits and bobs that make up a bicycle. We highly recommend North Hants Bikes for new purchases.

Regretably every year some don't meet standards. These have usually come from a large chainstore/supermarket or through a mail order operation and can, if not put together correctly, be lethal. The cries of joy turn to shouts for help, or even worse as brakes fail, saddles slip or even handlebars come away while riding!
Yes these are all far too common and are regularly found after Christmas.

Some common problems
Examples include forks turned back to front causing steering to be difficult and feet to hit the front wheel. Brakes are often misaligned so they fail to stop the bike properly, and brake levers are not adjusted for small hands - there is often a special screw few know about. Handlebars are all too often not tightened correctly and can turn unexpectedly throwing the rider to the ground.

All these things can cause serious injury to the rider, but can be avoided.

For a FREE bike check just fill in the Contact Form at:
HAMPSHIRE CYCLE TRAINING

Limited number of checks available before and after Christmas - Whitchurch town area.