Running from 29th to 31st January 2021 – ‘Cycle 21’ aims to encourage people to take to the saddle this new year, boosting mental and physical health, while raising funds for the Free Wheel North 2021 fundraising campaign.
What better way to beat the January blues than to get on your bike and go for a cycle! To take part, you simply register via the Spring Events website www.springevents.uk, choosing your challenge from either a 6, 21, 44-mile cycle. Decide a day to complete your challenge from either Friday 29th, Saturday 30th or Sunday 31st January and make a donation of your choice to the Free Wheel North ‘Cycle 21’ fundraising campaign, via the Just Giving page
You can complete your cycle wherever you like – outdoors with family and friends or on your turbo bike at home. If you do not have a bike or you require an adapted bike- Free Wheel North is opening up their track at Glasgow Green on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January where you can cycle 21 laps of the track on a range of adapted bikes, trikes, hand crack cycles, tandems and go carts. Limited spaces are available to book from the FWN website www.freewheelnorth.org.uk and Eventbrite at – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cycle-21-fundraising-for-free-wheel-north-tickets-133009080741
Due to the current health pandemic, ‘Cycle 21’ is a virtual event where participants are being encouraged to share their personal progress and photos on social media using #FWNCYCLE21
Social media toolkits, route suggestions and how to donate information can all be found on Spring Events website www.springevents.uk
All money raised will go to cycling development charity, Free Wheel North, which is creating a fairer, healthier society by enabling people of all ages and abilities to cycle as part of their everyday life. The charity operates a cycle center at Glasgow Green providing training and a safe space for new learners and vulnerable users. A dedicated team deliver specialist group and individual instruction, free city-wide sociable group rides and campaign locally and nationally for universal access to cycling infrastructure and a more enlightened view of how people get around.
Founder of FWN, Norman Armstrong is keen to get people pedaling in the new year, he said, “Cycling is a great activity for all weathers – everyone can take part and feel the benefits physically and mentally. FWN has helped thousands of people to enjoy cycling over the years, from beginners to those who ride big distances. Funding has changed since Covid and we cannot function like we used to. This money will help us fund some of our core staff and core expenses that are essential to run our services and facilities, funding that would have come from public donations that we didn’t get this year because we weren’t open over our busiest times such as Easter, Summer and the Bank Holiday weekends, and when we are open, numbers are limited to keep our team and our service users safe.”
FWN project coordinator Carol Thompson added “Winter is always a difficult time for people but we know the physical and mental benefits of cycling can help beat those January blues. Come and get involved in an event where you don’t even have to have your own bike, you don’t have to be able to ride a 2wheeler, and we encourage everyone of all ages and abilities to get involved. Help us to raise £20,021.00 in 2021 allowing us to help keep people mentally and physically healthy in 2021.”
Physical distancing and hygiene measures will be implemented in line with Scottish Government guidelines. Free Wheel North cycling development charity #SC039789 www.freewheelnorth.org.uk
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