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Event Report: Tesco Bike Active Bath
22nd October 2006
The final Tesco Bike Active event of 2006 took place in the gloriously autumnal surroundings of Bath's Victoria Park today, and despite the weather, the final event attracted nearly 250 riders of all ages and abilities and rounded off this year's series in fine style.
Above: The final event gets underway
Bike Active Bath got underway with the official start at 11:00am, with a representative from Bath City Council waving the Union Flag to set off the assembled riders for their first laps of the swooping 1.4km circuit, which sat in the shadow of Bath's iconic Royal Crescent.
From around 10:30 onwards, riders emerged from the fringes of the park on all kinds of machinery, ranging from Mark Mitchell and son of two of their vintage Raleigh Choppers (check out www.mitchellfj12.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk for Mark's whole collection of these sought-after beasts) to a gentleman on a folding Powerbyke, to a Eurosport commentator and all round cycling guru, David Duffield, on his trademark Moulton. David, who lives in Box, near Bath, took time out to pose for photos, did a few sedate laps and chatted amiably with the riders. Thanks David.
Above: The inimitable David Duffield drops in for a surprise visit
Variety was the name of the game in terms of machinery, and the event village was much the same, with plenty for the riders to look at when taking a break. Bath Organic Farms provided lunch (great bacon and sausage baps, guys). Carefree Cycling Tours provided loan bikes, refreshments and banana bread (tasty) as well as an opportunity for riders to further their cycling with tours, holidays and rides in this country and abroad, not to mention a forthcoming cycle-dating service! (www.carefreecyclingtours.co.uk)
Johns Bikes of Bath were there with a selection of their stocks, pitched next to the scouts, who provided marshalling on the day. Thanks guys. Bath City Council's Get Active information display gave riders the opportunity to find out other ways of staying active after the event, including info on safe cycling routes around Bath and beyond.
Before we knew it is was time for the first of Martin Hawyes trials riding routines, made all the more hazardous by the light drizzle that had been falling for the last hour. But former World Champion Martin didn't disappoint, pulling off an epic routine and clearing 1.1 metres on the bunny hop to the chanting and clapping of an appreciative crowd.
Above: Cue jaw dropping as Martin drops in
Following Martin's first routine, riders were eager to get out onto the circuit for more laps, while others took a break for lunch. All the while the registration tent had a steady queue of new riders signing in and donning the ubiquitous Tesco Bike Active T-Shirts.
Pretty soon it was time for Martin Hawyes' second demo of the day. By this time the rain had gotten a lot more serious, making conditions even more treacherous for the trials legend. Martin warned Carl, our commentator for the day, to expect some crashes, but, like a true pro, Hawsie didn't put a wheel wrong, and went on to set a personal best on the bunny hop, clearing well in excess of 1.15 metres even he looked surprised.
Then came the second official start of the day allowing latecomers a chance to be waved off at the Start/Finish gantry. The rain was beginning to falling with a little more gusto at this point, but it didn't stop our intrepid Bike Active riders, who were determined to have a fun day out. They were accompanied on their first lap by the one and only Hawsie, spinning wildly on the tiny gear of his Ashton trials bike.
The Go-Ride Skills area was busy all day, staffed ably by British Cycling Go-Ride Coach, Dan Coast and Regional Manager, Mark Adams, with help from the guys from Bristol Cycling Development Squad. The action hotted up, however, when the big boys started playing. Event organiser Andy Cook, donned a helmet and was ripping up the course in fine style until an impromptu over-the-bars cum somersault put paid to his advantage and his pride. Martin Hawyes then deftly showed us how it was done, recorded the fastest time of the day.
Above: Choppers give the event a bit of retro cool
All too soon, it was time for the day to draw to a close. Medals and goody bags were distributed and the sea of red T shirts dispersed back to their cars, sodden, but happy with a great day's cycling.
The Tesco Bike Active event series has been loads of fun for us all here at Everyday Cycling. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped out on the day and behind the scenes in the build-up to each event. But most of all, we'd like to thank each and every one of the riders who took part at Kent, Manchester, Leeds, Sherwood and Bath for getting on their bikes and making the events a great success.
Roll on 2007 and a bigger and even better series!