Norwood’s practice ride

PEDAL power won the day, as four adults with learning disabilities, supported by the charity Norwood, took on the 35-mile Wokingham Bikeathon on Sunday – riding tandem.

Setting off from Norwood’s Ravenswood residential accommodation in Crowthorne, the four tandem teams warmed up with a 3.3 mile ride to the bikeathon start line at Cantley Park.

They joined over 700 participants – taking on steep hills across the three-hour ride, which covered Gardeners Green, Swallowfield, Arborfield, Barkham, Whistley Green, and Shurlock Row.

The tandem teams received fantastic support from the local community with spectators cheering them on.

Norwood’s Sports Team Manager Andrea Ford said: “It was a good opportunity for the people we support to do something locally, and get that community support –and when people saw the teams riding tandem in their Norwood gear, there was such a positive reaction.”

Many of those taking part were using the Wokingham Bikeathon as training for their upcoming cycle and trekking challenges in Israel this October – where they’ll cover distances of up to 240 miles across five days.

Ian Tate, Norwood’s Head of Challenges, said: “The people we support have taken part in our Challenges for the entire 25 years we’ve been running them – trekking and riding tandem.

“This year is no different, with several people we support taking on treks and cycles both in the UK and abroad.

“The Wokingham Bikeathon offers the perfect training opportunity for those joining us on our international Challenges in the autumn.”

All tandem teams finished the course in good time, picking up a well-deserved medal at the end, with Julian, supported by Norwood, enjoying the moment.

“It was really good,” he said. “It was fun. We picked up the pace at the end, and we’re champions now. I’d definitely do this ride again.”

www.norwood.org.uk