Pennies from Heaven on the Prom, with Jon Slatter, Matthew Trott, Henry Brooks and Ray Konyn (photo: Duncan Hacon).

25 years of On Yer Bike

Last Sunday’s glorious weather was perfect for the 25^th anniversary of the On Yer Bike Castle Cycle Challenge, organised by the Rotary Club of St. Leonards-on-Sea.  Funds were raised for St. Michael’s Hospice, Hastings Lifeboat and other local charities through sponsorship and entrance fees. Report by Pippa Cork and Duncan Hacon of Hastings Urban Bikes.

Riders had a choice of either a 25 or 40-mile ride from the lifeboat station at Rock-a-Nore to either Pevensey or Herstmonceux Castle grounds and back.  Amongst those completing the ride were four penny farthings from Bexhill Classic Cycle Group – pictured above on St.Leonard’s promenade – and members of local activist cycle group, Hastings Urban Bikes (HUB).

“We all enjoyed the unhurried ride to Pevensey and back from a lofty slow perspective and were thankful for favourable weather conditions and helpful marshalling at junctions, which allowed us to keep moving and avoid too many dismounts, which are somewhat tricky from seats five feet off the ground,” said Classic Cycle Group events co-ordinator Ray Konyn. Four penny farthings in motion is quite an unusual sight on the promenade cycleway. Ray added, “They are a bit like buses – you don’t see a single one for 100 years and then four come along all at the same time!”

Pippa Cork in period dress, Twig Goodyear in pirate regalia (photo: Sue Read).

Several of those participating then rallied at Hastings Town Hall to support the Hastings and Bexhill City of Culture 2017 bid. Amongst them were  Pippa Cork and Twig Goodyear, pictured, completing the ride in full pirate dress representing Hastings Borough Bonfire Society and Section 5 Drummers, who were also supporting and promoting the bid.

If you are interested in improving cycle facilities and safety in Hastings as well as rides and social events ,why not come along to Hastings Urban Bikes AGM on Thursday 16 May 2013 at the White Rock hotel 7.30pm? See http://www.hastingsurbanbikes.org/ for more details.

Also in: Green Times