Bottle Alley Bike Bomb by Sid Saunders.

Bottle Alley Bike Bomb

This Coastal Currents weekend has been a busy one. Bev Francis [HOT Style reporter] took part in the Pier to Eternity illuminated bike ride.

Our sound system DJ for the evening was ‘Speedy’ Dave Reading. It was Dave’s first ever bike ride and he took us around St Leonards and Hastings at a brisk pace. Stopping at Susan Diamond’s shop to celebrate her first year of trading and giving the riders a chance to look at her new exhibition, ‘A walk on the wild side’. A wild affair it indeed was – and well worth a visit.

We ended our ride at the Stade where we cycled around enjoying the plastic fantastic sounds of the 80s from the new sound system. I just love these rides; it’s such a brilliant community event and it’s free. The children on the rides were enjoying being allowed to stay up late and I spoke to a fellow cyclist, who told me “This is my first bike ride in fifty years and I’m coming again next week, I enjoyed it so much.”

Illuminated Bike Ride by Michaela McKenzie

On Saturday night, HOT’s very own Erica Smith persuaded me to enter the Bike Bomb race along Bottle Alley. I was very uneasy about this… a bike race, where anyone can take part no matter what age and how good or bad your bikes is, or even your skateboard, roller skates or scooter!  Apprehensively, I waited at the start line with forty other entrants. A lad on a scooter, who looked around six, impressed me with his eagerness to win his heat; he kept going even when his trainer fell off half way down the track. He won his first two heats with his fast paced scooting. His Mum looked shattered, after running up and down the length of Bottle Alley each time he raced.

Steve Accordion riding a super tall bike had us worried, when he had to duck to enter the Alley at the start of his race, narrowly missing a beheading!

Mind your head photo by Sid Saunders.

When it came to my turn to race, I became gripped with fear. I had not wanted to take my race too seriously, but an adrenaline rush hit me and I wanted to win! I tried my best, but Erica was too fast on her fold up Brompton. Even her glamorous frock did not stop her and she beat me in style. I was disappointed that I couldn’t go through to the next round, because bike racing was unexpectedly fun.

Hats off to the overall winner, Diago and runner-up, Ian! Those final races were fast and scary. I hope they’ll be another one of these next year because it was biketastic.

There is still a chance for you to get involved with two more Coastal Currents bike events this week. On Friday, DJ Jim Proudfoot will be providing us with his Punk Rock Disco and on Sunday, DJ Tracey Johnson will play some Dirty Jungle. So, if you want some bike fun meet at Hastings Pier at 7pm, bling up your bike with some lights and join in! Free fun for anyone who loves cycling. Not to be missed.

Also in: One Long Party