Cyclers attending the 4th Birmingham Vintage Ride on the 19th July were treated to just perfect weather, being warm enough for the picnic but not too warm for the ride, and with the sun in full attendance too. Of course not everyone has a vintage bike or clothes, but since the objective is a fun, civilised, social gathering, Sunday best was more than good enough as an alternative.
Dress to impress and cycle to St Paul's Square for a picnic. Once everyone has feasted sufficiently we all go for a ride around the city centre in our best vintage togs, getting waves and smiles from pedestrians and even motorists as we ping our bells and toot our squeak toys. The ride ends at a public house, of course, but the festivities carry on.
At the Bike Lounge at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath in February, we spoke to Karen Creavin who is the Head of Wellbeing at Birmingham City Council. Karen’s remit is to encourage the inactive to be more active, through identifying barriers which BCC can help people to overcome. One example of the work of the BeActive programme is the provision of free leisure cards enabled people to try out physical activities that they would otherwise not have attempted.
