June 09: New Bikes for the Boars

Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club has taken delivery of a fleet of new training bikes for youngsters.

Bedgebury Forest Cycling Club (BFCC) – which operates in the Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest near Tunbridge Wells – has been up and running for nearly three years but this is its first fleet of bikes sponsored by the Sport Unlimited programme, a funding scheme from Sport England that aims to give every young person (5-19 year olds) the chance to take part in sport outside of school hours. This money was secured following a bid by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and the Kent Sport, Leisure and Olympic Service.

Since receiving the funding for the bikes, BFCC chose a selection of Marin hardtail bikes which will be used for coaching young members from the Club and local schools to ride around the forest and improve their cycling skills.

Gary Scott is a British Cycling approved Coach at the Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club (BFCC). He said: “This fleet will give us the chance to get youngsters from local schools on our courses and teach them the skills needed to ride on the trails. Once they get bitten by the cycling bug it is something that will stay with them their whole lives – as many of our members will attest.”

Ross Patterson from Hastings-based bike specialists Marin UK commented: “We distribute high end mountain bikes all over the UK but BFCC is our local club and we wanted to support what they are doing.”

The BFCC classes begin next month with a local schools initiative. This will be followed by courses for all abilities and the new fleet will offer riders an opportunity to ride a quality bike and be introduced to the wonderful sport of cycling.

You can find out how to join the club and take advantage of the new equipment at www.boarsonbikes.co.uk