Kibworth cycling club is making this Christmas extra special for dozens of local youngsters

“The response has been absolutely phenomenal and we are so thrilled”
Keith Low, Paul Simpson, Sarah Young with some of the bikes that KER have gifted to youngsters this ChristmasKeith Low, Paul Simpson, Sarah Young with some of the bikes that KER have gifted to youngsters this Christmas
Keith Low, Paul Simpson, Sarah Young with some of the bikes that KER have gifted to youngsters this Christmas

Enthusiasts at a booming Kibworth cycling club are making this Christmas extra special for dozens of local youngsters.

Kibworth Easy Riders (KER) are putting the broadest of smiles on 70 children’s faces as they give them brilliantly-recycled cycles.

They are acting after a staggering response of club members and the public as well to its festive Christmas Recycled Cycles appeal.

KER Club member and mechanical ace, Gavin Gough, whose time and dedication to renovating the bikes has been second to none.KER Club member and mechanical ace, Gavin Gough, whose time and dedication to renovating the bikes has been second to none.
KER Club member and mechanical ace, Gavin Gough, whose time and dedication to renovating the bikes has been second to none.

“The concept was quite simple.

“We appealed for donations of unwanted cycles that were in reasonable condition but sitting unused in garages and sheds across Harborough district,” said the club, which now boasts about 100 members.

“We knew that we could use the expert skills of our members to do them up and clean them.

“And then we aimed to hand them out as really special Christmas presents to children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to own their own bike.”

The quickfire Good Samaritan mission was inspired by Keith Low and Sarah Young.

“The brainwave came to us one day back at the start of November when we were restricted to riding bikes in pairs.

“We were enjoying a cuppa outside the village stores in Great Easton during our break,” said Sarah.

“As we sat on the wall by the side of the road we mulled over ideas about what we could do in our local communities.

“As a result the Christmas Recycled Cycles idea was born.

“We wanted to generate enough interest to have 10-15 bikes to give away as presents.

“In the end we have collected over 100 bikes, from balance bikes for toddlers to bikes for teenagers and every size in between!

“The response has been absolutely phenomenal and we are so thrilled.”

Keith saluted their members who have invested so much of their own time, skills and expertise to gear up the bikes for Christmas.

“It was incredible how many people stepped in to help out in different ways.

“From Gavin, Fraser and Jez’s mechanical skills to Paul’s logistical know-how and John offering storage space it’s been fantastic,” he said.

“And from Andy reaching out to his local contacts to Dave, Tez, Pierre, Lee and many others who gave their time to scrub, clean and make the bikes sparkle.”

The Easy Riders have now delivered an impressive 70 bikes to children across South Leicestershire – just six weeks after getting the ball rolling.

“We know that 2020 has been a year when many have taken up cycling.

“But we realise that for some it’s just not possible to do so because bikes cost money that they simply don’t have,” said Sarah.

“Who knows, the youngsters who’ve been gifted bikes this Christmas might get the cycling bug and become future members of our club.”

Kibworth Easy Riders have really taken off after being set up just this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our purpose is to get fit, to be sociable and to become a very active part of the communities we live in.

“The club organises local rides twice weekly as well as occasional rides further afield,” said Sarah.

“We are on Facebook and Instagram and anyone wishing to contact us can do so via these channels.

“We are also affiliated to British Cycling.”

If you would like to find out more about Kibworth Easy Riders, you can check them out on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2580534222262783/And here: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/club/profile/8997/kibworth-easy-riders

KER Club member and mechanical ace, Gavin Gough, whose time and dedication to renovating the bikes has been

second to none