Ian with his bikes at Amble
A Northumberland pedal powered business is celebrating five years of transporting cyclists from one side of the country to another.
Pedal Power Cycle Hire in Amble is the brainchild of Ian Rochester, an ex Army, Gulf War Avionics Technician, who set up the business when holiday guests who were stopping at one of his holiday cottages asked if there were any cycles for hire locally. With a love of cycling and a passion for the north of England, Ian saw a potential gap in the market and started his business with just ten bicycles and a vision to provide a unique support service for the ever growing popularity of the Coast to Coast and Hadrian’s Wall cycle routes. Now, five years on and many thousands of pedalled miles later, Ian has more than forty cycles to hire of all sizes and types, for an ever growing clientele of individuals, groups and corporate businesses all happy to don helmets and shorts and take to the open roads for a few hours or a few days.
Using bespoke bike trailers and a vehicle to transport people, bikes and baggage to and from the start and end of the gruelling 147 mile long C2C route between Whitehaven and Tynemouth, or the spectacular 105 miles Route 72 along Hadrian’s Wall, Ian believes that the service he provides takes away the worst part of the cycle ride– the planning and support. “The cyclists all tell me that the logistics of organising transport to and from the start and finish are a nightmare,” said Ian. “I take that all away by dropping them off at the right place at the right time and then taking their baggage to their overnight stops. I’m also a smiling face to greet and congratulate them at the end”
It is estimated that around 12,000 cyclists complete the route every year with many raising thousands of pounds for charity. “In the summer months I may travel to Whitehaven or Bowness-on-Solway up to four times a week and it’s amazing just how many people you see dipping their rear wheels into the Irish Sea before starting the journey back to Tyneside,” he said. “It is becoming increasingly popular for people of all abilities and many people are starting at a very young age.”
Ian has had first hand experience of working with youngsters as many schools use his services to provide safe bicycle hire for their students as part of an alternative curriculum helping students to get fit at the same time as learning about the Northumberland coast and countryside from a different perspective.
Ends Photo shows Ian at Amble and at Tynemouth at the end of the C2C route.
Ian’s website is http:// www.pedal-power.co.uk