Community cycling initiative Essex Pedal Power, has not only provided free bikes to local residents in some of the most deprived areas in the county to help improve activity levels and access to employment and local services, but also inspired two individuals to take their love for cycling to the next level, by taking part in this year’s Ford RideLondon-Essex.
RideLondon, the world’s greatest festival of cycling, is a legacy event from the London 2012 Olympic Games and was first held in Essex in May 2022. In partnership between Essex County Council and London Marathon Events (LME), the mass participation event returned on Sunday 26 May 2024, with over 21,500 riders.
After receiving their Essex Pedal Power bikes a couple of years ago and catching the cycling ‘bug’, Andrew Hobson and Denise Birch wanted to challenge themselves to cycle 60 miles in the mass participation event, which began in London, continued through the Essex countryside and finished back in the city, with the finale on Tower Bridge.
To prepare for the event, Andrew and Denise completed a number of training rides around the Tendring district where they both live, slowly building up their miles and endurance, as well as confidence cycling on roads. Andrew was averaging around 120 miles a week on his bike before the event, and that set him up in good stead to complete the 60 miles and earn his medal at the finish line.
Andrew said; “Essex Pedal Power has benefited me in so many ways, in particular helping to improve my mental health. Once I got my bike, I started to challenge myself more, which increased my strength and confidence. Before Ford RideLondon-Essex, I hadn’t been to London in more than 30 years, so was really looking forward to cycling on the closed roads, it was a great experience. Denise and I encouraged each other along the way, a few of the climbs were really challenging, however we completed the 60 mile route an hour quicker than expected. Crossing the finish line over Tower Bridge was an amazing feeling, with all the crowds cheering and knowing we had completed the route. It was a lifetime memory and one that I will never forget.”
Denise was also amazed at what she was able to achieve. “It was a fantastic day with an equally brilliant atmosphere. Unfortunately it rained, once in Epping and again in Ongar, where we got absolutely drenched but we carried on through it all, the rain wasn’t going to stop us! The route was hard at times, and the finish line was definitely a welcome sight, but I personally enjoyed every minute of it!”
As a result of Ford RideLondon-Essex coming to the county for the past three years, a funding partnership formed between Active Essex and the London Marathon Foundation (LMF); the parent charity of LME, organisers of RideLondon, which has provided £2.25 million since May 2022 to help inspire physical activity across Essex. £150,000 of this funding so far, has gone towards the expansion of Essex Pedal Power, supporting even more children and adults to benefit from having a bike.
Active Essex’s partnership with LMF has supported over 39,000 residents to participate in physical activity, as well as over 2,500 free bikes distributed through the Essex Pedal Power programme in Clacton & Jaywick, Basildon, Canvey Island, Colchester and Harwich & Dovercourt.
Nick Bitel, CEO of the London Marathon Group said: “Thanks to Ford RideLondon, our funding of Essex Pedal Power is making cycling more accessible across Essex all-year round. Through the hundreds of free bikes given away already, we’ve seen how cycling is changing the lives of residents – from improving physical wellbeing to opening up new social and economic opportunities. We’re excited to build on our work with Active Essex over the coming year, with plans to provide many more free bikes for children and young people as well as adults, and inspiring activity for communities most in need support.”
Rosie Roella-Kevlin, Essex Pedal Power Coordinator for Clacton & Jaywick Sands commented; “I am incredibly proud of Andrew and Denise for taking on and completing the 60 mile Ford RideLondon-Essex ride. From receiving a free bike through a local community programme to pushing themselves out of their comfort zone to take on the world’s greatest festival of cycling is so inspiring, and I really hope it will encourage others in the Essex Pedal Power community to get involved next year.”
We’d like to congratulate Andrew and Denise once again on their fantastic achievement and hope that it will help to inspire more riders in the Essex Pedal Power community to consider taking on the Ford RideLondon-Essex challenge next year. From receiving a free bike a couple of years ago, to completing a world renowned cycling event, they should be incredibly proud.
