Looking back at 2014.

Well, first up an apology.  When we started this blog it was my intention to post up a bit more regularly than we have managed so far.  But WOW, what a year we have had.  This has been our busiest year yet, we have been all the way to Thurso at the top of Scotland and down to London, well you know where that is.

 In June we had our biggest challenge so far, what we like to call our Tour of Yorkshire.  On the way to East Yorkshire we called in at Witton Park, Blackburn for a Pump Track day before making our way across to Driffield and our home for the week.

Beech View near Nafferton.

We were to be working for East Riding of Yorkshire Council as part of the Cycle 4 Life Challenge.  The seven days were book ended with public events at Bridlington and Goole.

Sewerby Hall.

Bikes for everybody.

During the week, we visited nine schools in the five days.  Luckily they were close together as we only had about two hours to pack everything up, drive to the next school and set up again.  Everybody worked really hard, Tara and Lynsey were in charge of the van which contained the features and bikes whilst Martyn, Elliot and myself were in charge of the Pump Track.

Typical set up.

Improvised bike rack.

Running repairs.

Although hard work, the quick turnover times made us much more efficient and as all the schools were fairly close to where we were staying at least it meant the days weren't too long.  A big thanks goes to the owners of Beech View near Nafferton who couldn't have been more helpful and made us very welcome.  The hot tub was a big hit.

Next big job of the summer was at the Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate.  The team were in good spirits as some of them were already down in Yorkshire for the start of the Tour de France.  Driving towards Harrogate we got an idea of the scale of the Tours visit, the local car dealers had adverts for camping behind the showroom.  Once we had stocked up on food, the local Sainsburys closes during the show to provide car parking, we had to find our spot on site.  We had already been down to the showground for a couple of events previously but this was something else.  Although the site is 250 acres, it is full to the brim and with access not allowed at the weekend most people were trying to get in and set up at the same time as us.  Our space was on a grassy terrace, next to the marque for the Tri Nations Butchery competition and a Blacksmith on the other side.  With a wall on one side and a steep slope on the other we got some fencing to secure the site and then set about laying out the features.  We had a bit of negotiating to do with organisers of the butchery competition to get as much space as possible, the relatively narrow space didn't give us much scope for different layouts.  So we settled on a nice simple loop with a see saw and skinnies in the middle. 

The Great Yorkshire Show is just over that hedge.

Ready to go.

Testing.

The three days went very smoothly and included our first Royal visit, well almost.  The Countess of Wessex passed through which meant we had a member of her Police escort come over and ask us to clear a path for her.  Maybe next year we can get her on a bike!

It's not just for kids.

Another happy customer.

 One of the other highlights of the year was spending a week in Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games.  We were part of Glasgow Life, an opportunity for local children to try out a variety of activities for free.  Everyday for a week we were at a different leisure centre or school.  Kids could try out activities like table tennis, badminton and gymnastics indoors, whilst we were outside along with the portable climbing wall from Gecko Venture.

 

Fun for all.

As ever we were keen to get everybody on a bike, officials included and we were a big hit with all comers.  

 With all ages and abilities coming along to have a go the features were a good choice, something for everybody and the flexibility to set up in some fairly small sites.

More satisfied customers.

Even Clyde the Games mascot came along to check us out.  

So there you have a few highlights from the last years work.  It's been a busy year and we've been everywhere from Thurso to London and quite a few places inbetween.  Thanks to everybody in the team for your efforts and to everybody that has booked us, hopefully we'll see you all again in 2015.