Blog Post
January 2025
Gearing up for a great year!
Lockers
This month we installed 6 lockers at Douglas Primary School. We are working in partnership with Douglas Primary School to promote safe cycling with a series of activities and events which will include free bike safety checks, cycle safety talks as well as an after-school bike club.
After a successful active travel event at Stonehouse pump track, they now also wish to establish a hub with lockers and e-bikes.
Led Rides
Our Thursday Led Ride series is now established with 6-10 participants most weeks. Rides are typically 10-15 miles / 1-2 hour duration at a social chatty pace on no or low traffic routes. They also invariably involve a coffee and cake stop. This month we have explored Crawfordjohn, Abington, Carstairs Junction, Wiston, Tinto and Pettinain in the cold winter sun. We are now looking at the possibility of starting up an additional day.
Support for Schools
Coulter and Carstairs Junction Primary Schools have asked Gear Up to deliver Bikeability.
General Support
After a successful campaign over the festive season looking for donations, we received 12 preloved bikes. We have refurbished them, and they are now ready to be donated to local families in need.
Training
1 staff member and 2 volunteers successfully completed their Ride Leader training at East Lothian Outdoor Centre. This course covers the skills required to lead less confident cyclists on cycle paths and quiet roads.
Bike Maintenance
We have our next free 4-week Bike Maintenance course planned to start on Wednesday 19th February. If you would like to join us, email gearup@healthyvalleys.org.uk for more information.
Volunteering
Volunteer engagement continues to grow organically with two new volunteers emerging through our Led Rides and Maintenance course.
Promotion
We spent a glorious day in the sunshine at Wiston Lodge shooting some promotional material with Electrify. We are excited to receive the film and photos to launch a targeted marketing campaign.
Gearing up for a great year!
Lockers
This month we installed 6 lockers at Douglas Primary School. We are working in partnership with Douglas Primary School to promote safe cycling with a series of activities and events which will include free bike safety checks, cycle safety talks as well as an after-school bike club.
After a successful active travel event at Stonehouse pump track, they now also wish to establish a hub with lockers and e-bikes.
Led Rides
Our Thursday Led Ride series is now established with 6-10 participants most weeks. Rides are typically 10-15 miles / 1-2 hour duration at a social chatty pace on no or low traffic routes. They also invariably involve a coffee and cake stop. This month we have explored Crawfordjohn, Abington, Carstairs Junction, Wiston, Tinto and Pettinain in the cold winter sun. We are now looking at the possibility of starting up an additional day.
Support for Schools
Coulter and Carstairs Junction Primary Schools have asked Gear Up to deliver Bikeability.
General Support
After a successful campaign over the festive season looking for donations, we received 12 preloved bikes. We have refurbished them, and they are now ready to be donated to local families in need.
Training
1 staff member and 2 volunteers successfully completed their Ride Leader training at East Lothian Outdoor Centre. This course covers the skills required to lead less confident cyclists on cycle paths and quiet roads.
Bike Maintenance
We have our next free 4-week Bike Maintenance course planned to start on Wednesday 19th February. If you would like to join us, email gearup@healthyvalleys.org.uk for more information.
Volunteering
Volunteer engagement continues to grow organically with two new volunteers emerging through our Led Rides and Maintenance course.
Promotion
We spent a glorious day in the sunshine at Wiston Lodge shooting some promotional material with Electrify. We are excited to receive the film and photos to launch a targeted marketing campaign.
