What Can I do with My Old Steed?

When your favourite steed is finally no longer capable of accompanying you on those long, weekend rides and it's time to say goodbye, we thought maybe instead of resigning her to the local rubbish tip, you may like to consider one of the following options. Bit like 'donar cards' for bikes.

www.inside-out.org.uk

Inside Out Trust encourages prisons to work on projects that benefit the inmates and benefit the most disadvantaged people in the world. They all deliver real skills to help prisoners' resettlement. They all meet real need. Inside Out Trust ensures prisoners get feedback on the impact of their work.

Much of the work is about recycling and refurbishing goods that others throw away, which includes bicycles. The bikes are completely stripped down, any faulty parts replaced or repaired, then they are all put back together and re-sprayed. Some workshops build up links with their local communities where they distribute bikes, as well as producing bikes for international charities, who then send them to places such as South Africa, Iraq, Romania and Sudan, where they greatly benefit the lives of many people.

Bike repair is organised regionally. The project prefers to pick up unwanted bikes by the vanload as otherwise it isn't economical. As well as donated bikes, many of the regions are also always looking out for new beneficiaries i.e. community groups etc.

Head (admin) office is based at Hurstpierpoint, but has no storage facilities so are unable to take any deliveries of donated bikes. People should contact regional offices if they have bikes to donate, or wish to arrange to become beneficiaries:

The London Triathlon is the biggest triathlon in the World, attracting over 10,000 entrants every year. Competitors face a 1.5km swim in open water, a spectacular 40km bike ride along closed roads through the centre of London and finally a 10km run to the finish.

In August 2008, a group of Visually Impaired athletes (”Team VIper”) will be taking on the challenge. Team VIper includes partially as well as totally blind men and women, from complete novices to GBR representatives. Some will be doing the whole thing themselves while others will be doing one or two legs as part of a relay team.

Not only will Team VIper be raising money for three sight-related charities, they will be spreading the word that visual impairment is no barrier to taking on physical challenges that would exceed the abilities of the large majority of able bodied people.

100% of the donations raised by the team via this website will be split equally between British Blind Sport, St. Dunstan's and IAPB.

Project VIper was inspired by www.tritalk.co.uk and is endorsed by the British Triathlon Federation. Rebycle fully support the project. Should you wish to find out more or make a donation to this inspirational project, please click HERE and you will be redirected.

www.threefatladsonbikes.co.uk