On Your Bike is back — and there’s a chance to win a new bike to take part

ON Your Bike is back this year. The charity cycle ride for families will take place on Sunday, April 21, starting and finishing at Sonning Common Primary School in Grove Road.

It is the first time the event will have taken place since 2022 as it was cancelled last year due to a shortage of volunteers.

It will be raising money for Sonning Common First Responders and Sport in Mind, the UK’s leading mental health sports charity based in Caversham.

The official launch took place at the school with a visit by Kathryn Fell, a member of the parent teacher association, and Rob Bowen, owner of A W Cycles in Henley Road, Caversham, which sponsors the event.

Mrs Fell, a photographer who lives in Sonning Common, gave the pupils a slide show about the history of the event, which began in 2007. Mr Bowen announced details of a draw for all entrants with a prize of a new bike provided by A W Cycles and a second draw for only the school’s pupils with a prize of a cycling helmet or protective pads.

Mr Bowen, who has been involved in the event since the start, said: “I’m not giving away just a bike because that kind of doesn’t work, does it? It’s like giving away a pair of shoes.

“So, depending on who wins — and I hope it’s a child here as that would be great — we’ll sort them out a bike based on their needs. For us it’s just like selling a bike but obviously we’re giving it away.”

Cyclists taking part in On Your Bike can choose one of three routes of six, 12 and 20 miles. There will also be a supervised playground cycle for younger children.

Mr Bowen will be at the school on the day ensuring that participants have their bikes set up correctly.

He said: “I’ve got a little work stand and will be checking over bikes that have not seen the light of day for a while and will have other little bits and bobs that people need but have forgotten, like helmets.

“People say, ‘I’ve just pulled this out the shed after four years and I want to go and ride 20 miles’ and I am like, ‘Great, I will try to make this work with the minimal tools I have. That’s what we are here for’.”

Mrs Fell, whose 10-year-old son Jake is in year six at the school, said it was lovely to see the children excited about the event and she hoped they would go home and encourage their families to take part.

She said: “It’s such a lovely community event to be involved with. It’s very well supported by pupils and families and we have people who have left the school and come back for it. We say it’s a ride, not a race, so it doesn’t matter if you’re not into cycling.”

Over the years On Your Bike has raised £75,000, which has been given to local charities and good causes. Mrs Fell said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw this figure. We’re lucky in Sonning Common because we have quite a big community and I think it’s important as you grow up that you try to stay involved. This is a good way to see your school friends, your wider family and familiar faces while getting fresh air and exercise.”

Mrs Fell, who started helping with On Your Bike following the coronavirus pandemic, said: “Obviously it had to take a break because of covid so it was really lovely to have it back in 2022. There were a lot of new people who had moved to the area and lots of new parents and children at the school so it was like a fresh generation coming through.”

To be eligible for the prize draws, participants must enter before Friday, March 22. To enter the event, visit www.onyourbikesonning
common.co.uk